1. Greta Weisman,Esthetician — A Newer Version of You
LOCAL Women’s Network Section and Gift-Giving Guide
Steppin’ Out! • Seasonal Happenings
Charlene Ridlon, Fun Art!
Founder, Art As You Like It!
Volunteers:
Stearns County Mounted
Reserve Unit
16 of 22 Members…Women!
WACOSA -
disABILITY
Relationship
Violence
An Escalating Issue
Food Explorer
The Potato Takes
Center Stage!
What’s He Thinking?
- Go Big or Go Home!
4. Geri Randall
Nursing, Centracare Family Medicine
gerdlr@hotmail.com
Natalie Miller Rotunda
CMW Assistant Editor
rotunda56303@hotmail.com
Robin Robatcek
Customized Training Representative
in Advanced Manufacturing, SCTCC
rrobatcek@msn.com
Kristi Spaniol
CMW Account Manager
kristi@cmwomen.com
Lori Steinhofer
Owner/Escrow Officer
Quarry Title and Closing, LLC
Lori.steinhofer@quarrytitle.com
Jen Lessinger
Owner, Jen Lessinger Photography
jen@jenlessingerphotography.com
Mary Neisen, RN, MS, FNP-C
Rejuv Medical
mary@rejuvmedical.com
Sue Poser
Owner, Gruber's Quilt Shop
sue@grubersquiltshop.com
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Owner, AgVenture Feed & Seed
sandy@agventurefeeds.com
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Executive Director, Granite Country
Julie@granitecountry.com
Tina Gunderson
Owner, Zappa Graphics & Design
and CMW Magazine Designer
tina@zappagraphics.com
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Executive Leadership in
Business and Higher Education
slgidlow@gmail.com
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CMW Co-Owner and REALTOR
farrand1@msn.com
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Owner, Synergy Chiropractic
and Wellness Clinic
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4 October-November 2014 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
5. cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 5
Printed Words
Tamera Farrand,
Publisher
Natalie M. Rotunda,
Editor
Tamera FarrandCO-PUBLISHER
together as planned, we make
endless lists of to-do’s, happily
checking them off, one by
one. We wonder -- ever notice
how, through selfless giving, an
unexpected joy we receive is
the renewal of ourselves and our
spirit? A timely gift! We’ll need
that self-renewal as we plunge
into another brand-spanking new
year packed with hopes and
expectations.
Speaking of unconditional giving
-- in this issue, get to know Greta
Weisman, whose specialty is
helping clients look and feel
better, while managing her own
health issues. Learn how the
volunteer women and men of the
Stearns County Sheriff’s Mounted
Reserves unflinchingly give back
to our community. If you believe
that the world would be a dark,
dismal place without art, connect
with artist Charlene Ridlon, who
gives us permission to make art
the way we like it. Giving clients
what they need to lead more
fulfilling lives is what the people of
WACOSA do, every day – meet
them here.
Our columnists give us their
perspectives, serious and fun, on
relationships, food, and numerous
family events.
Before you dive into this issue, we
have exciting news to share. First,
we’re switching to an odd-month
publishing schedule with the
March-April 2015 issue. Next, you’ll
notice changes, here and there,
but, always, stories and columns
meant to inspire, educate, and
empower you, our readers. We’re
updating our website, as well, with
special content you’ll find there,
only. We hope you’ll love your new
CMW experience as much as we
think you will!
In between your many holiday
tasks, be sure to take a little me-
time. Pour yourself a comforting
cup of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee,
and spend time here with us.
To you, central Minnesota women,
we send our very best -- now and
throughout the coming year!
By Tamera
and Natalie
Most of us welcome
the arrival of this time
of year because of
the joy it gives us to
shower extra love and
attention on precious
family members and
friends. To ensure that
everything comes
6. 6 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
5 ◗ PRINTED WORDS
Holiday and Renewal
By Tamera and Natalie
7 ◗ SPECIAL ADVERTISING
SECTION - Gift-Giving Guide
8 ◗ MUST-DO’S
By Cori Hilgsen
Catch the excitement of the
holidays, and add some (all?)
of Cori’s must-do happenings to
your calendar.
10 ◗ ANNA MARIE’S ALLIANCE
What’s Love Got to Do With It?
By Debra Schroeder
11 ◗ COVER STORY:
Greta Weisman – Helping Others
Feel Beautiful
By Cori Hilsgen
Photos by Sue Dropp
By working through her own
health struggles, Greta has come
to believe that “why go through
it if you aren’t going to use it to
help other people?”
15 ◗ Feature Story:
Fun Art, Not Fine Art – Charlene
Ridlon, Art As You Like It
By Char Hopela
Photos by Jen Lessinger
Who knew creating art could be
so much fun!
18 ◗ Feature Story:
The Women of Stearns County
Sheriff’s Mounted Reserve:
Well-Trained and Emergency-
Ready
By Lynn Fisher
Photos by Sue Dropp and Amber
Gardiner
You may not have known about
this dedicated unit whose
purpose is to serve our area
from the backs of their own
horses.
20 ◗ SPECIAL ADVERTISING
SECTION - Local Women’s
Network
23 ◗ Focused
Philanthropy:
The Opportunity to Work.
WACOSA Serves Adults with
Disabilities By Helping Them
Build Skills and Find Work
By Crystal Nutt
Photos by Jen Lessinger
26 ◗ FOOD EXPLORER
This Spud’s For You!
By Heather Rotunda
Photos by Sue Dropp
Heather serves up delicious
edibles: Gnocchi, German
Potato Salad, and – you
didn’t see this one coming,
right? – Cinnamony Baked
Donuts.
28 ◗ WHAT’S HE THINKING?
Go Big or Go Home!
By Doug Vagle
29 ◗ WOMEN’S FUND
Family Traditions Foster
Family Legacies
By Melinda Sanders
30 ◗ STEPPIN’ OUT
By Natalie M. Rotunda
In partnership with
AroundTheCloud.org.
11
18
15
23
inthisissue
on the cover
Table of Contents
Dec 2014 - Jan & Feb 2015
Ann Kennedy, Andrea Harrell, Crystal Nutt,
Steve Howard. Not pictured, Roxanne Ryan
8. 8 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
Must-Do’sby Cori Hilsgen
As winter approaches and the excitement of the holi-
days is all around us, it’s a good time to ask ourselves
what activities we enjoy participating in at this time
of year, and then take time to enjoy a few of them.
Here are ideas to brighten spirits and help you relax
and enjoy the magic of this season of giving.
Celebrating to Help
Hospice
Once again, it’s time to don your
holiday “bling” for a good cause by
attending the 40th anniversary Holly
Ball festivities. This annual “black-
tie” event raises money for the St.
Cloud Hospital Hospice and Coborn
Cancer Center Greatest Needs funds,
which provide for “extras” often
not covered by insurance. The
event will be held from 6:30
p.m. to midnight, December
6th, at the St. Cloud River’s Edge
Convention Center, and
includes hors d’oeuvres, a silent
auction, dancing, and entertain-
ment by the Fabulous Armadil-
los and Sell Out Stereo. Tickets
for the general public are $175.
Guests are also invited to attend
an After Party, with entertainment
by Hairball, from midnight to 2:00
a.m. For more information, visit the
website, centracare.com/founda-
tion/events/holly-ball/, or call (320)
240-2810.
Classy and
Classical
Performances
Lorie Line returns to St. Joseph for
her 25th anniversary Christmas
Special. To celebrate 25 years of
touring, Lori is showcasing her best
holiday music from her long ca-
reer. She will perform at 7:30 p.m.,
December 11th, at the College of
St. Benedict Escher Auditorium.
Tickets are $49. For more informa-
tion, visit the website, csbsju.edu/
Must-Do’s
9. cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 9
fine-arts, or call (320) 363-5777.
Relax while listening to the music
of the season performed by the
St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra.
A Children’s Holiday Concert will
be presented at 10:00 a.m., and
a Holiday Pops Concert will be
presented at 3:00 p.m., December
13th, at the St. Cloud State Uni-
versity Stewart Hall Ritsche Audi-
torium. Tickets range from $5 to
$25. For more information, visit the
website, stcloudsymphony.com, or
call (320) 252-7276.
Ring in the
new year with
family fun
Welcome the
new year by
spending a fun
evening at the annual New Year’s
Eve Family Fun Fest. Activities
include inflatable games, open
skate, dome and main gym activi-
ties, and food. This event is for all
ages and will be held from 5:00
to 10:00 p.m., December 31st, at
the Herb Brooks National Hockey
Center and Halenbeck Hall at St.
Cloud State University. Attendees
should enter through the Hockey
Center. Tickets range from $3 to
$5. For additional information, visit
the website, stcloudstate.edu/
campusrec, or call (320) 308-3325.
Bring your children or grandchil-
dren to meet the Emmy Award-
winning Zinghoppers’ group.
This group tours internationally,
performing about 500 preschool
party-rocking concerts, annually.
Their music videos are viewed in
over 175 countries and are broad-
cast on over 150 PBS member
stations in the United States. The
group will perform at 1:00 p.m.
and 4:00 p.m., January 18th, at the
Paramount Theatre. Tickets range
from $6 to $12. For more informa-
tion, visit the website, paramoun-
tarts.org, or call (320) 259-5463.
Attend the
Mardi Gras
The Catholic Charities’
annual Mardi Gras will
take place at 5:30 p.m.,
Saturday, January 31st,
at the St. Cloud River’s Edge
Convention Center. The night
includes hor d’oeuvres, a silent
auction, a wine pull, gourmet
dinner, and dancing to the
Fabulous Armadillos. Proceeds
from this event benefit Catholic
Charities Emergency Services
Food Shelf and Domus
Transitional Housing. Seats must
be purchased in advance, and
tickets purchased online are
discounted. For more information,
visit the website, ccstcloud.org, or
call (320)650-1665.
Cori Hilsgen is a central Minnesota
freelance writer. She is a wife,
mother and grandmother who
enjoys spending time with family and
friends.
2015
Must-Do’s
10. 10 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
Debra Schroeder is a local.
She grew up in Cold Spring,
went to college at SCSU, and
has worked with Anna Marie’s
Alliance since 2000. She gains
much energy from talking
with people about the issues
faced by those experiencing
relationship violence. Debra
currently lives in her childhood home with her
husband, seven cats, and the occasional bat.
she wasn’t going to be able to change
Brian, and she wasn’t responsible for
the actions he took. Knowing this
didn’t make breaking off the relation-
ship any easier, but Norah knew it
was the right thing for her.
Brian’s abuse of other girlfriends
and family members. At one point,
Brian moved out-of-state, in hopes of
fleeing criminal charges for domestic
violence. His mother begged Norah
not to call off the wedding, saying she
was so good for him and could help
him change. The wedding was only
six weeks away, and they had already
spent a lot of money, much of which
wouldn’t be refunded. Friends and
family were all expecting them to
marry. Norah’s parents really liked
Brian, would they understand?
In the end, it was Norah’s older
brother who convinced her that her
safety and happiness trumped money
and other people’s expectations. He
was able to help Norah understand
What’s Love Got
To Do With It?By Debra Schroeder
Norah was six weeks away from
walking down the aisle to marry the
love of her life. She had begun plan-
ning the wedding the day after Brian
proposed almost 18 months earlier.
This was to be the perfect wedding
Norah had been dreaming about since
she was a young girl. The only thing
that was troubling her was Brian’s
increasingly short temper. He had
begun yelling and swearing when bills
for the reception came due. It seemed
that, ever since he put the ring on her
finger, he began acting like he owned
her. Norah was sure that, once the
stress of the wedding was over, Brian
would settle down, and things would
get better.
For many people who have not expe-
rienced relationship violence, it can
be hard to understand why someone
would go through with marriage, or
stay married, to an abuser. There is no
single answer, but love seems to have
a lot to do with it. The person who is
the target of the abuse is in love with
their abuser, not the abuse. The per-
son may be fearful of what will hap-
pen if they leave. Will the abuser hurt
themselves, or others? No one wants
to think they may be responsible for
causing a loved one pain. The person
could also believe that “love conquers
all,” and the abuser will change if
they are just shown enough love. The
nurturing instinct is strong in women,
and, for many, the emotion to care for
and be responsible for the happiness
of others is compelling.
Norah decided to talk with her future
mother- and sisters-in-law about Bri-
an’s behavior. The conversation was
tense until the youngest sister finally
broke the uneasy silence. “Tell her,
Mom. She has the right to know!”
For the next hour, Norah heard about
If you have concerns about your
relationship, call Anna Marie’s
Alliance, any time, at (320) 252-6900.
One Woman at a time............................
Anna Marie’s Alliance
11. Greta
Weisman
Helping Others Feel Beautiful
Greta Weismann
outside of her office
Cover Story
cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 11
12. they also feel their best.
She came to this realization when
sitting with a dear, elderly friend at
the Coborn Cancer Center during the
“Look Better, Feel Better Program.”
Many of these women didn’t recog-
nize themselves after treatments. Af-
ter applying a little makeup, filling in
faint eyebrows, putting color on their
lips, and teaching them new tricks
with scarves and wigs, these women
went from somber moods to giggling
and chattering within a two-hour time
period.
“That’s when I realized, ‘Oh, look
better, feel better - got it,’” Greta says.
She enjoys helping others feel good
about themselves when they’re having
health problems. Greta applies that
principle to herself, as well.
Personal health struggles
Greta has had, and continues to have,
health struggles of her own. She had
a wandering eye and almost lost her
single vision. At age 19, she under-
went her first strabismus eye surgery
at St. Cloud Eye Physicians and Sur-
geons. The surgery greatly improved
her eyesight.
Through all of her health issues, Gre-
ta tries to live day to day, and her faith
helps her roll through the difficult
times. She strives to live her life in a
manner that follows Bible teachings,
no matter how hard or uncommon
that may be.
Along the way, Greta has learned that
other people have their own chal-
lenges to work through. Those clients
have changed her life.
Additional stressful experiences, and
more surgeries
Adding to her stress during this pe-
riod, Greta was involved in a car ac-
cident the night before her wedding to
her husband, Jim. A year later, while
walking home from work, Jim was hit
Cover StoryCover Story
By Cori
Hilsgen
Photos by
Sue Dropp
It’s often said
that “beauty is
in the eye of the
beholder.” As an
esthetician, Greta
Weisman helps
people look and feel
beautiful by helping
them maintain and
improve the qual-
ity of their skin.
Greta believes
beauty is not so
much about vanity
-- she had once
thought that --
but more about
feeling good.
When people
look their best,
Looking your best means feeling your best
Greta working with client, Jamie Petty
Helping Others Feel Beautiful
Greta Weisman
12 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
13. cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 13
Cover Story
by an alcohol-impaired driver. Fortu-
nately, he did not suffer any long-term
injuries.
Four years later, Greta again expe-
rienced double vision and had three
more eye surgeries at the University
of Minnesota. However, those surger-
ies were not successful.
At age 27, Greta had open-heart sur-
gery at Abbott Northwestern Hospital
in Minneapolis to repair a hole be-
tween the top chambers of her heart.
Shortly after the surgery, she was told
her aorta was going to rupture and
that she had three hours to return to
Abbott or she would probably die.
“When that happened, I really had
accepted that I was going to die, and
it is amazing when you do that,”
Greta says. “It’s not as traumatic as
you think, it’s real clear. You just
want to say goodbye to your mom,
and you tell your husband to remarry.
I said you have to remarry, because
you’re going to walk out of the house
wearing those clothes and you can’t
wear those clothes.”
Fortunately, doctors discovered an
intramural hematoma, where the
bulge on the aorta ruptured internally
instead of externally. Greta didn’t die.
Living past death
“There is something about
accepting death and then
living past it,” Greta
says. “I was really
okay with it, but then
you move past it and
have to figure out,
‘what do I do now.’”
Then major depres-
sive disorder set in.
“It was just too many
things at one time,” she
explains. “A lot of my clients
get that. That period of time is
really what developed [into] who I
am today. I can do anything if I don’t
have that depression. I would not
wish that on anyone.”
Social stigma still exists, though
society has come a long way on the
subject of depression, that, once
depressed, always depressed. Greta is
proof that, as quickly as depression
can set in, it can also leave.
“I don’t tend to judge people,” she
says. “If I had been judged during
that time period, people would have
had no idea what was really going
on.”
She thinks about what her heart went
through, and how her heart and lungs
stopped during surgery.
“You just become a different person
afterwards,” Greta explains. “I am
very proud that I lived through that
time, and the only point of living
through that garbage is to help other
people. Otherwise, why go through
it if you aren’t going to use it to help
other people?”
Fortunately, Greta had a good psychi-
atrist who recognized that she could
slowly be weaned off her depression
medications. This doesn’t work for
everyone, but her depression resolved
shortly after coming off medications.
“Don’t get me wrong, any time I feel
down or out, I panic and think I can’t
go back there,” she says. “It is the
worst thing on earth. If your spouse
has it, then you have it, too, because
you have to live with it and under-
stand it to some degree.”
Understanding depression has helped
her to recognize it in her clients, and,
often, they’ll talk openly about it with
her. She feels what they tell her is
highly confidential information, and
she does not share it with anyone.
Another eye surgery
Greta underwent her
fifth strabismus eye
surgery at the Mayo
Clinic in Rochester.
That surgery was
successful -- and a
miracle, because she
gained depth percep-
tion, something she
had never known before.
It also fixed a substantial
head tilt and gave her back single
vision.
“Mayo gave me my confidence back
in medicine,” Greta says. “It showed
me that there are people who really
do want to do right by people, and it
is not about ego.”
Developing trochleitis
Unfortunately, after the surgery,
Greta developed a rare and painful
condition called trochleitis, an inflam-
mation affecting the trochlear tendon,
causing almost daily migraines and
eye pain.
Because the condition is so rare,
Greta made a YouTube video plead-
ing for more research on the subject.
That video (visit youtube.com/
watch?v=YlkCeM7Py6g) led to a
Facebook private chat group and con-
nections around the world. The group
has at least 43 people, worldwide,
discussing trochleitis and compar-
ing notes. At least five researchers
are now aware of this small group
of people with irretractable trochlear
pain.
“I set out to share my experience in
hopes of at least helping someone,”
she says. “I was determined not to be
the only one with this.”
Greta lightly tweezing
Jamie getting a facial massage
Greta getting ready to do a procedure
“I really had
accepted that I
was going to die, and
it is amazing when you
do that,” Greta says.
“It’s not as traumatic
as you think,
it’s real clear.”
14. 14 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
Cover Story
Another heart surgery
Ten years after her first heart surgery,
Greta developed an idiopathic ven-
tricular arrhythmia inside her aorta,
and was treated successfully with car-
diac ablation at St. Cloud Hospital.
Three of the five people working in
the lab with her during this procedure
were her clients.
“I don’t feel it was a coincidence that
they all started coming to me at the
spa six months before I knew I des-
perately needed them and their boss,”
Greta says. “I usually go to Mayo, but
they convinced me to let St. Cloud fix
it. I’m very grateful for that.”
Owning another business
Greta grew up in Sauk Rapids,
where she attended school until her
sophomore year, when she was home-
schooled so that she could help care
for her paternal grandmother, who
lived with her family. She has always
loved business and the idea of being
her own boss.
When she was 18, Greta started a
housecleaning business. After she and
Jim married, she combined her busi-
ness into one that she and Jim own
together, “Weisman Cleaning, Inc.”
They employ five people.
After her first heart surgery, Greta
knew she could no longer physically
work at her cleaning profession.
Changing careers
Greta credits a friend, Bonnie
LaBuda, for helping her become an
esthetician. She had bartered cleaning
services for Bonnie’s microdermabra-
sion treatment of Greta’s open-heart
surgery scar, and Bonnie also treated
Greta’s acne. Bonnie convinced her
to start a microdermabrasion business
out of her home.
Greta found she had a lot to learn
and began attending the Salon Profes-
sional Academy, formerly located in
Waite Park. She was required to work
under a manager for two to three
years before she could be an indepen-
dent esthetician. She began working
at Hair and Body Works Salon and
Spa.
Greta’s spa is her getaway from life’s
stress, and she believes her clients feel
that way, too.
“In the spa environment, I can do
what I love and leave all the hard
work behind,” she says. “I forget
about my headaches when I am serv-
ing others. It stops me from feeling
sorry for myself, and I focus on oth-
ers.”
Greta helps clients find good prod-
ucts and encourages them to grace-
fully embrace what they must, and
help what can be helped. She likes to
give her clients tools to take care of
most things at home. She often offers
advice on skin care through her “The
Skinny on Skin” blog at gweisman.
blogspot.com.
Greta says her profession chose her.
She, herself, had acne until she was
27.
“I know that challenge actually
inspired me to want to help young
people, especially with acne,” Greta
says. “I’ve been able to help many
feel better about acne and see it nearly
gone, with my help or, sometimes, the
right doctor’s help.”
For example, Amber and Jamie came
to Greta for their acne, and she was
able to improve the quality of each
woman’s skin. Jamie was afraid of
doctors, but Greta helped convince
her to seek medical advice. Jamie
later shared with Greta that she
had inspired her to go to esthetician
school.
“That was really quite an honor,”
Greta says.
Another client, Jean, was a car-acci-
dent burn victim Greta was able to
help with microdermabrasion. Jean’s
skin is now softer, and she can have
more facial expressions.
Today, in addition to being trained in
microdermabrasion, which reduces
acne scarring and larger pores, Greta
is also a certified PCA skin consul-
tant, working with mild peels; she
does BioElements facials with lactic
acid peels; and microcurrent, which
is an anti-aging treatment. She is also
a level 2 Cranial-Sacral therapist for
massage techniques which focus on
the fluid around the brain and spine;
and, she’s trained in JB Lash exten-
sions.
Working at the spa
Greta says working at the spa is more
professional than working from her
home. She now has staff who greets
clients. The business, owned by
Tanya and Jeremy Reisinger, has a
state-of-the-art recordkeeping sys-
tem. Requests for treatment products
are quickly filled, and dirty laundry
“magically” reappears back in her
room in a short time.
When she’s not working, Greta works
at other interests, which include
making movies on her iMac, tending
indoor and outdoor plants, and “dab-
bling” in blogging.
Increasing happiness … and sharing
Greta’s treatments often increase hap-
piness for people during the holidays
by helping them look their best when
visiting with family and friends.
“Their skin is smoother, their makeup
goes on better, and it helps them
relax a bit and get out of the fast pace
the holidays can bring,” Greta says.
“They are happy to see a newer ver-
sion of themselves, some who never
thought it was possible. It is really
very gratifying.”
Some of her clients like to share their
“Greta time” with others, and that
touches Greta. “That is very pre-
cious to me when someone brings
me their grandma, or their mom, or
their daughter,” Greta says. “It is the
biggest compliment someone can pay
me, trusting their loved one with me,
that I’ll give them a great experience.”
Cori Hilsgen is a central
Minnesota freelance writer.
She is a wife, mother and
grandmother who enjoys
spending time with family
and friends.
Hair and Body Works
Salon and Spa
2026 Veterans Drive
St. Cloud, MN
(320) 203-0960
hairandbodysalon.com
Greta enjoys writing and
sharing her thoughts and
experiences on two blogs:
A strabismus blog at
gretagail73.blogspot.com
and “The Skinny on Skin” blog
at gweisman.blogspot.com.
15. By Char Hopela
Photos by Jen Lessinger
Consider the name of Charlene Ridlon’s
business, Art As You Like It, as truth
in advertising. At her St. Cloud studio,
you’ll find pottery painting and other
activities designed to express creativity
and relieve stress. In fact, your employer
might be wise to add her business to the
list of approved mental health provid-
ers in the area. Slapping paint on white
bisque pottery feels good, whether you
select a coffee mug, a Christmas orna-
ment, or even a fluffy unicorn.
At this studio, art is meant to be fun.
Because the approach can be meticulous
or messy, it’s a popular destination for
moms and kids, alike. Heck, even the
back alley is fun. Charlene has been
known to engage in “smash therapy”
with her staff. Damaged or otherwise-
unusable pottery pieces are hurled into
the dumpster for the sheer satisfaction
of breaking stuff. Maybe this is why,
when asked about business planning,
Charlene replies, “I’ve been more on the
‘wing it’ plan.”
She describes her decision to go into
business as “almost kind of a
whim” followed by “a leap of
faith.” The idea first popped
up during a visit to a similar
studio in Minneapolis. “What
a cool concept,” she thought
before putting the notion aside
for five years. At the time, she
was working with nonprofits
as a grant writer and, later,
as executive director of the
St. Cloud Community Arts
Council. Ideas for something
“different and better for the
average person” began perco-
lating when Charlene worked
in the Downtown arts district.
“There’s a body of people interested in
becoming professional artists. That’s
a great place for them to be. There’s a
whole different population that doesn’t
have professional aspirations but likes to
be creative. They need a different kind
of outlet.”
Charlene opened her business 11 years
ago. Needing expertise, she joined an
international organization for studio
owners for access to information on
cost and income projections, trusted
suppliers, and other industry insights.
As with most start-ups, the pottery stu-
dio took some time to generate income.
Fun Art,
Not Fine
Art ~~
Charlene
Ridlon, Art As
You Like It
Charlene Ridlon
Charlene Ridlon
Charlene, owner of
Art As You Like It.
Art As You Like It
cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 15
16. At the five-year mark, Charlene needed
the business to be “fruitful” to con-
tinue, but the recession was putting a
crimp on discretionary spending. “That
definitely required a different level of
patience,” she notes.
With the backing of her husband, Scott,
she held on. “He’s been completely
onboard since the very beginning.
He thought it was an awesome idea.
Through the lean times, he’s been very
supportive.”
Staying in business involved re-imagin-
ing what she was doing based on what
her customers could afford. “I had to
adjust,” Charlene says. Seeing what was
working in other communities, she
added glass fusing classes to the studio
mix. Part of the appeal was a lower-cost
pricing structure that allowed more cus-
tomers “to come in and enjoy a creative
activity.”
Related pursuits
Bringing art experiences to settings
outside of her studio is another passion.
While daughter Gabby was a student at
a local charter school, Charlene stepped
in as an arts instructor when needed.
She considered teaching as a career, but
decided she preferred to be free from
curriculum and discipline concerns.
Being in the classroom and running a
business at the same time were “really
hard,” but she did both for a couple of
years “because it’s important to me that
kids have some art instruction.”
Summertime by George is another ven-
ue where you’re likely to see Charlene
working with kids. She volunteers at the
festival “a couple of times a month, all
summer long.” As a small businessper-
son, she lacked the budget to sponsor
events but wanted to be more involved
in community. The summer concert and
marketplace “ties into what I do. I’ve
discovered kids just want to be creative.
They don’t want directions. They just
want to be handed a hunk of clay and
have at it. I’ve had kids hang out for the
whole two hours.”
Of course, Charlene also likes to hang
out with adults and make art. Looking
for new revenue streams and fresh expe-
riences for her customers, she spotted
canvas painting classes as a trend. A
year ago, she began offering the classes
at Brothers Bar & Grill, Downtown St.
Cloud. Townsquare Media does mar-
keting and registration for the classes
through the Value Connection; while
Charlene handles the creative side, in-
cluding designing the painting projects.
“It’s a very nice partnership,” she says.
Teaching beginners to use the materi-
als and tap into their art reserves while
having “a really good time” is Charlene’s
forte. Many come from a 40- to 50-mile
radius and want to return home with
a finished creation after one session.
While the once-and-done approach
differs from formal art instruction, she
finds students often “surprise them-
selves at the talent they display.”
“The canvas painting is definitely a
social thing. Work groups, moms and
daughters, girlfriends. There’s a different
feel to the class. The cocktails probably
help a little,” Charlene says with a laugh.
A family that clays together
Charlene grew up in Shakopee and
came to Central Minnesota to attend
St. Cloud State University. She and
Scott crossed paths at a social gather-
ing hosted by a mutual friend, and have
been “inseparable since.” Married for
22 years and mother of a teenager, she
has been family-focused since college,
where she started out in elementary
education. Advised that she would likely
have to go out-of-state to find a job in
the field, Charlene reconsidered her
major. “I was really connected to my
family. I just knew that would not work
for me.” Changing course to stay put,
she earned a bachelor’s of fine arts with
an emphasis in graphic design.
Managing a business hasn’t always been
family-friendly in terms of scheduling.
“A lot of my work time is reservation-
based. When customers want to come, I
have to be there.”
Her least favorite aspect of being an in-
dependent businesswoman? “Employees
are the hardest part of my job. Creating
the right team is a constant. As soon
as you have it figured out, somebody
pursues something else and moves on.
I think that’s the hardest part of manag-
ing the whole thing.”
“If someone doesn’t show up for work,
I’m responsible. That might mean I’m
an hour into a drive to the Cities and I
have to turn around and go back.”
Fortunately, Scott, who manages
the Downtown parking ramps,
has a fairly flexible schedule. He
occasionally fills in, but prefers to
help out with word-of-mouth pro-
motion. Gabby, age 14, the studio’s
youngest team member, works a
few shifts a week. Together, the
family makes the business work as
a source of income and an exten-
sion of home life. The studio is a
Art As You Like It
(320) 257-2787
artasyoulikeit.net
109 Division St
Waite Park, MN
Paint Colors Pottery
Contact:
16 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
17. cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 17
Art As You Like It
Char Hopela is a
freelance writer with
fresh technology skills
and experience in print,
broadcast, and new
media.
place where birthday parties are held,
homework gets done, and plain white
pottery is transformed into keepsakes.
“The pottery painting has been our
bread-and-butter from the begin-
ning. We also have clay, either wheel
or sculpture,” Charlene says. Some of
the techniques are taught through St.
Cloud Community Education classes,
which fill quickly.
Over the past two years, the business
has grown. Charlene sees signs of an
economy on the rebound. “People
seem to be very happy and want to
pursue passions and creativity.”
As a personal pursuit, she has enjoyed
returning to canvas painting, and
hopes to explore her own abilities, but
“time is always a factor. It may be a
couple of years.”
For now, she mixes business and
pleasure with social media. Facebook
is a daily source of social interaction
for a woman who works her share of
weeknights and weekends. Pinterest
is a way to track food, travel, and art-
related interests. She recently pre-
sented a Pinterest class for a group of
peers at the Contemporary Ceramics
Studios Association national conven-
tion. “I have hundreds of pins on art
projects,” Charlene says.
What’s new?
The studio is stocked with seasonal
items, including ceramic Christmas
trees and ornaments. Screen printing
for ceramics and new specialty glazes
are also in the works. The holiday
season is a busy time for replenishing
home décor. Some families stop in
annually to create together. Charlene
invites newcomers to add a “low-
stress art activity” to their holiday
tradition. Stop in and make art in a
setting known for easy-going instruc-
tion and “no critiquing.”
18. By Lynn Fisher
Photos by Sue Dropp
and Amber Gardiner
Rolling hills, farms and stables in
areas tucked away along Highway 15
in St. Cloud remind me of one thing,
horses, and I’ve come to meet the
right three people to talk about them.
On a brisk fall evening, I sit and
chat with Sherry Olson, a twenty-
year-member of the Stearns County
Sheriff’s Mounted Reserve (SCSMR),
Deb Feldewerd, a four-year-member
and secretary of the organization,
and Cheryl Veldkamp, a twenty-four-
year member, at Sherry’s dining room
table.
Of the 22 volunteers currently a part
of the SCSMR, a growing number,
16, are women. Their Captain, John
Greer, who weighed in via email,
believes there is a higher percentage
of women who are actively involved
in all horse-related activities than the
percentage of men, in the same activi-
ties. He also believes that the SCSMR
organization has a number of women
who are active in their careers and
in their communities. He sees these
women serving as mentors for other
women who love working with horses
and are interested in devoting some
of their free time to public service.
They, in turn, invite their friends and
family members to join.
The SCSMR has been active since,
roughly, 1992, fully incorporated
in 1993, and still has a few original
members. Their predominant objec-
tive is Search and Rescue.
Sherry explains: “There were dif-
ferent counties that had mounted
patrols, and we were just at that time
thinking that this would be something
that Stearns County could really use,
and it took off… “
Mounted: Betty Voss (Izzy),Janessa Hetland (Oreo), Sherry Olson (Oliver), Cheryl Veldkamp (April), Mellody
Weber (Bailey) Standing: Sandra Schutz, Deb Feldewerd, Chrissy Schreifels, Kelly Sims. Members Not pic-
tured: Katie Carlson, Doris Dockendorf, Linda Fisk, Tanya Mueller, Pam Murphy, Dana Kluver, Jackie Schwab,
and Kirsten Skillings.Mellody Weber (Bailey)
Sherry Olson (Oliver)Certification testing taking place at Hillcrest Stable, owned by Sue Schulte
18 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
Going through their testing
The Women of the SCSMR
19. A studied beginning
As Cheryl, one of the original mem-
bers, recalls, “The first meeting to
organize an equine search-and-rescue
team for Stearns County…was in Oc-
tober of 1991. We took a year to do
the research, paperwork, and set up
guidelines.” Of that first membership
roster, 14 were men and nine were
women.
Cheryl also recalls the first “call out”
in 1993 to search for a young man
from St. Augusta, who has not been
found to this day.
She says, “We have been called to
several searches since then, both
evidence searches and for missing
people. The one that was the most
gratifying was the Melrose search for
an elderly Alzheimer patient who had
been (outside) overnight. (We) were
determined to find her.”
The mounted reserves had been able
to “efficiently and quickly cover all
the open areas, fields, and trails so
that no more time was wasted there,”
says Cheryl, “but the search teams
(fire department, deputies, officers,
mounted reserves, and dog handlers)
still hadn’t found her when dusk ap-
proached. Unwilling to give up, we all
headed out in different directions in a
last-ditch attempt, and she was found
in an area that she shouldn’t have
been able to get to. “
In the end, the mounted reserves
weren’t the ones to find the woman,
but they were instrumental in elimi-
nating many miles of
trails and fields.
“… That is what
training is all about,”
says Cheryl. “We
did the job we were
trained for, assisted in
the search, and had a
happy outcome.”
And why a horse?
“… If the grass is
tall,” says Sherry,
“you know you have
a pretty good view to
see something. “
“You can see more
on the horse,” adds
Deb, “and the horses are
highly sensitive to noise
and smell that we are not going to
notice.”
Deb shared an example, which hap-
pened at Albany’s Pioneer Days.
“We were riding around a building
and the horses acted up. The first
(horse) went through, and then the
second one, and it did the same thing.
Well, there was stray electricity in the
ground…(possibly a nicked wire) but
the owner thanked us for finding it,
and it was fixed the next day.”
Deb, Sherry, and Cheryl are grateful
to be able to “give back” to their com-
munity through their skills, but also to
share a love for horses.
Sherry’s patrol horse, Cola, died after
13 years, and her new horse, Oliver,
was a seasoned veteran of the Min-
neapolis Mounted Patrol, as well as
Canterbury racetrack. “They used
him for closing the bars down on
Hennepin Avenue,“ she laughs.
Deb’s horse, a bit opposite from Sher-
ry’s, has needed a little more work
to become acclimated to the chal-
lenges she might face. “Oh, she has a
history,” Deb laughs. “We’ve come a
long way from where we started. She
has mellowed and her name, Sassy,
fits very well. “
Training and desensitization
Through proper training, the horses
become manageable in a wide variety
of situations…anything can happen,
and they have to be ready.
“We’ve had some really top trainers,”
says Sherry (notably Richard Shrake,
Theresa Johnson, and Jean Lietman,
among others). “That’s what some of
our funding pays for. It helps with our
horsemanship (and) with desensitiz-
ing the horses.”
“You never know, when you are
called out, what the (situation will
be),” says Deb. “(During mock
searches) we’ve done sirens, helicop-
ters, fire engines, ambulances, and
dogs. They have to be ready (for) just
about anything, so we try to train
The Women of the SCSMR
cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 19
Betty Voss and her partner, Izzy
Cheryl Veldkamp and her partner, April
20. 20 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
them as best as we can.“
Training and certification of members
is extensive and ongoing. They’re
trained in self-defense, horse safety,
riding, horse health, first aid and
CPR, formation riding, and even
radio GPS. Explains Deb, “(We call)
in on the radio and give the GPS
readings (when possible evidence is
located), so they (ground support) can
come in and mark it on a map.”
In addition to being emergency-ready,
the SCSMR is also utilized for crowd
control at events such as Pioneer
Days, Breakfast on the Farm, and for
patrolling, in general.
“We (helped direct) parking at Gar-
rison Keillor’s show,” says Sherry.
“We’ve patrolled at football games, a
Lynn Fisher is a freelance
writer from Champlin,
Minnesota. Visit her website:
lynn-fisher.com
For more information and photos...
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Mounted Reserve
website: co.stearns.mn.us/LawPublicSafety/
SheriffServices/PublicSafety/MountedReserve
Interested in training to serve with the SCSMR,
either as a part of the mounted patrol (you’ll need
a horse or access to one, and a trailer) or, on foot,
as part of the also much-needed ground support?
Contact Kelly Sims: kelly.sims@co.stearns.mn.us.
Donations go toward continued training and
supplies. All are greatly appreciated.
Contact Kelly Sims: kelly.sims@co.stearns.mn.us.
CMW Local Women’s Network
music festival…just a variety of stuff.”
Cheryl adds, “We’ve sorted cattle,
learned to rope, helped with handi-
capped riders, and were trail guards
for the American Quarter Horse
Association trail ride at El Rancho for
two years.”
When the members of the SCSMR
do their regularly assigned patrol
duty, it often includes late evenings.
They are volunteers only, but they feel
that the public is mostly cooperative
when interacting with them. Both
women credit the uniform they wear
and the size of the horse for at least
some of that cooperation. “We look
big (on horseback),” says Sherry, “I
think that helps us a lot.”
“Honestly,“ says Deb, “you don’t
have to do too much…they actually
do have more respect for us than I
thought when I joined.“
The SCSMR members feel lucky to
be able to combine their love of com-
munity service with their love to ride,
and some have even become mem-
bers as a family. Currently, there are
five sets of husbands/wives, as well
as a father/son team, serving in the
mounted reserves.
“I like giving back,” says Deb, “giving
something that can help somebody.
Even if it ends up good, or sad, you
helped somebody (or their family),
and it’s a good feeling.”
20 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
The Women of the SCSMR
23. The Opportunity To Work
WACOSA serves adults
with disabilities by
helping them build skills
and find work
Compassion Kindness Concern
I recently attended a community
gathering where I knew few people.
As I entered the room, I shook hands
and introduced myself. More often
than not, as the conversation contin-
ued, the questions I was asked were,
“What do you do? Who are you with?
Where do you work?”
Sound familiar?
These moments give attention to our
culture’s value of work like a spotlight
shining on a stage actor. It’s a criti-
cal aspect of our lives, defining our
self-concept and often shaping our
futures.
I am blessed with the opportunity to
use my talents in a meaningful way,
every day. And, I get to call it work.
As a WACOSA employee, I have a
hand in helping others reach their
fullest potential, offer business solu-
tions, and build community. Let me
show you …
Reaching fullest potential
WACOSA has a long list of success
stories like those you see here. After
all, for over 50 years, the organization
has been providing individuals with
disabilities the opportunity to work
and live in their community. In fact,
last year, WACOSA served around
575 people.
So, what does that word “opportu-
nity” mean, really?
“WACOSA helps people overcome
barriers to employment by helping
them to build skills for work and daily
living, as well as find jobs, either at
Meet Robyn
Before coming to WACOSA, Robyn had a few jobs
in the area and was having difficulty consistently
presenting herself in a friendly manner. Over the past
12 years, she has greatly improved her customer
service skills and is now celebrating her 10th-year
anniversary at Olive Garden. In her Host role, Robyn
enjoys seating people and assisting with takeout
orders. She appreciates the help WACOSA has given
her over the years, and adds, “I just love pasta!”
Meet James
Raised on a farm outside of Richmond, Minnesota,
James has a long history of valuing work and learn-
ing new skills. Since coming to WACOSA over two
years ago, he’s enjoyed employment opportunities
on the in-house production floor and completing
various community cleaning jobs. He loves working
at WACOSA three days a week and would welcome
the opportunity to work more. With the wages he
earns, James enjoys making use of his local health
club membership, visiting his extended family in Dev-
ils Lake, North Dakota, and going to the state fair
each year with his brother.
Meet Kathy
WACOSA’s oldest client, Kathy, continues to engage
in activities that keep her body active and her mind
sharp. By participating in WACOSA’s senior program,
she finds great satisfaction working with crafts, writ-
ing, and going on outings with her peers, as well as
volunteering in her community.
Meet Larry
Once struggling to withstand severe pain during a
full-time work week, Larry is now a valued, part-time
employee at JCPenny in St. Cloud’s own Crossroads
Center. As a Sales Support Specialist, he enjoys
beginning his workday early, and remaining active
on the job unloading boxes and keeping the stock-
room clean. Larry is often complimented for his kind
personality and excellent customer service skills, and
his supervisor says, “If I had about 20 of him, that’d
be great!” WACOSA not only helped Larry take the
steps needed to find employment, the organization
also had a hand in helping him restore the quality of
life a job so often brings.
The Faces of disABILITY
PhotocourtesyofWACOSAPhotocourtesyofWACOSAPhotocourtesyofWACOSAPhotocourtesyofWACOSA
Focused PhilanthropyBy Crystal Nutt
Photos by Jen Lessinger
cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 23
24. 24 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
Focused Philanthropy
one of WACOSA’s sites or in the
community,” says Steve Howard,
WACOSA Executive Director.
WACOSA job coaches build self-
confidence by helping clients identify
skills and strengths. With specific job
training and support, clients are pre-
pared to succeed in their careers, lead-
ing to increased independence and an
improvement in quality of life.
“Regardless of ability level, individu-
als with disabilities often carry the
same dreams for their work lives as all
Americans; to be contributing mem-
bers of society. In 28 years in the field
of Human Services, I have time and
again found the concept of work to
be universally important to those we
serve, the size of the paycheck mean-
ing less than the honor of being part
of the American workforce,” adds
Steve.
Offering business solutions
But what about the work?
From short-term jobs to long-term
employment, WACOSA clients help
meet the diverse needs of central
Minnesota businesses.
“Our clients provide affordable out-
source solutions for area businesses,”
says Ann Kennedy, WACOSA Sales
and Marketing Manager. “Through
our in-house work opportunities, the
people we serve deliver high-quality
services, such as assembly, fulfillment,
recycling, confidential document
shredding, and more.”
Community employment - an option
for clients
“Individual placement or small group
work crews make community em-
ployment an option for clients,” says
Roxanne Ryan, WACOSA Business
Development Manager. “From entry-
level jobs to business professional
opportunities, WACOSA can assist
those with barriers to employment to
find lasting and meaningful work in
the community.”
Building community
Additionally, WACOSA and the
people it serves are engaged in the
community.
By working alongside other commu-
nity members, adults with disabilities
Crystal Nutt is a Develop-
ment & Communications
Manager at WACOSA, as
well as a freelance writer
and storyteller. She lives in
Monticello with her family.
Contact her at crystallnutt@
hotmail.com.
What does WACOSA
stand for?
The founders of WACOSA
began providing services for
people with disabilities in the
communities of Waite Park,
Cold Spring, and Sauk Centre.
And so began the acronym
WACOSA. Today, WACOSA
provides service in Waite Park,
Sauk Centre, and Whitney
Senior Center in St. Cloud.
WA – Waite Park
CO – Cold Spring
SA – Sauk Centre
ThriftWorks!
ThriftWorks! is WACOSA’s thrift
store located at 310 Sundial
Drive, Waite Park. The store
features clothing for all ages,
home décor, furniture, and
more. Hours are Monday
through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7
p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. Donations of goods are
also accepted at the store,
with a convenient drive-thru
dropoff.
break down stereotypes that are often
associated with those who have a dis-
ability. The organization also provides
chances to advocate for individuals
with disabilities by offering ways to
speak with their local and state repre-
sentatives.
Three ways to help
“One thing that I would like folks
to know is that our organization is
always moving forward,” says Steve.
And with a commitment to moving
forward, WACOSA is making an ef-
fort to further involve the community
in its mission.
• Donate
WACOSA faces ongoing funding
cuts by several of its community
partners, and as a result, the orga-
nization is actively seeking support
to continue impacting the lives of
adults with disabilities. The non-
profit is a 501(c)3 organization, and
meets the Charities Review Council
standards. Visit wacosa.org/donate,
or call (320) 251-0087 to contribute
toward increasing the quality of
life of individuals in our commu-
nity. In-kind donations of goods to
ThriftWorks! are also accepted at
the thrift store.
• Volunteer
WACOSA has a long list of vol-
unteer needs, including help at its
thrift store, ThriftWorks!, as well
as helping with much of the skill-
building curriculum that plays a big
role in overcoming barriers to work.
To learn more about volunteering at
WACOSA, visit wacosa.org/volun-
teer, or call (320) 251-0087.
• Business Partnerships
WACOSA partners with over 100
area businesses to employ the
people it serves. To learn more
about partnering with the nonprofit,
visit wacosa.org/business-solutions,
or call (320) 251-0087.
25. cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 25
Focused Philanthropy
DocuShred
Destroy your confidential
documents conveniently
and securely with WACOSA
DocuShred. Dropoff and
pickup services are available.
Located at 321 Sundial Drive,
Waite Park, hours are 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m., Monday through
Friday.
WACOSA’s Waite Park site,
including ThriftWorks! and
DocuShred, is located just east
of Crafts Direct.
26. 26 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
I love a good multitasker,
whether it’s a utensil or an ingredient,
and one of my favorite edible multi-
taskers is the potato. Spuds play very
well with others, either as the star of
the dish or as a supporting player.
They’re at home in any course, from
soup to desserts.
Potatoes are the fourth largest food
crop in the world, behind rice, wheat,
and maize, and are the leading
vegetable crop in the US, with a total
annual production of about 41 billion
pounds. According to 2008 statistics,
Minnesota was sixth on the list of
Top 10 potato-producing states.
Long before becoming a global staple
-- roughly 10,000 years before, to be
more exact -- the Incas of Peru began
cultivating potatoes (circa 8,000-
5,000 BC). It wasn’t until Peru was
conquered by Spanish Conquistadors
in 1536 that potatoes appeared in
Europe. In 1589, Sir Walter Raleigh
introduced the spud to Ireland, and,
from there, the potato spread to the
rest of Europe, where agriculturists
discovered it was much easier to culti-
vate than wheat or oats. Another plus
-- the vegetable contained most of the
vitamins needed for sustenance.
The Irish working class subsisted
Gnocchi
most-
ly on
potatoes,
so, when
potato blight
swept through
Europe in the
1840s, decimating
the crop in several
countries, including
Ireland, their food staple
disappeared. The Potato
Famine resulted in the loss of
two-million Irish citizens: half
died of starvation or disease, and
the other half emigrated, mostly to
the United States and Canada.
Potatoes arrived in the US long
before the Irish immigrants fled the
famine in Europe. Nathaniel Butler,
Governor of Bermuda, sent two large
cedar chests containing potatoes and
other vegetables to Virginia Governor
Francis Wyatt in 1621. It wasn’t until
nearly 100 years later, in 1719, that
the first permanent North American
potato patches were established in
New Hampshire, and spread across
the country from there. Surprisingly,
at least to me, potatoes were not
grown in Idaho until 1836, and the
potato industry in that state (now
the largest producer) didn’t flourish
until the development of the Russet
Burbank in 1872.
Did you know that potatoes were
almost worth their weight in gold dur-
ing the Alaskan Klondike gold rush
(1897-1898)? The tuber was prized for
its nutritional value, and, at the time,
nutritious food was scarcer than gold.
Potato 101
At my house, no holiday meal is com-
plete without a side of spuds. Even
though the preparation of choice is
usually mashed, there are endless
ways to serve potatoes. Before you
start, though, there are a few things to
keep in mind.
Food Explorer
Occasionally a recipe will call for
waxy or starchy potatoes, without
naming the type. Here’s a crash
course on potato types, their texture,
and preferred use.
• Russet: floury, dry texture; use for
baking, frying, mashing, and roasting;
• Red: waxy, moist texture; use for
roasting, mashing, salads, and soup/
stew;
• White: medium starch, slightly
dense texture; use for mashing, sal-
ads, steaming/boiling, and frying;
• Yellow: slightly waxy, velvety, moist
texture; use for grilling, roasting,
mashing, and salads;
• Purple/blue: firm flesh, moist tex-
ture; use for roasting, grilling, baking,
and salads;
• Fingerling: waxy, firm, dry texture;
use for pan-frying, roasting, and
salads.
When you buy, look for potatoes that
are smooth and firm, without bruises,
discoloration, or cuts. Store them out
of direct sunlight, in a cool, dry place,
but not under the sink or next to large
appliances. Never store potatoes with
onions, or in the refrigerator. Cut
away sprouts and any green on the
skin. Be sure to look for organic pota-
toes, which will be free of chemicals
and genetic modification.
This
Spud’s
You!
By Heather Rotunda
Photos by Sue Dropp
Food Explorer
27. cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 27
Sue Dropp says: “Potatoes! Yum!
My comfort food! Heather’s
three potato features were
delicious! I loved the potato
gnocchi – so tender, and better
than my mother-in-law’s! The
components of the German potato salad –
genius! And the cinnamon potato donuts – I
ate two and could have had more!”
Heather Rotunda has been
actively exploring the world of
food for the past nine years and
is at work on her first e-book.
Find her at sorrowfulflower@
gmail.com and pinterest.com/
sorrowfulflower
Gnocchi
To get lump-free gnocchi, it’s best to use
a potato ricer, but if you don’t have one,
mash the potatoes as smooth as possible.
The possibilities for serving gnocchi are
limitless; try replacing them in some of
your favorite pasta dishes, like mac and
cheese, or carbonara. For a quick dinner, I
like to toss the gnocchi into a quick tomato
sauce (pictured).
2 cups warm riced or
mashed potatoes
1 egg
1 egg white
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup flour, plus more
for dusting
In a large bowl, combine the potatoes,
egg, egg white, and salt. Slowly add
the flour, mixing just until combined.
If the dough is very sticky, add a little
more flour.
Divide dough into eight portions; roll
each portion into a long, thin rope
and cut into half-inch pieces so they
look like miniature marshmallows.
Move the cut gnocchi to a sheet tray
lined with waxed paper and dusted
with flour.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Add a dozen or so gnocchi to the
boiling water, stirring gently. Once the
gnocchi come to the surface, cook an-
other two minutes, then remove from
water with a slotted spoon. Repeat
with remaining gnocchi. They are
best the day they’re made.
German Potato
Salad
2 large red potatoes,
scrubbed, diced and cooked
2 Tablespoons bacon drippings
1 small carrot, peeled & grated
1 stalk celery, diced
1/4 red onion, diced
2 teaspoons flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup vinegar
Fresh parsley
Heat the bacon drippings in a large
skillet. Add the carrot, celery, and
onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until
onions are translucent. Stir in flour;
cook, stirring for a minute or two,
then add sugar and vinegar (be sure
to stand back so you avoid the vinegar
fumes). When the vinegar mixture
thickens, stir in the potatoes. Cook
another couple of minutes, stirring
occasionally, until the potatoes are
coated. Serve warm. Garnish with
chopped fresh parsley.
Cinnamony
Baked Donuts
(about 4 dozen)
The easiest way to fill the donut pan is to
put the dough into a zip-top bag, snip a
small corner, and pipe the dough into the
cavities. If you don’t have a donut pan,
you can use regular or mini-muffin tins;
this will affect the baking time, so keep a
close eye on them after about 10 minutes.
2 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup melted butter
3 eggs
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup mashed potatoes
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a
donut pan; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt,
baking powder, and cinnamon; set
aside. In a medium bowl, combine
remaining ingredients. Add egg mix-
ture to flour mixture, stirring just until
combined. Fill donut pan cavities half
full; be careful not to overfill. Bake
in preheated oven 12 to 15 minutes,
or until toothpick comes out clean.
Frost with powdered sugar icing, or
dip donuts in melted butter, then in
cinnamon sugar.
Food Explorer
German Potato Salad Cinnamony Baked Donuts
28. 28 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
Doug Vagle and his wife
Peggy live in Sartell. They
have three children, Abby,
Nathaniel, and Sophie. Doug
is pastor of Waters Church in
Sartell, thewaterschurch.net.
By Doug Vagle
Go Big or
Go Home!One of the things I take manly pride
in is that I consider myself to be
very frugal. Spending money is not
something I really can say I enjoy
-- unless, of course, it’s on something
that burns fuel and makes me smell
like exhaust fumes.
But I don’t think that being frugal
makes me cheap (my wife broke me
of that about 10 years back), but I do
love to get a good deal.
When it comes to shopping of any
kind, especially around the holidays,
I’m driven to save money. I love
feeling that I’ve gotten the best bang
for my buck.
One popular holiday shopping treat is
buying those overpriced coffee drinks
with cute little names, like “Ho Ho
Mocha.” Somehow, they make the
shopping experience more enjoyable.
It doesn’t exactly give me joy to spend
what amounts to eight times the price
of a gallon of gas for one of these
specialty drinks. What’s crazy about
this festive situation is that I can NOT
bring myself to buy anything but the
largest drink the coffee shop serves.
Hey...as long as I’m spending big
bucks for a medium, doesn’t it make
sense to pay a measly forty-cents
more for the big dog? Go big or go
home.
It all comes down to a little simple
math – and my quest to find a good
deal. Like I said, if I’m already
spending an absurd amount of money
per ounce, then, for just a small
percentage more, I’m dramatically
bringing down my price-per-ounce --
and getting a rockin’ good deal.
Oh, this ideology goes far beyond
coffee, you ladies will be happy
to know. It applies to nearly any
ice cream shop, and even most
restaurants. Give me a choice
between one scoop or two, or one
patty or two...and I’ll take the two,
every single time. I’ve come to the
conclusion that some of my weight
problems just might come from being
a shrewd “orderer of fine cuisine.”
Even if this simple ideology doesn’t
make sense to you ladies -- it might
just give you a little insight into why
your cheap husband always goes
GRANDE!
Well, gotta go. My Extra Grande
Venti Mocha Chocha Frappe “Ho
Ho” drinky-thing awaits. Until next
time...
What’s He
Thinking?
What’s He Thinking?
29. cmwomen.com {Central Minnesota Women} Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 29
Family
Traditions
Foster Family
Legacies
By Melinda Sanders
My favorite Christmas-prep activity
has always been cookie-making. I
decorated cut-out cookies with my
mom, and rolled Russian teacakes
with my dad year after year while
growing up, and even after I began my
own family.
I introduced Christmas-cookie baking
to my boys when they were old
enough to (safely) stand on a chair at
the kitchen counter. As my boys got
a little older and found it more fun
to needle each other than to simply
enjoy our project, I made a “date”
with one son to make his favorite
cookie, and a week or so later, made
a “date” with my other son. I am
hoping to find a time when my older
son returns from college this holiday
season to squeeze in a cookie date
with me. Or maybe after the past few
months of separation, my boys will
be ready to start making cookies as a
team, again.
Of course, I’ve realized that baking
Christmas cookies is more about the
time spent together than the resulting
food product. But we’ve enjoyed
eating the cookies, and sharing them
with family and friends.
At the Central Minnesota Community
Foundation, we know that giving
starts at home – and giving can
bring a family closer together. We’ve
heard about Elaine Bauerly’s gift
of Christmas money to each of her
grandchildren – to spend on someone
in need. Recently, a dad with tears of
pride lovingly described his teenage
son’s decision to give the money he
saved for a game station to a local
fundraising drive for cancer research.
Melinda Sanders joined the
Central Minnesota Community
Foundation as its Director of
Donor Relations in June 2013,
after practicing law in St. Cloud
for almost 19 years. Melinda
lives in Rockville with her
husband and sons.
The time we spend as families define
us – and can have an impact that
lasts for generations. The Central
Minnesota Community Foundation
would like to help your family make
philanthropy a tradition. To learn
more, please visit communitygiving.
org.
To learn more about the
Community Foundation’s Family
Philanthropy initiative, please visit
communitygiving.org.
Women’s Fund
30. 30 Dec 2014-Jan-Feb 2015 {Central Minnesota Women} cmwomen.com
Steppin’ Out
Humphrey Theater, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: csbsju.
edu/fine-arts/performances.
14: Okee Dokee Brothers, Paramount, 1 and
4 p.m. Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or paramoun-
tarts.org.
15: George Maurer Jazz Group, Paramount,
7:30 p.m. Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or para-
mountarts.org.
18-19: St. Cloud Hospital Bone & Joint Center
Presents The Gatlin Brothers Christmas Show,
Paramount, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets: (320) 259-
5463, or paramountarts.org.
20: Nicholas David & the Feelin’ Band, Para-
mount, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or
paramountarts.org.
26-28: Rock N Roll Christmas Spectacular,
Paramount. Performances: Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.;
Sun., 2 p.m. Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or para-
mountarts.org.
29-30: Tonic Sol Fa, Paramount, 7 p.m. Tickets:
(320) 259-5463, paramountarts.org.
31: Deuces Wild New Year’s Eve, Paramount,
7 and 10 p.m. Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or
paramountarts.org.
January 2015
9-18: GREAT Theatre: Peter Pan, College of St.
Benedict, Escher Aud. Performances: Fri./Sat., 7
p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets: csbsju.edu/fine-arts/
performances.
10: Fruit Fly the Musical, Paramount, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or paramountarts.org.
17: Company North Crest Presents, Once Upon
a Dance, Paramount, 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets:
(320) 259-5463, or paramountarts.org.
18: The Zinghoppers, Paramount, 1 and 4 p.m.
Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or paramountarts.org.
23: Rhythmic Circus, College of St. Benedict,
Escher Aud., 7:30 p.m. Tickets:
csbsju.edu/fine-arts/performances.
24: Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud
Presents, Lysander Piano Trio, Trinity Lutheran
Church, 2163 Mayhew Lake Rd. NE, Sauk
Rapids, 7:30 p.m. Info: (320) 292-4645, or
chambermusicstcloud.org.
30-Feb. 15: The Addams Family, Paramount.
Performances: Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.
Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or paramountarts.org.
Community
December 2014
4: St. Cloud Annual Festival of Lights,
St. Cloud Hospital, 6 to 8 p.m.
13: Sports Cards & Collectibles Show, Stearns
History Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
13: Winter Nights and Lights Parade and Santa
Fun Run, 5 to 8 p.m. Begins at St. Cloud
Library and travels to Rivers Edge Convention
Center.
13-14: Dog Show, Rivers Edge Convention
Center, all day. Contact: (320) 764-7555.
20: Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge,
Christmas Bird Count, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info:
(763) 389-3323, or sherburne@fws.gov.
27-30: Winter Family Escape 2014–Family
Camp, Audubon Center of the North Woods.
Register: (888) 404-7743, or online, audubon-
center.org/event/winterfamily.
January 2015
23: Boozing, Doping & Identifiers: Parents
Can’t Stop What They Don’t Know, Rivers
Edge Convention Center, 8:30 p.m. Info: (844)
335-3276 (toll-free); (320) 255-3236; or visit
resourcetraining.com
Kringlefest
December 7 •1 pm-3 pm
Stearns History Museum
This year the St. Cloud Sons
of Norway Trollheim Lodge
will bring a touch of Scan-
dinavia to the event with
crafts, eats, and a fabulous
exhibit on Norwegian immi-
gration and culture. Santa
will travel to the Museum
and pull up a chair visit with
children so bring a list of
wishes.
Holiday Pops Concert
December 13 • 3:00 pm
SCSU Ritschie Auditorium
It would not be the holidays
without the St. Cloud Sym-
phony Orchestra Holiday
Pops Concert! Take a break
from shopping, decorating
and holiday activities to lis-
ten to some of the greatest
music of the season.
Rythmic Circus
January 23 •7:30 pm
College of St. Benedict
Escher Auditorium
Fresh from their first Broad-
way run, this charismatic
collection of dancers, musi-
cians and vocalists delivers
a potent mix of rapid-fire
tap, sidesplitting humor and
infectious grooves. Guaran-
teed to be unforgettable
and great fun for the whole
family.
For February Arts and Community Events, visit cmwomen.com
Kringlefest
Rhythmic
Circus
Steppin’
Out
Arts
December 2014
Through Dec. 21: The Art of Dr. Seuss: A
Retrospective, Jean Stephens Galleries, St. Louis
Park. Info: jsgalleries.com, or call (612) 338-
4333.
3: Granite City Radio Theater, Pioneer Place on
Fifth, 7:30 p.m. Info/Tickets: (320) 203-0331,
ppfive.com.
4-7; 11-14; 18-21: Laughing All the Way V:
Miracle on 5th Avenue, Pioneer Place on Fifth.
Performances/Tickets: ppfive.com.
5: Nebraska Theatre Caravan: A Christmas
Carol, College of St. Benedict, Escher
Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. Tickets:
csbsju.edu/fine-arts/performances.
5-7: A Charlie Brown Christmas and Frosty
the Snowman, Paramount. Performances: Fri.,
7 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Tickets:
(320) 259-5463, or paramountarts.org.
9-10: A Celtic Tenors Christmas, Paramount.
Performances: Tues., 1:30 and 7 p.m.; Wed.,
1:30 p.m. Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or
paramountarts.org.
12: Vicki Lawrence, Paramount, 1:30 and
7 p.m. Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or
paramountarts.org.
13: St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra Presents,
Children’s Holiday Concert, SCSU Ritsche
Auditorium, 10 a.m. Tickets: (320) 252-SCSO,
or stcloudsymphony.com.
13: St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra Presents,
Holiday Pops Concert, SCSU Ritsche Audi-
torium, 3 p.m. Tickets: (320) 252-SCSO, or
stcloudsymphony.com.
13: Christmas with the Steeles, Paramount,
7:30 p.m. Tickets: (320) 259-5463, or para-
mountarts.org.
13: Dala, St. John’s University, Stephen B.
December 2014
January 2015
