Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Zest June 2015
Citation preview
JUNE 2015
FREE!
FFoorr 5500++ lliivviinnggZest
Dean Urdahl’s book tells storiesof three soldiersin the Civil War
David Larawayshares practice of Zen Buddhism
Volunteeringas a way of living
Joanne Willmert sharesher time and talents to make Hutchinson a better place to live, work and visit
Tips to help loved ones preparefor retirement
�
JuneManannah Daze: June 6
Manannah offers volleyball and horseshoe tournaments,tractor pulls and a street dance. A parade on Saturday isfollowed by a pageant, where men dress in drag to com-pete for the title of “Miss” Manannah.
Water Carnival: June 15-21The annual Hutchinson summer celebration includes a
boat parade, canoe races, carnival midway, Miss Hutchin-son pageant, kiddie parade, outdoor concerts and varioussporting events.
Eden Valley’s Valley Daze: June 18-21Eden Valley celebrates every June with a parade, carni-
val, live music, food stands, a tug-of-war tournament andan annual youth fishing contest.
Glencoe Days Celebration: June 19-20Glencoe’s celebration includes live music, great food,
and fireworks, will be at Oak Leaf Park. The celebration’sannual parade will be on Saturday.
Tournament of Duty: June 27The third annual Tournament of Duty, a fundraiser to
benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, will be June 27 atIsland Pine Golf Club in Atwater. The event will include agolf scramble and bean bag toss tournament. Golf scram-ble will have a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Cost is $250 for afour-member team or $300 to sponsor a Wounded WarriorProject alumnus to play on your team. Bean bag tourna-ment registration is $40 per two-member team. Costsincludes game fees, cart rental, food and donation toWounded Warrior Project. For information, call 320-593-2846, or go to http://tournamentofduty.com.
JulyChristian author to visit Kimball: July 13
Lauraine Snelling, Christian author of historical novels,including “Daughters of Blessing” series, the “Red River ofthe North” series and a new book “A Harvest of Hope”will give a talk at Kimball United Methodist Church(across from Kimball High School) at 10 a.m. July 13. Herbooks will be available for sale and refreshments served.
Minnesota author to visit Eden Valley: July Rhonda Fochs, author of “Minnesota’s Lost Towns:
Northern Edition,” “Minnesota’s Lost Towns: NorthernEdition II” and now, “Minnesota’s Lost Towns: CentralEdition,” will give a talk at Eden Valley Area Library, 305State St. N., at 7 p.m. July 16. Her books will be availablefor purchase and refreshments will be served.
Have a calendar item to submit? To be included in this free listing,send information about the event, including the time, date, place,cost, a contact person’s name and phone number. Email informationto Juliana Thill at [email protected] or call 320-593-4808or 320-234-4172.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|
2 ZEST | JUNE 2015
When a comfortable, stress-free environment iscombined with trained caregivers, people with
Alzheimer’s Disease or related memory disordersexperience a better quality of life.
Prairie Senior Cottages features• 24-Hour On-site Caregivers • Secured Building
• Nutritious Family Style Meals • Specialized Programming• RN Supervision & Case Management
• Medication Supervision • Daily Personal Hygiene• Personal Laundry • Housekeeping
• Personal Transportation • Professional Management
PrairieSeniorCottages, LLC
Built on Preserving Dignity
For more information, call John Peterson.
Prairie Senior Cottages
www.prairieseniorcottages.com
Hutchinson: 320-587-5508Willmar: 320-235-6022
Alexandria: 320-763-8244New Ulm: 507-359-3420 N0
2183
1-800-628-9165 • hutchhearing.com
Tom EggimannOwner/Hearing
Instrument Specialist
Karl BensonHearing Instrument
Specialist
Pam PulkrabekOffice Manager
HUTCH HEARING AID320-587-7557
903 Hwy. 15 S., Hutchinson(Frontage Road next toThe Coffee Company)
LITCHFIELD HEARING AID320-593-0333
517 N Sibley Ave.,Litchfield
Excellence in hearing Care
Every Day!Everyday Services:Hearing evaluations—no charge, no pressureHearing aid service— all brandsNew hearing aids in all price rangesSatisfaction or your money back—more than 90% success rate
Cover story: Joanne Willmert,right, and her daughter, Carrie,
plant flowers in downtown Hutchinson —one of the many ways Willmert volunteersto help make the city appeal to people
JUNE 2015 | ZEST 3
PUBLISHED BYLitchfield Independent ReviewP.O. Box 307, Litchfield, MN 55355320-693-3266
Hutchinson Leader170 Shady Ridge Road NW, Suite 100Hutchinson, MN 55350320-587-5000
PUBLISHERBrent [email protected]
EDITORJuliana [email protected] Litchfield office320-234-4172 Hutchinson office
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSClaudia Broman, Kay Johnson
ADVERTISING DIRECTORKevin [email protected]
SUBSCRIPTION OR ADDRESS CHANGEMichelle [email protected]
PRINTED BYCrow River Press170 Shady Ridge Road NWHutchinson, MN 55350
Zest is published monthly by the LitchfieldIndependent Review and Hutchinson Leadernewspapers. No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, ortransmitted in any form by means, electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording or other-wise, without the prior consent of the publisher.
JUNE 2015Vol. 6 No. 4
ZestFFoorr 5500++ lliivviinngg Senior Spotlight:Hutchinson native David Laraway returns to share the practice of Zen Buddhism
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|
CONTENTS
8 Money matters: Learn ways you can ensure loved ones are prepared for their retirement years
9 Medicare: Federal program helps people with limited income pay costs associated with Medicare prescription drug coverage
14 Recipes: Celebrate summer by eating Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with Blue Cheese Coleslaw; Strawberry, Spinach and Cottage Cheese Salad; and Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
10�
In the news:Legislator, author and former
history teacher Dean Urdahl writes a new book that follows people inthree regiments during the Civil War
7�
�6
or Joanne “Joey” Willmert, helping others comesnaturally. She has owned and operated TheVillage Shop on Main Street in Hutchinson for
four decades. Through those years, has given her time,talent and treasure for the betterment of the community.
It’s a part of who she is, and is one of the reasons whythe Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce and TourismOffice selected her earlier this year as Volunteer of theYear. She’s a quiet leader and volunteer, going about herwork without seeking recognition or praise. This silent —albeit generous — contributor to the community has foundher way into our magazine and on our cover.
Also in the magazine, read a review of author DeanUrdahl’s new book. And read about how Hutchinsonnative David Laraway has embraced Zen Buddhism.
� � �
Last month, I wrote about the anticipation leading up tomeeting my British pen pal of 35 years.
The moment arrived on May 14.Gillian Hardie and I have been writing letters to each
other since late 1980, early 1981. And on Christmas Day2014, she sent me a message to say she and her husband,Jonathan, were coming to America.
They arranged the trip in part to celebrate their 25thwedding anniversary and in part so Gillian and I couldmeet. They spent five days in New York City before flyingto Minnesota for five days.
When I spotted her at the Minneapolis-St. PaulInternational Airport, I almost couldn’t believe she wasreal. It was a dream come true to stand face to face.
I heard her voice for the first time, hugged her for thefirst time, and laughed with her for the first time. Wewiped away tears and held hands. It was a moment wehave waited for and written about for decades.
Never having met, I didn’t know how we would getalong. Yet, it was like we were old friends catching upwhere we had left off.
After years of reading her letters and looking at her
photos, I just couldn’t stop gazing ather sitting across from me. She waseven more beautiful in person. Tohave her looking at me with her bigblue eyes and speaking in herBritish accent as she talked abouther family was mesmerizing.
Our time together was fun, as wellas a constant learning experience.We talked about politics, religion,education, and the royal family, aswell as compared notes on healthcare, schools and the weather.
We marveled at the fact thatGillian and Jonathan are bigger coffee drinkers than teaconnoisseurs, and our kids found the differences in wordsamusing, such as trolley instead of cart, biscuit instead ofcookie.
During their visit, we spent time in Litchfield, ForestCity, Hutchinson and even stopped in Darwin. The Britishmight have Big Ben in England, but we have the TwineBall in Minnesota. They have castles; we have the stock-ade. We also visited the Twin Cities so they could meetmore family, and we did a little sight-seeing, including aguided tour of the Capitol led by Rep. Dean Urdahl.
As with any momentous occasion, time went by tooquickly.
For many years, I had envisioned what it would be liketo meet Gillian. However, I had never given any thoughtas to how hard it would be to say goodbye to her, to let goof her when I finally had her near me. More tears wereshed that day and the next. And the next.
Now it’s our turn to visit Gillian and Jonathan.Someday, when we can save enough money to make thetrip, I hope my husband and I — and even the kids — cantravel to England and experience what the Hardies’ livesare like in the United Kingdom.
Until then, we will continue with our tradition of writ-ing letters and sharing photographs, and our friendshipwill grow stronger through the written word.
F
Juliana ThillEditor
A WARM WELCOME||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|
Gillian and Jonathan Hardie of North Yorkshire,England, visited Minnesota in May. At left, Gillian andI sit at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airportafter a tearful meeting and look over letters we wroteto each other years ago.
4 ZEST | JUNE 2015
JUNE 2015 | ZEST 5
Call today for yourpersonal introduction!
The First Alert emergency pendant from
McLeod Co-op Power may be just the
thing they need to help you worry
less while they live on their own.
One press of the button will call the
24-hour medical dispatch center,
which will send a family member,
neighbor or police over to help.
The pendant allows them to work
outside in the garden or go to
the mailbox, and still summon
help if they need it.
Emergency pendants are
leased for $30 a month(plus a $49
installation charge).
DO YOUWORRY ABOUT
mom or dadliving alone?
DOYOUWORRYABOUTYOUR
parentsgettingolder?
1-800-494-6272
By Kay JohnsonCONTRIBUTING WRITER
After a 30-year absence from living in Hutchinson,native David Laraway has returned to share thegospel, so to speak, of Buddhism.
Ordained as the Rev. Bennet, he recently gave anoverview of Buddhist teachings at the Hutchinson EventCenter, talking about Buddha’s Four Noble Truths, the Lawof Karma, and the teachings of anatta (no-self) and aniccaimpermanence). Laraway also provided instruction in theSerene Reflection Meditation, the Soto Zen form ofBuddhist meditation.
“Zen meditation is letting go of the egocentric self to letyour true self manifest,” he said.
Laraway connected with Buddhism as an adult. He cameto it in a roundabout way.
After graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1970,he joined the Coast Guard. Laraway was honorably dis-charged and headed to the University of Minnesota-
Minneapolis where he earned bachelor’s and master’sdegrees in English.
Laraway worked as an editor at the University ofMinnesota and for Mary Ellen Enterprises. By 1984, hemoved to Microsoft Press in Bellevue, Wash., where heworked as an editor.
“Computers were so new,and the Press was formed topublish books to help peoplelearn how to use their soft-ware,” Laraway said.
Laraway retired at age 43.“I had an intense work life,
long hours,” he said. “I wastired out.”
Finding life’s purposeAt this point, Laraway said
he had experienced many ofthe benchmarks of a success-ful life, but found himselfsearching for more.
“I was not satisfied,” he said. “Something was missing.”Divorced in 1985, Laraway’s world shifted. It was a time
of deep sorrow and loss. Later that year, he read the book“The Snow Leopard,” by Peter Mathiessen. The book intro-duced Laraway to the practice of Zen Buddhism.
Intrigued, he wanted to learn more. He attended a talkabout the Buddha’s Four Nobel Truths, which was “a life-changing event,” he said. “It seems happenstance, but I wasmeant to go to that talk.”
Laraway began training. “I experienced such gratitudeand joy finding this practice,” he said.
After 17 years as an ardent lay trainee, he was acceptedby the Rev. Master Koshin as his monastic disciple.Laraway spent 12 years living as a monk at NorthCascades Buddhist Priory near McKenna, Wash. The life ofa monk agreed with Laraway. It was a structured routine ofmeditation, services and work. He was ordained in 2003.
Each year, Laraway returned to Hutchinson to visit fam-ily. He observed there was no opportunity in the area for aBuddhist practice.
“A longing grew in me to make an offering of this prac-tice,” he said.
It became a reality in November when Laraway returnedto Hutchinson. Renovations are underway on a house about4 1/2 miles northeast of Hutchinson that will eventuallybecome Laraway’s home and Buddhist temple.
“This is a wonderful practice, wonderful spiritual train-ing,” he said. “It really is. It’s not easy, but the rewards arevery great.”
Kay Johnson is a staff writer at the Hutchinson Leader.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|
Letting his true self manifestHutchinson native David Laraway returns to share the practice of Zen Buddhism
�
6 ZEST | JUNE 2015
David Laraway
(62+/ Disabled)
JUNE 2015 | ZEST 7
For over 30 years, Ecumen of Litchfield has been the #1 providerof quality senior housing and healthcare services in Meeker County!
Emmanuel Care Center• Medicare-certified skilled nursing, short stay rehabilitation
Ecumen of Litchfield Home Care & Hospice• Medicare-certified skilled care or home maker services in
your homeGloria Dei
• Affordable and HUD apartments for those age 62+Emmaus Place
• Gracious senior living apartments with services as neededBethany Assisted Living and Memory Care
• Private apartments with 24-hour licensed staffBreakAway
• Adult day program Monday through Friday
320-693-2472 www.ecumen.orgCall us for information or to
tour any of our Litchfield locations!
Ecumen of Litchfield NorthHousing, Home care& Hospice Campus200 North Holcombe AveLitchfield, MN 55355
Ecumen of Litchfield SouthCare CenterRehabilitation Center600 S. Davis AveLitchfield, MN 55355
We Have You Covered!
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|
IN THE NEWS
By Claudia BromanCONTRIBUTING WRITER
In 1861, Minnesota Gov. Alexander Ramseyanswered President Abraham Lincoln’sinitial call for volunteer Union troops at
the outset of the American Civil War with anoffer of 1,000 Minnesota men.
As with other facts in hisnew novel, “Three Paths toGlory,” author Dean Urdahlmakes this one relevant andeducates readers about historyspanning from the beginningof the Civil War to the winterof 1863.
A Republican legislator fromthe Grove City area, Urdahlsaid he was inspired to write the book by hisinterest in the Civil War and his co-chairman-
ship of the Minnesota Civil WarCommemorative Task Force. In “ThreePaths to Glory,” Urdahl follows the stories ofpeople in three regiments — Clinton Cilley,a math professor-turned-leader in the 2ndMinnesota; Jimmy Dunn, a young man whojoins the 5th Minnesota once he turns ofage; and Sam Davis, who plays an impor-tant role in the 1st Tennessee.
“I’ve tried to depict the lives of commonsoldiers and uncommon valor that followedthem throughout the conflict,” Urdahlstates in the book’s foreward.
Readers move with the troops as theyuse inadequate guns, march in dense fog, andrejoice after sturdy victories or recover afterdisappointing losses.
“Three Paths to Glory,” is the first volume ofa two-part American Civil War series. Urdahlplans to write a sequel that will cover 1864 tothe end of the war in 1865.
Claudia Broman is a freelance writer living inLitchfield.
‘Three Paths to Glory’ follows people in three regiments
Urdahl’s new book tells stories of Civil War soldiers
Dean Urdahl
“Three Paths toGlory,” by DeanUrdahl, is availablein Litchfield at theG.A.R. Hall, 308Marshall Ave. N.,and at CricketMeadow Tea, 113N. Sibley Ave.; andon Amazon.com.
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|MONEY MATTERS
What if a sudden, debilitat-ing illness, fraud or eco-nomic downturn affected
your senior family member’s retire-ment, estate or long-term care issues?Would you be prepared to take over?
If the answer is no, you’re notalone. According to 2013 researchfrom the Pew Research Center, fourin 10 U.S. adults are caring for aloved one with significant healthissues.
Don’t wait for a crisis to initiatethis conversation. Starting early canhelp you plan and even safeguardyour own career and retirement plan-ning. Here are some suggestions forstarting the conversation:
� Identify the missing links.Find information gaps you need to fillto help your senior relative plan forretirement. If key financial informa-tion — investment and bankingaccounts, legal documents or doctors’contacts — is missing, list any and allunknowns to be researched and com-piled.
� Schedule a family financialmeeting. Schedule a specific day andtime and create an agenda that meetsthe needs of your senior relative. It isnot always necessary to involve alldirect family members in a prelimi-nary discussion, but make sure thatrelevant individuals are aware of themeeting. After helping your seniorrelative assess his or her financial sit-uation, make sure to identify nextsteps and responsibilities.
� Locate important financialdocuments. Ask your senior relativeto show you where his or her key doc-uments and accounts are, such asretirement and pension information,checkbooks, investment statements,insurance policies and legal andestate data. Find out where incomingbills are kept in case you have to stepin and help manage monthly bills.
� Consider seeking financialcounseling. Any number of reasons,from illness to fraud, may explain los-ing control of personal finances. If
your relative has been working with aqualified financial or tax adviser, thefamily team should consider meetingwith him or her if a need arises. Ifoutside tax, financial or legal help isneeded, the team and your senior rel-ative should discuss who those profes-sionals should be, what their fees areand what you expect them to do.
� Make and agree on a plan.After all the information gatheringand discussion is complete, make aplan — in writing, if possible — toreview the senior’s wishes, set anaction plan and assign responsibilitiesas necessary. As mentioned above,you should review this plan everyyear. And if problems emerge in anytopic area from retirement to healthissues, you’ll find guidance through-out the Practical Money Skills for Lifewebsite. (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/personalfinance/)
Bottom line: Asking older relativesabout retirement, estate and long-term care preparations can be anuncomfortable conversation. Makinga plan and initiating early conversa-tions to involve the right people canease the financial strain and stress oneveryone involved.
Jason AldermanSenior director of financial education programsat Visa Inc.
Four in 10U.S. adultsare caringfor a lovedone withsignificanthealthissues,accordingto the PewResearchCenter.
8 ZEST | JUNE 2015
Asking parents or older relatives about retirement,estate and long-term carepreparations can beuncomfortable. However,initiating the conversationand making a plan canease financial strain andstress on all involved.
Take steps to make sure loved onesare prepared for retirement years
�
JUNE 2015 | ZEST 9www.realifeinc.com • www.villagecoopofhutchinson.blogspot.com
Enjoy
Choose this 1 bedroom, 1 bathplan. Call for a tour of VillageCooperative today and learnhow easy life can be!
Village Cooperative1300 Sherwood St. SEHutchinson • 320-234-7761 mornings
55+ Leisure Living
Village Cooperative benefits:
• One-time Share Payment • Low Monthly Fees• Paid Heat • Coinless Laundry Rooms • Guest Suite
• Great Room • Appliance Replacement as needed• Receive owner benefits through property tax and
possible mortgage interest deductions
Are you at least 55?Retired or stillworking, but tiredof lawn care, repairsand maintenance?
MHSMELCHERT • HUBERT • SJODIN
3 Locations
HUTCHINSON22 N. Main St. • 320.587.2046
WACONIA121 W. Main St. • 952.442.7700
CHASKA102 W. 5th St. • 952.448.2225
J
www.mhslaw.comTOLL FREE
1.888.442.5155
Neil Jensen Dorothy Bradley Matt McDougall
A Full Service 18 Attorney Law Firm:Estate Planning/Probate • Personal Injury*Litigation • Employment Law • Family Law
Real Estate • Business Law
MEDICARE ||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|
Dear Marci,I have some chronic health care conditions and have to
take several prescription drugs to manage them. I spend alot of money on Medicare prescription drug co-pays eachmonth, and I’m struggling to keep up with these costs. Myfriend told me I should see if I can apply for the ExtraHelp program. What is the Extra Help program?
— Barbara
Dear Barbara,Extra Help is a federal program that helps people with
limited incomes to pay the costs associated with Medicareprescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D). Extra Helpis administered by the Social Security Administration. Toqualify, you must meet income and asset guidelines that
are determined by the federalgovernment each year. If you aresingle in 2015, your monthlyincome must be below $1,471($1,991 for couples), and yourassets must be up to $13,640($27,250 for couples) in order toqualify for Extra Help.
To have Extra Help, you mustget your prescription drug cover-age through Medicare Part D. Youcan get this coverage through astand-alone Part D plan thatworks with Original Medicare, orthrough a Medicare Advantageplan that includes prescriptiondrug coverage. Extra Help does
not work with other forms of prescription drug coverage,such as coverage from an employer. If you do not have aPart D plan, Extra Help gives you a Special EnrollmentPeriod to enroll in a Part D plan outside of typical enroll-ment periods.
Depending on your income and assets, you might quali-fy for either full or partial Extra Help. With either pro-gram, you will never have to pay the full cost of yourdrugs as long as you take medications that are on yourplan’s formulary — its list of covered drugs — and youbuy them at a pharmacy in your plan’s network. You alsocan use a mail-order pharmacy with Extra Help. ExtraHelp can also assist with your monthly Part D premiumand annual deductibles.
Apply for Extra Help through the Social SecurityAdministration. You can call the National Hotline at 800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office. You alsocan apply online at www.ssa.gov/medicare/prescription-help/.
— Marci
Federal program helps peoplewith limited income pay costs
associated with Medicare prescription drug coverage
“Dear Marci” is a service of theMedicare RightsCenter, the largestindependentsource of Medicareinformation andassistance in theUnited States. Formore information,go online to www.medicarerights.org.
By Juliana ThillEDITOR
Joanne Clay Willmert’s heart is in her hometown,even if she no longer has her home here. Willmert,who often goes by Joey among friends, grew up inHutchinson, graduated from Hutchinson High
School in 1959 and moved on to bigger cities.Yet, she spends more time, effort and volunteer hours
here than anywhere else. Willmert, 74, has owned and operated The Village Shop
on Main Street for 40 years, while living in Minneapolis.She has volunteered countless hours during that time tocity and civic organizations for the betterment of the
10 ZEST | JUNE 2015
Joanne ‘Joey’ Willmert has receivedHutchinson Chamber awards
in the past. However, a recent onerecognizing her volunteer work
carries special meaning because ithonors how she tries to live her
life, in service to others.
PHOTOS BY JULIANA THILL
Joanne “Joey” Clay Willmert leads other volunteers in planting flowers in Hutchinson’s downtown flower pots ona crisp May morning. The flower pot project is a joint effort between the city of Hutchinson and the HutchinsonDowntown Association, which Willmert has been involved with for the past 30 years. On the cover of the maga-zine,Willmert’s daughter, Carrie Bloom, 52, helps with the flower planting.
Making volunteeringa way of living
Hutchinson community and “to keep thevitality of small town alive,” Willmertsaid.
Helping to keep Hutchinson a beauti-ful place to live, work, shop, and enjoy isimportant to Willmert.
“In so many of the little towns around,we’ve lost that. This town has just con-tinued to grow and thrive and attractpeople,” Willmert said.
“For us, she epitomizes what you wantfrom a volunteer — someone who hasgiven a faithful heart to their communi-ty,” said Mary Hodson, president of theHutchinson Area Chamber of Commerceand Tourism Office. “She doesn’t do it forrecognition. She does it because shethinks it’s what she should be doing. It’sin her heart to do that. She just gives.”
When a customer purchases an item inWillmert’s store, she wraps it up withpretty paper, Hodson said.
“It’s that extra touch that peopleappreciate. She has that mentality ofwrapping it in a pretty bow and someoneelse feels good about it,” Hodson said,adding that Willmert takes the sameapproach to presenting Hutchinson in abeautiful way. “Downtown and LibrarySquare are so iconic to our community.She wants downtown to be clean andpresentable so people feel good aboutbeing downtown and are proud of theirdowntown.”
In recognition of Willmert’s volunteerefforts over the years, the HutchinsonChamber honored Willmert with the Volunteer of the Yearaward earlier this year.
Joe Nagel, board chairman of the Hutchinson Chamber,summarized Willmert’s contributions before he presentedher with the award.
“Joey Willmert is one of those volunteers that doesn’twant thanks or praise, but is a silent contributor to manycommittees,” Nagel said. “She has been a longtime memberof the Hutchinson Downtown Association and Chamber ofCommerce. Joey is the one who gets the flower pots on MainStreet filled with flowers in the spring and greenery in thewinter.”
In accepting her award, Willmert kept her commentsbrief: “All I want to say is, I love this community, and I lovedoing things for the community,” she said.
Willmert also volunteers with the HutchinsonCommunity Foundation. “And I was on the HutchinsonArts Commission for about 10 years. I was on the sign com-mittee for the city for a number of years. I was on theChamber board for a number of years and was presidentyears ago,” Willmert said, listing off her many areas of com-munity involvement.
Through the Hutchinson Downtown Association, whichshe has been active with for about 30 years, “we started theArts and Crafts Festival and the Farmers Market — so, a
lot of things downtown that are not onlyfor downtown but for the community,”she said.
Family lifeWillmert grew up as part of the Clay
family, which established HutchinsonTelephone Co. in 1896. During highschool, she did clerical work for the fam-ily business, as well as worked at aflower shop and department store inHutchinson.
After graduating from high school, shewent to college in Missouri and marriedBarry Willmert in 1961 in Hutchinson.They lived in Chicago for a couple ofyears and then in Detroit for 10 yearsbefore moving to Minneapolis.
She and Barry, who grew up inGlencoe, were married for 38 years andhad three children, who are now grown— Carrie Bloom, Mark Willmert andTodd Willmert — before Barry passedaway about 15 years ago.
In 2013, she remarried, marrying alongtime friend, Jim Sheedy.
“His wife died of cancer. She was mybest friend in high school and allthrough grade school. I was in their wed-ding. I didn’t know him that well (at thetime) because he grew up in Austin. I’veknown him all along and we did a fewthings as couples,” Willmert said.
The two of them reconnected and gotmarried.
Willmert continues to commute toHutchinson every day to operate the store. Her daughter,Carrie, who also lives in the Twin Cities, has been joiningher recently to work at the store after another employeerecently retired.
Although Willmert never moved back to Hutchinson, herpassion for her hometown has never waned. Instead, it grewas she came to appreciate the small town of almost 14,000after living in larger cities over the years.
“I guess it’s loyalty to a community,” Willmert said. “I’drather be here than in the Cities where you don’t know any-body. You get to strengthen relationships in a smallertown.”
A quiet leaderWillmert leads by example rather than trying to seek
attention for her efforts, said Mike Cannon, president of theHutchinson Downtown Association and executive vice pres-ident at Citizens Bank.
“Joey is a quiet leader, and most of it is by action. Herleadership is by action. She doesn’t say a whole lot, but shedoes good things, which inspires the rest of us to be likethat,” Cannon said.
“The flower project is one of our best examples. That’ssomething that’s been going on in Hutchinson longer thanI’ve been on this board. Joey takes that project and runs
COVER STORY ||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|
JUNE 2015 | ZEST 11
The Hutchinson Area Chamberof Commerce and TourismOffice recognized Joanne “Joey”Clay Willmert as Volunteer ofthe Year. “She doesn’t do it forrecognition. She does it becauseshe thinks it’s what she shouldbe doing. It’s in her heart to dothat. She just gives,” said MaryHodson, president of theHutchinson Chamber.
with it. She works with the city and Garden Club in town,so between them they get all these flowers planted alongMain Street and certainly help beautify our city,” Cannonsaid.
It is a joint project between the city and the HutchinsonDowntown Association. The association bought flower potsabout 18 years ago, Willmert said, and she has always beeninvolved with planting.
“We saw it in lots of towns, and we talked about it as aboard that we’d like to do it,” she said. “What we liked aboutthe pots is then we can do them seasonally, for the holi-days.”
The city orders the flowers and waters them throughoutthe spring, summer and early fall. However, each year, agroup of volunteers meets at 7 a.m. in Library Square toplant flowers in the containers placed on corners and infront of businesses in downtown Hutchinson.
“They go out in all directions in teams of two on MainStreet and on Washington by the theater, and all the waydown to the bridge,” Willmert said.
This year was no different, with a group working quicklyon an unseasonably cold morning May 19, when frostnipped at their nose and chilled their hands as they loos-ened the dirt for the mixture of plants — large lilac blue,wandering Jew, amora coleus, and glow yellow exotic impa-tiens.
The flowers will grow in the planters until fall, then atthe end of October or early November, Willmert leadsanother volunteer effort to replace the flowers with holidaygreens.
“This year, we also bought extra lights to put in the parkto try to decorate the park more. The city does some and wetry to do some. It’s a joint effort,” Willmert said.
By 8 a.m., the flower planting was complete, andWillmert went to work, opening up The Village Shop, a giftshop filled front to back and top to bottom with uniquetreasures.
Her business used to be located about four stores downfrom where her store is now.
“When this became available, we bought this buildingabout 15 years ago,” she said. “We’ve always been on MainStreet and in this block.”
After 40 years in business, Willmert has seen multiplegenerations come through her door. Children who used totag along with their mother, now come in with their chil-dren to buy gifts.
“We’ve been in business for so long, all these kids thatgrow up here, who came with their moms to shop, thosekind of memories come back. There aren’t many stores thatare the same stores anymore. I encourage customers tobring their children in,” she said, because too often kidsshop only at large retailers. “Not that there’s anythingwrong with that. But this is different. Here, you kind of goaround the corner and explore. People come back and say,‘Oh, I remember coming here.’”
She sees the importance of small businesses.“You don’t get a lot of people opening small businesses as
much anymore. It’s pretty hard to do,” she said, fromobtaining the financing to “dedicating yourself to the hours.It’s just different. Luckily, Hutchinson has opened a lot oflittle shops. More than most communities.”
When customers visit The Village Shop to buy a presentfor a special occasion, they ask Willmert for ideas, and shecan always find the right gift, Hodson said.
“It’s not just a store but a service she’s providing. She’svery respected. She’s a gift to every man who wants to buyhis wife a present,” Hodson said.
Willmert’s leadership and dedication to the business com-munity is appreciated by many, Hodson added. “Joeydemonstrates what a leader and businessperson is. It’s notabout ‘notice me.’ It’s her actions, and by her actions, she’sleading. People see that. People want to replicate and imi-tate what they see as positive, and Joey has done so manypositive things for the community,” Hodson said.
A willing volunteerWhile volunteering is about giving, for Willmert it’s a way
of living. Willmert added her recent Chamber Volunteer of the
Year award to others she has received over the years.Hanging on a wall in her office, in the back room of her
store, is a Chamber of Commerce Customer SatisfactionAward, which she received in 1994, and the BusinessPerson of the Year Award, which she was given in 1993.
However, the Volunteer of the Year award holds specialmeaning to Willmert.
“It just honors what I try to live — the service. I like togive, and it’s nice that people recognize that,” she said. �
COVER STORY||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|
12 ZEST | JUNE 2015
Joanne Willmert has owned and operated The VillageShop in Hutchinson for 40 years. “We’ve been in busi-ness for so long, all these kids that grow up here, whocame with their moms to shop, those kind of memoriescome back.There aren’t many stores that are the samestores anymore. I encourage customers to bring theirchildren in,” she said.
JUNE 2015 | ZEST 13
TOGETHER WE’RECHANGING AGINGWhich Turns Out To Be Pretty Fun
Senior LivingCommunity
Senior LivingCommunity
1 & 2 BR Apartments • Activities & OutingsMedication Administration
Meals Available 7 Days/Week24-Hour Staffing • Most Utilities Included
Housekeeping & Laundry ServicesBus for Group Outings
innovate empower honor ™
For information or to arrange a tour,call Pamela Kern at 320-234-0873
Ecumen Oaks • 945 Century Avenue SW, HutchinsonEcumen Pines • 1015 Century Avenue SW, Hutchinson
www.ecumenoaksandpines.org
Offering Assisted Living & Memory Care ServicesOffering Assisted Living & Memory Care Services
Time My Meds®
Synchronize Your Medications
Coordinate Your Prescriptions To Be ReadyOn The Same Day Each Month
PickYour Date
Choose the date eachmonth that is mostconvenient for your
prescriptions to be filledand picked up.
Step 1
ReadyNotification
After your prescriptionsare filled, we will contactyou to let you know thatyour prescriptions are
ready.
Step 2
FreeConsultation
Each month, we areavailable to discuss anyquestions or concernsyou have about your
health or medications.
Step 3
Simplify Your Life.Eliminate Extra Trips to The Pharmacy Each Month.
Ask Your Pharmacist, Enroll In Time My Meds Today!
Federal and State Benefits May Include:
We offer rides to VA medical appts at the
Minneapolis (even days) andSt. Cloud (odd days)VA Medical Centers.To schedule a ride call 320-693-5445
Don DufnerMeeker CountyVeterans Service Officer
Please call Don or LindaMeeker County Family Services Bldg.114 N. Holcombe Ave. Suite 120Litchfield, MN 55355
• Compensation• Pension• Vocational
Rehabilitation• Dependent’s and
Survivor’s Benefits• Home Loans
• Medical Care• Education• Burial Benefits• State Dental and
Optical Care• Special Needs Grants
*Benefits subject to approval theDepartment of Veterans Affairs
Are you awareof your benefits?
CLOCK REPAIRQUALITY CLOCK REPAIR AT
REASONABLE RATES
GREG HEATH602 S ARMSTRONG AVELITCHFIELD, MN 55355
HOME-320-693-7476CELL-320-221-4579
Corkboard ads are only $37 a month for 12 issues!CorkboardCorkboard
14 ZEST | JUNE 2015
Across1.“Poppycock!”5.Audio equipment brand
name9. Full of chutzpah14. Small buffalo15. Fishing, perhaps16.Terminal section of
large intestines (pl.)17.Amounts of precipitation19. More fitting20. Not extreme (4 wds)22.Angry, with “up”23. Pandowdy, e.g.24. Black25. Caribbean, e.g.26. Musical compositions
with a recurring main theme28. Fla. neighbor30.Antiquity, in antiquity31.Aspect35. Kidney-related38.“Aladdin” prince39. Heartthrob40. Certain print41. Deception42. Mother Teresa, for one43. Flemish baroque painter45. Kipling’s “Gunga ___”47.“I’m ___ you!”50. Cable network51. Divination deck53. Flight embarkment sta-
tion (2 wds)
57. Composed58. Entry through which
air is fed to engine (2 wds)59. Father, Son and Holy
Ghost60. Forum wear61.“I had no ___!”62. Undersides63. Carbon compound64. Bondman
Down1. Malt liquor’s yeasty froth2. Broadcasting (hyphenat-
ed)3. Self-styled, French
(hyphenated)4.Take care of5. Bleated6. Christiania, now7.Autogamy (hyphenated)
8. Malay Archipelago (2 wds)9. Highlands hillside10.Wartime retaliation11. Follow, as a tip (2 wds)12. Porterhouse, e.g.13. Robust18. Dog biter21.“If only ___ listened ...”26. Property consisting of
houses and land (2 wds)27.Amiss28. Branch29. Grassland32.Assault with heavy
artillery fire33.Australian runner34. Big ___ Conference36. Poisonous alkaloid
obtained from nightshade37. Basic monetary unit of
Romania44. Sticker45.Angry outburst46. Eye problem47. Kilns48. Rocket fuel ingredient,
for short49. Bring up the rear51. Courtroom event52. Selfish sort54. Horace volume55.“Cogito ___ sum”56. Book part
Crossword puzzle answer on Page 15
FOOD & FUN||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|
Crossword puzzle
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs1 bottle KC Masterpiece Buffalo Marinade
Blue Cheese Coleslaw1 bag pre-shredded coleslaw with carrots1 cup crumbled blue cheese1 16-ounce bottle of ranch dressing8 sub rolls
Trim all fat from chicken thighs. Lightlypound thighs with a meat mallet until theyare an even thickness, approximately 1/4 ofan inch. Place thighs into a re-sealable food storage bagand pour in marinade until it coats thighs. Marinate inrefrigerator for a minimum of 1.5 hours. While chicken ismarinating, prepare blue cheese coleslaw. Start by com-bining one cup of blue cheese with a bottle of ranch dress-
ing. Then, add mixture to preparedcoleslaw mix until dressing coats veg-etables. Set aside and chill until needed.Build a charcoal fire for indirect grilling,by situating coals on one side of grill,leaving the other side void. Add a smallaluminum pan to the void side of thegrill and fill it halfway with water.When charcoal grill reaches between450 and 500 degrees, take chickenthighs and grill directly over coals for 30to 45 seconds on each side to sear. Once
both sides are seared, move thighs to the void side of thegrill. Place lid on grill and cook thighs indirectly for 10minutes, or until thighs reach an internal temperature of160. Then remove from grill. Assemble sandwiches on subrolls, topping grilled chicken with blue cheese coleslaw.
SOURCE: WWW.CULINARY.NET/KC MASTERPIECE
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with Blue Cheese Coleslaw
Answer toCrosswordPuzzle published on Page 14
FOOD & FUN ||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|
JUNE 2015 | ZEST 15
1 package Duncan Hines signature french vanilla cakemix
1/2 cup melted butter or margarine3 eggs1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese2 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons con-
fectioners’ sugar1 can (21 ounces) Comstock or
Wilderness strawberry pie filling andtopping
Preheat oven to 325. In large bowlcombine cake mix, butter or mar-garine and 1 egg; blend well. Reserve1/3 cup of mixture for topping. Pat remaining mixture intobottom of well-greased 9-by-13-inch pan. In mixing bowl,beat cream cheese until fluffy, beat in 2 eggs and 2 1/2cups confectioners’ sugar. Pour over cake mixture in pan.Spread strawberry fruit filling on top and sprinkle withreserved cake mixture. Bake 1 hour or until lightlybrowned. Refrigerate until chilled; cut into bars and sprin-kle with 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar.
6 ounces baby spinach1/4 cup green onions, sliced1/2 cup light raspberry vinai-
grette1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced1/4 cup walnuts, chopped2 cups Daisy Brand Cottage
Cheese
Toss spinach and green onionswith vinaigrette; divide evenlyonto four salad plates. Top eachsalad with strawberries and walnuts. Spoon cottagecheese over spinach mixture and serve. Serves four.
Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Strawberry, Spinach and Cottage Cheese Salad
SOURCE: WWW.CULINARY.NET/DAISY
SOURCE: WWW.CULI-NARY.NET/DUNKIN HINES
1040 Hwy. 15 South, Hutchinson • 320-234-9453 (in front of Hutchinson Mall)
Open daily 11 am — 1 am
Call ahead for convenient take-out!
VALID MONDAY–FRIDAY11 AM– 2 PM
Not valid with any other coupons,discounts, or offers. Limit onecoupon per person per visit.
Expires 6/30/15
$100 Off$100 Off02778z
Any Lunch Madness Combo6 different Combos to choose from!
• Lunch Specials Wed - Sun• Space Available for Small Parties• Meat Raffles Every Sat (Oct-Mar)• Space Available For Small Parties• Access to NFLs & ALL BIG TEN
GAMES
• Nightly Dining 7 Days A Week• Event Planning• Pull Tabs, Dart Machines• Big Screen TVs• FREE Meeting Room Available
For Non-Profits
BAR OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEKHAPPY HOUR: MONDAY - FRIDAY 4 PM - 6:30 PM
DINING& entertainmentAdvertise here! Call Advertising Director Kevin True at 320-234-4141.
