December 2011 Today Magazine

IN THIS ISSUE... CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS THROUGHOUT FORT DODGEDECEMBER 2011

Larita’s TreatsOh So Great to Eat!

WinterFestivitiesWinterFestivities

Lights at Kennedythrough the eyes of Hindman

music,history& arts

around theFort Dodge

area

Dec 2011 (8pgs) covers 11/12/11 3:04 PM

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Dec 2011 (8pgs) covers 11/12/11 3:04 PM

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Dec 2011 (8pgs) covers 11/12/11 3:04 PM

Fort Dodge Today � December 2011 � 1

contentsdEcEmBEr 2011

in EvEry issUE

dEparTmEnTs

LocaL coLor

9 Class Notes:Meet Howard Haasby Kati Smith

1 1 ICCC Spotlight:Jacie Simonby Kati Smith

1 2 Volunteer:Kelly Hindman Involved withLights at Kennedyby Robert Wolf

1 6 Faith Matters:Johnston Teaching Sunday Schoolfor 40 Yearsby Robert Wolf

FEaTUrE arTicLE

2 8 Looks a lot like Christmasby Kathleen Koch

ThE good LiFE

3 3 Culinary Corner:Holiday Treats at Larita’s Cakes ‘N Moreby Kathleen Koch

4 2 Health Wise:Healthy Holidaysby Jesse Helling

4 4 Home Style:“Sprucing” up the Holidaysby Jesse Helling

4 6 Money Matters:Manage Your Money Carefullythis Holiday Seasoncourtesy of Edward Jones

on ThE covEr

(L-R): Jeanette Lawrence (viola), Laura Cooper (cello) and

Bill Sergeant (violin) of the Fort Dodge Symphony.

Photo by Hans Madsen

2 Editor’s Speak 4 Things to do20 Scene About Town26 Book Picks48 Parting Shot

2 � Fort Dodge Today � December 2011

editor’sspEak kathleenkathleenkoch

pUBLicaTion inFormaTion

Direct inquiries to: 713 Central Ave.

Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Advertising 574-4418Fax 573-2148

Editorial 576-7722www.messengernews.net

Volume 22 Issue 8If your address has changed since yourlast issue call (800) 622-6613 ext. 404.

The Fort Dodge Today Magazine is published monthly by The Messenger, with all rights reserved, Copyright, 2011.

Managing EditorBarbara

Wallace Hughes

Sales ManagerBecky O’Brien

News EditorKathleen Koch

Art DirectorReggie Cygan

PublisherLarry D. Bushman

Advertising DirectorDavid Jakeman

Circulation DirectorGrant Gibbons

From the News Editor Tis the Season of Holiday Celebration

The month of December is coming up fast and I love every bit about it. The

smell of Christmas trees, baked goodies and hot cocoa, lights, decorations, the

shopping and wrapping of gifts, and my favorite during this time is Christmas

music. I love putting some holiday music on while decorating the house.

Listening to “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells,” “The Little Drummer Boy,”

“White Christmas” and many more fun tunes always puts me in the festive

mood. One of my favorite songs during this time of year is “I Want A

Hippopotamus For Christmas.” It’s a silly, fun song that is a little off the path of

Christmas carols but sometimes that is what the holiday season is all about.

The contents of this December issue can help make your holiday season festive and enjoyable.

Here is a quick look:

– Winter festivities of music, history and arts around the Fort Dodge area.

– Christmas trees...tips on where to buy, how to maintain and keep it fresh through the whole season.

– Talking about holiday treats to eat with Larita at Larita’s Cakes ‘N More.

– Kelly Hindman helping out with the Lights at Kennedy.

– How to maintain a healthy lifestyle with all the different holiday treats and temptations.

– Meet Kati Smith, new writer for Class Notes and ICCC Spotlight.

– Amelia Presler has the 20 best book picks of 2011.

There are plenty of holiday things to do in the Fort Dodge area. So take some time to enjoy the festive

surroundings with your family and friends. I hope this holiday season brings lots of joy, peace, love, fun,

laughter and who knows maybe you will get a hipopotamus for Christmas.

Amelia "Amy" Presler is an avidreader who just happens to workat the best place in town for booklovers – the Fort Dodge PublicLibrary. The best part of her job ismeeting the public and havingaccess to all the latest titles andsharing her love of books withothers. When not reading, sheenjoys cooking and baking, paint-ing and spending time with herfamily and friends. She is a nativeof Fort Dodge and is the youngestof 10 children and has three of herown. She believes that you can judgea book by its cover (literally!) andavoids those that have hats,shoes, feet, fences, swords,gardens, cakes, tableware,Adirondack chairs and cats onthem.

Robert Wolf has lived in Fort Dodgesince 1964. He has written for FortDodge Today magazine since2002 and for The Messenger since1993. He’s the author of “Fossils ofIowa” and “Iowa’s State Parks.” Amember of the Author’s Guild, hishobbies include fossil collectingand photography.

Kati Smith is an Iowa CentralCommunity College student whois working on her degree in Englisheducation. She was born andraised in Fort Dodge where shediscovered her passions for writing,photography, and music. She is aneditor for Iowa Central’s newspa-per, plays the saxophone in theconcert band, and sings for theconcert choir. She likes to spendher free time reading, going onadventures, traveling, writing andattempting to play music. She isan avid believer in following yourheart, so take a chance and dowhat you love!


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contributors


C A L E N D A R

Joyce Blunk: Assemblages

and Paintings Exhibit being

shown at the Blanden

Memorial Art Museum

through January 2012.

1

Farm News Ag Show,

ICCC, Career Education

Building,

Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.,

free breakfast Thursday only

7:30 to 9 a.m.

Admission and parking are

free. For more information

contact Dana Lantz at (800)

622-6613, ext 451 or

[email protected].

1

Preschool storytime, Fort

Dodge Public Library, 10 a.m.

and 2 p.m.

1

POET biorefining is hosting a

special screening of

“Freedom,” from the

filmmakers of the Sundance

Award Winning film “FUEL,”

every hour on the hour from

8 a.m. to 2 p.m., ICCC Career

Education Building, Room

111. For more information,

contact Rita Carlson at

352-2612 or

[email protected] or go to

www.thefreedomfilm.com.

1

FDSH jv/varsity boys

swimming vs. Ankeny,

FDSH pool, 6 p.m.

2

St. Edmond jv/varsity girls and

boys basketball vs. Hampton-

Dumont, 4:30 p.m.

2

FDSH varsity girls and boys

bowling vs. Ankeny,

Ridgewood Lanes,

Fort Dodge, 3:00 p.m.

2

FDSH girls and boys varsity

basketball vs. Des Moines

East, FDSH gym, 6:15 p.m.

and 7:45 p.m.

December 2011

WWeeeekkllyy SSppeecciiaallss

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TThhuurrssddaayy:: 22 ffoorr 11 MMaarrttiinniiss,, $$1100 BBuucckkeettss ooff ddoommeessttiicc bbeeeerr $$55 PPiittcchheerrss ooff BBuudd LLiigghhtt

SSuunnddaayy:: BBrruunncchh BBuuffffeett 1100aamm -- 22ppmm

809 Central Ave., Fort Dodge 515-955-5333

www.oldebostons.com


C A L E N D A R

December 2011

3-4

Lights at Kennedy, John F.

Memorial Kennedy Park

campgrounds, sponsored by

Fort Dodge Sertoma Club,

6 to 9:30 p.m.,

$5 per vehicle admission.

3

Colorful and Creative

Christmas Cookies/Candies

Walk, Trinity United

Methodist Church,

838 N. 25th St.

9 a.m. until gone.

3

Designing Your Own Silk Art:

A Workshop with Pam

Sanders, 10 a.m.- to 5 p.m. at

Blanden Memorial Art

Museum.

3

Saturday Morning at the

Blanden for kids ages 6-10,

10 a.m. to noon.

3

Sonshine Singers present,

“Christmas with Sonshine” at

Holy Trinity Parish, Corpus

Christi, 7 p.m.

4

Fort Dodge Area

Symphony presents

“Holiday Favorites” at the

Phillips Middle School, 3 p.m.

$6 - $10 admission.

6

Free blood pressure

screening, Crossroads Mall,

8 to 9:30 a.m.

7

Preschool Storytime,

Fort Dodge Public Library,

10 a.m.

8

Preschool Storytime,

Fort Dodge Public Library,

10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

8

Diabetes Class, Daniel

Pharmacy, 1115 Central Ave.,

free, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

I N A P INCH & N EED A UTOMOTIVE S ERVICE , BUT H AVE N O T RANSPORTATION …

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Many services available including computerized alignment. COURTESY CAR AVAILABLE! RReellaaxxiinngg MMoommeennttss Relaxing Moments

For appointment call 551155--222277--88665544 515-227-8654

GGiifftt CCeerrttiiffiiccaatteess AAvvaaiillaabbllee Gift Certificates Available BBrriinngg tthhiiss aadd && rreecceeiivvee Bring this ad & receive 2200%% ooffff aa 11 hhrr.. mmaassssaaggee 20% off a 1 hr. massage BBrriinngg tthhiiss aadd && rreecceeiivvee Bring this ad & receive 2200%% ooffff aa 11 hhrr.. mmaassssaaggee 20% off a 1 hr. massage

RReellaaxxiinngg MMoommeennttss Relaxing Moments KKiimm DDrreeyyeerr Kim Dreyer lliicceennsseedd mmaassssaaggee tthheerraappiisstt licensed massage therapist

TThheerraappeeuuttiicc MMaassssaaggee Therapeutic Massage TThheerraappeeuuttiicc MMaassssaaggee Therapeutic Massage eexxpp 1122//3311//1111 exp 12/31/11


C A L E N D A R

7

St. Edmond K -2

Christmas concert,

St. Edmond, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

8

FDSH varsity wrestling vs.

Des Moines East, FDSH gym,

7:30 p.m.

9-11


Kennedy Memorial Park



6 to 9:30 p.m.,


9

St. Edmond j.v./varsity girls

and boys basketball vs. Bishop

Garrigan, St. Edmond,

6:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

9


basketball vs. West Des

Moines Valley, FDSH gym,

6:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

10


Blanden will be held for kids

in grades 5th-8th, noon.

11

St. Edmond Christmas

concert, St. Edmond.

at 3:00 p.m.

11

FDSH holiday concert featur-

ing orchestra, band and choir,

FDSH gym and Gail

Niceswanger Little Theater,

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

13

FDSH varsity girls and boys

bowling vs. Marshalltown,

Ridgewood Lanes, 3:30 p.m.

13

St. Edmond varsity girls and

boys basketball vs. Webster

City, St. Edmond, 6:15 p.m.

and 7:45 p.m.

13


basketball vs. Des Moines

Lincoln, FDSH gym, 6:15 p.m

and 7:45 p.m.

December 2011

where old things come to become something else!

521 Central Avenue, Fort Dodge • lilygraceoncentral.com

recycled • reimagined

Remarkable! DIY Workshops!

Thursdays 7 - 9pm Thursdays 10am - 9pm • Fridays 10am - 6pm • Saturdays 10am - 3pm

16-17


Kennedy Memorial Park



6 to 9:30 p.m.,


16

St. Edmond varsity girls and

boys basketball vs. Algona,

St. Edmond, 6:15 p.m. and

7:45 p.m.

16

Hawkeye Community Theatre,

521 North 12th Street,

Fort Dodge

presents a Christmas rock

musical called “Joy,” 7 p.m.

17


Blanden will be held for kids

in grades 5th-8th, 12 p.m.

17

FDSH varsity wrestling

invitational, FDSH gym,

11 a.m.

17



Fort Dodgepresents a

Christmas rock musical called

“Joy,” 7 p.m.

18



Fort Dodge presents a

Christmas rock musical called

“Joy,” 2 p.m.

18

Fort Dodge Choral

Society presents “Christmas

Memories,” First United

Methodist Church.

A reception with

refreshments will take place at

2 p.m., a carol sing-along at

2:30 p.m. and the

concert at 3 p.m.

20


basketball vs. Waukee, FDSH

gym, 6:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

25

Christmas Day


C A L E N D A R

December 2011

AT THE BLANDEN“The New Deal” exhibit opens Nov. 26 and runs through Mar. 31, 2012

“Assemblages and Paintings” exhibit by Joyce Blunk runs through Jan. 12, 2012.

“Asian, European & American Art” works of art from the Permanent Collection

“Innovative and Imaginitive Cultures” works of art from the Permanent Collection

One~of~a~Kind Gift Shop: New items available just in time for holiday shopping.

Hours are Tuesday - Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.

The Blanden is located at 920 3rd Ave. S. For information, phone 573-2316.


KKeennnneeddyy PPaarrkk CCaammppggrroouunndd •• 11441155 NNeellssoonn AAvveennuuee •• FFoorrtt DDooddggee Kennedy Park Campground • 1415 Nelson Avenue • Fort Dodge LLiigghhttss ddiissppllaayy wwiillll bbee ooppeenn OONNLLYY dduurriinngg tthhee Lights display will be open ONLY during the eevveenniinnggss ooff DDeecceemmbbeerr 33--44,, 99--1111 && 1166--1188.. evenings of December 3-4, 9-11 & 16-18.

DDrriivvee tthhrroouugghh tthhee ccaammppggrroouunnddss aatt KKeennnneeddyy PPaarrkk aanndd eennjjooyy tthhee CChhrriissttmmaass Drive through the campgrounds at Kennedy Park and enjoy the Christmas lliigghhttiinngg ddiissppllaayyss pprroovviiddeedd bbyy vvaarriioouuss oorrggaanniizzaattiioonnss aanndd bbuussiinneesssseess.. lighting displays provided by various organizations and businesses.

Lights at Kennedy sponsored by the Fort Dodge Sertoma Club

66 ttoo 6 to

99::3300 ppmm 9:30 pm

Plastic Containers Metal Cans, Foil Glass-Clear or Brown Newsprint & Inserts Corrugated Cardboard Junk Mail

Magazines & Cereal Boxes

Boxes Brown Paper Bags Plastic Bags

ACCEPTABLE

Styrofoam Aerosol Cans Motor Oil Containers

Window Glass Light Bulbs

NOT ACCEPTABLE

We accept clean used clothing of any size

2150 South 22nd Street • Fort Dodge 955-2781 • 1-800-582-4379

www.regionalrecyclingcenter.com


katikatismithcoLorlocal

Class NotesMeet Howard Haas

photographs by Kati Smith

Where do you work and what does

your job include?

I teach photography at Iowa Central

Community College. Specifically, the

classes I teach are Photography 1, 2, 3

and 4, Set and Prop Design, Business

in Photography, and Marketing in

Photography.

How long have you been working

as a photography teacher?

I’ve been a photography teacher for

four years, all at Iowa Central.

Where are you from?

I am a Fort Dodge native.

What makes you so interested in

photography?

The thing was, I loved art but I

couldn’t draw. I found that if I could

learn the technical side of photography

and learn how to be creative with a

camera, I can enjoy art just like any

other artist.

So, what made you decide to

teach photography?

The opportunity was available and so I

jumped on it. It was a little daring but

as it turns out, I love to teach

photography just as much.

What inspired you to be a

photographer?

Well, it just started out as a hobby. It

soon became a vocation which enabled

me to make a living doing something I

love. Photography is such a neat

opportunity to do something you love

to do while making a living. It’s a good

thing to find a way to do both of

those things.

What inspired you to be a

teacher?

The challenge with teaching

photography is totally different than

the challenge of being a photographer.

Meet Howard Haas continued next page.

Howard Haas looks on after checking the settings on a camera during a class.


class notes

As a teacher, you have to try to express the techniques

and the foundation of photography that you learned

as a photographer, while

incorporating your own creativity and artistic views,

as well as letting your students incorporate theirs.

It’s an interesting mix.

Do you have any advice to anyone who wants

to go into photography?

I truly believe that there has never been a better

chance than now with photography with all of the

training and technology available.

For answers to any of your questions

or to schedule a campus visit, please contact

515-576-7201 or 800-362-2793www.iowacentral.edu

Follow us andbecome a fan on

Facebook at “Iowa Central

Community College”

Meet Howard Haas continued from page 9.

Haas, who once owned his own studio for many years,assists Teresa McLoughlin during class.


The Iowa Central Community College

music department offers a wide array

of classes, including

concert band, concert choir, music the-

ory, sight singing and ear training.

Jacie Simon, a Rockwell City-Lytton

graduate, is one of the many

students at Iowa Central to take

advantage of the music department

in order to pursue a music major.

More specifically, a music education

major. Simon chose Iowa Central

Community College for a number of

reasons. Not only was it less expensive

and close to home, but the small

campus size and small classes had an

impact on Simon’s decision as well.

Iowa Central also has an excellent

music department, one in which

Simon is very much involved.

“I’m involved in concert choir, concert

band, encore singers, vocal jazz, jazz

band, and brass ensemble,” said

Simon. “It’s pretty hectic, but I love

every minute of it.”

Simon said she hopes to take her

talents to The University of Northern

Iowa next fall to pursue her dreams of

getting her bachelor’s in vocal music

education K-12.

“I want to be a vocal teacher, either

for high school or get my master’s and

teach at the collegiate level,” said

Simon. “I enjoy music and I want to

be able to spark the passion and love

for music that I received from my

music instructors growing up.”

Although Simon’s music instructors

had a major influence on her

dedication to music, Simon’s parents

are her biggest inspirations. “My mom

and dad have always made sure that

I made time for music and that

I pushed myself to always better

myself as a musician.”

coLorlocal katikatismith

ICCC Student SpotlightJacie Simon

photograph by Kati Smith

Jacie Simon practices the French horn as part of her involvement in the music program at Iowa Central Community College.


photographs by Regina SmithrobertrobertwolfcoLorlocal

Kelly Hindman sees Lights at Kennedy

as a great way for a family to get out

of the house, away from the television

and computer, and enjoy the holiday

season.

Of course, Hindman might be a little

prejudiced. He’s one of the Noon

Sertoma volunteers who put on the

electrified annual Christmas display

at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.

Lights at Kennedy has been one of

Noon Sertoma’s biggest fundraisers

for more than a decade, and Hindman,

who as been a Sertoman for three

years, is in charge of the social media

aspect of the event.

The evolution of Lights at Kennedy

began, he said, with another Sertoma

club.

“My understanding is somebody had

seen a club in another state that had

done something similar to this, and we

kind of pirated the idea and made it

our own,” Hindman said. “It has

really been a success.

“Matt Crosgrove with Webster County

Conservation invited us to use the

campground for the park out there. It

seemed like a natural setting. There is

already a roadway and things there. It

worked out perfectly because there are

electrical boxes at all the camping sta-

tions, so we had electricity, and it’s a

fairly easy place for people to get in

and out of even in the winter.”

The Sertoma members take on

different roles.

“Like anything you do for 11 times it

becomes more and more organized so

in a sense part of it becomes less

work,” he said. “We share the work in

the club. We assign people to contact

certain businesses about setting up

displays. It takes manpower during the

event, to have people out there to take

people’s money, to take ballots from

people. We have people standing

around throughout the displays to

make sure the displays work okay. Of

course, Santa Claus is there

every night.”

The role of Santa is spread among the

members. “I’ve stood there with Santa

several nights and I don’t know if it

gets more enjoyable than watching kids

faces light up when they see Santa and

get a candy cane and Santa visits with

them, and they see all the Christmas

lights,” Hindman said.

“The essence of Lights at Kennedy

is that businesses of Fort Dodge

volunteer, they don’t pay us a fee nor

Kelly Hindman

Lights at Kennedyinvolved with

A display from Lights at Kennedy last year.


do we charge them a fee. They just

come out and set up their own displays,

and a lot of them are very neat and

interactive, and have really come quite

a ways, as have all Christmas lights in

the past decade. There’s so many neat

things they can do with them,”

Hindman said. “We end up with

about 30 businesses each year.”

The club fills in the spaces between

displays with their own decorations

collected over the years. “We try to

do some creative things ourselves as

a club to dress up the park.”

“We charge $5 a car. It makes no

difference how many are in a car.”

People are given ballots to vote for the

best display. At the end of the three-

week run the ballots are counted and

the first place business wins $500, with

$300 going to the second and $200 to

the third. Winning businesses are

encouraged to donate the award to

their favorite charity and some donate

it back to the Noon Sertoma. Non-

profit organizations that win are

welcome to keep the funds

Hindman said.

“It’s a very successful event for us

fundraising wise.” The event draws

between 1,000 and 1,500 vehicles.

Members begin setting up in

November and all the displays

are finally taken down before the

campground opens in the spring. If

businesses need help setting up their

displays, members will help.

“It’s kind of a labor of love for the

businesses, too, and they seem to really

like it. It’s their way to get into the

holiday spirit.”

“We let them use their own creativity,”

Hindman said. Some businesses use the

same popular displays while others put

up something new and innovative

each year.

Last year, the club began selling

advance tickets and is doing so again

this year because some people want to

give the tickets out, or they just want to

contribute if they are not able to come

out to the display Hindman said.

“I stay involved with Lights because I

think it is one of the neat projects we

do for the community. It’s something

unique that other people aren’t doing,”

he said. “I don’t know very many

people who don’t like the holidays.

They like the Christmas spirit.”

The Noon Sertoma has other major

projects as well. “Our big project is the

Veterans Memorial Park on the

backside of Kennedy Park on National

Ave. We have a beautiful park we put

in there. It honors our military heroes

past and present.” Members continue

to work in the park on Saturdays and

evenings.

“The other one we do a lot of people

don’t know about is our backpack

Buddies Program,” he said. “We feed

about 150 hungry kids in Fort Dodge.

People would be amazed at how many

kids go hungry on the weekend.”

Each Friday throughout the school year

needy kids are given backpacks of food

and healthy snacks for the weekend.

Hindman said it is kind of alarming

how much of a need there is for the

program in the community.

Hindman, who is an Iowa State

Trooper and Fort Dodge City Council

member, spoke at Noon Sertoma

before he joined the organization.

“Because of my work with the state

patrol and other things I’d been asked

to speak there several times,” he said.

“They are a uniquely fun group.”

Lights at Kennedy continued next page.

Fort Dodge businesses volunteer and put up their own displays.


volunteer

“I’ve always enjoyed their meetings so I

checked into their program and ended

up signing up. I always felt like I should

belong to some service club and we have

a lot of options here in Fort Dodge.”

Hindman is finishing his first two-year

term as Ward 4 councilman. In addition,

he served on a committee to raise funds

for the local trail system. Hindman also

serves on the board of directors for the

Citizens Community Credit Union.

He has been active in the Special

Olympics and is a leader for Fort

Dodge Polar Plunge, where emergency

personnel take a plunge into Badger

Lake in the fall to raise money for the

Special Olympics.

“The very first year I had to knock the

ice out of the lake so we could jump in,”

he said.

All his activities have been great learning

experiences, Hindman said. “I found it

great just finding out how my city works,

and how the financial industries work.”

“I’m an incredibly upbeat and positive

person. I just think you have to look at

life that way. There are a million things

to complain about if you just want to

complain. Fort Dodge isn’t perfect but

there are a lot of really really great

things going on if you just stop and look

around.”

Lights at Kennedy 6:00 to9:30 p.m., Dec. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11,16, 17, 18, weather permitting.

For more information, con-

tact Lights of Kennedy

chairman Jason Kolacia

570-4708 or any Noon

Sertoma member

Lights at Kennedy continued from page 13.

About Kelly Hindman

A native of Dayton, KellyHindman, 48, moved toFort Dodge in 1986 whenhe was hired by the FortDodge Police Department.In 1988, he was hired bythe Iowa State Patrol andhas been a state trooperfor 23 years. A lieutenantin the patrol, he is theDistrict 7 commander. Heand his wife Tina havebeen married 23 yearsand they have two sonsand a daughter. TinaHindman is a legal assis-tant for attorney WilliamThatcher. Kelly Hindmanis an avid golfer and asports fanatic.

“I’ve never been much ofa TV watcher.”

photograph by Robert Wolf

Lights at Kennedy was an idea borrowed from another community that has comeinto its own in Fort Dodge with the Noon Sertoma Club.


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SSaannttaa ccaann ffiinndd Santa can find aallll tthhee ttoopp all the top ttooyyss ffoorr ggoooodd toys for good ggiirrllss && bbooyyss!! girls & boys!

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“I’ve always enjoyed their meetings so I

checked into their program and ended

up signing up. I always felt like I should

belong to some service club and we have

a lot of options here in Fort Dodge.”

Hindman is finishing his first two-year

term as Ward 4 councilman. In addition,

he served on a committee to raise funds

for the local trail system. Hindman also

serves on the board of directors for the

Citizens Community Credit Union.

He has been active in the Special

Olympics and is a leader for Fort

Dodge Polar Plunge, where emergency

personnel take a plunge into Badger

Lake in the fall to raise money for the

Special Olympics.

“The very first year I had to knock the

ice out of the lake so we could jump in,”

he said.

All his activities have been great learning

experiences, Hindman said. “I found it

great just finding out how my city works,

and how the financial industries work.”

“I’m an incredibly upbeat and positive

person. I just think you have to look at

life that way. There are a million things

to complain about if you just want to

complain. Fort Dodge isn’t perfect but

there are a lot of really really great

things going on if you just stop and look

around.”


faith

Carol Johnston has been teaching

Sunday school since the 12th grade, 40

years ago. She became Sunday school

superintendent at Good Shepherd

Lutheran Church in 2002. “Every

church I’ve belonged to I’ve been a

Sunday school teacher,”

she said.

In addition to being the superintendent

Johnston also teaches Sunday school,

catechism and Crosstown. Her other

activities at the church include helping

with the Christmas program.

“They needed volunteers to help teach,

so I volunteered and I guess I never left

it,” she said.

Sunday school is held in the church

basement following the Sunday

morning service. In Sunday school,

the teachers give more lessons and

teach more about Jesus. “They have

craft ideas they can go by,” she said.

Johnston orders materials if the

teachers request but others like to

come up with their own ideas. The

teachers are given quite a bit of

freedom in their teaching. “Each

teacher comes with their own ideas,”

Johnston said.

In catechism, the students learn from

Luther’s Small Catechism. It is a pre-

requisite to confirmation.

Crosstown is for the younger students

through the fourth grade and involves:

a meal, music, recess, a lesson and

crafts. It is held every Wednesday

evening. The name is derived from

a program the class originally used.

“Crosstown is off the cuff, there is not

a set program for that,” Johnston said.

Johnston said she never throws anything

away. She donates the old school books

to the missions and to other smaller

churches who cannot afford them even

if the churches are not Lutheran.

“In this society that we have today a lot

of people and a lot of kids don’t get the

churching and the religious aspect of

Jesus and God, and we try to teach

that,” Johnston said.

Johnston said she enjoys working with

photographs by Robert WolfrobertrobertwolfcoLorlocal

Faith Matters:Johnston teaches Sunday school for 40 Years

Carol Johnston has been Sunday school superintendent at Good ShepherdLutheran since 2002.


the students. “Sometimes you will think they are not lis-

tening, and they will answer a question,” she said. To

keep their attention she looks for things they like to do.

It’s boring for a child to sit and listen to a lesson so they

try to use colored pictures. “You’ve got to think like a

child,” she said.

In addition, the classes have painted murals on the walls

of the church basement.

The students also collect food for the Lord’s Cupboard.

The Crosstown, catechism and Sunday school classes

have a contest to see which class can bring in the most

food. “The one who brings the most food for the class

gets to have a pizza party,” Johnston said.

Her faith has always been a strong part of her life. “I

try to put that into my kids and hopefully my kids will

put it into their kids,” she said.

Johnston’s daughter, Michelle Hammersland, also

volunteers teaching Sunday school, vacation Bible

school, Crosstown, catechism and crafts. “It’s kind of a

back and forth thing. If I need her she helps me and if

she needs me I help her,” Hammersland said. Her

daughter ,Taylor Hammersland, is starting to volunteer

now as well.

Sain t O laf L u theran C hu rch 239 N orth 11th Street

Fort D odge, IA 576-2103

� � � � � � � �

w w w .stolaffd.org

C hristm as Eve: 4:00 p m - F am ily Service

11:00 p m - C an dlelight Service C hristm as D ay:

10:00 am - Service of H oly C om m un ion

Johnston continued next page.

Crosstown is for children through the fourth grade.

They needed volunteers tohelp teach so I volunteeredand I guess I never left it.

““

~ Carol Johnston


Saturday, Dec. 24: Corpus Christi 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm Sacred Heart 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm St. Matthew, Clare 5:00 pm

Sunday, Dec. 25: Corpus Christi 9:00 am Christ the King, Dayton 8:00 am Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorland 10:00 am Sacred Heart 10:00 am

Spanish Mass Sacred Heart 12:00 noon Saturday, Dec. 31: Normal Saturday evening Mass times

Corpus Christi 4:15 pm Sacred Heart 5:00 pm Christ the King, Dayton 5:00 pm

Christmas and New Year’s Masses Sunday, Jan. 1 Normal Sunday Mass times

Corpus Christi 7:30, 9:30 am & 7:30 pm Sacred Heart 8:00, 10:30 am St. Matthew, Clare 8:00 am OLGC, Moorland 10:00 am

Office address: 2220 4th Ave. N. • Fort Dodge, IA • 955-6077

Holy Trinity Parish Where Stewardship is a Way of Life.

There are 12 teachers. “I do have a

hard time finding teachers. Parents just

do not want to volunteer like they used

to,” Johnston said.

“We combined classes and grades just

to have enough teachers.” Anyone can

be a teacher she said.

Once a year Johnston spends a

weekend accompanying students

to a junior high youth program in

Des Moines put on by the Iowa

District West.

“One of these days my goal is to

make quilts for the homeless but I

haven’t had time to do that yet,”

Johnston said.

“She is very dedicated. I’m glad she

does it and I hope she does it for the

next 20 years,” said Brad Niemeyer,

Good Shepherd youth director.

About Carol JohnstonCarol Johnston, 58, has lived most of her life in Fort Dodge since the age of 7,

except when she and her husband Jack Johnston lived in Story City for less than two years.

Johnston works in the office at Oberg Freight Com. The couple have been married 19 years

and have four children and nine grandchildren. Jack Johnston works for Decker Truck Line.

Carol Johnston also volunteers for Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. “My free time is pretty much

grandkids and volunteering,” she said.

Her mom also makes costumes for high school and Iowa Central Community College plays,

Michelle Hammersland said. “I do a lot of sewing and mending for people,” said Johnston.

“I made the angel costumes for the Christmas program. I just don’t like to sit. I’ve got to keep

doing something,” she said.Carol Johnston

Johnston continued from page 17.

faith

Johnston has involved her children and grandchildren in volunteering.Shown, from left, are Michelle Hammersland, Taylor Hammersland and Carol Johnston


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aboutscEnE TownPhotos by CU photographersNicole Hagar and Susan Moore

Missy Carlson and Raquell Benegas at Dueling Pianosdinner show at WIllow Ridge.

Jim Moenck and Bruce Zemke at Dueling Pianos.

Lonnie and Toni Wallace at Dueling Pianos.

Dueling Pianos at Willow Ridge

Doug and Nancy Jenson celebrate their 32nd weddinganniversary at Dueling Pianos.


A visiting artisit, Dr. Carmon Slater, gave a talk and slide presentationat the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.

Visiting Artist

Out and Aboutdog in training

Wellness Education

Shawn is a 4-month old leader dog in trainingfor the sight-impaired dog in training at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility. She is sponsored by Todd & Sargent, Inc. of Ames,and is being rained at the Fort DodgeCorrectional Facility.

Reine Powers meets Jerry Mathers, star of ‘Leave it toBeaver,’ while attending a wellness education event pre-sented by Trinity Healthy Living.

photo by Becky O’Brien

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aboutscEnE TownPhotos by CU photographersNicole Hagar and Susan Moore

Food and Beverage Expo

Young Professionals AnnualHalloween Bash

Amanda Smith and Leah Wilson of the Scentsy boothdisplay their products.

Brian Gibson of River Valley Orchard Winery pours sam-ples available from the winery.

Chad and Misty Hade withNate and Julie Gibsonattending the YoungProfessionals AnnualHalloween Bash.

Jerry and Nancy Richman,Pat and Tabitha Sheran, andSarah and Matt Cosgrove at the YP Halloween party.

Laura and Tyler Sandstrom of Miry ClaryPottery show off their pottery at the Foodand Beverage Expo.

Teri and Dave Jackson attheir booth withXOCAI HealthyChocolate.


Bridal Spectacular

Amie Kallansrud and Paula Brain withSilpada at the Bridal Spectacular.

Dan Garst of Party Productions at the BridalSpectacular.

Dean Vinchattle and Laura Condon on In-Your-Ear MobileSound at the Bridal Spectacular.

Barb Vonsak represents her business, PerfectlyDone by Barb at the Bridal Spectacular.

Sara and Lauryn Resenscheild attendthe Bridal Spectacular.

24 � Fort Dodge Today � December 2011 Fort Dodge Today � December 2011 � 25

CCeenntteerr CCeenntteerr Center SSttaaggee SSttaaggee Stage The Cellar Restaurant and Lounge is committed to bringing you quality food and friendly service. Your meal will be prepared and served with the utmost care and attention. The Cellar has been highly recognized for the excellence of their steaks. They offer two sizes of Filet, the most tender of the steak offerings; two sizes of Ribeye, the most flavorful; and a sixteen ounce New York Strip, which can satisfy the heartiest of appetites. On Friday and Saturday evenings Prime Rib is featured. The Cellar’s Prime Rib is uniquely prepared in a hickory smoker.

Seafood options offered at The Cellar include salmon with a delightful dill sauce, jumbo shrimp which can be batter fried or charbroiled, mahi mahi and tilapia. Diners will also find an extensive variety of pork, pasta, chicken, salads, sandwiches and chef prepared specials on the menu. The Cellar’s regular menu includes 17 dinners for $10 or less. The Cellar Restaurant and Lounge has served Fort Dodge and the surrounding area for over 20 years. They have won the Readers’ Choice Award for the “Best Steak” every year for four years. Over the last three years, The Cellar has also received Readers’ Choice Awards for the “Best Prime Rib”, the “Best Servers” and the “Best Atmosphere”. Bring your family and friends to relax in our friendly atmosphere and enjoy the tradition of fine dining. Your satisfaction is The Cellar’s number one priority!

Hours are Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. We are located in the Budget Host Inn on the northeast corner of U.S. Highways 169 and Business 20 at 116 Kenyon Road. For information or directions call 515-576-2290 or check out our menu and photos on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ cellarfortdodge.com. Be our Friend!

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Winter festivities of music, history

and arts abound around the Fort

Dodge area.

The leaves have blown away, leaving

the trees bare and naked, snowflakes

are falling from the sky, fireplaces are

getting fired up and smells of chestnuts

roasting are wafting through the air. It

is winter time now, and that means the

holiday season has arrived.

There are events happening throughout

Fort Dodge that involve music, history,

theater and art in December.

Fort Dodge Area Symphony

Fort Dodge Area Symphony is present-

ing “Holiday Favorites” this season.

The program will feature Christmas

classics and will close with the tradition-

al audience sing-a-long of the

‘Hallelujah Chorus’ from Handel’s

‘Messiah.’ The con-

cert will be led by

guest conductor,

Mike Golemo from

Iowa State University.

“This is my first time

conducting the Fort

Dodge Symphony

and I’m absolutely

thrilled to work with

the all the people

involved. It is going

to be a spectacular

event for families to

attend,” said Golemo.

“We have a stunning

soloist, Jocelyn

Ascherl. Her commu-

nity should be very

proud of her per-

formance in this holi-

day production.”

Ascherl, is a Fort

Dodge native and a

student at Iowa State

University.

“I was so excited and thrilled that the

Fort Dodge Symphony asked me to

come sing for the Holiday Favorites

show. It is such an honor to be a part of

this event in my hometown,” Ascherl

said.

Symphony performers for “Holiday

Favorites” include Jeanette Lawrence,

playing the viola; Bill Sergeant, playing

the violin; and Laura Cooper on cello.

“This year’s concert has a good mix of

old favorites and what are sure to

become new favorites,” said Cooper.

“Dr. Golemo chose a great program,

and I have really enjoyed working with

him. I’m also very much looking

forward to working with our soloist,

Jocelyn Ascherl, and to ‘Twas the Night

Before Christmas,’ with narrator Scott

Johnston. With all the variety on the

program, everyone is sure to find some-

thing he or she likes.”

The performance will be held at 3 p.m.

Dec. 4 at the Phillips Middle School

auditorium. Concert tickets are $10 for

adults, $6 for students and available at

the Phillips Middle School door.

Ringland- Smeltzer House

The Ringland-Smeltzer House will

have its Christmas open house this year

with help of the volunteer committees

who plan, prepare and decorate the

house. The house will be decorated in

garland, lights, ribbons, bows, wreaths,

featurecover kathleenkathleenkoch, news editor

Looks a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas story continued page 30.

photograph by Hans Madsen

Jeanette Lawrence, Laura Cooper and Bill Sergeant ofthe Fort Dodge Symphony.


Christmas story continued page 30.

Left column, front to back: Bruce Perry,conductor, Sac City; Alec Pendry, FortDodge; Larry Purcell, Fort Dodge;Aliese Hoesel, Fort Dodge; StephanieHill, Webster City; Carroll Lang, FortDodge; Cheryl Kuhlman, Fort Dodge;Marie Bargsten, Fort Dodge; DianeVavak, Rockwell City; Gloria Zahrobsky,Fort Dodge; Lynda Mumm, FortDodge; Helen Patterson, Fort Dodge;Joanne Astor, Fort Dodge.

Center column, front to back: DougHill, Fort Dodge; Mark Gustafson, FortDodge; Sean O'Connor, Fort Dodge;April Ashby, Manson; Julie Larson (left),Fort Dodge; Karin Yungclas (right),Webster City; James Chesnutt, FortDodge; Angela Dencklau, Vincent;Elissa Savov, Fort Dodge; CallieBeggerly, Fort Dodge; Pat Hill, FortDodge; Ruth Bennett, Fort Dodge;Janice Loving, Manson.

Right column, front to back: MichelleHavlik-Jergens, pianist, Webster City;Mark Andrew, Webster City; AaronKuhlman, Fort Dodge; Ryan Bowman,Humboldt; Sandee Bonner, Vincent;Liz Johnson, Fort Dodge; AlanYungclas, Webster City; Becky Warren,Algona; Greg Kienzle, Webster City;Roberta Bochtler, Storm Lake; NancyShelton, Webster City; May Helvik(right), Fort Dodge; Caroline Prochaska(left), Fort Dodge.

Fort Dodge Choral Society Members

photograph submitted by Bruce Perry


Christmas trees and much more

making it glow during the Christmas

open house from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 11.

“We have to thank the people that

volunteer their time and effort to help

get this house ready for our Christmas

open house. I hope that we will have

many visitors this year come to the

decorated historic house, it’s a beautiful

home,” Bill Griffel, president of the

Ann Smeltzer Charitable Trust, said.

The house was built in 1903 for

George Ringland. It is representative of

Fort Dodge’s Gilded Age and the

Jacobethan Revival style of

architecture. It is maintained by a trust

provided by Ringland’s granddaughter,

Ann Smeltzer, the last member of the

family to occupy the home

The trust was established in 2000.

Smeltzer was a lifelong resident of Fort

Dodge and a strong supporter of

cultural events in Fort Dodge and

helped many young artists throughout

her life. She was also a supporter of

the environment through donations to

organizations in Iowa and around the

world.

The Ringland-Smeltzer home is

available to the public for their use in

hosting parties, musical gatherings,

meetings, etc. For more information on

renting the Ringland-Smeltzer please

go to smeltzertrust.org to make

reservations.

Hawkeye Community Theatre

Hawkeye Community Theatre is put-

ting on “Joy,” a rock musical that tells

what happens when a group of high

school seniors arrive to prepare for an

annual Nativity play only to find, no

director, no script and no set. The

show must go on, so it’s up to the high

school kids to make it work.

“It is going to be a fun theatrical

production put on by the high school

kids with great characters,” said Dave

Stokesbary, who is directing his first

musical production. “I picked ‘Joy’

because it is a little more about rock

during the holiday season and I

thought the kids in the production

would have a lot of fun with it. You’ll

just have to come see what they come

up with to entertain us.”

The production of “Joy” has an

energetic group of talented area

students for the December Hawkeye

show. Cain Junkman serves as the

accompanist to some entertaining

vocals sung by Janessa Laupp, Jamila

Shig-Hon, Jazzmin and Monica

Hughes, Allysen Martin, Miranda

Dencklau, Robert Wede, Dakota

Demery, Daniel Peet, Jordyn Peterson,

Dynastacius “Dragon” Collins, Xavier

Skaggs, Jay Laupp and Cal Solverson.

“Joy” will be presented at 7 p.m. Dec.

16 and 17, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 18.

Concert tickets are $10 and available at

the Hawkeye Community Theatre door.

Money and proceeds all go to the

scholarship fund for kids interested in

the arts.

Fort Dodge Choral Society

The Fort Dodge Choral Society is

presenting “Christmas Memories,” a

concert celebrating Christmases past

with songs of “Silent Night,” “Wee

Three Kings,” “Away n the Manger,”

and many more.

“Christmas concerts are always one of

my favorites to perform,” said Bruce

Perry, conductor of the Fort Dodge

Choral Society. “This concert selection

is of classical to modern music with

great selection of sing-a-long carols

lead by Sheryl Kuhlman and Beverly

Poduska. Great for family and friends

to come together for some hot cider,

treats and caroling.”

Events will be held Dec. 18 at First

United Methodist Church. There will

be a reception and refreshments served

beginning at 2 p.m., carol sing-a-long

starts at 2:30 p.m. and the concert

starts at 3 p.m. Concert tickets are $10

for adults, $9 for senior citizens and all

students are free. Tickets are available

at the First United Methodist Church door.

cover feature

Christmas continued from page 28.


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Holiday treats one oh-so-great to eat.

Scents of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger-

bread, vanilla and much more wafting

through the air, bringing smiles to many

faces and maybe just a little bit of a

sugar high. When I was little I remem-

ber our house looked like the Keebler

elves took over the kitchen. There were

so many tins of cookies, fudge and

many more treats. My mom, the elf,

took one weekend in the beginning of

December to make all of her holiday

goodies to share with our family and

friends well into the new year. When I

went to Larita's Cakes 'N More all

cornerculinary kathleenkathleenkoch, news editor

Holiday Treats continued next page.

photographs by Kathleen Koch

Holiday Treats at

A plate full of various goodies from Larita’s Cakes ‘N More.


culinary corner

Holiday Treats continued from page 33.

those memories came flooding back

to me.

Larita's Cakes 'N More has been in

business for 30 years in the Fort Dodge

area and one of the busiest times of the

year for her is Christmas. Larita start-

ed out by taking classes for baking

when she was younger just to figure out

how to frost a cake and make it look

good. One thing lead to another

through classes, teaching kids she

babysat how to make cookies, and then

one day she was asked why don't you

make this into a business and she did.

"Christmas is on of the biggest holidays

that I deal with for all the different type

of bars, handpainted candies, cupcakes,

detail decorated cakes and cookies.

Decorated frosted cookies for

Christmas are the biggest hit during

this time," said Larita.

Larita's Cakes N' More frosting is one

of a kind from Larita. It is "her secret

potion" made along with a secret family

cookie recipe that is more than 63 years

old. But Larita's favorite recipe to

make during the holiday season is her

mother's fudge. It is a milk chocolate

mixture with pecans, it is a time con-

suming recipe but well worth it.

"I like to have treats taste the way I like

to eat them, the gooier the better,"

she said.

Some of the faster, easier treats to whip

up during the holiday season she said

are cupcakes, chex mix, or puppy chow

Treats from Larita’s Cakes ‘N More that taste as good as they look .

Locally famous for the frosting thatcovers cakes and cookies is actually afamily secret recipe.

A selection of holiday cookies fromLarita’s Cakes ‘N More.


mix, even better if the puppy chow is

double dippped. But Larita's secret

about baking during the holiday's is the

best advice.

“Just have fun with who you are with,

what you are baking and of course

what you are tasting. Don't fret if you

accidently put something in your recipe

that wasn't called for. Sometimes screw

ups can work to your advantage, always

taste your creation, good or bad,”

said Larita.

Holiday suckers are also available from Larita’s Cakes ‘N More.

Larita Myers’ vast experience for the last 30 years in business produces greatresults.

Christmas theme cupcakes are agreat treat for upcoming holidayparties and events.


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WiseHealth jessejessehelling

The holidays.

For many, Christmas is accompanied

by avalanche of artery-clogging

confections: mountains of cookies,

cakes and candies, not to mention

trays of turkey, stuffing and potatoes.

With every holiday party serving up

seemingly endless spreads of tasty

treats, health-consciousness can take a

back seat.

However, enjoying the holidays does

not have to be a strain on the heart or

the waistline, according to Julie Clark,

a dietician at Trinity Regional Medical

Center’s Diabetes Center.

Clark offers several tips for surviving

the season and greeting 2012 in a fit,

healthy manner.

Exercise

The easiest way to burn Christmas

calories is through exercise.

The scheduling pressures of the

holidays can pre-empt a persons’

usual fitness regimen.

But even if you don’t have time to fit

in your usual three hours in the gym,

an abridged version is OK, Clark said.

“Anything you do is better than

nothing,” she said.

Clark advises people to incorporate

exercise into their family traditions.

“Go for a walk after dinner,” she said.

“Or, bundle up and go run around in

the snow.”

Drink water

It’s refreshing, has no calories and is

nearly free.

At a holiday gathering, water can be a

health-conscious reveler’s best friend,

according to Clark.

“Sip a glass at parties,” she said.

“Water can help fill you up before a

meal and keep you hydrated.”

“That’s particularly useful as coffee

and alcohol are more likely to be

consumed,” Clark said.

Eat smart

Vegetables–even if doused in ranch

dressing or other dips are healthier

snacks on which to munch that candy

or Christmas cookies.

“Load up with veggies,” Clark said.

“One way to make sure that there’s a

healthy option at any party is to bring

a nutritious entree or appetizer,”

Clark said.

“If you eat more of what you prepare,

you can know exactly what has gone

into it,” she said.

Contributing to the spread might help

endear you to your host, too.

Holidays

Healthy


Slow down

It takes 20 minutes for your brain and

your stomach to both register that

you’re full.

“That’s a long time,” Clark said.

“You can fit a couple trips to the

serving table into that time.”

As a result, overeating and its

accompanying bellyache are common.

The simplest solution is all in

the timing.

“Wait at least 20 minutes between trips

to the buffet,” Clark said.

“Though it sounds a bit silly, even

slow, careful chewing of food can be

helpful,” she said.

“Take time to talk and enjoy

everyone’s company.”

Walk away

Food is seemingly everywhere during

the holidays and the closer you are,

the more likely you are to eat it.

Solution: step away from the serving

tray.

“Get away from the table,” Clark said.

“Remove yourself, physically.”

If you’re mingling at a party, stake out

a spot that’s well away from the hors

d’oeuvres.

Additionally, if you’re preparing food

for the holiday, resist the urge to scrape

the mixing bowl or lick the spoon.

“People can pack an entire meal’s

worth of calories into that kind of

nibbling,” Clark said.

Live for the present

The New Years’ resolution: a license

to gorge.

Making that mental promise to lose

10 pounds after the holidays turns

festivities into one last chance to go

overboard, Clark said.

This thinking, however, is a poor move

healthwise.

“If you gain 10 pounds over the

holidays, you have that much more

to lose,” Clark said.

Making the task more difficult down

the road means that a person is more

likely to get discouraged and give up,

thus setting the cycle for more weight

gain and more strain on one’s health.

So, sensible indulgences – say, half a

piece of pie instead of half a pie –

are the watchword, according to Clark.

Julie Clark,dietician at Trinity Regional Medical Center’s Diabetes Center

...even if you don’t have time to fitin your usual three hours in thegym, an abridged version is OK.

“

“


jessejessehellingstylehome

Few decorations are more evocative

than a Christmas tree.

Live, fresh cut trees can serve as a total

package – wrapping up the sight and

smell of the holiday.

More than 35 million live Christmas

trees are sold in the United States

annually.

Since 2000, Riverside Trees,

2424 Poplar Ave. south of Fort Dodge,

has provided Christmas trees to north

central Iowa.

Jerry Vanvacter, owner of the

Christmas tree farm, said that he’ll

offer hundreds of trees for sale this

year, beginning the day after

Thanksgiving.

“We draw customers from as far as

Mason City and Des Moines,” he said.

Unlike some tree farms, Riverside

Trees does the cutting for the customer,

Vanvacter said.

The farm offers white pine, Scotch

pine, blue spruce and Fraser fir trees,

which are among the most popular

species available, according to the

National Christmas Tree Association,

which provides information and tips on

selecting the right tree you your home,

including the following:

White pine

White pine is considered to be the

largest pine in the United States. In

colonial times, white pines above 24

inches in diameter were reserved for

England to be used as ships masts.

Needles are soft, flexible and bluish-

green to silver green in color and are

regularly arranged in bundles of five.

Needles are 2 to 5 inches long and are

usually shed at the end of the second

growing season. For Christmas trees,

sheared trees are preferred, although

some people feel shearing results in

trees too dense for larger ornaments.

Needle retention is good to excellent.

White pine has very little aroma, but,

conversely, is reported to result in fewer

allergic reactions than do some of the

more aromatic species.

Scotch pine

Scotch or Scots pine is an introduced

species which has been widely planted

for the purpose of producing

Christmas trees. It is an extremely

hardy species which is adaptable to

a wide variety of soils and sites. As a

Christmas tree, it is known for its dark

green foliage and stiff branches which

are well suited for decorating with both

light and heavy ornaments. It has

excellent needle retention characteristics

“Sprucing” up the Holidays

White pine

Scotch pine


and holds up well throughout harvest,

shipping and display.

As a Christmas tree, Scotch pine is

probably the most commonly used

species in the United States. Because

of its ease of planting, generally high

planting survival and favorable

response to plantation culture it has

been widely planted throughout much

of the eastern United States and

Canada. For several years it was the

favorite species of large eastern whole-

sale growers because of its excellent

harvesting and shipping qualities. It

is also a preferred species for many

choose and cut growers in much of the

eastern and central United States. As a

Christmas tree, Scotch pine is known

for its excellent needle retention and

good keepability. It resists drying and

if permitted to become dry does not

drop its needles.

Blue spruce

Colorado blue spruce, or blue spruce,

is an attractive tree often used for

Christmas trees or as ornamentals,

particularly in the eastern United

States and Europe. Needles are 1 to 1

1/2 inches long on lower branches but

somewhat shorter on upper branches.

They are 4-sided and have a very

sharp point on the end. It is this point

which gives the species its name

“pungens,” from the Latin word for

sharp– as in puncture wound. Needles

are generally dull bluish-gray to silvery

blue and emit a resinous odor when

crushed.

Blue spruce is finding increasing popu-

larity as a Christmas tree as a result of

its symmetrical form and attractive

blue foliage. The species has an excel-

lent natural shape and requires little

shearing. Additionally, needle retention

is among the best for the spruces. Its

popularity as an ornamental leads

many consumers to use blue spruce as

a living Christmas tree, to be planted

after the holiday season.

Fraser fir

Fraser fir and balsam fir are quite similar,

although the geographic ranges of the

two species do not overlap. Fraser fir is

a uniformly pyramid-shaped tree

which reaches a maximum height of

about 80 feet and a diameter of 1.5

feet. Strong branches are turned slightly

upward which gives the tree a compact

appearance. Needles are flattened,

dark green with a medial groove on

the upper side and two broad silvery-

white bands on the lower surface.

Needles are 1/2 to 1 inch long, have a

broad circular base, and are usually

dark green on the upper surface and

lighter on the lower surface.

The combination of form, needle

retention, dark blue-green color,

pleasant scent and excellent shipping

characteristics has led to Fraser fir

being a most popular Christmas tree

species.

According to Vanvacter, all species of

trees can last until mid-January with

the proper care.

“Specifically, making sure the tree is

well-watered is of utmost importance,”

he said.

“Make sure there’s a fresh cut on the

bottom of the trunk,” he said. “That’s

what helps draw water in.”

Blue spruce

Fraser fir


William D. Kent,AAMSFinancial Advisor

Making Sense ofInvesting

• Mutual Funds

• Stocks

• IRAs/Roth IRAs

• Annuities

• Tax-Free Bonds

• CDs

• Retirement Planning

1411 1st Ave. South Fort Dodge, IA 50501

515-576-2771 • 800-927-3401Member SIPC

courtesy of edwardcourtesy of edwardjonesMattersMoney

As you know, the holiday season can be

joyous, hectic, celebratory — and

expensive. And while you certainly

enjoy hosting family gatherings and

giving presents to your loved ones,

you’ll find these things even more

pleasurable if they don’t add a lot more

weight to your debt load. And that’s

why you’ll want to follow some smart

money-management techniques over

the next few weeks.

To begin with, try to establish realistic

budgets for both your entertaining and

your gift giving. When you host family

and friends, don’t go overboard on

your expenditures. Your guests will still

appreciate your efforts, which, with a

little creativity, can create a welcoming

and fun experience for everyone. As a

guiding principal, keep in mind these

words attributed to Johann Wolfgang

von Goethe, the famous German poet

and philosopher: “What you can do

without, do without.” Set a budget and

stick to it.

And the same rule applies to your gift-

ing. You don’t need to find the most

expensive presents, or overwhelm recip-

ients with the sheer volume of your

gifts. This is especially true if you, like

so many people, have been affected by

the tough economy. Everyone you

know will understand that gifts don’t

have to be lavish to be meaningful.

Furthermore, by sticking to a budget,

you won’t be tempted to dip into your

long-term investments to pay for fabu-

lous parties or mountains of gifts. It’s

never a good idea to tap long-term

investments for short-term needs, but

can be especially bad when your invest-

ment prices are down, as they may well

be this year.

So, if you want to stick to a budget but

you don’t want to raid your invest-

ments, how can you pay for your holi-

day season expenses? If you can

spread out your purchases, you may be

able to pay for them from your normal

cash flow. But if that’s not possible, you

might want to consider “plastic” —

your credit card. Using your credit

card does not, by itself, need to amount

to a financial setback, especially if

you’ve chosen a card that offers favor-

able terms and you’ve already shown

the discipline not to over-use that card.

Just try to minimize your credit card

usage over the holidays and pay off

your card as soon as you can.

Of course, you can make your holiday

season much easier, financially speak-

ing, if you’ve set up a holiday fund to

cover your various expenses. While it’s

too late to set up such a fund this year,

why not get an early start on the 2012

holiday season? All you need to do is

put away some money each month into

an easily accessible account, separate

from your everyday accounts. You

don’t have to put in a great deal, but

you do need to be consistent, which is

why you may want to have the money

moved automatically, once a month,

from your checking or savings account

to your holiday fund. When next year’s

holiday season rolls around, you might

be pleasantly surprised by how much

you’ve accumulated.

But for now, following some common-

sense money management practices

can help you get through the holiday

season in financial shape — and that

type of result can get your new year off

to a positive start.

Copyright © 2011 Edward Jones.

All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

Manage Your MoneyCarefully ThisHoliday Season


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Dec 2011 (8pgs) covers 11/12/11 3:04 PM Page 5

Warm wishes for a Christmasseason full of good cheer!

From all of us at United Bank of Iowa

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The holidays are a difficult time for those who have lost someone loved. The staff of Gunderson Funeral Home invites you to attend our annual

“ A Time For Angels ” a service of remembrance in honor of those who have died

and in support of those who still live. The program will feature music and an inspirational message of hope from the

Rev. David Grindberg & Monsignor Kevin McCoy The program will be followed by a presentation of an angel ornament to each family to

take home and place on their tree for their own family gathering. We hope you, your family and friends will join us.

Please call us with any questions or to request your own angel ornament for your family.

GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES

Invites You To.. .

A TimeFor Angels

2011 Service Of Remembrance Sunday, December 4 • 1:30 p.m. St. Olaf Lutheran Church 239 No 11th St., Fort Dodge


December 2011 Today Magazine

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