ALBERT LEA
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
magazine
FOR THE LOVE OF
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EDITOR’S NOTE
Lots of ideas, recipes to try out this time
Editor Sarah Stultz lives in Albert Lea with her husband, Jason, and son, Landon. She loves interior decorating and gardening.
Got ideas?
This is our eighth year! We at Albert Lea Magazine want to hear what you think, and we need your brightest ideas for coming issues. Favorite musicians? Finest artists? Beautiful home? Best storytellers? Local nightlife? We are open-minded. Call Sarah Stultz at 379-3433. Feel free to write a letter, too. Our address is on the right.
2 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
OK, I have a confession. Every year when September rolls around, I’m one of those people who loves the sound of pumpkin spice recipes. It can be pumpkin spice breads, drinks, cookies, cheesecake — oh, and we can’t forget about pumpkin pie. You name it — I’m all aboard the pumpkin train. I know not everyone likes pumpkin, but whether you want to admit it or not, pumpkin foods have become a part of fall leading into the holidays. For this issue, we wanted to give all those other pumpkin fans out there some new recipes to try with your families in the upcoming holiday season. The pumpkin recipes are not the only ones we share in this issue, however. In addition to those, there’s our normal savor feature as well as some recipes to try out for your four-legged friends from Michelle Nelson with The Pet Authority. The holiday season is typically a time of baking, and we hope you enjoy these recipes. As we gear up for the colder weather, this issue also includes a feature that we hope gets your creative juices flowing for those indoor DIY projects that are popular in winter. We challenged owners of area decor and upcycling businesses to find an old lamp and fix it up through paint, new lampshades and other accessories. Most were simple, and we hope the projects inspire you to modernize an old lamp or other piece of furniture sitting around your house or that you can find from a thrift store. Lastly, we feature The Painted Horse Studio, a studio in rural Glenville that offers sign and project painting workshops, as well as custom orders. Val Foss and her husband, Eric, own the business, which is named after their favorite family horse, Grace. This business is gaining a lot of popularity and offers people the opportunity to come in groups or by themselves to create fun signs that can make a statement in your home. The couple has a nice setup at the studio, and we encourage area residents to check it out. We hope this issue will help you keep busy as we move into the colder months in Minnesota. May you and your families have a blessed Christmas season. — Sarah Stultz
ALBERTmagazine LEA PUBLISHER Crystal Miller EDITORIAL Editor Sarah Stultz Contributing Writers Linda Evenson Colleen Harrison Michelle Nelson Emily Schmidt Whitney Sauer Sarah Stultz Contributing Photographers Colleen Harrison LAYOUT DESIGN Kim Ehrich SALES & PROMOTION Sales Representatives Chelsey Bellrichard Renee Citsay Daniel Gullickson NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 Volume 8, Number 6 EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Editor, Albert Lea Magazine, 808 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 ONLINE: albertleamagazine.com or facebook.com/ albertleamagazine © 2020 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission. For comments, suggestions or story ideas call 507-379-3433. To purchase advertising, call 507-379-3427. To subscribe, call 507-379-3422.
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ALBERT LEA | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
on the cover BUILDING MEMORIES WHILE MAKING SIGNS Rural Glenville-based business inspired by family’s favorite horse
26 features A LAMP OF THEIR OWN Area businesses demonstrate different upcycle techniques
36 PUMPKIN SPICE AND ALL THINGS NICE Different pumpkin recipes to try out this holiday season
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ALBERT LEA | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
contents
8
Seen 8 10 12 14 16
WEDDINGS AND ENGAGEMENTS FISH SUNFLOWER FIELD DAISY FEST
Bride
ALBERT LEA
Next issue JANuARY 2021
OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK HALLOWEEN
Departments
20
20 22
STREAMING REVIEWS SAVOR: STUFFED CHICKEN PARMESAN
All the rest
22
56
24
BOOKS: GREAT READS
50
LOOKING BACK
52
DIETITIAN’S DIGEST
53
HEALTH & FITNESS
56
WHY I LOVE ALBERT LEA
On the cover: Val Foss is owner of The Painted Horse Studio. — Photo by Colleen Harrison
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SEEN | WEDDINGS AND ENGAGEMENTS
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SEEN | FISH SUNFLOWER FIELD
2
1 Hundreds of people flocked to the sunflower field north of Albert Lea near Manchester in September that was organized by Fish Sunflowers. The field was dedicated to children who have died and their families. (1) Kelly Harden (2) Dale and Pam Agrimson (3) Wyatt DeRaad (4) Family of Madison “Maddie� Mann: Meka, Nick and Axel Simmons; Brianna and Brooklyn Mann; Tim Mann; Mindy Toenges; Susan and Doug Olson (5) Isaiah Anderson, Lane Anderson, Raevyn Knudtson, Hannah Anderson, Rita Anderson, Barrett Spilde, Malachi Anderson, Kari Anderson, Andi Riles and Shane Spilde (6) Dominic and Viviana Medrano
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4 3
6
FISH SUNFLOWER FIELD | SEEN (7) Grant Flategraff and Tami Vidmar (8) Brandi Krenz with a cutout of her husband, Zakry Krenz (9) Riley Benson Crawford (10) Vickey Mann and Eva Campa (11) Lexie and Casey Gentz (12) Lilly Steele, Nataleigh Nelson, Michaela Nelson and Issabelle Steele
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SEEN | DAISY FEST
2
3
The first-ever DaisyFest was Sept. 5 in rural Glenville and included an outdoor festival with activities, music and vendors.
1
(1) Justin Yerhot and Megan Haukoos (2) Gretchen Ray and Abbey Jenen (3) Verona Winegar and Zola Wayne (4) Beth Belshan and Nastassia Misgen (5) Sandy Burger, Sharon Delphos, Jena Thompson, Sharon Lucas and Sylvia Kunz (6) Ethan Thompson and Jaxon Richards (7) Lia Cunningham, Bryan Cunningham, Evie Cunningham and Alexis Joel
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 13
SEEN | OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK
2
1 People from around the area gathered Sept. 12 at the Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot in Albert Lea for the Out of the Darkness Walk. Families and friends of loved ones who were lost to suicide came together to remember their loved ones and join in a socially distanced walk through downtown Albert Lea. (1) Dawn Giese and DaNae Giese (2) Gina Pullar, Zabrina Pullar, Rose Marie Pullar and Carletta Larson (3) Wyatt Hanson, Parker Hanson, Lisa Hanson and Janice Brandt (4) Connor Walsh, Pete Walsh, Ciara Walsh, Jill Walsh, Shelly Johnson, Scott Johnson and Todd Anderson (5) Shari Schneider, Corbin Schneider and Keira Schneider
4 14 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
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SEEN | HALLOWEEN
1
2 Albert Lea residents got into the Halloween spirit in early October. (1) Kathryn Fredrickson (2) Nathan, Betsy, Nora and Brogan Smith (3-5) Melissa Barr
3
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Historical Lecture Series H Friday, Nov. 20 at 2pm
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As we approach the 57th Anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy, this lecture will examine the reaction of the people in the President’s limousine; what they said and what they saw over the course of eleven seconds that changed history forever.
Gary Schindler is a retired administra-
tor at Riverland Community College and has lectured across southern Minnesota. Please go to ThorneCrest.net for link instructions or contact Catherine at 507.369.6929
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STREAMING REVIEWS “Heartland”
Available on Netflix and Prime Review by Deanna Rochleau Do you like family friendly series with many seasons to binge watch? Do you like horses? Do you like family centered drama where people work through their problems and find satisfying resolutions? If you answered “Yes,” then you should give “Heartland” a try. It’s a Canadian series about a ranching family who work with abused, abandoned and troubled horses and their relationships with each other. One of my son’s and my favorites! Seasons one through 11 are on Netflix, 12 and 13 are on UP Faith & Family through Amazon Prime, and 14 is set for release on Canadian TV.
“Black Mirror”
Available on Netflix Review by Colleen Harrison There are plenty of ongoing television series I love, but sometimes it’s nice to not have to keep multiple plot lines and character arcs straight. That’s where “Black Mirror” comes in. “Black Mirror” is an anthology series —
20 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
meaning all the episodes stand alone with different characters and stories — where some form of technology significantly impacts each storyline. Sometimes the technology helps the characters and sometimes it hurts them — think Ray Bradbury meets “The Twilight Zone.” While there are a few episodes that just weren’t for me, the majority are clever and intriguing — and so, so bingeable.
“Magic Camp” Available on Disney Plus Review by Chelsey Bellrichard
Adam Devine plays a young magician, Andy, who has hit hard times booking gigs doing magic. He decides to return to magic camp, which he attended years ago as a boy, to work as a compassionate and funloving counselor while also keeping his eye on winning first place in the upcoming Golden Wand competition. This movie is a very great family friendly movie, and also has great humor. Andy gets stuck with the newbie kids in his cabin, and is stuck trying to make them into great magicians to win the Top Hat title at the end of the summer. You will see the ups and downs of teaching the kids magic and see them blossom throughout the movie. There are a few tearjerker moments in this movie, but overall it gives a great laugh for the whole family.
“Unsolved Mysteries”
Available on Netflix Review by Tyler Julson
As a big fan of the old show, I was pretty excited when I saw that “Unsolved Mysteries” was coming to Netflix for a short run of new episodes. My cousin and I used to scare ourselves silly watching old episodes late at night at my grandma’s house. The new episodes did not disappoint. My only drawback to the new series was that most of the episodes that have been released so far feature stories and cases based in the “natural” world. I remember the old show having a good mix of supernatural stories as well. I’m hopeful the next release of episodes will have a few more ghost/myth-centered mysteries. It’s definitely a good show to watch if you like to give yourself the heebie jeebies before bedtime.
“Down to Earth with Zac Efron”
Available on Netflix Review by Chelsey Bellrichard Actor Zac Efron travels around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien to find healthy, sustainable ways to live. Each episode dives into a different topic, and each topic is something I think everyone should know. Did you know that there are two “Super Food” bunkers in the world that have seeds for all the superfoods in the world in case of a global pandemic or an end-of-the-world situation? In one of the episodes, Zac and Darin get to tour one of these bunkers and see how everything is stored. They also get to tour places like Sardinia, Italy, which has the world’s largest population of centenarians or people who live to at least 100. There they get to explore their eating lifestyles and find out that it contradicts everything we do here in America. These episodes really opened my eyes to the way the rest of the world runs and makes me want to switch up the way I live and view the world.
“The Society”
Available on Netflix Review by Kim Ehrich “The Society” is about a group of teenagers who have no choice but to learn to run their own community. The students return from a canceled field trip and find their parents and everyone in the town are gone. At the edge of town all they find is woods, and are left with the mystery of where everyone went. The teens are left to dictate their own rules to survive with what has been left in the town. As some were excited to engage in their newfound freedom, others attempt to keep order throughout the senior class. This causes interesting events and chaos to transpire throughout the season.
Have a series you want us to review?
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably had a little bit of extra time to check out a new series on Netflix or Hulu during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you had one you enjoyed that would be worthwhile for us to review, contact Colleen Harrison at 379-3436 or colleen.harrison@albertleatribune.com.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 21
SAVOR | STUFFED CHICKEN PARMESAN
BY COLLEEN HARRISON
A CHEESY TAKE ON A
CLASSIC
Stuffed Chicken Parmesan Colleen Harrison is the main photographer for Albert Lea Magazine. In her spare time she enjoys trying out different recipes at home in her kitchen — provided someone else does the dishes.
Ingredients 3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless Salt, to taste 1 cup mozzarella cheese 2 cups flour 6 eggs, beaten 2 cups bread crumbs
1 cup oil 3 cups tomato sauce 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated 2 tablespoons basil 1 box spaghetti noodles, optional
Directions
Season chicken with salt. Cut a pocket into each chicken breast, and stuff evenly with mozzarella cheese. Press the edges of the chicken together to seal the pocket. Separate the flour, eggs and bread crumbs into 3 separate bowls. Being careful to keep the chicken from opening, dip the stuffed chicken in the flour, shaking off the excess. Dip the floured chicken into the egg and then the bread crumbs, coating it evenly. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat, and preheat the oven to 350° F. Fry the chicken until golden brown on both sides. Place 2/3 of the tomato sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. Place the chicken on top. Top with the rest of the tomato sauce, then sprinkle the basil and parmesan and mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes, cooking the pasta in the meantime.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 23
BOOKS | GREAT READS
BOOKS YOU
CAN’T
LIVE WITHOUT “A Kingdom’s Quest” By James Troe
What starts out as a simple assignment from King Thoren turns into Jens Berrit’s worst nightmare. While trying to convince farmers to grow beets for export, Jens stumbles headlong into a sinister plot that threatens the kingdom. But who’s involved? And who can he trust? The answers don’t come easy, but the journey helps Jens discover a different kingdom — the kingdom within. If you’re looking for a literary escape to a far-off place with mystery, adventure and romance, this coming-of-age tale will not disappoint. About the author: James Troe was born in Albert Lea in 1961. A graduate from the University of Minnesota, Jim is a lifelong businessman and a partner in a local manufacturing company. In 2009, Jim helped to start AZ-One, a Christian nonprofit committed to community service, leadership development and short-term mission trips. In addition to creative writing, Jim uses his writing skills to develop personal growth curriculum. The book can be bought at Sweet Reads and Candy in Austin or online on Amazon.com.
“Days of Young” By DK Poulsen
Kevin Dorn meets his new neighbor Stevie Young, who, from their first meeting, seems a little different from the other children at school. The two become fast friends but as the school year progresses, Kevin grows to suspect that Stevie may be far more “different” than he originally thought — and he attempts to find out why. About the author: DK Poulsen has had a lifelong passion for writing. “Days of Young,” book two of the Southgate Chronicles, is his follow-up to “The Man from the Hallway.” A graduate of the University of Minnesota Crookston, DK Poulsen today lives in Albert Lea. Both of his books are available locally at The Homestead Boutique and on Amazon.com. One copy of each is in one of the little free libraries in Albert Lea.
24 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
4 READS YOU
SHOULDN’T MISS “The Penderghast Puzzle Protectors: A Brilliant, Minnesota Mystery” (Brilliant Minnesota Series book 1) By Julie Seedorf
The Brilliant Brothers founded Brilliant, Minnesota, and then they disappeared. The residents of Brilliant didn’t know the brothers left a puzzle needing to be solved. A chain of unexpected present-day events shakes up the Penderghast neighborhood of Brilliant: Mr. Warbler hanging between floors after stepping through a hole cut in his floor by a floornapper, then a dead body in Annabelle Avery’s empty house. To the dismay of Police Chief Hank Hardy, Jezabelle Jingle and her quirky neighbors form their own sleuth group under the guise of the Penderghast Puzzle Protectors to solve the puzzle before any of them end up in pieces or — worse yet — dead. Will they be able to figure out if the same person who is causing the mysterious happenings is also Jezabelle’s secret admirer, or is another mystery unfolding to complicate their investigation? Is the entire town in danger of a pernicious puzzle waiting to be solved?
“The Discombobulated Decipherers: A Brilliant, Minnesota Mystery (Brilliant Minnesota Series book 2) By Julie Seedorf
“Abandoned Southern Minnesota” By Julie Bronson
Go on a nostalgic journey to the farmhouses, barns and other outbuildings of yesteryear. Each structure is unique in character and was carefully constructed to stand the test of time, until they’re abandoned. Bronson shows us, through her sensitive photojournalism, the progression of their inevitable deterioration. Her photos demonstrate the beauty of structures we don’t normally notice, as we speed past them
from 55 to 70 mph. Whenever possible, she will take us inside the houses, barns, sheds and sometimes silos to see what lies hidden in them. She investigates places others might miss and finds beautiful craftsmanship in all corners. She takes her time during these visits to honor those who went before by depicting the love and care that went into creating these long-forgotten homes. She patiently listens to the whispers of the wind making its way through the broken windows and doors, hoping to hear laughter or perhaps a voice from the past. Step back in time with Bronson and join her on an adventure through “Abandoned Southern Minnesota.”
“Rusting Relics Of Minnesota: Evading the Crusher” By Julie Bronson
It’s Christmas in Brilliant, Minnesota, and Brilliant is known for its glitzy Christmas traditions. A world-renowned Christmas pageant, the town square decked out with Santa’s village and a live Nativity scene bring visitors to Brilliant each year. Just as the tourists arrive, Jezabelle Jingle and her mystery writer friend, Miranda, find the body of Ernest the elf dead and wrapped in a bundle of Christmas lights in the town square. Is Ernest part of a new holiday puzzle the Discombobulated Decipherers need to solve? Or is dead Ernest part of a bigger plot? Will Jezabelle decipher the clues so Brilliant can celebrate Christmas in peace? Or will Jezabelle be the next giftwrapped box under the village tree?
Discover the current condition of many of the old cars, trucks and other motorized vehicles across the state of Minnesota. Through her photography, author Julie Bronson takes readers on a journey to some of the rusting relics stationed at various locations in the North Star State. Many only see beautiful old cars after they have been restored, and fail to realize that many weren’t as fortunate. It is rare for one of these relics to be refurbished and able to travel the highways once more. Most are left to “rust in peace.” In “Rusting Relics of Minnesota: Evading the Crusher,” discover the nuanced beauty hidden in back lots and other out-of-theway locations.
About the author: Julie Seedorf lives in Wells and has worn many hats throughout the years — from waitressing to computer repair. She never forgot her love of writing and quit her computer business in 2012 after signing a contract with Cozy Cat Press for “Granny Hooks A Crook,” the first book in her Fuchsia, Minnesota, series. Seedorf also dabbles a bit in watercolor painting, bringing another passion to her life. Her books can be found at Sweet Reads and Candy in Austin, and signed copies are available at her website at JulieSeedorf.com. Seedorf will deliver or mail for free in the area. Otherwise, they can be found at Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com.
About the author: Julie Bronson’s simple love of photography led to the discovery of more abandoned farms and homes than one could imagine. The interest in these places and the thrill of finding and photographing them prompted her to put together a book that led to yet another book that evolved from her and her husband, Doug’s, shared passion for things with motors. Working around vehicles and equipment her whole life gave Julie a passion to seek out and reveal their uncommon and often overlooked attributes. Solo exhibitions of her work have been shown in southern Minnesota and Iowa. Books can be bought at Sweet Reads and Candy in Austin and online on Amazon. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 25
BUILDING MEMORIES WHILE
MAKING SIGNS Rural Glenville-based business inspired by family horse Story by SARAH STULTZ Photography by COLLEEN HARRISON
The Painted Horse Studio is on the Foss’ property in Glenville.
G
lenville — It started small with 4-H groups and other children’s groups, and then one day someone approached Val Foss and asked her if she would take on a class with a women’s group. At the time, she said, she was working full time and raising her three children with her husband, Eric. “I said I would do it,” Foss said. “I was nervous, but it was amazing. It was really fun, and it started to grow kind of all on its own. It’s taken on a life of its own.” She had purchased a vinyl cutter for fun, but little did she know at the time that the cutter would lead to a full-time business. That was three years ago when The Painted Horse Studio began, named after the Foss family’s paint horse Grace, their self-proclaimed favorite horse. The studio offers sign and project painting workshops, as 28 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
Val and Eric Foss own The Painted Horse Studio in Glenville.
The Painted Horse Studio is right across from the family’s horse pasture.
A number of different tools and materials are available for use in projects at The Painted Horse Studio.
well as custom orders. Foss said her family got Grace, who is now 22, about seven years ago. “She loves kids and has helped us raise our kids,” she said of her beloved horse. “She has an amazing personality. When we were trying to figure out a name it just brainstormed into The Painted Horse.” The studio name is fitting as people can look out the window of the shop and see Grace and the other horses grazing in the pasture. The family also has cattle and sheep. Two years ago in November, Foss quit her full-time job in sales at Milkhouse Candles in Osage to focus fully on the studio. She said the studio typically has two to three groups a week that come in to make signs.
“
She loves kids and has helped us raise our kids. When we were trying to figure out a name it just brainstormed into The Painted Horse.” — Val Foss about their paint horse Grace
”
While most of the business has been for groups of women, she occasionally has men who come in as part of a group, and also some children, too. In addition to private parties, she offers open paint 30 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
A variety of different paints are available for projects at The Painted Horse Studio.
Val Foss said a lot of customers ask her to apply the stencils for them.
Foss said a little paint goes a long way with the stencils.
Foss cuts the stencils herself when customers decide what project they’re going to make. Her husband cuts the different pieces of wood for each project. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 31
nights, where people can come in alone or with a friend or two to paint. Whether they’re coming in for a private party or for the open paint night, people need to RSVP at least three days ahead of when they want to come into the shop and then send her a photo of what they would like to create, including the design, the size and whether they would like to have a frame for their piece. Foss then prepares a one-time use stencil ahead of time for each person, and her husband cuts the wood so that they have all the elements of their project ready to go when people arrive. She said they like to purchase wood in the area, whether that’s through Home Depot in Albert Lea or Worth Lumber in Northwood. When people arrive at the shop, they first stain their wood, and then once that is dry, they paint their design using the three-part stencil. Foss has dozens of colors of paint available for people to choose from. She said she uses Dixie Bell Paint Co. chalk paint. “The process is seamless,” she said. “There’s no skill or creativity required at all. I’ve had little kids. I’ve had 80 year olds with Parkinson’s who are just beside themselves they can do it.” Prices range, depending on the size of the project, and she estimated most are about $45, though larger ones could be more toward $85. She also has smaller projects that are $10. “There’s something to fit everybody’s price range,” she said. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the studio could fit 25 people comfortably, but now she allows 10 at a time. She said she has enjoyed having the business and the flexibility it provides her to schedule groups around other things happening in her life. Her husband also works for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the family also raises corn and soybeans. AL
The Painted Horse Studio has a number of different stains for customers to choose from for their projects.
Pumpkin project kits were popular at The Painted Horse Studio in September and October.
32 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
Val Foss also has make-and-take kits for sale at The Painted Horse Studio.
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A LAMP OF
THEIR OWN
Area businesses demonstrate different upcycle techniques Photography by COLLEEN HARRISON
Lighten up Lamp upcycle by Andrea Strom and Penny Thompson, owners of Junktion Market, 136 S. Broadway Ave. in downtown Albert Lea. Junktion Market is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Extended holiday hours will be shared to the business’s Facebook page. 1. With maple being a hard, non-porous wood, it normally needs sanding for paint to adhere. Instead of sanding, we used Swamp Mud, a product we carry which is a primer made to help paint stick to slick surfaces. Apply one coat and allow to dry for one hour. 2. Paint. We chose the color “Pebble” in our Miss Lillian’s No Wax Chock Paint line which is made in the U.S. 3. Allow paint to dry. If distressing as we did, distress within a few hours, as the paint has not completely adhered. 4. Distress lightly with fine grit sand paper. Distressing gives an aged, farmhouse feel. 5. Allow to cure for 14 to 21 days before going without a coaster on the table base.
Before 38 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
A little goes a long way Lamp upcycle by Karen Vanderploeg, owner of Yesterday’s Barn, 28674 810th Ave. in Hollandale. Yesterday’s Barn has occasional sales in the spring and fall. Sales are announced on the business’s Facebook page. 1. Paint. I found this lamp at the Salvation Army, spray-painted it black and then applied a clear top coat. 2. Recover the shade. I found the original lampshade at a thrift store and recovered it with different fabric.
Before NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 39
Before
Wire it up Lamp upcycle by Mary Chicos, owner of Someday Isle, 163 N. Broadway in downtown Alden. Someday Isle is open from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, or by appointment. 1. Lightly spray paint the base; I chose silver to give it a shimmer. The socket and harp were also painted silver. The fabric was removed from the original lampshade, which left the metal frame. This was painted silver as well. 2. Cut a piece of chicken wire to fit the frame. Then weave the wire around the top and bottom of the frame to secure the chicken wire in place. 3. Using an Edison light bulb can give lamps a vintage feel, and I tied a burlap ribbon around the chicken wire to enhance the rustic look. 4. Pick a color for the base of the lamp. I painted the originally gold base of the lamp with a bronze metallic paint to match the brown tones in the Edison bulb and burlap ribbon. 40 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
Minnesota pride Lamp upcycle by Mary Chicos, owner of Someday Isle, 163 N. Broadway in downtown Alden. Someday Isle is open from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, or by appointment. 1. Paint. The maple wood of this lamp was painted black. 2. Redo the lampshade. The original shade on this lamp was a dingy off-white color with lace trim on the top and bottom. Three coats of paint were used on the shade, which was lightly sanded in between each layer to smooth down any roughness. 3. Add some ribbon. The red, white and black plaid ribbon on this lamp was applied to the top and the bottom of the shade using a hot glue gun to cover the lace trim. 4. Make it your own. On this lamp, the shape of the state of Minnesota was cut from a piece of adhesive black vinyl. Red heavy felt material was chosen for the rough outline of the state, because the edges will not fray when cut. The final touch was placing a red and white button on the state, indicating the location of Freeborn County.
Before
Going green Lamp upcycle by Mary Chicos, owner of Someday Isle, 163 N. Broadway in downtown Alden. Someday Isle is open from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, or by appointment. 1. Redo the lampshade. This one had pleated fabric that I removed. I then covered the shade with green and blue paisley fabric using a hot glue gun. 2. Paint. The maple wood was first painted with a moss green color, followed with a light coat of a blue paint “wash� to accent the blue in the shade.
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PUMPKIN SPICE AND
ALL THINGS NICE
Different pumpkin recipes to try out this holiday season Photography by COLLEEN HARRISON
Pumpkin seems to be a common theme when it comes to fall, winter and holiday recipes. Here are a few unique ones to wow your guests with this season.
Pumpkin Bisque Ingredients
4 slices bacon, chopped 1/2 sweet onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock 1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions
Heat pot over medium-low heat and add bacon. Cook bacon until crispy. Remove from pot and place on a paper towel to remove excess grease. Add onions and garlic to the pot and stir. Mix in salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, nutmeg and brown sugar. Stir well. Reduce heat to low and cook until the onions are caramelized and golden brown, around 8 to 10 minutes. Add pumpkin puree and stock, stir to combine as much as you can. Use an immersion blender or transport mixture to blender and puree until smooth. Put back in the pot, bring heat back up to medium and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir in cream. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Heat until soup is warmed through. Serve with bacon, croutons and green onions or chives. —
44 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
Recipe made by Tyler Julson
Pumpkin Spiked Coffee Ingredients
4 parts coffee 1 part Revel Stoke pumpkin spice-flavored whiskey 1 part Kahlua Dash of simple syrup Cinnamon and sugar mixture Whipped cream Cinnamon stick
Directions
Dip the rim of your cup in simple syrup and then dip the cup into a cinnamon and sugar mixture. Pour in 4 parts coffee. Add 1 part whiskey. Add 1 part Kahlua. Dash of simple syrup. Top with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick. —
Recipe made by Michelle Rasmussen NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 45
Pumpkin Cupcakes Ingredients
4 large eggs 2 cups sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened 1 cup butter, softened 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 cups confectioners sugar Nutmeg for dusting
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray pan with cooking spray. Beat eggs in large bowl with an electric mixer until foamy. Add sugar, vegetable oil and pumpkin. Beat on medium speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Mix flour, baking powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Beat flour mixture into egg mixture on low speed until just combined, about 1 minute. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcakes comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool completely. Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla together in a bowl with an electric hand mixer until creamy. Gradually add confectioners sugar; beat until smooth. Spread frosting over cool cupcakes; sprinkle with nutmeg. —
Recipe made by Colleen Harrison
46 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
Pumpkin Pie Dip Ingredients
1 can pumpkin puree 1 small box cheesecake instant pudding 1 8-ounce container whipped cream 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Mix all ingredients together and chill. Serve with Nilla Wafers, graham crackers, apples or ginger snaps. —
Recipe made by Kim Ehrich
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 47
Come Worship
with Us!
48 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
FINANCES | BY EDWARD JONES
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Caregivers must also care financially for themselves If you’re a caregiver, possibly for a loved one dealing with an illness such as Alzheimer’s disease, you’re probably already facing some significant emotional and physical challenges — so you don’t need any financial ones as well. Yet, they are difficult to avoid. What steps can you take to deal with them? First of all, you may be interested in knowing the scale of the problem. Consider these numbers from the Alzheimer’s Association: About 5.8 million Americans ages 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and in 2020, caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias contributed more than 18 billion hours of unpaid care — worth about $244 billion in services. Furthermore, about two-thirds of caregivers are women, and one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters. But whatever your gender or relationship to the individuals for whom you’re providing care, you can take some steps to protect your own financial future. Here are a few suggestions: • Evaluate your employment options. If you have to take time away from work — or even leave employment altogether — to be a caregiver, you will lose not only income but also the opportunity to contribute to an IRA and a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. But you may have some options, such as working remotely, or at least working part time. Either arrangement can give you flexibility in juggling your employment with your caregiving responsibilities. • Explore payment possibilities for caregiving. Depending on your circumstances, and those of the loved ones for whom you’re providing care, you might be able to work out an arrangement in which you can get paid something for your services. And as long as you are earning
income, you can contribute to an IRA to keep building resources for your own retirement. • Protect your financial interests — and those of your loved ones. You may well want to discuss legal matters with the individual for whom you are a caregiver before Alzheimer’s robs them of the ability to think clearly. It may be beneficial to work with a legal professional to establish a financial power of attorney — a document that names someone to make financial decisions and pay bills when the person with Alzheimer’s no longer can. And whether you or someone else has financial power of attorney, the very existence of this document may help you avoid getting your personal finances entangled with those of the individual for whom you’re caring. • Keep making the right financial moves. As long as you’re successful at keeping your own finances separate from those of your loved one, you may be able to continue making the financial moves that can help you make progress toward your own goals. For example, avoid taking on more debts than you can handle. Also, try to maintain an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid account. Of course, these tasks will be much easier if you can maintain some type of employment or get paid for your caregiving services. There’s nothing easy about being a caregiver. But by making the right moves, you may be able, at the least, to reduce your potential financial burden and brighten your outlook. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial advisor.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 49
LOOKING BACK | ALBERT LEA HOCKEY
John Luney attempts a rebound shot during a January 1957 game against Owatonna at Morin Park. The Albert Lea Packers won the contest, 4-2.
A DECADE OF HOCKEY By LINDA EVENSON Photos courtesy FREEBORN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM The 1950s were a time of change for the Albert Lea hockey team. The adult team opened the decade skating on the ice at Abbott Field rink and closed it at Morin Park’s rink. Sponsored by Wilson & Co., a meat-packing industry, the team was known as the Packers. Near the end of the decade, the team began the season on Dec. 17, 1958, with a new name, the Albert Lea Rangers. Albert Lea was a charter member of the Southern Minnesota Hockey League (SMHL), which was organized in 1934. Other charter members were Austin, North Mankato, Northfield and Owatonna. By 1959, Faribault, Rochester and Winona had joined the league. 50 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
In the Jan. 15, 1950, issue of the Albert Lea Tribune, Russell Voigt proclaimed, “The Packers have jumped from obscurity into the ice limelight.” In late January, a large crowd gathered at Abbott Field in anticipation of a home ice contest. Despite fan support, the Packers suffered a loss and dropped into a three-way tie for first place. The 1958-59 season started with three straight victories. The Rangers took an 8-0 lead during the second period of a Jan. 8, 1959, meeting with Owatonna. It ended with an Albert Lea win, 12-5. A couple close contests at the end of the season put the Rangers in fourth place in league standings.
John Luney joined the Packers during the 1950 season He was team captain for many seasons. Later he served as president of the Albert Lea Hockey Association.
The 1954-55 Packers finished with three wins and five losses in league play. A thrilling exhibition game, intended to prepare the league champions, North Mankato, for tournament competition, ended in a 7-6 victory for Albert Lea.
One of the youngest teams to take the ice was the 1950-51 squad. Two Packers, Robert “Red” Johnson and John Luney, were selected to the SMHL’s All-Star Team.
The Packers skated into second place in league standings during 1956-57. Albert Lea’s center Ken Westrum and wings John Luney and Archie Nelson were chosen as the SMHL’s All-Star first line.
The 1951-52 Packers ended their season, 5-1-1, in second place. Defensively, they were tops in the league, limiting opponents to seven goals for the entire season. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 51
DIETITIAN’S DIGEST | BY EMILY SCHMIDT
Albert Lea resident Emily Schmidt is a registered dietitian at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. She enjoys writing, cooking and spending time with family.
Seven tips for health during the holiday season
Seven quick tips from your local registered dietitian on maintaining or creating healthy habits during the winter holiday months: 1. Keep moving — yes, even during the winter months. Many people in the Midwest struggle with a decline in physical activity once winter rolls around. Come up with a backup plan if you normally get your exercise outdoors. If you’d prefer not to go to a gym, consider at-home workouts — walking around the house or up and down stairs, doing DVD or YouTube or other online workouts of your choice (even in-place walking, such as the fun guided walking workouts from Leslie Sansone), play with your kids or grandkids outside in the snow, or purchase exercise equipment for the home. 2. Hydration is just as important during the holiday season as it is during the summertime. Make sure to get in at least 64 to 80 ounces of fluids daily, mostly from water. Yes, it counts if the water is flavored or sparkling (just check the nutrition facts label for zero grams sugar). 3. Keep plenty of easy-to-eat fruits and vegetables around. Ideally, plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables should make up nearly half of your food intake in a day. Since certain fresh produce isn’t as readily available or high quality during the winter months, vary your fruits and veggies — fresh, frozen or canned (ideally no sugar or salt added) are all acceptable. 52 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
4. Lean proteins and healthy fats help to balance out any sugary treats you may enjoy. Enjoy a cookie or a couple pieces of Christmas candy, but grab a small handful of almonds or a string cheese to help balance out the sugar. Drinking water also provides a great balance to sugary treats. 5. Keep a consistent eating pattern. Although the idea of skipping meals and snacks all day to “save room” for holiday meals or treats sounds good in theory, it may lead to overeating or bingeing later on. If you’re prone to eating in excess when you’re really, really hungry, this is probably not the best technique. Eat small amounts of high fiber, protein and healthy fat foods throughout the day to keep you satisfied. 6. Remain cautious with alcoholic beverages in both type and frequency. Some alcoholic drinks — especially those high in sugar, such as wine coolers, liqueurs, liquor mixed with regular soda or juice — add up quickly in calories and can contribute to weight gain. Additionally, excess alcohol is simply not great for our heart and other organs. 7. Enjoy laughter, joy and social connection — even if social distancing. This is an important aspect of health as well. Even if you’re not doing in-person celebrations this year or if they’re just not quite the same, try to connect however you can, whether it’s via technology or sending good old handwritten letters or cards.
HEALTH & FITNESS | BY WHITNEY SAUER
Whitney Sauer is the youth sports and community program director at the Albert Lea Family Y. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, woodworking and spending time with family and friends.
Tips to keep your children active during a pandemic
Even before the pandemic started, many parents struggled to come up with ways to keep their kids active. Now, due to the pandemic, with many facilities and activities unable to be open, it’s even harder. So what are struggling parents to do to get their kids active and yet keep them safe? Here are some of my tips and tricks for having an active family during COVID. First, creativity is key. Work your brain, and be creative with your family’s fitness. Being active doesn’t require four walls, machines or a ton of equipment. The great outdoors is the perfect venue for some physical activity and is as close as your own backyard or driveway. If you are comfortable enough, parks are a great resource for a child to get in some physical activity as well. Use the park to create an obstacle course and challenge the whole family to see who has the fastest time. Feeling hesitant to go to the park? You and your kiddos can create an obstacle course with household items and/or chalk at home. Additionally, you could create a scavenger hunt with a list of things to find in nature. Then take a walk around the lake, trail or your neighborhood and see how many different types of leaves, birds etc. your child can find. You can always throw in some competition and public service by having a race to see who can pick up the most trash in 10 minutes. My next tip goes hand-in-hand with creativity; let your child drive their own physical activity. As a coach, I sometimes let my kids take the lead in their own fitness. During stretching exercises I call out a name, and that kiddo has to decide what the next stretch will be. If in the middle of an activity your child decides
to go in a different direction, follow their lead. In the past I have had my kiddos come up to me during drills and say, “Coach Whitney, what if we do this?” More often than not, I find myself changing my plan to add in this child’s idea. I find the more input a child has, the more enjoyment and interest the child will find in the activity. Raining outside or the Minne-snow-ta weather decided to make life miserable? No problem. Grab a balloon and place a blanket over two chairs to create a volleyball game. Have your child teach you that dance they saw on TikTok, or, better yet, pick a song and create your own dance routine. Stream a yoga class. The more creative (and sillier, in my opinion), the better! If all else fails, Pinterest is an amazing asset with many ingenious outdoor and indoors ideas to get those kiddos moving. Lastly, be active with your kiddos. Do the activity with them whatever it may be. Children thrive on quality time and, like creativity, it is good for their emotional and mental health. Not to mention, seeing you being active sets an example for your children on having a healthy lifestyle. And who knows, maybe you can get a little workout from it as well. This is a very unique opportunity that we have to spend even more time with our families. Your children will remember the time Mom played balloon volleyball in the living room and Dad helped them create their own dance routine. Your children don’t care if an activity is Pinterest perfect, they’re just excited to do something with you. So make those memories and don’t forget to have some fun. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 53
HEALTHY PETS | BY MICHELLE NELSON
Michelle Nelson is the owner of The Pet Authority.
Try these howl-day recipes
My favorite time of the year is here! Fabulous food, time with loved ones and maybe a present or two if I am good. I will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen the next two months whipping up some of my favorite holiday recipes, like sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, mouth-watering pumpkin pie and my favorite Norwegian food, lefse — so yummy! But do you have any yummy recipes for your pets? If not, you are in luck. Here are a couple your pets will drool over. I don’t know about you, but my family is not a fan of liver, so what do you do with the turkey liver come Thanksgiving? You make a Minnesota hotdish for your pets, of course! This recipe can be enjoyed by dogs and cat alike.
Turkey & Veggie Hotdish 2 pounds lean ground turkey 2 tablespoons turkey liver (or chicken) 2 medium carrots, coarsely chopped 1 cup green beans, diced 1 cup cauliflower florets 2 tablespoons olive oil
1. Add 1 1/2 cups of water to a double boiler. Place veggies in steam basket over the pot and cover. Heat until boiling, then reduce heat to a low boil and steam until veggies are tender, about 10 minutes. 2. Add turkey and liver in a large skillet. Cook on medium-high heat until done. Chop veggies or pulse in food processor and then add to turkey mixture. 3. Add olive oil to veggie/meat mix and toss. Allow to cool and divide into freezer safe containers.
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Of course we all know that following the Thanksgiving feast comes the Christmas goodies. My dogs have about as much will-power as I do when it comes to resisting yummy holiday treats — absolutely none! I know you have your favorite cutout recipe — here is one to add for your pups.
Peanut butter cutouts 2 1/2 cups wheat flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 egg 1 cup natural peanut butter 1 cup water 2 tablespoons honey
1. Preheat over to 350°F. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and egg until well blended. Add peanut butter, water and honey and mix until you have a stiff dough. You may need to use your hands or paddle attachment on your mixer. 3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/2-inch. Use your favorite cookie cutters to make fun shapes for your pets to enjoy. 4. Place on parchment paper on cookie sheet and bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown. What a fun recipe to make with your kids or grandchildren. And perfectly safe if they want to share a cookie with the dog when they are fresh out of the oven. Don’t forget to leave some out for Santa Paws on Christmas Eve! Happy Thanksgiving and merry Christmas! May God bless you and your family this holiday season!
PARTING SHOT
Lens and Shutter Club member Darcy Sime took this photo at Myre-Big Island State Park in July. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 55
WHY I LOVE ALBERT LEA | BY ALLEN HENDRIKS
Why I Albert Lea Allen Hendriks is a geographical information system technician for Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services. He also volunteers with the Albert Lea-Freeborn Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador and serves as the board vice president for the Albert Lea Grizzlies. He lives in Albert Lea with his wife, Jessica, and their two children, Baylie and Carter. He enjoys spending time with his family, exercising and maintaining and restoring his home and vehicles. I could call out countless reasons why I love Albert Lea, naming everything from the 13 area lakes, 45 parks and the 23 miles of trail, to the 1,578-acre state park just on the edge of town, but what I truly love are the numerous entrepreneurs, organizational leaders and passionate business owners that make up our great town. In short, I love the people of Albert Lea. I grew up in a small town in southwest Minnesota, which most of you have probably never heard of: Edgerton. With its most renowned claim to fame being winning the 1960 high school basketball state championship, Edgerton is a small farming town with just over a thousand people firmly rooted in small local businesses, entrepreneurs and, of course, many hard working farmers and farm families. The largest single employer in my hometown is Fey Industries, a locally founded, owned and operated manufacturing company originally formed around the paper industry. Throughout my time in Edgerton, I watched the economic ebb and flow and how it affected not only Fey Industries, but the town as a whole. With such a large single employer, the ripple effects layoffs or downturns had on the economic vitality of the town were clearly evident. With that background, the importance local businesses have for a community and supporting those local businesses has always been evident to me, and that’s why I love so many things Albert Lea has to offer. Even though we are currently in tough times, in every corner of our town I see local businesses changing and adapting their business models to continue operating. In addition, multiple businesses like Budget Signs; Harold’s Bar; Peterson, 56 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE
Kolker, Haedt & Benda, LTD; Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services and the local VA clinic, just to name a few, are actively building, remodeling or improving their buildings. Then there’s the planned construction of a new apartment complex on Front Street and another apartment complex planned in the former Marketplace Foods/Nelson’s building. Looking back into the last few years, we have even more to be proud of. The reinvigoration of downtown Albert Lea, cornerstoned by intellicents and Mortarr, has blown me away. Travel just a few blocks down South Broadway, and you’ll find Bleachers Sports Bar and Grill and Thirsty Fox Pub & Grill, two brand new businesses that have helped breathe life back into the southern extension of South Broadway. I believe Albert Lea is a powder keg of potential, and if we continue to work together with our local leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs, we will not only see our local businesses flourish, but our town as a whole flourish. One of the timeliest examples of working together is First Presbyterian Church’s sponsorship of youth football, spearheaded by their youth pastor Stephen Piper and assisted by many local volunteer coaches. Not only do they provide a safe opportunity to fifth and sixth graders to participate in tackle football, but this year, they expanded that opportunity by adding seventhand eighth-grade flag football to fill the gap in after school activities left behind due to the restricting of tackle football for that age group. To build on that, the field these athletes play on, Grizzly Field, was originally organized and built by the local nonprofit Albert Lea Grizzlies with the help of the city of Albert Lea, who owns the land, and local business Lou-Rich Inc. which designed, built and donated the field goal posts. The scoreboard the Grizzlies use was also donated by a local organization formed in memory of Ryan “Pie” Truesdell, which regularly donates money to help area youth sports. Local partnerships like these are what makes Albert Lea a wonderful town to live in and raise a family. None of these things are possible without the inspiring people of Albert Lea working together, supporting each other and working toward providing the best opportunities our town has to offer.
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NEED IT.
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