Her Voice Magazine - Summer 2021 by Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal

By Women. For Women. About Women.

A Brainerd Dispatch Publication

Perspective THE ROAD TO

MACHU PICCHU

Summer 2021

PLUS!

+ Laughter: It’s the best medicine

+ Full Body Tight and Tone Park Bench Workout

+ Dreams Really Can Come True

Well

Woman Exam HPV Stress

Management

Sexual Health

Vaccine

birth

Mental control Health An PREGNANCY

Nutrition

nual Exam

exercise

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2 | Her Voice Summer 2021

Dawn M. Hines Personal Banking Officer Baxter Location Family My husband, Donny, and I have been married for 32 years and have made the Lakes Area our home all our lives. Our daughter, Kaitlyn, is married with two children. My older daughter, Jhonna, passed away in 2018 at the age of 33. What was your work journey to where you are now? I started my banking career in 1987 as a teller and worked for local community banks for a number of years. I later became a lender for a mortgage company then owned by current Frandsen banker Chris Boelter. After the real estate crash of 2008, I took a break from banking and worked at the local license bureau for a few years. Then, in 2013 I received a call from Jim Kraft, who was market president of Frandsen Bank at the time and with whom I had worked previously at a different local bank. Frandsen was creating a position for a commercial loan processor and he offered me the job. I joined Frandsen and have performed several roles here since then, including customer service rep, personal banker, CSR supervisor, and now personal banking officer.

Something that might surprise your colleagues? I love to sing karaoke! I used to sing for weddings and funerals. Favorite part of your job? I love meeting new people and developing relationships, and that is a big factor that drew me to Frandsen Bank, where strong relationships with our customers is a core value. I have always loved helping people, and now I am able to help them reach their financial goals. I feel that I can make a difference in my customers’ lives through my role as an advisory banker. What do you like most about the company you work for? Frandsen is a larger bank with a small-town feel—in short, we are big enough to help but small enough to care. I especially appreciate the company culture and mission of determining needs, developing relationships, and delivering solutions. When you are not at work, what are you doing? My husband and I keep busy raising money for our favorite causes—the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics every winter and the Minnesota Teen and Adult Challenge Fishing Tournament every summer. The rest of the time, you can find us fishing, bowling, or playing cornhole!

Frandsen Bank and Trust 35470 Co Rd 3, Crosslake, MN | 218.692.2455 24110 Smiley Rd, Nisswa, MN | 218.963.3316 7429 Excelsior Rd, Baxter, MN | 218.855.1320 Her Voice Summer 2021 | 3

HER VOICE

MY VOICE

By women. For women. About women. PUBLISHER

Pete Mohs ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Susie Alters Eller

SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR/ COPY EDITOR

DeLynn Howard

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Sara Slaby

PHOTOGRAPHER

Joey Halvorson BY DELYNN HOWARD

Next Issue of Her Voice: Fall/Winter 2021 - publishes Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal: October 2021 You can also find Her Voice Magazine in over 100 Discover Rack locations in the area or read it online at:

www.BrainerdDispatch.com (Magazine Rack Tab) Advertising: (218) 855-5895 Advertising@BrainerdDispatch.com Comments/story ideas:

218-855-5850

delynn.howard@brainerddispatch.com Mail: ATTN: Her Voice Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN 56401

Summer is here and life is finally getting back to a version of normal. It’s been quite a journey, hasn’t it? If there’s one thing I’ve gained the last 18 months, it’s perspective. I took too many things for granted — seeing people’s smiles, hugging friends, eating at restaurants, going to movies, my daughter being able to attend school with her friends, and of course, the list goes on. Jan Kurtz has been on her own incredible journey during this pandemic. She lost her mom and is now faced with the task of going through years and years of things, not only her mother’s but from her deceased father, too. She tells the story of Civil War bullets and vintage postcards and what does a person do with the leftover stuff? A new writer to Her Voice, Theresa Jarvela had a dream as a little girl to own a horse. She never gave up on that dream and shares her story of Babe. Gail Clifford shares her perspective with us on her trip to Machu Picchu with her daughter. We also get to hear Maggie Schilling’s perspective on becoming a surrogate mother for a couple struggling to conceive. What a beautiful and unselfish thing to do — an extraordinary gift for sure. Sue Ready offers us some summer recipes from garden to table and Julie VandePutte shows us how we can do a workout using a park bench, exercises for beginners or those with more experience. Once again, this issue is full of stories and photos of amazing women right here in the Brainerd lakes area. Besides those already mentioned, this magazine also contains stories about an author, a passionate wool felter, a dedicated day care provider and a brave woman who decided to share her story about her struggle with depression. Hearing about other women’s successes and struggles really puts things in perspective.

I’m so thankful I get to have a small part in telling their stories.

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CONTENTS

Summer 2021

My Voice It’s all about perspective 4 By DeLynn Howard

Her Story Civil War Bullets and Vintage Postcards 12 By Jan Kurtz

Her Career Leave the road; take the trails 20

Her Passion Wool needle felting: More than just a hobby By Sara Schroeder Sara Schroeder, new to Her Voice, describes how she stumbled upon a wool needle felting kit online and ordered it. It became something more than a hobby for her.

Her Health

On the cover— Gail Clifford, right, stands next to her daughter, Jackie. The two were on a mother/daughter adventure, a Machu Picchu photography expedition. Submitted photo.

Living with Depression and Finding the Rainbow 24

Her Travels

By Sue Ready

By Sue Smith-Grier

Her Health An extraordinary gift 32 By Sheila Helmberger

Her Career After more than 40 years doing day care, Stumvoll steps into retirement 36 By Sheila DeChantal

30 Her Table

Recipes from the garden to the table Caprese, Tortellini, and Galette

Perspective: The Road to Machu Picchu 42 By Gail Clifford Machu Picchu wasn’t on Gail Clifford’s bucket list but she ended up gaining a lot of perspective on the trip while traveling with her daughter, Jackie.

By Sue Ready

For Her

Her Lifestyle

Her Story

Laughter: It’s the best medicine 7

Full Body Tight and Tone Park Bench Workout 16

Dreams Really Can Come True 40

By Michelle Oie Columnist Michelle Oie has a joke for us. “What do you call a snarky criminal falling down the stairs?” To find out the punch line, turn to page 7.

By Julie VandePutte Exercise can be done anywhere and Julie VandePutte proves it in her step-by-step visual demonstration which is perfect for beginners or those with more experience.

By Theresa Jarvela A story of a little girl with a dream.

6 | Her Voice Summer 2021

Laughter IT’S THE

FOR HER + laughter

BEST MEDICINE BY MICHELLE OIE

id you know that after giving up on being a nanny, Mary Poppins moved to Beverly Hills to become a fortune teller? She reads your future not by looking at the lines on your palm but by smelling your breath. They call her the Super-California-Mystic-Expert-Halitosis. Every single morning I get hit by the same bike. It’s a vicious cycle. What do you call a snarky criminal falling down the stairs? A condescending con descending. Did you hear about the short psychic who escaped from prison? She was a small medium at large. Aren’t these great? When I first read these on my daily pun calendar, I laughed out loud. Some folks don’t care much for pun jokes but I love them (the jokes). I think my pun love is hereditary because my dad is a pun master. I grew up with “The Three Stooges,” “The Far Side,” “Seinfeld,” “Frasier” and “Looney Tunes” as my go-tos for a good chuckle. #Ilovethe80s Laughing is fun. Especially when I’ve laughed so long and so hard that tears start rolling down my face, my cheek and stomach muscles start to fatigue and it’s a bit hard to breathe. What’s best is the look on people’s faces as they watch me laugh which makes me laugh even more! I feel great after a good laugh. Laughter is contagious, too. Have you seen that video where a guy starts laughing on a public transit bus and soon after everyone on the bus is laughing? It’s awesome. It’s said that laughter is the best medicine but did you know that’s actually true? Minnesota’s own Mayo Clinic says there are short-term and long-term benefits to laughter.

SHORT-TERM BENEFITS

• A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can: • Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. • Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling. • Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS

Laughter isn't just a quick pick-me-up, though. It's also good for you over the long term. Laughter may: • Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.

• Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people. • Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier. I knew laughter could reduce stress, but it can fight illness, pain, depression and anxiety? Wow! And the best part is, you can have as much of this medicine as you want and it’s free. I don’t enjoy feeling bad physically or emotionally so I do everything I can to enjoy life’s natural highs. I try to make others feel good (keyword “try”) with uplifting written notes or texts, surprises or parties. I watch my weight and what I eat and drink. I get outside for fresh air and I try to find humor in what life throws at me. I admit I can go days or weeks without laughing, but when I do have an encounter that tickles my funny bone, it’s like water to a dried-up, dehydrated plant. When was the last time you laughed? I don’t mean smiled or chuckled, but really belly laughed? Was it because of a show, person or event? Try to position yourself for being able to laugh as much as you can because not only are you brightening up your day and potentially living longer because of it, you are positively impacting other people’s lives and that is what makes the world better for us all.

• Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.

Michelle Oie is an inspirational speaker, blogger, coach, freelance writer and soon-to-be author whose passion is helping people find their unique life purpose. She loves Jeep Wranglers, peanut butter and hitting all green lights driving through Brainerd. Learn more at www.michelleoie.com.

Her Voice Summer 2021 | 7

HER PASSION + felting

WOOL NEEDLE FELTING:

MORE THAN JUST A HOBBY 8 | Her Voice Summer 2021

BY SARA SCHROEDER | PHOTOS BY JOEY HALVORSON

innesota winters can be long when you are retired and don’t take part in any outdoor cold weather activities. So, what a better time than to try my hand at a new craft?

Sara Schroeder stands next to a shelf filled with her crafting wares at the Gallery of New Creations store in Longville.

February 2018 found me with time on my hands with a newly retired spouse and missing my grandchildren since recently having moved seven hours away from them. I decided a new craft might be a fun way to fill the time, so I started looking online. I am not sure if I was searching on Pinterest or Etsy for craft ideas, but that’s where I look for new ideas now. I stumbled upon wool needle felting and it looked fairly simple, so I decided the best thing to do was to order a kit. I looked on Amazon for a simple wool felting kit and found a cute fox kit. I excitedly awaited its arrival and when I received it, I followed the instructions exactly as they were printed. But when it was finished, it looked nothing like it was supposed to. It looked more like a scary cat, then a fox, let alone a cute one. Frustrated, but not ready to give up, I ordered some wool in different shades of green, some needles and a pad to needle felt on. Since my town of Longville is said to be the Turtle Race Capital of the World, I thought a turtle might be fun to try and it had to be easier than the fox. To my surprise, it turned out that just looking at some-

continued on page 10

ADVENTURES for every member of the family!

www.isd181.org (218) 454-6924 Her Voice Summer 2021 | 9

continued FROM page 9 one else’s wool needle felted turtle online, was enough for me to copy and create my own, somewhat cute, turtle. It became a fun obsession — to take a pile of wool, stab it over and over again and watch it take shape. I became so quick at creating turtles, that I easily made over 10 in one day. I then went on to make brown bears, teddy bears, red pick-up trucks with pine trees, owls, dogs, cats and unicorns. Then I asked a couple friends if I could practice by creating their pet dogs into wool felted creatures from photos they shared with me. They actually turned out pretty good. My friends loved them and even asked to purchase them from me. I have gone on to create about 10 more to date. I have tried to create cats, but they seem to turn out more comical than realistic. There is a gallery in my small town called Gallery of New Creations where lo10 | Her Voice Summer 2021

cal artists are welcome to rent a spot to share their crafts. I have sold quite a few items there. It’s been fun to challenge myself with other wool felted pieces, such as dollhouse chairs, pillows, and even Barbie doll-sized babies. My latest wool felting was an elephant that had very short legs and a crooked trunk. It was still fun to make. I learn each time I create a new piece. I have discovered Hello Kitty is actually fairly easy to make and I even wool felted her dress and hair bow. I have found a few wool needle felting groups online to join. Some are very intimidating as the pieces are magnificent and highly detailed. I have also learned there are many different types of wool to use for felting, depending on how you want the finished piece to look. Merino wool is the most common and

what I started out using. I have since learned it is best for adding on details and a core wool is better for creating size to your piece and then adding merino or another type of wool to the outside of your project. Then there are the needles — so many different types with different jobs. Some are thicker and leave small dents in your piece by pushing the wool into itself. Then there are some that pull the wool back out with the needle probes that cause a furry look to your piece. The 40-gauge needle is a fine one for detail work and getting a nice, neat surface. The thinner the needle, the lighter the felting, as in you won’t see the dents or dips into the wool. There is something very exciting about creating an animal, a character or even a simple shape out of a blob of wool. Needle wool felting helps get rid of stress and can be a great way for releasing anger, by stabbing the wool, over and over

ABOVE: Sara Schroeder displays some of her tools for her wool felting hobby. Submitted photo. Some of Sara Schroeder's felting items are for sale at the Gallery of New Creations in Longville.

GET YOUR SUMMER BLONDE ON

again. It helped me get through a rough family time in 2018. I have learned to try to relax my shoulders, arms and wrists while felting though. It can leave you with some sore muscles.

Sara Schroeder is an author, artist, Christian life coach and forgiveness mentor for women. She was recently hired as the children’s art teacher for the nonprofit, Longville Lakes Arts Alliance. She is a self taught wool felt needle artist since 2018, and creates everything from wool felted turtles and bears to replicas of people’s pets. She sells her art online and also at The Gallery of New Creations in Longville, where she and her husband, Kirk live. They have two grown sons. Their oldest son, Andrew, his wife, Brandy, and their three grandchildren, live in Walker. Their youngest son, Bryce, is a captain in the United States Army and currently lives in Texas, but comes to visit as often as he can.

24719 Hazelwood Dr, Nisswa 218.961.0095 www.bellecheveuxnisswa.com Her Voice Summer 2021 | 11

HER STORY + vintage

ABOVE: Kurtz says “the little winged pin delegated to my Grandma Nellie during World War II for scanning the northern Illinois skies in case of incoming Japanese bombers (yes, there was such a job), is guarded with Great-Great-Grandma Amanda’s wedding ring.” RIGHT: “Without the label, I would have thrown them to the landscape rocks but now, I am holding history,” Kurtz says of her father’s Civil War bullets found 1938 in Tennessee. Submitted photo.

CIVIL WAR

BULLETS

BY JAN KURTZ | SUBMITTED PHOTOS

AND VINTAGE POSTCARDS

or some, the death of an elder family member is recent. For others, it’s been years since the loved one passed. Regardless, someone is left with the task of distributing their lifetime of earthly goods. Early or late, this mission must be accomplished. We gaze into the mirror of genetics, startled to see our mother’s reflection staring back. Then, we survey the treasure trove of genealogy laid before us. What are we going to do with all this stuff? We have inherited our faces and the family heirlooms.

12 | Her Voice Summer 2021

My parents downsized when they moved out of their home of 48 years. Despite selling Dad’s stamps, coins and gun collections, Mom and I were left with vintage postcards, scrapbooks from Auntie Wilma’s teaching days in the oneroom schoolhouse, and . . . what’s this? I open a two-inch square wooden box and gaze at three metal nuggets, two flattened and one shaped like a tiny rocket. The yellowing label with my father’s handwriting identifies them as Civil War bullets, Tennessee, found 1938. Without the label, I would have thrown them to the landscape rocks but now, I am holding history. Wasn’t it enough of a struggle to sort through dainty doilies and patchwork quilts whose every square reminded Dad of its origin? “This gray wool came from my father’s winter pants and these pinstripe pieces used to be my college jacket,” he’d recall, thus catapulting scrap cloth into family stories circa 1910. Can’t give that away. The slippery slope between stuff and sentimentality slows the sorting. This dissemination of a lifetime falls between house cleaning and an archeological dig. “My kitchen gadgets and linens can go to the Bolton Refuge House,” Mom helpfully suggested. It wasn’t until after her death that I discovered Sofas for Soldiers, donating wigs for cancer patients and hearing

aid recycling. But, the little winged pin delegated to my Grandma Nellie during

World War II for scanning the northern Illinois skies in case of incoming Japanese

continued on page 14

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continued FROM page 13 bombers (yes, there was such a job), is guarded with GreatGreat-Grandma Amanda’s wedding ring. Dating from 1905, Nellie’s name was penciled on postcards, chiding her for not writing, inviting her to dances, and asking if she’d help clean the church. There were flowery ones with poems from Grandpa, but the messages lacked romance. These hint of family character, and now represent period art plus collectible penny stamps. When Mom died, it fell to me to empty her condo. Due to Covid, the usual work of packing dishes, dispersal of heirlooms, donations, and sorting did not include rafts of helpers. I pulled sweet grass baskets from the ceiling ledge and lined up pickle crocks on the floor. I pondered generations of pioneers building up homesteads, then leaving their hand-crafted rockers and spinning wheels to their adult children still occupying the family farm. That made sense. But now? A few generations out, are we expected to keep those and the curio cabinet full of salt cellars and 1898 World’s Fair Ruby glass? “Back then, the people used the china, the embroidered tablecloths and the good silver on Sundays,” explained yet another consignment store owner. “Today, nobody wants the gravy carafe or leaded crystal pitcher.” However, when mere oatmeal cookies morphed into “Grandma Nellie’s oatmeal cookies,” we cherish the tattered recipe card. And, what’s in here? I lift the lid on the dinged-up tin picnic basket she used to carry meals for Grandpa’s bridge building crew and find. . . a dozen diaries. As a writer, I scan each page hoping for stories. Like the postcards, I don’t find romance. I discovered how much she charged for eggs while supplementing their WWII income. She joined other women sewing quilts for new brides. Babies were born. Some died. Snow piles buried the railroad cars. The tracks were cleared by scores of shoveling men. Gas ration cards were tucked between the pages. Do I keep these mementos for the yet unborn future family genealogists? Is this baggage or cherished family lore? Am I a 14 | Her Voice Summer 2021

Kurtz has been challenged with going through her deceased parents' things, trying to decide what to keep and what to donate. Items like this patchwork quilt whose every square reminded her dad of its origin. She recalls his saying, "This gray wool came from my father’s winter pants and these pinstripe pieces used to be my college jacket,” and thus determining she can’t give that away.

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MINNESOTA TOP ATTORNEY 12 YEARS RUNNING guardian or a hoarder? Oh wait! Back home, I have 50-some journals – ranging from elementary school, through college, to marriage – oh, dear, some romance! I better do my own culling! Never mind the myriad photograph albums. Thankfully my predecessors only had a fist-full of dower family pictures, unlike our spewing of digital selfies. Will future generations view us as narcissistic cads, blotting out the Grand Canyon with our heads? I’m in my fourth month of sorting. The Chippewa Historical Society took Mom’s wedding dress. An aspiring young artist was delighted to get my vintage baby cards. The 1835 German Bible still needs someone who understands German but, the Civil War bullets? Just a week after I mailed them to an enthusiastic collector, my daughterin-law mentioned that her mom might be interested.

Jan’s roots are in the north country, but Spanish continues to add extra dimensions to her life’s journey. Since retiring from teaching Spanish, her travels cycle between family, the Wisconsin cabin and the occasional foray across borders. She is writing a book about the surprising places and unexpected adventures opened to her by virtue of speaking Spanish. Find her writings at: www.janetkurtz.com.

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HER LIFESTYLE + workouts

FULL BODY

TIGHT AND TONE PARK BENCH WORKOUT AND PHOTOS BY JULIE VANDEPUTTE

WORKOUT

he weather is getting nice and sunny so it’s time to take your workout outside. And let’s be honest, after a long cooped up winter, we can all use a little vitamin D. Grab your toddler (or borrow someone’s if you don’t have one) and your tennis shoes and let’s get moving. But if Mother Nature is denying you that added pleasure of getting outside, just find anything resembling a bench to complete this same workout — whether it

be a coffee table, firm sofa, weight room bench, etc. Warm-up 3-5 minutes before starting the workout. You can do a combination of different moves like jumping jacks, march/jog in place, arm circles forward/back and squats. Perform each strength move for 12-15 reps and each cardio move for 30 seconds with a 10-15 second rest between each. Beginner/intermediate do 1-2 sets, intermediate 2-3 sets.

CIRCUIT

STRENGTH - SINGLE LEG SQUAT

BEGINNER

Sit on the bench with one leg bent and one leg straight with your heel touching the ground. Raise up off the bench until you are at a full standing position remembering to maintain good posture. Reverse the motion lowering yourself back down to a seated position on the bench. Repeat this 12-15 times before switching legs and completing 12-15 more. For beginners, start in a full standing position and lower yourself down toward the bench, but return back up to a full standing position before making contact with the bench.

CARDIO

Perform jumping jacks or side/side step touch for 30 seconds before moving on to the next strength exercise.

16 | Her Voice Summer 2021

STRENGTH - INCLINE PUSH-UPS

Get into a pushup position with both hands firmly placed on the edge of the bench and engage your core. Complete 12-15 inclined pushups by keeping your body in a straight line as you bend your arms and lower your upper body until your elbows form a 90-degree angle. Return to the starting plank position and repeat. For beginners, use the backrest of the bench vs. the seat to decrease the range of motion. BEGINNER

CARDIO

Perform running high knees or march in place for 30 seconds before moving on to the next strength exercise.

STRENGTH - STEP UP

Begin by stepping one foot up onto the bench and tightening your core. Pull your back leg up and bring your knee up as high as you can while maintaining good balance and good posture. Return the same leg that is raised to your chest back to the ground and repeat 12-15 times. Switch the foot that is on the bench and complete 12-15 step ups on the opposite side. For beginners, perform each exercise with both feet flat on the ground bringing the back leg up so the knee is at hip height and return back down.

continued on page 18

PLAY A GAME

THAT DOESN’T INCLUDE

A REMOTE

WELCOME CHANGE

BEGINNER

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continued FROM page 17 Here is a breakdown of the workout.

PARK BENCH WORKOUT Warm-up 3-5 minutes before starting the workout. You can do a combination of different moves like jumping jacks, march/jog in place, arm circles forward/back, and squats. Perform each strength move for 12-15 reps and each cardio move for 30 seconds with a 10-15 second rest between each. Beginner/intermediate do 1-2 sets, intermediate 2-3 sets.

CARDIO

Perform a simulated jump rope or march in place for 30 seconds before moving on to the next strength exercise.

CIRCUIT: STRENGTH • Single leg squat, right CARDIO • Jumping jacks or step touch STRENGTH • Single leg squat, left CARDIO • Jumping jacks or step touch STRENGTH • Incline push-ups CARDIO • High knees or march in place STRENGTH • Step up, right

BEGINNER

CARDIO • Jump rope STRENGTH • Step up, left CARDIO • Jump rope or step touch STRENGTH • Step up, right CARDIO • Jump rope or step touch STRENGTH • Triceps dips CARDIO • Jump rope heel taps or step touch STRENGTH • Single leg lunge, right CARDIO • Mountain climber or running man march

STRENGTH

Single leg lunge, left

CARDIO • Mountain climber or running man march

Julie VandePutte has more than 20 years of experience working in the health and fitness industry and is dedicated to helping people achieve their health and fitness goals and be the best versions of themselves. She has two professional certifications through Athletic and Fitness Association of America in Group Fitness Instruction and Personal Fitness Trainer in addition to having a bachelor of science degree in Corporate Fitness and Wellness from Ferris State University. Her goal is to inspire, motivate and hold her clients accountable to reaching their health and fitness goals by engaging with them both in person and in her online community. As a single dog mom, busy professional and lover of all things food, Julie understands first hand how hard it can be to keep your health and fitness on track. She uses her training and education along with tips, tricks, and hacks to help others achieve health and fitness goals.

18 | Her Voice Summer 2021

STRENGTH - TRICEPS DIPS

Begin by sitting on the bench and place your hands firmly on the edge. Place your feet as far away from you as is comfortable to bring your body forward into an imaginary chair. Bend your arms to lower your body until your elbows reach a 90-degree angle. Then straighten your arms back to the starting position. Repeat 12-15 tricep dips. Remember to pull your elbows straight back, not out to the sides. The farther away your feet are the more difficult this exercise will become. For beginners, focus on raising/lowering yourself up off the bench until you can progress to a full dip.

CARDIO

Perform a simulated jump rope heel tap or marching heel tap in place for 30 seconds before moving on to the next strength exercise.

STRENGTH - SINGLE LEG LUNGE

Place one foot up onto the bench with the other leg as far ahead you as is comfortable. Place your hands on your hips. Raise up onto the toes of your back leg and dip your knee down to the ground. Remember to maintain good posture. Lift your body back up by straightening your front leg. Repeat this 12-15 times before switching legs and completing 12-15 more.

BEGINNER

CARDIO - MOUNTAIN CLIMBER

Get into a pushup position with both hands firmly placed on the edge of the bench and engage your core. Bring one knee to your chest and quickly replace it. Follow this with rapid movement bringing the opposite knee toward your chest and replacing it. Think of it as stationary running, or climbing an imaginary horizontal mountain. For beginners, you can start with a marching running man. March in place while alternating straight arms up/down. Beginner/intermediate do 1-2 sets; intermediate do 2-3 sets. Cool down and stretch 3-5 minutes after completing the work out paying special attention to any muscles that might be sore or tight. And don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back, you did a great job. Do this workout a few times a week and you’ll feel stronger and more toned in no time. And don’t be surprised if you run into me sometime on a park bench in your neighborhood.

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Her Voice Summer 2021 | 19

HER CAREER + trails

LEAVE THE ROAD; TAKE THE

TRAILS BY SUE READY | PHOTOS BY JOEY HALVORSON

ocal resident Julie Jo Larson is a writer, story catcher, public speaker and professionally trained social worker. She’s the assistant director of TRIO Student Support Services at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

20 | Her Voice Summer 2021

“It’s an accumulation of 30-plus years wandering the region. From travels with my husband and children in the early 1990s to MsStorian adventures preCOVID-19, I have unknowingly been gathering information for years.” — Julie Jo Larson

The book cover of Julie Jo Larson's book, "100 Things to do in Minnesota Northwoods Before You Die." Submitted photo.

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Even though Julie Jo Larson is a busy author, she still has time for her chickens. “I love my work with students who are first generation, low income or who have disabilities,” Larson said. Living in rural Brainerd is the perfect setting for one of Larson’s hobbies — raising chickens. Her dog Kyra keeps a careful watch over the brood. “I have six chickens right now. Beaky is my rooster. Maude, Rose, Barack, Harriett and Oreo are egg laying hens. They are small chickens, not for eating. Their eggs are cute and very rich,” Larson explained.

continued on page 22

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continued FROM page 21

TOP TO BOTTOM: Julie Jo Larson holds her chicken, Maude, in the coop. Two of Julie Jo Larson’s chickens, Oreo and Rose, enjoy a piece of watermelon in the yard. Barack and Harriet enjoy a summertime treat in Julie Jo Larson’s yard. 22 | Her Voice Summer 2021

When not writing, another of Larson’s hobbies is mining for amethyst in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Over the years she has made several trips there. It’s all part of her fascination with all the elements of nature, old abandoned buildings and cemeteries. She will tell you “it’s not a morbid fascination but historical in nature. It’s a way to learn volumes about people, places and events.” On Larson’s bucket list for summer is panning for gold in the Dakotas. Larson’s adventurous spirit and inquisitiveness has led her to delve into the lake country’s rich history uncovering missing pieces and solving mysteries. With her like-minded women’s group called MsStorian which includes Yvonne Doust, Leigh Melby and Vicki Foss, they’ve made important grave site discoveries in an abandoned black cemetery in Wealthwood Township, near rural Aitkin. Larson considers it an honor for the Star Tribune paper to publish a recent article documenting MsStorian discoveries in the Black Cemetery. Over the years the MsStorian have traveled together in search of history, fun and flavorful beverages. In fact, their adventures are legendary as well as their stories, which have regularly appeared in regional magazines as “MsStorian Adventures.” Due to schedules, illnesses and COVID-19, the group currently has put their adventures on hold. Past events and people’s stories fuel Larson’s writing. She has found the Brainerd area to be a thriving literary community. A plethora of opportunities exist to support her writing which include: Blue Cottage Agency workshops, Candace Simar classes, Crossing Arts Alliance, Lakes Area Writer’s Alliance and Five Wings Arts Council. Four years ago Larson started giving presentations to service organizations, genealogy clubs and historical societies. Topics center on Crow Wing cemeteries and Brainerd lakes history. Larson’s strong desire to travel and explore the world beyond was the impetus for her debut book, ‘’100 Things to Do in Minnesota Northwoods Before You Die,” published by Reedy Press. She feels “it’s an accumulation of 30-plus years wandering the region. From travels with my husband and children in the early 1990s

to MsStorian adventures pre-COVID-19, I have unknowingly been gathering information for years.” Larson took a leap of faith and went out of her comfort zone to write this travel book. And what an amazing feat this was accomplishing it all in the middle of a pandemic. Larson considers her book “a celebration of the Minnesota Northwoods. It can be considered a bucket list, a tour guide and even a cure for cabin fever for residents and visitors alike.” Larson noted her book is unique since few travel books and travel bucket lists are being published right now, especially for the Northwoods, Duluth, Brainerd and Bemidji areas. She found publishing this book a gratifying experience with the support of family and her mother and mother-in-law who were mentors during the process. The book became a yearlong project from start to finish in 2020. Larson, with

her fellow MsStorian Vicki Foss, main photographer, donned masks, armed themselves with hand sanitizers and set out to lay the groundwork for the book. Completing all the needed information during a pandemic did pose some challenges. There were COVID closings, travel restrictions, and some places were not answering their phones. At times Larson had to rely on websites, pamphlets and tourism outlets to fill in the missing pieces. The book is written in a conversational tone. The narrative uses concise words for readers to follow five clearly marked bolded sections: Food and Drink, Music and Entertainment, Sports and Recreation, Culture and History, Shopping and Fashion. It might surprise you to learn right in Pine River there is an alpaca farm and in a little known section of the Chippewa National Forest, there is

an area for hiking called The Lost Forty. A mailing address, phone number and an email address for contact purposes is included for each destination. Interspersed throughout the book are helpful traveling tips, how to navigate a particular destination upon arrival, food and beverage recommendations and a few personal anecdotes. Carefully crafted suggested itineraries and indoor and outdoor activities divided by the season can be found at the back of the book. There’s no shortage of activities and sights to fill your itinerary no matter what the season. Truly there is something for everyone. Julie Jo Larson’s book encourages wanderlust, and to explore the world beyond one’s backyard. So grab your copy of “100 Things to Do in Minnesota Before You Die” and get a move on. This is the land of 10,000 lakes and home of Paul Bunyan. Adventure awaits!

Sue Ready is a freelance writer, poet, food writer, book reviewer and former middle school teacher. She is the president of the Northwoods Arts Council in Hackensack and one of the chairs for the Annual August Northwoods Art and Book Festival. Sue blogs at http://sockfairies.blogspot.com with recipes, up north living and travel adventures. Her book reviews are posted on Facebook under EverReady Book Reviews and on her blog.

Her Voice Summer 2021 | 23

HER HEALTH + depression

LIVING WITH

DEPRESSION

AND FINDING THE RAINBOW BY SUE SMITH-GRIER | SUBMITTED PHOTOS

ome people look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Some people know that the storms will blow over and the rainbow will appear. Others endure overcast clouds, storms, invisible storms, dark skies within and they wonder, they hope and pray that there is a rainbow and that someday it will appear. Such was the case for Jodie Dahl and so it is for millions across our nation.

24 | Her Voice Summer 2021

It is easy to believe that in a country of such abundance and affluence, happiness should not be elusive or difficult to attain. The truth is that millions of adult Americans suffer from depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 16 million adults suffer from at least one major depressive episode annually. That is nearly 7% of the population.

DARK CLOUDS EARLY IN LIFE

Among teenagers, about every hour and a half a teen takes their own life. Since the 1990s, teen suicide has been steadily increasing. No one knows why this is happening. For young people, ages 15 to 24 suicide is the third leading cause of death. Before reaching adulthood about 20 percent of American youths experience depression but only about 30 percent are getting the help they need. Jodie’s depression began early in her teens. It was during junior high that she began to feel different. Like so many young people, she was bullied in school and suffered from childhood trauma. The depression accelerated when she went to college, and by 1987, she was hospitalized for the first time. At that time Jodie was a music major at Concordia College in Moorehead. Thanks to the pastor at her college, she was taken to the hospital to receive treatment. She was put on medication to help her cope and stayed there about three weeks. Although her psychiatrist suggested she drop out of college and go to secretarial school — less pressure, Jodie prevailed, finished college with honors and went on to teach music for 15 years. During this time Jodie managed life well. She pursued advanced education and studied for a master’s degree. It was during this time that she relapsed into depression after the death of her grandfather. She battled courageously, going to work, going through the motions but finally depression won out in 2005 and she made the decision to put a halt to her teaching career and entered the hospital once again for three weeks of treatment. She found herself unable to function.

ABOVE: Jodie Dahl and her husband, Del. RIGHT: Jodie experienced some trauma at a very young age. Here she is at age 4.

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Her Voice Summer 2021 | 25

LEFT: Jodie Dahl pushes her two-year-old grandson, Tate, in a swing. BELOW: Jodie Dahl volunteers her time at The Center in Brainerd helping make doughnuts.

continued FROM page 25

BATTLING TO FIND THE RAINBOW

Jodie had a long hard battle in and out of hospitals. She was sent to the Intensive Residential Treatment Services facility in Duluth where she stayed for three months and received dialectical behavior therapy, which is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that tries to identify and change negative thinking patterns and pushes for positive behavioral changes for depression. Life for Jodie got darker before it got better. She was living in Menahga with her husband and kids at the time and felt she needed to return to Brainerd where she had a good support system with doctors and family. In 2011, Jodie’s doctor recommended she attend the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program. For two years she attended and after graduating from it was doing fairly well. “I think that’s when my recovery really started,” she said. “I got a new therapist and a new psychiatrist and I really started working for the first time on really getting better. In 2013 I made a conscious decision that I needed to get better for my family and for myself. I didn’t want to live in that pit of depression and deep dark days when I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t make meals for my family. I missed a lot of my kids’ school functions because I was in bed sleeping.” Altogether, from 1989 until 2013, Jodie was hospitalized for depression 35 times. With each episode, she learned more about herself, depression and anxiety. “I did a lot 26 | Her Voice Summer 2021

Jodie Dahl enjoys spending time with her grandson, Tate.

of research and learned a lot about depression and anxiety. I knew a lot about what was going on with me, but I just didn’t know how to fix myself.

FINDING THE RAINBOW

Individuals battling depression often find themselves in this space of knowing a lot about the dark clouds that hang over them but knowing how to make them go away is elusive. Jodie found her biggest help in the ACT program. The turning point came when she received intensive help from the ACT team. She saw a therapist once a week and a team member came to her house and checked in on her on a daily basis. She received help for daily living and she received help from an Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services worker. Jodie finds that her best days come with routine. She does better during the regimented time during the school year when schedules are set. Summers are harder. She works to make a schedule of daily exercise, meals and other activities in the hope of maintaining her recovery. The biggest obstacle for those who suffer from mental health is getting the help they need. Teachers may be uninformed or may assume a student has a drug or alcohol problem without stopping to consider that depression may be the issue. People going through depression often feel alone because it is a subject seldom discussed. Brainerd has many agencies, doctors and therapists who understand depression and the havoc it creates in the lives of those who suffer from it.

continued on page 29

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LSS COUNSELING CENTER, 218-828-7379

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LAKELAND PSYCHIATRY, 218-828-7394

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28 | Her Voice Summer 2021

continued FROM page 27

SIGNS OF DEPRESSION INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: • Sleeping too much

• Isolating from friends and family • Eating too much • Not eating or not eating enough • Constantly going over thoughts • Apathy • Loss of interest in activities • Mood swings • Sadness When you experience any of these for more than two weeks, you should seek medical help especially if you have thoughts of harming yourself.

THE RAINBOW APPEARS

Jodie was persistent in seeking the help she needed, and she recommends that others do the same. “Find a coping skill,” she said. “Read, journal, some people like to draw, call a friend. Keep looking for something that works and then every time you feel that depression or anxiety coming, use your coping skills to help you overcome your depression. Depression is a serious health issue. As one doctor put it, “If you have diabetes or a heart condition, you aren’t ashamed to get it treated, are you? No. It’s a health issue. Your brain is an organ in your body and things can go wrong. It can get off kilter. Just like your heart or lungs, your brain sometimes gets sick.” Depression is curable. The rainbow exists. Sometimes it just takes a while for it to come out.

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HER TABLE + ingredients

RECIPES FROM THE GARDEN TO THE

TABLE RECIPES AND PHOTOS BY SUE READY

TOMATO, BASIL AND MOZZARELLA CAPRESE BITES Recipe from “Taste of Home” | Makes 12 kebabs.

Cook’s notes:

These appetizers can be made up early in the day before serving and stored in the refrigerator. The basil does wilt a little, but they still look fine. As far as the mozzarella goes, I chose the ciliegine, or cherry-sized, mozzarella balls. Personally I liked using mozzarella balls that are about the same size as the grape tomato, so I tried to match them up in size.

INGREDIENTS: Grape or cherry tomatoes Cherry-size fresh mozzarella marinated cheese balls (deli section) Fresh basil leaves Drizzle of high quality dark balsamic vinegar or chocolate balsamic vinegar Skewers

DIRECTIONS: On each wooden skewer, alternately thread two tomatoes, two cheese balls and two basil leaves. Place on a serving plate. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over kebabs just before serving ***Another serving idea when a mini bite will do. These decorative cupcake holders found at Jo-Ann’s Fabrics are perfect for a small bite. I used a toothpick for each one and threaded on one mozzarella ball, a basil leaf and a grape tomato. Right before serving, a small drizzle of chocolate balsamic was added to the cup. Dark balsamic (good quality) can be used too.

CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH FRESH VEGGIE SALAD AND A BASIL VINAIGRETTE Recipe inspiration from “Southern Living,” July 2019 | Recipe serves 4

Cook’s notes:

For easier serving, prep this recipe a day in advance. Make and refrigerate the vinaigrette in a screw top jar. Dice veggies and cook pasta al dente. Cool pasta and bag separately from veggies. Add arugula right before serving.

SALAD INGREDIENTS: 1 9 oz. package cheese filled tortellini, cooked according to package directions. Rinse and drain. (I used a package mixture of refrigerated spinach and regular tortellini, deli section), 2 cups diced cooked chicken 1 cup each diced cherry tomatoes, cucumber or zucchini, cauliflower or broccoli, carrots 2 cups baby arugula 3 tablespoons toasted pecans or walnuts

DIRECTIONS: Mix salad ingredients and drizzle with dressing right before serving. Top with toasted nuts.

30 | Her Voice Summer 2021

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PUFF PASTRY GALETTE

Recipe serves 4 and was adapted from bakerbynature.com

Cook’s notes:

Galette, a French name, refers to a free-form pie or pastry. Instead of being baked in a pie or tart pan, the edges of the dough are simply folded over the sweet or savory filling. Galettes have a more rustic presentation, can vary greatly in size and are typically easier to prepare. Also known as a crostata (Italy).

INGREDIENTS: 1 puff pastry sheet, thawed 1 large egg 1 tablespoon water 1 cup fresh strawberries, quartered 1 1/2 cups fresh rhubarb, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces 2 teaspoons fresh orange zest 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon or 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar mixed with a little cinnamon (for outside edges of pastry crust)

BASIL VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS: 1/3 cup olive oil 2 1/2 tablespoons good quality white balsamic 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 minced garlic cloves 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1 1/2 teaspoons finely diced shallots Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons fresh basil, diced

DIRECTIONS: Mix all ingredients in a blender except basil. Pour into a small pitcher and stir in basil. Mix well with a whisk and refrigerate until needed.

DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Thaw one sheet of puffed pastry for about 15-20 minutes at room temperature. Once thawed, gently unfold both sides. If it cracks, lightly wet your fingers then gently press the seams back together. Place puffed pastry on a prepared baking sheet. Roll gently to crease out fold lines. In a small bowl combine the egg and water; whisk until well combined and set aside. Slice strawberries and rhubarb. Using a few sheets of paper towels, blot the strawberries and rhubarb, pressing down to remove as much excess moisture as you can without crushing the fruit. In a large bowl combine the chopped fruit, orange zest and vanilla; toss to coat. Add in the flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt, mixing well to evenly combine. Spoon fruit mixture into the center of the puff pastry, leaving a 3-inch border on all sides. Fold pastry edge up and over fruit mixture, overlapping edges as required, but leaving the center uncovered. Brush pastry with egg wash, then sprinkle pastry with remaining cinnamon/sugar mixture. Bake for 24 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbling and the pastry is golden brown. Allow the galette to rest 10 minutes before cutting with a serrated knife. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream. Galette is best eaten warm, the day it’s made.

“He who shares the joy in what he's grown spreads joy abroad and doubles his own.” — Author unknown

Her Voice Summer 2021 | 31

HER HEALTH + gift

AN EXTRAORDINARY

GIFT BY SHEILA HELMBERGER PHOTOS BY JOEY HALVORSON

ne of the greatest marvels of modern times is that families are created in so many ways. And the right person can make the seemingly impossible become a reality for another couple.

Maggie Schilling 32 | Her Voice Summer 2021

Nine years ago, Maggie Schilling was able to do that. When she met her husband, Troy, he had a son. The couple added two more children to their family, another son and a daughter. Maggie and Troy wanted more children of their own, but she says she had thought about becoming a surrogate for a long time, too. “It all kind of fell into place,” she says. “At one of my checkups after my daughter was born, I mentioned to Dr. Uhlman, my OB, that I had been looking into surrogacy and asked her if she knew much about it. I had filled out some applications for some agencies

already, but I hadn’t turned anything in yet. Dr. Uhlman knew a nurse practitioner at Lakewood who was working with a family that were looking for a surrogate.” She contacted the NP and let them know there was someone interested in surrogacy in the area, and the two got us connected.” Pat and Tami had suffered heartbreak in past pregnancies. They had lost a set of twins and she delivered a baby boy that passed away. Doctors told her after an emergency surgery following complications from her last Johnathan pregnancy that they were able to leave (above) and her ovaries to make it possible for her Aundreia (left) to someday use a surrogate. are the son and The two couples talked. They deciddaughter of Tami ed they were a fit. This was a journey and Pat, born they would take together. via surrogacy Most of the agencies Maggie had with the help of talked to had been out of the Twin Maggie Schilling. Cities. “I never really thought about it Submitted being someone local,” she says. “So photos. that was exciting.” Going through one of the other agencies meant the parents could have even been from out of state. Living nearby would allow Tami to accompany Maggie to her doctor appointments and share in every step of the pregnancy. Maggie went to their fertility clinic and had some initial medical tests done. “They had to make sure I was able to carry for them,” she says. The couple paid for a private insurance policy that would cover all of Maggie and the babies’ medical costs. Questionnaires were filled out by the two couples and visits were made together and separately with a psychiatrist. “We were asked about all kinds of issues, including how we each felt As an independent agency, aboutwe abortion if something would be work for you, not an insurance company. We Maggie, can genetically wrong, ” says “It I N S U R A N C E Serving Central Minnesota since 1983 select from over 60 competing was my body but their babies, so we Serving Central Minnesota since 1983 companies to offer the best at the best price. had tocoverage agree on different things.” As an independent agency, hannekeninsurance.com Next, Maggie started Brainerd: on the 218.829.3251 necMinnesota since 1983 Little Falls: 320.632.6592 we work forServing you, notCentral an Pierz: 320.468.6177 I Pine River: 218.587.2722 essary medications and injections to insurance company. We can As an independent agency, agency, we work for I Nyou, S not U an R insurance A N C E an independent help ensure AU TOa successful HOME pregnancy. FARM BUSINESS AsLIFE & HEALTH we work for you, not an select from over 60 competing insurance company. We can I N S U R A N C Serving E “We transferred an embryo they had Central Minnesota since 1983 select from 60 competing company. Weovercan select from over 60 competing companies companies to offer best companies to theoffer the best I N S U R A N C E coverage at the best price. frozen first, but that one didn’t take,” says

THE RIGHT COVERAGE AT THE RIGHT PRICE.

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hannekeninsurance.com hannekeninsurance.com Brainerd: 218.829.3251 Little Falls: 320.632.6592 to offer the best coverage at the best price. coverage at the best price. Maggie. They tried again, using a fresh Brainerd: 218.829.3251 Little 320.632.6592 Pierz: 320.468.6177 I PineFalls: River: 218.587.2722 hannekeninsurance.com egg retrieval and two embryos. Neither Pierz: 320.468.6177 I Pine River: 218.587.2722 Brainerd: 218.829.3251 hannekeninsurance.com Little Falls: 320.632.6592 of those took either. Maggie says a third Serving Central Minnesota since 1983

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AUTO

HOME continued on page 34

HOME

FARM

hannekeninsurance.com Serving Little Falls: 320.632.6592 Pine River: 218.587.2722

BUSINESS

Central Minnesota since 1983

LIFE & HEALTH

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FARM BUSINESS LIFE & HEALTH AUTO HOME FARM BUSINESS LIFE HEALTH | LIFE AUTO | HOME | FARM | BUSINESS & &HEALTH

Her Voice Summer 2021 | 33

Maggie Schilling, far left, is pictured with her family, son Kaden, husband Troy, son Easton, daughter Olivia, son Avery and daughter Brynlee. Schilling gave a local couple an extraordinary gift by agreeing to be a surrogate for them. continued FROM page 33 transferred three embryos successfully. She was pregnant with triplets. “From the beginning we were told one of the embryos might not make it. At the first ultrasound they heard three heartbeats,” says Maggie, “but ‘Baby C’ was not as big as the others and at 12 weeks there were only two.” She was put on bedrest. She says the support of her family was especially important in her decision to become a surrogate. “Thank goodness for my husband and my parents,” she says. “I had two kids at home and my mom 34 | Her Voice Summer 2021

would help with our little ones during the week and take them to daycare. When my husband wasn’t working, they were home with us, but I definitely counted on him,” said Maggie. The day after Thanksgiving Maggie went in for a checkup and had started preterm labor. It would still be 17 weeks before the babies were due. She was put in the hospital for a couple of days and would be in and out until mid-December, when she was admitted until the babies were born. The morning of Dec. 23 at an ultrasound,

Maggie learned she was already dilated to a six. “I was at 31 weeks,” she says. Medical personnel were nervous, but the decision was made to try to fly Maggie and the twins to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in the Twin Cities, where the parents hoped she would deliver. A Minnesota snowstorm had other plans. They made it as far as St. Cloud before having to land. “The parents made it,” says Maggie, “My husband made it.” She landed in St. Cloud at 11 a.m. and around 4 p.m., a baby girl, Aundreia, and a baby boy,

“For me, mentally, being a surrogate was easy. From the beginning, I never felt these were my babies.” — Maggie Shilling Johnathon, were born. Both weighing 4 pounds, 3 ounces. Maggie was discharged the next day and was home with her own family for Christmas. “For me, mentally,” she says, “being a surrogate was easy. From the beginning, I never felt these were my babies. When we talked about them at home with our other children, we always called them Pat and Tami’s babies. The doctors referred to them as their babies. I knew I was doing this for them.” The twins she carried are 9 years old now. She sees photos of them and is still in touch with their mom. Since being a surrogate, Maggie and Troy have added another daughter and a son to their own family. “If you are able to do it, I really don’t think anybody would regret doing it for someone,” she says.

Sheila Helmberger lives in the Brainerd area and is a frequent contributor to Her Voice.

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HER CAREER + retirement

36 | Her Voice Summer 2021

AFTER MORE THAN 40 YEARS DOING DAY CARE,

STUMVOLL STEPS INTO RETIREMENT BY SHEILA DECHANTAL | PHOTOS BY JOEY HALVORSON

hen Penny Stumvoll’s day care license is up for renewal at the end of June 2021, Penny, for the first time in more than four decades, will not be renewing. After 42 years of taking care of between 10 and 12 children in her home at at time, as well as enjoying her connections made through the many hats she has worn through the years, Penny is calling it a wrap. With amazing memories and no regrets, this busy lady is looking forward to the next phase of her life. continued on page 38

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Penny Stumvoll snuggled with her Peruvian granddaughter, Ivanna Stumvoll. Ivanna and her family were here visiting from Peru.

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Her Voice Summer 2021 | 37

continued FROM page 37 When Penny opened a day care in her home in 1979, she had no idea it was going to be the start of a career. “I wanted to be home for my kids until they reached school age,” Penny recalls with a smile. “It was a five-year plan.” Of course, Penny’s Daycare, as she calls her home-based business, did not stop at five years. Penny started to watch her friend’s children as well. “It just became a part of me, as unexpected as that was,” Penny reminisces. “I became licensed right away and ran the day care out of our small home.” At the time, the home that Penny and her husband Brian lived in with their two boys, Rori and Aron, was small and housed the family, as well as the day care. “The boys’ bedroom was the day care playroom during the weekdays. At that time, you did not have all the rules and regulations of running a daycare that you do today. It was tight, but we made it work,” Penny said. In 1991 the family added on to the original house and created a larger living space for the family, allocating the original attached home to become space for the day care only. Penny’s Daycare has offered child care with a focus on educational activities that 38 | Her Voice Summer 2021

aid in key milestone development. She strives to build important skills in the children under her care while providing a safe, caring environment. With a maximum of 10 children, Penny in these later day care years, has several enrolled that are children of those she watched when they were young. “A few of the parents currently with enrolled children at the day care, were once part of this daycare as well.” For 40-plus years, Penny has put in an average of 50 hours a week doing day care. While her schedule was, by anyone’s opinion, full, Penny found in the early years that she missed connecting with other people. Being a lifelong resident of the area, she was used to having strong connections. She joined the Nisswa Women of Today, starting out as a volunteer to work with the sponsors for the Miss Nisswa Pageant Show because it was something she could do from home. At the time she became involved there were about 20 sponsors for the show. Penny assisted in bringing that count to 200 sponsors during her volunteering time. As the years went on, Penny became more involved and throughout this time held all the offices within the Nisswa Women of Today, including the president’s role for many years as well as district di-

rector for six Women of Today chapters, participating in the ways that she was able to, around the day care hours. Penny became involved in the Lakeshore Conservation Club through her mother-inlaw, Nonie. Penny was trying to be helpful by bringing home the clubs’ mailing list that typically sent their members’ newsletters by mail and someone would handwrite all of the addresses on the envelopes. Penny offered to help by putting the names into a spreadsheet to make labels for their mailings that, at the time, was around 100 and currently close to 900. This one act of lending a helping hand led to Penny becoming more involved with this group and eventually joining their board of directors. Among all of her other activities, Penny was also a part of the Nisswa Parks and Recreation board for 10 years, grand marshal for the Nisswa parade, and always found ways to be helpful to her community in her spare time. It came as no surprise to anyone that Penny was nominated as the Nisswa Citizen of the Year in 2011. As Penny looks back over this span of her life and where she has put her time, talent, gifts, and energies, she humbly expresses how important it has been to her to be a humanitarian. Family and commu-

nity have been the big rocks in her life, and she is so grateful for the blessings she had to be involved in both. Four years ago, Penny stopped offering day care on Fridays for a chance to spend time with her sister and plan other things on her three-day weekends. She fondly refers to these Fridays as “Friday Fun Days.” Soon, Penny’s world will open to even more possibilities as she takes the first steps into retirement and she is excited to see what comes next. We are too.

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Pictured from left to right are Penny Stumvoll with some of her daycare children, Bode Owen, Thea Strother, Franklin Mahler, Ivanna Stumvoll, Brighton and Superior Bachman and Gage Bible

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www.isd181.org (218) 454-6900 Sheila DeChantal is an event coordinator, freelance writer and adventure seeker. She loves to plan and execute events that benefit our community. Sheila is the Friends of the Brainerd Public Library president, secretary on the City Library Board and vice president of Camp Benedict, a camp for those infected and affected by the AIDS virus. You can find her writing about life and books at bookjourney. net. In her free time, she enjoys biking, hiking, campfires, time with family and friends and snuggling up to her new grandbaby, Kylie.

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HER STORY + dreams

DREAMS REALLY CAN COME TRUE BY THERESA JARVELA | SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Pictured are a young Theresa and her horse, Babe, by a corral her dad made. Theresa Jarvela and her cousin, Colleen, take a cart ride.

40 | Her Voice Summer 2021

s a child of six years I loved baby dolls, pretty dresses and curly hair, but most of all I loved horses and more than anything desired one for my very own. Second born of 11 children, I remember my father as a builder of additions. Warm summer days I watched him in the backyard carry boards to sawhorses, measure and saw them by hand. I loved watching him work, but to be honest, I had my eye on the sawhorses. When he started pounding nails I would climb onto one of them and suddenly it became my big, black, beautiful stallion. We shared many adventures together, my horse and I, while we traversed creeks, explored green forests and rode with abandon through sunlit canyons. (I watched a lot of westerns as a kid). Wherever I wanted to go, my horse would take me and I loved him. And when Dad needed the sawhorse, I jumped off and galloped around the yard. Not much kept me and my horse from our adventures. As time went on, the desire for a horse of my own grew and set me on a path to achieve my dream. I entered “Name the Horse” contests (always Fury which wasn’t very original). When I didn’t win the first contest, I entered the next one. Then one day I found a catalog that sold ponies. Maybe I could buy one if I saved enough money! Around that time measles came calling and I found myself confined to bed, horse plans on hold. Then one day while headed for recovery, my mother called me into the kitchen. Standing beside her, I wondered why she had summoned me when through the outside door and into the house came my father with a smile on his face, reins in his hand and leading a real live horse. And he said it was mine! Exciting times lay ahead for Babe and me (not sure if Dad or Grandpa named him Babe — he didn’t look like a Fury anyway) but little did I know how exciting those times would prove to be.

Whether or not Babe had been ridden very much was questionable but what wasn’t questionable was the fact that he frightened easily and had a mind of his own. I was in for a few tumbles. Minnesota snow banks were deep and the air cold as I sat in the saddle and watched Dad and Grandpa trudge ahead of Babe and me while holding very long reins. We were in the process of training my horse to be ridden. I guess you could say that for Babe and me it was a love-hate relationship. I loved him and he hated to be ridden. Soon, however, we came to an understanding and for the most part, he let me have my way but not without throwing me off more than a few times. We shared lots of good times and some not so good times but through it all, made many memories. Winter days can be fun especially when your father buys an old-fashioned sleigh to go with your horse. To add to the fun of a sleigh ride, my siblings and cousins (who lived next door), roped their sleds to the back of the sleigh and off we’d go down the road. Grandpa built a cart for the summer months and we had many good times in it, too. But I remember one time that wasn’t so good. Because Babe was very skittish, anything out of the ordinary would scare him, a tissue blowing across the road, the wind whistling through the trees or a cat darting out from a ditch. That particular day it could have been any number of things that frightened Babe but whatever it was, he took off like a bullet. There’s nothing like a runaway horse pulling a cart. Many years have passed since I was that child with a dream. Now I have children and grandchildren of my own, and yes, most have taken a fancy to horses. Dad is no longer living but memories of the day I first met Babe are still very much alive. My father taught me many things. He taught me to love my country, to take pride in myself and to work hard. But most of all, he taught me to believe in my dreams, because dreams really can come true.

Theresa’s brother, Tom, takes the reins while their dad watches on. TOP: “Winter days can be fun especially when your father buys an old-fashioned sleigh to go with your horse,” says Theresa.

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HER TRAVELS + perspective

Sacsayhuamán, archaeological ruins of a citadel on the northern outskirts of Cusco, Peru, were originally built by the Inca in the 15th century.

Perspective

THE ROAD TO MACHU PICCHU

STORY AND PHOTOS BY GAIL CLIFFORD

hen I had the opportunity to attend a photography expedition to Machu Picchu, I hesitated. It wasn’t on my bucket list. But when I realized my daughter was available to travel with me, the ability to sit back and have her superior Spanish skills take the lead while traveling to a new continent was worthy enough reason. Meeting fellow amateur photographers while having a professional photographer and a tour guide was key. The pre-planned itinerary allowed both off the beaten path and hot spots to photograph. Watching my daughter bond with these older people was especially moving. She became our go-to translator. Her quiet confidence, appreciation of the locals’ work and open attitude toward cultural norms in Cusco made our trip so much easier. “I can’t believe how easily she navigates this,” Kat Anderson said. “Can I take her home with me?” No way. I learned perspective goes multiple ways when my daughter told me, “Your willingness to travel to new continents and explore new cultures helps me see what our life will be like when I’m married with children. I’m so glad you won’t be sit-

ting around but out and about and going new places.” While in Peru, we traveled to several areas where markets were of prime interest. In Pisac, I completed a scavenger hunt shot list in the market. Exploring, we found guinea pigs on a stick, a local delicacy, being pulled from a brick oven. Guinea pig condos lined the opposite wall. One lady shouted, “Stop eating! Can you not see what’s happening over there?” Perspective. We traveled to Chincero, photographing the local women’s singing welcome and weaving presentation. This was our scheduled primary shopping time. As I heard the bargaining around us, I tried my hand at it. We made a point of shopping at each lady’s card table to better distribute the wealth. We hadn’t expected each lady would follow us to the next. As I prac-

ticed my bargaining skills, trying to get 5 Soles off a price, one of the women pressured our vendor into accepting. She did, but her face was downcast. I looked in her eyes, saw defeat there and gave her full price. She looked at me, bright eyed, surprised. That look transcended language. Gratitude, yes, but acknowledgment, too. We are one community, with a goal of making enough money to support our families. That was a priceless purchase. The items I’d received from her were mixed with the others, so I can’t even point out which they are, but hers is the interaction I’ll remember. Recognizing at a human level the importance of the sudden bond that developed in that moment of acceptance and understanding. Perspective. And, until now, my daughter’s quiet, watchful eyes, monitoring the situation,

continued on page 44 42 | Her Voice Summer 2021

“I was searching for a new perspective with my daughter while we viewed Huayna Picchu at Machu Picchu,” Clifford said.

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ABOVE: The local delicacy: roasted guinea pig. TOP RIGHT: A Cusco Quechua woman in native dress is pictured with a baby llama. BOTTOM RIGHT: Woven goods for sale from the Quechua women.

44 | Her Voice Summer 2021

continued FROM page 42 her sweet smile and comment, “Well done, Mom,” had remained private. Her respect for my decision makes my heart swell. The joy in the trip to Machu Picchu really was about the journey. Having the advantage of NOT having this historic location on my bucket list allowed me to truly embrace every place we went – Cusco, Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo, Chincero, Maras, Pisac. I learned why I’d never been particularly enthralled by the photos of Machu Picchu. Photos don’t do it justice. They can’t show the cold air at 4 a.m., huddled in line for the bus in Pueblo Machu Picchu, but maybe the sweet and not-at-all-exhausted merchants who lined our path. To allow the most visitors to this UNESCO site in a controlled manner, they require reserved entry for either the morning or the afternoon session. I recommend a stay at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge atop the mountain to walk right over, rather than wait for the bus. The only challenge with

this is you miss the nightlife that is available in town. Most went to bed exhausted. The few brave souls from our group that made it out to a local pub really enjoyed the music, fellow voyagers and locals that invited them to try the local beverages and share stories about other visitors to their beloved mountain. Every destination allows me a new way of seeing what a wonderful young woman my daughter has become. Travel somehow became an equalizer and an expander. As our family positions equalize in adulthood, our capacity to understand the other’s strengths and skills expands our interests and common bonds. All play a role in reinventing oneself and preventing stagnation. Because, in her voice, it’s important to maintain a sense of self and a sense of excitement in our lives. It keeps us young at heart. Turns out, I’ve created a young woman who will become one of my best friends. Your travels with your own family can build the same perspective.

Gail Clifford, a physician for more than 30 years, has traveled to five continents and all 50 United States. An avid traveler, she happily goes on new adventures, especially on birthdays. She enjoys intergenerational and solo travel focused on learning a new skill. When traveling locally, she enjoys digging deeper into history to discover new things about old experiences. Her articles have been published in area, national and international magazines and websites. She divides her time between Ireland and the U.S.

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Her Voice Magazine - Summer 2021

Articles inside

For Her: LAUGHTER - IT’S THE BEST MEDICINE

Her Story: DREAMS REALLY CAN COME TRUE

Her Health: AN EXTRAORDINARY GIFT

Her Career: TAKE THE TRAILS

Her Health: LIVING WITH DEPRESSION

Her Travels: THE ROAD TO MACHU PICCHU

Her Story: CIVIL WAR BULLETS AND VINTAGE POSTCARDS

Her Passion: MORE THAN JUST A HOBBY