Archive - Jan 2012 - Outlook

Spend the Day with Phalaenopsis Lovers

January 26, 2012

Phyllis Erikson’s passion for orchids began 30 years ago. As hobbyists, Erikson and her husband, Dale, filled their home with orchids. Soon, they ran out of room, moved the orchids to an outdoor shed and quickly filled it.

“That first winter, all our orchids froze,” she said. “That’s when we built the greenhouse.”

Erikson turned her hobby into an avocation, a vocation and now a business. Ironwood Estate Orchids is located behind the Eriksons’ home, nestled in the woods, with two greenhouses full of orchids in various stages of growth and bloom.

Flapping Birds, Jumping Frogs: Know When to Fold ‘em

January 19, 2012

As a toddler growing up in Chicago, Catherine LeFevers tried to understand the ancient art of origami. LeFevers grew up surrounded by art — her parents attended Art Institute of Chicago. A collection of origami books, published in 1959, was nestled among many stacks of art books.

LeFevers, 51, and a resident of Newton, still has these books.
“I was intrigued with origami but couldn’t understand it,” she said. “I did fold paper as a child.”

Shimabukuro's Ukulele 'Gently Weeps'

January 12, 2012

Jake Shimabukuro believes music is the greatest gift, and the ukulele is the friendliest way to present that gift to the world.

Jake Shimabukuro’s life is centered on the ukulele — it’s been that way since he was 4 and picked up a “uke.”

“My mom played and taught me my first few chords,” Shimabukuro said. “I started strumming mainly traditional Hawaiian music has a child.”

Later, though, Shimabukuro enjoyed the challenge of trying to play other styles of music on the four string, two octave instrument, such as jazz, classical or rock.

Fresh powder on the slopes!

January 5, 2012

Frigid temperatures and fresh snow greeted 2012 in the North Carolina mountains. While the ski resorts don’t encourage folks to call in to work sick, skiing conditions are excellent. Heed the frostbite warnings, though.

Here’s a look at three ski resorts.

Appalachian Ski Mountain