The Tsunami team drifted apart. However, this summer, I was given the opportunity to play with Sara again as a member on the Phoenix team. She is another awesome woman in the WSC and I wanted to share her story with you.

Sara met her husband Paul Feider at a party eight and ˝ years ago. Her friend introduced Sara to her brother and Paul. "Paul and I talked the rest of the night and realized we had a lot in common. I never ended up talking to her brother." They have been married now for a year and a half and live in Milwaukee. Paul proposed in Freiburg, Germany when France upset Brazil to make their way to the semi-finals in the World Cup of 2006. On their honeymoon, Paul and Sara went to the Galapagus Islands. Looking closely at the photo of Paul and Sara on their honeymoon, next to Sara blending  in with the rocks, you'll notice lizard-like creatures.

 "Those monster things were one of my favorite things- Marine Iguanas. I wanted to touch one, but you weren't allowed. There were more iguanas on the other side of Paul- everywhere."

Besides playing soccer, Sara enjoys hockey, running, tennis, and rowing (only on a machine now), snowboarding, and surfboarding when she is near and ocean. Her favorite food is chili with a lot of dark red kidney beans. Her favorite movie is 16 Candles.

Sara started playing soccer when she was seven years old and in 2^nd grade. Sara currently plays on the O30 League, B division Phoenix team. Sara likes to play soccer in the WSC. "Playing soccer is a fun way to stay in shape, socialize, and occasionally still get muddy. I like the people, being on a team, and seeing/helping new players develop their hidden soccer talents."

Sara Lovas was born on May 10, 1976. Her parents are Jane and Terry Tess and Stephanie and John Lovas. She has one sister Elizabeth - 35 and two half-sisters Ana -12 and Sydney 11. She grew up in Shorewood and attended Lake Bluff, Shorewood Intermediate School, Shorewood High School, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN), Lesley University for Masters in Science(from Cambridge MA, but the classes were held at Maple Dale School ). She majored in Elementary Education and History. Currently, Sara is a teacher in 6^th grade social studies, and 6^th-8^th grade science at Tippecanoe School for the Arts and Humanities in Milwaukee. "I like to learn about unusual things and come up with projects for my students" says Sara.

Sara continues to go above and beyond for her students. She started sewing her "Precious Creatures" five years ago while incorporating sewing into science. Sara knew that her students only had P.E. once a week and did not get recess once they got to middle school. She decided to do something about it.

"I wanted rowing machines to incorporate physical fitness into my regular school day." Sara explained. She received a partial grant for two rowing machines to use in her classroom. She had to come up with the rest -$1200, so she started sewing more "Precious Creatures" and selling them. She was able to raise the money. "Each 6th grader rowed 3 times a week and each 7th and 8th grader rowed for 15 minutes a week- not much, but better than nothing at all. It really helped calm some of my angry students and those who had attention issues. I had those kids row extra whenever there was an opening." Sara continued, "After I paid for the rowing machines, I continued sewing to raise money so I can take all of my 6^th grade students to camp for 3 days regardless of their ability to pay."

 So far Sara has made 276 creatures and will continue making them as long as people are still interested. Sara has taken pictures of every batch she has ever sewn and put them in a "Precious Creature" Family Album. "When you look at it, it looks like a book of cousins." laughed Sara. Paul also helps in the production process. "He has helped flip the body parts and stuff them too. Mostly he just puts up with mass amounts of legs, arms, and bodies in piles in our living room" says Sara smiling. Every student who needed financial assistance has received it and she was also able to help their families pay for a few other pricey fieldtrips the class went on.

 Asked where she sells them and to whom, Sara replied, "I have sold them to my soccer teammates and families at school. Even though they all start out from the same pattern, they end up looking very unique and have their own expressions. I now use anti-pill fleece, so they are a little smaller than they were in the past, but they last a little longer."

When my three year old daughter Nora saw the photo of the creatures as I was putting this article together, she ran upstairs, grabbed her own florescent green "Precious Creature" and ran down clutching it and pointing to the picture said, "Mommy can we go to the monster store and get the pink one and the blue one and the purple one and the orange one and the- - - [etc.]"

 

Especially with Halloween right around the corner, what more perfect gift can you give your little ones than a lovable "Precious Creature" and help Sara's "kids" at the same time! To place your order is easy! Please e-mail Sara with your desired color by e-mailing her or clicking on the link at sllovas35@hotmail.com. They are $10.00 with all proceeds going to the scholarships for her students. She has a variety of solid colors, so let her know your color choice.  Sara will make them in the order that she receives requests and then delivers them to you at Uihlein or Brookfield during games. If you taking a break from playing, Sara can arrange shipping or drop-off. Checks should be made payable to "Tippecanoe School."  The next time you see Sara Feider on the soccer field playing for the Phoenix team in her signature "orange" headband, say hello to another amazing woman in the WSC making a difference!
 


Sara Feider-Phoenix v Paula Race-Mantel Cosmos during O30 summer session.  photo by Paul Feider

• If you had to recommend just one Milwaukee restaurant (anywhere in the metro area) to someone visiting the area which one would it be? (Let's say that any kids are with a babysitter.)
  Joey Buenos, Jerry's Old Town Inn, Mo's Cubanista's, The Maharajah, Mama Mia's, Mr. B's Steakhouse, Roots, Nana Kusa, Bacchus, Bonefish Grill, La Merenda and here's what Kathy Braier had to say about Swig, located in the third ward: "They have small plate dining. I just went with a group from out of town. We ordered 6 different plates and got to taste everything!  The specialty drinks are great. Plus, it's in the Third Ward which is a great place to enjoy after dinner."
• If you've been to Lambeau for a Packer game how old were you when you first went?
  Ages ranged from the early 20's to "an old adult."  A number of players had never been to Lambeau at all-or just for Family Night. 
• If you could travel anywhere in the world and money wasn't an issue, where would you go?
  Australia lead with the most votes-a third of the responses, with Cheryl Heicher specifically wanting to visit the Great Barrier Reef.  Italy took second place, with Hawaii taking a close third.  Other spots on the wish lists included: Japan, an upscale cruise on the Mediterranean Sea, New Zealand and Portugal.  Ann Sherwood could only narrow her answer down to three places: Bali, Thailand or India.
  What is the range of how long you generally commute for your WSC games?
  Commutes range from 15 minutes each way to about 45 minutes with the average seeming to settle in around 20 - 25 depending on where the games are played.
• How many different teams have you played for in the WSC?
  Over half of the respondents have played for 5 different WSC teams.  Others have played for two, three or four different teams.
• What is the most challenging thing for refs when they referee a WSC game?
  And finally on this question, the opinions were all over the board.  Stephanie Hanson, Ann Sherwood, Cyndi Packard and Kathy Breunissen all agree that offsides is tough to call correctly.  Ann points out that she's been on the other side, as a ref, and it is not easy. To this end, Jill Raffay-Schmidt feels that one ref isn't enough for our game as they miss too many calls.  Sue Asen states that since we are "only women" they feel they don't need to call the fouls.  Chris Knudtson wishes that when they do call a foul, they'd do a better job communicating what the foul is.  On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are those players who think that the refs call too many fouls.  Both Janal Taniguchi and Julie Alvarado think the refs have to listen to WSC players complain too much: "Some physical contact is allowed and not everything is considered a foul," Alvarado says.
  One player has this message for the refs: "Stop laughing at us."  I know on the Lightening team- where Laura Taylor likes to have fun- she does a good enough job of that herself. 

Cheers to a fun fall session! 

The WSC can get a 10% off discount for being a member, 15% off after the 6th visit or if purchasing 6 of any one type of massage therapy session they will get 20% off.
 
WSC members can also get 10% off natural nail care services at the Well-being Spa as well.
 
The following are the services we offer at Crossings Well-being Spa:
Swedish (Relaxation w. Stretching), Neuromuscular Therapy, Deep tissue, Lymphatic, light touch, Cranial Sacral, Sports (pre and post event), Meridian, pregnancy, Oncology, Reiki, Guided Meditation and Breath, Reflexology, Rain Drop Technique, and Manicure and Pedicure.
 
Tai chi, yoga, Pilates, and Flow Classes are also available.