IN THIS ISSUE ... CURBSIDE COSMETOLOGY - THE MAKEOVER O CTOBER 2012 How to How to Start a Business in Fort Dodge 101 Start a Business in Fort Dodge 101 Robertson brings Language Arts to Life at Iowa Central Community College Robertson brings Language Arts to Life at Iowa Central Community College Salocker Volunteers with St. Edmond’s Spiritual Life Committee Pumpkin Bars are a Culinary Treat Pumpkin Bars are a Culinary Treat Salocker Volunteers with St. Edmond’s Spiritual Life Committee
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IN THIS ISSUE ... CURBSIDE COSMETOLOGY - THE MAKEOVEROCTOBER 2012
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Also NEW in 2012! Also NEW in 2012! The Back 40 Playground
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Trinity Orthopaedics WelcomesDr. Purudappa & Dr. Tuy
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Purudappa, specializes in Sports Medicine, Pediatrics and joints. He received his medical degree from Mysore Medical College in Mysore, India. Dr. Purudappa completed the following Orthopaedic Fellowships; Sports Medicine Surgery at TRIA Orthopedic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, Pediatric Orthopedics at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Adult Reconstruction Surgery at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Tuy, specializes in Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Oncology and joints. He received his medical degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines. Dr. Tuy also completed the following Fellowships; Musculoskeletal Oncology at UMDNJ, in Newark, New Jersey, Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy, O.A.S.I., in Milan, Italy; Knee, Shoulder, and Foot & Ankle Surgery, at Melbourne, Australia; Trauma & Joint Replacement at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide, Australia.
Dr. Purudappa and Dr. Tuy join Drs. Bergstrom and Luna at Trinity Orthopaedic Services.
Richard Bergstrom, M.D. Jeffrey Luna, M.D.
Benjamin Tuy, M.D.Prasad Purudappa, M.D.
Today Cvrs_Layout 1 9/14/12 10:37 AM Page 4
contentscontentsin every issUe
4 Calendar9 New on the Shelf18 Scene About Town48 Parting Shot
LOcaL cOLOr
1 1 Class Notes:Robertson Brings Language Arts to Life at Iowa Central Community Collegeby Hailey Brueschke
1 3 BV Student Spotlight:Gutshell Learns at Buena Vista Universityby Hailey Brueschke
1 4 Mary Salocker Volunteers onSt. Edmond Spiritual Life Committeeby Robert Wolf
2 6 Faith Matters:Bradley Volunteers for Fort Dodge Aglow Lighthouseby Robert Wolf
FeatUre articLe
2 8 Starting a Business inFort Dodge 101by Meg Beshey
the gOOD LiFe
3 5 Home Style:Curbside Cosmetology Part Twoby Meg Beshey
4 2 Health Wise:We’re There When No One Else Isby Meg Beshey
4 5 Culinary Corner:Pumpkin Barsby Meg Beshey
4 6 Money Matters:Should You Prepare for Fiscal Cliff?courtesy of Edward Jones
On the cOverLisa Shimkat is the regional director of the NorthCentral Iowa Small Business Development Center.
- Photo by Meg Beshey
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 1
OctOber 2012
Departments
2 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
From the News Editor It’s All Good…
Fall is here. I think it came sooner than we expected, but then maybe not. I guess it’s all
how you look at it through the magnifying glass, right? October seems to be that one
month where you get a bit of two seasons for the price of one. It is eloquently blended.
You have the blissful warm days, and you have the really chilly evenings. Fall is a time to
reconnect with the others at events around town and take it all in. For some of us, it is the
only time we get to see our friends and for that it is wonderful. Maybe it’s at a football
game or cross country event, a community bazaar or a ride to get that perfect pumpkin at
the Community Orchard.
If you look around this community you can see its neighborhoods dress themselves for
fall. Front doors bear fall wreaths, sport team flags, scarecrows. Or there is a pile of leaves
ascending to the sky. That is, until the kids take a jump into it, scattering the withered
leaves all over the lawn. Oh well, it was a great exercise for all involved, right? In the fall, it seems time together is
truly golden.
On the cover this month we feature Lisa Shimkat, a small business administrator and adviser for our area. She
has great ideas for anyone wanting to start a new small business venture in Fort Dodge and our surrounding commu-
nities. You’ll find it intriguing to learn the steps one needs to consider when starting a business.
Robert Wolf takes a look at our volunteers. This month he writes about Karen Bradley, of AGLOW, and Mary
Salocker, of St. Edmond Catholic Schools.
Also this October, we continue to look at the rehab of an underutilized home front saved by landscaping ideas
from Jeff Becker, of Becker Florists.
And we’re reporting on the efforts of our Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center in Fort Dodge and its ongoing
efforts to provide health and legal support services for our women,children and men who are dealing with domestic
issues on all levels.
Our writer on the college scene, Hailey Brueschke, looks at the dedicated work of Justin Robertson, of Iowa
Central Community College, as well as Tami Gutshell, who attends Buena Vista to boost her career.
A piece of Today you just cannot ignore is the pumpkin bar recipe in Culinary Corner. There’ll be plenty of bake
sales, tailgate opportunities and gatherings like harvest festivals. They’ll be a hit there. The ones made for the pic-
ture in the article somehow disappeared when a herd of ravenous teens raided the kitchen. Now that is approval.
Our bookworm, Amy Presler, this month looks at yet another great selection of books to check out at the Fort
Dodge Public Library.
A great feature we do in the magazine is the Montage page. For those who have assisted me in this photo-op of
sorts, thank you. I cannot tell you how much fun we have when I walk into a business with a theme in mind and the
employees have way too much fun picking out those items we feature on that page. I mean, it’s all good, isn’t it?
So sit back, have a good reading session on us, and remember to keep giving us suggestions for future issues at
[email protected]. Oh, and enjoy the colors and smells of fall, because it’s here.
Volume 23 Issue 6If 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 Fort Dodgesince 1964. He has written for FortDodge Today magazine since2002 and for The Messenger since1993. He’s the author of “Fossils ofIowa” and “Iowa’s State Parks.” Amember of the Author’s Guild, hishobbies include fossil collectingand 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.
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 3
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On the Shelf
Five New Thrillers for October
provided by amyamypresler
Amy’s Word:
For those of you who have read Steig Larsson’s “Millennium”
trilogy and are looking to fill the Scandinavian crime noir
void, I have two authors for you to try this month (three if
you want to get technical.)
Fellow Danes Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis make up the
writing team behind last year’s bestseller “The Boy in the
Suitcase.” Their latest in the series, “Invisible Murder” once
again features Nina Borg, a Red Cross nurse, who they chose
as their heroine because it would be someone who got into
contact with death and human misery on a daily basis, but
who wasn’t a crime reporter or a cop.
Out of the nine books in the “Harry Hole” series by
Norwegian Jo Nesbo, only six so far have been published in
the U.S. Nesbo, a household name in Europe, continues his
series featuring the alcoholic Hole and with each new book
the stories have gotten steadily grimmer, including his latest
Phantom. On a side note, the DVD of the movie based on
Nesbo’s book “Headhunters” (not a part of the Harry Hole
series,) is out now.
Invisible by Lene Kaaberbol and
Agnete Friis
Danish Red Cross nurse Nina Borg does-
n’t realize she is putting herself in dan-
ger when she tries to treat a group of
sick Hungarian gypsies.
Phantom by Jo Nesbo
Former Oslo cop Harry Hole takes on
police corruption and the city’s drug
dealers as he fights to prove that the boy
he considers his son is not a murderer.
Say You’re Sorry
by Michael Robotham
Fourth in the Joe O’Loughlin series by
Robotham. During the worst blizzard in
decades, a husband and wife are brutally
killed and the only suspect, a schizo-
phrenic, is unable to explain his presence
in their home.
The Twelve by Justin CroninCronin continues his apocalyptic trilogy
that began with The Passage. In The
Twelve, the same group of survivors goes
on the offense to defeat the virals. 705
pages of creepy fun.
City of Saints by Andrew Hunt
Historical mystery set in 1930s Salt Lake
City, the so-called “City of Saints.” A pair
of lawmen, one a squeaky-clean devout
Mormon, the other a foul-mouthed vice-
ridden former strikebreaker, tries to solve
the murder of a beautiful socialite. Based
on a true story.
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 9
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Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 11
What is your name and where are
you from?
My name is Justin Robertson. I am orig-
inally from Liberty, Mo., which is just
north of Kansas City. I now live in
Gowrie.
What grade do you teach and at
what school?
I am currently one of the language arts
instructors at Iowa Central Community
College in Fort Dodge. I teach develop-
mental writing, composition and litera-
ture courses.
What do you enjoy most about
teaching?
I enjoy watching students develop as
readers, writers and thinkers throughout
the semester. It is rewarding to see a stu-
dent grow to enjoy the language arts on
all levels. The best part is to see them
love writing or literature in itself, despite
hating those subjects at the outset of the
course from their previous educational
experiences.
How long have you been working
as a teacher?
I just started my eighth year in the class-
room. I began teaching composition
courses as a graduate student at the
University of Wyoming in 2005. My
first full-time teaching gig was at
Southwestern Community College in
Creston in 2007. In August of 2010, I
began working at Iowa Central
Community College here in Fort Dodge.
haileyhaileybrueschkecOLOrlocal
Class NotesRobertson Brings Language Arts to Life
at Iowa Central Community Collge
photograph by Hailey Brueschke
Justin Robertson began teaching at Iowa Central Community College in 2010.
Continued on page 12
12 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
What makes you interested in
teaching English courses?
I have always loved reading and writ-
ing. In these types of classes, I get to
know my students well because they are
allowed (required, really) to express
themselves on a daily basis, whether it
is through writing about a personal
experience or discussing their interpre-
tation of a text. Despite having 100 or
more students a semester, I am able to
connect with every student on a per-
sonal level. To be able to do that
through language arts is pretty powerful
and rewarding.
Who is someone that motivated
you as a student?
There was a sense of drive instilled in
me at a young age. My parents always
encouraged me to do everything to the
best of my ability, especially school-
work. I feel that what I do in the class-
room with my students, showing my
appreciation for the language arts is an
extension of what they instilled in me
years ago.
Who inspired you to become a
teacher?
While at the University of Missouri, I
took several literature and humanities
classes with Seido Ray Ronci. Along
with being an amazing teacher, he is a
Zen monk, jazz musician and poet.
There is no façade with him. He is the
same person in and out of the class-
room. He made me realize that I could
be a teacher, and a good one, just by
being myself. His enthusiasm for pursu-
ing every question and experiencing life
continues to inspire me.
What is the worst excuse you have
gotten from a student?
I had a student tell me he could not
attend class due to the weather, which
amounted to little more than a light
sprinkling. It must have been one heck
of a rainstorm wherever it was located
to miss my class.
What profession other than your
own would you most like to
attempt?
I love writing short stories, and I try to
pursue that in my free time. It is very
hard to write something that you want
to see published someday. I have been
lucky to do so a few times. Each experi-
ence is just as exciting when your work
gets published as the last one.
What are ways students can be
successful in college that will fur-
ther them in life?
Good communication is key to
excelling in college. Visit your instruc-
tor during his or her office hours, par-
ticipate in class discussions, ask
thoughtful questions. You should email
or call your instructor if you will miss
class or are having trouble with an
assignment. The same is true for suc-
ceeding in the workplace and for hav-
ing a fulfilling personal life. Nobody
will hear your voice if you never speak
up. Be yourself and connect with oth-
ers. That is what life is all about.
What are three things every
teacher should own?
A teacher should have a course website
for distributing materials and collecting
assignments. They should also have a
good sense of humor for dealing with
the days that don’t go as planned —
and you will have lots of those no mat-
ter how organized you think you are.
Lastly, have a lot of motivation to get
all that grading done. If you don’t have
that motivation, it can consume you
when you really don’t have a lot of
time to get that work done.
Continued from page 1 1
class
note
s
- Justin Robertson
❛❛
❛❛
Despite having 100 ormore students a semester,I am able to connect withevery student on apersonal level. To beable to do that throughlanguage arts is prettypowerful and rewarding.
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 13
cOLOrlocal haileyhaileybrueschke
BV Student SpotlightGutshell Learns atBuena Vista UniversityTami Gutshell wanted to move forward
with her career. She has a job, but she
decided that more education would
increase her chances of improving her
position in the working world. To that
end, she enrolled in Buena Vista classes
at Iowa Central.
Since graduating from Prairie Valley in
2005, Gutshell has gone to college,
attained a degree and even found a
career job. Everything in her life
seemed to be going well. That is, until
her boss told her that she would have to
go back to school to earn more credits
in order to get a higher position at her
workplace.
“I was told I would not get as far with a
two-year degree in my job, which is why
I went back,” Gutshell said.
Now that she is back at school, she is
now going to get a double major in
marketing and management. She chose
those majors because they are ones in
which she had already received credits.
“It is the easiest one to get that I had
already earned credits from ICCC. It
goes with graphic design, which is
something I would like to start my own
business in someday,” Gutshell said.
Some people may think that going back
to school would be too difficult. Yet oth-
ers may find it exciting because they
can start over in a major or simply fur-
ther themselves into areas they hadn’t
looked at previously. Gutshell was one
of those students who
found going back to be
really exciting at first.
“There is that initial
rush of going back into
it again,” she said. “But
afterwards, trying to
hassle a job and being a
full time student is
hard.”
She is in classes where
students have to write a
lot of papers, and she
thinks it’s going to be
challenging to finish
them. But Gutshell
knows she has to do this
in order to graduate
and get ahead in her
career. With this goal in
mind, she will be able
to start a business in the
near future.
Even though she knows
school is going to help
her in life, she is ready
to graduate. Going to
work at 8 a.m. and not
arriving home until 9 p.m., then having
to do homework is not easy. “I like my
sleep, and do not like having to put my
social life on hold. All of this can really
take a toll on you.”
Still, Gutshell knows her work will pay
off in the end. She knows that in order
to get what you want in life, certain sac-
rifices have to be made. This is why she
decided to go back to school, so that
later in life she will know all her hard
work was worth it.
photograph by Hailey Brueschke
Tami Gutshell returns to college to improve hercareer potential.
14 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
When Mary Salocker looks around
her, she sees opportunities to serve. To
act on what she sees, Salocker puts her
energy into both her church and its
school. They are the recipients of her
strong belief in volunteering.
As a volunteer, Salocker has served on
the St. Edmond Spiritual Life
Committee for about five years. It was
that group, Salocker firmly anchoring
it, that came up with the idea of a vol-
unteer service day that would engage
all St. Edmond Catholic Schools stu-
dents.
“It was our goal to get the students of
St. Edmond involved through commu-
nity service. So on May 1, 2012, we
had our service learning day. This is
where the 850 students were out and
about in the community,” Salocker
said. It was a first-time event for the
school. Every grade was involved, from
preschoolers to seniors.
The idea of the volunteer day came
from a grant. It was called Reach Out
Iowa. The grant is federally funded
and awarded to the Iowa Commission
on Volunteer Service. It is implement-
ed through 4-H and Iowa State
University Extension. Salocker took
her idea to the Spiritual Life
Committee and it agreed to apply for
the grant. The school was awarded
$6,000.
The day began with a motivational
speaker whose topic was bullying.
Then students were bussed throughout
the community for service projects.
Among other things, the students
cleaned schools inside and out, helped
at the Children’s Forest and Veterans
Memorial Park at John F. Kennedy
Memorial Park and assisted at
LifeWorks Community Services. They
also worked with residents at
Friendship Haven, the Marian Home
and Villa Care Nursing Home. They
went to the Fort Museum, Almost
Home animal
shelter and
Paula J. Baber
Hospice Home.
They also pot-
ted plants that
were delivered
to neighbors
around St.
Edmond School
and started a
vegetable gar-
den at St.
Edmond. The
produce from
the garden is
donated to a
Fort Dodge food
pantry.
Salocker has
met many people in the school and
community through volunteering.
“That’s how I met Casey,” she said.
Casey McEvoy was one of the students
involved in the service day. McEvoy, a
junior at St. Edmond High School, is
involved in cross country and track,
student council, and the Respect for
Life group.
McEvoy said he appreciated Salocker’s
work that organized the community
service day. “It feels good to volunteer.
Everyone thought it would be boring,
but it’s actually pretty fun to give
back,” he said. “It’s not always about
getting recognized for it. It’s about
helping someone else out and knowing
they will appreciate it.”
The service day was popular with
other students too. “What I’ve found,
it just takes one or two kids like Casey
to put out the invite,” Salocker said.
She overheard McEvoy talking to
other students. “‘The youth are the
leaders of tomorrow and the things we
do today are going to help us or hurt
us down the road. If you keep a habit
of doing service it will benefit you for
life,’ he said.”
“I’m really impressed with the young
man. He has taken leadership and
service to a whole new level.”
But service opportunities encompass
more than talk.
“Some of the work is dirty work — in
the garden, moving boxes, raking
mulch. But none of it is terribly hard,”
said Salocker.
Students pick their service projects.
photographs by Robert WolfrobertrobertwolfcOLOrlocal
Mary Salocker Volunteers on St. Edmond Spiritual Life Committee
Mary Salocker visits with St. Edmond students Casey McEvoy andMaric Salocker.
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 15
“The key to service is to recognize your
talents and interests and match it with
a need in the community,” she said.
“There is a tremendous need to give of
your time and anyone can do it. I just
happen to enjoy the youth and I put
my efforts in that direction,” Salocker
said. “I like to think what we showed
the students was service is not hard
work and it can be fun.”
The Spiritual Life Committee meets
monthly and is comprised of parents,
teachers and school administrators. No
students are involved on the committee
at this time, but student input is sought
in other ways. For instance, religion
teachers meet with the students fre-
quently. “That’s where the biggest
communication occurs,” Salocker said.
“As far as spiritual life, we want to con-
tinue to give our students the opportu-
nity to enrich their faith,” she said. For
Catholic Schools week, which is in
February, the committee incorporates a
service project. It was a winter clothing
drive and a food drive this year.
Another service day is in the planning
stages.
“I want everyone to know the St.
Edmond students have so much to give
and that was really magnified with our
service learning day. We built a lot of
bridges with community leaders,”
Salocker said.
“I really believe in the youth. They are
our future for tomorrow.”
About Mary Salocker
MarySalocker, 48,is a native ofBoise, Idaho.She grew upin a family ofeight. “Ilearned to giveback to thecommunitythrough my
mother. My mother was an exam-ple of service.” Her mother volun-teered up until her death.
Salocker moved to Fort Dodge in1994. She and her husband of 17years, Dr. Rick Salocker, have onedaughter, Maric, who is a sopho-more at St. Edmond High School.Mary Salocker works part time inher husband’s podiatry office andshe has been a substitute teacher atSt. Edmond. She’s a 4-H leaderand is involved in Holy TrinityParish. She and her husbandspearheaded the Holy TrinitySummer Spirit celebration. “Rightnow, my husband is in the deaconprogram and I’m really trying tosupport him in that program.”
Salocker has served on the St. Edmond Spiritual Life Committee for about fiveyears.
16 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
Plastic Containers Metal Cans, Foil Glass-Clear or Brown Newsprint & Inserts Corrugated Cardboard Junk Mail
Magazines & Cereal Boxes
Boxes Brown Paper Bags Plastic Bags
ACCEPTABLE
Styrofoam Aerosol Cans Motor Oil Containers
Window Glass Light Bulbs
NOT ACCEPTABLE
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18 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
aboutscene tOwnPhotos by photographersNicole Hagar, Susan Mooreand Kevin Conrad.
CouchfreakBoogie
Cathy and N i co le P re l ip a reready to j ump .
Kacee Schmid t and Derek Pre l ipa t t he Couch f reak Boog ie .
Chuc k Mas se pac k s the chu tefor ano the r j ump .
Mat t Sm i t h and h i s daugh terA very , wa i t fo r c hu te s to open .
Heather Co ch rane ce lebra tesa f te r her j ump .
E l s i , Eden , M i ke , E se k W i thamand Vi c to r ia Ca lmer g i ve t hethumbs up fo r a j ump .
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 19
Flea Market
E l i zabe th , Kay lee , Kasey and Jonathan M i chae l son spend t he dayat t he f lea ma rket .
Ch r i s ta , Jon and Co leton Lar son and Ru th Smi th a t t hef lea marke t .
Payton Pekarek w i t h her fu r r y f r iend ,Teddybear t he bunny, a t t he f lea mar ke t .
Reg ina , Ta l eya and G len Roes t have somefun wh i le a t tend ing the f lea mar ket a t theWebs te r Coun ty Fa i rg rounds .
20 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
aboutscene tOwn
Fort Dodge Flower and Garden Club Flower Show
Kathy Meinde rs , le f t , and
Bev Longnec ker look a t
Ch r i s Fu l ker ’ s se cond-p lace
w inn ing en t r y i n t he A r t i s t i c
Cra f t s se ct ion o f the FDFGC
F lower show .
Je f f Jo ne s and M i ke Jones en joy
the i r e ven ing a t the Grea t Amer i can
S toc k ca r Shoo tou t .
Debb ie Mabe and Bec ky B r un sa t tend t he Grea t Amer i can Stoc kca rShoo tou t a t M inera l C i ty Speedway .Ch r i s We l ch and Tod Sassman a t t he
Great Amer i can S to ck ca r Shoo tou t .
Jan K ras s exp la in s to Rose C la r k t hedes ign e lemen t s t ha t wen t i n to herf i r s t -p r i ze w i nn i ng “ Tea T ime” t raydes ign .
M i l l ie Nordeen look s over t heornamenta l g las ses a t t he FDFGCFlower s how a t C ros s roads Ma l l .
Great American Stockcar Shootout
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 21
Ray and Sharon Winn have a g reat t ime a tthe Or thoped i c C l i n i c ’ s Jo in t Reun ion par t y .
Wanda Dodge r and Jo lene Roncon i a t tendthe Or t hoped i c C l i n i c ’ s Jo in t Reun ion par ty .
M i c he l le Gar re t t , F red La r son and MaryDenc k lau s top to sha re a photo wh i lea t tend ing t he Or t hoped i c C l i n i c ’ s Jo in tReun ion part y .
Dee Bu rbank ,and Lo raand TomMes se r lya t tend t heJo in t Reun ionpar ty he ldby t heOrt hoped i cC l i n i c .
D r . Em i le L i w i t h Tom and V i ck i S tumpf a t t he Ort hoped i c C l i n i c ’ s Jo in t Reun ion par ty .
Orthopedic Clinic’s Joint Reunion Party
22 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
aboutscene tOwnPhotos by photographersNicole Hagar, Susan Mooreand Kevin Conrad.
Adventure Race at Brushy Creek
T re vor Meer spus he s onth rough t heAdven tu re Race .
Bob O ’Connorr un s i n t heAdven tu re Race .
E l sa and T roy Martens befo re t he i r leg o f t he
Adven tu re Race , he ld a t B r u shy C reek .
Eas ton E l l i s p ract i ces h i s boat i ng s k i l l s o n t he sa fetyof t he sho re wh i le wa i t i ng fo r the kayak s to re t u r n .
Jo rdan Harvey padd les h i s way th rough t he
Adven t u re Race .
Abby andSharon
Landwehr a represen t tocheer on fa t her
and husband ,M i ke Landweh r .
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 23
Fundraiser for Ava Passow Charity Grill-off in the Dariette parking lot
R i c h a nd Jo Se l t z a t the fundra i ser fo r A va Passow .
K im and Todd Eas twood , A va Pas sow ’ s g rand-paren t s , a t t he fundra i se r fo r Ava .
Sher i l l Umsted and her son , Mark Umsted , a t t he Char i t yGr i l l -o f f he ld fo r A va Passow .
Ava Passow w i th her g randmo the r , Ba rb Pas sow ,
a t the fund ra i se r he ld i n Da r ie t te park i ng lo t .
Mary Kay Dan ie l and Jenene F r ieder i ch sa t the fund ra i se r fo r Ava Passow .
24 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 25
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A business owner needs to look at the seasonalitystandpoint of when they start up or evenif it entails a construction model. Also, the taximplications of when they do this are a factor.
Continued on page 30
30 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
Shimkat said that not everyone who
comes to her has a clear notion of what
they want for their business. “We do have
those that come in that are entrepreneur-
ial, but have no idea on what business to
do. That is about 5 percent that comes
into our office that are like that.”
She said it’s essential to do market
research and see what is really needed or
what niche is not being met in the area
that people want. It is imperative the
business owner understands their market
or clientele. Through the market research
that is provided, they can do a trend
analysis, look at demographics and,
depending on the product the prospec-
tive business owner plans to sell, deter-
mine if the area can handle yet another
business like yours. Or not. This research
looks at household spending on items the
business owner might try to sell and
whether that household would part with
funds to support that business product.
“This research is vital as it shows what is
really needed by the customers that are
available in the area and their needs. It
helps you to create that ‘want’ for that
product you are selling at your business,”
Shimkat said.
Statistics reveal how clients have used the
SBDC in business startups or renova-
tions.
• The SBDC served 200 clients when ini-
tially its goal was at least 185.
n It’s logged more than 1,066 counseling
hours when the base goal was at least
728.
• New business created? Nineteen when
the goal was at least eight.
• Of those businesses, 114 jobs were cre-
ated; at least 75 had been anticipated.
“Jobs that are created and jobs retained
are mutually exclusive,” Shimkat said.
”With a new business, you have jobs cre-
ated and with existing businesses we work
with if we help save a job it is listed
there.”
When a business is about to get rolled
out to the public, the name and branding
must be thought out — and carried out
— properly. When a client approaches
the SBDC regarding a logo or name, do
they assist in that as well? “The business
is their baby, so to speak. The customer is
the one who will react to the name. We
can offer input and tips like if it is too
confusing, hard to spell. Our job is to
help them see and remove the barriers so
they retain the customers and have a suc-
cessful business.”
Shimkat said branding of the business is
secondary to the business plan. “You
have the excitement of starting a new
business. It grows and swells with interest
with your family and friends wanting to
see you make it happen. You need to
organize it, get those ‘what if ’ scenarios
figured out, then you can go about figur-
ing out that logo, your marketing you
want to approach,” says Shimkat.
Part of this mode of thinking is making
sure your technology is ready for today’s
market. If you are going to use account-
ing software, use what your CPA is using.
Doing so helps you spot those possible
financing problems you can head off at
the start. You can do the social media
route, but make sure it really plays into
what your target market uses. If you are
going to have a website, make sure some-
one maintains it and doesn’t let it sit idle
with no interaction from your customer
base. Likewise, when it comes to Wi-Fi,
unless there is some serious wait time at
your business to receive the services, it’s
probably something you don’t need.
Once that business plan is in place, themarketing research has been done, andthe financing is secure, then the job oflocation, location, location needs to bedone. The SBDC works hard to helpfuture business owners find the right fitfor their needs. The owner needs toknow what they are expecting for theirbusiness and what type of location theyneed. They will need to determine if thetarget market will find their location vital
Continued from page 29
Shimkat pulls out a book from the vast array of business resources she has forclients to look at when deciding to start a business.
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 31
and accessible. If a product is visual, then they probablyshould be located near an intersection, for instance. Goodparking is important, as well as a good feeling the customergets when he or she walks in the door. When seeking the loca-tion, the city can be involved. For instance, there may be pro-grams to help the new business get going, as well as makingsure all the ordinances are met.
Then there is the staff. They are a crucial part of starting abusiness. Look for people who want to be there to see yourbusiness succeed. Write out job specifications for each employ-ee and then share the job descriptions so everyone knows theirobligations. “Don’t be intimidated to hire greater and smarterpeople than you to make your business work,” said Shimkat.“Surround yourself with good people.” Be a good managerand leader, she said. Be there at the workplace all the time andcreate the business climate you want to see for your business.
Shimkat, asked for her perspective on the renaissance goingon in downtown Fort Dodge, said, “I think it is awesome. Itreally has come about by everyone coming together to seethings happen in a positive way. Individuals wanted to see anincrease in the businesses downtown. All the entities have towork together to make it happen.” Some of the very business-es that have recently opened up shop downtown have been herformer clients.
The Small Business Development Center offers programs forindividuals wanting to get that business idea started. Forinstance, staff have traveled more than 9,000 hours to meetwith clients. It offers youth entrepreneur camps — this is itsthird year of BUZZ BIZ. It has held Smart Start workshops inWebster, Hamilton and Wright counties to encourage thosewanting to start, but not sure how to get started. Its staff alsogives presentations to area business groups and offers life skillsclasses to prisoners incarcerated in the correctional facilities inthis area.
Shimkat still finds time to be intrigued. “Everyone that comesto us is different with their business idea. Every business is dif-ferent. How you get through the process is what gets you thereto your opening day. We all need to buy local and supportthese small business that are trying so hard to make it and pro-vide us with unique shopping options.”
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
Dog’s Name: BuddyBreed: RottweilerAge: 10 years old
Parents: Mark Alcorn & Dee BurbankAbout Buddy: He is a beautiful dog withthe personality of a gentle giant. He livesat home with his best friends, Jazz, a Lab,
and Harley, a daschund.
Lisa Shimkat is married to EdShimkat. She is 41 years old.Her hobbies and interestsinclude RAGBRAI (U What?Team), and her family iscurrently hosting a foreignexchange student fromGermany. Her children’sactivities keep her hopping, she said, so everyday is a busy adventure outside of work. Still,she likes to volunteer at church and schools,and she is an avid reader of books.
32 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
Catch
The Spirit
“On The Fort Dodge Horizon”
How to give: Employee campaigns/payroll deduction or by checks sent to the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way.
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 33
Catch The Spirit
34 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
MNW LITTLE Cougars preschool - a great placeto start!
Curbside CosmetologyOn a beautiful fall day, it’s easy to grasp
how nice things look outside. Take, for
instance, the new landscape in front of
the home done by Jeff Becker, of
Becker Florists and Nursery. The col-
ors. The textures. They worked in con-
cert to attract everyone’s attention.
The project itself was the fulfillment of
a longtime wish to make a property
look more presentable to regular visi-
tors. The intention was to take an
underdeveloped space and turn it into
an eye-catching part of the property.
The goal has been achieved.
As the wind gently ruffled new plants
inset into pea rock, Becker, the guest
landscape designer, arrived. He was
immediately smiling.
“Just look at those plants, especially the
perennials. They have really taken and
grown in the mulch,” Becker said.
“They have really adjusted well to the
space.”
The pea rock really caught his eye as he
walked up the drive and along the
curved sidewalk.
“The initial ground was so bumpy. It
was all up and down throughout the
space,” he said. “There were so many
weeds and wannabe trees trying to
sprout up.”
Becker said he was pleased to see how
the entire appearance came together,
sprouting from a previous conversation,
including plant choices, and the plan he
drew. He liked the view of the front of
the yard. “It has true eye appeal now,”
he said.
Becker, last month, had stressed the
value of low maintenance details that
provide high visual presence. That led
to a discussion on shrubs. According to
Becker, they won’t need to be watered
every day, but instead on an as needed
basis, especially if the temperatures get
unseasonably hot. Every three to four
days would be sufficient, he said. He
felt that the perennials put in could still
be watered everyday still but as it cools,
less that once a week. “When the tem-
perature changes like it has in the last
week, it really should determine your
maintenance scheduling, watering to
the space, the plants,” Becker said. “If
it stays in the 70s for temps, then water
every four to five days. You can water
every day, especially the perennials, if
temps go up, but otherwise space it out.
By doing so you create just enough of
that moisture that is needed for the
roots and it won’t dry under the
mulch.”
There were challenges to the project. It
was important to make sure the plants
got good light, something that was not
easy when the space to be redone was
located on the north side of the proper-
ty.
“It really limits your choice of what you
can do, your plants, due to the limited
sun that hits the space,” Becker said. To
overcome that situation, Becker’s plan
was to move the plants out and away
from the house and into fuller sun. The
project mixed annuals with perennials.
This provided more color options.
“That flexibility opens up ideas on
what can be done instead of going for
the usual presentations. Even more pot-
ted plants can be implemented into the
design still if that is preferred,” Becker
said.
Continued on page 36
Landscaper Dan Venteicher of Becker Florists works along the curved border ofthe walkway.
36 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
For instance, next year pots of impa-
tiens and petunias could be put into the
landscaped area in between the plants
recently introduced into the design.
“Another option would be to use
vinca,” said Becker. “I love that plant.
Absolutely love it. It would provide a
neat visual twist to what we already
have done.”
What would Becker change if he would
change anything already done in the
landscaped area? More hostas. Becker
suggested that hostas with more white
to them would show textures better and
make the space visually brighter. “We
could put a pot inside a pot idea,” he
said. “That is where we dig down a
level to the pea rock or the mulch,
insert a pot, then put in a potted plant
inside that first one for visual punch.”
Doing this provides an opportunity to
change plants relative to the changing
seasons. In spring, for example, you
could use pansies. For summer, gerani-
ums. For fall, mums. The idea holds
real appeal.
“One option you might want to try is
using artificial poinsettias or little
spruce trees in these areas for the holi-
days to give it a festive look,” Becker
said.
Thinking ahead, there are things gar-
deners can do to prep spaces not only
for wintertime, but for springtime too.
Overgrown shrubs were at the top of
his hit list. “Whether or not they are
blooming or deciduous, you can give
them a severe cut to get the size down
and shape them so they can start over
for the next year,” Becker said.
People are often nervous about prun-
ing, he said, especially with trees and
shrubs. If you are going to prune,
shrubs like lilacs and rhododendrons
should be done now because they are
setting their buds for blooming in the
spring. Becker also suggested putting
mulch around the bases of trees as well
as the hostas. Mulch provides some
much-needed color and cleans up the
look of the yard with low maintenance.
He mentioned a birch tree that had
nothing going for it at its base. “Adding
some mulch in a nice, big circle around
the base would do a dramatic, easy
change to the tree,” he said. Potted
plants on top of the mulch would also
look good. “I think the tree, the plants
would like it too, to show off more of
the yard.”
The most important advice Becker has
for homeowners is to not be scared.
Don’t be afraid to do that pruning.
Have confidence in what you do to
make your landscape adhere to your
envision. Sometimes, you’ll need to
start over. Whatever you do, be confi-
dent. Eventually the “shock value” of
what you did will go away. Use Becker’s
advice in a way that suits you and your
budget. And make sure that if you seek
professional assistance, local experts like
Becker will guide you, offering advice
to you that will make your landscape
project a success, and something you’ll
enjoy for years to come.
home style
Continued from page 35
s i n c e 1 8 8 5
Fall is for Planting! End of Summer Markdowns Trees, Shrubs & Perennials.
1335 1ST AVE NORTH • 515-576-6671 • 800-368-2837 • www.beckerflorist.com
View of the renovated landscaped area with pea rock, mulch and new plants.
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 37
10 year old terrier mix that came to us because his family was moving and could not take him with them. He is black, brown, and white with alittle gray on his face and muzzle. Jake seems to be a friendly little man and loves treats of any kind. He came in with a buddy named Trixie, so we are assuming that living with another dog wouldn’t be a problem.
Jake Terrier Mix
CALL: Humane Society of North Central Iowa
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38 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 39
40 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
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42 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
WiSehealth megmegbeshey
On a cool fall afternoon, in a setting
where the people inside fit nicely with
the cozy feeling of the neighborhood
outside, you might not suspect that this
is more than just a comfy place to rest
your feet. It is a safe haven for those
that have had to deal with an ugly side
of life: domestic issues violent enough
to cause them to leave their own
homes.
It could be any form of domestic issue
or assault that will garner the loving
attention of the staff who works at the
Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach
Center in Fort Dodge. It’s an organiza-
tion whose name you’ve heard so many
times, but do you know what they really
do to help clients who walk through
their doors?
Connie Harris, executive director for
the last four years, focuses on the “busi-
ness end” of D/SAOC organization.
Not only is she is responsible for man-
agement and operations, she acts as the
liason between the board of directors
and the foundation board for
D/SAOC. “I kind of set the tone and
philosophy on how it should be run,”
Harris said. “It takes time to acclimate
to new routines, but I feel that we are
moving in the right direction now, espe-
cially in meeting the needs of the
clients served today.”
Clients enter D/SAOC’s shelter
through varied paths: self-referral,
police or hospital recommendation, or
sometimes they’re dropped off at the
front door. “If a client is here because
of a referral, we talk to them first to
make sure it is voluntary and of their
free will,” Harris said. The client’s level
of crisis is assessed, and they also taken
into account other issues causing them
to seek shelter. Some of these clients
are male, but mostly it is single women
or women with children who walk into
the doors of the shelter in Fort Dodge.
They are there because of domestic
violence or some type of assault, and
they enter without judgment. The peo-
ple who are given shelter are absolutely
welcomed. Statistically, there is little dif-
ference in how they got to the shelter; it
is an equal mix that arrives in any given
month.
Once the client is settled, sometimes
they just need to rest, sleep, bathe or
eat.
Staff meets them and go from there.
There is no set policy on what to do
first, how to help. There is a limited
interview once they are ready for it.
That is so their basic needs can be met.
Intake is done with the counselor,
Angela Crosby, who works with women
in the shelter. Crosby gathers history,
learns their strength and goals, and
their resources. Then, together, they
devise safety planning and plan for a
new living situation so that they can
become self-sufficient when they are
ready.
The clients, once interviewed, then are
assigned a room at the shelter and a
bed. Their stay is temporary.
Advocates at the shelter are crucial, too,
especially when things become over-
We’re There
photographs by Meg Beshey
When No One Else Is
Connis Harris is the executive director of the Domestic/Sexual Assault OutreachCenter.
Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 43
whelming there. All of the advocates are certified to deal with
clients. “They are very capable and available and on call if
needed in case of emergency to serve clients at D/SAOC,”
Harris said.
Often, a protective order is needed. A D/SAOC representa-
tive goes with the client to get it filled out and filed with the
court. The same advocate may attend any or all hearings if
the client wants them to be there. They attend depositions or
whatever services the client requests. “We are there for the
whole process no matter what,” said Harris.
At court hearings, the D/SAOC advocate can advise the
client about what will be done during the hearing and will
keep them informed of the process at all times. “We will
always go to court with them. We are there in a supportive
and advocacy role to the client and work closely with the
Webster County Victim Advocate coordinator, Shelly
Escobedo.” Most court cases that occur are few as a huge
percentage just feel it is not part of their healing process.
D/SAOC takes clients to Key on Central, the resale store that
D/SAOC operates to raise funds for the day to day opera-
tions it provides. The Key, as it’s usually called, has been in
operation for more than five years and sells items for cash
only. Other funding sources for the shelter are federal and
state grants, private donations, and the United Way. Some
counties support D/SAOC in their budgets, but not all of the
counties the service covers financially support the program.
Area churches, civic groups and, of course, the beloved Cake
Auction in the spring brings in supportive funds too.
There are many ways people can help the shelter. It needs
sturdy bunk beds, twin mattresses, furniture donations for the
Key, strollers, fold-up cribs and highchairs. Volunteers are
needed to paint rooms, clean out rooms, hang blinds or help
out at the Key. They could use someone to do everyday main-
tenance or provide transportation.
So much need.
Next month, learn about upcoming changes the
shelter will deal with in order to help more. For
information, contact Connie Harris at D/SAOC,
955-2273. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 773,
Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
Harris holds baby Colton, 2 weeks old, who is living in theshelter with his mother.
The kitchen is in need of repair and updating at theshelter.
44 � Fort Dodge Today � October 2012
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Fort Dodge Today � October 2012 � 45
cornerculinary megmegbeshey
It’s October, month of the Great
Pumpkin. Be it on a favorite TV show,
colorful banner or yard decoration, or,
more deliciously, baked into a pie,
cookie or a favorite at fall festival func-
tions: pumpkin bars. Here’s a simple,
classic recipe that came from a 4-H
cookbook.
The toughest part of doing this recipe
will be deciding on how the pumpkin
will be sacrificed. Scooped from its shell
in old-school fashion? Or emptied from
a can because you learned at the last
minute that you had to bring a treat.
Either way works. The best part, after-
all, is in the tasting.
Hail to the Great Pumpkin
— bar!
Recipe:
½ c. butter, softened
1 ½ c. sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ c. pumpkin
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. maple extract
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
½ tsp. cloves
2 ½ c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
Cream butter and sugar in mixer bowl
until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Add
pumpkin, flavorings, salt, cinnamon,
ginger and cloves. Mix well. Whisk
flour and baking soda together in a sep-
arate bowl, then add to wet mixture.
Spread in greased 10-by-15-inch baking
pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 min-
utes. Cool on wire rack. Cut into bars.
Frost with cream cheese frosting if you
wish. Yield: 30 servings.
photographs by Meg Beshey
Pumpkin Bars
The dry ingredients added to thewet mixture will be spread in a10-by-15-inch pan.
Cooled pumpkin bars are ready for a cream cheese frosting.