Mar apr 2014

MARCH/APRIL 2014 COMPLIMENTARY

UMR WOMEN REFLECT ON WHAT IT TAKES TO CRAFT A FULFILLING CAREER

DAWN SANBORN

GoDo!

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RWmagazine.com

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What’s happening inside?

Reserve a spot in the next “Inside UMR.” Hear about UMR’s national recognition for innovative and unique programs.

Tour the campus and meet our students.

Visit with Chancellor Lehmkuhle about UMR’s future plans.

Contact Michon Rogers

507-258-8059 or roge0210@r.umn.edu 4

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

www.r.umn.edu The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

COVER STORY Creating Success UMR women leaders reflect on what it takes to craft a fulfilling career.

By Tracy Will

13 Women in Leadership 17

Ahead of the Curve How women executives put Home Federal Savings Bank on the honor roll.

By Marlene Peterson

Cover photo by Dawn Sanborn Photography

MAGAZINE

MARCH/APRIL 2014

66 Wabasha’s SOAR with the Eagles Celebrating the annual eagle migration through southern Minnesota.

By Amanda Wingren

GoDo! 28 Makeover Party

20 Environmental Affairs Flo Sandok’s mission to protect the earth.

By Jennifer Gangloff

Community 23 Just Waiting to be Told “Etta...Tell Mama,” a Diversity Council presentation.

By Debi Neville 25

By K.L. Snyder

33 Women & Wine What happens at the winery…

By Jody Brown

35 A Taste of Mexico & India Transform your taste buds.

46 Fashion: Past and Future Two first-time events.

By Debi Neville

62 ERWA Event Celebrating the 11th Annual Extraordinary RochesterWomen Award and the women it honors.

By Marlene Peterson

By Penny Marshall

54 Solar Panels Let the sun shine into the power grid.

By Bob Freund

56 Raised-bed Gardens Pre-plan for a successful harvest.

By Margo Stich

Let’s Get Personal 60 Walking on Water The story of the loss of my best friend.

By Krista Joy Johnson

By Dawn Sanborn

Healthy Living 64 Taking Huge Strides to the Future The impact of Title IX on girl’s high school track and field in Rochester.

By Pat Garry

Dawn Williams

By Debi Neville

50 Remodelers Corner A bathroom outfitted to meet the changing need.

Food & Wine

‘I AM THE PHOENIX’ Mental illness captured through the lens and pen.

By Dawn Sanborn and

26 Problems and Power A discussion of the repression and strength of women.

Home & Garden

Travel 41

Traveling to India Expanding my worldview, getting outside my comfort zone and feeling grateful.

By Alison Rentschler

45 The Experience of Transformation Traveling to Mexico to find change.

By LuAnn Buechler

On the Lighter Side 70

Earth Mommy Dearest Musings on the ancient art of sacrifice.

By C.G. Worrell

in every issue

From the Editor 7 In the Know 8 Grandma, Mom & Me 11 Marketplace 59 Community Calendar 60 RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

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from the editor

ISSUE 80, VOLUME 14, NUMBER 1 MARCH/APRIL 2014 PUBLISHERS

Jorrie L. Johnson, MBA Doug Solinger EDITOR

Mariah Mihm LAYOUT DESIGNER

Amy Liebl

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Brett Adams Molly Anderson, MLT Group Tommy Traxel, MLT Group COPY EDITORS

Ellington Miller Ashley Pikel Elisa Tally MARKETING ACCOUNT MANAGER

Deanne Breitenbach

MARKETING ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE

Melissa McNallan PHOTOGRAPHY

Dawn Sanborn Photography Fagan Studios Mike Hardwick Photography COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Daniella Mora-Balbo INTERN

Katlin Schmidt RochesterWomen is published six times per year

by Women Communications, L.L.C., P.O. Box 5986, Rochester, MN 55903 Subscriptions available for $24 per year (six issues). Send check to the address above.

All unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. RochesterWomen assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. ©2014 Women Communications, L.L.C. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

RochesterWomen magazine does not necessarily endorse the claims or contents of advertising or editorial materials.

“I

am woman, hear me roar. In numbers too big to ignore...Oh yes, I am wise. But it is a wisdom born of pain. Yes, I’ve paid the price. But look how much I have gained. If I have to, I can do anything. I am strong. I am invincible. I am woman...” So goes the powerful 1975 song

by Helen Reddy. It came out the year I was born and I grew up listening to this song and believing in its message.

As we celebrate National Women’s History Month in March, think back even thousands of years to all the women who fought for what they believed in. The women who sacrificed for their families or in the name of their family (the Celtic Queen Boudicea comes to my mind).

Those who were not afraid to break molds and stereotypes, whatever the field: career, war, politics, religion, education...the list goes on and on. And it’s not just the women who became famous that inspire.

There are plenty who go unrecognized. I bet you know a few of these women. I know I do.

There are women in every community who continue to break barriers. Here at RW magazine we strive to give you stories of what Rochester area women are achieving. Our cover story (page 13) highlights three women at the University of Minnesota Rochester who are making a difference and bringing top-notch education and opportunities to Rochester that are rarely seen in a city this size.

March and April are a time of transitions and transformations. As days get longer, we start to prepare for spring. Planting a garden? We have an idea for you (page 56). Need a fresh look? Read GoDo! Makeovers (page 28). Looking for a way to feed your soul?

Take a transformational trip. Two of our writers planned two very different trips and came back with a new view on life. Read their stories starting on page 41. The women of RW headed down to Stonemill Inn and Suites in Lanesbro at the end of December. We all needed a breather, and one day/night is what it took to feel rejuvenated. You can be transformed at the Step It Up! event at Assisi Heights Spirituallity Center on Thursday May 1, 2014 (page 40).

Speaking of transitions, RW thanks Food Editor Margo Stich for her 14 years with RochesterWomen magazine. But don’t think you won’t see her around— that’s not Margo’s style. We welcome Dawn Sanborn as our new food writer. She can whip up the most amazing dishes with what’s in the pantry (trust me, she has talent beyond the camera lens) and she is going to show you how to do it as well. There will not be a spoonful left in the pan.

RochesterWomen magazine celebrates its 14th year with this issue. We are passionate about what we do and it is because our readers, writers, advertisers and staff give so much in return.

Sincerely,

Printed in the U.S.A. RochesterWomen is a member of the Minnesota Magazine & Publishing Association, Rochester Area Builders, Inc. and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.

507-259-6362 • info@RWmagazine.com RWmagazine.com For advertising information: 507-951-2413

Mariah K. Mihm

We want to hear from you! Send comments, suggestions, ideas or original recipes to: RochesterWomen Editor, P.O. Box 5986, Rochester, MN 55903-5986 or email: editor@RWmagazine.com.

RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

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Photo by Mike Hardwick Photography.

MAGAZINE

n the know in the know in the know in the know in the know in the know in the know

LA NOTTE DELLE DONNE DUE

(A NIGHT OF WOMEN II)

March 15 – 22, The Creative Salon, Sat., March 15, 7 – 11p.m. and Fri., March 21, 7 – 11p.m. Reception Showcasing over 15 women artists, poets, dancers and musicians at the Creative Salon in downtown Rochester. An inspirational exhibit of local talent. For more information email crbuckrose@hotmail.com.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2014: CONQUERING THE ODDS Thurs., March 6, 6 – 9 p.m., Assisi Heights Here is a chance to hear the stories of three amazing women who have beat the odds. Habibo Hagi, who was raised in Somalia and lived in a refugee camp for three years before coming to the US. Hear Melissa Eagle Uhlmann tell about how she overcame a life of trauma, sexual assault, human trafficking and suicide attempts. Kate Welp adopted her daughter from Ecuador and after seeing the inequities there she co-founded Hands for Humanity — a non-profit organization. Tickets are $35 and include a light dinner. For more information and to register go to rochesterfranciscan.org.

DANCING FOR THE ARTS–TAKE III Sat., April., 12, 5:30 p.m., Mayo Civic Center Exhibit Hall A night of exquisite dancing to benefit youth education in Rochester.

Dahl Dance center is paring their professional dancers with local celebrities. Ten couples in all to knock your socks off and have you “cha-cha-cha-ing” in your seats. Mayor Ardell F. Brede is on hand to hand out the trophies. Ticket prices vary and can be purchased through the Rochester Arts Council at RochesterMNArts.com or in person at the Rochester Arts Council office at Mayo Civic Center, Suite 200.

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March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

ATHLETA UNLEASH THE SHE 5K/10K RACE Sun., April 27, 9 a.m., Jefferson Elementary School Ovarian Cancer has no test and is the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers. Join more than 1,500 in the fight. The event is organized by Final Stretch, Inc and $5 of every registration fee goes to support Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA).

The run includes a 5K, 10K and a 1K Kids Fun Run. The race will start at Jefferson Elementary and wind through beautiful Silver Lake Park. For more information and to register visit mnovarioan.org.

A GATHERING OF WRITERS: CELEBRATING THE WRITTEN WORD Sat., April 5, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., The Creative Salon Hone your writing skills, investigate a new discipline and network with other writers. Choose from multiple sessions offered for beginning, intermediate or advanced writers of all genres including freelance, publishing, the art of writing, journals and memoirs, poetry and playwriting. Cost is $30 for pre-registration or $40 at the door. For more information or to register contact Debi at 951-4394 or rochmnwriters.com.

PAWS & CLAWS HUMANE SOCIETY

7TH ANNUAL WINE TASTING Fri., April 11, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Rochester Athletic Club Our furry little friends need your help! What better way than a night of fine wine, delecable appetizers and a silent auction, all to support Paws & Claws Humane Society of Rochester.

For more information visit pawsandclaws.org.

Cost is $25 per person.

in the know in the know in the know in the know in the know in the know in the know ROCHESTER AREA SPRING SHOWCASE OF HOMES Sat. – Sun., April 5 – 6 and 12 – 13, noon – 5 p.m., Rochester Come see homes and townhomes in a variety of subdivisions and price ranges all in different stages of the building process.

Free to all. For more information please visit rochesterareabuilders.com or call 282-7698.

CHILDREN’S DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS “SLEEPING BEAUTY” Fri., March 21, 7 p.m., Sat., March 22, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sun., March 23, 2 p.m.

Mayo Civic Center’s Presentation Hall Delight in the classic story of “Sleeping Beauty” told through the vision of Director Daniel Blake. The fairy tale performance is sure to awe with the talented dancers, beautiful sets and costumes. A treat for the whole family! Contact childernsdancetheartre. org for tickets and information.

BOOK REVIEW “Little Ladyin Red”

by Sarah Baumgard, Illustrations by Hannah and Amy Liebl Everyone has felt self-consciousness at one time or another. This sweet children’s book will help your child see their unique inner beauty. With kind, supportive words and delightful illustrations, it is a must have for every child.

Author Sarah Baumgard, a St. Louis Park special education teacher and children’s writer, grew up in Rochester and attended Gage Elementary, John Adams Middle School and then John Marshall High School. The illustrations were created collaboratively by mother and daughter team Amy Liebl and then 9-year-old daughter Hannah (age 11) of Oronoco.

The book is available for purchase at tatepublishing.com or amazon.com.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

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The

Women’s He a lt h Pav i l ion

Promise

We’re building to better serve the healthcare needs of women.

N

The Women’s Health Pavilion is an 80,000-square-foot facility that will be located immediately to the west of OMC’s current hospital

Existing Olmsted Medical Center Hospital NEW Building Addition

in Rochester. The facility will double the hospital’s size and will open to patients in late 2014.

4th Street SE

Our new Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) program is among the health services that will call the Women’s Health Pavilion home. OMC midwives are actively caring for patients, and they will also be available at the new Women’s Health Pavilion! w w w. o l m s t e d m e d i c a l c e n t e r. o r g

opinions

G randma, Mom & Me

BY MARIAH K. MIHM

I

feel fortunate to have grown up around informed, opinionated women. Hear it straight from three generations: me (Mariah Mihm), 38, my mom, Debi Neville, 62, and my grandma, Verna Kraft, 86.

PONDERING PROPER ATTIRE Me: I am surprised to see what people wear to church. I don’t think of myself as old fashioned, but come on, really?

casual wear, you act differently. You walk taller, sit up straighter and in general it affects your frame of mind.

Mom: I agree. I remember when I was in high school, our Sunday school leader, Alice, was such a cool lady. We could talk to her about anything. We dared ask her why we couldn’t wear slacks to church. She agreed that what you wore didn’t indicate or affect your belief. She suggested we talk to the pastor.

Mom: The change in accepted dress seems to follow other social changes, including more informal services. Or hmmm, is it the other way around?

Me: I think it’s great that many churches offer traditional style services and more contemporary to suit individual taste, but I have to say the Broadway style productions that some are doing on a Sunday morning just don’t inspire me.

Grandma: I remember that. It was just accepted and expected that everyone, young, old, kids, men, dress up for church: dresses, heels, hats and gloves for the females and dress pants, shirt, tie and jacket for men. Young boys had to wear dress pants and a button-down shirt; young girls always wore a dress. That’s where the term “Sunday best” came from.

Grandma: Most churches weren’t air conditioned at that time. Men were so relieved that they could leave the jacket and tie at home. But they still dressed up.

Me: Well, I’m not advocating a dress code like years ago, but do you know what drives me crazy? Wearing pajama pants and a ripped sweatshirt to church is horrible. It shows a lack of respect for the church, other people and it doesn’t say much about your self-respect either.

Mom: You mean teach them some good sense?

Me: Exactly.

Mom: It doesn’t need to be a fashion show and certainly nobody ever was turned away because what they wore wasn’t nice enough, but I agree that things can get carried too far.

Me: I can think of a few others! (chuckle) But nice blue jeans and a nice sweater or top is fine. Why should you dress less nice because you’re going to church?

Grandma: It seems the pendulum swings.

When I was young, there was a lot of “fire and brimstone.” That attitude was not very accepting of individual ideas; the sternness spilled over into dictating what you wore as well as how you behaved.

Me: In regards to behavior, I think what you wear determines a bit how you act as well. Let’s face it, when you have on “good” clothes, a bit nicer than everyday

Mom: Should churches speak to the issue?

Me: I think they have to walk a tight line, but perhaps make suggestions and put something in the church bulletin. “We encourage appropriate dress.” Just a reminder of sorts.

Grandma: Yes, a reminder would maybe be appropriate, make people aware or think twice about what they put on Sunday morning. But, I’ve noticed that even at funerals and weddings the attire has changed.

Mom: Has what someone is wearing made me forget why I am there? No, I don’t think so. I’m not spending too much time thinking about it, trying not to judge.

I’ll just make an effort to teach by example.

Me and Grandma: Good idea!

RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

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Photo courtesy of AMN Photography

Mom: No one even considered wearing a T- shirt or jeans. We asked our pastor, and he said no to slacks. Then a younger, hipper pastor came. We had a good rapport with him, and we felt triumphant when he said girls could wear slacks, guys could forget the suit jacket and tie. This was serious business. It caused an uproar in church.

Grandma: I think it’s up to parents to set the standard for what’s acceptable for children and teens to wear.

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March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

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cover story

CREATING SUCCESS

Women in leadership at UMR reflect on what it takes to craft a fulfilling career

BY TRACY WILL PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAWN SANBORN PHOTOGRAPHY ith more than 700 students W enrolled at the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR),

the institution’s campus in the heart of the city is now a bustling place, filled with students, faculty and staff.

UMR’s impressive growth since its designation as a full and official coordinate campus of the University of Minnesota system in 2006 has been overseen by a talented group of dedicated leaders.

RochesterWomen talked to three women in leadership roles at UMR to learn about the paths that led them there, discuss what it takes to make a successful career in academia and glean their insights on what success really means.

From left: Karen Reilly, Sarah Oslund and Molly Dingel.

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KAREN REILLY,

DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

As prospective students consider UMR, one of the first groups of people they come in contact with is the staff in Karen Reilly’s area. She and her team focus on student recruitment, admissions, enrollment and retention.

A native of North Dakota, Reilly joined UMR last fall when the position of director of enrollment management was created. Prior to that, she served for ten years as director of enrollment services at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS). That followed a six-year stint in management at the communications company US West/Quest in the Twin Cities.

Reilly realized after several years that her work in the telephone industry, although lucrative, was not the right fit.

She felt she had been more fulfilled at a job she had soon after she graduated from North Dakota State University, working in college admissions for NDSCS. When a recruiter position for her former employer opened up, she was torn. It was a job with a dramatically lower salary than her current position, and she wasn’t sure it was worth it. But she took a leap of faith.

“My job at Quest was very demanding. I was gone or working all the time,” says Reilly. “I knew I had been much happier doing college admissions. My soon-to-be husband and I talked it over. He strongly encouraged me to apply. I did, and I got it. It was such a dramatic change, but it was the right one.”

After several years, Reilly was promoted to director of enrollment services where she oversaw admissions, records, financial aid and career services. With a job change on her husband’s horizon last year, it again came time to reassess.

UMR’s enrollment position was attractive for a variety of reasons.

“UMR’s emphasis on students having a full community and collegiate experience was appealing. I also appreciate UMR’s holistic approach to admissions,” she says. “This position offers me new challenges to help me grow as an individual and to take my career to the next level.”

In reviewing her career to this point, Reilly is able to clearly define what success means to her. “I am a spotlight operator, not someone in the spotlight,” she says. “My measure of success is to see someone else be successful and know I made a contribution to that.”

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March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

MOLLY DINGEL, PH.D., ASSISTANT PROFESSOR & CHAIR, DIRECTORSHIP COMMITTEE, CENTER FOR LEARNING INNOVATION As one of the first three faculty members hired at UMR, Dr. Molly Dingel has been involved firsthand in the university’s development and growth.

A medical sociologist, Dr. Dingel teaches a variety of sociology courses at UMR. This year, she also was elected to lead UMR’s Directorship Committee for the school’s Center for Learning Innovation. The group works with faculty to create an active, studentcentered environment at UMR that incorporates new and creative methods for teaching and learning.

Dr. Dingel came to UMR after earning her master’s and doctorate degrees at the University of Kansas and teaching for a year at North Dakota State University. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Mayo Clinic.

“UMR’s focus on teaching was a big part of what drew me here. I love doing research, but I also love being in the classroom. Engaging students and making a classroom environment that’s fun and challenging is exciting,” she says. “At UMR, we are committed to education innovation. I see that as a big plus professionally because it increases the likelihood that I’ll stay emotionally engaged in teaching over the long term.”

As a college professor, Dr. Dingel knows finding a position that’s a good match for an individual’s interests and background can be difficult. Flexibility often is key to making it happen.

“There aren’t a ton of job openings in academia. When there are, it’s almost as if the stars have to line up: there has to be an opening in your area of expertise at the time you are looking for a position,” she says. “If you don’t have the ability to be geographically mobile, it can be a large barrier to advancement. I feel fortunate to have a supportive husband who has been willing to move. That has made a big difference.”

For those thinking of pursing an academic career, Dr. Dingel offers this advice: “If you’re just starting out to pursue a degree, especially a Ph.D., you have to be clear in your mind why you want it. See your goal before you start the program. It’s a tough road. Without that set goal in mind, it is very difficult to get through it. It will help tremendously if you know where you want to go and why.”

SARAH OSLUND,

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

When Sarah Oslund began spearheading UMR’s communication and public relations in 2008, the school had 28 people on staff and no students of its own. As UMR has evolved, so has her job.

Today Oslund fields inquiries from local, regional and national media. She coordinates the university’s brand strategy. Leadership communication, publication production, content development and many other communication tasks also fall within her purview.

“As UMR changes, many of us are still designing our positions,” says Oslund. “I’m a one-person shop. That means I need to wear a lot of hats. I joke that my official job description is ‘other duties, as assigned’ because I regularly handle tasks that just don’t fall anywhere else.”

Oslund came to her work in communications through an untraditional route. Working in social services at Zumbro Valley Mental Health after she graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato, there was an opportunity to develop the organization’s newsletter. She took on that role and was soon promoted to a newly created position of marketing/communications coordinator. After that, she worked briefly for the Rochester Downtown Alliance before joining UMR. Navigating new responsibilities and gaining the skills she needed to do the job wasn’t always easy. But Oslund found an approach that has helped her keep her footing and gain confidence.

“I’ve learned to become comfortable being uncomfortable. When I started at Zumbro Valley, I had to present at a meeting of about eight people, and I was terribly nervous,” she says. “Fast forward several years later. I gave a presentation at a national education conference about UMR’s mascot campaign. It wasn’t a problem. Sometimes you have to immerse yourself in something you know isn’t going to be the most pleasant experience at the time, but will force you to reach a better place.”

As for her view on achievement, Oslund sees it as an inside job.

“We each need to define success for ourselves,” she says. “You can make comparisons, but at some point almost everyone will come up short if you judge yourself by someone else’s values or standards. If you are reaching your own goals and you are fulfilled by that, in my book, you are a success.”

Tracy Will is a freelance writer who lives and works in Rochester.

“If you are reaching your own goals and you are fulfilled by that, in my book, you are a success.”

–Sarah Oslund

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women in leadership

Home Federal Savings Bank gets national recognition for the fifth year in a row for the number of women in executive officers positions.

AHEAD of the CURVE How women executives put Home Federal Savings Bank on the honor roll

BY MARLENE PETERSEN • PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE HARDWICK PHOTOGRAPHY

I

t isn’t too often after high school or college that we get excited about making an honor roll. But one Rochester–area company couldn’t be happier about their honor roll status and rightfully so.

Last year Home Federal Savings Bank once again made the “Minnesota Census of Women in Corporate Leadership” Honor Roll.

Reserved for Minnesota publicly held companies with 20% or more women corporate directors and 20% or more women executive officers, it is a feat too few companies have achieved. Home Federal, however, has done it five years in a row—one of only six Minnesota publicly held companies to do so.

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CULTURE, NOT QUOTA Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, Home Federal has a long history of supporting women executives in banking.

From its founding in 1934 in Spring Valley as a mutual savings and loan bank to its transformation as a publicly held corporation in 1994, Home Federal has fostered at least 13 female vice presidents—three of whom began as tellers—and elected four women to its board of directors.

Sue Kolling, Senior Vice President, Director of Cash Management, began on Home Federal’s teller line in 1969.

Encouraged by the company and motivated by her desire to learn and advance, Kolling moved up to head teller, Sue Kolling then into mortgage lending, human resources, marketing and management of the Spring Valley office. By 2001, Kolling was a senior vice president and the second woman to serve on Home Federal’s board of directors (following Irma Rathbun, Home Federal’s first female director elected in 1988).

“The history of the bank—and people like Sue Kolling and the female members of the board—helped create a culture where there is no difference between men and women in executive roles,” says Lisa Ketterling, Vice Lisa Ketterling President, Director of Human Resources, who left a 17-year career in healthcare to join Home Federal because of its size and philosophy. “Everyone has earned their role based on their knowledge, drive and ambition. People start here, and they don’t have to look very hard or far to see what the opportunities are regardless of gender.”

Carla Kilpatrick, Senior Vice President, Director of Business Banking, also began in banking as a teller. Like Kolling, she moved up through the ranks, receiving additional education, mentoring and training along the Carla Kilpatrick way. She joined Home 18

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

“Women have always played a big role at Home Federal and will continue to do so.” ­ Lisa Ketterling, Vice President, Director of — Human Resources at Home Federal

Federal 12 years ago and finds banking a nice fit for female executives.

“I personally have found banking to be an excellent career for a woman. It’s an occupation where women are readily accepted in executive positions as long as their employer supports that philosophy,” says Kilpatrick. “I think the philosophy at Home Federal affects women and men equally. The difference at Home Federal is that the environment has given women the courage to seek these management roles.”

WOMEN ON BOARD In 2012, women held—on average—14.5% of the board seats of Minnesota’s 100 largest publicly held companies. At HMN Financial (holding company for Home Federal), Wendy Shannon and Karen Himle are two of the nine current board members. They represent 22.22% of the board, a figure well above the state average.

“From the minute I joined the board, I felt valued by all the directors and senior management,” says Shannon, former Superintendent of Byron Public Schools.

“One thing I’ve been impressed with on the Home Federal board is the culture that has been built to foster teamwork—including

women in key positions and the positive treatment of women by their male colleagues.

It’s not uncommon to be in an executive loan committee meeting and see accolades go back and forth between male and female senior managers.”

Women in the boardroom are crucial for reasons other than gender equality, according to a 2006 study by the Wellesley Centers for Women. The study found that one woman on a board is just a token but two or more substantially change the dynamics and interactions of the board, including the ability to surface tough issues and foster collaboration to solve them.

“Women bring diversity in terms of our perspective and the way that we think.

We ask key questions, look for inclusion and can help build synergy,” adds Shannon.

The study also found that female directors open channels for women in upper management.

“When I started out in my career, there weren’t many women in leadership roles,” says Karen Himle, Member of the Board of Directors for HMN Financial. “Now there are. It is a paradigm shift. It makes me happy to think that a young woman starting her career can see a path that is limitless because she sees women serving on a corporate board.”

Marlene Petersen is a novelist, freelance writer, editor, lawyer, former professor, mother and wife who knows women can shatter any ceiling so long as they have the courage to break the glass and an employer willing to lend the tools.

PAVING THE WAY WITH ROOM TO GROW:

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP STATISTICS

• With 14.5% of women on boards and 21.9% of women executives, Minnesota leads the nation in women in leadership roles.

• Of the top 100 publicly held companies in Minnesota listed in the SEC filings of June 30, 2012, 31 have only men on their boards and 36 have only male executives.

• Only half of Minnesota’s 100 largest publicly held companies have both women corporate directors and women executive officers.

• Women of color, sadly, still hold only 2% of the available board seats in Minnesota’s 100 largest publicly held companies. Nationwide, women of color hold between 0.4% and 3.5% of the available board seats at companies.

Source: The 2012 Minnesota Census of Women in Corporate Leadership, a report produced by St. Catherine University, which examines the percentage of women in leadership roles at the 100 largest publicly held companies headquartered in Minnesota.

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women in leadership

Environmental Affairs Flo Sandok’s mission to protect the earth

BY JENNIFER GANGLOFF PHOTOGRAPHY BY FAGAN STUDIOS

A

s a young girl concerned about the world, Flo Sandok used to pick up litter she found scattered around the New York City neighborhood where she grew up. But it would be years before she considered herself an environmentalist.

Today, having spent more than 40 years in Rochester, Sandok has sealed her place in the community as a leader in environmental concerns. “Our own well-being is deeply tied to the well-being of others, everything we share with the earth,” she says.

GLOBAL ACTION ROCHESTER Sandok is one of about a dozen volunteer members of Global Action Rochester, a loosely organized grassroots community group that seeks to educate people about environmental issues and to advocate for change on the local and state levels. Global Action’s current focus is primarily on energy and climate change, although in the past the group has taken up such topics as pesticide use, organic foods and natural cleaners.

Some of the issues the group is pushing for are better insulated homes, energy-efficient cars and appliances, solar energy and energy rebates, Sandok says.

She has made a name for herself through her work with Global Action and has spoken before the Rochester City Council and at various area board meetings. She has ventured to St. Paul many times to discuss environmental concerns with state legislators and has journeyed around the country to attend training conferences. Sandok has written letters to the editors of newspapers and she has rallied her fellow citizens.

She has even taken part in protests, once venturing to Washington, D.C., for a protest about the Keystone Pipeline System.

As for her role in Global Action, Sandok considers herself a motivator. “Each one of us in the group adds something from our own 20

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

“People are shy and hesitant and think they don’t make an impact — let me tell you that they do.

People can be so powerful, and they should know that.”

–Flo Sandok abilities and I think I’m a good motivator,” says Sandok, who also used to teach art and art history at Rochester Community Technical College and art classes at the Rochester Art Center.

The work with Global Action hasn’t always been easy, nor has it always been well-received. But enjoying the work and taking the causes to heart has helped her stand behind her own beliefs and those of Global Action, even in the hard times. “In whatever you do, you have to enjoy it, even something as serious as this,” she says. “How long could you go on with something if you weren’t enjoying it? You want to do it in a way that reflects your caring and your passion about the role that you have in this world for helping it become a better place.”

COUNTING HER SUCCESSES Sandok counts among her biggest successes as part of Global Action the Minnesota Parents’ Right-to-Know Act, which deals with pesticide applications at schools and the notification of parents of its use. She also helped organize a local presentation with New York pediatrician Philip J. Landrigan, M.D., one of the world’s leading advocates of children’s health and an authority on pesticide use.

Even little things make a difference, says Sandok, like a weeding project several years ago that encouraged homeowners to use a special tool to dig up weeds instead of using pesticide. Organizers even convinced a local school to give it a try.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE In fact, it’s small successes, like the weed project that can have a much bigger impact than some people may realize, Sandok says.

“One of things Global Action hopes to do is show people that they really can make a difference-writing letters to legislators, making that one phone call. It does makes a tremendous difference,” she says. “People are shy and hesitant and think they don’t make an impact — let me tell you that they do.

People can be so powerful, and they should know that.”

o

If you’re interested in learning more about Global Action Rochester and becoming involved in your community, you can contact Flo at fsandok@charter.net.

Jennifer Gangloff is a freelance writer and editor based in Rochester.

RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

21

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community

Just Waiting to be Told “Etta…Tell Mama” a Diversity Council Presentation

BY DEBI NEVILLE

T

he echo of Billy Holiday’s music can almost be heard in “Etta…Tell Mama,” the original musical presentation at Rochester Civic Theatre on March 23. Written and performed by the talented Thomasina Petrus of Minneapolis, it’s the story of Etta James, a blues and jazz singer who passed away in 2012 at the age of 73.

“Thomasina has demonstrated extraordinary compassion for artists who have come from challenging backgrounds and looks beyond unhealthy decisions to find the positive aspects of their work,” says Hollybeth Anderson, a member of the Diversity Council Committee at the Rochester Civic Theatre. “This show demonstrates we can learn from those who have left a lasting imprint on society with their struggles and success.”

FOLLOWING HER OWN VOICE

Photo by Dawn Sanborn Photography.

“I have performed as Billy Holiday and she served as an inspiration for Etta James. It seemed a natural progression to delve into the life and music of Etta James, that’s how the salute to Etta came about,” Petrus says.

She performs the show in first person, not “Thomasina doing Etta, but Thomasina being Etta.” She sings with incredible accuracy of inflection, tone and level of the original. Then mixes it all up with the narrative of how Etta struggled to survive, from the time she was born, the daughter of a prostitute, through

THOMASINA PETRUS

INFORMATION Tickets for Etta…Tell Mama, March 23, 7:30 p.m. are $20 on sale now through the Rochester Civic Theatre Box Office at 282-8481 or at rochestercivictheatre.org

the difficult racial struggles of the 60s, to finally being recognized as a significant talent.

According to Rolling Stone magazine, Etta James is listed as one of the 100 greatest singers of all time, and yet she isn’t a household name. Known for such songs as “I’d Rather Go Blind” and “At Last,” she crossed the lines between jazz and blues with a love for both sounds. Etta felt fortunate to have met and worked with Billy Holiday, yet found her own voice and followed it. Petrus says she is blessed to feel the same. “There’s something so compelling about her. I want to tell what’s behind the public image.”

WE GET IT IN THIS PRODUCTION Anderson notes, “In this year’s Celebrating Diversity and Inclusivity, we have focused on a woman’s voice and what form that expression may take to deliver its often powerful message. As we talk about the power of a woman’s voice, we literally get it in this production.”

This is guaranteed to be a powerful performance, yet fun and uplifting. “A clear message that comes through, is that Etta believed you are either ‘livin’ to live or livin’ to die.’ It’s all in how you see yourself. Bringing the music and story to the stage tells what motivated her and from that, maybe we can be inspired to look at ourselves,” says Petrus.

SHARING AN EXPERIENCE WITH THE AUDIENCE “Thomasina doesn’t just sing a song but shares an experience with the listeners.

I credit this to not only her remarkable voice and her striking connection with the audience but her gift for storytelling,” says Anderson.

Petrus has been an integral part of the diversity programming at the Civic Theatre since 2005 when she appeared in Mixed Blood’s production of “Daughter’s of Africa.”

Since then she has portrayed Billy Holiday, Lena Horne and now adds Etta James to the collective musical heritage.

Debi Neville is a freelance writer whose knowledge of “Women of Jazz” excitedly just expanded!

Sponsors for the events are Think Mutual Bank and RochesterWomen magazine. Funding made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

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community

‘I AM THE PHOENIX’

Mental illness captured through the lens and pen

“Untitled” is a poem written by Dawn Williams.

PHOTOS BY DAWN SANBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

INFO:

“I AM THE PHOENIX” on display February – March 2014 Rochester Civic Theatre Lobby

“I AM THE PHOENIX” is a collaborative project between photographer Dawn Sanborn and the poet Dawn Williams.

Sanborn has taken Williams’ poetry and re-created the visual imagery that is expressed in the prose through photographic interpretation to create a body of work that is spellbinding and inspirational.

After a life-long battle with severe mental illness including PTSD, Williams shares in her poetry the struggles she experienced in an emotional, direct way.

Dawn Sanborn’s creative eye has brought the two mediums together to offer a therapeutic experience for both the photographer and poet, and hopefully – you.

This activity is made possible by the generosity of the McKnight Foundation through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council.

RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

25

community

A

new event was added this year to the Diversity Council’s extensive list of activities: “Women on Wednesdays,” held at the Rochester Civic Theatre. Hollybeth Anderson, outreach director for the Rochester Civic Theatre, was instrumental in seeing it come to fruition. “We are thrilled with the response–it far exceeded our expectations and supports the idea that people want to come together and discuss subjects that are not only important to them, their families and neighbors but also to the broader community,” she says, “all with the common goal of understanding these issues.”

WOMEN IN THE ARTS The first evening was facilitated by Johanna Rian, Mayo coordinator for humanities in medicine with panelists Shannon Fitzgerald, executive director of Rochester Art Center and Pam Whitfield, writer, poet and professor of English at RCTC. What prevented women from becoming great artists in the past, and what do their voices say now? Fitzgerald displayed examples of past visual art, showing the styles and subsequent changes through the years. She noted that the barriers of sexism and financial oppression were major factors in the lack of women’s work. “By pushing the envelope, women artists began to emerge, but it was a slow and painful process,” she says.

Women’s voices have historically been silent according to Whitfield. “Memoirs or journals and poetry were a few areas that were acceptable for women writers,” she pointed out. “Some women just didn’t hear the word no, and many talented writers have developed.”

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March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

Problems and Power A discussion of the repression and strength of women

BY DEBI NEVILLE

VOICES OF SURVIVORS FOR PREVENTION The second evening was facilitated by Victim Services Director Jeanne Ronayne and the discussion centered on abuse. According to Ronayne, “Women and children can be the most vulnerable. Recognizing abuse and helping the victims overcome it is what we do.”

Cresta Valentine, a victim services advocate, told her heart-wrenching history of abuse and awe-inspiring survival and success.

“I help people understand they are not alone,” she says. “They have to keep moving forward no matter what. What we go through gives us power.”

“It’s important to step out of our role as a victim and speak for those who can’t speak for themselves,” shared Aundrea TaylorDouglas, an audience member.

A message of hope summed up the evening. “We can’t focus on the act of violence itself, but rather on the survival,” concluded Ronayne.

INCARCERATED WOMEN — BREAKING THE CYCLE Women behind bars was the subject of the third discussion facilitated by Kay Hocker with panelists Olmsted County Director of Detention Services Stacy Sinner and Probation Officer Julie Stanton along with Gregory Stavrou, executive director of the Rochester Civic Theatre.

Sinner shared shocking statistics: at the current time, there are 12 women in the county jail. The average age is 27, and they have had a total of 56 children. Sinner pointed out that what happens to the mother impacts the entire family. “That’s why it is

From left to right, Probation Officer Julie Stanton, Rochester Civic Theatre Executive Director Gregory Stavrou and Olmsted County Director of Detention Services Stacy Sinner.

so important to give hope,” she says. “Many don’t know how to get out of the hole they are in.”

“The women, regardless of age or what they have done, are victims of trauma of one type or another,” says Stanton. “We can tell which ones are connected, have support and resources.” The goal is to restore the women’s dignity, guide them to survival, establish resiliency and help them overcome what they’ve endured.

Stavrou was excited to reveal a seven-month collaboration between the theatre and the incarcerated women.

According to Stavrou, the goal is to develop an external outlet for their internal agony.

“Our approach will be ongoing; the ritual of sharing stories, an expression of emotion…to help them reengage with self,” he says.

The panelists agreed issues loom largeeducation, trust, health, safety, jobs and family. Chipping away at it a bit at a time is what we can do.

Debi Neville is a freelance writer.

Photographs courtesy of Jorrie Johnson.

Rochester Civic Theatre Executive Director Gregory Stavrou, Diversity Council Executive Director Kay Hocker and Rochester Civic Theatre Outreach Director Hollybeth Anderson coordinated the three Women on Wednesdays dinner and discussions.

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food & wine

GoDo! Rochester brims with makeover options

BY K.L. SNYDER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE HARDWICK PHOTOGRAPHY

GoDo!

is a new column centered on fun (and sometimes little-known) activities to do as a group or as an individual in Rochester and the surrounding area. RochesterWomen will seek out these opportunities, try them out, and let you know how you can also GoDo! What better time than spring for a beauty makeover party? RochesterWomen decided this was the perfect GoDo! so they headed out for an evening at the local beauty boutique, About Face, and declared with enthusiasm, “What fun!”

PINK SPONGES & SPECIALTY BRUSHES & MAKEOVERS 101 Fun indeed! The ladies looked good going in. The RW crew simply wished to look natural but improved.

About Face makeup artists/managers Sarah Flatness and Lori Kunkel wanted to know something about their clients. “They ask your preferences, what makeup you use and what colors you like,” says RW Editor Mariah Mihm.

Makeovers are tutoring sessions too. You can learn application techniques and discover whimsical tools, such as egg-shaped pink sponges and specialty brushes.

Melissa McNallan and Katlin Schmidt volunteered to go first. Katlin, RW intern and Winona State University senior, said she doesn’t use much makeup. “Then we’ll do a quick and easy look,” Sarah said.

Lori showed Melissa, marketing account representative for RW, how to use the pink sponge to apply foundation. “Dab and pounce,” said Lori. “It gives an airbrushed effect.”

Salons’ teaching methods vary. About Face makeover artists describe each technique as they perform it. “Smile,” Sarah told Katlin. “To get blush to look as if you are really blushing, smile, then put it on the apple of your cheek.”

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March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

Looking good, front row (L-R) Dawn Sanborn, Jorrie Johnson, Debi Neville, and Mariah Mihm. Back row (L-R) Katlin Schmidt, K.L. Snyder, Margo Stich, and Melissa McNallan.

Sarah Flatness showing Jorrie Jonson the “dab and pounce” technique.

Melissa McNallan (L) and Mariah Mihm (R) discussing their new looks.

“Lori and Sarah had great energy. About Face gave us the star treatment.”

-— Debi Neville

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March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

AUTUMN RIDGE CHURCH ARTS SERIES

MANY MAKEOVER OPTIONS “Pre-makeover, you need to consider your personality and how much time you’re willing to spend,” says Renee Carlson, owner of the local Merle Norman Studio. “Makeup is a reflection of who you are. Just like the clothes you wear, it says a lot about you. Being a makeup diva is fine,” she says, “but it will take more than five minutes a day.”

Is half a revamp better than none? “At Merle Norman when we do a makeover, we do half the face,” Renee says. “The client does the other half but not all at once. We go step by step.”

“The Mary Kay philosophy is DIY,” says Mary Kay Independent Sales Director and Beauty Consultant Brenda Hahn. “You could, of course, get revamped on your own. But my favorite is to do makeovers with groups. Makeover parties are a hoot–everyone has a good time,” says Brenda. “We want to teach people how to apply makeup themselves. We don’t put it on, they do. We tell them how to do it and they find out it isn’t as difficult as they think.”

“You can do as little or as much of a makeover as you like,” says Jessi Huxsol, operations manager at City Looks Salon and Spa. “All Aveda products are made from flowers and plants, Huxsol says, “and customers love the fragrance.

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Margo Stich (L) and Jorrie Johnson enjoyed spending time together.

Dawn Sanborn checks out her purple lids.

PRIMED, PURPLE AND A NEW SHADE OF LIPSTICK “I just got primed,” laughs writer Margo Stich, sporting a dash of primer on her eyelids. “Lori says it helps eye shadow stay in place and helps prevent creasing.” Margo’s makeover highlighted her elegant bone structure. “It brings out the contours of my face and it doesn’t look like makeup.”

Small changes can make a big difference. The pros advise adding an eyebrow arch to open the eyes or to try different colors on your eyelids and lips. Change up your foundation formula; it can transform your whole look.

“Vibrant orchid is the color of 2014,” said expert Sarah. “It’s going to be everywhere,” including on photographer Dawn Sanborn’s eyelids. Purple is Dawn’s favorite color, but she had never worn it on her eyes until Sarah traced on a shimmery orchid eyeliner: a smashing effect. “I need to buy some,” Sanborn said approvingly.

Per Lori’s suggestion, Mariah, who has always favored bright red lipstick, tried a glimmery pink. “I love it! The color is still bold,” she says of her new favorite color, “but it’s a fresh change from classic red.”

“About Face is a ton of fun,” says owner Reba King, M.D. “People come in and find beautiful things. They leave happy.”

K. L. Snyder is a freelance writer living in Rochester.

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food & wine

Women &Wine WHAT HAPPENS AT THE WINERY…

BY JODY BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAWN SANBORN PHOTOGRAPHY AND FAGAN STUDIOS

“WINE FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN”

M

y friends and I have set out on some wine-tasting adventures, and we recently decided that we needed to gear-up on our wine slogan paraphernalia. This year, wine sayings grace cocktail napkins, hats and even clothing. To get us in the spirit, we took a Saturday and headed out to the Cannon River Winery in Cannon Falls, where, like many local wineries, they offer a variety of these fun items.

“WINE PRINCESS” Suzanne and I found great long-sleeve T-shirts, perfect for seasonal weather.

Lucy fell in love with a hat that said simply: “Screwed.” Georgette scoffed a bit at wearing a shirt with a slogan on it but one, “Oh, come

on!” nudge from Lucy, and Georgette was smiling and trying on the “Wine Princess” T-shirt. (She wore it all day.)

“GROUP THERAPY” In addition to our own gathering at Lucy’s house, back in January we got together for the Söntés Women & Wine event. RochesterWomen sponsored this wine tasting and the proprietor of Söntés Restaurant, Tessa Leung, was on hand to impart her vast wine knowledge as we tasted Old and New World wines.

Tessa taught us that “places like South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States are considered the New World for their wines because they’ve only been making wine for a couple hundred years,” she said,

Jody Bro wn Photo by Dawn

Sanborn Phot ography

“as opposed to the Old World European and Mediterranean countries that have been making wine for thousands of years.”

“THIS WINE IS MAKING ME AWESOME” Is it any wonder why we love our wine?

Imagine, grapes were grown with care and worry. They were picked, pressed, fermented, bottled, corked, shipped, (or sometimes laid flat, turned, turned, aged, then shipped), chosen, uncorked. All of that just to get it to your glass. And every step along the way, someone was looking out for that wine.

Enjoying a glass of wine is a way of paying homage to all that’s gone into it.

The winemaker smiles, and so do I.

“WINE A BIT, YOU’LL FEEL BETTER” If you missed the Women & Wine event at Söntés, or if you liked it so much you’re ready for another, RochesterWomen will be hosting a wine tasting at Andy’s Liquor on Wellner Drive on March 27.

Photo by Fagan Studios

Jorrie Johnson, Mariah Mihm, Jody Brown, Dawn Sanborn, Deanne Breitenbach and Melissa McNallan wearing their wine tasting apparel.

Jody Brown is a freelance writer living in Rochester and a server at Söntes Restaurant. She is the author of “Upside Down Kingdom.”

RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

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DEMYSTIFY Your Camera!

Saturdays in March & Tuesdays in April

Take a journey with award winning photographer Dawn Sanborn and learn to use your camera in a whole new way. Workshops include casual lectures, hands-on assistance, and time for questions & answers.

e far mor d e n r a e l “I really n two hours) eks today (i hree we t n i d i ss!” than I d oint cla P r e w o P at that ~ Erin

Camera I

Mar. 8, 1–3 pm Apr. 8, 6–8 pm

Camera II

Mar. 15, 1–3 pm Apr. 15, 6–8 pm

Composition

Mar. 22, 1–3 pm Apr. 22, 6–8 pm

Take command of your camera settings and get off the auto button!

The next step in understanding your camera.

Learn metering, focusing, drive modes and more.

The secret behind compositional elements that will forever change the way you see and shoot!

Check out DEMYSTIFYYOURCAMERA.COM for more information dawn.sanborn@live.com or 507 252 4662

Demystify workshop 3-4_2014.indd 1

2/10/2014 7:14:23 PM

Classic American Menu Casual, Comfortable Atmosphere Serving steaks, burgers, pot roast, seafood, and salads. Local and organic food sources including Schultz Farm Organic Eggs, Organic Flour from Welcome, MN, and staples from the Wedge Co-op.

Breakfast: Fri - Sun 8am Lunch Mon - Sun from 11am Dinner Tues - Sat 120 Elton Hills Drive NW (Next to Dunn Bros) 285.2516 34

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

food & wine

A taste of

o c i x e M dia & In

Transform your taste buds

BY DAWN SANBORN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAWN SANBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

A

t RochesterWomen magazine, we decided it was time to try a new way of presenting food recipes for our readers, in a real-world fashion that most of us cook in. The “What’s for dinner tonight?” and your only thought is, “Gosh, what IS in my fridge or pantry?” Then you get about to looking and cook with what you have lying around.

So we will offer recipes that are easy to cook, something new and mostly seasonal.

Spring is upon us and I know I am ready to forget about winter and get warm. In honor of our exotic travel features to India and Mexico this issue, let’s savor some new tastes.

Ahh! I can feel the sand beneath my feet already.

Ensenada Style Baja Fish Tacos RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

35

a d a n e s n E le Baja Sty Tacos Fish

Ensenada Style Baja Fish Tacos A traditional Mexican taco, this dish can be made healthier by eliminating the batter frying and instead grilling or sautĂŠingthe fish and sprinkling the spices on beforehand.

1 cup masa (corn) flour or regular flour 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/ 4 tsp. each cayenne, cumin, salt and pepper 8-12 oz. of good Mexican beer

1 pound firm white fish such as cod or halibut 12 corn taco shells 10 oz. chopped cabbage Lime juice Oil for frying

Combine the flour and seasoning; mix well. Add enough beer to create a batter that is of pancake batter consistency.

Cut fish into pieces the size of your index finger, sprinkle with some lime juice and a dash of salt, and let sit for a minute or two.

Heat oil in a frying pan to 350 F. Pat fish dry and place in batter, adding a few pieces to the oil at a time. Cook until the fish float to the top and are golden brown. Dry on paper towels.

Assemble your tacos by adding a few pieces of the fish, sprinkling on a little lime juice, adding some cabbage and topping with the mango salsa (see recipe). Sublime!

36

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

Avo id add ing dee ing m p your ore fried foo f r d an d on y iet will esh veg d et a b our have heal l e a s dire th. c t ef to fect

t the to stop a e m ti e v ilantro, If you ha p fresh c u k ic p , e an even stor limes for d n a o d nce. avoca c experie ti n e th u better a

Mojo Mango Salsa I have been asked to share this very secret recipe that I created years ago, selling many jars of salsa a week to the patrons of the Rochester Downtown Farmer’s Market. I am sure you will totally love it. My past customers sure did. It goes great as a topping for pork, chicken and fish.

3 pounds chopped Roma tomatoes 3 chopped red/yellow/orange sweet peppers 2 chopped large onions 1 pound chopped mango 1 pound pineapple chunks 1/3 cup minced garlic 1/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1/2 Tbsp. salt 1 tsp. each of cumin, ginger, black pepper and chili powders 1/3 tsp. allspice A dd enough chopped jalapeño to make it as spicy as you’d like

Mix all ingredients except mango and heat in a saucepan on high for 5 minutes, remove from heat and add mango. Add jalapeño to taste. Makes approximately 6 pints.

otle ute chip Substit e h rs for t eat peppe as a gr s o n e jalap ice. tive sp alterna

Another great add-on is

Lime Crema Sauce: 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 1/2 Tbsp. water or milk 1-2 tsp. lime juice

With a fork, slowly add the water to the mayonnaise until it just loosens up. Add the lime and stir.

Mojo Man go Salsa

RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

37

Zeera Rice

Zeera Rice One of the most famous and simple Indian flavored rices is a cumin rice called zeera, where zeera means cumin. The fragrant long basmati rice studded with earthy cumin seeds is a perfect pairing with curries. Serve with the beans poriyal (see recipe below) for a complete traditional Indian meal.

1 cup basmati rice 3 cups water or chicken stock 6 -7 cloves, a cinnamon stick, 3 whole cardamom pods – powder into a pound with pestle & mortar (these seasonings are optional) 3 Tbsp. ghee (clarified butter) or olive oil 6 whole garlic cloves, sliced 1 tsp. peppercorns (cracked with pestle and mortar) 2 Tbsp. cumin seeds 1 Tbsp. Turmeric 1/2 cup water Salt to taste 1-2 Tbsp. lemon juice Wash the Basmati rice well in running water. Add 3 cups of water/ stock, spice powder (optional) and salt to taste in a pot and set it up to boil. Add rice once the water is boiling.

Once the rice is almost cooked, remove from heat and drain the water by straining the rice through a sieve or colander. Set aside.

Heat ghee or oil in pan until hot; add spices except turmeric. Sauté for about 1 minute. Fold rice into pan, add turmeric and water and cook for a few minutes until well blended and all the water is absorbed. Let the rice sit covered for another couple minutes. Add a dash of lemon juice (optional). Lemon juice complements the spices and allows you to use less salt.

s n a Be al y i r o P

ed e of sauté Add a sid ith the nd top w a n e k ic h c for a above ls a s o g n ma ion. ican vers an Amer

Beans Poriyal Another Indian dish that is just as tasty as it is simple is Beans Poriyal. The light seasoning adds but does not distract from the main ingredient’s flavor. Tempered with spices and flecked with coconut, it tastes incredible.

3 Tbsp. oil (coconut or olive oil works well) 8-10 curry leaves 1 Tbsp. black mustard seeds 2 pounds French cut green beans 1/4-1/2 cup desiccated coconut 1 tsp. salt or to taste 1-2 Tbsp. lemon juice Heat oil in a wok until it splatters. Add seasoning and cook until the mustard seeds pop. Add beans and sauté for 4-5 minutes. Sprinkle with coconut and stir for a couple minutes. Drizzle with lemon juice.

Dawn Sanborn is a professional photographer and Renaissance woman. Owning a small hobby farm and loving the sustainable way of living, she spent years selling her wares at the farmer’s market and also served on their board. Combine that with years of working in fine dining establishments, her knowledge of food and of preparing healthy, locally bought produce and meats makes her a great addition to the magazine.

Thanks to Celia Kamath for the Indian recipes, preparing the dishes, the use of her beautiful fabric for the pictures and her time. Her website is peacocktale.com 38

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

If your mortgage rate is higher than

Spring Wine Selections from

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Distinctly South American, this perfect blend of Malbec, Bonarda, and Syrah come together to form the lovable and engaging blend, Amado Sur (“beloved south”).

Amado Sur is a deep red wine with violet hues. Aromas of strawberries and red cherries intertwine with hints of clove and vanilla. Lush red berry flavor gives way to velvety tannins and a pleasant, persistent finish.

Enjoy Amado Sur with rich dishes and roasted meats including lamb, beef, and pork, as well as with spicy, fruit-based sauces and sides.

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RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

39

Every Girl’s Dream … no matter the age.

Perfectly Imperfect:

The Grace and the Art of Acceptance of Each Other and of Ourselves

March 15, 9:00am-4:00pm

Dance Gymnastics l Skating l Fitness l Cheerleading l

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We will explore in prayer and conversation the premise of Brene Brown, that “acceptance of ourselves and of each other as we are is the most courageous act of our lives.” Couples are encouraged to register.

Facilitators: Rosemarie Whitehead, and her husband, Dick Rice, have experience in education and spiritual development.

For more information, and to register, go to: www.rochesterfranciscan.org $25 per person, includes lunch and refreshments.

Hillcrest Shopping Center • Rochester, MN 507.281.1401 • www.bladestoballet.com Mon-Thurs 10 – 7, Fri & Sat 10 – 5, Sun closed

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March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

Get to know the

Sisters of Saint Francis

travel

Alison Re nts her travels chler during in Clockwis India. e from left : Rentschle r at in Agra; R Agra Fort entschler with fello w tourists in Delhi and Re at an elep ntschler han sanctuary t in Jaipur.

Traveling to

Expanding my worldview, getting outside my comfort zone and feeling grateful

BY ALISON RENTSCHLER

PLANNING THE TRIP I traveled to India with my friends Marissa Fitzgibbons and Jenny Anders. We have all traveled internationally, but none of us had been to India.

We planned the trip over several months, discussing where we would like to go and what we would like to see and do while there. We all agreed on game drives, to see tigers and other wildlife, visiting the Taj Mahal and an elephant sanctuary.

I worked with an Indian travel company. A couple of the helpful suggestions they gave included hiring a car and driver for the duration of our time in India and planning a general itinerary of the cities we would visit.

The three of us spent about two weeks in India in October 2013, traveling around the northern part of the country. We visited Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore National Park and Jaipur.

LETTING GO OF WORRIES I didn’t know what to expect while in India, but I knew it would be different than anywhere I’d been. Before I left I was nervous about details such as the diseases I could get while traveling abroad, problems that could occur with our travel visas, whether or not I would like the food, our accommodations and our safety throughout the trip.

All of these concerns turned out to be unnecessary. We all stayed healthy and safe as we traveled throughout the country. I was reminded that it’s ok to not know all of the details and it doesn’t help to worry: everything usually turns out fine.

OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE I had read books, blogs and websites about Indian culture, how women are treated differently and how Americans stand out.

All that research still didn’t prepare me for all of the attention we received as independent women from the U.S. Indian men and women approached us as we explored forts and historic sites, asking to have their photos taken with us, wanting to converse in English or sometimes snatching photos as we walked by.

I was stretched to try new things when it came time to eat. We shared flavorful rice, vegetable and chicken dishes, experiencing the RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

41

Photography courtesy of Alison Rentschler, Jenny Anders and Marissa Fitzgibbons.

’ve traveled internationally to Europe and other places, but I wasn’t sure if I’d like India. People I knew who had traveled there had amazing or very disappointing experiences.

Overall the trip was a pleasant surprise in many ways, from the flavorful food to friendly people. I expanded my worldview and stepped outside my comfort zone. I found India to be a transformational travel experience.

cuisine while in India. We drank masala tea (chai tea) daily, which tasted better than the chai tea I had in the U.S. The food was made with natural ingredients and made me feel healthier. I was reminded of how different my diet is in the U.S. I now strive to eat natural foods more often.

A DIFFERENT VIEW OF HOME AND MONEY Driving through the countryside and villages, we saw women carrying baskets of goods on their heads and people living in tin-roofed shacks or straw huts.

We drove by cows and goats standing in the roads or sitting in the shade of trees. Pigs, stray dogs and other animals scavenged for food in piles of smelly decomposing trash along the streets.

We sat in a spacious air-conditioned car, a respite from the heat outside, as motorcycles carrying several people, rickshaws packed with families or crowded buses with people sitting on the roofs flew by us on the road.

Seeing how many people lived in India, realizing how little money many people had and noticing how few possessions people owned was a huge contrast from the U.S. People lived simply. It made me feel very grateful to have a home, job, food, electricity, water and so many other things I often take for granted.

COMING HOME When I returned from India, I wanted to do something to help the people that live in poverty. I planned to research and support organizations that help the Indian people. I also came home with a greater awareness that I can help people where I am living now by giving money, food, clothing and household items to local charities.

My trip to India reminded me that while it’s not always easy to move outside my comfort zone and take a leap into the unknown, it’s always worth it to stretch myself, go places I haven’t been and experience new things. I’m thankful for these experiences that enriched my life.

Alison Rentschler is a writer living in Rochester who is always planning her next trip, whether it’s a road trip out west or a trip across the ocean.

of India. experiences ny a m e the th Enjoying de, tasting , a camel ri l. ew vi ha a y tt M re j Ap e Ta isine and th traditional cu

42

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

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travel

The Experience of Transformation

O

h how mystical we make it all sound, to go on a transformational trip. The word transformation simply means “to change.”

With that in mind, I was asked to share with you the impact a transformational trip had on me.

Transforming our world I have been blessed in my life with the opportunity to attend two transformational trips a year in amazing places all around the world with an organization called the Transformational Leadership Council (TLC). On these trips, “transformational leaders share their best practices and co-create humanitarian projects to help transform our world.”

The organization is made up of a variety of transformational leaders, from natural healers to best-selling authors to CEOs of major organizations. They come together to share their life’s work with one another and show how it can make an impact on the quality of our lives. I believe true transformation happens each and every day in the way we respond to everything that happens. The trips are simply the catalyst for introducing new ideas in a place and time where we have opened our mind to take them in.

Setting the stage for transformation My most recent trip was to Cancun, Mexico in January 2014. Cancun has it all: beautiful beaches, shopping and night clubs. My purpose for being there was solely to experience the transformational teaching provided at the conference. The beautiful surroundings in this or any other destination where the conference is held simply set the stage for one to get away from their own life’s chaos, providing the peace and tranquility for one to reflect on what they are learning and really absorb it.

At this conference, we started each day with Qigong meditation on the beach

at 7 a.m. Thirty people on average lined up on the beautiful white sandy beach at sunrise. We were guided through a series of movements and meditations. Qigong is a beautiful process of moving the energy in our body. It was an amazing experience that put me in a state of peace and gratitude for the rest of the day. Since learning Qigong at these events, I now start every day with a Qigong meditation in my own home. Of course there is no beach in my backyard in Byron, Minn., but I can recreate the vision in my mind from experiencing it on my trips.

The rest of the conference was made up of brief interactive sessions to learn other tools of transformation to help us manage our lives and emotions. One such tool is EFT, Emotional Freedom Technique, otherwise referred to as tapping. It is a series of tapping motions on key pressure points of our body that help to break up energy blockages that may be causing us stress or even illness–it is like acupuncture without the needles.

I have a chiropractic friend who says “buried feelings never die.” It is those things we bury and avoid dealing with that cause the stress, pain and anguish in our lives. I have yet to fully incorporate this in my daily practices but I am working on it, along with many other things I learned.

Traveling to Mexico to find change

BY LUANN BUECHLER

Daily practice equals daily transformation Each time I attend a conference, I try to pick up one thing that I can take home and incorporate in my daily life. That is what transformation is about, changing the way we do things currently to make a positive impact on our lives and those around us.

Like most things, in order to make change we need support. I find that the repetitive nature of these trips helps me to add new things gradually to my life’s work, which is the journey into me and being the best me I can be.

I have long said if you take one thing from any conference you attend and apply it in your life, it was worth your time invested.

That is transformation, when you truly make a change in your behavior, the way you do things or the way you view and react to them.

That is transformation.

You can do this any time however, no trip necessary; although the beautiful environment certainly sets the scene to allow for transformation to happen.

LuAnn Buechler is a transformational trainer & coach living in Byron. She will be leading the transformational Step It Up! event at Assisi Heights Spirituality Center on May 1, 2014.

See ad on page 40.

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community

FASHION: Past and Future Two first time events

BY DEBI NEVILLE

A

NOT YOUR AVERAGE FASHION SHOW Fashions for the Historic Fashion Show are being created for each of the 22 Rochester models. Joy Melcher, of Civil War Lady Productions, approached Janet Timmerman, former History Center director, with the idea.

“We were excited about it right away.

When we found out Joy has designed fashions seen all over the United States, not just Civil War reenactments, but for prestigious stage and screen performances, we knew we had found a hit,” says Linda Willihnganz, event chair. “The presentation style is unique; the models will walk among the guests so each person has a chance to see the material, design, detailed touches and antique jewelry up close.”

Harking back to the tradition of Sunday socials, the event includes an “afternoon tea with decadent desserts,” says Willihnganz “we were are excited; it fits perfectly with the History Center on so many levels. It’s not just a fashion show, but also an educational event with narration by Joy Melcher.”

NOTHING AVERAGE Joy Melcher’s a small town girl from Osage, Iowa, whose name is well known in professional circles as a premiere 46

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

Photos courtesy of Joy Melcher.

n opportunity to step back in time and walk forward into the future is rare, but in the field of fashion, it’s almost unheard of. Yet, that’s precisely the opportunity presented to area residents in two upcoming events.

A Historic Fashion Show hosted by the History Center of Olmsted County on Sunday, March 23, will feature fashions from 1800 to 1900. On April 24, the Rochester Area Builders will showcase original designs using a variety of building materials, titled Studs, Struts & Stilettos, Construction Fashion Exposé. Both promise to be exceptional and unforgettable.

Visiting the Missouri History Center in St. Louis is (l to r) Mrs. Glenda Jardel (a manager at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania), Historical Costumer from Iowa, Joy Melcher and Sandi Swift (a high school Registrar in St. Louis public school systems).

Model Heather Kenney is known as a true modern Southern Belle living in Virginia.

costume designer and seamstress. She is as comfortable constructing elaborate vintage dresses for individuals, weddings, and theatres as she is filling a large order for the

Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian, New York City Opera or Saturday Night Live.

“I recently received a call on a Thursday from SNL asking me to send costumes for a show that Saturday. It was a parody on ‘12 Years a Slave’ so we hustled and overnighted them Friday. They arrived just in time,” says Joy . “It’s a crazy business.”

Joy became interested in fashion history years ago during the Civil War’s centennial in the ‘60s and the country’s bicentennial in the ‘70s. That led to research, countless visits to museums, conversations with historians, speaking engagements, and the rest (pun intended) is history.

She and a friend drafted patterns for historic fashions. Joy’s reputation for authenticity and detail as well as superb craftsmanship grew and Civil War Lady was born. “I actually specialize [in women’s clothing] in the entire 19th century. It’s Women’s History Month and so appropriate to focus on clothing, a reflection of etiquette of the day as a result of economics and a mirror of life at that time.”

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March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

FAST FORWARD Jump ahead about 200 years…creative minds are busy collaborating on a fashion design using building materials: you know, nails, venting, PVC, electrical wire and such. Rochester Area Builders, for the first time ever, is hosting Studs, Struts & Stilettos (the name is enough to make you want to see it) construction fashion exposé.

John Eischen, executive director at RAB can’t quite contain his excitement over the fundraising effort with Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity as the beneficiary. “This year, no more garage/auction sale. We took a cue from our sister organization in Mankato which has been extremely successful in doing something like this. We thought, why not?”

And wow! They’ve got a full evening planned with a snazzy pre-party; then out comes the red carpet, the paparazzi show up and the evening begins. There are VIP tickets but everyone is invited to enjoy light appetizers and a cash bar. A signature drink is being created for the social hour.

House lights dim, the music is cranked and it’s time to see the spectacular creations complete with a slide show chronicling the construction of the designs. The runway presentations will be judged

by Robin Wolfram, Heidi Mestad and Sam Adams with awards given in six categories. The evening is topped off with an after-party.

MADE OUT OF WHAT?

Photo courtesy of Rochester Area Builders.

Karen Blissenbach of Design Studio B, chair of the fashion exposé committee, assures us there won’t be dresses of fiberglass insulation or hazardous material. “The rules and guidelines are very explicit; at least one aspect of the design must be made using raw building materials such as tile, glass, wood, metal, paper, landscaping materials or anything you might utilize in the construction or furnishing of a home.”

Challenging to be sure, but both John and Karen are pleased with the entries, about 13 so far, who are up to trying something new. Mankato’s show entitled Raw Fusion is growing year by year. “That’s what we have as our goal too,” says John. “When you are doing something like this, imagination is your only limit.”

Debi Neville is a freelance writer who loves fashions of all kinds.

RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

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home

A Bathroom Outfitted to Meet the Changing Need

SUBCONTRACTORS:

after

CONTRACTOR:

Chladek Construction, LLC

HOMEOWNERS:

Hiawatha Homes

PROJECT:

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FAGAN STUDIOS

BY PENNY MARSHALL

T

here’s a host of reasons for remodeling a bathroom: general updates, sometimes just for a change of décor or cosmetic pleasure to name a few. For the Ferguson house, the primary need for the bathroom re-do was to improve accessibility and utilization of the shower and bathtub for those with physical disabilities and needing nursing care.

BATHROOM NEEDS AN UPDATE Built in 2002, the Ferguson residence is home to five adults and one house dog. There are 22 federal, state, county and donor-funded Hiawatha Homes, a private non-profit in Olmsted County. The Ferguson House is one of 19 located in the city of Rochester.

The original bathroom had a shower and a bathtub but the confines weren’t ideal for personal care. “We had a very nice 50

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

A bathroom outfitted for changing needs

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March is national March for Meals Month. Sign up to volunteer today!

Learn more about how you can get involved by contacting: Family Service Rochester 507.287.2010 www.familyservicerochester.org

RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

51

Dream it.

Live it.

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At right, “Fergie” - the house dog of Ferguson place, Hiawatha Home. He approves of the bathroom remodel too!

bathroom before, but it just didn’t meet the needs for the individuals we support,” explained Teresa Thompson, Director of Development and Communications for Hiawatha Homes.

“Care needs and disabilities change as people age. While that bathroom worked well five years ago, it wasn’t working more recently. Needless to say we were thrilled when the Rochester Area Builders Remodelers Council came to us and said they wanted to do something to help,” says Thompson Jerry Jensen, member of the Remodelers Council Executive Committee and Himec Service Department Operations Manager commented, “Driven by past experience from working with Hiawatha Homes and recognizing the current need, we [Rochester Area Builders Remodelers Council] offered resources and labor to accomplish the bathroom remodel.”

START TO FINISH The project took about 3 ½ weeks to finish and “was a complete bathroom demolition and remodel,” explained general contractor Brian Chladek. A tub, shower and wall were removed. A heat run was relocated. The cement floor had to be jack hammered for removal then re-poured to accommodate changes in plumbing for the relocation of the shower and bathtub. The entry to the new bathroom is now open and spacious, allowing easy access by walker, wheelchair or mobile lift.

Porcelain tile and mosaic trim deck in the enlarged shower area, with flat, roll-in access and no step or curb to navigate. The new hand-

New tile adds a decorative touch.

held fixture allows for ease of showering personally or by care providers.

Then there’s the whirlpool bathtub that’s accessible from three sides and by steps, mobile lift and barrier-free ceiling lift. Perched 7 ½ inches from the floor, the vessel rests on four stainless steel wrapped posts. The top of the tub is 33 inches from the floor, making it much easier for care givers to provide assistance.

Thompson explains that access to the bathtub is much easier.

“Our tub gets used a lot, not only for bathing but also for therapeutic needs. Some of the residents get physical therapy during that time. It also provides a sense of peace and relaxation.”

Acrovyn board provides protection on the lower 4 feet of the freshly painted orchid colored walls. A new ceiling, recessed lighting and an ultra-silent exhaust fan completed the remodel. When asked her thoughts on the bathroom remodel, Hulet, who lives at the Ferguson House, said she likes the extra room and the new paint but she “loves the whirlpool.”

INDEPENDENCE MATTERS “We’re so very grateful to the Rochester Area Builders,” says Thompson. “We want to make sure that the people we support can be as independent and empowered as they can be. The freedom that this new accessibility gives to them really can’t be measured. You can’t put a price tag on that.”

Penny Marshall is a Rochester freelance writer.

At left, the whirlpool tub’s location and height accommodates the residents and caregivers safely.

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home & garden

Solar Panels

Let The Sun Shine Into The Power Grid

BY BOB FREUND

“Let the sunshine, Let the sunshine in The sunshine in” From “Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” by Fifth Dimension, 1969 A solar panel installation in Rochester by Solar Connections. he music group Fifth Dimension was singing about the dawning of a new age in its Grammy winner, “Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.” Today, homeowners can shout that memorable chorus from their rooftops with new meaning: “Let the sunshine in” – into their homes and the power grid, that is.

It’s the dawning of their own “age of solar power.”

It’s been quite the dawn for Bill and Missy Mattingly, who placed two rooftops of solar panels on their northwest Rochester home last June. In the first five months of operation, their 36 panels “provided as much or more than I used” in electricity each month, Bill says. In fact, he estimates his power generation over the summer and fall months at about five times the use of his home. “I’m thrilled,” says Bill. “I’m as happy as I can be about it,” Missy says.

Their electric savings likely are better than many homeowners might reap because the system is larger than average. Nonetheless, “We’re finding room on residential roofs for sun [panels] to take care of 100 percent of people’s [annual] energy [use],” says Curt Shellum, owner of Solar Connection of Rochester.

LOOK SOUTH, SOLAR COLLECTORS Solar electric panels-the technical name is “photovoltaic”-collect sunlight. The sun’s rays trigger a reaction in their solar cells and start an electrical current flowing. An attached device, called an inverter, converts the direct current from the panels to an alternating current, the electricity used in our homes and the community’s power grid.

What are the basics? For a rooftop system, “southern exposure,” says Shellum. East and west-facing roofs are possible, but not 54

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as desirable. They generate 18 percent less power than a southernly roof.

Full sunlight across the roof from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. also is important. Shellum says. Even short shade from trees or nearby buildings can cut into power production.

Mattinglys, for any excess electricity they generate and feed into the power grid.

Shellum of Solar Connections estimates a local system often can pay for itself over eight to ten years of operation. Solar panels often carry 25-year warranties from manufacturers.

THE COST TO CATCH THE SUN

WHY DO OWNERS PUT UP PANELS?

While the sun’s energy is free, the photovoltaic systems to catch it cost thousands of dollars. Solar Connection’s Shellum estimates the price tag for an average system (5kW generation) at about $20,000.

Rochester Public Utilities says in the past year, typical residential systems have ranged from $10,000 to $40,000 in cost, based on sizes from 2 kW to 10 kW. However, the final cost likely will be much less because of incentives. For starters, RPU offers a rebate of 50 cents per watt of generating capacity for new solar arrays built in Rochester. Homeowners also can count on savings at tax time. Uncle Sam offers a tax credit of 30 percent of the expenses of installing a residential solar–electric system through 2016.

DOES SUN POWER PAY? It’s helpful to think of a solar electric system as pre-paying the electric bill over a period of time. Every kilowatt captured from the sun offsets a kilowatt that a Rochester homeowner normally would buy. In addition, utilities must pay “cogenerators,” such as the

FACTOID: Rochester Public Utilities currently has 36 customers with solar electric systems and two with wind turbines.

The total generating capacity of those installations is 553 kilowatts.

Lowering power bills is important for owners of homes tied to the grid. However, “[For] most of the people, it’s not strictly money savings, but they like the idea of clean energy technology,” Shellum says.

Bill and Missy Mattingly lead an energyconscious lifestyle, saving power with energyefficient light bulbs and appliances. But they also have a specific financial use in retirement for their solar arrays. “I’m not worried about raking in money,” Bill says. “I’m worried about not having an ongoing expense (an electric bill).”

STARTING POINTS FOR A SOLAR PANEL ARRAY Contact Rochester Public Utilities (or your local utility) to discover requirements for connecting solar panels to the power grid and for rebates on installation costs.

Check the solar electric page on the website for the Minnesota Department of Commerce. It includes information about hiring renewable energy contractors and a link to a list of contractors in the state.

The link is: mn.gov/commerce/energy/ topics/clean-energy/Solar/Solar-Electric.jsp Bob Freund, a Rochester-based freelance writer, also works as an energy educator at Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center.

Photography courtesy of Josh Banks.

T

STUDS, STRUTS & ST ET TOS construction fashion expose

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garden

Raised-bed GARDENS Pre-Plan For A Successful Harvest

BY MARGO STICH

A

fter years of hauling garden tools and water, the MonseesSixta family decided to rethink their trips to the community garden plot.

Bob Sixta and his wife, Helen Monsees, credit a community education class in January of 2008 for sparking their interest in raised-bed gardening. Monsees had done considerable research in advance. She had found free downloadable patterns online. The remaining obstacle was having the work space and appropriate power tools to cut the lumber.

Photography courtesy of Bob Sixta.

A bountiful harvest of eggplant.

Plenty of potatoes to share.

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That summer they installed four ground-level raised garden beds. Son Joe worked hard with Sixta to clear out the areas of the yard they planned for the beds. They did most of the work themselves, and the materials they purchased were affordable. Sargent’s brought in the crushed limestone for the second phase of the project. At the end of the 2013 growing season they added an additional six beds.

DESIGN AND PLANNING When planning, the couple says there are a few issues to consider: what kind of material to use, the desired dimensions and whether to build from basic materials or use pre-fabricated materials.

Whether ground level or raised, plan to make the bed no wider than 4 feet across. At this width it is easy to reach the center of the bed from either side, eliminating any need to step on the bed which risks compressing the soil. The bed can be any length, depending on material used. Cross supports should be installed every 4 feet to 6 feet along the length to prevent bowing.

Rather than use corner braces, they pounded 4x4 inch block posts into the ground to secure side pieces to secure corners. An electric saw and drill are “must haves.” Additional materials needed are quality landscape fabric and wire mesh to lay down before filling garden beds with dirt.

ADVANTAGES TO GARDENING IN RAISED BEDS Unlike a planter, raised beds are open to the ground. They inherently extend the planting season given that elevated soil warms earlier in spring and drains more quickly after a rain.

Raised beds serve as a barrier to pests such as slugs and snails. The sides of the beds keep garden soil from being eroded or washing away during heavy rains.

Though Monsees and Sixta have not experienced issues with weeds, be preventive in blocking them by placing four or five layers

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Raised beds offer many advantages including: drainage, less back strain and manageability.

of newspaper between planted rows. Weed seeds can’t germinate in the dark and the paper helps keep weeds from establishing.

Cover the paper with seed-free hay if you don’t like the paper look.

By elevating the soil level, raised beds reduce back strain when bending over to tend the bed. If the beds are built well, the gardener may even sit on the edge of the bed while nurturing the garden. Waist-high raised beds enable the elderly and physically disabled to grow vegetables without having to bend over.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX It may be time to discard the image of one continuous in-ground garden. Your garden does not have to be in one area but can be

laid out on various spots on your property.

Smaller areas may be more manageable.

Also consider going vertical. Adding a trellis system is an upcoming addition to the Monsees-Sixta garden.

Sixta particularly likes raised garden beds because it is less grass to mow while having fresh garden produce throughout the growing season. He’s a firm believer that anyone can be a successful gardener.

Forty-five pounds of potatoes are his proof for now.

Margo Stich is a freelance writing living in Rochester. She is an avid cook who welcomes spring and the appearance of fresh herbs and produce from local gardens.

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59

let's get personal

Walking on Water

BY KRISTA JOY JOHNSON

I

t was a cold Wednesday morning. The sky was blue. I looked outside the window toward the river below my house. There were two pretty ducks floating along, as if they were walking on water together. It was one of those peaceful moments that sticks in your mind. I decided to call my friend Katie to tell her about it since she appreciated moments like that.

“Oh that sounds so pretty,” she replied, “but I can’t come over to your house right now because my brain is bleeding.” I said, “What?!?” She repeated, “I can’t come over, because my brain is bleeding. I’m at the hospital, but I’m going to be all right. I’ll be fine.

Don’t worry.”

All I could say was, “Katie, your brain is bleeding.” Finally I said, “You know I love you more than anyone, as much as I love my daughter.” She said, “Yes, I know, I love you too. See you later.”

The sky filled with clouds. Tears fell from my eyes. She was trying so hard to be brave, but I knew she knew and she was saying goodbye.

Thursday came, news of a brain tumor. I looked toward the river for peace. The ducks had flown away. The wind was blowing the rain in all directions making it impossible to see. To think. To feel. To 60

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breathe. To live anything but fear. The river was rising higher and higher, with no hope of subsiding. Katie was scheduled to have an operation in a week but I knew the flood drew near.

Thursday passed into Friday, the first day of spring. I lay awake at night, waiting frozen and helpless in my home as the water surrounded me. I knew it was happening. Sometime between 3 and 5 a.m. I started shaking, drowning in despair. I shouted in a whisper, “God please don’t take her. Please don’t take her. She’s 29. She’s my BEST FRIEND. God please don’t take her.”

Katie came to me and said, “Krista, I’m ok.”

The call came at 6:30 a.m. and I knew what it was. She was on life support. If I wanted to say good-bye it was to be before 7:30 in the morning. She was my best friend. I could not lose her and yet, I was.

Just three days before we were laughing and LIVING. Now she was leaving, 29 and leaving.

I could not see the river anymore. The water rose above my head. I could feel myself being pulled downward, further into the depths of despair. Something deep within me pleaded, begged for faith, begged for peace. The flood washed over me.

I entered the hospital room without a boat or paddle to my name.

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I felt her spirit watching us, watch her. The flood made out of fear settled into the ground as a peaceful breeze from Heaven rushed into me. Peace I have never before been given. EVER. There were no bandages or bruises, only her beautiful red hair flowing down her face. She looked like an angel asleep.

Her spirit moved through me with ease. Tranquility filled my eyes as she touched my soul.

Katie’s mother said she had an episode she couldn’t pull out of at 3 a.m. Three a.m., that’s when I had been shaking and drowning. I had weathered the storm with her. Alone and together. There was no more fear, only love, only peace.

I put my fingers through her hair, “I love you,” I said, again and again and again.

I was not shaking nor was I drowning anymore. Peaceful Katie filled my soul. I held her hand and we walked on water as our river met the sea.

Krista Joy Johnson is a freelance writer.

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Questions: 507-287-2000 or pop@uwolmsted.org More Information: www.uwolmsted.org/pop RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

61

community The 11th Annual Extraordinary Rochester Women Awards celebration was held at Studio 324 downtown Rochester.

Cupcakes were provided by Mon Petit Cupcake.

ERWA event

Celebrating the 11th Annual Extraordinary RochesterWomen Awards and the women it honors

BY MARLENE PETERSEN • PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAWN SANBORN PHOTOGRAPHY

E

very day thousands of women in Rochester do extraordinary things. They care for ill family members, volunteer in the community, develop and improve businesses and foster artists and musicians. On January 12, 2014, nearly 100 such women and their families gathered at Studio 324 for the 11th Annual Extraordinary RochesterWomen Award, an event that paid tribute to all the winners and nominees in the program’s history.

EXTRAORDINARY BEGINNINGS RochesterWomen magazine started the Extraordinary RochesterWomen Award (ERWA) program in 2004 to acknowledge area women for their dedication to others in Rochester. Jennifer Koski, then editor of the magazine, and Publisher Jorrie Johnson sent out a call for nominations, asking people about the extraordinary women they knew.

“As the nominations rolled in that inaugural year, by my memory, there were roughly two dozen women nominated,” Koski recalls. “The importance and breadth of this program hit me. There was not a single nomination in the pool that didn’t deserve to be recognized. There were women who raised other women up, women who gave hundreds of hours of volunteer time, women who’d overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, women who changed others’ lives and women who changed their own lives.”

In deciding the winners, they “took the chicken way out,” says Koski, meaning they found volunteer judges—independent of the 62

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

magazine and the women nominated—to review the nominations and select winners.

Among the 2004 recipients was Mary Amundson, nominated by her good friend Jan Vetter, an ERWA 2010 winner. The judges selected Amundson for her dedication to others and her exemplary volunteer work as a social worker, counselor and with American Red Cross. Ten years later, Amundson was thrilled to attend the 11th annual event and see the program’s growth.

“I think it is fabulous that it is still going on to honor the women in this town,” says Amundson. “So often people are doing things in their lives with caregiving, families and children and don’t get recognition.”

SIX CATEGORIES Following its foundational year, the ERWA program developed five categories— volunteer, caregiver, artist/musician, businesswoman and overall—to sort the many worthy nominations sent every year.

This year a sixth category—young woman— was added to honor women under age 25 who are making a difference in Rochester.

Rachel Goldsmith, a 15-year-old Mayo High School student who hopes to be a pediatric nurse, set the bar as ERWA’s first young woman recipient. Dedicating thousands of hours over the last 10 years to local charities, she seeks to help those less fortunate than she is. Like so many women before her, winning the award surprised her—so much so she nearly deleted the email about it as spam.

“I was really excited mostly because being the youngest one and first one was such an honor,” says Goldsmith, smiling from ear to ear. “Volunteering is just awesome, and it is awesome being recognized for it.”

JUDGING NOMINATIONS Terry Lee, director of sales for Townsquare Media Rochester (formerly Cumulus Radio), has judged the competition every year since its inception, reading hundreds of nominations like Goldsmith’s along the way.

“I love doing it,” says Lee. “I’ve met a lot of interesting people. There were years I’d take these [nominations] home and had a box of Kleenex with me because some were so sad.

It is such a privilege to see the phenomenal things women do, especially when they don’t expect accolades.”

Lee’s employer, Townsquare Media Rochester, has sponsored ERWA since the beginning, along with many other local, female-owned and operated businesses and organizations. For them, it’s a small way to celebrate women who go that extra mile… and a little further.

For details on all the past winners, read their stories in the 2009-2014 January/ February issues of RochesterWomen online at RWmagazine.com. Look for the next call for nominations in the 2014 September/ October issue.

Marlene Petersen is a freelance writer and former editor of Rochester Women magazine.

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63

healthy living

Taking Huge Strides To The Future The impact of Title IX on girl’s high school track and field in Rochester

BY PAT GARRY

S

ome girls possess the heart of Secretariat and the

toughness of a linebacker. Some, including those who go airborne like Superman, like to edge out a rival at the finish line.

JUST GIVE THEM A CHANCE The spring of 1974 brought the formation of the girls’ Big 9 Conference, with eight teams participating. Girls’ cross-country began in the fall of 1975, and the pole vault competition was added in the late ‘90s. “Participation has been growing steadily over the years. That’s impressive when you consider that there are limited youth track and field programs,” says Mayo High School Girls’ Track coach Brett Carroll.

Former Rochester School District Athletic Director Gary Addington recalls the progress of the sport locally. “Rochester’s track teams have continued to grow and approach, if not exceed, 75 to 100 boys and girls at each high school.” Each team has an all-weather track and the related field event facilities on campus 64

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

At left, Jenny Guibert competing for Century in the 800 at the 2013 State Track Meet. Above, Andrianna Jacobs competes in the100 hurdles at the 2013 Big 9 conference meet. Andrianna Jacobs breaks the MN All time state meet record with a vault of 13 feet.

for practice and competition. “At Lourdes, our track and field teams are combined—we share coaches, facilities, transportation and practice times,” says LHS coach Jerome Garry.

RPS District retiree Kerwin Engelhart currently serves as the Region 1AA secretary for the Minnesota State High School League.

Engelhart was instrumental in the resurgence of girls’ sports in Rochester following the passage of Title IX in 1972. He says the MSHSL sponsored its first girls’ state tournament in track and field in 1972, before Title IX was passed. “I don’t think anybody saw the actual Title IX law coming, but I think everybody realized it was the right thing to do.”

Century High School girls’ track and field coach Kris Allen thinks that Title IX has been an excellent vehicle for female athletes. “We have a returning state champion in the pole vault, Andy Jacobs. She is a three-sport athlete and embodies all that girls have benefited from with the advent of Title IX,” Coach Allen says.

Steve Strickland is in his fifth year at Lourdes as the sprints and relays assistant

coach. Strickland believes proper nutrition and rigorous training have made the girls stronger. “I can really see this with distance runners. The top two girls at the state meet in the 1600 ran 4:48 and 4:50. These times are excellent marks, even for the boys.”

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT A junior at Rochester Lourdes High School, Mallory Adamson is an up-and-coming star.

“I love the sport because I love the feeling I get after a good race.” Mallory competes in the 200 and 400 but prefers the 4 x 400.

Former Rochester Lourdes track star Shannon Strickland is now a freshman at St. Katherine’s College. “I compete in cross-country and track and field. My favorite event overall is the 1600 meter, but after last season it would have to be the 3200 meter.” Strickland continues, “Other than my loving dad, the person most instrumental in my athletic success is Coach Garry. He always believed in me and in turn helped me to further my belief in myself.”

Pat Garry is a Rochester freelance writer and retired educator.

Photos courtesy of Christina Jacobs and Kris Allen.

More than 40 years ago, Rochester Lourdes Hall of Fame coach Myron Glass, then the assistant boys’ track coach, was quick to understand that toughness was looming in the hearts of the Lourdes High School female students. “In 1970, when I was assistant boys’ track coach, a few girls came to my room and wanted to know why they could not compete in sports.” Glass took it from there and pursued the organization of a girls’ track team.

“About 60 girls showed up at the track, and I proceeded to train them. I invited other schools (Austin Pacelli, Faribault BA and Winona Cotter) to a meet at Soldiers Field.

This was the start of girls’ track in southern Minnesota as far as I know.”

RochWomenMermaid_2014_Layout 1 11/27/13 10:44

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65

community

Wabasha’s ‘SOAR with the Eagles’ Celebrating the annual eagle migration through southern Minnesota

Live eagle program.

BY AMANDA WINGREN estled in the Upper Mississippi River Valley, the charming city of Wabasha is a close-knit community with a unique connection to nature. “No matter where you’re from, you’ll always feel like you belong here,” describes Cheri Wright, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce for Wabasha-Kellogg. “Wabasha just has that feeling about it. It’s so peaceful, so pretty.”

Wabasha’s historic downtown is bustling with neat little storefronts, art galleries, and restaurants, most all of them independently owned by local families. Main Street runs for three blocks parallel to the Mississippi, its charming red brick buildings tucked comfortably beneath the river bluffs.

“There is a feeling of total peace here,” says Wright, “And no matter if you’re a tourist or a local, everyone makes you feel welcome.

Whether its watching the sunrise over the bluffs or seeing the eagles, pelicans, or swans that are always about, there is something magical about being here.”

Wabasha also boasts the National Eagle Center, which sits between Main Street and the river. About 40 pairs of bald eagles nest along the open waters of the Mississippi River in the Wabasha area, making the National Eagle Center’s observation deck an excellent place to watch for the birds.

shad, a tiny, silver, flashy fish,” explains Katie Rymer, a naturalist at the National Eagle Center. “The fish swim at the surface of the water and make for an easy meal.” The bald eagles follow the food supply back to their northern nesting grounds, where an eagle pair maintains fidelity to its nest and may build on the same nest for 10-20 years.

SOAR WITH THE EAGLES Wabasha and the National Eagle Center celebrate the eagle migration with SOAR with the Eagles, a festival that lasts throughout the month of March. “It is a way to celebrate the bald eagle with a great mix of things, says Eileen Hanson of the National Eagle Center. “This is a community-wide celebration that observes a natural phenomenon, as hundred of eagles pass through the area. SOAR offers great educational opportunities to learn about these birds, their habitats and ways to help wild birds.”

The festival is suitable for all ages, as special guest presenters offer spectacular flying-bird shows, where different types of eagles, owls or colorful parrots fly over the audience’s heads. There are also reptile shows featuring gators or snakes, which add a unique flare to the festival.

The community of Wabasha also offers several events throughout the month, kicking off with the Grumpy Old Men Festival on February 22, an Art & Wine date night on March 15 and ending with the Taste of Wabasha on March 29, a fundraising event for the National Eagle Center, featuring a silent auction and tasting portions from the area’s best restaurants. “The community itself gives as much as it can,” says Wright.

“This is our big hurrah after winter and every weekend we feature something special.”

The festival draws in people from all walks of life: “It’s neat to talk with everyone and see the excitement and awe; it brings a ton of smiles,” describes Rymer. Along with special guest presenters at the National Eagle Center are featured events, artists and exhibitors, a raffle and more.

Amanda Wingren is a freelance writer living in Rochester.

THE BALD EAGLE MIGRATION In the month of March, as the ice recedes off Lake Pepin and flows in chunks down the Mississippi River, bald eagles begin the annual migration to their nesting grounds in northern Minnesota, Canada and northern Wisconsin. Hundreds of eagles pass through the Upper Mississippi River Valley, following the additional food resources that open up with the melting waters.

‘They’re primarily fishing for gizzard 66

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

• Daily admission is $8 adults, $6 seniors and $5 kids; members of the NEC and kids age 3 and under are free.

• See the full schedule of events online at nationaleaglecenter.org Meet live bald and golden eagles up close.

Photography courtesy of National Eagle Center.

N

ADVERTISERS INDEX About Face..................................................................................... 31 Altra Federal Credit Union...........................................................3 Andy’s Liquor................................................................................. 39 Anew Aesthetic Medical Center...............................................4 Appliance Village......................................................................... 22 Bicycle Sports................................................................................ 12 Bittersweet Boutique & Antiques.......................................... 30 Blades to Ballet............................................................................. 40 Bluff Country Studio Art Tour.................................................. 59 Budget Blinds................................................................................ 51 Camp Victory................................................................................. 67 Cascade Animal Medical Center........................................... 27 Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.................................................. 65 Chester’s Kitchen & Bar and Pescara Fresh Seafood Restaurant........................................................ 12 Chocolaterie Stam....................................................................... 19 City Looks Salon & Spa.............................................................. 72 City of Rochester, Golf Division.............................................. 24 Coram Specialty Infusion.............................................................2 Creative Hardwood Floors........................................................ 51 Dawn Sanborn Photography........................................ 34 & 39 Decorah Tourism.......................................................................... 65 DeGeus Tile & Granite............................................................... 16 Dentistry for Children & Adolescents.....................................6 Devoted Hearts, Autumn Ridge............................................. 30 Drury’s Furniture.......................................................................... 71 Dunn Bros Coffee........................................................................ 34 Essence Skin Care....................................................................... 16 Excelsior Group............................................................................. 43 Fagan Studios................................................................................ 48 Family Service Rochester Meals on Wheels...................... 51 First Alliance Credit Union....................................................... 44 Gerhards The Kitchen & Bath Store..................................... 52 Glynner’s Pub................................................................................. 24 Hair Studio 52................................................................................ 27 Hank & Purl’s Creative Nook and Knittery......................... 24 Heartman Insurance................................................................... 63 Home Federal................................................................................ 21 HOPE Ranch.................................................................................. 22 Hunt’s Silver Lake Drug & Gift................................................ 16 Intrigue Hair Studio........................................................................6 Johnny Mango’s Cabernet Catering..................................... 19 Kadi Tiede....................................................................................... 47 King Orthodontics........................................................................ 29 Le Jardin.......................................................................................... 40 Luxury Bath.................................................................................... 51 Mary Kay Cosmetics, Brenda Hahn...................................... 59 Mary Kay Cosmetics, Sara Vix................................................ 59 Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union............................... 39 Mike Hardwick Photography................................................... 63 MLT Group...................................................................................... 34 Mr Pizza North.............................................................................. 19 O’Brien & Wolf Law Offices...................................................... 47 Odyssey Resorts........................................................................... 44 Olmsted Medical Center........................................................... 10 People’s Food Co-op................................................................... 32 Premier Banks............................................................................... 47 Reiland’s Hair Clinic.................................................................... 19 Riverside Live!............................................................................... 29 Rochester Area Builders........................................................... 55 Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Leadership................................................................................. 48 Rochester Area Family Y.................................................19 & 22 Rochester Feed & Country Store........................................... 12 Rochester Greeters..................................................................... 59 Rochester Trolley & Tour Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres............................................................................ 65 Rochester Trolley & Tour Company, Winery Tours........... 65 Women & Wine Wine Tasting.................................................. 32 Scanlon, Nietz, & Murch........................................................... 59 Schaeffer Academy..................................................................... 63 Seasons, Home Accents and Ideas...................................... 15 Silhouette Shoppe....................................................................... 44 Sisters of Saint Francis............................................................... 40 Sola Salon’s Essential Massage............................................. 59 Sola Salon’s Studio3................................................................... 59 Sola Salon’s YOUnique Hair Studio ..................................... 59 Sola Salon of Rochester............................................................ 59 Sure Michelle Instruction.......................................................... 59 Step It Up!....................................................................................... 40 The Stables Equestrian Center............................................... 51 The Woods Fine Amish Furniture........................................... 27 TownSquare Media Home Vacation & RV Show............. 24 Treats & Treasures....................................................................... 29 Tyrol Ski & Sports......................................................................... 63 United Way of Olmsted County.............................................. 61 University of Minnesota Rochester..................................4 & 9 Victoria’s Ristorante and Wine Bar..........................................6 Zumbro River Cafe...................................................................... 34

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Calendar Events Check out our Community Calendar online for additional listings at RWmagazine.com

Deadline for submitting events for RochesterWomen May/June 2014 issue is April 1, 2014. Complete form at rwmagazine.com/index.php/submit/submit-event.

Events in purple are sponsored by RochesterWomen magazine. *(507 area code unless stated)

MARCH March 1 & 15, April 5 & 19 Rochester Downtown Winter Farmers Market, Building 41 Olmsted County Fairgrounds, 9 am–noon, 273-8232, rochesterdowntownfarmersmarket.org

March 22–23 Rochester Woodcarvers 38th Annual Woodcarving Show, 4-H Building Graham Park, 10 am–4 pm, Join us for this annual woodcarving event to see local woodcarvers working on projects, displaying their work and see a wide variety of types of woodcarving! Carvings, tools and wood for sale, free admission, rochesterwoodcarvers.com March 27 Women & Wine Wine Tasting, The Tasting Room at Andy’s 3125 Wellner Dr NE, 6:30–8 pm, $10, $1 of registration fee will be donated to the Little Black Dress Society. Reserve your glass today, luann@renewwomensretreat.com or 951-1468, www.luannb.com/upcoming-events. See ad on page 32.

March 2 Salvation Army 30th Annual “Taste of the Town” Celebration, sponsored by Sterling State Bank, Rochester Event Center, 5–7:30 p.m., proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Health Clinic, featuring over 30 area restaurants and vendors, contact 252-7220 or 288-3663 for tickets, salvationarmynorth.org

APRIL

March 6 International Women’s Day 2014: Conquering the Odds, Assisi Heights Spirituality Center, 6–9 pm, meet three incredible women who have conquered the odds, $35/ person, included light meal, 280-2195, rochesterfranciscan.org

April 3 Micro Finance & Women’s Health in Tanzania, History Center of Olmsted County, 10:45–11:45 am, presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution — Rochester Chapter, free and open to the public, rochester-dar.org

March 6 “So Many Committees, So MuchInformation” Daughters of the American Revolution- Rochester Chapter, History Center of Olmsted County, 10:45–11:45 am, free and open to the public, rochester-dar.org

April 4 Uncle Lucius, Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall, 7:30 pm, 328-2200, riversideconcerts.com

March 14–16 Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Choral presents “Shared Harmonies”, Lourdes Chapel at Assisi Heights, times vary, a joint concert featuring the passionate music of Mozart and Haydn, 252- 8427, tickets sold at choralartsensemble.org/concert-series/shared-harmonies March 14–April 6 “GREASE”, Rochester Civic Theatre, 7 pm & 2 pm Sundays, tickets available February 3, 282-8481, rochestercivictheatre.org March 21–23 Children’s Dance Theatre presents “Sleeping Beauty”, Mayo Civic Center, contact MCC Box Office at 328-2222 for tickets, childrensdancetheatre.org March 22 Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Rochester Trolley and Tour Company, 9 am–4 pm, lunch, show and transportation, advanced reservations required, cost $79 per person, 421-0573 68

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

April 5–6, 12–13 2014 Rochester Area Spring Showcase of Homes, homes, townhomes, and subdivisions, featured in various stages of completion throughout Rochester, 12–5 pm, free, 282-7698 rochesterareabuilders.com

April 6 Fools Five Road Race, Lewiston, MN, 8k & 1 mile, registration 9 am–noon, proceeds benefit cancer research, foolsfive.org April 8 UMR Connects: Journalism During WartimeReading, Writing, & Talking About War, 417 University Square, 7–8:30 pm, free professional speaker series, open to the public, 258- 8053, r.umn.edu/UMRCONNECTS April 11 Paws & Claws Humane Society 7th Annual Wine Tasting, Rochester Athletic Club, 6–8:30 pm, featuring a large selection of wines, appetizers, and a silent auction, $25 admission cost, 288-7226, pawsandclaws.org April 11–12 World Festival, John Marshall High School, Friday 7 pm cultural show, Saturday 10 am–3 pm cutural displays, non-profit organization displays, ethnic food vendors and cultural dancing, 250-0276, mnelpha@yahoo.com

April 12 Dancing for the Arts-Take III, Mayo Civic Center Exhibit Hall, 5:30 pm, a “fun”raising competition where ten celebrity dancers are paired with professional dancers to raise money for youth arts education, 424-0811, bamadio@rochestermnarts.com, rochestermnarts.com April 13, Great River Road Wine Trail “Middle” Trolley Tour, Rochester Trolley and Tour Company, 10 am–6 pm, ride along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway to three wineries. $65 Includes all wine-tastings. Advanced reservations required 421-0573 or RochesterMNTours.com.

See ad on page 65.

April 27 “Spring Finale” with the Honors Choirs, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4 pm, 252-0505, honorschoirs.org

MAY May 1 Step It Up!, Assisi Heights Spirituality Center, Thursday, May 1, 2014, Assisi Heights Spirituality Center, 951-1468, luann@renewwomensretreat.com. See ad on page 40.

April 21 Global Warming: Deny and Delay or Action without Delay, Assisi Heights, 7–8 pm, listen and discuss the ethical dilemma of where we are headed if we continue to misuse our environmental resources, free to the public, for questions contact Angie Grimm at 280- 2195 or ahsc@rochesterfranciscan.org

May 1 “Dakota Child, Governor’s Daughter”, History Center of Olmsted County, 10:45–11:45 am, presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution- Rochester Chapter, free and open to the public, rochester-dar.org

April 24- 26 Mid West Music Fest, Winona MN, multiple venue, multiple genre, and multiple day music festival!

608- 498- 0268, tickets available at midwestmusicfest.org Pick up RochesterWomen May/June 2014 issue beginning April 25, 2014!

April 25 Wine and Roses, Somerby Golf Club, 6–9 pm, this fine dining, silent auction benefits PossAbilities of Southern MN, 281- 6116, possabilities.org

April 27 Athleta-Unleash the SHE, Jefferson Elementary School, 9 am, 5k, 10k, & Kid’s Fun Run, proceeds benefit ovarian cancer research, register at unleashtheshe.com

MAGAZINE

April 25-27 Bluff County Studio Art Tour, Southeast MN, various locations, 10 am–5 pm, visit artists in their studios while traveling the beautiful bluff country, shop and enjoy! Free to the public, contact Lanesboro Art Center at 467- 2446, bluffcountrystudioarttour.com April 26 The Color Dash-The World’s Brightest 5K! Location TBD, 9 am, benefits The Place—a single neighborhood-based family and youth center, register by 4/23, thecolordash5k.com

May 3 Mother’s Day Tea, Assisi Heights Spirituality Center, 1st seating: 10:30 am-Noon, 2nd Seating: 1:30–3 pm, Celebrate the one you call “Mom” with high tea at Assisi Heights. Guest will learn about the art of high tea and then be escorted to the Parlors for a high tea experience, Please include your guests’ names when registering, $25 per person, rochesterfranciscan.org May 3 Paws & Claws Humane Society 20th Annual Pet Walk, Paws and Claws Shelter, 9 am registration, 10 am start, prizes for top adult and youth pledge earners, animal- loving people and pets of all ages are welcome, 288-7226, pawsandclaws.org May 3 So. MN Mothers of Multiples Spring Sale, Building 40-Olmsted County Fairgrounds, 8 am–1 pm, featuring 20+ sellers of good quality children’s clothes, household items, maternity clothes, baby equipment and toys! Also featuring a bake sale and chances to win a fabulous “family fun” raffle basket! Contact 261-1410 or visit somnmoms.org for more information

April 26 Concerto! Century High School Auditorium, 2 pm & 7:30 pm, 286-8742, rochestersymphony.org

May 3 Rochester Downtown Summer Farmers Market opens, (4th St and 4th Ave SE), 7:30 am-noon, 273-8232, rochesterdowntownfarmersmarket.org

April 26 March of Dimes-March for Babies, West Silver Lake Park, 10 am registration, 11 am start, 4 mile walk distance, 282- 0649, marchforbabies.org

May 4 Walk MS: Christopher and Banks 2014, presented

by Walser, Soldier’s Memorial Field, 10–11 am registration, walk to create a world free of MS! Pledges required, 800-582-5296, register now at walkms.org

April 26 Root River Earth Day Festival, Sylvan Park, Lanesboro, 10 am–2 pm, a celebration for earth day featuring local earth-friendly organizations, crafts/activities, and informational booths, free and open to the public, 467-2437, eagle-bluff.org

May 7-11 The Prim Barn Spring Fling, 37183 County Road 3 Lake City, MN, Wed & Thurs 1–7 pm, Fri- Sun 9 am–5 pm, Occasional Market offering Junk market, Primitives, Vintage, Farmhouse, Garden Art, Antiques, one of a kinds and farm fresh ideas, theprimbarn.com RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

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Digital illustration by Kari Dunn, tinyurl.com/KDunnArt.

on the lighter side

Earth Mommy Dearest

Musings on the Ancient Art of Sacrifice

BY C.G. WORRELL

T

erra Mater. Gaia. Pachamama.

Throughout history, Mother Earth has been called many names. She blesses us with bountiful harvests, green forests and teeming oceans. But let’s face it. This mama also has a foul temper, with plenty of destructive weapons in her arsenal: hurricanes, floods and earthquakes to name a few. No wonder humans have lived in awe and fear of her for millennia.

APPEASING THE DEITIES, KEEPING NATURAL FORCES IN BALANCE Early Asiatic cultures offered sacrifices of fruit, grain and butter. They probably figured that good food would soothe a cranky goddess, just like it does a hungry child.

The ancient Greeks offered animal sacrifices to sway the gods. I imagine Thetis hollering from her palace window: “Achilles!

Go fetch the fatted calf and meet the priest at the temple.” Achilles looked up from his sword practice. “But Ma, that’s my prizewinning heifer from the state fair.” Thetis scowled and planted her hands on her hips.

“Do you want victory in Troy or not?”

Achilles went to the barn but led his uncle’s mangy goat to the altar instead. Now you know the real reason why it took the Greeks 10 years to win the Trojan War. 70

March/April 2014 RWmagazine.com

Sometimes Mother Earth and her divine offspring demanded more than an animal.

If you were a virtuous Incan maiden, you might get chosen for capacocha—ritual human sacrifice. The upside: better clothes and llama meat for a whole year while they plied you with coca leaves and corn beer. The downside: being drugged and left to freeze in a tomb high in the Andes. When the high priest called for volunteers, I wonder how many virgins bounced and raised their hands. “Pick me! Pick me!”

The Mayans also sacrificed humans to assure a good harvest. I’m pretty sure Mayan moms used this to their advantage: “Titu! If you don’t stop hitting your sister, I’ll let the shaman toss you into the sinkhole during the next drought.”

Flash-forward 500 years to the present.

I grew up in the Bible Belt. Although my mama never threatened to sacrifice me, I learned to fear Mother Nature early on.

We endured tornado drills, hurricane evacuations and lightning storms. Falling pines could slice your house in two. During our sweltering summers we prayed for rain while the Baptist preacher pounded the podium. Mother Nature was unimpressed. I think she wanted a sacrificial virgin or at least a good old-fashioned rain dance.

BEAUTIFUL BUT DEADLY When I was eight, my family moved to the panhandle of Florida. Mesmerized by the turquoise waves, I waded into the Gulf only to get sucked away by an undertow and then pounded into the surf until my cheeks bled.

I dragged myself out, gulping and crying, and ran for my mama. I heard Mother Earth laughing in the wind, and that’s when I realized: She is beautiful but deadly. Respect her in all things.

Now I live in Minnesota, the blizzard zone at the top of tornado alley. When Mother Nature flexes her muscles and our winter temperatures dip below zero, my strategy is to stay inside and cook soup like my cave ancestors did during the last Ice Age. On April 22, we’ll celebrate another Earth Day. I plan to honor the environment this year by planting a tree, using my compost pile and air-drying the laundry. My motives aren’t entirely pure; I want Mother Nature to smile upon me—I’m planting heirloom tomatoes and need a bumper crop for salsa.

Perhaps a little pagan sacrifice of potato vodka, moose jerky and cheese curds will sway her fickle heart.

C.G. Worrell is a freelance writer who loves nature as long as it isn’t touching her.

The smart way to a beautiful home.

Sam Moore™ Austin Sofa

Thomasville® Reinventions

We lc o m e t o Dr ur y’s!

Drury’s — we’re a family owned and operated business since 1925, and we’ve become southern Minnesota’s destination for quality furniture, offering a great selection of styles and fabrics for any décor. Our store has nearly an acre of fully accessorized displays! You can feel the fabrics, touch the furniture, sit on the upholstery. We want you to feel at home.

No big-box, look-a-like disposable furniture here! We sell furniture we’re proud to have in our own homes. We carry the best brands and offer a selection of unique styles that will be perfect for your home.

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Why D ru ry ’s ?

Our professional staff and complimentary interior design service will help you find solutions for that special area or a hard to find item. And our friendly staff, professional delivery team and great customer service are just a few more of the reasons to visit Drury’s for your next furniture purchase.

OUR 89th YEAR! Just 28 miles south of Rochester on Highway 52

FOUNTAIN

L

• Professional Delivery • Interior Design Service • Free In-Home Set-Up • Customized Credit Plans STORE HOURS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 am-8 pm; Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 9 am-5 pm; Sunday Noon-4 pm.

©2014 Drury’s

www.drurysfurniture.com

OUR 89th YEAR!

100 Main Street Fountain, MN 507-268-4363

THOM A S VI LLE · EKOR NES · SA M MO OR E · FLE X STEEL · BROYH I LL · CA NA DEL RWmagazine.com March/April 2014

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