DECADENT

SPRING 2012 | FREE

Walk Wisconsin about more than

health

REUNIONfrom your kitchenfrom your kitchen

BEYONDBEYONDSAVE more

at the storeCOUPONSCOUPONSdesserts

2 | you s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

Springtime is almosthere. If you’re like manypeople, the arrival of springmeans it’s time to spruce upyour home. But why stopthere? This year, considerapplying some of those samespring-cleaning techniquesto your investment portfolio.

Here are some ideas youmay want to put to work:

Get rid of clutter. Youprobably don’t have tolook too far around yourhome to find things thatare broken or simply nolonger useful to you. If youpoke around your portfolio,you might make similardiscoveries: an investmentthat has chronicallyunderperformed, duplicatesanother investment or metyour needs in the past but isless relevant to your currentsituation and goals. Onceyou identify these types ofinvestments, you may decideto sell them and use theproceeds to take advantageof opportunities that mayprove more valuable to you.

Consolidate. Overthe years, you may haveaccumulated multiple

versions of commonhousehold items — brooms,mops, hammers—whichpopup mysteriously in variouspartsofyourhome.Youmightfind it more efficient, andeven less expensive, if youconsolidated all these thingsin one centralized location.As an investor, you alsomight find that consolidationcan offer you some benefits.Do you have one IndividualRetirement Account (IRA)with one financial servicesprovider and a secondIRA with another? Do youhave a couple of old 401(k)accounts with formeremployers? And have youscattered investments here,there and everywhere?By consolidating all theseaccounts in one place, youcan cut down on paperwork,reduce fees and, mostimportantly, unite yourinvestment dollars so thatit’s easier for you to see whatyou have and then follow asingle, coherent investmentstrategy.

Prepare for turbulentweather. As you know,springtime can bring heavyrains, hail, strong winds and

other threats to your home.As part of your overall springcleaning, you may want tocheck the condition of yourroof, clear branches awayfrom your house, clean yourgutters and downspouts, andtake other steps to protectyour property from theravages of Mother Nature.And just as you need tosafeguard your home, you’llwant to protect the lifestylesof those who live in thathome— namely, your family.You can help accomplish thisby reviewing your life anddisability insurance to makesure it’s still sufficient foryour needs.

Get professional help.You may find that you can’tdo all your spring cleaning byyourself. For example, if yourcarpets and rugs are heavilysoiled, you may need to callin a professional cleaner. Orif your tree branches havegrown out of control, youmight need to bring in a treetrimmer. Similarly, whenyou decide to “tidy up” yourportfolio, you’ll need someassistance from a financialprofessional — someonewho can study your current

mix of investments andrecommend changes, asneeded, to help ensure yourholdings are suitable foryour risk tolerance, timehorizon and short- and long-term goals.

Spring cleaning canreinvigorate your home andyour overall outlook. And bytidying up your investmentportfolio, you can help gainsome of that same optimism— for your future.

WI-5001453166

Give Your Portfolio aGive Your Portfolio a“Spring Cleaning”“Spring Cleaning”

This article was written byEdward Jones for use by your local

Edward Jones FinancialAdvisor.

Member SIPC

Dorie Johnson , AAMSFinancial Advisor

Edward Jones1209 Church Street

Stevens Point, WI 54481(715) 344-1112

you money

you | 3s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

FEATURESFEATURES

7 Off the shelfReviews of “The Scientifi c American Book of Love, Sex and the Brain”; “Working Out Sucks”; “Girl Hunter: Revolutionizing the Way We Eat, One Hunt at a Time”

14 Beyond couponsSave big on your grocery bill

18 Art sceneGalleries, hands-on activities abound

20 Shops we loveBeyond Ordinary off ers something for everyone

28 Little printsSmall patterns can be a big change

29 Things to doEvents, plays and more in March

30 Woman To KnowHilary Dawn Rose Bilbrey is a busy mom, wife and business owner

CONTENTS:

30

HEALTHHEALTH

9 Walk WisconsinAnnual event about more than health for local family

11 Fitness breakFit fi tness into even the busiest day

HOME/GARDENHOME/GARDEN

12 Good startStart your garden indoors

22 Clutter control10 ways to get your house in order

FAMILYFAMILY

13 Sleepover anxietyKeep child’s night away safe and fun

FOODFOOD

24 Big-city inspiration@1800 has unique, refreshing menu

26 Sweet satisfactionChef Michelle Syring shares recipes for rice pudding, fudge and more

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7 years experience successfully treating hundreds of sleep apnea patientsMember American Academy of Dental Sleep MedicineFellowship American Academy of Craniofacial PainMember American Academy of Oral Facial Pain

Member American Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines

Call today for a FREE SLEEP SCREENINGCall today for a FREE SLEEP SCREENINGAND CONSULTATION with DR.THOMAS HONLAND CONSULTATION with DR.THOMAS HONL

Second Hand SnoringSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS ddddd dddddddd SSSSS iii ggSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSeeeeeeeeeeccccccccccoooooooooonnnnnnnnnddddddddddddddd HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnndddddddddddddddddd SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSnnnnnnnnnnoooooooooorrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggLove Is Blind, NOT DEAF!

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Do you kick, poke and prod your snoringbed partner all night long in an effortto get a decent night’s sleep? Grumpysleep deprived spouses have a right tobe concerned about snoring, and the toll“second hand snoring” can take on theiroverall health.1 A recent study showed thatbedmates of heavy snorers lose an averageof one hour of sleep per night.2 Althoughmen are almost twice as likely to be heavysnorers and are the most commonlytreated for snoring, the majority of peoplewho “suffer” from snoring are women!3

Although snoring can take its toll on arelationship, sleeping in separate bedroomsis not your only option. The snorer isusually unaware that he snores, and won’tbelieve his wife. Try tape recording him.Nineteen percent of snorers snore soloudly, they can be heard through a closeddoor!4 Ask his friends. He is likely to takeit more seriously when his buddies won’tlodge overnight in the same fishing cabin.

Although most women are willing to reporton their bed partners, men are not theonly ones who have trouble admittingthey snore. Women generally buy into thestigma that snoring is “unladylike”. Womenneed to self report to their physician orsleep dentist. The likelihood of snoringincreases in menopausal women. In fact,women in menopause are just as likely tosnore as men. Lower menopausal estrogenlevels may cause hot flashes that disturb

sleep. However, “night sweats” may be aresult related to untreated sleep apnea, andare experienced by both women and men.Snoring also increases during pregnancy,particularly in the last trimester. It is linkedto pregnancy-related high blood pressure,pre-eclampsia, and low birth weight ininfants.

And yet, we can be thankful for snoring! Itis sometimes the only noticeable symptomthat leads to a diagnosis of a more seriousunderlying medical condition of your lovedone. Snoring sounds are the result of apartially obstructed airway during sleep.Habitual snoring affects an estimated 24percent of adult women and 40 percentof adult men5. Snoring, rarely a harmlesscondition can be a sign of a serious medicalcondition known as Obstructive SleepApnea (OSA). Approximately one half ofpeople who snore loudly have OSA.

People who snore and suffer from OSAcan stop breathing for measurable periodsof time during the night, resulting in a lackof oxygen to the brain and as well as therest of the body. Some consequences ofsnoring and sleep apnea left untreatedinclude: high blood pressure, acid reflux,headaches, fibromyalgia, type II diabetes,atrial fib, ADD/ADHD, depression, stroke,heart disease, obesity, erectile dysfunctionand Impotence.

Sleep apnea can occur in anyone, andgenerally worsens with age and weightgain. Other common warning signs of OSAbesides snoring are: excessive daytimesleepiness, insomnia, fatigue, teeth grinding,awakening un-refreshed and interruptionsin sleep due to gasping and choking.Untreated Sleep Apnea can also be theunderlying cause of unexplainable weightgain or the inability to effectively loseweight.

If you or a loved one is suffering fromsnoring, get screened by a qualified andexperienced sleep dentist or physician.All that is needed is a thorough history,evaluation of symptoms, and a test witha portable home monitor worn one nightin the comfort of your own home. Ifresults warrant, a final diagnosis is easilyperformed by a sleep physician in a sleepcenter using an overnight sleep study.Depending on your results, treatmentfor sleep apnea and snoring may involvepositive airway pressure (C-PAP), an oralappliance, or in rare circumstances, surgery.

Properly screened, diagnosed, and treatedpatients can look forward to more energy,happier bed partners, and better health.Recent studies show that heavy snorerswith sleep apnea who underwent treatmentreported better sex lives and a smootherrelationship.6 Contact your physician oran experienced dentist who specializesin dental sleep medicine for information,evaluation and proper screening today.

Caution: Do not accept a “snoringappliance” unless you have gotten a medicaldiagnosis that confirms that you do nothave sleep apnea. You may be at risk of amore serious condition.

Dr. Thomas Honl haspracticed general dentistryin Stevens Point since1975. He has devotedmuch of his time andenergy to the study andtreatment of sleep apnea

since 2005 since he was diagnosed withthe disorder. He holds a membership in theAmerican Academy of Dental Sleep Medicineand a Fellowship in the American Academy ofCraniofacial Pain. For additional informationregarding sleep apnea screening, contact asleep physician or Dr. Honl at(715) 341-5000 thonl@adcofsp.comwww.advanceddentalcareofstevenspoint.com

1. Research, Oct Issue “Mayo Clinic Proceedings”

2. Study by John Shephard, MD, medicaldirector Sleep Disorders Center at Mayo Clinic,Rochester,MN.

3. National Sleep Foundations Survey

4. The National Sleep Formalities latest “Sleepin America”

5. Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine 2011

6. Study release by the National Naval MedicalCenter in Bethesda, MD.

IF YOU ORYOUR BED PARTNERSNORE, IT MAY BE A SIGN OF ASERIOUS MEDICAL CONCERN!

Untreated SleepApnea is a majorindependent riskfactor contributing

to:

•High Blood Pressure• CardiovascularDisease

• Stroke• Type II Diabetes

•Depression•Weight Gain•Daytime Sleepiness &Insomnia

• Erectile DysfunctionWI-5001454791

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What if I told you there was a way you could save hundreds, if not thou-sands, of dollars each year. And it doesn’t require anything more than

a few newspapers, a computer and printer, a pair of scissors and a few hours of your time each week. Would you want to know more?

If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this issue of You magazine you will meet five local women who have discovered the money-sav-ing power of couponing. They have offered tips and advice that can help you save money on the things you use every day. And the best part: It really works.

I’ve always been a coupon clipper, and I’ve def-initely been intrigued by the world of couponing. But I live in a smaller city, and I certainly don’t have 40 hours a week to spend with a pair of scis-sors like some of the people featured on shows such as TLC’s “Extreme Couponing.” So I could never make this work for me, right? WRONG!

As I was talking to the couponers featured in this issue, I decided why not give it a try. So I grabbed the pile of coupons I regularly clip from my Saturday paper, visited some online coupon sites, then sat down with my sale ads. I made a grocery list with my new-found knowledge and

growing collection of coupons in mind.Next, I headed to Copps Food Center early one

Wednesday morning to take advantage of double coupon day. In 10 minutes, I had grabbed the 11 items on my list and was at the checkout counter, nervous as to how my first “serious” couponing transaction would turn out.

Let me tell you, there was no greater feeling than hearing the beeping sound as each of my eight coupons scanned in and the total on the register screen continued to drop lower and lower. In just one transaction, I had saved $38.12 by combining sale prices and coupons. I left the store having spent just $10.68 on six boxes of cereal, two four-packs of C batteries, string cheese and other items for my family of three. As I loaded the groceries into my car, I realized that I may have caught a bit of the couponing bug.

Although I don’t think I’ll ever take this cou-poning thing to the “extreme,” I definitely will never look at grocery shopping the same way. And with the tips and advice in this issue, you can try it, too.

Good luck!

— Jamie Jung

From the editor:

YOU MAGAZINE is published by the Stevens Point Journal. Contents of the magazine are by Gannett Central Wisconsin. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in

a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the Stevens Point Journal,

YOU Magazine, 1200 Third Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481

YOUR CONTACTS: Content: Jamie Jung at 715.345.2256. • Advertising: Mary Jo Johnson at 715.345.2051.

you magazine staffPublisher Mike Beck

Editor Jamie Jung

Advertising Manager Mary Jo Johnson

Operations Manager Sherri Wallis

Photography Doug Wojcik and Laura Schmitt

Design Sirena Mankins

•••

you | s p r i n g v o l . 1 3 2 0 1 2 | stevenspointjournal.com

Couponing bug catches hold

6 | you s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

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715-341-1494Hwy 10 East • Across From StaplesOpen: M-Th 8-5, Fri 8-6, Sat & Sun 8-5Coloring your world for over 40 years!

GrowingMy Way?

SPRING ISRIGHT AROUND“THIS” CORNER

OUR SPRING PLANTOPENING IS April 1st!

you | 7s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

Terri Schlichenmeyer

is the Bookworm. She

has been reading since

she was 3 years old and

never goes anywhere

without a book. She

now lives on a hill in

Wisconsin with two

dogs and 12,000 books.

She can be reached at

bookwormsez@yahoo.

com.

Off the shelf: Books to get you thinking spring“The Scientific American Book of Love, Sex, and the Brain”Judith Horstman, c.2012, Jossey Bass, 242 pages

So it’s spring and your thoughts are turning to things, um, spring-like. Things like love, getting into shape for swimsuit season and the patio you can’t wait to put to good use. Yep, you’re firmly focused on fun, so why not read about it while you wait for the weather to cooperate?

Why, first of all, do we fall in love, anyhow? In “The Scientific American Book of Love, Sex, and the Brain” by Judith Horstman, you’ll find out why you fall in love with the person you adore, why you do dumb things in love, what your brain has to do with it all, and how becoming twitterpated can change your noggin.

“Working Out Sucks”Chuck Runyon, Brian Zehetner and Rebecca Derossett, c.2012, Da Capo Lifelong, 224 pages

Everybody knows that looking good in a swimsuit doesn’t happen by magic, right? Well, then, let’s face it and read “Working Out Sucks” by Chuck Runyon, Brian Zehetner and Rebecca Derossett.

You’ll learn to chuck the excuses by getting off your tush because, when you really get down to it, it’s not that bad. You’ll also find out how to eat right and get rid of the negative thinking that holds you back … and that doesn’t suck at all.

“Girl Hunter: Revolutionizing the Way We Eat, One Hunt at a Time” Georgia Pellegrini, c.2012, Da Capo LifeLong, 248 pages

Do you know what you’re putting on the grill this year? Yeah, it might be kind of early to know, but if you read “Girl Hunter” by Georgia Pellegrini, you’ll have some good ideas. This is a memoir of a Wall Street-analyst-cum-chef who was faced with five live turkeys that quickly needed to be five dead turkeys for dinner. That got her to wondering if it was possible to survive on what you killed.

Believe it or not, this is a lovely book with minimum blood-and-guts and maximum beauty, plus there are recipes inside. What’s not to love about that?

Happy reading, and happy spring!

Life is busy. But it doesn’t have to make your feet hurt!

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3 non-competitive walking events:

Full-Marathon sponsored by Ministry Health Care/Stevens Point Journal

Half-Marathon sponsored by Delta Dental

Quarter-Marathon sponsored by First Law Group

123

For more information:www.walkwisconsin.com

1-800-236-4636 • 715-344-2556

“If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking”“If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking”Chinese Proverb

The premier walking event in the MidwestJune 2, 2012 • Stevens Point, WI

This event is brought to you by Portage CountyKeeping Central Wisconsin Moving

WI-5001454280

you | 9s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

Wh e n D e b r a Yach, 34, of Plover partici-pated in her

first Walk Wisconsin event in 2005 with co-workers, she never expected the event would blossom into an annu-al family tradition.

“One of my co-workers mentioned it, and four of us from the place I was work-ing did the half-marathon; we loved it,” Yach said. “The next year, I thought it would be fun to do as a family.”

So Yach invited her moth-er, father and two older sisters to join her, and the quintet completed the quar-ter-marathon in 2006.

“ I u s e d t o l i v e i n Minneapolis, where the rest of my family still lives, and Walk Wisconsin was a nice chance to get together,” she said. “It was also a nice way to push my parents to get healthier.”

Developing a year-round active lifestyle is why Walk Wisconsin was started in 2005, said Brant Bergeron, a member of the Walk Wisconsin committee.

“Walk Wisconsin is a cel-ebration, a celebration of healthy living,” Bergeron said. “We want people to be fired up and inspired to live a healthier lifestyle year-round.

“Our goal is to make Portage County the healthi-est county in Wisconsin.”

Bergeron said the fact that Walk Wisconsin is a non-competitive event is a real draw for many people.

“Anyone can do it,” he said. “Shoes are the only piece of equipment you need, and Portage County

has the Green Circle Trail and other wonderful trails. Walking is also easy on the body.

“It’s the perfect blend of wellness — physical, spiri-tual and social — and it can be done year round.”

Walk Wisconsin has proven life-changing for Yach’s sister, Shari Alexon,

39, of Minneapolis. Alexon has completed the quarter-marathon several times and the past three years has walked the half-marathon. She plans to participate in the half-marathon again this year.

“I was an occasional

START TRAINING

Training sched-ules for the Walk Wisconsin full-mara-thon and half-mara-thon are available online at www.walkwisconsin.com/wwtraining.htm.

Brant Bergeron, a member of the Walk Wisconsin committee, suggests participants start training for the full-marathon as soon as possible. Training for the half-marathon should start the sec-ond week of March, at the latest.

A training schedule for the quarter-mara-thon isn’t offered, but those who plan to par-ticipate in that event should start walking regularly by May.

REGISTER FOR WALK WISCONSIN

The eighth annual Walk Wisconsin will be held June 2 along the Green Circle Trail in Portage County. Full-, half- and quar-ter-marathon walk-ing events will be offered.

Participants will receive a T-shirt, sports sack and finisher medallion. There will be rest stops along the way where nutrition, fluid and restrooms will be available for par-ticipants. A finish-line celebration also is planned.

The registration fee is $25 through May 1, then $35 thereafter. No registrations will be accepted after May 29. To register, go to www.walkwis-consin.com.

Celebrationof healthy living

Family makes Walk Wisconsin annual reunion

By Jamie Jung | YOU magazine

Debra Yach of Plover participated in her first Walk Wisconsin in 2005 with co-workers, and then she decided to make the event a family affair. In 2006, she participated with her mom Sharon Briley, dad Dave Briley and older sisters Shari Alexon and Kim Boylan. In 2011, the group had grown to nine walkers, including Yach’s son, two nieces and a niece’s friend. Pictured before last year’s walk are, front row from left, Kalee Boylan, Samantha Alexon, Austin Yach, Kim Boylan, Owen Yach (did not walk); and, back row from left, Katey Hacket, Debra Yach, Sharon Briley, Dave Briley and Shari Alexon. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

More on Page 10

10 | you s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

dog walker, but I was not really a walker (before I started doing Walk Wisconsin),” Alexon said. “The fact that we could do this and that it was a family bonding thing is what has made me stick with it.

“Walking is for everyone, and it’s such a good feeling when you accomplish it, whether it’s the quarter-marathon, the half-mara-thon or the full marathon. It’s like, ‘Look what I can do!’”

Alexon said after completing her first walk, she did not stick with her training — which included using the “Walk Away the Pounds” DVD by Leslie Sansone and walks at the park. But after two years, she made more of a commitment.

“I started making an effort to go out once a day to walk,” Alexon said. “My daughter started school, and it took me 40 minutes to walk her to and from school each day. It wasn’t a lot, but it got me out and going.”

Since then, Alexon has been going to her local health club and works out a minimum of one hour a day. She also has made a conscious

effort to avoid fast food and cooks healthier meals for her family.

“It started with just walking, and proving to myself that I’m capable,” Alexon said. “I’ve lost a total of 39 inches all over, and a lot of that was just walking and a diet.”

Alexon said her new-found focus on health also has carried over to her husband and two children, Samantha, 10, and Bill, 8.

“The kids go biking with me, swimming and walk dogs with me,” she said. “My daughter also did the (Walk Wisconsin) quar-ter-marathon with my mom, dad, sister and (Debra’s) son last year, and my son wants to do it this year.”

Yach said Walk Wisconsin also has played a big part in keeping her motivated and has helped her stay active in the winter months. This year her youngest son, Owen, 4, also might join family members for the quarter-marathon.

“I enjoy it,” Yach said. “It’s a good opportunity to get out and be part of the community.”

“We don’t do a family reunion,” Alexon added, “we do Walk Wisconsin.”

From Page 9

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New deals are hatchingevery day, but they’renot just one day in themaking. It takes time toproduce a great offer –time spent pecking allover town. But Deal-Chicken will do whateverit takes to deliver thevery best deals right toyour inbox.

you | 11s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

Tiffany Seubert is

aquatics director for

the Stevens Point Area

YMCA.

Busy is an understate-ment for how we run our lives.

Not only has our free time decreased significantly in the last few decades, but we also spend most of our time sitting eight to 10 hours a day. With less time to spare, skipping workouts might seem to be the easiest way to add time to your day, but missing a chance to stay fit is the last thing you’ll want to do when time is limited and you feel rushed.

If you pick the right routine and time slot, you can fit a meaningful workout into any and all of your busi-est days. No matter

how little time you have available, there is a workout for you.

In the days of electronic calendars, we can get a good look at our day’s schedule in

advance. After taking a

glimpse, do you see any areas you can adjust

to make time for a work-

out? You might find many

more fitness break options than

you imagined just by evalu-ating your

day. Identify small amounts of time where you can add even

a quick burst of energizing movement. If all you have are spots of five- to 10-min-ute segments, turn it into a fitness time-out by taking a brisk walk, doing some lung-es or running in place. Get creative and be committed to making exercise a priority.

My favorite time to work out is right away in the morn-ing, so I can attest to the fact that the early bird gets more than a slimy worm. Becoming a part of a dedi-cated group that jumpstarts their day with exercise means you get to cross your workout off your to do list right away, which is an amaz-ing feeling.

Not a morning person? Small changes in your sleep schedule can help you become one. Finding what works for you is the best way to be successful.

Multitasking, in the famous words of TV detective Monk,

“it’s a blessing and a curse.” We can’t deny how many of us have perfected the fine talent of doing more than one thing at a time, so why not use this same concept when it comes to exercise?

If you only have time to do one thing, bring the weights on the treadmill with you. Doing some bicep curls and shoulder shrugs while increasing the incline on the treadmill will have you feel-ing a full-body burn in no time. You will leave the gym feeling no regrets because you were able to get in an entire workout.

The world is full of fitness opportunities, such as taking the stairs or using commer-cials to see how many push-ups you can do.

Take advantage of your undiscovered fitness open-ings and friends by turning your fitness breaks into fit-ness dates.

Fit fi tness breaks into even the busiest day

520A Vincent StreetStevens Point, WI715-341-5000

www.advanceddentalcareofstevenspoint.com

7 years experience successfully treating hundreds of sleep apnea patients • MemberAmerican Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine • Fellowship American Academyof Craniofacial Pain • Member American Academy of Oral Facial Pain • Member

American Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines

If you or your bedpartner SNORE, it may be a

sign of a serious medical concern!

Untreated Sleep Apnea is a majorindependent risk factor contributing to:

High Blood Pressure • CardiovascularDisease • Stroke • Type II Diabetes

• Depression • Weight Gain • DaytimeSleepiness & Insomnia • Erectile Dysfunction

Screening For Sleep Apnea Has Never Been This Easy!

ff f

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Iola Living Assistance,Inc. welcomes you toexplore three levels ofliving arrangements forrehabilitative, respite,assisted living, or long

term care.

715-445-2412www.iolalivingassistance.org

We are a non-profit organization providingcare for the elderly.

Iola Living Assistance, Inc.185 S. Chet Krause Drive P.O. Box 237, Iola,WI 54945

Iola Living Assistance is a skilled nursingfacility. This 50-bed community-owned

complex is dedicated to providingrehabilitation, comfort and end-of-lifecare to the residents of our village and

surrounding area.

Living Oaks is a 24-unitresidential care apartment complex thatprovides meals and assistance with

daily chores, medication assistance, andgrooming needs. Four levels of service

care are available.

Butternut Ridge offers independent livingapartments with optional meal plans,

housekeeping services and transportationassistance. Skilled nursing staff is close athand and residents have priority admission

status to the adjoining Iola LivingAssistance facility should the need arise.

Butternut Ridge ApartmentsIndependent Living

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12 | you s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

Lynn Caine is a Univer-

sity of Wisconsin-Exten-

sion Portage County

Master Gardener

Volunteer.

Get garden plants off to a good start, indoors

As the garden cata-logs roll in and the seeds begin to appear in stores,

we gardeners start getting anxious to get our hands dirty and grow something. A few tips can help you turn those packages of seed into plants ready for the summer garden.

» Seeds are available from many sources. It’s important to remember that each seed contains a plant embryo that must stay alive until the seed is used. Old or poorly stored seeds might not ger-minate.

A quick test is to put 10 seeds in a damp paper towel, roll it up and keep it damp and warm for several days. When the seed starts to put out its first root, you will know how many are alive. If five out of 10 are alive, you can assume 50 percent of your seed is good, so you should plant two seeds to get one plant.

» The short and cloudy days of winter will not pro-vide your plants enough light to grow, so you will need to provide artificial light close to the plants. Fluorescent tube bulbs hung over seed trays work well. Most plants need 12 to 16 hours of light each day.

» Your seeds also need heat to germinate. A heat mat underneath trays will

get seeds germinated and keep them from rotting off. It can be removed once plants are setting their first leaves.

» Make sure your contain-ers are clean before you start. New trays are clean, but if you have used some before, be sure to sterilize them with a mild bleach solution and then rinse well.

» Use a good potting mix. Seed-starting mixes that contain no soil usually work best. Vermiculite and peat will provide good airflow so seeds don’t rot. Fill contain-ers, water thoroughly and then refill after the mix settles. That way, you don’t have to water and disturb the seeds once they are

planted. Potting mix needs to be kept moist but not wet to get plants growing. It is good to have a spray bottle to keep the soil surface moist and a tray cover to keep humidity high.

» The time of planting and the conditions seeds need to germinate are different for every variety of plant. If you have an informative package, it will tell you how many weeks until ger-mination, how much time before they can be planted outdoors and how deep to plant the seeds to get proper light for germinating. In most cases, you count back from the last frost date, but with tender plants it is safer to wait until the soil tem-

peratures are warm, which could be early June. Many university websites have this information available. Just search “starting seeds indoors extension,” which will take you to research-based information.

» The final step is trans-planting your seedlings outdoors. Up until now, the plants have been in a very safe environment, so they need to be “hardened off,” or be conditioned to the natural outdoors. For a few hours each day, put them outside, in the shade and out of the wind. Slowly increase the length of time they are out; after about two weeks, they should be ready for the garden.

Granite doesn’t come cheap.Neither did that bass boat, pumpkin.3611 Post Road, Plover • 715-345-1601www.stoneinnovations.net

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Lisa Pett, 40, lives in

Stevens Point with her

husband, Christopher,

and children, Owen, 7,

and Olivia, 5.

Trust instincts when it comes to sleepovers

My kids are in kin-dergarten and second grade. The day is slowly

creeping up on us when we’ll get that first sleepover invita-tion. I’m glad we have yet to see one because, for most par-ents, the situation is fraught with anxiety.

The idea of sleeping at a friend’s house is so intrigu-ing and so exciting for young kids that they only think of the fun. The more practical aspects (a different routine, and different foods, smells and beds) go right out the window.

Most kids start this process with a sleepover at a grand-parent’s or other relative’s house, where close family can ease the transition. As with everything, a child’s first sleepover depends on the maturity of the child and his or her flexibility with new

situations and environments.Parents have a lot to con-

sider. Is the child old enough? How many kids will be there? Is the sleepover environ-ment safe and secure? Do you know the parents? How will the host parent cope with your child if he or she decides they want to come home?

It’s not paranoid to ask a lot of questions of the sleepover parent. You’re basically hand-ing your child over to some-one who you don’t know very well and putting your child in a situation where they might have to rely on a stranger for discipline, assistance or comfort. Chances are a child (probably a girl) will be ask-ing for a sleepover before her parent feels she is fully ready for the experience. So that puts the pressure on to be “cool” and let the child go.

But a parent should ALWAYS trust their instincts

and ALWAYS ask questions. Even if you feel you have a good idea of what’s going to go on at the sleepover, things can change overnight.

And not always for the bet-ter.

If you are the sleepover parent, consider introduc-ing yourself at least over the phone to the invitee’s parents. Include a detailed itinerary for the festivities: times, plac-es, food, etc. Ask the invitee’s parents for phone numbers, allergies or any sleeping issues that might come up.

Above all, stick to the plan. Allow for adequate supervi-sion. If you have six 6-year-olds sleeping over, do not leave them alone to run to the store. (Yes, it happened.) Be where you say you will be. Do not arrange for a sleepover at your house and change loca-tions at the last minute with-out informing the parents.

(Yes, it happened.) Above all, do not take it personally if the other parents are asking a lot of questions or don’t feel their child is quite ready yet.

If you are the invitee’s parent, ask a lot of ques-tions. And if you do not feel comfortable allowing your child to sleep over, ask about participating with the fun but arrange a late pickup. Don’t feel bad if you feel that your child isn’t ready or you are not comfortable with the situ-ation.

Sleepovers are a fantastic way for young children to start to show some indepen-dence. They teach kids about different family dynamics and get them used to solving problems and developing interpersonal relationships outside their families and school. But they need to be a safe, fun experience for everyone.

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14 | you s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

Planning, strategy help Plover woman find ‘tremendous’ savings

COVER STORY

“Once you get started, couponing takes very minimal effort. I think anyone can do it.” KELLI RASMUSSEN23, Plover

BEYONDcoupons

You can’t help but take notice when you see Kelli Rasmussen, 23, of Plover at the

grocery store. The recent University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point graduate comes equipped with a color-coded binder, a cal-culator, shopping lists and, occasionally, a sec-ond pair of hands. And her perfectly orga-nized grocery cart is loaded with items.

That’s because Rasmussen is among a growing number of people nation-wide who have discovered the money-saving power of cou-poning.

Story by Jamie JungPhotos by Doug Wojcik

YOU magazine

to hold the coupons. Then she spent time get-ting to know the coupon policies at the stores where she shops.

“Once you get started, couponing takes very minimal effort,” she said. “I think anyone can do it.”

Rasmussen estimates she spends about 10 hours a week finding, clipping and organizing her coupons. She finds most of the coupons in newspapers she buys at a local gas station. She also relies on two online couponing sites (TheKrazyCouponLady.com and Hip2Save.com) that show visitors how to best match cou-pons with sales at local stores.

“Because groceries are so expensive, even if I did most of my shopping at (discount grocer) Aldi’s before, I was spending at least $100 a week,” she said. “Now, my budget is $25 to $30 a week for groceries.

“If you look hard enough, you can find a cou-pon for just about anything. Almost everything I buy, I buy with a coupon.”

Rasmussen said she now does most of her grocery shopping at Copps Food Center and takes advantage of the store’s double coupon

you | 15s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

SHOPPING WITH KELLI

On a recent shopping trip at Copps Food Center, 5657 E. Highway 10, Stevens Point, Kelli Rasmussen, 23, of Plover was ready to share her couponing knowledge. It was a Wednesday, which meant double coupon day at the grocery store.

With her color-coded coupon binder, a worksheet with four separate transactions planned and her calculator, Rasmussen got to work. She said an average shopping trip, including checking out, usually takes 45 min-utes to an hour.

While she tries to scout the store the day before to make sure the expected items are on sale, she had not had time to do that before this shopping trip. So when she real-ized the Excedrin tab-lets she was planning to buy with a $2 coupon were recalled and the cereal she was planning to buy was not on sale, she had to make some adjustments to her list.

“I never used to scout, but then stuff like this happens,” she said. “But I always bring back-up coupons and scenarios just in case. And I would just be dead without a calculator, especially for situations like this.”

After finding the rest of the items on her list, Rasmussen found a quiet aisle to double-check the number of items in her cart and her coupons before heading to the register.

“I divide the cart up by transactions, and I separate the coupons for each transaction with reusable baggies,” she said. “Then I put two paper clips on the coupons I want to double, and you have to remember to give them those coupons first (otherwise, they will automatically double the first five you hand them).”

Then it was time to check out. Because Rasmussen had multiple transactions, store personnel moved her to her own checkout lane and the savings began.

» Transaction No. 1: $25.09, which dropped to $10.83 after coupons

» Transaction No. 2: $25.14, which dropped to $7.69 after coupons

» Transaction No. 3: $24.62, which dropped to $8.57 after coupons

» Transaction No. 4: $24.16, which dropped to $7.87 after coupons

In the end, Rasmussen’s purchases totaled $98.91 before coupons; after coupons, she spent $34.96 — a 65 percent savings.

Rasmussen got her start with couponing about eight months ago, when she was looking for ways to save money for her household of four (herself; her boyfriend, Patrick O’Neil; and his 7-year-old twin daughters).

“I was still in college and with four people at home and a limited income; something had to give,” said Rasmussen, who works part time as an assistant at First Law Group. “Couponing has definitely helped tremendously.”

In fact, Rasmussen estimates she has aver-aged at least 75 percent savings on groceries and household products since she began.

“(Couponing) was a little overwhelming in the beginning,” she said. “I went through the circulars and clipped coupons, but I didn’t save much. But I started doing research, and now I’ve been able to save enough to help out with some of the bills at home.”

Initially, Rasmussen looked online and watched shows such as TLC’s “Extreme Couponing” to see if saving money through couponing was feasible for her. When she decided to give it a try, her first step was cre-ating a coupon binder — complete with color-coded dividers and plastic baseball card sheets

Armed with a binder full of coupons, worksheets and a calculator, Kelli Rasmussen shops for groceries dur-ing double coupon day at Copps Food Center. With careful planning, Rasmussen saved 65 percent off her total grocery bill in four separate transactions.

More on Page 16

To watch a video of Rasmussen’s recent shopping trip and witness her savings

firsthand, go to www.stevenspointjournal.com.

VIDEOREPORT

stevenspointjournal.com

16 | you s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

days on Wednesdays and select Saturdays. And since she often times has multiple transactions on her shopping trip, she tries to go early in the morning or late at night to avoid the busy lunch hour and after-work crowd.

“I have received some great feedback from cashiers, and others not so much,” she said. “There also are the people who stand behind you in line and say, ‘You’re one of THOSE people.’

“I try to educate people whenever pos-sible.”

Rasmussen said before she started couponing, she bought a lot of generic prod-ucts, but since there are very few coupons for generic items, she’s found it less expensive to purchase name-brand products with coupons.

Rasmussen sug-gests shoppers buy fresh fruits and veg-etables when they are in season or at a local farmers market to save money because there are rarely pro-duce coupons avail-able.

Coupons for meat also are very hard to find, but Rasmussen said that, because she and her boyfriend are deer hunters, they usually have venison on hand.

“Couponing has changed my entire thinking; I was very wasteful before,” she said. “I’ve seen the effects of it, and it’s changed my entire life.”

Clockwise from top: Kelli Rasmussen double checks her coupons. Sara Gunderson, a cashier at Copps Food Center, processes Rasmussen’s coupons. Rasmussen tracks each transactions on a worksheet she keeps in her binder.

From Page 15

you | 17s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

SERENA SBLENDORIOAge: 30City: Stevens PointFamily: Married with three children (ages 6, 4 and 2)How long couponing: Six monthsHow got started: “I saw some acquaintances at Walmart who had piles and piles of toys in their cart. They told me they were stocking up because

they had some really great coupons. They had some extra coupons and gave them to me, and I was hooked. That’s when I decided that I’m never buy-ing anything retail again.”Savings: At least 50 percent every shopping trip.

CYNTHIA BRUNDAGEAge: 35City: Stevens PointFamily: Married with one son (age 2)How long couponing: Four monthsHow got started: After suffering a shoulder injury in September and realizing how long recovery would take, Brundage left her job and “was looking to save a little cash for my family.”Savings: About 50 percent on total grocery bill.

AMY BEHNKEAge: 29City: AlmondFamily: Married with three daughters (ages 4, 2 and 1)How long couponing: More than a yearHow got started: “My desire was to be a stay-at-home mom. We needed to find some way to save money, so I look at cou-poning as part of my job.”

Savings: Between 60 percent and 75 percent off retail prices.

HEATHER RULANDAge: 29City: Stevens PointFamily: Married with two sons (ages 3 and 7 months)How long couponing: Nine monthsHow got started: “My car was dying, and I had just had a new baby. I sat down and was budgeting, and I realized I needed to do something.”Savings: About $300 a month.

WHERE TO FIND COUPONS

Local couponers offer the following tips to help you get started with couponing:

» Get organized. Organizing your coupons in a binder by category requires a few hours of time each week, but it makes preparing to shop quick and easy because your coupons are clipped and organized. Plastic baseball card sheets work great to hold coupons.

» Buy multiple newspapers. If you know there is a high value coupon or several coupons you plan to use in the weekend paper, buy several copies. Some couponers also subscribe to larger, out-of-town papers in addition to their local paper.

» “Like” your favorite brands and products on Facebook because they often offer cou-pons.

» Visit websites that match store sales and available coupons for you. This cuts down on the time it will take you to pre-pare for shopping trips.

» Know the coupon policies. Print the cou-pon policies for stores where you plan to shop and take them with you. Cashiers don’t always know their store’s policy, and having a copy will help educate them.

» Some stores allow you to “stack” coupons. This means you can use one store coupon and one manufacture’s coupon for the same item. Some stores also offer double coupon days, when you can double the amount of a specified number of manufacture’s coupons valued up to

$1 (a minimum purchase usually is required).

» Make a menu for the week before you go shopping. Look through the weekly sale ads and match sales with coupons to plan your meals. Items stockpiled in your pantry also can be helpful when planning meals.

» Buy smaller sizes. When you have multiple coupons for one item, many times you can get two to three of the same item (equal-ing the size of more than one larger one) for what you would pay for one large size with one

coupon.» If you look hard enough, there are coupons

for just about everything. Two exceptions are fresh produce and meat, so look for sales on those items.

» It’s only a deal if you really need the item, or if you know where you can donate your items.

COUPONING 101

ONLINE COUPONSThere are many websites where you can

print manufacturer’s coupons and/or store coupons. Here are a few:

» Coupons.com (manufacturer’s coupons)» Smartsource.com (manufacturer’s cou-

pons)» Redplum.com (manufacturer’s coupons)» Allyou.com (manufacturer’s coupons)» Target.com (store coupons as well as

manufacturer’s coupons)» Trigs.com (store coupons as well as manu-

facturer’s coupons)

USEFUL SITES FOR COUPONERSThere also are some helpful sites that

match store sales with available manufactur-er’s coupons and store coupons to help you get the best deal, without doing all the work.

They include:» TheKrazyCouponLady.com: Shows how to

get best deals at Target, Walgreens, Walmart,

Kmart and more.» Hip2Save.com: Shows how to get best

deals at Walmart, Walgreens, Target and more.

» WildForWags.com: Shows how to get best deals at Walgreens.

» PocketYourDollars.com: Shows how to get best deals at Copps, Pick N’ Save, Target, Walgreens, Walmart and more.

» CouponConnections.com: Shows how to get best deals at Walmart, Walgreens, Target and more.

COUPON DATABASESIn addition to offering couponing tips and

advice, some of the websites mentioned above also provide a coupon database with links to online coupons. Just click on the link and it will take you to printable coupons on Facebook, product websites and more. Most databases list coupons in alphabetical order by brand name and/or provide a search function.

18 | you s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

Melissa Sabel is com-

munications manager

for the Stevens Point

Area Convention and

Visitors Bureau.

If you are looking for something to do during the winter, try getting acquainted with our local arts cul-ture. Whether it’s a leisurely walk

through inviting galleries or taking part in hands-on experiences, this is a great way to enjoy the Stevens Point area.

Art scene» Winter recreation mixes with

art during a winter hike through the Stevens Point Sculpture Park. The 20-acre park features sculptures dotted along a half-mile trail, connecting to the Green Circle Trail. Snowshoe to get some stunning winter views, with a distinct backdrop of regional and national artwork.

» Warm up and get cozy with the local art scene in the Stevens Point area. Inspired by the natural beauty of the area, arts are woven into architec-ture and lifestyles in each community. Explore the blossoming artist com-munity by visiting the Riverfront Art Center. The facility, tucked along the Wisconsin River at 1200 Crosby Ave., features changing exhibits as well as local and regional artists. Admission is free.

» Just across the street from Riverfront is the Scarabocchio Art Museum. Scarabocchio, which means “doodle” in Italian, is the basis for the patented technique of artwork by David Smith, who founded the muse-um. The museum strives to encourage cultural and intellectual activities for

the benefit and enjoyment of all com-munity members. The Scarabocchio Art Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Admission is free.

» As you explore the art scene in downtown Stevens Point, be sure to tuck into many of the specialty shops within the district. Many shops, as well as restaurants, adorn their walls with the works of local artists. Outdoors, you can find murals dedicated to the area’s past on display. As you walk through the square, be sure to get a side view of the Market Day Mural in the southeast corner. Wisconsin artist Kelly Meredith painted the mural on the old brick building, and the uneven and jutting bricks are undetectable from the front.

» For more local artwork, step into the Q Gallery Artists’ Cooperative. An artist-owned and operated gallery, it features rotating exhibits as well as original fine art for sale. Admission to the Q Gallery is free; hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.

» Tucked inside the Sentry Insurance headquarters, you will find @1800. Open to the public, it includes a res-

taurant and art gallery featuring mas-terpieces from Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore and Salvador Dali. It also includes seasonally changing exhibits, featuring the works of talented local artists. The space also includes a the-ater, with a number of musical, theatri-cal and dance performances through-out the year.

Hands-on experiencesIf you would rather create your own

masterpiece, take a class at the Blue Bead Trading Company, plan an after-noon at the Clay Corner Studio or visit Herrschners.

» The Blue Bead, a small specialty bead store in downtown Stevens Point, offers weekly classes featuring vari-ous beading projects.

» Clay Corner Studio, which opened in downtown Stevens Point last sum-mer, offers pottery painting and glass fusing.

» Herrschners, headquartered in Stevens Point, produces the world’s largest mail order craft catalog. Its craft outlet store, with more than 20,000 craft items in stock, is open to the public daily.

Find an eclectic mix of local art, activities

The Riverfront Arts Center offers an array of artwork, including the “Winter’s Garden” exhibit, which runs through Feb. 19. (DOUG WOJCIK/

YOU MAGAZINE)

Exterior walls downtown feature the work of muralist Kelly Meredith. (YOU FILE PHOTO)

you | 19s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

» If you are traveling with kids, no trip to the area would be complete without getting your hands messy in the art room of the Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum.

» For more, head east, to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus. In the Noel Fine Art Center, home to the Carlsten Art Gallery, you will find rotating exhibitions featuring student work as well as faculty and guest artists. Just outside, as you walk to the Museum of Natural History inside the Albertson Learning Resource Center, you will see the mosaic mural, which stands 150 feet wide and 50 feet high, titled “E Pluribus Unum.”

» Don’t forget to visit the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame (at Schmeeckle Reserve). Schmeeckle Reserve offers free, hands-on nature and histo-ry programs, geared to a wide audience, from September to May. The programs, which feature informative talks, guided rides and hikes, are run by UWSP College of Natural Resources students.

Want more information for things to do in and around the Stevens Point area? Visit www.stevenspointarea.com or call 800-236-4636 to order a free planning guide.

There are lots of opportunities to explore your artistic side at the Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum. (YOU FILE PHOTO)

Herrschner’s retail store offers a vari-ety of products for craft and art proj-ects. (YOU FILE PHOTO)

Clay Corner Studio in downtown Stevens Point offers a number of items for customers to paint. (YOU FILE PHOTO)

WI-5001446164

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As discerning shoppers know, it can be very difficult to find

the perfect gift that’s truly one-of-a-kind. That’s why Tabby Huber, 43, of Wausau says she drives to Plover if she needs something that’s really unique.

“Beyond Ordinary lives up to its name,” Huber said. “It’s absolutely my favorite store, and well worth the drive for me.”

Since opening almost five years ago in Village Park in Plover, Beyond Ordinary has garnered a following throughout cen-tral Wisconsin thanks to its unique collection of gifts, accessories, culinary items and home decor. The store recently was named the best shopping experience in the Stevens Point Journal’s Portage County’s Best read-er survey.

Jenna Fritsch of Stevens Point says it’s one of her favorite places to buy gifts for friends and family.

“The staff is always welcoming and friendly,” Fritsch said. “I love it.”

SHOPS WE LOVE: BEYOND ORDINARY

Find ‘something for everyone’

ABOUT BEYOND ORDINARYAddress: 3044 Village Park Drive, PloverHours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.Contact: 715-344-3180. You also can find Beyond Ordinary on Facebook.

Beyond Ordinarya unique local shopping experience

Story by Shereen SkolaPhotos by Doug Wojcik

For You magazine

Anna Neuenfeldt, above, is owner of Beyond Ordinary in Plover. “It’s really rewarding to see the eyes light up when a new customer walks through the door for the first time,” she said.

you | 21s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

The store carries a number of recognizable brands, such as Magnabilities, interchange-able magnetic jewelry. It also carries jewelry from Kameleon and Bauble Lulu, which have become increasingly popular with customers.

In addition to the jewelry cus-tomers will find artfully arranged on the shelves, Beyond Ordinary offers a selection of brightly colored scarves, socks and other accessories. It also offers a unique group of purses, including Maruca handbags and totes in fun fabrics and styles, as well as reversible and interchangeable purses.

“There’s really something for everyone,” Huber said.

Gourmet kitchen items, such as St. Croix cutting boards and lunch totes, also are featured, as well as a selection of wines, many of which are made in Wisconsin. In addition, you’ll find gourmet food items like salsas, dressings and bread mixes, some of which are sold under the Beyond Ordinary brand name.

Huber said it’s her go-to place for baby gifts as well.

“I shop there because I know I’ll be able to give a baby shower gift that’s really different from what everyone else brings,” Huber said. “That’s important to me.”

The baby section features socks, clothing, children’s flatware and cups. Beyond Ordinary also has a selection of fun toys such as the Tickle Monster, a book-and-glove set in a keepsake box designed to bring laughter to bedtime story-telling.

The store also features artwork for the home or office, and plenty of unique accent pieces in a vari-ety of styles such as lamps, wall hangings, flags and candles.

Tracy Trybull of Stevens Point calls it a fantastic little shop.

“I could spend hours checking it out,” she said.

That’s exactly the kind of reac-tion owner Anna Neuenfeldt strives for.

“It’s really rewarding to see the eyes light up when a new custom-er walks through the door for the first time,” she said.

22 | you s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

Professional organizer and author Charlotte Steill sees it all the time. She calls it the “shove-and-close method,” and it’s why she’s in the organization business.

Shoving stuff into closets, drawers and stor-age rooms (typically when company is coming) is what happens when people lack specific places for things to go.

“That’s the root of the problem,” said Steill, owner of Simply Put Organizing in Scottsdale, Ariz., who insists home organization is as sim-ple as two basic principles: “It all starts with not getting rid of old things and not placing things with purpose.”

Steill has 10 tips for purging unused stuff and storing things strategically.

1 LANDING SPOTOf course, it’s always best to put groceries

and household purchases away immediately. But if you can’t stop to put things in their place, Steill sug-gests creating a landing spot in your home.

The landing spot prevents bags and purchases from being shoved into corners or cupboards all over the house. Typically, a laundry room or an area between the garage and kitchen can make a good, temporary landing spot.

Steill said everything left here needs to find a per-manent home within 24 hours.

“People are so busy, coming in with things and not putting them in a specific place,” she said. But the “do it later” approach always comes at a price. “Clutter is delayed decisions,” she said.

2 DONATE ITSteill said most of us fail to purge our

homes of things we no longer use or need. And if nothing ever leaves the house — and stuff only filters in — clutter accumulates. So she makes her clients identify a charity that’s convenient and close to home. “If it’s not convenient, you won’t do it,” she said.

Once a month, that donation bag needs to be taken to the charity and another bag started. You’ll be amazed at how many things you can get rid of when you have a dedicated donation bag and a deadline. Filling it becomes a priority, Steill said.

3 GROUP ITIt seems simple, but Steill said most of

us forget the importance of storing like things together. She’ll often find lightbulbs and batter-ies on shelves and in drawers throughout a house, rather than in one designated spot. The same is true for pens, office supplies and many other common household goods. Create a designated drawer, shelf or bin for these items, and you’ll be surprised how easy it becomes to put them away.

4 WAREHOUSE SPACEIf you buy toothpaste and toiletries when

they’re on sale, create a space to keep them orga-nized. Again, Steill said it’s important to group like things together, so you don’t end up with 25 tubes of toothpaste stored all over the house.

She keeps her warehouse space on a shelf in a spare bathroom. She always knows when she’s run-ning low on a certain product, and she doesn’t waste money on duplicate purchases.

5 OPEN MAIL DAILYSteill doesn’t waste time on junk mail. It

goes in the trash without a thought. Only three types of paper come into the home, she said: trash, reference material and action paper. Reference material needs to be put in a filing system, and paper that requires action (a bill that needs to be paid, etc.) goes to the “action center.”

6 ACTION CENTERSteill said paper is one of the biggest hur-

dles to an organized home. To conquer it, she uses a paper “action center” with three components: a sta-pler, a three-tiered organizer and a trash can and/or shredder. The stapler keeps loose papers together so she can pitch the outside envelopes.

On the organizer, three separate shelves or slots should be marked “To Do Now,” “To Do Later” and “Pending.” The “now” shelf is for bills to be paid and correspondence to be mailed and must be gone through daily. The “later” shelf should be looked at weekly, and the “pending” file holds such things as disputed charges, which can be thrown away when the issue is resolved.

10ways to control the clutter in your home

Story and photos by Gannett Media Service

7 ASSESS THE CLOSETA good trick for thinning the closet, Steill said, is to

start the year by hanging all your clothes hangers the oppo-site way (from the back) in your closet. As you take things out to wear them, put them back normally. Steill said we tend to wear only about 20 percent of what we have.

You’ll soon see a pattern emerge showing which items you’ve worn, which ones you love and which things you completely ignore. Part with clothing you haven’t touched for months whenever you bring home something new, and the donation bag will fill up in no time.

8 HALFWAY HOUSEWe all have things we’re not ready to get rid of,

even when we’re not sure we want to keep them forever. For those seasonal items, vases, small appliances or clothes that don’t fit, Steill suggests creating a “halfway house” holding area in an out-of-the-way closet or even the garage. If you don’t retrieve an item for six months to a year, it’s time to sell or donate it.

9 GO DIGITALIn this digital age, “people save way too much

paper,” then struggle with storing it, Steill said. She files away only vital documents, such as insurance policies, health/medical records, legal papers and tax records.

Most of the rest — especially paid bills that can be accessed electronically — should be shredded and tossed. Steill also has started to scan things with her NeatDesk scanner (to create searchable, digital files) and uses the website carbonite.com to back up her data.

10 SELL ITFor some, parting with stuff brings guilt

— especially if we’ve paid a lot for an item we intended to use. For things of value, find a consignment store and start a bag or bin to hold things to be consigned. Good furni-ture, brand-name clothing and shoes and nice household accessories all can be consigned. Again, find a consignment store that’s convenient.

You also can sell electronics, such as laptops and cell-phones, to gazelle.com (they’ll send you an estimate and a pre-paid mailing envelope) or advertise/sell items on eBay or Craigslist. Steill uses her consignment/sales money on holiday gifts, which is added incentive to get rid of things throughout the year.

you | 23s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

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24 | you s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

For dining at its finest, look no fur-ther than @1800, the restaurant inside the Sentry Insurance complex, 1800 Northpoint Drive in Stevens Point. Inspired by big-city dining, @1800 offers a sophisticated and metropoli-tan-style atmosphere perfect for inti-mate dinners, business luncheons and family gatherings alike.

Open for lunch and dinner, the menu is both unique and refreshing, changing significantly three to four times each year to offer new dishes, as well as those that are seasonally appropriate.

For lunch, @1800 offers a made-from-scratch soup of the day, along with a delicious potted fire-roasted tomato bisque that is available every day. Traditional fare, such as grilled cheese, hamburgers and pulled pork, are on the menu, as well as unique items such as a wild mushroom enchi-lada.

Marianna Marks, 32, of Stevens Point calls herself “a regular” at the restaurant for both lunch and dinner. She says her favorite lunch menu item is the chicken banh mi, a marinated chicken breast served on a hoagie with Vietnamese pickled veg-etables, cilantro and sriracha mayo.

“It’s to die for, seriously,” Marks said. “And they have a really good wine list. I like that.”

@1800 features “18 wines for $18,” with a selection of chardonnay, cab-ernet, shiraz and other popular wines from notable wineries.

Dinner entrees are unique, ranging from sweet potato gnocchi to chipotle-glazed bison.

Big-city inspiration@1800 offers perfect atmosphere for intimate dinners, business luncheons, family gatherings, more

Story by Shereen SkolaPhotos by Laura Schmitt

For You magazine

Clockwise from top: Fine din-ing chef Wayne Anderson prepares a buffet meal at @1800. The res-taurant offers a selection of wine. Subtle lighting casts an inviting glow. Anderson prepares food for baking.

you | 25s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

ABOUT @1800ADDRESS: 1800 Northpoint Drive, Stevens Point

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Lounge opens at 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

HAPPY HOUR: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, featuring free kettle chips, half off @1800’s daily flat bread fea-ture and two-for-one domes-tic bottles of beer. Soups, sal-ads, appetizers and burgers are available in the lounge as well.

CONTACT: 715-346-1800, www.at1800.com

Manager Julene Hahn-Stokes says that a few signature items always remain — even when the menu changes — including her favorite: cowboy ribeye, served with Southwestern potato hash and red mole.

“It’s always good,” she said. “The salmon is also extremely popular; that never leaves the menu, either.”

The appetizer list goes beyond the standard fare, with choices from a mushroom-and-goat cheese strudel to braised beef served in a red mole with flour tortillas. The jalapeno prawns are especially well-liked.

“You absolutely cannot leave without trying them,” Hahn-Stokes said.

Aside from the wine list, the lounge has an eclectic selection of specialty drinks available. The rose-berry sangria is a mixture of rosemary-infused vodka, Absolut Citron and pinot noir with lime and blueberries. Or, try Tenn Scotts in Italy, a mixture of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Drambui, Tuaca Italian liqueur and runny honey served in a chilled martini glass.

For special gatherings, @1800 has a private dining area that comfort-ably seats up to 16 guests.

Formerly The Restaurant and Pagliacci’s, the restaurant was remodeled and reopened as @1800 in March 2008. Reservations are recommended.

Top: The dining and bar areas at @1800 offer scenic views and a simple but elegant atmo-sphere. Above: Chai cheesecake with apricot glaze is among the dessert offerings. Left: Assistant fine dining chef Kellen Ferkey pre-pares a dessert.

Michelle Syring is

dining services director

for Oakridge Senior

Living Community

When you think of February, do images of sweet treats fill your head? If so, it should come as no

surprise, because the months of February, March and April are crammed full of “holidays” dedi-

cated to a variety of desserts.In fact, the entire month of February has been

dedicated as National Celebration of Chocolate Month. Crepe Day was observed Feb. 2. National Chocolate Caramel Day will be here March 19. And you certainly won’t want to miss National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day on April 21.In honor of these food holidays and more, our

You chef Michelle Syring has shared several reci-pes to help satisfy your sweet tooth.

Sweet satisfaction

CREAMY LEMON RICE PUDDING GET ITJuice of 1 lemon 11⁄4 cups Arborio rice 4 cups milk Zest of 1 lemon 1⁄2 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped Pinch of salt 1⁄2 cup sugar 1⁄2 cup heavy creamDO ITPlace the Arborio rice, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla bean and seeds, salt and sugar in a medium saucepan; bring to a sim-mer over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and most but not all of the liquid has been absorbed,

about 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream. Remove the vanilla bean, and serve the

pudding in small bowls.

HEAVENLY FUDGEGET IT8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature) 4 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract12 ounces white choco-late chips (melted) 3⁄4 cup pecans (toasted)

DO ITMix together the cream cheese with the confectioners’ sugar. Once whipped together, add the vanilla extract. Now mix in the 12 ounces of melted white chocolate chips and the toasted pecans. Pour into an 8- by 8-inch container and cool in the refrigerator.

s p r i n g 2 0 1 226 | you

For crepes:4 eggs11⁄3 cup whole milk1⁄2 cup granulated sugar7 tablespoons butter, melted, divided1 teaspoon vanilla3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour1⁄2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1⁄2 teaspoon saltFor fudge sauce:11⁄4 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels2⁄3 cup heavy whipping creamConfectioners’ sugar (optional)

DO ITFor crepesWhisk together eggs, milk, granu-lated sugar, 6 tablespoons butter and vanilla in a bowl until well blended. Whisk in flour, cocoa powder and salt until smooth. Cover and refrigerate 20 minutes.Lightly spray 8-inch nonstick pan with canola oil. Heat pan over medium heat 1 to 3 minutes or until shimmer-ing. Pour scant 1⁄3 cup crepe batter into pan, immediately tilting and swirling pan to cover bottom.When crepes start to bubble, run spatula along outer edge of crepe to

loosen; turn crepe over. Cook 20 to 30 seconds. Remove from pan to parch-ment paper. Repeat with remaining batter, stack-ing crepes between sheets of parch-ment paper.For fudge sauceCombine chocolate morsels, cream and remaining 1 tablespoon but-ter in large glass bowl; microwave, uncovered on high for 1 to 11⁄2 minutes or until chocolate is mostly melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir until smooth and glossy; set aside.To assemble, place crepes onto serving plates (roll the crepe into a cylinder). Top each crepe with fudge sauce, then sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.

you | 27s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

CHOCOLATE CREPES AND FUDGE SAUCETIRAMISUGET ITGET IT

6 egg yolks 3 tablespoons sugar 1 pound mascarpone cheese 11⁄2 cups strong espresso, cooled 2 teaspoons dark rum 24 packaged ladyfingers 1⁄2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for gar-nish

DO ITIn a large bowl, using an electric mixer with whisk attachment, beat egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Add mas-carpone cheese and beat until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon of espresso and mix until thoroughly combined.In a shallow dish, add remaining espresso and rum. Dip each ladyfinger into espresso for only 5 seconds. (Letting the ladyfingers soak too long will cause them to fall apart.) Place the soaked ladyfinger on the bottom of a loaf pan, break-ing them in half if necessary in order to fit the bottom.Spread half of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the ladyfingers. Arrange another layer of soaked ladyfingers and top with mascarpone mixture. Continue alternating until mascarpone mixture is gone.Cover tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours.Before serving, sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

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Little printsSmall patterns can be a big change

Today’s prints often are bright and bold, but a

subtler look still charms. Make your fashion statement a

whisper.

Sleeveless blouse with bird print, $69.95 at H&M.

Shades of Lace dress from Nic + Zoe, $152 at

Nordstrom.

Bisou Bisou belted top, $25

at JCPenney.

Dot-printed shirt dress from Jason Wu for Target, $39.99 at

Target.

Abstract puff sleeve top, $19.80 at

Forever 21.

Tucker printed silk top, $250 at www.net-

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Story and photos by Gannett Media

Service

you | 29s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

MARCH 1Second Annual Dueling Pianos! Two Guys, Two Pianos and a Night to Fight Cancer!, 6 p.m., Memories Wedding and Banquet Hall, 2811 Plover Springs Drive, Plover, tickets cost $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Contact Marshfield Clinic at 715-387-9249, or email faber.tracy.m@marsh-fieldclinic.org.

MARCH 2-4UWSP Theatre & Dance Presents: “A Streetcar Named Desire,” 7:30 p.m. March 2 and 3, 2 p.m. March 4, Jenkins Theatre. www.uwsp.edu/theatre-dance.edu.

Arts Alliance Community Show, 7:30 p.m. March 2 and 3, 2 p.m. March 4, Theater @1800, Sentry Insurance, tickets available at the door or call 715-346-4100, www.artsportagecounty.org.

MARCH 3Point Bock Run, noon, Stevens Point Brewery, 800-369-4911 or www.point-bockrun.com.

MARCH 4Allen F. Blocher Planetarium pres-ents “Sky Quest,” 2 p.m., free, UWSP Science Building, 715-346-2208, www.uwsp.edu/physastr/plan_obs.

MARCH 8Lecture, “The Devil’s Church: Evangelicals and Hollywood in the 1940s,” free, 7 p.m., Pinery Room, Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main St., Stevens Point, 715-346-4211 www.uwsp.edu/cols/Pages/LectureSeries.

MARCH 8-10UWSP Theatre & Dance Presents: “A Streetcar Named Desire,” 7:30 p.m., Jenkins Theatre, 715-346-4100, www.

uwsp.edu/theatre-dance.edu.

MARCH 9-10Point Dance Ensemble’s 13th Annual Performance, featuring choreography by guest artists Melinda Myers and Ted Ballard, 7:30 p.m., Theater @1800, $12 adults, $7 students and senior citizens, 715-346-4100 or www.pointdance.org.

MARCH 13UWSP Performing Arts Series Presents: Spencers: Theater of Illusion, 7:30 p.m., Theater @1800, 715-346-4100 or www.uwsp.edu/cen-ters/pas.

MARCH 17CWN Singles Dance, 8 p.m., Shooters, 3330 Harding Ave., Plover, $8 members, $12 non-members, 715-341-4995.Daleks & Dungeons & Ghosts, Oh My! Egocon 2012, Elizabeth Inn, Newfod2020@yahoo.com.

MARCH 20Tomorrow River Middle School Choir Concert, 7:30 p.m., Jensen

Community Center, Amherst, www.jensencenter.org

MARCH 24Tomorrow River Concerts present: LJ Booth, 7:30 p.m., Jensen Community Center, Amherst, www.jensencenter.org

MARCH 26-30Print with Legend Amos Kennedy Jr., Edna Carlsten Art Gallery. Kennedy will set up a press and print his post-ers, assisted by students, for a week in the gallery. Reception and poster sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 1, Edna Carlsten Art Gallery in the Noel Fine Arts Center.

MARCH 30Portage County Taste of Wine and Cheese, 7 p.m., Noel Group Hanger, Stevens Point Municipal Airport, 715-341-4386, www.bgclubpc.org

MARCH 31CWN Singles Dance, 8 p.m., Bernard’s, 701 Second St., $8 mem-bers, $12 non-members, 715-341-4995.

THINGS TO DO: MARCH

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If you would like to be featured

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zine, or to nominate someone,

contact Jamie Jung at

715-345-2256 or

jamie.jung@cwnews.net.

WOMAN TO KNOW: HILARY DAWN ROSE BILBREY

30 | you s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

Name: Hilary Dawn Rose BilbreyAge: 38City: Stevens Point

Family: I am married to my college sweetheart and best friend, Jeffrey. We have been married for nearly 16 years. We have three hilarious, smart and unique kids. Breck is 10 and in fourth grade at St. Stephen Elementary School. Jake is 8 (almost 9) and in third grade at St. Stephen. Faith is 6 and a big first-grader at St. Stanislaus Elementary School. The kids and I all do taekwondo. Between us we have a blue belt, two high green belts and a high yellow belt. We all love reading. My husband heads up our crazy basketball schedule. Our very favorite thing to do as a family is camp. We spent a month camping our way to and from Alaska.

Job: I am the co-founder and CEO of Inspired By Family, founder and CEO of Trademark U, co-founder of the

LIFE’S LESSONS

Be open to

you | 31s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

One Mom Making a Difference movement and radio host of “What’s Your Story” at Portage County News Talk 1010 AM and 92.1 FM. Under Inspired By Family, I work with my co-founder, Michelle Heim, to write and distribute the Brecker Bunny Safety Series and other fam-ily-inspired material. Trademark U is a leader-ship training/life-coaching business, generally aimed at teens. One Mom Making a Difference is an online boutique to help moms remember that even in the midst of the daily grind, they are truly making a difference every day. The media outlet of “What’s Your Story” is a chance to combine all of my loves. I interview people who are living their personal brand out loud and creating positive change in our community and beyond.

What inspires you? What doesn’t inspire me? The older I get, the more I understand that anything and everything can inspire us if we are open to the lesson. Also, I feel like I am inspired in different ways. I might be inspired to write in order to overcome tragedy and teach others. I am inspired to become more of an athlete by participating in taekwondo and learning from the accomplishments of other athletes around me. I am inspired to be of ser-

vice by the extraordinary acts of kindness I see throughout our community. I am inspired to love bigger by the smiles of my children. I live every day inspired by the beauty and chal-lenges that God has crafted for us.

If you weren’t in your current job position, you’d be ... Teaching. I originally studied to teach English and drama to high school stu-dents. Some days I still miss it, but owning my own business has allowed me the opportunity to work my schedule around my kids.

My superhero power would be ... Hmmm. I would love to receive super organization super powers. Just when I think I have it all together, I realize I’ve missed something!

One thing I wish I could do well but can’t is to ... Maintain routines. I get easily bored and have to change things up. This makes getting to the gym and doing other healthy things really difficult. I aspire to be the kind of person who knows what she is doing most days because I have established a routine that works.

My guilty pleasure is ... I have a book addic-tion. I go to the library, yes, but if I am reading

a good series, it is so easy to download the next one when I am done. I always feel bad because I know I don’t need to be spending the money, but, oh, the instant gratification! Some people are addicted to shoes ... I am addicted to book stores and iTunes.

The gift that I want but never receive is ... I can’t actually think of anything that I want as a material gift. In all honesty, the two gifts that are hardest to attain have no money attached ... the gift of time and peacefulness. Sure, I would love world peace, too, but I mean that sense of contentment where you can sit after a day without your brain going 100 miles an hour and just be.

The movie I can watch over and over is ... “The Breakfast Club” ... still.

The book I can read over and over again is ... “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin. I read it in high school first, then twice in college and several times since. It always means something different to me depending on what is going on in my life. It is about the journey to self-discov-ery by one woman. It is haunting and empower-ing and tragic.

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