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HER VOICE
By women. For women. About women.
PUBLISHER
Pete Mohs
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Susie Alters
EDITOR
DeLynn Howard
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Mollie Burlingame
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jen Salvevold
The next issue of Her Voice is June 2025
You can find Her Voice Magazine in over 100 Discover Rack locations in the area or read it online at: www.BrainerdDispatch.com on the magazine rack (Found in the ‘Sections’ drop down top left of home page)
What does an organ donor, a pilot, two self-made entrepreneurs, an author, two moms, a doctor, a county administrator and an artist all have in common? Besides all being amazing women doing their own things, they’re featured in this issue of Her Voice — a magazine By Women. For Women. About Women.
You’ll discover the lifesaving gift Amy Swaser gave to her dad, how Madison Galligan literally found out the sky’s the limit, how a little pink drink changed the lives of two local women, what Janet Kurtz discovered was the “heart of her soul,” how a brand new mom can live a simple lifestyle in the middle of the woods to a mom bonding with her teen girls through music.
Did you want to meet Crow Wing County’s first female administrator whose mad color-coded calendar skills are proving to be helpful in her new position? Debby Erickson’s story is on Page 20. You can also meet Janell Madison who’s had an unexpected health journey taking her on a totally different path (Page 34). And Dr. Mallori Sheik has been on her own journey to Moonflower, her sacred counsel/psychotherapy/holistic practice, located in Nisswa.
Sheila DeChantal took a journey of her own to Detroit Lakes. She tells us all about “trolling” on Page 16. And after an adventure, you’re sure to be hungry so make sure you check out Sue Ready’s recipes on Page 18.
With spring around the corner, the days are getting a bit longer, so with that extra time, grab your copy of Her Voice and settle in. The stories just keep getting better and better.
CONTENTS + Spring 2025
My Voice 4
By DeLynn Howard, Editor
Her Destination 6
The sky’s the limit
By Alyson Levig
Her Journey 12
Moonflower: Cultivating healing and empowerment across diverse communities
By Rebecca Flansburg
Her Career 20
Who runs the world? Girls!
By Sarah Nelson Katzenberger
For Her 32
The heart of my soul
By Janet Kurtz
Her Family 36
Rocking the mom life: How concerts became our family bonding time
By Jodie Norquist
Her Adventure 16 Trolling for trolls
By Sheila DeChantal
In early 2024, Danish Recycling Artist Thomas set his sights on Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, to create what Thomas himself refers to as his biggest, most ambitious project yet— trolls.
08
Her Story A lifesaving gift
By Sheila Helmberger
Amy Swaser has always been a daddy’s girl. In 2019, she gave her dad the best gift someone could give to another — the gift of life.
24
Her Lifestyle
Simply a wonderful life
By Sheila Helmberger
Cierra Meyer-Berg and Kyle Helmberger started dating 12 years ago. They have built four homes, spent time in Alaska together, adopted a dog and have created a social media presence that allows nearly 280,000 subscribers to share in it all.
Her Table 18 Light meals pack a big punch
By Sue Ready
Check out these light and fresh recipes sure to bring smiles to your next luncheon or Sunday brunch.
34
Her Healing An unexpected journey: Traveling a different path
By Sue Ready
Meet Janell Madison, a writer, amateur artist and creator from the Brainerd lakes area whose remarkable journey has required some 400 doctor and therapy appointments to overcome a multitude of neurological issues.
Her Health 30
Making a life through Plexus
By Sue Sterling
Find out what Emily Lothert and Jennifer Lee have in common with a little pink drink.
On the cover:
Debby Erickson, Crow Wing County’s first female administrator.
Photo by Jen Salvevold
HER DESTINATION
+ Inspiring
The sky’s THE LIMIT
BY ALYSON LEVIG
Madison Galligan knows a thing or two about going fast.
This Pequot Lakes native was involved in all types of motorsports before graduating high school in 2015. From there, she changed gears skyward and landed a job at Airmotive Enterprises in Brainerd, Minnesota, where she applied her skills to airplanes.
Despite the specific job and her desire to fly the machines she worked on, Galligan did not consider piloting until her parents suggested the idea.
“My family has no background in aviation so it was never on my radar,” Galligan said. “But my parents somehow knew I should become a pilot. I owe my success to the unwavering support from my family, and no words will ever be enough to show my gratitude.”
Galligan began the process in 2015, enrolling in the Part 61 route to get her pilot’s license. The course is less strict and individuals can complete it at their own pace, which allowed Galligan to continue her work at Airmotive. Galligan then went to Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she finished the rest of her pilot ratings under a Part 141 curriculum — a
Madison Galligan. Contributed.
“All the training and sacrifices are worth it because you’ll have the best office view in the world — the sky.”
Madison Galligan
program tailored to flight students wanting to fly for the airlines or corporate flying. Two and a half years later, Galligan graduated college and became a flight instructor for North Star Aviation in Mankato, Minnesota, through the same program where she received her pilot’s license.
“Fulfilling my flight instructor hours in Mankato allowed me to fly all over Minnesota including the Brainerd lakes area where I grew up. This allowed me to instruct my flight students about the area which was a fulfilling and humbling moment for me,” she said.
Galligan then soared on to her 1,000 airline hours, where she qualified to apply to her first regional airline, Endeavor Air. Here, she was a First Officer and then later upgraded to Captain. In the fall of 2022, Galligan applied and accepted a job as a First Officer Pilot with Delta Air Lines.
“Delta is Minnesota-based and takes pride in caring for its passengers and pilots. But there was also one female Delta pilot I looked up to throughout my training,” Galligan explained. “I ended up being the flight instructor for her daughter so it was a full circle moment for me.”
Inspiring the next generation of pilots is one of Galligan’s favorite aspects of her job. Sometimes this is simply answering questions from children during the boarding and deboarding of each flight. Those moments are also what helps Galligan overcome the challenges that tag alongside female pilots.
“You’re instantly critiqued if something doesn’t go smoothly so you’re constantly trying to prove yourself, especially because you’re not working with the same co-
workers every flight,” Galligan said. “But when the cockpit door closes, nothing else matters but getting passengers safely to their destination. I try to live by the motto: ‘There are no real problems, only opportunities to find solutions.’”
And that solution is being the best pilot Galligan can be — and to help other aspiring pilots also reach that destination.
“Your pilot seat is waiting for you,” Galligan said. “All the training and sacrifices are worth it because you’ll have the best office view in the world — the sky.”
Alyson Levig is a part-time freelancer who enjoys being out in nature. Her writing reflects this passion as all of her work engages nature and the wildlife living in it from her point of view. When she’s not writing, Alyson can be found working full-time at Jacobson Excavating and Landscaping in Brainerd, which takes up most of her time. In the free time she musters, Alyson enjoys hiking, hammocking, kayaking or maintaining her garden at home with her friends and family. Alyson also maintains a blog in which she publishes some of her writing or hiking adventures, reflecting on the beauty of God’s creation she witnessed. Feel free to follow her adventures at https://pinesandprairies.com/.
Dustin, left, Amy, Bob and Jennifer. Contributed.
BY SHEILA HELMBERGER
Amy Swaser was not going to take no for an answer.
She says she has always been a daddy’s girl.
“My dad and I are a lot alike,” she says, “We are both really stubborn.”
Which is why this summer the two will celebrate their fourth “kidneyversary.”
When her dad, Bob Jamma, got sick in 2019, they took him to the hospital worried about the cellulitis in his legs. His lab work held another surprise. His creatinine, a number that signals kidney disease, was 16, says Amy, who recently became a nurse practitioner. (For adult men, the reading for normal is 0.7-1.3). They re-drew his lab work twice in Brainerd and sent him to St Cloud where they drew them twice again.
Family stepped in to help with his farm by Pierz while Bob started dialysis, meaning treatment three times a week.
Bob started having tests done to be added on the list for a kidney donation. His O+ blood type is the universal blood type for a Rh positive donor, but it meant he could only receive a kidney from another O+ donor. What would normally mean five years on the donor list was going to be seven for Amy’s dad.
“He was so sick,” she said, “He would have never made the seven years. I had already warned my husband that if it turned out that my dad needed a kidney, I was going to give him one of mine.
“I went over to his house one night. I had read all the brochures he had received from MHealth Fairview, and I had circled the number to call to be a
“I think as parents, you know, you would make that sacrifice for your kids, but this was the opposite. I probably would have handled it the same way.”
—Amy Swaser
donor. I said, ‘Dad, I need to talk to you. I want you to take my kidney. I am going to go through the workup to donate.’
“He was adamant at first that I shouldn’t do it but when I left that night I told him you can either take my kidney and we can plan a surgery date and figure all of that out, or you can get a call in the middle of the night and just wonder if it is mine when your daughter doesn’t show up for your surgery. I said either, way you are getting my kidney.
“He didn’t agree right away. I think I called him every day for a week to ask him what he had decided.” A mother of three, she says she understood his hesitation. “I think as parents, you know, you would make that sacrifice for your kids, but this was the opposite. I probably would have handled it the same way.”
When she made her offer, she didn’t even know yet if the two would be a match.
“But I knew there was a donor exchange program. Even if we did not match, I could give mine to someone who needed it, and my dad would get one too. I just had to make sure I was healthy enough to donate,“ Amy said.
There are six areas they look at to match you genetically for the transplant to gauge the possibility of rejection. Amy and her father matched five out of the six.
“My dad had some weight to lose before they were comfortable proceeding with the surgery, but when you don’t feel good, weight loss isn’t easy. He was on a special diet already because of dialysis and exercise is the least of your interests at that point. When he was still 5 or 10 pounds above where they wanted him, we pushed them to go through with the surgery and signed off on the risks.”
The day before the transplant the surgeon was looking at her CT scan and discovered Amy had a condition called nutcracker syndrome. Her kidney vessels were compressed between her spine and her abdominal aorta. It would require extra time during surgery to cauterize extra vessels her body had made to compensate for the nutcracker syndrome, but the transplant still had a green light.
The two were required to be in the cities for a couple of days before the transplant.
“A lot of my family went down to be with us and we were all able to spend time together. That was a special time for all of us,” she says, “It was a good feeling to be together.”
On the big day, Amy and her dad wished one another good luck and exchanged I love yous.
As soon as she woke up, Amy recalls asking if her dad was OK and finding out everything had gone well. Relieved, she changed gears.
“Nurses are the worst patients,” she laughed. “When you are a nurse who worked at a hospital and hears the alarms and other noises, there is just no rest. Once I knew my dad was OK, I started pushing to go home.”
Amy’s family the night before the donation: Robbie, back left, Wade, Dustin, Darcey, Bob Jamma, Jennifer, front left, Amy, Jackie and Donny. Contributed.
“I would do it 100 times over again.”
—Amy Swaser
While Amy was cleared to leave the next day, Bob spent five days in the hospital and remained in the cities for two weeks for daily check-ups. “My dad is a ‘give-his-shirt-off-his-back kind of guy,’” she says. “He would do anything for anyone. But he is a homebody. Just leaving Morrison County is a pretty huge trip for him.”
Her dad will always be on medication to prevent rejection of his new organ, but Amy says not much has changed for her. She enjoys horseback riding and says she is more cautious now and she must avoid medications that might affect her remaining kidney. If something should happen, Amy moves higher on the transplant list because she has been a donor.
The two have a funny story because of her thoughtful gift. Amy said she had three kidney stones in the kidney her father received. She passed one before the surgery and her father passed the other two after it became his.
“He called me one day,” she said laughing, “‘and said, Amy! Guess what?’”
Sometimes when her family is all together, she is so happy she was able to do something that means they are still making memories with her dad.
“I would do it 100 times over again,” she said.
Sheila Helmberger lives in the Brainerd area and is a frequent contributor to Her Voice.
4/17/25, 6/19/25, 8/14/25, 10/16/25, & 12/10/25
BY REBECCA FLANSBURG
PHOTOS BY JEN SALVEVOLD
Darkness, hypothetical or actual, can be an unnerving place for many people. But the hard times we experience can also allow us to find a strength we didn’t even know we possessed. This journey of healing and self-discovery does not have to be traveled alone.
Dr. Mallori Sheik, MSW, DSW, LICSW, knows how challenging it can be for clients to navigate trauma and isolation. That is especially true for neurodivergent, BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ clients
In late 2024, Dr. Sheik opened Moonflower, her sacred counsel/psychotherapy/holistic practice in Nisswa, with a passion for serving the underserved.
“Moonflower is an all-inclusive, safe space for everyone, but especially for those in the LGBTQIA2S+, BIPOC, and neurodiverse communities,” Dr. Sheik shared. “The identities and experiences of all of my clients matter deeply to me, and I also wanted to make sure that I created a safe space where adults and teens with unique perspectives and needs can thrive, heal, and be their true selves.”
As a mother of three kids with diverse needs, Dr. Sheik also saw a need for an inclusive private practice that recognizes the body and mind as one integrated system.
“My desire to become a psychotherapist came a little later in life,” Dr. Sheik shared. “I was a spirited teen determined to do things my way. But I was also intelligent and had a strong sense of self. I dropped out of high school, got my GED, and entered college at 17. That’s when I discovered my love of learning about human behavior and social work.”
Dr. Sheik became a mother at 21, a role that only fueled her hunger to learn. While pursuing her AA degree, she
“Opening my practice was a natural business evolution for me.”
—Dr. Mallori
Sheik
balanced the demands of college and parenting her first child. During her master’s program, she welcomed two more children into her life, further strengthening her determination to succeed. By the time she earned her Doctorate, she was a wife and mother of three, working full-time while excelling academically. Her journey as a student and mother also deepened her passion for understanding her children’s ASD, ADHD, and dyslexia diagnoses, inspiring her ongoing exploration of mental health and neurodiversity.
“Raising autistic children is a unique journey that requires both support and community,” Dr. Sheik noted. “Parents who have children with diverse needs can’t always follow traditional rules, and yet we want our kids to be happy and productive citizens in society. I longed for a safe and nurturing space where
mothers could come together with open hearts to share their challenges and joys. Since I have always been fiercely independent, I also knew that there was no reason I couldn’t be the one to create such a place. Opening my practice was a natural business evolution for me.”
In 2023, Dr. Sheik earned her Doctorate in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas. Fueled by her passion for psychotherapy and driven mindset, she envisioned a practice that seamlessly integrates a holistic approach with diverse healing modalities. Drawing from a rich tapestry of disciplines, Dr. Sheik was determined to create a space where clients could experience healing informed by various interconnected areas of knowledge and practice.
Sacred Circle Health, Wellness, Yoga, and Pole Fitness
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“Our shadows, pain and stories are not obstacles. They are the pathways to healing.”
—Dr. Mallori Sheik
Soon, her new private practice, Moonflower, began to take shape.
The name Moonflower symbolizes the transformative power of darkness. Just as the moonflower blooms only in the quiet of the night, patients can find their strength, beauty and resilience in the places they often fear to look.
“Our shadows, pain and stories are not obstacles,” Dr. Sheik noted. “They are the pathways to healing. My work at Moonflower focuses on guiding women and teen girls or those who identify with the feminine experience through life’s transitions. I also specialize in working with teens and adult individuals who are navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, or other forms of neurodivergence. I understand the unique challenges and strengths that come with these experiences, and my approach is inclusive, strengths-based and deeply respectful of their journey toward self-acceptance and thriving.”
As a former spirited and defiant teen, Dr. Sheik has a special place in her heart for mentoring teens ages 14-18 struggling to find their place in the world and navigate societal pressures. “I want my young adult clients to know I see them and understand their fears and frustrations. I know what it’s like to feel like a round peg being forced into a square hole, and I am here for them,” she added.
In addition to psychotherapy and sacred counsel, Moonflower offers companion holistic healing
options such as meditation, somatic movement, sound therapy and monthly community group therapy sessions. Dr. Sheik is also developing a mentoring program to support therapists who aspire to start their private practice but feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the process. She believes creating a private practice can be an enriching journey and is passionate about guiding others through it.
“If I can do it, others absolutely can, too,” she shares. “I would be honored to walk alongside fellow therapists as they take this exciting step toward independence and growth.”
In the meantime, Moonflower continues to flourish while helping others find beauty, strength and growth in the most unexpected places.
“I believe that each of us is an incredibly unique and beautifully complex human being,” she acknowledged. “Our individuality is a tapestry woven from experiences, emotions and the stories we’ve lived and told ourselves. Facing our fears and traumas is tough, but we all have a resilience that allows us to embrace the shadows. I am so proud to be able to offer support and guidance to lakes area residents so they too can bloom and grow.”
For more information, visit www.moonflowerbloom.com.
Rebecca “Becky” Flansburg is an author, freelance writer and blogger from Minnesota who writes about parenthood topics and being a mompreneur. Her two non-fiction books on working from home, FREElance FREEdom: Creating the Work-From-Home Life You Crave and Mom Bossing: The Freedom to Create the Business You Love, are available in both physical and e-book form. Her childrens’ book she co-authored with fellow BHS grad, B.A. Norrgard, Sissy Goes Tiny, was released July 2019. Becky is mom to two humans and critter mom to way too many pets. She is also a proud member of the Lakes Area Writers Alliance. Readers can also find her at BeckyFlansburg.com or on Instagram.
TROLLING FOR trolls
HER ADVENTURE + road trip
BY SHEILA DECHANTAL
It’s fun to find amazing things to do within our community as well as our surrounding communities.
Look around you, check your papers and social media. There are things to do and see going on all the time. We are so lucky to live in this area filled with music, art, books, festivals, and now — even trolls.
In early 2024, Danish Recycling Artist Thomas set his sights on Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, to create what Thomas himself refers to as his biggest, most ambitious project yet. His mission is to turn discarded materials into large artist pieces for all to enjoy.
In August of 2024, my two friends, Cindy Bartle and Sara Moe and I got together and took a little road trip to Detroit Lakes. Our mission? Find these trolls.
You really get to choose your adventure. There are three ways offered to troll hunt.
1) Start in the Detroit Lakes City Park where you will meet Alexa’s Elixir. There you will find a large wooden book that will tell you the story of the trolls and give you the tools necessary to begin your journey.
2) Download the map. For those who do not have the extra time to solve the riddles to find each troll, the map gives you the exact location of each of the trolls.
3) Geocaching. Turn it into a treasure hunt and enjoy Geocaching your way to the trolls.
You can find more details as well as download the story found in Alexa’s book and instructions on each of these options on the Project 412 MN website.
With none of us knowing Detroit Lakes very well, we chose No. 2 and downloaded the map to find the trolls.
We had a lot of fun. In some cases, you parked and walked a half mile following a trail that was marked by the fun birdhouses. In other cases, you could practically pull right up in your car to the troll location.
All were in beautiful areas that were well worth taking a little time to just look around, taking in the wildflowers, brooks, trees and fields.
Many people were doing exactly what we were doing — from young children and families to older couples. No matter what the person’s age — all were gasping at what they found with many comments on the details.
“There are toenails!”
“Look at the bark eyebrows!”
“I love the hair!”
And of course — the elusive Golden Rabbit. The Golden Rabbit’s location is not given to you on the map. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to check each troll for clues — codes on their necklaces and other details. Admittedly, we Googled until we found someone who gave a pretty solid clue to the rabbit’s whereabouts — however even then, we searched for about 40 minutes before we called it. The day was hot and we were tired. Before we left, we did ask a man in the area who pointed us in the right direction, warning us that (as it said online) the difficulty level of the trail to the rabbit was hard — long steep trails that went up and around another half mile into the woods. We decided to call it, knowing that this gorgeous troll experience was one to stay. We have time to come back, finish the quest and find the Golden Rabbit.
And we will.
Sheila DeChantal is an event coordinator, freelance writer, lover of friends, family, community, creating fun local events, adventures, books and coffee. She is the Friends of The Brainerd Public Library president and the vice president of Camp Benedict.
What to know before you go
• Wear comfortable shoes (There is walking to be done. We cleared 10,000 steps for the day.)
• Bring water. (The day we were trolling it was 80 degrees out — some of the areas we were walking through were open grassy trails with little to no shade.)
• Be sure of your feet. (Some areas are hilly and some are rocky. When walking in the woods beware of tree roots and other fun trip hazards.)
• Be sure to read the signs. Every troll had a wonderfully positive message with it.
• Plan your timing. For us, choosing to use the map, it took us about three hours to find all five troll locations and visit them.
Cindy, Sara & Sheila.
HER TABLE
+ spring recipes
BY SUE READY
LIGHT MEALS PACK
A BIG PUNCH
Be sure to spring for these delectable and appetizing dishes for your next luncheon or Sunday brunch.
Sue Ready is a freelance writer, poet, food writer, book reviewer and former middle school teacher. She is a member 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.
CREAMY CHICKEN WITH PEAS AND BACON TOPPED WITH PUFF PASTRY
Cook’s Notes: Elevate your standard chicken pot pie filling with this creamy, decadent mixture topped with a puff pastry square. The addition of bacon adds a savory note to the filling. It is definitely company-worthy. Look for steam-inthe bag fresh English peas as they add a lovely sweetness to the dish. I used half of the bag and froze the rest of the peas for another time.
The recipe serves four and was adapted from Southern Living in March 2017.
+ INGREDIENTS:
1/2 box puff pastry, thawed
3 cups cooked chicken
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup each celery, sweet onions, carrots thinly sliced
2 cups spring or frozen sweet peas
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
5 bacon slices
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon each of parsley flakes and herbes de provence
1-2 tablespoons dry white wine
1/2 cup fontina or Parmesan cheese, shredded
Egg wash
1 puff pastry sheet, thawed
+ DIRECTIONS:
Cook or grill chicken the day before as a time saver.
Fr y bacon, chop and set aside.
Dice onions, celery and carrots.
In a large fry pan, melt butter and saute onion, carrots and celery for about 6-8 minutes until tender-crisp.
Add in flour and cook, stirring constantly for about 1 minute.
Add chicken stock, stir in cream and whisk to mix.
Add in cooked chicken, bacon bits, spices and peas.
Cook on low, uncovered, until thickened.
Add in cheese and wine; mix well.
Cook until mixture is thoroughly heated, about 10 minutes.
Remove pan to another burner.
Cover the filling and set aside.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut one pastry sheet evenly into four pieces.
Whisk one egg with 1 teaspoon of water.
Baste each square with egg wash.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes.
To serve, divide the filling among four bowls or plates and top each with a puff pastry square.
CAPRESE GREEN BEAN SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE MEYER LEMON CREAM
Cook’s Notes: The ingredients for this salad depend on how many servings are needed. I started with 1 pound of fresh green beans, which served six when other ingredients were added in. The secret to this salad is blanching green beans just until crisp-tender for four minutes.
+ INGREDIENTS:
1 pound fresh green beans
Small mozzarella balls (deli section)
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Red onion slices
Chopped pistachios
Balsamic vinaigrette
+ DIRECTIONS:
Fill a large bowl with ice cubes.
Place water in a pot, adding in one teaspoon of sea salt and bring to a boil.
Add beans and boil for four minutes.
Drain beans in a colander and immediately add them to the bowl of ice cubes.
Let beans rest for three minutes then place on a kitchen towel and pat dry.
Add beans, onion slices, cheese and chopped tomatoes in a large serving bowl.
Sprinkle nuts on top.
Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette right before serving.
BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
Cook’s Notes: The dressing will be thick after refrigeration. Serve it at room temperature or microwave for 20 seconds.
+ INGREDIENTS:
4 tablespoons dark balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
4 teaspoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
4 tablespoons olive oil
+ DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients in a blender.
Mix well and refrigerate in a small covered container.
Cook’s Notes: Infuse your meal with the sunny sweet tang of Meyer Lemon Cream. Meyer lemons were suggested for this recipe but regular lemons will work too. The recipe serves four depending on the size of serving dishes. The recipe was adapted from bonappetit.com.
+ INGREDIENTS:
3 large eggs
2/3 cup sugar
3 teaspoons lemon zest
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoon butter, cut into pieces
1 cup heavy cream
2 crisp ginger cookies, crumbled
1/4 cup toasted coconut
+ DIRECTIONS:
Whisk eggs, sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat.
Stir constantly until thickened (mixture should coat a wooden spoon), about 5 minutes.
Transfer mixture to a blender, add in butter on low speed, and blend until smooth.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and chill for one hour.
Whip cream and fold into lemon cream mixture and divide it among four serving glasses.
Zest lemon over the top of the cream mixture.
Sprinkle with toasted coconut and cookie crumbs.
WHO RUNS THE WORLD?
Girls
Photo by Jen Salvevold.
BY SARAH NELSON-KATZENBERGER
Debby Erickson likes to stay busy.
She prides herself on keeping her colorcoded calendar in pristine order. She keeps her family organized, an asset to her church community, her son’s school, and these days, she’s running Crow Wing County.
Last May, after over three decades in various positions with the county, Erickson landed herself the perfect role as county administrator.
In fact, she is Crow Wing County’s first female administrator.
Erickson said Crow Wing County created the first county administrator position in 2000, after years of the county auditor filling the head leadership role. At the time, she served as deputy auditor.
Fulfilling the role, essentially as CEO of Crow Wing County and being a woman in leadership, is something Erickson said is entirely meaningful to her.
“If you look at government, particularly local government, women are still finding their way into some of these more leadership roles,” Erickson said, noting Minnesota is among the more progressive states.
“There are a lot of good role models for me to follow and to meet with.”
Erickson said her new role was something she considered upon learning of the news of her former colleague, Tim Houle’s impending retirement, which she knew may be on the horizon.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind at the time,” Erickson recalled, stating that she was on a flight to Washington D.C., when she officially learned of Houle’s retirement. “I had to sharpen up my resume pretty quickly.”
“I was very humbled and happy that they chose to put their trust in me to fill his shoes and continue on the path of where we are going in Crow Wing County,” Erickson said.
The big transition came with a minor move from the west side of the second floor of the county administration building to the east end of the first floor.
Before her time as county administrator, Erickson spent 31 years working her way up through the county, starting as technical support in the County Assessor’s office, transferring to the Auditor’s office, eventually taking responsibility for county elections and becoming elected Auditor — something she found a passion for — and later a short stint as Administrative Services Director.
“It was a really great staff that I worked with — the election staff is top-notch,” she said. “I was the mouthpiece, but they were doing the nitty gritty.”
Erickson said with all the transitions to her new job, letting go of the county elections has been among the more difficult parts. This year, with the presidential election drawing close, Erickson said the outside perspective was interesting.
“It was difficult to let go of the reins — the control freak that I am,” she laughed. “I’ll always have a passion for the electoral process.”
“I wanted to stay. Ultimately, I decided this is really where I wanted to be.”
—Debby Erickson
In 2010, Erickson found herself at a crossroads in her work at the county when she lost her re-election as Auditor/ Treasurer.
“That was an interesting time,” she said. “After almost 20 years with the organization, I was suddenly faced with this decision of whether I even wanted to stay. I wanted to stay. Ultimately, I decided this is really where I wanted to be.”
Erickson was re-elected in 2014, and after that, the elected auditor model was ended in favor of an appointed position, allowing Erickson and her time to hone in on ironclad processes and procedures to ensure election integrity in Crow Wing County.
Erickson said she channeled her election nerves by including a new voter application in a birthday card to her niece, who turned 18 just after the election.
“Next time, she gets to vote,” she smiled. She noted her niece made sure her eligible friends made it to the old courthouse to vote in this year’s election, something that made Aunt Debby unspeakably proud.
Erickson said her new job brings something new every day.
“It’s a bit like drinking from a fire hose,” she said. With eight county departments to manage in addition to constant contact with the county board, Erickson has her work cut out for her.
As it turns out, Erickson lives for this level of organization.
“I live by color-coded calendars and spreadsheets. I’ve always prided myself on my ability to be organized,” she said. “And I’m a good delegator.”
In addition to running the entire county, Erickson runs her household with her husband, Matt, and son Sam, 16.
“Every parent knows the balance of keeping your head above water,” Erickson said. “It takes a village.”
Erickson said she is grateful to have always had a great support system who are always willing to pitch in.
When it gets to be a bit much, Erickson said she asks herself one question: “What’s important that I have to focus on today?”
Erickson conceded that a career in county administration does not typically come up when you ask young students what they want to be when they grow up, but for her, it’s really all she has ever
known. Her mother spent 40 years in civil service for the city of Brainerd and her father served on Fort Ripley City Council for years.
“This was just kind of my normal,” Erickson said. “I am a big proponent of this community — Minnesota’s favorite place. People want to come here and live here. I love that I get to be a part of that in some small way.”
All in the family
Debby isn’t the first in her family to hold the “first female administrator” title. Her mother, Theresa Goble, became the first female administrator for Brainerd in 2012. Much like her daughter, Goble worked her way up, starting her role with the city as secretary to the city clerk in 1980. She said she took advantage of educational opportunities at Central Lakes College and studied accounting to eventually find her way to become Brainerd’s finance director, where she spent most of her career. Goble said her daughter’s accomplishment in becoming Crow Wing County’s first female administrator was a worthy accomplishment.
“It makes me very proud of her,” Goble said. “But I’m not surprised. She’s a leader at whatever she does.”
While Erickson was in her role as Auditor-Treasurer, Goble said the pair worked closely on both elections and finance levies for the city, something she always enjoyed about her role as City Administrator for the City of Brainerd.
Goble retired in 2014 and spends most of her time in Arizona but said she sees Erickson’s leadership role in her family, too. “I don’t know what we would do without her,” she said. “She keeps all of us organized.”
Sarah Nelson Katzenberger is a displaced Californian who had no idea there were four seasons until she moved to Minnesota. She is a former missionary, law school drop-out, high school teacher and award-winning journalist with the Brainerd Dispatch. She continues to write for local and national publications and provides unsolicited grammar correction as needed. Sarah lives in Brainerd with her husband Chad and their three baby Vikings, Ellis, Meredith and Truett.
Theresa Goble and Debby Erickson. Contributed.
Rene is a dedicated attorney who is passionate about helping people through the maze of the law especially in the areas of estate planning, estate settlement including probate, guardian/ conservatorships and business law. Rene is the owner of Millner Estate Planning, LLC.
Meet Rene A. Millner
Rene is a graduate of the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, MN who completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, Morris with degrees in Economics and Management. Prior to opening Millner Estate Planning, LLC, Rene was an attorney with Breen and Person, Ltd. Before taking the leap to make the Brainerd Lakes Area her home, she worked as a Tax Consultant for the accounting firm of Ernst & Young in Minneapolis.
Community Involvement
In addition to participating on various boards and committees, you will find her out in the community sharing her experience and teaching whenever she can. She participates in the Crosslake Senior Expo, Brainerd Senior Expo and wrote articles for the Northland Press. Rene has been involved with the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, North Country Networkers in Pequot Lakes, MN., Crosslake Lutheran Church Council, Crosslake Lutheran Endowment Committee and Personnel Committee, the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber Blue Ox Leadership Experience, and Crosslake Chamber Advisory Board.
HER LIFESTYLE + living
BY SHEILA HELMBERGER
SIMPLY A wonderful life
Cierra Meyer-Berg and Kyle Helmberger started dating 12 years ago when he was a senior and she was a sophomore at Brainerd High School. In the past dozen years, they have built four homes, spent time in Alaska together, adopted a faithful Springer named Skeeter that goes everywhere with them, and have created a social media presence that allows nearly 280,000 subscribers to share in it all.
Living with very little debt, Cierra says the couple has taken the popular motto ‘Live Simply’ to heart and have created a home they love that has sparked the interest of followers of all ages from around the world. The family grew this past November when the couple’s first child, baby Stanley, was born.
Cierra uses her Instagram page, CierraMeyerBerg, to document her experiences as a new mother and her journey to create a healthy and inviting home for her family.
A dancer with Just For Kix while she was growing up, she says she always thought she would leave Brainerd after graduation to continue her dance career in a bigger city.
Cierra ice fishing. Contributed photo.
Cierra and
current homestead. Contributed.
“We don’t shun modern conveniences, but we do acquire them at a pace that allows for us to pay for them in cash.”
- Cierra Meyer-Berg
When Kyle moved to Alaska in 2017 Cierra wasn’t sure she was on board with making it a permanent home. She stayed behind, teaching classes at Just For Kix and racked up miles making frequent visits. He purchased land while in Alaska and built a dry log cabin by himself, without electricity and water. When he decided to return to Minnesota, the couple were surprised when it quickly sold. In Minnesota he built a second log cabin near Isabella, close to the Boundary Waters, a favorite place for both. When that one easily sold too, they realized they weren’t alone in looking for ways to live a more simplistic life free of overwhelming debt and credit.
When the couple purchased 10 acres and built their current home north of Grand Rapids, they started the journey in earnest to live simply and affordably. They have a garden and raise chickens, both to butcher and for eggs. When they are producing at peak Cierra sells eggs on the honor system at the end of their road. For the first couple of years the home was powered by solar, and their water was collected from a local spring. Electricity has since been added and an on-site well.
“We don’t shun modern conveniences,” laughs Cierra, “but we do acquire them at a pace that allows for us to pay for them in cash.” Originally their home was a one bedroom, one bath space with a loft. This past year, viewers watched as an addition was completed on the home in anticipation of the new baby. They followed Cierra during her pregnancy, weighing in on whether the couple might have a girl or a boy.
She says she enjoys exploring ways to do more home cooking, baking with sourdough and documenting what their daily life is like.
“I like to make food from scratch when we’re at home because it’s just better for us. We try to be as healthy as we can. We get plenty of exercise,” she said.
On most days the couple can be found walking, hiking, hunting with Skeeter or on one of the local golf courses. They buy meat from the local meat market and in the summer, they are regulars at the farmer’s market.
Kyle’s
“My goal with my social media in this is to share with people that there are so many options. You can live simply, and it isn’t necessarily caveman-like. It’s way more beneficial than people think. A lot of messages posted on Kyle’s Cabin (his YouTube channel) are from people saying they have bought land and are trying to pay off their own debt to live more simply, too. They want to cut their own expenses.
“Not to say that we don’t work. Because we do. Kyle works very hard,” she says of the homes and other structures he has built by hand and the commitment the couple has to heat their current home solely by wood. “Putting up the wood for us to use as heat isn’t a problem,” she says, “He’ll tell you it’s something he enjoys and it’s satisfying.”
As the channel has grown people have started to recognize the couple when they are out. “Sometimes they will come up and say hi to us. We were very touched when we had Stanley. People had so many good wishes and were genuinely happy for us.” Social media has also offered an avenue for her to connect with other young women, some locally, who have similar interests.
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enhance everything we already love to do. We can’t wait to teach him to fish and go hiking. We never tell people this is the way you should do something. We just show them what works for us.
Stanley arrived by C-section following a long day of labor in the local hospital. When Cierra started to show signs of an infection, she says they were surrounded by staff that couldn’t have been better. “I realized that I really do love the area that we’re in. It’s a great community, with a great school district, and people are so nice to us here.”
Cierra has continued to teach classes periodically at Just for Kix. She says her life offers the best of both worlds now.
She enjoys deer hunting with Kyle, both rifle and bow, and fishing all year around. Another cabin is currently in progress for periodic stays that will put the couple close to the Boundary Waters for those trips again.
“We definitely want more kids. We’re excited because it doesn’t cost anything to take him outside and play with him. He will
“Sometimes on social media I just share a morning with a cup of coffee in front of the wood stove when we don’t have anything going on at all. A lot of times the comments are from people saying they wish they could live that way and that’s why I post those moments. I want to show them you don’t have to have all of the things to be happy.
“I really thought I would be a big city girl,” she laughs, “I love my life so much and I couldn’t be farther from that.”
Sheila Helmberger lives in the Brainerd area and is a frequent contributor to Her Voice.
Cierra and Kyle and Stanley when they were home for a visit. Contributed.
HER VOICE BUS in ESS
Margaret Wagner
Margaret Wagner
Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge
“More than a conqueror.”
Those words from the Apostle Paul aptly describe Margaret Wagner, a long-time food industry leader in the area.
From working at Morey’s Grill to the Bay Colony Inn – as well as catering for countless luminaries in the region – Margaret is legendary.
In 2008, she was asked to serve as food service manager for the newly-opened Adult & Teen Challenge campus. After overcoming an abusive first
marriage, raising three sons alone and recovering from her own alcohol addiction, she was uniquely qualified to serve people fighting for their lives to break free from their own addictions.
Margaret has been “mom” to many of the men who have come through the doors of the faith-based residential recovery program.
At lunchtime, you will often see Margaret shouting to the entire dining room that it is someone’s
birthday, boisterously leading everyone in singing “Happy Birthday” to someone who often hasn’t been sober for the last 10 or 20 birthdays.
Margaret is a woman who has fought and conquered in many ways, but attributes credit to all the mentors, friends and especially her Lord.
Sharon Thomas
Sharon Thomas
Executive Administrative Assistant
Sharon began her Automotive business journey at the Mills Automotive Group in 2008. Sharon was the Human Resource specialist from 2008 to 2010. She was promoted in 2010 to Executive Administrative Assistant to the Company Owner and President –Marisa M. Mills. Sharon provides tremendous value to all of our businesses and Team in so many ways, including administrative support to the many Company businesses, departments, Managers, and Team Members in
various ways. We are very proud of Sharon, and Sharon is extremely proud to be a part of the Mills Family of Companies where she truly feels like a family – working together and with some of the best and most amazing people she knows! Growing up in the Twin Cities, Sharon was raised in a family that loved and drove Fords, a passion she shares to this day! Sharon and her husband have lived in the Brainerd Area since 1987. They have two grown sons and four grandchildren. Sharon enjoys
spending quality time with friends and family, taking part in girls’ weekends, and outdoor activities–fishing, boating, 4-wheeling, bon fires, etc.
From making a living to making a life through Plexus
BY SUE STERLING
How does one go from a day job and using daycare to a dream job and homesteading?
Hard work…no doubt about it. Hard work is the key word in Emily Lothert’s journey for creating a healthy, happy home for herself and her family. Her colleague, Jennifer Lee, can attest to that.
Emily grew up in a home with two hard working parents. Her dad worked outside of the home, but her mom built a business from home, which showed Emily that it was possible to have the best of both worlds — be home with her children and still make an income. To do that, she became part of Plexus Worldwide, whose vision is “to ignite hope, health, and happiness for those who want more out of life.”
Jennifer Lee is part of Emily’s Plexus team. As a child she was exposed to trauma and even spent time in a foster home. Because of this, she struggled with her own “am I worthy” issues. Am I good enough? Am I capable? As she became a mom, she wanted nothing more than to let her children know they were
Photo by Jen Salvevold.
capable of achieving their wildest dreams. She wanted to show them how by paving the way and breaking the generational cycle of abuse. She wanted to show them what is possible.
Just what is Plexus? Plexus is a holistic health and wellness company that focuses on gut health. All their products are all natural, non-GMO and help with the root cause of many health issues. Plexus, per the Merriam-Webster dictionary, means “an interwoven combination of parts or elements in a structure or system.” That explains the concept of Plexus products.
Six and a half years ago, Emily was working a day job in Brainerd. She was pregnant with her first child and her deepest desire was to be a stay-at-home mom. She joined the Plexus network and started sharing the products with people she knew. She was able to walk away from her day job the day she went into labor because of the Plexus opportunity. Since then, she has been helping other people create their own dreams, whether that’s quitting their day jobs or becoming debt free, or just being able to supplement their income. She uses social media to paint a picture for people who want more out of life — all without being tied to a desk.
Instagram and showing how Plexus has helped her reach her dream. She currently has over 147,000 followers at instagram.com/ livingwithlotherts.
Jennifer originally started using the Plexus products for her health issues and was certain she wouldn’t be interested in selling anything. She had been struggling with severe gut health issues and a long history with infertility and wanted to heal her body. She started using the products in 2021, and at that time, was a mom of one and working full-time. Because of her astonishing results with the products, she started sharing about her Plexus health journey here and there and had success. She thought, ‘maybe, maybe I can do more with this than what I’m telling myself.’ It wasn’t long before she decided to go all in, choosing to quit her full-time job in December 2022. Gone were the struggles of severe gut health issues and infertility and miscarriage. Jennifer is now a stay-athome-mom to her three children, Adaline
(6), Beckett (3) and Olivia (almost 2). Jennifer is on Instagram at instagram.com/ fitmomcomeback.
Jennifer took the time to invest in understanding what was possible with Plexus and realized that it would answer a lot of questions about herself. She decided to dig in and now knows she is worthy, she is capable, she is good enough, and is paving the way to show her kids and her clientele they can achieve whatever they set their mind to.
What these two ladies want people to know is there is an alternative to life other than what our culture has prescribed for women. Plexus provides people with alternative solutions to health issues they have been dealing with as well as financial issues.
Emily went from being a stressed-out office worker to raising her three children, Max (6), Maeva (3) and Margaux (almost 2) at home while homesteading an 85-acre farm and raising chickens, cows and pigs, as well as her own food. Her husband, Reed, who used to work construction away from home during the week, is now enjoying running their homestead full time. Together they are able to homeschool their children with reallife lessons using hands-on experiences around the farm.
Building her business took hard work and dedication. But with the support of her husband and the resources provided by Plexus, Emily has grown her client base by sharing her homesteading story on
Sue Sterling is a freelance writer and calligrapher living in Brainerd. She loves writing human interest stories and personal essays. Her column “Senior Moments” is published in the Brainerd Dispatch monthly.
Four generations at the cabin. Contributed.
+ memories FOR HER
BY JANET KURTZ
The heart of my soul
It was bound to happen.
After spending my career touting cultures in far-away lands and supporting multilingual outreach, I found myself immersed in a creation of its own complex origins. I am referring to the “up north” genre, brought to us by traders, trappers, First Nation peoples, log houses, wigwams and walleyes. Somewhere along the line, pioneer folks went from homesteading to adding lake cottages — once small, humble assemblages of left over lumber, woodstoves, a porch and an outhouse.
Illinois seminary to the northwoods of Wisconsin when their professor’s property was hit. Once the clean-up was done, they cobbled together their very meager wages and their very big dream. In 1951, they bought the vintage palisade peninsula cabin and shoreline along the esker.
“It was horrid, just horrid,” she began as if it happened yesterday. “The lane was no more than an abandoned logging trail. Every road from Three Lakes got smaller and deeper into the woods, like going back in time, further and further away from civilization!” Why had I never asked her before?
For my family, a tornado was involved. My father, Don, and his friend, Ed, volunteered to journey from their northern
It wasn’t until my father died in 2013, that I sat down with my mother, Phyllis, and inquired about her side of the story. No surprise that she and Ginny, the two young wives in this adventure, had a different point of view, especially in the early days with babes in arms, long car rides from Illinois before freeways and primitive conditions.
Five generations have now bumped along the two-tire-track lane into the woods bordering the Nicolet National Forest, to the ledge carved out of that esker. There, a hodge-podge of secondrate lumber, recycled barn windows and discarded church camp doors were cobbled together into the family cabin, aptly named “Las Sobras” — the leftovers.
“Every day we learn more and more about less and less until we know everything about nothing at all.”
According to my great uncle Glenn
In 1957, my father and Ed divided the property. A letter from Dad sheds light on finances and partnership when he reminded Ed to pay his $4 share on their mutual annual property insurance. Such letters, journal entries, guest book quotes and reflective essays provided first-hand accounts for my second book: “The Heart of My Soul: Tales of Five Generations at the Family Cabin.”
I doubt my father envisioned five generations when he cut and split the downed trees, formed rock wall terraces, or transported the single car garage, board by board from Eau Claire to become the boat house. Each generation pitched in. Family lore and legacy grew, a step-at-a-time. Years passed and so did our loved ones, changing our roles and responsibilities.
“Tempus fugit/ time flies,” my dad used to say. I get it now. I went from being the kid catching frogs to the matriarch of the clan in a flash! After my mother died, my son looked at me and at the framed animal embroideries, the sun-faded calendar pages of loons, the deer antlers, the chipped set of Red Barn dishes and asked, “What do we need these for?” That is when I realized I was the “rememberer” — the guardian of our stories. My people could live on in the telling! “The Heart of My Soul” is my respectful attempt at putting down their collective voices.
Cabin culture is unique and fading, unless we keep it vital and vibrant. It involves fish tales (the one we caught with our bare hands), bear stories (the one Auntie Wilma baited), creepy kayaks (critters in boats) and outhouses (where spiders live). Many of the vintage cottages have given way to McMansions, but the history, and hopefully the regard for our forebears, nature and environmental protection, lives on. Changes. The embroideries done by my Grandma Edith stay. The loon pictures go. The antlers moved to above the boat house door. But what happened to the dishes?
That story is in the book, along with lessons learned from spawning suckers, the Ten Commandments of cabin living and songs to sing on canoe trips. Every knickknack has meaning and, when told, is no longer a mystery. Only then can we decide if we’ll throw it away.
“The Heart of My Soul” (HOMS) introduces you to one family, but resonates with many through northwoods cabin culture. Read some snippets and short vignettes aloud. Start a conversation at your next family gathering using HOMS to “prime the pump.” Do the kiddos know what that means? See what memories, family sayings and new insights arise. Do fish really bite best when the wind is in the west? Should “sailors take warning” when there is a “red sky in morning?” According to my great uncle Glenn, “Every day we learn more and more about less and less until we know everything about nothing at all.”
Family stories define us, sayings mold our perspectives, experiences form our foundation. Fish stories have as many angles as witnesses in the boat. By retelling our stories and listening to others, we fill in a more holistic picture. HOMS is a sampler of people and experiences that reveal the humanity of cabin culture.
I invite you to join me and mine in this candid expression of our times together.
Reflect on your own stories and enrich your circle by the telling. May we remember those who paved the way before us and do our part toward passing on our legacy of stewardship for generations to come.
Jan’s books are available at janetkurtz.com or locally at Cattales and The Crossing in downtown Brainerd. Contact her for speaking to your book clubs or organizations. Topics range from intercultural exchanges to conservation easements for your property. Two books, two worlds of experience.
HER HEALING
An unexpected Journey Traveling a different path
BY SUE READY
Imagine in one single moment your previous life is erased, never to be captured again.
One accident can do this.
Meet Janell Madison, a writer, amateur artist and creator from the Brainerd lakes area. Her remarkable journey has required some 400 doctor and therapy appointments for PT, OT, speech, vision therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, vestibular therapy and more, to overcome a multitude of neurological issues. These appointments have taken Janell and her husband Steve to Brainerd, Duluth, Little Falls and the Twin Cities area. He is and has been her biggest cheerleader with his support. Therapy and her recovery became their full-time job after her injury.
Life was good for Janell. She was an enthusiastic supporter of their youngest son’s Alpine Ski Season, being a time keeper and announcer at local races. She was taking college courses, looking ahead to a degree in communications.
Janell Madison. Photo by Jen Salvevold.
“When the unexpected happens, you need to find your supporters.”
- Janell Madison
For several years, Janell had worked as a special education paraprofessional at the elementary and middle school grade levels. In January of 2020, an incident with an out-of-control student led to Janell having to rely on her training to restrain the student. Unfortunately the student was too aggressive and they both fell with Janell’s head hitting the metal edge of a white board tray. A succession of neurological issues followed, forcing Janell to take a leave of absence to address them. Initially she had a headache and numbness to the arm and ER diagnosed a mild concussion and likely pinched nerve. But as time went on, a variety of medical issues unfolded and she was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. There had been damage to her C2 and C3 in her neck causing excruciating headaches. She was diagnosed with neurological decline due to a brain injury — Aphasia, a language disorder — caused by the brain injury, affecting her speech, comprehension, reading and writing.
Janell had to relearn left and right and she had difficulty understanding directions. Her hand and eye coordination were lacking, resulting in a shuffling gait and her eyes and brain were not communicating, resulting in nearly a year of vision therapy. Her hearing was impacted, being super sensitive to sounds and her eyes were sensitive to light.
Janell is still getting used to emotions as she didn’t feel typical ones for a long time so couldn’t always name her feelings. This has improved through communication and learning about different emotions. Counseling for PTSD was recommended. Janell still deals with headaches. Radio Frequency Nerve Ablation has been a blessing for her with pain management. It uses heat to destroy nerve tissue and stop pain signals from reaching the brain. This is a process repeated about every six months.
Janell feels her hero is her husband, Steve. He has been there every step of the way, taking her to appointments and doing whatever was needed around the house. He
pushed her out of her comfort zone many times. Their two sons and daughter-in-law have also been supportive, along with a close-knit group of friends.
Today, most of her neurological issues have resolved as best as they will. Janell has moved out of her comfort zone and spread her wings with increased confidence as she improved. While on the road to recovery, Janell discovered her untapped talent as an artist. “Art took me in a different direction. I was accomplishing something. Painting became my focus. It helped improve my eye and hand coordination,” she said.
She enjoys creating paintings with acrylic. She paints landscapes, abstracts and some animals. She has given several paintings as gifts and painted several as a fundraiser for the Brain Injury Association of America.
Janell has always been a huge supporter of the arts, having been involved in education. Before her accident, she wrote articles for local publications and started a business, Green Gables Book Reviews, reviewing books. In late 2022 she joined the team at Blue Cottage Agency, owned by her best friend, Krista Soukup. Working with Blue Cottage gave her the purpose she was looking for. Janell helps with marketing, creating content, author support and promoting books.
Clicks by Madison is another platform for Janell’s freelance work. She creates custom graphics for social media, logos and marketing materials, along with writing and creating content. Recently, she expanded her business to helping brides and grooms by creating, preparing and mailing their wedding invitations.
Each accomplishment has boosted her confidence. While she is different from before, she’s happy. She keeps her social circle small and her family and friends’ support and love has been amazing. She has found each day truly is a gift.
Janell’s words of advice: “When the unexpected happens, you need to find your supporters. These will be the people who will take you and love you where you are at and are willing to find sources of help you need for your recovery.”
Janell’s resilient spirit, determination and true grit are much to be admired.
Sue Ready is a freelance writer, poet, food writer, book reviewer and former middle school teacher. She is a member 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.
+ bonding HER FAMILY
BY JODIE NORQUIST
the mom lifeRocking
How concerts became our family bonding time
There are hockey moms, dance moms, theater moms and band moms. Me? I’m a concert mom. I’ve embraced it fully, proudly donning my growing collection of concert T-shirts.
Over the past two years, my daughters — Maddy, 16, and Bea, 13 — and I have been on an exhilarating musical journey. From Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish to Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan, we’ve experienced live music in venues ranging from the iconic First Avenue and The Armory to the sprawling U.S. Bank Stadium and Target Center.
We attended 10 concerts last year alone, and our 2025 calendar already includes six more, including Charli XCX and Tate McRae. Each show has been more than just a night out; it’s been a chance to connect with my daughters in a joyful and meaningful way.
Watching their faces light up when their favorite artists take the stage is priceless. We’re creating memories I hope they’ll carry with them for a lifetime.
Out of my comfort zone
I need to confess something: I hate crowds. Heights terrify me and navigating busy downtown Minneapolis traffic in my minivan gives me anxiety. These concerts have taken me far outside my comfort zone.
Adding to the mix, I’m not just a mom — I’m also a grandma. My oldest daughter, Erika, and her husband, Joe, have an 18-month-old daughter, Ivy, my first grandchild. So how does a grandma like me find herself chatting with security at the barricade for Gracie Abrams or in a sea of screaming teens passing back free bottles of water, praying no one passes out at a Tate McRae concert? The answer is Taylor Swift.
In June 2023, Maddy desperately wanted to attend Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Tickets were outrageously priced on resale sites, so we monitored ticket prices like hawks, a family activity that became a lesson in perseverance.
The day of the concert arrived and we spent an hour in line for merch outside the stadium in sweltering heat so we’d at least bring home
some T-shirts even if we didn’t go to the concert. Security guards attempted to cool everyone down by spraying us with water. An hour before the concert began, we scored last-minute seats that turned out to be far better than expected. Standing in U.S. Bank Stadium, awash in the glow of thousands of fans’ wristbands and lighted phones, it felt like stepping into a magical universe.
It was my girls’ first concert and the experience hooked us all. Even the light rail ride back to where we were staying was unforgettable, filled with spontaneous singalongs and camaraderie among the Swifties who packed the train.
Becoming concert-savvy
Since then, Maddy has become our resident concert strategist, mastering everything from seating charts to barricade positioning. Her dedication is unmatched — she’s camped out in the rain for hours to secure prime spots at standing-room-only venues.
While I admire her stamina, I’ve discovered my limits. I’m too old to sit in a camping chair
Jodie Norquist and her daughters, Bea, 13, and Maddy, 16.
Maddy and Bea
outside The Armory all day so I can stand closer to the stage that night. Packed dance floors and upper balconies are not my thing. I learned the hard way at Billie Eilish’s Xcel Energy Center concert last November. I thought I could handle upper balcony seating, but there was no way. When faced with dizzying heights, I panicked. Thankfully, a compassionate Guest Services team swapped our tickets for lower-level seats, turning a potential disaster into an even better-than-expected night.
Reliving girlhood
Before this concert adventure with my daughters, live music was a rare indulgence for me. Life, filled with work and family responsibilities, had dulled the connection I once felt to music — how a song can speak to your soul or transport you to a moment in time.
But now, standing beside my daughters as they belt out every lyric in a room full of equally passionate fans, I feel a deep reconnection — with music, with my younger self, and with them.
I know a day will come when they’ll head
to concerts without me, chasing their own adventures. But for now, I’m here, enduring the crowds, the scary balconies, the Ticketmaster wars, and overpriced merch because, in the words of Taylor Swift, “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”
Jodie Norquist, a former longtime Brainerd Dispatch reporter, lives in Pequot Lakes. She attempts to stay youthful by attending concerts with her teen daughters and cherishing time with her one-year-old granddaughter, Ivy, who has completely stolen her heart.
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“Member Friendly - Service Driven” 804 Laurel Street Suite 101, Brainerd, MN 218-829-9065
What's your cycle saying?
Your menstrual cycle is a window into your health, from hormonal shifts and mood swings to cramps and flow changes. Understanding it empowers you to take control of your wellness. Let’s break the stigma and embrace the conversation.
