Issue 2, 2022 GRAND Lifestyle magazine by BBI International

HOME & From a Vision // DESIGN to Reality

ART & CULTURE

Sounds // Sweet of Summer

OUTDOORS // A Ramp to

OUT OF THE GAIT Putting the right foot forward

ISSUE 2 2022

GrandLifestyleMagazine.com Printed in USA

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FEATURES // Issue 2:22

HOME & DESIGN //

FROM A VISION TO REALITY By Dayna Bastian

From a remodel project to designing your home from the ground up, the ladies at Elle Interiors can help bring all your home dreams to life.

OUTDOORS //

A RAMP TO REMEMBER By Danielle Piekarski

Read how the Grand Forks skating community was forever changed with help from two old friends with a common goal.

ART & CULTURE //

SWEET SOUNDS OF SUMMER By Tami Vigness

Paintings and art exhibitions aren’t the only things you’ll find at the North Dakota Museum of Art this summer.

COMMUNITY //

PACKING FOR A PURPOSE Questions By Marla DeFoe

Learn about a critical program offered in our community and how you can help make a difference.

HEALTH & FITNESS //

RUNNING FOR COMMUNITY By Marla DeFoe

Richard Dafoe turned his love of running into a successful business helping others get their running journey off on the right foot. GrandLifestyleMagazine.com

PUBLISHER'S NOTE //

Summer in the Grand Cities At long last, summer has finally arrived in the Grand Cities! Even swatting mosquitoes and slathering on sunscreen is a welcomed reprieve from the long months of bundling up in layers of clothes and letting our cars warm up for 15 minutes, only to drive them five blocks.

Here at GRAND, we too are excited to get out and enjoy all that the warmer weather has to of-

fer. Weekends are spent outside enjoying things like our local Farmer’s Market, outdoor concerts, biking or jogging along the Greenway, relaxing in one of our many parks, and anything else we can think of to get out of the house and into the fresh air. With a new season comes new opportunities.

Often summer is spent on projects around the house and getting the kids involved in new activities. Luckily, we don’t have to look very far to find a good place to start. In this issue, we chat with the

designers at Elle Interiors and discover the latest trends to spruce up our homes, visit with the two men that played an integral part in reviving the local skateboard community and helped put Grand

Forks on the map as a place with a state-of-the-art skate park for anyone with wheels to enjoy, learn

how the right shoe can make all the difference in your morning jog, and talk to the new Executive

Director of the North Dakota Museum of Art about the labor of love that is the Summer Concerts in the Garden Series.

I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s worth saying again: Besides covering the wonderful people and

places in our community, part of our mission with this publication is to also spotlight a local charity

or non-profit organization. With the school year just around the corner, we are featuring the North-

lands Rescue Mission Backpack Program in this issue. Did you know that only $100 feeds a child for an entire year? Just a little goes a long way to help this community remain the great place that it is.

Thanks for reading along and I hope you enjoy another issue of the stories behind the great

people that call the Grand Cities home. And if you just can’t wait for the next issue to come out be-

fore you get your next GRAND fix, I invite you to listen to our podcast: “The Art of…” In each podcast, we visit with a local artist about their particular talent, how they got started, the challenges they

face, and what they see in their future. We host this podcast in conjunction with the Public Arts Commission and it’s become a fun, informal way to learn more about our vibrant community and the people in it.

As always, please reach out with story ideas or potential contribution opportunities. We

look forward to hearing from you!

Until next time, take care and be well!

//////////////////////////////////////

TA M I V I G N E S S EDITOR GRAND Lifestyle magazine tvigness@bbiinternational.com

GRAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // ISSUE 2 2022

GrandLifestlyeMagazine.com VOLUME 5 ISSUE 2

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Vice President, Operations, Marketing & Sales John Nelson Vice President, Production & Design Jaci Satterlund Editor Tami Vigness Account Manager, Circulation Manager & Copy Editor Jessica Tiller Staff Writer, Account Manager, and Marketing & Advertising Manager Marla DeFoe Social Media & Marketing Coordinator Dayna Bastian Content Coordinator & Marketing Danielle Piekarski Photographers Manstrom Photography

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SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions to GRAND Lifestyle magazine are free of charge to everyone, with the exception of a yearly shipping and handling charge. To subscribe, visit www.GrandLifestyleMagazine.com or you can send your mailing address and payment (checks made out to BBI International) to: GRAND Lifestyle magazine/Subscriptions 308 Second Ave. N., Suite 304, Grand Forks, ND 58203

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We welcome letters to the editor. If you write us, please include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and/or space. Send to GRAND Lifestyle magazine/Letters, 308 Second Ave. N., Suite 304, Grand Forks, ND 58203 or email to tvigness@bbiinternational.com.

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HOME & DESIGN // Photos submitted by Elle Interiors

real From a Vision to

GRAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // ISSUE 2 2022

Nearly everyone has a vision of the home they wish to have someday. For some, it’s

lity By Dayna Bastian

a large, open-concept kitchen with plenty of room for cooking and entertaining. Others desire a living room that’s as sleek and modern as it is comfortable. And many of us dream of a master bath that makes your morning shower a veritable spa-like experience. Some people are gifted with an eye for designing their home; and others, like me, need as much help as they can get. In a world of ever-changing styles and trends, it can be difficult to know where to start. What is popular this season could change the next, and zeroing in on a design that feels both effortless and timeless sometimes requires a little bit of help. Walking into Elle Interiors, you feel this immediate sense of warmth. To the right, there is a beautifully staged fireplace – the kind that invites you in and makes you want to grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and stay a while. To the left, you’ll find the welcoming smiles of the knowledgeable staff eager to work with you to make your dream home vision a reality. Sitting around the fireplace with Melissa, Patty, Kelly and Jess, there was a familial feel to the conversation. Everyone was comfortable, and stories of how the team met each other and worked together, began to flow. It was easy to see how each of them brought something different to the table. Having already been in the design industry for years, in 2018 Melissa Link, along with her friend, Patty Linde, decided to take the plunge and open her own business, focused on designing for families. Shortly thereafter, a friendship blos-

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HOME & DESIGN //

somed with Kelly Larsen at the local YMCA, and quickly she became a part of the Elle Interiors team in 2019. Fast forward to 2022, the newest member of the team, Jess Soli, also fits right into the mix, adding her expertise in bringing customers’ visions to life by rendering designs. Each woman on the team brings a unique perspective and focus to various aspects of the house. Melissa and Jess prefer whole-house designs, Patty enjoys designing bathrooms, and Kelly loves working on kitchens. While they each have their own individual interests, they all inspire and encourage one another, looking to each other for feedback and perspective. “Teamwork makes the dream work,” as they say. Their slogan, “Your Vision. Our Expertise.” gets to the root of the business. As a mother and owner who also values a work-life balance, Melissa realized there was a need to provide families with the luxury of an experienced interior design company able to provide customized, good-quality products at an affordable price. 10 GRAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // ISSUE 2 2022

Many families are always on the go. Between kids’ sports activities, vacations, work and school, many families do not have the time for ‘do-ityourself’ projects. Choosing fabrics, flooring, countertops and cabinets can be time consuming, but when someone can bring suggestions based off your likes and lifestyle, it can make the remodel experience smoother and easier. Whether you desire an entirely new look for your home or would like to spruce up just one room, the Elle Interiors team can provide the expertise for your vision and help bring your ideas to life.

GrandLifestyleMagazine.com

HOME & DESIGN //

Interior Design Trends Like any trend, some are timeless and always in style, and others come and go. The popular gray tones we’ve seen in the past are being replaced with warmer neutral palettes. Instead of full-room carpeting, rugs are a fun way to bring softness and personality to plank flooring. Adding open wood floating shelves is a great way to break up the monotony of a solid white kitchen.

Whole-House Trends with Melissa and Jess • Large Linear Fireplaces with stacked stone & large format tile • Vinyl Planking throughout the entire house and staircases • Rugs, Patterned Carpet on Staircases • In with the Modern/Clean feel; Rustic is trending out • Blonde tones/deeper color combos • Neutral tones > Gray tones • Mixing Metal Finishes

GRAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // ISSUE 2 2022

Bathroom Trends with Patty • Free Standing Tubs • Walk-in Showers • Bright Lights with dimmers for Master Suites giving complete control • Weathered brass/vintage accessories • Heated Flooring • Tilework • Vinyl Plank • Specialty Mirrors, gone are the plainJane construction grade mirrors • Tile Vanity Splashes

Kitchen Trends with Kelly “Use Every Inch!” • Open Shelving • Clean Lines – “Keeping it clean, so there’s less to clean!” – Kelly Larsen • Two tones of paint • Back splashes • Subway tiles • Pull-out accessories/hiding appliances

Bedroom Trends with the Elle Interiors Team • Wallpaper can add a lot of personality to a space • Textures • Feature Walls • Draperies are back – low + chic • Less is more G GrandLifestyleMagazine.com

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14 GRAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // ISSUE 2 2022

A Ramp to

Remember By Danielle Piekarski

GRAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // ISSUE 2 2022

OUTDOORS // Photos submitted by Grand Forks Park District

Brian Rydell and Todd Bratrud have shared a passion for skateboarding since they were kids. Growing up, Brian had a small skatepark

in his family’s backyard. This skatepark was later moved behind the Rydell dealership, where it would become more frequently used by the Grand Forks locals. In order to enjoy that very same skatepark, Todd had to travel to Grand Forks from his home in Crookston. At this time, the Greater Grand Forks skateboarding community was small, which allowed Brian and Todd to become familiar with each other. More than 20 years later, Todd moved back to Crookston from California where he had established a successful career as an artist. Crookston still had no skatepark. However, there was now a parking lot with wooden ramps across from the old Grand Forks police station. This space was well-used and cared for by those who skated there often. While in Grand Forks, Todd heard about an effort to create a larger, concrete skatepark for the community. He began attending city meetings, which is where he met an old acquaintance, Brian Rydell. This project would be the start of a friendship that would forever transform the Grand Forks skating scene. Together, Brian and Todd were the main driving factors behind the Grand Forks skatepark project. Work and school commitments made it difficult for other supporters of the park to do the necessary legwork. Fortunately, they had Todd, a passionate supporter who was self-employed, with a schedule that allowed him to attend meetings and be the voice for the skatepark advocates. Having experienced the feelings of comradery and community at other skateparks, enthusiasts knew this project was needed for the Grand Forks area. The plan was now gaining traction with the Grand Forks City and Park District. Planning began with a bid from Spohn Ranch, a renowned skatepark design and building company based in Los

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OUTDOORS //

Angeles, CA. A few different locations were proposed, each with different track layouts. The proposed skatepark was larger and more expensive than what had originally been envisioned, which meant that fundraising efforts would have to be diligent. Ultimately, Kannowski Park offered the greatest amount of space for designers to work with. Construction of the park was split into two phases. The first phase would be smaller than the second and would feature a bowl, bank ramp, two-sided quarter pipe, and a tabletop. In total, this phase would cost $350,000, all of which would be paid in donations and grants. Brian and Todd worked with the Grand Forks City and Park District to find ways to fund the project. “They were so helpful when it came to applying for grants and fundraising,” said Bratrud. “Once it got rolling, everyone got behind it.” The construction of phase one concluded in September of 2018. The park was named “Rydell Skatepark,” after Brian Rydell and family who had donated a significant amount of time and money to the project. The opening of Rydell Skatepark brought in hundreds of people of all ages and skill levels. The park continued to bring in traffic long after its grand opening, especially during the warmer months. The success of phase one was a major contributing factor in the fundraising efforts for phase two. This phase would include more features than the first, and cost an additional $100,000. Again, Rydell and Bratrud

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OUTDOORS //

BRATRUD’S WORK

Todd Bratrud is an artist from Crookston, MN. During his career, Bratrud has designed for several skateboard companies and notable brands, including Volcom, Nike Skateboarding, and The Skateboard Mag. Bratrud’s work can be seen here, and also on his Instagram @toddbratrud.

would work with the Grand Forks City and Park District to secure funds. In addition to generous individual donations, other notable donations and grants include: · Community Development Block Grant (from the City of Grand Forks) · Engelstad Family Foundation · 2017 Rydell Car Show Fundraiser · Garrison Diversion · Hugo’s Family Marketplace · GF Parks Foundation (Joel Neel, Jr. Fund) · In-Kind – Strata Group · In-Kind – Wells Concrete · Myra Foundation · Tony Hawk Foundation · Send Help Skateboards

The opening of phase two was celebrated with a launch party in September of 2021. This opening, like the first, was well attended. Rydell Skatepark is completely free to all that use it. Skateboarders, scooters, bicyclists, and even roller skaters are welcome to learn and practice at the park, which boasts 19 different features. One feature is particularly special. The Air JerBear Ramp is the monument of the park, standing at eight feet tall, with its name in tile at the top. The ramp commemorates Rydell’s childhood friend, Jerry Kotalik, who passed away at age 40. As children, Rydell and Kotalik played sports and skateboarded together. Rydell recalled one of his favorite memories with Kotalik being a time in their youth, when he and Kotalik built a small wooden launch ramp. “We had no clue what we were doing,” chuckled Rydell. “His first try on the new ramp, he broke his arm.” Kotalik’s memory lives on at the park, where skaters shred the ramp and ask, “Who is Jer-Bear?” “I am so happy and Todd Bratrud proud that we could not

'It’s not about being the best. It’s about doing the best that you can do. Others are going to guide you, help you out, and then they are going to be excited for you.' 20 GRAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // ISSUE 2 2022

only create this park, but have a tribute to my friend,” said Rydell. “I know he would have loved this place.” Rydell and Kotalik’s friendship is just one example of how skateboarding brings people together. The state-of-the-art park brings in groups far and wide. “After just a few weeks of the skatepark being completed, we were already starting to see visitors from all over the area, traveling to Grand Forks to use the skatepark,” commented Jill Nelson, Director of Operations and Community Relations for the Grand Forks Park District. “With features like a skate bowl, quarter pipes, ramps, a vertical wall, and more, Grand Forks is now on the map for having the destination skatepark in the region.” “Everything a skater could want, we have now,” Bratrud said. “We now have a safe place for our community to learn and practice,” he added. When asked about the dynamic of the skateboarding community, Rydell and Bratrud both said that it is an extremely connected and supportive group. They encouraged anyone interested in skating to go to the park and watch others. “Someone is going to offer you their board. Everyone is very welcoming,” said Bratrud. “It’s not about being the best. It’s about doing the best that you can do. Others are going to guide you, help you out, and then they are going to be excited for you.” G

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ART & CULTURE // Photos by Manstrom Photography and submitted by ND Museum of Art/Kristin Ellswanger

Sweet SOUNDS OF

Summer By Tami Vigness

Living in the upper Midwest is not for the faint of heart. We spend the majority of the year

layered in long johns, sweaters, wool socks, parkas, scarves, hats, mittens, and boots. Even the hardiest of us tend to stay bundled up well into April. If we’re lucky, by May, we might be able to finally turn off the heat and crack a few windows, letting the cool spring air blissfully make its way through our homes. Cabin fever is an all-too-real thing in these parts and even the biggest homebodies among us are chomping at the bit to get outdoors and feel the sun on our faces. Perhaps this is why we Midwesterners embrace outdoor activities with such enthusiasm when the weather finally changes and the temperature is above freezing. At 40 degrees, we can shed the knee-length, down-filled parkas in exchange for a light coat. At 50 degrees, we drive through town with our radios turned up and the windows rolled down. And by 60 degrees, the thermostat is turned off and the poor furnace finally gets a break.

24 GRAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // ISSUE 2 2022

When summer is in full swing, you’ll find the decks and patios of every restaurant in town full of patrons enjoying dinner or drinks. We start new outdoor projects at home or get back to the honey-do lists we never had the chance to finish last year. In the evenings, we painstakingly tend to our lawns and gardens, and on weekends we gas up our boats and pontoons before heading out on the water to fish, water ski, or just cruise the lake. And of course, you can’t forget about the outdoor music scene. For the last 15 years, the North Dakota Museum of Art, on the campus of the University of North Dakota, has held the Summer Concerts in the Garden series on its sprawling lawn. The setting is unlike any other in town. The west side of the museum, with its red brick and tall windows, serves as the backdrop for the stage, the Eng-

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ART & CULTURE //

lish coulee flows quietly behind the audience, and occasionally a train will roll by on the tracks to the south. Droves of locals and out-of-towners alike bring blankets and lawn chairs to the garden to sit amongst the garden’s sculptures and rose bushes to enjoy an evening of live music. A quick scan of the crowd reveals that the event has mass appeal. There are parents with children and babies, young couples enjoying a unique experience on date night, older folks with a deep-seated love for live music, and everyone in between. It’s an event that many look forward to and enjoy, rain or shine.

In the Beginning

It’s no small task to arrange these concerts. Matthew Wallace, newly appointed Executive Director of the North Dakota Museum of Art, has been spearheading the concert series since its inception. Prior to launching the Concerts in the Garden series, the museum hosted the Sundog Jazz

Festival. In 2007, with a desire to reach a broader audience and extend live music throughout the summer rather than just a weekend, the idea for a concert series was born. When the concert series was in its infancy, the crowds were much smaller and the talent was local. With no prior booking experience, Wallace would find local musicians to bring their own equipment and perform. Recognizing what the museum was trying to bring to the community, HB, Grand Forks’ local AV company, offered to run the sound and bring a higher level of audio quality to the event. “We’d get around 50-60 people that would come to listen to local artists perform on a homemade stage,” Wallace recalled. But it wasn’t long before the little concerts gained momentum and grew. When the museum booked internationally renowned American country blues musician Charlie Parr, the crowd grew to several hundred people. This momentum has continued over the years. While each concert still features a local or regional opening act, the headliner of the evening is often a national or international recording artist with an ever-growing list of albums to their name. The community has responded well to the museum’s efforts and continuously supports the series both in attendance and with monetary contributions.

26 GRAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // ISSUE 2 2022

Wallace is quick to note the importance of the concerts to the overall health and bottom line of the museum. The Concerts in the Garden is underwritten by a number of local businesses, as well as supported by individuals, who can sponsor an evening for a donation. In addition to being able to enjoy an evening of music, concertgoers can also skip making dinner at home and instead feast on local grass-fed hamburgers, skewers of freshly grilled vegetables, root beer floats, local craft beer, wine, and other nightly specials.

If You Build It, Will They Come?

Even with a successful track record and a stage that’s no longer homemade, attracting musicians to perform during the concert series isn’t always easy. Planning and research for the series begins several months in advance, and coordinating the logistics of the event takes no small amount of effort. In the research phase, Wallace scours the internet for musicians that he thinks would be a fitting addition to the concert series. Wallace notes that radio shows and YouTube are helpful places to hear new artists and discover fresh talent.

Perhaps most important in the quest to bring artists to Grand Forks are other area music festivals and concerts. It can be difficult – and expensive – to get an artist to come specifically to Grand Forks for just one night. “I try to piggyback on other events and festivals happening in the region,” Wallace explained. “If they are already going to be in the area en route to Winnipeg or Minneapolis, it’s much easier to get an artist to make a stop in Grand Forks.” One such festival that Wallace researches, and often attends, is the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Spanning the course of four days, the festival boasts multiple stages where well over 50 artists perform each year. Often Wallace is able to get in touch with booking agents who represent artists traveling to the folk festival and get them to route through Grand Forks on their way to or from Winnipeg. Thankfully, time and effort has paid off. With well-attended concerts, beautiful

scenery, and the kind of natural hospitality the Midwest is known for, attracting talent to the museum isn’t the challenge it once was. While there’s still plenty of legwork involved, Wallace’s name has become familiar to many booking agents and promoters, and often he’s at the receiving end of the phone call asking if an artist can perform. It’s a welcome juxtaposition to the days of cold calling agents and crossing fingers that something will fall into place.

Something New

Nearly every organization, in every industry, is tasked with not only staying current, but also coming up with something new. Whether it’s a new product, a new service, or new technology, the pursuit to remain relevant is one that looms large. The music scene is no different. New artists with new sounds are constantly hitting stages around the globe. Some have a cult following and others appeal to the masses. Finding artists that will attract a broad spectrum of people is always something that’s in the back of Wallace’s brain. The concert series tends to bring people to the museum that perhaps wouldn’t otherwise come. Not everyone is going to enjoy an art exhibition, listen to a classical violinist, participate in family art days, or enroll their kids in the summer art camps

that the museum hosts. But there is something extra special about the casualness and comradery felt during the outdoor summer concerts. The kids playing and climbing the large rocks scattered throughout the garden, well-behaved dogs resting at their owner’s side, couples dancing near the stage when a particular song with just the right rhythm is played, and everyone’s feet involuntarily tapping along to the beat are just some of the things you’ll notice in an evening. And while all of these things serve to make the Concerts in the Garden the unique and special event that it is, for Wallace, introducing the audience to someone they’ve never heard before, is his favorite part. After all, isn’t the ultimate goal to provide something new for all to enjoy? G GrandLifestyleMagazine.com

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COMMUNITY // Photos Submitted by Northland Rescue Mission

Packing for a Purpose 5 Questions with Sue Shirek, Executive Director of Northlands Rescue Mission’s Backpack Program Questions by Marla DeFoe

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Tell me a little about yourself and how you got involved in the Northlands Rescue Mission: I have been the Executive Director of Northlands Rescue Mission since May of 2017. Previously, I worked as the Executive Director of the shelter in Crookston, MN for three years. Prior to that, I was a police officer for the City of Grand Forks for over 25 years, and I retired from that position in 2013. In law enforcement, you only provide a short-term fix to problems, and we would see the same people, with the same issues, over and over again. In our work at the Mission, we can look at the underlying issues that keep bringing people back to the same circumstances. We get to work with our clients to interrupt the cycles, change patterns of behavior, and most importantly, we can offer grace and second chances. I got involved with the Mission when I started working there part-time many years ago, as a side job. I knew I was called to be there. It stayed in my heart, and when I retired from the PD, I knew that if I took on another job or second career, it was going to be in homeless services. With my work in law enforcement, I spent several years as the School Resource Officer (SRO) in the three middle schools. I saw kids who were hungry. I saw families who struggled, who didn’t celebrate the holidays at the normal time, but told their kids they would celebrate when they could gather the funds in a few months. I spoke with parents who worked hard, but just couldn’t make ends meet and didn’t always have food available. I know of families who literally had no food in their home. Food insecurity, housing instability, and homelessness are issues that impact so many people in our community and region. Even though Grand Forks has had low unemployment, we have struggled with the issue of poverty. People are working, but they are not making a good living. GrandLifestyleMagazine.com

COMMUNITY //

How many children benefit from the program?

Can you give a brief overview of the Backpack Program? The Backpack Program provides food for the weekend to kids who are eligible for free and reduced lunch and whose parents sign them up for the program. The Mission either purchases food items from local retailers or receives donations of those items. Volunteers come to the Mission each week and fill bags containing 10 shelf-stable items: 2 juices, 2 snacks (nut-free), 2 main meals (Ramen noodles or mac and cheese), 2 breakfasts (oatmeal packets), and 2 fruit cups. Those bags are placed in totes, and the totes are delivered to the schools. On the last day of school for the week, school staff give the participants their bag of food to put in the backpack. The student leaves with food for the weekend to help until they are back in school and can access their free and reduced meals. EERC is our partner in delivering the totes to the schools, and on Monday, we go back to the schools, pick up the empty totes, and start all over again.

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There are approximately 2,900 kids who are eligible for the program in grades K-12. That is a significant number of hungry kids and struggling families. When I started at the Mission, we were serving kids from the four elementary schools, with the highest percentage of free and reduced eligible students. Then we added a fifth school, and we were trying to decide how to add more. When the pandemic hit, we continued to send the bags to the schools so that kids could get their food when they picked up their Friday lunch during the remote learning times. We saw the impact of COVID. We wanted to be able to feed every student who was in need, but did not want to make a financial commitment we couldn’t keep. When the pandemic hit, taking a risk somehow seemed easier. Everything that was once normal and routine was in upheaval. We decided to take a huge leap of faith. We made the decision that we needed to work to feed as many eligible students as possible. We went to the schools and got on board with every elementary school. We also offered the program to the middle schools. We invited community partners, like businesses and churches, to pitch in and help. This is a community issue, not a Mission problem. It takes a community solution to make a difference. We now serve over 1,000 kids each week via bags packed at the Mission. In addition, a couple schools have been “adopted” by different churches in the community, and they purchase the food and pack the bags each week. We also provide food every week to the Mentor Center for the kids who go there for homework assistance and tutoring. Last year, over 34,000 bags of food left the Mission and went home with a child in need.

How can someone donate to the program? There are several ways you can donate. You can purchase food directly and drop it off at the Mission. You can do a food drive at your business or place of worship. You can make a monetary donation, pledge recurring donations, and even offer payroll deductions for the program through your business. The Mission will be hosting a “Back the Pack” food drive August 2226, so people can drop off food items as a kickoff to the school year. It costs approximately $100 to feed a child for a year, so you can “adopt” a child, or several students. You can place one of our posters at your place of employment, etc. It has a QR code on it, and people can donate to the program via the code. You can find us online at www.northlandsrescuemission.org or mail a donation to: Northlands Rescue Mission, 420 Division Ave, Grand Forks, ND 58201. For information on how you can help, contact Korrin at 701-772-6600, ext. 215, or korrin@jointhemission.org.

What other programs does the Northlands Rescue Mission have to help feed the community? At Northlands Rescue Mission, our new tag line is “More than just a shelter.” We provide three meals a day for our clients. We provide 2 meals a day to the public-at-large. Since the start of the pandemic, those meals have been served via takeout containers out the door of the Mission. Last year over 14,400 meals were served. We also have a food pantry and a mobile food pantry. We used to open our pantry for 1 ½ hours, twice a week. Now we are open Monday through Friday 10am-4pm and Wednesday 10am7pm. We also go out to locations in town, and in a four-county region, with our mobile food pantry. Not everyone is able to get to a pantry, or get food from the pantry, to their home. We take our pantry from the Canadian border through Pembina, Walsh, Grand Forks, and Nelson counties. We work hard to make a difference. G

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Health & Fitness // Photos by Manstrom Photography

Running for Community From Shoes to Volunteer Work, Richard Dafoe of See Dick Run Wants to Share His Passion for Running By Marla DeFoe

Richard “Dick” Dafoe has always had a passion for running. He grew up in

Grand Forks and ran cross country in high school. While on a trip with his team, his coach took him to a special running shop in Saint Paul, Minnesota. “It was like the clouds parted and the choir sang,” Dafoe said. “I never knew there were specialty stores for runners like me.” After graduating from high school, Dafoe went to the University of Iowa, where he received his teaching degree. He moved back to Grand Forks in 2008, where he taught middle school and coached cross country and track. After a few years, he realized something was missing. “I coached cross country, I coached track, I ran every day, and I taught. One of those things didn’t fit,” he said. So he sat down with his wife Becky, and formulated a plan to start a running store. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without her blessing,” he said. She even came up with the idea for the store name, See Dick Run. The store is a fun play on the See Dick and See Jane books. “She came up with the idea because, almost daily, she would hear from a friend or neighbor who told her they had seen me running.” See Dick Run initially opened in 2014 on the south end of Grand Forks. The store moved to its current downtown location 1.5 years ago. Dafoe is very happy with the move. “Moving to downtown has helped us become a center of the community,” he said. “We see a lot more foot traffic, as more people wish to shop local and support local family businesses.”

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Health & Fitness //

Community is very important to Dafoe. “We aren’t just a running store,” he said. “We see each person who walks in the door as a person, not just a customer.” His goal is to continue to build relationships and a sense of belonging. “We love running, and we want others to love running as well. Our motto is ‘Where Life and Running Intersect’.” His clientele includes anyone from middle school kids just getting into running, all the way to 90-year-old customers with foot pain. As I sat in the store chatting with Dafoe and petting his dog Winnie, I watched as he greeted customers by name, asked about their families, and laughed and joked like old friends. Service and expertise are what sets the team at See Dick Run apart from other shoe stores. “We see people from every walk of life, and we are able to help them address issues with everything from foot shape, to gait, to foot pain.” There are treadmills at the store, so the employees at See Dick Run can analyze how a person runs or walks, and find them the correct shoes to fit their needs. “In a lot of ways, we are an extension of a doctor’s office,” Dafoe says. The team at See Dick Run includes Dafoe, full-time staff member Adam, who has been with the store since it first opened, as well as part time employees, Cassidy and Matt. And of course, the friendly greeter Winnie, who runs up to every person as they walk into the store, tail wagging and tongue out, just waiting for a pat on the head. See Dick Run hosts group runs on Thursday evenings, ending with drinks and food at Rhombus Brewing. “It’s a fun way to get together as a running community,” he said. “It’s more of a social event than a workout.” The runs are open to all skill levels, including people who just wish to walk. “It’s about coming together and having fun,” said Dafoe. “Without community, why do we live here?” The team at See Dick Run is also very involved in other races and run events throughout the area. “We help with as many races as possible,” he said. “We do everything from helping to organize races, to timing, to donating gift cards and prizes to runners.” Dafoe has a way of making you feel at ease, and a little excited to strap on some shoes and take a jog. So I asked 38 GRAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // ISSUE 2 2022

him what advice he has for someone who wants to start running. “Too many people go into it with no idea of how to avoid injury,” he said. “As an adult, it’s important to understand that you need a slow transition into running.” His advice? Come to See Dick Run, have a gait analysis done, and get a pair of well-fitting shoes. “It may seem complex and overwhelming, but it’s what we do,” he said. “A good pair of shoes is so important to a runner’s health, and we are happy to help.” G GrandLifestyleMagazine.com

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Plains Chiropractic & Acupuncture

At Plains Chiropractic & Acupuncture we see you as an individual with a unique set of needs, and we view chiropractic care as a system of health care that can help you reach improved levels of wellbeing. Allow our combination of experience, evidence-based care, and collaborative mindset help you reach your health goals. 3750 32nd Ave. South Suite #103 Grand Forks, ND 58201 701-775-1034 PlainsChiropractic.com

ArtFest 2023 June 10 & 11, 2023

Hosting artists and artisans, food vendors, and entertainers ArtFest offers two full days of art, food, family activities and youth art projects, live entertainment and more. With a wide variety of quality exhibits, and hosting up to 20 food vendors, ArtFest caters to more than 30,000 art lovers and festival goers from around the region. Contact us to reserve space for 2023. University Park Grand Forks, ND www.publicartnd.org/artfest info@publicartnd.org

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