WE E K E N DTHE COURIER R E V I E W T I M E S

Arts & Entertainment 1 & 2 | Food 4 | Comics 5

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2018

FO O D

Recipes to make your table merry and bright! | E4

F I E L D N OT E S

Nature provides good company for the holidays | E3

By LAURIE WURTH PRESSEL

If you enjoy gardening, give yourself a gift this holiday season and sign up to become a Han-cock County Master Gardener Volunteer!

The Master Gardener Vol-unteer program is associated with the Ohio State University Extension and is designed for individuals who want to grow their knowledge of gardening and share that knowledge with the community.

To become a Master Gar-dener Volunteer, you must complete 50 education hours in a certified Master Gardener course and contribute 50 volun-teer hours to the community. Master Gardener courses are periodically offered by county Extension offices.

The next Hancock County Master Gardener course starts on Feb. 6, 2019. Classes will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday from Feb. 6 to March 27 at the Hancock County Agri-cultural Service Center, 7868 Hancock County 140.

Class size is limited and indi-viduals are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost for the course is $150 to cover the expenses of the horticulture reference manual, handouts and university speakers.

Becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer is a rewarding expe-rience, according to these Vol-unteers of the Hancock County chapter.

John and Linda Leiendecker became Master Gardener Vol-unteers in 2016. They both enjoy the outdoors and growing food in their garden. Through the program, the couple have learned how to identify and con-trol harmful insects and plant diseases.

They have taken a leadership role in planning and maintain-ing the Master Gardeners’ plot in Findlay’s community garden. All the food grown in the plot is donated to local food banks.

“It gives you a good feeling

to help people with their garden-ing questions and to help feed the hungry,” John said.

When Peggy Biolchini was a little girl, she worked alongside her parents in their garden every summer. She has been an avid gardener ever since.

“I love the beauty of flow-ers and the leaves and bark on trees,” she said. “I love all the smells: the humus in the earth, pine needles warmed by the afternoon sun, the scent of Mag-nolia in bloom as I pass by!”

Working in the horticul-ture industry, Peggy became a Master Gardener Volunteer in 2017 to build on her knowledge. Through the program, she has made new friends who share her interests while uncovering new aspects of gardening.

“The course is phenomenal! I feel every homeowner should go through this course just to learn how to take care of their yard,” she said. “Don’t be scared about the number of volunteer hours required. They are easy to obtain even if you work full time.”

Betsy DeFrancesco made a spur-of-the-moment decision to sign up for a Master Gardener course in 2017.

“I love watching trees, shrubs, flowers and herbs grow and knowing that I planted, maintained and kept these plants alive,” she said. “In the summer, I work outside early in the morn-ing and it’s a great way to start the day.”

Betsy says that being a Master Gardener Volunteer has reduced her stress and anxiety. “I always have some upcoming project or class that helps move me forward. It has become an important part of my life.”

Betsy assists with gardening programs at the library, helps maintain the landscaping in front of Hancock County Agricultural Service Center, works the gar-dening booth at the fair, writes gardening articles for The Cou-rier and coordinates the Master Gardeners’ Facebook page.

H O M E

Master Gardener program: The gift that keeps growing

Hurricane Jayne and The Houserockers wi l l br ing another surge of ’50s and ’60s rock, rockabilly, classic coun-try and swing to ring in the new year at Findlay Elks Lodge 75’s Special Events and Meet-ing Venue, 900 W. Melrose Ave.

The festivities run from 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1, with doors opening at 8 p.m.

Along with the live show and dancing, guests wil l receive complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast at midnight.

Tickets for the Elks New Year’s Eve party are $10 for members, $15 for non-members and are available at the Elks Lodge or online at findlayb-poe75.org

Tickets will also be avail-able at the door at $15 for mem-bers and $20 for non-members.

This is Hurricane Jayne and The Houserockers’ second time performing at the Elks New Year’s Eve party.

Jessica Nedeff, the Elks Lodge’s marketing and events manager, said the group asked to play again after enjoying last year’s party.

The Elks jumped at the chance.

“I think many people had never heard them before, so they were pleasantly sur-prised,” Nedeff said. “They

brought great energy and a retro vibe — a fun time.”

The band, which has been together for more than nine years, comprises members with decades of experience playing different styles of music.

It features local musicians Jayne Allen on lead vocals, Craig Allen on guitar and vocals, Chris Budke on drums and vocals, and Mark Calvelage on bass.

“Hurricane Jayne and The Houserockers are longtime friends that enjoy the camara-derie of playing music together and just enjoying life,” Jayne Allen told The Courier. “We are doing what we love.”

Allen said the band’s influ-ences include early Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Buck Owens, Bob Wills, Buddy Holly and early Elvis Presley, with Patsy Cline’s style and sound providing a major influence on her own singing.

The band takes the rocka-billy route due to its popular-ity with music lovers, and the group finds those songs fun to perform.

Allen said the group is the only area band that plays the ’50s and ’60s era of rockabilly, so they stay pretty busy.

“Most of the music is high energy, so you’ll always find me dancing on the stage,” she said. “Sometimes I’ll slip off

the stage during a guitar lead to dance with the crowd.”

Last year, the band blended some Christmas music into its set, but mostly stuck with its regular, toe-tapping repertoire of rockabilly party standards.

This year, the group plans to slow things down a little.

“Once it gets later in the evening, partygoers like to slow-dance,” Allen said. “So, the band has a sweet selection of slow numbers for the danc-ers.”

Nedeff said the concert is part of the variety of events the lodge tries to put together,

which has spanned folk, pop, country and rock shows.

“While our main mission is to show how ‘Elks share and Elks care’ with our philan-thropic missions, music events we host are geared to connect with our community members by allowing them to not only

meet our Elks members, but to see what fun being a Findlay Elk can be,” she said.

For booking information, contact Allen at 419-306-8684, and for more event informa-tion, contact the Findlay Elks at 419-422-2442 or visit their website at findlaybpoe75.org

By JAKE COYLE and LINDSEY BAHR

AP FILM WRITERS

COYLE 1. ‘Burning’ It was, for sure, an extraordi-

nary movie year. Little to noth-ing separates my favorite 5 films, or, for that matter, my top 10 or 20. Many of the year’s best were found overseas, and none haunted me more than Lee Chang-dong’s smoldering slow-burn thriller. An adaptation of a Haruki Murakami short story, “Burning” is about a triangle of young Koreans (Yoo Ah-in, Jeon Jong-seo, Steven Yeun — all astonishing) divided by class but united in heartache and rage. At sunset, with Miles Davis playing, it reaches an aching crescendo.

2. ‘Private Life’ Tamara Jenkins’ comic and

compassionate fertility drama is like “Waiting for Godot” with two of the best actors around: Kath-ryn Hahn and Paul Giamatti. In a movie year where love that lasts was hard to find, the searching couple in “Private Life” made for an affectionate and indelible por-trait of middle-aged marriage.

3. ‘First Reformed’ Chiseled out of a lifetime of

doubt, Paul Schrader’s late-in-life masterpiece throbs with an exis-tential despair that has hardened into a taut and tormented reli-gious drama. It’s a culmination for Schrader — an anguished book-end to “Taxi Driver,” which he wrote — about a priest (a never-better Ethan Hawke) in desperate search for grace.

4. ‘Shoplifters’ The films of Hirokazu Kore-

eda unfold so nimbly and breezily that their profundity (and your tears) can come as a surprise. In this, a high point for Kore-eda and the winner of Cannes’ Palme d’Or, the Japanese master depicts the ragtag life of a makeshift, impov-erished family that slowly, heart-breakingly gnaws at the question: What makes a family? The answer is more than DNA.

5. ‘The Ballad of Buster Scruggs’

Take the Coen brothers for granted at your peril. In this, an anthology of six Western tales of death and storytelling, life is a poker game where everyone’s holding — like the two pair of black aces and eights that Scruggs (Tim Blake Nelson) refuses to play in the film’s first chapter — a dead man’s hand.

Honorable mentions: “You Were Never Really Here,”

“The Hate U Give,” “Eighth Grade,” “Black Panther,” “Mind-ing the Gap,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “Roma,” “Free Solo,” “Sup-port the Girls,” “Let the Sunshine In.”

BAHR 1. ‘Cold War’ Romantic, passionate, tragic

and perfectly unsentimental, film-maker Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War” is an intoxicating portrait of an impossible, cruel and undeni-able love between a musician, Wiktor (Tomasz Kot) and a singer with an “it factor,” Zula (Joanna Kulig). Shot in stunningly crisp black and white, Pawlikowski’s film is a triumph in an 85-minute package.

2. ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’

Lee Israel is not your typi-cal leading lady, and that’s what makes her so great. You can imag-ine one version of this movie, about a washed up biographer who starts a side hustle forging personal let-ters of some of wittiest literary minds of all time, relishing in and

exploiting her unglamorous life. But director Marielle Heller and star Melissa McCarthy just let Lee Israel be: Sharp, unpleasant, infu-riating, compelling, terrible and heroic. Heller’s early ’90s New York feels like the real thing, too.

3. ‘Roma’ Alfonso Cuaron’s deeply per-

sonal ode to women who raised him, “Roma” is a filmgoing expe-rience like few others — tran-quil but urgent, meditative but exciting, and told with pure love and humanity. Like “Cold War,” “Roma” is also shot in black and white, but it rarely feels like it. His images are so vivid and full of life you can almost feel the prism of colors peeking through.

4. ‘Wildlife’ This adaptation of Richard

Ford’s novel about a family in 1960s Montana feels like it was made by someone much older and much more experienced

than 30-something, first-time director Paul Dano. And yet he’s made one of the most elegant and heart-wrenching examinations of a nuclear American family (Carey Mulligan, Jake Gyllenhaal and Ed Oxenbould) that’s dissolv-ing under capitalist systems and gender essentialism.

5. ‘BlacKkKlansman’ Ron Stallworth’s story of infil-

trating the Ku Klux Klan is a good one, but Spike Lee made it even better in “BlacKkKlansman, an explosive and essential treatise on racism in America with a ral-lying score, a surprising amount of humor, and some unforgettable performances (from John David Washington and Adam Driver).

Honorable mentions: “First Reformed,” “Burning,”

“Leave No Trace,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “A Simple Favor,” “Minding the Gap.”

Hurricane Jayne & The Houserockers return to ring in new year at the Elks

‘Burning,’ ‘Cold War’ top AP critics’ picks for top 5 flicks

Hot & cold: 2018’s best films

Photo providedHURRICANE JAYNE and The Houserockers will take the Findlay Elks Lodge by storm when they ring in the new year at the club’s Special Events and Meeting Venue Dec. 31.

See HOME, Page E2

The Associated Press“BURNING” (above) and “Cold War” (below) top the Associated Press’ critics picks for the top films of 2018.

EventsLIGHT SHOWThrough Dec. 25

More than 110 holiday-themed displays and exhibits were sup-plied by Van Wert-area businesses, individuals, churches and clubs for participants to drive through at the 4-H Exchange Club Holiday Light Show. Santa will be on site every Saturday night. Admission: $5 per car, $10 for unlimited access decal. Time: 6 to 9 p.m. every night. Loca-tion: Van Wert County Fairgrounds, 1055 South Washington St., Van Wert. Cars should enter at Fox Road, gate four. Information: Call 419-203-2234 or 419-203-1413, or visit “4-H Exchange Club Holiday Light Show” on Facebook.

NORTH POLE EXPRESSThrough Dec. 30

The Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation’s North Pole Express quarter-scale train offers rides through a half-mile of decorated landscape. The gift shop has model trains on display, and the engine house features more than 150 dec-orated Christmas trees. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on site today. Admission: $3 rides for adults, $2 for kids. Time: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Location: Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation, 12505 Hancock County 99. Information: 419-423-2995 or http://nworrp.org

HAYES TRAIN SPECIALThrough Jan. 6

This year’s Hayes Train Special features a more modern look com-pared to the Hayes-era displays of the past 20 years. The three-tiered display will include nine trains run-ning through a 12-by-24-foot winter wonderland display where visitors can blow the train whistle, run the Ferris wheel, lower the cross-ing gates and more with interac-tive buttons. Admission: Museum members are free; non-members price included with museum ticket at $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and $3 for kids ages 6-12. Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Location: The Rutherford B. Hayes Presiden-tial Library and Museums, Spiegel Grove at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont. Infor-mation: 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org

HAYES HOME HOLIDAYSToday and Sunday

Costumed greeters will welcome guests into the Hayes Home to dis-cover the holiday traditions of Presi-dent Rutherford and first lady Lucy Hayes. Guests will celebrate the holidays and the presidential cou-ple’s December wedding anniver-sary with wassail, decorations and live music. Admission: $25 adults, $10 ages 6 to 18 and free for 5 and younger. Time: 5 to 8 p.m. each day. Location: The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Spiegel Grove at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont. Information: 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org.

LOUIE ANDERSONDec. 28

Recognized by Comedy Central as one of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians, three-time Emmy winner Louie Anderson will share the ups and downs of his childhood experiences as one of 11 children in Minnesota. No stranger to the late-night talk show circuit, Anderson’s television experience also includes a stint as the host of “Family Feud.” Admission: $20 to $50. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin. Informa-tion: 419-448-8544 or www.ritzthe-atre.org

YOUTHEATRE AUDITIONJan. 3

Auditions are open to students in grades 6 to 12 for Youtheatre’s pro-duction of “Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit,” a journey through the criminal justice system with charac-ters from nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Twenty onstage cast positions

are available at the audition, and stu-dents must stay for the entire audi-tion period. The show is a two-week time commitment, with students expected to attend all rehearsals from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 6 to 13; 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 7 to 10 and Jan. 14 to 18; as well as the 7 p.m. performance on Jan. 19. Time: 6 p.m., check-in at 5:30 p.m. Location: Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St. Information: All students must complete required forms available at MCPA.org/Edu-cation/Youtheatre. For more info, contact Craig VanRenterghem at education@mcpa.org or 419-423-2787, ext. 105.

YOUTHEATRE AUDITIONJan. 7 and 8

Auditions are open to students in grades 1 to 5 for Youtheatre’s pro-duction of “Honk! Jr.”, an ugly duck-ling’s odyssey of self-discovery that will be staged March 8 and 9. Posi-tions include a cast of 50 along with the production’s technical crew. Stu-dents only need to attend one night of auditions, and are expected to stay for the entirety of the audition period. Those auditioning for the onstage cast need to come prepared for movement. Those interested in technical crew will only need to register online with the audition form. Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m. both days, check-in at 5:30 p.m. Loca-tion: Marathon Center for the Per-forming Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St. Information: All students must complete required forms available at MCPA.org/Education/Youtheatre. For more info, contact Craig Van-Renterghem at education@mcpa.org or 419-423-2787, ext. 105.

JOHN CUSACKFeb. 8

Join actor John Cusack for a screening of “Grosse Pointe Blank” on the big screen, followed by a live conversation about his career and the making of the film, where he will share stories and answer audi-ence questions. The 1997 action comedy follows Martin Blank (John Cusack), a professional assassin who is attending his 10-year high school reunion while working on a hit. The film is 107 minutes, with the onstage interview lasting 60 to 70 minutes. Admission: Prices range from $52.75 to $153, with the highest price going toward VIP seats that include a post-show photo with Cusack. Time: 7 p.m. to approximately 10 p.m. Location: Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heather-downs Blvd., Toledo. Information: 419-381-8851 or www.stranahan-theater.com

‘CANDID CAMERA’Feb. 24

Peter Funt, taking over for his father Allen, will offer his wry and humorous takes on human nature during “8 Decades of Smiles,” which combines the funniest clips from the “Candid Camera” library with onstage surprises and audience par-ticipation. Admission: $20 to $30. Time: 3 p.m. Location: Niswonger Performing Arts Center, 10700 Ohio 118 S, Van Wert. Information: 419-238-6722 or www.npacvw.org

MusicOAK RIDGE BOYSToday

The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of the Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of country hits and earned Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards. Their songs include “Bobbie Sue,” “Elvira,” and “Ozark Mountain Jubilee.” Admis-sion: $35 to $75. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, 7 Public Square, Lima. Information: 419-224-1552 or www.limaciviccenter.com

‘DANCING QUEEN’Dec. 31

For its New Year’s Eve concert, the Lima Symphony Orchestra will team up with Jeans ’n Classics, a group of rock musicians special-izing in orchestra performances, to play the pop-rock hits of ABBA, including “Mamma Mia,” “The

Winner Takes It All” and more. The groups will be accompanied by vocalists Katalin Kiss, Andrea Koziol, Stephanie Martin and Lis Soderberg. Admission: $30. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Veterans Memo-rial Civic and Convention Center, 7 Public Square, Lima. Information: 419-222-5701 or www.limasym-phony.com

‘NORDIC AIR’Jan. 11 and 12

Grammy-winning violinist Augustin Hadelich will reunite with Toledo Symphony Orchestra Music Director Alain Trudel to per-form Sibelius’ “Violin Concerto” in a program inspired by the icy land-scape of Northern Europe with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. Musical America magazine named Hadelich the instrumentalist of the year, and he has performed with every major orchestra in the U.S. as well as several orchestras in Europe and Asia. Admission: $25 to $60. Time: 8 p.m. both days. Location: Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo. Information: Toledo Symphony Box Office at 419-246-8000 or toledo-symphony.com

TSO POPS WITH BIG BAD VOODOO DADDYJan. 26

Toledo Symphony Pops will per-form with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, a nine-piece band that fuses Dixie-land jazz, blues, swing, and more into a high-octane package. The group has appeared on numerous late-night talk shows and at Super Bowl XXXIII. Its music has been heard in films and television shows that include “Friends,” “Despicable Me,” “Swingers,” “Phineas & Ferb” and “Ally McBeal.” Admission: $28 to $70. Time: 8 p.m. Location: Stra-

nahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. Information: 419-246-8000 or www.toledosymphony.com

JUSTIN MOOREFeb. 15

Justin Moore’s traditional coun-try sound is on full display on his No. 1-charting album, “Kinda Don’t Care,” which features chart-topping singles “You Look Like I Need A Drink” and “Somebody Else Will.” Cody Johnson and Eric Paslay will perform as special guests. Admis-sion: $32.75 to $52.75. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo. Infor-mation: 419-321-5007 or www.huntingtoncentertoledo.com

TRAVIS TRITTMarch 2

Travis Tritt, a Grammy and CMA winner with Grand Ole Opry membership, will present two decades worth of hits in a solo acous-tic show spotlighting his powerful voice and guitar. Along with songs like “Here’s a Quarter” and “Coun-try Club,” the show is punctuated by personal stories and anecdotes about his life and musical influences. Admission: $35 to $55. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Niswonger Perform-ing Arts Center, 10700 Ohio 118 S, Van Wert. Information: 419-238-6722 or www.npacvw.org

Theater‘CINDERELLA’Jan. 13

“Cinderella” is a musical in two acts with music by Richard Rodg-ers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Douglas Carter Beane based partly on Hammerstein’s 1957 book. Songs include “In My Own Little Corner” and “Impos-sible; It’s Possible.” Admission: $44 to $84. Time: 7:30 p.m. Loca-

tion: Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, 7 Public Square, Lima. Information: 419-224-1552 or www.limaciviccenter.com

‘EVITA’Jan. 31 to Feb. 3

Follow the rise of ambitious and ruthless Eva Perón through the eyes of Che Guevara, the future revolu-tionary leader, as she becomes the iconic Argentinian first lady. Winner of seven Tony Awards with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Evita” combines Latin music, pop, jazz and musical theater styles that have captivated audiences for more than 40 years. Admission: $44 to $89. Time: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31, 8 p.m. Feb. 1 and 2, 2 p.m. Feb. 2, 1 p.m. Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3. Location: Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. Information: 419-381-8851 or www.stranahantheater.com

‘ROCK OF AGES’Feb. 13

Nominated for five Tonys, including Best Musical, “Rock of Ages” captures the feel of the 1980s Sunset Strip. The rock/juke-box musical’s book was written by Chris D’Arienzo, and the show is built around the decade’s classic rock and glam metal bands, featur-ing songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe. Admission: $44 to $84. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, 7 Public Square, Lima. Information: 419-224-1552 or www.limacivic-center.com

‘THE KING AND I’March 27

“The King and I” is the fifth musi-cal by composer Richard Rodgers and dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II. It’s based on Margaret Landon’s novel, “Anna and the King of Siam.” The show follows Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher hired as part of the king’s drive to modernize his country in the 1860s. The relation-ship between the king and Anna is marked by conflict as well as a love to which neither can admit. Songs include “Shall We Dance?” and “I Whistle a Happy Tune.” Admission: $44 to $84. Time: 7 p.m. Location: Veterans Memorial Civic and Con-vention Center, 7 Public Square, Lima. Information: 419-224-1552 or www.limaciviccenter.com

ExhibitsNATURE PAINTINGSThrough Dec. 28

Japanese artist Asako Iwasawa’s work depicts nighttime gardens and

plants that seem more fairy tale-generated than stemming from earth and soil. She shows nature as she remembers and imagines it: pulsing, with strange lights glinting under the moon, replete with mys-tery and magic. Admission: Free. Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Location: Fisher/Wall Art Gallery, Marathon Center for the Perform-ing Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St. Information: Reach the box office at 419-423-2787 or visit http://asakoiwasawa.com

‘TIMELESS’Jan. 7 to Feb. 1

Armand Baltazar, the author and artist of the acclaimed book, “Timeless: Diego and the Rang-ers of the Vastlantic,” will exhibit sketches and finished artwork from his book at the University of Findlay. The artist, who has helped create films like “The Prince of Egypt” and “The Good Dinosaur,” will also visit UF for a free presen-tation and live digital illustration demonstration at 6:15 p.m. Jan. 23. At 8 p.m., he will begin sign-ing copies of his book. Admission: Free. Time: Exhibit open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday. Location: UF’s Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion, with exhibit in the Lea Gallery and the demonstration in the Great Hall. Information: news-room.findlay.edu

Ticket WatchTickets are now on sale for the

following events: Greta Van Fleet — Dec. 27,

29 and 30, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre, Detroit. $43 to $128; 313-471-6611 or www.ticketmaster.com

Harlem Globetrotters — Dec. 28, 7 p.m., Huntington Center, Toledo. $19 to $124; 419-321-5007 or www.huntingtoncentertoledo.com and www.ticketmaster.com

Ja Rule — Jan. 10, 7 p.m., House of Blues, Cleveland. $27; 216-523-2583, www.houseofblues.com/cleveland and www.livena-tion.com

Cher with Nile Rodgers and Chic — Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m., Nationwide Arena, Columbus. $52 to $500; 614-246-2000, www.tick-etmaster.com

WWE Smackdown Live! — Feb. 12, 7:45 p.m., Huntington Center, Toledo. $20 to $105; 419-321-5007 or www.hunting-toncentertoledo.com and www.ticketmaster.com

James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt — Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m., Huntington Center, Toledo. $66 to $100; 419-321-5007 or www.huntingtoncentertoledo.com and www.ticketmaster.com

Photo providedTHE OAK RIDGE BOYS will bring their award-winning harmonies to the Lima Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center today.

Your guide to fun in our areaT h e r e ' s a l w a y s s o m e t h i n g t o d o !

THE COURIER & REVIEW TIMESSATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2018E2

Mental Health MomentBy NANCY STEPHANI

I frequently remind myself, have mentioned in previous col-umns and tell anyone who will listen that we were not issued a deserted island at birth: We are meant to live in community.

That community provides lots of things, including support and accountability.

When we are in school, teachers hold us accountable with grades and parents hold us accountable with chores and rewards.

When we enter the workforce, we are held accountable by bosses and rewarded with pay.

But communities offer more than that. Remember when your mother advised you not to do anything

away from home that you would not do in front of her? That is great advice that many of us still live by.

We belong to many different types of sup-port groups. For example, churches hold us accountable and support our efforts to live by ethical and moral principles.

If you cannot share what you are doing with a trusted support group, perhaps you should not be doing it!

Counselors and social workers have super-vision requirements to achieve an independent license. After we obtain this license, many of us continue to meet every month or so to discuss personal challenges in the profession. Ministerial associations provide the same func-tion for ministers. Professionals don’t talk specifics about client cases, but rather about their reaction to the work that they do.

Doing in-depth work with someone who has experienced hor-rific trauma; or having to comfort a family and preach a service for a child that has been senselessly killed are two examples that come to mind.

It is both difficult and rewarding work, but sometimes we need to share the burden or process our reactions.

Alcoholics Anonymous provides support to many in the recov-ery community struggling with addiction issues.

Many communities also have separate meetings for profession-als dealing with their own recovery issues. After all, you can’t ethically use your clients and the people you work with as your support system, so there are separate meetings usually held early in the morning, late at night or on weekends for professionals.

Medical professionals frequently consult with other experts, hospitals have ethics boards and many of us as consumers of medical services have sought second opinions.

This is all good. There are, of course, many less formal support groups, includ-

ing: circles of friends who share dropoff and pickup duties for children attending a practice; groups of retirees having coffee together once a week; groups of friends sharing dinner together weekly, etc.

These are the first people who may discern a change in our health or functioning and be able to link us to help. They can also note when we are down and perhaps in need of encouragement.

There are all types of support groups, including grief groups, health-related groups, parenting groups and profession-specific groups, to name a few.

If you find yourself in need of support and assistance and don’t feel your circle of friends or group is sufficient to making progress, consider seeking professional support and assistance from a licensed therapist.

We are here to help and perhaps link you with additional social supports as well.

Stephani, coordinator of emergency services at Century Health, is a licensed independent social worker supervisor. She is on professional staff at Ohio State University at Lima. If you have a mental health question, please write to: Mental Health Moment, The Courier, P.O. Box 609, Findlay 45839.

Weekend DoctorBy KASEY HUME

In a female-dominated industry, men can also benefit from a variety of services offered in medical spas to help them look and feel better.

Self-esteem affects men just as much as women; it has a direct correlation to work productivity as well as the ability to find enjoyment in life-enriching experiences.

With an ever-growing and advancing aesthetic industry, many services are able to be completely customized to fit any individu-al’s needs. Most services leave clients with a natural and refreshed look with minimally invasive or completely noninvasive methods.

The choice of services that can benefit the male clientele and their needs include hair restoration, which is done with either one or a combination of microneedling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem-cell therapies.

Hair transplants are also offered at certain medical spas.

Hormone replacement therapy is another service men may choose, which targets low tes-tosterone and has proven anti-aging benefits.

Yet another favorite of the male client is body contouring, which can be done noninva-sively through heating or cooling technologies to reduce fat in multiple areas such as the abdo-men, flanks and chest.

Certain laser treatments are also viable options for men, including laser hair removal that aids in the reduction of ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Laser tattoo removal is also available to anyone who wants an unsightly tattoo removed or possibly just lightened up for a cover-up tattoo.

Additionally, laser vein and spot removal are on the rise and can help alleviate unwanted pigment or painful varicose veins.

Furthermore, sweat-reduction laser therapies are also enter-ing the market and making a huge impact on the male clientele.

More men are also receiving the wrinkle-relaxing benefits of neurotoxins in areas such as the forehead, mouth and around the eyes.

The percentage of men requesting this treatment has jumped. According to the journal Cosmetic Dermatology, the service popularity has increased an astounding 258 percent over the past decade.

This jump can be attributed to the competitive edge men feel it affords them in the workforce. One study shares that a youthful appearance allows men to produce more revenue than their older-looking peers, which is an important asset in a leaner workforce.

Coupling facials and medical-grade skin care can also help with anti-aging and help alleviate a number of problematic skin concerns such as acne, blackheads or sun damage.

Medical spas welcome male clients and their growing needs in the aesthetic industry. There are plenty of options to choose from and, with less stigma on services like these, more men are reaping the benefits associated with these services.

Consultations are the first step in assessing any issues, fol-lowed by a medical spa professional creating a unique treatment plan that will have you on your way to achieving your goals of feeling or looking better.

Hume is an advanced aesthetician at Beyond MedSpa, an affiliate of Blanchard Valley Health System. If you have a question, contact the health system’s public relations and marketing department by emailing community@bvhealth-system.org or by calling 419-423-5551.

Hume

Stephani

“If you are thinking about becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer, just do it!” Betsy said. “The classes are amazing and the instructors and your fellow Master Gardener Volunteers are passionate about gardening. It’s contagious!”

To learn more about becoming a Hancock County Master Gar-

dener Volunteer, contact the Ohio State University Hancock County Extension office at 419-422-3851 or lentz.38@osu.edu

Act now. It will be several years before another course is offered in Hancock County!

Wurth Pressel is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Hancock County. Follow the Master Gar-dener Volunteers on Facebook at “Master Gardeners of Hancock County Ohio.”

HomeContinued from page E1

THE COURIER & REVIEW TIMESSATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2018 E3

Nature provides good company for holidays

There are days I keenly miss the years I spent as a wildlife officer, though “spent” may be the wrong

word. For me, the feeling is sharpest

during the winter months. Talking to the many honest

hunters, carefully looking for those deliberately breaking the rules and searching especially for the few with no regard for the resources or the laws were important jobs.

These jobs involved protect-ing something that can’t protect itself. There were also club meet-ings, hunter education classes, wildlife population surveys, otter surveys, harvest surveys, water-fowl migration surveys, angler surveys, aerial deer surveys, turkey surveys, beaver surveys, landowner surveys and maybe a few surveys about surveys.

They could be time consum-ing, but they were never a chore. I always kept in mind that there were plenty of folks that would jump at just the chance of such a job.

I know that’s true because I

was once one of those people. To put it simply: I was lucky. But while I enjoyed all those

things, for some reason the soli-tude the job sometimes offered turned out to be my most striking experience. Late-night patrols, early morning assignments, quietly watching through a spot-ting scope or over fields — these all offered a peacefulness along with time to think, question and believe.

While hidden up some snowy farm lane during late-night hours, hoping to nab some ne’er-do-well, I would stand outside and listen.

I heard a train’s faraway rumble; tree branches tapping to the wind’s rhythm as a coyote mournfully serenades; a deer’s shadowlike image floating across a field; ice cracking on a pond; and the occasional whisper of a woodland secret that couldn’t quite be identified.

If the time and circumstance allowed, I would take a walk through the resounding quiet.

So few people have time away from the noise and gadgets that surround us. Nature has the abil-

ity to gift that back to you. In nature’s company, the win-

ter’s musical accompaniment of holidays, solstice and the birth of a new year allow the mind time to refocus itself.

My job placed me there, and I could feel it ... and I still do.

You can’t buy these experi-ences. They’re available to each of us every day, but that world has become far too distant for some and nonexistent for others.

We need time to listen through the backdrop of our busy, elec-tronically jumbled lives. We sometimes just need to come home.

There are times when doing nothing can mean everything. If you’re one of those last-minute shoppers still scrambling for a gift, consider adding something that encourages a reconnection to our outdoors and what still lies within our hearts. Perhaps binoculars to see, field guides to understand or a journal for our thoughts.

Gifting yourself isn’t out of the question.

Fifty years from now, I doubt anybody will care that you played “Call of Duty” 16 hours straight without a loss, but they might enjoy reading of a snowy walk you took with your dog and what the two of you talked about.

Merry Christmas.

‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’

By Robert FrostWhose woods these are I think I know.His house is in the village though;He will not see me stopping hereTo watch his woods fill up with snow.

The little horse must think it queerTo stop without a farmhouse nearBetween the woods and frozen lakeThe darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shakeTo ask if there is some mis-take.The only other sound’s the sweepOf easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.But I have promises to keep,And miles to go before I sleep,And miles to go before I sleep.

Along the way:The American bullfrog is the

largest frog in North America. Its deep, resonant call can be heard reverberating from ponds, marshes and large, slow-moving streams from late April through late summer.

So, do bullfrogs croak when

winter arrives, magically migrate to warmer climates or lie frozen in some kind of weird, science-fictional, suspended animation?

The simple answers are: No, no and sort of.

That “sort of” component is the bullfrog’s ability to hiber-nate. Since they’re able to breathe through their lungs or their skin, they become exclusively skin breathers while spending those long winter months living snug-gled down in the mud under the icy layers above.

That isn’t their only trick: They’ve also adapted to protect themselves against water that may drop to subfreezing tem-peratures. During hibernation, the amount of sugar in their vital organs will increase, acting just like antifreeze in the family car.

A frog could be encased in a block of ice, but because its internal organs aren’t completely frozen, the bullfrog will thaw out and swim away in spring, saving any croaking for spring’s cattails.

Step outside:• Early spring: AR-15 sport-

ing rifle builders’ class, Hancock

County Conservation League (HCCL), 13748 Jackson Town-ship 168, Arlington. Cost for the class is $20 with a maximum of 10 participants. This advance notice allows for the time necessary for you to research and purchase appropriate parts. For registra-tion, information or general parts list, contact Steve Smith at 419-348-4301.

• Tuesday: Merry Christmas • Thursday and Friday: Trap

and skeet, open to the public, 5 p.m., UCOA, 6943 Marion Town-ship 243, Findlay.

• Jan. 5 to 8: Statewide deer-muzzleloader season.

• Feb. 3: Last day of deer-archery season.

• Hunter and trapper educa-tion class information and regis-tration is found online at www.wildohio.gov

Abrams is a retired wildlife offi-cer supervisor for the state Divi-sion of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard 45867-0413 or via email at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com

Photo providedTWO DEER, invisible to those that don’t take time to see.

FOODTHE COURIER & REVIEW TIMESSATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2018E4

M A Y Y O U R T A B L E B E M E R R Y A N D B R I G H T !M A Y Y O U R T A B L E B E M E R R Y A N D B R I G H T !

By SARA MOULTONASSOCIATED PRESS

For many of us, the menu for the holidays is etched in stone. We eat the same dishes each year because we love every one of them. But what about switch-ing it up a little by swapping in a Grape and Cranberry Crisp for the more traditional pies, cookies and cakes?

“Eh,” replies The Husband. “Grapes are so boring. Wouldn’t the crisp be tastier made with raspberries or blueberries?” I calmly note that grapes turn into a whole different fruit when they’re cooked, much more intensely flavorful than in their raw state. Also, fall is grape season, which isn’t true of blue-berries and raspberries. Best of all, the grapes in this dessert require no prep — no peeling or coring or slicing. Just a quick rinse and they’re good to go.

Plus, this recipe is almost wantonly customizable. What kind of grape to use? Any seed-less grape of any color will do. Don’t like pistachios? Roll instead with one of your favorites, like walnuts, pecans or almonds. Not a fan of dried cranberries? Dried cherries, apricots or even raisins (aka dried grapes!) will do nicely. Allergic to gluten? Replace this recipe’s flour with one of the glu-ten-free brands available at most supermarkets. Finally, I happen to have teamed up the grapes with raspberry jam, but you’re welcome to substitute any of the jams or jellies now sitting in your

refrigerator.If indeed this dessert busts

into the lineup for the table, you can prep both the grape filling and the topping ahead of time.

Just be sure to let the filling cool before pouring it into the pie plate. Then top it with the crisp ingredients and park it on the counter until it’s time to pop it into the oven.

I promise you’ll be thrilled to discover the delights of cooked grapes — as even The Husband, ever a skeptic, was.

Grape and Cranberry Crisp

Start to finish: 40 minutes; Servings: 6 to 8

3 cups seedless red or green grapes, or a mix¼ cup seedless raspberry jam or currant jelly or apricot jam3 tablespoons orange juice, divided1 tablespoon cornstarch1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice1/3 cup dried cranberries¼ cup all-purpose flour1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar1/8 teaspoon table salt6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces½ cup rolled oats½ cup chopped pistachios, almonds or walnutsVanilla ice cream

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.In a medium saucepan, combine the grapes, jam and 2 table-

spoons of the orange juice. Cover and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir, reduce to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, until the grapes are very tender and start to burst, about 10 minutes.

In a bowl, whisk the cornstarch, lemon juice and remaining tablespoon orange juice. Add the mixture to the grapes, in a stream, whisking, and bring to a boil. Boil for 20 seconds, stir in the cranberries and pour the mixture into an 8- to 9-inch deep-dish pie plate.

In another medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and salt. Add the butter and blend it in using your hands, until the butter is broken into small pieces the size of peas. Stir in the oats and pistachios and sprinkle the mixture evenly over the grape filling. Bake in the center until the crust is golden, about 20 minutes.

Let cool for 5 minutes and serve with ice cream.

Swap out your typical holiday dessert for this Grape and Cranberry Crisp

SARA MOULTON / For the Associated PressWHY NOT abandon the typical, traditional apple, pumpkin or pecan pies and bring something a little different and loaded with flavor to the table? With grapes in season, this Grape and Cranberry Crisp could just be the new hit of your holiday table!

BY AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN

In our opinion, gingerbread is only worth eating if its flavor is unmistak-ably bold and spicy. For our gingerbread Bundt cake, the standard liquid combina-tion of mild molasses and water seemed

lackluster.Robust molasses had more presence

in our scaled-up cake, and we replaced the water with stout for a deeper flavor profile. The beer gave the cake a malty tang that tasters loved. Powdered ginger

provided a spicy kick, and a little cin-namon and allspice contributed warm notes.

Blooming the spices in melted butter — a technique the test kitchen uses for savory spiced dishes — intensified their

flavor, but tasters still wanted more ginger. A bit of grated fresh ginger added another layer of heat that the dried spice alone couldn’t muster. And another tradi-tionally savory ingredient, black pepper, added a mild bite that further enhanced the ginger flavor.

We used the glaze as one final oppor-tunity to turn up the heat by mixing a little ground ginger in with the confec-

tioners’ sugar and adding a few table-spoons of ginger ale to thin the glaze to just the right consistency. Guinness is the test kitchen’s preferred brand of stout for this cake.

Be sure to use finely ground black pepper here. Do not use blackstrap molasses in this recipe. An equal amount of orange or lemon juice can be substi-tuted for the ginger ale in the glaze.

Bold and Spicy Gingerbread Bundt Cake

Servings: 12; Start to finish: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Cake:2½ cups (12½ ounces) all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powder¾ teaspoon baking soda¾ teaspoon salt16 tablespoons unsalted butter2 tablespoons ground ginger2 teaspoons ground cinnamon1 teaspoon ground allspice¼ teaspoon pepper4 large eggs, room temperature1½ cups (10½ ounces) granulated sugar4 teaspoons grated fresh ginger¾ cup robust or full molasses¾ cup stout beer

Glaze:1¾ cups (7 ounces) confectioners’ sugar3 tablespoons ginger ale1 teaspoon ground ginger

For the cake: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 12-cup nonstick Bundt pan with baking spray with flour.

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in bowl.

Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice and pepper and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let butter mixture cool slightly.

Whisk eggs, sugar and fresh ginger in large bowl until light and frothy. Stir in melted butter mixture, molasses and beer until incorporated. Add flour mixture to egg mixture and whisk until no lumps remain.

Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth top with rubber spatula. Gently tap pan on counter to release air bubbles. Bake until skewer inserted in center comes out clean, about 45 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking.

Let cake cool in pan on wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet for 20 minutes. Invert cake onto rack, remove pan, and let cool completely, about 2 hours.

For the glaze: Whisk sugar, ginger ale and ginger together in bowl until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled cake and let set, about 15 minutes, before serving. (Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.)

Stout beer adds richness to this gingerbread Bundt cake

JOE KELLER / For the Associated PressIN OUR OPINION, the only good gingerbread is a bold gingerbread, so this recipe works nicely for all your yuletide celebrations. Some stout beer and robust molasses will give this cake a deeper flavor profile.

WEEKEND COMICS E 5

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M I R R O R O N Y E S T E RY E A R

THE COURIER & REVIEW TIMESSATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2018

G E N E K I N NThe following news items first appeared in the Fostoria Review-Times in October of 1955:

An eight-week strike at the Nationa l Carbon Company, which cost approximately 700 Fostoria employees an esti -mated half-million dollars in wages, was settled today and full production at the Fostoria works was anticipated within a week.

Fol lowing the signing of a new contract late Tuesday night, company officials started calling employees back to work this morning and it was antici-pated that, as various opera-tions get underway, all of the employees will be back on their jobs b the middle of next week.

The strike began at mid-night, August 29, after con-tract negotiations broke down between Local 749 IUE-CIO and management of the plant. Harry Gray, Toledo, of the Fed-eral Mediation and Concilia-tion Service, called the parties together f ive times before a final agreement was reached.

Earl Hummel, president of Local 749, in a statement to the Review-Times this morning, said the results of the meet-ing, arranged by Mr. Gray on October 24 were presented to a well-attended general member-ship meeting at the CIO Hall, Tuesday evening, October 25.

Mr. Hummel said, “As a result of the company modify-ing its demands, the member-ship instructed the negotiating committee to sign the contract which has been under discus-sion since last July.

Findlay fire officials esti-mated today that damage from

the raging blaze which wiped out a downtown city block, will reach a million dollars.

Fire departments from five communities, including Fosto-ria, were called out to battle the blaze Tuesday.

Flames raged out of control for hours and the damage tally sheet showed these losses.

The Turner-Fenstermacker shoe store was completely destroyed; Alice Dress and Beauty Shop, considerably dam-aged; Oddfellows Lodge hall, completely destroyed;Gordon’s store, considerably damaged and the third f loor of the build-ing gutted throughout.

Fire Chief T. E. Walsh and Firemen E. A. Coppus and Myron Walters took the Fosto-ria department’s aerial truck to the fire scene.

Larry Doby, one of baseball’s leading sluggers, will play in center f ield for the Chicago White Sox next season.

He was traded by the Cleve-land Tuesday for shortstop Chico Carrasquel, 27 and cen-ter-fielder Jim Busby, 28, in a straight player transaction with no cash involved.

Doby, who will be 31 on Dec. 24, was the first Negro to be signed to an American League contract. That was in 1947. In eight full seasons with the Indi-ans, he has hit 202homers and has a lifetime batting average of .286.

He paced the American League in the home run depart-ment in 1952 and 1954. He also held the runs batted in honors

in 1954 when he led the Indians to their third pennant.

Uncle Sam said today that television comedy quiz-master Groucho Marx failed to give the right answer to the $750,000 question.

Marx listed the money as capital gains, from the sale of his program “You Bet Your Life” to NBC in 1950, but the government said it was com-pensation for services and told the quiz-master to fork over a bonus of $68,100 in taxes.

Fostoria’s Hallowe’en parade will move promptly Monday at 8 p.m. with 10 ares bands pro-viding music, but one of the old standby bands Steinie’s band of Tiffin, will be missing and missed.

The band, long an institution in parades, both in Fostoria and Tiffin, started playing in 1917 with the name of Schares’ Boys Band. For the past 25 years it has been known as Steinie’s Concert band.

Will J. Stein, the leader, said ill health among the members will prevent it from appearing in Fostoria this year. It also missed the Tiffin parade Thurs-day night.

Stein said the band wil l continue to perform in various events about the Tiffin area, but will be unable to partici-pate in parades until it obtains a band wagon.

With the exception of one death and two members who no longer reside in Tiffin, the original group is still intact and according to Mr. Stein “we’ve never had a single quarrel in the group”.

By Allie Garnham

Dear EarthTalk: How can I minimize energy and packaging waste this holiday season? — Mari-anne, via e-mail

If you’re dreaming of a green holiday season this year, you’ll have to take care to shop and decorate with the planet in mind. Celebrating the holidays plays a substantial role in the creation of waste during this period as a result of packaging from gifts and surplus food being thrown away and making its way to the landfill. But whether you’re looking forward to a lavish holiday with your friends and family this year or a more mini-malist celebration, you can still be green and enjoy the festivities.

One way to reduce your environmental foot-print is to shop locally. While online shopping may seem greener, it involves excess packaging (think shipping boxes and padding) and pollution (from miles flown/driven by UPS and FedEX to get purchases to your door). By patronizing nearby businesses instead, you’ll be supporting the local economy and reducing pollution. If you do shop online, try to consolidate your purchases into one big order to minimize the number of special trips shippers must make to your house.

Another way to green your holiday celebra-tions is to switch over from those flashing lights and inflatable snowmen to more subtle displays of holiday spirit. The Center for Global Develop-ment reports that Americans consume 6.63 bil-lion kilowatts of electricity annually on holiday lighting and decorations. Instead of being part of the problem, unplug and light some candles. All-natural soy varieties — Real Soy’s ginger or cinnamon-scented candles are popular around the holidays—are friendlier to the environment than

traditional petroleum-based paraffin candles.

Holiday cards are another clog on the waste stream during the holiday season, with Americans sending out some 2.65 billion of them each year. Ultimately many end up in landfills — especially if they’re covered in glitter or foil—and as such can’t be recycled. E-cards are a great alternative as they express the same sentiment without any waste.

Single-use wrapping paper is yet another envi-ronmental scourge of the holidays. An estimated 30 million trees are sacrificed each year to sup-port Americans’ disposable wrapping paper habit, much of which ends up in landfills. An incremental improvement would be to only buy and use wrap-ping paper that doesn’t contain glitter — or even better just use brown paper — for ease of recycling or composting. Alternatively, shop for fabric gift wrap which can be used over and over again.

Last but not least, is it better for the planet to get a real or fake Christmas tree? A fake tree may save you money in the long run as you can buy it once and use it for many years instead of throwing away $50 a year on a real tree. But most of the fakes come from China (which involves lots of carbon emissions in transit) and contain PVC and other chemicals that make them impossible to recycle. Meanwhile, a real tree can be chipped and returned to the earth as mulch (either by you or your municipality) once January rolls around. Or even better, buy a live tree and plant it in your yard. That way you can feel the spirit of the holi-days year-round and feel good about your commit-ment to protecting the planet.

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. To donate, visit www.earthtalk.org. Send ques-tions to: question@earthtalk.org.

8-week strike at National Carbon Company settled

Minimizing energy and packaging waste for eco-friendly holidays

PHOTO PROVIDEDSHOPPING LOCAL, subtle displays of holiday spirit, switch to e-cards, use brown paper and invest in real Christmas trees to be more green this holiday season.

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THE COURIER & REVIEW TIMESSATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2018E6

Beautiful, A� ordable Furniture