She Magazine l April/May 2009

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APRIL/MAY 2009

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S

Seeing the brighter side

HER AY LETTERS FROM THE EDITORS

Turning anger into laughter It was a Saturday morning in February. My husband and I had many errands to run. I took time to make myself presentable, finding the right outfit to wear and turning a bad hair day into a good one. Our itinerary included stopping at the bank and then the car wash, getting the oil changed, going to the grocery store, enjoying lunch and then continuing with more errands. I felt great! It was a sunny but very cold morning. The bank stop was smooth so off to the car wash we went. Once there, my husband saw a few drips coming from the sunroof. Curious, he slid the sun shield back. I was busy writing the deposit in my checkbook when all of a sudden I was pounded with cold water coming through our SUV’s sunroof. Now, as any man in this situation would do, my husband panicked and pressed the button that slid the sunroof open … just as the automatic washer was passing my side of the car. So — you guessed it — I was drenched a second time. I was soaked. The inside of my purse was soaked. My checkbook was unsalvageable. I could see the look on my husband’s face, a look that said: “I don’t dare laugh.” At the same time, his expression held a hint of fear. All I could say was: “TAKE ME HOME.” He dropped me off and continued doing the rest of the errands on his own. I know he had a heck of a good laugh after I left the car. I walked into the house, stripping my clothes off on the way to the dryer, making my way into the bathroom to dry my hair. When I got to the bathroom mirror and saw the water still dripping down my face, I shocked myself because all I could do was stand there and laugh. My husband came home about two hours later (I think he was afraid to walk through the door). I told him it was OK to come in, and we laughed ... for two days we laughed. I am not sure if there is a moral to this story, but I am sure that no matter what happens, if you couldn’t do anything about it and no one got hurt, turn anger into laughter. It’s a lot more entertaining.

Spring is my favorite time of year. I guess it’s because I’m eternally optimistic, and spring is the season that says: “See, I told you things would get better.” I know there are those who appreciate winter — the opportunity it provides for reflecting, recharging, redirecting. And I certainly believe spring wouldn’t feel so sweetly refreshing if winter weren’t so bitterly cold, but does that annual lesson have to come at such a harsh price in southeastern Wisconsin? I really don’t mind the snow, but I can do without the chapped lips, the dry skin, the brittle hair. One of the neat things about planning this issue is that I was “thinking spring” in the depths of winter. As stories were filed about Diane Levis’ rain garden (see Page 34), about Cynthia Fueredi’s Sunday brunches (see Page 37), about Sandee Schuleit’s Easter egg tradition (see Page 59), I kept dreaming: Soon I’ll again be able to walk my dogs without the risk of slipping on ice; soon my Chicago Cubs will creep out of hibernation and start training down in Arizona. By the way, I think this is going to be THE year for my Cubbies. See, I told you I was eternally optimistic. Kathleen Troher She editor

Lani Renneau She managing director

She

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MISSION TATEMENT

She is a trailblazer. A nurturer. A guide. She is the first magazine for, by and about southeast Wisconsin women. She embodies the women featured on her pages. Women striving to balance work, family and community commitments. Women improving themselves and those around

them physically, spiritually, intellectually. Women giving their all while maintaining their sense of self. Women finding themselves by losing their fears. Versatile. Diverse. Empowered. She is making a difference. She is you.

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She wants you

STAFF & SHE NEEDS

W

e are planning our one-year anniversary issue of She and would like to include our readers’ reflections. In an e-mail, please tell us what you think about the magazine. Did you have a favorite story? Did any of our She subjects touch your heart in a special way or motivate you to pursue a new challenge? Is there something you’ve clipped from our pages to mail to a friend? If so, please let us know, and make sure to include your name, the city or town in which you live and a way for us to contact you. We’ll give you a call to schedule a photo to accompany your words, which will appear in our June/July issue. If you’re interested, send an e-mail to she@ kenoshanews.com. Additionally, we are looking for women to be

Managing director Lani Renneau Editor Kathleen Troher Design director Brian Sharkey Assistant design director Julie Vander Velden Photo editor Kevin Poirier Editorial assistant Kathy Pfaffle Web site coordinator Terry Maraccini

Contact us News: Kathleen Troher, she@kenoshanews.com, (262) 656-6363 Advertising: Patti Clausen, pclausen@kenoshanews.com, (262) 656-6231 Marketing: Raechel Tudjan, rtudjan@kenoshanews.com, (262) 656-6353 To purchase photos: Visit our Web site at www.she-magazine.com Published by the Kenosha News 5800 Seventh Ave. Kenosha, WI 53140 Main phone: (262) 657-1000; Toll free: (800) 292-2700

featured in upcoming stories. If either of these subjects interests you, please send an e-mail to she@kenoshanews.com. Be sure to tell us how we can contact you. > Are you a teacher with years of classroom stories to tell? Why did you go into the profession? What are your most heartwarming moments, your favorite snafus, your advice to others pursuing careers in teaching? Tell us and maybe you’ll be included in our end-of-the-school-year article. > Eating disorders are more widely discussed publicly today, but so many people remain in the dark about their causes and devastating effects. In an effort to help people with eating disorders, we are searching for women who are willing to talk about their struggles — the signs, the symptoms and their road to recovery.

She Advisory Board She magazine would not be what it is without guidance and support from its 10-member Advisory Board. These are women from the community who have helped shape the magazine by providing their insight and recommendations. These women offered initial input as we created the outline for She, and they will meet with us periodically to ensure we’re on the right track. Readers should contact She staff members, not Advisory Board members, should they have questions about content, advertising or subscriptions. Advisory Board members are: Fay Akindes, University of Wisconsin-Parkside director of the Center for Ethnic Studies; Consuelo Bridgeman, Hispanic Educational Resource Motivating and Navigating Academic Success mentor and adviser; Pam Carper, Women and Children’s Horizons assistant executive director; Paula J. Clark, Kenosha County Aging and Disability Resource Center community outreach coordinator; Jayne Herring, Gateway Technical College director of marketing and communications; Adelene Greene, Kenosha County director of workforce development; Diane Kastelic, Kenosha Unified School District library media teacher consultant; Crista Kruse, United Way of Kenosha County community impact director; Monica Yuhas, Pleasant Prairie trustee.

© 2009 by the Kenosha News, a division of United Communications Corporation. All rights reserved.

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To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kenzer, please call 262-948-7350. Aurora Medical Center 10400 75th Street Kenosha, WI 53142 www.AuroraHealthCare.org

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit health care provider and a national leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS APRIL/MAY 2009

BODY AND SOUL

FEATURE STORY

SHE’S STEPPING OUT

13 Three For Me: Improving your life physically, emotionally, intellectually

43 PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN POIRIER

16 PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN POIRIER

Charlotte Bolle, right, holds her daughter, Claudia, who has autism.

16 Kindred Spirits: Mom raises autism awareness and funds for the cause

DEFINING SUCCESS

Clockwise from upper left: Stephanie Sklba, Janet Days, Barb Geschke, Karen Danko, Manda Stack and Nydia Adames-Petty are all graduates of the Leadership Racine, Kenosha or Union Grove programs.

Leadership

24

As the saying goes, leaders are born, not made. But that’s not the whole story. Sure some of the world’s greatest movers and shakers seem to have commanding qualities right out of the box, but that doesn’t mean other people can’t acquire them. That’s what Leadership Racine, Leadership Kenosha and Leadership Union Grove are all about. These programs develop caring, concerned, committed local leaders — like the nine women featured in this issue. Read about the big and small ways they’re improving their communities.

SHE’S GOT STYLE 30 Home: Clean that closet

21 21

A Woman of Substance: Kristen Piehl is Kenosha’s first female funeral director

22

Women, Wisdom and Wealth: Put your money to work for you

34 Garden: How to create a

Cynthia Fueredi whips up Sunday brunch

40 My Favorite Things:

Music, movies, books, clothes: What’s near and dear to her heart?

47

Getaway: Take a trip to Kohler

53 Events calendar: What’s happening when and where

56 Out and about: Faces in places you know

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT

59 Holiday Happiness:

rain garden

37 Food: Food columnist

Dolls Home Furnishings and Interior Design of Lake Geneva

answer questions about themselves and each other

frame that fits your face

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

43 Hidden Gem: Paper

57 She and He: Spouses

32 Fashion: Pick an eyeglass

Kristen Piehl co-owns Bruch Funeral Home with her husband, Louis.

Paper Dolls co-owners Kristi Hugunin, left, and Chris Haak formed a partnership that has remained strong over more than 25 years.

30 PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN POIRIER

Missy Putnam, owner of Clearing Spaces LLC, keeps the closets in her Williams Bay home free of clutter.

Easter egg tradition makes “hoppy” memories

60 Liz Out Loud: Economy woes? Think special tax deductions

62 In Her Day: A tribute to Mom SHE l April/May 2009 l 11

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BODY & OUL THREE FOR ME | KINDRED SPIRITS

Making scents

Lake Geneva woman blends flower essences to help her stay emotionally balanced By Kathleen Troher Many people have heard the “Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it” admonition. But what about “Be open to challenges in your life, you might just learn from them?” It’s a saying that could define how Deborah Werner advances toward serenity. Too often in life we avoid experiences that could bring us any measure of emotional distress. But those painful experiences often are the ones that provided us with the greatest opportunities for growth, Werner said. “It’s important to look at challenges and be open to where the universe is nudging you,” Werner said. “As humans we fight everything. But if you can tap into your courage, your strength, you can find your true passion. “We can fight it, or stay in alignment with it and move through it. Be grateful for your challenges; they help you get to where you want to be.” When it comes to overcoming obstacles, Werner, 49, speaks from experience. In the last seven years she has gone from Deborah Werner’s balancing sprays and being a wife and mother living drops are made of essential oils and comfortably in Northbrook, Ill., to being a divorced single mom flower essences. living in Lake Geneva. Through the upheavals and uncertainty, one constant eased the anxiety and helped her remain emotionally balanced: flowers. Yes, flowers. “Certain flowers really helped me through my journey,” said Werner, who has studied the art of creating flower essences, including many from heirloom and native Midwestern flowers. In 1998 she founded a business, Earth, Wind and Flowers, through which she creates sprays and drops that are custom blends of essential oils and flower essences. She started her line with five balancing sprays and now has expanded to 44. Among the flowers she uses are roses, lily of the valley, zinnias and lavender. Essential oils include rosewood, rose geranium, jasmine, and bergamot, which has a spicy, citrussy scent. Essential oils, which are extracted from plants, carry distinctive fragrances from those plants. Although opinions differ on the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, aromatherapy experts agree scents affect moods and attitudes. According to Patricia Kaminski, executive director of the non-profit Flower Essence Society based in Nevada City, Calif., flower essences are very safe to use. “They are liquid potentized preparations made

PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN POIRIER

Deborah Werner, of Lake Geneva, has studied the art of creating flower essences, including many from heirloom and native Midwestern flowers. directly from plants,” she said, noting that potentized means “they have an imprint for each specific flower from which they are made.” Werner’s products sell at dozens of spas, wellness centers and boutiques in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, including Lake Geneva’s Cornerstone Shop, Kenosha’s Equinox and Racine’s Sheepish. Customers can buy them already made or they can create customized sprays or drops with Werner when they meet with her for individual consultations following a monthly series of workshops she conducts at The Spa at Geneva Ridge. For Werner, it’s all about tapping into the power to balance body, mind and spirit. “It’s all about balance,” Werner said. “If you’re in alignment with your soul’s purpose you’ll have harmony in your life.” For more information about Werner’s products or workshops, call her at (262) 245-9853 or go to http://www.earthwindflowers.net.

THREE FOR ME

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Spring into action By Pat Ehlert

Racine Public Library

S

pring finally is here, and whether you’re a veteran gardener or a newcomer trying to beautify your home or ease the family budget with homegrown produce, the Racine Public Library, with its collection of more than 1,400 gardening books and videos, is ready to help. This great gardening collection owes much to the generosity of the Potpourri Garden Club, which donates books every year with part of the proceeds from its perennial sale. This year’s sale will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 30 in the parking lot at Sam’s Club, 6200 Regency West Drive in Racine. It’s a good opportunity to find hardy, reasonably priced and locally grown plants, as well as to talk to the knowledgeable gardeners who grew them. With your purchases, you’ll be supporting the Racine Public Library and Potpourri’s community gardening and grants programs. For more information about Potpourri, contact Gail Toler at (262) 639-7496. Featured below are a few of the new books in the Racine Public Library’s collection. To reserve one of them or to request assistance in finding material on any other gardening topic, call the reference desk. You also may ask the reference desk staff to send books to any of the 20 stops made by the Mobile Library each week. “Garden Your Way to Health and Fitness” by Bunny Guinness and Jacqueline Knox (Timber Press, 2008) Everyone knows that gardening is a healthy activity and that fresh vegetables and fruits are good for you. But gardening has its hazards, too, such as pulled muscles, back and knee problems, repetitive stress injuries, pesticide exposure and falls and other injuries. In this unique book, physiotherapist Knox and garden designer Guinness team up to help gardeners develop safe work habits and a conditioning regimen that can be carried out in your own attractive, fresh-air gym. Balancing exercises, aerobics, strength training and stretching get you off to a vigorous start. Tips for proper tool use, lifting, bending, carrying, and choosing protective clothing help prevent injuries and are integrated into the design portion of the book. If you develop a thirst from all these activities, you can even relax with a glass of the authors’ refreshing lavender lemonade. “The Authentic Garden: Five Principles for Cultivating a Sense of Place” by Claire E. Sawyers (Timber Press, 2007) American gardeners have long borrowed garden design elements from other cultures. Books on creating a Japanese, English, French or Italian garden abound. Sawyers, the director of the Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College, is on a mission to encourage us to create gardens that are deeply rooted in our own surroundings and reflective of our own taste and lifestyle. While most of us don’t have a site as dramatic as say Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, with Sawyers’ help we all can learn to see what is special about our own site and to work with it rather than against it in developing a plan for our surroundings. Whether you already feel a deep affinity for your garden, are just starting one or want to identify what it is about your garden that just doesn’t feel right, “The Authentic Garden” is sure to help you create a place that will nurture your spirit. “The Garden Primer” by Barbara Damrosch (Workman, 2008) Barbara Damrosch is one of the nation’s most respected garden experts, a columnist for the Washington Post, and, with her husband, the operator of an experimental market garden in Maine that is a nationally recognized model of small-scale sustainable agriculture. The stated goal of this 100 percent organic, new edition of her classic gardening handbook is “to answer as many fundamental questions about gardening as possible, and to impart to new, and even relatively experienced, gardeners the kind of wisdom and knowledge that comes from a lifetime of having your hands in the earth.” Annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, fruits, bulbs, roses, lawns, ground covers, vines, shrubs, trees, wildflowers, and even houseplants are covered, along with general information about what plants need, planning your landscape, gardening gear and advice on how to buy plants. “Grow Vegetables” by Alan Buckingham (DK, 2008) Publisher DK is known for profusely illustrated books, and this one is no exception. Gorgeous full-page and many smaller photographs depict each vegetable and herb as well as some of the recommended methods of planting and harvesting. The Racine Public Library is located at 75 Seventh St. in downtown Racine. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, except from Memorial Day through September when the library is closed on Sundays. For a list of stops for the Racine Mobile Library, call (262) 939-2264. For Racine Public Library information, call (262) 636-9241.

Allergies or cold? Tests help pinpoint exact cause of your spring sniffles or your seasonal cold By Kathleen Troher It’s spring, and after a long, harsh winter you’re looking forward to rejuvenation. But you feel lousy. Your nose is runny. You’re sneezing and wheezing. Your eyes are itchy and watery. And hey, you remember feeling the same way right around this time last year. Think you have a cold? Think again. It could be seasonal allergies. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, many people may not realize they have allergies, so they often attribute their congestion and runny nose to a cold. Left untreated, allergies can cause more serious conditions, like sinusitis or ear infections, so it’s important to know the difference between allergies and colds. Symptoms can be similar, but colds can include fever, aches and pains, while allergies do not. And symptoms of colds usually clear up within several days to a week, while allergies last as long as you’re exposed to the allergens that are causing you misery. If it seems like you get a cold that won’t quit at the same time every year, chances are it’s a seasonal allergy. Allergies arise from an abnormal immune system response to substances in the environment, such as pollen and molds. Sometimes as people age they develop allergic reactions to substances that never bothered them before. “Your sensitization can change with time, and > Page 15

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you can pick up new allergies as you age,” said Dr. Nathan Lebak of Aurora Health Care’s allergy and immunology department, who sees patients in Racine, Burlington and Delavan. Lebak said doctors can diagnose what a person is allergic to using a skin test or a blood test, though the skin test is the preferred method in part because the results are known much more quickly, usually within 15 minutes compared with one to two weeks for the blood test. Blood tests are less accurate and more expensive, but they can be alternatives for people who can’t have skin tests because they take medicines that interfere with results or they have severe skin diseases or they are highly sensitive to suspected allergens. The skin test most commonly performed involves tiny drops of purified allergen extracts pricked or scratched into the skin’s surface, usually on the upper back or forearm. Several allergens can be in-

THREE FOR ME troduced separately, and those that react will turn red within 15 minutes. At Lebak’s office they test for 40 things, all of which are predominantly found in southeastern Wisconsin, including specific trees, grasses and weeds. They also test for indoor allergens such as cats, dogs, cockroaches, dust mites and molds. Once you know what substances trigger your allergies, you can try to avoid them or you can consider treatment, such as medication or allergy shots. Lebak said he doesn’t advise patients to immediately consider shots. He recommends treating first with medication for a full season. “If there’s no improvement, then we can try allergy shots,” said Lebak, who noted that some people who don’t want to deal with medication will go directly to the shots for treatment.

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KINDRED SPIRITS

> Au

Change for the better PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN POIRIER

Claudia’s autism affects the way she interacts with people, but bonding with her mom, Charlotte, has come a long way now that Claudia is receiving intensive therapy and her diet has been changed.

After their daughter was diagnosed with autism, Charlotte and Tony Bolle have made it their mission to educate the world about the disorder

By Kathleen Troher “Trust your instincts and remember that you know your child better than anyone else. If you have concerns and know something isn’t right, you need to pursue finding the answers that will lead to your child getting the help and intervention he or she needs as soon as possible.” This advice comes from Twin Lakes resident Charlotte Bolle, whose daughter, Claudia, 4, was diagnosed with autism in August 2007. Since then, Charlotte has tirelessly raised awareness about the disorder, doing so primarily through a video she created that tells the story of autism through Claudia’s experiences. Bolle and her husband, Tony, began thinking something might be wrong with their daughter around the time she reached 7 months. Their son, Anthony, was 3, so the couple knew roughly what developmental milestones to expect from Claudia. Up until then she had been making progress. Trouble was, she seemed to stop, even to regress. Over the next two years Claudia began closing herself off in another world. Charlotte could bang a pot, and Claudia wouldn’t even glance her way. Often the

About autism > It is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person’s lifetime > It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders > 1 in 150 children have autism > It is four times more likely to occur in boys than girls > It impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others > It is associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines > Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe

little girl would sit for hours mesmerized by a doorstop. Even a trip to the park would turn painful. “My heart would break,” Charlotte said. “All the other children would be playing, and there was my daughter, just staring at the bark on a tree or at the sand or grass. We knew something was wrong, something was very wrong.” > Page 17

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> Autism, from 16

Throughout this time, visits to specialists for genetic and behavioral testing were routine. Was their daughter deaf? Did she have Down syndrome? Was it a chromosome abnormality? Charlotte and Tony sought to find an answer, believing they could help her if only they knew what was wrong. Beginning in September 2006, Claudia was being seen by the Autism Behavioral and Communications team at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, but it wasn’t until nearly a year later that a neurologist diagnosed her autism and then Claudia had the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommended testing for the disorder through a psychologist. The Bolles had fought to get to the root of their daughter’s problems, and now that they knew autism was to blame, a wellspring of emotions emerged. Charlotte, a photographer, channeled hers into a creative outlet. Using the many photos she had taken of Claudia, Charlotte developed a slide show video. She added music and facts she compiled about autism in general and about their own specific struggle with the disorder. Charlotte called the video “Change Her World.” Charlotte posted it on What Kind of World Do You Want, a fundraising Web site (http:// whatkindofworlddoyouwant. com/). When visitors to the site watch a clip, money goes toward the charity listed for that video. With more than 2.7 million hits, “Change Her World” has become the most watched video on the site. The next most popular has fewer than 1 million hits. “Change Her World” has raised money for Autism Speaks, which is dedicated to raising awareness for autism (www.autismspeaks.org), and the video has been used by churches, schools and advocacy groups to educate people about the disorder. Eventually Charlotte created a second version, and most recently a third to show how far Claudia has progressed. The videos have been shown at events and conferences in the United States, including Chicago and Milwaukee, in England, in Canada and elsewhere. Since her diagnosis, life has changed dramatically for

Autism support > The Kenosha Public Library is hosting “Autism and Friends” from 1 to 3:30 p.m. May 23 at the Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave. Children with special needs and their families/caregivers are invited to join children’s services for a story program with music and puppets from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Craft activities and toys will be available in the story time room until 3:30 p.m. Information will be provided about the special needs resources available at the library in the developmental toy collection. For more information, call the library at (262) 564-6150. Registration is recommended. > Kenosha Autism Support Group will sponsor a Crop for Autism from 6 to 10 p.m. April 17 at Country Inn and Suites, 7011 122nd Ave. The event will include dinner, family activities and raffles. It is for anyone who scrapbooks, wants to learn to scrapbook or wants to support the cause of autism awareness. The cost is $10 in advance or $15 the night of the event. All proceeds will benefit families with autism through Kenosha Autism Support. The group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the last Tuesday of every month at Kenosha Achievement Center, 7405 30th Ave. Childcare is available. For more information, call Patricia at (262) 657-3615. > Autism Solutions support group meets the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, lower level, Sturtevant room, 3801 Spring St. (Highway C) Racine. For more information call Cindy Schultz at (262) 639-3041. Claudia. She receives intensive therapy, including speech, occupational, applied behavioral analysis, and horseback riding. The Bolles have pursued biomedical treatment options, and they no longer feed Claudia foods with dairy or gluten. She takes nutritional supplements. Most of Claudia’s treatment is not covered by insurance. Life has changed for Charlotte and Tony, too. They were asked to serve on a Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin com-

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> Autism, from 17

mittee working on ways to improve the evaluation, treatment and support for autism at the hospital. Dr. Michael Gutzeit, the hospital’s chief medical officer, said Charlotte and Tony have been “key in getting this group moving.” “They’re working on ways to improve the whole process for looking at autism,” Gutzeit said of the committee members. Another change is the creation of a Change Her World Web site (www. changeherworld.org), which is sponsored by Bolle family friends. The purpose of the site is to raise funds for out-ofpocket expenses associated with Claudia’s diagnosis and to raise awareness for autism and the many impacts it has on families and society. But the most important changes are Claudia’s. Although there is no cure for autism, the intensive therapies she receives and the alterations in her diet have produced what Charlotte refers to as “tiny miracles.” Her little girl, who was becoming so isolated, now craves attention and interacts with others. “Before she wouldn’t let us hold her, wouldn’t let us touch her,” Charlotte said. “Now she’s always hugging somebody. Her personality has emerged. She’s our new little Claudia.”

Thoughts from a mom Charlotte Bolle’s advice to a parent whose child is diagnosed with autism: Take a moment and work through all of those overwhelming emotions. Cry until there simply are no more tears. Let it all out. The fear and uncertainty of your child’s future. Who will care for your child when you are gone? The impact this will have financially on your family, and the toll this will take on your marriage. The loss of dreams you once had for this child. Go ahead and work through these intense, overwhelming emotions. You’ll find once you’re able to get past this stage, you can take all that energy and channel it into helping your child, and you’ll begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You’ll find yourself picking up the pieces and creating a new set of dreams for your child. You also will find yourself cherishing the tiniest victories as your child overcomes obstacles and begins to make progress...there is no greater joy. Also, take comfort in knowing you are not alone. Reach out to find an autism support group in your area. The best advice I’ve received throughout this journey has no doubt been from parents who have walked this path. Be strong, have faith that better days will come, and never, ever, lose hope.

Charlotte Bolle used photos of her daughter, Claudia, for a slideshow video that raised funds for autism awareness.

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Life as a funeral director By Jessica Stephen Kristen “Kris” Piehl was 13 when she found her calling. But when she began mortuary school, she wasn’t sure she would find a job. “Women don’t belong in this business,” several funeral directors told her. When funeral director Paul Lendman agreed to an internship, — “I’m going to take a chance on you,” he said, but never explained why — Piehl took a step toward realizing her dream. “I wanted to be the first woman funeral director in Kenosha. I am,” said Piehl, 42, of Kenosha. Today, 20 years later, Piehl coowns Bruch Funeral Home in Kenosha with her husband, Louis. She also is vice president of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association. In June, she expects to be named the association’s president-elect and become only the second woman to hold the office. It’s a life Piehl never imagined, until her mother put the idea in her head. Her mom, Noreen Pecnick, worked as a funeral home cosmetologist. “One night she came home and said, ‘You should be a funeral director.’ I said, ‘You’re crazy,’” Piehl remembered. Then, “I slept on it and knew that’s what I wanted to do. I just had a feeling.” That feeling went beyond a respect for the mechanics of funeral preparation, although Piehl admitted she likes embalming. “I love the back room, but I love working with people because I want to make a difference,” she said. “I want to take as much off their shoulders as possible.” Her father’s death cultivated the compassion that Piehl says drives her work. Bill Pecnick worked at American Motors. When he died in May 1987, Piehl was 19. She started in the funeral business one week later. “I didn’t know if I was going to make it,” she said, reaching for a black-and-white baby picture of her dad and his twin. She keeps it on her desk. “I didn’t know if I wanted to do it. If it hurts this bad, how can I help other people?” she asked herself. “But I did it. Deep down, I wanted my dad to be proud.” “He has made me a stronger, better funeral director because I know how it is on that side,” Piehl said. “It’s hell. It hurts.” There are days when Piehl wonders how she finds the strength to continue. One of those days came recently, when Piehl and her husband coordinated funerals for two infants in one week, an emotional first in her 20-year career. One grieving mother held onto Piehl so tightly that they both broke down. The tears were a comfort. “The day I lose that is the day I need to leave the

A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

Kristen Piehl co-owns Bruch Funeral Home in Kenosha with her husband, Louis. She also is vice president of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association. business,” she said. When the trying times come, Piehl said she relies on her husband, a partner in business and in life who inherently understands the emotional, even physical, challenges of the job. At other times, Piehl turns to the basket of thank you cards she keeps in their office. “There’s no greater thing than to have a family say thank you,” Piehl said. For Piehl’s 11-year-old daughter, Kaitlin “Katie” Shaffer — the other great joy in Piehl’s life — history seems poised to repeat itself. Katie already has begged to go on her first call. Such serious work will have to wait a few years, Piehl has told her. For now, Piehl is pleased that her daughter respects her enough to eagerly consider following in her footsteps. “What I hope and pray for when I’m gone is that my daughter can say, ‘That was my mom. She did that. She was the first woman (funeral director) in Kenosha,’” Piehl said. “That’s my goal.”

In her own words As a mentor, what would you tell someone about how to succeed? “You have to be compassionate. And there is hard work, and if you’re not willing to do that, you’re not going to make it.” How do you live your life to the fullest? “Life is too short, and we’re the first people to know that. So, if there’s something we need to do or want to do, we do it. We can’t let life pass us by.” What gadget could you not live without? Why? “My cell phone. That’s our lifeline. Or, my pager. My pager is my other body part. I don’t leave home without them.” What do you do when no one is looking? “I play my Hidden Picture games on the computer or watch ‘House.’ I love him (Hugh Laurie, aka Dr. Gregory House). I really do love him.” What is your favorite word? “Probably ‘love,’ because I think I’ve been blessed with my family, my friends, my career. And it’s a good feeling, not only to love but also to be loved.” If given the chance, what would you do differently? “Careerwise? I don’t think I would have done anything (differently).” SHE l April/May 2009 l 21

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We’ve all heard by now that market cycles come and go, but that knowledge doesn’t always provide the comfort we need to digest this current economy. It can be hard to remember that for long-term investors, these current short-term results are a small part of a much bigger picture. During these times, it is important to keep a long-term perspective and to stay the course. Our perspective is very different if we take a 20-year view of total returns as opposed to a month-to-month view. The longer perspective allows us to cope more easily because it tells us that this market will recover, we just don’t know when. As the market fluctuates, cash may seem like the best solution, but that will depend on your individual situation and investment objectives. History tells us and shows us that you may miss rewarding investment opportunities if you try to time the market by waiting for a better time to invest. True protection and security may be found in cash during volatile times like these, but the key is always to have a well-planned, diversified investment portfolio with the right mix for your tolerance. What do you want guaranteed for your lifetime and that of your spouse or significant other? Or is there a certain time in your life when you need to begin drawing more of your investments to generate income? Your financial adviser can determine the best products and solutions for your situation. Now more than ever before, there are so many different choices. One move that many people are going to regret is cutting back the amount they contribute to retirement plans. A recent study showed that 35 percent of Americans have cut back on their salary deferrals, whereas 63 percent have stopped adding any new money. Stopping contributions during this downturn is like passing on a great deal. It’s like passing up the sale on those shoes you’ve been eyeing forever! Right now we are in a classic

WOMEN, WISDOM AND WEALTH buyer’s market, and letting short-term volatility get the best of you will cost you. As always, your personal situation will dictate what you can comfortably do, and a financial professional can help you evaluate this. When the market does comes back, it won’t waste time. Most gains happen during just a few days, such as Oct. 13, 2008, when we saw a one-day gain of 11 percent. Getting out of the market before a sell-off is only part of the equation. Even if you stopped investing, sold all your investments precisely before the market tanked, you would have to precisely time your return back in to reap the rewards of the upturn. So you would have to time the market right twice, and we know that no one has consistently been able to do this over time, so that certainly is not a successful investment strategy. The pain of this current economic turmoil affects each and every one of us. We know we are facing a slow recovery because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity. We wait to see the next steps taken to stimulate our economy. Kristi L. Schaeffer is a certified senior advisor with The Schaeffer Group LLC, 2315 30th Ave., Kenosha, (262) 5518900. Securities offered through Coordinated Capital Securities Inc., a registered broker/dealer member FINRA/SIPC.

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Leadership makes i Community programs build skills, knowledge

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t inspired one woman to sky dive, motivated several other women to get into local politics and has led still others to find new and creative ways to improve the world around them. Though not only for women, the Leadership Kenosha, Leadership Racine and Leadership Union Grove programs are churning out confident, energized, goal-oriented women — like the nine featured on these pages — who are ready to take action. Although each of the three programs employs different class structures and methods, all share a common purpose. Their goal is to develop a diverse group of community leaders by enhancing their knowledge of the community as well as their leadership skills. This is important, organizers said, because it takes leaders to develop a community, care for its residents, encourage youth, build great companies and create a vision for the future. As part of the program, students take local field trips that introduce them to the inner-workings of the community, and they are required to work on a team to solve a local problem through a community-service project. To learn more about their community and the responsibilities of those who provide the services that keep things working, perhaps they’ll ride along with a sheriff’s deputy, visit the municipal court or attend a town board meeting. Employers like the team-building, time management and problem-solving skills their employees gain through the program. > Page 27 PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN POIRIER

Janet Days is a Mount Pleasant resident, coordinator for multicultural programs at Gateway Technical College and a graduate of Leadership Racine. 24 l April/May 2009 l SHE

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Manda Stack is a Union Grove resident, pastor of Union Grove Congregational United Church of Christ and Raymond Community Church United Church of Christ, and a graduate of Leadership Union Grove. PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

Leadership Kenosha

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The mission of Leadership Kenosha, which was formed in 1998, is to develop a diverse group of emerging and existing community leaders by enhancing their community knowledge, civic network, and leadership skills to ensure the continuing vitality of the community. It is sponsored by Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce and Kenosha County University of Wisconsin-Extension. For more information, call Annie Jones at (262) 857-1935 or go to http://kenosha.uwex.edu/lk.html

The Leadership Racine program is designed to recruit promising leaders and help prepare them for positions of public influence and decision-making in the Racine area. These leaders will help ensure a promising future for the community. Established in 1997, Leadership Racine is a collaborative program of Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce, Racine Community Foundation and United Way of Racine County. For more information, call Karen Bayer at (262) 634-1931 or go to www.leadershipracine.org.

Leadership Union Grove is a communitybased program dedicated to developing caring, concerned and committed leaders. It is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Village of Union Grove and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. It’s first class of 13 graduated from the program in 1998. For more information, call Terry Gray (262) 878-4606 or go to www. uniongrovechamber.org/lug/.

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“I grew up here but didn’t realize the needs of the community. This opened my eyes and got me to step up to the plate more to volunteer.” Kim Terpstra, a Union Grove resident and vice president retail market manager at First Banking Center in Union Grove, is a graduate of Leadership Union Grove

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

“I never knew how many resources there are in the community and how I can help them. There is a lot more to Racine than you think.”

Kare

Melinda Wilke, a Franklin resident and financial adviser/managing director of Cornerstone Financial Group, Racine, of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, is a graduate of Leadership Racine

> Lea

PHOTOGRAPH BY SEAN KRAJACIC

“I was born and raised here, but I learned so much about Kenosha through the program. It helped me see the value of working with people from all sectors of the community and getting opinions from people with a variety of backgrounds.” Roberta Puntillo, a Pleasant Prairie resident and attorney with Godin, Geraghty and Puntillo in Kenosha, is a graduate of Leadership Kenosha

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

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PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

Karen Danko, is a Lindenhurst, Ill., resident, co-owner along with her husband of Sign-A-Rama in Kenosha, and a graduate of Leadership Kenosha. > Leadership, from 24

This is important because businesses sponsor employee participation by paying tuition and allowing them time off from work for classes. But what the women like most is the personal growth and development that takes place while they look introspectively at what they bring to the community table and where those skills should be placed. “Some of the changes you see in people who go through the program are absolutely incredible,” said John Kurhajec of Leadership Union Grove. “They bloom.”

A new you Karen Danko, 44, was a stay-at-home mom for several years. She took great pride in this role, but “lost herself ” along the way. Leadership Kenosha helped her discover a new level of meaning in her life. “I learned so much about myself,” Danko said, adding that now she has more selfassurance. Once, she was doubtful of her abilities. But now she believes in herself. “In the past I didn’t really have confidence,” said Danko, who graduated from the program in 2008. “I would just kind of sit back and watch. The leadership program empowered me to get up and take action.”

PHOTOGRAPH BY SEAN KRAJACIC

Nydia Adames-Petty is a Kenosha resident, an academic adviser at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and a graduate of Leadership Kenosha.

It also has motivated her to try activities she never would have tried otherwise, including sky diving last August. “Right off the bat the program takes you outside your comfort zone,” said Danko, a Lindenhurst, Ill., resident and co-owner along with her husband of Sign-A-Rama in Kenosha. “I didn’t realize how much I needed that.” Nydia Adames-Petty, 41, a 2008 graduate of Leadership Kenosha and an academic adviser at the University of WisconsinParkside, said she “needed something to help her connect with the Kenosha community.” What she learned is that “we are all responsible for giving back to the community” and that we need to support those in leadership positions as well. “For me, it was re-energizing,” AdamesPetty said, adding that the program helped her focus her commitment to the diversity council at the university and get her family involved in supporting Special Olympics. She said it challenged her physically, emotionally, intellectually. “Very seldom do you find a program that threads so many learning experiences together,” said Adames-Petty of Kenosha. “It challenges you to look at the world around you through a different lens.” > Page 28 SHE l April/May 2009 l 27

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> Leadership, from 27

Manda Stack, 38, who lives in Union Grove and is pastor of Union Grove Congregational United Church of Christ and Raymond Community Church United Church of Christ, is still finding benefits in the Leadership program. After a summer sabbatical, Stack emerged with a goal of being more involved in the “wider” community. She is currently learning how to do this in the Leadership Union Grove program. “It stretches you in ways you may not expect,” Stack said. “It helps you hone your own skills, recognize your gifts and shows you where in the community you can use them most effectively.” Her participation has led her to do community invocations and, as part of her leadership project, to work to develop a Web site for the local food bank so people can learn about the program and how to access its services. She said she has gained useful information about the resources available in the community and plans to be a better referral source for these organizations.

New roles

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

Barb Geschke is a Yorkville resident, corporate accounting manager at American Roller Company and a graduate of Leadership Union Grove.

Barb Geschke, 54, is a graduate of the 1997-98 Leadership Union Grove class, the first class held in the region. She was 36 when she participated in the program and was “looking for something more.” “I walked away with a realization that people need to be active participants in their community,” she said. “People tend to sit back and complain and wish things were different. But change can’t be accomplished by just a few.” Geschke was chairwoman of the local Leadership program committee for two years after graduation and still helps whenever she can. The program directed her into local government. A resident of Yorkville, she serves on the Yorkville Plan Commission and Community Development Authority. She works as corporate accounting manager at Ameri-

Leadership participants learn to: > Manage projects > Network across sectors > Resolve conflict > Build and restore trust > Lead change > Create high-performing teams > Communicate effectively > Enhance their leadership skills > Become aware of local issues > Sharpen their analytical skills > Increase their self-confidence and selfesteem > Expand friendships and working relationships

> Page 29

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> Leadership, from 28

can Roller Company. “It helps you choose between your opportunities more wisely,” she said. “Serving on a plan commission is not something I thought I could do, but it has turned out to be a good use of my skills and time. “The course empowers women. It puts women out there, gives them a network, highlights their capabilities and exposes them to ways they can help or contribute to the betterment of their community.” Janet Days, 42, a 2003 graduate of Leadership Racine, said she looked to the program as a way to take her life to another level. “I was still not doing enough to satisfy myself and to use my abilities to help the world around me,” said Days of Mount Pleasant, who is coordinator for multicultural programs at Gateway Technical College. “I just had this desire to find that something else, outside of my work schedule, to give back to the community.” She found it quickly. Following a session with an education panel, Days ran for and was elected to the Racine Unified School Board. She saw it as a way to address her concern that students are entering post-secondary school academically unprepared. She was a member of the school board from 2003 to 2006, and today she serves on the Educators Credit Union Board and the Leadership Racine Board. Like many of the women who go through the program, Stephanie Sklba, 40, always participated in community service. But bake sales and food drives, while important, are not the only ways to help. Sklba, a 2001 graduate of Leadership Racine and vice president of community and government relations at Gateway Technical College, said she never thought about serving on a community board. Leadership Racine changed that. Now she is a member of the Racine County Food Bank Board of Directors, is a new member of the board for Every Child’s Place in Kenosha and is a former member of the board serving Family Services of Racine. “You think somebody else will do it,” said Sklba of Mount Pleasant. “Leadership makes you ask yourself, ‘What do I have to offer those boards?’ You realize where your passions are and where your commitments should be.”

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

Stephanie Sklba is a Mount Pleasant resident, vice president of community and government relations at Gateway Technical College and a graduate of Leadership Racine.

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By Kathleen Troher

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

Do you have a closet full of clothes yet you’re often at a loss for what to wear? Maybe that’s because those hangers are filled with pants that are too tight, dresses that are out of style and blouses that looked great when you were 35 but don’t seem appropriate now that you’re nearing 45. Still, parting with them is so painful. That’s why Jo Lueck can be your best friend. She organizes homes and offices in Kenosha, Racine and southeastern Wisconsin. You might not be able to rid your closet of your excessive apparel, but Lueck has no such emotional attachment to your boho jeans and hippie boots. “Fall back in love with your closet,” said Lueck, of Kenosha, who owns JOrganize. “Declutter, sort, organize and repopulate. Those are the steps you need to know.” Closet cleaning — that dreaded rite of spring — can be made easier if you realize all those clothes you never wear could be useful to someone else. And giving them the heave-ho will simplify your life by helping you gain control of clutter, space and time. “We wear 20 percent of our clothing 80 percent of the time,” said Missy Putnam, a Williams Bay resident who helps people get organized through her business, Clearing Spaces LLC. Putnam, vice president of the Wisconsin chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers, suggests thinking of a closet as a place to “retrieve” items rather than a place to “store” them. This small change in attitude will make a big difference in deciding what to save and what to get rid of, she said. “Only the items you currently wear should be in your main closet,” Putnam said, noting that deciding what stays and what goes should be based on a systematic sorting process.

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HOME & GARDEN First, realize that you don’t have to undertake your whole closet at once. You can take a category of clothes, such as dresses, or pants, or shoes. But if you’re going to do it all at once, give yourself enough time, turn off the phone or television to stay focused, and have at it. First remove everything from your closet. If you don’t, all you’re doing is straightening and rearranging, you’re not truly organizing. Place items in piles by type: pants, dresses, skirts, sweaters, etc.

Kenosha resident Jo Lueck, owner of JOrganize, realizes that people can get emotionally attached to their clothes. That’s why they sometimes need an objective opinion, like hers, about which closet items should stay and which ones should go.

Have bags or boxes labeled and ready for: > Repair/mending > Dry cleaning/laundry > Donation > Consignment > Out of season storage > Toss Then start with one type of clothing, pick up the first item and ask yourself “Do I love it? Am I currently wearing it on a regular basis?” Try things on. > Page 31

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Missy Putnam > Closet, from 30

A no-nonsense approach to closet cleaning from Missy Putnam, vice president of the Wisconsin chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers and owner of Clearing Spaces LLC: Here are some excuses for keeping clothes you shouldn’t and some advice for letting them go: > I can wear it as soon as I lose weight. Putnam said if you do lose those pounds, you’re going to want to buy new clothes. So how valuable will that item be? If you really can’t part with it, place it in a box and write your goal weight on the outside. Then store it, and write a deadline for checking that box on your calendar (say six months or one year). If it doesn’t fit before that deadline, it gets tossed or donated. Period.

you. As you wear a garment, hang it back up the normal way. At the end of a season (or a given time, say one year) every garment on a hanger that’s still reversed must be tossed or donated. “If you haven’t worn it in that time, it’s got to go,” Putnam said. Here’s another idea from Putnam for people who have items of clothing that are too precious to discard but no longer are wearable. Snip a

> It will come back in style. If it does, the style or fabric will have changed just enough so it still will feel outdated. > I paid so much for it. Yep, you did, but it no longer fits or isn’t your style anymore so stop beating yourself up over a mistake. > It’s too good. Every day is a special occasion, so unless it’s covered in sequins either use it or lose it. > I need something to wear with this. OK, then take it with you on your next shopping trip and find that something to wear with it, otherwise it goes.

piece and work it into a memento box, or use the material for a pillow, or a quilt or in a scrapbook. “Save the meaning, let go of the object,” Putnam said. Beyond that, practice the one-in, one-out rule. For every new garment that goes in your closet, take one out. It doesn’t have to be a like item. Experts say just make sure something comes out every time something goes in.

The goal is to keep clutter under control. “It’s all about choices,” Lueck said. “When you clear out what you’re not using, what you don’t need, you make the choice to live just a little simpler.” For more information call Missy Putnam of Clearing Spaces at (262) 245-6789 or go to www.clearingspaces. net; or call Jo Lueck of JOrganize at (262) 748-6007 or go to www.JOrganize.com.

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

Once you’re done sorting, follow through by taking the clothes to charity, or tossing the ones that are unsalvageable. Then organize those keepers. Arrange them by garment type, and within those categories, group the clothing by color. Putnam’s best tip: The hanger backwards trick. Reverse all the hangers on your closet rod so they’re all facing

PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN POIRIER

No more excuses: Let it go

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The cat-eye shape on these frames is great for Melissa’s face, but the depth of the lenses make her eyes and under-eye area look a little tired. Also, the frame’s colors and elongated shape are much wider than her eyes, causing both to lose definition and impact.

The shape, size and fit of this frame is good, but Harborside Eye Care manager Cyndy Grady said good is not what you want. “You want great,” she said, noting that the cool details that really make this frame unique are lost under Melissa’s hair.

Look great in glasses

These frames — a pinkish cat eye with rhinestones — work nicely with Melissa’s skin tones and color, but they’re not ideal because they sit low over her eyes.

I a S G b o i g b

This beautiful, unique frame brings out Melissa’s eyes and facial features, and they match her personality. The red becomes neutral on her skin and is balanced by the black. The proportion, fit, color and style make this frame look “right” on her face, Harborside Eye Care manager Cyndy Grady said. “The frame is defining, meaning it has a personality that matches the wearer,” Grady said.

By Kris Kochman The eyes have it. Eyeglasses no longer are simply a medical necessity. They have become a fashion accessory for women. Pity those with perfect vision. “You should buy eyeglasses like you buy shoes or jewelry,” said Sherri Buff, optical manager at The Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha, with offices at 3805 B Spring St., Suite 140, in Racine, and 9916 75th St., Suite 101, in Kenosha. She said women often end up buying multiple pairs of glasses. “Sometimes one pair of glasses might not do everything you might want: for the computer, driving, reading, sunglasses,” she said, adding that people first should evaluate their eyeglass prescription needs and then consider which frames to choose based on when they wear their glasses and for what purposes. Cyndy Grady, manager of Harborside Eye Care, 5134 Sixth Ave., in Kenosha, said there has been a misconception that only people with certain face shapes could wear some styles of eyeglasses. Instead, she said, women should try on a number of different frame styles to see what they prefer. Some people like to make a bold fashion statement, while others prefer a frame that blends in more with their hair and coloring. How eyeglasses fit on someone’s face is even more important than the shape of the face, said Janet Larson, an assistant technician at Advanced Eyecare & Contact Lens Center, 154 East Geneva Square, in Lake Geneva.

FASHION

> Page 33

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEAN KRAJACIC

Of the four pair of glasses Melissa Bjork tried at Harborside Eye Care in Kenosha, these look best.

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In these frames, Jan’s eyes are more centered, said Suzy Reinholm of Lake Geneva Opticians. “They blend nicely with Jan’s coloring,” Reinholm said, noting that these would be a good option but there may be an even better frame.

These frames are too shallow for Jan’s face. They seem to cut across the top of her eyes, preventing the full effect of her eyes to shine.

> Glasses, from 32

“Shape is not as important as it used to be,” she said. “A lot of people just like having fun, something a little bold.” Area eye-care professionals agreed that rectangular eyeglass shapes are currently in style. But there are many variations on the rectangular shape: some are more rounded or tilt up at the corners for a “cat-eye” style. Suzy Reinholm, owner of Lake Geneva Opticians, 801 Main St., in Lake Geneva, said variations on the rectangular shape can make it work for any face. “A slight arch softens a lot of features,” she said. Reinholm said people might come into her business with an idea of what they like, but the best way to choose frames is to try different styles. She said people’s eyes always should be centered in the frame for the best fit. Also, eyes should not be too close to the bridge. Bold-colored frames have been popular with people seeking a fashion statement, while more neutral frames offer a more subtle style. “Color is big right now,” Grady said. “We’re seeing all different colors, all different shapes and sizes.” Larson agreed, saying she has sold a lot of colorful frames this year, including purple, turquoise and fuchsia. “There’s a lot of bling, a lot of sparkles at the temple,” she added. Grady said eyeglass choices are influenced by all the facial features that “make us distinctive looking.” Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin spurred interest in rimless spectacles last year, with customers interested in replicating her distinctive look. Reinholm said styles similar to Palin’s eyeglasses have been quite popular. She said the rimless style has many variations that could work well for people with different features. She said Palin chose well in selecting glasses that showed off her eyes and worked well with her dark bangs. Rimless glasses aren’t for everyone, however. People with a stronger prescription might not be able to wear a rimless style because the power of a lens can affect how it can be mounted in the frame, according to Buff from the Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha. Other eyeglass providers concurred: When it comes to choosing glasses, first consider function, then look at style. “You should be open to shopping and trying on a lot of different things,” Reinholm said. She said choosing eyeglasses is a lot like shopping for clothing — you don’t always know what looks best until you try it on.

The size and style of this frame pull Jan’s face downward, making her eyes look sad and tired.

These frames emphasize Jan’s blue eyes better than the other options. “Her eyes are centered, and the red and purple colors don’t detract from her eye color,” said Suzy Reinholm of Lake Geneva Opticians. “With these frames, her eye color comes to life.”

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEAN KRAJACIC

Of the four pair of glasses Jan Klein tried at Lake Geneva Opticians in Lake Geneva, these look best. SHE l April/May 2009 l 33

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Working with nature Winged loosestrife is among the colorful plants in Diane Levis’ rain garden.

Rain garden is beautiful, functional

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIAN PASSINO

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By Cynthia Jensen When asked why she decided to plant a rain garden, Diane Levis gets an irrepressible twinkle in her eyes. “I grew up on our family farm. I guess gardening and conservation are just a part of my DNA,” she said with a laugh. “It makes sense to work with nature, and besides, rain gardens are just naturally beautiful.” Yet, the concept of having a rain garden of her own was an idea that took a little time to develop. For Levis, of Kenosha, it all began with a lecture hosted by her University of Wisconsin-Extension Master Gardeners’ group. Roger Bannerman, an environmental specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, gave a talk about the benefits of capturing rain water to prevent runoff, thereby reducing the amount of sediment and pollutants that make their way back into streams, rivers and lakes. Followed by a Sierra Club lecture

Dian are “ on rain gardens, and her remembrance of an iconic book she read decades earlier (Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring”), Levis was hooked. With her property located down slope from her surrounding neighbors, Levis’ yard proved to be a perfect site to gather thawing snow and ice, and flowing rainwater. And so the prospect of a rain garden was born. UW-Extension horticultural agent Barb Larson

T her aste cord “B —m regr In plan sea

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HOME & GARDEN > Rain garden, from 34

was instrumental in connecting Levis with the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network (WIN) — an environmental organization that has taken up the stewardship of all water moving throughout the southeastern Wisconsin region. An essential component of this environmental organization is its Rain Garden Initiative, which, according to Root-Pike WIN Executive Director Susan Greenfield, focuses on watershed areas in Racine, Kenosha and Milwaukee counties, and exists for the purpose of helping homeowners establish their own rain gardens. In 2008, Levis’s rain garden was one of 35 funded with a grant from the Initiative. Through the Root-Pike WIN grant program, Levis received financial assistance and the organization offered workshops to help her prepare for installation, provided an extensive list of native plants that thrive in rain gardens in her area, and developed a plan to assist her in monitoring the function of her rain Diane Levis says rain gardens garden for three additional years. “The installation went fairly smoothly,” are “naturally beautiful.” Levis recalled. “We hired a student to dig up the grass and level the ground.” Then, on a sunny Saturday and Sunday last June, Levis and her husband installed 184 native plants, including New England asters, winged loosestrife, lobelia, wild blue flag iris, and prairie cord grass, to name just a few. “By Monday, I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to walk again — my legs were so sore,” Levis said. “However, we have never regretted our decision to do this.” In fact, expanding her garden with natural, long-blooming plants was just the motivation she needed to add a modest fourseason room facing her new rain garden.

Diane Levis has created a peaceful and environmentally friendly rain garden in her Kenosha backyard. Black-eyed Susan, at right, adds a splash of interest in the garden. “We’ve not only extended our indoor living space, we’ve actually extended the opportunity to enjoy our yard, too,” Levis said, adding, “My friends and I call ourselves ‘hort-a-holics,’ and now we have a whole new gardening topic to share.” Speaking of sharing, Levis already has had a chance to talk about her rain garden with an inquiring neighbor. She’s hoping her enthusiasm for rain gardening will catch on. As Levis would say, “There’s something very satisfying about creating something beautiful, and useful.” For more information on the RootPike Watershed Initiative Network, the Rain Garden Initiative, a list of upcoming workshops or how to apply for a rain garden grant, contact Susan Greenfield at (262) 898-2055 or at sgreenfield@ wi.rr.com, or visit www.rootpikewin.org.

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FOOD

Cynthia Fueredi’s brunch looks impressive, but the foods are easy to prepare.

Here’s this issue’s menu: > CRANBERRY SPRITZER COCKTAILS > STRAWBERRIES WITH LEMON CREAM > BACON ROSES AND CHIVED EGGS IN PUFF PASTRY (Suggested with lemon buttered asparagus and assorted sweet breads/ pastries)

CRANBERRY SPRITZER 2 cups dry white wine 2 ½ cups cranberry juice 1 bottle (28 ounces) club soda The bright color of this refreshing cocktail looks so inviting, and cranberry juice is good for you. Make sure all ingredients are well chilled. Also, as far as a white wine goes, you don’t need to go high-end here. I recommend using the Barefoot Cellars Pinot Grigio (roughly $6.99). Pour wine, cranberry juice and club soda into a 2-quart, well-chilled pitcher, stir just to combine. Serve in chilled wine glasses.

S

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEAN KRAJACIC

CREATING A TIR

with Cynthia Fueredi

New columnist serves up spring theme for Easter, Mother’s Day I am absolutely thrilled to share some of my favorite recipes and entertaining ideas with you. For this issue, I have selected a Celebration of Spring theme that will be really easy to create and the presentation will WOW your family members or guests. Remember, we eat with our eyes first! There are several opportunities in spring to have a lovely brunch get together: Easter, Mother’s Day, or just enjoying an afternoon with friends.

Cranberry Spritzer Cocktails are a refreshing addition to a spring brunch.

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BACON ROSES AND CHIVED EGGS IN PUFF PASTRY 1 package (1 pound) sliced bacon 2 packages frozen puff-pastry shells (6 per box) 12 large eggs 1 /3 cup milk ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoons butter 1 small package (3 ounces) cream cheese, cut into half-inch pieces 3 tablespoons finely chopped chives Parsley sprigs and flowers to garnish Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. To make the bacon roses, arrange bacon slices in a single layer

Now for the chived eggs. In a large mixing bowl, combine 12 eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Whisk until mixed. Melt the butter in a large fry pan over medium heat. Pour in egg mixture; cook, stirring occasionally as eggs begin to set. When eggs are almost cooked, add cream cheese pieces and chives. Stir gently until all is incorporated and eggs are cooked. Return the bacon Bacon Roses and Chived Eggs in Puff Pastry makes a colorful roses to oven; bake until spring brunch presentation. browned; remove and on 2 baking sheets. Bake with toothpick. Get rid cool on paper towel. 10 to 15 minutes, just un- of the fat in the pans and Now, spoon cooked eggs til bacon begins to brown place all roses on one pan, into individual shells. Rebut it’s still limp. Remove then set aside. move toothpicks from the from oven. When cool Bake puff-pastry shells bacon roses and arrange enough to handle, loosely according to package dion top of eggs. Sprinkle wrap each slice around rections. Set aside to let any additional chives on cool so you can remove index finger to form a eggs if you like. Garnish flower shape, then secure the little tops. with parsley and flowers.

and cut an “X” through the top of each berry. DON’T cut all the way through. Using a small spoon, fill each berry with about a heaping teaspoon of the lemon cream. Or, fill a pastry bag fitted with a half-inch star tip. If you don’t have a pastry bag and tips, spoon your mixture into a Zip-loc bag and press the Note: With the strawberries, aim for all of them to be about Strawberries With Lemon Cream not only mixture down toward a corner, then simply snip off a tiny piece from the same size. If you elect to use look fabulous, they taste delicious. the corner of the bag. Now, pipe or the larger ones, you may want to and refrigerate. (You can make squeeze a heaping teaspoon into the double your filling. this ahead.) center of each berry. This works best These little gems are so addictPick through your berries and when your mixture is room tempering, you may need to make more. ature. (You can do this up to 2 hours They’re so good, and so easy. Enjoy. select the most uniform in size. Remove the hulls. Place on a paper before serving.) To serve, arrange on In a bowl, use your portable towel-lined surface with the hulled a serving plate or tray, and doll it up mixer or your Kitchen Aid to beat ends down. with some fresh greens and petite the cream cheese, sugar, lemon Now, take a sharp paring knife flowers. peel and juice until smooth. Cover STRAWBERRIES WITH LEMON CREAM 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1 /3 cup Confectioners’ sugar 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 containers strawberries

Cynthia Fueredi’s interest in cooking is much like a famous Julia Child quote: “I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.” Fueredi’s extensive travels and culinary education provided her the opportunity to take what was a passionate hobby to a much higher level. She founded and operated Lake Geneva School of Cooking, which she sold in 2008 after a very successful four years. She currently is planning her next venue for sharing her kitchen wit, wisdom, and, of course, a few operatic arias with fellow food lovers.

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MY FAVORITE THINGS

Liz Powell, of Franksville, loves reading and watching television in her recently redecorated family room. PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN PASSINO

Name: Liz Powell of Franksville A little about me: I grew up in Racine, and after college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison I moved to Milwaukee for approximately 13 years. When my husband and I moved to Racine 12 years ago, we found ourselves part of a community again. I left my job as a trust officer six years ago and am fortunate to spend the majority of my time volunteering. I have been active on a number of local boards and organizations. When I am not volunteering, I enjoy running, golfing, reading, knitting and cooking. I have been married to my husband, Patrick, for almost 19 years, and we have two cats.

The music on my iPod is: I just received an iPod shuffle as a gift and am working on my collection. The movie I love to watch over and over again is: “Sense and Sensibility.” The book on my bedside table is: “Under the Banner of Heaven,” by Jon Krakauer, which I can’t wait to start. The piece of clothing and pair of shoes that I’ll never part with: I have a pair of black cowboy boots that I love and are very comfortable. I wear them almost every day in the winter. I have a shearling jacket that is truly the only piece of clothing I’ve bought that I knew I had to have as soon as I saw it. When I go to a store with bath,

body and beauty items I always buy: Lipstick! I love it, and believe you can never have too many colors. When I am trying to impress my significant other I stop at: The grocery store to make sure he has enough bananas and peanut butter. If I had a day with no responsibilities I would spend it: Exercising in the morning, then splitting the rest of the day between reading and knitting. The room in my house that makes me feel most centered is: Our family room. We recently redecorated the room and I love the colors as well as the furniture. It is a great room in which to

read and watch television. When I have visitors from out of town I like to take them to: Downtown Racine. Most people who are not familiar with the area have no idea what a gem our downtown is. The most important item in my purse is: My date book. My brother lives in London, and every year for Christmas he sends me a beautiful, leather-bound calendar. I’d be lost without: Coffee, chai, my husband and my friends. The best advice I ever received is: From my sister who always says, “You never know what is going on in other peoples’ lives, so be understanding.”

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MY FAVORITE THINGS Name: Dianalynn H. Chesen of beautiful Lake Geneva A little about me: I am married to Bill Chesen, mayor of Lake Geneva. Our story is a fun one. We liked each other in high school but never dated. He said I was stuck up, and I said he was pushy. After 30-plus years and divorce we went out for dinner and talked for six hours. Now we’ve been married six years, and yes, he is still pushy! We have four children between us. Our oldest, Billy Ledger, and his wife, Julie, with our grandchildren, Owen, 4, and Jake, 2, live in Germantown. Joey Ledger lives in Milwaukee. Lindsey Chesen lives and works in Chicago. Laura is married to Luke Wessel and they are expecting their first child in May. They live in Noblesville, Ind. We both are very blessed and fortunate to have our parents, Frank and Elinor Chesen, and Joe and Marilynn Dlugosz with us and in the area. One of my greatest pleasures has been watching our children grow and mature into fine adults. My other greatest pleasure is watching our parents grow older gracefully. I work full time at Trinity Lutheran Church as administrative director. This is a most challenging and meaningful job. It involves working mostly with volunteers and overseeing the church’s daily activities. I enjoy being with people who are working toward their relationship with God. My father is an artist, so I grew up with all the art tools I could

PHOTOGRAPH BY SEAN KRAJACIC

Dianalynn H. Chesen’s favorite room in her Lake Geneva home is her art studio. Her passion is painting. ever want. My passion is paint. I love to paint pictures, bottles, walls…almost anything that paint will stick to, including myself and whatever is in my way. My husband says we always buy extra paint: two gallons for the walls and one for me to play in. Another passion of mine is entertaining. My mom is a wonderful cook and sets a beautiful table. I love to organize dinners and parties. The music on my iPod is: I do not own an iPod. But love to listen to music. The movie I love to watch over and over again: This ques-

tion made me laugh. For about a year at bedtime we would put in “Hope Floats” but never quite made it through the whole movie. My daughter, Laura, was living with us at the time and after about four months she told us we needed to watch something else because she knew it by heart. The book on my bedside table is: I have purchased several copies of “The Shack.” I keep giving them away. I highly recommend this book and it is the book on my bedside along with my Bible. “The Shack” is easy reading and will have an impact on everyone who reads it. It made

me realize that to forgive someone who has wronged you does not take away the fact they hurt you, but forgiving them is taking away the chokehold you have on that person and the chokehold on yourself. The piece of clothing and pair of shoes I’ll never part with are: For clothing, my paint smock because it has tons of color on it and makes me feel comfortable. The old shoe I never want to part with is my husband! Did I really say that? When I go to a store with bath, body and beauty items I always buy: Anything with vanilla in it. Vanilla to me is very warm and homey. When I’m trying to impress my significant other I make sure to stop at ___ to pick up: I had no idea so I asked him. He said I impress him with all the things I do. If I had a day with no responsibilities I would spend it: Finding some. No, I would spend the time with my husband just talking or cuddling on the couch. We never seem to have enough time and we really enjoy each other. That may be the fact that we got together when were older and realize that time may not be on our side like it is when you are younger. And I so enjoy playing with my grandchildren and not having to worry about time or what needs to be done next. The room in my house that makes me feel most centered is: My art studio. When I have visitors from out of town I like to take them to: We love our town. I have lived in several states, and to me Lake Geneva is the best. So when people come to visit we take them on a tour of the town,

then touring the lake on our pontoon boat along with telling them the history of the homes and the surrounding areas. The most important item in my purse is: I hate purses! What is up with that? It just grows on us women. I carry a purse. Let’s see it starts out small and cute. Then you get married and it’s “There must be room in your purse for this. Would you mind putting this in your purse?” Then you carry a diaper bag and a purse. After the diaperbag gig your purse becomes bigger with crayons, paper, books, food (we may starve to death waiting somewhere), extra Kleenex, extra women needs, gum (oh! all that gum), Band-Aids, safety pins and a few games. Then the kids get older and durability becomes the issue. The purse ends up on the ground during sporting matches, concerts and under everyone’s books, shoes and coats. I still carry a purse that can hold my planner and crayons. The rest of the stuff was removed when the kids left home. I bet you are sorry you asked this question! I’d be lost without: The best thing ever invented is the GPS. The best advice I ever received is: If your child shows interest in the stars, buy him a telescope. We do not own our children. They are a gift from God. They are to be loved and guided and then released to be their own people. With all that, holding them responsible for their own actions at all times. Last, but not least, under God make your spouse that most important person in your life. Put him/her first before yourself. This is the only way to have a mature, lasting relationship. The kids will grow up and leave home, and who are you left with to live out the rest of your days?

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SHE’S TEPPING OUT HIDDEN GEMS | GETAWAYS OUT AND ABOUT | EVENTS CALENDAR < Paper Dolls Home Furnishings and Interior Design of Lake Geneva is filled with comfortable nooks.

<

A staff of 10 helps with decorating, deliveries, day-today operations and customer service.

> Paper Dolls co-owners Kristi Hugunin, left, and Chris Haak sit in their Lake Geneva furniture store.

ALL DOLLED UP Paper Dolls in Lake Geneva offers customers a look at elegant, thought-provoking room designs

By Cathie DeQuaker, Photographs by Kevin Poirier You can walk into a furniture store, or you can walk into a dream. Several of them. That’s Paper Dolls. It’s one of those stores that makes you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Because you’re bound to find that thing you always wanted; you just didn’t know it until you saw it. Paper Dolls Home Furnishings and Interior Design of Lake Geneva lets you see it. And just what do customers see when

< Paper Dolls Home Furnishings and Interior Design of Lake Geneva features fine furniture and accessories to fit a wide variety of tastes.

they walk into the 14,000-square-foot store? Professionally designed room settings — vignettes if you will — complete with sofas, tables, loveseats, lamps, artwork and other inspiring accessories. Each setting is so inviting, customers need no coaxing to imagine these furnishings in their own homes. They easily can picture themselves filling their lemonade glasses at the sunroom table, watching their television nestled into the media cabinet, gently tucking their lingerie on the shelves of

HIDDEN GEMS

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Address: 138 East Geneva Square, in the Geneva Square outdoor mall in Lake Geneva Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday Phone: (262) 248-6268 Web site: www.paperdollsinteriors.com

> Pa

the bedroom armoire. Co-owner Kristi Hugunin said the vignettes are meant to be thought-provoking. They are a starting-off point from which customers can let their imaginations soar. “You love the sofa, but not the fabric? We’ll order it for you in the fabric you want,” she said. “This chair, that table, would they look perfect in your great room? Take one, we’ll deliver the other. You see the style of furniture you want, but you can’t figure out how to arrange your own room? Let one of our designers draw up plans and recommend the room design after coming to your home to see how you live.” This attention to detail and to customer satisfaction is a hallmark of the business partnership Hugunin and Paper Dolls co-owner Chris Haak formed more than 25 years ago. Their friendship began while both were selling a

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women’s product line. Their selling was short-lived, and they started looking for other ways to supplement their families’ incomes. Haak’s mother owned a wallpaper business, and Haak knew how to hang wallpaper. So she and Hugunin decided to try it. They looked for a name that would reflect the service they offered. Paper

Dolls fit the bill. The business quickly became known in the area. “Chris hung the wallpaper while I cut and picked up the scraps,” Hugunin said. The women’s personalities balanced each other out, and they found they worked together well.

Customers feel as if they can pull up a seat and be right at home at Paper Dolls Home Furnishings and Interior Design of Lake Geneva.

<

Paper Dolls Home Furnishings and Interior Design of Lake Geneva

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> Page 45

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Square in the Geneva Square outdoor mall. The store offers a wide selection of home furnishings and accessories, a design center, floral department, area rug displays, custom window treatments and blinds. The upholstered lines Paper Dolls carries include Clayton Marcus, Huntington House, Lexington and Lee. The lines they carry for indoor/outdoor wicker are Braxton Culler and Whitecraft, while their leather recliners and chairs are made by companies such as Bradington-Young and Barcalounger. Their staff of 10 help with decorating, deliveries, day-today operations and customer service. Their three designers meet with customers in the store or in customers’ homes. “Our custom design services can take you from the blueprint up,” Hugunin said. “We can help you with color choices, design of your floor space and anything else you may need.”

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tinued growth meant more employees. The two shared a weekly Bible study and prayed for staff who would fit the many services they offered. Their faith has remained an integral part of their lives, and to this day Paper Dolls is closed on Sundays because, as is posted with the hours on their door, “God and family come first.” Today their 14,000-squarefoot store is at 138 E. Geneva

< Paper Dolls Home Furnishings and Interior Design of Lake Geneva carries wicker furniture with fabrics that can come in bold colors.

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right ame and gn of a.

“She is the calm one,” Haak said of Hugunin. “Nothing seems to bother her. I am more hyper and intense.” After a few years and much prayer, the two opened a 600square-foot shop in Elkhorn. With a picnic table for customers to look through wallpaper books, Paper Dolls began to grow. The women helped pay for their space by renting to crafters, and gradually they added home accessories to their offerings. Their first buying trip brought many challenges. “We bought $600 in merchandise and were so scared because we didn’t know how we would pay for it. Then we forgot the purchase order on the train and had no clue what would be delivered,” Haak said. Hugunin added, “over the next six months we were always surprised when deliveries came in, but somehow it worked out.” The women then added a 2,000-square-foot store in Lake Geneva. Their crafters were making products for both locations and couldn’t produce

them fast enough. After one year of operating both spaces, they closed the Elkhorn shop. Although they have no formal design training, Haak and Hugunin’s sense of style, decorating talents and business acumen grew, and Paper Dolls expanded into a retail store selling accent furniture, crafts, accessories and wallpaper. Customer deliveries were being made by Hugunin’s husband and other men who would help out. Their con-

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The Greenhouse, above, is an antique solarium dismantled in England and reassembled in The American Club’s fountain courtyard. It’s a beautiful setting to enjoy the desserts, homemade ice cream, European pastries, coffees and specialty drinks sold there. The Kohler Design Center, right, is a 36,000-square-foot design resource.

Bathed in luxury GETAWAYS

Kohler offers fine dining, great shopping and the one-of-a-kind Design Center Photographs and story by Kathleen Troher

W

ant to meet some friendly people? Head to Kohler. About an hour north of Milwaukee, this village is small but the folks there have mastered the grand art of hospitality. From the doorman at The American Club, to the product consultants at the Kohler Design Center, to the shopkeepers at The Shops at Woodlake, these people generously shared their expertise, their suggestions and their time when I visited earlier this year. This was not my first trip to Kohler. I’ve been there several times, and I always start my visits at the Kohler Design Center. No matter how often I walk into that mecca, I’m always blown away.

Among the products featured at the Kohler Design Center is this elegantly shaped Dolce Vita self-rimming lavatory. It’s not so much the individual sinks, and toilets and bathtubs — although the colorful rows of these products stacked up the walls are pretty visually impressive, and the flower details on some of the pedestal sinks are to die for. But let’s be real, you can see sinks and toilets and bathtubs,

even exquisitely detailed ones, at high-end bathroom centers. That’s not why you go to the Design Center. You go there to dream, to be immersed in another world, one in which you’re bathed in luxury. You see, the Center showcases designer-created vignettes of Kohler products. It’s like walking into the bathrooms featured in the most expensive Parade of Homes you’ve ever visited. And it’s not just one or two vignettes. They go on and on, so as soon as you leave one you enter another, letting a new wave of emotions wash over you with each one. The Center usually is not terribly busy, so you can take your time, return to your favorite rooms, walk into the shower alcoves, pretend you’re a contessa. Check out the kitchens, too. When done there, hop in your car and take a quick (like a minute away) drive to The Shops > Page 49 SHE l April/May 2009 l 47

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> Kohler, from 47

at Woodlake and prepare to be wowed some more. This string of more than two dozen gems feels a lot closer to Beverly Hills than Beloit. My favorite store is Ann Sacks, where you’ll find tile in unimaginable materials, textures, and colors. There are fewer than two dozen Ann Sacks showrooms in the entire country, and we’re lucky to live so close to one of them. This company-owned store sells a wide range of fine tile, stone and plumbing products, all beautifully displayed. Other inspiring stores include Scentualities, with perfumes, bath and body products, intimate robes and sleepwear; Sweet Potato’s, with unique ladies’ apparel and accessories; and Kohler Gardener, with plants, ornaments, gifts and home décor. Whatever you do, don’t miss Su Casa, which features furniture and home accessories. If you’re lucky, you’ll visit on a day when Cassy Tully is working. She’s a young fine artist who is an interior design assistant to the owner and whose work is available for purchase at the store. Next stop: lunch. Now you face The faucets at the Kohler Design Center inspire the imaga tough decision because Kohler is ination. These Vas, upper left, and Bol faucets are among brimming with fine dining options. the most unique. Alternatives at The American Club include The Immigrant Restaurant & Winery, The Horse & Plow and The Winery Bar. For smoothies, ice cream, pastries and coffees, you’ll want to visit The American Club’s Greenhouse. Back at The Shops at Woodlake, the Craverie is a must-stop. There you’ll find soups, sandwiches, gelatos and Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates. Yes, you read that correctly. Kohler has a specialty chocolate café. You’ll have to try the Garden Ganache if for no other reason than to say you ate something featured in the O Magazine’s February 2009 O List. Another dining option at The Shops at Woodlake is Cucina, where my husband and I ate when we were there earlier this year. I have a confession to make. I played it safe and ordered the Spaghetti Bolognese (braised beef and pork, spaghetti, tomatoes, Stravecchio Parmesan cheese and oregano), while he took the daring route with Pizza al Fichi e Prosciutto. What’s that, you ask? It’s a pizza topped with a tantalizing com-

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While the Kohler Design Center has enough space to spread out displays, including full-sized bathtubs, above, Ann Sacks at The Shops at Woodlake, left, showcases stone, tile and lavatory displays in a much more compact setting.

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During a trip to Kohler, you can visit Kohler Gardener for plants, gifts and home decor, left, you can immerse yourself in the Kohler Design Center rooms featuring the work of renowned designers, including Irish-born Clodagh who created this Zen-inspired Country Spa, center, and you can buy perfumes, bath and body products or intimate apparel at Scentualities, right. Both Kohler Gardener and Scentualities are among The Shops at Woodlake. > Kohler, from 49

bination of figs, prosciutto, goat cheese and caramelized onions. Shame on me for not being more adventurous! His pizza tasted exceptional, and it was a good deal at $14. Of course my $19.46 meal came with an outstanding cabbage, ham and vegetable soup (the soup of the day) and the most delicious Sicilian cannoli I’ve ever tasted. So I guess I didn’t fare too poorly (and my man did share his leftovers with me). If time permits, or if you’re fortunate enough to spend the night at The American

Club or at The Inn on Woodlake, there are plenty of attractions to enjoy. They include tours of the Kohler Co. factory, The Botanical Gardens of Kohler and The Waelderhaus, a house in the woods featuring carvings, woodcuts, iron and pewter work. It is representative of the architecture found in the Bregenzerwald region of Austria, the ancestral home of the Kohler family. The village also boasts a lakeside yoga studio, an arts center and a spa, so what are you waiting for? Most tours are free, but call ahead for hours at the attractions, restaurants and

shops. For more information on Kohler, call 800-344-2838 or go to www.destinationkohler.com. Directions: From Highway 50 and Interstate 94 in Kenosha, drive north on I-94 toward Milwaukee for about 33 miles. When it meets up with Interstate 43, take that toward Green Bay. Continue on I-43 for about 51 miles. Take the Highway 23 west exit (exit 126). Proceed two-thirds of a mile to Kohler exit at County Trunk Y.

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Impression management topic of workshop In recognition of Administrative Professionals Week (April 19-25), the southeastern Wisconsin chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals is hosting an Impression Management Workshop on April 23 at Maplecrest Country Club, 9401 18th St., Kenosha. The theme for the event is Excellence in Action. The evening begins at 4 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres, networking and various career workshops on résumé and interview tips, professional dress and image and financial management. This will be followed by an interactive panel discussion from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Those who attend will have an opportunity to meet with other professionals in the field, to learn more about the association and to obtain professional career tips. Anyone in Racine or Kenosha who currently is working as an administrative assistant is welcome to attend, as are those seeking to advance in their career and those looking for work in this field. The cost is $25, and reservations are required. The International Association of Administrative Professionals’ mission is to enhance the success of careerminded administrative professionals by providing opportunities for growth through education, community building and leadership development. For more information about the southeastern Wisconsin chapter or the workshop, call Sandy Weber at (262) 564-2750 or go to http:// www.iaap-sewisconsin.org.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Nominations sought for educator’s award The Kenosha branch of the American Association of University Women is seeking nominations for the 2009 recognition awards. The deadline is April 13. Since 1995 this branch has given communitywide recognition to outstanding classroom programs and educators that encourage and exemplify educational excellence in Kenosha County schools. Awards will be presented at a ceremony on May 5 at Gateway Tecnical College’s Kenosha campus. Last year’s award recipients were Renee Frazier-Morrison of Southport Elementary School and Mary Hawkins with the SISTAS mentoring program at Lance Middle School. Frazier-Morrison received the Educational Excellence Award, and Hawkins received the Educational Equity/Diversity Award. All Kenosha County educators are eligible for recognition. To obtain an application, call Mary Dixon at (262) 945-3315.

Events subject to change. Please call published telephone numbers to confirm details. > For Kenosha Area event information, call the Kenosha Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (262) 654-7307 or go to www.KenoshaCVB.com. > For Racine area event information, call the Racine County Convention and Visitors Bureau at (262) 884-6400 or 800262-2463 or go to www.racine.org. > For Lake Geneva event information, RecPlex, Pleasant Prairie, (262) 925call Geneva Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at (262) 248-4416 or 800-345-1020 6743; www.RecPlexOnline.com 24, 25, 26 — Women’s Weekend or go to www.lakegenevawi.com. Downtown Lake Geneva, (262) 723-4611; www.lakegenevawomensweekend.com APRIL 25, 26 — Earth Day Celebration and Paddlefest 3 — First Fridays Big Foot Beach State Park, Lake Downtown Racine shops, galleries and Geneva, www.clearwateroutdoor.com or restaurants. Enjoy live music inside and www.friendsofbfbsp.org on the sidewalks, horse-drawn carriage 25 — American Cancer Society 5K rides, outdoor dining and more from 6 to 9 Walk/Run For the Cure p.m., (262) 633-0545 Prairie Springs Park, Pleasant Prairie, 4 — Spring Art Event and Art Show (262) 764-9324; community.acsevents. Kenosha Public Museum, (262) 654org/walkrunforthecure 0065; www.KenoshaArtAssoc.org 4, 11, 18, 25 — Winter HarborMarket MAY Rhode Center for the Arts, (262) 9141 — First Fridays 1252; www.kenoshaharbormarket.com Downtown Racine shops, galleries and 11 — Second Saturday Several Kenosha downtown business- restaurants. Enjoy live music inside and es, (262) 605-4745; www.kenoshasecond- on the sidewalks, horse-drawn carriage rides, outdoor dining and more from 6 to 9 saturdays.com 18 — Earth Day Celebration featuring p.m., (262) 633-0545 2 — Wisconsin Marathon the Annual Guinness World Record Kenosha’s lakefront, (847) 675-0200 Attempt for “The Twist” ext. 210; wisconsinmarathon.com Library Park, Lake Geneva, (262) 2 — Kentucky Derby Party 248-4448 Horticultural Hall, Lake Geneva, (262) 18 — Downtown Gallery Night 248-4382 Downtown Racine, visit the many unique 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 galleries and workshops, meet the artists, view new exhibits, enjoy refreshments, (262) — Climb the Southport Lighthouse Southport Light Station, (262) 654994-6668; www.racinedowntown.com. 5770; www.kenoshahistorycenter.org 19 — Indoor Triathlon Series Race #3

2, 9, 16 — Winter HarborMarket Rhode Center for the Arts, (262) 9141252; www.kenoshaharbormarket.com 2 — Transparent Watercolor Society of America 33rd Annual Juried Exhibit Kenosha Public Museum, (262) 6534140; kenoshapublicmuseum.org 9 — Lake Geneva Marathon/Relay/Walk Library Park, Lake Geneva, (262) 2753577; www.lakegenevasports.com 9 — Second Saturday Several Kenosha downtown, Harborside and Union Park district businesses, (262) 605-4745; www.kenoshasecondsaturdays.com 9 — Kenosha Symphony Orchestra concert Reuther Auditorium, Kenosha, (262) 654-9080; www.kenoshasymphony.org 9 — 5K Championship Series Family 5K Run/Walk Prairie Springs Park, Veterans Ballfield Pavilion, Pleasant Prairie, (262) 925-6743; www.PleasantPrairieEvents.com 9 — Birds and Breakfast Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum, Somers, (262) 552-8196; www.hawthornhollow.org 10 — Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Brighton, (262) 878-5600; www.bongnaturalistassociation.org > Page 55

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> Events, from 53

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Ladies Night Out Downtown Racine presents Ladies Night Out the third Thursday of each month. Stores have extended hours from 6 to 9 p.m. Each month participating shops have in-store activities, demonstrations or specials for women. A percentage of every purchase is donated to a charity of the month. The beneficiary of April’s Ladies Night Out event is Junior League of Racine. May proceeds will be contributed to Family Services of Racine. For more information, call (262) 898-1513.

17 — Air Force Band of Mid-America Concert Downtown Racine, (262) 634-6002; www.racinedowntown.com. 17 — Sunday Tea and Fashion Show Polish Legion of American Veterans, Kenosha, (262) 694-2017 17 — Racine Art Guild Anderson Arts Center, Kenosha, (262) 653-0481; www.andersonartscenter.com 22-25 — Burlington ChocolateFest Burlington, (262) 763-3300; www. chocolatefest.com 23, 30 — Kenosha HarborMarket Along Second Avenue, between 54th 654-0065; www.KenoshaArtAssoc.org 8 — Society’s Assets Golf Outing and 56th streets, (262) 914-1252; www. Kenosha Country Club, (262) 637-9128 kenoshaharbormarket.com 9, 23 — Twilight Jazz 31 — Kenosha YMCA Triathlon/Duathlon Anderson Arts Center, Kenosha, (262) Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Brighton, (262) 654-9622 ext 205; www. 653-0481; www.andersonartscenter.com 13 — Second Saturday kenoshaymca.org Several Kenosha downtown area businesses, (262) 605-4745; www.kenoshasecJUNE ondsaturdays.com 13 — Summer Nights at the Square 5 — Summer in Wisconsin: An Art Monument Square in downtown Exhibition, artist’s reception Racine, (262) 634-6002 Geneva Lake Art Association, Lake 13, 14 — Monument Square Art Fair Geneva, (262) 249-7988; www.genevaMonument Square in downtown lakeart.org Racine, (262) 634-6002 5 — Folk Music Hootenanny 13, 14 — Paint-in Anderson Arts Center, Kenosha, (262) Downtown Lake Geneva, (262) 249654-6840; www.andersonartscenter.com 7988; www.genevalakeart.org 5, 12, 19, 26 — Music on the Monument 20 — Kenosha County Dairy Monument Square in downtown Breakfast Racine, (262) 634-6002 Dale and Richard Sperlein Farm, 5 — First Fridays (262) 206-8149 Downtown Racine shops, galleries 20 — Gateway Rose Society Rose Show and restaurants along Main Street and Kenosha Public Museum, (262) Sixth Street, (262) 634-6002 653-4140 5, 6 — Bloomin’ Days 20, 21 — Native American Festival: Sixth Avenue and 54th Street and “Honor the Firekeepers” 18th annual throughout downtown Kenosha, (262) 654- traditional pow-wow 7307; www.KenoshaBloominDays.com Dunn Field, Lake Geneva, (262) 6, 13, 20, 27 — Kenosha HarborMarket 248-2784 Along Second Avenue, between 54th 26 — Pike Creek Concert Series and 56th streets, (262) 914-1252; www. Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary kenoshaharbormarket.com and Arboretum, Somers, (262) 552-8196; 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 — Climb www.hawthornhollow.org the Southport Lighthouse 27 — University of Wisconsin-ParkSouthport Light Station, (262) 654side Arts and Crafts Festival 5770; www.kenoshahistorycenter.org University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 6, 7 — An Outta Sight Kite Flight (262) 595-2457; www.uwp.edu Kennedy Park, Kenosha, (414) 30527 — Kenosha YMCA Firecracker 3145; www.KenoshaEvents.com 5K and 10K Run/Walk 7 — Good Old Summertime Art Fair Kenosha YMCA, (262) 654-9622 ext. Civic Center Park, Kenosha, (262) 205; www.kenoshaymca.org

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Spa event set for breast cancer support group Circle of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group is hosting a Spa Day event for women on April 5 at Marietta’s Hair Design Studio, 6107 75th St., Kenosha. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., women who attend will have an opportunity to get hair cuts, mini-pedicures, mini-manicures or 15-minute massages. All services will be performed by licensed professionals. The cost for each service is $10. The purpose of the event is to raise money to help Kenosha women who have breast cancer. Circle of Hope is a not-for-profit group, and the money raised stays in Kenosha. For more information, call (262) 653-9535 and leave a message for Julie.

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SOMETHING TO MILE ABOUT SHE AND HE | EASTER TRADITION LIZ OUT LOUD | IN HER DAY

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

Names: Mary and Barry Barrett of Racine. Number of years of marriage: Almost five. We dated for five years and were engaged for two of those when we got married on June 4, 2004. Number of children: Two each. They’re all adults, ranging in age from 22 to 27. Number of grandchildren: None. What’s the glue that holds you and your spouse together? Mary: Mutual respect and boundless love. Barry: We have been together for a long time. Also, we were older when we met. We both accept and honor the boundaries each other sets, and even when we disagree there is still the respect and recognition that we both have a lot of life experience behind us. We both love who the other is. In my case, I adore her for who she is and all she has done. Even though we have a lot of things in common, we are still very different people. But over the years together, and with some trial and error, we have learned to use our differences to complement each other. I think we are much better together than we ever were apart. What convinced you that the two of you should be a couple? Mary: I don’t run much on logic...I just knew. Mary and Barry Barrett of Racine have been married almost five years. Barry owns Yun’s Black Belt Academy Barry: We met when Mary started taking martial in Racine, and Mary is the senior instructor. arts at my school. We interacted four nights per week Barry: People underestimate the dating process. with the Stars” or “Jeopardy!” and why? on average and found we shared a lot of common This is the time to get to know your potential spouse so Mary: “Jeopardy!” ... he’s got a great memory for details. interests. After about a year and half I asked her out on Barry: Mary is very musical and would love “Dancing you don’t have any surprises when you get married. a date, and we have been together ever since. Getting What do you love most about your spouse? with the Stars.” to know who each other was before we started dating Mary: His magnificent heart. What’s the one thing your spouse thinks he/she was a plus but it still was hard for me to ask her for that Barry: At our wedding our pastor used our martial can fix but you know he/she can’t? first date. For me, Mary is the kind of person and has arts training in his homily. He told us to always be Mary: My sadness ... it usually just has to run its the qualities that everyone who meets her and gets to humble and fight well. A lot of the guests at the wedding course, but he always tries to make things better. know her admires. still remember that advice and some of my friends still Barry: She can’t fix me. When we got engaged we looked at each other like a couple of deer in the headlights. We were both scared bring this up. Mary has never forgotten this. She is lovWhat advice would you give a couple considerto death having been single for so long, but now I can’t ing and giving and humble. But she also fights well. She ing marriage? imagine not having her as my wife. lets me know I’m loved and appreciated, but she’s not Mary: Treat every day you have together as if it Would your spouse perform better on “Dancing afraid to let me know when I do something wrong. might be your last.

SHE AND HE

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEAN KRAJACIC

OUT & ABOUT To purchase photos, visit www.she-magazine.com Mary Schuch-Krebs, left, of Kenosha, Rebecca Stevens, center, of Pleasant Prairie, and Rebecca Matoska-Mentink, of Kenosha, enjoyed a delightful evening at Women and Children’s Horizons’ Mardi Gras 2009 fundraiser on Feb. 28.

Dressed in colorful attire to fit the evening’s theme, Dr. Anna Bedogne, left, of Kenosha, Sara Andrea-Neill, center, of Pleasant Prairie, and Dr. Lynn Biese, of Kenosha, attended Women and Children’s Horizons’ Mardi Gras 2009 event. The mission of Women and Children’s Horizons is to provide support, education, training and healing for victims of sexual and domestic violence/abuse. Among those who attended Women and Children’s Horizons’ Mardi Gras 2009 event on Feb. 28 were Kathryn Andrea, left, Mary Pat Andrea, center, and Terry Potente, all of Kenosha.

Ruth Vorwald, left, of Pleasant Prairie, Vicki Arpsholdt, center, of Mundelein, Ill., and Carly Telez, of Kenosha enjoyed the festivities at Women and Children’s Horizons’ Feb. 28 Mardi Gras 2009 fundraiser.

Out & About features women attending local special events. If you have photos you would like to submit for consideration, please e-mail them to she@kenoshanews.com.

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Eggcellent craft Egg

first ceramic eggs, encircled with a ribbon and bow, symbolized not only Christ’s gift of life but the new life the couple was beginning together. Each year, starting right after Christmas, Sandee makes at least three dozen ceramic eggs. While Mount Pleasant mother puts lots of time into each year’s design is unique, it’s Easter tradition, decorating ceramic eggs always based on Scripture. She is inspired by prayer, meditation and By Linda Marcussen reading her Bible. With a design in mind, she begins Guests at Sandee Schuleit’s Easmaking the eggs, usually just two at ter Sunday brunch at her Mount a time. She pours liquid clay into a Pleasant home know eggs-actly mold and lets the eggs dry until they what to expect. are firm enough to handle. Once she There will be a hunt for treat-filled removes the eggs from the mold, they plastic eggs the Easter Bunny has go through a lengthy process of glazhidden all over her 1.5-acre backyard ing, painting and firing. Her kiln will (or all around her house if weather hold only eight eggs at a time, and conditions keep the Bunny indoors). each firing can take up to 10 hours. One special egg will contain a clue As she puts it, “there are no shortcuts to start the treasure hunt for Easter to making these eggs.” baskets. Hungry after all this hunting, everyone will sit down to a meal that Some of her designs resemble folk always includes the favorites: Danart, while others are more abstract. ish puff, copper penny salad and, of Her color palette ranges from bold course, deviled eggs in pastel colors. and vibrant to soft and muted. The But the festivities don’t end wedding egg may carry the most there. Everyone receives a hardsentiment but when asked which boiled egg to decorate. Then it’s is her favorite, she chose the egg time for the duel. Each person that was a mistake. Because paints has an opportunity to crack an and glazes were applied incorrectly, opponent’s egg. The person who posthat one came out of the kiln with sesses the last egg to remain whole a design quite different from what is declared the winner and receives she intended. With a nod to divine PHOTOGRAPHS BY BILL SIEL the Tuff Noggin award. That award intervention, she is convinced someSandee Schuleit started an Easter egg trais just one of the special ceramic dition 16 years ago and each year creates a one else decided how it should look. eggs that Schuleit designs and Her “canvas” is quite small, so new egg for guests. makes to give as keepsakes. each egg comes with a handmade The tradition started 16 years ago Sandee’s three fair-haired daughters card containing a Bible verse or when she made 50 eggs for guests at and Chuck’s three dark-eyed sons. And original poem to further explain its her wedding breakfast. Schuleit and yes, the “Brady Bunch” theme was design. One year she wasn’t able to her husband, Chuck, were married on played to accompany the couple’s walk make the eggs but she did buy, and Holy Saturday (the day before Easter), up the aisle after their vows. personalize, egg-shaped ornaments. on April 10, 1993. A second marriage From the beginning, Sandee’s “That was OK,” she said with a for both, Schuleit likes to say “we’ve art has been an expression of both laugh, “but everyone complained had 51 years of marriage, just not with affection for family and friends and because now there was a gap in the each other.” They blended a family of her strong Christian faith. Those collection.”

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With the economy tanking, it’s OK to write off all that dark chocolate

L

ately, I’ve been thinking a lot about actor Peter Finch. In the 1976 movie “Network,” Finch plays a disillusioned anchorman who becomes famous for urging viewers to turn off their televisions, throw open their windows and tell the world they’re “mad as hell and not going to take this anymore!” You can say that again. Aren’t we all “mad as hell?” As the winter of our discontent rapidly turns into the spring of our discontent, I’m feeling “mad as hell” every time I read the newspaper. Somehow, the geniuses who run Wall Street managed to lose billions and billions of dollars. And that’s not all. They also took time out from demanding government (read: us) bailout money to pay themselves billions and billions of bonuses. Payment for the fine job they did wrecking their companies

and setting everyone’s portfolios back a few decades. My own 401(k) account has lost more in the past year than the entire budget of a small Third World country. (And that’s on a journalist’s paltry salary. Just think how much people with actual money are losing.) In 2008, a pile of scratch-off lottery tickets was a safer investment than so-called blue chip stocks. It’s enough to make you think this could be the end of everything ... and nothing in life is certain, they say, but death and taxes. And while the grim reaper is, indeed, coming for all of us, taxes apparently are only a certainty for some of us. Even Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner failed to pay all of his taxes until, conveniently, he cut the government a check just before being confirmed to his post. And when it comes to government officials not paying their taxes, he’s far from alone.

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But it’s not a problem because Geithner said he was really, really sorry, which, we know, is a valid reason for shorting the government. April 15 is coming fast, and before I take my shoe box filled with tax papers to my friend Tom Frost to sort out, I’ve been coming up with some special deductions. Think of them as a way to get yourself a little more of the government stimulus package: Medical expenses: The economic meltdown is a huge headache, so feel free to write off the thousands you’ve spent on aspirin, New Age music and tequila. (You have your medicine; I have mine.) Deduct those deep-tissue massages, too, for stress relief, along with Jazzercise classes, YMCA memberships and that fancy treadmill you’ve been meaning to use. Pepperoni allowance: It takes a lot of double-cheese, extra-meat

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> Economy, from 60

pizzas to get me through the glow of this financial Chernobyl. Small business bailouts: The people who are really hurting right now are those who provide necessary services, like pedicures. It’s one thing to do without a new car or that spring break trip to Cancun, but you can’t be expected to go into summer with ragged toenails and cracked heels. Think of how much good that spending will do. It’s the “pay it forward” principle — you help a local business person, and they, in turn, spend that money on something, too. McDonald’s write-off: Nothing makes the pain of a shrinking paycheck go away faster than a Quarter Pounder and large fries. Oh, and a Diet Coke. I’m cutting back, you know. Hershey’s Kisses account: If the news that former Lehman Brothers CEO Dick Fuld “sold” his Florida mansion to his wife for $100 to avoid bankruptcy drives you to spend $100 on dark chocolate … Write. It. Off. Clive Owen exclusion: Spending a few hours with a sexy Brit — even just on DVD

— is just the thing to take your mind off Bernie Madoff’s billiondollar Ponzi scheme. And, in his latest film, “The International,” Owen takes on an evil bank. There’s a superhero for our time. Unemployment credit: With more and more people joining the ranks of the unemployed each day, I’d like my share of the funds now, please, before it’s as broke as Social Security. Mileage: The daily economic news is driving me crazy, driving me to drink and driving me to distraction. At least I should get some compensation for all my trouble. Special dependants: I’ve been trying for years to take a deduction for my various pets, and this year, I’m going for it. My greyhounds are members of our family, and I’m sure your pets are, too. If you can’t get the IRS to look the other way when you list your iguana as your son, try the Geithner Defense and all will be forgiven. Just tell the IRS auditor to call the boss and tell him you’re “really, really sorry.” And, if that fails, consider applying for a high government position. I hear they have a “get out of taxes” free card.

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IN HER DAY

Cathy Mongeau, right, sits in her Pleasant Prairie home with her mother, Virginia Mullery, of North Chicago, Ill.

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SIEL

Family always has been No. 1 for this writer By Cathy Mongeau as told to Kathleen Troher I remember my mom working at the dining room table, clacking away on her manual typewriter. Our family consisted of my mom and dad, Virginia and John Mullery, and five kids — Mary Alice, Margaret Ann, me (Catherine), Edward and Patrick — and my grandfather lived with us too, so there was plenty going on. Mom kept very busy

with typical things like housework, and she served on the parish council. In the early ’70s she was writing a lot of letters to the editor. I think the subject of some of them was women’s lib. She was always very interested in politics, which greatly influenced me in our shared, liberal political views. One of the local editors asked her if she would consider writing for the newspaper, so she started writing on an occasional basis. Eventually she started writing a series for the Waukegan News Sun. This was on families, and then she also had one on different jobs. Each lasted one or two years, with articles running once a week. In addition, she was a regular features contributor for years at the News Sun, and she had a regular column in The New World (the official publication of the Archdiocese of Chicago, which was renamed the Chicago Catholic in 1977 and returned to its original name in 1989). Her column in The New World was called ‘It Seems to Me.’ In 1985 she was commissioned to write

‘Lake Bluff, the First 100 Years,’ which was followed in 1989 by ‘Land of Lakes and Rivers: A History of Lake County.’ She also edited a third book, and she became a regular contributor to the Chicago Tribune, writing feature stories for sections including Tempo Lake. I remember being very excited about her Lake County book. One day I saw it in a bookstore. That was very cool. I remember being very proud if someone found out that I was her daughter. They so enjoyed her writing, and they would say, ‘Virginia Mullery is YOUR mom?’ It always made me feel so good. I’m amazed by how creative she was in finding a way to make money and still be at home with her family when my sisters and brothers and I were young. No matter how busy she was with her writing, she always made dinner for us at home every night. Family was, and still is, so important to her. Now she’s 80 years old, and she continues her free-lance career of writing even today. She has a regular feature in a small Catholic publication for senior citizens. Over the years she went from yellow steno pads and a manual typewriter with carbon paper to finally graduating to a ‘real’ computer only a few years ago. My mother passed on to me a love of reading. We each read about two books a week, and since we like the same kinds of books, we often read the same ones. All these years — through reading and writing — she has kept her intellectual skills going. I really admire that. Now she has macular degeneration, and her eyesight isn’t so good. Lately I’ve been thinking about the fact that she might not be able to do it much longer — the reading, the writing. She is a remarkable woman with great strength of character, faith and political viewpoints. She has extremely strong faith, which she passed on to me. And she has a deep appreciation for family. Her mother passed away when she was fairly young. She had a stroke, and the night she died she and my mom argued. I think what my mom learned from that is the importance of forgiveness. She’s very forgiving, and she never holds a grudge. My mom traveled throughout her 20s and didn’t get married until she was 30. It was important for her to see things and do things, and she passed that appreciation along to us. We didn’t have a lot of money when we were growing up, but mom taught us the value not in material things but in experiences. She taught us that the relationships you have with other people are far more important than money and things. That’s for sure.

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Life is noisy. Endless meetings, bill-paying, kid issues. Not to mention those piles of unwashed laundry. You don’t have time to think. Then, the economy tanks. What about your 401k, emergency savings, college for the kids? Or planning for the life you really want? Make time now for what matters tomorrow. Jordan Financial Life Planning invites you to step out of the whirlwind for a moment. Set a course for the rest of your life. Our job is helping you discover your new and purposeful direction. Financial life planning ties your personal priorities to financial strategies you understand. Stop for a moment, then call us. It’s time to take control of your life.

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