Her Voice Magazine - Summer 2024

Female Business

Owners

Populate Crosby-Ironton

At Lakewood,weknowacancerdiagnosis changeseverything.Ourroleistowalkwithyou onthisjourneyandprovidetheverybestcare andthelatesttreatmentoptionsavailable, soyoucanfocusongettingwell.

Jessica Nybakken, AOCNP

Alyssa Manning, FNP

Mariah Nieman, FNP

Wade Swenson, MD

+ Summer 2024

My Voice 6

Here comes the sun

By DeLynn Howard, Editor

Her Health 8

Skip to My Lou, My Darling

By Sue Smith-Grier

Her Volunteering 16

Today’s the day

By Michelle Oie

Her Support 20

From hopeless addiction to serving society

By Kathleen Krueger

Her Career 24

Female business owners populate Crosby-Ironton

By Sheila Helmberger

Her Poetry 46

“Lady on the Lake”

By Janet Kurtz

Her Business 34

To plant a seed is to believe in tomorrow

By Jennifer Salvevold

Sarah Lanzen opened her Crazy Plant Company store front in Motley in November 2023.

Her Passion Whimsical wigs

By Sheila DeChantal

Whimsical Wigs is a not-for-profit workshop led by Gwyn Yuhanna who meets with interested groups around central Minnesota.

On the cover:

Getting on a plane and putting my toes in the ocean have been at the very top of my bucket list for a long time. My dreams came true in April. 12

14

Her Table Kid-friendly recipes makes summer entertaining easy

By Sue Ready

Sue Ready has three tasty recipes for you to choose from when entertaining in the summer.

Her Organization 36 A voice for gender equity

By Sue Ready

AAUW, the American Association of University Women, has been the nation’s leading voice promoting education and equity for women and girls.

a

representation of the

30

Her Fear A flight to remember

By DeLynn Howard

Her Grief 38

Loss of a sibling

By Sheila DeChantal

What happens to the siblings in the event of losing a brother or sister as they helplessly watch their parents change before their eyes amidst their own life turning upside down?

Kristy Davis, left, Mandy Yliniemi, Sarah Nelson Katzenberger, Nadine Albrecht, Alisha Elsperger, Carrie Hofmann and Amanda Nygard are just

small

women business owners in CrosbyIronton. Photo by Kelly Humphrey.

HER VOICE

PUBLISHER

Pete Mohs

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Susie Alters

EDITOR

DeLynn Howard

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Jamie Holte

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Joey Halvorson

Kelly Humphrey

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)

Advertising: (218) 855-5895 Advertising@BrainerdDispatch.com

Comments/story ideas: 218-855-5850 delynn.howard@brainerddispatch.com

Mail: ATTN: Her Voice Brainerd Dispatch, 506 James St., Brainerd, MN 56401

Tri-annual magazine of the Brainerd Dispatch. Printed by Forum Communications.

copyright© 2003

MY VOICE

Here comes the sun...

BY DELYNN HOWARD Editor

Summer? Is that you? Where have you been? We’ve been looking for you everywhere!

While it was quite the mild winter in comparison to years past, I’m still happy summer is here. Janet Kurtz’s poem “Lady on the Lake” on Page 46 is a great example of all the summertime feels.

To carry on that summer feeling, turn to Page 14 and check out Sue Ready’s kid-friendly summer recipes.

I always say the Brainerd lakes area is home to some of the most amazing women, but do you know how many of those wonderful women own businesses in Crosby and Ironton? The towns are booming and these women are a huge part of that success. More than a dozen of the businesses are owned by women, from bars and retail stores to counseling services and outfitters. On Page 24, Sheila Helmberger introduces us to a few of the women who are part of such a popular destination.

Speaking of destinations, guess what I did? Check out my column on Page 30 to find out what two bucket list items I was able to cross off. And Michelle Oie has a column about getting out and volunteering within the community. She shares a few of the organizations she donates her time to.

Sheila DeChantal is back with her third article in our grief series — losing a sibling. DeChantal gives her subjects the freedom to express themselves in their grief while also helping to instill hope for others. Karlee Scott and Kristen Krueger discuss the loss of their siblings on Page 38.

Have you ever heard of Whimsical Wigs? What about a group called the AAUW? All of these stories and more can be found inside this issue of Her Voice magazine, so grab an ice cold beverage, find a spot in the shade or sun, kick back, relax and read.

Telling all of these wonderful stories wouldn’t be possible without our advertisers. Their support means everything to us so a great big thank you to them as well as all of the women who continue to find amazing women with interesting stories to tell.

By women. For women. About women.

BUILDINGHOUSES, BUILDINGHOPE

BUILDINGHOUSES, BUILDINGHOPE

BUILDINGHOUSES, BUILDINGHOPE

FollowusonFacebooktostayup-

I'vebeeninterestedinwoodworking,buildingandtoolseversince Icreatedapigbreadboardinhighschool!LAHFHistheperfect placeforme-Iamlearningnewskillsandstayingactive.Itis rewardingtomeetthefamilyandworkalongsidethemaswe buildtheirnewhome.

I'vebeeninterestedinwoodworking,buildingandtoolseversince Icreatedapigbreadboardinhighschool!LAHFHistheperfect placeforme-Iamlearningnewskillsandstayingactive.Itis rewardingtomeetthefamilyandworkalongsidethemaswe buildtheirnewhome.

I'vebeeninterestedinwoodworking,buildingandtoolseversince Icreatedapigbreadboardinhighschool!LAHFHistheperfect placeforme-Iamlearningnewskillsandstayingactive.Itis rewardingtomeetthefamilyandworkalongsidethemaswe buildtheirnewhome.

I'vebeeninterestedinwoodworking,buildingandtoolseversince Icreatedapigbreadboardinhighschool!LAHFHistheperfect placeforme-Iamlearningnewskillsandstayingactive.Itis rewardingtomeetthefamilyandworkalongsidethemaswe buildtheirnewhome.

-BonnieHenningson

-BonnieHenningson

-BonnieHenningson

IwantedtohelpotherswhoneedassistanceandtheHabitatbuildsare definitelyworthwhileprojects.Onmyfirstday,itwasamazingtowatchallthe volunteersworktogethertoraisetheoutsidewallsofthehome.Iwould encourageindividualstoconsidervolunteering.Therearealltypesofwork abilitiesneededfromcleanup,painting,tohammeringnails.

IwantedtohelpotherswhoneedassistanceandtheHabitatbuildsare definitelyworthwhileprojects.Onmyfirstday,itwasamazingtowatchallthe volunteersworktogethertoraisetheoutsidewallsofthehome.Iwould encourageindividualstoconsidervolunteering.Therearealltypesofwork abilitiesneededfromcleanup,painting,tohammeringnails.

IwantedtohelpotherswhoneedassistanceandtheHabitatbuildsare definitelyworthwhileprojects.Onmyfirstday,itwasamazingtowatchallthe volunteersworktogethertoraisetheoutsidewallsofthehome.Iwould encourageindividualstoconsidervolunteering.Therearealltypesofwork abilitiesneededfromcleanup,painting,tohammeringnails.

-GingerAugustinack

-BonnieHenningson

IwantedtohelpotherswhoneedassistanceandtheHabitatbuildsare definitelyworthwhileprojects.Onmyfirstday,itwasamazingtowatchallthe volunteersworktogethertoraisetheoutsidewallsofthehome.Iwould encourageindividualstoconsidervolunteering.Therearealltypesofwork abilitiesneededfromcleanup,painting,tohammeringnails.

-GingerAugustinack

-GingerAugustinack

-GingerAugustinack

WhenvolunteeringatHabitatforHumanityIknowIamhelpinga wonderfulfamilybuildaforeverhomethatwillbesafeandwarm toraisetheirfamily.WorkingwithHabitathadshownmehow greattheneedisforsafe,affordablehomesinourcommunity.

WhenvolunteeringatHabitatforHumanityIknowIamhelpinga wonderfulfamilybuildaforeverhomethatwillbesafeandwarm toraisetheirfamily.WorkingwithHabitathadshownmehow greattheneedisforsafe,affordablehomesinourcommunity.

WhenvolunteeringatHabitatforHumanityIknowIamhelpinga wonderfulfamilybuildaforeverhomethatwillbesafeandwarm toraisetheirfamily.WorkingwithHabitathadshownmehow greattheneedisforsafe,affordablehomesinourcommunity.

WhenvolunteeringatHabitatforHumanityIknowIamhelpinga wonderfulfamilybuildaforeverhomethatwillbesafeandwarm toraisetheirfamily.WorkingwithHabitathadshownmehow greattheneedisforsafe,affordablehomesinourcommunity.

-KathyWernberg

-KathyWernberg

-KathyWernberg

-KathyWernberg

ContactHeidiGouldforvolunteeropportunities:218-454-7021

Skip to My Lou, My Darling

BY SUE SMITH-GRIER

Lou Anderson will join the elite club of centenarians this November.

Instead of telling people she is 99 years young, she prefers to let them know she will be 100. And for most of those years, Lou has been dancing.

FROM GIRLHOOD ON

Lou’s mother passed away when she was a small girl. Her sister, Anna, raised her in Madison, South Dakota.

“She was a wonderful mother to me,” said Lou. Anna provided Lou with all she needed to have a happy childhood. Always active, Lou participated in sports in school. She and her brother were cheerleaders in high school and Anna was sure to be at all their games. Lou also started dancing.

“My best friend and I started dancing in high school and we went to all the dances.”

After graduation, Lou moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, to live first with her sister Gladys then with her best friend. During WW II Lou danced at the USO. Her older brother would pick her up and she would dance with the soldiers who were out on leave. Lou enjoyed dancing the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Charleston and other popular dances of the day. The Jitterbug and Lindy were her favorites. She enjoyed waltzing also.

“The waltz is hard on your legs,” Lou confided, “There’s a lot of going backwards and that’s hard. The polka is another good dance.”

Lou landed a job at a munitions factory and worked there through the war. “It was a

“There are lots of people in their upper 90s still dancing and they are doing well.”

- LOU ANDERSON

Lou Anderson stays active while working out at the Hallett Center in Crosby.

good job. I worked in the office and was one of the last people to be terminated when the war was over. I was the one who did all the terminations and mine was the last.”

When Lou first met Gus Anderson, the man she was to marry, she had no idea that he would be her dance partner for 62 years.

“Gus loved to dance. We were married for 63 years. After Gus’ heart attack, we started going to Texas for the winters. Gus needed the warmer weather after his heart attack. We danced a lot when we were there.”

No matter where Lou was, she gravitated toward the nearest dance floor.

KEEP ON DANCING

Lou just loves dancing and there is little that can keep her off the dance floor.

“I know during Covid we were not able to go dancing. My legs got so weak and there is nothing better than dancing for strength. I don’t dance on the floor anymore, but I still dance by the table because my balance is not as good as it used to be.”

Lou lived by herself until August of 2023. She fell and broke her femur and needed to go to rehab and have physical therapy to help the healing process.

“There was no dancing that day!” she explained. As a result, she had to give up her home for good and give up her dancing for

•

•

Lou Anderson has had many dance partners.

Shower DoorS • TableTopS

CuSTom mirrorS • plexiglaSS

winDow glaSS • CabineT glaSS replaCemenT SCreenS & STormS

aluminum STore FronTS & DoorS auTomaTiC DoorS • auTo glaSS

CommerCial loCk & key Door CloSureS & harDware

Lou Anderson exercises at the Hallett Center in Crosby. She’ll be 100 in November.

“I know during Covid we were not able to go dancing. My legs got so weak and there is nothing better than dancing for strength. I don’t dance on the floor anymore, but I still dance by the table because my balance is not as good as it used to be.”

- LOU ANDERSON

a while. She now lives with her daughter, Lynn, and son-in-law, Dick Cannon. “They’ve been wonderful to me. You eventually have to give up some things when you get older.”

To help gain her strength back, Lou goes with Lynn and Dick to work out at the Hallett Community Center three days a week. And of course, she goes dancing whenever she can. She doesn’t drive any more. Friends pick her up for some of the dances, and she lives near the dance hall

at the Legion in Deerwood, a handy jaunt for Dick or Lynn to take her there.

“There are lots of people in their upper 90s still dancing and they are doing well!” said Lou.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF DANCING

Research revealed dancing is one of the few exercises that has a direct positive effect on the brain. Dancing has multiple benefits for brain health. Not only does it

keep your body limber, it also improves cognition, helps individuals focus and delays dementia. As it is highly active, it also releases endorphins and all the feel good enzymes in the brain and thus reduces depression. This activity also reduces stress. It helps you break away from your usual way of thinking and it uses multiple layers of coordination which helps strengthen your ability to focus. There are other benefits to dancing, too.

One of the important benefits of dancing, especially for seniors, is that it widens your social circle which is important for health as you age.

Lou said, “You meet so many good friends. You go out on the floor and kick around. We have good bands that play for us and good music. I’m happy with everything I’ve got.”

Susan J. Smith-Grier, mother, grandmother, writer, storyteller, blogger, and Reading Corps tutor of early elementary kids, enjoys the changing seasons of Minnesota lake country. She lives for those moments when the possibilities light up the eyes of her awesome school kids and delights in the power of words and story.

“We can’t choose the music that life gives us, but we can choose how to dance to it.”

— UNKNOWN

Average workshop 2 to 2/12 hours

~ No skills required ~

Ideal group size: 6-8 people

No cost to take part Donations appreciated (this goes into materials) Want to know more?

Whimsical Wigs is a notfor-profit workshop led by Gwyn Yuhanna who meets with interested groups around central Minnesota. Submitted photo.

BY SHEILA DECHANTAL

WhimsicalWigs

Imagine you are a child with cancer. You are losing your hair or have lost your hair.

Now imagine being gifted a beautiful, crocheted hat in a design of one of your favorite characters — Jack Sparrow, Rapunzel. Elsa, Sleeping Beauty, Moana, Snow White, Barbie, etc.

Whimsical Wigs, started in 2018, is a notfor-profit workshop led by Gwyn Yuhanna who meets with interested groups around central Minnesota. In January of 2024, I was able to attend one of these group gatherings at Carol Nelson’s Craft Camp in Pillager where a group of ladies, organized by Becky Miller, had come to do their part in making these gorgeous wigs come to life.

Becky had originally connected with Gwyn online and even went to her

home in Andover to take part in her first workshop. Becky, to pun a crochet term, was hooked. She began to connect others to participate in closer-to-home workshops, held in Connie Nelson’s barn as well as Carol Nelson’s Craft Camp. Gwyn explained how it all comes together.

While Gwyn worked with another group when she originally started designing the wigs, those wigs did not necessarily stay in Minnesota. Gwyn found it important that they did stay local, and began to create her own groups to do just that.

“I have a group of dedicated ladies that crochet the beanies. They bring me beanies all the time and these are what I bring to the workshops,” Gwyn states. “You do not need to have skills in crocheting; there is something for

everyone to do from braiding yarn, adding embellishments, etc. It’s a lot of fun!”

Most of the wigs are Disney characters. Barbie was just added to the options. When finished, each wig is packaged and has a small card included that says who made the wig. Wigs, when completed, are delivered to places in Minnesota including Minneapolis Children’s Hospital, Rochester Ronald McDonald House, U of M, Rochester – St Mary’s and Duluth Essentia Clinic.

A monthly workshop is at the Centennial Library in Circle Pines, Minnesota, as well as

additional workshops when Gwyn travels around to reach other groups. There is no cost to participate, however donations are always appreciated as this becomes money for restocking the yarn and accessories to continue to make more.

In 2023, more than 700 wigs were made and donated. An estimated cost to make a wig is $50, but really in Gwyn’s eyes, for what this does for the children receiving the wig, it’s priceless.

For Gwyn, this is a project of passion. “It’s my way to volunteer and be at home with my kids at the same time. I love it.”

Youcome firstatAsteraHealth. Dr.HalaMadi,OB/GYN, canassist witheverythingthatwomenface, nomatterwhatstageoflife.From familyplanningtomenopause, Dr.Madiishereforyou.

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.

One of the many crocheted wigs created for children with cancer is the Captain Jack Sparrow design.

HER TABLE

+ summer recipes

BY SUE READY

KID-

FRIENDLY

Recipes

makes summer entertaining easy

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.

With a change in seasons and warmer weather, we find ourselves outdoors more, enjoying all that up north living has to offer. These kid-friendly summer recipes make entertaining easy and fun. Savor the season by adding in fresh produce and fruits to your meals.

CHERRY COKE FLOAT CUPCAKES

Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes are a dessert that will float your boat. Or your taste buds. Or maybe even both. Buttermilk helps make the cupcakes moist and cherry coke/cola captures the flavors of a favorite drink. A half teaspoon espresso powder added draws out the natural flavors of chocolate, giving it more depth.

The recipe makes 12 cupcakes. If you are looking for more of a Fourth of July theme use red, white and blue cupcake liners and decorate with festive sprinkles.

Cooking Tip: Avoid overbeating batter so cupcakes rise nicely.

+ CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups flour

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon espresso powder

3/4 cup sugar

8 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

1 large egg

1/2 cup buttermilk

3/4 cup Cherry Coca-Cola

1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Maraschino cherries, stemless

+ CUPCAKE DIRECTIONS:

Remove 12 cherries from the jar and drain them on a paper towel.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with paper liners and set aside.

In a bowl combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, espresso powder and salt.

Stir together and set aside.

In another bowl, combine the sugar and butter and beat on mediumhigh speed until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg until incorporated. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, cola, maraschino cherry juice and vanilla extract and stir to combine.

Mix the dry ingredients into the

butter-sugar mixture on low speed, alternately with the liquid ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients and mixing just until incorporated.

Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners.

Insert one maraschino cherry in the middle of each cupcake and cover with batter.

Bake for about 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow to cool in the pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

+ FROSTING INGREDIENTS:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

4 tablespoons softened butter

3 tablespoons cherry juice or cherry cola

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Milk as needed for frosting consistency

3 cups powdered sugar

+ FROSTING DIRECTIONS:

Beat cream cheese and butter. Add in cherry juice or cherry cola, almond extract and powdered sugar.

Add in milk beating until desired frosting consistency.

Decorate with half a straw and cherry with a stem.

Refrigerate 30 minutes to set frosting.

COWBOY BAKED BEANS

Cook’s Notes: Best ever Cowboy Baked Beans recipe (aka Calico Beans) are a bit of spice, a bit of sweet and delicious. They’re perfect for summer barbecues, picnics, potlucks, Fourth of July, Father’s Day and more. It can be baked in the oven or in a crockpot. Cowboy Baked Beans is a versatile recipe served as a side or used as filling for a walking taco.

The recipe serves 6-8 and was adapted from therecipecritic.com.

+ MAIN INGREDIENTS:

1/2 pound of bacon, halved (I used thick sliced Applewood)

1 cup diced sweet onions

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound ground beef (85%)

salt and pepper to taste

1 can each rinsed and drained, kidney, pinto, and cannellini beans

+ SAUCE INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays brand)

1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons chili powder (taste test)

1 1/2 cups ketchup

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons yellow mustard

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 cups water

+ DIRECTIONS:

Make sauce ahead by whisking ingredients together and set aside.

In an oven-safe pan or Dutch Oven pan, stove top, fry bacon until crisp. Toward the end of the frying time, add chopped onions and minced garlic.

Cook onions and garlic with bacon, and when done, remove everything from the pan to a paper towel-lined towel plate.

Crumble the bacon.

Wipe the grease from the pan and add in the ground beef.

Cook and crumble the meat, adding the desired salt and pepper amount.

Pat meat dry from grease in the pan and mix the sauce mixture in. Cover and cook 40 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees, or transfer the bean mixture to a crock pot for 3 hours heating on low.

Option 1: Serve the bean mixture in a bowl as a side with toppings, including shredded cheese, chopped chiles and chopped tomatoes.

Option 2. Walking Tacos

Remove the chips from individual Frito Lay bags. When adding the bean mixture to the Frito Lay bag, drain some of the bean liquid with a slotted spoon. Add in your preferred toppings with some crumbled Frito chips to the bag.

BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD

Cook’s Notes: The beauty of this salad is that the ingredients can easily be increased depending on how many servings are needed. Any extra dressing should be stored in the refrigerator in a screw-type jar. This side salad serves 4-6.

Make the salad dressing early in the day so the flavors can meld. The recipe called for mayonnaise, but I used Miracle Whip for more flavor.

+ POPPY SEED DRESSING INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup honey salt to taste

1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

+ DIRECTIONS:

Blend ingredients until smooth with a small whisk.

Refrigerate the dressing for several hours.

+ SALAD INGREDIENTS:

2 cups dried pasta, bow tie, rotini, fusilli

4-5 cups broccoli, rinsed, dried and chopped in pieces

1 large crisp red apple, e.g. Honey Crisp

1 green apple, diced

1/3 cup diced red onion

1 cup toasted cashews

2/3 cup dried cranberries

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1 cup halved mozzarella balls (ciliegine or pearls)

6 slices of bacon, cooked and drained.

+ SALAD DIRECTIONS:

Cook pasta al dente and rinse with cold water.

In a large bowl, toss all ingredients together.

There is ample dressing, so only fold in enough to moisten, not drench salad ingredients.

Refrigerate salad for several hours for flavors to meld.

HER VOLUNTEERING

+ get involved

TODAY’S THE DAY

BY MICHELLE OIE

My life is quiet. Too quiet. Those are words I never thought I’d say. In addition to losing my work office environment in 2020, and all the potlucks and office events that went with it, we are now empty nesters. Our pets don’t quite fill the role of bustling teenagers and friends coming and going at unexpected hours of the day and night. It used to fill my heart to see their visiting young faces. I loved getting updates on their lives and filling their bellies with a meal or a simple cookie.

“Making a positive difference in the lives of others, I believe, is the purpose of our lives. We all have gifts and talents that can be shared with others. Who knows, the time you spend with someone might even make them feel loved and valued.”

- Michelle Oie

One thing that has kept me energized and joyful during this new season of quiet has been my involvement in community organizations. I never outright thought, “I’m going to get involved. Where should I go?” It just seemed to happen. The joy that comes from helping people live a better life has motivated me to get involved. So as opportunities aligned with my talents and interests, I said, “Yes!”

When I wake up on a volunteer day I’m so excited. I think, “Today’s the day!” My talk is prepared, I’ve practiced numerous times and I am ready. Driving to the venue I anticipate the people I will meet, what I will learn from them and what they might learn from me. My mood is lighter, I have newfound energy for the day and the joy I feel when presenting and interacting with my new friends is like warm sunshine. It fills my heart. It’s an unmatched natural high. To utilize your gifts and talents to positively benefit others is a feeling like no other.

Where do I volunteer my time and energy? My hope is that by sharing my experiences your interest will be sparked to get involved in the organizations and activities you love.

I have a day job that aligns with environmental sustainability, so it was a coworker who told me about Happy Dancing Turtle’s Back to Basics event in Pine River. According to their website, “Back to Basics is the premier sustainable living event of north-central Minnesota. It combines workshops, vendors/exhibitors, a keynote, lunch, door prizes, and more to bring roughly 400 people together to share ideas on a wide variety of topics related to sustainability and resiliency.” Since 2011 I have been presenting a workshop at the event and I absolutely love it. I started out with a “Seven Steps to a Passionate Life” workshop and this year I offered “Is Stressful Stress Stressing You Out?” It is so fulfilling when people are encouraged by what I have to offer. We are all on this journey of life together so why not help each other out? The event itself is wonderful. The vendors are fun and unique, the speakers are knowledgeable, and lunch is always delicious. I even won a door prize one year. Looking for an outlet for my writing, I contacted Her Voice magazine in 2019. They were nice enough to let me submit a

few articles. (Thank you Her Voice and to all of you who read the magazine.) I have been writing for them since. It’s a privilege to share my insights. At first I was nervous to be vulnerable but I realize now that my experiences can help others. From tips for a great family summer road trip to what love really is, I write from the heart. Hopefully there are nuggets that folks can take with them on their journey that will help them live better. https://www.brainerddispatch. com/topics/her-voice-magazine

I’m not sure why, but I really enjoy teenagers. They are energetic and fun and full of ideas. To hang out with them is enlightening. I learn so much from their outlook on life. When the Brainerd Lakes Area Pregnancy Support Center told me in 2019 they had an opening for a volunteer to travel to local high schools and present a Healthy Relationships talk, I was intrigued. Tapping into my love of teaching (and teenagers), I have presented to nine area schools with six additional schools yet to be contacted. Classes range from eighth to 12th grade. On the first day, they take an animal personality assessment, we talk

about making good choices and being assertive and grateful. On day two we dive into why people date, qualities to look for in someone to marry, what is love and end with the kids discovering their love language. They really enjoy finding out their animal personality and love language. As antisocial as teenagers can be to a guest speaker in their classroom, I have received a few heartfelt thank yous over the years. My heart jumps for joy. There is so much heartache in the world, especially among our young people. If one nugget of information I offer helps someone live a better life, it’s all worth it.

I never thought my teaching would turn into preaching. Recently, I learned about the new Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge women’s campus in Brainerd. As I heard the interview on the radio I wondered how I could get involved.

Today’s the day to check it out.

Learn what’s out there, find organizations who need help, pick one or two and contact them today. Then, once you are involved, you too can wake up on a volunteer day saying, “Today’s the day!” - Michelle Oie

I contacted them and submitted my volunteer application. I was told that a good fit for me was as a guest speaker at their chapel. I presented for the first time at the end of April. It was amazing. I shared my talk, there were tears and it ended in hugs. If that’s not awesome, I don’t know what is.

There have been other opportunities I’ve tried. When my kids were little I taught Junior Achievement in their elementary classrooms. I also tried my hand at teaching fourth grade Sunday school. This is when I learned I preferred teenagers. I have spoken for Stonecroft Ministries, led book discussion groups, taught classes at Brainerd Community Education and

Here’s where I volunteer:

• happydancingturtle.org/back-to-basics

• lakesareapregnancy.org

• mntc.org

For more volunteer opportunities around the Brainerd lakes area, visit brainerd.com/business-directory/services/volunteer/ or brainerdcommunityaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Volunteerism.pdf.

organized Toys for Kids. Some other organizations I’ve thought about giving my time to are Bridges of Hope and the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen. (I haven’t volunteered for Bridges of Hope yet but I certainly have shopped at their wonderful stores more than once.) There’s only one of me so those two might have to wait. Perhaps upon retirement I will add those and others to the list. Who knows, you might see me all over town.

Unfortunately, these volunteer opportunities fall outside the duties of my day job. Although, in 2018 I was able to create an Employee Mentorship Program at my place of work for our 900-plus employees and it’s been going pretty strong since. I thoroughly enjoy leading it. It’s a good reminder I can get involved and/or volunteer in different ways while “on the clock.” If you don’t have time to volunteer, how can you volunteer at your day job? Perhaps you plan potlucks and staff lunches. You could organize a food drive or collect funds to donate to a good cause. Tapping into one of your many talents and aligning it with a good cause can make your heart sing.

I encourage you, if your life is quiet or even if it’s not, to start thinking about how you can get involved in causes and organizations that align with your talents and interests. If you have young children perhaps get involved with the organizations they are involved in. Volunteering and getting involved gets you out of the house, you meet new people, and you’re less bored and isolated. The joy and energy you experience while doing this will tell you if it’s the right choice. Making a positive difference in the lives of others, I believe, is the purpose of our lives. We all have gifts and talents that can be shared with others. Who knows, the time you spend with someone might even make them feel loved and valued. Today’s the day to check it out. Learn what’s out there, find organizations who need help, pick one or two and contact them today. Then, once you are involved, you too can wake up on a volunteer day saying, “Today’s the day!”

Michelle Oie is a Finding Purpose coach, inspirational speaker, writer and soon-to-be author. Her passion is helping people find their unique life purpose. She loves Jeep Wranglers, peanut butter and hitting all green lights driving through Brainerd. Take The Happiness Quiz and learn more at www.michelleoie.com.

FROM HOPELESS ADDICTION TO SERVING SOCIETY

Women’s Adult and Teen Challenge of Brainerd

BY KATHLEEN KRUEGER

Intensive outpatient with lodging. That’s the description given for the new substance abuse program for women in Brainerd.

The program is a part of Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, which has provided residential and outpatient programs for men in Brainerd since 2008. Until January of this year, women seeking to enter this faith-based treatment program in Minnesota only had options in the Twin Cities or Rochester. Having

PHOTOS BY JOEY HALVORSON

Staff gathered at the new Adult & Teen Challenge women’s facility in Brainerd.

an option available in north central Minnesota, close to home, can make the decision to enter treatment easier, especially for women with children.

Abigail Peltier, a Teen Challenge graduate, was hired to serve as director and develop the new women’s program. The program is unique to Brainerd, the first of its kind within the Adult & Teen Challenge organization, which operates more than 1,000 centers around the globe.

At 17, Abigail faced three drug felony charges and chose long-term treatment at Teen Challenge over a jail sentence. It totally transformed the projection of her life. Instead of wanting drugs, she wanted God. Instead of wasting her life away, she gained a passion for making a positive impact on society and received a master’s degree in social work.

WOMEN’S INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT WITH LODGING

Teen Challenge residential programs for women in other locations can be 30- or 90-day short-term programs or a 13-month long-term program. The Brainerd program is a 90-day minimum stay that can be extended if deemed necessary. It includes 28 hours a week of faith-based substance abuse programming plus secure lodging in a 24-bed facility located next door.

In addition to uncovering the whys behind addiction and receiving guidance and support in the recovery process, the program also offers classes on parenting and other life skills to help participants successfully transition into a sober lifestyle. The strong spiritual element is what sets Teen Challenge apart from most other treatment programs. From Abigail and other Teen Challenge graduates there are two things that they agree made the difference,

where other programs failed. One was the deep impact of a long-term program and the other was Jesus.

MEET THE STAFF

Throughout the Teen Challenge organization, you will find that a high percentage of the staff are graduates of the 13-month Teen Challenge program. Many of them also attended a year-long leadership training offered by Teen Challenge following their graduation. Two of the staff we talked to fit that description.

Brandyce Mrozek is one of the recovery coaches at the Brainerd campus. Brandyce started using pills and meth in her 20s, while a mother of three. By the time she reached 30 she had moved on to heroin. She went through an outpatient treatment program and spent time in jail. During her last jail sentence, she decided it was time to make a radical change in her life and enrolled in Teen Challenge.

“You need more than 30 or 60 days to make this kind of change,” she told us. “Drug use is just a symptom of what’s going on inside a person.”

Recovery Coach Brandyce Mrozek, left, Director Abigail Peltier and Social Service Coordinator Candy Kylochko are staff members at the new Adult & Teen Challenge women’s facility in Brainerd.

Candy Kylochko serves as the social services coordinator for both the men’s and women’s programs of Brainerd Teen Challenge. She grew up in the Brainerd lakes area and knows firsthand how rampant drug and alcohol abuse is among local teens and adults.

An IV drug user by the age of 16, Candy was first arrested at age 18. She was incarcerated in the Crow Wing County jail over two dozen times and sent to prison twice. It was while attending Bible studies when she was incarcerated that Candy was introduced to a loving God and given hope for something better for her future. Enrolling

in the Teen Challenge long-term program was the first step toward a new life.

Candy said, “I am married to a wonderful man; I have good credit, a great job, and own a home,” things she thought would never happen. In addition, she had relationships restored with her children and other family members. Two of her siblings followed her path and enrolled in Teen Challenge as a result of seeing the change in their sister.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

“The Brainerd community has been very supportive,” says Director Abigail Peltier.

Candy Kylochko, left, Abigail Peltier and Brandyce Mrozek are part of the support staff at the new women’s facility.

Much of the furniture and décor items for the women’s building were donated by community members, who also serve as volunteers. The organization couldn’t fully operate without these volunteers.

Some volunteers drive residents to appointments. Others teach life skills, lead Bible studies or serve as personal encouragers to one of the residents. There are many ways people can serve on a regular or occasional basis. For more information on volunteer opportunities and the application process, contact Ann Munson, volunteer coordinator, at 218-297-8666.

Current financial needs include funding for several outdoor projects including creating additional parking spaces, a storage building for maintenance equipment and construction of a playground for the children who visit their parents in the treatment program.

For more information about the Central Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge program for women, visit www.mntc. org/brainerdwomens or call 218-8338763 to inquire about admissions to the Brainerd programs.

Kathleen Krueger has been a full-time freelance writer since 2011. Her book, “Hey Freelancer Go Clone Yourself” shares advice based on the experiences of her successful freelance career and that of her co-author. Learn more about Kathleen on her website: KathleenKrueger.com.

+ inspiring HER CAREER

Female business

owners populate Crosby-Ironton

BY SHEILA HELMBERGER

The communities of Crosby and Ironton have seen a lot of changes in the past 10 years. Thanks to the inception of the popular mountain bike trails, tourism is thriving. Where windows were once boarded, and storefronts were dark, today most are open and Main Street is a busy place again. More than a dozen of the businesses in Crosby and Ironton are owned by women, from bars and retail stores to counseling services and outfitters.

Meet a few of the women who are part of such a popular destination.

Sarah Katzenberger, left, and Julie McGinnis, are co-owners of Cuyuna Outfitters in Crosby.

“Cuyuna Outfitters opened the retail part of their business in 2022. “The timing was perfect. The pandemic had just ended, and everybody wanted to be outside.”

- Sarah Katzenberger

CROSBY-IRONTON COURIER

Lori Laborde is a 1983 Crosby-Ironton graduate. Proud to call Crosby her hometown, she is excited about the growth in the downtown district and the lakes, trails and beauty the area has to offer.

“The Crosby-Ironton Courier is 113 years old and continues to record the area’s history one week at a time,” says LaBorde. The C-I Courier is available over the counter in Deerwood, Crosby, Emily and Ironton. An online version of the C-I Courier offers each page of the paper as a PDF for easy viewing. It is not a search engine style. Residents and visitors can stay connected with the Cuyuna Range with an online or mailed version of the C-I Courier.

CUYUNA OUTFITTERS

Sarah Katzenberger and Julie McGinnis were friends before they became business partners. A day at the beach with their kids led to a conversation about what they would like to see open next in their community. Surprised to learn the two outdoors enthusiasts were thinking the same thing, they decided to make it happen. “When the building became available it built from there,” says Sarah. Cuyuna Outfitters opened the retail part of their business in 2022. “The timing was perfect. The pandemic had just ended, and everybody wanted to be outside.”

The two women have expanded their business to offer the popular rental and delivery of kayaks, paddle boards, canoes and glass bottom kayaks, perfect for area lakes and the crystal clear waters of the mine pits.

HAIR REFINERY

The Hair Refinery salon has been in Crosby for 30 years. Four years ago, the business changed hands when Jamie Welle bought the building on Crosby’s Main Street. Today she operates Jamie’s Beauty Bar inside Hair Refinery.

When Jamie purchased the building, she

Jamie Welle, left, Lindsay Ecklund and Krissy Vanvickle are part of the Hair Refinery.

brought along stylists Krissy Vanvickle, who worked with her at Regis in Brainerd, and Lindsay Ecklund.

The trio offer a full line of services at Hair Refinery including cuts, colors, foils, waxing, lashes and other treatments. Product lines for various hair products can be found at the store. The trio looks forward to the busy tourist season.

HAIR-FORCE ONE

Kristen Anderson started her salon, HairForce One, 13 years ago in Brainerd. This year she is enjoying a warm welcome while she settles into her new space on Main

Anderson, left, and Brittany Gordon are at Hair-Force One on Main Street in Crosby.

Street in Crosby. “There is a lot of foot traffic here,” she says, “I love the tourism and I love the people.”

Kristen, and Brittany, another stylist at the salon, offer customers most hair services. Kristen is pleased with her decision to relocate. “This is a booming little town,” she said.

MIXED COMPANY

Johnna Johnson, below, leaned on her years as Cuyuna Lakes Chamber Director and her love of coffee to convince her husband to invest in her. She had a working knowledge of the changes and progress the area was about to experience, and it quickly became a now-or-never type of situation.

When a former shop closed its doors, she went alone to their auction and told herself if she was able to leave with an espresso machine for $1,000 or less, it would be the nudge she needed to open her place. She bid furiously and others told her it was the toss of her ponytail that scared off the gentleman bidding against her.

This year, Mixed Company celebrates its 11th anniversary. “We didn’t know what to call ourselves,” she laughs. “We wanted to maintain a local feel while ‘mixing’ in the tourists.” The popularity of Mixed Company proves she got what she wanted.

NORD HUS

Sarah Halvorson Brunko, pictured in the left upper corner of Page 27, started her business as an importer of Scandinavian products over four years ago. It has been a lifelong passion. “My brother and I were always the kids at the Sons of Norway meetings,” she laughs. “When we moved to the area my husband urged me to start a retail shop. I found the perfect location in Crosby, which is so up and coming, I am just really thrilled to be here.”

With a degree in Scandinavian Studies and a minor in Norwegian she speaks the language fluently and knows her product line.

Kristen

Nord Hus carries apparel for all seasons, including jackets, sweatshirts, T-shirts and socks. The shop has housewares, kitchen items and food such as lingonberries and Swedish pancake mix. Christmas decor, baby gifts, books, greeting cards, porcelain, glassware, jewelry and the work of local and regional artists can all be found at Nord Hus.

PLANTING SEEDS LEARNING

Planting Seeds Learning is not just a business, it’s a calling and a passion for Joce Godfrey. Godfrey, right, provides treatment called Applied Behavior Analysis for children with autism, ADHD and other neurological disorders and their families. Therapy is offered in her office, in homes and in the community. The office is located in

Proceedsfromourthriftstores supportBridgesofHope

SHOP MON.-SAT.9AM-6PM

SUMMERSUNDAYS11AM-4PM DONATE MON.-FRI.10AM-6PM

downtown Crosby, and she currently travels to homes as far away as Grand Rapids and Randall.

Planting Seeds Learning addresses the stress that comes with the daily demands of life, transitions, adapting to change and accepting correction with a playful approach to avoid aggression and other negative behavior. Children and parents attend sessions together to ensure these skills follow them into the home. She also advocates for children to have what they need to succeed at school with parent coaching, attending IEP meetings and completing functional behavior assessments.

PLAYFUL PATHWAYS THERAPY

Alisha Elsperger, above, opened Playful Pathways, offering pediatric occupational therapy, at the end of last year.

She says after she had a baby, she was ready to return to work and found there were not many opportunities in her specialty, so she decided to open her own business. Working with kids from birth to 18 years, she helps them to master the large motor skills necessary for balance, coordination and mobility. She works to help with the honing

of fine motor skills which aid in manipulating objects such as fasteners, zippers and eating. Some clients come to her for help with sensory integration or emotional regulation.

“It has grown really well,” she says of Playful Pathways. She originally opened just a couple of days a week and this summer will see clients a fourth day.

RED THREADS AND LAKE AND COMPANY

Mandi Yliniemi, below, owns two businesses in Crosby — Red Threads and Lake and Company. They share a storefront on Main Street.

A graphic designer for 20-plus years, Mandi has owned Red Threads, a custom apparel, retail, and design shop for five years. Creating designs for apparel with Minnesota and Cuyuna themes, she celebrates the area’s lake living and mountain biking that thrives there.

“Customers have fun choosing a design and a shirt or hat in the color/style they like, and we make it for them right away.”

As a parent in the district, she designed the current Crosby-Ironton School District logos and carries C-I Rangers merchandise in her store.

By combining Red Threads with Lake and Company, her retail store featuring products for the outdoor lifestyle, she has created the perfect destination for area locals and visitors.

SISU MASSAGE

Amanda Nygard, above, worked for many years as a massage therapist at Glacial Waters Spa at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa.

“When I left Glacial Waters, I saw what was happening in Crosby,” she says, “and I am a bike person myself.” She found a place to live and about a year later she found the perfect spot for her business. Sisu Massage opened over two years ago on Main Street, offering custom massage sessions utilizing herbs, essential oils and salt scrubs.

“Business has been good here; everyone is supportive of each other,” she says. In the early days she slowly built up her local clientele first. Then the visitors found her.

“There is an ebb and flow to business,” she says of the less busy winter, and increased traffic in the summer, “but it gives you time to get other things done.”

SPALDING HOUSE

Owning a business is in Nadine Albrecht’s blood. Albrecht, pictured in the upper left hand corner of Page 29, comes from a

family of entrepreneurs and has owned the Spalding House on Main Street for the past 10 years.

The historic building the bar is located in, was a 60-room hotel when it was originally built. Today Nadine rents nine rooms as Airbnb properties and owns three additional commercial spaces on the street.

TACONITE CANTEEN

“I had driven by here for many years,” says Carrie Hofmann of the Taconite Canteen. Born and raised in Crosby, Hofmann, below, is a past manager of the food and beverage department for the Legacy Golf Course. She says she thought if she could do the work for someone else, she could do it for herself.

“I dragged my feet and then the previous owners purchased it. When they decided to close the doors, it was the perfect opportunity for us.”

Then Covid happened. She opened her business in September 2022. It is open seven days a week serving lunch and dinner. Taconite Canteen has two patios and two smaller side rooms with an event space that holds up to 250 guests. Artifacts from the mining eras of the Cuyuna Range can be seen at the Canteen, some from as early as 1902.

“We keep growing every month.,” she says. “We see people from all over this area and outside of the area that come to check us out.”

UNA RAKKI

products with a focus on as many small women-owned and minority-owned businesses as possible. Grooming products will be pet and environmentally safe.

UPLIFTED WELLNESS

Jill Mattson, right, is in her ninth year at Uplifted Wellness. Nationally certified in massage therapy since 2002, she has been teaching yoga since 2016.

Kristy Davis is excited for July. That is the target to open Una Rakki, a pet boutique with grooming and a self-wash space on Main Street in Crosby. Last year she turned 50 and says she decided it was time to start her business if she was ever going to.

“I felt Crosby was such a great space for me because I want to offer pet products that help pets and pet parents enjoy their time in the outdoors hiking, biking and enjoying the water here together.”

She will expand to include hunting, training and other items in the fall.

The product line will feature USA made

WonderWomeninTech

“We do Christian Yoga, TRX Total Resistance Extreme using suspension straps from the ceiling.” The wellness studio connects the mind, body and spirit through yoga, strength classes and massage.

Jill moved to Crosby when her husband became the pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church. “It has been great watching the transition the last 25 years of the town. Now it is vibrant. It has been fun to be a part of it.”

Jill has her eye on retirement next year but says when she leaves, the business will be in good hands. With a degree in exercise physiology and a certification as a personal trainer, Baily Swensen, the current manager and a teacher at the studio, will take over the business.

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

A flight to

remember

BY DELYNN HOWARD | EDITOR

I did it. I finally did it. I got on a plane! Last year for my 50th birthday, I was given money toward a “travel voucher” to make my dream come true of seeing the ocean. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve seen plenty of things, but only by car. My parents weren’t the going-on-vacation types. We couldn’t afford to do those kinds of trips, but we did a lot of camping when I was younger. I have wonderful memories of many camping trips in our small pull-behind travel trailer.

We did a handful of road trips for family weddings as well. In fact, I saw Niagara Falls when we traveled to New York State for a cousin’s wedding. I experienced the heat and humidity of Oklahoma for another wedding and thankfully escaped an “attack” of chiggers. Two choir trips in high school took me to Winnipeg, Canada, and Chicago. I road tripped with my best friend, Patty, to Nashville. And while I only vaguely remember, I have pictures to prove I climbed the rocks at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado when I was young. Oh! And I’ve even ridden in a helicopter (Remember when Paul Bunyan used to offer those rides?)

So while I’m not a world traveler, I haven’t lived a totally sheltered life either. But getting on a plane and putting my toes in the ocean have been at the very top of my list for a long time.

The last weekend of April, I checked those items off, but it didn’t come without some, shall we say, resistance on my part. I wanted to go. I wanted to do this. But man, how scary! I’m afraid of heights, and that’s been most of my issue about getting on a plane. I know some say it’s not the same thing as, say being on a roof, a roller coaster or ferris wheel, but to me, heights are heights and I’m not a fan. I can’t even watch height videos on the internet without getting queasy and light-headed. And while I haven’t known anyone to have been in a plane crash, I’ve seen plenty of movies and TV shows, and well, you know, the anxious and overthinking mind does what it does.

A few of my friends at work would randomly ask how the trip planning was going, who was going with me, where

HER FEAR

+ bucket list

“What did I want? I wanted a place on the beach without a ton of people, to sit and read, relax and recharge.”

- DELYNN

I wanted to go and when. I always had something to say. “I don’t know. Anyone can go. We’ve got time. I just need to take the trip before I turn 51, right?” Thank goodness for their relentlessness because by the time 2024 rolled around, they were really bugging me. I was even given a timeline! “Can we go? We want to go! But we need to figure this out by February!” I thought to myself, the more the merrier because this really wasn’t happening, right? I did ask my high school girlfriends, but the timing only worked for my best friend, Patty. She was on board along with friends and co-workers Theresa Bourke, Stacey McSweeney and Renee Richardson.

For months, Stacey researched locations, VRBOs and flights. Every few days, I’d get a link for a beautiful place near the beach, not really thinking we’d actually go, let alone stay in a place like the ones she shared. One day, she came to my desk and said, “OK. What exactly do you want for this trip? It’s yours. It’s for you. What are your wishes because knowing will make my search easier.”

What did I want? I wanted a place on the beach without a ton of people, to sit and read, relax and recharge. I didn’t want to go sightseeing or have an itinerary. I simply wanted the ability to hear the ocean waves crash on the shore and literally have the beach be out the front or back door. I wasn’t asking for much, right?

Stacey narrowed her search to beach houses only and said she was going to look for direct flights because she was worried if we flew somewhere with a layover, I’d rent a car and drive home. I mean, she wasn’t wrong, I suppose.

After several discussions, Google searches and PTO requests approved, we settled on a beautiful beach house right on the Gulf in Freeport, Texas. Next thing I know, the flights were booked and there was no turning back!

Fast forward to April 25 and I’m sitting next to Stacey in first class. If this was the only flight I was going to take, I was going to

Findusatthemuralin downtownBrainerd!

This is my “what have I gotten myself into” face.

Stacey and I enjoying our first class seats.

do it in comfort. And it did not disappoint. The flight attendant brought me a cocktail to help calm my nerves. It also helped that Stacey is a seasoned traveler. She talked me through how everything was going to go during takeoff. She gave me a piece of gum, told me to keep my head pushed back in the seat and we’d be in the air before I knew it. She wasn’t kidding! My belly did the flip flop thing, I said ‘holy crap’ a bunch of times and voila! It was like riding a bus, in the air, above the clouds.

I was adamant I wasn’t going to look out the window but I ended up doing so several times. I couldn’t believe how surreal it was to be amongst the clouds like that. It was a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

When we landed in Houston, Theresa, Renee and Patty couldn’t wait to hear what I thought of the flight. I honestly didn’t have words to describe how I felt but I was proud to tell them I’d looked out the window more than once.

We got our rental minivan and took the scenic route to Freeport by way of Galveston. I couldn’t believe that just a few hours prior, I was at home and now I was more than 1,000 miles away in Texas.

Patty Bauman, left, Theresa Bourke, Stacey McSweeney and Renee Richardson, were my wonderful travel companions. I couldn’t have done this without their love, support and willingness to go on this adventure with me.

The view of the Gulf of Mexico from the deck of our beach house in Freeport, Texas.

Word to the wise — don’t grocery shop with four other weary travelers who are just as hungry and tired as you. We each took a cart and spread out like we’d never shopped before. Thank you, Galveston Walmart, for supplying us with every possible snack item we could ever want or need.

As we made our way to the house, we commented on all the colorful beach houses lined up along the Gulf. There were lavender ones, bright green ones, multi-colored ones — all up on stilts. Before we knew it, we spotted the blue green La Belle, our home for five days. We had seen pictures of it but they simply didn’t do it justice. I knew we were on the beach like I requested, but climbing the steps to our deck, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There it was — the Gulf. The ocean. A body of water I had longed to put my toes in. It was about 300 feet away on a long boardwalk inches from the steps of our deck.

We picked our rooms, got unpacked and chilled for the evening. What a day it had been but I knew what was to come.

We got up the next morning, threw on our sunbathing gear, covered ourselves in sunscreen, grabbed our books and went to the deck. It wasn’t overly sunny but we knew we could still get burned. An hour or two went by and Patty turned to me and said, “‘Are you ready, bestie?’” Indeed I was. The others were already down wading in the water and checking the beach

for shells. Patty and I walked down the boardwalk and I stepped off and put my toes in that glorious, soft sand. We proceeded toward the water’s edge. Patty grabbed my hand and together we walked into the Gulf. As quickly as the water reached my feet, tears streamed down my cheeks. I heard my friends say, “‘Aww. She’s crying.’” I couldn’t believe how it felt, but not just physically. It was like my soul was being cleansed with each splash. As we walked further in, the waves got bigger and bigger, mimicking my smile. Patty squeezed my hand and said, “‘This was so special. Thank you for letting me experience this with you.’”

With a red face, the taste of the Gulf on my lips, donning my goofy floppy beach hat, I turned around, took a deep breath and asked

Patty to take a picture of me. It’s not the most flattering photo but it marked another moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

On day four of the trip, we watched the sunrise from our deck. Getting up early was definitely worth it.

TO PLANT A SEED IS TO BELIEVE IN TOMORROW

That is what Sarah Lanzen of Crazy Plant Company did with those yesterdays now behind her — she planted that first seed. It was in 2018 that Sarah educated herself through a bachelor’s degree in horticulture. In February of 2023 Sarah launched her website for her new business venture and started her career in plants with “Pop Up Plant Sales” at county fairs, farmers markets and events from the Brainerd lakes area all the way up to the North Shore area. It was in November 2023 that Sarah opened her current store front in Motley. She is

PHOTOS AND ARTICLE BY JENNIFER SALVEVOLD

also currently taking an herbalism class to further educate herself and her customers. She also hosts terrarium workshops. Outside of her store front, Sarah owns a Crazy Plant Company ambulance. When I asked her why an ambulance, she said, “It’s unique and draws attention. Also, it’s heated/air conditioned in the back unlike some cargo vans. So, when I’m off for plant sales or my twice a year trip to Florida for plants, they thrive with the temperature control.”

A bit of a back story that led Sarah to where

You can find Sarah on her website (www.crazyplantcompany.com) and on social media such as Facebook & Instagram to stay on top of her current plant selection, tutorials, and classes/workshops that she will be hosting; also, some “Pop Up Plant Sales”.

Crazy Plant Company is found at: 33885 US 10 E • Motley, MN (218) 838-9905

she is today is that she had managed convenient stores for 20 years. Knowing she had the retail aspect and experience in retail, she knew she had what it took to run her own business. And finding a career that combined something she loved and was passionate about makes all the difference.

Why Crazy Plant Company? “Crazy Plant Lady was taken,” Sarah said. So, replacing “lady” with “company” as her husband suggested, seemed to stick.

Sarah specializes in houseplants from common to rare and carries sizes from newly sprouted to full grown. This will have been her first year opening a greenhouse in the spring for items such as hanging baskets, patio pots, bedding flowers and unique items not always found in the area. Her store also houses items like seed packets and pots and other items such as 3-D laser prints, soaps, candles and freeze-dried candy to prolong a therapeutic shopping experience.

Sarah owns a Crazy Plant Company ambulance. She said, “It’s unique and draws attention. Also, it’s heated/ air conditioned in the back unlike some cargo vans. So, when I’m off for plant sales or my twice a year trip to Florida for plants, they thrive with the temperature control.”

There are some very significant reasons to surround yourself with plants. Plants replace carbon dioxide with fresh oxygen and greater air quality. And mental health studies consistently show caring for plants improves focus and lowers stress levels, boosting creativity and productivity — the happier you are, the healthier you are.

When asked about her future, Sarah said, “There’s big plans; this is only the beginning.” Without giving too much away, I can share that Sarah will be expanding soon from purchasing wholesale to having a space to grow her own plants and flowers. Sarah encounters customers who know what they want and but she also gets to teach some of them who come in.

“I love it all. It’s been fun getting to know people. Some strangers have become regulars and are now friends,” she said.

Now that’s what I call planting a seed.

Jennifer Salvevold is the owner of {Photojenic} Photography. She is also employed with Evolve Vacation Rental as a photographer for the state of Minnesota and works in healthcare with ProMedica Hospice & Home Health. She is a wife of 28 years and has three successful grown children. She also loves to craft, cook/bake, bike, explore and sell handcrafted items in her Etsy store.

A voice for gender equity

BY SUE READY

AAUW, the American Association of University Women, has been the nation’s leading voice promoting education and equity for women and girls.

The Brainerd Lakes Area AAUW branch supports the national AAUW mission to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. The AAUW vision is equity for all with values that are nonpartisan, fact based and inclusive. Minnesota AAUW was organized in 1923 and the national organization AAUW in 1881.

The Brainerd lakes area AAUW branch recently celebrated 60 years of operation from 1963 to 2023. The occasion was earmarked in September 2023 with an anniversary party. Three long standing members, Mary Farmer. Beatrice Eades and Pat Howitz, have been members for 50 years or more. Pat Howitz has a 59-year commitment to the organization.

The AAUW branch has 40 members from

surrounding areas, including Brainerd, Baxter, Pillager, Little Falls, Fort Ripley, Nisswa, Lake Shore, Crosslake, Emily, Longville and Pine River. Currently, to be an AAUW member, an individual must have an associate or equivalent degree. The national AAUW members are voting to open membership up by eliminating the degree requirement with a decision to be made in early summer 2024.

Julie Despot, Brainerd Lakes Area AAUW co-president, noted the organization was formed by women who supported the advancement of other women through higher education opportunities. It’s a mission driven organization that supports equity goals. “I enjoy being in AAUW because of the great members who join together to support others to achieve a better future.”

It has a focus on economic security for women and girls, specifically gender pay equity. The branch was awarded an AAUW

MN grant to continue work on economic security presentations on pay equity for the 2024-2025 year. Branch programs have been on various financial topics: how to avoid scams, gender pay gap, using a money matrix for fun and financial health and ideas for sustainable living. Members can participate in a book group that covers a wide variety of genres. AAUW is active in the community collaborating with Relationship Safety Alliance (the former Mid-MN Women’s Center), We ARE - Advocates for Reproductive Education, Brainerd Lakes Area League of Women Voters (LWV), The SHOP and other local organizations who support the needs of area women and girls.

Central Lakes College is an AAUW affiliate organization. There are two college/ university representatives. One of AAUW’s proposed efforts for 2024-2025 is to coordinate offering the AAUW Start Smart Training on the CLC campus for students

Back row going from left to right: Donn Beaubien, Deb Griffith , Beatrice Eades, Sandy Strom-Gieseke, Janet Bedard, Rosanne Blass, Saundra Martell, Bev Lundorff, Jean Schaeffer, Pat Scott. Front row going from left to right: Coralee Fox, Stacy Starrka, Sherry Koehler, Jan Haarman, Rebecca Timmins, Julie Despot, Arlene Wheaton.

and staff. This is a free AAUW-produced online training on how to negotiate a starting salary. It has been documented when you start with a lower salary you continue to have lower earnings throughout a career. It can be offered to faculty, staff and students by an AAUW affiliate college or university. This is a “new” opportunity for AAUW who hopes to work with CLC faculty to implement the training by January/ February of 2025.

AAUW does not forget to add fun into their gatherings. Since 2006, the Brain Buster Trivia Challenge is AAUW’s annual fundraiser in January. Rebecca Timmins, AAUW Quiz Master, develops the trivia questions and runs the contest. “It gives me great joy to create a fun day and have an audience as well.”

Participants form their teams and are encouraged to wear costumes. They can win prizes and compete to win the ugly traveling trophy. Money raised provides two scholarships at CLC. One scholarship goes to a nontraditional student working on completing either a certification requirement or an associate degree. The second scholarship is awarded to a student who plans to attend a four-year degree program after graduation from CLC. AAUW has given more than $25,000 in scholarships to 40 recipients since 1974.

Julie Jo Larson is an author and the assistant director of TRIO Student Support Services at CLC, Brainerd. She was fortunate to receive an AAUW scholarship in 2012 as a nontraditional student and mom of three. Julie Jo considered the scholarship a wonderful gift so she was able to focus on her studies. She finished her four-year degree at the College of St. Scholastica.

AAUW’s vision and commitment to advance gender equity for women and girls is impressive as well as their collaboration with local organizations who support their vision for the needs of women and girls.

Looking ahead, co-presidents Bev Lundorff and Julie Despot will be passing the leadership on to Arlene Wheaton as the new Brainerd Lakes Area AAUW branch president on July 1, 2024. Check out the AAUW website for more information at brainerdlakes-mn.aauw.net.

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.

Above: During the Brain Buster Trivia Challenge annual fundraiser, Team one dressed as League of Women Voters from left to right, Marcia Ferris, David Pueringer, Becky LaPlante, Kathy Hegstrom and Mark Hegstrom.

Below: Team two was the Smartini team. They include Lorraine Embretson (left), Abra Hawley, Rocio Fernandez Lugo, Jan Kurtz, Peggy Blistain and Jamy Olson.

GRIEF SERIES – PART 3

BY SHEILA DECHANTAL

This one was the hardest of the three articles I have written for this series. When I was first approached by a friend with this idea, I was hesitant. I would never want to write anything that would hurt anyone.

However, as I thought through how this would work, it grew on me and I found I could not let the idea go. While it is a hard topic, I feel it is an important one. What happens to the siblings in the event of losing a brother or sister as they helplessly watch their parents change before their eyes amidst their own life turning upside down? How do they stay connected to your foundation and honestly in this incredible time of grief, not feel a little left behind?

These amazing ladies do an incredible job of sharing their stories. My hope is that this article will be a tool that others going through something similar can use to bridge that gap and possibly open up conversations between parents and children of loss. ~Sheila DeChantal

(sister of Tara who passed away in a house fire at the age of 5)

Karlee Scott (sister to Corey Borg from Grief Article 1)

It was in January of 2019 when Karlee

In middle school and high school, our + moving forward

Loss of a sibling

received the call about her brother’s accident. Corey Borg, an avid adventurer, had been on a ski trip in Taos, New Mexico, when an avalanche trapped him under the heavy snow. Four days later, Corey passed away. He was 23 years old.

Karlee, the day of the accident, had just finished work and was at her boyfriend’s house. She was 19 years old and living outside the home. When she received the call from her stepdad, she knew something was up. When she heard the news of the accident. Karlee recalls feeling numb. Where was Corey? Her older brother was always doing something, and she had no idea he was in New Mexico skiing at that time.

GROWING UP WITH COREY

Karlee: We had the typical brother/sister relationship. He was 2 1/3 years older than me, the middle child. We were close and he was sweet. I recall him playing Polly Pockets with me and Barbie when I asked. In hindsight, he was probably just trying to get me to stop asking, but it is a sweet memory for me.

personalities were quite different. Corey wanted to try everything and do everything. He had probably tried every sport possible, where I was more content to keep my world more intact and liked a quieter existence. Where Corey was friends with everyone, and often our friend groups overlapped, I preferred a smaller group of people to hang out with.

Corey also helped to take care of Karlee while their mom was working.

When Corey graduated and moved to Colorado we did not reach out to each other as often as we could have, and probably should have, each busy doing our thing. In hindsight, I wish we would have talked more and been a little more involved in each other’s lives.

Can you share about that time around the accident?

Karlee: It’s crazy how fast everything happened. Within hours of that first call I was on a flight and met up with my mom, Bobbi, in Denver. We continued to travel together from there.

Once we arrived, I went into my default caretaker mode. I didn’t know what else to do as it was all so overwhelming. While we were with Corey during those days in the hospital, I was checking on everyone, getting coffee and doing what I could to give my mind something to do. I wanted to be out of the way and still helpful.

After the accident, what changed for you with your relationship with your parents?

Karlee: The first years are a blur. So much happened at once. My mom was stressed out about everything. As she planned events around Corey’s memory she was so stressed out wanting everything to be perfect in honor of her son. Her pain, her grief, was so allencompassing and I didn’t know how to help or feel seen. Pretty quickly, I knew things were going to be different.

In 2020, a little over a year after Corey’s accident, my dad passed away. It was all so much. With Mom pouring all her energy into the foundation and Dad gone, there was a period of time when I truly felt that I no longer had parents. I recall thinking, ‘This is my life now, and that was a hard realization.’ I recall crying a lot, feeling like I only had my mom left, and at the same time, I did not have my mom.

“You don’t know what you don’t know.”

- KARLEE

Karlee said, “We had the typical brother/sister relationship. He was 2 1/3 years older than me, the middle child. We were close and he was sweet. I recall him playing Polly Pockets with me and Barbie when I asked. … In middle school and high school, our personalities were quite different.”

There was a moment when I was on the phone with my mom and I had to stop her as her conversation once again was about what was going on with the foundation and all the planning and I had to say, “‘Mom, can we please have one conversation that does not revolve around Corey?’” It was hard to

say it but I was feeling it and it needed to be said. Most of our conversations in the first couple of years were all about Corey even if the conversation didn’t start out that way, they almost always led that way.

There were times when we were on the phone and she was going on and on about Corey that I just had to mute the phone and let her talk.

When did life start to feel some sense of normal again?

Karlee: I don’t think there is a normal. There is a “new norm”… it’s anything but normal. Your world as you knew it, just blew up. We adjust to this new life. There were so many things happening at once with the loss of Corey. That was big enough, and then the Corey Borg Foundation came together quickly, which was a good thing, but also something that took Mom’s time and energy in yet another direction away from me.

I was so grateful (and am grateful) that Mom had this space to grow and feel but it was a learning curve for me to connect with who she had become.

There have been a lot of good changes in the last year or so. In October of 2022, I started to go to church with my husband and this has changed a lot of my negative thoughts. It has been work to change my mindset but it’s good work. I learned that we choose our mindset and I learned to choose joy.

It took time, but I know that Mom loves me with her whole heart. And she also loves Corey with her whole heart. And I learned both can exist together.

It also took practice. For both of us. Talking to my mom about how I felt helped her to understand my grief process better. We can have conversations now that are not centered around Corey. She will now ask me if it is OK to talk about the foundation and if I am not feeling up to it I can say not at this time and she respects that. It was a rerouting of not turning it off, but more putting it aside and it helped our relationship immensely.

I have come to appreciate the foundation. It feeds my mom and gives her a space to

“I often wonder what Carrie would be like today if the accident had never happened. Who would she be? What would she become?”

- KRISTEN

expend her energy in Corey’s memory. It is a beautiful thing.

What advice would you give someone who is struggling over losing a sibling?

Karlee: Your feelings are valid. You are grieving too and in all of the craziness, you deserve to have your voice. It may seem that Mom/Dad’s pain is more important than yours but you need to grieve as well. It may not happen right away and grace is needed on both sides, but talking about it is a great step.

Kristen Krueger (sister of Carrie Ann Krueger)

It was Jan. 2, 1987. Carrie Ann Krueger was in her junior year at Brainerd High School. She loved band and was involved in high school activities.

A friend of Carrie’s had just received her driver’s license that week and wanted to pick Carrie up to go back to her house to hang out and watch movies and then her friend would bring her back home. Carrie’s parents were apprehensive as it was a snowy day and the roads were icy however Carrie’s persistence won out and they allowed her to go with the promise she would be home by 11 p.m.

When 11 p.m. came and Carrie had not returned home, Carrie’s dad got in his vehicle and went looking for them, driving the route that they would have taken to come back home. He came across an accident that looked like the friend’s car as it was being loaded onto the tow truck. He followed behind the wrecker toward town and as he was uncertain if it was her car, he returned home to find their family friend and ambulance driver Terry Moberg at the house telling their family their worst nightmare — Carrie Ann had been killed in a car accident

on the slippery roads. Kristen was at a friend’s house when she heard the sirens that evening. She recalls thinking there must be an accident somewhere and hoping that it was no one she knew.

GROWING UP WITH CARRIE

Kristen: Carrie was my younger sister and we were pretty close while growing up together. We had a close family and spent a lot of time at our grandparents with our cousins skiing, swimming and boating. Our grandpa even owned a plane and we all had a chance to go in that as well.

Can you share about that time around the accident?

Kristen: That day everything changed. Friends brought me home to a house that was no longer the same in the wake of what happened. We were all in absolute shock and disbelief. How could Carrie, this full of life amazing person, be gone?

After the accident, what changed for you with your relationship with your parents?

Kristen: We were all changed forever. Mom was very angry for a long time. She needed a space for all that grief and pain. There was even a moment when she lashed out at me, saying “‘At least you can act like nothing happened.’” She was just hurting so much and I knew what she said was not true and she did not mean it — she just needed somewhere for that grief to go.

When did life start to feel some sense of normal again?

Kristen: We lost Mom for a long time and when she did come back, she came back different. There was no normal — there was a “before the accident” and an “after the accident.” We all changed. We found ways to move forward, but we were all changed.

What advice would you give someone who is struggling over losing a sibling?

Kristen: Be kind to yourself and give yourself grace; there is no timeline for grief.

“Appreciate what you have. Life changes in the blink of an eye.”

- KRISTEN

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.

Carrie Ann Krueger

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HER VOICE BUS in ESS

B and B Farmco

Her Story

Our family for over thirteen years has made Goat Milk Soap, Goat Milk Lotions, and Body Care Products using our own recipes. All B and B Farmco products are made small batch with our own hands using the highest quality local ingredients we can find. Many of our products contain locally harvested plants off our own land and are native to where

we live. Our products are clean label and made with the highest level of quality control and product safety. Every year a generous portion of our profits go to support cancer research and our military veterans. By the way, B and B stands for our two nephews, Brak and Brodie, who in the beginning milked the goats for lunch money. Our greatest pleasure comes from designing recipes that awaken our customer’s spirit, nourish

your skin characteristic, and delight your sense of smell. Some of our most favorite creations are those that have been carefully and lovingly designed for family and friends.

Crosslake, MN 320-309-2690

bandbfarmco.com

Reichert Vice President

Her Story

I started driving school bus the summer prior to my Freshman year at college in St. Cloud. I was able to get paid for my training during summer school and be an Aide on the Special Needs Bus to make money before I got my licensing.

Fast forward 25 years, and I’m the Vice President of our bus company looking to hire more

drivers and pay them to train to get their license! We have a great hiring bonus, monthly attendance bonuses, as well as, Holiday and Year End Bonuses currently! We are 75 years locally owned and operated and definitely “Lakes Proud” as we all live here, work here and spend here!

If you’re looking for more than just a job, we’d love to have you join our Reichert Family!

We are now training for the upcoming school year and are always happy to hire existing drivers looking for a change as well!

www.reichertbus.com/apply

8342 Industrial Park Road, Brainerd, MN 56401 218-829-6955

www.reichertbus.com/apply

Kevra Cherne

Susie Lande

Lady on the Lake

BY JANET KURTZ

There she is again, The woman in kayak blue, A straw hat with loon feather, Oh, what will she do?

Every day of vacation she packs her knapsack, with a camera and goodies, Whenever will she get back? She pushes her craft Out into the lake,

Going where the wind blows, Why work? For Pete’s sake!

Wherever she looks, Nature’s beauty abounds, So, she fills up her journals With whatever she’s found.

On calm early mornings Or quiet lavender nights, You can see her float along Despite the bug bites.

She seems so contented, Peace and pleasure are the key To her light-hearted moments… I wonder who she could be?

Oh, alas, and for joy, It is ME!

Jan Kurtz’s book, Northern Shores/Southern Borders: Revelations of a Bilingual Life, is available at local stores as well as online with Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It just became available as an e-book, so read away! Check out: www.janetkurtz.com and sign up for her free newsletter: LA PLUMA, covering culture north to south.

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