in the news

January 16, 2006
Section: That's Life
Page: 02D
'Total' makeover set to be unveiled
Dian Page
Green Bay Press-Gazette

   Watching the hit ABC series "Extreme Makeover" has made a lot of people wish they had the opportunity to be the subject of such a transformation. Well, that dream came true for a Neenah woman who is Green Bay's Total Transformation winner of 2005.
Carol Levenhagen, 50, has a new look -- and a new outlook on life -- after a free makeover that included facial plastic surgery, extensive dental work, Lasik eye surgery, plus skin care, new hair design and an exercise and fitness regime.
She describes the experience as "a fairytale that is fit for a queen. It's just amazing."
The total value of the makeover? More than $80,000.
Levenhagen will make her initial appearance during the Makeover Reveal Party at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Lambeau Field Atrium. The evening will begin with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar, with the reveal set for 7 p.m.
The mother of four was selected May 1 from a group of applicants seeking the makeover. She is the second to undergo the process. Pat Miles of Appleton was the 2004 winner.
Levenhagen says her new look has eased her anxiety in being with groups of people. Before, she was self-conscious about her teeth. Besides the makeover, she lost 35 pounds.
She works with husband Bruce at Levenhagen Oil Corp., Appleton.
"I think she looks beautiful, but I thought she looked beautiful before," he says.
Dr. Scott Quandt of Dental Designs by Quandt in Ashwaubenon was behind the idea for a Green Bay-based makeover. He performed Levenhagen's cosmetic dentistry that was valued at almost $30,000. Dr. Richard Parfitt of Parfitt Facial and Plastic Surgery Center and Aesthetica of Appleton performed the facial cosmetic surgery and dermatology services.
Others in Green Bay and the Fox River Valley involved in sponsoring the makeover were Mindy Bennett of Balance for Body and Soul, Green Bay, personal fitness and nutrition; Dr. Michael Vrabeck of Valley Eye Associates, Lasik eye surgery; Marianne Kasten of Asante Spa, spa services and makeup consulting; Julie Studtmueller of Lord's Dental Studio, porcelain veneers, and Iola VanOss of New Sensation Endermology.
In addition, Keith Zimmerman of Keith's Hair Center of Green Bay was responsible for Levenhagen's new hair style, and Amy Danelski of Lady Savannah Boutique of Green Bay is providing her reveal attire and wardrobe counseling. Geoffrey Cook of Geoffrey Cook Photography will capture the reveal Wednesday night through photos and videos. And Barb Furmenich of Branching out Flowers is creating the evening's floral arrangements.
Reservations for the reveal can be made by calling Holly Walker at (920) 499-6466.
Applications for the 2006 makeover are expected to be available in February.
This column appears Monday and Friday. If you have news about local people, call Dian Page on the People line at (920) 391-9939, or write People/Green Bay Press-Gazette, P.O. Box 23430, Green Bay, WI 54305-3430. Include a photo if possible.

Copyright (c) Green Bay Press-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.

June 26, 2004
Section: thats life
Page: 01D
Pampering away the dread
Sean Schultz, sschultz@greenbaypressgazette.com
You'll have reason to smile after a visit to a spa dentist

Imagine looking forward to going to the dentist to get a crown replaced.
Kathy Rein of Green Bay wouldn't have believed it until she experienced spa dentistry at the hands of Dr. Scott Quandt.
Dental Designs by Quandt, 2280 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon, has started offering spa services. He has a "walk in with tooth decay, walk out with a rose" plan, plus patients in for long sessions are offered options you'd expect at a day spa.
The first one is in the air. It's aromatherapy -- scented candles to sooth the senses and counteract the medicinal smell that often triggers an immediate sense of dread.
Getting patients to chill out
"The spa touch is a way of relieving the anxiety of patients," Quandt said.
He got the idea from a national dental organization.
"I think it's a movement that's going to become more popular in the next few years," he said. "Technology is nice, but it's nice to be able to counter the technology. It's high technology with high touch."
It has worked for Rein, who first discovered the pleasing aromas and then came across the paraffin dip. She dipped her hands in to the wrist, then drew them out. Dental assistant Cristy Broekman slid plastic bags and insulated terrycloth mitts over each hand.
While the dentist drilled, Rein's hands softened in the wax. Later, Broekman gently peeled off the bags and the paraffin came off with them.
Another spa enhancement: the patient's choice of TV station or movie videos. Rein settled in with "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" and offered muffled admonishments for Dr. Phil while the dentist worked. Headphones drown out the sounds of dental tools. A cool eye mask is an option, too.
As Quandt prepped Rein to have a tooth filled and a crown replaced, he added, "I see so many patients who never get a chance to relax for an hour. This may not be seen as a real pleasant thing to do, but we're turning it into an opportunity for the patient."
The spa services "don't really add to the cost," he said. "It's a value-added service."
Enhancing practice
Eric Nelson, public relations director for the Madison-based American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, said the trend began a year ago in large markets such as New York City and Scottsdale, Ariz.
The academy offered a seminar on the concept at its 2003 convention in Orlando, Fla., and the movement took off. The Wall Street Journal and trade journal Dental Practice Report have featured articles on it.
Spa dentistry is a move to alleviate patients' fears of the dentist. Those who offer it have a competitive advantage over dental offices that don't, Nelson said.
Queen for two hours
Rein spent her two hours in the dental chair with the massage feature set for a rippling backrub. She opted for warmed booties on her feet and luxuriated under a soft, Egyptian cotton blanket.
When Quandt gave her a break between the filling and the crown work, he offered to let her get up and walk around. Rein declined.
"Just keep my massager moving," she said.
Waterfall units in the dental suites also are meant to soothe patients.
Today's emphasis on cosmetic dentistry techniques such as teeth whitening and veneers, together with the spa concept, means that "people are doing things because they want to do them and not because they have to," Quandt said.
"It means there's more demand for aesthetic services; it's a 'want' basis, not a 'need' basis. It's about wanting to feel better and look better. Patients are putting a higher value on their mouths and oral hygiene."
Real world
When dental work is done, Quandt's staff brings the patient back to reality, but first offers a steaming hot towel to freshen face and hands and leave behind a lavender or lemon scent. On the way out the door to jobs and other responsibilities, patients get to choose a long-stemmed rose.
"It's so relaxing," Rein said after her dental visit. "When I come to the dentist, I'm (usually) a nail biter."
Pearly whites and foot massages

Here's what dentists around the country are offering:

• An Omaha, Neb., dentist and his wife built their office next to a spa; masseurs come next door to give massages.
• A Kansas City, Mo., dental office offers 10-minute chair massages, oxygen therapy and fresh chocolate-chip cookies.
• Herbal eye masks are offered at an Irving, Texas, practice.
• In Sacramento, Calif., a dental office provides hand and foot massages.
  
• A Scottsdale, Ariz., office has an art gallery/museum within its spa atmosphere.
  
• California clients of an upscale Hawaiian spa dental practice are flown to the islands and taken by limo to see the dentist.
  Crowning glory
  New technology called CEREC allows Dr. Scott Quandt's office to design, build and apply a crown in a single visit. CEREC allows for partial and full crowns, as well as veneers and other restoration work.

Copyright (c) Green Bay Press-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.

April 3, 2004
Section: thats life
Page: 01D
A whole new woman
Sean Schultz, sschultz@greenbaypressgazette.com
Megamakeover giveaway yields new look, outlook

Pat Miles, who lives in Appleton and works in Green Bay, is a self-professed "Extreme Makeover" junkie.
"I'm obsessed," she said of the TV makeovers. "I'm teary at the end of every show. I so can relate to how happy they must be."
Now she truly relates after getting her own extreme makeover, Green Bay style. Miles, 46, was chosen from an applicant pool to be the first person to undergo Green Bay Total Transformation, a makeover offered free to a winning candidate by 10 area businesses.
She's teary-eyed with her own results this time.
Participating businesses included these two sponsors:

• Dental Designs by Quandt in Ashwaubenon, where Dr. Scott Quandt perked up Miles' smile to the tune of about $18,000. His work included about 11 hours spent on two Saturdays to give Miles 14 tooth restorations, 13 of them veneers. Quandt used his new Zoom Whitening gel and light system to whiten her teeth about eight shades in two hours.
  
• Aesthetica Skin Health Center in De Pere. Registered nurses gave Miles photo-rejuvenation treatments and a chemical peel to tighten the skin on her face and eliminate discoloration on her cheeks. Dr. Richard Parfitt, a facial cosmetic surgeon, did procedures at his Appleton center, including a facelift, blepharoplasty (eyelids) and forehead lift to help Miles achieve the look she wanted. The value of the Aesthetica package exceeded $23,000.
  Other contributors to her new look:
  
• Balance for Body & Soul, Green Bay. Miles met with owner and personal trainer Mindy Bennett for personal training and a spinning class. A training program was designed for her.
  
• The Day Spa, De Pere. Her final look was polished with manicured nails and makeup design, and she also went through nutritional counseling, herbal detoxification, body wraps and other procedures.
  
• Keith's Haircenter, Green Bay, created new copper hair color, cut and style.
  
• The Rodeo Fox, De Pere, provided the sleek, elegant black gown with pink accents that she wore for her Wednesday night coming out celebration, as well as a gift certificate for another outfit.
  
• Du Bois Formalwear, Green Bay-area locations. Dressed the men in tuxedos for the event.
  
• Escort Limousine Service, Green Bay. Miles rode in style by limousine Wednesday to many sites, including her final dinner-party destination.
  
• Black & Tan Grille, De Pere. Miles was unveiled at a cocktail reception Wednesday attended by her husband and sponsoring businesses.
  Miles heard about the makeover through co-workers at Edwin C. Garot Plumbing, Green Bay, where she works part-time as an office manager. They knew she was unhappy with her appearance and contemplating cosmetic surgery.
  

"Vanity plays a part in anybody wanting to look better," Miles said. "But a lot of it is a self-esteem matter."
She said her husband, Jess Miles, not only was pleased with the results, he also ducked a costly bill for tummy tuck surgery because his wife was chosen for the makeover.
"I would exercise and exercise and never have any improvement," she said. "I had a deal with my husband that if I worked out religiously for a year and didn't lose the flab, I would get a tummy tuck."
She worked out for the year and didn't lose a pound, but after her makeover, she was down 12 pounds.
Before the makeover was complete, Miles said, "Maybe other people would look at me and not think I look older. But to me it's how I feel when I look at myself. I look like I'm so tired. I look older than I feel. It startles me sometimes."
The public exposure for the dental office is part of the reason for Quandt's involvement in the makeover, as it is for the other participating businesses, but in Miles they also found the ideal candidate, said Greg Quandt, marketing coordinator.
"She's had such a life-changing experience," he said. "To see her go through it has been really cool. The whole office fell in love with Pat."
Miles is delighted with the results.
"I look very different, and it's a nice difference," she said. Her husband "thinks it's just great."
"I think it turned out wonderfully, and it wasn't really that big a deal," she added. "It seems I've looked like this forever."
She suggests that others apply for next year's Green Bay Total Transformation.
"I'm just an ordinary person but already I feel it's changing me so much," Miles said. "I feel so much better, and my mood is lifted ... I feel happy and pretty."
Ready for her close-up

• What: See Pat Miles transformed through the Green Bay Total Transformation
• when she appears at Every Woman's Expo, along with the businesses that sponsored her makeover
  
• When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. April 22
  
• Where: Lambeau Field Atrium
  
• How much: $15 at the door; $10 if ordered in advance online at www.everywomanexpo.com.

April 23, 2003
Section: thats life
Page: 03D
A note of thanks
Readers
Dentists helped give kids a smile

GREEN BAY -- Unfortunately, we live in a time when many children receive no regular dental care. Care of this nature is very important to the overall health and welfare of our children.
As a school district, we are very grateful to the following dentists who recently participated in the Give a Kid A Smile Day program: Lee Bialkowski, David Brusky, James Brusky, J.G. Dalsing, William Dichraff, R.J. Goelz, Teresa Hitzeman, Sarah Heuer, Paul Kollath, Mark Brodhagen, Tom Murphy, Gary Noble, Scott Quandt, William Stempski, Rebecca Van Miller, Paul VanderKelen, Robert Villwock, Carrie Stemke, Michael J. Wallace and Steven Hein.
Through the efforts of these dentists, many children were able to receive needed dental care they would not have received without the generosity of these fine dentists.
We are grateful for this example of the Green Bay area community doing all it can to support its children. Thank you to these local dentists. What a fine community we have!
Daniel A. Nerad, superintendent of schools
Thanks to friends for support at funeral
GREEN BAY -- To all who came to the funeral Feb. 13 for Timmy Braun, to all who sent flowers, cards, money and food, particularly Detective Tim Find, our good friend Pastor Art Gregg, Pastor Jim Jacobson and all our friends at Bayside Christian Fellowship.
We say thank you and God bless.
Marvin and Barbara Braun
Support at benefit made us feel very lucky
GREEN BAY -- How can we ever thank all those who were involved in the medical benefit given for Jim on Feb. 9? The musicians, tavern league, Tesch's employees and best customers/ friends, family, suppliers, acquaintances -- you're the best!
You don't realize how many person's lives you touch until something like this happens. The support and prayers we've gotten and continue to receive make us feel very lucky.
Mary and Jim Tesch
It's nice to know people will stop to help others
MOUNTAIN -- I would like to thank the couple who stopped to help me Friday night, March 28.
Due to the extremely icy conditions, I slid off the highway and into the ditch on the way home from my after-school job. While trying to flag down other vehicles on Wisconsin 32 south of Mountain, no one seemed to want to stop. As a new driver, I felt this was a rather traumatic experience.
As bad as this incident started, it was a comfort to know there are still some people who will stop to help others in their time of need. Many people think that teenagers aren't grateful for what people do for them. I would like to thank the couple who did stop to help. I had never met them before and unfortunately didn't get their names. I hope you will read this and get the thank you that you deserve.
Emily Urban
A Note of Thanks is a place for our readers to express their appreciation of good deeds by others. It appears Wednesdays in the Lifestyle section as space permits. Thank-you notes should be no longer than 200 words and must have your signature, address and daytime phone number for confirmation. To submit a note for consideration, mail it to: A Note of Thanks, Green Bay Press-Gazette, P.O. Box 23430, Green Bay, WI 54305-3430 fax it to (920) 431-8379 or e-mail it to forum@ greenbaypressgazette.com. Questions? Call Opinion Page Editor Mike Hoeft, (920) 431-8327.