December 13, 2016 • Page 12 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com The Bookworm The Gift Of A Holiday Romance “The Mistletoe Secret” by Richard Paul Evans; © 2016, Simon & Schuster; 309 pages ——— BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER You’ve got big plans this holiday season. If everything comes together, it’ll be the perfect Christmas with a little travelling, a package or two arriving on time, colorful wrap, big silky bows, and food. Lots of food. And in the new book “The Mistletoe Secret” by Richard Paul Evans, you’re going to work those plans — or else. Christmas was supposed to be happy and jolly and merry, and whatever. It had been almost a year since Alex Bartlett’s wife, Jill, left him for another man — a man who couldn’t spell, no less — and Alex was still smarting from it. He knew his job-travels were causing problems in his marriage, but he hadn’t known Jill was cheating on him. She left him around the holidays and Merry stupid Christmas. He was so lonely. If it weren’t for his work pals, Nate and Dale, Alex was pretty sure he wouldn’t have survived. Then again, if it wasn’t for his work pals, he wouldn’t be filling out a very long online form in search of love that he wasn’t sure he wanted. But there, on his computer screen in the wee small hours of several mornings, was a blog from someone who understood loneliness. Alex was stunned at what the anonymous woman said, and how much her words resonated in his life. Suddenly, a relationship didn’t sound so bad, if it could be with her. She gave few clues for her location, but he eventually figured out where she was, and booked a plane to Utah. LBH. Those were the initials the blogger used to identify herself, which was really no identity at all. Even so, Alex found twenty possibilities in tiny Midway, Utah, where everybody knew everybody else. Was LBH an older woman or a teenager? Would Alex recognize her soul, or would he run up against a heart as cold as the snow that covered Midway? Or, better question: after meeting a beautiful waitress at a local diner — a woman who seemed to be a perfect match for him, who was gorgeous and funny — did he even want to finish his quest? As holiday romances go, I’d have to say that “The Mistletoe Secret” is a notch above. I think it’s better because there really is a secret inside this book. Really, author Richard Paul Evans could have taken readers in any one of several different directions, but the enjoyment would be the same. Evans’ Alex is your basic nice guy — one who’s still a bit befuddled at his sudden singlehood, but who’s willing to try something new to meet women. The characters that surround Alex, both at home in Florida and while searching in Utah, are also very likeable people; even the nasty ex is given the soft glove. What’s not to love? Be aware that there’s a surprising (for this series) but mostly-chaste love scene here, though it shouldn’t stop you from sharing this book with Grandma or teen. If either of them needs something merry, “The Mistletoe Secret” is a book to plan for. Talking Books Available At Library BY ERIN OLSON news@yankton.net Through the South Dakota State Library Braille and Talking Books Program, Yankton Community Library provides digital talking books to those who are visually or physically unable to read standard print. For years, the South Dakota State Library in Pierre has loaned these audio players to patrons across the state, including Yankton. The Yankton Community Library owns four audio players and receives five new talking book digital cartridges bimonthly. Cartridges can be borrowed from the library if a patron has finished listening to all of their talking books. A player can be borrowed if an individual wishes to try listening to a book or if a patron’s player needs repair. Repairs are made at the South Dakota State Library. The talking books are important to those unable to read printed books. “It [is] another format for [people] that would allow [them] to be able to continue to enjoy books,” said Kathy Wibbels, director of the Yankton Library. In 1931, the National Braille and Talking Book Program was created after Congress passed the Pratt-Smoot Act to provide books for the blind. The first talking books were recorded on discs that could be played back on a phonograph. The National Network of Libraries for the Blind Holiday, Winter Events At Ponca Park LINCOLN, Neb. — Celebrate the season with winter and holiday fun at Ponca State Park (SP). Now through the last day of winter, the park offers a variety of seasonal events for the whole family. Christmas in the Woods features crafts, educational programs, free family portraits and lighted hayrack rides. The event is held each Saturday through Dec. 17. Show off your handiwork during the third annual Snowman Building Contest, open now through March 19. The first place prize is a one-night stay in a Ponca SP minilodge. Birdwatchers of all ages and levels of expertise are invited to participate in the Annual Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 23. The Loess Hills Audubon Society will compile the results and submit them to the National Audubon Society. A free chili feed will be held at noon. A day full of family fun is set for New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31. During the fifth annual Winterfest, visitors will take part in crafts, the National Fruitcake Fling, a 3K Yule Log Quest and lighted hayrack rides. For additional information on these events, call 402755-2284 or email ngpc.ponca@nebraska.gov. A park entry permit is required. Adult Coloring At Library Dec. 17-18 The Yankton Community Library, 515 Walnut Street, invites adults to join the staff on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, from 2-4 p.m., for Adult Coloring time. If you want quiet, relaxing, creative time rather than the hustle-bustle of holiday shopping, you can find it at the library. Just bring your creative mind and perhaps a friend or two. A quiet space with calming music will help relieve your stress and worries. There are new items to color. All supplies are provided by the library. If, however, you want to bring your own, you are welcome to do so. For more information, call the library at 668-5275. Steffen Exhibit At Hartington Library HARTINGTON, Neb. — The Wirth Art Gallery, upper level of the Hartington Public Library, will exhibit the works of artist Jolene Steffen, Crofton, during the months of November and December. Steffen is a self-taught artist and is known for her many area landscape paintings. She also paints florals and portraits — working in a contemporary/realistic style in oil and watercolor. The gallery will have on display a variety of her artwork, both original oil canvas and prints as well. “I have appreciated all the support received from the area over the past 26 years. Yes, it is hard to believe 26 years have gone by since I seriously began painting the beautiful area where we live in northeast Nebraska. My husband and I work side by side on our farm and I am constantly inspired by God’s beauty in nature, and the people I am surrounded by. I hope my work touches those who appreciate the same,” Steffen said. Stop by the Wirth Gallery during regular library hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Increase Risk of Mastitis in Dairy Cows BROOKINGS, S.D. - The high winds and extremely cold weather across South Dakota may increase the risk of Staph mastitis in dairy cows. "Current weather conditions may result in skin chapping of dairy cows' teats," said Alvaro Garcia, SDSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Director & Professor. "There's a correlation between the severity of the skin damage, the degree of colonization by Staphylococcus aureus, and the increased risk of mastitis." ERIN OLSON/P&D Ointment may make matters worse A digital talking book player and brochures and other information about the Braille Garcia said that according to research, ointment-treated teats and Talking Books Program are on display at the Yankton Library. have marginally higher concentrations of Staph. aureus than dipped teats. "The results suggest that treating teat skin with ointments can actually be more cosmetic and may not reduce the incidence of intra-mammary infections," he said. "Although started with 18 regional lithe patron will receive their onto a USB flash drive or ointments are good skin conditioners, their use may be warbraries and began to expand. own digital talking book blank digital cartridge. The ranted BEFORE the skin is damaged by cold weather rather than The South Dakota Braille and player and digital cartridges. books can then be played for treatment." Talking Book Library was All books, magazines, cataon the digital talking book The use of post-milking teat disinfectant is the single most efadded in 1969. logs and equipment are sent player or on a third-party fective practice for reducing the incidence of contagious mastitis, The federally funded to patrons through the U.S. player. Registered patrons of Garcia said. library service is available to Postal Service as “Free Matthe South Dakota Braille and Teat dips containing 1 percent iodine and 10 percent glycerin all ages. ter for the Blind” and may Talking Book Library can have been demonstrated to reduce by close to 90 percent the To receive the service, be returned the same way. also download books via the number of new intra-mammary infections caused by Staph. aureus. eligible readers must register The materials are sent with a BARD mobile app to their "To reduce the colonization of the skin it is important to teat with the State Library Braille removable address card that Apple or Android device. and Talking Book Program. can be turned over and has “[The service is] wonder- dip and then blot the teats dry before the cows exit the parlor and are exposed to cold drafts," Garcia said. Registration materials are the return information on it. ful for people that are not According to the 2007 National Animal Health Monitoring Sysavailable at the Yankton Another option is BARD able to read on their own,” tem Dairy study, Staph. aureus is the most prevalent contagious Community Library or on the — Braille and Audio Reading said Wibbels, “and I hope mastitis pathogen in the country, and it is prevalent in 43 percent South Dakota State Library’s Download — a website that that more people will use it.” of all dairy farms. website. enables registered readers to The same study suggests that prevalence of Staph. aureus is Following registration, download the talking books unrelated to herd size or region. Due to the contagious nature of this bacterium, using gloves is a very important prophylactic practice. "However, while nitrile disposable gloves cost as little as 40 cents per pair, nearly half of the dairies in the U.S. still do not use them," Garcia said. Costs per mastitis case are associated with the additional 2013 Chevy Equinox MOTOR costs of reduced production, discarded milk, costs of replaceAWD, 4 cyl., full power, ments, additional labor, treatment, and veterinary expenses. NIOBRARA, NE 118K miles, new tires. "To make matters worse, in trying to save costs by not purchasing gloves, there's a risk of spreading the infection to other Ready For Winter! atrick awk cows," Garcia said. Garcia added that there are additional strategies to consider. 251 Spruce Ave • Box 260 Call Tony Now!!! Producers should milk cows with Staphylococcal mastitis at the Niobrara, NE 68760 665-3720 end of the milking shift and with a separate milking unit, or group www.moodymotor.com the animals into a separate string of "sick" cows. pjhawk@hotmail.com MOODY P H (402) 857-3711 (800) 745-5650 Fax (402) 857-3713 Congratulations ALL WHEEL DRIVE $10,995 605-665-3720 • Yankton, SD Holiday Early Deadlines December 27th Edition Deadline is Thursday, Dec. 22nd at noon Luigis Ribbon Cutting The Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors hosted a Ribbon Cutting for Luigi’s Italian Restaurant. Luigi’s serves homestyle Italian Cuisine with a wide variety menu from pasta, seafood, chicken and pizza. Everything is homemade from scratch, with a great wine and beer selection. Children’s menu, catering and big parties welcome. Dine in or carry out. Luigi’s Italian Restaurant is owned and operated by Bernado Rossi and is open Sunday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. For more information call 605-260-8931 or check out their Facebook @LuigisYankton.minogrill.net January 3rd Edition Deadline is Thursday, Dec. 29th at noon The Missouri Valley Shopper will be closed on: Monday, December 26th and Monday, January 2nd. Happy Holidays from all of us at the... "It's a shame, because only one-third of the dairies in the U.S. take these preventative measures," Garcia said. "The steps are straightforward and can make a solid improvement for dairy profits." - See more at: http://igrow.org/news/increase-risk-of-mastitisin-dairy-cows/#sthash.qzhTYUay.dpuf Buy • Sell • Trade Quality... USED Cars, Trucks, Campers, Boats & Consignments NOW $7,900 1986 Chevy Camper Van Was $8,995 665-1596 Bridge City Auto www.bridgecityautoyankton.com 802 Broadway, Yankton