Boomers & Beyond March Issue, February 16, 2016

Sassy • Spirited • Successful

March 2016 INSIDE for • A Passion Alpacas pecial • Egg-stra S as Brunch Ide

Tips for a Better Retirement • Spring Break in Santa Fe The Science of Starting Over • Plan a Dream Garden

Sassy • Spirited • Successful “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” –Hal Borland Jen Ruple sharing her magnificent, crowd-pleasing brunch ideas (pg. 4) is just a sampling of what makes this edition “egg-stra” special. We realize that the old English proverb states that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” but we welcome the new month with another adorable, friendly mammal–the alpaca. Read how two Boomers are enjoying a new passion of nurturing, shearing and shipping in midlife (pg. 6). Dreaming of a spring getaway? Experience an armchair tour of Santa Fe (pg. 7) and the cultural richness it offers. As we say goodbye to winter and anticipate the spring, we hope you continue to explore, grow (perhaps a new garden as seen on pg. 14) and blossom. Victor Kiam reminds us that “Even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward.”

As always, thank you for reading and MARCH ON!

sas•sy

spir•it•ed

suc•cess•ful

adjective very stylish; confident and energetic

adjective full of courage or energy; very lively or determined

adjective having the correct or desired result; ending in success having achieved wealth, respect, or fame

BOOMERS & Beyond Inside Editors Mary Helen Darah Jennifer Ruple Boomer Consultant Sharon Lange Sales Manager Connie Torrey Contributing Writers Rick Cozza, Helena Darah, Mary Helen Darah, Christine Holliday, Jennifer Ruple, Sue Schafer Digital Media Specialist Layne Torrey Layout and Design Elissa Cary Boom Your Business with Advertising boomersandbeyond2014@gmail.com 419/824-0100 On The Web sylvaniaadvantage.com/boomers-beyond facebook.com/BoomersandBeyondSylvania Boomers Hangout 5655 N. Main St. #1, Sylvania, Ohio 43560

• A passion for alpacas

3 4 6

• Discovering Santa Fe

8

• The science of starting over • Let’s do brunch

• Books for Boomers

10

• Crossword fun

11

• Live better in retirement

12

• Eat your veggies

13 14

• Planning your dream garden

• Tea Time at the Manor House 15

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• Going beyond

• Two Boomers discover a new focus and the shear delight of life on an alpaca farm (p. 6).

• Celebrate Easter with a no-fuss brunch buffet for a fun and flexible way to share a meal with family and friends (p. 4).

ON THE COVER

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BOOMERS

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The science of starting over

Longtime chemist brings experience, fun to classroom

By Christine Holliday

Jim Hojnicki has some advice for baby boomers I was pleased to hire some of those students to work thinking about retiring from their careers and going at our lab, and it was very rewarding to see them into teaching “for a few hours a week to make a succeed. In fact, not too many years later, a former little money.” “Don’t do it with the idea that you student, who had a supervisory job, called me to will have all kinds of free time. This is not retiring,” manage a new analytical lab he was opening!” he says about stepping into a classroom at 60+ years Hojnicki and his colleagues sold the business in of age. “You won’t work less, and the work you do 2005, and he stayed with the new company for two will be just as hard as anything you ever years as a consultant. In 2007, he did.” decided to return to school to prepare He speaks from experience. Hojnicki for a teaching career. He was part of has just started his third year of teaching the NOYCE Scholar program, which chemistry at St. Ursula Academy after a gave him credit for his experience, and long career as a chemist and business he earned his certification in physical owner, and admits he loves coming to science and chemistry. In 2013, he work every day. took a part-time job teaching chemistry at St. Ursula and is working “You have to love doing it,” he insists. hard at his new career.

“You can show your students that memorizing for a test is not enough, but “Teaching is physically demanding, that understanding is forever. It is very and teaching a course that many rewarding when they see that. I like the students fear or don’t like is especially idea of staying in contact with the challenging. The students in my Jim Hojnicki subject matter I’ve worked with all my classes don’t know anything about life, and I remember one of these students might chemistry, but I can easily talk about the things I grow up to be my doctor some day!” have seen and use the classroom as an opportunity to ‘fix’ their fear. I want them to go to college and In 1971, with a new B.S. degree in chemistry from remember that chemistry was fun!” the University of Toledo, Hojnicki started graduate studies at Bowling Green State University. But he A graduate of the all-boys St. Francis de Sales High received a job offer from Owens-Illinois to work in School, Hojnicki has found that he had to develop its analytical lab, and he decided to work in his different ways to interact with female students. chosen field. In 1987 when O-I was acquired in a Enter his cat Otis, who “helps” him grade papers leveraged buyout, Hojnicki and several of his and has his own Twitter account to keep in contact colleagues bought the lab and established their own with his students. “Otis tweets bits of information to business. the girls and they look forward to his response to their good performances on tests. Otis helps to make They started Monarch Analytical Laboratories, a tough subject a bit more manageable and more which was the leading lab in the country for the fun.” chemical analysis of glass and plastic products.

Their staff of 25 employees did the analysis on a “I find teaching chemistry to be a noble career. It is variety of glass products, such as TV glass, a wonderful opportunity for me to feed the including the assessing the composition, color, profession that I’ve been in all my life. Some of defects, and ingredients used to make different kinds these girls just might decide that a career in science of glass. The plastic analysis division specialized in is the right choice, which means I’ve had a small packing of pharmaceutical products, verifying that impact. That’s every teacher’s ideal outcome.” the packages wouldn’t introduce contaminants into the medicines or products (like inhalers) or draw necessary ingredients from the products they protected.

LMT, LLC While working at Monarch, Hojnicki was teaching Christine A. Raszka, Licensed Massage Therapist general chemistry and analytical chemistry at UT’s Community and Technical College. “I had a ball,” 6616 Monroe St., Ste 3 • Sylvania, OH 43560 he recalls. “These weren’t chemistry majors, but we 419.705.4993 • craszka@gmail.com • chrisraska.com were still able to teach some pretty complex things.

Chris Raszka

MARCH 2016

3

Let’s do brunch

Egg-cellent Easter recipes By Jennifer Ruple

Spring is peeking around the corner, and the Easter Bunny’s on his way. Whether you are planning a big family event or an intimate gathering, why not celebrate the holiday by hosting a no-fuss midday brunch? Formal or informal, brunch gives us a fun and flexible way to share a relaxing meal with friends and family.

Brunch can include sweet and savory items like freshly baked cinnamon rolls, salads, or build-your-own oatmeal bowls. But don’t forget the quintessential brunch food – the glorious egg!

Here are three very different types of egg dishes, two can be prepared ahead of time, to help make your holiday egg-stra special.

Tomato and Basil Scramble with Fresh Mozzarella 12 eggs Servings: 4-6 2 tablespoons fresh basil, 2 teaspoons olive oil chopped 1 tablespoon shallot, minced 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, ¼ pound fresh mozzarella, cubed halved Toasted French bread slices for Kosher salt and freshly ground serving pepper

In a large frying pan, warm oil over medium heat. Add shallot and cook until soft. Add the tomatoes and cook until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Transfer tomatoes to a bowl and cover to keep warm. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 tablespoon of basil, ¾ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

Melt butter in same pan over med-low heat. Add eggs and cook until they are barely cooked into moist curds. Add tomato mixture and mozzarella and stir to distribute throughout the eggs.

Remove from heat and allow eggs to stand about 1 minute. Sprinkle with remaining basil. Serve over French bread slices.

(Recipe adapted from williams-sonoma.com)

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Hash Brown Egg Nests Servings: 8 15 ounces frozen shredded hash browns, thawed 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 tablespoon olive oil

8 large eggs Salt and pepper to taste 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled Chives or parsley for garnish

Heat oven to 425 F. In a bowl, mix hash browns, salt, pepper, olive oil and 1 cup cheddar cheese. Grease muffin pan and spoon ½ cup of mixture into each section. Using your fingers, pack them tightly and shape into nests. Bake approximately 15 minutes until edges have browned and the cheese has melted.

Reduce oven to 350 F. Crack an egg into each nest and season with salt and pepper. Top with crumbled bacon, remaining cheddar and chives or parsley. Bake until egg whites set, about 13-16 minutes.

Brunch Casserole Servings: 9 5 or 6 thick slices crusty white bread cut into 1-inch cubes 1 ½ cups fully cooked sausage or turkey sausage crumbles ½ cup onion, diced 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup diced green bell pepper 2 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon dry mustard 4 eggs, beaten 2 cups milk Paprika

Grease a 9 x 13 pan. Place bread cubes evenly in pan. Sprinkle with sausage crumbles, onions, peppers and cheese. Combine flour and dry mustard, and sprinkle evenly over cheese. In a medium bowl, combine milk and eggs and whisk well. Pour over casserole. Sprinkle with paprika.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. Heat oven to 350 F. Bake for approximately 50 minutes or until browned. Allow casserole to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

MARCH 2016

5

Shear delight

Finding a new passion in midlife By Mary Helen Darah

Enter Mr. Bill Graphic designer Julie Verhelst is in shear delight—pun intended—with life on the farm.

Seven years ago Bill Verhelst came into Julie’s The Boomer owns Sunny Meade Alpacas, life. “Bill had always wanted to have a farm located at 7770 Prov. Neapolis-Swanton and came out for a visit,” states Verhelst.

Road, in Swanton, Ohio, with husband, “On the day he came out, he witnessed Bill Verhelst. “I started out as a a birth that day. Bill was really taken graphic designer,” recalls Verhelst. by the animals and how beautiful “A farm called me to design their they were. I would like to say that I logo. While at the farm, I was asked was the attraction but the alpacas if I wanted to see a new baby cria played a major role.” The couple alpaca that had been born. She was married two years ago and Bill has amazing. I grabbed my mother and since retired as a train engineer for headed back to the farm for another visit.

Norfolk Southern. He likes to refer to A month later I purchased and himself as the “hired hand” but his subsequently owned the baby named Have you ‘herd?’ Angelina wife calls him what he is—her loves being on the farm.

Amber, who is still a resident here. partner. “Bill truly is my partner in She is now the oldest alpaca on the owning and maintaining the farm,” farm.” Verhelst grew up raising she states. “He has focused on American Saddlebred horses. improving the structural elements “Livestock was not new to me,” of the farm. He also enjoys going she states. “I took care of the to shows and growing the farm for almost five years on my business. He has certainly own after I was divorced. I loved brought skills that I didn’t have. I the life so I took over the am good with animal care and he is responsibility of it. I did all the work great at upkeep and improving our Co-owner Bill Verhelst on my own when I was in my late enjoys maintaining the farm. facility.” forties. I would hire someone to help Shearing and shipping me with hay but as a middle-aged woman, it Every spring the alpacas are sheared for kept and keeps me very active.” their incredible fiber that is Stay focused comparable to cashmere. The fleece Verhelst wasn’t intimidated by owning is then purchased individually and livestock, enjoyed living on the farm some is processed as part of a coand appreciated the tax advantages op. “A fiber co-op ships our fiber that came with her new midlife career out of state. It will then be shipped change. “The alpacas are what got me to Peru for processing,” explains through my change in circumstances,” Verhelst. “No one in U.S. processes she states.” I had to get up every morning fiber on a large commercial scale.” The no matter what the weather. They are couple recently expanded their Boomer, appropriately what helped me to move forward. business to include fiber arts classes. named, is thrilled to smile They were a positive, great focus “We used to just shear and ship,” she for the camera. during that time.” states, “but with the increase of knowledge and awareness about the fiber WE ARE ONLINE! business in the U.S., we decided to purchase a sylvaniaadvantage.com/boomers-beyond loom. People no longer ask me if an alpaca LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! related to an emu. We now have a fiber arts facebook.com/BoomersandBeyondSylvania studio, built by Bill, and classes. Every person

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BOOMERS

& Beyond

who takes a fiber studio class also gets to meet the lesson plans for children,” she states. alpacas. It’s the full farm experience.” The “Homeschoolers could come see the couple purchased a FeltLOOM that was animals and learn how the fiber is designed by a woman in Kentucky in processed. We will also continue our collaboration with the University of work with Bittersweet Farms. We Kentucky. There are only 171 donated six alpacas for them to owned worldwide. The use so adults with autism could FeltLOOM is a needle felting benefit from farming. They machine that produces and walk with the animals and care creates felt from batts of fiber. for them and use them as “It’s really exciting to be on the therapy. We also make fiber front end of the usage of a ‘nesting balls’ for birds with the FeltLOOM,” she states. “I enjoy Epilepsy Foundation. Our the classes and would like to alpacas have also visited nursing offer more. We only have room homes. I am that artist that has all for five people. I see it as another these ideas floating around—so option for people who want to be you just never what I’ll come up creative on a smaller scale and in a more with. I highly recommend being open to intimate environment.”

Julie Verhelst begins a new new ideas and adventures at any time creation on the FeltLOOM. in life.”

Spreading the love Between caring for the alpacas and her continued For information on “I Feel like Scrap,” graphic design work, Verhelst is one busy woman FeltLOOM Fiber Arts Classes, call 419/8755582, visit sunnymeadealpacas.com or email yet her alpaca aspirations are endless. “I want to sunnymeade@windstream.net. educate kids, and I’m researching how to create

MARCH 2016

7

Plates and Places

Discovering Santa Fe, The City Different It’s spring break season and time to escape our chilly Midwestern temperatures. If you’re looking for a getaway that is rich in art, culture and adventure, look no further than Santa Fe, New Mexico, aka The City Different.

Jennifer Ruple Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, Santa Fe is over 400 years old and is the oldest capital city in the country. The city boasts 325 days of sunshine a year, majestic 360° mountain views and a captivating blend of Spanish and Native American cultures that is reflected in everything from its food and fashion to its art and architecture.

A certain spirituality exists throughout the region as the area is dotted with centuriesold adobe structures and A 19th century church in Santa Fe is churches that dedicated to San Isidro the ploughman, are filled with patron saint of farmers and protector of crops. religious folk Sylvania’s Own Community Credit Union Join now. All members are part owners!

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By Jennifer Ruple

art and stories of the past.

Santa Fe’s mild spring temperatures will beckon you to spend time outdoors and enjoy the city on foot. For starters, head to the historic Plaza district, the city’s heart and soul, where shopping and eating are abundant and designer cowboy boots call your name. Dozens of distinctive boutiques, galleries, cafés and museums will entertain you for hours.

For a lesson in area history, visit The Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied government Handcrafted Native American jewelry building built in is display outside of The Palace of the early 1600s. the Governors in Santa Fe. Spanning an entire block of the Plaza, the Palace is also a hub for local Native American artists to sell their handcrafted jewelry. For turquoise aficionados, it doesn’t get better than this.

Santa Fe enjoys its distinction of being the third largest art market in the country and hosts world renowned events like the Traditional Spanish

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Market and the Indian Market which are held in the summer months. A trek up and down Canyon Road will reveal historic adobe architecture, fine restaurants and over 100 galleries showcasing contemporary and old-world arts.

When you’re ready for a bite to eat, you’ll find no shortage of eateries in Santa Fe to help you sample the best of New Mexican cuisine. A notable culinary feature of the state is its ability to smother almost anything in red or green chile – if you ask for Christmas, you’ll get both red and green. Yes, please.

Enjoy the outdoor patio and a cheeseburger topped with green chile at The Shed off of the Plaza, warm sopaipillas with honey butter at Tomasita’s in the Railyard, or venture offthe-beaten The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market is path and savor located at the Railyard. the El Salvadoran Pupusas at Tune-Up Café. And for the best barbecue and live music in town, an evening at The Cowgirl is a must.

If you happen to be in town on a Saturday morning, visit the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market in the bustling Railyard district featuring fresh baked breads, artisanal cheeses, locally grown produce and handcrafted items. Arrive early so you don’t miss out on the breakfast burritos ladled with, of course, red or green chile.

Pack in some adventure with a day trip to Ghost Ranch retreat in Abiquiu, about an hour’s drive from Santa Fe. A day pass will give you access to miles of hiking trails with glorious mountain scenery. Horseback trail rides are available for all

skill levels – the Sunset Ride will take you to where artist Georgia O’Keeffe found her inspiration, completed several paintings and owned a home.

All of these ideas are just the tip of the iceberg when it My husband, Indiana Jones, braves the comes to Santa Box Canyon trail ahead of me at Ghost Ranch.

Fe and Northern New Mexico. There’s so much to experience that you’ll want to return again and again. I know the feeling well as I just made reservations for a seventh trip there.

Jennifer Ruple is the author of the blog somedaycowgirl.blogspot.com.

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MARCH 2016

9

Books for Boomers

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month?

This is the perfect time to re-evaluate your health needs and kick start your health goals. Here are a few book suggestions to help you get started.

By Sue Schafer Eat Clean, Stay Lean: the Ultimate Guide to Cleaner and Cleanest Manager, Sylvania Branch, Foods, 2015 Toledo Lucas County

By Wendy Bazilian Public Library This is an easy to use, visual guidebook to better health, delicious food, and a slimmer you. Learn how to make 50 smarter choices in the supermarket and 150 cleaner, fast meals at home, all of which can help you lose weight while you enjoy real food that tastes great--and it even includes real pie.

The Whole30: the 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom, Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt, 2015

By Melissa Hartwig This book provides the step-by-step, recipe-by-recipe guidebook that will allow millions of people to experience the transformation of their entire life in just one month.

The Brain Fog Fix: Reclaim Your Focus, Memory, and Joy in Just 3 Weeks, Hay House Inc., 2015

By Mike Dow The Brain Fog Fix is a three-week program designed to help you naturally restore three of your brain’s most crucial chemicals: serotonin, dopamine, and cortisol. You will find yourself thinking more clearly, remembering more accurately, learning more quickly, and unleashing the floodgates of your creativity.

How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease, Flatiron Books, 2015

By Michael Gregor This book examines the fifteen top causes of premature death in America ― heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson’s, high blood pressure, and more ― and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches, freeing us to live healthier lives.

The Blue Zones Solution: Eating and Living Like the World’s Healthiest People,

By Dan Buettener, National Geographic, 2015 This book reveals how to transform your health using smart eating and lifestyle habits gleaned from new research on the diets, eating habits, and lifestyle practices of the communities he’s identified as “Blue Zones”—those places with the world’s longest-lived, and thus healthiest, people, including locations such as Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California.

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BOOMERS

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Crossword fun: Everything Gothic

ACROSS 1. Raise a barn, e.g.

6. Cribbage piece 9. Tear violently 13. Specialty 14. Luau welcome 15. Japanese-American 16. Junk yard stuff 17. Make mistakes 18. *Gothic novel “The Asylum” by ____ Mitchell 19. Archimedes’ exclamation 21. * “Just Like Heaven” creator 23. Bathroom label 24. Swank 25. Sis’ sibling 28. Cap and gown accessory 30. Put down 35. Plural of lira 37. Whoopi Goldberg’s opinion, e.g.

39. Artillery burst 40. Between ports 41. Type of poetic stanza 43. “Hurry up and ____” 44. Burns to charcoal 46. State of Israel 47. *SS Gothic, ocean liner owned by White ___ Line 48. Ransom precursor 50. Made in Vegas 52. Compass point between E and NE 53. Deadly sin?

55. Debt acknowledgement 57. *Stoker novel 61. *Goth, literally MARCH 2016

64. Finger or toe 65. Boiling blood 67. Goodbye to amiga 69. Popular gemstone 70. Teresa of Calcutta, e.g.

71. Ma Bell, e.g.

72. Ready and eager 73. Dynamite 74. Illegal firing DOWN 1. Lt.’s inferior, in the Navy 2. *The Vampire Chronicles author 3. Beige 4. It carries good luck?

5. Conical dwellings 6. Type of bargain 7. Poetic “always” 8. Fat Albert’s problem 9. Reduced Instruction Set Computer 10. Biblical twin 11. Getting warm 12. Needed for craps 15. Brother’s daughters 20. Between 10 and Queen 22. Concealed oneself 24. Breed of sheep 25. *Prominent

Goth color 26. Hindu sage 27. Mountain nymph 29. Seven of these are considered deadly 31. Traps, as in mouths 32. Fill with optimism 33. Like Bird flu 34. *____ Dame 36. Garner wages 38. * “American Gothic” painter 42. Mumbai country 45. “Yes, Sir!” gesture 49. Afghan monetary unit

51. Beethoven’s “Moonlight ____” 54. *First Gothic church, Basilica of ____ Denis 56. Dairy gland 57. Famous military landing 58. Capital of Latvia 59. Lab culture 60. Give a quote 61. Heater outlet 62. Pains 63. “Insane” in Spain 66. Seek a seat 68. George W., to George Herbert Walker

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Senior living

Four tips to live better in retirement

they may be able to transform hobbies or interests (StatePoint) The conceptions and realities of into a way to make a little money,” says Page, who retirement have changed a great deal over the past points out that such activities can also be an several decades, giving many seniors misgivings excellent way to stay engaged and active, keeping about the future. But your golden years can be minds and bodies vibrant. happy, healthy and productive, say experts.

Saving Tips “For many individuals, confusion, fear and an overwhelming sense of powerlessness accompany Don’t be shy about using the age card. After all, you the prospect of growing old in America. The good have worked hard for it. news is that we have power to Senior discounts are address these available at restaurants, concerns,” says Scott stores, on travel, adult Page, author of the new education classes and book “It’s Never Too gym memberships, and Late: Getting Older, sites like Restaurant.com Wiser, and Worry-Free or Groupon have special in our Golden Years.” bargain days for seniors.

Are you retired or You can also save by approaching the end of eliminating unnecessary your working life? Are expenses. For example om .c you concerned about an lia –do you still need that r - Foto : (c) Pressmaste older parent or loved one? Photo source landline telephone? Can you bundle certain Here, Page offers expert tips on living better: services to help reduce costs?

Living Ideas Do an inventory of your possessions to determine which objects to keep and which to discard or sell.

Reducing housing expenses can have an extra Free worksheets, available at scottpage.com/freeupside. For example, downsizing your empty nest tools, can help you make smart decisions. offers you the benefit of less house to maintain.

Moving to a region of the country cheaper than your Connect with Friends current area may take you somewhere sunnier, Consider planning meals with a support network. warmer and better suited for aging.

“Maybe Sally takes Monday nights, Judy takes Another popular way to live more frugally is to Wednesday nights and Sarah takes Friday nights,” consider taking on a roommate. “Co-living says Page. “Cooking for more than one person arrangements like the ‘The Golden Girls’ are encourages community, and can be cost-effective if becoming more popular with single or widowed everyone is sharing in the responsibility.” seniors. It helps save money and can be beneficial Maintain an active social media presence online to for socialization and support,” says Page. stay connected to friends and family. Those with the Make Money same interests as you are just a mouse click away.

You can rake in extra income that doesn’t feel like With smart strategies you can free yourself from work. Review your talents and hobbies. Are you an worry about aging, while getting wiser over time. excellent baker, a talented woodworker or musician? More information about the book can be found at “Seniors often have a lot of time on their hands, and www.scottpage.com.

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BOOMERS

& Beyond

March is National Nutrition Month

Eat your veggies!

By Helena Darah Vegetables are vital in a diet and people should try to aim for consuming at least six servings a day of them.

However, many find vegetables a burden to eat when trying to reach their intake goal. Here are some ways to spruce up your veggie life and actually enjoy them!

If you’re short on time, raw vegetables are the way to go. It takes less than five minutes to prepare a creative and easy salad. Add some shaved almonds, your favorite vegetables, chicken, fruit, cheeses and drizzle your favorite low sugar dressing (do not buy “light” dressings because they contain much more sugar). If you’re not a fan of lettuce, try dicing up cucumbers, avocado, red onion and tomato and toss with fresh mint, vinegar and lemon–it’s delicious. Raw veggie snacks are also extremely easy to prepare. Carrots, broccoli, snap peas, cucumbers and cauliflower are great to eat on the go accompanied by some ranch dressing or hummus.

Roasting veggies is another tasty way to reach your vegetable intake goal. Brush your favorite vegetable (broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini and squash are best for roasting) with olive oil and set in a pan. Top with freshly chopped parsley and garlic and sprinkle salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese on top. Roast for about 30 minutes or until soft and lightly browned. Roasted vegetables are beyond delicious. Use for dinners with an accompaniment to your main protein or bring to a dinner party if you are in charge of a side dish.

Sautéing vegetables is super easy and tasty. Pepper, mushrooms and onions are best for sautéing. One of

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my favorite side dishes is red, yellow and orange peppers cut in long sections and tossed in an oiled pan with fresh chopped garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. I also add cut red onion and zucchini and mushrooms.

Cook until very soft and lightly browned.

Grilling vegetables is super fun, tasty and a hit in the summer. While you’re cooking your hot dogs and burgers, brush zucchini, peppers and onion with olive oil and place on the grill. You can purchase a rack for your vegetables made for the grill. An alternative to meat is to brush a portobello mushroom with olive oil and grill. Add mozzarella cheese on top while it’s cooking and finish with tomato, avocado and balsamic vinegar. It’s phenomenal.

Finally, the easiest way to cook vegetables is to microwave them. You can purchase the “steamers” bag and simply place the bag in the microwave and cook for about five minutes. Place in a bowl and season to your preference and voilà, it’s ready.

Microwaving fresh vegetables with a little water at the bottom is best with broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower and beans. For a quick snack, buy the edamame bean pouches and drizzle with soy sauce when ready.

Vegetables don’t have to be gross or boring. Find the time and make an effort to include a serving of veggies in each meal and snack. I’m not trying to sound like your mom, but vegetables are extremely important in anyone’s diet so EAT THEM!

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MARCH 2016

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13

Spring forward

Plan your dream garden now By Rick Cozza, The Italian Gardener

Happy March, fellow Boomers! Yes, we have succeeded in getting pretty far into winter with better conditions than in the past few years, with (hopefully) less snow on the ground and temperatures that make you start looking for tulips already. But, global warming or not, we do indeed have March and early April ahead of us, so don’t get too cocky!

Why was I asked to write a gardening column already?

Because we gardeners never sit on our laurels, even during the bleak mid-winter. We dream, don’t we?

Even now, in late winter, I am preparing A dwarf gold cypress tree the four proposals for way it should look. potential customers for this spring. I will send them out soon, and customers will hopefully look them over and be ready to give the ‘okey-dokey’ early in March. And when April/May temperatures (and soil conditions) look right, we can begin. See? Someone is out there dreaming.

In my own yard, I have several things that need attention in the spring, and I am looking at alternatives now. I have a brand-new dwarf gold cypress that I planted in too much sun last year, and it ended the season with scorched tips. It should look like this photo, but instead, looks like it was held a bit too close to the fire. So I am looking for something to take its place when I move it to a shadier spot in April. I am leaning toward a marvelously-artistic stone cutter’s work that I saw on

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etsy.com, in which the artist cuts flowers from sandstone. Ratings from existing customers were all 5 out of 5, so I was impressed. But whatever I choose, I need to save my cypress from an ignominious fate.

I am ordering birdhouses for potential jobs this next season, and want to have some good, quality materials available when I need them. Quality is the key. Again, on etsy.com, a California potter named Joy Imai does unique and lovely work, which birds are proud and delighted to rent in folks’ yards, though they may rent for a bit more per month based on the quality of the artist. For all of you, a bleak mid-winter season can pass much faster looking over these wonderfully artistic creations, and mentally placing them in your crabapple tree.

Several things to note as March begins, namely that some robins are still around and have recently cleared nearly all remaining winter berries from trees and shrubs. This bodes well for the rest of our winter, but will send them a bit farther south if we get more snow after I write this article.

If you live in Sylvania (bless our founding fathers and mothers), you are likely near woods or high trees.

Spend a bit of time outdoors in the late evening over the next few weeks, and listen for the mating calls of the owls. You may not be invited to the weddings, but the mating calls can be fascinating in early March.

Just don’t get picked up for looking like a voyeur out there. The real world just doesn’t understand us gardeners and our strange habits.

So how should you spend the end of winter if you are a gardener?

Dream! Plan your spring activities in the backyard. Read “Fine Gardening” magazine.

Listen for owls this time of Search coniferkingdom.com for year. the coolest of dwarf evergreens. Order one for your yard. Do some browsing and shopping on Etsy and other websites for marvelously unique garden ornaments, birdhouses, hummingbird feeders, etc.

And, before you know it . . .!

BOOMERS

& Beyond

Tea at the Manor House

After retiring, Wanda Anderson began volunteering at the Manor House, also known as Stranleigh, during the 2012 holiday season. ‘As a life-long Toledo native, I have always loved our Metroparks system and have been intrigued by the Manor House and its history,’ she states. ‘I have also enjoyed volunteering at the Teas that are a source of fundraising for this grand home. I’ve met hundreds of area residents as guests at Tea and worked with an outstanding group of friendly, caring and dedicated Manor House volunteers. It’s a wonderful, enjoyable way to give back to my hometown. Since 2012, we have themed and decorated every Tea, which adds a fresh, fun element to the Manor House setting. Many Tea guests love to dress in the colors or wear costumes of the tea theme. Guests enjoy expressing their inner creative side at any age!’

Dorothy Henderson, Manor House volunteer, and Bud Jacobs, the alwaystuxedoed ‘Music Man,’ enjoyed a ‘Tea’ during the holidays. Bud Jacobs has performed as a volunteer pianist over 100 times at the Manor House. Visit metroparkstoledo.com for information on upcoming teas, including the upcoming ‘Treasures of Toledo’ being held on April 1, 2016.

Alumnae of Alpha Omicron Pi, Back Row, L-R: Dawn Wright, Cindy Waite, Karen Steele, Front Row, L-R: Cynthia Skiver, Becki Bair and Jerol Lynn Wack, gathered with the Mad Hatter, Wanda Anderson, at a Spooky Tea at the Manor House.

A group of Metroparks of the Toledo Area volunteers shared the joy...and tea of the season.

Crossword Puzzle Solution

L-R: Sue Glass, Wanda Anderson, Ruby Seifert and Becky Miller found their groove at the ‘60s Tea.’

MARCH 2016

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GOINGBEYOND

attendEVENTS

Wine and Cheese Tasting TREO Restaurant, Sylvania Thursday, March 3, 6 p.m.

Sample from the best wine regions around the globe. Artisan cheeses provided in cooperation with The Boulevard Market.

It’s Friday!

Toledo Museum of Art Friday, March 11 It’s Friday! is the name for the extended museum hours until 10 p.m. every Friday. Visit www.toledomuseum.org/events/itsfriday/ for a complete list of events.

Hensville St. Patrick’s Day Rooftop Party Hensville, 406 Washington St., Toledo Thursday, March 17, 5:30 p.m.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and be the first to party on the new High Five Rooftop on top of the Fleetwood Building overlooking Fifth Third Field.

The event will feature multi-level entertainment, live music, drinks and great food. For info, visit hensville.com/upcoming-events/.

Pink Martini with TSO Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater Thursday, March 24, 8-9 p.m.

Pink Martini returns to Toledo! Event and ticket information available at toledosymphony.com.

searchWEBSITES

SeniorPlanet.org The site celebrates aging and helps people who were born before the digital revolution to stay engaged and active by bringing a digital technology focus to a range of importance.

WorkCoachCafe.com WorkCoachCafe helps job seekers understand how the process works and also to respond appropriately.

discoverTRAVEL

Maple Madness Driving Tour March 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 Throughout Ohio, map available at www.ohiomaple.org Sugarhouses across Ohio open their doors and invite visitors to see firsthand how pure maple syrup is made. Amish farms are not open on Sunday. Additional information available at 440/834-1415.

Backstage Brews Croswell Opera House, Adrian, Mich.

March 18, 7:30 p.m.

Sample craft beer and wine from across Michigan and around the world on the stage of Michigan’s oldest theater. Admission $25 (includes 10 tastes). Event information available at 517/264-SHOW or www.croswell.org.

Hinckley Buzzard Sunday Hinckley Reservation, Hinckley, Ohio March 20, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

See buzzards (turkey vultures) come home to roost in rock cliffs and ledges in Hinckley. Learn about the legend that surrounds Buzzard Day and why so many buzzards come out in March. Event information available at 330/278-2066.

getMOVING

You’ve Got to Move it, Move It! Metroparks of the Toledo Area March 8, 16, 25, times and locations vary.

Good health is just a few dance steps away. This is for dancing/exercise enthusiasts of all ages.

Classes held inside until weather warms up. For locations and reservations, call 419/407-9701.

Blarney Shamrockin’ Shuffle Blarney Irish Pub, Toledo Saturday, March 19, 4-5 p.m.

Registration and race details at runtoledo.com/blarney-irish-pub-3mile-shuffle.

Open Skate at Tam-O-Shanter Tam-O-Shanter, Sylvania All open skates are subject to change without notice Admission-$6 Skate Rental-$4 Seniors (55 plus)-$2

serveVOLUNTEER

Toledo Botanical Garden TBG are the heart and soul of the garden. The volunteers perform an array of duties to include gardening, children’s activities, clerical and more!

Contact Nikki at 419/536-5592 Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank Volunteers needed for sorting, stocking, general maintenance, office work and other opportunities available. Contact Volunteer Coordinator at 419/242-5000 Natures Nursery Volunteers are needed to assist with day to day animal care and facility maintenance. Online volunteer form available at www.natures-nursery.org.