June/July 2019 issue of Live it! Magazine by West Central Tribune

Live it! Spreading sunshine Enjoy ! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grilling season

Flowers, flowers & more flowers

JUNE / JULY 2019 / FREE ISSUE

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Liveit! MAGAZINE

Can’t Live without it! A publication of the West Central Tribune

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Writing & Photography Carolyn Lange Erica Dischino Anne Polta Lu Fransen

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Digging in the dirt... Working with flowers – especially my roses – and digging in the dirt is rather therapeutic. I remember growing up, I always thought my mom’s roses were a lot of work. I didn’t understand it. Over the years, I’ve come to learn that was her self-therapy time. I get it now! As I write this in mid-May, the weather is finally warming up and we have been able to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and – digging in the dirt. I grew up on a farm, and spring fieldwork, planting the garden – it was all a sign of good things to come. As much as I enjoy digging in the dirt, even when planting the vegetable garden, working with the flowers is what is most enjoyable. Even weeding the flower beds – especially if I can put the Twins game on the radio while I work – is a form of therapy for me; weeding the vegetable garden, not as much so, unless I can do it with my husband. We often have some very thoughtful conversations while weeding in the garden. And, sometimes, he even helps me with the flower gardens. A bonus! In this issue, Carolyn takes us to meet Mary Solbreken at Rustic Designs Flower Farm near New London. Mary makes her living digging in the dirt and growing, selling and marketing flowers. As the saying goes, do what you love and you will never work a day in your life! Warmer weather also means it’s grilling season. Nothing tastes better than when it comes off the grill. Anne, our resident foodie, shares some grilling tips for us as we head into summer and prime grilling season. Also this issue, we welcome Melissa Wentzel, wellness director at Bethesda in Willmar, to our fold. Melissa is new to our rotation of health and fitness writers and she is taking us into the water. What perfect timing for summer. If you have a topic you’d like to see in Live it!, send your story ideas to liveit@ wctrib.com. We love to hear from our readers. You can also “like” us on Facebook and leave comments there. Life in west central Minnesota … it really is a beautiful thing …

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Watch for our next issue out August 9, 2019. May we publish your letter?

Sharon Bomstad Live it! Editor

On the April cover story (Life Without Jared): Great story!

- Wendy Olson Norsten, via facebook

On the February cover story (A voice for victims): I would like to thank your magazine on the outstanding article on “victim services” by Carolyn Lange. There was so much useful information that I was not aware of. Live It! magazine is very interesting. Keep up the good job.

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We love to hear from our readers. “Like” us on Facebook, or email us at liveit@wctrib.com. Watch for our next issue due out August 9, 2019.

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June 2019, Volume 8, Issue 3

WHAT’S INSIDE FEATURING

6 Slow flower movement 10 Create outdoor living space 14

Splish-splash, take a class

20 Gas vs. charcoal grilling

DEPARTMENTS

3 READER’S MAILBAG Tell us what you think 10 Q&A Tips for flower gardening 12 MONEY MATTERS Graduates plan for

retirement

13 STYLE IT! Floral prints popular 14 HEALTH & FITNESS Benefits of water

workouts

15 READ IT! Avoid the ‘summer slide’ 16 LIFE HAPPENS What are your roots? 17 DIY Planters and pots 18 GRILL IT! Everything tastes better 21 SPIRITS Better with age 22 WHAT’S HAPPENING? Mark your calendars

18 Magazine

Flower Power Mary Solbreken grows and sells â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sunshine on every stemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Story & Photos by Carolyn Lange clange@wctrib.com Along with submitted photos

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“I say I grow sunshine on every stem. Because it really is sunshine. It’s happiness.”

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igging in the dirt comes natural to Mary Solbreken. “I’m fine that in the spring my pants are completely black and my feet are black. There’s dirt in my shoes. I’m totally fine with that,” Mary said with a laugh. But what this 42-year-old, self-employed flower farmer is able to coax from that dirt is close to supernatural. With degrees in horticulture and floral design – and a love of growing flowers that started as a child when she helped her grandmother and mother in their gardens – Mary grows an array of exotic, colorful and fragrant flowers that she cuts, arranges and distributes to farmers markets, homes, businesses and special events. “I say I grow sunshine on every stem. Because it really is sunshine. It’s happiness,” said Mary, who raises more than 125 varieties of annual and perennial flowers on her twoacre farm north of New London. Besides selling her cut flowers at farmers markets, area floral shops and through a summer subscription delivery service, Mary’s business, Rustic Designs Flower Farm, also includes farm tours during which customers stroll through her flower beds, cut whatever flowers they want and then learn to create a bouquet in Mary’s large classroom. “It’s a happy thing,” Mary says of the flowers she raises and sells. “People really enjoy, and are intrigued by, flowers. It’s just overall a happy thing.”

Slow flower movement

Mary is now in her eighth year as a business owner in a genre that’s sometimes called the “slow flower movement” that seeks to connect customers with locally grown flowers rather than ones imported from other countries. It’s a trend that’s catching on here and throughout the country. A national Slow Flowers Summit in July in the Twin Cities is designed to “meet the interests of the progressive floral community,” according to Debra Prinzing, a Seattle-based writer and producer of the summit. Through her work, Prinzing promotes the benefits of local, seasonal and domestic floral agriculture. According to a Minnesota Grown directory, there are at least 30 flower farms – including Rustic Designs – in Minnesota that sell cut flowers directly to customers and local floral shops. For Mary, growing and selling cut flowers is the perfect job. “How can you not like it? They’re pretty. There are so many different types. It’s also the joy of growing something and giving that joy to others,” she said. “It puts a smile on everybody’s face.” The job is not for – ahem – pansies.

“It’s a lot of work, and I’m totally fine with that because I was raised that way,” said Mary, who grew up on a hog and crop farm and has a strong work ethic firmly in place. “I know what hard work is all about,” she said. “This is the life. Living and working outside.” During peak times in July and August, Mary is typically planting, weeding and harvesting at 4:30 a.m., and her days don’t end until 11 p.m. Three days a week she delivers her homegrown flowers to area retail floral shops, twice a week she goes to farmers markets in Willmar and once a week for 12 weeks she delivers flowers to homes with whatever happens to be blooming at that time, as part of her seasonal subscription service. “As a business owner you put in a lot of hours, long days. It’s reality and everybody is doing it,” she said. Combining labor-intensive farming with a retail business doubles the work and hours, but Mary says she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I love the sunrise in the morning and I love the sunset at night,” she said. “I’m out there checking over what’s going to be ready to cut for the next day, making an availability list for flower shops in the evenings, and a lot of the classes are in the evenings. It’s just a fun thing.”

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Experience the flowers

During a recent 10-week class in Willmar for entrepreneurs, Mary said she learned that giving retail customers an “experience” can be important to the success of a retail business. Hearing that helped her realize she is on the right track with her experience-driven business model, which includes bringing customers into the field to look, touch, smell and pick flowers. She hosts tours – with everyone leaving with a bundle of flowers. There are also summer classes during which customers pick their own flowers in Mary’s gardens and she then teaches them how to turn those flowers into professional-looking arrangements. “Everyone gets to go out with their own bucket and clippers and cut their own flowers, which is just a blast,” said Mary. “There’s so much variety and just so much fun. It’s really a nice girlfriends getaway type of thing.” Her classes are held year-round with a seasonal focus – fall arrangements with pumpkins, spruce-tip arrangements for Christmas, succulent planters during the winter and Easter basket arrangements in the early spring. “I’m constantly thinking and brainstorming,” she said, adding that a yoga class in the flower gardens may be in the works this year. In a newly constructed shop, there’s ample room for her

classes, as well as a separate retail area where she holds consultations with customers for special occasions, like weddings. She also sells a variety of garden decor and homemade rugs she makes in the winter when she’s not growing flowers. Mary said she always knew she wanted to grow flowers for a living. She started out small and at the start kept her day job working as a special education paraprofessional. When it became clear that the business was taking off, she cut the cord several years ago, quit her job at the school and has been raising flowers full-time ever since. She encourages others who may have a dream for a new career to take action. “If it’s something you love and you want to do it, just do it and it’ll work out,” she said. “Just keep plugging away.” Mary said she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. “I plan on doing this until I’m like 70. That’s my game plan,” she said. “So I’ve got like 30 years to go.” For more information about Rustic Designs Flower Farm go to www.rusticdesignsflowerfarm.com or call 320-333-2275. Carolyn Lange is a features writer for Live it! Magazine, and a reporter with the West Central Tribune in Willmar.

Magazine

Q & A Tips for making your garden and home bloom with color this summer By Carolyn Lange clange@wctrib.com

ith a degree in horticulture and floral design, and years of experience growing flowers on her twoacre flower farm north of New London, Mary Solbreken has learned a trick or two about flower gardening. As part of her business, Rustic Designs, Solbreken also creates bouquets for weddings and other special events, and conducts wildly popular tours and flower-arranging classes at her farm. Live it! asked Mary to share some of her secrets about flower gardening that will inspire new and veteran gardeners. She also gave us some tips about how to keep cut flowers looking fresh longer and provided a recipe for â&#x20AC;&#x153;flower food.â&#x20AC;? Why is flower gardening popular with some, and do you see young people interested in growing flowers? Mary: Gardening in general is becoming very popular. Everyone is wanting to connect with nature and create a beautiful outdoor living space. Gardening is good for the body and soul and is a great stress reliever.

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We are seeing younger faces joining the gardening movement. For the most part the trend to gardening is due to a desire for sustainability, wellness and connection to the outdoors. There is also an increasing interest in edible flowers and native/pollinator friendly plants. For those who want to have color in their yard but have limited gardening experience, what are the basic steps for starting a flower garden? Mary: First of all, I suggest to keep it small and simple. You can always make it bigger next year. Maybe at first, start out container gardening and work your way up to having a plot in the backyard. I also suggest doing your homework. If you want to have a plot in the backyard, find a spot with good drainage, at least six hours of sunlight and near a water source. Plan out what you would like to plant in the area, considering perennials, annuals, woody shrubs and also bloom time. You will need to prepare the soil and work in some compost prior to planting. Maintenance during the season is key â&#x20AC;&#x201C; water when dry and deadhead as needed.

Explain the difference between a bedding plant and a cut flower. Mary: The term bedding plant refers to a plant that is grown to be planted in a flower bed or in a planter. Generally, bedding plants are shorter in height and cutting flowers are taller in height. Cut flowers are grown to cut and enjoy inside or to give height at the back of a flower bed. There are several flowers that can be both. For example, ageratum is a common bedding plant that you may have in your planter at your home, but you can also grow a taller variety that is a perfect cut flower. What varieties of flowers do you recommend planting in this region that provide color from spring to fall and are hardy and easy to grow? Mary: If you are looking for an easy-to-grow flower that blooms all season long, then you will have to consider an annual bedding plant. Great options would be geraniums, petunias, impatiens and marigolds. For cut flowers, there is no one cut flower that is going to bloom May until September. The closest one that fits that criteria would be zinnias. Is it better to buy flowers from a nursery to plant in the garden, or should some types of flower seeds be sown directly into the soil? Mary: You can do whatever your heart desires. If you are a person limited on time and who wants instant color, then I would suggest buying from a nursery or a greenhouse. On the other hand, if you are someone who enjoys the challenge of starting your own seeds and the feeling of accomplishment of growing your own, then I suggest you give that a try. There are a few plants I would, however, suggest direct seeding and planting yourself. These are sunflowers, dahlias and gladiolus. One flower I strongly suggest to buy from a greenhouse/nursery is lisianthus. Lisianthus are very fussy to grow from seed and take lots of patience. When is the best time, and what is the best method, to water flowers? Mary: The best time to water flowers is early in the morning and on a regular basis. You can’t withhold water for several days during a dry spell and then think you can make up for it and overwater at the end of the week. You may water via a soaker hose, overhead sprinkler, drip

tape or by hand – whichever method works best for you or your space. The worst time to overhead water is late in the evening. This will only promote powdery mildew. What are different ways to keep weeds out of a flower garden? Mary: There are a few ways to keep the weeds away. You may weed by hand, use a landscape fabric or mulch heavily. The best is to keep up so the weeds never get to producing seeds. Weeds producing seeds just means more weeds to pull next season. What do I need to do in the fall to make sure my perennial flowers come up next year? Mary: I do not cut my perennials down in the fall. I leave the stems standing. This will help catch the snow in the perennial areas and insulate them. Otherwise, I honestly do not do anything else. If you wish, you could cover your perennials with leaves or straw to help insulate through the winter months. Hanging flower pots and large flower containers on the patio are popular ways to spruce up a home. What are the tricks for keeping these flowers healthy and blooming all season long? Mary: Patio planters and hanging baskets are a great way to beautify your outdoor space. The trick to keeping these beautiful all summer long is to water daily, fertilize every other week and deadhead. When is the best time to cut flowers for display and what can be done to make them last longer? Mary: If you are growing flowers you want to cut and bring indoors, the best time to cut them is early in the morning. At the farm, we cut flowers from 6 to 9 a.m. The flowers are cool and crisp at that time of the day. I suggest you have a bucket of water with you, so as you are cutting you are placing them right into the bucket. Remember to cut the stem as long as possible. You can always cut it shorter when arranging your bouquet. To keep your flower bouquet lasting longer, I suggest to add in flower food. Don’t have any flower food? That’s OK, I have a recipe you can make to give your flowers an extra boost.

FLOWER FOOD RECIPE: 1 tablespoon bleach, 1 tablespoon sugar and 2 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice. Add these three ingredients to one quart of water and pour into a flower vase.

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Money Matters Graduates should consider retirement planning Submitted By Jeanne Ashburn CFA

f you’ve graduated from college in the past year or so and started your first job, you’re no doubt learning a lot about establishing yourself as an adult and being responsible for your own finances. So thoughts of your retirement are probably far away. And yet you have several good reasons to invest in your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. First of all, by contributing to your 401(k), you can get into the habit of regular investing. And since you invest in your 401(k) through regular payroll deductions, it’s an easy way to invest. Furthermore, your 401(k) or similar plan is an excellent retirement-savings vehicle. You generally contribute pretax dollars to your 401(k), so the more you put in, the lower your taxable income. Plus, your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis. Your employer might also offer a Roth 401(k), which is funded with after-tax dollars; although you can’t deduct your contributions, your earnings can grow tax-free, provided you meet certain conditions. And with either a traditional or Roth 401(k), you generally have a wide array of investment options.

Time is money

But perhaps the main reason to start investing right away in your 401(k) is that, at this point of your life, you have access to the greatest and most irreplaceable asset of all – time. The more time you have on your side, the greater the growth potential for your investments. And by starting to invest early in your plan, you can put in smaller amounts without having to play catch-up later. Suppose, for example, you begin investing in your 401(k) or similar plan when you’re 25. For the sake of simplicity, let’s say you put in $100 a month, and you keep investing that same amount for 40 years, earning a hypothetical 7

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percent rate of return. When you reach 65, you will have accumulated about $256,000. (Your withdrawals will then be taxable, unless you chose the Roth 401(k) option.) But if you waited until you were 45 before you started investing in your 401(k), again earning that hypothetical 7 percent, you’d have to put in almost $500 per month – about five times the monthly amount you could have invested when you were 25 – to arrive at the same $256,000 when you turn 65. Clearly, the expression “time is money” applies when it comes to funding your 401(k) – there’s just no benefit in waiting to contribute to your retirement plan. This isn’t to say that you have a lot of disposable income, especially as you may be paying off thousands of dollars in student loans. But, as mentioned above, the money for your 401(k) is taken before you even see it, so, in a sense, you won’t miss it. And you can certainly start out with small amounts, though you’ll at least want to put in enough to earn your employer’s matching contribution, if one is offered. As your career progresses and your salary goes up, you can steadily increase the amount you put into your 401(k) or other retirement plan. When retirement is decades away, it can seem like more of an abstract concept than something that will one day define your reality. But, as we’ve seen, you have plenty of incentives to contribute to your 401(k) or similar plan – so, if you haven’t already done so, get started soon. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Jeanne Ashburn is a financial adviser with Edward Jones in Willmar. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your estate-planning or qualified tax adviser regarding your situation.

Style it!

Floral Flair: How to incorporate florals for summer

By Erica Dischino edischino@wctrib.com

othing says spring like a good floral print. But, who says you can’t bring the classic pattern into the warmer days of summer? There are plenty of ways to incorporate flowers large and small into your wardrobe. No matter your style, florals are for everyone. Pick a print Floral patterns come in many different varieties, styles and colors. From bolder print skirts to more subdued button ups, find a print that makes you feel good. Choose more vibrant colors like oranges and reds as opposed to pastels for more of a summer feel. Mix and match Don’t be afraid to pair different floral pieces together. Whether it’s layering a blouse and cardigan or mixing different tops and bottoms, look for patterns with similar color hues to make the look more cohesive. For more balance, pair delicate and bold prints together.

Make it edgy Florals don’t have to be ultra-feminine. To make your look more edgy, wear a leather jacket over your outfit on a cooler summer evening or choose darker-colored patterns. Accessorize Incorporate more florals in your wardrobe by wearing shoes, purses, headbands, even belts with the pattern. The subtle pop will add some flair to your everyday outfit. Embroider jeans This ’60s trend is back and better than ever. Many jeans now have flowers embroidered on them or do it yourself for a cute addition to your favorite pair. On your swimwear Bring spring to the beach and wear a swimsuit or cover up (or both!) with florals on it. It’s the perfect pattern for keeping things fresh. Erica Dischino is the photographer for Live It! Magazine and the West Central Tribune.

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Health &Fitness

Not just your grandma’s water aerobics By Melissa Wentzel

f you’re struggling with regular land workouts or you’re bored with monotonous gym routines, switch things up and hop into the pool. This will not only mix things up, but also provide some amazing health benefits such as increased muscle strength, an increase in flexibility and lower blood pressure. You’re probably thinking you couldn’t possibly get as intense of a workout in water, but research suggests otherwise. Did you know the resistance of water is 12 times greater than air? So moving through it is like having weights all around your body. Water provides resistance in all directions, so as you move through the water and change directions, you are continuously working against resistance. How neat is that? Water is a great equalizer, the harder you push in the water, the harder the water pushes back. This makes it easy to increase or decrease the intensity of your workout just by how fast you’re moving. Another way to increase the resistance is by increasing your surface area. This is done by adding tools such as water weights, noodles or webbed gloves. With land-based training we tend to rely on gravity and momentum, but while in the pool, both gravity and momentum are greatly reduced and the body must respond differently. Buoyancy reduces our body weight by about 90 percent when we are immersed up to our chest and 50 percent when we are up to our waist. This reduces the stress on our joints, tendons and ligaments, making water exercise a great way to train and challenge different muscles without getting sore. Buoyancy also helps with flexibility by increasing your range of motion and allowing you to move in ways you might not be able on land. Stretching in warmer water enhances flexibility by keeping muscles relaxed and loose. This makes it possible for even those with stiff muscles and joints to slowly improve their flexibility and regain full range of motion.

Heart benefits

Now, let’s talk about the benefits water has on your heart. The unique properties of water enable your heart to work more efficiently. The hydrostatic pressure of water pushes equally on all body surfaces and helps the heart circulate blood by aiding venous return (blood flow back to the heart). This assistance accounts for lower blood pressure and heart rates during water exercise compared to land-based

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workouts. This benefit means your heart is maintaining its productivity without the added stress. Keep in mind that if you’re wearing a heart rate monitor in the pool, it will be 10 to 15 beats lower per minute than on land. Splish-splash, go take a class. There are several different types of water-based fitness classes out there, anything from Aqua Cycling to Aqua Yoga. Grab a pool schedule at your local gym and see what they offer. Melissa Wentzel is the Wellness Director at Bethesda in Willmar.

Read it! Summertime fun at the library By Syrena Maranell

ummer is almost here and that can only mean one thing: It’s time for summer reading at the Willmar Public Library. This year’s theme is “It’s Showtime at Your Library!” The library encourages readers of all ages to participate in this fun program through Aug. 31. Does your child have overdue fines on their library card? This summer, kids age 0-18, can read down their fines at the library. To participate, sign up at the children’s or information desk, find a comfy spot to read, and then let us know when you are done. We will keep track of your minutes and subtract $1 off your account for every 15 minutes of reading, up to $20. So why is summer reading so important? Kids who don’t read over the summer months experience learning loss – they actually forget some of what has been learned during the school year. This is called the summer slide, and one way to prevent this is by making the library part of your summer plans. Reading just four to six books over the summer has the potential to prevent a decline in reading achievement scores, so even small steps are very beneficial. Kids and teens tend to read more when they see the adults in their life reading. The Willmar Public Library is encouraging adults to read this summer with a bingo challenge. Readers, ages 18 and up, may pick up their bingo card at the library or print one from the library website. Participants complete a horizontal or vertical line by writing the title of the book read in the corresponding box, and then bring the card to the Information Desk for a chance to win a prize. All non-prize winners and blackouts will be entered in the grand prize drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.

Library activities

NNot only are you rewarded for reading, there are also lots of awesome activities taking place at the library this summer. On Saturday, June 15, join us for a free concert at 1 p.m. with Siama’s Congo Music. Thanks to a Minnesota State Arts Board grant and COMPAS, Siama and Dallas are bringing fun Congolese music to libraries throughout the Pioneerland Library System. Kids and families will be encouraged to sing along in Kikongo, Lingala and English while hearing fun stories that bring Siama’s rural Bas Congo childhood to life. It’s a joy to immerse yourself in happy African music, so don’t miss it. This show is especially for kids, but enjoyed by all ages. In addition to all the ongoing teen programs for ages 11 and up, special summer programs include a lock-in for ages 13

and up from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. July 28, making DIY soap from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 24 and an end-of-summer party from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 31. Check the website atwww.willmarpubliclibrary.org for more information. Syrena Maranell is the Adult Services Librarian at the Willmar Public Library. For more information on these audiobooks, swing by the Willmar Public Library. The librarians are there to help you find your new favorite author.

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Life Happens To color or not to color, does it matter? By Claudette Larson, LICSW

have recently decided to stop dying my hair. After 32 years, I think it’s time. Between the cost of going to the salon and the use of home dyes every six weeks, it’s an expense I could put somewhere else if I saved what I spend in a year – like a trip to Aruba! I am tired of being a slave to my silver roots. I started going gray at 27, and though I am certainly not what you would consider a senior citizen, my hair is about 70 percent silver. When I decided to take the plunge, I happened to mention this to several same-aged females and was not prepared for some of the reactions I received. While most were commiserate, as they too are in the same predicament, others were outright shaken. “I could NEVER do that, I would look like my daughter’s grandmother!” said one friend. And more than one friend identified that it would be easy for me to do because I’m married, but as they are still single, it would make it even harder for them to meet eligible men. This got me thinking. Is the color of our hair really that defining that we would spend so much time and money to keep it from being its authentic color for fear we would be

seen as giving up on ourselves entirely? Are women no longer attractive because their hair has become naturally silver or are we are so blindsided by commercialism to believe that the bottle of youth is, in fact, Hair Dye #5 Chestnut Brown. Certainly, men are not sitting next to me at the salon getting root touch-ups. Why must women always be the understanding and accepting sex? Or, is it merely that we place this burden of keeping up “youthful” appearances on ourselves and between ourselves, so much so that we project our need to stay youthful and attractive on male needs? I, for one, find that silver-haired women can be absolutely beautiful. In fact, silver hair is the rage these days. While I might not enjoy the in-between stage, I look forward to spending my time on more interesting endeavors than sitting with glop on my head while calendaring in my next hair appointment. Take care. Claudette Larson, LICSW, RPT, is owner of Willow Creek Counseling in New London and has enjoyed working with children, teens and adults for the past 16 years.

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Do- it-yourself

Flowering made simple By Lu Fransen

ummer is here, and if you love flowers, then this is your time for fun. Not everyone has the space to plant flowers or can care for them in the ground. That’s where planters and pots come in. Now, you can find many beautiful flower pots in the stores for your deck and patio or to fill in garden beds. But, if you like to be a “rugged individualist,” then think outside of the box and repurpose objects you wouldn’t ordinarily think of as a planter. Take a look at these photos for inspiration and keep in mind these tips:

 You must allow for water drainage in whatever you use

because plant roots do not like to sit in water. So make sure you have drainage holes in the container or lay some large rocks on the bottom before you put in the soil.

 If you’re hanging the planter, think about how heavy it

will be. If it’s too heavy, it may fall or break whatever you’re hanging it on.

 In some containers, you shouldn’t just add

dirt directly in it. You can either put a plastic liner/pot into the container and put your plant in that, or you can line your container with heavy plastic, put some holes in it for water drainage and then add your dirt and plant.

 Metal

containers can hold a lot of heat so you may have to water the plants more frequently than you normally would. Also, some plants will not like to get that warm, so read your plant labels to make sure it will be happy in that container.

 There

are many places to search for containers: secondhand stores, rummage sales, antique stores, flea markets, just to name a few. And don’t forget to check around your own house and garage.

Now, get out there, be creative, and get your hands dirty. Lu follows in her mother’s footsteps of unwinding and relaxing by crafting and creating. Creativity is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.

Magazine

Grill it! By Anne Polta

ne of the best things about the arrival of summer is firing up the grill once again. There’s lots to love about grilling: that special smoky flavor, the ease of preparation and cleanup and, above all, the pleasure of cooking outdoors during the year’s sweetest season. Make it even better by expanding beyond traditional meat offerings and explore what the grill can do for vegetables, side dishes and even dessert. The summer sky is your limit.

Basic grilled vegetables

Grilling can enhance the flavor of many summer vegetable favorites, but beware – some may require special attention for best results. Amounts depend on how many people you’ll be serving. Figure on 1/2 to 1 cup of vegetables per person. CARROTS: You’ll need to steam these on the kitchen stove ahead of time so they cook through. Cut carrots in half lengthwise, or in quarters for carrots that are large. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and cook carrots at a rolling boil until tender, about 6 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes. CORN: Cutting ears of sweet corn into disks helps them cook faster. They’re also easier to eat. Cut corn cobs crosswise into 2-inch thick slices. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until tender, 4 to 6 minutes. TOMATOES: Cut crosswise into thick slices, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes. PEPPERS: Grill whole peppers over high heat, turning occasionally, until charred all over, 15 to 18 minutes. Place peppers in a plastic bag or in a bowl covered with plastic wrap and let stand 10 minutes. Remove the outer skin (it should peel off easily), cut peppers into halves or strips and remove seeds. SQUASH/ZUCCHINI: Cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat until tender, 7 to 8 minutes. For added pizzazz, sprinkle vegetables before grilling with a combination of your favorite herbs and/or spices. Alternatively, brush the vegetables with a vinaigrette while they’re hot off the grill.

Magazine

Sky is the limit for summer meals on the grill

Lemon chicken

Make this on a gas grill, a charcoal grill or, in a pinch, with a grill pan on the stovetop. Don’t skimp on the lemon juice or the garlic; they should be fresh. Juice from 2 lemons, freshly squeezed, about 1/4 cup 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 3 garlic cloves, crushed 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, basil, oregano, salt, pepper and crushed garlic. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously. Place chicken in a shallow glass or ceramic dish or in a resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over. Marinate in the refrigerator, covered, for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours. Heat gas or charcoal grill to medium-high. Grill chicken for 5 to 7 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4.

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Grilled potato salad

Classic potato salad meets the smokiness of the grill. This side dish can accompany anything from grilled hot dogs or burgers to T-bone steaks. Most of the preparation can be done ahead of time, leaving the final touches until the last minute. 8 medium red potatoes, about 2 pounds 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 cup mayonnaise 2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped 1 dill pickle spear, chopped 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard Cut the potatoes into 1-inch thick slices. Combine olive oil, garlic salt, paprika and pepper in a large bowl and whisk to blend; add potatoes and toss to coat. Lightly oil the grill rack. Grill potato slices, covered, over medium-high heat until tender and cooked all the way through, 25 to 30 minutes, turning once. Cool completely, cut into chunks and place in large bowl. Gently toss with chopped hard-cooked eggs and pickle. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour over potatoes and toss again gently to coat. Serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6

Grilled pineapple

A few minutes on a hot grill can work magic with fruit, caramelizing the sugars and adding a “wow” finale to a summer meal. 1 cup brown sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into large wedges Whisk brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Add pineapple wedges and toss to thoroughly coat. Lightly oil the grill rack. Grill pineapple wedges over medium-high heat until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Serve with scoops of vanilla ice cream if desired. Serves 6 Anne Polta may be reached at apolta@wctrib.com or follow her on Twitter @AnnePolta

ome people swear by gas-fired grilling. For others, only charcoal will do. It’s a debate that often rages hotly. So who’s right? There are pros and cons to both. Which type of grill is best depends on a variety of factors – what’s on the menu, how much time you have and plain old personal preference.

Gas Quick and convenient, espe-

cially for getting a meal on the table fast. Easy temperature control. Ideal for fish, vegetables and other delicate foods. Can come with add-on features such as a smoke box. More expensive to purchase.

Magazine

More time required to initially set up the grill, plus gas grills can take up considerable space on your deck or patio.

Charcoal

Superior for delivering smoky flavor. Works best for high-heat searing, particularly for steaks and hamburgers. Requires time and some skill to build and tend the fire. More time-consuming to clean. Lower cost for the initial purchase of the grill and easier initial setup. Minimal fancy features that might require maintenance or repair.

Spir its! Does age matter? In wine it does By Ron Skjong

never thought about it too much until I tasted it. There are so many ways to take that sentence and it’s going to be interesting to see what happens. Let’s see … Onions were never on my food list. I grew up having very little to do with them unless we were served onions and liver for supper. Onions and liver – not my favorite meal but you ate what was put in front of you or you had to make your own meal. Never thought too much about doing that. After all, I had a mother and three older sisters to do the kitchen stuff – never thought about it. Dressing for one’s salad? Salads weren’t a normal part of our cuisine and salad dressing certainly wasn’t on my mind. One time, as a treat to us, my older sister took our family to a restaurant and the waitress asked if I wanted ranch or French dressing on my salad. My brain froze. What was I being asked and what was the difference and do I really want anything on my green salad? I negatively shook my head and was left to my greens. Once again, never thought about salad dressing – why would I? Upon graduating from college, two of my fellow graduating classmates and I went to a bar and ordered cocktails. I knew nothing about cocktails but had heard about this one called a screwdriver. I ordered it and was amazed to have a glass of orange juice set in front of me. Of course, it wasn’t just orange juice and I learned that very quickly. However, by that graduation day, I knew onions were delicious when properly cooked and had learned the difference between French and ranch salad dressing – both in color and taste. And since I was then of legal drinking age, my knowledge of the ingredients in a screwdriver was indelibly etched in my mind. Aging brings revelations, surprises and wisdom. Then, wine came into my world. When I first became interested in wine, I found revelations, surprises and wisdom because the taste of a wine depends on a wide variety of elements – from the soil, to the amount of sun, to the amount of cool breezes and to the knowledge and passion of the vintner. Along the way, I found the age of a grape vine is extremely important to the finished product. Some of the revelations I discovered were about the type of grapes being used, what grapes blended well and which ones didn’t blend well, the importance of the natural world on bottled wine and the importance of the name of a wine. The surprises amounted to the wide spectrum of tastes that wine gave to me. One can taste anything from leather to

soil, from berries to cheese, from chocolate to cassis, from vanilla to fruit and so much more. Every bottle of wine is a surprise waiting to be experienced. Finally, there is wisdom. It’s the wisdom that comes with age and, wines, not surprisingly, depend greatly on the age of their vines. Young vines haven’t established deep roots and, therefore, will show some quickness of acidity in their tastes and not a lot of complexity. But, old vines are special. Many vineyards in this country are less than 30 years old and make outstanding wines. In Europe, many vines are around 200 years old. When you enter that aged realm, you enter the worlds of tradition and history. That’s when it gets interesting. As vines age, they produce fewer grapes because so much of the root’s energy has to go into the gnarled and twisted vines. However, the grapes they do produce are filled with complex, ageless wisdom – meaning aroma, body and taste. I enjoy an old-vine Zinfandel wine and there are a number of precious and extremely tasty old-vine Zins on the market. Bogle Old Vine Zin is easy to get and easy to drink. Think about some soft spices buttressed by a hardy blackberry taste. It’s delish, and the wine comes from vines over 40 years old. Ravenswood Lodi Old Vine Zin is outstanding. It has a medium red color and looks terrific as you pour a glass of it. Again, there’s the spice one expects, but the wine is so gentle and then surprises you with a bit of chocolate at the finish. Those over 30-year-old vines are revealing wonderful tastes to you. Another fine Lodi old-vine wine is Cline Old Vine Zinfandel, which comes from vines over 75 years old. It’s remarkable with its depth and freshness of taste. A really nice old-vine wine from Spain is Bodegas Volver Tarima Hill Old Vines Monastrell. It has a deep garnet color and tastes of red cherries and, yes, leather. It’s very complex and hardy and shows the age of the near 50-year-old vines. As I age, I hope my being exhibits the revelations, surprises and wisdom the world’s old grape vines do in their wines. If that wish is fulfilled, I will more easily accept my youthful ignorance of delicious onions, sumptuous salad dressings and very cool cocktails. As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon! Cheers! Ron Skjong writes primarily about the wonderful world of wine but likes to explore various spirits and beers, too. He is married and has four grown children. While stationed in Germany, he was introduced to German wines and from that introduction, a lifelong pursuit developed to find that perfect bottle of wine.

Magazine

Check it!Out! What’s happenin’? JUNE-JULY 2019

MIDWEEK FARMERS MARKET Every Wednesday Willmar, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kandi Mall southeast parking lot; locally grown produce, vegetables, fruits, jellies and jams, and baked goods.

BARN THEATRE June 13-16, 20-23, 27-30 Willmar, 7:30 p.m. weekdays and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sundays, The Barn Theatre, 321 Fourth St. S.W.; performances of the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”; for tickets call 320-235-9500 or online at thebarntheatre.com.

WHITNEY MUSIC CENTER Every Thursday Willmar, 6 to 7 p.m., Whitney Music Center, PIONEERLAND BAND FESTIVAL 913 Business 71 N.; free music concerts by June 14 different individuals and groups, followed by Benson, 6:30 p.m.; 33rd annual Flag Day singalong with house band. parade featuring 12 high school marching bands. GLACIAL RIDGE WINERY Every Thursday STUDIO HOP Spicer, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Glacial Ridge June 14-15 Winery, state Highway 23 between Spicer Local artists will have their studios open and New London; free music concerts by 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Atwater, New London, Spicer, different individuals and groups. Svea and Willmar areas; www.studiohop. HINTERLAND VINEYARDS wordpress.com. Every Friday Clara City, 7 to 9 p.m., Hinterland Vineyards, FARMERS MARKET 3060 120th Ave. S.E.; free music concerts by Every Saturday starting June 15 different individuals and groups. New London, 8 a.m. to noon, Holm Park on the northwest corner of the Mill Pond; local SATURDAY MARKET produce, honey, cut flowers, baked goods Every Saturday and handcrafted items. Willmar, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kandi Mall southeast parking lot; locally grown APPLETON produce, vegetables, fruits, jellies and jams, June 18, 25, July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug. 6 and baked goods. Appleton, 7 p.m., Riverview Park Bandstand; free music concerts; bring a lawn chair or LITTLE CROW WATER SKI SHOW blanket; sponsored by the Appleton ’52 Wing June through August Restoration Committee. New London, Neer Park; 7:30 p.m. June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 4-5, 12, 19; 7 pm. Aug. 2-3, MOVIES IN THE PARK 16, 23. June 21, July 19 Willmar, 9 p.m., Robbins Island; free CONCERTS IN THE PARK children’s movie; pre-activities for one hour June 5, 19, 26, July 3 before the movie, free admission, popcorn Willmar, 7 p.m., Robbins Island Park; free and pop, bring a chair or blanket and bug concert by a guest band followed by the spray; if inclement weather it will be in the Prairie Winds Concert Band. City Auditorium. LITTLE THEATRE June 7-9 New London, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; performance of “A Red Plaid Shirt”; tickets available at The Giving Tree Children’s Boutique in New London, Whitney Music in Willmar and at the door, if available.

NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE June 29 Dawson, 7 p.m., Memorial Auditorium; Dawson-Boyds Arts Association presents “ “I Am, He Said,” a celebration of Neil Diamond; www.dawsonboydarts.com. POLKA FEST July 5-7 Bird Island, Island Ballroom; 27 hours of dancing on large wooden dance floor.

MYRON SOMMERFELD June 9 Glenwood, 4 to 8 p.m, Lakeside Ballroom; summer dances open to all, music by Myron MUSIC IN THE PARK July 7, 14, 21, 28, Aug. 4, 11 Sommerfeld; no jeans or shorts. Spicer, 4 to 6 p.m., Pirrotta Park observation DANUBE HISTORICAL SOCIETY deck; free concerts by various groups. June 11, 25, July 11, 23, Aug. 6 Danube, 7 p.m., Depot Museum park GARDEN TOUR gazebo; free concerts; bring a lawn chair July 9 Litchfield, 5 to 8:30 p.m., Meeker County or blanket; freewill donation; sponsored by Master Gardeners tour in the Dassel area. Danube Historical Society.

Magazine

FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday starting July 13 Willmar, 6:30 a.m. to noon, YMCA parking lot; locally grown produce, vegetables, fruits, jellies and jams, baked goods and crafts. VELVET BRASS July 14 Glenwood, 4 to 8 p.m., Lakeside Ballroom; summer dances open to all, music by Velvet Brass; no jeans or shorts. ROCKIN’ ROBBINS July 16, 23, 30, Aug. 6 Willmar, 5 p.m., Robbins Island; free concerts with headliner band; music starts at 6 p.m.; food booths, vendors and more; bring your own lawn chair. GREEN LAKE QUILTS July 26-27 Spicer, Green Lake Bible Camp; 34th annual auction with preview Friday evening; Saturday display and auction at 11 a.m. of homemade quilts; 320-796-2181. LITTLE THEATRE Aug. 1-4, 8-11 New London, 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; performance of “Watson, the Last Great Tale of the Legendary Sherlock Holmes”; tickets available at The Giving Tree Children’s Boutique in New London, Whitney Music in Willmar and at the door if available.

To list your event, email liveit@wctrib.com

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