december 2012 today magazine

IN THIS ISSUE ... SNOWBLOWER 101 KNOWLEDGEDECEMBER 2012

MattkeLights UpFort Dodge

MattkeLights UpFort Dodge Bice Leads

Youths withYoung Life

Bice LeadsYouths with

Young Life

Can YouReally Eat

Healthyduring

Holidays?

Can YouReally Eat

Healthyduring

Holidays?

Dec 2012 (8pgs) covers_Layout 1 11/15/12 1:38 PM

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Photos are representational only. Actual merchandise may not exactly match photos shown. Although we make every effort to ensure that our advertising is accurate, we cannot be held liable for typographical errors or misprints. See store for complete details. 1297-31156.

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contentscontents4 Calendar9 New on the Shelf16 Scene About Town48 Parting Shot

LocaL coLor

1 0 Class Notes:Meet Linda Pingelby Hailey Brueschke

1 2 ICCC Student Spotlight:Learning is a Great Fit for Cyganat Iowa Centralby Hailey Brueschke

1 4 Hart Volunteers for Moose Lodgeby Robert Wolf

2 6 Faith Matters:Bice Leads Youths throughYoung Lifeby Robert Wolf

FEaturE artIcLE

3 0 Mattke Lights up Fort Dodgefor the Holidaysby Meg Beshey

thE gooD LIFE

3 5 Home Style:Snowblowing 101by Meg Beshey

4 1 Health Wise:Eating Healthy for the Holidaysby Meg Beshey

4 3 Around Town:Downtown Parking Lot Renovation Rebuilding One Quarter at a Timeby Stephanie Houk Sheetz& Tim Carmody

4 4 Culinary Corner:Gingersnaps for the Holidaysby Meg Beshey

4 6 Money Matters:Time for Year-end Review ofYour Financial Strategy?courtesy of Edward Jones

on thE covErCity of Fort Dodge electrician Steve Mattke workson getting Christmas decorations put up in downtownFort Dodge.

- Photo by Hans Madsen

Fort Dodge Today � December 2012 � 1

DEcEmbEr 2012

DEpartmEnts

In EvEry IssuE

2 � Fort Dodge Today � December 2012

From the News Editor It’s All Good…

Here it is, winter holiday time. The indulgences of the Thanksgiving table are a memory.

You’ve updated family information, shared family photos and probably taken some new

ones too. Thanksgiving is, in some ways, just an appetizer for the next big holidays:

Christmas and New Year’s. They bring with them the promise not only of a burgeoning

table, but memories to be cherished and made.

This time of year, you find that special time to be together with friends and family. It may

mean a quick visit to drop off a gift, or an extended stay with meals and conversations

that will have to last the whole year long.

No matter what, take advantage of the holiday activities this community has to offer. There will be music in the

schools and throughout the community’s many churches, sounds that should warm any heart that listens. From

downtown holiday events to the office parties, food and festivities will be shared all month long. In fact, there is

likely something going on all the time to keep everyone in the holiday mode, take it in. Be festive now.

In light of the season, “Today” takes a close look at the work of Steve Mattke, the man who makes the community’s

season bright. Mattke is known in Fort Dodge as “that guy who hangs up the lights.” Mattke goes unplugged in a

story of how – with a lot of help – he makes it happen. Hint: It all starts well before the switches are flipped.

Tim Hart, who volunteers for the local Moose Lodge, and Martha Bice, who works with Young Life youths all year

long, are also featured. Chef Michael Hirst suggests ways to save your waistline and eat healthy at those holiday

gatherings. Learn about physical education teacher Linda Pingel, who is dedicated to being healthy with her

students at Duncombe and Cooper elementary schools.

Speaking of being physical, take Andy Dunbar’s advice about the basics of good snow blower maintenance and

safety. At some point, you may have to use one.

What’s a winter holiday without the scent of baking cookies? “Today” offers up a classic gingersnap cookie recipe

bound to become a favorite.

It’s a time of great food, great company, and, it turns out, great advice. So have the very merriest Christmas and a

happy New Year from “Today.”

editor’sspEak megmegbeshey

pubLIcatIon InFormatIon

Direct inquiries to: 713 Central Ave.

Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Advertising 574-4418Fax 573-2148

Editorial [email protected]

Volume 23 Issue 8If your address has changed since yourlast issue call (800) 622-6613 ext. 404.

The Fort Dodge Today Magazine is published monthly by The Messenger, with all rights reserved, Copyright, 2012.

Managing EditorBarbara

Wallace Hughes

Sales ManagerBecky O’Brien

Art DirectorReggie Cygan

PublisherLarry D. Bushman

Advertising DirectorDavid Jakeman

Circulation DirectorGrant Gibbons

News EditorMeg Beshey

megmegbesheycontributors

Amelia "Amy" Presler is a FortDodge native, the youngest of 10children from parents Jack andVirginia Presler. Amy has three chil-dren, Austin, Lizzie and Eva. Amy isemployed at the Fort DodgePublic Library where she feeds heraddiction to books. She likes allgenres, but especially literary fic-tion, historical fiction, books withmaps on the front, horses on thecover, but not dogs; rivers andlakes.

Robert Wolf has lived in FortDodge since 1964. He has writtenfor Fort Dodge Today magazinesince 2002 and for The Messengersince 1993. He’s the author of“Fossils of Iowa” and “Iowa’s StateParks.” A member of the Author’sGuild, his hobbies include fossilcollecting and photography.

Hailey Brueschke will be attendingIowa Central Community Collegenext year to attain her associatearts degree. From there she wouldlike to attend Iowa State Universityto major in journalism. Her goalafter college is to work for a majormagazine in a larger city. She likesto spend her free time reading,writing and being with her friendsand family.


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C A L E N D A R

December 2012 1

Wine Tasting Event,

Crossroads Mall, 217 S.

25th St., 2 to 4 p.m.,

event to benefit the Iowa

Donor Network. Event

features Iowa wineries.

1

Creative Christmas

Cookies/Candies Walk,

Trinity United Methodist

Church, 838 N. 25th St.,

9 a.m.

2

“A Time for Angels” 2012

Service of Remembrance,

St. Olaf Lutheran Church,

239 N. 11th St.,

1:30 p.m. Presented by

Gunderson Funeral

Home and Creamtion

Services.

2

Fort Dodge Area

Symphony concert,

Messiah Sing-a-long,

3 p.m., concert tickets are

$10 at the door, Phillips

Middle School. Yule Walk

to follow the concert,

tickets are $15 in advance

available at Design Two,

1109 Central Ave., or

CSBank, 130 N. 29thst St.

3

FDSH jv boys basketball

vs. Ames, FDSH main

gym, 7 p.m.

4

Free blood pressure

screening, 8 to 9:30 a.m.,

Crossroads Mall,

10 to 11 a.m., Hy-Vee

dining area. Provided by

Trinity Health Partners.

4

Toastmasters “Ah” Master,

learn listening, speaking

and leadership skills,

ICCC Bio-Science and

Technology building,

Room 107, 6:30 p.m.

4

FDSH boys varsity

swimming vs. Des Moines

East, Dodger pool, FDSH,

6 p.m.

4

FDSH girls and boys var-

sity basketball vs. Dowling

Catholic, FDSH main gym,

6:15 and 7:45 p.m.

5-6

11th Annual Farm News

Ag Show, Iowa Central

Community College,

Career

Education Building.

Wednesday

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,

Thursday 7:30 a.m.

to 3 p.m.

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6-7

Iowa Central Community

College Holiday concert,

Decker Auditorium,

Thursday concert is at

1 p.m. and again at 7 p.m.

Friday concert is at 7 p.m.

6

Cholestrol Screening, $3

fee, but blood pressure

and blood sugars provid-

ed free, Crossroads Mall

next to Sears,

2 to 3:30 p.m., no

appointment needed.

Provided by Trinity Health

Partners.

6

St. Edmond Christmas

concert, grades kinder-

garten through second

performing,

2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Edmond.

6

FDSH boys varsity

swimming vs. Dowling,

Dodger pool, FDSH,

6 p.m.

8

FDSH JV wrestling invita-

tional vs. Ames, Ankeny,

Perry, and Humboldt,

FDSH main gym, 9 a.m.

8-9

Lights at Kennedy, John F.

Kennedy Memorial Park,

1415 Nelson Ave.,

$5 per vehicle, sponsored

by Fort Dodge Noon

Sertoma Club.

Live nativity scene

Sunday evenings.

8

Winter Flea Market,

Webster County

Fairgrounds,

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

8

Kids Class Visual

Expressions, third-, fourth-

and fifth-graders, Blanden

Memorial Art Museum,

10 a.m. - noon.

9

Winter Flea Market,

Webster County

Fairgrounds,

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

9

Ringland-Smeltzer

Christmas open house,

2 to 5 p.m., snow date is

Dec. 11, 5 to 7:30 p.m.

First and second floors

decorated and open,

public welcome.

9

Holiday Festival of Music,

choir, band and orchestra,

FDSH main gym, 2 p.m.

9


concert, high school

performing, St. Edmond,

3 p.m.


C A L E N D A R

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Free blood pressure


Crossroads Mall,

10 to 11 a.m. Hy-Vee



13

Iowa Central Community

College fall music recital,

1 p.m., Friendship Haven

Celebration Center.

13


concert, grades third

through fifth performing,

2 and 7 p.m.

14

FDSH girls and boys

varsity basketball vs.

Mason City, FDSH gym,

6:15 and 7:45 p.m.

14, 15, 16



1415 Nelson Ave.,


by Fort Dodge Noon

Sertoma Club.

Live nativity scene

Sunday evenings.

14-15

“Why Penguins Can’t Fly

and Other Stories of

Antarctica,” Hawkeye

Community Theatre,

521 N. 12th St.,

tickets $10, 7 p.m.

15

FDSH varsity wrestling

invitational vs. Ames,

Bondurant-Farrar Jr-Sr,

Clarinda, Emmetsburg

Community Schools,

Lewis Central, Nevada,

Newton, Sioux City East,

Storm Lake and Webster

City, FDSH main gym,

10 a.m.

16

“Why Penguins Can’t Fly

and Other Stories of

Antarctica,” Hawkeye

Community Theatre,

521 N. 12th St.,

tickets $10, 2 p.m.

16

“Sing We Now of

Christmas,” Fort Dodge

Choral Society concert,

First United Methodist

Church, 127 N. Tenth St.,

reception and

refreshments at 2 pm,

pre-concert carols at

2:30 p.m., concert at

3 p.m.

17

FDSH boys and girls

jv/varsity bowling meet vs.

Urbandale, Ridgewood

Lanes, 3:30 p.m.


C A L E N D A R

December 2012

AT THE BLANDEN“Seeing the World, 1820 - 1930” etchings from the museum’s permanent collection.

New Exhibit: “All Iowa Power exhibition” is 38 pieces created by Iowa artists over the last 100 years.

One-of-a-Kind Gift Shop: New items available just in time for holiday shopping.

Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.

The Blanden is located at 920 Third Ave. S. For information, phone 573-2316.

17

FDSH boys swimming vs.

Newton, FDSH Dodger

pool, 6 p.m.

18

Caring - A cancer support

group, TRMC Cancer

Resource room, 11 a.m.

to noon. For more infor-

mation, call 574-8302.

18

Free blood pressure


Crossroads Mall,

10 to 11 a.m. Hy-Vee



18

FDSH boys and girls varsi-

ty basketball vs. Ankeny,

FDSH main gym, 6:15 and

7:45 p.m.

19

Feel Good Feel Better,

support group for women

undergoing cancer treat-

ment, conference

Room 2, TRMC,

call 574-8302 to register.

19

Pre-Diabetes Class, TRMC

Diabetes Center, 1 p.m.,

$20 fee, call 574-6350 for

an appointment.

19

Cholestrol Screening,

$3 fee, but blood pressure

and blood sugars provid-

ed free, Celebration

Center, Kenyon Place at

Friendship Haven,

2 to 3:30 p.m., no

appointment needed.

Provided by Trinity Health

Partners.

20

FDSH boys swimming vs.

Ankeny, FDSH Dodger

pool, 6 p.m.

21, 22, 23



1415 Nelson Ave.,


by Fort Dodge Noon

Sertoma Club.

Live nativity scene

Sunday evenings.

25

Christmas Day

31

New Year’s Eve


C A L E N D A R

December 2012

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Bounce Back To The Library

FORT DODGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

515-573-8167 424 Central Avenue

Fort Dodge, IA www.fortdodgeiowa.org/library

Second & Fourth Saturday June thru September

www.fdmarketoncentral.com

December 8 & 9, 14 through 16, 21 through 23 This Year on

Sunday Nights:

“Live Nativity Scene” Over 30 Displays by organizations

& businesses

Time: 6 - 9:30 p.m. Location: John F. Kennedy Memorial Park 1415 Nelson Ave, Fort Dodge

This event is organized by Fort Dodge Noon Sertoma Club

Admission $5 per

vehicle

On the Shelf

December books in the Library

provided by amyamypresler

Amy’s Word:

One of the hardest things about creating a year’s end best books list is trying to remember the books

I’ve read throughout the year, and of those, which ones are worthy. Let me tell you, it was hard, I

mean, January was a long time ago! but I got ‘er done, so here are my five favorites of 2012, winnowed

down from over a hundred mind you. I couldn’t possibly include all of my favorite novels of 2012 in

this space, so please view the complete list on our library’s website www.youseemore.com/nilc/fort-

dodgepl

May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Homes

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

Hell or High Water by Joy Castro

A Death in Vienna by Daniel Silva

The Cutting Season by Attica Locke



haileyhaileybrueschkecoLorlocal

Class Notes

photograph by Hailey Brueschke

Meet Linda PingelWhat is your name and where areyou from?Linda Pingel. I am originally fromRuthven.

What grade or subject do youteach?I teach physical education for kinder-garten through fourth grade. I alsoteach an adaptive class for specialneeds students at Cooper Elementary.I am currently assigned to Cooper andDuncombe elementary schools.

How long have you been a physi-cal education teacher?I have taught for more than 26 years. Istarted in special education. I was alsoteaching art and music besides physicaleducation for six years.

What is the best thing about yourjob as a P.E. teacher?The kids. I love to show my studentswhat fun they can have playing a gameand being team players.

What or who inspired you tobecome a physical educationteacher?Bill Whiting, a coach and historyteacher at Ruthven. He was very fairand valued the need for teaching thebasics of good healthy educationalgames. He diversified physical educa-tion instruction before it became theway to teach the way we do today inour curriculum.

Why do you think physical educa-tion is so important for studentsto have in their daily learning?As our society grows more sedentaryand heavier, we need to learn ways tostay active that are appropriate for ourage and interests. If we don’t feel com-

Linda Pingel seeks to help young kids learn good physical skills now in hopesthat it will carry over into their teen years and adult life.


fortable with our skill level, we won’t try new activi-ties. It is important that kids learn this lesson nowwhen they are still making opinions and choices fortheir future.

What kind of activities do you have the stu-dents do? We do warm-up exercises that include yoga andPilates moves. Low organizational games such asSpiders and Flies or Capture the Flag are a big partof learning to cooperate with each other as well asfollow the rules. We run various races and play lead-up games to all the major sports. It is giving the kids ataste of future areas where they may want to partici-pate in to continue to stay healthy in their adult lives.We also work on basic skills to help develop our coor-dination and strength. We dance, jump rope,climb, tumble, bowl, golf, play with foxtail, balls,parachutes, scooters, Hula Hoops and beanbags. Wedo health activities ranging from finding our heartrate to toilet tag, which helps us learn to flush the toi-let and wash our hands to the ABCs.

What is one activity that you know the stu-dents love to do in class?The parachute. Everyone remembers theparachute. We work on strength and cooperation when we play with it. It really puts everyone on aneven playing field. To work together to makesomething do what you want is really a greatchallenge for most kids.

What are three things that you think everyphysical education teacher should have?♦ A positive attitude. You really need to have it in

order to set a good example for the kids while theylearn the games we teach them. ♦ A belief that all kids can learn. There is

something about physical activity that creates thatopen door for learning at some point, small or big.♦ An enthusiasm for teaching children to just move

and to stay healthy. If you can instill the good habitsnow you’ve done a great thing, not just for thestudents but for the community’s health future.

About Linda Pingel

Age: 62

Kids: I have four kids – three girls and a boy.

Hobbies and Interests: I love to golf, read, sew, shop,

bowl, walk, play with my grandkids and travel.

Community Involvement: I help at Wednesday Night

Live and teach confirmation at Trinity Methodist Church.

Where Your Pets Where Your Pets Can Play While Can Play While You’re Away! You’re Away!

515-573-2267 1848 Taylor Avenue, Duncombe, IA 50532 • www.crittercampiowa.com

Boarding/Grooming/Training

Show Off Your Pet!

Show Off Your Pet!Send us a photo of your pet(s) along with yourname, your pet’s name, breed (if known) andany brief comment you’d like to share about

your pet.

Mail photo and information to:Fort Dodge Today Magazine

713 Central AvenueFort Dodge, IA 50501

or email photo and information:[email protected]

Sheep’s Name: SidBreed: Katahdin sheep

Age: Sid was born last spring.Owners: Barbara Wallace Hughes

About Sid: Sid was a 4-H’er’s bottle lamb.His previous owner named him after the

chatty sloth in the “Ice Age” moviesbecause, she said, “Sid never shuts up.”


coLorlocal haileyhaileybrueschke

ICCC Student Spotlight

Learning is a GreatFit for Cygan at Iowa CentralWhen you reach your sophomore year

at a community college, you have two

choices: move on to a four-year college

or get a job.

Jon Cygan’s choice was to continue his

studies at Iowa State University.

But until then, he was thankful he could

attend a community college where he

lives. “It helps me that I can keep costs

down by living in the same town in

regards to lodging, food and transporta-

tion,” said Cygan, of Fort Dodge.

His plans to transfer to ISU include the

classes he has already taken in his major

of choice.

“Originally, I had planned on transfer-

ring to Iowa State University without a

degree. But now I wish to gain my asso-

ciate arts degree from Iowa Central

Community College here in Fort

Dodge,” Cygan said.

His classes at Iowa Central are strongly

focused on mathematics – one of his

favorites is microeconomics – and sci-

ence because someday he plans on

being an engineer. With that in mind,

going to Iowa Central proved to be a

great option because it offers many

classes that cater to his prospective

degree.

Cygan thinks it’s better

to start off at a school

like Iowa Central

because it is smaller,

cheaper and easier to

meet people than at a

large university, he said.

“The best part about

being an Iowa Central

Community College

student is knowing the

familiar faces while

meeting the new ones.”

He also likes the

breadth of activities

Iowa Central offers its

students. He particularly

likes college movie night

because it is such a good

deal, and he’s especially

enthusiastic any time

free food is offered

around campus.

The choice of which col-

lege to attend can be based

on many variables. Sometimes it’s sim-

ply personal preference. Sometimes it is

based on family tradition. For Cygan,

starting at Iowa Central and moving on

to a four-year college was a choice

based in economics. It cost less to

attend a community college first.

Debt-conscious – and keenly aware of

microeconomics through his class –

Cygan has made what he considers a

practical choice.

It is one of the reasons Iowa Central

works so well for so many.

photograph by Hailey Brueschke

Jon Cygan chose Iowa Central Community Collegefor economic reasons as well as the opportunity totake several classes that can be applied to hisintended major at Iowa State University.


For answers to any of your questions

or to schedule a campus visit, please contact

515-576-7201 or 800-362-2793www.iowacentral.edu

Follow us andbecome a fan on

Facebook at “Iowa Central

Community College”

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When it comes to volunteers, not

many stick with the same organization

for long. It takes a dedicated person to

be the kind that does. It takes someone

like Tim Hart. Hart has been involved

in the Loyal Order of the Moose

Lodge #806 since 2001.

The Loyal Order of the Moose – or

LOOM – was founded in 1888 in

Louisville, Ky., by John Henry Wilson

and some friends. It was established as

a men’s social club. The founders

deliberately chose the moose to repre-

sent them. “The Moose is kind of the

defender of the herd. It is a strong ani-

mal,” said Hart.

“The Moose organization continued

through the turn of the century and

almost died out until James J. Davis

joined in 1906,” said Hart. “Davis

immediately saw potential to build the

Moose fraternity into a force to pro-

vide protection and security for a

largely working membership.”

At that time, there was no federal

safety net in the

event the bread-

winner of the

family became

sick or disabled.

In 1913, Davis

was instrumental

in establishing

Mooseheart to

help the children

of deceased

Moose members.

Mooseheart still

exists today. “Our

main goals are

Mooseheart,

which is like a

child city outside

Chicago about 40

miles.”

The complex is

situated on a

1,000-acre

campus that has

churches and homes, and its own post

office. Children who live there learn a

vocation. They graduate from school

and many go on to college. “They are

basically raised there,” Hart said.

“There is an Iowa house at

Mooseheart with about eight children

from Iowa.”

But children aren’t the only ones who

benefit from volunteer work by Hart

and people like him. There is place for

its eldest extended family too.

“Moosehaven is our city of content-

ment. That’s for our seniors,” said

Hart. “We just had a member of ours

go down there.” Moosehaven is just

south of Jacksonville, Fla. It was creat-

ed in 1922. All the Moose Lodges in

the United States and throughout the

world support both Mooseheart and

Moosehaven.

Last year, Hart was lodge governor. It

was an important year for the local

lodge. “We celebrated our 100th year

of Moose Lodge last year,” Hart said,

“so it was kind of a privilege for me to

be governor at that time.”

In those 100 years in Fort Dodge, the

Moose lodge was located in various

downtown buildings until it moved to

424 First Ave. S. in 1996. “It’s a long

time to keep something going like the

Moose Lodge, especially during the

Depression,” he said.

robertrobertwolfcoLorlocal

Tim Hart with items for the Salvation Army, just one of the severalorganizations and charities the Moose Lodge supports.

photographs by Robert Wolf

Hart Volunteers for Moose Lodge


Hart’s introduction to the Moose was

many years ago through his brother.

Although he was living in Marshalltown at

the time, Hart decided to join the Fort

Dodge lodge. It was only afterwards

that he moved to this city.

“I became a trustee on the board of

trust officers once I moved here,” he

said. “Then I kind of made my way

through the board, got a little experi-

ence in a couple of different positions

within the Moose Lodge board, and

then I ran for governor.”

The governor focuses on membership

and its involvement in the community,

he said.

In Fort Dodge, the Moose is affiliated

with annual events such as the annual

Easter egg hunt, the Rod and Gun fish-

ing tournament, and the Amos Jones

Golf Outing, which is a tribute to a

former member who passed away. Its

membership also supports local chari-

ties, provides Thanksgiving meals to

police officers and inmates, and pro-

vides personal items for troops over-

seas.

It also supports the national Tommy

Moose program. “We present these

stuffed animals to the fire department,

police, sheriff, and medical emergency

people,” Hart said. “If they come

across a child in a traumatic situation,

then they can give one of these to

them. When they run out of them they

can come back and we will give them

some more.”

Tommy Moose, according to a Moose

website, began as a community service

project in Connecticut. Since 2002,

more than 100,000 of the stuffed toys

have been donated.

It’s the personal satisfaction that keeps

Hart volunteering for LOOM, he said.

“We always have something going on,”

he said. “We just got a 10-foot projec-

tion TV for the members to enjoy here

at the lodge.”

It used to cost $70 to join the Moose,

but that has been reduced to encourage

new membership. “We’ve cut that

down to make it easier these days to

join,” Hart said. To join now, it costs

$40. If the new members attend an

orientation meeting, after two months

they can get $20 in Moose bucks that

can be used to purchase food and drink

at the Lodge. Membership is open to

anyone who is not a convicted felon.

There is also a women’s auxiliary.

“They do a lot of things here,” said

Hart.

Todd Kuhn, Lodge

administrator,

freely praises Hart.

“He really steps up

to the plate and

fills in the holes

where it is needed

most. Tim Hart is

invaluable to our

Moose Lodge,”

said Kuhn. “Our lodge is pretty much

built on volunteerism.”

About Tim Hart

Tim Hart andhis wife,JoLeene Hart,are Fort Dodgenatives. Theyhave beenmarried 37years. JoLeeneHart isinvolved withthe Moose

women’s auxiliary. While stillin high school, Hart joined theUnited States Navy. After theservice, worked for Raytheonin Massachusetts as an elec-tronics instructor, both in ship-board radar and air trafficcontrol systems. Later, heworked with the FederalAviation Administration relo-cating identification radaracross the country.

The couple moved back toIowa in 2001 and Fort Dodgein 2003.

Tim Hart works in food servicefor Fort Dodge CommunitySchools delivering hot meals tothe elementary schools andgroceries to Phillips MiddleSchool. He is also involvedwith the Fraternal Order ofEagles.

For more information, stop bythe local Moose Lodge at424 First Ave. S. or call 573-7371or [email protected].

Todd Kuhnlodge administrator


aboutscEnE townPhotos by photographersNicole Hagar and Susan Moore

Permanent Collections Art GalleryOpening for local photographers

L i nda and Dave Hearn a t te nd the open ing fo r

loca l photog rapher s he ld a t Pe rmanent

Co l lec t io n s A r t Ga l le ry .

Sher r y G ibbons and L i sa Meyer en joy re f re shmen t swh i le a t tend ing the open ing fo r loca l photographer s .

Jane and C ra ig F i s cu s en joy re f re shmen t s wh i lea t tend ing t he open ing fo r lo ca l pho tographer s a tPermanen t Co l le ct ions A r t Ga l l e r y on Cen t ra l A venue .

L i n co ln Bat t cher , Ka t hy Cr immin s , A l i A r nold and Ted

Cr imm in s a t the photog raphy show he ld a t Permanen t

Co l lec t ion s Ar t Ga l le ry .

Ga ry Win ch and B i l l Keenan , photog raphe rs , a t t he

pho tography show a t Pe rmanen t Co l lec t ion s A r tGa l le r y .

Photographer Tedra Towne w i t h he r photos o fl igh t house s a t t he show a t Pe rmanen t Co l lec t ionsAr t Ga l le r y .


Apple Fest at Community Orchard

Jess i ca Ne l son , Ja red Eve land w i th I s abe l le Eve land

prepare fo r the wagon r ide to the pumpk in pa t ch

du r i ng App le Fes t .

Rob in Ew ing , Dus t i n Ew ing , L i ndsey and Je rodGeorge, and Ch loey Ew ing and L in co ln Georgespend t ime a t Commun i t y Or chard du r i ng App le Fes t .

Sa rah T rask and Kay la T re loa r en joy a snack unde rt he canopy a t the Bac k 40 p layground du r i ng App leFes t .

T y , B roc , Mar k and B rand i Pat zne r en joy a day out

a t Communi t y Orcha rd dur i ng App le Fes t .

Cas s ie S tumpf and Mel i s sa Mi kos we l comev i s i to r s to t he Back 40 p layground a tCommun i ty Or cha rd du r i ng App le Fes t .

B r i t t , Wes ton a nd Pam She l ton a t Commun i t yOr chard du r i ng App le Fes t .


aboutscEnE town

Jenn i fe r and JoeG i lber t w i t h t he i rc h i ld ren , Ka l l i s taand Joe ly , a t tendthe soup s upperw i t h the GoldenK iwan i s .

Kay Jensen , Joan Jank in s and Sandy W I l l i s a tt he Go lden K iwan i s soup suppe r .

S t uden t vo luntee rs Ca ra Nakayama , E r i n O’ Leary

and Beau Rodr iguez , take a m inu te f rom wor k i ng

to smi le a t t he Go lden K iwan i s soup supper .

Me rv Haugen andJohn G le sne a t tendthe soup suppersponsored by t heGolden K iwan i s .

Don Car l son , vo lun teer andmember o f the Golden K iwan i s ,

sha res a b ig sm i le wh i le wor k i ngat t he soup s upper .

Soup Supper sponsored by Golden Kiwanis

Photos by photographersNicole Hagar and Susan Moore


I owa Cen t ra l Commun i ty Co l lege cu l i na ry s t uden t s ,Cody Sayer s , Randy Ramos and Karmen Ze ka ,p repare omele ts fo r t he B reakf as t w i t h Santafundra i ser benef i t t i ng GRLS p rogram.

Aa ron WI l l , s he l ter ca re coord i nato r , and Youth She l te remployees Jenn i fe r S che r t z , Bacca Long and K r i s ten Towneat the B reak fas t w i t h Santa fu ndra ise r bene f i t i i ng GR LS program .

J im Seward , d i rec tor o f You th She l te r Ca re , v i s i t sw i t h Lo i s Denc k lau du r i ng t he fundra i ser fo r GRLSprogram at the You th She l te r .

S teve Pauker t and Deb B rown , emp loyees ofKoh l ’ s , vo lun teer a t the f und ra i ser f o r GRLSprogram .

Omelet Breakfast with Santa fundraiser for GRLSProgram at the Youth Shelter


aboutscEnE town

33rd Annual Czech Heritage Dinner

J im E r t l , head chef , i n t he

k i t chen a t Corpus Ch r i s t i Pa r i sh

cen te r , he lps to p repare t he

33 rd Annua l C ze ch Her i tage

d inne r .

Jay E r t l and Chuc k Powel l a t t he C ze chHer i tage d inne r .

Ba rb E r t l and Margaret and Doug La i rd a t t he 33 rd Annua lCzech Her i tage d inner .

Joe Vonsak , J r . , Jane Johanson andJoe Vonsak g reet a t tendees a t theCzech Her i tage d i nne r .

Mar k and Pa t E s s i ng se l l ra f f le t i cke t s a t t heCze ch Her i tage D inner .

Pa t Wi l l iams and Bonn ie Russe l la t tend t he Czech Her i tage d inner .

Photos by photographersNicole Hagar and Susan Moore


Sen. Daryl Beall, Vice President Joe Biden and Hannah Besheypose at the Opera House on Nov. 1 in Fort Dodge.

- photo by Meg Beshey

Pam Passow visits with local attorney William Thatcher at her retirementparty. Pam retired after 33 years of service for the Webster CountyAttorney’s office.

- photo by Becky O’Brien

Biden visits Fort Dodge Pam Passow Retires

Numismatic Association 74th Annual Coin Show

John Po r te r and Pe te F r i t z o f t he Fo r t Dodge Co in C lub take t i c ke tsa t t he Num i smat i c A ssoc ia t io n ’ s 7 4t h Annua l Co in Show .

Caro l Moberg , sec reta ry of t heFor t Dodge Co in C l ub , a t tends t heannua l co in s how .

Je f f and L i sa Cooken joy loo k ing o verco l le ct ions o f co in sa t the Numi smat i cA ssoc ia t io n ’ s 7 4t hAnnua l Co in Show .


aboutscEnE townPhotos by photographersNicole Hagar and Susan Moore

The Messenger Bridal Show

Je ss i ca S tanberg , b r ide - to -be, w i t h he rmo the r , Te r r i S tanbe rg , a t tend The Messenge rBr ida l Show a t I owa Cen t ra l Commun i t yCo l lege .

Cu r t i s Ca r r and Lyne tte Ladd a t The Mes senge r B r ida l

Show .

Roxanne Lead ley , A lexa Ne l son , b r ide - to -be, Ka t i e Beanand E r i n Nel son a t tend t he B r ida l Show .

Dan i ca Mo s ley , o f Howard Ba l l Feed Shed Cater i ng , o f fe r s

samp le s and i n fo rmat ion to Amy Ner v ig a t t he B r ida l Show .

Sha r i I vo ry and daugh ter , Ka r i I vo r y , pose

wh i le a t The Mes senger B r ida l Show .


Election Night Soup and Pie Supper at First Congregational UCC Church

The Rev . Joey Fe lmann of F i r s t Congregat iona lUn i ted Chu r ch o f Ch r i s t , s e r ves up homemade soupat the chu rc h ’ s annua l f und ra i ser , t h i s year he ld one lec t io n n igh t .

Cha r le s and Mar i l yn Johnson a t tend t he chu r c h

fund ra i se r e lec t io n .

I ona Gathman and Lo i s Udermann sha re a laughdur i ng the soup and p ie fund ra i se r fo r F i r s tCongregat io na l UCC .

Joe and Caro l i ne Z imme rman wo rk the soup and

p ie suppe r fund ra i ser .

Do ro thy Zeh r and Ph i l l i s M i cha l son a t t he soupand p ie suppe r fundra i se r .

Gay le DeWinte r and D r . J im Reed took t i c ke t s a t t hedoor o f t he so up and p ie fund rai se r a t F i r s tCong rega t iona l Un i ted Chu r ch o f Ch r i s t .

24 � Fort Dodge Today � December 2012 Fort Dodge Today � December 2012 � 25

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Pharmacy Hours: M-F 8-8; Sat 9-5; Sun 10-4

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Visit Santa! Mon.-Fri.: 1pm-7pm Sat.: 11am-7pm Sun.: Noon-5pm

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Large Indoor Pool & Hot Tub

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Furniture Donations Picked Up Free � � Paula’s Treasures

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2319 5th Ave S • Fort Dodge • 573-7771

Tues: 8-4 Wed-Fri: 8-6 Sat: 10-4

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Overhead Door Company of Webster County The Genuine. The Original.

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5

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130 N. 25th Street • Fort Dodge, IA 50501 515-576-1800 • 800-657-8033

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Lower-cost alternative for quality coverage.

The Cellar Restaurant and Lounge is com-mitted to bringing you quality food andfriendly service. Your meal will be preparedand served with the utmost care and atten-tion. The Cellar has been highly recognizedfor the excellence of their steaks. They offertwo sizes of Filet, the most tender of thesteak offerings; two sizes of Ribeye, themost flavorful; and a sixteen ounce New

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Seafood options offered at TheCellar include salmon with adelightful dill sauce, jumboshrimp which can be batter fried or char-broiled, mahi mahi and tilapia. Diners willalso find an extensive variety of pork,pasta, chicken, salads, sandwiches andchef prepared specials on the menu. TheCellar's regular menu includes 17 dinnersfor $10 or less.

The Cellar Restaurant and Lounge hasserved Fort Dodge and thesurrounding area for over21 years. They have wonthe Readers' Choice Awardfor the “Best Steak” everyyear for five years. Overthe last five years, The

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116 Kenyon Road, Fort Dodge, IAHighways 169 and Business 20

515-576-2290Hrs: Mon-Thur 4 pm - 10 pm

Fri-Sat 4pm - 11 pm


robertrobertwolfcolorlocal

Faith Matters:Bice Leads Youths through Young Life

Sometimes you find your calling in life,

but in Martha Bice’s case, the calling

found her.

Bice was first introduced to Young Life

decades ago when she was in high

school in Illinois. Today, she leads the

Young Life chapter through the First

Presbyterian Church in Fort Dodge.

But back in 1964, she was a student

attending a Young Life club meeting in

La Grange, Ill., that changed her life. “I

have such a love for Jesus Christ and

that’s where I really met Jesus,” Bice

said. “And I just like the mix of fun with

the message and involving the youth. It’s

a relationship ministry where you get to

know him.”

Back then, her Young Life leader was

Beebie Berry. Berry, who is 84 now, is

still a Young Life leader in Colorado

Springs, Colo.

In Fort Dodge, Bice is following in

Berry’s footsteps. She runs Young Life

through an office in what is now the

Shalom Center, the former Jewish syna-

gogue situated near the First

Presbyterian Church. Bice started the

local chapter in 1995. That same year,

she took six girls to the Young Life

Castaway Camp on Pelican Lake in

Detroit Lakes, Minn. Since then, the

group has grown every year – and she

has the photos to prove it.

“I’m a real picture freak,” said Bice.

“I’ve taken 389 kids to camp, not count-

ing second-timers. The kids say it is the

best week of their lives.”

High school juniors and seniors are eli-

gible for camp. Some volunteer to work

at least one month during the summer.

When they arrive there, all of their elec-

tronics are boxed up and the youths

spend a week without them.

“They don’t even miss it,” said Bice.

Unlike some youth groups, Young Life is

self-motivated.

“Most of the time the kids that show up

are motivated by kids. They are moti-

vated by the fact that parents do not

have to be here. Any youth can be a

member. All they have to do is show up

at a meeting,” said Bice.

“It’s all about relationships,” she added.

“We need each other and we need to

belong.”

Bice attributes the growth of the Fort

Dodge Young Life group to prayer. “My

friends pray. I pray. We pray with the

kids,” she said.

In addition to those prayers, her church

supports the group financially. Young

Life youths pay their own way to camp,

but financial assistance helps cover some

costs. To raise additional money, the

group hosts fundraising banquets. The

banquets, which usually feature dessert

and a program spotlighting the kids at

Holiday Mass Schedule

Office address: 2220 4th Ave. N. Fort Dodge, IA

955-6077

Immaculate Conception Vigil, Friday, December 7 Sacred Heart - 6:00 pm Corpus Christi - 5:30 pm Saturday, December 8 Sacred Heart - 8:00 am Corpus Christi - 12:05 pm

New Year’s 2012/2013 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Vigil, Monday, December. 31 Corpus Christi - 5:00 pm Sacred Heart - 6:00 pm Tuesday, January 1 Corpus Christi - 9:00 am Sacred Heart - 8:00 am Prison - 7:00 pm

Christmas 2012 Monday, December 24 Corpus Christi - 5:00 pm & 10:00 pm Sacred Heart - 5:00 pm & 9:00 pm St. Matthew - 5:00 pm Tuesday, December 25 Corpus Christi - 9:00 am Christ the King - 8:00 am / OLGC 10:00 am Sacred Heart - 10:00 am Spanish Mass - 12 Noon

Martha Bice started Young Life in FortDodge in 1995 because of her positiveexperiences with Young Life in highschool. - photo by Robert Wolf


the First Presbyterian Church’s Christian Life Center, plays

host to their parents.

Young Life was founded in Texas in 1941 by Jim Rayburn, a

Presbyterian, along with four other seminarians. “He said we

need to start something that doesn’t bore kids and that they

have fun at, yet they learn about Jesus Christ,” Bice said. It is a

nondenominational Christ-centered organization with 25

camps throughout the United States, and other countries.

“Young Life is all over the United States and in 75 countries. It

is a huge organization.”

But Bice’s joy isn’t centered in the organization’s breadth.

Instead, it is anchored in her work with the young people.

“It’s very natural for me to just hang with kids, talk to kids,

love kids, not be judgmental, care about them,” said Bice. “I’m

probably the glue that keeps it all going and it’s rewarding.”

About Martha Bice

Martha Bice, 65, and her husband,

Thomas Bice, who is a District Court

judge, have been married for 42 years.

They have two adult children, Laura and

Andy, who have each belonged to Young

Life and attended camp. For five summers,

Laura Bice worked at Young Life camps.

In addition to her church involvement, Bice is a member of

Questers, an organization that studies antiques and history.

She has also contributed nine years to the Fort Dodge

Community School Foundation and is involved with the

Blanden Memorial Art Museum.

239 N orth 11th St. • Fort D odge • 576-2103 Christmas Eve:

4:00 pm - Family Service 11:00 pm - Candlelight Service

Christmas Day: 10:00 am - Service of Holy Communion

www.stolaffd.org

SSTT.. PPAAUULL EEVV.. LLUUTTHHEERRAANN CCHHUURRCCHH 440000 SSoo.. 1133 tthh SStt.. •• FFoorrtt DDooddggee,, IIoowwaa 995555--77228855 wwwwww..ssttppaauullffdd!!ssttppaauullffdd..oorrgg

PPlleeaassee JJooiinn UUss FFoorr CChhrriissttmmaass!!

CCooookkiiee WWaallkk aanndd BBaakkee SSaallee DDEECCEEMMBBEERR 88--99

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MMOONNDDAAYY,, DDEECCEEMMBBEERR 2244 66::0000 PP..MM.. CCHHRRIISSTTMMAASS EEVVEE CCAANNDDLLEELLIIGGHHTT SSEERRVVIICCEE MMOONNDDAAYY,, DDEECCEEMMBBEERR 2244 1100::0000 PP..MM.. CCHHRRIISSTTMMAASS DDAAYY CCOOMMMMUUNNIIOONN SSEERRVVIICCEE TTUUEESSDDAAYY,, DDEECCEEMMBBEERR 2255 1100::0000 AA..MM..

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Anyone wishing more informationabout Young Life can contact MarthaBice at 576-7062 or 570-1837.

Every summer the Fort Dodge Young Life group spends a weekat the Young Life Castaway Camp on Pelican Lake in Minnesota.

- submitted photo


Taste How Much We Care™ 3048 5th Ave. South

Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 515-576-3500

2223 5th Ave S • Fort Dodge, IA 515-573-0199 “The Name Says It All!”

O P E N 2 4 H O U R S 3 0 3 6 1 s t A v e S • F o r t D o d g e • 5 1 5 - 5 7 6 - 7 4 0 0

• Pharmacy • Grocery Department

• Hearing Center • Portrait Studio

• Deli & Bakery • School Supplies

• Tire & Lube Express Department 280 N. 1st St. • Fort Dodge

576-0142

Not just books... possibilities.

515-573-8167 424 Central Avenue, Fort Dodge, IA

www.fortdodgeiowa.org/library

FORT DODGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Free WiFi Internet

FRANK’S AUTO & TRUCK SALVAGE We Buy Junk Cars & Trucks

Paying Top $$$ For Scrap-Metal & Iron (Alum, Copper, Lead, Brass, Copper Wire, Electric Motors and Stainless Steel)

* L ICENCED D EMANUFACTURER OF APPLIANCES

3304 Gypsum Hollow Rd. Fort Dodge - 955-4477 955-JUNK(5865)

Established 1985

Reaching Out to our neighbors in need....With the holiday season upon us, it is time that we join forces to reach out to individuals

and families in our community who are in need. When is the last time you heard of an

adult struggling to provide a meal for their family or a child going to bed hungry? Have you

wondered what you could do? HERE IS THE ANSWER– bring a non-perishable food item

into one of the businesses listed on these pages, drop it in the provided box to be donat-

ed to the The Lord’s Cupboard. Collection boxes will be available at these businesses

from November 16 - December 2, 2012. Join these businesses in reaching out to our

neighbors in need. Help us fill all of the collection boxes. REACH OUT TODAY!


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featurecover megmegbeshey

It’s the season of sparkling lights, twin-

kling, brilliant harbingers of the winter

holidays, strung just about everywhere.

Ever wonder what it takes to install all

those lights, particularly the giant

snowflakes that hang above the bridges of

Fort Dodge? How about the decorations

on that adorn Central Avenue and the

side streets near downtown?

Here’s an answer: Steve Mattke. Mattke,

city electrician in the Public Works

Department, has been in charge of the

behemoth task for more than 20 years. It

is largely thanks to Mattke that each new

holiday season is as sparkly as the last.

As early as late October, Mattke and his

crew inspected the city’s various lighted

displays, looking for blown bulbs or any-

thing else that needed a fix before dis-

plays were installed throughout the city

in mid-November. Back then, on some of

October’s slow days, Mattke took on the

early maintenance so the job of lighting

all of this city’s key attractions didn’t

overwhelm.

“Now is the time to get on the project,”

Mattke said then. “So we are down in

the basement as we can to get them out

of storage in City Hall. They are leaned

up against the wall. We plug them in and

get through them all to make sure the

bulbs are working properly.”

There are 100 lamps – or bulbs – on

each decoration that hangs on the light

poles. The decorations on First Avenue

North and First Avenue South are lit

with colored bulbs. They’re the original

decorations that were first used on

Central Avenue. The wreaths and

bunting that decorate Central Avenue

these days contain clear bulbs.

Keeping all of them lit is no simple case

of plugging in and hoping.

“We go through over 1,000 bulbs each

year to replace the bulbs that do not

work,” said Mattke. “We go through

more of the clear bulbs than anything

else, especially with the snowflake deco-

rations.”

It’s a job Mattke can’t handle alone, so

he recruits other Public Works employ-

ees. People who work in other city

departments – warehouse, sanitation,

street, metering services, parking meter

and other various other city staff – pitch

in too.

“Every year is different in regards to

what is needed to pull this off so that it

all goes up on time for the holidays,” said

Mattke.

The timeline target is to have them up

and ready by the week of Thanksgiving,

or a week and half before then.

It usually takes about a day and a half to

put all of them up. This year, the crew

worked towards completed installation by

the middle of November. Typically, two

crews work on the light poles. They have

a process.

Mattke L ghts up Fort DodgeMattke L ghts up Fort Dodgefor the Holidays

Steve Mattke is the city electrician in the Public Works department and has been in chargeof the city’s holiday decorations for more than 20 years.

- photo by Meg Beshey


“They first start on Central Avenue and

work on that downtown area until done,”

said Mattke. “Then they move on to

Veterans Bridge by the Crossroads Mall.

Next they work to get the Kenyon Road

Bridge done and then the Karl King

Bridge. After that, they go to the Third

Street Bridge, Hawkeye Avenue and then

the area on North 15th Street near

Oakland Cemetery and Gunderson

Funeral Home.”

Some installations are easier than others.

“The most challenging location is that of

Veterans Bridge,” said Mattke. “We try to

get that one done first so we don’t have

to fight the morning traffic. We start

about 6 a.m. to get a head start.

“Traffic is the biggest hurdle we have,”

he said. “We are in people’s way and

they don’t always appreciate us being in

the way.”

Weather can also play a role.

“Weather can be either extreme cold,

blustery winds or snow. Sometimes just

positioning the truck close enough to

hang these decorations is tough enough

due to piled up snow some years,” said

Mattke. Wind is a factor in that. “Just

trying to hold onto them once up in the

air is something else. For instance, trying

to put it into the bracket on the light pole

properly is really hard if it is really windy

out.”

Like any other project that relies on spe-

cialized equipment, the failure of that

equipment can wreak havoc on the job.

“We blew a hydraulic line a couple of

years go. I was up in the bucket at the

time, but was able to bring it down

before it ran totally of fluid,” Mattke

recalled. “I had other people with me at

the time since we were putting up the

decorations going across Central Avenue.

Those decorations are the wreaths with

the bunting together that stretch across

the street.”

Just like the lights people string about

their homes, tangles can affect the

process.

“It happens a little bit every once in a

while,” Mattke admitted.

Sometimes – but not very often – the

decorations fail to light. Mattke said it’s

rare.

“At most maybe we might have had two

or three instances, but not usually since

we do go through them extensively,” he

said.

The “master” of these local holiday dec-

orations said he is impartial when it

comes to their appeal.

“I really don’t have a favorite one,” he

said. “I just hang them up for everyone

to enjoy.”

But question him further and Mattke

admits that when he drives around Fort

Dodge he is particularly pleased by the

wreaths with bunting that span Central

Avenue.

“It is rewarding to see the expressions on

people’s – and especially little kids’ –

faces when they see them lit up and on

display,” he said. “I also realize that ...

soon I’ll be taking them down.”

Mattke says the lights occasionally gettangled, just like holiday lights in people’shomes. - photo by Hans Madsen

- Steve Mattke

❛❛ ❛❛Traffic is the biggest hurdle we have ... We are inpeople’s way and they don’t always appreciateus being in the way.

About Steve Mattke:Steve Mattke, 52, has worked

for city of Fort Dodge in the

Public Works Department for

23 years. He’s originally from

the Lake Panora area. He

came to Fort Dodge to work

for the city of Fort Dodge and

has been here ever since. His

hobbies include working on an

antique truck and cars. He

likes to follow his kids at

sporting activities, and he

enjoys woodworking.


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megmegbesheyStYlehome

When the snow flies — or at

least appears to be headed our

way — do you think about

your snow blower? You should.

When the white stuff starts

falling, you’ll be glad you made

sure it’s snow-ready.

Usually, it takes that first snow-

fall to get people excited about

the snow blower, but taking

advantage of nicer days is the

best way to be prepared,

according to a local expert.

Andy Dunbar, of Dunbar

Power Equipment, of Fort

Dodge, has some advice for

avoiding the mad rush when

drifts are forming. “People

drop off their snowblowers all

year long to us,” he said.

“Usually, we only see a mad

rush when the weather turns

cold.”

Good snow blower practices

include keeping it ready at all

times. “The No. 1 thing when

you put away,” said Dunbar,

“drain the fuel on it every day.

If a storm came in, it is impor-

tant to have the fuel cleared

out of the system.

Snowblowers have the worst

fuel problems ever, basically

because it is stored for nine

months and the long storage

during the hot months is not

good if fuel stays inside of it.

“Trust me,” said Dunbar, “the

day you want it to run it won’t

work right if you don’t take

care of it properly.

Guaranteed.”

So it’s been properly main-

tained and the big storm is

coming, now what? “If you are

ready to use it, practice using

it. Just go and start it. Practice

starting it on a nice day, not

when there is a foot of snow

on the ground,” Dunbar said.

“Always fill it with fresh gas

before using it and make sure it

has oil in it too.” For safety’s

continued on page 36

Andy Dunbar, of Dunbar Power Equipment, of Fort Dodge,provides advice for for maintaining a snowblower.

101How ToSnowblow


sake, consider the things that may be

under the snow. Dunbar suggests

clearing the area of doormats, dog

chains, string of lights lights, footballs

and even dog toys. “You should also

think about where you are going to

put the snow when you do use the

snowblower as well and the wind fac-

tor to determine where to send the

snow.”

How you stand when you operate the

machine is important, he said. “Most

of the time, be relaxed. Let the snow-

blower do most of the work. Let it do

its thing and it will work properly.

Most modern ones have ‘dead man’

switches on them; it won’t run without

your touch.”

If, for some reason, you do clog your

snowblower, never ever stick your

hand into the snowblower, Dunbar

said. Snow blowers have belt drives

that are tension bound. If you get the

clog out, then that spring releases and

hands can be severely injured.

According to Dunbar, the big new

machines have an onboard tool to

unclog it; smaller snowblowers do not.

It is required by law to have one

mounted on the machine.

So say the snow has fallen and blus-

tery winds are packing it down. How

will you attack those drifts? If you

have a big machine, let the snowblow-

er do it. It can handle it just fine. If

you’re using a small snowblower, you

may need to chop the snowbank with

a shovel first. Create just enough

breaks in the drift that you can take it

down with the snowblower with ease.

Dunbar said the type of snow can

present varying issues too. “The wet

snow is going to be a stress factor, no

matter what. It does not throw as far

as a drier snowfall. It is going to be

more stressful and harder on the snow-

blower than on you, although some

snowblowers do not handle wet snow

well at all.” No matter what, he said,

get rid of it before it freezes down and

overnight. It will be much harder to

get rid of in the morning when you

are in a rush and need to get some-

where.

So now the work is done. You are

ready to put the machine away until

the next big snow. What should you do

now? “One thing that is helpful is to

let it keep running, especially if it is

covered in snow,” said Dunbar. “It is

essential to let it sit running and let the

vibrations shake the snow off the

machine. The heat will help melt it off

the unit.” But, Dunbar said, don’t

refuel when the engine’s still hot.

“We’ve had some come in to the shop

where somewhere it had caught on fire

because of this very situation,” he

said.

If you are thinking of buying a snow-

blower, Dunbar suggested asking your

dealer for more information. “We are

happy to educate them on it so they

use it safely.”

continued from page 35

One of the smaller model snowblowers available for residential snow removal.


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WiSehealth megmegbeshey

photographs by Meg Beshey

The holiday season, with its invitations

to attend multiple holiday events, can

be overwhelming. You’re invited to a

friend’s home, a family member hosts a

meal, and then there’s the office party.

It seems that everywhere you turn there

is food. How do you eat well, but stay

healthy without starving yourself at the

buffet?

Chef Michael Hirst has some sugges-

tions. Busy instructing his culinary stu-

dents at the Iowa Central Community

College Culinary Center, Hirst took a

break while students prepped a meal

for the Willow Ridge Golf Course din-

ing room, their official training ground.

He sat down to breathe and offer some

gustatory strategies for dining your way

through the holidays.

Here are some simple and healthy tips

to keep in mind when you’re about to

attend an event centered on eating and

drinking.

“First of all, the day of the event you

need to start the day off with a small

breakfast or a very light lunch. This

helps balance things later when you eat

at the event,” said Hirst.

Second, don’t drink any alcohol before

you go. You should never drink and

then drive; not only is it against the law,

it can also endanger your well-being.

Another tip: do some household chores

before you go to build an appetite.

And dress comfortably. Leave the fig-

ure-hugging outfit in the closet.

“Remember, you are not going to

impress, you are going to enjoy. You

will eat, so best not to be uncomfort-

able,” Hirst said. “You can also take a

healthy appetizer to the event if okay

with the host. For example, veggies on

skewers as an alternative with a light

spinach dip or some fruit options.”

Once there, you should survey the

menu for healthy options. If you’re at a

restaurant, check out the selections,

especially at the buffet. You can easily

control what you eat in that situation

versus a plated dinner. Save some room

for dessert and stay away from the

appetizers, particularly if they’re fried.

If you’re at someone’s home, check the

array of food. You can control what

you eat by simply making wise and

moderate choices. But if your host

loads up your plate, here’s a good tip:

Eat it slowly. “Don’t refuse or be rude

about it,” said Hirst. “You could chew

your peas for about 20 minutes.” If the

meal is family-style, go easy on the

meats and starches.

At any event, there are things to look

out for if you have special diet needs.

For example, if you need to eat gluten-

free, ask about ingredients, especially if

a food is breaded. A host or restaura-

teur should be able to tell you what

ingredients were used in the food.

If a dinner event features mostly dishes

laden with sauces – “Sauces can be on

the side instead of on the top” – and

desserts, consider ways to say “no thank

you.”

“Insist on small slices, small portions,”

said Hirst. “Eat slowly to pace yourself

with those who take the big portions.

Water fills you up and keeps you from

overeating too much. Never be rude to

the host.” Avoid the whipped cream, he

cautioned, but do sample your host’s

offerings. “People love it when you at

least try something they made.

Sometimes you can try just a small bit.”

From the perspective of hosting, con-

sider what you can do to make the meal

scrumptious and healthy. “Buy a real

turkey, not a frozen broth-injected one.

The broth used in frozen turkeys has

too much salt in the broth.”

Blanch vegetables in advance to retain

their color and minerals. “You can zap

them for 10 minutes in the microwave

before the meal is served,” said Hirst.Chef Michael Hirst gives advice on howto conserve calories at holiday meals.

Eating Healthyfor the Holidays

continued on page 42


2400 5th Ave. S. Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Show Off Your Pet!

Show Off Your Pet!Send us a photo of your pet(s) along with yourname, your pet’s name, breed (if known) andany brief comment you’d like to share about

your pet.

Mail photo and information to:Fort Dodge Today Magazine

713 Central AvenueFort Dodge, IA 50501

or email photo and information:[email protected]

Cat’s Name: MoBreed: Domestic Short Hair Calico

Age: 4 years old femaleOwner: Bev Davis

About Mo: Mo loves her family,sunbathing, birdwatching and mischief !

“Don’t keep them too hot. The longer they sit they discolor

and lose the vitamins they have.”

More suggestions? Use the meat juices and make your own

stock. “Don’t use margarine, use real butter, especially for

your baking,” said Hirst. “Margarine is three ingredients

short of plastic. Even lard is healthier for you to use.”

When you invite guests to eat at an event, ask if anyone

has health or eating issues. Guests will appreciate the con-

cern. “Absolutely ask if anyone has allergies. Knowledge in

the kitchen is what is going to make a meal safer and more

enjoyable for your guest. Most people are good about let-

ting you know ahead of time, but they can forget too,” said

Hirst. “One in five has some type of food allergy now in

the American diet.”

Here’s another thing to keep in mind: Guests will eat slow-

er if plate is more presentable. “Even on a simple turkey

plate, the people will eat what they see and appreciate it

even more,” Hirst said. “Think of the plate like a frame;

put the color around the protein. Drizzle the sauce on the

food, yet don’t make the food swim in it.” And another tip:

Don’t put gravy over the potatoes; it doubles the starch.

Hirst said the healthiest holiday meal in his memory was a

while ago. “I was still an apprentice chef at the time. We

made a turkey filet mignon and parsnip-mashed potatoes

with no gravy. The meat was seared and we boiled Brussel

sprouts. This was at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London

on Christmas Day. It had a nice simplicity due to every-

thing else being used for holiday meals for Christmas Eve.

We sat on upturned pots to enjoy our meals as the chairs

were used in the main dining room.”

However, his favorite holiday treat of choice – Champagne

– is not necessarily healthy. “The holidays are not the holi-

days for me without it,” said Hirst. “Fizzy grape juice, it’s a

food.”

continued from page 41

A holiday presentation of smoked salmon appetizer fitfor any guest.


Editor’s note: This is the first of a monthlyseries of articles on downtown Fort Dodge pro-vided by Stephanie Houk Sheetz, senior cityplanner, and other city officials.

The complete overhaul of a downtownparking lot is complete.

Lot 1 – at First Avenue North andNorth 10th Street – and was builtaround 1965. It is commonly referredto as the Brass Monkey Lot. It closedon Sept.17 for renovations. The projectincluded complete removal of the oldlot – tearing out old pavement, wallsand broken sidewalk along First AvenueNorth. The parking lot was designedand rebuilt for current and future needs.With an appropriate base so it will last40 years, with routine maintenance.The freshly renovated lot is intendedprimarily for permit parking but willalso include some metered stalls forshort-term parking as indicated withinterior signs.

Downtown Fort Dodge is similar tomany towns built during the same era.As the years evolved, so have our park-ing lot needs. Many buildings werebuilt during a time where parking wasnot needed. Therefore, on-site parkingisn’t required, like in other areas oftown. To address the concern over lackof downtown parking, the City estab-lished a public parking system. Thesystem includes eight downtown parkinglots, on-street time limits and meteredparking on designated streets. In 2011the City renovated the DowntownParking System to achieve four basicgoals:

• Convenient for the customer with suf-ficient space available at cost effectiveand reasonable rates,

• Designed to generate turnover to givecustomers the opportunity to park asclose as possible to the business theywish to visit,

• Provide sufficient revenue to make thesystem self-sustaining and;

• Enforceable to monitor and enforceviolations. Longer term parkers maypark in public parking lots where all dayparking is allowed at a reduced fee tothe on-street parking. This system issupported and sustained by the peoplewho use it, through the meter fees andmonthly parking permits.

Want to learn more about where thepublic parking lots are located? Thoseinterested in learning more about avail-able parking before venturing down-town should go to the Downtown web-page on the City of Fort Dodge’s web-

site. It includes a map of the parkinglot locations. For those already in thearea, new signs will be installed so thatpublic parking lots are visible. Lot 1 willbe the first with the new signs.

More signs will be installed as thedowntown parking system continuesto be rebuilt.

Renovating Lot 1 was made possible bythe meters installed on Central Avenuefrom Seventh to Tenth streets inSeptember 2011. The cost for the workwas approximately $170,000.

For more information about theDowntown Parking System or to seewhat tools are available for a businessto market parking opportunities, visitthe Downtown webpage on the City’swebsite.

toWNaround stephaniestephaniehouk sheetz & timtimcarmodyphotograph by Hans Madsen

Dave Trammell, with Jensen Builders, works on finishing a freshly poured section of side-walk along First Avenue North and Tenth Street in downtown Fort Dodge. The areabehind him, known as Parking Lot 1, has been completely rebuilt by the City of FortDodge. The $165,991 project is paid for by revenue generated by the city's parkingmeters.

Downtown Parking Lot RenovationRebuilding One Quarter at a Time!


photographs by Meg Beshey

‘Tis the season to eat yummy, fah-lah-lah-lah-lah, lah-lah-lah yum.

Here’s a great recipe for ginger-snaps and a good one for creatinga classic gingerbread-type cookietoo. It’s a traditional recipe that gota little tweak – just traditionalenough to serve for the holidays,but addictive enough to make therest of the year. So beware. Thefirst batch might just be so goodyou’ll have to bake another.

Ingredients:1 C. shortening1 ½ C. boiling water1 ½ C. brown sugar½ tsp. baking soda

3 eggs (beaten)5 C. sifted flour1 T. ginger2 tsp. baking powder½ C. dark molasses1 ½ tsp. salt1 T. cinnamon

Cream the shortening and addbrown sugar and mix well. Add theeggs and blend together. Mix theginger with the molasses and addto creamed mixture. Add boilingwater while stirring. Sift remainingdry ingredients together. Add tothe creamed mixture and mix.Drop by spoon on a greased bak-ing sheet. Bake at 425 for 10-12minutes. These can be frosted withpowdered sugar icing or eatenplain.

You can dip the spoonfuls of batterinto sugar first before baking.Another option is to frost themwith coffee-flavored icing, then topwith nuts.

These cookies bake well and have agreat texture. They also freeze welland make a great easy gift to haveon hand to give to those unexpect-ed holiday guests when they dropby. Put some into treat bags andhave those in a basket near thedoor as a seasonal thank you tothose that deliver the newspaper,the mail, or packages.

Gingersnaps smell good, taste good and are a welcome treat duringthe holiday season.

megmegbesheycorNerculinary

Gingersnapsfor the Holidays

May your Christmas be merry and sweet.


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courtesy of edwardcourtesy of edwardjonesMatterSMoney

Time for Year-end Review of

Your Financial Strategy?Now that 2012 is drawing to a close,

you may want to review the progress

you’ve made this past year in many

areas of your life — including your

financial situation. By going over your

investment portfolio and other key

areas related to your finances, you can

learn what moves you may need to

make in 2013 to stay on track toward

your important objectives, such as col-

lege for your children, a comfortable

retirement and the ability to leave the

type of legacy you desire.

To get a clear picture of where you

are, consider asking yourself these

questions:

Am I taking on too much risk?

Although 2012 has generally been a

pretty good year for investors, we’ve

certainly seen periods of considerable

volatility. During these times, did you

find yourself constantly fretting about

big drops in your portfolio value? In

fact, have you consistently experienced

this type of worry throughout your

years as an investor? If so, you might be

taking on too much risk for your indi-

vidual risk tolerance. Review your hold-

ings to determine if you can lower your

risk level without jeopardizing your

overall investment strategy.

Am I investing too conservatively?

Just as you can take on too much invest-

ment risk, you can also go to the other

extreme by investing too conservatively.

If your portfolio contains a preponder-

ance of investments that offer signifi-

cant preservation of principal but very

little in the way of growth potential,

you may be endangering your chances

of accumulating the resources you’ll

need to achieve your long-term goals.

Am I contributing as much as I

can afford to my retirement

plans? If you have access to an

employer-sponsored retirement plan,

such as a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b), con-

sider yourself fortunate. Your plan has

the potential to grow on a tax-deferred

basis, and you typically contribute

pre-tax dollars — the more you put in,

the lower your annual taxable income.

Plus, your employer may match part of

your contributions. So if you’ve been

under-funding your retirement plan,

ratchet up your funding in 2013. At the

same time, you may still be eligible to

contribute to an IRA; if so, try to

“max out” on it. A traditional IRA

grows tax deferred while a Roth IRA

can grow tax free, provided you meet

certain conditions.

Am I adequately protecting my

income — and my family? Over

time, you’ll experience many changes in

your life — marriage, children, new

job, new home, etc. Most, if not all, of

these changes will require you to make

sure you have adequate life insurance in

place to help guard your family’s future,

should anything happen to you.

Furthermore, to help replace your

income should you become disabled,

you may well need to purchase an

adequate amount of disability income

insurance.

Do I need professional help? As the

above questions indicate, maintaining

control of your financial situation can

be challenging — especially if you try

to do it all on your own. You might

benefit from working with a financial

professional — someone who can

analyze your situation objectively

and make recommendations based on

your risk tolerance, time horizon and

specific goals.

Before the clock runs out on 2012, take

the time to ask yourself the above

questions. The answers may well spur

you to take positive action in 2013.

Copyright © 2012 Edward Jones. All

rights reserved. Member SIPC.

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NCYL

Michael Carlson Hannah Kenworthy Neely Scharf Tommy Setterdahl

Fort Dodge Senior High

photographer: Green Door Photography photographer: Green Door Photography photographer: Green Door Photographyphotographer: Green Door Photography

The following students participated in National Council of Youth Leadership as featured in last month’sissue of Fort Dodge Today magazine, but their photos were received after press time, so we have includedthem here to acknowledge their participation in NCYL.

Fostering Future Youth Leaders with NCYL

St. Edmond High School

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“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields,

that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers

them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and

perhaps it says ‘Go to sleep, darlings, till the

summer comes again.’ ”

-Lewis Carroll

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PRSRT STD

US Postage Paid

Fort Dodge, IA

Permit No. 10

1615 North 15th Street • Fort Dodge • 576-7128

GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES

Invites You To.. .

A TimeFor Angels

2012 Service Of Remembrance Sunday, December 2 • 1:30 p.m. St. Olaf Lutheran Church 239 No 11th St., Fort Dodge The holidays are a difficult time for those who have lost someone loved. The staff of Gunderson Funeral Home invites you to attend our annual

“ A Time For Angels ” a service of remembrance in honor of those who have died

and in support of those who still live. The program will feature music and an inspirational message of hope from the

Rev. David Grindberg & Father Shane Deman The program will be followed by a presentation of an angel ornament to each family to

take home and place on their tree for their own family gathering. We hope you, your family and friends will join us.

Please call us with any questions or to request your own angel ornament for your family.


december 2012 today magazine

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