Th e Care You Deserve! · 2010-06-21 · The bike tour offers four routes: a 5-plus-mile ride along the Great River Bike Trail for small children and families, a 16-mile flat-terrain

www.feis tdental . com

Dr. Jon Feist608.788.33841.877.788.3385831 Cr i t ter Cour t Onalaska, WI 54650

...how a smile enriches those who receive it,

creates happiness in the home,fosters good will in business,

& is the countersign of friendship.

We feel that every patient in our practice deserves to have a smile they can be proud of. We are excited to offer our patients a new and unique program we call “Whitening For Life™” When you come to our offi ce for your initial examination and cleaning, we will provide you with custom bleaching trays and materials for a one time enrollment fee of $99. Then, twice yearly, we will give you a complimentary touch up kit of bleaching gel. This ensures that you will be able to keep your teeth bright and beautiful for life! All we ask in return is that you keep your recare visits current at our recommended interval and provide at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or change an appointment.

Th e Care You Deserve!

Enjoy the latest styles, a great selection of stores, the freshest accessories and the convenience of the Valley View Mall Gift Card.

American Eagle Outfitters • GAP • Talbots PacSun • Kay Jewelers • Hollister Co.

Barnes & Noble and 80 stores you’ll love!

3800 State Road 16 • La Crosse, WI 54601608.781.4700 • www.myvalleyview.comA Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust Property

When You Love to Shop, Shop the Best!

www.feis tdental . com

Dr. Jon Feist608.788.33841.877.788.3385831 Cr i t ter Cour t Onalaska, WI 54650

...how a smile enriches those who receive it,

creates happiness in the home,fosters good will in business,

& is the countersign of friendship.

We feel that every patient in our practice deserves to have a smile they can be proud of. We are excited to offer our patients a new and unique program we call “Whitening For Life™” When you come to our offi ce for your initial examination and cleaning, we will provide you with custom bleaching trays and materials for a one time enrollment fee of $99. Then, twice yearly, we will give you a complimentary touch up kit of bleaching gel. This ensures that you will be able to keep your teeth bright and beautiful for life! All we ask in return is that you keep your recare visits current at our recommended interval and provide at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or change an appointment.

Th e Care You Deserve!

Robotic precision with the human touch. That’s what you can expect from the new da Vinci surgical system at Gundersen Lutheran. Using the da Vinci—the most advanced robotic surgical technology—our gynecologists can perform hysterectomies through very small incisions guided by high-resolution 3-D imaging.

The da Vinci surgical system delivers many benefits over conventional open procedures such as:• Safer procedure• Less pain and blood loss • Lower risk of infection or complications• Shorter hospital stays • Faster, easier recovery • Virtually no scarring

To learn more, call (608) 775-8181.

Less pain. Faster recovery. Better quality of life.

da Vinci Ad-Hyster-CRW.indd 1 4/9/09 2:01:01 PM

www.crwmagazine.com JUNE/JULY 2009 5

CONTENTSJUNE/JULY 2009

IN EVERY ISSUE:FROM THE EDITOR 7 | IN THE KNOW 9 | ACCOMPLISHMENTS 25ADVERTISER INDEX 46 | COMMUNITY CALENDAR 46

ON THE COVER: Pictured is Debbie Hosch, owner of The Big Event CompanyPhoto taken by atypikstudio Hair and makeup by Nora Hauser, VC Salon at Macy’s in Valley View Mall

PROFILE11 EVERY EVENT IS BIg TImE Debbie Hosch lives out her passion for creating perfect parties. by KIm SEIdEl

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL

14 FUN ON THE JOB Meet three area women for whom work is practically play. by lINdSaY BONNaR

CAREERS

18 aRT FOR aRTISTS’ SaKE Gallery owner Ann Peterson makes her career an art form—literally. by SUSaN C. SCHUYlER

FAMILY

20 SCRapBOOKINg IN a dIgITal agE Technology allows for fresh creativity in preserving family memories. by SUSaN T. HESSEl

HOME

23 THE HOUSE ON THE HIll Kathy and Don Hill have built—and rebuilt— a unique family-style home. by maURa HENN

DESIGNING WOMEN27 THE lOVE OF KNITTINg Coulee Region women cast on for kicks. by lEaH Call

HEALTHY LIVING

31 FITNESS REallY CaN BE FUN What are you waiting for? Get moving with these fun tips. by dIaNE RaaUm

FOOD

34 FaNCY a BaRBIE? Bloody oath, Sheila! Fill the esky and gather your mates for an Oz-style barbecue. by CHaRISH BadzINSKI

RETAIL THERAPY

38 FaBUlOUS SUmmER FaSHIONS Celebrate the season with sun- and fun-filled styles. by mElISSa HaNSON

WOMEN IN THE REGION43 THE plaY’S THE THINg Area women say passion for the theater fuels their lives. by SHaRI HEglaNd

Robotic precision with the human touch. That’s what you can expect from the new da Vinci surgical system at Gundersen Lutheran. Using the da Vinci—the most advanced robotic surgical technology—our gynecologists can perform hysterectomies through very small incisions guided by high-resolution 3-D imaging.

The da Vinci surgical system delivers many benefits over conventional open procedures such as:• Safer procedure• Less pain and blood loss • Lower risk of infection or complications• Shorter hospital stays • Faster, easier recovery • Virtually no scarring

To learn more, call (608) 775-8181.

Less pain. Faster recovery. Better quality of life.

da Vinci Ad-Hyster-CRW.indd 1 4/9/09 2:01:01 PM

34 38

C OV E R AG E YO U C A N C O U N T O N N E W S C H A N N E L 8

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Coulee Region Women is published six times per year by Coulee Region Communications, L.L.C.

816 2nd Avenue S., Suite 600, Onalaska, WI 54650.

Subscriptions available for $17.95 per year (six issues). Send check to the address above.

All unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Coulee Region Women assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

©2009 Coulee Region Communications, L.L.C. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Coulee Region Women magazine does not necessarily endorse the claims or contents of advertising or editorial materials.

Printed at Midwest Litho, Rochester, MN. Printed in the U.S.A.

For advertising informationcall 608-783-5395

www.crwmagazine.com

[email protected]

ISSUE 44, VOlUmE 8, NUmBER 2

JUNE/JUlY 2009

pUBlISHERSDiane Raaum, Doug Solinger

EdITORBetty Christiansen

dESIgNERRenee Chrz, Innovative Graphics, LLC

maRKETINg aCCOUNT REpRESENTaTIVESCarol Schank

Melissa HansonClaire Ristow-Seib

wEB maSTERMader Web Design LLC

pHOTOgRapHYatypikstudio

Bruce DeFries Studio GroupMueller Photography, LLC

dISTRIBUTIONCitywide Marketing Services, L.L.C.

wE waNT TO HEaR FROm YOU!

Send comments, suggestions, ideas or original recipes to: Coulee Region Women

Editor, 816 2nd Ave. S., Suite 600, Onalaska, WI 54650. E-mail: [email protected]

FROm THE EdITOR

uring the photo shoot for this issue’s cover, I had a chance to chat with Debbie Hosch of The Big Event Company, our “cover woman” and the owner of a local business that is famous with those of us who have small children. I was

heartened to hear her say that, in these times of economic doom, layoffs and financial hardships, her entertainment business was doing just fine. When rewarding employees, companies may choose a family-oriented picnic (complete with those beloved bounce houses!) over trips or other costly compensation. Families might forgo an expensive vacation for a themed birthday party. Despite the doomsday headlines we read these days, people are not sacrificing fun. We at Coulee Region Women are all about that.

I like to think that having fun is a primal instinct. Spend any amount of time around small children, and you will observe that they have an almost innate need to play. In fact, they can turn nearly any ordinary event (think dinnertime) into a game, often to the consternation of their parents. This is an important lesson we adults can learn from them: Fun can happen anywhere, at no cost and in countless ways.

In this issue of Coulee Region Women, we’ll take a look at the many ways women around the region are having fun. Some crafty women are engaging in hobbies like knitting and scrapbooking, often with a new twist. Others strive for high art, and find it by painting, acting or surrounding themselves with artists and artwork. Summery weather is an invitation to have fun, so some area women indulge in a love of summer styles, summer food and memorable parties. And we all can take inspiration from those who have found fun in the most ordinary of events—like work, exercising or even housecleaning (visit www.crwmagazine.com for a humorous take on this option).

Enough talk of hard times. Let’s lighten up already! Order up your favorite summer beverage, grab a copy of Coulee Region Women and let’s have some fun.

P.S. Don’t miss the Parade of Homes Planbook in this issue of Coulee Region Women!

DA meeting of the minds: The staff of Coulee Region Women put their heads together to plan the next issue—and have some fun while they’re at it. Clockwise from bottom: Betty Christiansen, Carol Schank, Renee Chrz, Claire Ristow-Seib, Melissa Hanson and Diane Raaum.

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www.womego.com

A new online community around the news and information women care about.

we the women

INVITEWe the women and the publishers

of Coulee Region Women...

the aunts, mothers, sisters, daughters, professionals, dreamers, confidantes,

nurturers, storytellers and knowledge seekers of the world...

to be part of the launch of a new online community.


GET YOUR BODY IN MOTION FOR MINDS IN MOTION

Grab your bike helmet and get ready to enjoy the fifth anniversary of the Minds in Motion Bicycle Tour on June 20. The tour is a benefit for the Onalaska School District’s Fit Kids Healthy Living Program. The program encourages children’s physical activity and raises their nutritional awareness.

The bike tour offers four routes: a 5-plus-mile ride along the Great River Bike Trail for small children and families, a 16-mile flat-terrain ride on the road, and more challenging 32-mile and 62-mile rides. A mass start will take place at 8:00 a.m. at the Onalaska Middle School. Preregistration is $10 or $20, depending on the ride. Children 6 and under ride free. Fees include lunch, a T-shirt, refreshments and entertainment. For more information, visit www.mimbiketour.org or e-mail Harvey Bertrand at [email protected].

EAT LOCAL, HAVE FUNOn Friday nights from May through October, you can meet your neighbors, purchase locally grown produce, and enjoy art, music and

other attractions at the Cameron Park Farmers’ Market at the Hanifl Marketplace in downtown La Crosse. The market is committed to providing sustainably produced produce, meat and dairy foods grown by area farmers—many of whom are women—as well as arts and crafts made by local artists. Enjoy the outdoors while doing something good for your body, your community and the earth. The market is open every Friday night from 4 to 8 p.m. through the end of October. Visit www.cameronparkmarket.org for more information, including a schedule of events.

IN THE KNOw

WELCOME TO WOMEGOWomego is a new online destination created to bring the best articles and information

to women. In partnership with Coulee Region Women and hundreds of other women’s publications across the country, it provides a wealth of content and new tools to connect women across the country who share interests or concerns. Register with the site (it’s free) to experience this community and explore thousands of articles—including those appearing in Coulee Region Women—with your interests, concerns and issues at heart.

When you visit Womego for the first time, you can explore the Web site on your own or simply fill out a short profile that will help customize your experience based on your interests. Whether you’re hoping to meet fellow breast cancer survivors, trying to build your small business, seeking parenting advice from moms who’ve been there or looking for a ballroom dancing class, Womego will deliver what you seek. Visit www.womego.com to discover more, and be sure to sign up as a fan of Coulee Region Women.

CELEBRATE A SEASON OF ARTThe Grandpa’s Barn lawn on Lake Onalaska will become a charming art gallery on the first Saturday of each month this summer (June

6, July 4, Aug. 1, Sept. 5) as the La Crosse Society of Arts and Crafts holds their Outdoor Art Fairs. White tents will dot the landscape as talented Coulee Region artists display their work, featuring high-quality, one-of-a-kind items. A Peter Phippen world flute concert is planned for the Aug. 1 show, and Ralph King will provide guitar music for the Sept. 5 show. Open for shopping 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; admission is free. Call 608-857-3344 for directions and more information.

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ebbie Hosch gets accused of playing on the job. She takes it as a compliment.

She and her husband, Paul, of Onalaska, own The Big Event Company, and if people tell her it looks like she’s having fun, she knows she’s doing something right.

Known widely as The Big E, the company hosts events of all sizes, from small private birthday gatherings to large corporate celebrations. “We get accused of playing all day, but there is hard work that goes into this business,” she says. “We just make it look easy.”

Ten years of fun—and looking forward to moreFor now, The Big E is based out of a 3,300-square-foot

unassuming brown building on Abbey Road in the Town of Onalaska. “Sometimes, people come here expecting to see a party going on,” Hosch says. “But, I tell them, everything is packed away. There’s not an event here.”

The Big E goes to the customer’s choice of venue, bringing giant inflatables, colorful murals, carnival games and other fun activities to fit the party theme requested. “If you create the idea, we will come,” Hosch says. “The client gives us a budget to work with and their event idea, and we take it from there.”

The Big E will mark its 10-year anniversary in 2010, and it will be a blast, Hosch says. “We’re always looking to expand our company.”

Eighty percent of The Big E’s clients are corporate. The busiest season begins now, in the summer—June, July and August—which is filled with company picnics featuring inflatables, kids’ activities (Hosch loves running hermit crab races for children) and carnival games. Smaller groups, such as schools, churches and other organizations, make up the other 20 percent of clients for events and fund-raisers. She is the creative force behind all the company’s parties, no matter what their size. Her husband complements her talents, managing finances and maintaining and operating equipment.

There’s no doubt that Hosch loves her work. She describes her career as “challenging” and especially “fun,” a word that keeps coming up in conversation. “No event is exactly the same,” she says. “I love creating the perfect party and having the satisfaction when it’s successful. Putting smiles on clients’ faces and seeing people

debbie Hosch lives out her passion

for creating perfect parties.

by KIm SEIdElCONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

EVERY EVENT IS BIG TIME

pROFIlE

Debbie Hosch and her husband, Paul, have been running The Big Event Company for nearly 10 years. Having fun is an inevitable benefit of the job.

D

“I love creating the

perfect party, and having the

satisfaction when it’s successful.

Putting smiles on clients’ faces

and seeing people having fun is really satisfying for me.”

––Debbie Hosch

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Y A

TY

PIKS

TU

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having fun is really satisfying for me.”The Big E serves clients throughout

the La Crosse region, including the Winona, Minn., area, as well as Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells and Madison. The Big E may be best known everywhere for its huge, colorful inflatables. The company started with five inflatables and a trailer, and over the decade, they’ve grown to about 15 inflatables, including an 85-foot obstacle course, a giant slide, bounce houses and gladiator jousting.

Hosch particularly has fun being a part of the community, as The Big E sponsors many events throughout the year. The company also sponsors The Big E Family Zone at La Crosse Loggers baseball games and can be enjoyed this summer at Sand on the Riverfront in August and Steppin’ Out in Pink in September.

If you can imagine it …Yet there’s much more to Hosch’s

company than inflatables. For example, The Big E offers 40 casino tables to fit with “casino night” party themes. “It’s the real deal,” she says. “These tables are topped with mali cloth and padded rails, just like in Vegas.” Whatever the party, Hosch ensures it will be a first-class act. Looking the part, staff members at the popular casino nights wear white tuxedo shirts, black pants and bow ties. The Big E has a pool of 100 employees who can work the events and create an atmosphere of trust with clients.

One client requested a “wine tasting” theme. Hosch created a venue resembling a slice of Italy with lattice work and grapevines. When she describes the events she’s created, one begins to wonder what fun she hasn’t done.

She’s set up tiki huts for Hawaiian themes, crazy mirrors for circus parties and a spa area for cruise nights, complete with a starry-night-background photo opportunity. A red carpet runner was part of the glitz and glamour for a Hollywood theme party.

She’s played with beads and masks for Mardi Gras celebrations, ships and eye patches for pirate theme parties, and hay bales and saddles for a Western event on a golf course. Among her biggest annual

events is a “spooktacular” Halloween party, a prime time to go all out with decorations galore.

The Big E can go wherever the imagination goes. The company provides team-building events, Hosch says, showing pictures of employees dressed as pirates during a boat regatta, where they competed to build makeshift boats and sailed across a local hotel pool. The Big E also can even assist wedding consultants with themes and provide kids’ activities during receptions.

The Big E, and that position evolved into a full-time position. “That was my love and passion, planning events,” she says. “I began to joke with my husband that I wanted to start our own event company when we moved back to Wisconsin.”

They returned to their home state in 1999. “I didn’t know how serious I was about my dream until we had the opportunity to buy five inflatables and a 10-foot trailer,” she says. They treated it as a part-time job. The Big E was invited to 30 events in the first year. “We were providing a service that filled a great void in the community,” she says. “We didn’t do any advertising, and people learned about us through word of mouth. It spread like wildfire.”

By 2002, they had gone full time with the business. That summer, they ran the kiddie rides and concessions at Myrick Park Zoo, further establishing themselves as an important presence in the area. Since the first year, The Big E has grown 800 percent.

Hosch makes sure her family life is fun as well. She and Paul have three daughters, ages 10, 6 and 3. “Our kids are our number one priority, and we don’t ever want to lose sight of that,” Hosch says. “We always make sure they come first.” D

How about a luau? Debbie Hosch can meet practicallyany party need.

“Inflating” a dream jobHosch’s interest in planning fun events

was first piqued in college, while pursuing a recreation management degree at UW-La Crosse. When she helped plan games for the recreation management department on campus, she fell in love with her work. About that time, she fell in love with her husband, too, and they married in 1991.

After Hosch graduated in 1993, the couple moved to Florida to gain some work experience. She was employed as an activity director at a Fort Myers Beach resort, while Paul worked in the television production field. As a part-time job, Hosch began working for an event company similar to

All aboard! With a good collection of inflatables and other kid-friendly props, the Big E specializes in children’s activities and events.

Kim Seidel is a writer who lives in Onalaska. Her two young daughters have enjoyed The Big E inflatables at many community events throughout the years.


In the early years of marriage, women are the relationship caretakers. They carefully monitor their relationships to make sure there is enough closeness and connection. If not, women will do what they can to try to fix things. If their husbands aren’t responsive, women become extremely unhappy and start complaining about everything under the sun…things that need to get done around the house, responsibilities pertaining to the children, how free time is spent, and so on. Unfortunately, when women complain, men generally retreat and the marriage deteriorates even more. After years of trying to successfully improve things, a woman eventually surrenders and convinces herself that change isn’t possible. She ends up believing there’s absolutely nothing she can do because everything she’s tried has not worked. That’s when she begins to carefully map out the logistics of what she considers to be the inevitable - getting a divorce. While she is planning her escape, she no longer tries to improve her relationship or modify her partner’s behavior in any way. She resigns herself to living in silent desperation until “D Day.” Unfortunately, her husband views his wife’s silence as an indication that “everything is fine.” After all, the “nagging” has ceased. That’s why, when she finally breaks the news of the impending divorce, her shell-shocked partner replies, “I had no idea you were unhappy.” Then, even when her husband undergoes real and lasting changes, it’s often too late. The same impenetrable wall that for years shielded her from pain now prevents her from truly recognizing his genuine willingness to change. The relationship is now in the danger zone. If you are a woman who fits this description, please don’t give up. I have seen so many men make amazing changes once they truly understand how unhappy their wives have been. Sometimes men are slow to catch on, but when they do, their determination to turn things around can be astounding. I have seen many couples strengthen their marriage successfully even though it seemed an impossible feat. Give your husband another chance. Let him prove to you that things can be different. Keep your family together. Divorce is not a simple answer. It causes unimaginable pain and suffering. It takes an enormous amount of energy to face each day. Why not take this energy and learn some new skills and make your marriage what you’ve wanted it to be for so long? If you’re a man reading this and your wife has been complaining or nagging, thank her. It means she still cares about you and your marriage. She’s working hard to make your love stronger. Spend time with her. Talk to her. Compliment her. Pay attention. Take her seriously. Show her that she is the most important thing in the world to you. Perhaps your wife is no longer open to your advances because she’s a soon to be walk-away wife. If so, don’t crowd her. Don’t push. Be patient. If you demonstrate you can change and she still has eyes…and a heart, you might just convince her to give your marriage another try.

For additional support, give us a call right away at 608.785.7000 x21 for an appointment with a Licensed Professional Counselor or Marriage & Family Therapist.

©2003 Michele Weiner Davis Training Corp. Reprinted with permission of Michele Weiner-Davis. Subscribe to the FREE “Divorce Busting” newsletter at www.divorcebusting.com, the website for people

who want a more loving relationship. Also visit www.effectivebehavior.com and Subscribe to the FREE “Marriage Advice” newsletter from the Coulee Region’s

premiere marriage experts - Stein Counseling.

For Marriages & Couples:

Walk Away Wife Syndrome

571 Braund Street, Onalaska608.785.7000 ext. 21 • www.effectivebehavior.com

Solutions for Individuals, Families & Communities


pERSONal aNd pROFESSIONal

I

Sara Lubinski’s “Timeless River” beautifully represents the Mississippi River winding through the Coulee Region.

FUN ON THE JOBmeet three area women for whom work is practically play.

magine waking up every morning and thinking, “I love my job!” Finding fun and fulfillment along a chosen career path doesn’t happen overnight and may require very tough decisions, but three Coulee Region women—Sara Lubinski, Kay Mazza and

Kay Wais—have all found fun and happiness in their careers, and in three very different disciplines.

In love with the landscapeSara Lubinski, of Brownsville, Minn., has loved art and nature for

as long as she can remember. “At 3 years old, I wanted to learn bird calls,” Lubinski says. “I loved the natural world and wanted to be out in it.” While Lubinski first started college as an art major and worked for several years as a graphic artist, the call of nature led her to pursue a master’s degree in botany.

But during the 15 years she spent working as a botanist for the federal and state governments, Lubinski found herself thinking more about how she would paint the landscape than the technical aspects of her job. Four years ago, Lubinski made the frightening and Pastel artist Sara Lubinski captures images of the local landscape.

by lINdSaY BONNaRCONTRIBUTED PHOTOS


exciting decision to quit her job and pursue art as a career.

Lubinski had done some oil painting and watercolor, but when her sister sent her a box of pastels, she fell in love, and this became her chosen medium. Her favorite place to paint is outdoors, or en plein air. “I love having the opportunity to express my emotional response to nature,” Lubinski explains. “I consider it a form of meditation.”

Since her career move, Lubinski has entered exhibits in three national shows. Lubinski currently has artwork in four galleries around the region and a piece at a gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz. She had a show at the Pump House in La Crosse this past January.

Lubinski is inspired by the Mississippi River but says that her inspiration might be different tomorrow, depending on where she is. “I am nuts about prairies,” Lubinski says, “and I love things that are left undisturbed and in their natural state.” She finds that all of her senses are involved when she paints outside, and the things around her seep into her paintings.

“While painting, I remain completely focused in the moment, making all sorts of decisions about composition, color, detail, focal area and values, but I still have another awareness of all that is going on around me—the bird calls, the wind direction, the moving clouds,” Lubinski says. “I am truly focused in the moment, and that makes me feel very alive.”

Here to serve you“I love the satisfaction of great service;

I love serving people,” says Kay Mazza, general manager at Herbergers in the Valley View Mall in Onalaska. “I am a glutton for it!” Mazza has always loved clothes and fashion, and although she graduated from UW-La Crosse with a degree in history, her passion has become retail.

Mazza made her first career move in 1985, leaving La Crosse to work in a Philadelphia boutique. Other moves took her to San Francisco, then Minnesota, then back to

Philadelphia, where she commuted to work in Manhattan. She landed a career in retail at each location and found herself going down many different paths.

“Retail has an enormous element of fun, and if you do it well, you can really enjoy it,” Mazza says. “It leads to so many opportunities.” For example, while she was in San Francisco, she worked with such celebrities as the actor Jack Nicholson and the comedian Joan Rivers. She worked on photo shoots, fashion shows and even a Jennifer Lopez video. She also became the head of

excellence,” Mazza says of her employees. “I think that this store really makes a difference in the community.”

Five times over the past six years, her store has been ranked in the top 10 out of 285 Herbergers stores nationwide. While some Herbergers employees have been with the company more than 30 years, Mazza is also a big fan of hiring high school students. “I like to provide a job start, [an opportunity to be] mentored by an experienced employee,” Mazza says. “It’s a way to give back to the community.”

She also says the store’s customers have played a significant role in her career. “The customers are a dream,” she says. “They are loyal. I see them often, and they are growing to be an extended part of the family.”

Fun and gamesA good teacher can come from

anywhere, not necessarily the conventional classroom. Kay Wais found her calling for teaching in project management training. “Teaching is very rewarding,” Wais says. “I just get so excited, I lie in bed at night thinking about the next day!” She adds that project management is a good way

to improve the way projects are performed, and she says she found her “spark” while attending a training seminar. Since then, she has literally made a game out of what she does for a living.

Armed with a master’s degree in project management and Project Management Process (PMP) certification, Wais opened her own business, Successful Projects, in 2000. She also founded the La Crosse chapter of the Project Management Institute and became its first president. Its members are project managers, and they meet monthly for dinner and a presentation, generally focused on challenges they meet in the field. One challenge is making project management training interesting—and this is where the game comes in.

Drawing inspiration from the students in her project management classes at Viterbo

training at Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.Eight years ago, Mazza and her twin boys

moved back to La Crosse to be closer to her family, and she began working at Herbergers. As the general manager, she is responsible for all functions of the store, whether sales, service or staffing.

Mazza comes in at the start of each day and tries to “set a positive tone right off the bat.” She checks in with her employees, visiting with them and asking how their day is going before getting to the tasks around the store: putting away a merchandise truck, doing markdowns and keeping the store looking new and clean.

“I feel like I am surrounded by people who love what they do and strive for

Kay Mazza (right) poses with Mary Sacia (left), a breast cancer survivor who received a Herbergers makeover for the Women Rock event last October.


University, Trane Company, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Western Technical College, Wais initially developed five games for use in class training sessions. “Project management training can be a bit of a dry topic,” Wais says, “so I try to use a lot of hands-on.”

One of the games, Project Risk, has developed into a tool that Wais is considering marketing on a bigger scale. Project Risk pits teams against each other in a simulation of different project management risk scenarios, such as miscommunication or a rework of a plan, then allows teams to pick a strategy for handling the situation.

Wais has been developing the game for several years, adding to it and reworking it. She is currently exploring a board game manufacturing and consulting company in

Wisconsin Dells. “I can’t even tell you how many hundreds of hours [have gone into the game], and I am sure it will change before mass-producing it,” Wais says.

Project Risk is available online, where Wais has been filling orders in small quantities. This small-scale release has allowed her to apply small tweaks to the cards, customizing the game depending on the purchaser. Although Wais says that the game is not really meant to “sit down and play,” as an instructor is needed, it does come with a PowerPoint instructor and speaker notes.

More about the game and the company, Successful Projects, can be found at www.successfulprojects.com. D

Lindsay Bonnar is also lucky to do work she loves, as a writer in the Coulee Region.

Kay Wais is a project management trainer and the creator of Project Risk.

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AFTER

BEFORE

Magnification examstrack progress of hair growth


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AFN41481

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AFN41481final.indd 1 1/14/09 8:39:14 AM

Millions of women experience incontinence, pain when urinating,frequency and urgency of urination, and sexual problems.

Franciscan Skemp Healthcare has launched a new Pelvic Floor Clinic to help women with this commonly occurring condition. The multi-disciplinary team is made up of

professionals from obstetrics-gynecology, urology, physical therapy, colorectalsurgery, acupuncture, behavioral health, and others as needed.

Many new treatments are available that can dramatically change the lives of women with pelvic floor disorders.

CARE THAT INSPIRES

Sometimes it’s embarrassing being a woman“As I got older, I began to notice changes in my body. I had to go to the

bathroom so often it was affecting my work, my social life, and even my sleep.I thought this was something I’d just have to live with.”

To learn more, or to setup a consultation, call

(608) 392-9700.

Kay Wais is a project management trainer and the creator of Project Risk.


CaREERS

n Ann Peterson’s fascinating and eclectic career path, “artist” and “gallery owner” are only the most recent stops. Other jobs on this self-described Renaissance woman’s resume are state trooper, nurse, carpenter,

florist and emergency medical technician. “I follow the path wherever life has taken me,” she says.

However, her passion lies in the job title “artist,” which she only recently gave herself permission to use. “Growing up, my sister was the artist, and I just made stuff,” Peterson says. She first wore the artist label when her work appeared in an exhibit given by Odin Arts Cooperative. Peterson is a founding member of the co-op, where she forged relationships with other artists and inspired the concept for her gallery.

“Someday” is nowFurther inspiration came on Nov. 7, 2007, when Peterson

suffered a heart attack. Opening an art gallery had always been in the back of her mind, but it suddenly became more urgent. “Instead of saying ‘someday, maybe,’ I wondered how many ‘somedays’ I might have,” Peterson says.

Peterson’s narrative is punctuated by the pleasant croak of the gallery door’s frog greeter, which announces visitors to Gallery La Crosse at 320 Main St. in downtown La Crosse. She welcomes each with a cheerful hello and a succinct, well-rehearsed but enthusiastic description of the gallery and its upcoming events.

She describes her business model as the “hybridization” of an artists’ cooperative, traditional art gallery and antique mall, where artists manage their own rented spaces in a juried gallery. “It gives the artist so much more autonomy,” Peterson says. She’s quick to add that the gallery is a “benevolent dictatorship,” where she makes the business decisions.

art for everyoneCurrently, one-third of the space is leased by 44 local artists,

including Peterson, who displays her rustic furniture and hammered jewelry amid a mix of many styles and media.

ART FOR ARTISTS’ SAKEgallery owner ann peterson makes

her career an art form—literally.

by SUSaN C. SCHUYlERCONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“It’s very welcoming here—the kind of place where regular folk can walk in and own art,” Peterson says. The artwork at the gallery is modestly priced, much of it ranging from $2 to $20. “We have a postcard for 89 up to fine art valued at more than $1,000,” Peterson says.

Peterson’s goals for the gallery are also modest. “I want to get enough vendors to pay myself minimum wage,” she says. She works as an on-call nurse at Bethany Riverside to help keep the gallery’s doors open. She overcame the “predictable surprises” of getting those doors to open for the first time in August 2008. “Almost everything ended up costing more and taking more time,” Peterson says.

As she nears her first year in business, Peterson is surprised by how few locals shop in downtown La Crosse, which helped her to shape another goal: “I want to get the word out that downtown is being reborn, and there’s a lot to do and see here.” D

Susan C. Schuyler is a UW-La Crosse Communication Studies instructor who isn’t brave enough to call herself an artist—yet.

gallery la Crosse320 Main St., La Crosse, Wis.608-782-4278 (782-4ART)e-mail: [email protected]: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (and by serendipity)

Artist and Gallery La Crosse owner Ann Peterson rests her arm on a rustic table, which she created using found tree branches.

O


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Lots of times, changes in life also affect your investments. That’s why there’s never been a better time to schedule your free portfolio review. We’ll talk about the changes in your life, and help you decide whether it makes sense to revise your investments because of them.

Margaret A SeversonFinancial Advisor205 South Main StreetViroqua, WI 54665(608) 637-7233

A portfolio review will help ensure your investments are keeping pace with your goals. Call your local fi nancial advisor today.

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FamIlY

our siblings want some of the photos that were handed down to you from Aunt Edna. Mom’s old albums are not just dusty, but deteriorating. As for those early color photos, they’ve faded away.

You’ve taken that deep breath and know you absolutely must do something with those boxes and boxes of family photos stacked up in your basement—besides backing up a truck and hauling them away.

making the choice: traditional, digital and hybrid In the “olden days”—maybe 20 or so years ago—you slapped

photos in a scrapbook without much concern about the acidity of the paper or damage that tape would do over time. You may not have written much by the pictures or labeled photos. After all, who’d ever forget what’s-his-name or the great fun you had that day, whenever or wherever it was?

Then along came a new era in scrapbooking, with stores like the American Scrapbook Company of Onalaska and independent consultants from Creative Memories offering hundreds if not thousands of products to decorate pages. Many scrappers took workshops and spent evenings at crop parties, acquiring enough cutters, papers, ribbons and stickers to fill the room left vacant by a kid in college.

And today, there are digital scrapbooking opportunities, mostly through online services like Shutterfly, Blurb, Kodak Gallery, MemoryPress and Creative Memories. They work by having you create your book with your computer, either using online templates or special software downloaded by the company. You then order the book, which comes a week or two later looking much like a book you’d buy in a bookstore. Whether you create your book digitally or by hand depends in part on how comfortable you are with technology.

Y“There are benefits to both,” says Wendy Groth, owner of

American Scrapbook Company, which celebrates eight years in business in August. With traditional scrapbooking, “you can drive down the block to a local store and see what is available for you and get advice.”

There also is a tactile satisfaction to cropping (cutting) photos by hand and choosing colorful backgrounds and embellishments for each page. But Groth knows some people cannot fit crop parties or workshops into their schedules.

Finally, there is the “hybrid” scrapbook world, which combines the features of both. With Photoshop and other photo-editing software, photos can be corrected, cropped and enhanced digitally and then placed on traditional pages. Some scrappers spend hours on a single page and then make multiple copies via a digital company.

Some Web sites, like http://freedigitalscrapbooking.com, www.scrapbookflair.com and www.digitalscrapbookpages.com offer “virtual” papers, templates and embellishments for your digital pages.

putting it all togetherNo matter what method you choose, the ability to recognize good

photos is critical. It’s also helpful to have access to a scanner to copy old snapshots with at least a 300-dpi resolution. Your digital camera photos can go straight into your computer without scanning.

With Shutterfly, Kodak Gallery, MemoryPress and other photobooks available at chain stores, you upload photos from your computer, edit them and then arrange them in templates provided by the companies online. These services all provide instructions and advice for ensuring the highest quality.

Most sites offer different sizes of books, from pocket-sized to oversized. You can choose colorful backgrounds and different fonts,

SCRAPBOOKING IN A DIGITAL AGE

Technology allows for fresh creativity

in preserving family memories.

by SUSaN T. HESSElCONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Digitally created photo albums can provide professional-looking results, as the author’s own examples show.


Online templates, text and good photos add up to a wedding keepsake for the author’s daughter.

and hard or soft covers. Some offer templates for the cover, while others allow you to design your own cover with a photo or photos of your choice.

going onlineIf you would like to take the digital

plunge, check out www.shutterfly.com, www.kodakgallery.com and www.memorypress.com.

MemoryPress offers a collaborative feature. Let’s say you want to create a book to honor Aunt Tilly and Uncle Mike’s 50th wedding anniversary. You can send invitations to family and friends to share photos and stories about the happy couple that you then put together in the book. It often takes a bit of nagging to get the submissions, but it can be a delightful gift.

With Creative Memories (www.creativememories.com) and Blurb (www.blurb.com), you must first download

software to create your books. Then you can use a variety of templates. Once you’ve completed your design, the software takes you through the process of uploading the completed book to their Web sites for printing.

With any of these products, do remember the stories that go with the photos you choose. Writing about the experience adds much to the books.

Also, when you order your books, you are responsible for any errors in spelling. So be sure to print out a draft so you can proof it. Most people see their books differently when printed than on the screen.

Whether you go digital, traditional or a combination, Groth says, “It’s wonderful that you are taking the time to do something with your pictures and are creating a legacy for the next generation.” D

To read more about the stories behind Susan Hessel’s photobooks (shown here), read her personal essay "A Photobook or Two (or Three)" at www.crwmagazine.com.

Digitally created photo albums can provide professional-looking results, as the author’s own examples show.



HOmE

Gorgeous views from the hilltops of La Crescent make the Hills’ home a delight to live in.

armer weather is upon us, which means hikes up rugged bluffs and afternoon drives over rolling hills. Many of us find ourselves coveting the view from the hilltops of La Crescent, Minn., and

dream of owning a home with such a spectacular view. For Kathy and Don Hill, this dream is a reality.

a home with a viewOwners of a contemporary-style home, the Hills find living at

the top of Crescent Hill Drive provides just the right atmosphere. “What we like is that we are in the country, but we still hear the city sounds,” says Don. In the midst of communities filled with historical

THE HOUSE ON THE HILLKathy and don Hill have built—and rebuilt—a unique family-style home.

by maURa HENNPHOTOS BY BRUCE DEFRIES STUDIO GROUP

Whomes, what makes the Hills’ home unique is the personal history they have invested in it. “We began building in 1987,” says Kathy, noting that all construction and remodeling was done by Neumeister Construction. “When we found this lot, we were the first to make plans to build on the hill,” she continues, as Don gestures to an aerial photograph of their newly built home on the wooded hillside where other homes would eventually be built. For more than 20 years, the Hills have had the opportunity to watch their neighborhood grow around them, literally from the ground up, an experience few homeowners can boast.

The Hills have always lived in La Crescent, but when they decided to move from their previous residence into a custom-built

Vendors that have worked on our featured home will be noted with the following symbol.


left: A slanted hardwood ceiling brings warmth and character to a cozy living room. Right: The luxurious spa-style bathroom also provides accessibility in retirement years.

home, there was a lot to consider. “When we began building, we knew this was going to be our retirement home,” says Don, and a tour through the house gives credit to the foresight needed for such a plan. But even the best-laid plans often need revision, and with the completion of a recent remodel, the Hills have successfully created a home they can be happy with well into their golden years.

Building with the future in mindThe master suite is to the left of the

entryway foyer, and upon entering it, one is met with a spa-style bathroom. The bathtub is set in the center of the room, making accessibility a cinch. The Hills explain that, in case of injury or poor health, there is plenty of space to move in and out of the bathroom with something as large as a wheelchair, if one were ever needed. In the meantime, the open area, uncommon in most bathrooms, exudes a feeling of relaxation and wellness. The bathroom leads into the master bedroom, notable for its connecting three-season sunroom. Sliding glass doors and full-length windows illuminate the bedroom with a stunning sunrise during all four seasons.

The sunroom connects to the living room, a vast space with slanted hardwood ceilings and skylights, made cozy by comfortable furniture and a wine nook. The living room leads into the updated kitchen, with a center island for maximum counter space and inset lighting around the entire room for full illumination. The Hills’ dining room is adjacent to the kitchen and is bedecked with a wine bottle and grape motif. “The color of the paint is called

‘Fine Wine,’” Kathy states, and the atmosphere certainly sets the stage for a grand in-home dining experience. To the right of the dining room is what Kathy explains was the original three-season porch, now fully furnished to be a relaxing family room. On the walls hang family portraits, one for every year the Hills have lived in the hilltop home. With all the considerations made for this house to be “retirement friendly,” just as much consideration was put into making it family oriented.

a family home, a family retreat When the Hills’ now-grown children

still lived at home, many weekends involved excursions on the river, which inevitably brought home a lot of sandy clothes. “When we built the laundry room,” which is connected to the three-car garage, “we also put in a shower,” explains Kathy. This helped keep sand from getting tracked through the house.

The second floor of the home was also designed for maximum comfort for children, grandchildren and visitors. “We wanted the bedrooms to be set up like hotel rooms,” Don explains, so each has access to a private bathroom. Their daughter’s onetime bedroom is now her resort when she comes home to visit. The other two bedrooms, which once belonged to the Hills’ sons, now accommodate grown children and grandchildren alike during holidays. These two bedrooms are connected by a communal bathroom; both doors can be locked for privacy. Motifs drawn from the patterns on bedspreads and curtains inspire the artistic detailing in each bedroom, created freehand but with striking clarity by

local artist Dee Norland. The second floor also houses Don’s sports

memorabilia, in a room fitted with locking floor-to-ceiling glass cases. Spending plenty of time in Chicago during his career, Don became quite the Bulls fan, and of course, no Midwestern sports room would be complete without a splattering of green and gold.

The remodel of the house included finishing the basement. One room is designed for exercise and features treadmills, weights and a full-scale photographic mural of a Hawaiian golf course to inspire energy. The rest of the basement is designed for family recreation, with a pool table, a TV area and a second full kitchen, which comes in handy for Kathy during the holidays.

What the Hills have created in their specialized home is not only a comfortable dwelling, but a great example of what planning and concern for the future can bring when building a home. Those who do not have the foresight to consider such things are often faced with moving into smaller accommodations when it’s time to retire. The home on Crescent Hill Drive, like the Hills’ 40-year marriage itself, lends inspiration: This is what could be if you are willing to work for it. From the accessible main floor to the spectacular view, theirs is a home where a couple can be content, a declaration that all things should be built to last. D

Maura Henn lives in La Crosse. She is excited for her first season as market manager of the Cameron Park Farmers’ Market, and she encourages all to visit, shop and eat local!


aCCOmplISHmENTS

accomplishments is a paid section featuring your business or organization. Call 608-783-5395 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

Diane Carrk, founder of Naturo Weight LLC, wishes to announce that Naturo Weight has relocated to Wettstein’s Lighting Design building at 300 N. 2nd St., Suite 350, La Crosse. Since 1999, Carrk has specialized in weight management and detoxification. She has been the personal nutrition consultant to many in the La Crosse-Onalaska area, working to improve their overall health through weight management. Carrk also lectures on the holistic approach to wellness. She holds a B.S. in holistic nutrition and is working on her master’s degree at the Clayton College of Natural Health. Contact Naturo Weight LLC at 608-385-4848 or 608-782-4843, www.naturoweight.com.

FRaNCISCaN SKEmp OpENS NEw HOlmEN ClINIC

The new Franciscan Skemp Holmen Clinic, located at 1303 Main St. S., will open on Monday, June 22. The 20,000-square-foot facility will offer excellent and convenient primary care including family medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology, as well as behavioral health, lab and radiology services. Hours upon opening will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Same-day appointments will be available, and walk-ins are welcome. Call 608-526-3351. Find Franciscan Skemp Holmen Clinic on Facebook and become a fan.

THE SEVEN RIVERS REgION’S NEwEST dININg ExpERIENCE

Mary Cody and Jim Guenther opened Maggie’s Restaurant on Feb. 17 at 205 Main St. in downtown Onalaska and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday. Maggie’s features breakfast skillets, homemade soups and desserts, sandwiches and nightly dinner specials. Maggie’s will also begin box lunch delivery to local businesses beginning in late May. Karaoke and weekend entertainment are planned to begin in June. For more information, call 608-519-2200 or visit www.maggiesonmain.com.

Real estate p r o f e s s i o n a l Betty Bertrang, of Prudential Lovejoy Realty Inc., has completed training in the

specialization of serving homebuyers and now holds the designation of Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR). Bertrang was recently awarded the Diamond Prudential Lovejoy Realty 2008 Award for being a multi-million-dollar producer and the Bright Star Prudential Lovejoy Realty 2008 Award for exceptional production by a first-year agent.

Bertrang is a real estate investment property buyer and manager for residential and commercial properties. As a Certified Home Marketing Specialist, Bertrang assists in staging and marketing, and as an eCertified professional, she utilizes leading-edge technology to meet her clients’ real estate needs. You can reach Bertrang at 608-797-5977, [email protected].

gUNdERSEN lUTHERaN’S SUE EBER adVOCaTES lUNg CaNCER awaRENESS

Sue Eber, lung cancer survivor and advocate, was a featured presenter at the Second Annual N a t i o n a l L u n g Cancer Advocacy Summit April 23-26 in Dallas, Texas.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, yet there is an extreme lack of funding and a misperception that it’s only caused by smoking. “The truth is 10 percent of lung cancer patients have never touched a cigarette before. No one is safe from lung cancer,” Eber says.

While at the conference, Eber empowered others to take action by sharing her journey as a lung cancer survivor and discussing the work she has done to establish a lung cancer awareness committee at Gundersen Lutheran.

JEFF zaNdER RECEIVES lEEd aCCREdITEd pROFESSIONal CREdENTIalS

Brickl Bros. congratulates Jeff Zander for receiving his credentials as a LEED Accredited P r o f e s s i o n a l (AP). Zander has demonstrated to the U.S. Green

Building Council (USGBC) the thorough understanding and knowledge needed to skillfully facilitate the LEED certification process and implement the LEED rating system, which addresses six major areas: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process.

As an added service, Brickl Bros. would like to invite you to consult with Zander at 608-786-0890 with questions you may have on how to achieve your own sustainable efficiency goals, whether you’re building new or remodeling a building.

NaTURO wEIgHT llC mOVES dOwNTOwN

BETTY BERTRaNg aCHIEVES aBR STaTUS


PH 608-782-6480 Ext 239

FX 608-782-6481

E-Mail [email protected]

WEB www.chileda.org | active.com

2009 La CrosseChiLeda CLassiC

saturday, July 4, 2009

Don’t miss an issue!A one-year subscription is only $17.95 and includes six issues.

Subscribe today on our Web site at www.crwmagazine.com or by

sending your check, payable to: Coulee Region Communications, LLC to:

Coulee Region Communications, LLC816 2nd Ave. S. Ste 600

Onalaska, WI 54650

608-783-5395

Have Coulee Region Women Delivered to Your Door!


dESIgNINg wOmEN

bigail Goben’s eyes light up when she talks about knitting. She never looks down as the pale purple yarn passes through her fingers and around the knitting needles she holds in her hands. A youth librarian at

the La Crosse Public Library, Goben leads learn-to-knit classes for youth and adults.

“For me, it’s making my hobby part of my job,” says Goben, who has been knitting for 15 years.

Goben is among the growing number of Coulee Region women and girls who call knitting their favorite hobby. These crafty gals can be seen knitting in waiting rooms, on buses, at the movies and in the library.

Knitting for funMore people are knitting in public these days, says Goben. In

fact, “Knitting in Public” was the theme of the third annual knitting event held in March at the La Crosse Public Library downtown. More than 150 knitters gathered throughout the day to enjoy the company of fellow knitters and to publicly display their love of this age-old craft.

Twelve-year-old Karis Powers and her sister, 9-year-old Natalie,

were two of the knitters at the library that day. “I think what I like most about knitting is the yarn variety,”

says Karis. “You can make a scarf out of one pattern, and when you change the yarn, it is a whole different thing. And I love color. I made a belt once from a yarn that was variegated in bright orange, blue, yellow and purple.”

Karis learned to knit first from her mom and older sister. She then taught little sister Natalie to knit. Both girls regularly attend the youth knitting class led by Goben every Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the La Crosse Public Library.

Goben sees knitting as a great social activity that enhances independence and creativity. “And knitting is really good for self-esteem. For kids, that is especially great. It’s something they have made on their own.”

Knitting for well-beingKnitting also offers something for adults. Sandy Moe, a member

of the Tuesday night knitting group at the La Crosse Public Library, started knitting while she recuperated from knee surgery. She discovered that knitting provided a much-needed creative outlet that took her mind off a long and painful recovery.

A

Top left: Color, texture and possibility greet shoppers at Ewetopia. Top right: Sandy Moe guides a new knitter. Bottom right: Abigail Goben knits on the job at the La Crosse Public Library.

THE LOVE OF KNITTINGCoulee Region women cast on for kicks.by lEaH CallCONTRIBUTED PHOTOS


“I started following a pattern, and one thing led to another,” recalls Moe. “Sometimes it’s the simplest things that change your life—two sticks and some string, and I was making something.”

Years later, Moe’s needles are still clicking as she fills countless requests from family and friends for socks, sweaters and more.

In addition to the youth knitting group, the La Crosse Public Library hosts a moms’ group on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Other Coulee Region libraries host free knitting groups for both youth and adults as well.

For three years, Westby Public Library has hosted a knitting group on Saturday mornings. The group has its regulars, including founding member Carol Sorenson, who patiently teaches the newest members to cast on for the first time.

“Knitting is totally relaxing,” says Sorenson. “You can knit almost anywhere, anytime.”

Knitting as artA number of area yarn shops, including

Ewetopia in Viroqua, also offer learn-to-knit classes and host knitting groups. For Ewetopia owner Kathleen Ashley, knitting is an artistic expression.

“It’s an art medium that people don’t really look at as art. When you knit a sweater, it is something you can use, and it’s art,” says Ashley.

Brightly colored yarns of varied textures and gorgeous hand-knit scarves and sweaters displayed throughout Ashley’s store would entice anyone to start a new project or learn the craft. Ashley learned to knit when she was just 7 years old. Now 24, she’s turned her hobby into a business.

“When I got to college, I learned to spin. From there it got out of control, because when I learned to spin, I had to get sheep. And then I had to buy a yarn shop,” jokes Ashley, who opened Ewetopia in 2007.

Ashley truly is a fiber artist. She even knit her own wedding dress, which took about a year and a half to complete.

“I personally like the designing aspect and working with the different colors and fibers. The natural fibers to me are just amazing to work with.” Local natural fibers from alpaca, llama, goats and sheep are available at Ewetopia and other yarn shops throughout the Coulee Region.

Check out your local library or nearest yarn shop to find opportunities to learn to knit or enjoy the company of other knitters who also aren’t afraid to knit in public.D

Leah Call is a freelance writer in Westby. One of her fondest childhood memories is learning to knit next to the woodstove in her great-aunt Christine Strangstalien’s kitchen many years ago.

“Connecting You With Your Community”816 2nd Ave. S. | Onalaska, WI | 608.783.5395

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HEalTHY lIVINg

E xercise and fun—can they really go together? Sure they can! Half the battle of any job is making it not seem like work. Here are some ways to incorporate some fun into your exercise or workout programs so you can reap the

benefits of better health—and have a good time doing it.

The buddy planAs the old saying goes, “There’s strength in numbers,” and that is

true for many women when they start an exercise program. Having a friend join a fitness class with you or even going on a walk with a partner can make exercise an enjoyable experience. Working out or exercising with someone can also take away the boredom of doing repetitive routines and keep you motivated in staying the course. The Minutes in Motion program offered through Gundersen Lutheran works well because of that very fact. Linda Larsen, a Wellness Education Specialist there, says, “For six weeks participants are

FITNESS REALLY CAN BE FUNwhat are you waiting for? get moving with these fun tips.

by dIaNE RaaUmCONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

encouraged to do 30 minutes of exercise every day, which exceeds the national guidelines of 30 minutes five days a week. This year we had 3,205 people that participated in the program, and there is no doubt that the program works because they are exercising with someone.”

Shake it up Larsen also states that there is no longer a one-size-fits-

all approach to exercising, and that it is important to just get moving. She suggests interval workouts as way to shake up your exercise. Interval workouts use high-intensity exercises followed by a recovery period with lower-intensity exercises. “Many women work out to help manage their weight, and interval workouts work well for this,” Larsen states. “They are very effective, as you push your aerobic capacity by working harder for a shorter period of time, and you don’t have to work out as long.”

A wide variety of exercise equipment and new techniques can keep your workout fresh and fun.


Deb Dahl-Schultz, who has taught Jazzercise in La Crosse for more than 28 years, knows firsthand not only the importance of friends exercising together, but also how important it is to vary your workout routine to stay motivated and enjoy exercising. “Half of my students in Jazzercise have participated for 10 years or more, and some have been coming for over 20 years,” she says. “They like that the classes are fun, that we stay current on what’s new in the exercise world and also that it isn’t always the same music or routines.” These changes are offered routinely throughout the year, and this keeps the classes fresh. “An added bonus is that the price of classes is very reasonable. Also, all ages and sizes can participate,” says Dahl-Schultz.

Zumba is a relatively new class at the YMCA. The class uses high-energy Latin music and unique dance steps to create a feel-good workout for the body and mind. Power Yoga, Turbokick and Pilates are just some of the other classes offered there that allow you to vary your workout in a class setting.

New exercise equipment If class settings or the gym are not your

style, check out these fun new fitness options. Using the new Wii Fit is an innovative way to combine fun and fitness. The video game uses a balance board, allowing you to do a variety of fitness programs including aerobics, skiing, soccer, yoga, hula hoop

or running. The Wii Fit Body Test gauges your body performance and gives you a Wii Fit Age based on your results. The training features of the game are able to keep track of your progress online.

You can also change gears in your exercise program by checking out a new line of bikes. The Trek WSD (Women Specific Design) bicycles and apparel are designed specifically for women. “The most important thing to keep in mind in purchasing a new bike is to make sure that it fits your body,” says Devin Curran of Smith’s Cycling & Fitness in downtown La Crosse. “We offer custom fitting to make riding more enjoyable. We also have group rides for women, which are very well attended.”

Emily Vance, owner of River Trail Cycles in Holmen, says, “We carry a bike model from Giant called Suede. The bike is designed with the pedals more forward for greater stability; it has a very comfortable seat, features only seven gears for ease in operation and is also very lightweight.” Flat tire and maintenance clinics are offered by River Trail Cycles and are very popular with women in the area. They also carry six different clothing lines for women, including the new popular SkirtSports. Commuting bikers can find new models of bikes that fold to make transportation and storage easier. River Trail Cycles has access to these folding bike models but does not keep them in stock. “The folding bikes are more popular in urban areas, where they can be used for

downtown commutes and be carried into buildings,” says Vance.

Exercise balls are a simple, fun way to exercise. Many regular exercises, such as sit-ups or push-ups, can be done on these exercise balls to strengthen your abs and back and improve your core strength. The ball helps to cushion you, making it easier on your body, and doing exercises on the ball can improve your balance. Even just sitting on the ball can help improve posture. There are also half exercise balls, which have a platform on the bottom. You can use these balls on either side, and they offer an even greater workout as your body must accommodate shifts in and out of balance. They can be purchased in many locations.

Everyone has a different idea of what can add fun to their exercise program, whether it is a new high-tech game or basic exercise done with a friend. So instead of connecting with a friend through Facebook, consider asking her to join you on a simple walk. It can start you on the path to good health, and not only will you feel better and have more energy, but you can catch up face to face on what’s going on in your lives. D

Diane Raaum is publisher of Coulee Region Women magazine and thanks her friends who have helped throughout the years to keep her on the path of exercise when she has felt the urge to throw in the towel.

There’s strength in numbers: These women in Deb Dahl-Schultz’s Jazzercise class have been exercising together for more than 10 years, and some for more than 20.



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FOOd

f your idea of what’s authentically Australian is limited to fond memories of Steve Irwin hunting crocs and visits to a certain restaurant famous for deep-fried onions, we’ve got a prezzie (present) for you, Sheila (woman)! In Oz (Australia), they take the barbie (barbecue) so seriously

they even have a team building event called “The Great Australian BBQ Challenge.” So as the Coulee Region gets as hot as Sydney, here’s a primer on the great Australian mainstay of the barbecue—so you can throw your own rip snorter of a party (a good one, mate!). Chuck a sickie (call in sick to work) if you have to, put on your togs (bathing suit), grab a coldie from the esky (beer from the cooler) and get ready for a great time in your own Outback (your backyard).

Barbie essentialsMandie Kilotat, a native Australian originally from Brisbane,

says the traditional barbie includes tender steak, such as rib eye, eye fillet or T-bone, and sausages, “or ‘snags,’ as we call them,” she says. “Thin, thick, herbed, flavored—any way they come, but most often we just buy the cheapest, and that is fine!”

Snags can also come in kangaroo or emu meat, a tough find in Wisconsin, so feel free to substitute your favorite local snags for

FANCY A BARBIE?Bloody oath, Sheila! Fill the esky and gather your

mates for an Oz-style barbecue.

I

the grill. “It’s common for us to put a sausage in between a slice of bread with some grilled onion and tomato sauce (ketchup) if desired. We have things called ‘sausage sizzles,’ where this is the only thing served, most popular for fund-raisers.”

by CHaRISH BadzINSKICONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

RECIPES ANALYzED BY GUNDERSEN

LUTHERAN REGISTERED DIETITIANS

above: The beaches at Port Stephens, New South Wales, offer a beautiful setting for an authentic Aussie barbecue. Of course, if you can't swing a ticket to Australia, your backyard and the kiddie pool may have to suffice. Below: In true Aussie style, strangers happily gather around the barbie.


Burgers are not as common, says Kilotat. “If we do make burgers, we have to include tinned beetroot (canned, sliced beets), as it’s the cornerstone of a good Aussie burger!”

You can also expect to find marinated chooks (chicken, particularly chicken wings) at a barbie, and even vegetarian-friendly foods, like marinated tofu and vegetable kabobs. Side dishes look similar to Midwestern sides: coleslaw, potato salad, rolls and grilled onion to top the snags or steak. Green salad might include fresh spinach, rocket (arugula), cherry or sun-dried tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, pine nuts and even roasted pumpkin or squash.

Top it all off with a traditional ending: pavlova for dessert. “Yum, yum, yum!” exclaims Kilotat. “It’s basically meringue, topped with whipped cream and an assortment of fruit, such as strawberries, kiwifruit and passion fruit.”

The most important element of a traditional Aussie-style barbecue is an esky of ice with lots of tins of beer (a cooler well stocked with, well, you get the picture). And don’t bother getting the big oil can import brand. Real Aussies will laugh at you.

additional tips If your host says, “Bring your own grog, you bludger,” it

means BYOB. He’s sick of you raiding his supply. If your host asks you to “bring a plate,” she wants you to

bring a dish to share, as is customary in Australia. Never arrive empty-handed!

Don’t be gobsmacked if the mozzies get on the ankle biters; just give the Aussie salute! (Don’t be surprised if the mosquitoes are biting the children. Just wave the bugs away!)

Fun and gamesAussie backyard fun often includes inflating a child’s wading

pool—and it’s acceptable for adults to sit in the wading pool in the shade with a cool drink in hand. For those feeling active, backyard cricket is all the rage. Loosely based on cricket itself, backyard cricket allows players to make up their own rules; often there are no teams, and the emphasis is on batting the ball, not scoring. Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backyard_cricket to learn more.

When the food is ready and your mates bog in (friends commence eating with enthusiasm), listen for the collective roar of “Good onya!” or whatever your Coulee Region friends say when their mouths are full of good food, and they’ve had a great time on an afternoon trip to Oz.

ROO SNAGSMakes 6 servings.

Kangaroo is reportedly very gamey and low-fat, and it is wildly popular these days in Oz. But if you can’t get your hands on roo meat to make these snags, consider substituting venison or other wild game.

1 lb. kangaroo steak, ground ½ cup bread crumbs, soaked in Australian red wine until damp ½ cup minced onion 1 tsp. minced garlic

2 egg whites ½ tsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Gently beat egg whites and add all ingredients. Stir to combine. Form into sausages and chill until required. These can be prepared up to four hours before cooking. Over a medium-high grill, cook sausages quickly, and do not allow them to dry out.

130 calories, 1.5g fat, 19g protein, 8g carbohydrate, less than 1g fiber.

AUSTRALIAN-STYLE POTATO SALADMakes 12 servings.

Australians forgo the eggs in their potato salad and add an interesting and colorful twist: French dressing.

4 lb. russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes ¾ cup bottled French salad dressing 1 cup chopped celery 6 green onions, chopped 1¼ cups mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream 1 T coarse-grained mustard ½ cup chopped fresh mint leaves ½ cup chopped fresh dill weed Ground black pepper to taste

Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil with the pot uncovered. Remove the pan from the heat, cover and let stand for 25 minutes. Drain potatoes and transfer them to a serving bowl. Stir in the French dressing and allow to cool for 1 hour. Once cooled, add the celery and green onions to the potatoes and mix in the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, mint, dill and pepper. Refrigerate until serving.

320 calories, 18g fat, 5g protein, 38g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 470mg sodium.

AUSTRALIAN BURGERS WITH THE LOTMakes 6 servings.

What sets Aussie burgers apart is the topping of beetroot—considered essential to a good burger down under. A burger with “the lot” includes cheese, fried egg, pineapple and, of course, sliced beets.


1½ lb. lean ground beef 1 large Vidalia onion, grated 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1 T Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp. Tabasco sauce (optional) ¼ cup chopped fresh continental parsley 1 cup dry bread crumbs 1 egg Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Serve with 6 hamburger buns, halved and lightly toasted on inner half 6 slices cheddar cheese 3 medium, ripe tomatoes, sliced 6 slices pickled beetroot 6 slices pineapple 6 iceberg lettuce leaves, shredded 6 fried eggs Tomato sauce (ketchup)

Combine the ground beef, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, parsley, bread crumbs and 1 egg in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Allow to rest for ½ hour or more. Prepare 6 patties and grill to desired preparation. Place on bun, topping with cheese, fried egg, tomato, beetroot, pineapple, lettuce and ketchup.

Burger: 300 calories, 13g fat, 27g protein, 18g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 460mg sodium.

With bun and toppings: 700 calories, 32g fat, 45g protein, 58g carbohydrate, 5g fiber, 1,210mg sodium.

PAVLOVAMakes 6 servings.

6 egg whites 2 cups caster sugar (known as superfine sugar in the United States, not as fine as confectioners’ sugar) 1½ tsp. vinegar 1½ tsp. vanilla

Topping: 1½ cups whipping cream, whipped 1 lb. strawberries, hulled and sliced Mixed fruit of choice: passion fruit, bananas and so on

Beat the egg whites until they stand up in stiff peaks. Add the sugar gradually, one T at a time, beating at high speed if using an electric mixer. When sugar is incorporated and a stiff, glossy meringue has formed, fold in the vinegar and vanilla. Spoon the mixture into an 8-inch springform pan, making a slight depression in the top of the meringue. Bake pavlova for 1½ hours at 300 degrees. Top with cream and fruit.

540 calories, 22g fat, 6g protein, 83g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 80mg sodium. D

Charish Badzinski got schooled on all things Aussie when she met Mandie Kilotat last year—and often didn’t understand a word she said. She looks forward to the day when she will be reunited with her Aussie sis.


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RETaIl THERapY

RETaIl THERapY

FABULOUS SUMMER FASHIONSCelebrate the season with

sun- and fun-filled styles.

by mElISSa HaNSONFashion selection by dIaNE RaaUmPhotos by mUEllER pHOTOgRapHY

At long last, summer is upon us. With long, sun-filled days and warm, fun-filled evenings come social calendars filled to the brim with activities and social gatherings that celebrate leisure. Whether your summer day includes a lively neighborhood barbecue, a relaxing day on the river or just an ice cream cone at the park, these outfits will inspire you to get out and enjoy all that summer in the Coulee Region has to offer. After all, girls don’t just want to have fun, we also want to look good doing it!

“[I typically look for clothes that are] modern, not too conservative and somewhat form fitting

with material that flatters.”

—Susan Woodard

Susan woodard looks for clothes that are both comfortable and stylish, and this swingy floral print skirt with lace-trimmed cami satisifies both requirements. Add strappy wedge sandals and a round-hem jacket, and she is ready for whatever a fun summer day may hold.

Fashions and accessories by Christopher & Banks.Shoes by Tradehome Shoes.Hair by Jen Williamson, Regis Salon.makeup by Merle Norman.


“[My idea of a fun outfit is a] kicky skirt, pretty knit top, great shoes and loud accessories! Maybe not

all at the same time … then again, why not?!”

—Amy Heinz

“[If I could design my own clothing line,] it would include a lot of fun handbags in bright

colors.” —Joanne Mihm

Joanne mihm says her ideal “fun day” outfit consists of jeans, a T-shirt and cute sandals, so we kept her in

what makes her most comfortable but stepped it up a notch with cropped

denim capris, a light cotton top with a gathered V-shaped neckline, and cute

and comfy brandy-colored flats.

Fashions and accessories by Gap.Shoes by Tradehome Shoes.

Hair by Allison Mahr, Regis Salon.makeup by Merle Norman.

Fashions and accessories by C.J. Banks.Shoes by Tradehome Shoes.

Hair by Kristin Mlsna, Regis Salon.makeup by Merle Norman.

amy Heinz likes clothes that reflect her fun

personality, and this vibrant pink top and crinkle shirt paired with embellished-

cuff cropped pants tell you this smart and sassy lady knows how to have fun.


PHO

TO B

Y M

UEL

LER

PH

OTO

GR

APH

YJoin the fun in downtown

La Crosse!


Satori ArtsGallery

A National Historic Landmark

“Known for the unusual”Ancient Chinese Artifacts • Custom

Wedding Rings • Mississippi River PearlsUnique Handcrafted Jewelry

Sculpture • Graphics201 Pearl St., La Crosse, WI 54601

608.785.2779

June 6-7 YWCA GardenFest

June 10, 17, July 8, 15, 22, 29La Crosse Concert Band Concerts at Riverside Park

July 1-5 Riverfest

July 17-18 Krazy Daze, Downtown La Crosse

July 25-26 Art Fair on the Green

UpCOmINg EVENTS:

Ask any of these businesses what is new, fun and happening in town!

tel: 608.782.5400 | web: www.thewaterfrontlacrosse.com

Monday thru Thursday, 4:00 - 6:00 & 9:00 - close.Enjoy 2-for-1 glasses of wine, plus martini, beer, andappetizer specials. Riverside Patio opening soon!

Happy Hour



here’s the dream: taking a bow as the curtain closes and admiring fans throw flowers on the stage.

And there’s the reality: hours spent rehearsing and digging into the personality of the characters,

selling tickets in the box office and mopping the floors after the show closes.

But for Coulee Region women who have made theater their life, it is all worth it to be able to immerse themselves in the creative process and to discover anew with each performance the connections that art inspires.

wisconsin to New York and back“I like the whole creation process,” says actress Vicki Elwood,

and that includes costumes, set design, even promotion. “I have a very playful spirit. I have a need to create. I am definitely an artist.”

After 30 years of involvement in the theater, all of that creation now is her own. She and her husband, Don, recently completed a six-year renovation project in a historic La Crosse church and in

wOmEN IN THE REgION

THE PLAY’S THE THINGarea women say

passion for the theater

fuels their lives.

by SHaRI HEglaNdCONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

February opened the Muse Theatre with the production Bat Boy: The Musical.

“It offers the complete expression of my creativity,” she says, but it has also required hours of hard physical work to turn a nearly condemned building into a unique artistic venue.

The Eau Claire native, who spent several years immersed in the theater scene in New York City, said that she started playacting as a young child and has never given it up. While New York City is her favorite city, the call of family and nature brought her back to Wisconsin to create her ultimate dream of having her own theater.

“I’m working to have a professional theater,” she says, which will bring edgy, off beat, even outrageous works to La Crosse audiences, on par with what is seen in the Twin Cities, Chicago and even Manhattan.

The plays she chooses are “something you won’t see at the community theater,” she says, including the currently running The Great American Trailer Park Musical. But they will examine, with wit and music, realities to which audiences can relate. “I like things that have charm, and I like to inspire people,” Elwood says.

TVicki Elwood and the cast of Bat Boy: The Musical at the Muse Theatre. Elwood is in the center, in red.


The Great American Trailer Park Musical plays at the Muse Theatre Fridays and Saturdays throughout the month of June.

Finding connections onstage and offIt is the sense of communion and shared

experience with the audience that touches Adrienne Sweeney and makes what she does meaningful. Especially, she says, as she traveled this spring with the Commonweal Theatre Company’s tour of the Henrik Ibsen play Hedda Gabler, in which she played the lead role.

“The audiences were super-attentive, the talk-backs were really driven and the questions were really pertinent,” she says of audience response after the shows. “It’s a connection that just doesn’t happen any other place. The only other place it might happen is church.”

Sweeney, who started acting after several years of working in marketing and public relations, says she has found the perfect combination in the Lanesboro, Minn., theater company, where all of the resident artists also share administrative jobs. In addition to acting, Sweeney is the Commonweal’s director of marketing and is the coordinator for the theater’s annual Ibsen Festival.

“I love the energy in the theater. It’s a community, and I love that,” she says. “It’s like a family business. We all are here all the time—or we are thinking about it. It is the thing that we do that is our lives’ passion.

“The real challenge is that split between artist and administrator,” she admits, “turning off my brain, leaving the office and coming to the rehearsal hall.”

A Philadelphia native, Sweeney had pictured in her mind something exactly like the Commonweal—where she could work for a specific theater company rather than go from audition to audition—before she even knew that business model existed.

“I just wanted to work in the theater for my living, for my life,” she says. “When I first got here, I was just completely blown away that this theater company was exactly what I wanted … I wonder if [I made my] reality because I said it, without ever knowing that this place existed.”

Theater runs in the bloodFor Mary Leigh Christine, the stage is

not only somewhere she loves to be, but somewhere she feels completely at home. The recent Viterbo University graduate’s mother is a costume designer at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and her father has been directing and performing with theaters since he was in high school.

“They both live for the theater, so it is a family thing,” Christine says, adding that she grew up involved in dance and acting, including playing the leads in some of her high school musicals.

After graduating from high school in Milwaukee, Christine was drawn to Viterbo’s tight-knit theater community, where she studied for a bachelor’s degree in musical theater. “It was easy for me to decide to do it for my career because I like it, and I’m good at it,” says Christine, who recently played the part of Ulla in the La Crosse Community Theatre’s spring production of Mel Brooks’s The Producers.

“I love [acting] because it is an

indescribable feeling,” she says. “The audience is giving you energy and you’re giving them energy. Nothing is ever the same twice … I leave the stage never feeling better.”

Getting to that point isn’t easy, though. Besides the auditions, there are the hours of rehearsals and research that go into perfecting a character. “Rehearsals are definitely taxing—it’s a lot of self-discovery,” Christine says. “You try to find the balance of bringing yourself to the character.”

all the world’s a stageRegardless of the hard and often less-than-

glamorous work that goes into a complete theater production, all three women say the end result makes it worthwhile. “Art, including theater, is powerful, it’s meaningful and it matters,” Elwood says, a sentiment echoed by both Christine and Sweeney.

“People go to the theater to escape whatever is going on in real life outside the doors,” Christine says. “Once the door closes, you have the opportunity to really get sucked into something else, you get to delve into someone else’s problems.”

And, if everything comes together, the audience recognizes a bit of themselves as well. That’s when the actresses say they have fulfilled their missions as artists. D

Holmen freelance writer Shari Hegland’s stage experience never advanced beyond the elementary school Christmas program, but perhaps she can still dream.

Adrienne Sweeney played the lead character of Hedda Gabler

in the Commonweal Theatre Company’s recent performances

of the Henrik Ibsen play. She is seen here with Jerome York (right) and Scott Dixon (back).

Photo courtesy of underferthdesign.com.

Far right: Mary Leigh Christine played

Ulla in the La Crosse Community Theatre’s

production of The Producers.



COMMUNITY CALENDARADVERTISERINDEX

If your organization would like to be included in our Community Calendar, please contact us at [email protected] or call 608-783-5395.

ONgOINg EVENTSamerican association of University women

(aaUw) 2nd Sat. of each month (Sept.–May), 9:30 a.m., www.aauw-wi.org.

Business Over Breakfast la Crosse area Chamber

of Commerce, 4th Wed. every month, 7:30-8:45 a.m. Preregister 608-784-4807, www.lacrossechamber.com.

Children’s museum of la Crosse weekly programming:

Creation Station for all ages, every Sat. 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:00-3:00 p.m.; every Sun. 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Save-On-Sundays $1.00 off admission every Sun., noon to 5 p.m.

Book Swap: On the first Sun. of each month, bring a gently used, clean, children’s book from home and swap it for a different book from the museum’s collection.

mt. leKid Climbing wall open every Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sun. 1-4 p.m.

a-B-C learners’ Club for ages 1-5 with parent, every Thurs., 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Coulee Region autism Society for family members, friends and professionals who care for someone on the autism spectrum. 3rd Wed. of each month, Chileda Habili-tation Institute, 1825 Victory St., La Crosse. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Child care available, call 608-519-0883. [email protected] or [email protected].

Coulee Region professional women (CRpw) meets the 4th Tues. of each month at 5:30 at the La Crosse Holiday Inn. Madalene Buelow, 608-791-5282.

la Crosse area Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast meeting. 2nd Mon. of each month, 7:00 a.m., Radisson. Admission is $5 and includes breakfast. www.lacrossechamber.com.

la Crosse Noon Business & professional women meets the 2nd Thurs. every month. The Waterfront, noon. Carol Schank, 608-783-0419, [email protected].

CalENdaR EVENTSJune 4, Chicken Q Fund-raiser, Audrey Penner Tree Walk, Eagle Bluff Elementary, Onalaska, 4-7 p.m. Tickets available from Eagle Bluff Elementary, $7 in advance, $7.50 day of event. Proceeds will establish an endowment fund for the ongoing development and maintenance of the tree walk and outdoor classroom. Jody Lyon, 608-783-1560.

June 6-7, YWCA GardenFest, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., South Side Oktoberfest Grounds. www.ywcagardenfest.com.

June 8-21, Father’s Day Golf Giveaway, Valley View Mall. Shop for Dad and receive passes for local premier golf courses.

June 10-14, Mystical Magic of the Endangered, June 10-13, 6 p.m., and June 14, 2 p.m.,Valley View Mall.

June 10-aug. 5, Winona Municipal Band concerts, Wednesdays at 8 p.m., Lake Park Bandshell. www.cityofwinona-mn.com.

June 12, Children’s Museum of La Crosse’s School’s Out . . . Night Out at the Museum, 5:30-8:00 p.m., ages 3-11. Parents get a night out on the town, kids get a night out at the museum. $10/member child, $15/nonmember child. Preregistration and prepayment required.

June 13, 27, July 11, 25, Open Barn days, 9-11 a.m., Clear-

water Farm, Onalaska. www.clearwaterfarmfoundation.org.

June 14, Trinona triathlon, Lake Winona, http://trinona.com.

June 17-21, Winona Steamboat Days, Levee Park.

Winona’s annual citywide festival with carnival rides, food, music and more. www.winonasteamboatdays.com.

June 20, Women’s Resource Center Garden Tour, Winona, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $12 at the gardens or in advance at Bluff Country Co-op. www.wrcofwinona.org.

June 22-24, Children’s Museum of La Crosse’s Camp Curiosity “I Dig Dinos,” 8:30-11:30 a.m., ages 4-7 without adult. Play and learn with prehistoric fun! $50/member child, $60 nonmember child. Preregistration and prepay-ment required.

June 24, Partners of Gundersen Lutheran, Inc.’s 3rd annual golf tournament, Fox Hollow Golf Course. Open to the public. Proceeds will benefit lung cancer research at Gun-dersen Lutheran. 608-775-3602; [email protected].

June 26, Children’s Museum of La Crosse’s Freaky Friday “Engineer It,” 8:30-11:30 a.m., ages 7-11 without adult. Unlock your inner engineer. $40/member child, $50 non-member child. Preregistration and prepayment required.

June 26-July 5, various dates. Hair, June 26-27 and July 1-3, 7:30 p.m., June 28 and July 5, 2 p.m., Toland Theatre, Center for the Arts, UW-La Crosse.

June 26-July 24, Southeastern Minnesota Regional Juried Art Exhibit, Paul Wakins Gallery, Winona State University, and Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, St. Mary’s University.

June 26-July 26, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Performing Arts Center, Winona State University. Love’s Labours Lost, The Tempest and Hamlet. http://grsf.org.

June 27-July 19, Minnesota Beethoven Festival, Winona. 507-457-1715; www.mnbeethovenfestival.com.

June 29-July 1, Children’s Museum of La Crosse’s Camp Curiosity “Once Upon a Story,” 8:30-11:30 a.m., ages 4-7 without adult. Explore different books with related crafts, games and more. $50/member child, $60 nonmember child. Preregistration and prepayment required.

July 8-12, Winona County Fair, Winona County Fair-grounds, St. Charles, Minn. www.winonacountyfair.com.

July 11, Houston Town and Country Garden Tour, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Take a self-guided tour of beautiful gardens in the town of Houston and rural bluff country. $5 in advance; $7 day of tour. 507-894-4274; www.bluffcountrygardens.com.

July 17-19, Summer Clearance Sales, Valley View Mall.

July 18, YWCA Celebrity Pie Auction, 11:00 a.m., Festival Foods, Onalaska. Proceeds go to the YWCA of the Coulee

Region. www.ywcalax.org.

July 20-22, Children’s Museum of La Crosse’s Camp Curiosity “Heroes Among Us,” 8:30-11:30 a.m., ages 4-7 without adult. Create you own superhero and meet real-life heroes. $50/member child, $60 nonmember child. Preregistration and prepayment required.

July 24, Children’s Museum of La Crosse’s Freaky Friday “Art Tech,” 8:30-11:30 a.m., ages 7-11 without adult. Turn trash into treasure. $40/member child, $50 nonmember child. Preregistration and prepayment required.

July 24-aug. 2, various dates. Cotton Patch Gospel, July 24-26, 31 and Aug. 1-2, Heider Center, West Salem.

Call 608-786-1220, ext. 4 for times and prices.

July 25-26, 51st Annual Art Fair on the Green, July 25 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; July 26 10 a.m.-5 p.m., UW-La Crosse campus lawns, 16th and State. $3 per adult, free for children 12 and under. All proceeds from this juried art show go to local scholarships. 608-788-7439.

July 27-29, Children’s Museum of La Crosse’s Camp Curiosity “I Spy Science,” 8:30-11:30 a.m., ages 4-7 without adult. Learn, hands-on, how silly science can be. $50/member child, $60 nonmember child. Preregistration and prepayment required.

AAUW Art Fair on the Green ................................................................... 33American Scrapbook Co. ................................................................................ 21 atypikstudio ............................................................................................................. 13 Bauer’s ...................................................................................................................... 29 Brickl Bros. ................................................................................................................ 26Brincks Cabinet Co. ............................................................................................ 22Bruce De Fries Studio Group ...................................................................... 33Cain’s Orchard ..................................................................................................... 29Chic Boutique ...................................................................................................... 40 Chileda ....................................................................................................................... 26 Coldwell Banker ................................................................................................... 26 D.M. Harris Law, L.L.C. ...................................................................................... 21Dregne’s Scandinavian Gifts ........................................................................... 33 Drugan’s Castle Mound ................................................................................... 36Edward Jones ......................................................................................................... 19Ewetopia Fiber Shop.......................................................................................... 26Jon W. Feist, D.D.S. .................................................................................................. 2 Flooring Interiors ................................................................................................. 22Forever Young Skincare Clinic ....................................................................... 16Franciscan Spirituality Center ....................................................................... 19 Franciscan Skemp Healthcare ....................................................................... 17Grounded Specialty Coffee ........................................................................... 41 Gundersen Lutheran .....................................................................................4, 30Hanson Insurance Agency .............................................................................. 30Honda Motorwerks............................................................................................ 48 Honig’s Gift Shop ................................................................................................. 41Jandt Funeral Homes ......................................................................................... 13 Jazzercise ................................................................................................................... 30 La Crosse Community Theatre.................................................................... 10 La Crosse Concert Band................................................................................. 33 La Crosse Radio ................................................................................................... 37 Law Office of Heidi Eglash ............................................................................. 29 Ledegar Roofing .................................................................................................. 21 Lillians.......................................................................................................................... 41 Mueller Photography ........................................................................................ 40 Mutual of Omaha ................................................................................................ 17 Naturo Weight LLC ............................................................................................ 29 Orthodontic Specialists .................................................................................... 45 People’s Food Co-op......................................................................................... 40 Prudential Realty-Betty Bertrang ............................................................... 22Joe Rogan-WI Registered Interior Designer ........................................ 26River Bank ............................................................................................................... 19 Satori Arts Gallery .............................................................................................. 41Schumacher Kish Funeral Homes Inc. ...................................................... 33 Sideboard Fine Gourmet Kitchenware LLC ......................................... 19 Smith’s Cycling & Fitness.................................................................................. 30 St. Joseph Equipment ....................................................................................... 22 Stamp ‘n Hand ...................................................................................................... 40 Stein Counseling and Consulting Services ............................................ 13 Successful Projects .............................................................................................. 17 The Salon ................................................................................................................. 40The Salon Professional Academy ................................................................ 37 The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern .................................................. 41The Wine Guyz..................................................................................................... 40Touch of Class ...................................................................................................... 10 Tri-Quest .................................................................................................................. 30 Valley View Mall ....................................................................................................... 3 Waterloo Heights Dental Center .............................................................. 47 Wells Fargo Advisors ......................................................................................... 10 Westby House ...................................................................................................... 33 Western Technical College ............................................................................. 29 WKBT NewsChannel 8 ...................................................................................... 6 Womego...................................................................................................................... 8WXOW 19 ............................................................................................................ 42

accomplishmentsBrickl Bros. .............................................................................................................. 25 Franciscan Skemp Healthcare ..................................................................... 25 Gundersen Lutheran ........................................................................................ 25 maggie’s restaurant .......................................................................................... 25 Naturo Weight LLC .......................................................................................... 25 Prudential Realty-Betty Bertrang ................................................................ 25

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Documents

Th e Care You Deserve! · 2010-06-21 · The bike tour offers four routes: a 5-plus-mile ride along the Great River Bike Trail for small children and families, a 16-mile flat-terrain