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www.iowalivingmagazines.com/fortdodge Fort Dodge Living JANUARY | 2011

Winter

FUNLITTLE FREE LIBRARYGARAGE

FAUX POTATO SOUPRECIPE

MEET GINNY CHIZEKEDUCATION

WAYS TO MAKE THE LONG WINTER SEASON SEEM A BIT SHORTER

LivingFort Dodgefebruary 2014

50501

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JANUARY | 2011 Fort Dodge Living www.iowalivingmagazines.com/fortdodge

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Fort Dodge, IA 50501 Under New Ownership

Angela M. Jessen

welcome By Shane Goodman, [email protected]

www.iowalivingmagazines.com/fortdodge FEBRUARY | 2014 Fort Dodge Living 3

LivingLivingIowaIowam a g a z i n e sm a g a z i n e s

Darren TromblayEditor515-953-4822 ext. [email protected]

Wendy [email protected]

Bundle up and enjoy winter!W ell, it is that time of year when most of us are dreaming

of summertime — lazy days at the pool, fresh produce from the garden and endless servings of ice cold lemonade.

Then, of course, there are the things about summer that we forget — the humidity, mosquitoes and end-less servings of road construction. Whether we like it or not, we will all be dealing with winter weather for a few more months, so we should put on a smile and make the best of it. Even a guy like me who loves the snow can at times find the wintery season to start dragging on after the holidays. That’s why we decided to publish examples of fun activities that Fort Dodge resi-dents can take part in this winter, both inside and outside. Webster County Conservation hosts a vari-ety of outdoor activities, the most popular of which is twilight skiing.

Moonlight hikes, snowshoeing, and open skiing are hosted at Kennedy Park, Dolliver State Park, and Brushy Creek State Park when conditions are right. Ice fishing also draws anglers out into the winter landscape. There really are a lot of things to do right now, and this month’s cover story proves it. So whether you are a teenager or a senior citizen, single or married, or just looking to stick to that New Year’s resolution, you should bundle up and enjoy the frosty weather — while you still can. Thanks for reading.

Shane GoodmanPublisher P.S. Would you like to write for Iowa Living magazines? If so, please contact our editor, Darren Tromblay, at [email protected].

LOVEReading?

424 Central Avenue 515.573.8167www.fortdodgeiowa.org/library

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feature Submit story ideas to [email protected]

T his is one girl who understands the restorative power of a good nap. When she awakens in a few months,

the skies will be a gentle blue, the ground will be lush and green, and even the air will smell fresh and new. Mother Nature is the girl of which we speak, and she loves her annual winter nap. But for Fort Dodge area residents, winter can be a real chore and a real pain in a place that shall remain nameless. Our bodies go hidden under a mass of

boots and mittens, scarves and cozy thermals close to the skin. Just getting to and from the car chills us to the bone. “We don’t even encourage people to go out on a day like this,” says Karen Hansen, nat-uralist for the Webster County Conservation Department. From the cozy comfort of her office at Kennedy Park, Hansen was looking out on one of this winter’s most brutal days. The day’s high temperature barely eked above zero, and the wind chills slammed into the body feeling

like about 25 below — for anyone who did have to go outside. Looking for a little outdoor fun this time of year can seem to be a daunting task. For those old enough to remember sledding at the Country Club hill or, in a show of really poor judgment — ice skating on the river — even the traditional recreational opportunities of winter have been largely lacking in this bitter and barren winter of 2014. Sledders and snowmobilers are still hoping for some fun to come their way, but others

Karen Hansen, naturalist for Webster County Conservation, bundles up to brave the winter weather.Ph

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4 Fort Dodge Living FEBRUARY | 2014 www.iowalivingmagazines.com/fortdodge

Winter

FUNWAYS TO MAKE THE LONG WINTER SEASON SEEM A BIT SHORTER

just want to get through the cold until spring finally arrives. Fortunately, winter fun lovers are always optimists. Anyone who enjoys testing one’s self against the elements has to be. Hansen, who grew up in the lush areas of the Des Moines River Valley in the southeast portion of Webster County, understands well the wonders that winter has in store — at least when the temperatures are a little more coop-erative. A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Natural History Interpretation, Hansen has served the last 20 years as naturalist in Webster County and enjoys helping people discover the wonders of the world around them — even when the weather seems less than wonderful. While she encourages people to stay in when winter is at its worst, she still does encourage people to find those rare days when the weather is mild and Mother Nature’s beauty awaits just beyond the open door. “When it’s just an average winter day, we still encourage people, from young folks on up, to get outside and enjoy it,” she says. “Cabin fever is a real issue, and being stuck inside — not getting enough sunlight and fresh air — gets people a little depressed. I think just

making yourself get outside and do something really helps with that.” To that end, Webster County Conservation attempts to sponsor a variety of outdoor

activities. While the lack of snow cover in January forced the cancellation of several skiing and snowshoeing events, additional days will be scheduled in February, as conditions allow. Equipment is available for rent for private out-ings as conditions permit. Twilight skiing has been one of the most popular outdoor events in recent years, according to Hansen. “We start a little before dark, and then it gets darker the longer you’re out there, and that’s been really kind of popular,” she says. Along with the twilight skiing, moonlight hikes, snowshoeing, and open skiing are hosted at Kennedy Park, Dolliver State Park, and Brushy Creek State Park as conditions allow. But even with a lack of snow cover, it’s still possible to get one’s “nature fix” this time of year, Hansen notes. “If the skiing isn’t good, I still like to get out and go hiking,” she says. Just because nature is taking a long winter’s nap, that doesn’t mean people have to slumber as well. “Nature is kind of in hibernation mode, but when you’re out in the wintertime, what I like about it is you’re able to see the lay of the land a little bit differently — and maybe a little bit better than when there is complete foliage


An ice fisherman was out on the lake at Kennedy Park on this winter day.

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on the trees,” says Hansen. “When you go hiking in wooded areas this time of year, you really get to see a different view of things. And even though you’ve been there many times, you might see things that you’ve never saw before. That’s what I think is neat about it.” Hansen is quick to caution, however, that a winter hike requires a little more preparation than a simple hike in the warmer months. Starting with the proper foot-wear is key. Even though there is little snow or visible ice, the terrain can be slippery in the cold, and small ice shards coating the dormant grass can nearly trip up an intrepid photographer out trying to do her job. (Not that this writer was a little concerned hiking back up that hill beside the frozen lake! What was she thinking?) But Hansen stresses that one need not hike the hills to experi-ence a different lay of the land in wintertime. The low land areas at Dolliver Park, for example, are a great place to hike because you’re more likely to be out of the wind than on some of the more open areas. “If you’re in a wooded area, and there’s not really a vista, you can still see the contours of the land that you’ve never really seen before,” Hansen says. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be an awesome high point that’s a great vista.” A walking stick — either a

real stick, a simple piece of wood, or even hiking sticks available for purchase at some sporting goods stores — can also help make a winter hike a little easier and safer. Bundling up, which seems to go without saying, doesn’t always seem to go without saying any-more. Dressing in layers provides added protection from the cold. An old adage of some outdoors-men is that “Cotton kills, Wool saves.” A layer of wool next to the skin will wick away moisture as one sweats and keep you dry, critical to staving off a winter cold. Cotton, as comfortable as it is, get wet and stays wet — one of the worst things to be in the cold. And perhaps the best way to stay safe on a long winter hike is to make it a group activity.

There’s safety in numbers, espe-cially when the winter winds blow. “Be safe and be prepared,” Hansen says. In today’s technology-driven world, too many folks — espe-cially kids — rely on a cell phone as their survival guide. But when one goes exploring, especially in hilly, wooded areas, cell phones may not always be reliable. “With our technology, we feel like we can always count on our cell phones to get us out of situ-ations. And I’m trying to instill in students, and people in general, we still need to be prepared and use common sense,” she says. “We need to know a little bit about survival just in case we’re in that situation. I think that’s impor-tant.” For parents struggling with

kids addicted to technology, Hansen says a good way to bridge technology and nature is through geocaching. This high-tech form of a good old fashion game of hide and seek can be a great way to get families outdoors together. Through the use of GPS, families trek through the outdoor world to find a cache. There are numer-ous ones scattered throughout Fort Dodge and Webster County, and more information is readily available online through a variety of geocaching sites. Fishing is another popular family activity that is still possible in the wintertime. Even in these very cold days, a few hearty ice fisherman have been spotted trek-king to their ice shacks on Badger Lake at Kennedy Park. Knowing the safety rules of ice is critical to anyone interested in the sport of ice fishing. One of the best ways to learn is to make friends with an experienced ice fisherman. Webster County Conservation also offers ice fish-ing clinics from time to time, and the Iowa DNR has a wealth of information available about staying safe on the ice. Regardless of what one does outside, the restorative powers of this season of hibernation can be enormous. “You just have a different level of peacefulness in the winter-time,” Hansen says. “Not just because there are fewer people out there, but the background noise is also different. You’re not going to hear the motorcycles, but if you’re down in the river valley, instead, you might hear the snow-mobiles,” she says. Most of all, simply getting out-side can make this long season of winter a little shorter — and a little brighter.

“He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admira-tion in winter… In winter the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity.”

— John Burroughs, The Snow Walkers


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Walkers at Dolliver Park can watch leaves skate across the frozen creek.

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In a few months, hopefully, this old stone dam at Dolliver Park will be covered with

rushing water.


library news

Visit the library on Wednesday, Feb. 12

Valentine’s Day open houseBy Barb Shultz

T he Fort Dodge Public Library is hosting a Valentine’s Day open house on Wednesday,

Feb. 12, from 3:30 - 5 p.m. Bring the kids for an afternoon of crafts, snacks and fun. No registration is needed. We’ll look forward to seeing all of you. The open house is sponsored by the Friends of the Fort Dodge Public Library. If you’re not a Friend, stop by the Book Shoppe at the library and find out how you can join. While you’re there, browse the great selection of books, puzzles and movies. There’s something for everyone at the Book Shoppe. We’ve had great success with our Kindle lending program. We have 11 Kindles that are pre-load-ed with 30 to 40 titles by popu-lar authors. Kindles are checked out for two weeks, and can be renewed. If you’ve thought about getting an E-reader or tablet, stop by the library and we’ll be happy to show you how to get started. Check out the new Zinio magazine subscriptions you can download to your computer, tab-let, e-reader or phone. All you need is a library card and Internet access. Instructions on how to set up an account are located on our website: http://www1.yousee-more.com/nilc/fortdodgepl/con-tentpages.asp?loc=52. Rita has been updating our

travel books recently. If you’re tired of hearing about polar vor-tices, perhaps a trip to a warmer climate is in your future. We have some great resources to help you determine where you want to visit and what to see once you’re there. If you can’t get away this year, we have many books to help you manage any cabin fever you’re experiencing.

Don’t forget our Saturday hours have changed. Express Saturdays are available 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. All our regular services are available, although reference is limited. Stop by and grab a couple movies to watch during the week-end. We have added some great new titles. The Fort Dodge Public Library is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. We’ll be happy to help you find what you need.

Fort Dodge Public Library424 Central Ave.573-8167Hours:Mon. - Tues.: 8:30 am - 8 p.m.Wed. - Fri.: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.


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B ehold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like

arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.” — Psalm 127:4 Is there anything that the Book of Psalm did not cover? It seems every important point is made within those pages of the Bible — every ounce of wisdom one would ever need to endure a world of sin en route to righteous enlighten-ment. That route is one that starts in the womb, as 127:4 declares. It follows into adolescence, when it seems God’s words are gravely crucial for the first time in a per-son’s life. It’s important that a com-munity, then, sticks together on the task of keeping teens on track, so they may not be led astray by temptation or lose the faith. One way to keep youths’ hearts and minds on God is to support them and encourage them to live their faith in action. Exciting new endeavors, outings, events and festivities are sure to parade across the calendar in coming months. Churches are already preparing and planning for vacation Bible schools, religious retreats and mission trip. Speaking of the latter, fun-draising is underway for Grace Lutheran Church’s mission trip,

planned for June, and 10 youths have signed up to participate. That’s a proud increase from last year. Fundraising efforts will con-tinue until their departure, and the church asks the congregation and the community to support the youth in their efforts to raise funds to participate in this and future trips, as they offer opportunities for young people to interact with other Christians and make con-nections that may last a lifetime.

The youth group ARISE (Always Rejoicing In the Savior’s Embrace) has two such upcoming opportuni-ties. ARISE youths are selling choc-olate roses on a stick for $1, which arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day. Then, on March 14, the youth will be having a potato bake for Grace’s first Lenten supper. Aside from its funding agenda and its mission trips, ARISE youths stay busy at home, too. Its annual Sock It To Me Sunday is scheduled for Feb. 23. Not only will the youth be doing spoken parts of the service on that day, but they will be asking you to bring new socks which they will donate to various non-profit organizations in town.

faith Submit story ideas to [email protected]

Grace Lutheran youth prepare for missions

By Amber Williams

The Savior’s embrace

Grace Lutheran Church 211 S. Ninth St. (515) 576-4106 Website:www.graceELCA.com

YouthWorks! Missionaries in Denver, Colo., last year.


St. Paul Ev.Lutheran Church

400 S. 13th Street Fort Dodge955-7285 www.stpaulfd.org

Rev. Allen Henderson and Rev. Nathan PeitschST. PAUL IS HANDICAP-ACCESSIBLE

Join us!National Lutheran Schools Week

March 2–8

Ash Wednesday ServiceMarch 5 Noon and 7:00pm Services

Worship Services Saturday : 6:00pm Sunday : 8:00am and 10:30am 9:15 am Sunday School and Bible Classes

Services broadcast on Radio KVFD - AM 1400 on Sunday at 9:30am

W hat is enough? If you’re considering retiring in the near

future, you’ve probably heard or read that you need about 70 per-cent of your end salary to live comfortably in retirement. This estimate is frequently repeated, but that doesn’t mean it is true for everyone. It may not be true for you. Consider the following factors: Most of us will face a major health problem at some point in our lives. Think, for a moment, about the costs of pre-scription medicines and recurring treatment for chronic ailments. These costs can really take a bite out of retirement income, even with a great health care plan. If you come from a family where people frequently live into their 80s and 90s, you may live as long or longer. Imagine retiring at 55 and living to 95 or 100. You would need 40 to 45 years of steady retirement income. Many people retire with investment portfolios they haven’t reviewed in years, with asset allocations that may no longer be appropriate. New retir-ees sometimes carry too much risk in their portfolios, with the result being that the retirement income from their investments fluctuates wildly with the vagaries of the market. Other retirees are super-conservative investors: their portfolios are so risk-averse that they can’t earn enough to keep up with even moderate inflation, and over time, they find they have less and less purchasing power. Do you only spend 70 percent of your salary? Probably not. If you’re like

many Americans, you probably spend 90 or 95 percent of it. Will your spending habits change drasti-cally once you retire? Again, prob-ably not. Will you have enough? When it comes to retirement income, a casual assumption may prove to be woefully inaccurate. You won’t learn how much retirement income you’ll need by reading this article. Consider meeting with a qualified financial professional who can help estimate your lifestyle needs and short-term and long-term expenses. Investment Advisor Representative with and Securities and Investment Advisory Services Offered Through Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. (TFA) Member FINRA/SIPC and Registered Investment Advisor. Non-securities products and services are not offered through TFA. TFA and KHI Financial Solutions are not affili-ated. This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary.Net Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affili-ates. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.

Information supplied by Andy Hejlik, KHI Financial Solutions, 130 N. 25th St., 576-1800, www.khisolutions.com.

finance By Andy Hejlik

Have you underestimated the amount of funds?

How much will you need in retirement?Provided by Andy Hejlik, KHI Financial Solutions


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T here’s something about ink and paper, tattered pages, a glossy cover starting to

fade, that technology will never be able to capture. The most prolific lovers of words will always have a place in their heart for a good book they can hold in their hands. And one of the best things about a real book is the ability to pass it around and share it with a friend. As a long-time bookseller, Lisa Johnson has always taken enjoy-ment in sharing her love of books with others. Now she and her hus-band, Chuck, have taken that one step further with the construction of a “Little Free Library” at the end of their drive at 3204 Fifth Ave. North. “Having been in the book busi-ness for years, this is such an automatic fit for me or anyone who loves books and wants to get more books out to people and really promote literacy,” says Lisa. The Little Free Library move-ment is a rapidly growing glob-al effort to build and install tiny libraries where anyone can take a book and leave a book. Stock plans and kits are available at the orga-nization’s website, but the Fort Dodge couple took pride in put-ting their heads together to build and design their own library “We kind of did the design on the fly,” says Lisa. “I sketched something and we just started building. When we encountered problems here and there we changed the design and kind of made it up as we went along.”

They were fortunate to have some historic pieces to give the library its own style. “The boards that surround the house are 120-year-old heart pine from my brother-in-law’s farm-house,” Lisa explains. But even more important than the little library itself are the books it holds safely inside. The couple stocked it with donations from friends, as well as their over-flowing bookshelves. The collec-tion continues to grow and rotate as many of the people who take a book also leave a book they are finished reading. Nothing makes Lisa happier than to see a new patron stop by to browse the little library. “I do a little happy dance in my living room,” she says. “I love when people come to get a book.”


recipe Submit ideas to [email protected]

Jan Allen enjoys cooking and bakes and decorates birthday cakes for her six grandchildren.

H ere is a warm, creamy, healthy soup recipe for you to try this month.

My husband and I have been changing our way of eating to a much healthier diet. As I men-tioned a few months ago, we have stopped eating wheat, potatoes and rice to limit blood sugar spikes as he is diabetic and I have had high cholesterol. A lower glycemic diet has been very helpful in controlling both of these issues, and I love being able to make some of our favorites in a different way that allows us to enjoy yummy, “good-for-us” food. My mom was a wonderful cook, and her potato soup was some-thing I enjoyed very much. It is one of those comfort foods that just hits the spot on a cold, blustery Iowa winter’s night. I had missed being able to make and enjoy this particular soup — until now. Some of you may remember the recipe for cauliflower crust pizza I submitted a few months ago. You may think I am redundant using cauliflower again, but it is one of those super foods that is very versatile and can be adapted in so many ways. I love this soup. I challenge you to try it once; my guess is you will love it, too, and you won’t have to worry about those blood sugar spikes. It calls for nutritional yeast, possibly something most of you won’t have on hand, but you can find it in health food stores and some grocery stores. I asked one to order it, and they did. It adds a rich, vibrant flavor to the soup, and you can use it in many other dishes as well. You can use frozen or fresh cauliflower. I generally use fresh, and the last batch I used two heads and doubled the rest of the ingredients. Just adapt the recipe to the likes and needs of your family. It isn’t an exact science. I hope you like it. I know your body will.

Faux potato soup

Cauliflower makes this winter favorite healthy

Faux potato soupBy Jan Allen

Ingredients1 head of cauliflower, cut into pieces4 cups fat free chicken broth (I use low sodium.)2 or 3 light Laughing Cow or Weight Watchers cheese wedgesSea salt, black pepper and sprinkles of nutritional yeast to tasteCrumbled turkey bacon(Optional: Garlic or onion powder, cayenne pepper)

Directions Bring cauliflower and broth to a

boil, then simmer until tender.

Using a slotted spoon, scoop cooked cauliflower into a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Add cheese wedges to the blend-er, blend again until smooth. Return to saucepan and season with sea salt, black pepper, nutritional yeast and any other seasonings you like. Add crumbled turkey bacon.This soup should be a thick, creamy consistency to resemble a potato-based soup. Season to your liking and you can garnish with a bit more crum-bled turkey bacon, a little shredded cheese or some green onion. Enjoy!

Contact Darren at 953-4822 ext. 304 or [email protected] to recom-mend someone for an upcoming issue of “What’s In Your Garage?”

Chuck and Lisa Johnson recently installed this Little Free Library in front of their

home on Fifth Avenue North.

what’s in your garage?

Couple brings global effort to Fort Dodge

By Lori Berglund

Little Free Library

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D uring the winter months, a frozen lake can be the center of many outdoor

activities, including ice hockey, dog sledding and ice skating. But anoth-er winter pastime in the U.S. and Canada is ice fishing. While this favorite winter sport can be fun, it can also be dangerous. In some cases, serious injury or death has occurred due to unsafe ice fishing practices. So if you’re angling to stay safe on any icy lake or river, let’s start out by tackling some of the root causes of unsafe ice fishing.

Dangers of ce fishingIce fishing injuries and fatalities are usually the result of hypother-mia (a condition that dramatically lowers the body’s temperature, causing severe metabolic dysfunc-tion) or vehicle-related accidents. Dangers include:

Keeping your head, hands and feet warm and dry is essential to pre-vent hypothermia.

ment. Death from drowning can occur if you’re not wearing a life jacket. Packing the right equip-ment, such as picks and rope can help you beat the odds.

tion. Drinking alcohol can slow your reflexes and reaction time, which can be risky in the event of an emergency and also increases your chances of getting hypother-mia; alcohol constricts blood ves-sels and lowers body temperature.

Ice doesn’t freeze evenly on the

surface of a lake or river. Thin patches can’t always be detected by sight alone and cannot sustain the weight of a human, let alone a snowmobile, ATV or truck.

Safety tips

Make sure friends and family know where you’re fishing and when you plan to return home.

many holes in one place. The more holes, the less stable the ice sur-face.

produce heat as they decay. So watch your step in marshy areas.

have excellent flotation properties in case you fall into the water.

or screwdrivers. Keep them in your jacket in case you fall into the water and have to pull your-self out. Use tools with wooden handles so they won’t sink.

someone out of the water with a rope than by the arms.

Snow has insulating properties, which prevents cold air from keep-ing the ice at freezing tempera-tures.

es. Keep these items in a dry and secure place so they will be usable in case of emergency.

land. Refrain from parking your vehicle on the ice. Added weight could cause the ice around you to break.

Information provided by Mitch Lunn, State Farm Insurance, 24 S. 18th St., Fort Dodge, 515-955-7181, www.danflattery.com.

insurance By Mitch Lunn

Take precautions against deadly accidents

Ice fishing safety tipsProvided by Mitch Lunn, State Farm® agent


Suggest a teacherfor a Fort Dodge Living

education column!

Call Darren Tromblay at 953-4822, ext 304 or email [email protected].

Friday, Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day

FDSH 9/10/V Boys Basketball vs.

Ames, 4:45/6:15/7:45 p.m.

FDSH JV/V Girls Basketball vs.

Ames, 4:45/6:15 p.m.

St. Edmond 3rd Grade

Informance, 12:15 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 15 V Wrestling Districts

2A V Girls Basketball Regionals

V Boys State Swimming Tournament

Monday, Feb. 17 President’s Day

No School - Fort Dodge Schools

2A V Boys Basketball Districts

FDSH 8 Boys Basketball vs. Ames,

4:30 p.m.

FDSH 9/10/V Boys Basketball at

Humboldt, 4:45/6:15/7;45 p.m.

FDSH Winter Band/Orch. Concert,

6 p.m., Middle School Auditorium.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 2A V Girls Basketball Regionals

FDSH 7 Boys Basketball vs.

Johnston, 4:30 p.m.

FDSH 9/10/V Boys Basketball at

DM Hoover, 4:45/6:15/7:45 p.m.

Lifetree Cafe at Cana, do Good

Dogs go to Heaven?, questions about

animals and the afterlife, refreshments

served, open to the public, call 515-302-

8036 with questions, noon or 7 p.m.,

Cana of Fort Dodge, 18 S 3rd St

Wednesday, Feb. 19 Early Dismissal - Fort Dodge

Schools

Early Dismissal - St. Edmond

Catholic School

FD 5-8 Conferences

Career Day, for Prairie Valley, St.

Edmonds and Fort Dodge Senior High

students, 8 a.m. - noon, Fort Dodge

Senior High School.

V State Wrestling Tournament

V Girls Basketball Regionals

Thursday, Feb. 20 FD 5-8 Conferences

V State Wrestling Tournament

Employers Network, discussion

on occupational medicine, $10/person,

11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., Trinity Regional

Medical Center.

St. Edmond 5th Grade Band

Informance, 12:15 p.m.


V Boys Bowling Districts

Friday, Feb. 21 V State Wrestling Tournament


Saturday, Feb. 22 V State Wrestling Tournament

Eggs and Issues, 7:30- 10 a.m.,

ICCC.

V Girls Basketball Regionals

Monday, Feb. 24 Library Board of Trustees

Meeting, 4 p.m.

V Boys Basketball Substate

Tournament


Tuesday, Feb. 25 Early Dismissal - St. Edmond

Catholic School

St. Edmond Parent-Teacher

Conferences, 1:30-4 p.m. and 5-7:30 p.m.

V Girls State Basketball Tournament


Lifetree Cafe at Cana, God and

Gays, an hour of civil conversation,

refreshments served, open to the

public, call 515-302-8036 with ques-

tions, noon or 7 p.m., Cana of Fort

Dodge, 18 S 3rd St

Wednesday, Feb. 26 St. Edmond School Board

Meeting, 5:15 p.m.

St. Edmond 6th-12th Vocal

Concert, 7 p.m., Sacred Heart Church.

Thursday, Feb. 27 Early Dismissal - St. Edmond

Catholic School

St. Edmond Parent-Teacher

Conferences, 1:3-6 p.m.


calendar Submit event information to [email protected]


Friday, Feb. 28 No School - St. Edmond Catholic

St. Edmond Sadie Hawkins Dance,

8:30-11 p.m.

V Boys State Bowling Tournament


Tournament

Saturday, March 1 2A V Boys Basketball Substate

Tournament


Sunday, March 2 Fort Dodge Area Symphony

Trumpet Spectacular, $6 students and

$10 adults, 3 p.m., Fort Dodge Middle

School.

Monday, March 3 No School- Fort Dodge Schools

Tuesday, March 4 Mardi Gras

Early Dismissal - Fort Dodge

Schools

FDSD K-4/ 9-12 Conferences


Tournament

Lifetree Cafe at Cana, The

Struggle to Forgive, finding a way

forward, refreshments served, open

to the public, call 515-302-8036 with

questions, noon or 7 p.m., Cana of

Fort Dodge, 18 S 3rd St

Wednesday, March 5 Ash Wednesday

Thursday, March 6 FDSD K-4/ 9-12 Conferences

Greater Fort Dodge Growth

Alliance Annual Dinner, 5 p.m. social

hour, 6 p.m. dinner, $30/person,

West Western Starlite Village Inn &

Suites, 1518 3rd Ave NW

Ag Leaders Meeting, 7 a.m.,

Perkins.

Friday, March 7 Home and Garden Expo, 4-8 p.m.,

ICCC East Campus.

Perspectives in Jazz, 7 p.m., GNT

Little Theater.

Saturday, March 8 Home and Garden Expo, 9 a.m. -

4 p.m., ICCC East Campus.

2A V Girls State Basketball

Tournament

V Boys State Basketball Tournament

Sunday, March 9 Daylight Saving Time begins

Home and Garden Expo, 11 a.m.

- 4 p.m., ICCC East Campus.

Monday, March 10 City Council Meeting, 6 p.m., City

Hall.

2A V Boys State Basketball

Tournament

Tuesday, March 11 Lifetree Cafe at Cana, Wounded

Warriors, when the war comes home,

refreshments served, open to the

public, call 515-302-8036 with ques-

tions, noon or 7 p.m., Cana of Fort

Dodge, 18 S 3rd St

Wednesday, March 12 Early Dismissal - St. Edmond

Catholic School

Thursday, March 13 Sonshine Singers “Walking with

Jesus,. an inspiring presentation of

contemporary and traditional anthems

composed in a variety of musical

styles, 7 p.m., First Methodist Church,

127 North 10th St.

Friday, March 14 Sonshine Singers “Walking with

Jesus,” an inspiring presentation of

contemporary and traditional anthems

composed in a variety of musical

styles, 7 p.m., First Methodist Church,

127 North 10th St.

calendar Submit event information to [email protected]


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W hen one’s profes-sion is one’s passion, retirement is almost

out of the question. For Ginny Chizek, 35 years in education apparently wasn’t enough. “I just really like it,” says Chizek. “I think part of it keeps me young and keeps my heart young.” A Minneapolis native and grad-uate of Mankato State University with a degree in elementary educa-tion, Chizek joined the Fort Dodge Community School District fresh out of college in the early 1970s. Thirty-five years later, she retired for the first time, but never really cut her ties with the world of education. “I subbed for three years after retiring, and then when I saw this program I applied just kind of on a whim,” she explains. That was three years ago when St. Edmond’s Catholic School was creating a brand new after school program. Today, she directs the program and also continues to work with the kindergarten and transitional kindergarten programs. SEAS, or St. Edmond’s After School, has continued to grow each year and serves students from pre-school through seventh grade. The program provides a safe place for students to work on homework and explore other activities in an atmosphere more relaxed than a conventional classroom. The program starts with a snack each day and then moves in

to an hour devoted to homework, but after that the kids are limited only by their imaginations. “My favorite part of the pro-gram is when we have free time because you get a chance to sit and really talk with the kids,” Chizek says. “It’s fun to see their imagina-tions at work.” This winter, several of the kids have discovered the strategy and delights of a classic game — chess. “One of the kids knew how to play chess, and it traveled around to the older kids and now some of the younger kids are saying, ‘I want to learn to play this,’ ” Chizek explains. For her part, Chizek enjoys the fact that the SEAS program keeps her involved with children and up to date on the ongoing changes in education. “Our program has really grown,” she says. “It’s a good double from what it was when it started, and the parents are all very supportive it. I love the involvement with the parents and I have awesome, awesome work-ers.”

T hat redhead with the pigtails has long been the place I prefer for the best burgers

around. Wendy’s, with its real beef ham-burgers in that distinctive shape, just can’t be beat in the hamburger world, as least to this redhead’s lik-ing. And I must admit that it was at times difficult getting through the Christmas shopping season without being able to drive through for a quick burger, fries and soft drink.But the wait is over. Fort Dodge’s brand new Wendy’s — built on the site of the original — is open again and with a style and flair fit for real dining experience. This place is so much more than the typical fast food joint. From the architectural details of the exterior to the multitude of seating choices, this new Wendy’s is really a place where you want to sit and enjoy the meal — not just eat and run. In fact, I wandered from table, to sofa-style dining, to the bar-height counter reminiscent of a lunch counter facing Fifth Avenue South before finally settling in a quiet corner table near the fireplace. Yes! Fireplace, in a Wendy’s. I told you this place was so much more — it’s a real dining experience. Despite the fact that I have been

in withdrawal from their delicious hamburgers, I resolved to order something I had never had here before. And, believe it or not, I had never had the Wendy’s chili.

I ordered a small bowl of chili, french fries, and a cup of hot English breakfast tea. Frankly, I’m a little hesitant to order chili anywhere because it’s a soup that is — usually — best homemade. And that’s just what this chili tasted like — com-pletely homemade. It simmers for four hours, and you can taste and see the goodness in the bowl. On a bone-chilling day, savoring a cup of chili near the fireplace warmed me through and through. My dining companion opted for the new ciabatta bacon cheeseburg-er — and refused to share. Still, I could smell how good it tasted with its applewood smoked bacon, oven-roasted tomatoes and that wonder-ful, hearty ciabatta bread. While I’ll continue to be a regu-lar at the convenient drive-through, now that I know what’s in store I’ll be meeting friends much more often at this unique and truly beautiful din-ing establishment.

A steaming bowl of chili pairs well with a crisp order of french fries at Wendy’s.

dining Submit ideas to [email protected]

Wendy’s2315 Fifth Ave. South(515) 576-8274

Wendy’s gets an upscale makeoverBy Lori Berglund

Eatery upgrade

Read past reviews at

Phot

o by

Lor

i Ber

glun

d

education Submit story ideas to [email protected]

What do you like about the after school program?

Kira Hansen:“I like playing games.”

Lilly Kolacia:“I like when we can use the computer lab.”

Hunter Stevens:“I just like playing games with my friends.”

Ronnie Orres:“We get to finish our homework.”

Ginny Chizek directs the after school program at St. Edmond’s Catholic School.

Phot

os b

y Lo

ri B

ergl

und

Retired teacher directs after school program

By Lori Berglund

Meet Ginny Chizek



out & about Submit photos to [email protected]

Allison Cobb, Laragh Holt and Jordan Harklau were servers at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson Health Center held at Friendship Haven on Jan. 4.

Paul Cain, Luke Battcher and Michael Payne provided the food at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson Health Center held at Friendship Haven on Jan. 4.

Julie Thorson cuts the ribbon for the new Simpson Health Center at Friendship Haven on Jan. 4.

State Senator Daryl Beall and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson Health Center held at Friendship Haven on Jan. 4.

See more photos online atwww.facebook.com/iowalivingmagazines

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out & about Submit your photos and captions to [email protected]

Chad Hammar and Rollie Peterson at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson Health

Center held at Friendship Haven on Jan. 4.

Sally and Bruce Shimkat at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson Health Center held at

Friendship Haven on Jan. 4.

McCallie Jaeschke and Chloe Peterson at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson

Health Center held at Friendship Haven on Jan. 4.

Neil and Brittney Ledford at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson Health Center held at

Friendship Haven on Jan. 4.

Julie Thorson and Linda Lauver at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson Health


Shelly Bottorff provided entertainment at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson


Bruce Kentfield and Judge Albert Habhab at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson


Casey and Debbie Johnson at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson Health Center held

at Friendship Haven on Jan. 4.

Matt and Michelle Bemrich at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson Health Center held

at Friendship Haven on Jan. 4.

Matt Johnson and Abigail Jones at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson Health


Bruce Shimkat, chairman of the Friendship Haven board, spoke at the ribbon cutting and dedication

of the Simpson Health Center on Jan. 4.

Julie Thorson with Lyn Simpson, who spoke at the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Simpson


See more photos online at

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www.iowalivingmagazines.com/fortdodge Fort Dodge Living JANUARY | 2011

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For Timeless Memories Since 1921

february 2014 50501 magazine winter funwith something new from curves and jillian michaels “i’ve...

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