b-true - Fall/Winter 2018

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W A T E R L O O • W A V E R LY • I N D E P E N D E N C E • G R U N D Y C E N T E R 2

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Fall/Winter 2018

true ‌the hive pg. 4

CONTENTS Fall/Winter 2018

by the numbers pg. 8

setting the stage pg. 10

mad for maddie pg. 12

old dogs pg. 15

restful retreat pg. 18

PUBLISHER

Roy D. Biondi AD DIRECTOR

Tara Seible PROJECT MANAGER & ADVERTISING SALES

ripe & ready pg. 22

whoopie pies pg. 24

Sheila Kerns 319.291-1448 EDITOR

Melody Parker 319.291.1429 CONTRIBUTORS

Brandon Pollock, photographer Matthew Putney, photographer Meta Hemenway-Forbes Amie Steffen Kristen Guess

faux succulents pg. 26

A publication of The Courier, Waterloo-Cedar Falls 100 E. 4th St. | Waterloo, IA 50703

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Fall/Winter 2018

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3

TH E HI VE

ESSENTIALS

4

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Tailored menswear.

Classic menswear fabrics like plaid, houndstooth and herringbone always look right during cold months, especially a well-tailored pantsuit, jacket or coat.

Animal print. A perennial favorite among fashionistas, leopard, tiger and other animal prints are being played in Technicolor — bright, striking colors. Add a piece or two to your wardrobe to create an eye-catching outfit.

3

Michael Kors

2

Michael Kors

1

Tom Ford

‌J

ust clothes, ma’am. Thank you very much.

It’s been a rough year or two for fashion, trying to find its way at a time when women are asserting their power and redefining themselves in the public sphere.

For much of its modern history, fashion has used sex and sexuality to market itself.

Sex became intertwined with power and privilege.

And so perhaps, fashion needs to take a hiatus from its sex-driven advertising campaigns, runway imagery and the like until it is able to tease all these strands apart.

Virtually the entire rainbow was celebrated for fall 2018 season and in the most unlikely combinations.

Every animal in the zoo had its markings serve as inspiration: leopard spots, zebra stripes, tiger stripes.

Coats are enormous and essentially built for two.

Fashion still loves track pants and sneakers go with everything.

So what’s the real story for fall and winter 2018?

A rainbow of luscious colors, roomy silhouettes, glorious coats modeled after workmen jackets, the comforts of the heartland and, of course, all the leopard spots and zebra stripes one could want.

We’ve chosen 7 of the best — and most wearable — trends for your fall and winter wardrobe.

Mix and match.

Floral prints continue to be big this fall, along with plaids. And if you dare, why not wear them together?

Fall/Winter 2018

Statement-making tights: Colorful, lean and lots of fun because they can breathe new life into last year’s outfits. And if you’ve got the nerve, don’t be afraid to clash.

Fall/Winter 2018

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Go west (again). Cowboy boots, neckerchiefs, western-cut shirts, denim, prairie dresses and buffalo plaid all add up to a ripsnorting look for fall and winter.

7

Adam Selman

Ralph Lauren

5

Modesty. Hemlines are low, necklines are high.

Tailoring is key. Look for clothing that is attractive but not overly revealing or overtly sexy.

Adam Selman

4

Dolce & Gabbana

T HE H I VE

Red. Red is red-hot for fall and winter, always an attention-getting color, but this season you’ll see it worn as a monochromatic look from your head to your toes, as well as in wet-look leather pieces.

Associated Press Photos Source: Washington Post & Btrue staff wcfcourier.com

5

arm candy

RAYMOND CHAN AND JONAS GUSTAVSSON-MCV PHOTO

T HE HI VE

Maison Margiela

There is no shortage of arm candy to dangle off your wrist or shoulder this season. Box bags, bow clutches, gold latches, lots of logos and small, smart cross-overs. Unstructured, oversized hobos are back, along with bucket bags that sling over your shoulder or can be held at the top, and even a large, structured bag carried in tandem with a smaller purse.

yeah, these sneakers are ugly,

but kinda fab, too

It used to be that sneakers were a menswear thing. And while there is still a market for sexy shoes and artful sculptures masquerading as footwear, womenswear designers have increasingly included some delectable rubbersoled footwear in their collections.

But designer John Galliano is not one to do anything in a subdued or cautious manner. His sneakers have been dubbed the “Security Margiela Sneaker” or the SMS for short. They come in both high-top and low-top iterations and they have super-thick soles that made the models look as though

they were clomping down the runway with mini-mattresses on their feet. They had elaborate heel guards and a kind of security belt cresting over the top of the foot.

There was nothing delicate or pretty about them. They are obnoxiously ugly, aggressively sporty and ostentatiously devoted to comfort.

What makes the Maison Margiela sneakers particularly splendid is that they wallow in their heinousness. They delight in being grotesque. They are ridiculous and ornery and counter-intuitive.

They are, of course, fashion.

Bevza

Ulla Johnson

Coach 1941

Source: Washington Post

try these makeup looks You'll see these six makeup trends everywhere this fall and winter.

1.

Pale blue eyeshadow. Court the ice princess appeal with a soft wash of barely-there blue for a minmal look. For a stronger presence, go deeper on the edge of your eye. You'll look like an ice princess!

2.

Cobalt-blue eyeliner – especially on the bottom lashes – brightens the whites and frames the eye for a polished but slightly edgy look.

3.

Matte brown eye shadow and other neutral shades never go out of style.

6

wcfcourier.com

Derek Lam

Dennis Basso

Tom Ford

Nanushka

4.

The uber-romantic look of glowing skin, rosy cheeks and pink lips – perfect (sigh).

5.

Wine and berry lips – matte or glossy – for pretty autumnal allure.

6.

A hint of rosy blush that looks natural and a dash of lipstick with just a hint of color.

7.

Strong red pouting lips – if you can pull it off.

Badgley Mischka

Fall/Winter 2018

7AT WORK WAYS TO GET A WORK-OUT

Source: American Heart Association

Fall/Winter 2018

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO‌

building Excellence

‌I

t’s no secret that Americans need to move more. Yet our jobs often require us to sit for eight to 10 hours a day — at home, the office or behind the wheel — often getting up only for lunch and trips to the bathroom.

And that can be hazardous to your health.

“There’s a strong link between a sedentary lifestyle and the risk of death. It also increases the risk of adverse health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and many types of cancer,” said Qaiser Mukhtar, a health scientist in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity & Obesity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“That’s why physical activity is so important.”

To lower risk of heart attack and stroke, for example, the American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, per week.

While that might sound like a lot, it works out to only 30 minutes a day for a five-day work week.

The good news for office workers who may have difficulty blocking out even a half hour for exercise is, you don’t have to get those 30 minutes all at once.

“Bouts of even less than 10 minutes at a time are beneficial,” said Dr. Michael V. McConnell, head of Cardiovascular Health Innovations at Verily Life Sciences.

Here are some easy, even fun ways to stay active at work: ✱ No one ever said meetings had to be held sitting down. Take a walking meeting instead. You’ll exercise your heart, get the blood flowing, and may come back to the office with some out-of-the-box ideas. ✱ Find a walking buddy to join you during your lunch hour or scheduled breaks. ✱ Face-to-face conversations are often more productive than phone calls, emails or texts. So the next time you want to communicate with a coworker, get up and walk to their desk instead. ✱ You already walk down three flights of stairs and up two? Good.

Now increase your physical activity by using a restroom on another floor or getting off the elevator a floor or two below yours and taking the stairs the rest of the way. And no one says you have to use the copier, printer or waste bin closest to your desk. ✱ Water cooler talk is fine, but water cooler stretches and squats are even better. Harvard epidemiology professor Kaumudi Joshipura has a whole movement called VMove dedicated to helping people move more anytime, anywhere and without needing any special gear or attire.

For example, don’t just sit there while talking on the phone.

Stand up and march in place, do squats or swing your arms instead.

Take brief breaks to stand and move during long sedentary meetings. Do ankle circles and flexes while sitting or lift your legs and hold them up for five seconds. And don’t forget your wrists, arms and neck. They also need to be stretched after long hours at the keyboard.

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by the numbers 33.4 PERCENT of women aged 20 and over with hypertension (measured high blood pressure and/ or taking antihypertensive medication (2011-2014).

38.5 PERCENT of women ages 20 and over who are considered obese (2011-2014).

13.4 PERCENT

of women ages 18 and over are in fair or poor health SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

48.1%

18.9

of women aged 18 and over who met federal physical activity guidelines for aerobic activity through leisure-time aerobic activity.

PERCENT

Less than 5 percent of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day; only one in three adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity each week.

13.9% OF WOMEN AGED 18 AND OVER WHO CURRENTLY SMOKE CIGARETTES.

8

of women aged 18 and over who had four or more drinks in 1 day at least once in the past year

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65.3 percent of women aged 40 and over who had a mammogram within the past 2 years (2015).

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

ONLY ONE IN THREE CHILDREN ARE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE EVERY DAY.

Fall/Winter 2018

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THE

STAGE Felicia Smith-Nalls sparks confidence and positivity to those around her

Text Kristen Guess

A

MATTHEW PUTNEY / COURIER PHOTO EDITOR 10

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community leader, singer and doctoral graduate, Felicia SmithNalls spends her free time setting the stage for underprivileged children in her community.

Not only does she organize the “Set the Stage” children’s variety show at Waterloo East High School every year, she lends support and a positive attitude to everyone she meets.

“Every interaction I have throughout the day is personal ... whether it be the mailman or a cashier clerk ... you just never know what someone is going through that day,” she said.

Dancing and performing since she was a child, Smith-Nalls enjoys providing kids an opportunity to be in the spotlight.

“When that light hits you, you can transform, and so taking kids that may not get that all the time and may not be that person all the time and to have them experience victory, to hear applause for them — kids that don’t see that all the time,” she said. “I’ve seen 12-yearolds come to the stage sobbing, or see kids cry their first set of happy tears. “‘Set the Stage’ is my tear jerker. I cry at the end of that show and the rest of the night because we get kids on stage, even adults, that aren’t usually on stage.”

Fall/Winter 2018

She also helps organize the annual North End Festival, where she enjoys showing off the “talent and beauty of Waterloo.”

This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the event. A parade leads into a music and arts festival at Sullivan Park and ends with a countrywide drill competition that night at East High.

“That day is going to be an awesome day for everyone, but it’s going to be a great day for brown kids,” she said. “Just having people see them in a different light. The excellence level is incredible.”

Smith-Nalls is known for taking in underprivileged children as if they were her own.

Her historic home in the Highland neighborhood of The Cedar Valley Big Band performs at the east Waterloo has been a Honor Flight Variety Show in 2016 at the haven for children to unleash Electric Park Ballroom Friday in Waterloo. their creative minds with music, arts and dance.

She also took in a brother-in-law who was in her first full-length solo album next month. a homeless shelter out of Though the album is titled “Unfocused,” state. Under her roof, he began to attend East Smith-Nalls has spent years focusing on the High as a special education student and began person she wants to be. playing basketball. The young man went on “I still have dreams,” she said. to receive a full-ride scholarship to a Division But Smith-Nalls didn’t always have the I college. confidence she does today.

“All it took was for him to believe he could.

“High school was horrible for me because People don’t realize how big that is — when I didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin. ... you believe that you can do something, That’s what makes me the person I am now sometimes that’s the only thing that you need because I know what it’s like to be talented — someone to tell you, ‘you can.’” and not feel comfortable in your own skin,” Smith-Nalls credits Kay Jordan for being she said. that person for her. Jordan, now in her 80s, Standing 5-feet-10-inches tall with a stern is known for bringing competitive drill tenor voice, Smith-Nalls said she was bullied teams and drum corps to Waterloo. Smithsignificantly in high school.

Nalls said Jordan wrote the music and lyrics, “I remember it like it was yesterday,” she choreographed the dances, sewed the costumes said. and built the set for the kids.

She struggled with anxiety for many years “While I have all these mentors that are as a child. amazing people and community leaders and “Sometimes I wish I could go back to people that helped build this city, the person myself and say, ‘relax, girl, it’s going to be that I credit with that I wouldn’t be me OK,’” she said. without, is Kay,” she said.

She went on to attend Wartburg College To show her gratitude, Smith-Nalls writes in Waverly where she began to come out of her once a week. her shell.

“I want her to always know that she literally “Everyone was so friendly and encouraging influences everything in my life,” she said. and supportive,” she said. “I noticed how much In January, Smith-Nalls was appointed happier the people were there. They were Waterloo’s neighborhood services coordinator, where she serves as a liaison between neighborhoods and the city. In this role, she applies for grant funding to improve area neighborhoods and attract more people to Waterloo.

“I absolutely love Waterloo.

I love the people, I love this beautiful city,” she said.

Noon to 5 p.m.

A 2016 Courier 20 under 40 Aug. 11. recipient, Smith-Nalls also is a Sullivan Park. vocalist with the Cedar Valley Big Band and is set to release

MATTHEW PUTNEY / COURIER PHOTO EDITOR‌

happy all the time. Wartburg makes you leave with, ‘you can change the world.’”

She eventually earned a master’s degree and doctorate from the law school at the University of Iowa.

“When you focus on people that focus on you, you will be so busy, you won’t have time to focus on the negative,” she said.

Now, Smith-Nalls is dedicated to promoting confidence and positivity to everyone around her.

She is known for being the person to tell a child who is struggling with life, “I know you don’t think it’s going to be OK, and it keeps you up at night because it seems like everything is falling apart around you, but trust me, it’s going to be OK,” she said.

NORTH END FESTIVAL

COURTESY PHOTO‌

Fall/Winter 2018

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Maddie Poppe sings “Going, Going, Gone” after winning “American Idol” Season 16 on Monday, May 21, 2018.

(ABC/ERIC MCCANDLESS)

‘AMERICAN IDOL’ WINNER IS JUST GETTING STARTED Text Amie Steffen

M

addie Poppe already knew, of course, she had advanced in the singing competition show “American Idol” during the show’s first “Hollywood Week” in March before everyone else found out.

But as she spoke with the hosts of local podcast “Undiagnosed Podcast” at Jason’s Place on East Fifth Street in downtown Waterloo in late March, just a couple of hours before the 12

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show would air, Poppe had to hold her tongue.

“I can’t tell you how far I made it,” she said.

But what the Clarksville native didn’t know is just how far she’d get.

Just two months later, Poppe, 20, was crowned the winner of “American Idol” in May, which was ABC’s second season airing the show but “Idol’s” 16th season overall. It was the first time an Iowan had won the reality singing competition.

Fall/Winter 2018

Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Maddie Poppe, the final two on “American Idol,” reveal that they're a couple on the season finale.

(ABC/ERIC MCCANDLESS)

Maddie Poppe on “American Idol” on Sunday, May 20.

ABC PHOTO

Maddie Poppe reacts as host Ryan Seacrest announces she won Season 16 of “American Idol” on Monday.

She beat out tens of thousands of contestants over the course of several weeks — including the other top two contenders, Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Gabby Barrett — wowed judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, and garnered the majority of votes from viewers to claim the Season 16 crown.

She performed a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” as well as her own new single, “Going, Going, Gone,” and her original, “Don’t Ever Let Your Children Grow Up,” among many other songs during her time on the show.

Poppe won a recording contract with Hollywood Records, a $250,000 cash prize and a trip to Hawaii with boyfriend Hutchinson, who was the runner-up on the show.

Clarksville is in talks to name a park after their star, too: The Maddie Poppe Trailhead Park would welcome visitors to the south side Fall/Winter 2018

of Clarksville beginning in 2019.

“There’s just a lot of excitement in town — people want us to do something to honor Maddie,” said Clarksville City Council member Jeff Kolb, who has worked on development of the park.

And Poppe will return to her native Iowa briefly in August to perform at the Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids. The 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25 concert is free.

“We always knew we were going to have her, but of course, when someone wins ‘American Idol,’ you’re unsure if they’re actually going to show up to their previously booked gig. But we did confirm with them that she’s going to be there,” said Melissa McCarville, communications manager for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, which organizes the already popular nighttime edition of the Cedar Rapids Farmers Market.

Poppe’s first (ABC/ERIC “Idol” appearance MCCANDLESS) was March 11, when she sang “Rainbow Connection” from “The Muppet Movie” while accompanying herself on guitar. Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan gave her three yes votes, propelling her to the next round in Hollywood.

She said on that episode her father was the one who encouraged her to try out for “American Idol” after she grew up as a fan of the show.

Poppe, who has been singing since she was a child, said she hoped her style and singersongwriter format would help her stand out for the judges. She shared a story of how one producer almost crushed her dreams during the tryout — only to let her pass on to the next round. wcfcourier.com

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Michael J. Woodard, Michelle Sussett, Dennis Lorenzo, Catie Turner, Ada Vox, Jurnee, Gabby Barrett and Caleb Lee Hutchinson hug each other and Maddie Poppe as Poppe, center, attempts to sing her final song after being crowned the winner of “American Idol” Season 16.

(ABC/ERIC MCCANDLESS)

RAGBRAI riders also may know Poppe as she has performed along the route since 2014, when she first performed for RAGBRAI passing through Clarksville.

Poppe previously auditioned on a different singing competition show, “The Voice,” in 2015, and did not get a chair turn from any of the four judges —something she discussed on the podcast in March.

She said she was not able to choose her song, which was “Dog Days are Over” by Florence and the Machine.

“I was a terrible singer at that song — it was not good,” she said. “I’m not making excuses, I just wasn’t ready.”

She grew despondent after “The Voice,” thinking she missed her opportunity. She said in March she’s glad she went through those trials.

“I’ve changed so much in three years that I’m glad it didn’t work out (on ‘The Voice’),” Poppe said.

On “Idol,” Poppe said, producers let her sing the songs she wanted, as well as dress and do her hair the way she wanted. She felt more of a freedom in that.

“This is why I think they make super successful careers out of people — what you see is what you get,” she said.

14

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Maddie Poppe performs “Landslide” on “American Idol.”

And she found solace in knowing Katy Perry, an “Idol” judge, has faced her own struggles and managed to ABC PHOTO become a pop star.

“She struggled a lot and got dropped from three labels before she made it — and musicians need to hear that,” Poppe said. “I don’t love hearing people’s struggles, but it’s inspiring — ‘Oh, she failed 100 times, I’ve failed 100 times.’” well as hearing the elementary school students After she made the top three on “Idol,” sing “Rainbow Connection,” the song she she and the show’s producers stopped in auditioned with.

Clarksville to speak, parade through town and “So many of you out here have really put on a short concert at the Butler County supported me since day one, since I sang Fairgrounds in Allison.

‘Landslide’ in the gym the first time, or when “I literally can’t even believe this,” she said.

I would get up with my dad’s band at Pioneer “To see it all is just incredible. Thank you so Days and sang ‘Sweet Child of Mine,’” Poppe much. ... It’s good to be home.” said. “You guys aren’t just hopping on the Even before the finale, the hometown folks bandwagon now; you’re not just supporting me were sure Poppe would beat out Hutchinson because I’m on the show. You guys truly have and Barrett to claim the “Idol” crown. Poppe been there for this whole thing ... It means the noted she was grateful for their support. world to me.”

“This community has been so amazing, (but) Poppe’s album, “Songs from the Basement,” I’m not surprised by this,” Poppe said. “We is a seven-song set available digitally on iTunes, all always back each other, no matter what Spotify and can be ordered in CD version on anybody is going through.” her website, maddiepoppe.com.

Poppe got emotional talking about being Her debut album is being recorded now and surprised by classmates of hers from the Class is expected next year. of 2016 when she visited her old high school, as Fall/Winter 2018

“Pops,” a rescue dog from the Cedar Bend Humane Society, takes a break from socializing at Thalman Square in Western Home Windhaven in Cedar Falls.

‘P PS’ STAR Rescue dog finds a new life at Cedar Falls Western Home

Text Meta Hemenway-Forbes Photos Brandon Pollock

S

ome circumstances fall together so beautifully it’s almost certain they were meant to be.

So goes the story of Pops the dog and his friendship with residents of the Western Home’s Thalman Square.

In February 2015, Pops arrived at the Cedar Bend Humane Society. The odds were long for finding the then-9-year-old Labrador retriever mix a forever home.

“A black Lab, a senior dog — they are the last to be adopted,” said Caitlyn Evans, adoption supervisor at CBHS, in a 2015 Courier story.

“He kind of had everything riding against him.”

These days, everything is going Pops’ way as he lives out his retirement years with others doing exactly the same.

Thalman Square is home to elderly residents with memory impairments, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show animalassisted therapy improves mood, decreases behavioral issues and has a calming effect in patients with memory impairment. It also encourages social interaction.

Pops was at the Cedar Bend shelter for a little more than a month when Thalman Square staff began searching for a resident pooch. The dog Fall/Winter 2018

would need to meet requirements set forth by a committee that included staff and residents.

They needed a dog that was calm and mature, one that understood when his presence was welcome and when it was not. Pops’ gray muzzle on the CBHS website jumped out at them. After meeting him, they knew he was a perfect match, they said.

Not much is known about Pops’ previous life. In October 2014, a dog rescue in Florida surrendered him and numerous other dogs to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A lack of sufficient resources and proper care led to the deterioration of the Florida facility and the conditions of the dogs.

Pops was among seven of those dogs brought to CBHS after receiving months of medical care and behavioral enrichment at a temporary ASPCA shelter in Virginia. Long-haul moves like that and time in a shelter can be stressful, particularly for an aging dog.

Pops, named by the ASPCA for his saltand-pepper muzzle, shows no signs of stress these days. He spends hours curled up on sofas next to Thalman residents. Those who aren’t particularly talkative tend to open up when

“Pops” stops for a pet from Brenda Phelps and her father, Harold Biermann, at Thalman Square in Western Home Windhaven. sitting next to Pops.

“He’s a very good listener,” said Rebecca Schmidt, Pops’ primary caretaker and Thalman’s certified therapeutic recreation specialist. “He’s a very relaxing dog.”

Every morning, Pops accompanies Schmidt to get the mail and do his doggy outdoor duties.

He greets all staff, residents and visitors who cross his path. wcfcourier.com

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“He’s gotten comfortable walking down the halls, peeking around and looking for new friends,” Schmidt said.

Families of Thalman residents look for Pops when they visit. He’s on the lookout for them, too.

“He hears the doorbell and runs to see who’s there,” Schmidt said.

Like other residents at Thalman, Pops has his own room, his own daily schedule and personal medical and nutrition charts. It’s a must for continuity of care between staffing shifts, Schmidt said.

Thalman staff appreciate Pops’ presence, too.

“They see him and greet him when they get here,” Schmidt said. “They love to sit on the couch and lay down on the floor with him. It’s refreshing, and they go back to work energized.”

While he has his own space that includes a cozy bed, the pup who once had no home now prefers to spend most of his time in Thalman’s common area among his new, extended forever family.

Now 12, Pops is being treated for some arthritis and sleeps more than he used to. Schmidt takes him to her home on occasion for respite.

“It’s a lot of work to be around 30-some people who are wanting and needing your attention,” Schmidt noted. “It’s important for him to get away and relax.”

Pops recently helped Schmidt celebrate a special occasion — her wedding day. Decked out in a bow tie and French cuffs, Pops posed for wedding pictures and offered his love and support on Schmidt’s big day.

“He is doing really well. He’s such a comfort to everyone,” she said.

Pops’ success story has drawn national attention, and appears in a featured video on the ASPCA website, which encourages people to consider adopting a senior dog.

YOUNG WOMAN RESCUES OLD DOG TWICE Text and photos Meta Hemenway-Forbes

B

etheny Miller was elated when her then-roommate texted her a picture of a dog available for adoption at Cedar Bend Humane Society.

The stumpy pug mix had an all-black coat, save for a face whitened by age. The comical mask was overshadowed, though, by a pronounced underbite full of jagged, jutting teeth. In spite of his circumstances — old and homeless — the dog seemed to wear a perpetual smile.

“Get him!” Miller texted back.

Dubbed R.J. by CBHS, the dog happily settled in with his new family in their Waterloo home. Estimated to be about 10 years old, R.J.’s behavior belied his age.

“He’s a character,” Miller said. “He can be a little rambunctious.”

That was fine by his two new people, both in their early 20s with lots of energy of their own.

Two weeks later, R.J.’s rambunctiousness got the better of him. As Miller was bringing shopping bags into the house, R.J. slipped out the door and ran toward the busy street they lived on.

“I watched him get hit,” Miller said.

R.J.’s collision with a car cost him his leg.

The break was too bad to repair. Subsequently, the cost was high to the two young women on modest incomes who’d given him a home.

“Our vet said, ‘Dogs don’t care. They’ve got three wheels and a spare,’” Miller said.

Surgery to amputate R.J.’s badly damaged leg cost more than $2,000. Miller and her roommate raised just over $1,000 with a Go Fund Me campaign, and Miller paid the rest with earnings from her work as a server at a local restaurant.

Not long after, Miller and her roommate amicably parted ways when the roommate became engaged. They agreed Miller would keep R.J.

R.J., a senior pug mix with three legs, gets snuggles from his adopted mom Betheny Miller, 22.

As much as 22-year-old Miller helped change R.J.’s life, he’s changed her life, too.

“He’s made me more responsible. He’s just shown me how much I can love something. I mean, I don’t have kids, so he’s my baby.”

R.J. is Miller’s constant companion, following her around the house and sleeping next to her at night.

“He has to be touching me,” she said, laughing. “And he snores.”

Miller’s Snapchat pictures are mostly of R.J., and she jokes she may create an Instagram account for the toothy pooch.

As for adopting a dog, and a senior one at that, Miller encourages others to consider it.

“It’s not always what you think it’s going to be, but if you invest time and love it’s worth it. I never thought an old man would be my best friend.”

SENIORS IN SHELTERS Homelessness is tough on all dogs, but for seniors it comes with additional challenges.

They often appear at shelters with health needs that can be exacerbated by the clamor of an animal shelter. Sometimes they've found themselves heartbroken and homeless after the death of a lifelong caretaker. Any way you slice it, life is tough for an old dog with no home.  Senior dogs are defined as 7 years or older by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  Senior dogs make up 12 percent of the intake at animal shelters nationally. More than double that number come in as strays, not owner surrenders.  The senior dog adoption rate is just 25 percent, while younger dogs have a 60 percent adoption rate. The adoption rate for seniors is lower than that of all other ages combined.

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THE GOOD NEWS

 Return-to-owner rates is significantly higher than for other dogs. Lost senior dogs presenting to a shelter are returned to their owners 49 percent of the time, versus 23 percent for younger dogs.  A survey by the Grey Muzzle Organization, a senior dog advocacy group, says the public's perception of senior dogs is changing for the better.  More young people are adopting senior dogs after seeing the needs on social media.  Senior humans are still the most likely adopters of senior dogs, preferring a calmer canine companion.

SOURCES: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Grey Muzzle Organization

Fall/Winter 2018

What matters most to you in life?

It’s a big question.

But it’s just one of many questions I’ll ask to better understand you, your goals and your dreams.

All to help you live confidently – today and in the future.

Jessica R. Jenkins, CFP®, MSF Financial Advisor CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner Peters, Jenkins and Associates A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. 319.277.2020 4510 Chadwick Road Cedar Falls, IA 50613 jessica.r.jenkins@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/team/ peters-jenkins-and-associates/ AR license #17257940 CA Insurance #0M20333

With the right financial advisor, life can be brilliant.

ROTH JEWELERS SINCE 1931

Bridal Fashion Custom Service

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2018 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (1/18) Fall/Winter 2018

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17

RETREAT

Innkeeper welcomes guests to savor simpler life Text Melody Parker Photos Brandon Pollock

‌I

f you ever plan to open a charming country inn, you’ll need a friendly yellow Lab named Louie as your official greeter, a couple of private suites, each accessorized with fun — and cute — DIY projects and fridges stocked with eggs gathered from your own chickens for a sunny-side up or scrambled breakfast.

Don’t forget the s’mores bucket filled with marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers for making gooey treats at the fire pit when the sun goes down.

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Sounds too good to be true? Then you haven’t heard of Stars Hollow Inn and Hobby Farm, a rural oasis in the middle of the Iowa countryside, just outside Janesville.

Penny and Dan Franke are the innkeepers at this tranquil retreat. Dan owns his own home remodeling business, while Penny was the owner of Bead Happy. About five years ago, the Frankes moved their family onto the acreage, and Penny decided to close the shop and devote her attention to another passion — becoming an innkeeper.

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Fall/Winter 2018

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The couple is faith-based and felt “God was calling us into the country. Once we moved out here, I could have kept the store, but I’d developed night blindness and couldn’t drive at night. So I decided to shut the doors and pursue other passions,” Penny explains.

“There’s such beauty in agrarian life, and I became passionate about homesteading.

Growing your own food … what a beautiful thing. I grind my own wheat for making bread and started beekeeping. I embraced it all.”

She bought a Jersey milk cow named Bella on Craigslist. “I drove two hours and loaded it up. I didn’t know anything about cows, so I bought a book on how to care for a family cow,” she recalls, laughing.

There’s also a pig named Kevin Bacon and a couple of dogs, including Louie.

A guest cottage already on the property gave Penny a chance to make another dream come true: To become an innkeeper. “I missed interacting with people. I felt like I have the gift of hospitality, and I wanted to share it. I have so much to be thankful for,” she says.

In May 2016, Penny learned about Airbnb, checked into it and decided to check all the boxes for licensing and other legal paperwork required to host guests. It didn’t take long for Penny and Dan to update the cottage with a Shabby Chic-meets-farmhouse sensibility, calling it Honeybee Cottage (after Penny’s pair of beehives).

By July 2016, the cottage was booked each weekend through Thanksgiving. It made sense for the Frankes to transform the lower level of their home into charming Bella’s Suite, providing an additional accommodation.

Eventually they joined VRBO. “We named the suite after the milk cow I bought. She gave the best milk, and I made ice cream and cheese. She was such a sweet cow,” Penny says. While calving, Bella developed milk fever and didn’t recover, although her progeny lives on. A colorful painting that resembles Bella has a place of honor in the suite.

Penny loads guests onto a golf cart to wheel them on a sight-seeing trip around the farm before they settle into their digs. Guests are invited to enjoy whatever is in season from large vegetable garden, including a bean bed which is an actually a real (old) bed spring tilted upright for bean vines to clamber and a metal sign proclaiming “bean bed.” They can pick apples, pears and other seasonal fruit to hand-feed the friendly cows.

Honeybee Cottage is filled with Penny’s special DIY touches, like a tool box and half a suitcase transformed into bedside tables and other imaginatively repurposed furnishings.

She also repurposed brightly colored, cheerful pieces that once adorned the Bead Happy shop.

Both cottage and suite have kitchenettes, providing guests with autonomy. Other amenities include a tea and coffee bar, old lunch boxes filled with treats, lots of movies to watch and games to play from checkers to 20

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Fall/Winter 2018

bean bag toss.

There are no TVs in the rooms and WiFi reception is “spotty,” Penny notes.

When the Frankes moved to the acreage, it took a while for their children to get used to the idea that they’d have to survive without TV. They were none the worse for having been “unplugged. Our son was 15, and he picked up the guitar and learned to play. Now he’s 20 and in a band.”

Their daughter, now 23, has her mother’s knack for decorating.

Porch sitting is a favorite pastime at Honeybee Cottage. But that’s not all there is to do on this farm.

“Take a hike” invites a sign tacked to a tree next to the start of the trail. Penny collects Fall/Winter 2018

pine needles for padding the trail — “and it kills the weeds. And being a good Catholic girl, there are also stations of the cross through the woods,” she says.

An added bonus is that the farm is located right next door to a 140-acre public trail system and horseback riding at nearby Boy Scout Camp Ingawanis.

There’s also kayaking and canoeing on the creek, and sometime this summer, the Frankes will have a pond finished. Guests can gather around one of the fire pits for a bonfire. When darkness falls, the sky becomes like dark velvet glittering with diamonds — perfect for star-gazing.

“A stay here takes people back to simpler times. It’s tranquil. Our mission is for people

to get away from everyday life, cell phones and tablets, and to be silent, peaceful and reflective. It’s restorative for your soul,” Penny says.

“There’s a joy that comes from living in the moment.”

Stars Hollow regularly receives five-star ratings on its Facebook page from guests who praise the Frankes’ hospitality, the endearing cottage and suite and bucolic rural surroundings.

For information, visit the Stars Hollow Inn & Hobby Farm Facebook page or on Instagram.

The inn is located at 1703 260th St., Janesville. Reservations are through Airbnb.com or VRBO.com wcfcourier.com

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MAKE THE MOST OF A BOUNTIFUL TOMATO HARVEST What could be better than a late summer harvest of red, ripe tomatoes? These recipes make delicious use of a bountiful crop. tomato galette

½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed 1½ cups all-purpose flour 1⁄3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper 4 -6 tablespoons cold water 4 large tomatoes, cored (about 2 pounds) 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 tablespoons fine dry bread crumbs ½ cup thinly sliced shallot 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves 4 -6 ounces semisoft goat cheese (chevre) or feta cheese, crumbled 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon water Fresh basil leaves

In a large bowl cut butter into flour with a pastry blender until pieces are pea-size. Stir in Parmesan and cracked pepper. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cold water over part of the mixture; toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side of the bowl. Repeat, using 1 tablespoon of the water at a time, until all of the dough is moistened. Form dough into a disk, wrap with plastic wrap and chill at least 30 minutes or until easy to handle (up to 24 hours).

Slice tomatoes about ¼ inch thick and arrange on a wire rack over a baking pan, sink or paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and let drain for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 F. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 13-inch circle. (Don't worry if it's not perfectly round.) Fold in half to transfer to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper; unfold.

Evenly spread bread crumbs on pastry, leaving about a 2-inch border. Layer tomatoes, shallot, thyme and goat cheese on bread crumbs. Fold crust over filling, pleating as necessary and leaving some filling exposed in center.

Combine egg and 1 tablespoon water; brush on edges of pastry.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until crust is browned and crisp. Cool at least 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with fresh basil (snipped if leaves are large) and cut into wedges. Makes 8 servings.

Midwest Living recipe

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fresh tomato salsa‌

3 large tomatoes, diced ½ cup red onion, chopped ½ cup Florida bell pepper, chopped ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 lime, juiced 1 teaspoon powdered cumin Your favorite hot sauce (for heat) Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper and hot sauce.

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOS‌

marinated caprese salad‌

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar ½ teaspoon Lawry’s Mediterranean Herb Seasoned Salt 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced ½ pound fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced 10 fresh basil leaves Mix oil, vinegar and seasoned salt in small bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Arrange tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil on serving platter. Drizzle with oil mixture. Garnish with additional chopped fresh basil, if desired.

McCormick Kitchens recipe

tomato and avocado salsa‌

2 large tomatoes, diced 1 large avocado, peeled, seeded and diced ½ cup red onion, chopped ½ cup bell pepper, chopped ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 lime, juiced 1 teaspoon powdered cumin Your favorite hot sauce (for heat) Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

For a hotter version, substitute 1 seeded fresh jalapeno pepper for the green pepper. Also, if you prefer, use toasted cumin seed instead of ground cumin.

2 tablespoons butter 1 pound (1-inch thick) salmon fillets, skin removed 2 small (2 cups) zucchini, cut into ½-inch pieces 1 medium (1 cup) yellow summer squash, cut into ½-inch pieces ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves Melt butter in 12-inch skillet until sizzling; add salmon. Cook over medium heat, turning once, 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add zucchini and squash. Sprinkle with salt. Cover; cook 4-5 minutes or until squash is crisply tender and salmon flakes.

Add tomatoes; continue cooking 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Remove from heat; sprinkle with basil leaves.

MORE RECIPES ON PAGE 25 Fall/Winter 2018

As temperatures begin to cool, ripening slows. You can make them last on the vine a little longer, hoping they’ll ripen, covering the plants with sheets every night and remembering to remove them during the day.

If your tomatoes are planted in pots or other moveable containers, you can shove them into the garage and let them ripen. Or you can lift the plant with a dutch fork and find someplace to hang it upside down.

Remember there has to be light for ripening to take place.

The best — and easiest option — is to say “sayonara” to the plants and pluck those green jewels off the vine and carry them indoors for ripening. You can also incorporate green tomatoes into great recipes or slice and fry up a batch.

A FEW RIPENING IDEAS: ■■ Ripen one or two on the window

sill, turning often.

■■ Wrap each green tomato individ-

In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Serves 4-6.

salmon & summer squash with basil and tomatoes‌

Land O’ Lakes recipe

RIPENING GREEN TOMATOES

■■

■■

■■

■■

■■

ually in newspaper and place in a cardboard box. Check once a week for spoilage.

Or place green tomatoes in a cardboard box, two layers deep, separating layers with newspaper.

Another trick is storing green tomatoes with ripe apples. (Perfect timing, right?) The apples will cause the tomatoes to ripen because they produce ethylene gas.

Another option to try is placing a banana in a Mason jar with as many small or medium green tomatoes as will fit, then screwing the lid on tight. Place the jar in a warm place and eyeball it daily to make sure the banana hasn’t started rotting. If it has, replace it with another one and keep doing that until the tomatoes ripen.

You can use an apple in a brown paper bag with green tomatoes and achieve the same end. (Especially because the smell of overripe bananas is a bit sickening when the lid is taken off the jar.)

Canning green tomatoes is always an option. There are great relish recipes available at websites like cooks.com and allrecipes.com. Or use up those green tomatoes by slicing, dredging in a mixture of cornmeal, flour and seasonings and frying ‘em in shallow oil in a cast-iron skillet. wcfcourier.com

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The secret to making whoopie pies? Brown sugar

M

ade up of two cookie-like chocolate cakes stuffed to the gills with fluffy marshmallow filling, the whoopie pie is a sweet indulgence.

For the cake component, we drew inspiration from devil's food cake, creaming butter with sugar, adding eggs and buttermilk for tenderness, and using all-purpose flour and

baking soda for the right amount of structure.

For the chocolate flavor, we preferred the darker color and flavor that Dutch-processed cocoa provided. One-half cup of cocoa delivered a balanced flavor, especially when boosted with a splash of vanilla extract.

We tried replacing some of the granulated sugar with brown sugar, and found that it deepened flavor and added moisture. In fact, we liked the results so much we wound up

using all brown sugar.

Using a 1/3-cup dry measuring cup, we portioned the batter onto two baking sheets to give the cakes plenty of room to spread. For the filling, we eschewed the traditional sugar and lard in favor of marshmallow creme, which we enriched with butter for a mixture that was fluffy yet firm. Don't be tempted to bake all the cakes on one baking sheet; the batter needs room to spread while it bakes.

whoopie pies

cakes: 2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour ½ cup (1½ ounces) Dutch-processed cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt filling: 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1¼ cups (5 ounces) confectioners’ sugar 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1 cup packed (7 ounces) light brown sugar 1 large egg, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup buttermilk ⅛ teaspoon salt 2½ cups marshmallow creme

For the cakes: Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together in bowl.

Using stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg and beat until incorporated, scraping down bowl as needed. Add vanilla and mix until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions.

Give batter final stir by hand to ensure that no flour pockets remain.

Using 1⁄3-cup dry measuring cup, scoop 6 mounds of batter onto each prepared sheet, spaced about 3 inches apart. Bake until centers spring back when lightly pressed, 15 to 18 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking. Let cakes cool completely on sheets.

For the filling: Using stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla and salt. Add marshmallow creme and mix until combined, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate until slightly firm, about 30 minutes.

(Filling can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.)

Place 1⁄3 cup filling on bottom of half of cakes, then top with remaining cakes, pressing to spread filling to edge. Serve.

(Whoopie pies can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.)

For more recipes, cooking tips and ingredient and product reviews, visit https://www.americastestkitchen.com. Find more recipes like Whoopie Pies in “The Perfect Cookie.”

Source: America’s Test Kitchen

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Windows & Doors The Pella Showroom

stuffed cherry tomatoes‌ 24 cherry tomatoes 3 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons mayonnaise ¼ cup finely chopped peeled

cucumber 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion 2 teaspoons minced fresh dill

Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out and discard pulp; invert tomatoes onto paper towels to drain.

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth; stir in the cucumber, onion and dill. Spoon into tomatoes. Refrigerate until serving.

fried green tomato burgers‌ 2 pounds ground chuck 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1½ teaspoons plus 2 teaspoons for tomatoes Paula Deen House Seasoning 1 tablespoon for frying bacon renderings 1 large cut into ½-inch thick slices green tomato

1 cup buttermilk ¼ cup self rising cornmeal 1 cup all purpose flour 4 slices Monterrey Pepperjack cheese 8 slices cooked bacon 4 split and toasted onion rolls Spicy thousand island dressing Vegetable oil Salt

For burgers: Preheat grill to medium-high heat, about 350 degrees F. Spray a grill rack with nonstick, nonflammable cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine ground chuck, Worcestershire sauce and 1½ teaspoons House Seasoning, stirring to mix well. Form mixture into 4 (4-inch) patties. Grill burgers, covered with the grill lid, to desired degree of doneness, 5 to 6 minutes per side.

For tomatoes: In a medium nonstick skillet, pour oil to a depth of ¼-inch, and the bacon renderings and melt over medium heat.

Sprinkle tomatoes with salt. Soak in buttermilk. In a small bowl, combine cornmeal, flour and 2 teaspoons House Seasoning. Dip both sides of each tomato slice in flour mixture. Add tomatoes to hot oil and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

To assemble burgers: Place 1 cheese slice over each patty. Place 2 slices bacon on bottom halves of each onion roll, top with hamburger, a fried green tomato slice and the desired amount of thousand island dressing. Cover with the onion roll tops. Serve immediately.

Fall/Winter 2018

Bring this in and receive 10% off Doors & Windows on your New Home

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From left to right, the pots hold artificial plants made from felt, a pinecone and painted paper.

AP PHOTO

Turn pinecones, paper & felt into

FAUX SUCCULENTS Text HOLLY RAMER

We tried out three techniques for making decorative faux succulent plants out of paper, felt and pinecones.

None of them would pass for the real thing, and it would take patience to make a dozen or so for a centerpiece or to adorn a wreath. Still, each had its own charm.

Each method rated from 1 to 10, with 10 indicating the least expensive, easiest and best results.

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Paper

Following a tutorial on Craftberry Bush blog (http://bit.ly/2s00WuO ), I painted several sheets of cardstock with shades of light green paint, and then cut out a variety of leaf shapes using a template downloaded from the website. The tutorial calls for using thick cardstock with the texture of handmade paper. I used standard, smooth cardstock that I had on hand, but crumpled it up a bit while the paper was still damp to make it more pliable and give it a bit of texture.

While I enjoyed painting the paper, assembling the plant was challenging. The instructions call for rolling up a rectangle of cardstock to make a stem and then gluing individual leaves to it, but holding everything in place was tricky. The result looks cute in a little pot, but the thin paper doesn't much resemble succulent leaves. Using thicker cardstock or handmade paper would have helped, though that also would add to the cost.

COST: 8 EASE: 5 RESULTS: 6

Felt

For this project, I followed a tutorial (http://bit.ly/2szvgte ) on a blog associated with the craft company Super + Super.

While the instructions call for printing and cutting out patterns for leaves and then pinning them to felt, I found it easier to just hold the pattern in place while I cut. I didn't worry about being particularly precise, given that actual leaves aren't identical. The site includes templates for several varieties of succulents; I chose one that included an extra step of cutting a slit in each leaf, allowing them to curve a bit.

This project was fairly easy, involving just cutting out the leaves and gluing them to a square base of felt. The result is more whimsical than realistic, but I think a few of them arranged in a shallow box would provide a nice decorative touch to a mantel or side table.

COST: 7 EASE: 7 RESULTS: 7

Pine cones

This version would have been the easiest, if I had the right tools. I followed a tutorial (http://bit.ly/2rPTQYM ) on a blog called Running With Sisters, which used this technique to make a pretty wreath decorated with the faux plants.

This method involves cutting pinecones in half and painting them to resemble succulents. My problem was I had neither a handsaw nor a pruning shears to cut the pinecones, and cutting them with an old pair of scissors was a messy, difficult job.

Covering every bit of the “leaves� with paint took some time, but the result is probably the most realistic, given that the pinecone petals have a thickness and shape similar to succulent leaves.

Rainy weather kept me from collecting pinecones outside, so I purchased some at a craft store, but had I gone the natural route, this version would have been the cheapest, too.

COST: 9 EASE: 6 RESULTS: 8 Source: Associated Press

Fall/Winter 2018

Act fast: fewer than five homes remain available at Prairie Wind!

Live with freedom

yard work and shoveling • Maintenance, housekeeping • Bi-weekly Daily continental • Flexible spendingbreakfast account for meals and more • Transportation to events, appointments • Secure heated undergroundshopping, garage •

Live in style

Welcome home!

plans from 1,110 to 1,450 square feet • Floor concept living • Open or three bedroom models • Two Washer/dryer • Full size kitchensin residence and appliances • Private patio or balcony •

Live it up

to extensive Cedar Valley trails • Connected Attached to Jorgensen Plaza for Well-Being • Caraway Cafe casual restaurant • Table 1912 finefastdining • Gilmore’s Pub • Diamond Event Center • Weekly worship • Swimming pool • Walking track • Exercise classes • Outpatient therapy • Salon Iris, an Aveda concept salon •

See Prairie Wind and Jorgensen Plaza today. Call Maria at

(319) 242-5742 to schedule your visit!

WesternHomeCommunities.org/PrairieWind Fall/Winter 2018

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