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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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December 2012 |
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A New Life Karel was not anxious to get into another relationship, but a few years later, when she relocated from Michigan to Chicago, she met Mitch Oddo at Osco Drug where she was working as an administrative assistant. It opened up a brand new and exciting life for her. For one thing, they had baby Sam when Karel was 44 years old. "It was one of the most wonderful things that could have happened to us," she said. "Sam was a gift. I can't imagine life without him." Today the 15-year old is a sophomore at Chanhassen High School where he plays baseball, football, and hockey. Karel and Mitch have lived in several places across the USA since their marriage in 1996. They've made their home in Naperville, Illinois; Boise, Idaho; Park City, Utah; and, since 2007, Victoria, Minnesota. Karel has roots in Minnesota. "My Grandfather Kleinschrodt settled in Albert Lea in 1911," she said. "He had 17 brothers and sisters and there are still relatives in that area. I remember coming to Minnesota and visiting when I was a child." Does Karel continue to make big meals every day? "Oh, yes!" she stated. "It starts with breakfast for Sam every morning. He likes bacon or sausage and fried potatoes or hash browns for breakfast. I'll also fry up leftover mashed potatoes into patties. No cold cereal for Sam. And I make my Caesar Salad dressing every single night, from scratch. It's in my book. My family often calls during the day to ask what we're having for dinner." "When my three kids were little," she said, "I'd make their favorite meals and I'd entertain their friends too. I'd make 15 pizzas and 7 strawberry pies for a party. I've always entertained. I had such a little house and we just managed to make it all work." Does Karel entertain in her Watermark neighborhood? "Yes, I do," she replied. "A couple of my younger neighbors have started cooking because of my recipes," she said. "It makes me feel good. And I'm part of a Book Club here. I make dessert and we have a glass of wine and we talk about everything except the book," she laughed, adding that at some neighborhood gatherings, "I've literally had husbands stuff their pockets with my cookies and biscotti. I also have swimming pool parties here for the neighbor kids and Santa comes to our house for Christmas. It's so much fun. We love our neighborhood. We love our home. We love Victoria." A recipe for the pocket stuffer "Biscotti" is located on page 96 in Karel's Kitchen.
The Rich and the Famous Over these past years, Karel Oddo has rubbed elbows with stars in the food business and also stars in the movie business. She's dined and visited with them, walked the red carpet with them, and can give a firsthand commentary on many well-known personalities. As Karel says, "I have had CEO's and corporate clients of my husband at my home for dinners. I have met several famous chefs and am fortunate to have traveled and eaten with so many." About Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, Karel says, "She's a doll. She loves food. She loves feeding people. I met her at a Williams Sonoma book signing in Boise, Idaho." About Giada De Laurentiis, she says, "I met her at the Aspen Food and Wine Festival. Giada had her aunt there helping her cook. They made a pasta dish with pears and proscuitto. Giada is very personable. She is nice, very sweet." Bobby Flay, whom Karel also met at the Aspen Food and Wine Festival, was signing books and so she had her picture taken with him. "I buy tons of cookbooks," said Karel. "If I find one recipe that I like, I think it's a good cookbook. In my book, they are all good. Everyone wants my recipes."
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Swanson Insurance 952-448-4580 |
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CORNERSTONE Insurance Agency Inc. |
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David Barsness, CPCU Chaska 952-448-5028 |
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Mitch and Karel Oddo |