Active Living November 2012

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012

www.messengernews.net

www.freemanjournal.net

Russ Naden, Webster County Veteran Affairs

director, has assisted veterans

in the county since 2007.

page 2


SERVING OUR VETSNaden lends a helping hand to those who defended the U.S.Naden lends a helping hand to those who defended the U.S.

Russ Naden, Webster County Veteran Affairs director, serves more than 2,800 former membersof the U.S. armed services who live in Webster County.

Story and photos by JESSE HELLING

More than 2,800 current WebsterCounty residents have heeded the callto national service.

For military veterans who return tothe home front, an array of programsare available to provide health careand ease the transition to civilian life.

Since 2007, Russ Naden, as directorof Webster County Veteran Affairs,has been the point man for the coun-ty’s veterans, helping them to wadethrough paperwork and educatingthem on their options.

Many vets, particularly those whohave served in earlier time periods, areunaware of what’s out there, accordingto Naden, who served in the U.S. Navyduring the Vietnam War from 1967 to1970.

“Any veterans out there can give mea call or stop in,” said Naden. “I’mhappy to talk to any of them.”

Often, an initial, informal conversa-tion can prove a great deal of usefulinformation, Naden said.

In one recent interest, a Vietnam vet-eran was interested in applying for vet-

erans’ health benefits to obtain hearingaids.

In learning a bit more about theman’s background, Naden was able toinform him about other aspects ofhealth care available.

In addition to federal and state-fund-ed benefits, the county has funds avail-able to those who qualify, Naden said.

The Iowa Veterans Trust Fund, whichreceives proceeds from designatedscratch-off lottery games, also helpsprovide such services as assistance withvision, dental care , hearing, durablemedical equipment and prescriptiondrugs, as well as counseling, housingrepair or transitional housing to thosewho apply and qualify.

Recent legislation from the state man-dates that the Webster County VeteranAffairs must be open at least 30 hours aweek.

Every county in Iowa has an accredit-ed director who is obliged to complete16 hours of continuing education eachyear to remain well-informed, Nadensaid.

According to Naden, as more troopsreturn from conflicts in Iraq andAfghanistan, a greater emphasis hasbeen placed on making sure they’re bet-

ter equipped to return home smoothly.“As troops are demobilized, they go

through the services offered,” he said.

“They do a better job of keeping trackof paperwork than in the past.”

page 3

Planning for Town Home LivingTown Home Living Catalyst Rehabilitation ProgramCatalyst Rehabilitation Program

420 Kenyon Road Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 515-573-6000 www.friendshiphaven.org 420 Kenyon Road Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 515-573-6000 www.friendshiphaven.org

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Webster and Hamilton CountyVeteran Affairs offer assistancefor veterans, service membersand their families. This includesfederal and state benefits as wellas temporary county benefits toqualifying indigent veterans andtheir families. County benefitsinclude rent, utilities, trans-portation for medical care,medictions and burial expenses.

Eligibility for county benefits:∫ The individiual must be a

legal resident of the county inwhich they apply

∫ Have been discharged fromthe US Armed Forces under“Honorable Conditions”

∫ Served during a “War Time

Period”Application must be made in

person.

Webster County:723 First Avenue South, Fort

DodgeHours: Monday and

Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.;Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to4 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hamilton County:500 Fairmeadow Drive,

Webster CityHours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday; 8 a.m. to12 p.m. Wednesday.

Veteran Affairs offices offer services

page 4


I watched my granddaughterand a friend having a race theother day. They were arguingover who had a “head start”and whether or not that was anadvantage. The discussionmade me laugh because I hadjust visited the FosterGrandmothers who serve inYOUR Inc. Head Start class-rooms here in Fort Dodge, andI can tell you that having anofficial Head Start does givelocal children an advantage.

On the day I visited, theGrandparents were busy help-ing pre-school age childrenwith social, life and academicskills. Grandma Juanita Bell’schildren were lining up for abathroom break and theirteacher reminded them to besure and pull their feet in sothat Grandma could walk alongside them while using a walker.Sometimes Grandparents teachnot by being helpers, but byallowing children to be kind tothem.

Grandma JoAnn Farber wasbusy with her students makingsure that they finished the taskthey had started and payingattention to the teacher. JoAnncame to our program fromKansas City where she hadworked in a Day Care. She wasvery happy to find this oppor-

tunity to get back intothe world of pre-schoolers.

G r a n d m aMargaret Davis washelping her tablefull of young stu-dents learn to helpthemselves during theirmorning snack. Margaret is anew Grandmother and herteacher says that she’s been aneasy fit in their classroom andis a valuable addition.

Down the hall, GrandmaFrances Merrill’s class was alsohaving their morning snack.One little girl was trying veryhard to spread some kind ofsauce onto a tortilla shell. Shelooked up at me and kindlyasked, “Will you HELP me?” Atthat moment I realized why itis so hard for some of theGrandparents to teach by justsitting back and encouragingthe students to learn to do itthemselves!

Grandma Cheryl Johnsonwas on the classroom carpetwith some of her studentswhen I visited. They begantheir day by looking at the cal-endar, discussing the days ofthe week and counting howmany days in the month hadpassed. While the teacher washaving this discussion with the

children, one of theirclassmates enteredthe classroom a lit-tle late. GrandmaCheryl was able togo over, greet the

child and have herjoin the discussion

that was taking place onthe carpet without disruptingher classmates. This alsoallowed the teacher to con-tinue with the lesson.

Last, but certainly not least, Ivisited Phyllis Clymer’s class-room. Grandma Phyllis is aquiet presence in the classroomand her teacher tells me thatthe children just love to workwith Grandma. GrandmaPhyllis served in a Kindergartenclassroom for many years whenshe first became of FosterGrandparent, but the assign-ment in Head Start has reallyenabled her to use her talentsand skills to help kids get readyto enter Kindergarten.

After my visit at Head Start Ialso understood why so manyof our Grandparents look for-ward to a nap in the after-noons. The work they do isexhausting but oh so reward-ing! They will witness a lot ofgrowth in the children theyassist this year, and based uponwhat I saw I know that they are

definitely giving kids an impor-tant head start.

The Foster GrandparentProgram is currently acceptingapplications for people interest-ed in applying for placement ina future training class. Thedates of that class are yet to bedetermined, based upon a vari-ety of issues, but we welcomeapplicants who are willing tobe placed on a waiting list. Foran application, please call ouroffice at 576-5401 or check outour website atfortdodgeiowa.org. You canfind us under Departments.Then just click on Parks andRecreation to find our applica-tion and view photos of someof our Grandmas having fun.You can also keep up with pro-gram announcements on ourFacebook page at Fort DodgeFoster Grandparents.

Jeanine Nemitz,CoordinatorFort Dodge 55+VolunteerInitiativesThe FosterGrandparentProgram617 Central Ave.Fort Dodge, IA 576-5401

A foster grandparent for all occasions

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Walt Stevens casts Walt Stevens casts 19th presidential vote19th presidential vote

-Photo submitted by Paul Stevens

The absentee ballot cast Wednesday by Walter B. Stevens,center, editor emeritus of The Messenger and a resident ofFriendship Haven, was the 19th consecutive presidential elec-tion in which he has cast a ballot, dating back to 1940.

It was only the second time that Stevens, 96, had voted absen-tee. His first absentee vote was cast in 1944 somewhere insouthern France where his U.S. Army 77th Field Artillery unit,fresh from breakout at Anzio and liberation of Rome that sum-mer, moved toward Germany. His first presidential election votewas in 1940 in Brainerd, Minn., where he was a young editor atthe Daily Dispatch – the candidates, Wendell Willkie vs. FranklinRoosevelt.

Stevens was assisted by Dawnie Danner, left, and Jim Metzger,co-chairs of the Webster County Special Precinct Board.

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LIVING SERVICES

Due to the popularity of our first two editions of “Iowa Farm Life” that came out in 2005 and 2008, Farm News is proud to announce the publishing of our third classic hard cover book celebrating the heritage of rural Iowa. This heirloom coffee table book features photos and stories capturing life in rural communities and on Farms from the early days to present day. These photos are from the photo collections of individuals throughout our area. Books will be available for $36.50 (includes tax) plus $4.00 shipping and handling per book. Books will be available for pick up and shipping starting November 2, 2012.

Books at $36.50 each (includes tax) and pick up at the Farm News Office. Books at $36.50 each (includes tax) plus $4 for shipping and handling per book and have my order shipped to address below. Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: ( ) Email: Signature Credit Card # Card Exp. Date____/ Farm News Book Offer P.O. Box 659 • Fort Dodge, IA 50501 Call 800-622-6613 ext 451 to order

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VVOOLLUUMMEE IIIIII VOLUME III

NovemberThursday — 8

500, 9:30 a.m., Webster CitySenior Center.

n

Webster County GenealogicalSociety, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort

Dodge Public Library, 424Central Ave., Room 134

n

Blood pressure check, 11 a.m.to noon, RSVP, Webster City.

n

Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m., CitizensCentral.

n

SHIIP counselors, by appoint-ment, Van Diest Medical Center.

n

Hamilton County PHS footclinic.

Friday — 9Bingo, 10 a.m., Algona Senior

Center.n

Community Bingo, 2 p.m., FortDodge Rehabilitation and HealthCare (formerly Careage of Fort

Dodge).n

Birthday party, 2 p.m., EagleGrove Senior Center.

n

Rabiner Bingo early birds 6:30p.m., regular sessions 7:15 p.m.,

2253 Second Ave. N. n

Cards, 7 p.m., EmmetsburgSenior Center. Saturday — 10

Blood drive, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30p.m., Sacred Heart Parish Center.

n

Rabiner Bingo early birds 6:30

p.m., regular sessions 7:15 p.m.,2253 Second Ave. N.

Sunday — 11Potluck, 12:30 p.m., EagleGrove Senior Center

Monday — 12Cribbage, 9:30 a.m., CrestviewSenior Living Apartments.

n

Bingo, 10 a.m., Algona SeniorCenter.

n

500, 1 p.m., Crestview SeniorLiving Apartments.

n

Bingo, Eagle Grove SeniorCitizen Center, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday — 13Webster City Diamond K

Kiwanis, 8:30 a.m. breakfast, 9a.m. meet.

n

River Valley Woodcarvers, 9a.m., Citizens Central.

n



n


n

Senior Bowl, 1 p.m., WebsterCity Bowl.

n

Bridge, 1 p.m., Webster CitySenior Center.

Wednesday — 14RSVP Workday, 9 a.m. Senior

Center, Webster City. n

Golden K Kiwanis, 9:30 a.m.,Citizens Central.

n



n

500 cards, 1 p.m., AlgonaSenior Center.

n

Senior Citizens 500, 1 p.m.,Webster City.Thursday — 15


n



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n


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n

Hamilton County PHS footclinic.


Center.n




Boone River ValleyWoodcarvers, 9 a.m. to noon,RSVP building, Webster City.

n


2253 Second Ave. N.Sunday — 18Monday — 19

Cribbage, 9:30 a.m., CrestviewSenior Living Apartments.

n


n

Penny bingo, 1 p.m., CrestviewSenior Living Apartments.

n




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n

Webster County Genealogical

Society,11 a.m. to4 p.m., FortDodge Public

Library, 424Central Ave.,

Room 134n


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Happy ThanksgivingFriday — 23


n

Community Bingo, 2 p.m., FortDodge Rehabilitation and HealthCare (formerly Careage of Fort

Dodge).n







n


n


n

Bingo,Eagle Grove

Senior CitizenCenter, 6:30

p.m.Tuesday — 27

Webster City DiamondK Kiwanis, 8:30 a.m. breakfast, 9

a.m. meet.n


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n



Center.n

Community Bingo, 2 p.m.,Careage of Fort Dodge.

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Cards, 7 p.m., EmmetsburgSenior Center.

DecemberSaturday — 1Senior potluck,

noon, Webster City SeniorCenter

n




n


n

Penny bingo, 1 p.m., CrestviewSenior Living Apartments.

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n

Bridge, 1 p.m., Webster CitySenior Center. Wednesday — 5

RSVP Workday, 9 a.m. SeniorCenter, Webster City.

n


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n

Senior Citizens 500, 1 p.m.,

Webster City.Thursday — 6


n



n


n


n



Center.n




Blood drive, 8:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Parish

Center.n


2253 Second Ave. N.Sunday — 9

Potluck, 12:30 p.m., EagleGrove Senior Center

Monday — 10Cribbage, 9:30 a.m., CrestviewSenior Living Apartments.

n


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n

Senior Citizens 500, 1 p.m.,Webster City.

page 9

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(across from the mall) Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30 • Sat. 9-1 515-955-8500 800-383-8500

JCAHO Accredited


page 8

CalendarNovember

Now that Halloween is overand Thanksgiving is rapidlyapproaching, the holiday sea-son will soon be in hyperdrive.Often it appears like people aretrying to squeeze a year ofgoodwill, time spent with fam-ilies and warm memories intothe weeks betweenThanksgiving, Christmas, andNew Years. Don’t get mewrong: I love everything aboutChristmas, the decorating,baking, food, large Santa andsnowman inflatable figures,family get-togethers and beingremembered with a thoughtfulgift. In the nursing home andsimilar settings the holidayseason can be overwhelmingto the elders living there. Theenvironment becomes a holi-day wonderland of colorfullights, Christmas trees, decora-tions, parties, lots of visitorsand strange faces, constantholiday music, sweets, specialfoods, groups of ChristmasCarolers and gifts from variouscharitable groups. This is alsothe time of year when resi-

dents with a small appetite aregiven and then hoard plates ofcookies and candy in theirrooms given by visitors withthe best of intentions.

It’s easy to understand whyit can be the most confusingoverwhelming time of the yearwhen compared with memo-ries Elders share of Christmasin their childhoods, and theirown families when their chil-dren were young. For manythe only Christmas gift(s)received during hard times inthe 1920s and ‘30s was anorange, maybe a pair of socksand, if they were lucky, a pep-permint stick or other candy.I’ve often heard how thoseoranges were a very specialtreat. An evergreen branch ortree was cut down right beforeChristmas, decorated withglass balls, and homemadeitems like paper chains, stringsof popcorn, cranberries andcandles lit once. They in com-parison must think we are all alittle out of control with theexcesses of the holiday obser-vances of today.

As a part of the holiday sea-son those who work with sen-iors are asked for ideas of whatto get elders for gifts. As peopleage, material possessions

become less and lessimportant. Theylong ago wentthrough the phaseand accomplishmentof being able toobtain material pos-sessions and nowworry about what to

Diane Rollins, a social worker, dementia care practitioner, and Nursing HomeAdministrator at StratfordNursing and RehabilitationCenter. She can be reached at 955-8919.

page 10

Trinity Medical Equipment Services, 802 Kenyon Road, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Oxygen CPAP BIPAP Nebulizers

Compression socks and stockings

Bracing Walking aides Wheelchairs

Bath safety aides Breastfeeding pumps

and accessories And more

Coming Soon: Women’s Boutique featuring post-mastectomy apparel including bras and camisoles, prosthetic breast forms and certified fitter to help select the right products.

Trinity Medical Equipment Services provides a broad selection of home medical equipment, products, services and related education and is conveniently located inside the main entrance of Trinity Regional Medical Center. Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans accepted.

Trinity Medical Equipment Services

515-574-8540

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The season of giving is near



page 11

Call now for a tour: 515-832-2727 2401 Des Moines St., Webster City, IA 50595

Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Apartments & Home Care

• Rehabilitation • Skilled Care • Caring, Professional Staff

• Independent Apartments • Emergency Assistance • Solarium & Beauty Shop

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S UPPLIES & S ERVICES

do with and where to put them. Recommendation 1: Give elders things

that they use up or that wear out thatmight bring them pleasure (examples arescented soothing lotions, after shave orperfume, gift certificates for hair care atthe facilities hair salon, a phone card,handkerchiefs, a warm soft blanket orthrow in their favorite color, a smallamount of their favorite candy, a subscrip-tion to their home town newspaper orfavorite magazine).

Recommendation 2: Give them thingsthat trigger old memories or give themnew memories; photos from the past, cur-rent family photos with names anddescriptions, books, favorite music and

movies and scrapbooks that you can viewwith them on visits,

Recommendation 3: Give them the giftof your time and presence throughout theyear not just the weeks betweenThanksgiving and New Years, or whenother family members and friends mightnot be visiting. Learn to feel comfortablewith just being together, even in silence.Also there is no rule that constitutes a longenough visit. Short visits are more appro-priate for some elders, so if they tell youit’s time for you to go home don’t beoffended.

And when you do visit during the holi-day season find out what memories yourelder has of holidays past. And if they

remember getting an orange or pepper-mint stick, bring one on your next visitand savor the simplicity of that holidaymemory as well as the complexity of newholiday experiences in 2012.

Call today: 515-576-6755

927 Central Ave Fort Dodge, IA 50501

NEWS FLASH... Willy Says Utilities Are Included At The Wahkonsa Apartments!


page 12

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The above is a quote, not from the lips ofa great philosopher or a great orator, butfrom a famous person in the music world.You probably know who I’m talking about.It is Elvis, no need to give his last name.

Elvis and I grew up together. Rememberthe parental panic he caused when he firstappeared on the Ed Sullivan show? It was-n’t his singing that caused the commotionbut the bodily gyrations that went with it.

Elvis and I have a couple of things incommon. We are about the same age andboth have January birthdays. We both loveAmerica and neither of us were ever afraidto express our patriotism and pride in ourcountry.

I remember that he joined the Armywhen many in the entertainment field didnot.

He was offered a chance to enlist inSpecial Services to entertain the troops andhave better housing and other privileges,but he chose to serve as a regular soldier. Iremember his being in wholesome “G”rated movies, always portraying one of thegood guys. He had a wonderful voice. Hisrock and roll and Blue Suede Shoes wereok, but his quiet ballads and traditionalChristmas favorites were the best. Whatreally made me an all time Elvis fan forev-er was his singing of America. I have it onmy computer and play it most nightsbefore I shut down.

I know you are going to tell me about hisproblems and how he ended up and you

will be right. His was a sad ending. But healso did a lot of good in his life. So, Elvis:THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

This month we will join with friends andfamily, stuff ourselves with turkey andpumpkin pie, and hopefully say grace.Some of us will be uneasy asking those thatare gathered with us to take time to say aprayer of thanksgiving for all of the won-ders, the blessings that we Americans have.There may be some in the mix that consid-er prayer an outmoded tradition. It can beawkward. A friend of mine found himselfin that situation and he put a small type-written note at every plate, asking thateach person express out loud thanks forsomething in his or her life . It worked.

There are so many instances when a kindact meant a lot to us and a thank youwould be in order. When someone lets yougo first in the grocery check out line orholds a door open for you. Smile big andsay “thanks” Chances are you’ll get a bigsmile in return.

Thank you. Thank you very much!SixTy & Then

Some

mary Feldmanis a freelance writer living in emmetsburg

www.messengernews.net

I remember the first time I gota letter from someone tellingme how much they liked some-thing I wrote. It made my day.Way back when I first moved toour farm near Ruthven, I was ashy and quiet person and notvery sure of myself I didn’t saymuch. I didn‘t know many peo-ple. There was this one womanwho right from the start, wasvery friendly. She made a pointto stop and chat when I’d seeher around town and at church.She helped a lot to build myconfidence and from her Ilearned what a difference asmile and a kind word canmake. A friendly look and asmile can do marvelous things..

Why is it so hard to say thankyou? It seems pretty easy to sayplease when we want some-thing. Is it easier to be gratefulfor the big things because wefeel obligated ? Is it harder tosay those words for everydaykindnesses.? Thank you, two lit-tle words that can make boththe sender and the receiver feelgood.

. We give a gift because wewant to, not because we expectanything in return. Still it isnice to receive a note of thankswhen one sends a little some-thing for a birthday, Christmas,other occasions. Maybe you ‘restill waiting for a thank youfrom last June’s graduation.Does that sound petty? Who’s

the bad guy here? Is a cancelledcheck a proper thanks? I won-der.

When my kids were little, mysister who lived in another statealways remembered each spe-cial occasion with a card and adollar bill for each one. I madethem sit down and write a noteto her. They were short and tothe point and sometimes I hadto hold a club over their heads.I found out years later that shesaved every one of those lettersShe put them in a loose-leafnotebook and sent them backto me. Here are a few examplesof their efforts.

“Dear —————— “ Thank you for the dollar

you sent me for Christmas. I gota basketball game and a footballgame. From grandma I got anice truck. I got some clothestoo. I and lots of boys in mygrade played the fifth grade.They are a year older that us.The score was 4-4

Kelly“ Thank you for the dollar. I

am writing for Barb too becauseshe can’t write yet. I got someother stuff too and we got a sledfor the hole family.

With love, Jenny”“Thank you for the dollar . I

can really use it My sister Katyhas the chicken pox and is itch-ing a lot. I have a broken handso I can‘t write much.

Tom.” “ how have you been? It sure

has been a long time since Iseen you,. We all miss you.When are you coming up hereagain? I Hope you enjoyedChristmas. We did. Thanks a lotfor the money . I just wanted towrite a short note thanking youfor the money sorry it is so late.Mom says I have to go to bednow.

your love, Eenie.” “Thanks for the money I used

it for a good purpose. (She spentit on the 26th of December.)Happy Valentine’s day. (Betterlate than never)

Thanks again,Theresa“Thank you for the money. I

got a football from Grandpa.When the window got broke,Kelly did It but the football wasmine.

Thanks again, Mike”My favorite. “ Thank you for

the dollar you gave me. It isnice to have some money. I amselling magazines now. Let meknow if you want to buy some.I am saving money for a guitar.There is two people who askedto teach me. One is my best

friends mom.Love Jim”The writings were not fancy

or even spelled right but I didnot change a thing. The factthat my sister kept those letterall these years illustrates howmuch they meant to her .

It is so easy to say thank youthese days. It doesn‘t have to begushy and long winded andyou don‘t have to spend almost50 cents to mail it. We have cellphones, text messaging andcomputers. We have email andFacebook. It takes very littletime and effort to say thank you.

To the lady who was sofriendly to me in the old days,thank you and to each personwho ever sent a letter to mecommenting on my writing,(good or bad), THANK YOU.THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Have a happy and blessedThanksgiving.

GOD BLESS AMERICA ANDGOD BLESS YOU.


page 13

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Artists dabble in a vast num-ber of media, but Eloise Stearnsof Webster City puts all hereggs in one basket.

Stearns has created egg art for31 years. She became interestedin the craft after her daughterreceived a wedding invitationon an egg from her great aunt.She then took lessons from astore, Eggs and Things, in DesMoines. Stearns drove back andforth every two weeks for yearsas she honed her skill in eggart.

While Eggs and Things isnow out of business, as Stearnssaid the owners were 75 whenshe first began learning there,she has not stopped searchingfor opportunities to improveher skill. After some research,Stearns found egg art seminarsall over the country. Sheattended seminars from Seattleto Philadelphia up to threeyears ago.

Stearns works with many

kinds of eggs, although not theones people are most familiarwith. She said chicken eggs aretoo fragile for her work. Shemostly uses quail eggs, but sheuses finch, parakeet, emu, duckand ostrich eggs, among oth-ers.

She uses a dremel tool with aquarter inch diamond blade tocut the eggs. With large, thickostrich eggs, Stearns said shecan wear out a blade in a singleproject. Each blade costs herabout 20 dollars, and she saidthere are more hidden costs incrafting such intricate pieces.

Most of her work is done inher “egg room,” a side roomwith a workbench adjacent toher garage. Stearns starts workon an egg with initial designmarkings and cuts places forhinges or other attachments.She then cuts the egg in hergarage and adds her artistictouches to the shell.

Working with such a delicate

Stearns creates unique masterpieces

Story and photos by JIM KRAJEWSKI

One of Eloise Stearns’ eggs features a carousel mecha-nism, which plays music and spins when activated. Stearnssaid she likes this egg because of the movement and the useof seperate cut eggshells attached around the rim.

Egg-celent art


page 15

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medium can be difficult. Stearns said alleggs the size of a goose egg or smaller arecoated at least six times on the outside,and two to three times on the inside forprotection. She uses six different kinds ofglue to keep everything together. But, theycan still be difficult to handle.

“They’re just like people. If it hits on aweak spot, it probably will break,” Stearnssaid. “It can be surprising how durablethey are though. I’ve dropped an uncutquail egg on the garage floor and it didn’thave one scratch.”

Each egg varies in the time it takes to cre-ate. Stearns said she can spend anywherefrom an hour to a week on a single project.The cost also varies widely. Stearns hassold eggs from $15 to $500. Many of hereggs are given to her grandchildren, whoall received eggs for Christmas last year.

However, many have also been sold atcraft sales. Stearns has attended a craftsale every year, but stopped this yearwhen she gave into her children’s pleasnot to travel so much. This year, sheheld an open house for buyers.

“There were 18 people at the openhouse. That doesn’t sound like much,but they were all good buyers,” Stearnssaid.

Stearns has also taken up the task ofteaching egg art to five students. A cou-ple of them have been studying underher since she lived on a farm 20 yearsago. She said it was nice to be able to passdown her knowledge of egg art to others asher teachers did more than 30 years ago.

This ostrich egg piece depicts a winter scene.Eloise Stearns said Christmas themes are herfavorite to create. Stearns said the figurines inthis piece have been in her collection for years.She has collected so many things to use in hereggs over the years, she no longer buys newones.

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Active Living November 2012