Area Woman Magazine Dec'12/Jan'13

PUBLISHER

Area Woman Publishing, LLC

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Mike Sherman | 701-306-5119

EDITING & PROOFING

Kim Malakowsky | Assignment Editor

Amy Peterson | Copy Editor

ADVERTISING

Mike Sherman | 701-306-5119

Account Executive

Anna Hettenbaugh | 701-729-1910

Account Executive

Patty Nystrom | 701-412-4109

Account Executive

Becky Sherman | Accounting Manager

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Dawn Siewert | Graphic Designer

PHOTOGRAPHY

5Foot20 Design Lounge | Classic Photography

Haney's Photography | Sickels Photography

Skyloft Photography | Milestones Photography

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Phone: 701-306-5119

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KAREN HALVORSEN

Nan Kennelly is a speech-language pathologist and owner of Onword Therapy in Fargo, ND. She earned her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of North Dakota in 1994, and has 18 years of experience in the treatment of difficulty related to concussion, brain injury, stroke, attention disorder and voice disorder. Nan created Onword Therapy, an outpatient private practice, in 2005. She serves on the ND State Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, and enjoys mentoring graduate students in her clinic. Nan lives in Fargo with her husband and two children.

Karen Halvorsen was born in Hickory, NC and spent the majority of her life moving and traveling. During her junior year in High School, Karen attended the American International School of Zurich in Switzerland. Karen speaks, reads and writes German fluently. She also knows a few other foreign languages and loves to meet people from all over the world. Karen began her professional writing career while working in Marketing and Sales for a software consulting company in Fargo. Karen enjoys telling funny stories about her young daughter and hopes to publish a book some day.

Joyce Eisenbraun enjoys the opportunities that writing has given—to explore new ideas, meet new people and gain a better understanding of the community and the world. A native of North Dakota, Joyce is a graduate of NDSU, and has worked in advertising and owned her own marketing company. These days, she is the “chief storyteller” for Elim Rehab & Care Center as their director of marketing and development. She and her husband, Dennis, live in Fargo with their son, David.

JOYCE EISENBRAUN

Having produced shows for illustrious networks like ESPN Radio and History Channel, and having lived in exotic locales such as Sydney, Australia, and Dijon, France, Patricia Carlson never imagined she’d call Fargo home. But when she settled here after earning a master of science degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, she quickly realized she could take her career to the next level. An award-winning journalist, Patricia writes for publications and Web sites in the Red River Valley and across the country, authors her own blog, and works full-time as a new mom. She welcomes new ‘friends’ on Facebook and Twitter (@pattycfreelance). You can view more of her work at www.patriciacarlsonfreelance.com.

NAN KENNELLY

Women’s Resources

LIFE AREA

There are so many events this time of year that provide chances to celebrate and serve those less fortunate. The events calendar highlights many opportunities to do both. You can also read about the awareness and support raised for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center and CHARISM this past fall, some holiday pet hazards of which you should be aware, and a look at the West Fargo Animal Hospital and the changes that are taking place at the Plain’s Art Museum.

Events

DEC NOON HOLIDAY CONCERTS

DEC 3: CLARION QUARTET

DEC 4: DAKOTA ROSE STRING QUARTET

DEC 5: DARIN HENZE

DEC 6: MARJORIE SCHLOSSMAN AND MARGIE BAILEY

DEC 10: SILVER WINDS

DEC 11: MAGDA FITTERER

DEC 12: SARAH MORRAU AND BEKKA DeVRIES

DEC 13: CHRISTIAN HEAFORD

Enjoy music from the area’s best musicians over your lunch hour and take in the galleries for free with a purchase of lunch from Café Muse. Shop for unique gifts in The Store and have them wrapped for free.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Plains Art Museum

704 First Avenue North, Fargo 701-232-3821 or plainsart.org

DEC 1-12 FRASER, LTD. FESTIVAL OF TREES

Christmas trees sponsored and decorated by community businesses, organizations and families. The trees are given to families who otherwise would not have a tree for the holiday season. Trees will be on display during regular business hours and events.

FARGODOME

1800 North University Drive, Fargo

WEEKENDS DEC 1-29 THE 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS - BY GINNA HOBEN

A delicious new show about navigating life “alone” in New York. In the search for love, Mary has been set up, hooked up, strung up, and fed up. “Sex and the City” for real people – with no Mr. Big in sight.

7:30 pm Thursday – Saturday

2:30 pm, Sunday December 16

Theatre B

716 Main Avenue Fargo, ND 58103 701-729-8880 or theatreb.org

DEC 1-23 SANTA VILLAGE

Free admission with donation of canned goods, new toys or cash donation.

Dec 1-2: 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Dec 5-7: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Dec 8-9: 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Dec 12-14: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Dec 15-16: 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Dec 19-23: 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Rheault Farm

2902 25th Street South, Fargo

701-499-7788 or fargoparks.com

DEC 1-31 LINDENWOOD PARK LIGHTS

A display of lights throughout Lindenwood Park. 701-318-4747 or fmsertoma.com

Unruhige Zeiten

DEC 1 - JAN 20 DEUTSCH KUNST / GERMAN ART

The Rourke Art Museum will display a significant and wide-ranging exhibit by the German artist Moritz Götze.

The Rourke Art Gallery Museum

521 Main Avenue, Moorhead 218-236-8861 or therourke.org

DEC 1 - JAN 31 NO LUMPS, THANK YOU: A BRA ANTHOLOGIE WORK BY MEG SPIELMAN PELDO

No Lumps is a humorous and poignant photographic collection of playful brassieres, created from a wide and wild variety of common objects.

Plains Art Museum

704 First Avenue North, Fargo 701-232-3821 or plainsart.org

DEC 1 GINGERBREAD & JINGLES

3rd annual holiday vendor/craft fair. 25+ booths for your holiday shopping. Admission is a canned food item. Complimentary refreshments served. Register for door prizes. All proceeds go to Our Daily Bread Program and Bus Barn.

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Holy Cross Catholic Church (Just west of Gordman’s)

1420 16th Street East, West Fargo 701-277-9681

DEC 1 SANTA FLY IN

Santa flies in at the Fargo Air Museum to visit with children about their wish lists. 701-293-8043 or fargoairmuseum.org

DEC 1 HOT CLUB SAN FRANCISCO

This gypsy-jazz ensemble will carry you back to the small, smoky jazz clubs of Paris in the 1930s. Featuring French singer Isabelle Fontaine (channeling Edith Piaf), the amazing violin of twice Grammy Award winner Evan Price, and a swinging rhythm section of guitars and bass.

7:30 pm

Free

For tickets go to: mnstate.edu/perform or call the Box Office M-F, 10:30 am to 4:00 pm 219-477-2271 or buy at the door.

Gaede Stage in the Roland Dille Center for the Arts

MSUM campus, Moorhead

DEC 1 JAWS, PAWS, AND LUNCH WITH SANTA CLAUS

Enjoy lunch in the zoo’s carousel pavilion with a special appearance from Santa Claus. Have your photo taken with Santa, ride the carousel, and learn about some of the zoo’s critters. Tickets are limited.

11:00 am - 1:30 pm

Red River Zoo

4255 23rd Avenue South, Fargo 701-277-9240 or redriverzoo.org

DEC 1 & 8

JAWS, PAWS & LUNCH

WITH SANTA CLAUS

DEC 1 MSUM WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT

MSUM Wind Ensemble Concert

7:30 pm

Hansen Theatre in the Roland Dille Center for the Arts MSUM campus, Moorhead

DEC 2 CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES

Holiday Brass

2:00 pm

First Presbyterian Church, Fargo

Contact the FMSO Box Office

701-478-3676 or fmsymphony.org

DEC 4 SWING DANCING & LESSONS

7:30 pm - 11:00 pm

$7

The Avalon - 1st Floor

613 1st Avenue North, Fargo 701-232-1336

DEC 1

HOT CLUB SAN FRANCISCO

DEC 4 LIVE JAZZ MUSIC

8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

$5

The Avalon - 3rd floor

613 1st Avenue North, Fargo

701-232-1336

DEC 5 ARTFUL YOGA

Enjoy the natural light and wood floors of the museum’s beautiful open 3rd floor space and energize yourself for the day. A one-hour beginner’s yoga class with instructors Katy Christianson, Jessica Jacobson and Jan Knoedel. Drop in; no registration needed. Bring a mat.

8:30 am - 9:30 am

$10 per class / $5 members. Pay at information desk. Plains Art Museum

704 First Avenue North, Fargo

701-232-3821 or plainsart.org

DEC 5 MARCH OF DIMESBOWLS FOR BABIES

11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Admission is $20.

Ramada Crystal Ballroom

marchofdimes.com/northdakota

DEC 5 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping smash hit Broadway spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”!

7:30 pm

Gate City Bank Theatre – FARGODOME fargodome.com/event.php

DEC 8 SANTA FLY IN

Santa flies in at the Fargo Air Museum to visit with children about their wish lists.

701-293-8043 or fargoairmuseum.org

DEC 8

CLAY FOR COUPLES

A unique and relaxed date with your better half! Sign up with a friend or partner and you will learn introductory clay techniques in handbuilding. All supplies provided. Adult 18+ $50 per couple

Plains Art Museum

704 First Avenue North, Fargo

701-232-3821 or plainsart.org

PHOTO BY: LAURA TURBOW

DEC 8 JAWS, PAWS, AND LUNCH WITH SANTA CLAUS

Enjoy lunch in the zoo’s carousel pavilion with a special appearance from Santa Claus. Have your photo taken with Santa, ride the carousel, and learn about some of the zoo’s critters. Tickets are limited.

11:00 am - 1:30 pm

Red River Zoo

4255 23rd Avenue South, Fargo

701-277-9240 or redriverzoo.org

DEC 8 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SOCIETY OF CLAY COUNTY’S HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Free admission to the museum with cookies and refreshments. Gloria Lee will be giving a holiday floral arranging presentation starting at 1:00. She will demonstrate how to use fragrant pine, fresh fruits and flowers to create easy and unique holiday arrangements you can make for your home. Handouts for basic floral design will be provided. Presentation is FREE. No registration required.

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Hjemkomst Center

218-299-5511

DEC 8 FARGO FORCE VS. SIOUX CITY MUSKETEERS

7:05 pm

Scheels Arena

For tickets call 701-364-3672

DEC 12 PINT-SIZED EXPLORERS: WILD WOLVES

Spend time watching the wolves. Discover why they howl, what they eat and why they remind us of our pet dogs. Program fee: $10 members, $15 non-members

3:15 pm - 4:45 pm

Red River Zoo

701-277-9240 or redriverzoo.org

DEC 13 AT CHRISTMAS

Featuring Mick Sterling and Brave New Workshop Alumni. A unique blend of family-fueled comedy and drama that is a reflection of what the holidays are for all families - funny, poignant, and heart-warmingly tender.

7:30 pm

Historic Holmes Theatre

806 Summit Avenue, Detroit Lakes  218-844-7469 or dlccc.org

DEC 13 ADULT BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

“The Beginner’s Goodbye” by Anne Tyler

7:00 pm

Moorhead Library 218-233-7594 or larl.org

DEC 15 RAG RUG WORKSHOP

Unlike other rag rug classes, this workshop offers a different technique by knotting fabric around twine on a three-point hand loom. It is a different twist on an old tradition. The fee is $25. This includes the hand loom, but participants are asked to bring fabric scraps and scissors. Registration deadline is December 8.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Hjemkomst Center

Kelly at 218-299-5511 ext 6731

DEC 20-23 THE BLENDERS

DEC 14-15 HOLIDAY POPS

FAMILY CONCERT

A Celtic Holiday with special guest POITIN  Friday at 7:00 pm Saturday at 2:00 pm

Fargo Theatre

314 Broadway, Fargo

Contact the FMSO Box Office at 701-478-3676 or fmsymphony.org

DEC 16 ZOOVENTURE: SURVIVOR

Why do we have winter? What is snow made of? How do animals survive cold weather? Discover the answers to these and many other winter questions while sipping hot cocoa at the zoo. This fun family class includes both indoor and outdoor activities. Program fee: $10 members, $15 non-members

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Red River Zoo

701-277-9240 or redriverzoo.org

DEC 16 HOLIDAY POPS FAMILY CONCERT

A Celtic Holiday with special guest POITIN

4:00 pm

A Center for the Arts, Fergus Falls, MN

Contact the FMSO Box Office at 701-478-3676 or fmsymphony.org

DEC 20 ROCK N’ ROLL CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

This Las Vegas caliber, multi-media, fullproduction show mixes and eight-piece band with music, comedy, parodies and more, and brings you Christmas standards like you’ve never heard them before, guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!

7:30 pm

Historic Holmes Theatre

806 Summit Avenue, Detroit Lakes  218-844-7469 or dlccc.org

DEC 20-23 THE BLENDERS HOLIDAY

SOUL TOUR

December 20: 7:30 pm

Deccember 21: 7:30 pm

December 22: 7:30 pm

December 23: 2:00 pm matinee and 7:30 pm

Fargo Theatre

Box Office

Tickets available at Tickets300 box office.

300 Broadway, Fargo M-F noon - 6:00 pm

Charge by phone at 701-205-3182, 866300-8300 or online at: tickets300.com

DEC 30 HISTORIC SUNDAYS WITH STEVE STARK: THEODORE ROOSEVELT

Like a story book unfolding before your eyes, Steve Stark draws with speed and skill illustrations as he tells the fascinating stories the Red River Valley. It is a unique and entertaining way to learn about local history that the whole family will enjoy. The presentation is free but there is an admission fee to see museum galleries.

1:00 pm

Hjemkomst Center

218-299-5511

QUOTABLE

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Then you will seek me and find me: when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the Lord.”

— JEREMIAH 29: 11-14

Upcoming Events

SUMMIT AIMS TO PREVENT VIOLENCE

Rape and Abuse Crisis Center Inaugural Event September 18

Over 200 community leaders attended the inaugural Rape and Abuse Crisis Center’s (RACC) “It’s Everyone’s Business Summit to Prevent Domestic and Sexual Violence” on September 18.

According to Kathy Smith, RACC Prevention Program Manager and Summit Co-Coordinator, intimate partner and sexual violence is widespread in the communities of Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead and is a major public health problem.

“Residents of these communities are affected by intimate partner and sexual violence across the lifespan in homes, workplaces and organizations,” said Smith. “These problems are preventable and are everyone’s business.”

The summit served as a think tank for local and state leaders from government, industry, academia, media, philanthropy, faith and non-profit issue experts to come together to identify and discuss effective domestic and sexual violence prevention practices and strategies.

Christopher Gabriel emceed the event and a heartwarming welcome message was delivered by Fargo Police Lieutenant Joel Vettel. Later, Bismarck-based musician Kris Kitko premiered her summit-inspired song, “It’s Everyone’s Business.”

Through a multi-media experience incorporating information sharing, artistic expression and discussion, participants learned about the magnitude of the problem and environmental factors which influence intimate partner and sexual violence in Clay and Cass counties.

There was also an evening portion of events for college student leaders to find ways to eradicate sexual violence in the local college setting.

“It is important to address beliefs, attitudes and messages that are deeply embedded in our social structures which help to create a climate that condones sexual violence and intimate partner violence,” said Greg Diehl, RACC Executive Director. “Participants have an opportunity to learn what they can do to promote healthy relationships and safe living conditions in our communities to become prevention champions.”

This event was made possible by the generous support of the Verizon Foundation, Dakota Medical Foundation, Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation, and the United Way of Cass and Clay Counties. [AWM]

To learn more about volunteering or contributing to RACC, visit www.raccfm.com.

WRITER: JANELLE BRANDON | PHOTOGRAPHY: 5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

CHARISM NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT CENTERS RAISE OVER $12,000 AT ANNUAL BREAKFAST

“Nourishing the Mind, Nourishing the Community” was the theme of the Charism neighborhood support centers seventh annual Caring Neighbors

Breakfast fundraising event held October 9 at the NDSU Alumni Center.

Charism is a non-profit, neighborhood-based organization that seeks to provide outreach programs for low-income individuals and families in Fargo. The primary focus is to empower individuals by teaching them the skills they need to be successful. “We don’t go real broad, but we want to go deep. We want to really change a life,” said Julie Gunkelman, executive director.

Programs include afterschool and summer educational services for youth, a community food program and garden, book collection, and partnerships developing language skills, all with the purpose of building a stronger community.

Charism youth greeted the 130 guests who attended the breakfast, then sang songs and handed out apples with notes attached identifying financial needs at the center.

Keynote speaker Rosie Sauvageau, Miss North Dakota, spoke about her platform, “Celebrate Diversity: One Nation, All People.”

Along with asking for donations at the event, notecards with photos and artwork made by the children were also for sale, with proceeds going to support the center’s programs.

“Attitude of Gratitude” awards were presented to the Fargo Park District, accepted by Clay Whittlesey, for providing a building, staff and supplies; and to Julie Gunkelman, for program development. [AWM]

WRITER: BETH DIANE BRADLEY | BEN NASH PHOTOGRAPHY

LET’S FIND THEM A HOME

The Humane Society Fargo-Moorhead is primarily a pound rescue organization dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats at risk of being euthanized at local impounds. Each year, we adopt out hundreds of wonderful pets that just need a second chance at finding a “forever” home. We have a variety of pets available for adoption, from puppies and kittens to senior pets and everything in between, and almost any breed, including purebreds. Next time you’re considering adopting a pet, please check out our shelter and consider giving a pet in need a home. Check us out at www.humanesocietyfargomoorhead.org or on Facebook at www. facebook.com/fmhumanesociety, or give us a call at 701-239-0077.

Ferdinand

JORDAN HOFKER PHOTOGRAPHY

Micheline

Wyatt

Lulu

Izzy

Celeste

Space Ghost

Maverick

Kiya

HOLIDAY HAZARDS

BY DR. ANDERSON & DR. SUMMERFIELD - WEST FARGO ANIMAL HOSPITAL

hile the holiday season is a time that’s filled with fun, wonder and excitement, it can also be a dangerous time for your pets. It is very important to be sure food, decorations and seasonal plants are out of reach for both cats and dogs. Problems may range from a minor upset stomach or diarrhea to major disease requiring surgery … or worse. At West Fargo Animal Hospital, the holidays are a busy time! This article provides you with a brief outline of the most important things for pet owners to watch out for during the holiday season in order to keep their pets safe.

FOOD

1. CANDY/CHOCOLATE

Xylitol is a sugar substitute in MANY sugar-free candies that can cause severe, life-threatening disease. Chocolate contains theobromine which causes heart rhythm disturbances, tremors, and seizures. Theobromine is more highly concentrated in dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate.

2. BREAD DOUGH

A warm, dark stomach is the perfect environment for dough to rise. Unfortunately, there is no way to make it stop rising and it is very hard to get it out of the stomach once the dough has expanded. Do not wait if your dog eats rising dough … call your veterinarian immediately!

3. POPCORN ON A STRING

The fun, age-old tradition of stringing popcorn to decorate a tree can be troublesome if a pet decides to eat this tasty decoration. The popcorn itself is not a problem, but the string is. Severe intestinal obstructions can occur if this happens. If a needle is still attached (ie: the project wasn’t completed yet) then that poses even more concern. Contact a veterinarian immediately if this occurs. The sooner you do, the easier this may be resolved.

4. THANKSGIVING or CHRISTMAS DINNER

Feeding your pet fatty foods such as ham, turkey and trimmings, or gravy can lead to pancreatitis which ranges from mild disease to severe and life-threatening illness. Our pets aren’t designed to digest food like this and many of their bodies revolt! Ingestion of bones (such as from turkey carcasses) can result in them becoming lodged in the mouth, throat or intestines.

5. ALCOHOL

Many enjoy a fun holiday cocktail, including pets, if these drinks are left unattended. The problem lies in the fact that pets are MUCH smaller than humans, so only a few sips could lead to inebriation. Animals can succumb to severe alcohol poisoning just like humans can.

DECORATIONS

1. TINSEL/GARLAND

Ingestion of strands of tinsel (cats) or long pieces or garland (dogs) may lead to severe intestinal obstructions resulting in surgery.

2. CANDLES/POTPOURRI

Pets are curious about open flames. They may singe their whiskers or knock over a candle with their curiosity. Warm potpourri could lead to burns in the mouth or paws. Any type of potpourri may cause diarrhea or vomiting if ingested.

3. GLASS ORNAMENTS

If your pet bites a glass ornament or breaks it, they can receive cuts or scrapes in the mouth or paws. If they eat the hook it can become lodged anywhere along the GI tract.

Don’t recreate the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation! Supervise pets around light strings. Biting the cord or bulbs could cause severe burns in the mouth, heart and lung problems, or even electrocution.

PLANTS

Cats are typically the ones who like to drink the water at the bottom of the tree. The substances in most preservatives that can be added to this water are usually in small enough amounts that they do not cause pets to become ill. However, we do occasionally see mild stomach and intestinal signs such as diarrhea or vomiting. If the water becomes contaminated with fungus or bacteria, this could lead to more severe disease. Ingestion of pine needles will most commonly lead to vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or depression. Depending on where that needle decides to travel and if it gets stuck anywhere, more extreme illness is possible.

Ingestion of either plant usually leads to a mild upset stomach. If mistletoe is purchased in a store, the berries are often removed and replaced with plastic “berries” which can become a foreign body.

While it is commonly thought that poinsettias are highly toxic to pets, in reality most pets only experience mild, self-limiting vomiting that resolves quickly. Very large quantities would have to be ingested for more serious symptoms to occur.

This article is a very brief overview of the more common items pets can get into during the holiday season that may have a negative impact on their health. Pets are curious by nature, so if you are concerned about something they “explored” please call a veterinarian right away. They are your best source for detailed information.

West Fargo Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary hospital for cats and dogs. We are located at 730 13th Avenue East in West Fargo and can be reached by phone at 701-282-2898. Our website is www.westfargoanimalhospital. vetsuite.com and you can find us on Facebook as well!

4. LIGHTS

1. HOLIDAY TREE/WATER

2. MISTLETOE and HOLLY

3. POINSETTIAS

WEST FARGO ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Promoting the Human-Animal Bond Through a Family Focus

WRITER: MARIE LASKA | PHOTOGRAPHY: 5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

West Fargo, North Dakota, a “city on the grow,” is a vibrant community, home to many businesses and families. Therefore it is only fitting that doctors Amy Anderson and Carrie Summerfield, business owners and veterinarians, have blended the concepts of family and business in their practice at the West Fargo Animal Hospital. In the four years they have owned the business, Anderson and Summerfield have drawn on over 22 years of combined direct-practice experience to establish a strong client base in an atmosphere of family-focused, compassionate care.

ocated at 730 13th Avenue E, the West Fargo Animal Hospital was purchased by Anderson and Summerfield in 2008 and has since undergone a substantial upgrade. Providing state-of-the-art examination and laboratory equipment (including digital x-rays on iPads and onsite lab processing), this practice was the first all-female-owned animal clinic in the F/M and West Fargo area. Also in 2008, both Anderson and Summerfield expanded their families from one child apiece to two each, which led to its own set of challenges trying to balance their family lives with extensive work hours. Enlisting the support of their husbands (Anderson’s husband helped with renovations, and Summerfield’s husband was the wizard behind the hospital’s computer system), and relying on their strong partnership borne from being both coworkers and co-owners (and humorously sharing a tiny office), the roots of the West Fargo Animal Hospital were planted with love and have grown through hard work and endeavor. As Summerfield states: “You get what you work for.”

Anderson and Summerfield have worked hard to provide a medically comprehensive atmosphere for pet owners, with services including surgery, dental care, pain management and vaccinations, along with euthanasia and hospice services. Additionally, one wing of the clinic houses the pound for the city of West Fargo, resulting in Anderson and Summerfield providing medical services for homeless animals. Never knowing what to expect, especially with strays, Anderson related how they once operated on a cat that had swallowed twenty hair elastics. When asked to share more treatment experiences, both vets had tears in their eyes as they explained that they had recently put a client’s dog to sleep, and that these passings always stayed with them as if it was their own pet that needed to be euthanized. In that moment it became evident that what makes the West

DR. SUMMERFIELD

DR. ANDERSON

Fargo Animal Hospital exemplary is not only its quality medical equipment and services, but also the fact that at its core are individuals who have hearts the size of an ocean.

Anderson and Summerfield have also begun offering immediate vet access through social media, and provide email-based question/answer services as well as a Facebook page with a bi-monthly forum where users can chat with a vet. Providing direct opportunities for enhanced communication between vets and pet owners, these avenues embrace the hospital’s community-based, familyfocused mission; a loving pledge to their belief that all of their clients, whether a cat or a dog, should be treated not just as a pet but as a family member.

Though originally from Eastern Pennsylvania, Anderson came to the Dakotas as a result of meeting her husband, who was at that time a farmer. Knowing since the first grade that she wanted to be a vet, Amy spent many summers volunteering at vet clinics and “following the vet around the horse barn.” Summerfield, a Minot native, came into veterinary medicine almost by accident. Initially focused on pursuing a career in the forensic pathology of wildlife, Summerfield soon realized that the veterinary field held more options. Along the way she learned that as a new vet it was important to “have a clear idea of where you want it to go, and what kind of balance you want to have.”

As with entering the veterinary field, becoming business owners and entrepreneurs or keeping one’s love of animals at the pet ownership level, both Anderson and Summerfield are passionate when discussing how research and “knowing what you’re getting into” are pivotal in any level of involvement with animals. Summerfield describes how some owners are requesting to interview a vet before bringing their pet in; a practice that both doctors fully encourage. In accordance with their focus on promoting the human-animal bond, these two doctors consistently show across all aspects of their practice that it is their connection with their clients (both two - and four-legged) that makes the West Fargo Animal Hospital a truly outstanding member of its community. [AWM]

A BIRD’S EYE VIEW

What’s New at the Plains Art Museum?

What began as the Red River Art Center in 1965 is now known as the Plains Art Museum, an integral part of the Fargo art community. The museum, whose downtown Fargo roots were established in 1997, is spreading its branches to accommodate an even greater number of events, exhibits and classes for art lovers of all ages. Area Woman magazine interviewed two women about the exciting changes currently happening at Plains Art Museum.

Colleen Sheehy is the Director and CEO of Plains Art Museum and has experience working with a wide range of very talented artists.

Megan Johnston, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Interpretation, discussed upcoming exhibits that will be very exciting for the greater Fargo-Moorhead area. In addition, Johnston said there are a variety of classes for both children and adults to sign-up for this fall. Community residents are encouraged to come to the newly built Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity and see what type of art is possible through “hands-on” instruction. Art is great to both appreciate and create!

AW: What is your role as Director and CEO of Plains Art Museum?

Sheehy explained, “I am referred to as the ‘Community Liaison,’ who basically oversees the operations of the Plains Art Museum, as well as provides overall strategic leadership for all the community involvement, especially with regard to planning our three seasons of exhibits. On an annual basis, we provide Fall, Winter/Spring and then Summer exhibits. There are over 20 exhibitions that are organized every year. Currently, we have shows planned into 2014.”

AW: How are all these events possible in Fargo, ND?

Johnston explained, “It’s a lot of planning and it’s exciting to offer so much variety to the greater Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN communities. We also welcome anyone visiting the area to come and visit to see what’s new here. Over 5,000 Fargo Public School students will have opportunities to take classes on site. There will

also be opportunities for adults to learn the skills needed to create art. It’s new and exciting for not only the Fargo-Moorhead area, but the entire region. There will be a lot of different types of community involvement.”

AW: What is your goal with all the new types of community involvement?

“We’re focusing on a family-friendly workspace for art education,” Johnston emphasized. “We aim to be the flagship art resource for the Dakotas and upper Minnesota region. We pride ourselves in getting the local community involved in the decision-making processes. It began with the relationship with Fargo Public Schools in order to make art education accessible to over 5,000 students,” Johnston said.

AW: What is happening in the new building and where is it located?

“The Plains Art Museum is excited to open the 27,000 square foot Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity on September 30, 2012. Located directly west of the Museum, the Center for Creativity will be a hands-on hub of inspiration for youth,

WRITER:

PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL K. SMITH

COLLEEN & MEGAN

adults, families, organizations and business. The museum is dedicated to connecting the diverse skills, talents and perspectives of the public; inspiring cooperation and innovation; and promoting the value of creativity as it re-imagines the future of the Fargo-Moorhead community in the 21st century.”

Plains Art Museum is located near the heart of the downtown business area at 704 First Avenue North in Fargo. Reasonably priced, admission fees are:

Members: Free Adults: $5 Seniors: $4 Educators with ID: $4 Students with ID: Free Youth: Free

Located inside the museum is the Store, which Sheehy explained has books about some of the artists whose work is on display in Plains Art Museum galleries. A variety of “artsy” cards and unique gift items are also available for purchase.

Store hours are:

Monday – Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00am – 5:00pm Thursday from 10:00am – 8:00pm Sunday from 1:00pm – 5:00pm

For hot coffee, tea, ice-cold beverage, soup, sandwich, pastry, chocolate-dipped treat or other convenient and delicious snacks, visit Café Muse located inside Plains Art Museum. Café Muse is open Monday – Friday between 11:00am – 2:00pm. Ever-changing seasonal art is displayed upon the café walls. More than a place to eat a healthy lunch, Café Muse is an artful environment to enjoy for either business or pleasure.

For more community-friendly happenings on the upcoming calendar or for more information about the museum, visit Plains Art Museum on the web at www. plainsart.org or, call 701.232.3821.

[AWM]

NORTH DAKOTA’S FRANCHISOR LIMITATIONS

WRITER: PETER W. ZUGER

In other states, franchisors are given a great amount of latitude when drafting franchise agreements, often incorporating very favorable contractual provisions in their agreements with franchisees. In North Dakota, however, franchisors are limited in how they may draft their franchise agreements. The following contractual provisions may not be used in North Dakota because they have been deemed unfair, unjust, or inequitable under North Dakota law:

1) covenants restricting a franchisee’s ability to compete, without further disclosing that the covenants are subject to North Dakota’s law relating to restrictive covenants;

2) agreements requiring a franchisee to submit to arbitration in a place that is remote from the franchisee’s business;

3) restriction clauses requiring a franchisee in North Dakota to submit to jurisdiction outside of North Dakota;

4) any clause requiring a North Dakota franchisee to consent to liquidated damages or termination penalty;

5) franchise agreements providing that the agreements are to be governed by any law other than the law of North Dakota;

6) any provision requiring a North Dakota franchisee to waive the right to a jury trial;

7) any provision requiring a North Dakota franchisee to waive the ability to recover punitive damages in a dispute between the franchisor and franchisee;

8) any agreement requiring a franchisee to sign a general release at the time the franchise agreement is renewed;

9) any franchise agreement providing for a time limit other than the North Dakota statute of limitations for bringing a claim relating to the franchise agreement;

10) any franchise agreement requiring a franchisee to pay costs and expenses incurred by the franchisor in enforcing the franchise agreement.

North Dakota precludes the above restrictions because the Securities Commissioner seeks to prevent franchisors from acting in any way that is unfair, unjust, or inequitable to franchisees. Accordingly, potential franchisor abuses have been curbed, and franchisors are required to act fairly in their dealings with franchisees in North Dakota.

This article was written and prepared by Peter Zuger, an attorney with the Serkland Law Firm in Fargo, North Dakota. For more information, call 232-8957, email at pzuger@serklandlaw.com or visit www.serklandlaw.com.

Peter Zuger was born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota. He attended the University of Mary in Bismarck, where he graduated in 2003. He went on to receive his J.D. degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2008. While in law school, Mr. Zuger was a member of the Board of Editors for the North Dakota Law Review, won UND’s Moot Court and Mock Trial competitions, and was a semi-finalist in a regional trial competition hosted by the American College of Trial Lawyers. After law school, Mr. Zuger served as a law clerk for the South Central Judicial District in Bismarck, North Dakota. Mr. Zuger joined the Serkland Law Firm in 2009. Mr. Zuger’s practice areas include commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, insurance defense litigation, legal malpractice defense, products liability litigation, plaintiff’s personal injury litigation, banking and creditor’s rights, and a variety of other litigation areas

STYLE AREA

As the drab landscape of winter settles across the area, this edition of Area Style shows you how to add some excitement to your life. Read about some ways to de-stress your holiday preparations, as well as plan a cookie exchange. Get to know the owners of Monte’s downtown, My Best Friend’s Closet, and All Occasions Limousine and Coach, then peruse the photographers to pick the right one for your holiday photos.

HOLIDAY STRESS BUSTERS

WRITER: KIM MALAKOWSKY | PHOTO BY: KIM MALAKOWSKY

While singer Andy Williams croons, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” there’s no denying that a bit of anxiety often sneaks into all the holiday festivities. How do you keep your cool and remember the most important thing of all is to enjoy the season?

Simple Does It

Your “signature” is the key to simplifying. In place of searching for the perfect gift for the neighbors, hair stylist, and babysitter among others, spend an afternoon making your “signature” fudge packaged in simple but stylish containers. Thoughtful and an expression of yourself, it’s the perfect gift.

Take this idea to your holiday party or your holiday décor. A party too can have a “signature.” Your delectable holiday eggnog or mulled cider replaces an array of wines, sodas and juices. There’s less shopping to be done and no need to have a variety when guests look forward to your specialty each year.

While decorating consider keeping to one color. Monochromatic means everything mixes and blends seamlessly. Use varying shades and tints of a single hue. Blues, for instance, can range from a deep midnight color to a silvery cool frost. Pairing these brings both calmness (one color) and interest (contrast) making decorating quick and easy.

Adopt New Traditions

You love the way mom faithfully rose at 6 a.m. to prepare the turkey, wrap the last-minute presents and finish trimming the tree. But, when the alarm rings, that idea of “being mom” is less than appealing.

Try something new. It could be the beginning of a tradition your family will continue for years to come. Making new memories is fun when it means snuggling up with your kids, reading “The Night Before Christmas” before tucking them into bed or making homemade gifts to share with a less fortunate family. Or consider borrowing a favorite tradition from another culture. The key to family traditions is to do them every year and make them special, something you save for only the holidays.

Sweet Dreams

As schedules get hectic it becomes essential to get plenty of sleep. Even little ones feel the pressure of the holidays, with programs to prepare for and parties to attend. Excitement can turn to anxiety and lack of sleep will make little Sammy less that happy. Remember to tuck the kids into bed early. This will ensure they get a good night’s rest and allow you time to finish last-minute tasks and still drift off to sleep at a normal time.

Try to tackle active tasks early in the day and save more soothing or repetitive tasks like addressing Christmas cards to evening.

Stick to your budget

Don’t let the thought of January credit card bills dampen your spirit. In place of costly gifts, give your loved ones an experience. A pair of tickets to the local theatre tucked into an oldfashioned popcorn bowl for the movie buff in your family or a colorful sled for the kids, complete with a promise to take them sledding, won’t break the bank and will say you care.

Fancy holiday foods can take a back seat to homemade treats and make the party warm and friendly. Replace an expensive cheese platter with little cups of warm cheddar cheese soup topped with homemade croutons. Think presentation to make the impression and comfort to please the palette.

Travel with Flexibility

Extended car rides, crowded airports or other modes of transportation can all add undue stress. The key is staying flexible. Adding a much-needed stop during a long car ride will let the kids burn off some pent-up energy. Airport delays are best dealt with by being prepared:―bring a book for yourself, a game for the kids and always have snacks and bottles of water. Pack a light bag with toothbrushes and t-shirts for the whole family and if the unfortunate flight cancellation happens, treat it as an adventure! Remember, the kids will take a cue from you.

Joy and Gratitude

Bring joy into your activities during the busy season. Listen to Bing Crosby sing Christmas songs while wrapping presents, let holiday baking become a mother-daughter activity, take a friend shopping and share the fun and a cup of tea. Change tasks into opportunities for spending time with others and before you know it the tasks will be complete and the smile on your face will show the joy.

Be mindful of the blessings in your life and carry the spirit of gratitude with you. Be thankful for time with family, for the gift of friendship, and for warm homes and safe shelter. After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year.

[AWM]

The Recipe to a Perfect Baking Party HOLIDAY COOKIE EXCHANGE

WRITER: PATRICIA CARLSON | BEN NASH PHOTOGRAPHY

Sugar cookies. Krumkake. Cupcakes. Oh my!

The holidays are known for an abundance of sweet treats. Who hasn’t found a platter of pumpkin bars in the break room? Or had a bundle of brownies delivered from the nice neighbors?

“Who doesn’t like brownies?” joked Tolgonai Tugazieva, an exchange student from Kyrgyzstan, who is attending Moorhead High School this year and her first ever American holiday baking party.

But baking dozens of these delicious delectables at one time takes work. That’s one of the reasons why baking parties are so popular around the holidays. Of course, having awesome friends around helps, too!

“It takes a job I don’t like and turns it into a really fun day,” said Rose Dunn of Moorhead. “And a group of women just makes everything more fun. Whether it’s painting your house, getting a pedicure, or baking cookies, it’s always more fun with your friends.”

The five women featured here each have their own favorites - “I like making homemade peanut butter cup cookies the best,” said Trisha Giddings of Dilworth - and they all have varying degrees of baking experience. So we asked them to help us create a recipe for the perfect baking party.

Trisha’s number one tip? “Delegate, delegate, delegate!” Here’s the result!

Holiday Baking Party

makes: four to six dozen cookies

organizing prep time: 1 - 2 hours (we found Facebook messaging easiest)

actual party day time: as long as you’d like number of recipes: 2 - 4

Area Woman Tips:

*The women avoided duplicating ingredients and kept costs low by each bringing one of two ingredients. For instance, Tami Dowers, owner of Sweet Haven Bakery in Fargo, provided the sugars (white and brown).

*Once the baking started, they found an assembly line format worked best - as cookies came out of the oven some women decorated them, while others continued to make new batches.

*Although this event was held in a kitchen with one oven, you may want to consider having the party where a double oven is available. This is more efficient because it allows the group to simultaneously bake different types of cookies at different temperatures. Another option is to see if you can use your local school’s Home Ec room for a couple hours on a weekend - more ovens and more counter space equals more productivity in less time.

Ingredients

*Between 4 - 6 people (men, you’re welcome too in some circles!)

*A kitchen with plenty of counter space and equipped with basic baking needs like a mixer, rolling pin and decent-sized oven

*A few yummy recipes (see the sugar cookie and krumkake recipes below)

*Holiday music mix

*Drinks and snacks on hand to keep the energy up!

*Seasonal platters, gift boxes, tins, and/or plastic wrap in which to dole out and deliver the finished product

Directions

1.) Have each person pick a work station: preparation, mixing, oven/timer duty, decorating, packing, etc.

2.) Pick the order in which you’ll complete the recipes. Heather Syverson of Fargo, who provided the Krumkake recipe, says if you only have one oven you can still create other desserts like Krumkake because it uses a separate hot iron.

3.) Bake! Bake! Bake!

4.) HAVE FUN! [AWM]

L-R: HEATHER SYVERSON, ROSE DUNN, TRISHA GIDDINGS, TOLGONAI TURGAZIEVA, TAMI DOWERS

Easy Sugar Cookie

Recipe Courtesy: Tami Dowers, Sweet

Haven Bakery in Fargo

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1.) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

2.) In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3.) Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

Krumkake

Recipe Courtesy: Heather Syverson of Fargo

Ingredients

3 beaten eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1.) Combine eggs and sugar, beat well. Add melted butter, flour and vanilla.

2.) Preheat electric or stovetop

Krumkake iron until hot. Drop one teaspoon of batter per Krumkake onto the center of the hot iron. Close iron and let it cook for about 30 seconds.

3.) When lightly browned, gently peel Krumkake off of the iron with a spatula and wrap around the Krumkake cone.

4.) Gently slide it off of the cone and let cool with the seam of the Krumkake on the underside.

MONTE’S DOWNTOWN

The Second Decade

It’s a pretty big deal for any business to celebrate 10 successful years. But for an indie restaurant—such as Monte’s Downtown—it’s a very big deal. The beloved Fargo restaurant celebrated its landmark anniversary in October of this year and new owners Dan Hurder and Christian D’Agostino plan for an equally successful second decade.

“Monte’s was one of the first fine-dining restaurants in Fargo and has always tried to remain ahead of the curve,” partner Dan Hurder said. “Part of the reason we think it has done so well is because Doug and Gene were involved with the Downtown Community Partnership. Monte’s has grown right along with the downtown area.”

Monte’s new owners have a rich history of restaurant experience together, so when D’Agostino approached Monte’s original owners Doug Scraper and Gene Finneman— whom he’d known for years—the acquisition and transition of ownership was delightfully smooth. Because they want to carry on the important business relationships Scraper and Finneman started, Hurder and D’Agostino have begun work with the Downtown Community Partnership and will continue with their Chamber of Commerce involvement. These gestures help to ensure another successful decade for the restaurant.

Of course, the menu will help ensure that—as well as the setting.

You’ll find the ambiance at Monte’s is impeccable, just what you look for in an upscale setting. The artwork is remarkable, the tables traditionally spotless in white linen,

and the lighting is kind to all. The bar is wellstocked and creatively yet courteously served and is admired as a great place to meet and greet new faces.

“Christian and I don’t plan to make huge changes regarding the core concept of Monte’s,” Hurder noted, “but we’ll add fresh menu items and seasonal features to highlight Christian’s talents; we’ll continue to embrace new trends we see coming in from New York, Chicago, and L.A. to offer FargoMoorhead a cutting edge dining experience. We’ll continue to nurture Monte’s impressive wine collection and we’ll insist on the kind of service folks have come to expect here: the drink arriving rapidly at your favorite table, the impeccable attention to detail, the warmth and care that makes a meal here an unforgettable experience.”

Why else would you eat out, if not for an unforgettable experience? Monte’s Downtown is a superb first date choice; you’re sure to impress! Travelers find their way there via the nods from area lodging staff, and out-of-town holiday shoppers plan a special night each and every year to punctuate their trip.

Whether you enjoy Monte’s once a year for a special anniversary celebration or dine there several times a week as a regular, you know that the menu does not disappoint. Here is a sampling of some of the entrees D’Agostino has featured since the transition:

- Shrimp and scallops in a spicy red curry sauce, with sugar snap peas, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and coconut jasmine rice.

WRITER: CHRISTINE MADELINE HOLM | PHOTOS BY: 5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

DAN HURDER AND CHRISTIAN D’AGOSTINO

- Grilled venison medallions with a marsala reduction, broccolini, raisins, and pine nuts paired with an apple cheddar bread pudding.

- 12 oz New York strip, topped with a roasted shallot demi-glace, paired with garlic mashed potatoes and chive butter.

- Braised duck breast paired with fresh raspberries and strawberries, pomegranate syrup, and rice medley.

At the moment, the restaurant is ramping up for a special holiday season. Hurder is quick to assure that Monte’s will still be available for private parties. “It’s really a wonderful place to have your company party,” he said. “We offer an intimate, warm setting and a memorable menu. What a great way to thank your employees for their hard work this year … or to start the New Year on a positive note!”

To get you into that holiday groove, try one of D’Agostino’s favorite holiday traditions:

Croissant and Chocolate Pudding with pistachio gelato, salted caramel and fresh berries

2 pounds croissants - cubed

2 cups chocolate chips

1 qt. milk

1 qt. heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

12 whole eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup honey

Combine all ingredients, except chocolate chips and croissants, with whisk then add chips and croissant. Let soak 30 minutes then bake in water bath for one hour in pan at 275 degrees. Serve hot with pistachio gelato, caramel and fresh berries.

Sure to be a hit this holiday season! [AWM]

If You Go:

Monte’s Downtown

Owners Dan Hurder and Christian

D’Agostino

220 Broadway

Fargo, North Dakota

For reservations, please call (701) 526-0149

To make online reservations: www.montesdowntown.com

A SOPHISTICATED SEASON!

Holiday parties. New Year celebrations. Winter weddings. Charity galas. Whatever your reason for dressing up during this season of giving, you’ll definitely want to give your hair a chance to shine, too.

Grace Kelly would be envious of these glorious up-dos, with their pretty waves and polished features. For extra dimension, consider asking your stylist for highlights and lowlights. The lighter color on your crown will really brighten up your complexion.

If allover color suits you best, a luxurious hue partnered with a classic cut is a triedand-true favorite. From long tendrils to choppy layers, you will never be off-trend with this sophisticated style.

From an Oscar® worthy up-do to a confidence-boosting color-and-cut combo, it’s your time to shine this holiday season. [AWM]

WRITER: PATRICIA CARLSON | HAIR SUCCESS PHOTOS: HANEY’S PHOTOGRAPHY

The Long and Short of It HOLIDAY DAZZLE

Dripping to the floor or rising above the knee showing your oh-so-pretty legs, hems are all over the place this season.

Evening wear is classic, regal and sexy. A touch of Hollywood with fabulously feminine lines. Look for gowns with lots of fine ruching and fuller skirts. Soft pastels appear in shades of soft blush pink and silvery blues as well as delicate tones of champagne and gold metallics.

Pair your evening wear with the seasons must-have accessory – the clutch. A velvet clutch, a sparkly clutch, a satin clutch. You simply cannot have too many.

For less formal festivities consider the after-five trousers with prints and metallics being all the rage. Texture remains a focus this winter. Suede, leather and velvet continue to appear.

Close fitting, sophisticated dresses with belts, belts, belts showing off the waist will take you from office to evening.

Feeling a little edgier? Opt for regal jewel tones and lots of black and reds. Finish your look with a pair of skyhigh platforms in colorful suede or the everpopular boot. [AWM]

3 CHICKS BOUTIQUE

LAURIE’S

PROPER & PRIM

PROPER & PRIM

STABO

LAURIE’S

APRICOT LANE

WRITER: KIM MALAKOWSKY

3 CHICKS BOUTIQUE

Getting the Look for Less MY BEST FRIEND’S CLOSET

Love designer women’s fashion but don’t love the price? Have something in your closet that you chose for a specific occasion and wonder what to do with it now? My Best Friend’s Closet may be just the place for you.

Since 2003 My Best Friend’s Closet has been providing area women with a distinctive shopping experience. Located at 11 9th Street South in Moorhead, My Best Friend’s Closet provides a unique atmosphere with a personal touch to help shoppers find an outfit perfect for work, play or extra special occasions.

Owner Glenda Haugen and store manager Elizabeth Larson work closely to create a shop that truly meets their clients’ needs. Both are graduates of Concordia College but their paths have been quite different so they bring diverse yet compleementary skills to their work. Glenda, a history and political science major, taught high school social studies, worked in pricing for an oil company and in marketing for the Arthritis Foundation, the YMCA, and Dakota Supply Group before purchasing My Best Friend’s Closet nine years ago. Elizabeth, a more recent graduate of Concordia worked at the store through college while she was studying marketing and apparel and design. After a brief time working as a buyer for Christopher and Banks in Minneapolis she is back to share her expertise with her customers and coworkers.

The Top Shelf, as the entry room of the store is named, is where shoppers begin and where they will find a wide selection of jewelry and accessories to get the creative, couture juices flowing. “Accessories can add so much interest and personality to an outfit,” explains Glenda, “and can be a fun and inexpensive way to give new life to a standard piece of your wardrobe that you may have had for years.”

Continuing through the 4,000 square foot shopping area, customers will find clothes arranged by type, size and color. In the area known as The Cream of the Crop name brand and designer items are featured. Many of the consigned items come from people who shop regularly in Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York, so the merchandise may be a bit different, and ahead of the trends, than what is offered in department stores in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

As shop owner Glenda Haugen describes it, “meeting the public and providing personal service is central to the shop’s focus.” Staff members know many of the customers by name and will even make note to call a customer if something specific that they have been searching for comes in on consignment.

Another wonderful amenity available at My Best Friend’s Closet is a free personal shopper service. Simply call ahead for an appointment and fill out a form with pertinent information, and your personal shopper will put together

WRITER: CAROLYN LILLEHAUGEN | PHOTOGRAPHER: MICHAEL K. SMITH

AMBER JACKSON AND EMILY MOELLER

a selection of clothes to help you begin your shopping. With your feedback, she will be able to fine tune the choices to help you be more efficient with your time while achieving the desired look.

Not only can a person get fashion advice in the warm and friendly atmosphere of the store, you are invited to check out the store’s Facebook page or website at www. mybestfriendscloset.biz where the blog section is full of seasonal fashion advice with entries on layering tips for fall, ways to wear a scarf and much more.

Many special promotions are offered at the store on an ongoing basis. For instance there is a frequent buyer program with credit given for each $10 purchase, and coupons are often available on their website. Happy Hour is celebrated each Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:30pm with 10% off all purchases. There are also seasonal sales each February and July, as well as their anniversary sale in November.

For those interested in submitting clothes for consignment, good quality merchandise from size 0 to 2X is accepted daily. Consignors can drop in if they have 10 items or less. For consignors with more items an appointment is needed. Clothing is carefully inspected for cleanliness, flaws, suitability and current fashion before it is consigned for resale. On average, the store adds about 1,000 new items weekly. Clothing goes through 3 markdowns in 3 months. If it hasn’t sold after that, the clothing will be donated to various women’s charities or put on their eBay store.

Next time you are ready for a unique shopping experience and are anxious for the thrill of the hunt for something special, visit My Best Friend’s Closet and enjoy!

[AWM]

MILESTONES PHOTOGRAPHY

SKYLOFT PHOTOGRAPHY

SKYLOFT PHOTOGRAPHY

ALL OCCASIONS LIMOUSINE & COACH

A Driving Force in the F/M Area

Life is never at a standstill in the F/M area, and for business owners Bill and Judy Walker, life is busier than ever. Proud members of the F/M community, the Walkers are husband and wife co-owners of All Occasions Limousine and Coach, a family-oriented business which has proudly serviced the F/M and surrounding areas for over nineteen years, providing limousines, coaches and SUVs for a large variety of clientele, events and occasions. With a strong focus on customer service and anticipating client needs, the Walkers, with their small town backgrounds, know that building trust and lasting relationships are key components of the service they provide, embodying the “small town way” as they continue to grow and expand.

Though they are currently booking reservations well into next year, the Walkers are also very much focused on the here and now with their annual Holiday Tour of Lights event just around the corner. Every year with Santa cap in hand, the Walkers embrace the Christmas spirit, giving clients an opportunity to explore the various wonderfully decorated neighborhoods around the F/M area. Providing three, 90-minute tours every evening, the Walkers pride themselves on hosting an event that provides fun for families and individuals of all ages. Known for their attention to detail, these tours offer Christmas carols, the warmth and aroma of fresh apple cider and televisions providing imagery of a crackling fireplace, all enclosed by perimeter seating creating the sense that one is sitting in the comforts of their living room, surrounded by loved ones (and a friendly chauffeur).

With 2013 – and their twentieth anniversary as business owners – looming, the Walkers offer a smile when reminiscing on the over 3,000 weddings they have been a part of, the various celebrities they have met and the behind-the-scenes experiences at the Fargodome and WE Fest that are too numerous to mention. One of Bill’s lasting memories came when he met a personal hero of his, Bill Cosby. Mr. Cosby had apparently flown into Fargo for a show, on a Gulfstream whose tail was emblazoned with the name of his wife, and

WRITER: MARIE LASKA

PHOTOGRAPHY: 5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

who—upon landing—asked the Walkers to help him find something for his pilots to eat. There still may be some employees at Hardee’s restaurant who vaguely recall a limousine going through their drive-thru many years ago, requesting chicken sandwiches to go.

Though quick to point out that “we have a big job, it’s nervewracking,” one gets the sense that the Walkers wouldn’t have it any other way. Discussing with pride the many incredible life events they have been a part of and the attention to detail they feel sets them apart from other transportation companies, the Walkers also exemplify the responsibility that they feel to their community when they discuss that their main goal is to “keep people safe, so that they are able to go out, have fun and not drink and drive.”

Using a strong team approach in building relationships with many community businesses, the Walkers are able to offer comprehensive and creative packages for a large variety of clientele needs, allowing their patrons to enjoy unique, customized experiences.

Offering a range of vehicles including two black SUVs for corporate work, two limousine coaches, two trolleys that are decked out “like a Cheers bar on wheels,” as well as a stretch Hummer, the Walkers employ ten chauffeurs and will also often be found behind the wheel themselves. With a business motto that stresses both reliability and flexibility (not an easy task!), the Walkers are kept busy with not only providing transport to rock stars, newlyweds and corporate executives, but also with donating their services to various charities and groups in the F/M area. Two of the services they are most proud of are the free rides to various groups during their Tour of Lights, and being involved from the beginning with Matt and Bridget Cullen and the Cully’s Kids Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars for children living with and being treated for cancer.

Looking ahead to the future but remaining focused on the day to day, the Walkers know that their enduring success comes down to word of mouth from their clients, and to providing a high quality of service each and every day, knowing that their clients “trust them to do the right thing.” [AWM]

MILESTONES PHOTOGRAPHY

RIALEE PHOTOGRAPHY

SCHERLING

SCHERLING

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY

RIALEE PHOTOGRAPHY

5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

MILESTONES PHOTOGRAPHY

RIALEE PHOTOGRAPHY

SH P WHERE TO

EYEWARE

Kate Spade Eyewear and Sunwear is designed with a passion for color mixed with fun chic and modern inspired styles.

Hillmer Eye Clinic

101 10th Street North | Suite 120, Downtown Fargo 701-239-9771 | hillmereyeclinic.com

JEWELRY

BLUPEPPER

LUXURY CANDLES

New and vintage jewelry will add Bling to your Holidays. | $14 - $45 Oh Suzanne!

1420 9th Street East, West Fargo 701-476-0056 | ohsuzanne.com

SKI GOGGLES

Bring the aroma of a majestic winter forest or sparkling holiday season home with NEST luxury fragrances!

NEST candles are made with premium, cosmetic-grade wax that is proprietary to the brand and was developed to optimize burn and fragrance throw.

Found exclusively at McNeal & Friends in addition to furniture, accessories, lighting, fine linens, tabletop and gifts.

McNeal & Friends

506 Broadway, Fargo 701-235-0031

BluPepper is for the woman who admits there is a bit of dreamy romantic in her, and communicates it through her effortless style. This line is tailored to the spontaneous yet sensible Blu Pepper girl. A Blu Pepper girl is one who maintains her youthful, flirty personality while branching out confidently with a vintage flair. We strive to provide chic, affordable apparel of uncompromising quality.

3 Chicks Boutique

2733 South University Drive, Fargo 701-237-6255 | bakernursey.com

Hit the slopes in style with ski goggles from JUICY COUTURE. Designed to protect from wind and snow.

McCulley Optix Gallery

2553 Kirsten Lane, Fargo (Corner of 25th St. and 32nd Ave. S.) 701-373-2020 | optixgallery.com

Caroling in the Snow - Filled with holiday charm. Red spray roses and white asiatic lilies are arranged to perfection in our red mirrored cube. | $44.95

Dalbol Flowers

25th Street Market

1450 25th Street South, Fargo 701-235-5864 | dalbolflowersfargo.com

FLOWERS CHOCOLATES

FINE ART

PERFUME LOTION

Carol Widman’s assorted handmade chocolates and famous chippers make them Fargo-Moorhead’s finest chocolatiers. They are proud 4th generation candy makers. Holiday Dessert Tray filled with Chippers and assorted chocolates. 2.10 lbs - $43.95

Carol Widman’s Candy Co.

4325 13th Avenue South, Fargo 701-281-8664

Framing & Mirrors 212 Broadway, Fargo 701-235-8923 boerthsgallery.com

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Dead Sexy No. 6 Parfum and Shea

Butter Lotion blend the alluring fragrances of deep vanilla, exotic wood, white orchid, and ebony to create a luxurious, romantic, and ethereal scent experience.

O’Day Cache

317 Broadway North Downtown Fargo 701-293-2088 | odaycache.com

Electric candleholders for all your windows. Available in red,natural and white with 5 or 7 lights. In Scandinavia you can find towns where almost all the windows in every home are aglow with these reminders of the light of Christmas. | $34 - $46

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The Art of Cassandra Barney Boerth’s Art Gallery

Women’s Resources

HEALTH AREA

The F/M area is poised to provide outstanding healthcare to its residents. In this section of Area Health you’ll find advice about caring for elderly parents, good news about diagnostic imaging in the Valley, the importance of finding a good physician and a dentist you are comfortable with, and read the story of a woman benefiting from the weight loss program at Sanford.

TAKING CARE OF THOSE THAT TOOK CARE OF US...

Ten Changes in our Elderly Parents that Need Medical Attention

Holidays seem to beckon nostalgia. Every year memories of traditions, amazing meals, lights, decorations and family antics resurface. Naturally, our parents are in so many of these pictures, frozen in time in our minds when they are younger and stronger.

It is usually a slow transition to the day where parents need the help of their children, but more and more Americans find themselves in this role. Today 30 million families provide care for an adult over the age of 50, a number expected to double in 25 years (AARP). Some of us find ourselves in the “sandwich generation,” the name given to the generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children. According to the Pew Research Center, just over 1 of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 is both raising a child and caring for a parent.

There are challenges with this privilege and responsibility. These can include the busy lifestyle of most Americans today,

geographically scattered families, and financial stress. Another common obstacle in caring for the elderly can be simply convincing them to see the doctor when necessary. Many seniors refuse to see a doctor when they should.

At Onword Therapy, we provide treatment to the elderly for cognition, communication and swallowing. It is often the adult children of these patients that first identify the problem. So many times we hear “Oh, they are just getting older,” when real medical attention is warranted. Here is a recent example: “Esther” is 78 and lives alone in her own apartment. Her daughter noticed that food was spoiling in her refrigerator and that her pill dispenser was sometimes full. She also noticed her mom was having word-finding problems when talking. Esther insisted that she was fine, but her daughter made an appointment with her doctor. Her doctor found that Esther had high blood pressure which was causing tiny strokes and confusion. She was prescribed medication and referred for treatment at Onword Therapy.

Her therapist instructed her in exercises and strategies for word finding, organization and memory. Because of her daughter’s observations, Esther is now healthier, safer and living more independently.

We are seeing these types of examples more and more often. As a clinician, my goal would be to offer guidance and support to these families. Here are a few tips to help identify signs of normal aging, as well as identify when medical attention and treatment may be needed with regard to cognition, communication and swallowing.

Normal age-related changes should not be a cause of concern. Episodes are mild and only occasional. They can include:

• sometimes forgetting a name

• taking a while longer to learn something new

• occasionally forgetting where something is (i.e. keys, wallet)

• sometimes being unable to think of the right word to use in a sentence

• coughing during a meal once in a while

WRITER: NAN KENNELLY | MILESTONES PHOTOGRAPHY

However, when these problems interfere with the ability to carry on with normal day-to-day activities, it is time to take notice. When the difficulties reduce the ability to function independently, when they occur repeatedly and when friends and family begin to notice the changes, it is almost always a good idea to seek medical attention. Here are ten examples of changes that should not be explained away as “old age”:

• Preparing Food - cooking becomes overwhelming or is avoided

• Managing Finances and Medications

- missed bills or pills

• Personal Care - forgetting to wash or eat on a regular basis, avoiding laundry

• Driving - poor safety or forgetting how to find the way to familiar places

• Directions - unable to follow or provide accurately

• Word Retrieval - difficulty finding words several times a day

• Sense of Time - frequent confusion of days/date/year

• Speech - distorted, slurred or garbled

• Repeatedly asking the same questions - forgetting recent answer or direction

• Coughing - more than 3 times during or after a meal

It is important to remember that many changes in cognition, communication or swallowing are treatable, if not reversible. A shift in these areas can be caused by medication side effects, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, vitamin B12 deficiency, dehydration or bladder infection, and can be easily treated. Anxiety, depression, diabetes, heart disease, alcohol abuse, thyroid problems and malnutrition are other problems that can be fixed with the right medical attention.

This holiday season, take a good look at the elderly in your life. How are they doing? Are there changes in their thinking or communication? Is it happening more frequently or only once in a while? In this day and age, it is often left up to adult children to identify medical concerns with their parents. One way to help our elderly is to know more about normal aging, and to know when to seek medical help.

Nan Kennelly MS CCC-SLP Onword Therapy

1220 Main Ave, Suite 120

Fargo, ND 58103

P: 701.364.5433

F: 701.364-2256

www.onwordtherapy.com

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Where the Patient Comes First INSTITUTE OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING

When Institute of Diagnostic Imaging (IDI) moved to its new location at 2829 South University Drive last October, it set a new standard for diagnostic testing in the area. The company’s founders felt the community needed more than the imaging the hospitals could provide. They wanted to create a comfortable atmosphere where patients would come first and have another option for imaging. Karyn Kemper, site manager, said, “We are unique in Fargo; a one-stop shop for all imaging needs.”

Combining this philosophy of comfort and genuine care with the latest industryleading technology is the mission of IDI.

“We offer a full array of imaging services to physicians in private practices as well as patients who choose a more intimate setting for their testing,” explained Kemper. “Anyone can request to use our services, no matter who their provider may be.” Those services include state-of-theart equipment offering a 64-slice CT scanner, ultrasounds, digital mammography, digital x-rays, and their brand new open MRI. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses radio frequency waves and a strong magnetic field to produce images. Until recently, the best-quality high-field MRI was only possible with a closed MRI. “That’s why this is so exciting for us,” Kemper explained. “We are now able to compete in the market with closed MRIs by virtue of our new open MRI being a high-field magnet.” The narrow tunnel of the closed MRI often caused discomfort to the patient. Many individuals experienced acute anxiety or feelings of

claustrophobia. Some patients needed to be sedated during the process. And because the tunnel is an enclosed space, larger patients were unable to receive an MRI.

The new open MRI has no narrow tunnel, so it substantially decreases anxiety and discomfort. It is open on all four sides, allowing the patient slight movement. For the most delicate patients, children and those who require additional assistance and encouragement, the open MRI allows friends or relatives to sit close by and hold the patient’s hand. The clinic’s open MRI also has an increased weight limit to accommodate patients of all sizes.

In all of their imaging suites, privacy and comfort are a top priority. “Every suite has its own changing room,” said Kemper. “No one has to walk around in a gown as they move from waiting area to imaging area.” Besides the main waiting room, IDI has very comfortable, smaller waiting areas for family and friends. Wi-Fi is available in all waiting areas for patients and families.

IDI’s number one concern is their patients. “We want their visit here to be as comfortable and convenient as possible,” stated Kemper, who manages the daily operations, the flow from the

WRITER: SUSAN A. STIBBE | SKYLOFT PHOTOGRAPHY

KARYN KEMPER

front desk and oversees the staff. That staff includes five clerical personnel and seven technologists who are all registered with ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists). “Our company is small enough that everybody knows everybody, so we are very close, with very little staff turnover, almost like a family. We want that feeling to come across to our patients,” Kemper continued.

Those patients include children, expectant parents, and athletes of all ages. “We have a group of women from Barnesville who come in together for their annual mammograms and then go out for lunch and shopping,” said Kemper. “They like to make a day of it.” In October–Breast Cancer Awareness Month–IDI holds a drawing for a gift basket for all patients who have mammograms during that month.

Mammograms at IDI are open to anyone. Patients can make their own appointments; there is no need for a referral. Results are then sent to the physician of their choice. “We provide another option for patients. We want patients to know they do have a choice,” said Kemper.

In the spirit of full disclosure, this writer, who was overdue for an annual mammogram, decided to schedule with IDI at the conclusion of this interview. As luck would have it, they had an immediate opening, so I experienced the philosophy of caring and comfort first-hand. And, yes, it was exactly as described.

Institute of Diagnostic Imaging has been in business as an independent testing facility since 1997. They are located in Suite 102 of the University Medical Center.

“We wanted to create an intimate, spa-like setting inside our facility to help reduce stress for our patients,” said Kemper. “We want them to know how much we care about them.” Institute of Diagnostic Imaging remains an integral part of the Fargo/Moorhead area medical community. [AWM]

Fargo Family Benefits From Relationship With Primary Care Physician PARTNERS IN HEALTH

It’s one thing to find a doctor who can care for your child’s earaches and coughs. It’s quite another to find a trusted partner who makes you feel like a good parent. That’s how Stacey Lucht describes Dr. Patty Laqua, a Family Medicine physician at Essentia Health’s West Acres Clinic in Fargo.

Stacey and her husband, Erik, have grown to rely on Dr. Laqua’s advice as they raise their three children. The Fargo couple does their research and comes prepared to discuss their questions with a doctor who is easy to approach and eager to listen.

“Dr. Laqua takes the time to address each and every concern,” says Stacey. “I go out of an appointment feeling like I have a path or a solution to the issues I’ve raised.”

Stacey and Erik especially appreciate that Dr. Laqua shows confidence in their parenting skills. “She’s very affirming,” Stacey says. “She tells us, ‘You’ll make the right decision.’ ”

With five children of her own under age 8, Dr. Laqua has plenty of experience with young kids and lots of empathy for parents. “Stacey and Erik are smart parents,” she says. “They just need affirmation or encouragement to stay on the path. Sometimes we can lay out a more specific plan.”

Getting to know each patient and their family is important to Dr. Laqua. “Our family relationships can have the biggest impact on our health,’’ she explains. “I can see how families help each other meet their health goals or what kinds of challenges they may have.”

Stacey’s relationship with Dr. Laqua deepened when she became pregnant with her third child and began having regular obstetric visits. She was delighted when Dr. Laqua also became pregnant a few months later. “I’d be asking questions and telling her some complaint and she’d say, ‘I know just how you feel,’ ’’ Stacey recalls.

This sense of trust and understanding is one of the major benefits of having a primary care physician – someone who serves as a starting point for all of your healthcare concerns or needs. A primary care doctor can be a family medicine

physician, like Dr. Laqua, an internal medicine doctor (for adults) or a pediatrician (for children).

A primary care doctor oversees your care, provides treatment for illnesses and injuries and helps you manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Seeing your doctor for regular physicals means you can get information tailored to your unique needs and goals. This can help you prevent chronic illnesses down the line by keeping your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and stress levels under control. Your doctor also can keep you on track for important screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies.

If more specialized care is needed, a primary care doctor can easily refer you to a specialist, and continue to monitor your condition.

ERIK AND STACEY LUCHT HAVE COME TO RELY ON ADVICE FROM THEIR FAMILY PHYSICIAN, DR. PATTY LAqUA, AS THEY RAISE THEIR THREE CHILDREN: PRISCILLA, 2; BENNET, 7; AND SOPHIA, 9. BY FORMING A RELATIONSHIP WITH A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER, PATIENTS CAN TAKE A PROACTIVE ROLE IN MANAGING THEIR HEALTH

Best of all, establishing a relationship means your primary care doctor knows your history, your habits and your personality and can easily recognize signs of a change in your health.

To find a primary care physician, go to Essentia’s website at EssentiaHealth. org. There you will find doctors’ background information and even personal video profiles that give you a chance to “meet” a physician before you step into the exam room.

Once you find a doctor who clicks with you and your family, it’s important to start building that connection. Regular visits, even when your children are well, create a baseline for their growth and development.

“Regular visits help me develop a relationship and a rapport with patients so they feel comfortable talking with me,” Dr. Laqua says. “I like Family Medicine because I get to know more than just their health. I get to know them as a family.”

Don’t have a primary care doctor?

Go to EssentiaHealth.org and enter your ZIP code to find a doctor near you.

Adults can chose a doctor who specializes in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine. Children can see a pediatrician or Family Medicine doctor.

Choosing a primary care physician offers benefits to both you and your family:

• Your doctor gets to know you and your family. It’s not just your medical history but also your personality, habits and goals. Your doctor can figure out what will work best for your and your family.

• Through regular visits, your doctor monitors your health and your children’s growth and development so any changes or issues can be detected early and addressed.

• Your doctor becomes an ongoing resource to answer your questions and address your concerns. You get accurate information tailored to your individual needs.

• If you need to see a specialist, your doctor can easily refer you to one of Essentia Health’s experts in a wide range of medical specialties.

SMILE WITH CONFIDENCE

Cornerstone Dental Brings Comfort and Confidence to Patients

When Patty Ann Groslie tells people she works in an all-female office, she is used to hearing, “I would never want to do that.”

B ut for Groslie, who is the Practice Manager at Cornerstone Dental, working with a team of eleven talented women is something she says is a true pleasure. “We relate to each other,” Groslie said. “We do well and we respect each other for that.”

O ne of the things that unites the staff at Cornerstone Dental is their dedication to patients. Owner Dr. Stacy Goodwill said, “We like to develop relationships with our patients and we treat them like family.”

A ll the employees at Cornerstone Dental are mothers, and that personal experience allows them to relate with young families. “We have two doctors who love children and our team is very well versed in caring for children,” Groslie said.

C ornerstone Dental welcomes patients starting at three years of age, and offers services to people of all ages. They spend extra time with first time patients to evaluate their teeth and gums, conduct an oral cancer screening and diagnostic x-rays.

“ We train every patient that comes in to be oral-health oriented.

WRITER: COURTNEY WEATHERHEAD | MILESTONES PHOTOGRAPHY

PATIENT WITH SIX MONTH SMILES BRACES

DR. STACY GOODWILL AND DR. LINDSAY ROGERS

We spend a half an hour with each new patient on education alone and that education continues with each visit,” Groslie said.

T he team at Cornerstone Dental has talent that comes with years of experience, but also from continuing education and using state of the art equipment.

“ They’re probably the best team that I’ve worked with, and I’ve been in the field for forty years,” Groslie said. “I’ve worked in many dental specialty practices, which include general and cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics and endodontics.”

D r. Lindsay Rogers is the newest member to join the team. Both Rogers and Goodwill strive to make their patients feel comfortable with their smile and treatment.

“ The most fulfilling part of my job is when I know patients are comfortable with me as a provider and are then following through with treatment they have avoided due to negative dental experiences in the past,” Rogers said.

T he dentists often deal with patients who fear getting their teeth worked on. “One example is a new patient who came in and was very nervous, just sweating bullets. There was work to be done on his teeth, as well as problems with his gum tissue periodontal disease. To see someone transformed, get all the work done, then come in routinely for their hygiene visits and become more relaxed and comfortable,―that’s definitely rewarding,” Goodwill said.

F or Goodwill, bringing confidence to her patients is an important part of her profession.

S ix-month braces is becoming a popular choice for adult patients at Cornerstone Dental. Goodwill said it has brought confidence to many of her patients, and they no longer cover their mouth when they smile.

“ I really feel it’s a privilege to work on patients. They put a lot of trust in us as dentists. Helping people is my greatest joy. From pain relief to restoring their function so they can chew,” Goodwill said. “We want to restore confidence in their smile.”

[AWM]

Cornerstone Dental is now accepting new patients. For mor e infor mation visit www.cstonedentalfargo.com.

A NEW RESOLUTION

How a Sanford’s Adult Weight Loss Program Helped Change One Woman’s Life

Audrey Richardson’s New Year’s resolution was the same year after year.

E very January 1, the Fargo nurse would have one thing on her mind – losing a few pounds. But then, two or three days of dieting would go nowhere and her weight continued to creep slowly up.

“ The last two or three years I decided I wouldn’t even make a resolution, because it wasn’t going to happen anyway,” says Richardson. “It took something more for me. I needed change.”

Her motivation

T he 61-year-old woman had struggled with weight for over 30 years. When her primary care physician told

her that her blood glucose levels were dangerously high, she knew what the long-term effect could be if she stayed on her current course.

H er doctor gently suggested that she consider weight loss surgery, but Richardson refused, asking for a nonsurgical option instead. Her doctor referred her for a consultation to see if Sanford’s Health’s medically managed weight loss management program would be a good option for her.

The tools she needed

S he filled out her questionnaire earnestly, giving serious thought to the reasons why she was tired of being overweight. In addition to improving her health, she wanted to be able to sit easily in a chair or take a bite of something

without having to worry that people were looking at her and judging her.

M any people like Richardson have difficulty maintaining weight loss because they fail to address the underlying reasons for their overeating, says psychologist Dr. Kim LaHaise. Without the knowledge of new coping mechanisms and the commitment to make long-term behavioral changes, it’s hard to succeed.

“The new year is a good time for people to take a look at their habits and what they like and they don’t,” says the psychologist, who works with patients in Sanford’s managed weight loss program. “People need to have a lot of dedication and commitment to make changes that they stick to day in and day out.”

R ichardson’s new life began that day. She worked with a multidisciplinary team that included care from a doctor who specializes in weight loss, psychological evaluation and support and a practical, individualized advice on nutrition and exercise.

H er new diet began with a system of protein shakes designed to kick off her weight loss and reset her metabolism. She gradually moved into eating healthy regular meals, changing the way she eats and looks at food.

“ It’s me that is making the difference, because it’s me that’s accountable,” says Richardson. “It’s not one cookie that is going to hurt me, it’s the choice of taking home a dozen and eating them.”

R ichardson, who earlier had surgery to repair two damaged knees, now can be as active as she wants, walking and biking regularly. Her diet now includes lean protein and vegetables and she watches her carbohydrate intake. Even her husband has lost weight with the new way the family eats.

A new lifestyle

S o far, she’s lost over 60 pounds. Her blood pressure medicine has decreased by almost 50 percent and her blood sugar levels are back to normal. And Richardson loves the way she looks and feels.

“ I have sessions of crazy energy,” she says. “I never thought that I’d be going up and down the stairs without a handrail and now I’m doing steps and keeping up with the grandkids.”

R ichardson said she didn’t tell her co-workers at first what she was doing, but as her clothes got so loose that she needed a new wardrobe, it was time to explain. She continues to lose weight slowly, setting attainable goals that she knows she can reach.

“ It’s incredible what you discover about yourself in this process,” says Richardson. “I knew that if I was going to live a normal life 20 years from now, I’d have to learn new eating habits. Now I know that I won’t have to miss out on life.”

For m ore i nformation a bout S anford’s m edically m anages w eight l oss p rogram, c all ( 701) 2 34-4111 o r ( 800) 4 37-4010 e xt 4 111.

HOME AREA

CREATIVE AND COZY

It’s the little things that often make a home feel special: softclose kitchen drawers, a flexible bonus room, one-level convenience, lots of natural light, a quiet neighborhood. EidCo Homes’ thoughtfully designed south Fargo home combines these amenities and more into a wonderful easy-care package, just right for the empty nester.

The 1,790 square-foot home at 2179 57th Avenue South in Fargo, is in a lovely town home community, where all the snow and lawn care are included in the low-cost association fee. The exterior is a sunny, light-yellow vinyl with white soffits and fascia. In the foyer, caramel-splated maple laminate flooring opens to the living area and adjoining sunroom. Both areas are carpeted in a

WRITER: JOYCE EISENBRAUN | PHOTOS BY: MICHAEL K SMITH

light taupe shade with matching warm beige walls. The vaulted ceiling in the living room, and privacy rectangular windows on the west wall create a spacious and bright living space. An open arch leads to the sunroom which has a large window on the west and patio doors to the back patio area on the north. Summer comfort is ensured with the wood-paddle ceiling fan above.

Next to the living area is an informal dining area with maple laminate that extends into the kitchen. A peninsula separates the kitchen from the dining area, with tuck-under seating at the extended counter. Contemporary nickel hardware coordinates with the stainless appliances. All the kitchen cabinets are maple, but the island is finished with a dark espresso stain, while the rest of

the cabinetry is done in a suede tone. A two-bowl stainless sink, with a high-arch faucet, is set into the easy-care rock-look countertop. Above the counter, a curved stainless rod holds five mini-halogen lights. Little details make this kitchen very functional: large pots and pans drawers close quietly and automatically; the dishwasher is raised for easy access; and there’s great counter space beside both the refrigerator and stove.

Next to the dining area is a bonus room, set off by three-panel French doors to ensure privacy. The perfect size for an office, formal dining room, library or TV lounge, the room has a window to the front yard, plus a handy closet on the side.

Just down the hall from the kitchen is the laundry room and access to the three-stall garage. The laundry area includes hookups for washer and dryer, and has espresso-stained cabinets above for storage. Across, there is a rack for hanging clothes. The mechanical room, with an energy-efficient, gas-forced air furnace, air-source heat pump, and tankless gas water heater, is at the far end. The garage has three stalls, one of which has added storage space built into the end. A floor drain ensures that winter slush and summer puddles disappear before being tracked into the house.

To the side of the living room is the master suite which overlooks the back yard. A recessed ceiling, complete with ceiling fan, and large Anderson window creates a spacious, quiet retreat. The walk-in closet has great storage and a double rack for hanging clothes. Another three-panel craftsman door opens to the master bath. A cultured-granite sink and countertop in mocha hues accents the maple cabinetry, while above the large mirror, five nickel lights give a warm welcome. The walk-in shower features a built-in seat, while the toilet is at chair height for added comfort.

Just off the kitchen area are two added bedrooms with a full bath between. On the north side, the window overlooks the back yard. Next door, the full bath features an espresso stain on the maple cabinets, topped by the matching mocha countertop. An extra-wide tub is sure to be a favorite with grandkids who like lots of toys at bathtime. The other bedroom is decorated for visiting little ones, complete with tot-sized table and chair set, a little storage chest, a construction play rug and twin bed.

“We have over 6,000 families in the area that have trusted Eid-Co to build their homes,” noted Jason Eid, president of Eid-Co Homes and third-generation home builder. “We are first and foremost home-builders, and we focus on creating affordable housing that can be customized to the homeowners personal preferences.”

“We focus on the details,” he noted. “For example, we build in several universal design features, such as wider doors, light switches that are lower, a raised dishwasher platform, and many other details that make life easier for the homeowner.”

Creative design that offers easy care and just-right spaces makes this lovely home in south Fargo a perfect fit for some fortunate family.

For more information, please contact: Kristie Eid Communications Coordinator Eid-Co Homes 701-237-0510 www.eid-co.com

PROFILES AREA

The women featured in this edition of Area Profiles are sure to inspire you to pursue the dreams you have for yourself. Norma Andersen has made a name for herself in the construction industry, while Dawn Hoffner has followed her passion for people to a position as Director of Business Development with Prairie St. John’s.

WOMAN IN A MAN’S WORLD

Construction Management is Growing and Lucrative Field for Young Women

Norma Andersen was a coalminer’s daughter raised in the mountains of Wyoming. The small town where she spent the winter months only had 10 boys to play with. She was surrounded by males throughout her childhood, and today, not much has changed.

“I never had girls to play with growing up. I grew up in this nontraditional world and was very comfortable in it,” said Andersen, a construction management professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Andersen is surrounded by men at home—she and her husband,

Kenneth, have two sons—and in the construction field, where she is among only nine percent of women involved in the construction industry. She’s proved herself in the field as the first woman honored by the American Institute of Constructors for her distinguished service in advancing the construction profession, and the first woman to be named an educator trustee on the American Council for Construction Education.

Andersen and Kenneth started Andersen Construction in 1972 in Wyoming. “I literally started as his flunky at the end of his tape measure,” she said.

The company grew and so did Andersen’s responsibilities. “I learned to estimate, schedule, run jobs and interact with all the project participants,” she said. “It wasn’t my educational path that got me here. It was the turn of events and it’s become my passion.”

They eventually closed the business to attend graduate school at Colorado State University,

WRITER: KRISTIN KIRTZ | PHOTOGRAPHER: DAREL PAULSON

MSUM S ONLY FEMALE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT MAJOR, SONIA N’KULU AND MSUM PROFESSOR NORMA ANDERSEN

NORMA ANDERSEN IS SURROUNDED BY MEN AT HOME AND AT WORK HERE, SHE ADVISES SIGMA LAMBDA CHI HONOR SOCIETY STUDENTS

MSUM CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROFESSOR NORMA ANDERSEN

where Andersen received her master’s degree and Ph.D. in vocational education human resource management.

Kenneth accepted a teaching position at NDSU in 1991, bringing the family to Fargo, while Andersen accepted a teaching position at Michigan State a year later. After teaching at Michigan and the University of Florida, Andersen joined MSUM’s construction management faculty in 1999. The Andersens opened KWA Construction in 2000.

Andersen’s main goal is to educate women about the construction management field and the excellent opportunities available to them. She said a common misconception about this field is that women think they will be doing heavy manual labor, but in reality, it’s management of construction projects. Sonia N’kulu is the only female out of 89 majors studying construction management at MSUM.

“Being the only girl in the construction management program was intimidating when I first started, but with time, I have learned to be comfortable and more confident in what I do,” N’kulu said. “I have always wanted to be part of a big thing, come up with great ideas that can bring wonder in people’s lives.”

Construction management starting salaries average nearly $50,000 in positions like project manager, project engineer and scheduler. MSUM students have interned at more than 150 construction companies in 30 states. Opportunities cross a wide spectrum of industries, including commercial, heavy/highway, industrial, residential or specialty construction.

“Women fail to see that building roads and buildings is giving back to society. Someone has to do it and be conscious of the environmental impacts, and I think women are better at that,” Andersen said.

Andersen enjoys MSUM’s construction program because her students receive hands-on experience that prepares them for the real world.

“I like working with the students and hope that I pass on the passion I have for construction,” Andersen said. “I feel my success is judged by the positions my students attain once they enter the industry.”

Someone Special DAWN HOFFNER

WRITER: JOYCE EISENBRAUN | PHOTOS BY: MICHAEL K SMITH

Passionate compassion. Sophisticated country. Creative leadership. Over afternoon coffee on a sunny fall day, these are just a few of the characteristics that came to mind when talking with Dawn Hoffner, Director of Business Development at Prairie St. John’s, plus community volunteer, horse enthusiast, person of faith and mother to three children. And we might also mention humble, since her wry self-assessment is “I’m really nothing special.”

The passion for Hoffner? Health care, and these days the focus is behavioral healthcare. She has been involved in community health in one form or another for over two decades. “As the oldest of five, I was kind of drawn to the subject of health so I took some health-related classes my first year of college at Valley City State University. That confirmed my career interest, so I applied and was accepted into St. Luke’s School of Nursing. I continued that path to MSUM to specialize in community health.”

“Throughout my professional career, and in my volunteer activities, there’s a common thread of health education. My first job out of college was in public health working for Clay Wilkin Community Health Service,” Hoffner said. “And in the early ‘90s, I volunteered on a project with migrant health, working on a cancer-control initiative, which was interesting and opened my eyes to the issue of health disparities and the positive impact of health education.”

“About the same time, I also volunteered with the American Cancer Society on a project called Special Delivery, a program to help pregnant women quit smoking,” she said. “These were people who wanted to quit smoking but some didn’t accomplish that goal because they were so addicted. Seeing the challenges associated with addiction treatment interested me in promoting the prevention side of health issues.”

“The combined work and volunteer experiences got me fascinated with population based health improvement―the bigger picture―and now I’ve been doing different types of health-related things for over 25 years,” she noted. She did private consulting for many years with an emphasis on worksite wellness and other broad-based initiatives, and then joined MSUM full-time where she was responsible for the community health major and taught undergraduate courses in health care administration and school health.

“Over the years, I’ve collaborated on breast cancer research with NDSU,” she recalled, “I was involved with a statewide diabetes initiative for Native Americans in North Dakota, and worked on tobacco control. At one point, there were vending machines where anyone―including children or teens―could have unrestricted access to tobacco products, and I coordinated efforts that changed that and helped make tobacco products less accessible for underage individuals, as well as establishing smoke-free public policies in the community.”

In 2007, a friend talked with Dawn about a position at Prairie St. John’s, a Fargo-based facility that specializes in psychiatric and addictions treatment. “I thought I knew something about behavioral health,” she laughed, “but I found out I knew very little! I’ve gained some subject knowledge since then, but I am still learning.” Her role at Prairie St. John’s includes work to identify community needs and find ways that Prairie St. John’s might collaborate to help meet the those needs.

“We’re very fortunate in North Dakota and Minnesota that agencies work together: schools, law enforcement, health and human services and so on, all pull together to address an issue,” Hoffner said. One area of current regional concern is domestic violence. “While there has been real progress regarding victim’s services, mandatory arrest guidelines, and education to reduce stigma, etc., we now need to expand our focus to include prevention,” she said. “We need to take the next step and see the issue as one that affects everyone in the community, not just ‘someone else.’ And if we’re ever going to completely stop domestic violence, it will require not just community awareness but real accountability and community ownership to ensure comprehensive prevention and treatment and a culture of intolerance to the existence of domestic violence.”

Another major area of concern for Hoffner is the stigma associated with mental health issues. “People have come a long way in dealing with mental health challenges,” she said. “When you think about someone with cancer and how you treat them, why should the treatment be any different when you’re dealing with someone who suffers from depression,” she argued. “If you have a heart you could suffer from heart disease and if you have a brain, you could suffer from mental illness. It’s not a crime to be mentally ill!”

“Depression or other mental health or addiction issues touch every family in our community in some way or another,” she said. “People from every socio-economic level suffer. We need to do more to protect and care for them, just as we would if they had a physical illness. Many times,” Hoffner reminded, “the individual isn’t able to advocate for themselves because of the illness and families may be concerned about the stigma of ‘mental illness’ attached to their family, so it’s hidden.” The price for such avoidance is grim, however. Hoffner said that the third leading cause of death in North Dakota among adolescents is suicide.

In her role at Prairie St. John’s, Hoffner also helps promote the facilities’ services to those who need them. “About half of our patients are from the local area, and the rest are from all around North Dakota and Minnesota, so we truly are a regional provider of behavioral healthcare services,” Hoffner said. And she admits that she wears a lot of different hats in her role on the executive leadership team at Prairie St. John’s. “I’m involved with developing contracts with various agencies, referral source relationship management, marketing, communications, media relations, professional education, legislative health policy and community collaborations around suicide, addictions, domestic violence and other major initiatives.”

A quiet Start

A country enthusiast at heart, Dawn Hoffner acknowledges the many benefits of growing up on a farm near Valley City. “Being raised on a farm, one of the skills you learned was how to critically problem solve,” she said. “You look at the situation and then begin working on ways to fix it or solve it. It also taught me to keep going, even when it was tough.”

Growing up “painfully shy,” Hoffner said it took a while to overcome that shyness. “I was too embarrassed to call the pizza guy in college,” she laughs, ”so I was quite a ways into college and even my professional career before that got better. But I was passionate about my work, so even when I felt paralyzed by fear, I kept going.”

Two women in her family significantly influenced Hoffner and were her inspiration: her grandmother Amelia and her mother, Sonda. “My grandmother was literally a pioneer,” Hoffner remembers, “who enjoyed life, was married for 70 years, and who lived servant leadership. She didn’t talk about her faith, she lived it, and it gave her peace, purpose and identity. Her example has helped me to see that every day, there’s an opportunity to live your faith. No matter what walk of life you’ve chosen or what resources you have, you can offer a hand of strength, of encouragement.”

“My mom was a doer, not a teacher,” she said. “She could effectively manage any person or project. And she could do anything―upholstery, canning, gardening, painting, butchering

chickens, and sewing everything from drapes and clothes to wedding dresses. Unfortunately,” Hoffner said, “we kids were allowed to play more than learn, and so I don’t know how to do all those things now! My mom was a hard worker, and devoted her life to her family.”

“In October of 2005, my mom had a sore in her mouth which she discovered to be a small oral cancer. She had smoked heavily for many years,” she said. “She was diagnosed in November, had her last real meal at Christmas. We went as a family to Vegas in March, but she couldn’t eat or drink anything because of the treatments. A PET scan in April indicated she was cancer free, but that June she had problems breathing again, and she was gone by the end of June.”

“After her last biopsy, the doctors told her there was no treatment, since the cancer had spread,” Hoffner recalled. “She calmly told us we needed to talk about a few things, and we did. Fear is something you can sense, and my mom was never afraid. We saw her faith in action, and it was dumbfounding. We were all struggling to adjust, but her strength, dignity and humor were over the top. She calmly went to sleep and never woke up,” she said quietly. “We were all with her; my oldest daughter was sitting beside her when she passed. Her quiet faith made a huge impression on all of us, including the grandchildren.”

A Family Approach

The emphasis on family is a key component to Hoffner’s life. The proud parent of three, she appreciates their differences, and in their successes. “They’re so different, but they all have the capacity to do anything,” she enthuses.

Her oldest daughter, Janae, pursued a community health major and will graduate in December with a nursing degree. “She has great common sense and is so capable,” Hoffner said. Her son, Joseph, is a senior. “He would take bikes apart and rebuild them for his friends as a child,” she remembers, “as a kind of bike chop shop.” Today, he retains his interest in mechanics, building and design, so his choice of engineering for college seems logical. The youngest, Amelia, named for her great-grandmother, is a happy seventh grader, who is eagerly anticipating a school-break with grandma and grandpa in Arizona. “She’s such a joy and help to all.”

Family fun involves time at their lake place and horses. “I got my first horse when I was four and rode throughout school years,” Hoffner said. “Then in college, and

early in my career, I didn’t have time or a place for horses. But after Janae was born, I got back into riding. When she got old enough to ride, I thought I’d found just the right safe horse for her, and after two weeks of riding she asked me if she could get one that would go faster!”

All three of the children ride: Janae has trained horses, been in competitions and is a “gifted horsewoman.” Joseph rode for years, but is now more involved in other activities, while Amelia just enjoys the fun of riding, Hoffner said. “We’re down to three horses:―Tissan, Rita and Sassy. It’s a mini mental vacation anytime you’re riding, because there’s companionship, plus you can’t think about anything else―you need to be aware of other than your horse.”

“I love having animals around with kids,” she said. “It teaches responsibility, since the animals rely on us for food and care. It’s a privilege and a responsibility to have animals, and that’s something important for kids to learn.” The family’s two dogs, Lexi and Lulu, love to go with them everywhere, Hoffner said, and especially love long walks at the lake and going along to horse shows.

How would her kids rate Hoffner as a mom? “I think their answers would all be different than mine,” she laughed. “I think I’m pretty strict as a mom and probably expect a lot: I want them to try their best and I do challenge them to reach high standards. We all make mistakes, but we need to be responsible for our choices, and take the consequences.” Somberly, she added, “I’ve seen people that were protected from the consequences of their choices, and they didn’t benefit long term from that, in fact some even lost their lives.”

“I think every parent wants to teach their child responsibility,” she said. “For our family, about 99% of our existence is truly a privilege, especially by world standards. Responsibility comes with privilege, so I encourage them all to volunteer, to give back in some way, and they all have.” Is it easy?

“No,” she said, “but when I listed some options for Joseph and said ‘pick one,’ he did. When he got home that night, it changed our dinner conversation. He had never seen kids his own age that didn’t have enough food at home, so they were waiting in line at a food pantry; he needed the experience to have it really sink in.”

Family also was partially responsible for what started as another volunteer effort: Hoffner’s sister was going to have a baby, and wanted her to be with her during the delivery. “I’d had two children and worked in health care, but I didn’t know anything about being a doula,” she said. “I started doing research, and found it fascinating. A doula helps the new mom and dad with physical, mental and emotional support during the child’s birth and after. It can reduce anxiety, length of labor, and even the incidence of caesarean births. I got the training and helped my sister and it was amazing!” Since that first experience, Hoffner has been the doula for a total of 14 births, including one set of twins. “I’d love to do it again, but right now, it’s not a good time fit for my life,” she said. “But when you talk about rewarding things, being a doula is near the top!”

Looking Ahead

“There are times I’d like to wave a wand and fix a problem, but I’ve been very fortunate to be able to be involved in a wide variety of health improvement opportunities,” Hoffner said. “I’m proud to have had a small part, as others have, to make things better for people in the community, and to collaborate on solutions with other partners.”

That collaborative spirit has involved Hoffner in a broad array of community and state task forces and health initiatives. Currently she is serving on the Board of Directors for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – North Dakota Chapter and as a member of the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Coalition; she’s the chairperson of Healthcare for the Public Affairs Committee for Chamber of Commerce of Fargo/Moorhead/West Fargo; the chair for the Crisis Response Subcommittee for Jail Intervention Coordinating Committee of Cass County Justice and Mental Health Collaborative (includes CIT training initiative); she’s in her second year of working on a domestic violence collaboration with the Fargo Police Department and the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center.

L-R:AMELIA ELIZABETH, JOSEPH & JANAE AGES 12, 17 & 22 L-R: DOGS ARE LEXI & LULU

“When I first started in healthcare, the emphasis was totally on treating disease, not prevention,” she said. “And we’ve gained knowledge; we now have a good body of data on the benefits of early detection and chronic disease management as a cost-control measure and quality-of-life improver. And while there still are not major incentives for prevention built into our current health care system, I believe it really is coming. One of the most difficult things that will need to happen in the next several years is that shift that provides real incentives for prevention and disease management while maintaining the high quality of care we now have and the funding streams that support it,” Hoffner predicted. “It’s cost effective and better long term if we can prevent and better manage disease, but it means we need to de-politicize the process. Sometimes the rhetoric overtakes critical thinking and rational discussion needed to maintain infrastructure while fixing issues by creating solutions and new systems.”

What’s a major need right now?

“We’re facing some significant growth challenges in our communities,” Hoffner said, “and it impacts our infrastructure― including healthcare, but also law enforcement and human services. We need to invest to meet the needs associated with the growth. It’s true that out west the impact is greater, but we’re also seeing impacts here in the local area as well.” That’s why she is involved with helping establish Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in North Dakota. CIT can be used by law enforcement when working with folks who may have serious mental illness issues. It is nationally recognized as a research-based best practice training.

“I like to do things well,” she admits, “and I have high expectations for myself, but I don’t have enough time or energy to do everything exactly as I’d like. Right now my focus is my family and my work, and I find that my faith is the bookend to each day. I’m very thankful for the privilege to work and collaborate with others to make a difference in our community. There are so many opportunities, and anyone can participate―it’s not restricted!” she encouraged. “Every day there’s an opportunity to live your faith, to ease suffering, to make something better for someone.”

For all the people in our community and beyond who have felt the impact of Hoffner’s efforts, it would appear that she is, indeed, “someone special.” [AWM]