etc... (jan./feb., 2011)

etc ... 4 January & February 2011

is published six times a year by The Journal-Standard,

a GateHouse Media newspaper, at 27 S. State

Ave., Freeport, Ill.

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pubLisHErSteve Trosley

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ADVErtisinG manager

Ann Young(815) 232-0162

Advertising staffDutch Bamberg(815) 232-0134Linda Conder

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EDitorEric Petermannepetermann@

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DEsiGnErJodie Butler Seibert

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INSIDE

Red Mary: A story of Irish history, folklorePage 23

Page 16

Helpful hints on how to travel with your pets

Packard man: Haack restores these classic cars

Page 18

TRAVEL TALES: An oasis from the cold in MexicoPage 8

Page 11

Majestic birds: Eagles on the Mississippi

etc...

January & February 2011 etc ... 5

STORY AND PHOTOS BY P.J. FRANCISFor ETC... Magazine

S ome folks say one of the things they like about living in the Midwest are the different seasons.

Every spring the brown earth turns green as the leaves return to the trees. Summer brings an abundance of color and an agreeable level of heat. Fall

Hit the ski slopes near Galena

SnowSnowdreams

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endows us with beautiful gold and perfect outdoor weather.As winter approaches we wake up one morning to a

blanket of snow covering the entire countryside. For a few months we are preoccupied with keeping warm, avoiding road accidents, and maintaining access to our property.

While winter is something most people tolerate with the knowledge it will inevitably end there are those who look forward to it. These are the people who enjoy winter activities such as snowmobiling, ice-fishing and skiing.

Chestnut Mountain’s winter terrain is geared for all levels of skiers and snow-boarders. The 475-foot vertical drop runs 3,500 feet through nineteen runs ranging from novice to black diamond. Two quad chairs, four triple chairs and three surface lifts take you back to the top after your thrilling descent.

Chestnut Mountain’s 20,000 square foot ski center houses an apparel shop, equipment rental area and ticketing outlet. The apparel shop features Rossignol skis and boots, Burton boards and clothing from Burton and Nordica. To truly customize your Midwest skiing experience, The Ski Center Pro Shop also houses a ski school, first aid station and tuning shop. Lastly, the equipment rental area perpetually whisks visitors through 2,400 sets of rental gear and on to the hill where they belong.

Thanks to state-of-the-art snow grooming and the largest snowmaking system in the Midwest, Chestnut Mountain makes sure the trails remind you of last night’s fresh snowfall – even if there wasn’t. Call (800) 798-0098 or view current snow conditions online.

Get a look at the slopes before you even get to the mountain on the internet. The Slope Terrain Report shows you precisely where features are located today.

Chestnut Mountain’s 50 professional guides and instructors look forward to showing you all that our slopes have to offer. While being serious about teaching you to ski or snowboard, we also focus on making every lesson enjoyable. No matter what your skill level is, we invite you to discover how much fun Chestnut Mountain’s winter sports can be. Please send inquiries to [email protected].

We tend to associate skiing with Colorado, the Alps or other distant locations. Chestnut Mountain is right here on our doorstep. It is a place you can visit for a few hours or for a weekend. Feel like a little skiing after work? It is close enough for that to be a reality.

Being close you can be spontaneous and visit on the spur of the moment. There is ample accommodation and dining establishments in the region.


The Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) was established in 1983 as a department of county government. The Bureau’s mission is to develop year-round sustainable tourism for Jo Daviess County in a manner that will favorably impact the county residents’ quality of life and economic well-being.

The Bureau is unlike a typical convention and visitor’s bureau in that it is not a membership-based organization. This structure allows the Bureau staff to focus attention on destination marketing rather than meeting the needs of individual members. Participation in Bureau programs is open to any Jo Daviess County business that enhances the visitor’s experience. For a fee, non-lodging businesses located outside of Jo Daviess County are welcome to participate in Bureau programs. Businesses interested in enrolling in Bureau programs can contact the CVB administration office at (815) 777-3557.

Although a division of Jo Daviess County government, the CVB is supported by an Advisory Board consisting of representatives of the visitor industry, local governments and experienced businesspersons. The nine Advisory Board members serve at the pleasure of the Jo Daviess County Board and meet in the Jo Daviess County Courthouse at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month.

For visitor information, telephone the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau at (877) 464–2536.

INFORMATION: The Galena/ Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)

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WINE COLUMNwine in a clear bottle with hearts on it. Now, I would never purchase a wine just for the label, but when it is as good as well, then it is fun to go with. That’s what we will be having. You can buy Wide River Winery wine at the Family Beer and Wine Store going in to Dubuque on U.S. 20.

Have you heard of Greenup? It is located in central Illinois near Charleston. There is a winery there called Cameo Vineyard (cameowine.com). My husband goes through there on his way home from traveling for business. The first time he stopped there he saw two little kids selling grapes on the porch. Now, when we stopped there this year the owner told us that those kids are now teenagers and at football practice, etc. My how time flies. We picked up

two bottles that would be perfect for Valentine’s Day. One is a cherry wine in a frosted bottle and another one is a semi-sweet white called Kissing Bridge with a picture of the town’s covered bridge on the label. Both were very tasty.

Whatever wine you decide to go with, have a Happy Valentine’s Day next month. Keep warm and toasty.

Suzanne Boyer thinks that life’s too short to drink bad wine. She can be reached at: [email protected].

I have to start off this new year by clearing up some things that I wrote in my last article. First of all, the apple wine that I talked about was from Stonecliff Winery in Dubuque, Iowa. The apples that were

used in that wine were from Czipar’s orchard in Dubuque, too. And the reason that you tasted so much cinnamon when you warmed it up was because a cinnamon stick was added to the saucepan. Did anyone try it? I served it at a meeting at my house and everyone loved it.

How about the champagne that I recommended — did anyone try the Schramsberg? Another clarification on champagne is that if it comes from the region in France, it is Champagne. But, if it comes from somewhere else, it should be called sparkling wine. My husband brought home a bottle of Roderer Estate sparkling wine from Surdyk’s in Minnesota and then I read an article in the Oct. 31 issue of Wine Spectator about how good it was this year — “The best version ever!” Brut NV (91, $23) He called our son, who lives in Minneapolis and told him to get six more bottles for us and keep one for himself. I then found it rated at 89 points in the Nov. 15 issue of Wine Spectator and good through 2013. It was described as crisp and refreshingly minerally, offering tart Gala apple and lemon aromas and focused flavors of yeasty citrus and anise. A hint of cherry lingers on the finish. So, we have through 2013 before we need to drink all of them.

Valentine’s Day is coming up next month. Champagne, or sparkling wine, is good for then but a red wine or blush can be good too. Pinot Noir is a good light-bodied wine. It is one of the principal grapes in French Champagne. I have recommended a Bogle Pinot Noir 2008. And we have a Pinot Noir from Silver Moon winery near Lake Carroll. It is a 2005, so we should drink it soon.

It’s always fun to get a bottle for Valentine’s Day with an appropriate label referring to the special day. I already have two at home that I can use. One bottle is Blushing Testimony that is from Wide River Winery near Clinton, Iowa. The other one from the same winery is called Be Mine and is red

Start 2011 with champagne or sparkling wine

Suzanne Boyer

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2 W. Main St., Historic Downtown Freeport815-233-5626 • Mon-Fri 9-5, Saturday 9-3


STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANN YOUNGFor ETC... Magazine

Exploring Mexico from the center out has been a goal of my husband, Steve, and I for the last few years.

We like to take a week’s vacation in January to find some sunshine. So, we have gone to Mexico on five different trips and only once stayed at a coastal town. I like the center of the country where there are fewer tourists and you have more of a taste of the sites of another country. We have returned twice to Oaxaca, a

An oasis from the cold in MExico

oAxAcA!

TRAVEL TALES

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Many tables were full of Alebrijes, miniature real and imaginary animals, to choose from.

A girl paints Alebriges, which are figures carved from copal wood, and then painted to resemble a fantasy animal.

January & February 2011 etc ... 9world heritage site, which is southeast of Mexico City and in the heart of the country as it moves south. It offers us sun, good prices, great food and wonderful day trips.

Oaxaca is best known for its Day of the Dead Ceremony, mole sauce, alebrijes (imaginary animals) and, of course, chocolate.

On each trip we fly into a small airport and then share a shuttle to our hotel or bed and breakfast. We always stay within walking distance of the Zocalo, which is the center of all social activity. It is surrounded by restaurants and has an 18th century cathedral that stands guard over the area. We feel safe walking all times of the day or night all over the city. We love the many choices in restaurants. Last year we looked up the five top restaurants in the city according to www.tripadvisor.

com and went to all five of them. The most expensive one was $15 per person; there we were served stuffed shrimp the size of my fist – I must admit we went back and I had the same entree the second time.

Since Mexico celebrates Kings Day we have seen lots of parades and most decorations are still up during our trip; of course, the poinsettia is the flower of choice. The churches are full of people; the Zocalo has tables of families after

families – all four generations celebrating together with hot chocolate and food in the evening.

During the day we walk to another square where they make the best ice cream in the world – every flavor to choose from – pistachio, mango, pineapple, etc. They stir the cream as you watch. You sit under umbrellas in the sunshine and have your afternoon treat as children run around under your feet.

Each night music fills the Zocolo, and on Sunday afternoons the place boasts a 100-piece orchestra playing dance music. Last year a young teenager stood up and offered me his chair, and his father asked me to dance. I asked Steve, “Would that have happened to a foreigner in our country?” I doubt it. The men all wear suits, the woman their best with hats, heels, etc. Residents dance the afternoon away under the trees, with the fountains splashing in the background. It is magical, and we like to arrive before Sunday so we can enjoy it.

Did I mention the markets? All over town, with one market being better than the next. We meander past all the animals that are carved into fantastic beings, wildly painted with stripes, dots, etc. Green tigers, orange coyotes, pink dogs, stripped red mice, blue zebras, and on and on. Craftsmen exhibit their wares at every street corner. You can buy a three-inch animal or a three-foot-tall animal.

El Tule — the most voluminous tree in the world.

Widest tree in the WorldEl Árbol del Tule (Spanish for “the Tule Tree”) is a tree

located in the church grounds in the town center of Santa María del Tule in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, approximately 9 kilometers east of the city of Oaxaca on the road to Mitla. It is a Montezuma Cypress, or Ahuehuete (meaning “old man of the water” in Nahuatl). It has the stoutest trunk of any tree in the world.

In 2005, its trunk had a circumference of 119 feet, equating to a diameter of 38.1 feet.

It is so large that it was originally thought to be multiple trees, but DNA tests have proven that it is only one tree. This does not rule out another hypothesis, which states that it comprises multiple trunks from a single individual.

The age is unknown, with estimates ranging between 1,200 and 3,000 years, and even one claim of 6,000 years; the best scientific estimate based on growth rates is 1,433-1,600 years. Local Zapotec legend holds that it was planted about 1,400 years ago by Pechocha, a priest of Ehecatl, the Aztec wind god, in broad agreement with the scientific estimate; its location on a sacred site (later taken over by the Roman Catholic Church) would also support this.

The tree is occasionally nicknamed the “Tree of Life” from all the images of animals that are reputedly visible in the tree’s gnarled trunk.

— Wikipedia.org

“residents dance the afternoon away under the trees, with the fountains splashing in the background. it is magical...”— Ann Young

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On mornings we walk to our favorite coffee shop after breakfast and have one more cup of the locally-raised coffee for $1 a cup. Steve does his Sudoku and I plan the day.

We meander down to the Mayordomo and watch them make chocolate, and then after we stand in line we decide we absolutely must have a cup of the world’s best hot chocolate, and so what if it is 80 degrees out? We stand in line for a two-top table so we can sit and savor our chocolate before we walk on.

Our days are spent meandering the streets or taking short day trips. The Tule Tree is a short bus ride away and is supposed to be the oldest tree in the world. It is estimated that is 2,000+ years old and takes up a whole block. It is fenced in and guarded: you must pay 25 cents to see this tree inside the fence. The trunk is so enormous that it does not even fit on your camera screen to take a picture. Tourists drive for miles just to see this ancient cypress tree.

Monte Alban is an interesting day trip if you like ruins and enjoy hiking. You can walk all over this Zapotec religious site by yourself, or take a guide. It will wear you out, but it is worth the climb to see the wonderful vistas from on top of one of the walls.

We have gone twice to the small village where they carve the strange animals that the area is known for. Young men and woman are carving or painting all day and night every day of the year. I find a treasure that makes me smile and decide it will fit both on my kitchen ledge and in my suitcase.

One day we decide to try out the local barber. She gives Steve a haircut, shampoo and massage with tip for $5.

The brightly colored giraffe souvenir that came home in the suitcase.

Shrimp artfully arranged for dinner.

She speaks no English (our Spanish is limited), and he even goes back the next year as he loves the caring attitude of the stylist to do his hair just right. She is thrilled at the tip Steve leaves, I entertain the two small children that peek out of the curtained living area. We are indeed “strange” to them.

Our B&B of choice is Casa del Los Bugambilias – another trip advisor find. We have to rent 6 months in advance in order to get one of their rooms. The location is perfect and the breakfasts are to die for. Each morning some new menu item is on the board and they serve us large helpings. It is always served on beautiful china with matching napkins and juice glasses. Homemade jam and bread fill the bread baskets and coffee and hot chocolate are always available. The décor in this home is designer perfect, with a resident cat that one night sat outside our room and howled for entrance – just like home. We sit and share stories with the other travelers and decide on how to spend the day.

After two visits – we have our favorite haunts that we look forward to returning to. This might be our home for a month down the road. It is picture perfect and affordable; I ache to go back.

Ann Young can be reached at [email protected]. Take along a sense of adventure and sense of humor and you can go anywhere.

More on ALebrijesThe first alebrijes originated with Pedro Linares. After

dreaming the creatures while sick in the 1930s, he began to create what he saw in cardboard and papier mache. His work caught the attention of a gallery owner in Cuernavaca and later, the artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.

— Wikipedia.org

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STORY BY P.J. FRANCISFor ETC... Magazine

I thasbeenwelldocumentedthatBenjaminFranklindidnotconsiderthebaldeagletobethebestchoicefortheAmericannationalbird.Hefeltthehumbleturkeyabetterchoicedescribingitas“abirdof

courage,andwouldnothesitatetoattackagrenadieroftheBritishguards,whoshouldpresumetoinvadehisfarmyardwitharedcoaton.”


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The majestic birds make their home near Jo Daviess County

EaglEson the

Mississippi

Wintering bald eaglesBY LES ZIguRSkILarge numbers of bald eagles spend their summers and nest in locations to the north of our area. Each winter, these eagles move south, where they can find open water and better opportunities to catch fish. Many of these eagles spend their winters along the Mississippi and other rivers in our area. During the next several weeks, the wintering eagles should be moving into the area. Included with this article are photos of some of these winter visitors from the last few years along with the “stories behind the photos.”— les Zigurski, a resident of Jo Daviess County, took the pictures. For more, see www.wildlifeimagesbyles.net.

Les Zigurski / wiLdLifeimagesbyLes.netThe lower of the two eagles in this photo was diving down to the river to catch a fish, and the second eagle moved in with an attempt to try to steal the fish from the first bird. After a very brief moment of aerial combat, the fish was dropped back into water, and neither eagle was able to enjoy a meal from the catch.


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While there are a handful of people at the present time who do not like the bald eagle because of its habit of killing fish and animals for food most people hold the majestic bird in reverence.

Bald eagles have 7,000 feathers. Wild bald eagles may live three decades but the average lifespan is fifteen to twenty years. Captive eagles have been known to live longer.

There are several reasons for a bald eagle not surviving. Unscrupulous people shoot them to sell their feathers and talons on the black market. They are occasionally inadvertently killed by recreational hunters seeking other birds. Electrocution occurs from taking off and landing on power poles when their large wings bridge two wires. Lead poisoning from eating wounded deer, ducks, and other game which eluded the hunter and later died. There are regulations concerning the use of lead ammunition for hunting water fowl. Shooters should check with the local authorities before heading out.

Young eagles, not proficient at the art of hunting, are sometimes the victim of ingesting poison meat used to bait wolves and coyotes. Many of them also starve to death during their first winter.

Collisions with vehicles are a more common occurrence than one might realize. Raptor center has an eagle that was injured in such an incident. Unable to fly since its recovery it is used for educational purposes.

If an eagle ends up in the water due to misjudgment of altitude or snagging a large fish, there’s a danger they may die of exposure. If an eagle is dragged into the water by a fish too large to lift it may be dragged under the surface. An eagle’s lifting capacity is about four pounds. Sometimes the eagle is so hungry it refuses to let go. The eagle is a strong swimmer, but if the water is very cold, it may be overcome by hypothermia. Before European settlers arrived bald eagles existed along the Atlantic and Pacific coast. They inhabited every large river and lake within North America. They eat both fresh and salt water fish. As the population grew, the eagle population declined. The

Bird of the broad and sweeping wingThy home is high in heaven,Where wide the storms their banners fling,And the tempest clouds are driven.

Thy throne is on the mountain top;Thy fields – the boundless air;And hoary peaks that proudly propThe skies, thy dwellings are.

Les Zigurski / wiLdLifeimagesbyLes.netThis eagle was flying back to the roost with a rather large fish that it had just taken from the Mississippi.

Les Zigurski / wiLdLifeimagesbyLes.netOne of these four eagles had pulled a large fish out of the melting ice in a backwater lake. Immediately, the other eagles joined in with the hope of being able to get the fish. Over a period of about 20 minutes, each of the birds briefly had possession of the fish as each, in turn, stole the fish from the eagle that previously had possession of it.

The Eagle by James Gates Percival


food supplies for eagles decreased because they competed with humans for food. The humans had guns. As the human population expanded westward, the natural habitat of the eagles was destroyed, leaving them fewer places to nest and hunt, which caused the population of bald eagles to decline sharply by the late 1800s. Many people shot the eagles for sport and to protect their domestic animals.

Thousands of bald eagles were killed in Alaska during the first half of the twentieth century by salmon fisherman who feared for their livelihood. Today about half of the entire bald eagle population lives in Alaska.

In 1940 the Bald Eagle Act was passed in an effort to curb the reduction in the bald eagle population. Unfortunately, the widespread use of the pesticide DDT almost decimated them. While DDT did not directly effect the birds if weakened the shell of their eggs. The egg shells became too thin and were often crushed. The DDT also caused infertility among male eagles. The Endangered Species Act was signed into law in 1973 by President Richard Nixon. DDT was banned in 1975.

Alaska is a long way to go for someone who would just like to see bald eagles. Probably the best alternative is the Northern Mississippi valley during January and February. As many as five thousand bald eagles winter on the river between Cairo, Illinois and St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was established in 1924 to preserve the Upper Mississippi bottom lands for fish, migratory birds, other wildlife and people.

In November eagles migrate to the park from nesting grounds further north in search of food. Their numbers peak in January and February and most have left by late March.

Eagles mate for life and only select another mate if its companion dies.

They return to the same nest year after year and add to it on each visit. Nests can reach 10-feet across and can weigh several tons.

The bald eagle acquired its name from the old English word “balde” meaning white-headed. They are among the largest North American birds with the females being slightly larger than the males.

Respect for eagles and their habitatBy Les Zigurski

In spite of the grace and power that bald eagles display as they soar over our heads or dive to the surface of the water to snag a fish, their lives can be a daily struggle for survival.

Especially during the cold of winter, eagles have little reserve of energy, and they need to use the energy that they have to find and capture food. They do not have an excess of energy to waste flying about without purpose.

Because of this, humans can unknowingly put the birds at risk and reduce their chances of survival. When humans approach roosting eagles and cause them to fly off of the roost or when people cause eagles to move away from their sources of food, they are forcing those eagles to use up energy that they otherwise would be using to catch their next meal. Thus, while it can be a genuine thrill to watch or photograph the eagles as they show off their grace and power, it is important that we be respectful of the birds and of their habitat.

It is especially critical that we be mindful of not trying to approach eagles at such close distances that we are invading their comfort zones and are forcing them into flight.

By being respectful of the eagles and their habitat, not only will we be helping them in their survival efforts, but we will also be increasing the chance that those birds will be around in the future when we wish to enjoy watching them again. — Les Zigurski, a resident of Jo Daviess County, took the pictures. For more, see www.wildlifeimagesbyles.net.

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For another eagle story, see page 14

Les Zigurski / wiLdLifeimagesbyLes.netThis eagle was just beginning to rise up from the water to fly back to the roost with a rather large fish that it had just pulled from the water.


By Laurie Mattas of the NWiL Green team

I was driving to the grocery store in Galena the other day and something in the sky caught my attention. So, as most birders are wont, I took my eyes off the road (not a good idea) and checked it

out. It was big and dark and I could tell by the length of its wings and the way they were held out perfectly straight that it wasn’t a hawk or vulture. Could it be? Then, the sun glinted on its white head and I knew for sure ... it was an eagle soaring above the roof tops and church steeples of town! What a majestic sight! But on thinking it over, I had been seeing an eagle perched in the trees along stagecoach road just outside of town near the river. Maybe (s)he has a nest near town or is checking out the neighborhood prior to moving in!

We Northwest Illinois residents have become accustomed to seeing eagles this time of year near the dams along the Mississippi, but, for the past few years I’ve been hearing more stories of seeing them farther inland. Being birds of prey, bald eagles aren’t particularly neighborly. They can be seen in large concentrations this time of year only because of the dearth of open water. But to settle down and build a nest that they will return to each year, they need to find a tall, sturdy tree located near a source of free flowing water and away from prying eyes in the middle of their own big (from 30 to 120 acres) territory. So, just like human young families in urban areas, they’ve started to spread out to the remoter “suburbs.”

As the world contemplates the potential of mass extinctions caused by habitat destruction and climate change, there are lessons to be learned from the bald eagle. Our national symbol, native to every state but Hawaii, was on the brink of extinction thanks to wide-spread habitat destruction, poisoning (DDT) and hunting. By 1963 there were only 417 nesting

The Bald EaglE

Back from the brink

pairs counted in the lower 48 states. That number could have dropped to zero, like the passenger pigeon population, but for three important steps taken by the federal government.

First, the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 made the taking, possession and commerce in eagles a crime. However, in spite of this, bald eagle populations continued to drop until it was discovered that the wide-spread use of DDT to combat mosquitoes was negatively impacting eagle survival rates. Research showed that DDT concentrated in flora and fauna as it moved up the food chain until it reached levels that began to interfere with calcium metabolism in eagles. This caused weakened eggshells that tended to break before hatching, causing the eagle population to plummet even more. The banning of DDT in 1972 and the passing of the Endangered Species act in 1973 started the long comeback for the bald eagle. By June of 2007, almost 10,000 nests were counted in the lower 48 and the bald eagle was delisted as an endangered species, although it continues to be protected under

the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

From 1943 to the late 70s there were no known nests in the state of Illinois. Now there are about 50 known bald eagle nests in Illinois, nine of which are located at the Lost Mound Unit of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Longtime Guardian Beth Pomaro monitors two of those nests and is happy to report that four eagles fledged from them last year. Close to 100 percent!

However, bald eagles still continue to face hazards that

must be closely monitored and controlled. Even though injuring them is illegal, they are still harassed, injured and killed by guns, traps, power lines, windmills, poisons, contaminants and destruction of habitat. Yet, there is much less funding available to provide for their management and protection. Public awareness about their status, strict enforcement of protective laws, preservation of their habitat, and support for environmental conservation programs are needed to assure them a healthy and secure future.

Laurie Mattas, a member of the Northwest Illinois Green Team, lives in rural Elizabeth. Since her retirement to Jo Daviess County in 2004, she has become involved in many local organizations including the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation and its affiliate, the Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois. She and her husband Rich, along with several other Guardians, lead eagle watching tours at Lost Mound.

Les Zigurski / wiLdLifeimagesbyLes.netWhen the eagles catch a very small fish, they will generally eat the fish on the fly and continue looking for a larger fish. this photo captured an eagle transferring a small fish from its talons to its beak.

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PHOTOS AND STORY BY P.J. FRANCISFor ETC... Magazine

I t seems more and more people are taking their pets along with them when they are travelling.

“As we look at transporting a dog in a car, there are several options,” said Carolyn Sluiter, D.V.M. at New Hope Veterinary Clinic, German Valley. “One is putting it in a cage. It is really important that you make sure you keep them safe. Another possibility is putting a harness on them that can be clipped into a seat belt to keep them from getting thrown off of the seat. Those are the two main ways that we like to see them transported.”

Carolyn believes it is a distraction to have a dog moving freely in a car.

“Another thing that people love to do, that they really shouldn’t, is allow their dogs to put their head out the window,” she continued. “It is not good because eye injuries can occur. Dogs love having the wind in their face.

“There are rare cats that enjoy having car rides, and lay in the car someplace; it is much, however, safer to have them in a carrier,” Carolyn said. “You don’t want them to get distracted or get thrown off a seat and possibly get under your foot while you are trying to apply the brake.”

Animals can get sick in cars, which can be an extremely inconvenient and unpleasant experience for all the parties concerned.

“When going on a long ride with pets, I would recommend feeding

Travelling with a pet

Helpful hints if you wish to take Fluffy or Fido on vacation

ABOVE: Korky enjoyed her

journey to Hogback Bridge in

Madison County, Iowa, with Sasha and P.J. Francis.

RIGHT: The owner of this Honda Gold Wing 1500 built a

picket-fence trailer to bring his dog on

his rides.


them lightly and probably a couple of hours before you leave,” Carolyn said. “Give them the main meal after you arrive at the hotel or other final destination.”

She pointed out another concern during summertime travel if pets are allowed to crawl around the vehicle. Pets can get up onto the back window ledge where they can experience heat exposure.

“Anyone contemplating transporting their dog, or other pet, by airplane should first contact the airline company,” Carolyn advised. “Pets usually travel in the cargo hold.”

Pets travelling in the cargo hold, including puppies being shipped as gifts, have to have a health certificate that states they are capable of enduring whatever the temperature goes down to.

“A few days before, get them used to their travelling crate; then they can feel they are secure,” Carolyn advised. “Keep a favorite blanket or toy that they are used to having with them to help relieve some of that anxiety. Any dog travelling on an airplane will have to have a certificate of veterinary inspection documenting when their last vaccinations were. If you are travelling by car across state lines it is important to at least have your rabies

vaccination documents with you.”

It is actually possible to pay for a seat for a pet on an airplane. There are also websites telling what motels and hotels are pet-friendly.

There are several rules and regulations when taking a dog out of the country. Some countries require that the dog be microchipped.

“A microchip is not a bad idea period, because if you get separated from

your pet, then you have a much better chance of getting it back; microchips are invaluable,” Carolyn said.

A good leash is important for any form of travel.“Most of the diseases that dogs can get by exposure in

public places are covered in routine vaccinations,” Carolyn concluded. “If the vaccinations are kept up to date the dogs should be safe while at doggie rest stops or dog parks. They eat stuff and their social thing is to get close to another dog. Take along a copy of any medications the pet is taking. Have your home veterinarian’s phone number for information should your dog become ill. Try to avoid giving unfamiliar foods; bring whatever they normally eat.”

Bringing a pet along while travelling can be beneficial for both the pet and the owner. Neither has to suffer the trauma of separation, the necessity of boarding is avoided, and the owner does not have to worry about the pet receiving the care he or she would lavish on their best friend.

With a few easily followed precautions, travelling with a pet can be a positive experience.

Andrea Hazzard of Hazzard Free Farms near Pecatonica with her dog.

Visitors to Galena walk their dogs past Grant’s home.

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Northern Illinois’ & Southern Wisconsin’sLargest Furniture & Appliance Dealer

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Joe Tamborello / eTC... magazineGreg Haack pieces together the Packard’s straight-eight cylinder engine in his Forreston garage.

More about the Packard automobile

Packard was an American luxury-type automobile marque built by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, and later by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation of South Bend, Indiana. The first Packard automobiles were produced in 1899 and the last in 1958.

How the car came to bePackard was founded by James

Ward Packard (Lehigh University Class of 1884), his brother William Doud Packard and their partner, George Lewis Weiss, in the city of Warren, Ohio.

Packard was somewhat unsatisfied with the car he had recently bought. He complained to maker Alexander Winton in a letter, offering his suggestions for improvement. The offended Mr. Winton challenged Packard to make a better car himself. Packard then did so, and his brand would last longer than Winton’s.

— Wikipedia.org

Greg Haack:Packard manSTORY BY P.J. FRANCIS u For ETC... Magazine

They say one should never buy a car for restoration that has been taken apart.

Parts are certain to be missing. The restorer will waste valuable hours figuring what particular parts are and where they go. There may even be parts from other vehicles in the collection. There is no

opportunity to take photos, make drawings and become familiar with the vehicle.Another golden rule is never to purchase a restoration project sight unseen.

Sellers have been known to exaggerate, embellish and, yes, lie. Sometimes

Restorer specializes in a classic

g


they even believe the rusty heap of metal they are purveying is a wonderful piece of automotive history. College fees, new spouses and career changes have been known to affect judgment.

Greg Haack broke both of those rules when he acquired his current restoration project – a 1935 Packard Super Eight Coupe Roadster.

“Tom, are you sure you have all the parts; a cigar lighter can cost $200,” he asked Mr. Holley on the telephone.

“Well, if it cast a shadow I put it in a container,” exclaimed the seller in a musical Alabama accent. It was enough to convince Greg. When the dismantled car was delivered to him complete with a detailed list of parts he knew he had made the right choice.

The car’s seller, Tom Holley, had encountered health problems and was unable to complete the project. He passed away in 2010. He did have the satisfaction of knowing his beloved Packard went to a good home. He certainly would be pleased to see the meticulous work Greg is carrying out on the classic automobile.

“Some of the most interesting cars were built, in my opinion, between 1932 and 1937,” Greg stated. “That is when the depression was full-blown and you wonder what these cars would have been like had there been a customer base that was bigger.”

Greg is fascinated by the innovations manufacturers had – 16-cylinder Cadillacs, 12-cylinder Packards, adjustable shock absorbers and power brakes, automatic Bijur oiling system, and

spring wraps to keep the dirt out of the leaf springs.“The more eccentric car manufacturers went to great

efforts to keep everything nice and clean and working for years,” Greg pointed out. “They were built to last a long time.”

The 1935 Packard Super Eight Coup Roadster Greg is restoring is the last one known to exist and was the 102nd car built in the coupe roadster form.

A lot of people want to know what the Super Eight cost new.

“This particular car cost $3,070 without any add-ons or anything special ordered,” Greg explained. ‘The Ford Deluxe Roadster was $550 – so you could get five of six Fords for a car like it.”

Nowadays only special collector modern cars such as the British built Morgan have a separate chassis on which the body rests. The concept is known as the “body on frame” design. Modern cars utilize the “unabody” system.

“The art of these cars is what attracts a lot of people to them,” Greg mused. “Other people are attracted by the memories associated with a certain type of car. The more knowledge you get the more interest you have in certain areas.”

An original advertisement in The Saturday Evening Post shows the 1935 Packard Coupe Roadster.

Photos by Joe tamborello / etC... magazineThe body of the Packard sits in Haack’s garage.

“I really like cars and I like the art of the automobile and that art is expressed in a lot of different vehicles.”— Greg Haack

g

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Despite his present fascination with his Packard classic Greg is not a one-make enthusiast. He drives a Jaguar, a Corvette and a Thunderbird as well as modern practical vehicles.

“I try to keep in check neurotic tendency to make everything clean and shiny,” he noted. “One time I was restoring a Model A and I was polishing the top of the frame and my Dad gave me a reality check and said: The body is going to sit on that; nobody is ever going to see it.”

Being a high-end luxury car in 1935 the Packard Super Eight had many features not found on cars on the lower end of the motoring ladder. The mechanical brakes have a vacuum assist which in essence means it has power brakes.

“The 1934 model had a dial and you could select how much assist you wanted; this one does not have that,” Greg pointed out.

It does have a Bijur lubricating system for lubing the chassis at various locations. It has adjustable shock absorbers and the driver can select your ride from soft to firm simply by pulling a lever inside the car.

“Some people did not want to be flamboyant so they would pick drab, austere colors,” Greg explained. “Back during the depression people did not want to advertise their wealth. There was an option with Packard where they would delete the signature anywhere on the car. It would not say Packard anywhere; even the hubcaps. Some people wanted a fine car but they did not want to brag and advertize their wealth.”

Research has revealed Greg’s car was delivered to East Saint Louis and was owned by Stan Kann. Stan was an entertainer who was on the Johnny Carson Show 77 times in 20 years usually with house wares and his famous collection of vacuum cleaners. “I called him and told him I had his Packard and sent him two photos of it – one to keep and one he signed and sent back,” Greg said. “He said he was so small he used to park on the wrong side of the road so he would step off onto the curb.”

Having spent so much time and effort working on the chassis Greg did not want to support it on axel stands and risk damaging the paintwork. He built a special frame that is attached to the brake drums. He also built special frames to support the engine and body. The engine frame is on wheels enabling it to be moved about easily.

“In 1935 Packard had the luxury car market pretty much sewn up,” Greg recounted some company history. “The luxury market was small so they introduced a medium sized car called the 120 which was a three-quarter version of the luxury car. It did not have the big, powerful engine but was a great car for the money. They also continued with their Senior Line which started with the Standard Eight 134 inch wheelbase. Then they went up to the bigger frame 139 inch Super Eight which had a bigger engine featuring a nine-bearing crank. Then there was a V-12 all on that same chassis. The Senior Cars amounted to a little over ten percent of the production and they had almost half of the entire workforce building them.”

Of the different body styles Greg particularly likes the open top cars because they are more fun. They are also more valuable than the closed top cars. “Packard people love their cars; it is their passion and they

are willing to talk to you about it,” said Greg in reference to the members of the Packard owners clubs.

Greg first got involved with old cars at age ten when his father bought a Model A while visiting relatives in Iowa. It was driven 180 miles home after being stored for 12 years. With gently prodding from the young Greg his dad purchased various other old cars over the years.

“He was a car guy,” Greg stated.“I really like cars and I like the art of the automobile and

that art is expressed in a lot of different vehicles,” Greg concluded.

The chassis of Greg’s Super Eight is almost completed at this stage. His attention will next focus on the engine which is refurbished but not detailed. When the engine is running it will be time to concentrate on the body for which he has yet to decide on a color. (For an extra $125 the purchaser of a new Super Eight Coupe Roadster could specify any color he wanted. Therefore, the restorer is not restricted to the colors the car came in. For $50 extra he could have the undercarriage painted in his choice of color.) The upholstery, chrome embellishments, wheels, and the many ancillary parts will finish the car. q

Joe Tamborello / eTC... magazineGreg Haack works on suspension parts on the Packard’s chassis at his Forreston garage.


STORY AND PHOTO BY P.J. FRANCISFor ETC... Magazine

For the traveler following the somewhat narrow, two-lane, dry stone wall lined road between Corofin and Kilfenora in County Clare, Ireland, the imposing ruin of Lemaneagh (or Leamaneh)

Castle will come as a surprise. If he or she does not have a compelling commitment elsewhere, it is likely he (or she) will be overcome by an urge to stop and look at the stone building.

Unfortunately, some travelers are so surprised by the castle they forget the rules that exist for the safety of all road users. If they are fortunate enough to be driving ahead of a local resident their safety is assured as people are used to tourists stopping abruptly in the center of the roadway. However, if the following car is also driven by a tourist, perhaps fresh off a transatlantic flight into Shannon Airport, a near miss of a rear-ender may occur. At best this will involve an exchange of names and, later, an extra charge on a credit card by the car hire company. At worst there will be the necessity to summons members of the Gardai (police) and ambulance services.

A decade or two in the past it was possible to gain access to Lemaneagh Castle. Nowadays entry is impeded by an electric fence and warning notices. Ireland is second to the United States in the practice of suing property owners for accidents. The people who resided in the castle surely would shake their heads in disbelief if they knew modern people find it necessary to blame someone for their own clumsiness. We can only imagine their disdain at a judicial system that encouraged such practices. (Such people may well have ended up in the castle dungeon.)

Red Mary (Maura Rua), who lived in Lemaneagh in the seventeenth century, would have little sympathy for a person who slipped and fell on her property. As with all prominent women of past times, modern historians go to great pains to insist more mythology than facts have survived.

It is probably true that she did not really marry and murder as many as 35 husbands. However, stating that she had a mere three, none of whom she murdered, is nothing short of sanitizing the lady’s reputation and memory.

Since most of the information about Red Mary has been passed down by word of mouth, a little exaggeration may be involved. However, denying she had as many as 25

man-servants, who reputedly did more than make tea and tend the grounds, is irresponsible. Let us assume she did not have 25 at any one time and leave it at that.

The historians now insist Lemaneagh Castle was not surrounded by a large wall and the residents did not impose a toll on travelers heading northwards to the Burren country. Parts of the wall are still evident today and why would they choose to build the castle at a fork in the road if tolls were not to be extracted from passersby?

The self-righteous historians tell us Maura Rua’s first husband was a wealthy landowner called Daniel Neylon. There are families of that name in the region today. He died after five years of marriage, leaving a widow with

four children and a large amount of land.

Within a year she married a neighbor called Conor O’Brien.

Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien built a new castle that has survived to this day. With the extra children she had with O’Brien they needed the space.

The peaceful conditions that had existed in Ireland during that time were shattered by the plundering armies of Oliver Cromwell. It was a group of Cromwell’s soldiers that killed O’Brien. The dull historians have

debunked the belief that, on observing his comrades approaching the castle with her husband’s lifeless body Red Mary is reputed to have exclaimed: “We need no dead men here!”

What was a woman to do with a large family, no husband, and property ripe for plundering? She did what any woman in her position would do; she married one of Cromwell’s soldiers, of course. Doing so ensured the property would be kept safe for her children.

Lemaneagh Castle is now merely a shell with the roof and floors long gone. Cattle seek shelter from the wind and rain within its walls. A farmhouse and out-buildings stands close by.

Finding a space to park the hire car is near impossible for the curious tourist wishing to take a quick photograph. The grassy area at the fork in the road is usually occupied by a one or more cars whose owners are involved in a car-pool group. There is nothing for it but to park on the roadway and risk the wrath of other motorists and perhaps members of the Gardai.

There are a great many other castles throughout the island of Ireland. Some are open to the public and have a parking lot. However, as interesting as their history may be, they did not have a resident like Red Mary.

Red Mary: A piece of Irish history

q

�c ... 24 JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2011

WONDERINGABOUT

TECHNOLOGY?Today’s smart devices eliminate need

for big home computersBY MOLLY LOGAN ANDERSON

GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE ILLUSTRATION


No matter what generation you call your own, gadgets are all the rage. But for baby boomers specifically, certain products on today’s market deliver convenience, entertainment and even safety to your door. Check out three of the latest tech products available and determine which one might make sense for you.

APPLE IPAD AMAZON KINDLE GARMIN GPS

WHAT IT

CAN DO

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BOOMER

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If you’re looking for user-friendly, mobile-based computing, the iPad will not disappoint. Consider it a one-stop shop for all your needs: e-mailing family and friends, surfing the Net, photo viewing and TV or movie watching, just to name a few. The iPad also offers book-reading capabilities, making this a great choice for readers looking to upgrade to a touchscreen computer and reading device. The iPad provides all the functionality of a laptop, without the bulk, so it’s easy to travel with.

Large buttons and screen make this a perfect gadget for slightly less nimble fingers and eyes.

IPads are available everywhere, from big-box stores to Apple stores. Prices currently range between $560 and $910, depending on internal memory, 3G or Wi-Fi capability.

If you’re an avid reader toying with the idea of upgrading to an e-reader, the Amazon Kindle just might be for you. Falling prices are increasing adoption across all generations, making this comfortable-to-hold gadget highly accepted by even the most avid paper book fans. A battery that lasts about two days while turned on makes this device perfect for long car or plane rides. Plus, it can store the equivalent of dozens of books at once.

Renowned for its eye-easy e-ink technology in lieu of a back light, the Kindle also offers a vocabulary function that allows readers to look up definitions of unknown words.

For now, Kindle can only be purchased at www.Amazon.com, however, there are similar products available by Sony and Barnes & Noble that can be purchased in retail stores. Cost for the latest-generation Kindle, with global capability and 3G plus Wi-Fi is $189. Kindle e-books are typically $9.99 or less.

If you log lots of miles to the kids’ and grandkids’ houses or the open road, a Garmin navigation system is for you. Folks with a knack for self-navigation even enjoy the features of the Garmin, which allow users to have confidence traveling in uncharted territories, find lodging, restrooms or food and even map out the most efficient route taking construction and traffic into consideration. Available in a variety of screen sizes and prices, navigation systems also provide security on the road for traveling boomers and those waiting for them at their destination.

Wide-screen models and features such as “Where am I?,” which allows users to direct emergency personnel to a location similar to OnStar, provide peace of mind. “Where did I park?” is also available on some models.

Ranging in price from $120 to $450, Garmin products run the gambit of features, capabilities and screen sizes. Review what each model has to offer and find retailers at www.Garmin.com.

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If everyone ate healthy foods all the time, there would be no need for

vitamins and supplements, doctors and dieticians agree.

“But no one is eating well. Only one in 100 Americans is meeting their minimal, not optimal, requirements,” says Elizabeth Somer, a registered dietician in Oregon and author of “Eat Your Way to Happiness.”

Dr. Christine Wood, a

California pediatrician and author, says average American diets lack vitamins D, E, C, calcium and magnesium.

Somer says people should get as many vitamins as they can by eating healthy foods like salmon, vegetables and fruit, and skipping junk and processed foods. The following vitamins and supplements should fill in the gaps.

Are vitAmins wortH tHe COst?Doctors say yes — and here are 5 to focus onBY KAREN CAFFARINI

Generic drugs are cheaper, saving consumers $8 million to $10 million a year, according to the U.s. Food and Drug Administration Web site, www.fda.gov.

that doesn’t mean they’re less effective, the FDA assures.

the regulating agency

requires generics be identical to brand-name drugs in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use.

the biggest price differences, it says, are in research and advertising.

1 Multivitamins. this is the least-expensive alternative to getting some of the vitamins and minerals that most diets lack, says Dr. marcus Laux, a registered naturopathic doctor.

He says most contain adequate amounts of minerals like zinc and copper to meet daily requirements, but adds that you should avoid commercial brands, which often have synthetic nutrients.

2 Vitamin D. Wood says it is almost impossible to get enough vitamin D from the sun now that people are using sunscreen when going outside. somer says you can’t

get enough from food, either. “seven out of 10 kids are low in vitamin D,” Wood says.

3 omega-3 DHA. Wood says most people don’t eat enough fatty fish, which is high in omega-3, an important supplement for the immune system that also helps with

asthma, allergies and cardiovascular health. maik Wiedenbach, who provides training and dietary advice as the owner of Adlertraining tm in new York City, recommends 6 to 10 grams daily. Dr. Bill sears, a California pediatrician and co-author of “the Baby Book,” says the supplements are in especially high demand for kids and toddlers because they are still growing and the brain requires copious amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in its developmental stage.

4 Magnesium/calcium. “most women don’t get enough calcium, and just taking tums doesn’t work,” somer says. she recommends a combination calcium/magnesium

supplement with two parts calcium for one part magnesium.

5 Vitamin C. A daily intake of vitamin C helps prevent damage to the body by boosting the immune system, says sears. He says it also helps the body absorb nutrients like iron and

calcium. Kids should get roughly 15 to 45 mg per day, sears says.

Generics vs. name-brand medications

ILLUStrAtIoN BY GAtEHoUSE NEwS SErVICE


Why coffee, organic eggplant and more can help your body

Hearing lossOne out of every six people experiences hearing loss. The worst part: It’s a result of everyday noise, such as loud restaurants, sports games and even the sound of a movie theater, according to the National Institutes of Health. Lower your risk by wearing ear plugs whenever you’re in a noisy environment.

Drink to your healthNew studies show that drinking one cup of coffee daily lowers your risk of early death by 37 percent. Drink two, and you’ll reduce your risk of death from heart disease by 25 percent. Three cups will lower your risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia by 65 percent, and if you can drink four, you’ll be 56 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Lose the weight and fight the fluIt’s flu season again, which means it’s time to lose some weight. University of North Carolina researchers studying mice’s reaction to the flu found that all the skinny ones survived, but 25 percent of the heavier ones died. The scientists believe the extra pounds may limit immune-cell memory, making it harder to fight the flu.

Compiled by Danielle Braff

Sun attackYou may think you’re free from the sun’s rays now that they’re hiding behind cold clouds. But a recent study by Saint Louis University scientists finds that UVA rays can seep through your car window and cause skin cancer. In fact, the study finds that 56 percent of the head and neck cancers in men were on their left side – which is the driver’s side. So before driving, make sure to apply sunscreen.

Hop on the machineIf you’re looking for a great workout, look no further than the elliptical machine. It’s easier on your knees than running, and a new study from University of Nebraska researchers found that it burns as many calories as running on the treadmill at the same level of intensity.

Keep the table clearWant to lose a few pounds? Try moving the serving dishes away from your dinner table. A recent study from Cornell University found that when people serve themselves from the counter or the stove — instead of from the table — they eat up to 35 percent less. The researchers believe that when you have to get up from the table, you’re more likely to think about whether you’re still hungry.

Go organicHere’s another reason you may want to invest in organic food: Spanish researchers found that organic eggplants have 30 percent more disease-fighting antioxidants than those that have pesticides. Add eggplants to the list of kiwis and potatoes that are more nutritious organic than not.

Health by the cup

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According to the National Weather Service, a wind chill warning occurs when there is extreme wind chill of -30 degrees or colder and winds are greater than or equal to 10 mph. A wind chill advisory is when there is wind chill between -20 and -30 degrees and winds are greater than or equal to 10 mph.

80 percent of the heat energy from greenhouse gases heating the Earth has gone straight to the ocean, according to a study published in “Journal of Climate.” The deep water is heating up, too. The study found that the deep ocean — the water below 3,300 feet — is taking up about 16 percent of what the upper ocean is absorbing. If that heat went into the atmosphere, it would be warming the Earth at a rate of more than 5 degrees per

Warnings versus advisories

The southern tier of the U.S. should expect above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation this winter, according to AccuWeather.com. But that’s not necessarily a good thing — the dry weather could lead the region into a perilous period similar to the 1950s and 1960s, which led to drought conditions and water shortages. Southern California could also suffer from serious wildfire threats.

Southern winter drought

Warm water

The Arctic region is heating up so much that it’s severely affecting the local population and ecosystem, says a team of international scientists as reported in the Arctic Report Card. Greenland is experiencing record-setting high temperatures, which is melting the ice and glaciers. And the 2009-10 summer sea ice cover was the third-lowest since satellite monitoring started in 1979.

Arctic report card

Varied forecastsA moderate to strong La Niña will be the main climate factor influencing most of the winter weather in the U.S. If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, you should brace yourself for a colder and wetter winter than average, while people in the South and Southeast will have warmer and drier weather than average through February, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


WILD WEATHERGet ready for a wacky winterCompiled by Melissa Erickson

Dress appropriatelyIf you’re in Chicago, Omaha, Neb., Minneapolis, Detroit, Cleveland, Seattle or Portland, Ore., you’d better get your snow boots ready. According to Joe Bastardi, chief long-range meteorologist for AccuWeather.com, those cities will receive above-normal winter snowfall this year. Alaska residents, along with western and central Canada, will be shivering through severe cold. “The Canadian winter will be as harsh as last year’s was gentle,” Bastardi said.

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Almost Verbatim

Copyright ©2011 PuzzleJunction.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

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115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123

124 125 126 127

128 129 130 131

73 Venetian red74 Scale75 Kissing exam?77 Times to call, in

classifi eds79 Part of a TV feed80 “The Republic”

writer83 Paddle84 Extreme85 The Dukes of

Hazzard spinoff86 Poker get-togethers?88 Exploits92 Diffi cult position93 Heavenly body95 ___ du Diable96 Vardalos of My Big

Fat Greek Wedding97 2, for one98 Roman sun god

101 Pleased as punch102 San Juan Hill locale103 Accumulation107 Verdi’s “___ tu”108 Chip’s partner109 Kind of thermometer112 Petty quarrel113 Swear words114 Indonesian outrigger116 The Matrix hero117 Prince Valiant’s son118 Nabokov novel119 Silent assent120 Balancing pro121 Drench122 Sine ___ non123 Printer’s widths

Across

1 Copyedit7 Louisville Slugger

10 Mom and pop protectors (Abbr.)

13 Western resort lake18 Kind of market20 Tony-winning Hagen21 The fox in Disney’s

The Fox and the Hound

22 From the top23 Award handed out in

sections?26 Sea swallows27 Compass pt.28 Follower of N. or S.,

briefl y29 Unagi, at a sushi bar30 Stretch, with “out”31 Tart33 “Zuckerman

Unbound” novelist35 Get wind of38 Half of a weight-

watcher’s diet?42 Black Sea port44 Hire47 Beloved of Aphrodite48 Desiccated49 Making movies51 Indian side order52 Artist Doolittle53 Surrounded by55 Freelancer’s enc.56 Stanley Cup org.57 A chump from dawn

‘til dusk?61 Space invaders, for

short62 Old spy grp.64 River to the North Sea65 Giant Hall-of-Famer66 Publisher of note68 Sicilian resort70 West Pointer72 Pound, e.g.73 Optic membrane76 Have a tab77 Work unit78 Tourist’s aid81 High priest at Shiloh82 It’s what happens

when winter arrives87 Inuit knife89 Lulu90 Casa rooms91 Opposite of 27 Across92 Fountain drinks94 Close at hand97 Negative words98 Fairy tale fi gure99 Loss of will power

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person?124 Surgery tool125 Anonymous John126 Mock, in a way127 Texas city128 First name in rock129 Contribute130 Canary Islands capital,

___ Palmas131 Turkish VIPs

Down

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maybe?8 Absorbed, as a loss9 Narrowing

10 Three-toed wading birds11 Dickens pen name12 Citrus drink13 Make lace14 Bio bit15 Mama rabbit, for one16 Sty cry

17 Ger. municipality19 Carnival attractions24 Musical aptitude25 Former Olds

relatives31 Mozart’s “Il mio

tesoro,” e.g.32 It keeps an eye on

TV34 Mayhem35 Selfi sh gardeners?36 Chemical suffi x37 Way back when38 Farm building39 Salmon River locale40 Electrical wire

features41 Army member43 Opera star45 Midges46 Discharge48 Skillful50 Cartridge contents53 Week (Basque)54 Mongrel57 Sick of

commercials?58 Untilled tract59 Alpine song60 Sandpiper63 Witness67 Kind of card69 New Deal agency

inits.70 Deep sleep71 Barley beards72 Before amble or

cede

Solution on page 33


Some of nature’s hardiest, most colorful foods love the colder months. And because these vegetables and fruits are packed with nutrients and flavor, they

help us to enjoy chilly weather, too. The big winter squash family arrived in many

supermarkets weeks ago, joining other vivid characters that are harvested in the fall but can be stored and eaten over several months. Among these are apples, beets, leeks, parsnips, rutabagas, turnips and lots of other produce. In general, at this time of year, winter squash and their companions are plentiful in U.S. markets, so they cost less than warm-weather foods shipped long distances from summery environments.

Relatively inexpensive and tasty, winter produce has a lot going for it. Winter squash varieties in particular make beautiful entree casseroles and play supporting roles as side dishes. But we love using them in soup that is accented with apples.

We combined acorn and the brilliant red kuri squash in the soup recipe here. If you can’t find red kuri, try one of the other winter varieties.

If those Fauvist colors charm you into buying more squash than you can use, just put the extras in an unheated room. Most winter squash keep for weeks, even months, if stored between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

That seems easy, but they’re not pushovers. Before cooking, those hard shells seem a little like armor. Sharpen your knife again. Even if you bake the squash whole — and especially if you use a microwave — you’ll need to make slits in the skin so steam can escape. Otherwise, according to some sources, your squash might blow apart.

Baked a day or so ahead, the squash flesh can be refrigerated until you’re ready to make soup. The other ingredients are cooked in advance or are sautéed at top speed, so this recipe comes together fairly quickly.

Squash your high food billsWinter produce is the best bet for your grocery dollar

INGREDIENTSn 1 large acorn squashn 1 medium red kuri squashn 1 tablespoon canola oil n 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, or more as neededn 1 cup diced yellow onionn 2 to 3 garlic cloves, smashed, peeled and mincedn 2 apples (Granny Smith works well), peeled, cored and diced smalln 1 teaspoon ground ginger, or more to tasten 4 cups chicken brothn ½ cup medium-dry white wine, delicious but optionaln 1 cup bite-size pieces of cooked chickenn Salt and pepper to tasten Garnishes: apple, bacon, basil, lime, pecans or walnuts, maple syrup or your family’s favoritesn Croutons: whole wheat bread and sour cream

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the two squash in half; remove and discard the seeds and stringy pulp. Brush the squash centers with oil. Place the halves in a foil-lined baking pan and bake about 40 minutes, until fork tender. Larger squash may take longer. If necessary, cover the squash lightly with foil so the flesh doesn’t brown. Let the squash cool, then strip out the flesh and set it aside.2. Place a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat; add butter. When the butter begins to sizzle, saute onion and garlic until soft and translucent. Stir in cooked squash, apples, ginger, chicken broth and white wine, if using. Cook until apple pieces are tender. Let mixture cool, then process in a food processor or blender until smooth. 3. Return mixture to the saucepan; add chicken chunks and bring soup to low simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste.4. Prepare toppings: Garnishes: Peel and dice apple and sprinkle with lime juice. Fry and crumble or chop bacon. Toast and chop nuts. Slice lime wedges. Place maple syrup in a small container. Croutons: Cut round and triangular shapes from the bread; toast these and top with sour cream.5. Place hot soup in bowls. You can choose china or use baked acorn squash shells.

MAKES 5 to 6 APPETIZER SERVINGS

Two-Squash Soup

STORY, RECIPE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARGARET MAPLES


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Stephen King returns to the shorter form that’s frightened countless readers over the years in this new collection of four novellas, including the story of a man whose life unravels after he kills his wife, and another detailing how a man shifts his misfortune and bad luck onto his friend.

Detective Kay Scarpetta has made Cornwell into the No. 1 best-selling crime writer for a reason, and she’s back for her 18th adventure, though the story takes place at the beginning of Scarpetta’s career. A 20-year-old mystery threatens to ruin all the detective’s career success.

Rebecca Brandon returns in the latest installment of Kinsella’s wildly successful “Shopaholic” series, along with 2-year-old Minnie, who seemingly has inherited her mother’s love for fine goods. Is it enough to get Rebecca to stop shopping? A tale you might want to share with your daughters.

Berry brings back ex-federal agent Cotton Malone and his one-time lover Cassiopeia Vitt in this adventure that pits the pair against two ruthless Chinese politicians in a quest to find an ancient lamp that, beyond its priceless antiquity, may hold the secret to the future of China.

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Nothing but the best (sellers)

Take advantage of a cold, blustery afternoon this winter by devouring a book that’s topping the best-seller lists.

BY PAUL EISENBERG

PHOTO BY STOCK.XCHNG


Crossword SolutionPuzzle on Page 30

Journal-Standard Jan. 2011 Crossword PuzzleJunction.com

Solution

R E D A C T B A T S B A T A H O E

O P E N A I R U T A T O D A G A I N

N O B E L P I E C E P R I Z E T E R N S

S S W D A K E E L E K E

A C E R B R O T H H E A R

B I C A R B S O D E S S A E N G A G E

A D O N I S A R I D V I D E O I N G

R A I T A B E V A M O N G S A E

N H L A L L D A Y S U C K E R E T S

O S S D E E O T T H E A R S T

E N N A C A D E T P O E T

S C L E R A O W E E R G M A P

E L I A U T U M N L E A V E S U L U

P I P S A L A S N N E S O D A S

I M M I N E N T N O T S S P R I T E

A B U L I A R E C U S E B O O B O O S

S E A M A L U M D E A L T

D O T A B E A R T F O P

A R E N A A N T A R C T I C S Q U A R E

L A S E R D O E A P E H O U S T O N

E L T O N A D D L A S P A S H A S

BY MELISSA ERICKSON

If you’re considering renting, buying or sharing a vacation home this winter, there are plenty of things to think about before making the purchase.

and if you don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. Finding the perfect vacation villa at the right price requires early planning and organization.

Jamie Regan, broker/owner of Century 21 Real estate Regan Realtors of Mashpee, Ma., said, it’s “an ideal time to consider purchasing a vacation home” because of historically low interest rates, great prices and a wide selection of available properties to choose from. Here are five essential tips.

Home sweet vacation homeInterested in a second property? now’s a good time to look

Affordability/cost: Does the home fit within your budget? Can you consider it to be a smart investment? To get the best deal, start your search early. Planning six months or even a year in advance will keep costs down. Plus, the best vacation rentals book fast. once you’ve pinned down your destination, local real estate agents, community newspapers and brokerages are great resources.

Rentability: Consider the size and accommodations for owners, guests and/or tenants. Will you be easily able to rent the property to others throughout the year? What aspects of the home and surrounding area make it appealing as a rental? Read the contract and make sure you know who pays for utilities, Internet access, phone service, cable TV, cleaning and housekeeping. Costs for heating or cooling a house can be sizable. Be sure to get a contact number of the owner or landlord just in case there’s a problem like a broken garage door or leaking water pipe. and remember that you can negotiate everything, from the deposit to the weekly or monthly rent.

Location: Which activities, attractions and amenities are offered close to the property, and what draws people to the area? Is your vacation property close to the ski hill or other activities your family is interested in? Is public transportation nearby? are there ample dining and nightlife options?

Enjoyment: Is the property something you can get to easily and use for your own enjoyment? Does it fit with the activities, location, space and vacation atmosphere you envisioned? Can you picture yourself, family and friends making good use of the property?

Details: Factor in the deposit. Vacation rental properties often require large upfront deposits. Be sure to find out what conditions need to be met (clean house, all payments made) to get this money back at the end of your stay. It’s also a good idea to photograph the property to document any existing damage so you won’t be blamed for something you haven’t done. at the end of your stay, be sure to do a walk-through with an owner or landlord to prevent unexpected bills.

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etc ... 34 January & February 2011Journal-Standard 1/11 Word Search PuzzleJunction.com

"W" Names

V N X K L W N P W X Y C W W A Y N E

X F N K Z A W M E E L N J K Y V P Q

Z W Q L K D P H N K L C F P R R D Q

W P A Q W E W T D T R P Y E L S E W

T X Q L M E I R Y Z W I N O N A R J

T C R Y T H N T V W Y E R R T K F X

T Z Z D W E C D E M R N A L W N L W

R G Y R C D R R E R R L R O N T I O

E U L A M K N M A L L E O O W L W L

B M B W Z E T W T I L D T G W Z M F

L C K L R F T Y W H R S B S V P N G

I R D F I Q Y A X O N W L Y B H L A

W G R L R W L T W I L L I A M E M N

V A L M R W L T W R Q G L L D L W G

X R Y N A D A M Y N J M M C L N Y W

Q S I L L A W W I N N I E C T A A L

N G D Y O G T D E R F I N I W Q R W

B O Q F L N G M E C A L L A W Q X D

©2011 PuzzleJunction.com

WADE

WALDO

WALLACE

WALLIS

WALLY

WALTER

WANDA

WARD

WARREN

WAYLON

WAYNE

WEBSTER

WENDELL

WENDY

WERNER

WESLEY

WHITNEY

WILBERT

WILBUR

WILFRED

WILLA

WILLARD

WILLIAM

WINIFRED

WINNIE

WINONA

WINSTON

WOLFGANG

WOODROW

WYATT

Solution on page 39

“W” Names

January & February 2011 etc ... 35Journal-Standard 1/11 Sudoku PuzzleJunction.com


1/11 Sudoku Solution

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

1 7 44 2 6 9

3 7 12

6 53 5 8

12 9 6 3

8 5 6 3

1 9 7 2 6 3 8 4 54 2 8 5 1 7 3 6 96 5 3 8 4 9 7 2 15 7 9 3 8 2 4 1 68 4 6 1 7 5 2 9 32 3 1 4 9 6 5 8 73 6 4 7 2 1 9 5 87 1 2 9 5 8 6 3 49 8 5 6 3 4 1 7 2

SUDOKUSolution on page 39

Figger-It Solution

Journal-Standard 1/11 Figger-It PuzzleJunction.com


Figger-ItTo solve the Figger-It, simply change the FIRST letter in each of the words below to form a new word. (Example: Hat can be made into Fat.) Using the new fi rst letter of each word, place it on one of the spaces provided to fi nd the mystery answer. You will have to fi gure out on which space each letter belongs. Note: some words can be changed into more than one word!

What the farmer’s kids calledthe tiny new-born hogs.

__ __ __ __ __ __ __

MarchGloatImpPierEaseSingleIrate

PIGMIES

PARCHBLOATAMPBIERVASETINGLECRATE

______________________________________________________________________

They’re so small!

Solution on page 39

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America’s proudest cheapskate serves up tipsfor saving money in the new year

BY WYNNE EVERETT

F or Jeff Yeager, being cheap is a point of pride. The author of “The Cheapskate Next Door:

The Surprising Secrets of Americans Living Happily Below Their Means”

has made a career out of sharing his tips for living well on the cheap. Now he travels the country to learn the strategies of fellow frugal types. Here are some of his suggestions for living well on only a little money.

Dollars sense

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Yeager used to swear by a $1 per-pound limit, but rising food prices — he lives in high-cost-of-living metropolitan Washington, D.C. — have driven his bottom line up to $1.19. Consider the cost of living in your community and your own frugal tolerance before picking a number, but pick one. You’ll find it’s a good strategy for paring down your weekly grocery bills.

To make it work, you need to be a creative cook and base your household’s menu on sales and store specials. For instance, this week you might be able to get mangos for $1 per pound, but next week, when they’re twice the price, you will have to choose another fruit that is on sale or in season.

“You’ll find it tends to steer you toward a healthier diet,” Yeager said.

If you’re in the market for a new or used car, shop for a standard-transmission model. They use less fuel — sometimes getting 2 or 3 miles per gallon more than their automatic counterparts. And because driving a stick shift is a dying art, you can usually bargain a better price if you know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle.

Consider becoming a one-car family. “We’ve gone car crazy,” Yeager says. “The average family has 2.5 cars now. If you can consider giving up one car, it’s a huge savings.”

Yeager and his wife share one vehicle. It requires some coordination, he says, but it’s worth it in the saved gas money, repair costs, license plate fees and insurance. On the rare occasions when they absolutely need a second car, Yeager rents one.

“Yes, it’s an expense,” he says. “But it still is far less than the cost of owning and maintaining two vehicles.”

Ways to save in 2011

We’ve convinced ourselves that cell phones are necessities, but Yeager begs to differ.

“I would simply encourage people to consider what life might be like without a cell phone,” he says. “I have a successful career, I travel, I do all sorts of things and I have never had a problem living without a cell phone. So why does an unemployed teenager need one?”

If giving up your cell phone permanently seems like too much to commit to, you might consider agreeing to a one-year trial separation just to see how it goes. Add up how much you save during that time.

Yeager cleans most of his house with homemade cleaner concocted of baking soda and vinegar. Most household cleaners marketed for cleaning one specific surface or room are a waste of money, he says.

“Is kitchen tile really that much different than bathroom tile?” he asks.

Plus, a baking soda and vinegar solution is easier on the environment than many heavy chemical cleansers.

Yeager advocates washing clothes only in cold water to save energy and extend the life of the garments. Also, line dry your laundry instead of using the dryer, which also uses energy and damages fabric over time.

Yeager suggests buying classic, rather than trendy, clothes and wearing them until they wear out, not just as long as they’re the height of fashion.

Set a per-pound price limit for food purchases

Give up the cell

Green your clean

Wear your clothes out, but do it slowly

Shift gears

Park your car expenses

PRACTICE HOW TO



Know your options. Part A is hospital insurance only, covering in-patient, rehabilitation, long-term, hospice and home health care. Part B covers 80 percent of doctor services, outpatient care and some preventative services. Part C allows you to go through a private company for care covered under A and B. Part D is prescription drug coverage, which you secure through a private company. You can’t get Medicare prescription assistance without signing up for A and B.

Know when to sign up. You’re automatically enrolled in parts A and B the day you turn 65, as long as you’re receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits. You don’t pay for Part A, but Part B is $110.50 a month. If you don’t receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits but want Medicare, you’ll pay $461 a month for Part A and $110.50 for Part B.

Know how you’ll get penalized. The biggest hit comes if you don’t sign up for Part B when first eligible. You must wait for the next enrollment period, Jan. 1 to March 31 (this changes in 2011; those who miss enrollment next year can sign up from Oct. 15 to Nov. 7). You’ll pay a 10 percent penalty for every year you don’t participate after becoming eligible. You can get a delay if you’re getting insurance through your employer or your spouse’s, but you must request it. You’ll also be penalized if you don’t sign up for Part D when first eligible and decide later that you want it.

Know what’s new. There are a couple of changes in the Medicare plan in 2011. The biggest is, participants won’t pay a deductible or coinsurance for most preventive services and are eligible to receive a free wellness exam.

Know where to get help. You can get assistance by calling 800-633-4227. To get a new card, change your information, report a death or get information on eligibility, call 800-772-1213. To coordinate Medicare benefits with a private insurance plan, call 800-999-1118. If you’re a veteran, call 800-827-1000. Information’s also available at www.medicare.gov.

Mediating Medicare

Let’s face it — the prospect of signing up for Medi-care can be daunting.

“Seniors need to understand their eligibility and what additional coverage they need” before they enroll, says Christie Luke, director of financial operations for Rising Medical Solutions, a medical care management company based in Chicago. “They just can’t enroll at any time. Each program has periods and restrictions.”

Here are five things Luke says you should know if you plan to enroll yourself or a family member in 2011.

BY KAREN SORENSEN

A primer on coverage and changes for 2011

BY DAN RAFTER

If you died tomorrow, would your spouse know the name of your life insurance agent? Would your spouse know the

account numbers of your IRAs? Would your spouse even know at what bank you keep your safe deposit box?

Unfortunately, many couples talk little about personal finances. This can cause trouble if the spouse who handles most of the household finances should suddenly pass away.

“It’s imperative that both partners in a relationship understand Finance 101,” said Lee Hausner, senior managing director of First Foundation Advisors in Irvine, Calif.

Craig Silverman, a retirement planning specialist with AXA Advisors in Melville, N.Y., has

created a 50-page booklet called the Family Love Letter. On each page, spouses can write down everything from their bank account numbers to the names and contact information of their life insurance agents and accountants to the contact information of the administrator who oversees the spouse’s 401(k) plan.

Silverman recommends that people fill this letter out long before they begin suffering health problems, and that they update it as their financial situations change and they open or close new IRAs and other accounts.

“You don’t leave your family with chaos in what will be a difficult time,” Silverman said.

Here are five things you need to tell your spouse about the household finances.

Money talkShare personal finance information with your spouse before an emergency occurs

Investments and assetsWrite down the account numbers and contact information for your insurance policies, investment accounts, savings and checking accounts, wills and trusts. Keep this information on a single sheet of paper, and make sure your spouse knows where it is.

Estate planningTell your spouse who is helping to manage your money and your estate planning. After you die, you want your spouse to be able to find and work closely with this person.

Safe deposit boxesYour spouse should know how many safe deposit boxes you have, what’s in them and where they are. Make sure, too, that your spouse knows who is legally allowed to open your safe deposit boxes.

List of professionalsProvide your spouse with the names and contact information of the financial professionals with which you work, including accountants, insurance agents, financial planners and mortgage loan officers.

List of expensesIt’s important for your spouse to know exactly where the household money goes each month. Provide a list of your monthly costs, everything from mortgage payments to estimated phone bills to discretionary entertainment spending.


Figger-It Solution

Journal-Standard 1/11 Figger-It PuzzleJunction.com


Figger-ItTo solve the Figger-It, simply change the FIRST letter in each of the words below to form a new word. (Example: Hat can be made into Fat.) Using the new fi rst letter of each word, place it on one of the spaces provided to fi nd the mystery answer. You will have to fi gure out on which space each letter belongs. Note: some words can be changed into more than one word!

What the farmer’s kids calledthe tiny new-born hogs.

__ __ __ __ __ __ __

MarchGloatImpPierEaseSingleIrate

PIGMIES

PARCHBLOATAMPBIERVASETINGLECRATE

______________________________________________________________________

They’re so small!

V N X K L W N P W X Y C W W A Y N E

X F N K Z A W M E E L N J K Y V P Q

Z W Q L K D P H N K L C F P R R D Q

W P A Q W E W T D T R P Y E L S E W

T X Q L M E I R Y Z W I N O N A R J

T C R Y T H N T V W Y E R R T K F X

T Z Z D W E C D E M R N A L W N L W

R G Y R C D R R E R R L R O N T I O

E U L A M K N M A L L E O O W L W L

B M B W Z E T W T I L D T G W Z M F

L C K L R F T Y W H R S B S V P N G

I R D F I Q Y A X O N W L Y B H L A

W G R L R W L T W I L L I A M E M N

V A L M R W L T W R Q G L L D L W G

X R Y N A D A M Y N J M M C L N Y W

Q S I L L A W W I N N I E C T A A L

N G D Y O G T D E R F I N I W Q R W

B O Q F L N G M E C A L L A W Q X D

WORD SEARCH SOLUTION

Puzzle Solutions

FIGGER IT SOLUTION

Journal-Standard 1/11 Sudoku PuzzleJunction.com


1/11 Sudoku Solution

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

1 7 44 2 6 9

3 7 12

6 53 5 8

12 9 6 3

8 5 6 3

1 9 7 2 6 3 8 4 54 2 8 5 1 7 3 6 96 5 3 8 4 9 7 2 15 7 9 3 8 2 4 1 68 4 6 1 7 5 2 9 32 3 1 4 9 6 5 8 73 6 4 7 2 1 9 5 87 1 2 9 5 8 6 3 49 8 5 6 3 4 1 7 2

SUDOKU SOLUTION

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is a vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”— Carl Jung

Notable quoteS by famouS PeoPle

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.”— Henry James

When You’reFor a

etc... (jan./feb., 2011)

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