Washington County Weekend Post

Cooler temperatures sparks various changes. Chilly air and precipitation can be dangerous, especially to pets that are unaccus- tomed to extreme changes in temperature. Pet owners may be well aware of the hazards of warm weather, including the threat of leaving pets in hot cars. But cold weather also has its share of risks. Heed these tips to keep pets safe and secure. • Schedule a well visit. The American Veterinary Medical Association sug- gests scheduling a visit with a veterinarian to check for any medical issues. Cold weather can aggravate symp- toms of certain conditions, such as arthritis. A thorough examination can shed light on potential problems. • Keep homes humidi- fied. Going in and out of the house and moving from cold air to dry indoor heat can affect pets' skin. Itching and flaking may result, causing pets to scratch at such areas. Maintain humidity in the home for comfort. The ASPCA also says to reduce bathing to help preserve essential oils on the skin. • Protect paws out- doors. Pet paws are sensi- tive to sand, ice, snow, and chemical ice melts. Massage petroleum jelly or another protectant onto paw pads, or consider the use of pet booties. • Consider a sweater or vest. Some pets are more tol- erant to the cold than others. However, some dogs and cats may benefit from a sweater, vest or coat designed for pets to offer a little more insula- tion. Winter weather requires pets owners to make changes so pets can remain happy and safe. How to keep pets safe in winter weather By Karen Stokes Special to Conley Media WEST BEND — A local boutique that sells the styles and brands that women love is a welcome addition to the variety of shops and ser- vices in downtown West Bend. Ann D's Boutique, owned by Tracy Aamodt, offers women edgy and unique fashion and a selec- tion of accessories at 264 N. Main St. "I've been in business for almost two years," said Aamodt. "It was first called Diva's Boutique until last August, then it became Ann D's Boutique." "We carry all women's clothing from junior sizes all the way up to plus size women's 3x and we have a lot of different boutique items that you don't find anywhere else," said Aamodt. "We try to bring in clothing that's a little bit edgy or different." While boutiques are usu- ally labeled as expensive, that's not always the case, especially at Ann D's. "When someone comes in we want to stop that stereotype that boutiques have super expensive stuff. Our price point starts in the teens. We want a boutique where anybody could come in and walk out of the store with a unique piece," Aamodt said. Unique pieces are what's in store for customers look- ing for something that they can't find anywhere else. Ann D's Boutique car- ries boutique designer lines Tango Mango, Trisha Tyler, Karen Hart and many more. "I'm pulling in the KanCan Jeans and those are huge for boutiques," Aamodt said. "For plus sizes I have Chris and Carol cloth- ing." Aamodt is proud to say that 75 percent of the clothes she carries are made in the U.S.A. "It's important because a lot of customers ask what clothing is made in the U.S. We need to keep working," said Aamodt. In addition to clothing, Ann D's has gift items, jewelry, personalized gifts, purses, scarves and food items; all the things you would like to find in little boutiques. Store hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m, to 5 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. "My husband Rick and I absolutely love this recipe. It's Rick's specialty," said Aamodt. 4A • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2021 GMTODAY.COM Photo submitted by Tracy Aamodt Ann D's Boutique in downtown West Bend has edgy and stylish clothes for women of many sizes. Local boutique fills fashion niche in West Bend Unique pieces range in sizes and prices Submitted photo Tracy Aamodt, owner of Ann D's, is proud of the stylish and unique pieces her downtown West Bend boutique sells. 2021 Fish Fry Dining and Carryout Guide Baked Manicotti Ingredients: 14 manicotti shells 8 oz. small curd cottage cheese 1/4 cup parsley, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 lb. lean ground beef 1 cup shredded Mon- terey-Jack cheese 1 medium onion, chopped 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 1 red pepper, diced 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. sugar 1 cup red wine (or grape juice) 28 oz. can tomato sauce 2 tbsp. olive oil Sauce: Saute onion and red pepper in olive oil until soft. Add garlic, tomato sauce, wine, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Filling: In a large bowl, combine uncooked beef, parsley and all cheeses (only half the parmesan). Assembly: Stuff shells with the filling mixture and set aside. Ladle 1 cup of sauce into a 9 x 13 pan, and spread around to cover the bottom. Arrange shells in the pan. Cover the shells with remaining sauce. Sprinkle the other half of parmesan over the top, and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour, 15 minutes (the last 15 minutes uncovered). Enjoy! * This recipe can be made up to 24 hrs in advance and refrigerated. Bake for 15 minutes longer.

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