Zest for 50+ living July 2014

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Hutchinsoncouple marks70 years with70 yard signs

Three Litchfield veterans takeHonor Flight toWashington, D.C.

ExploreMedicarebefore youturn 65

Donna Whitcomb incorporates items from her century-oldfamily farm into herfour flower gardens

Combining flowers family history

Zest&

Litchfield WatercadeLitchfield will celebrate Watercade

July 10-13. Activities include fire-works, golf tournament, parade, art inthe park, medallion hunt, 4-mile run,fishing contest, Little Crow water skishow, and coronation.

RiverSong Music FestivalRiverSong Music Festival is July 18-

19 and includes live American musicalong the Crow River in Masonic WestRiver Park.

Cosmos Space FestivalCosmos’ annual Space Festival will

be July 18-20, and includes the crown-ing of Little Miss Universe and Man inthe Moon, fireworks and parade.

Lester Prairie’s Prairie DaysLester Prairie’s Prairie Days will be

July 18-19. Activities include an all-school reunion, beanbag tournament,parade and fireworks.

‘Les Misérables’Dassel-Cokato Community Theatre

and Community Education will pres-ent six performances of “Les Misérab-les.” The musical is set in 19th-centu-ry France, where Jean Valjean, whofor decades has been hunted by a ruth-less policeman after breaking parole,agrees to care for a factory worker’sdaughter. The decision changes theirlives. Performances are 7 p.m. July 19and July 24-26, and at 2 p.m. July 20and 27 at Dassel-Cokato PerformingArts Center. Call D-C CommunityEducation at 320-286-4120 for tickets.

‘Brigadoon’Litchfield Community Theatre will

present “Brigadoon.” The classic musi-cal is about two American tourists whostumble upon Brigadoon, a Scottishvillage that appears for one day every100 years. One of the tourists falls inlove with a woman from Brigadoon,revealing a love that transcends time.Performances will be at 7 p.m. July 24-26 and at 2 p.m. July 26-27 at BernieAaker Auditorium in Meeker CountyFamily Service Center, Litchfield.

Meeker County FairMeeker County Fair will take place

July 31-Aug. 3 at the Meeker CountyFairgrounds in Litchfield. It featurestraditional activities, such as exhibits,livestock shows, a carnival, exhibitors,live music and demolition derbies, aswell as senior day and kids’ day.

Silver Lake’s Pola-Czesky DaysSilver Lake’s Pola-Czesky Days are

Aug. 1-3 and feature live music, a fleamarket, parade, food and fireworks.

Watkins’ Kraut and Wurst DayWatkins Kraut and Wurst Day will

be Aug. 1-2, when area residents cele-brate their German heritage with aparade, cow drop raffle and, of course,a feast of sauerkraut and bratwurst.

Winsted Summer FestivalWinsted’s Summer Festival will be

Aug. 8-10 with events that include astreet dance, fireworks and parade.

Heatwole Threshing ShowTake in threshing demonstrations

and see more than 150 tractors on dis-play during the Heatwole ThreshingShow Aug. 8-9. Crafts and flea marketvendors, blacksmith shop, engines andequipment displays, and other demon-strations on Walden Avenue, six milessouthwest of Hutchinson.

Darwin Twine Ball CelebrationDarwin celebrates its twine ball

Aug. 9. Dubbed the World’s LargestTwine Ball Collected by One Person,the spherical collection is celebratedwith parade, mini-rod races, craft fairand pork chop dinner.

Antique Car RunThe New London to New Brighton

Antique Car Run with vehicles from1908 and earlier covers 120 miles onAug. 9. Stops in the past have includ-ed Grove City, Litchfield andKingston.

Minnesota Garlic FestivalThe premier event for lovers of gar-

lic will be Aug. 9 at the McLeodCounty Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.This festival features food, celebritychefs, music, area artisans, games andlots of garlic — all in support of sus-tainable farms and rural communitiesin Minnesota.

Cokato Corn CarnivalCokato’s Corn Carnival, where resi-

dents serve up free corn on the cob willbe Aug. 11-13. There also will be otheractivities, including a parade and livemusic.

McLeod County FairMcLeod County celebrates tradition

and agriculture with its annualCounty Fair Aug. 13-17 at the McLeodCounty Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. Itfeatures traditional fair activities,such as exhibits and showing live-stock, carnival rides, exhibitors, livemusic, AutoCross and demolition der-bies.

2 ZEST | JULY 2014

Calendar of events

Email calendar information to Juliana Thillat [email protected] or call her at320-593-4808 or 320-234-4172.

FILE PHOTO

The Meeker County Fair will take place July 31-Aug. 3 at the MeekerCounty Fairgrounds in Litchfield.The McLeod County County Fair will beAug. 13-17 at the McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.

Cover story: Family historyand flower beds intertwine on

Donna Whitcomb’s century farm

Seniorspotlight:

Three Litchfield veterans take one-day HonorFlight to seememorials inWashington, D.C.

JULY 2014 | ZEST 3

PUBLISHED BYLitchfield Independent ReviewP.O. Box 921, Litchfield, MN 55355320-693-3266

Hutchinson Leader170 Shady Ridge Road NW, Suite 100Hutchinson, MN 55350320-587-5000

PUBLISHERBrent [email protected]

EDITORJuliana [email protected] Litchfield office320-234-4172 Hutchinson office

CONTRIBUTING WRITERJenny Berg, Kaylee Kruschke

ADVERTISING DIRECTORKevin [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTION OR ADDRESS CHANGEPenny [email protected]

PRINTED BYCrow River Press170 Shady Ridge Road NWHutchinson, MN 55350

Zest is published monthly by the LitchfieldIndependent Review and Hutchinson Leadernewspapers. No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, ortransmitted in any form by means, electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording or other-wise, without the prior consent of the publish-er.

JULY 2014Vol. 5 No. 5

�

ZestFFoorr 5500++ lliivviinngg In the news: TheWeseloh kids plant 70hearts in their parents’yard to mark their 70thwedding anniversary

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CONTENTS

4 Health: Healthy foods to eat to help lose weight

8 Money matters: Understand Medicare before turning 65

9 Social Security: A change in your living arrangements could require a call to Social Security to update their records

14 Recipes: Strawberry Muffins, Hot Cinnamon Fireworks Cake

10

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ne of the talents or skills Ilack is gardening. My momhas a wonderful green

thumb, and my grandmother hadbeautiful flower gardens years ago.But I, regretfully, never learnedmuch about gardening from them.

So, I’m impressed by those whohave lush gardens and also a bitenvious of their knowledge and timethey have to spend outdoors water-ing, weeding, planting, and nurtur-ing. This month, we feature DonnaWhitcomb who has four beautifulflower gardens in addition to her vegetable garden on herGrove City century-old farm. Her family history is rooteddeep in her thought process as she incorporates itemssuch as a cream separator, antique chair and a woodenwagon wheel into her gardens for added appeal. Readabout her gardens, maternal green thumb, and the inter-esting landmark that draws history buffs to her farm.

On the facing page is a story about a loving tributethree grown children made to their parents who recentlycelebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Datlaf andPhyllis Weseloh of Hutchinson woke up to quite a sight intheir front lawn. For some people, seven years of marriagecan seem like a long time. Seventy years is remarkable.

Our Money Matters columnist offers some helpfuladvice for Baby Boomers. When you turn 65 you becomeeligible for Medicare. But you have to enroll in it. If youmiss the initial window to sign up for certain parts ofMedicare and later decide to enroll, you could pay signifi-cantly higher premiums for the rest of your life. ReadJason Alderman’s column to understand your options.

We also have a story about three World War II veteransof Litchfield who visited Washington, D.C., with the HonorFlight Network to tour monuments all in one whirlwindday. It was a wonderful way to honor and thank the menwho served our country. This July 4, we celebrate ourindependence and are grateful for all who served.

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4 ZEST | JULY 2014

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By Kaylee KruschkeCONTRIBUTING WRITER

It’s not every day you wake up to70 bright, red hearts in yourfront lawn, but that’s what

greeted Datlaf and Phyllis Weseloh ona recent June morning.

The couple, who celebrated their70th wedding anniversary June 10,said they were shocked to see the sur-prise that was waiting for them intheir front yard.

“I looked out this window and saidsomething’s wrong in the yard,” Datlafsaid.

He noticed the 70 red hearts in theiryard at 2:30 a.m., but waited until 7a.m. to wake Phyllis and show herwhat their children had done to wishthem a happy 70th anniversary.

“They are probably one of the closestcouples I know,” Lois Weseloh, daugh-ter-in-law, said. “They’re still verymuch in love with each other. We feel

so blessed to have them around.”The couple met in 1938 at a local

roller rink. Now, 76 years later, Datlafand Phyllis are still together.

They were married June 10, 1944,at Cokato Evangelical LutheranChurch. Their union was blessed withthree children, Kimberly, Reed andChip.

In 1957, they built their home,

which they still live in, along the CrowRiver in Hutchinson.

The couple now has 11 grandsons,six great-granddaughters and twogreat-grandsons.

“I don’t know if there’s a secret (tomarriage),” Datlaf said. “We’ve beenvery active.”

“We’ve had a very happy life,”Phyllis said.

Datlaf and PhyllisWeseloh’s threechildren —Kimberly, Reedand Chip — sur-prised their par-ents on their 70thwedding anniver-sary by having 70red hearts placedin their yard.

PHOTO BY KAYLEE KRUSCHKE

Children decorate parents’ yard to celebrate 70th anniversary

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By Jenny BergCONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bruce Cottington was only 16years old when he was sworninto the Navy in 1943 — the

same year Harry Lindbloom wasdrafted into the Army. Two years later,Wayne Bonkrude entered the Navy.

The three men, all Litchfield resi-dents, are members of the “nation’sgreatest generation” who selflesslyserved their country during World WarII. And on April 22, the three men vis-ited Washington, D.C., with the HonorFlight Network to tour the monu-ments built in their honor.

Forty World War II veterans and 60Korean War veterans traveled from St.Cloud, Minn., to the nation’s capital onthe Honor Flight, which was funded bydonations.

The veterans visited multiple memo-rials, including the World War II,Korean, Vietnam, Lincoln, Air Force,Iwo Jima, Navy and Women in MilitaryService memorials. The group also vis-ited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldierand attended The Changing of theGuard at Arlington National Cemetery.

Cottington, 87, said he enjoyed visit-ing the Navy Memorial because he is a“plank owner,” or original member, ofthe committee formed to create thememorial, he said. “Well, of course vis-iting the Navy Memorial was impor-tant to me, because I helped promoteit,” he said, adding, “I think all of themmeant a lot to me, because everyonehas a separate story.”

Lindbloom, 91, last visitedWashington, D.C., about 40 years ago.Much has changed since then, he said,including the addition of new memori-als such as the World War II, Korean,Vietnam and Air Force memorials.Lindbloom said he remembersArlington National Cemetery, but thecemetery’s size is “mind boggling.”

“As I remembered it from before, it

wasn’t this large,” Lindbloom said ofthe cemetery. “But it’s expansive, hugenow. You drive through and you goaround a corner and there’s anotherhill. It’s mind boggling how big it is.”

Bonkrude, 87, said his favorite partof the trip was the surprise mail callon the airplane, which was reminis-cent of the mail calls during his serv-ice years. Once in flight, “Mail Call”was yelled and cards and letters fromfriends and relatives were handed outto the veterans.

“I thought the mail call was a veryemotional thing,” Bonkrude said, not-ing he received letters from his chil-dren and grandchildren. “I didn’texpect it.”

Reading letters from loved oneseven spurred Bonkrude to get in touchwith his grandson, who is in the serv-ice.

“I sat down and wrote a letter tohim. He said it’s the first letter he got,”Bonkrude said. “It brought a smile tohis face.”

Gaylen Heacock Jr. of Litchfield,commander of Minnesota VFWDistrict 6, attended the Honor Flightas the guardian, or escort, toCottington and Bonkrude.

“It was very emotional,” Heacocksaid of the mail call. “There were notmany dry eyes.”

When the veterans returned to theSt. Cloud Airport after the single-daytrip, about 200 people gathered to wel-come them home with cheers and

hand shakes.“This is how people welcome home

veterans nowadays,” Heacock said.

Jenny Berg is a reporter with the Litchfield Independent Review.

6 ZEST | JULY 2014

Litchfield resi-dents WayneBonkrude, BruceCottington, andHarry Lindbloom— all World WarII veterans —board an airplaneApril 22 boundfor Washington,D.C.The trip,part of theHonor Flight pro-gram, was free tothe veterans.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Gaylen Heacock Jr., commander ofMinnesota VFW District 6, stands byWorld War II veterans BruceCottington, center, and WayneBonkrude in Washington, D.C.

Cottington, Lindbloom,Bonkrude visit memorials,

other sites in Washington, D.C.,during single-day trip

Litchfield veterans take Honor Flight

JULY 2014 | ZEST 7

MEDICARE ||||||

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Dear Marci, My doctor told me that he would write me a prescription

for a walker that I need. I need this walker to get aroundinside of my home. I have a Medicare Advantage plan.Will Medicare help pay for my walker?

— Glen

Dear Glen,Medicare can help pay for walkers and other types of

medical equipment you use at home if they are consideredto be Durable Medical Equipment. According to Medicarerules, an item is considered to be DME if it:

� Serves a medical purpose;� Can be used in the home;� Can be used over and over

again;� Is likely to last for three

years or more; and� Is prescribed by your doctor

or other health care professional.Other examples of DME

include wheelchairs, power scoot-ers, oxygen tanks, and diabetictesting supplies.

Since you get your Medicarebenefits through a MedicareAdvantage plan, also known as aMedicare private health plan, you

should contact your plan directly to learn about your plan’srules for covering DME. Your plan most likely will requireyou to get your walker from an in-network supplier, a sup-plier that is contracted by the plan to provide DME to planmembers. Also, check to see whether you need to get priorapproval from your plan, before getting your walker. Someplans may require you to get prior approval from themfirst, before they will help pay for the DME you need.

Rules are slightly different for those who get theirMedicare benefits through Original Medicare, the tradi-tional Medicare program administered directly through thefederal government. In general, most people with OriginalMedicare are affected by the DME Competitive BiddingProgram, a program that lowers the costs of many types ofDME for certain people with Original Medicare. Thoseaffected by the Competitive Bidding Program need to getspecific types of DME from Medicare contract suppliers,which are qualified, accredited suppliers that have beenselected by Medicare to provide DME at lower costs. Thosewho have Original Medicare and are not affected by theCompetitive Bidding Program can generally get DME atthe lowest cost, if they use Medicare-certified suppliersthat take assignment, meaning they accept the Medicare-approved amount for DME as full payment.

— Marci

Medicare might pay forwalkers, other medical

equipment used at home

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|MONEY MATTERS

Each day, approximately10,000 Baby Boomers turn65 – and thereby become eli-

gible for Medicare.But becoming eligible for and actu-

ally enrolling in Medicare are two dif-ferent things. In fact, if you miss theinitial window to sign up for certainparts of Medicare and later decide toenroll, you could wind up paying sig-nificantly higher premiums for therest of your life.

If you’re approaching 65, get famil-iar with these Medicare basics now:

Medicare provides benefits to peo-ple age 65 and older (and those under65 with certain disabilities or end-stage renal disease). For most people,the initial enrollment period is theseven-month period that begins threemonths before the month they turn65. If you miss that window, you canenroll between Jan.1 and March 31each year, although your coveragewon’t begin until July 1.

Medicare offers several plans andcoverage options, including:

� Medicare Part A helps coverinpatient hospital, skilled nursingfacility and hospice services, as wellas home health care. Most people payno monthly premium for Part A, pro-vided they or their spouse have paidFICA taxes for at least 40 calendarquarters.

� Medicare Part B helps covermedically necessary doctor’s services,outpatient care, durable medicalequipment and many preventive serv-ices. It’s optional and has a monthlypremium. For most people there’s a$147 yearly deductible; after that’smet, you’ll be responsible for 20 per-cent of the Medicare-approvedamount of the service, provided thedoctor or other provider acceptsMedicare.

� Medicare Part C (Advantage)plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurers as alterna-tives to Original Medicare Parts Aand B. Most cover prescription drugsand some include additional benefits

such as dental and vision coverage foran extra cost. You’re usually requiredto use the plan’s doctor, hospital andpharmacy provider network, whichmay be more restrictive thanproviders you can access throughParts A and B.

Medicare Part D helps cover thecost of prescription drugs. It’s optionaland carries a monthly premium.These privately run plans vary widelyin terms of cost, copayments anddeductibles and medications covered.If you’re enrolled in a Part C planthat includes drug coverage, you don’tneed Part D.

Many people purchase additionalMedigap (or Medicare Supplemental)insurance, which is offered by privateinsurers and helps pay for manyitems not covered by Medicare.Medigap plans can vary widely interms of cost, covered benefits andstates participating so compare youroptions carefully.

Keep in mind:� For all Medicare plans,

deductibles, copayments and

coinsurance may apply, depending onthe service provided.

� With Parts B and D, you’ll oftenface sizeable penalties if you don’tenroll when first becoming eligible –Part B premiums could increase 10percent for each 12-month period youwere eligible but didn’t sign up (thePart D penalty is more complicated);however, if you’re currently coveredby an employer’s plan you can enrolllater without penalty.

� Terms of Advantage and Part Dplans such as premiums, co-paymentsand covered medications can changefrom year to year, so carefully reviewenrollment materials from your cur-rent plans to make sure they stillmatch your needs.

Understanding and choosing theright Medicare options for your indi-vidual situation can be a complicatedand time-consuming process. Forassistance, call 800-633-4227 or visitwww.medicare.gov, where you’ll find“Medicare & You 2014,” a detailedguide that explains Medicare in easy-to-understand language, and tools tocompare prescription plans, hospitals,nursing homes,home healthagencies andMedigapplans in yourarea.

Understand, choose rightoptions for your situation Jason Alderman

Senior director of financial education programsat Visa Inc.

Explore Medicare before turning 65

8 ZEST | JULY 2014

Medicare provides benefitsto people age 65 and older(and those under 65 withcertain disabilities). Formost people, the initialenrollment period isthe seven-month peri-od that begins threemonths before themonth they turn 65. Ifyou miss that window,you can enroll betweenJan. 1 and March 31each year.

JULY 2014 | ZEST 9

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SOCIAL SECURITY

Q:I applied for Disability benefits, but wasdenied. I’d like to appeal. Can I do it online?

A:Yes. In fact, the best way to file a SocialSecurity appeal is online. Our online appealprocess is convenient and secure. Just go to

www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/appeal to appeal the deci-sion. For people who don’t have access to the Internet, youcan call us at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) to sched-ule an appointment to visit your local Social Securityoffice to file your appeal.

Q:My dad receives Supplemental SecurityIncome benefits. He soon will be coming to livewith me. Does he have to report the move to Social Security?

A:Yes. He should report any change in his livingarrangements within 10 days. The change mayaffect his benefit amount. Also, we need his

correct address so we can send correspondence when need-ed, even if he receives his payments electronically. He canreport the change by mail or in person at a Social Securityoffice. Or, have him call Social Security at 800-772-1213(TTY 800-325-0778). Changes must be reported promptlyor a penalty might be charged and held from future bene-fits. For more information about the kinds of changes thatneed to be reported, read the publication What You NeedTo Know When You Get SSI atwww.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Q:I run a small business and I am hiring a fewemployees. How can I recognize a valid SocialSecurity card?

A:There are more than 50 different versions ofthe Social Security card, all of which are valid.Although there are several versions of the card

in circulation, all prior versions of the card are valid. Thenumber is what is most important. The best way for youand other employers to verify a name and Social Securitynumber is to use the free Social Security NumberVerification Service. Once you register for BusinessServices Online at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso, you canstart using SSNVS. SSNVS allows you to quickly verifywhether a person’s name and number match SocialSecurity’s records.

By Jon Noyes, district manager at the Social SecurityAdministration office in St. Cloud, Minn. Contact him at3800 Veterans Drive, Suite 100, St. Cloud; 877-405-1446.

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By Juliana ThillEDITOR

Just as many of the decorations inDonna Whitcomb’s gardens have beenhanded down through generations, alove of gardening is deeply rooted in her

family.“My dad’s mother, Frances, she gardened, and

my mother (Stella) gardened. I guess I inheritedthe trait,” she said. “My mom always let me planta row or so that was mine (in the vegetable gar-den). And I’d have a few flowers in the flowerbeds, too. That was part of what you did on thefarm.”

Whitcomb grew up on a farm south of GroveCity that had been in her mother’s family foryears. She remembers visiting her paternalgrandparents’ house just down the road, which iswhere she and her husband, Scott, now live.

10 ZEST | JULY 2014

Family history flowers take

root in gardens&

PHOTO BY JULIANA THILL

Donna Whitcomb’s gardens are a mix of old and new. She stands next to an iron kettle — holding red, white andpurple petunias but hidden by greenery — that has remained in the same spot for more than 80 years, when hergrandmother started a garden on the farm.Whitcomb has added to the garden for years, and it now features athree-level goldfish pond, another fountain near the top, and a weather vane from their barn. Behind the treestands the Acton Monument, a Minnesota historical marker for the first bloodshed in the Dakota Conflict of 1862.

Donna and Scott Whitcomb of Grove Cityincorporate treasures from their century-oldfarm into their gardens for added appeal

The farm has been in her father’sfamily for 129 years. Her great-grand-father, George Paulson Sr., bought thefarm Aug. 28, 1885, and passed it downto her grandfather, George Paulson Jr.,who handed down the farm to herfather, Boyd Paulson.

Whitcomb and her husband, Scott,were married in 1980 and moved ontoher grandparents’ farm in 1982. Thematernal green thumb Whitcombinherited is evident as she tends to fivegardens — three with annual andperennial flowers, one with vegetables,and another with hostas.

“My Grandma Paulson’s vegetablegarden has always been in this area. Iremember we would actually sit underthe windmill and we’d shuck peas andsnap green beans. So it’s kind of cool,”she said, to grow vegetables in thesame soil her grandmother worked.

This year, Whitcomb is growing “theusual,” she said, meaning tomatoes,two kinds of peppers, kohlrabi, radish-es, beans, peas, potatoes and beets.

“Just some stuff to have fresh. Wegrow it to eat it fresh, and I can someof the tomatoes,” she said.

Next to her vegetable garden standsthe metal-frame windmill and aweathered, red barn. In the squareplot of land under the windmill, shecreated a second garden where shegrows all perennials — peonies, daylilies, tiger lilies, irises and flox.

“It’s kind of the old fashioned gar-den. They (the perennials) were all mygrandmother’s flowers,” Whitcombsaid.

Amid the perennials that werestarted years ago are other remnantsof Whitcomb’s family history.

“This garden has a barnyard theme.We decided to take some stuff out ofthe barn and move it into the garden,”she said.

A cream separator stands in the cen-ter of the garden with a brightly paint-ed flower pot sitting on top filled withflowers. She repainted a chicken feed-er and tubs in bright hues — pink,blue, green and purple — that she willplant with flowers this summer andincorporate into the garden.

Her third garden is on the side of thehouse and helps disguise a slab ofcement and dresses up a utility pole.

In the middle are two Adirondackchairs where she and Scott sometimesrelax.

Additional colorfully painted potswith annuals sit amid irises, lily of thevalley, asters, hydrangeas and rosebushes.

“We spend some time sitting outhere,” she said.

The garden includes an antiquechair dressed up with flowers, a coupleof cupid figurines made by her moth-er’s cousin that stand amid yellow iris-es, a sundial and an armillary sphere.Leaning against the utility pole is anold wagon wheel.

“That’s always been a yard orna-ment,” Whitcomb said, later display-ing a photo in which her grandmotherused the wheel as a decoration in theyard. “I’m sure it was off their wagons.I grew up with that hanging around.That’ll date me, won’t it?”

In their backyard, is the Whitcombs’fourth and largest garden.

And it all started with her grand-mother’s iron kettle.

“The iron kettle has sat in this spotsince I was born. My grandmother had

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JULY 2014 | ZEST 11

SUBMITTED PHOTO

A photo taken in July 1962 shows Donna Whitcomb asa child sitting next to her grandmother’s iron kettleplanted with flowers.

At left, the seat of an antique chair servesas a perfect resting spot for a flower potin one of Donna and Scott Whitcombs’gardens on their Grove City farm.


that, and that’s where that pot alwayssat in this yard. That was her garden.She didn’t have a lot of flowers. This iswhere they’d entertain and have thepicnic table. So, we always say, that’skind of the landmark here,” she said.“I have pictures of what we startedwith; it was just that pot. We added around pond. The next year we addedthe next ring, and then when we putup our new house and took down theold farm house. ... Then we added ontwo more ponds and more flowers.Four years ago we added the big pondand the big rock. We just keep adding.”

She and Scott did build up theheight of the garden, rather than dig-ging into the ground.

“We moved sand in and built it upbecause this ground is how it was in1862 when the Dakota Conflictoccurred, and we tried to keep it (as itwas). We didn’t dig in, we just addedup. So, if you wanted to, you could take

all the rocks out, clean the sand upand everything would be just the wayit was.”

In addition to the iron kettle,Whitcomb has other special itemsplaced in and around the garden. Shetook the weather vane that was on thebarn and placed it in her garden. Onone side is a hydrangea tree given toher and Scott after her dad died. Sheplaced a little memorial rock at thebase of the tree.

“We just keep adding every year. I’msure there will be more eventually.This is what I do. This is what keepsme relaxed. It’s just fun. And Scottenjoys it, too. We spend a lot of timeout here in the summer,” she said.

Goldfish swim amid water lilies inthe three-level ponds on one side of thegarden. The outside of the garden isrimmed with rocks and many annuals.The inside is filled with perennials,including lilies, irises, bee balm, but-

tercups, hostas and popcorn cassia.The latter one Whitcomb likesbecause, “if you rub the leaves it actu-ally smells like buttered popcorn. Ididn’t know that until they sold it tome. I thought, ‘oh, that’s cool. I betterhave one of those.’”

At its peak, the garden is lush andcolorful, fragrant and peaceful, withthe water flowing and birds chirpingin the trees.

On the far side of her house is herfifth garden, which she dubs her hostahaven, because it features 10 varietiesof the leafy green plant.

Her gardens will be on display forthe public to see July 8 as part of theMeeker County Master Gardeners’Garden Tour in Grove City.

While she has not participated inthe garden tour before, she is used tohaving visitors to her backyard, whichis located in Acton Township. Just offthe gravel road that runs past the

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12 ZEST | JULY 2014

At left, Donna Whitcomb saved thewagon wheel and incorporated it into oneof the gardens on the side of her house.


SUBMITTED PHOTO

A wagon wheel that belonged to her grandparents andpossibly great-grandparents rests against a tree in thesummer of 1983.

Whitcombs’ house stands the ActonMonument, a Minnesota historicalmarker for the first bloodshed in theDakota Conflict of 1862. At this site iswhere a group of Native Americanskilled five Meeker County residents onHoward Baker’s farm. The incidentbecame the flashpoint for a conflictthat had been brewing for yearsbetween Native Americans and whitesettlers, or more specifically, the U.S.government, which had failed to fulfillits treaty obligations.

“People come there all the time, andyou’ll find them wandering around(our yard),” she said.

Whitcomb respects visitors’ interestin history, and they have been respect-ful that the monument is in her yard.However, they often are curious to seeher large garden and take pictures.

The Baker house stood where themonument is today. The house wastorn down decades ago. TheWhitcombs also tore down the 125-year-old farm house her grandparents’owned and built a new house in 1994.They plan to tear down the 104-year-old barn that her great-grandfatherbuilt and construct a new one in itsplace that looks like the existing one.

“I can’t lose the barn. It kind ofmakes the place,” she said.

The Whitcombs’ oldest son, Nathan,his wife, Veronica, and their two chil-dren, Brock and Ava, live on the farmwhere Donna grew up. TheWhitcombs’ other son, Brandon, ismoving into a house nearby, as well,with his daughter, Leah, and his girl-friend Kari Wroble.

“I’m really connected to home. Myroots are here, so that’s where I’m

going to stay,” she said.Whitcomb, 52, works full time as

director for Ecumen’s Retired SeniorVolunteer Program in Litchfield andas coordinator for the Meeker Councilon Aging. She also works on-call five toseven days a month as a death investi-gator for Meeker County.

She graduated from SouthwestMinnesota State University in Maywith a bachelor’s degree in businessadministration management, so shehasn’t spent as much time as shewould like in her gardens the past fewyears. She’s looking forward to havingmore time to garden this year.

She spends a couple of hours a day,when it doesn’t rain, watering, weed-ing and tending to her gardens.

“It takes a long time to water. Butit’s relaxing just to hang out there.Once it’s in and it’s mulched, it’s nothard to weed. Getting it planted, ittakes a few weeks because you have todo little bits at a time, and I’m slightlyobsessed with flowers. I’ll buy themuntil they quit selling them,” she saidlaughing. “If there’s an empty pot orspot to put it, I’ll buy it.”

Every year, the Whitcombs try toadd something new, even if it’s small,to the gardens.

“Maybe some year I’ll get too old todo it, but not yet. We just like to havethe flowers to enjoy,” she said. �

... I’m slightlyobsessed withflowers. I’ll buy

them until they quit selling them. If there’s an empty pot or spot

to put it, I’ll buy it.

DONNA WHITCOMB“COVER STORY |||

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Meeker CountyMaster Gardeners’

Garden TourWhat: A public tour of gardens

at six area residences.When: 5 to 9 p.m. July 8Where: All gardens are in the

Grove City area this year.Touristscan start at any of the gardens.

Cost: $5 per person. Ticketscan be purchased in advance fromSchmidty’s in Grove City; PeacefulThymes in Atwater; MeekerCounty Extension office, EmmausGift Shop, Stockmen’s Nursery,and KLFD-AM in Litchfield.Ticketsalso will be available at each gardensite throughout the tour. Proceedswill go toward the local Relay ForLife team “Toucan Do Better,” andthe Flowers of Mercy program atEcumen of Litchfield.

For more information, callMeeker County Extension Serviceat 320-693-5275.

Gardens on display:� Larry and Donna Johnson,

19177 540th Ave., Grove City.� Scott and Donna Whitcomb,

53322 248th St., Grove City.� Richard and Lorna Thorp,

51998 260th St., Grove City.� Tim Bergstrom, 201 Fourth

St. S., Grove City.� Arlyn and Bernie Hedtke,

52772 295th St., Grove City.� Paul and Nancy Goeddertz,

35279 Minnesota Highway 4,Grove City.

JULY 2014 | ZEST 13

PHOTOS BY JULIANA THILL

A cupid figurine made by a relativestands amid yellow irises. At topright, a peony begins to open in oneof the Whitcombs’ gardens.

14 ZEST | JULY 2014

Across1. Converts scrambled

message8. Corpse15. Complacently foolish16.Ape17. Runs aground18. Replaces shoe bottom19. Circle20. Bolted22. 100%23. Dam24. King Julien in

“Madagascar” movies25.“___ Ng” (They Might

Be Giants song)26. Masefield play “The

Tragedy of ___”27. Derelict28.And others, for short29.“Hurry up!” (3 wds)31.Asian weight units32. Reduced instruction

set computer (acronym)33.“___ next?” (contrac-

tion)35. Gibberish38. Breaks into pieces42.The “O” in S.R.O.43. Enumerate45. Chop (off)46.“Seinfeld” uncle47. Carry away, in a way48. Obi, e.g.49. Flightless flock

51. Blood’s partner52.“Socrate” composer53. Rose plant fruit55. Coal miner57. Erstwhile58. Fatty59. Cracker and bun seeds60. Scholastics

Down1. Refuses to acknowledge

2. Beseech3. Light automatic rifle4. Broadcasting (2 wds)5. Mar, in a way6.Antiquity, in antiquity7.Affecting the entire body8.Thin, wispy cloud9. Foreign heads of state10. Criticize, slangily11.Above12.Appraise

13.Without beginning orend

14. Closes securely again21. Bypass24. Contact, e.g.27.Aggravate28.“___ of Eden”30. Hunted31. ___ bag33.Wave with a crest of

foam34.“Unimaginable as ___

in Heav’n”: Milton35. Spanish waist-length

jackets36. Buttercup family mem-

ber37.Women’s shirt-like gar-

ments38. Cicatrix39. Jubilance40. Most flushed41. Globes43.Time in power44. Runs off (with)48. Minute marine animal

with a transparent body50.“La Scala di ___”

(Rossini opera)52.Tried to get home,

maybe54.“Get ___!”56.“___ to Billie Joe”

Crossword puzzle answer on Page 15

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1 1/2 cups strawberries, chopped3/4 cup sugar1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 teaspoon salt2 eggs, beaten1/4 cup butter, melted1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine strawberries and 1/2 cupsugar in small bowl. Set aside for one

hour. Drain and reserve liquid andstrawberries separately. Preheat ovento 425. Combine flour, baking soda,nutmeg and salt. Set aside. Mix eggs,butter, vanilla extract, remainingsugar and liquid from strawberries inmedium bowl. Add flour mixture. Stiruntil combined. Fold in reservedstrawberries. Spoon into 12 greasedmuffin cups. Bake for approximately20 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 12muffins.

Strawberry Muffins

With strawberries in season, stop at a local farm and buy some or pick your own. Then, enjoy them in a warm muffin.Also this month, celebrate your independence July 4 with a Hot Cinnamon Fireworks

Crossword puzzle

SOURCE:WWW.CULINARY.NET/FLORIDA BERRIES

Hot Cinnamon Fireworks Cake 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt2 cups (4 sticks) butter, softened2 cups granulated sugar6 eggs1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract1 bottle (6 ounces) Cinnamon Drops, crushed1 box (1.5 ounces) Blue Colorburst Batter Bits1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar3 to 4 tablespoons milkRed, white and Royal Blue Candy Melts candy, meltedRed, white and blue colored sugars

Preheat oven to350. Spray Dimen-sions Cascade Panor Bundt cake panwith vegetablepan spray. In largebowl, combineflour, baking pow-der and salt. Insecond large bowl,beat butter andsugar until lightand fluffy. Addeggs one at a time,scraping bottomand sides of bowloften. Add vanilla;beat until well combined. Add flour mixture and beat atlow speed until just combined. Fold in Cinnamon Dropsand blue Batter Bits. Pour into prepared pan; smooth outtop. Bake 60 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted incenter comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on coolinggrid. Remove from pan and cool completely. In large bowl,whisk together confectioners' sugar and milk. Drizzlemelted candy onto cake to look like fireworks. Sprinklesugars onto melted candy. Serves 12.

JULY 2014 | ZEST 15

Answer toCrosswordPuzzlepublishedon Page 14

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SOURCE:WWW.CULINARY.NET/WILTON

Canadian Rockies................................................. July 7 – 15

Alaska Fly-back .................................................. July 10 – 26

Nova Scotia............................................... July 17 – August 2

Alaska Direct.............................................. July 27 – August 3

Baseball Tour ..................................................... August 1 – 6

Folklorama ......................................................... August 3 – 6

Mississippi River Cruise ................................... August 12 – 15

Mackinac Island ............................................. August 17 – 21

Yellowstone National Park Tour. ....................... August 20 – 25

Pacific Northwest... ......................................September 6 – 22

National Park Tour.......................................September 6 – 18

New England States...................... September 28 – October 11

Rustad Tours2014 Tour Schedule

[email protected]

208 N 12th St. Box 346Kerkhoven MN 56252

320-264-29871-800-525-0730

(62+/ Disabled)

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Zest for 50+ living July 2014

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