Sports are popular in our house. My brothers never stop playing or watching or talking about sports. My mom is a great runner. My dad runs almost every day. Running has become my “thing,” too. As a sophomore, I made the cross country second team All-Conference. Everyone was proud of me, but I wanted more. So last summer, I attended running camp, worked with a personal coach, and put in extra miles. My goal was first team All-Conference and state qualification. When this season began, I was in the best shape of my life. Then something didn’t feel right. I …

It is the time of year that beckons reflection. As reflect and survey my path’s direction, I am grateful. Ladies, indulge me in this open thank you letter: I would like offer heartfelt thanks our community of readers. I thank you for your support through the years. For each of you who have taken the time to share how the stories of 5ive have touched your lives, I thank you. DOWNLOAD THIS ISSUE BELOW TO READ MORE! Having problems with the flip book above not loading correctly? (Please note: Due to the large file size of the high resolution PDFs, …

This time of year beckons reflection. As I survey my path’s direction, I am grateful. Ladies, indulge me in this open thank you letter: I offer heartfelt thanks our community of readers. Thank you for your support through the years. For each of you who have taken the time to share how the stories of 5ive have touched your lives, I thank you. Your encouragement keeps our mission on track. Please keep it up! Thank you to my 5ive team! I count myself blessed to work with this small crew who makes possible putting out this amazing piece of love. …

Almost everyone knows a woman that has faced breast cancer. From close relatives to long-lost friends, disease has touched countless people. Sadly, many more are diagnosed daily. In the Chippewa Valley, Women Rock is an annual event offering a forum for addressing breast cancer through donations, shopping, camaraderie, and—most importantly—education. Charter Media (now Spectrum Reach) and Mayo Clinic Health System partnered together in 2003 to create Women Rock in Eau Claire. Click the magazine below to read the rest of Heather Rothbauer Wanish’s article detailing the Women Rock event PAGE 32:

Hands Across Eau Claire—one of the first public art installations in the most recent trend of such installations in Eau Claire—has come to its conclusion after 10 years and more than 100 hands. The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire (CMEC) started the Hands Across Eau Claire project as a way to create awareness about the museum. The hand, which is the symbol of the museum, helped explain what the museum was going to offer to the community. “It is a hands on museum, not a museum of historical preservation,” says Suzie Slota, the Executive Director of CMEC from 2005 to …

Situated on the corner of Washington and Main Streets in downtown Thorp, Aroma Café, Aroma Florist, and The Tuxedo Loft share more than just a floor plan. From a local flower shop to a downtown destination, Lana and John Ciolkosz have cultivated three businesses beyond expectation. I caught Lana for a short conversation recently to learn how she manages to maintain a balance of the 5ive essential elements during the recent expansion in downtown Thorp. Click the magazine below to read what Lana has to say about faith, family, friends, fitness, and finance on PAGE 10:

Pumpkin spice and everything nice. I love Thanksgiving. It’s the only holiday focused on being thankful and centered around family. The Thanksgiving table full of food—with some dishes made only this one time a year—is the star. Relatives and friends gather sharing memories, laughs, and hugs. Traditions are started at Thanksgiving, sometimes generations in the making. Our family starts the day with the Turkey Trot, followed by the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with appetizers all day until we sit around the table. Then we take turns sharing what we are thankful for that year. Sometimes after dinner we go to …

Autumn is a time for harvest, for football watching, and for us Wisconsinites to start thinking about nesting for the months to come. Save time by making these enchiladas in advance. I recommend doubling the batch and freezing one pan for later. Doggies love make-ahead treats, too. Our two labs, Marley and Nova, love these dog biscuits. Make them for your dogs or give them as gifts. I hope you (and your canine friends) enjoy. Bon Appetit, Lanette Click the magazine below for Lanette Hesse’s recipes along with Mega Co-op’s Tips & Tricks on PAGE 40:

My older brother, Joe, is grown and has kinda left the house. (You never know when he might show up, raid the fridge, and nap on the couch.) Joe lives and works in another city. Time to stop and appreciate how Joe has helped me grow … Click the magazine below for the rest of Grace Theisen’s column on PAGE 43:

A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself. Maya Angelou Ladies, here we go. Ready or not, October is here, and November is right around the corner. I am so excited to share our Healing and Harmony issue with our readers. Creating this magazine has given me the gift of getting to know the women of the Chippewa Valley. I am inspired by their character and in awe of these courageous women who are willing to share …