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©2015 Black Hills Woman Magazine

From the Editor 4 A Message for the

Unsung

Fabulous Women8 The 11 Fabulous

Women of 2015

10 Char Laurenti

13 Helen Merriman

15 Urla Marcus

17 Julie Schmitz Jensen

19 Kay Jorgensen

21 Judy Olson Duhamel

23 Sheila Snyder

27 Lara Roetzel

30 Kristi Thielen

32 Nancy & Jennie Rosenbrahn

Cooking36 More Easy to Make

Weekday Dishes

Beauty38 Before & After

Finance42 Fabulous Finances

The Marketplace45 Local Deals

Hit the Hills46 Area Events

FabulousFinances

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As I read through the many Fabulous Woman nominations, it be-came clear that there are droves of women who are giving, kind-hearted, good at their jobs and totally under-recognized. There are two schools of thought on this, and I’ve found myself on both sides of them. The first is that you shouldn’t get special recognition for doing what you are supposed to do. I’ve found myself saying this very phrase to my children. The other side, of course, is that we are all flawed human beings and walking the line every day isn’t easy. In fact, I bet you’d be hard-pressed to find a person who hasn’t fantasized at least once about escaping from the challenges of her relationships and re-sponsibilities – yet she gets up every day and does it again. She shows up. She gives her best in that moment.

I’ve spent some time pondering this and here’s what I’ve decided: the trick is not to EXPECT recognition for doing the right thing but still, hopefully, to get it. How, you say? It’s up to all of us to no-tice, to compliment, to encourage and to not take things for granted. Positive reinforcement is powerful stuff. If you want to see the same good things con-tinue to happen – speak up, acknowl-edge and say thank you. It may be her job but it also may be a long time since someone appreciated her efforts out loud.

So this message is for the Unsung: Thank you, yes YOU. Thanks for all the challenges you tackle, problems you solve, monotony you endure, com-plaints you manage, disrespect you tolerate and poor conditions you push through. Thank you for the opportuni-ties and help you extend others. Keep a happy heart knowing that you are need-ed and appreciated. Let this sink in, and go find one person you don’t normally acknowledge and thank them. BHW

A Message for the Unsung

4 From the Editor

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THE NIGHT.Light up

601 Main St. • Downtown Rapid City

7From the Editor

WomenTHE 11 FABULOUS

of 2015

Helen Merriman

Julie Schmitz Jensen

Judy Olson Duhamel

Kay Jorgensen

8 Fabulous Women

of 2015

Lara Roetzel

Urla Marcus

Char Laurenti

Sheila Snyder

Kristi Thielen

Nancy & Jennie Rosenbrahn

9Fabulous Women

As Information Tech-

nology Director for the

Rapid City School District,

Char Laurenti oversees the

day-to-day business of provid-

ing computer service for 9,000

computers and 15,000 users in more

than 20 different buildings.

It’s a field that’s changed considerably

since she started the job about eight

years ago. “Everything is

moving to software and

Web-based and Internet,

so our needs do change,”

she said. “But we have

amazing employees. I

feel the reason I am suc-

cessful is we just have an

amazing team here.”

In fact, when she’s congratulated on her

selection as a Fabulous Woman, Laurenti

is quick to share the honors with the 20

people she supervises.

“I feel so undeserving of this award, be-

cause this team, the team that we have

here at Rapid City Schools’ IT Department,

is just so great. They love serving people,

and customer service is one of their best

qualities. They’re all very skilled and I just

feel so honored to work with them, all of

them.”

Laurenti grew up in Rapid City, graduating

from St. Martin’s Academy before earning

a degree in math – with a minor in com-

puter science – from South Dakota School

of Mines & Technology. It was there that

she discovered a real in-

terest in learning about

technology.

“I like working around

technical people and

technical things,” she

said. “I just like being

around people and helping people. That’s

so important. One of the main things of

my job is that I feel I can help people.”

The IT department itself has also changed

since Laurenti started. Although IT tends

to be a male-dominated field, that is no

Char Laurenti

“I just feel so honored

to work with them,

all of them.”

Phot

os b

y Lau

ra C

atro

n at St

udio LB

IT Director, Rapid City Area Schoolsby Heidi Bell Gease

10 Fabulous Women

longer the case at the Rapid City Schools office. “Al-

most half of our team is women,” Laurenti said. “I

think the percentage is growing higher and higher

every year.”

Prior to her current position, Laurenti spent 12 years

doing programming for a defense contractor at Ells-

worth Air Force Base. She and her husband, Steve,

who serves on the Rapid City Council, are also the

parents of three grown sons, two of whom are cur-

rently students at Tech.

In her spare time Laurenti enjoys reading and spend-

ing time with family. She and her husband have

started working out at the YMCA, and she recently

began sewing, as well. BHW

“...I feel that I can help people.”

11Fabulous Women

http://akelaspa.com/

loves nothing more

than helping a woman create the business

of her dreams.

“Often, they just need a sounding board,

and I can be that sounding board,” she

said.

Merriman is director

of the South Dakota

Center for Enterprise

Opportunities at

Black Hills State Uni-

versity in Spearfish.

Commonly referred

to as the SD CEO, the organization is the

only women’s business center in South

Dakota.

The SD CEO provides services statewide

for women, and men actually, who are

either starting a business or looking to

strengthen their existing businesses

through further training and education.

Created six years ago, the CEO set a goal

to reach at least 125 people in its first

year. Instead, the CEO provided training

and education to more than 400 people.

“I think the handwriting was on the wall.

There’s a special need,” Merriman said.

The CEO holds trainings and events in the

Black Hills, but has also reached across

the state to present sessions to business-

women in Yankton. “We keep expanding

our reach across the states,” she said.

Merriman, originally

from Sioux Falls,

knows a thing or

two about starting a

business. In the mid-

1970s, just six months

into their 38-year marriage, Merriman and

her husband Roger, created Merriman

and Associates, a consulting firm in Pierre.

They eventually purchased a marketing

and printing business as well, founding

the Farmer Rancher Exchange publica-

tion. The publication is still in print under

a new owner in Pierre.

As if that wasn’t enough, the couple also

purchased two supply businesses in Win-

ner and Pierre. But in 2001, they had the

opportunity to sell their businesses, which

Director of the South Dakota Cen-ter for Enterprise Opportuntiies

by Lynn Taylor Rick Photos by Lisa Houghton

at Mona Lisa’s Photography

“We went through a lot of challenges... I’ve been there, done that.”

13Fabulous Women

they did. The couple moved to the Black

Hills and Merriman worked with Catholic

Social Services before taking the position

in 2009 with the CEO.

When Merriman isn’t at her job at the CEO,

she might be found volunteering her time

with the Good Shephard Clinic in Spear-

fish, a free clinic for people without insur-

ance. She was on the original planning

team and was the founding president

for two years. It’s another passion for a

woman who loves to make her commu-

nity stronger.

Most of her time nowadays remains in her

position mentoring businesswomen. She

loves it and she understands their chal-

lenges. “We went through a lot of chal-

lenges – 21 percent interest rates – I felt

we were hanging on by our fingernails,”

she remembers of her own experience as

a new business owner. “I’ve been there,

done that.” BHW

14 Fabulous Women

Dr. Urla Marcus makes a career

out of bridging the gap between cultures.

As the Director of the Center for Indian

Studies at Black Hills State University, she

provides services to help Native Ameri-

can students become successful. BHSU

has the highest proportion of American

Indian students of any South Dakota state

institution of higher learning, making

Urla’s role vital to both the students and

the Black Hills region. Urla helps Native

students find a sense of community and

family on campus – a fundamental cor-

nerstone to the American Indian culture.

Kristen Kilmer, the co-worker who nomi-

nated Dr. Marcus said, “Urla has an unend-

ing passion for helping American Indian

students overcome barriers to higher

education and obtain their degrees.”

As an enrolled member of the Northern

Cheyenne tribe, Urla can relate to chal-

lenges facing Native American students.

Coming from a reservation community

and becoming a first-generation college

graduate, she witnessed the challenging

transition of her peers from high school

to university and wanted to do some-

thing about it. “I’m not just passionate

about helping students become success-

ful; I’m committed to promoting cultural

awareness,” says Urla. “I want people to

“Use your culture – it is powerfu l.”

By Tracy Bernard Photos by Rod Olson at Nox Box Photography

The Director of the Center for Indian Studies at B lack Hi l ls State University

15Fabulous Women

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truly understand how much

potential there is within the

Native American community.

So much potential – the ability

is there.”

Urla’s affinity for cultural

awareness and empower-

ing others for success isn’t

just her day job. In 2010, Urla was called

a “Champion for American Indian Studies”

by National Relief Charities, an organiza-

tion working to build strong, self-sufficient

Native American communities. Urla acts

as a liaison with tribal governments, tribal

educational facilities, and American Indian

organizations in the Northern

Plains. As an educator, Urla has

taught courses on American Indi-

an history and presented region-

ally and nationally on leadership,

student services, and the Great

Plains’ Indian women and chil-

dren. She also sits on the board

of the Black Hills Area Commu-

nity Foundation, which raises local funds

and funnels them back to the community.

Urla’s advice to women is to stay true to

who they are. She advises, “Remember

where you came from and use it. Use your

culture – it is powerful.” BHW

“so much potential – the ability is there.”

Congratulationsto BHSU employees

Urla Marcusand

Helen Merrimanand to all the

Fabulous Womenin the Black Hills!

Helen MerrimanDirector,

SD Center for Enterprise Opportunity

Urla MarcusDirector,

Center for American Indian Studies

www.BHSU.eduWhere Anything

is Possible

16 Fabulous Women

Julie Schmitz Jensen hopes her story will give hope to other

parents out there who take a step back from their careers to raise

a family.

She did just that in 1996 when her oldest child, Sam, was 9 and

her youngest, Abby, was just 3. Her middle child, Ben, was 7 at the

time.

Julie had served as the executive director of the Rapid City Con-

vention & Visitors Bureau for 14 years when she resigned. Al-

though she loved the job, she wanted more time with her family.

For 18 years, Jensen focused her time on family, helping numer-

ous nonprofit boards and working as a foster parent. As her chil-

dren grew and moved into their adult lives, Jensen said she began

thinking about her next step.

And then, her previous position opened up when former execu-

tive director Michelle Lintz retired. Ironically, Lintz had replaced

Jensen in 1996.

Jensen said the timing seemed perfect, and so, she happily ap-

plied. In August, Jensen was hired as the Rapid City Convention

& Visitors Bureau new/returning executive director. “It gives hope

to mothers or any parent … who resigns to raise their family,” she

said. “There are people who value that experience. It’s just work-

ing out beautifully.”

JulieSchmitz Jensen

Photos by Lisa Haughton at

Mona Lisa’s Photography

by Lynn Taylor Rick

“When you hand a newborn baby to a family that has been waiting to adopt, there’s no greater joy.”

FOSTERING HOPE

17Fabulous Women

During her years as a stay-at-

home mother, Jensen served

on various boards. She contin-

ues to serve on the Rapid City

School Foundation board and

Feeding South Dakota. Her

commitment to foster parent-

ing, however, was probably most

meaningful.

For 11 years, Julie provided cradle

care in the state’s foster care sys-

tem. She took children ages 2 and

younger, in most cases during a

short period while adoption pro-

ceedings were completed. Julie

said it was her daughter Abby

who convinced her to take on the

role of foster parent. It didn’t take

her long to embrace the work. “I

just don’t think there’s anything

more wonderful than a newborn

baby,” she says. “When you hand

a newborn baby to a family that

has been waiting to adopt, there’s

no greater joy.”

In 11 years, she fostered 24 foster

babies. She’s in touch with nearly

75 percent of the families. “It’s

almost like having a whole other

family.”

In her new position, Julie will no

longer be able to foster babies

but she says the memories are ir-

replaceable. Now, she is focused

on making new memories pro-

moting the city she loves in a job

she loves. BHW

18 Fabulous Women

Maybe you remember Kay Jorgensen from

her years in the South Dakota State Legislature. Or

maybe you attended a charity event she auctioneered.

Regardless, there probably isn’t a person in South Dakota

who hasn’t benefited from her generosity of service. Jor-

gensen has served on dozens of boards and commissions,

including Black Hills Corp, Wellmark, South Dakota Public

Broadcasting, the South Dakota Board of Regents, Spearfish

School District Board and South Dakota Budget & Policy In-

stitute. In September, she was inducted into the South Da-

kota Hall of Fame for her public service history.

A native of Witten, S.D., Jorgensen was raised to believe that

giving back was her obligation as a citizen. Arnold and Twila

Jorgensen tried to prepare their children for anything.

“My dad wanted his children to feel comfortable and to

know that anything they wanted to try, they could try,” Kay

said. “His method of educating was to have us see as much of

the world as (possible).”

As a result, Jorgensen visited 45 state capitals by age 20. She

later spent a semester at sea.

Jorgensen followed two brothers to then-Black Hills State

College in Spearfish. Her dad promised to pay Kay’s tuition if

she was actively participating in something.

“So I got active in everything,” she recalled.

Student government involvement may have led

her to public service. But it wasn’t a path that Jor-

gensen - whose degree is in education and com-

munication - mapped out for herself, exactly.

by Heidi Bell Gease

Photos by Chris Benson at

Chris Benson Photography

“...you really could open a door and it made a differ-ence for somebody.”

PUBLIC SERVANT

19Fabulous Women

“It was more like, ‘Well,

that looks interesting.

I think I’ll try that,’” she

said. “Interesting things

have come my way...I

liked being part of a pub-

lic process.”

Jorgensen practically

grew up in the state Capi-

tol. She served as a page,

worked as page advisor/

supply clerk, then was

elected at 26 to the House of Representa-

tives, where she spent 12 years.

Education remains her enduring passion.

“If we would spend for a decade the same

amount of money for education per stu-

dent that we do per pris-

oner, just think of where

we might be,” she said.

Today Jorgensen works

with brother Joe and son

Chris Pangburn at Jor-

gensen Realty (daugh-

ter Meredith works in

Deadwood). She has sev-

eral projects brewing, as

usual.

Jorgensen can’t name a favorite endeavor.

“Whatever is in front of me has been en-

joyable and fulfilling,” she said. “The most

rewarding thing was that once in awhile,

you really could open a door and it made

a difference for somebody.” BHW

20 Fabulous Women

J udy Olson Duhamel doesn’t

spend much time relax-

ing, and she never has. The

75-year-old Rapid City woman is a blur of

involvement.

In addition to raising six children, Olson

Duhamel spent 11 years on the South Da-

kota State Board of Education and served

on the National Association of State

Boards of Education as well. She led the

Adult Education/Community Education/

Public Information office for the Rapid

City Area Schools for 18 years.

That involvement taught her one very im-

portant thing. “I came to the conclusion

that really, early childhood education is

where it is at,” she said. “That has been my

focus for lots of years.”

Beginning in 1988, Judy served four years

in the South Dakota State Senate, helping

to establish the Early Childhood Education

position with the state, and earning her a

reputation as an advocate for education.

As if that wasn’t enough, Olson Duhamel

also served as chair of the South Dakota

Democratic Party for eight years.

She continues to serve on boards that

benefit families and children, including

Wellspring, a program that serves families

and children with chemical dependency

and mental health issues, and the Gwen-

dolyn Stearns Foundation, which funds

nonprofit agencies in the community.

Perhaps closest to her heart, however, is

her work with Starting Strong Rapid City,

a community scholarship program for 3-4

year-olds from low-income families. The

program provides scholarships so those

preschoolers can attend “high-quality”

early education programs.

Olson Duhamel said nearly 85 percent of

a child’s brain is developed by the age of

3. It’s critical that all children get the best

possible start. “If kids start school not

ready to learn, the chances of them being

in special needs (classes) or the chance of

them not finishing high school (is great-

er),” she said. “The place to fund is early

childhood education.”

Now the mother of a blended family of 11

and the grandmother to 27 grandkids, Ol-

son Duhamel said the thought of retiring

or at least slowing down does occasional

ly rear its head. “There’s always a con-

by Lynn Taylor Rick

ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION

21Fabulous Women

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versation with family and friends where

they say, ‘You can slow up a little.’ There’s

some legitimacy to that,” she said. “But I

can’t imagine ever hanging up the pas-

sions I have for families, kids and educa-

tion. It’s my choice. That’s how I value my

time.”Then she adds with a chuckle, “I’m

not going to change at age 75.” BHWPhotos by Chris Benson at Chris Benson Photography

22 Fabulous Women

By Heidi Bell Gease

“I’ve had to have something

that made me feel like I have

a purpose, that hopefully I’m

making something better,” she

said. She’s left the non-profit world

before, she said, “but somehow I al-

ways come back.”

Snyder earned her social work de-

gree in her native Montana, then

spent a few years in Northern Cali-

fornia before moving to Rapid City

in the late 1980s for her first hus-

band’s job.

“I liked it from the minute we got

here,” said Snyder, who has a grown

son and daughter. “The people are so

nice and friendly and the atmosphere

reminded me a lot of Montana.”

Snyder - then Sheila Troxel - started at

CASA in October 1990. By the time she

left in 2008 the office had 10 employees

and far more volunteers, whom Snyder

refers to as “the cream of the crop.”

“Rapid City is a very generous community”

“Rapid City is a very generous commu-

nity,” she said. “It seems that people are

always willing to give and help.”

Photos b

y

Laura Catron at

Studio LB

Photos by Chris Benson at Chris Benson Photography

SD STATE COORDINATOR FOR

OPERATION MILITARY KIDS.

Sheila Snyder still re-

members the day her second-

grade teacher asked her to doctor

another student’s skinned knee with

mercurochrome and a Band-Aid.

“I was all pumped up,” she said with a

laugh, and afterward the teacher praised

her nursing skills. “I don’t know if that was

the start of something or what.”

Perhaps it was. At any rate, Snyder has spent

her life helping others, through 18 years as

director of the local CASA (Court-Appoint-

ed Special Advocates) program and, for the

past six years, as South Dakota State Coor-

dinator for Operation Military Kids.

23Fabulous Women

That’s also been true in her current posi-

tion. Operation Military Kids is a national

program that supports children whose

parents serve in the National Guard and

Reserve.

“When a military person serves, their fami-

ly serves as well. They really sacrifice a lot,”

Snyder said. When a unit deploys, OMK

gives each child a backpack filled with

goodies, including a letter from a non-

military child thanking her for her sacri-

fice. Not only does that help military kids,

it also gives non-military kids empathy for

others, she said. “There’s a lot of wonder-

fulness about it.”

Sheila and her husband, Tom Snyder, enjoy

visiting their four children and one grand

child. The second oldest of 6 girls, Sheila

is also close to her sisters. The women - all

of whom wear the same shoe size - get to-

gether as often as possible.

“They’re definitely my best friends,” said.

BHW

“hopefully I’m making something better”

GuitarYou too, can

play the

GuitarYou too, can

play the

24 Fabulous Women

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you could judge a book by its

cover, you might look at Lara

Roetzel and decide that she

leads a glamorous life. But don’t

let her polished appearance

fool you; she spends her work day in the

trenches fighting for voiceless victims in

Pennington County. As a mother of five,

dedicated community volunteer and the

Chief Deputy Attorney for Pennington

County, Lara emanates an energy that tells

you she’s smart, confident and in control.

In fact, one of her favorite philosophies is

‘if not me, than who?’ “I want to give vic-

tims a voice and even a remedy. It’s my job

to make that happen,” says Lara.

Roetzel oversees 15 attorneys and over

30 staff people along with her caseload,

which involves prosecuting the worst

crimes in Pennington County - murders,

rapes, violent assaults and child welfare

to name a few. She tried private practice

earlier in her career, which typically means

more income, but as she put it, “wanted

to be part of something bigger,” so she

joined the county’s prosecution team.

She added, “Nobody in our office does it

for the money.” She was also drawn to the

faster pace and trial work.

Given that law enforcement is typically

a male-dominated career path, Lara fre-

quently finds herself the only woman

in the room. “I think it is important for a

woman to know herself, to BE herself. You

don’t have to conform to a male version

of leadership.” In fact, you may find Lara

Photos by Rod Olson at Nox Box Photographyby Tracy Bernard

27Fabulous Women

in high heels and a pencil skirt at a new

crime scene. “I need to be able to tell the

jury what the crime scene was like. What it

looked like. What it smelled like. Being an

effective story teller helps me win trials,”

says Lara.

Lara’s passion for serving justice and help-

ing others is apparent when you speak

to her about her career. Lara puts it best

– “Bringing justice to others is amazing.”

28 Fabulous Women

What do you do when you are

a director who can’t find a play that has

abundant good roles for

girls and can be produced

easily to fit your stage? You

write your own play, of

course. Back in 1981, that’s

how Kristi Thielen became

a playwright. “I was frus-

trated that while girls tend

to audition more, most

plays were written for boys with only a few

roles for girls. So I started writing scripts

that had more roles for girls but also fit the

location I had to work with,” says Thielen.

She always writes with the location – the

stage in which it will take place – in mind.

“It makes for fewer headaches when I al-

ready know the technical

limitations,” says Thielen

about her solution for idio-

syncratic locations which

can make plays hard to

produce.

Use caution if you find Kris-

ti Thielen sitting near you

at a coffee shop because another element

of her process is to eavesdrop. Yes, eaves-

drop. “I like to listen to conversations and

dissect dialogue. Truly understanding dia-

K risti Thielen

“Writing is my core passion but I still love to direct.”

by Tracy Bernard

Photo byBonny Fleming

at BonZeye Photography

30 Fabulous Women

logue helps me write bet-

ter plays,” says Thielen.

All in all, Thielen has

written about 60 plays,

some of which have

been published, provid-

ing her with royalties. Most of her plays,

however, she directs locally. “Writing is my

core passion but I still love to direct,” says

Thielen.

Most of Thielen’s plays have a historical

or scientific backdrop. For example, her

favorite work: “Nellie Takes to the Skies,”

is about the first female pilot in South Da-

kota. Fortunately, Thielen’s career outside

of playwriting has allowed her to creative-

ly scribe in a historic

playground creating

scripts and plays for

Black Hills Commu-

nity Theatre, Sto-

rybook Island and

The Journey Museum

to name a few. She has recently taken a

new position as Director for the Tri-State

Museum and Visitor Center, which offers

historical displays on the early pioneers

and Old West in South Dakota, Montana

and Wyoming. While she’s currently in

the process of learning her new position,

she hopes down the road to perhaps

bring historical plays to the museum.

BHW

31Fabulous Women

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Nancy and Jennie Rosenbrahn didn’t

expect to be the poster children for the

same-sex marriage battle in South Dako-

ta, but they aren’t afraid of the title either.

“We aren’t good citizens if we don’t reach

out and help others,”

said Nancy, 68.

Helping others in this

case means ensuring

that gay couples have the same legal pro-

tections and rights as straight married

couples. “That’s what this whole thing is

about,” Nancy said. “You’re not going to

tell me my relationship with Jen is not the

same as a straight relationship.”

Nancy and Jennie, age 72, first met in the

mid-1980s in Rapid City. Both women had

been married and had children before

they divorced and came out as lesbians in

the 1970s. They have been together as a

couple – just like any other married cou-

ple, they say – for the past

27 years.

In May, the couple joined

six South Dakota gay cou-

ples in challenging the state ban on gay

marriage. As the challenge winds its way

through the South Dakota court, other

states are dealing with the same challeng-

es, prompting many to predict that the

United States Supreme Court may hear

the case in the spring.

“Marriage will happen.”

Photos by Rod Olson at Nox Box Photography

by Lynn Taylor Rick

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34 Fabulous Women

The Rosenbrahns, who combined their

two last names – Nancy Robrahn and Jen-

nie Rosenkranz – in May when they offi-

cially married in Minnesota, run a mobile

home park in Rapid

City. They also res-

cue dogs. And in

their spare time,

they share their

story. “We are as

normal as anyone,”

said Nancy. “Now,

we just want the same rights as others.”

Both women faced the loss of their chil-

dren during their South Dakota divorces in

the 1980s. In the end, both retained cus-

tody of their children, but the experience

changed them. They painfully understood

just how tenuous their status was within

the courts and legal world.

The challenge to the state ban has not

only started the ball rolling in courtrooms,

but has started the ever-important con-

versations in homes and churches. That’s

as important as

the legal decisions,

Nancy said.

“These conversa-

tions are happen-

ing,” Nancy said.

“We’re talking

about it and that’s how things change.”

Nancy believes that in the end, South Da-

kotans will stand by their “Live and Let

Live” attitudes and the ban will be struck

down. It’s an exciting thought, one she’s

thought about plenty. “We will throw one

hell of a party when this goes through,”

she said. “Marriage will happen.” BHW

“We aren’t good citizens if we

don’t reach out and help others”

35Fabulous Women

H ere are

several of

my most

popular

recipes viewers ask for time

and time again. Hope you

enjoy one or all of them!

And don’t forget to let

your kids help you in the

kitchen!

Easy Beer Pork Chops

2 12oz cans beer

½ c catsup

¼ c brown sugar

salt and pepper

Season both sides of chops with salt and

pepper. Brown in a heavy skillet about 3

minutes per side. Meanwhile, combine re-

maining ingredients. Pour over chops in

skillet, cover and simmer over medium-low

heat until done, about 30 to 45 minutes Be

sure to serve with a healthy vegetable.

More

Easy to MakEWEEKDAY DISHES

by Eric Gardner

36 Cooking

GREEN BEANS MILANO

Many of us probably have cans of green beans.

Here’s a simple way to transform a boring

green bean side into something zesty and

special.

½ c finely chopped onion

1 garlic clove, minced

1 TB oil

1 (14 ½ oz) can Italian style stewed tomatoes

1 TB cornstarch

2 (16oz) cans Italian style green beans, drained

1 tsp dried basil

Sauté onion and garlic over medium heat

until translucent. Add tomatoes and corn-

starch that has been dissolved in some

juice from the can of tomatoes. Cook, stir-

ring constantly until mixture is thickened.

Add beans and basil and heat.

EASY PINEAPPLE PIE

1 regular sized graham cracker crust

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

½ c lemon juice (use fresh lemons)

1 20oz can crushed pineapple, drained

1 8oz carton whipped topping (use no-fat or low-fat)

Combine all ingredients and pour into

graham cracker crust. Refrigerate over-

night before serving.

Eric Gardner is a mem-ber of the KOTA news

team. Besides doing the news, Eric is a gourmet

cook and a wine con-noisseur. You can watch

Eric on Good Morning KOTA Territory.

37Cooking

The woman doing my makeover is stylish,

beautiful, and confident. She says I can be

all of that and more with the proper use

of makeup. I’ll call her Opal for optimistic.

She pulls my hair back with a headband

so tight I can barely blink. Then she scrubs

my face until

every trace of

my old makeup

is gone. When

she’s finished,

it looks like my

top layer of skin

went with it.

I look like a plucked chicken with a sun

burn. On the bright side, the tight head-

band makes my eyes look bigger.

Opal asks me to put on a plain, white shirt

over my clothing for the Before Photo. I

protest. White isn’t a good color for me,

though it does work for chickens.

She insists. Then she holds up her camera

and tells me not to smile. I assume this is

to create more contrast between the be-

fore and after shots, but it also saves me

from stretch-

ing my freshly

scrubbed skin.

Opal snaps

the photo and

there I am, look-

ing like a for-

lorn, plucked

chicken with very large eyes. I definitely

looked better before my Before Photo.

It takes Opal half an hour to prepare me

for my After Photo. She replaces my top

layer of skin with foundation and paints

“Studies show women are more likely

to get a high-paying job if they wear makeup to a job interview. It makes them

appear more professional and confident.”

38 Beauty

http://frommdermatology.com/

my lips, eyelids, and cheeks. I’m just starting to relax and enjoy the pampering when,

without warning, she yanks out an eyebrow hair.

I yelp, but she doesn’t seem to notice. “Our eyebrows express who we are more

than any of our other facial features,” she says calmly and pulls out two

more.

As capable as Opal seems to be, I’m con-

cerned that a woman I barely know is altering

my chief means of self-expression.

While she works, Opal gushes about how natural the

makeup she has selected looks on me. In fact, she

seems to be working very hard to help me look natu-

ral. Up until now, I thought I could do that without

working at all.

Opal says, “Studies show women are more likely to get a high-paying

job if they wear makeup to a job interview. It makes them appear more

professional and confident.”

“I think a man would have to be pretty confident to

wear makeup to a job interview, too,” I say. But she

ignores me.

“It isn’t fair that men can look good without wear-

ing cosmetics,” she says.

“I don’t know,” I say. “I know a few guys who could

benefit from a touch of face powder in the old T-zone.”

I’m still pondering how foundation might look with five-o’clock

shadow when Opal removes my headband, asks me to remove the

white shirt, and tells me to smile for the After Photo.

Ta-da! I look professional and confident, in other words, not natural at all. Still

I doubt I’ll ever again look as good as I do in my After Photo. And I sincerely hope

I never again look as bad as I did in my Before Photo.

Dorothy Rosby’s eyebrows have grown back.

“Our eyebrows

express who we

are more than

any of our other

facial features.”

40 Beauty

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41Beauty

What makes women fabulous with finances?

Earning piles of money? Balancing

their checkbooks to the penny? Doing

their own tax returns? Knowing what

“asset class diversification” means?

Giving generously?

All of these can be part of a fabulous

financial life—or not. If you want to

use money in fabulous ways, here are

a few suggestions.

Earn Fabulously.

Fabulous earning certainly includes

financial success, but it doesn’t just

focus on the paycheck. Fabulous

earners seek out work that suits their

skills, work they enjoy and are excited

about. They are willing to start at the

bottom on the ladder to success, but

they aren’t willing to stay there.

Fabulous earners make the most of

their work and increase their earning

power by thinking like a professional

career woman instead of someone

with “just a job.” This applies

whether they have an

FABULOUS FinancesBy Kathleen Fox

42 Finance

entry-level clerical job, stay at home

to manage kids and family life, own

a company, or do brain surgery. They

know what their job skills, their edu-

cation, and their contribution to the

family are worth.

Spend Fabulously.

Sorry, this doesn’t necessarily mean

buying expensive stuff. At least not

expensive stuff you can’t afford. Fab-

ulous spenders live on less than they

earn and put money away for the

future. They also find creative ways,

from closeout sales to second-hand

stores to sharing with friends, to stay

within their budgets

and still get most of what

they want and need.

Learn Fabulously.

Learning the basics of money is truly

not that hard. You can get a good

start by searching the Internet for

terms like “investing basics,” “com-

pound interest,” and “diversifica-

tion.” A couple of hours doing this is a

fabulous investment of your time—

especially if you might otherwise

spend that time browsing blogs or

watching cute kitten videos. (I know,

I know. You never waste time on the

43Finance

Internet. Me, neither. But have you seen

the one with the kitten and the . . .?)

Fabulous learners take lessons from their

own financial mistakes, too. We’ve all

made them: the credit card debt that was

so easy to accumulate and so hard to pay

off; the remodeling fiasco that cost double

the estimate; the “can’t lose” investment

that did. There’s nothing wrong with mak-

ing mistakes. Fabulous learners just don’t

make the same ones twice. Or at least, not

three times.

Give Fabulously.

There’s nothing fabulous about giving till

it hurts either yourself or someone else.

Healthy giving isn’t sacrificial, manipula-

tive, or loaded with guilt. Fabulous giv-

ers investigate charities and consciously

choose causes they want to support.

They do their best to help kids when they

need it without enabling them to be irre-

sponsible. (And if you figure that one out

perfectly, will you please let the rest of us

know the secret?)

Appreciate Your Own Fabulous Value.

Fabulous women think for themselves

and take responsibility for their own finan-

cial well-being.

Learn from financial

mentors, by all means.

Get advice from experts. Be

willing to ask questions and ad-

mit what you don’t know. But trust

your own judgment, too. After all, it’s

your money and your life.

And since it’s your life, you’re the only one

who can decide what “fabulous” means to

you, financially and otherwise. Appreciate

money, by all means. Enjoy the freedom,

security, and opportunities it can provide.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking

your self-worth depends on your net

worth.

Money is useful, important, and even es-

sential in today’s world. Yet there’s noth-

ing inherently fabulous about it. What

makes money valuable is the way you use

it to create and support your own fabu-

lous life. BHW

44 Finance

Market place

LOCAL DEALS

the

Market placeOnline Subscription

Get every subscription emailed to you for free. Go to blackhillswoman.com/subscription.html

FREE

45Hit the Hills

January

The River Liffey Sessions – live music Every Wednesday at 5pm

Wobbly Bobby British Pub

510 Main Street, Rapid City, SD

Free to attend, wobblybobby.com

Firehouse Theater Presents: The UnderpantsFri., Jan. 16 – Sat., Feb. 7

Friday & Saturday only

Doors open 6:30 p.m. play begins 7:30 p.m.

Firehouse Brewing Company

610 Main Street, Rapid City, SD

$20 for tickets, call 605-716-9463 or

www.brewingtheater.com

Black Hills Hobby ExpoSat., Jan. 17 | 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

General Beadle Elementary School

10 Van Buren St, Rapid City, SD

www.BlackHillsHobbyExpo.com

February

Mardi GrasFri., Feb. 6 – Sat., Feb. 7

Multiple events in Deadwood, SD

Deadwood.org or 1-800-999-1876

The Finer Things in Life Annual Chocolate Festival Sat., Feb. 7 | 9am - 4pm

Spearfish Park Pavillion, 115 S Canyon St.,

Spearfish SD. 605-722-2255

Black Hills Mind Body SpiritSat., Feb. 14 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sun., Feb. 15 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

$5 Entry or $3 for seniors/vets/military

Best Western Ramkota Convention Centre

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-

Hills-Mind-Body-Spirit/661152687326616

Flashdance The MusicalFri., Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 21 | 2:00 p.m.

Rushmore Plaza Civic Center

For tickets call 1-800.Got.Mine or visit

gotmine.comReach women. List your upcoming event here. Call 605.718.0995

HIT THE HILLS

AREA EVENTS

46 Hit the Hills

47Hit the Hills

http://www.blackhillsmedspa.com