Area Woman Magazine Apr/May '15

PUBLISHER

Area Woman Publishing, LLC

EDITORS IN CHIEF

Mike Sherman

Becky Sherman

PROOFING EDITOR

Amy Peterson

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Sydney Schermerhorn

ADVERTISING

Mike Sherman

701-306-5119

Debbie Trombley

701-729-1910

Ben Nash

701-200-3010

FIND US 701-306-5119

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WOMEN’S RESOURCES

WOMEN’S RESOURCES

CONTRIBUTORS

ASHLEY THORNBERG

Ashley is enjoying writing again after a taking a hiatus to start a company with her husband. She’s been a reporter, producer or contributor for television, radio, newspaper, magazine and online outlets. She’s worked mostly in the FM area, but started her journalism work abroad, studying and writing about French coverage of the conflict in Iraq. When she’s not working at Prairie Public or freelancing, Ashley enjoys experimenting with food, traveling, listening to her daughter play piano and violin and pretending to be good at sewing.

AMANDA PETERSON

Amanda is an award-winning writer who loves to tell people’s stories. In addition to authoring three children’s non-fiction books, her work has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers. Amanda previously worked as a writer and online editor for Concordia College, as well as a reporter for a Minnesota daily newspaper. She lives in Moorhead with her husband, Jason, and two children.

ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON

Alicia is the creator of prairiestylefile.com, a website that showcases what’s beautiful and what’s next in North Dakota and beyond. She frequently travels across the region to cover the arts, culture, shopping, events and fashion of the Upper Midwest.

She is a local correspondent for Reuters and her work has been published in numerous magazines and newspapers in the region. She is also a featured writer for several online publications and a well-traveled public speaker.

Alicia is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. She loves traveling, reading, experimenting in the kitchen and shopping at estate sales. Alicia lives in West Fargo with her husband and their extremely busy toddler.

This issue, Carolyn wrote our cover story!

CAROLYN LILLEHAUGEN

Carolyn loves meeting people and learning their stories. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, and a master’s degree in education from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, Carolyn has spent the past 30 years teaching, building a health and wellness business, and writing about some of those interesting people she meets. Carolyn and her husband Mark are the parents of four sons and enjoy having a new daughter-in-law in the family. Her additional interests include reading, biking, hiking, and traveling.

BLearn more about these talented women and how you can get involved at areawomanmagazine.com

LIFE

As always, there are so many things going on in the great cities of Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo. Check out the events calendar to make sure you don't miss a thing! Take a moment to read about Gate City Bank's Acts of Kindness, the Celebration of Women and Their Music, the vision of the team at TNT Kid's Fitness & Gymnastics, and the movement that is CommonGround. Learn more about Sandy's Donuts, Santa Lucia and the Cracked Pepper restaurants. And meet the team at the new West Fargo hotel Element. All in this edition of Area Life.

Image provided by Kensie Wallner Photography.

APRIL.MAY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Note: All events are subject to change. Confirm dates and times before attending.

APRIL 4

FM Vendor & Trade Show

APRIL 18

TEA TIME AT SEASONS & ATONEMENT CHURCH

An evening showcasing Fargo/Moorhead's finest local crafters, businesses and direct sellers. This event is open to the public with free admission. Beverages are available for purchase at the Hilton restaurant.

4-9 P.M.

The Hilton Garden Inn

4351 17th Ave S, Fargo

APRIL 7

Pint-Sized Explorers: Training to be Tremendous

Discover how we keep our animals healthy through training and see what techniques we use. This is a class designed for kids 4-6 years old. Program Fee: $10/RRZ members, $15/non-members. Preregistration required.

3:15-4:45 P.M.

Red River Zoo

4255 23rd Ave South www.redriverzoo.org

APRIL 10

11th Annual HERO Bash

Join us for an evening of motivational speakers, live and silent auction with something for everyone, amazing appetizers, great music and cash bar. Fun gala-style evening out in Fargo! Tickets are only $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

6-9:30 P.M.

Ramada Plaza & Suites, Fargo herofargo.org

APRIL 10 & 12

Daughter of the Regiment

The Fargo-Moorhead Opera presents another never before heard here work – Donizetti's The Daughter of the Regiment. Tickets range from $5 for kids and $40-80 for adults.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 AT 7:30 P.M.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 AT 2:00 P.M.

3100 25th St S, Fargo | 701-239-4558

www.fmopera.org

APRIL 11

Annual Springtime Styles

Sponsored by Soroptimist International of Moorhead. Style show and silent auction featuring fashions by CHICO’S, DOWNTOWN DIVA, SANFORD GIFT SHOP AND MAURICE’S. T he emcee will be Robin Huebner with music by The Clarion Quartet. Dessert and beverages will be served. All proceeds will benefit the lives of women and girls in the community. What a great get together for mothers and daughters, sisters and friends!

1 P.M. (DOORS OPEN AT 12:30)

Dilworth Lutheran Church

406 3rd St NE, Dilworth

APRIL 14

Jeremiah Program Generation Builders

2x2 Luncheon

Guests will enjoy networking, a silent auction, lunch and an opportunity to learn more about Jeremiah Program and Generation Builders purpose and membership.

11 A.M. -1 P.M.

Courtyard by Marriott Fargo-Moorhead 1080 28th Ave S, Moorhead

APRIL 14

DIY Inspiration Night at Heirlooms

Do you have an outdated picture frame on your wall and you’re not sure what to do with it? Upcycle it! Be inspired by various ways to make your old picture frame look and function like new. This is event is free and open to the community.

7-8 P.M.

Heirlooms - 3120 25th St S, Fargo 701- 356-2670

APRIL 16

Sweet Miracles (event supports Children’s Miracle Network and Sanford Children’s Hospital)

Live entertainment. Silent auction featuring items donated by local businesses. Light hors d’oeuvres and sweet desserts served throughout the evening. Each guest will receive a commemorative wine glass. Tickets are $40.00 (for sale at Courtyard by Marriott)

6-9 P.M.

Courtyard by Marriott Fargo-Moorhead 1080 28th Ave S, Moorhead

APRIL 18TH

Tea Time at SEASONS at Rose Creek

Join us for an elegant afternoon of tea, wine, savories and desserts. Rose Creek. Reservations required with a credit card.

2 P.M.

SEASONS at Rose Creek

1500 Rose Creek Parkway East, Fargo 701.235.5000 l seasonsatrosecreek.com

Are you planning or attending an upcoming event? Submit local events online at areawomanmagazine.com

APRIL.MAY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Note: All events are subject to change. Confirm dates and times before attending.

APRIL 18

All-American-Girl Tea Party

APRIL 30-MAY 3, MAY 7-10

SPRING PARADE OF HOMES

Altrusa of Fargo is holding an All-American-Girl Tea Party. Event includes a performance by Halftime by Sherri, Grand March of Dolls, photo booth, tea party snacks and more. Tickets $15 for child, $20 for adult. Raffle tickets $5 each.

2-4 P.M.

Atonement Church

4601 University Drive S, Fargo

www.altrusafargo.com

APRIL 18

Youth Journeys - Fargo, ND

A day-long program for youth, ages 6 to 18, who have lost a loved one. Parents/guardians are also required to attend a portion of the day program. The day allows youth a chance to explore how the death of their loved one has affected their lives, feelings they have, selfcare and embracing memories. The session is free, but registration is required by April 13.

9 A.M.-3:30 P.M.

Hospice of the Red River Valley office

1701 38th St S, Fargo—Use west door hrrv.org | 800-237-4629

APRIL 23

Living Proof Live RALLY

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and program begins at 7 p.m. This is going to be an exciting time as we share about the event, how you can be involved, and pray together. Plus, just for attending, you will be entered to win a VIP Package (event tickets, hotel room, reserved seats and more!) that will be given at the end of night.

6:30-8:30 P.M

First Lutheran Church

619 Broadway, Fargo

**Please RSVP. Sign up/register for this event at:

www.lifeway.com/event/WomensEvent-Living-Proof-Live-Fargo-ND

photography by Bluestem Media, LLC.

APRIL.MAY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Note: All events are subject to change. Confirm dates and times before attending.

APRIL 28

Women Connect: Female Relationships in the Workplace

Attend the session to explore the dynamics of women’s relationships in the workplace and learn actionable strategies to generate personal and professional satisfaction.

HAPPY HARRY'S RIBFEST

Avalon Events Center West 2525 9th Ave S, Fargo 218-233-1100

APRIL 28

Kids Are Our Business Breakfast

Please join us to hear a personal account of finding help, healing and hope. Ticket information is available online!

7:30-8:30 A.M.

Ramada Plaza Suites & Convention Center 1635 42nd St S, Fargo www.raccfm.com | 701-293-7273

APRIL 28 & MAY 26

The Birth Circle

A free monthly meeting of pregnant couples and new parents on topics relating to pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Meetings are the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m.

7:30 P.M.

Ecce Yoga Studio 216 N Broadway Suite # 204, Fargo www.doulasrrv.org

APRIL 30-MAY 3, MAY 7-10

Spring Parade of Homes

General admission is free, and the event will be a scattered-site tour of homes throughout the F-M area. Homes will cover all price ranges, including options for those age 55 and better, first-time buyers, people needing more space and those wanting to downsize.

MAY 1

Cass County Historical Museum opens for the 2015 season!

MONDAY-FRIDAY – 10 A.M.– 8 P.M.

SATURDAY – 10 A.M.– 5 P.M.

SUNDAY – 12–5 P.M.

1351 West Main Ave, West Fargo 701-282-2822

MAY 17

Women’s Health Conference Preview

The Women’s Health Conference Preview is tailored for on-the-go women to propel your journey toward health. Tickets are $25.

7–9 P.M.

Ramada Plaza Suites, Fargo Register at womens-health-conference.com

MAY 18

Women’s Health Conference

A powerful day with experts, speakers and educators whose mission is to coach, motivate and rejuvenate you towards a healthier life. Take a journey with us. Tickets are $45.

7:30 A.M.– 4:30 P.M.

Ramada Plaza Suites, Fargo. Register at womens-health-conference.com

MAY 21

American Heart Association Fargo Heart Walk

The annual Red River Valley Heart Walk encourages many to take the pledge to live healthier lifestyles while raising the monies needed to fund life-saving research and education.

5 p.m. Activities begin, 6 p.m. Open Ceremonies and Walk

Scheels Arena

5225 31st Ave S, Fargo www.redrivervalleyheartwalk.org 605-787-8808

MAY 26

Postpartum Health followed by a Birth Trauma Support Group

Presented by Doulas of the Red River Valley. Ecce Yoga Studio

216 N Broadway Suite # 204, Fargo www.doulasrrv.org

MAY 28

Women Connect

Attend the May session to learn how to achieve an assertive personal presence so you can create incredible opportunities in your personal and professional lives.

3:30 -5 P.M. WITH A SOCIAL FROM 5-6 P.M. Avalon Events Center West 2525 9th Ave S, Fargo

COMING EVENTS

APRIL.MAY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Note: All events are subject to change. Confirm dates and times before attending.

MAY 28

Veteran’s Memorial Celebration

Join us as we celebrate our region’s veterans, military and their families. Free admission and a free BBQ along with entertainment by the Red River Valley Veteran’s Concert Band. Free

13 RUSTY BARN JUNQUE SHOW

JUNE

3 P.M.

Bonanzaville in the Air Museum

1351 West Main Ave, West Fargo 701-282-2822

JUNE 6

Share A Story Family Literacy Event

At this free event, children and their parents can meet Buddy from "Dinosaur Train," enjoy entertainment including Penny & Pals, celebrate the joys of literacy and take home a free book!

10 A.M.-4 P.M.

Rheault Farm

2902 25th St SW, Fargo

JUNE 3 - 6

Happy Harry's Ribfest

Enjoy great food, music and entertainment that's fun for the whole family!

11 A.M.-11 P.M. EACH DAY FARGODOME

1800 N. University Dr, Fargo www.fargodome.com

JUNE 13

Rusty Barn Junque Show

An Occasional Market featuring vintage and repurposed items.

9 A.M.-2 P.M.

12753 110th St N, Felton, MN (Approximately 20 miles NE of Moorhead) rustybarnjunque.com

FB/rustybarnjunque

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

GATE CITY BANK ACTS OF KINDNESS

Words by Alissa Maier Photography provided by Gate City Bank

Whether it’s handing out coffee on the street, paying for someone’s lunch or taking the time to volunteer at a local women’s shelter, any act of kindness can go a long way. This is the vision that Gate City Bank had when they began the Acts of Kindness program in 2014. Now, just over a year later, the employees at their 34 locations have performed over 380 acts of kindness throughout the communities in which they serve. “Our team members fully embrace the philosophy behind Gate City Bank’s Acts of Kindness,” said Gate City Bank's Chairman, President, and CEO Steve Swiontek. “We are committed to making a difference in the lives of our customers and communities, and to be part of such an amazing display of kindness toward others is greatly rewarding.”

The possibilities are endless when it comes to supporting the campaign, and each employee has embraced the opportunity to give back to their communities with a variety of acts. Employees at Gate City Bank decide how and when to perform the acts of kindness. “I really enjoy working

Donated $300 worth of bed sheets and 100 bus passes for clients at the New Life Center in Fargo!

Gave away $10 in cash to 15 random people on the streets of Downtown Fargo!

Bought lunch for 30 firefighters in Fargo in appreciation of helping our community!

Donated $300 worth of bed sheets and bath towels to clients in need at Access of the Red River Valley!

for a company that is so dedicated not only to its employees, but to the communities that it serves as well. Working at Gate City Bank has given me the opportunity to give back to my community in many ways over the years and those opportunities have given me so much more in return,” said employee Jessica Kluck.

While some of the acts have been small and simple such as bringing treats to senior citizens' centers, volunteering at non-profit organizations, or helping families in need, other acts have been performed with larger monetary donations. Throughout the last year, Gate City Bank employees have provided donations to several deserving organizations. Some of the more extensive acts include donating $300 in hats and lip balms for patients at Minot’s Trinity Cancer Center, donating $300 in bed sheets and 100 bus passes to the New Life Center in Fargo and donating $100 in pajamas to the NICU at Altru in Grand Forks. These are among many other generous acts that the employees performed throughout the year. “We’ve built a tradition of serving our customers and being connected to our communities,” said Swiontek.

Most recently, the employees at Gate City Bank throughout the Minnesota and North Dakota communities performed 172 random acts of kindness in one day to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17. Performing these acts of kindness continued a tradition started at Gate City Bank in February 2014. Last year, in conjunction with the grand opening of the Veteran’s Boulevard location in West Fargo, employees completed 90 acts of kindness during a month-long celebration.

Gate City Bank employees have embraced the campaign and the mission to give back to their communities with acts of kindness in several ways throughout the year, and it goes without saying that each community deserves and appreciates each act big or small.

Each act of kindness is posted on Gate City Bank’s website, Facebook and Twitter accounts so fans can follow the program’s progress. For more information on the Acts of Kindness campaign, visit www.gatecitybank.com or Gate City Bank’s Facebook or Twitter accounts. [AWM]

CELEBRATING MUSIC, PASSION AND CREATIVITY IN ONE SPECIAL NIGHT

CClassy. Uplifting. Supportive. Amazing. Just a few of the words used to describe the 18th Annual Celebration of Women and Their Music, held Saturday February 21, 2015 at the Fargo Theatre.

What began 18 years ago as one concert organized by Deb Jenkins at the Fargo Theatre, has evolved into nearly a week of musical events spread throughout venues in downtown Fargo, culminating in the main show.

Honoring award winners is a highlight of the show, which strives to bring our community together to celebrate music, passion and creativity.

2015 Celebration of Women and their Music award winners: Haley Diers, Davies High School – The Show Award

Noelle McVicar, Davies High School – Soul Sistah Award

Ellen Neumann, Homeschool – The Susie Ekberg-Risher Goddess Award

Natalie Shaw, Davies High School – Mary Ellen Thompson Award and Video Arts

Recording Session

Natalie Shea, West Fargo High School –

Karen Stoker Arts Support Award, Linda Hamann Red River Counseling Visual Arts Award and the Dancing Queen Award

Jenna Wolff, Central Cass High School –

Chase Your Dream Award

Don’t miss next year’s show – Saturday February 20, 2016.

For more information about the show and events throughout the year, visit our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ celebrationofwomenandtheirmusic-Fargo

Words by Sarah Morrau

Photography by Kensie Wallner Photography

TNT FITNESS AND GYMNASTICS: ALL CHILDREN – ALL ABILITIES

By Ashley Thornberg

In a festive ballroom with hundreds of proper place settings, well wishers and sparkling bottles of wine, there is a lone centerpiece, largely unassuming, adorned with photos of gymnasts. These athletes are at the center of the table and so too are they at the center of TNT Fitness and Gymnastics. When we think of gymnasts, it’s easy to picture kids flying through the air without fear, apprehension or obstruction. But the truth is there’s no shortage of hindrances that would stop many kids from ever setting foot on gymnastics equipment. At TNT, there are impressive programs for the most perfectly poised gymnast, but if that’s all you see, you’re missing a whole other level of dedication.

TNT Marketing Director Trisha McDonald spoke with Area Woman Magazine about its mission: “All Children ~ All Abilities.” TNT works with 21 schools and 25+ partner organizations in the FM metro area to include aspiring athletes facing developmental, physical, emotional or behavioral challenges to elite athletes in their USA Gymnastics program. “The children and adults at TNT make us better people. We have the opportunity to learn from them as we help build their confidence and skills to overcome life’s challenges.”

That mission is what attracted a sell out crowd of more than 500 people to the 6th annual “In Their Shoes” fundraiser held January 22 at the Holiday Inn.

Vickie

son, Will, 17, is in a wheelchair. Ask her how she feels about the outreach at TNT, and there are more tears than words–at first. To see Will out of his chair, rolling around and playing is “unreal. It’s like [his chair] disappears.”

The fundraiser doesn’t just help fund these specialized classes. TNT is expanding 20,000 square feet and raising money to open a public sensory gym as a safe place for special needs children to do what kids do best, play. [AWM]

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT www.tntkidsfitness.com/

Photography by Nate Mickelberg Images

Piepkorn’s

FINDING COMMON GROUND

This August, more than 100 people will gather for the fanciest meal they’ve ever eaten in a farm field.

White linens, vases of flowers and sparkling glasses will be backdropped by seemingly endless fields of corn. Farm men and women will sit shoulder-to-shoulder with new friends from the city, some of them experiencing a farm for the first time. As they dine on North Dakota-grown vegetables, fruits, grains and meats, they will talk about what it takes to run a farm, how to spot local foods in the grocery stores and everything in between.

These conversations and connections are at the heart of Banquet in a Field.

“We celebrate all that farmers do to feed the world and connect non-farmers with a farm,” said Julie Peterson, who hosts the annual event with her husband, Carl, on their family farm near Prosper, N.D. “We tell the story of North Dakota agriculture and the incredible contribution it makes in generating food. And we do all of that while enjoying a great meal, great conversation and great people.”

Peterson is one of a dozen farm women volunteering with the organization CommonGround North Dakota. It’s part of a nation-wide effort (www.

findourcommonground.com) to connect farm and non-farm women through community events, farm tours, social media conversations, informative videos and more. As generations become more removed from farming and consumers have increasing questions about their food, CommonGround North Dakota seeks to put a face on farming.

“There is a lot of misinformation and confusing headlines about food and farming,” said CommonGround North Dakota coordinator Katie Pinke of Wishek, N.D. “Every volunteer does a great job at listening first and then sharing about our farming practices and showing what we do.”

Now in its third year, CommonGround North Dakota adds more opportunities to connect women each year. Here are some of the events scheduled for 2015:

• Moms After 5, various farms, April and May – Volunteers will open their farms for evening tours, conversation and food.

• Women’s Health Conference, Fargo, May 18 – Volunteers will host a table in the exhibition hall to answer questions and share about farming.

• Banquet in a Field, Prosper, N.D., August –Invited guests will enjoy a North Dakota meal and conversation.

• Women’s Health Conference, Bismarck,

North Dakota Women Connect Through Food and Farming

Words by Amanda Peterson

Photography provided by Common Ground

September – Volunteers will host a table in the exhibition hall to answer questions and share about farming.

• Farm Harvest Tours, various farms, September – Farm women will open invite guests to tour and chat.

CommonGround North Dakota goes beyond scheduled events, though they serve as great introduction points. Many of the volunteers host family farm blogs, making it easy for others to follow along with their daily lives. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and even email provide more opportunities to check in and ask questions.

“It’s important that we build these relationships and connections, so that when a woman has a question about a headline or wonders about a product at the grocery store, she has someone to talk to,” Pinke said.

CommonGround North Dakota volunteer Ronda Throener farms and ranches with her husband, Kevin, near Cogswell, N.D. She began volunteering to more intentionally share her story and better answer questions about farming and ranching.

“Farmers and ranchers have been so busy raising food and making a living that I think we just took for granted the rest of the world understands what we’re doing,” she said. “With fewer people having close ties to the farm, it is becoming more important to relay this message.”

That’s exactly why Peterson suggested holding Banquet in a Field last year and helped CommonGround North Dakota round up the many sponsors and volunteers needed to put together such a large and detailed event. It’s why she and her husband will host it again this year.

“I’ve learned that people like to visit a farm,” she said. “They love to ride in a combine and they like to hear about how food is grown.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

about CommonGround North Dakota or to talk with a farm woman, visit www.facebook.comCommonGroundNorthDakota.

ONLY CRACKED PEPPER WILL DO

By Katherine Tweed

Yummy. That’s the best word to describe the experience of eating and being at the Cracked Pepper in southwest Fargo, 4955 17th Ave. S.

Angeline VonBank, of the famous Buffalo, N.D. VonBank foodies, creates fresh meals six days a week from the best ingredients she can find to satisfy her own desire to have a familyfriendly food and home environment.

Her menu changes daily. She listens to her customers and incorporates their suggestions into the menu. Right now, soup from scratch is popular. Well, everything from scratch is popular.

At lunch, you can order the entrée of the day, sandwiches, soups and salads. The fresh-

baked bread and desserts complete your meal.

Her four sisters call her Angie. They’ve all been in the food business, helping their parents at Clem and Hazel’s Corner Café in Buffalo.

VonBank did not go directly into the café business. She graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a major in business administration. She knew she always wanted her own restaurant.

She prepared herself. VonBank has worked as a cake decorator, doughnut fryer, prep cook, line cook, supervisor, sous chef, pizza cook and dessert baker.

While she enjoyed everything she learned

Photography by Dennis Krull, 5foot20 Design Lounge

while working at other people’s places, she still wanted to have her own café.

When she did a vision board to plan her career, she had a large family table on it. In the Cracked Pepper, a large family table welcomes folks to sit by the fireplace and enjoy their meal.

The café itself has grown with the theory that the business will decide what it will do. VonBank listens.

Many of the furnishings came from the Buffalo Café. Mom Hazel will show guests a napkin holder with the Buffalo Café’s name. Dishes and other furnishings are incorporated. Hazel is also a champion potato peeler who helps for large or special orders – as well as an all-around inspiration through love, support and sharing recipes.

An Irish flag sits at the end of the lunch counter to honor Grandmother Margaret Muldoon VonBank, the best gramma ever. Art by nephews hangs on the wall and VonBank is waiting for creations from her two younger nieces.

Her brother-in-law made the green recycling and serving cart. Her uncle fixed a bistro table, creating and welding a shamrock shape tabletop. An older niece works the counter at lunch. VonBank cooks and plans, inviting family, friends and customers to be part of the home-style atmosphere.

With every daily menu change, every special cookie or cupcake, fresh salads and her favorite soups, VonBank always remembers that the yummy food is part of an environment she created.

Eating at the Cracked Pepper means walking into warmth, dining on love-cooked food and feeling at home. You can read the daily menu in advance at crackedpepperdaily.com. Closed Sunday, the hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Oh, and on your table you will not find pepper shakers. You will find cracked pepper grinders. Add your own touch to your food – simply delicious.

SANDY’S DONUTS & COFFEE SHOP

Living the American Dream, in the Sweetest Way Possible

By Marie Laska

Take time to stop and smell the donuts!” is a slogan that can be seen communitywide on t-shirts, cups and business cards, and is rooted in a family business started over 31 years ago in West Fargo. It was 1983 when the scent of fresh donuts first filled the air, after Sanfred (Sandy) Ostlund and his wife Donna established Sandy’s Donuts & Coffee Shop. Donut making was originally a hobby for Ostlund, using his mom’s recipe and often giving away the donuts to his neighbors. It was only after the closure of the transport company where Ostlund had been employed for 18 years that his baking went from a hobby to a business.

As a frustrated Ostlund explained to his friends and family, “Nobody wants to hire a 53-yearold man,” and upon some encouragement from his neighbors an idea of opening a donut shop was born. After borrowing some money and visiting a donut business out of town, a rented building in West Fargo quickly became a donut shop sensation.

With community members coming in droves to enjoy the fresh, buttermilk donuts and keeping Ostlund and his wife baking at all hours of the

night, their son Mark soon shelved his college dreams of becoming an architect and instead came home to help his overwhelmed parents (both of whom had stopped going home to rest and instead were utilizing sleeping bags at the store in order to be able to keep up with demand). Since then Sandy’s has grown to a company with over 70 employees and expanded in 2014 to a downtown Fargo location, with plans for future Fargo/ Moorhead development. Reflecting upon his family’s legacy Mark relates a favorite quote by Maria Robinson: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

Though Ostlund passed away in 2008, Mark continues to provide the service that loyal customers have come to expect: a consistent, quality product and a staff that makes customers feel like family. The focus on quality specifically has resulted in another of Sandy’s Donuts slogans: “We didn’t invent the donut … but we perfected it!” And as Broadway location manager Ann Olson explained, “We have people come in all the time who tell us that they have been all over the country and have never tasted a donut like this.”

Photography by Nate Mickelberg Images

Left to Right– Rose Bonnet, General manager , Jesse Ostlund, Production manager Ann Olson, Broadway location manager & Mark Ostlund, Sandy's Donuts owner

Limited only by their imaginations (and with some help from Pinterest), Mark and his crew have designed over 70 different donut varieties with new donuts created monthly. Production manager Jesse Ostlund, Mark’s son, tallies the total output of donuts at between eight and nine thousand per day. Along with the donuts, customers have also come to enjoy fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, muffins, bars and the ever-popular donut cakes.

Following an early morning rush, Sandy’s also enjoys an equally busy lunch period, with homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and paninis offered at both locations. Sandy’s downtown shop also features fresh-roasted coffee beans twice weekly from Stumbeano’s in Fergus Falls, allowing for an expansive beverage menu including coffees, lattes and mochas. And with the Broadway location being open until 8 p.m., an evening crowd has enjoyed fulfilling their latenight cravings.

Ever cognizant of the Sandy’s Donuts legacy and connections to the West Fargo, Fargo and Moorhead communities, the staff has also prioritizes giving back and helping others. With a mission statement of “To Make People Happy, One Donut At A Time,” General Manager Rose Bonnet describes how Sandy’s has donated tens of thousands of donuts to local homeless and women’s shelters, non-profits and churches. Mark, being a Bison fan, also recently enjoyed giving away over 500 donuts during ESPN Game Day and 1,000 green and gold drizzled donuts during NDSU homecoming (with some help from Coach Klieman in passing out the goods).

Through their strong ties to tradition and commitment to quality, Mark and his dedicated staff have not only embodied the American dream in the sweetest way possible, but they have also given the community a place to slow down and enjoy a simple donut with family and friends.

FOR HOURS OF OPERATION and a more detailed description of products, please visit www.sandysdonuts.com

F/M DINING GUIDE

BASIES RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

RAMADA PLAZA & SUITES

Exciting new menu coming soon. More contemporary and flexible for today's healthy choices. All in the comfortably sophisticated Basie's restaurant.

Ramada Plaza Fargo Hotel & Conference Center 1635 42nd St S, Fargo 701-281-7105

SEASONS AT ROSE CREEK

There's no place like Seasons for a great meal to celebrate Spring! Every room has a view and is beautifully decorated. Whether it be a quiet dinner for two, a gathering of friends and family or a group of 150, Seasons has it all. Superb food, great service and the festive atmosphere you are looking for.

Call us at 701-235-5000 for details or visit seasonsatrosecreek.com.

BEEFSTEAK CLUB

An inviting and energetic bar staff greets you as you walk into The Beefsteak Club.

The innovative lunch menu warrants multiple visits (even if you choose the chicken and waffles every time!) While the signature dry-aged steaks make dining an affordable luxury.

612 1st Avenue N, Downtown Fargo 701-356-3656 | bscfargo.com

OTHER GREAT PLACES TO DINE

JOHN ALEXANDER’S

402 Broadway N, Fargo 701-232-3123

MAXWELLS RESTAURANT & BAR

1380 9th Street E, West Fargo 701-277-9463 | maxwellsnd.com

DOOLITTLES

2112 25th St, Fargo 701-478-2200

UNCORKED

1700 32nd Ave S, Fargo 701-356-4014

OSAKA

1111 38th St S, Fargo 701-282-3888

TOSCANA

202 Broadway, Downtown Fargo 701-235-9100 | toscanadowntown.com

USHER’S HOUSE

700 1st Ave N, Moorhead 218-287-0080 | ushershouse.com

VINYL TACO

520 1st Ave N, Fargo 701-365-8226

WASABI

623 NP Ave, Downtown Fargo 701-232-3380| wasabifargo.com

ZEST

201 5th Street N, Downtown Fargo 701-232-7363

GOOD.BETTER.BEST

Lucia Restaurant and The American Dream

Aserendipitous trip to Fargo in the early 70s took Maria and Geoff Wilson from their Canadian town of Winnipeg to what became their American dream.

While on an ordinary visit to Fargo with Maria’s parents, a “For Sale” sign on 13th Avenue caught father Archie’s eye. “This is it—this is where we’re going to open a Santa Lucia,” he exclaimed prompting Geoff to cautiously question, “What are you talking about?”

Though completely unplanned the idea was a welcome one for Maria who knew from a very young age she wanted to run her own restaurant. “As of kindergarten when my parents would say, ‘what do you want to do when you grow up?’ I would say ‘I want my own restaurant.’ I knew what I wanted to do,” said Maria. “I grew up helping out around our family-owned Santa Lucia at the age of 12, washing dishes, bussing tables and helping mom cook.”

Once the idea was in the air things moved fast. “Pack your bags,” said Maria’s father, “we’re going to make this happen!” Maria and Geoff trusted the process and one-by-one things began to fall into place. Young and filled with pride neither wanted to ask their parents for money. It was important for them to do this on their own.

With hard work, dedication and the longing to raise their family in the quaint town of Fargo, the Wilsons made the move. Over and over again Maria would explain to land owners, builders, and others, “We have no money, but you can check us out, we have a good name. We were born and raised in Winnipeg, I worked at the restaurant with my parents.” An offer was made and accepted on the land. A local builder took a chance on the young couple and made renovations on the building. A Moorhead car dealership brought them a Chevrolet Cavalier trusting they were good for their word.

They went on to rent an apartment, acquire $30,000 worth of culinary equipment, move through the immigration process and open the restaurant doors. The year was 1990.

Maria fondly remembers the early years. Though not easy, they truly show how far one can come with vision and a heart full of desire.

“I remember getting up one morning and the blow-up mattress we were sleeping on was flat as a pancake and I couldn’t even get up,” she tells. “I had a young son and I was pregnant with my daughter.”

The business was busy from the start and feeling overwhelmed Maria convinced brother

Santa

Words by Kim Malakowsky

Photography by Dennis Krull, 5foot20 Design Lounge

Alex Simeonidis to join them as a partner in the restaurant. He too came to love this American town and made it his home.

Today the restaurant reflects the rich history of this Greek/American family. A large photo of Maria’s father hangs near the entrance. Archie Simeonidis, along with brothers George, Gus, and Lazaros worked the Inco nickel mines nine hours north of Winnipeg, saving up money to open the first Santa Lucia in Thompson, Manitoba in 1971 followed by a second Santa Lucia in Winnipeg in 1974.

A year after opening the Fargo restaurant Alex and Geoff branched out to take the Greek cuisine to festivals across the country, leaving Maria to operate the Fargo Santa Lucia. They can now be found at more than 80 festivals in the U.S. and Canada every year including the Texas Renaissance Festival running three months straight. In addition, Maria’s other brothers and cousins operate Santa Lucias in various Canadian locations totaling 10 in all.

At the heart of it all are the mouth-watering recipes handed down through the generations, from grandmother to mother to daughter. Mousaka, Maria admitted, is one of her favorites; it’s made with layers of eggplant, potato, seasoned beef, and a cream béchamel topping.

The Greek ribs with a dry rub are a delectable alternative to the BBQ ribs found in most American restaurants. Many of the dishes use lemon, garlic, and oregano—stapes in Greek cuisine. Santa Lucia is also known for its gourmet pizzas winning the Consumer Choice Award in Winnipeg for the ninth year.

A popular Greek motto in life is “everything in moderation.” Maria abides by this rule in life, balancing all she does with grace and dignity. She not only manages a restaurant and raises a family, but also gives back to the community advocating healthy eating, sitting on the board of a homeless shelter, and volunteering for charities.

An old school rhyme passed down to Maria from her parents sums it all up. “Good, Better, Best, we never let it rest, till the good becomes the better and the better becomes the best.

FOLLOWING IN THEIR MOTHERS' FOOTSTEPS

Words by Janelle Brandon

Last fall at a networking event, Dave Schultz and Cristina McCoy noticed something familiar at a display of the last 30 years of Area Woman Magazine: both of their mothers graced the covers.

Dave Schultz, son of former WDAY anchor Maureen Zimmerman, is the new general manager of Element Fargo slated to open March 26 just off Interstate 94 and Veterans Blvd. in West Fargo.

“My mother worked very hard as a reporter, news producer and anchor,” said Schultz, a former professional golfer. “I found out my mother was actually on the first Area Woman cover thirty years ago. She had been working as a reporter at a television station in Houston, and decided she wanted to return to Fargo to raise her family. She liked working in this community. There is something about the people.”

Element Fargo’s Sales and Marketing Manager Cristina McCoy is the daughter of Carol Johnson, general manager of the Ramada Plaza & Suites and Conference Center in Fargo, who has actually been on the cover of Area Woman twice for her dedication to the community as well as being named Woman of the Year.

“They did a feature story on her when I was one and then again years later for our area’s Woman of the Year award, and last year she also received the YWCA Lifetime

Achievement award” said McCoy, whose mother taught her to always do great work and treat people well in an effort to leave a positive lasting impression and a unique legacy. “My dad passed away when we were young and I always remember my mom working hard for my sister and me. Even when I was little, she’d take me along to the office if she needed to get things done. My husband and I look forward to projecting that same work ethic with our son.”

Schultz hired Morgan Hanson a few months ago to serve as Element Fargo’s front office manager and during a conversation mentioned that he and McCoy’s mothers had been on Area Woman Magazine covers.

“So has mine,” said Hanson.

Hanson’s mother is Deb Jenkins who is well-known in the community for founding the Celebration of Women and Their Music which just finished its eighteenth year. The music festival isn’t the only thing Jenkins is known for in the community. In addition to being a musical performer herself, she runs a successful catering company. All of this done while working as a registered nurse.

“I remember my mom incorporating me into her activities. If she was working on a catering order, there would be music and friends and laughter filling our home. She showed me how

Photography by Dennis Krull, 5foot20 Design Lounge

New Element Hotel Management Inherits Work Ethic

to work hard but also enjoy myself and do what makes me happy while working.”

A strong work ethic and enjoying what they do will serve Schultz, McCoy, Hanson and the rest of the Element Fargo team as they get ready to open the doors of the new hotel. They’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible network of supportive professionals in the community.

“There have been so many people who have welcomed me back to Fargo,” noted Schultz. Schultz had been living in Texas before moving back to Fargo last year. He got married to his wife Kelsey just before Christmas. “Fargo is like a big magnet. You may leave for a while, but you always find your way back home.”

The trio is excited to open the doors to an energizing environment featuring a clean design and focus on a state-of-the-art hotel experience. They’ve developed a team-focused management approach so that the hotel will be a place of fun and relaxation for business and pleasure.

“There really is something for everyone whether you’re single, a couple, or a family looking for a memorable hotel experience for a day, a week, or more,” added McCoy. “We have a dedicated guest experience specialist as well to answer our guests’ questions and make sure they feel supported throughout their stay.”

To learn more about Element Fargo, visit www.elementfargo.com.

FINDING FAMILY

at the homeward animal shelter

The Homeward Animal Shelter of FargoMoorhead 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.

Have questions? Give us a call!

STYLE

When it comes to looking your best, Area Style can give you some pointers. This edition features a unique Where to Shop section highlighting hot trends in our area. Read about the salon Blow, a fantastic place to have your hair styled. And browse the work of area photographers. Image provided by Blow Stylists.

fowlers

Handcrafted jewelry by Fredrick Prince will melt the heart of mom forever.

210 Broadway N #101, Fargo 701-356-7778

WHERE TOSHOP

DALBOL FLOWERS

Fargo's Wedding Florist We offer a wide selection of bridal bouquets, wedding ceremony flowers, floral cake decorations and centerpieces to fit any budget!

1450 25th St S, Fargo 701-235-5864 | www.dalbolflowers.com

Scheels

Taos Footwear

Style, comfort and quality. Taos offers a selection of footwear designed to deliver everyday comfort and unique style. New spring styles are here!

Available at Fusion Boutique | Located inside Scheels Home & Hardware 3202 13th Ave S, Fargo 701-232-8903 | scheelshomeandhardware.com

luna

Family-owned coffee house, restaurant, cheese shop and wine/beer bar serving a menu of carefully selected small plates. All of our food is made in house and from scratch.

1545 University Drive S, Fargo 701-293-8818

Twyla's cosmetique

Indulgent, ontrend lipstick shades. Hundreds of colors to choose from. Custom-blend lipsticks and lipgloss available!

2420 University Dr S, Fargo 701-282-5303

tickled pink

Drop in on an ever changing selection of home décor with a touch of whimsy and feel-good fashion

2108 University Dr S, Suite 105B

Behind Randy's next to Bucci Salon 235-PINK | consign@tickledpinkfargo.com

centre for hair

Feeling flat and want a lift? This product, the 333 Volume Boost, is our new favorite and it's AMAZING! The spray was all that was used to get from "before" to "after," and it held all day!

Downtown Moorhead | 218-236-6000 www centreforhairandwellness.com

mainstream boutique

Summer is almost here! Stop in and try on our crepe ombre dye tank dress

2603 Kirsten Ln S, Fargo | 701-356-6684 fargo.mainstreamboutique.com

Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements is excited to announce the newest products in their fresh-fruit lineup. The Fresh-tini Collection shapes among a variety of fresh-fruit favorites.

45th Street Marketplace | 701-281-1891 1801 45 St S, Fargo

Pinch and Pour

Jazz up your kitchen with unique pickles goods and one of our signature whimsical art prints.

210 Broadway N, Fargo 701-356-7779 | pinchandpour.myshopify.com

Breathe massage

Young Living essential oils are therapeutic grade oils. They can be used for many things such as physical aches and pains, weight loss, and purifying your home!

26 Roberts St, Suite 111 | 701-429-0198

www.breathemassagefargo.com

FINDING THE RIGHT STYLE LASTS A LIFETIME

By Jessi Larson

Hair chains and extensions and ombres, oh my! Society and media are continuously bombarding us with “what’s hot” – styles, cuts and colors we should have to look our best and to keep on trend. As a child of the 90s, I’m not a stranger to partaking in hair trends. I remember having that long crimped hair, bigger than life bangs that added another three inches to my height and reeked of Aussie hairspray. If I was feeling crazy, up it went into a high side ponytail. You know―to show my individuality. But as we all know, every female had that hairstyle in the 90s. We buy into trends thinking they’ll help us stand out. However, sometimes they put us in the same box as other followers, completely defeating the purpose of the individuality we may have been striving for. When I sat down with Amanda Tompkins, coowner of Blow, she had a refreshing, more realistic perspective on current hair trends.

With over 20 years of experience, Tompkins has seen trends come and go and encourages us to experiment and find a hair style that truly reflects our personality and makes us feel our best― not simply attaching to what we see on magazine covers. “Look at the Grammy’s. Everyone looks different. Everyone has their own style. I don’t feel like there is a trend right now. I think if

Images provided by Blow Stylists

we can wear our hair current with our personality and age it’s going to look good,” she added. Often Tompkins finds clients asking her if they’re too old for long hair. Her response, “Why would you be too old? If that’s what you looked and felt best in when you were 20 and 40, why wouldn’t you when you’re 50 or 60 and beyond? The key is keeping it up.” My mind immediately goes to Rose, the old woman in Titanic. I think it’s safe to say we all loved when she let down her long locks as she threw her necklace into the ocean! Don’t be afraid to try your own thing even if popular belief tells you otherwise―you may just stumble into your perfect look.

So how exactly do you find that perfect hair style?

“The best thing you can do is be upfront and honest with your stylist. Let them get to know you so they can explore options that would best suit your personality,” Tompkins suggested. But what’s a new do if you don’t know how to keep it up? Don’t be afraid to ask your stylist for tips and tricks on how to maintain your style after you leave to prevent that “day-after panic.” A couple must-have tools Tompkins recommends every woman have in her hair arsenal are a leave-in treatment catered to your individual hair type and moisture level and a quality blow dryer with at least 1875 watts.

So when we’re feeling overwhelmed with all the latest fads, let’s all take a deep breath and remember, trends come and go, while finding the right style lasts a lifetime. [AWM]

DO YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A HAIR RUT?

Do you find yourself in a hair rut? Check out the brand new blow dry bar, Blow! They offer fast, affordable shampoo blow outs and retail products to help us look our best in between cut and colors.

Check them out at www.ihearttheblowbar.com or visit them in the Galleria at 5675 26th Avenue South in Fargo.

IT ALWAYS PROTECTS, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES. love never fails.

Kensie Wallner Photography

Scherling Photography

Haney's Photography

Haney's Photography

Scherling Photography

Kensie Wallner Photography

Scherling Photography

YOU HAVE PUT GLADNESS IN MY heart

Bell's Photography by Jenna Sandman

Scherling Photography

Ashley Oberholtzer Photography

Ashley Oberholtzer Photography

Jill Ockhardt Photography

Scherling Photography

Scherling Photography

LEGAL DUTIES OWED TO SHAREHOLDERS OF A CLOSE CORPORATION

Words by Kasey D. McNary, Attorney Serkland Law Firm

The business landscape of Fargo-Moorhead continues to thrive, and our community should take great pride in being an integral part of this region’s ability to foster successful small businesses.

A number of small businesses in our area are family-owned and operated, or started by a group of friends. This often leads to the formation of a “closely held corporation,” which is often referred to as a “close corporation.” By law a close corporation has no more than 35 shareholders. The typical characteristics include: having a few shareholders, often only two or three; the shareholders usually live in the same geographical area, know each other and are familiar with each other’s business skills; nearly all of the shareholders are involved in the dayto-day business; there is no established market for selling corporate stock; and all or most of the

shareholders serve as directors, officers, or have some key managerial role in the business.

The Business Corporation Act (“Act”), which is adopted in North Dakota and Minnesota, provides that shareholders in a close corporation owe one another legal duties to act in an honest, fair and reasonable manner in the operation of the corporation. The law also requires shareholders to treat each other with “utmost loyalty” and “good faith.” “Good faith” is defined as being honest in conducting any act or transaction. These legal duties exist to protect each shareholder’s investment and expectations in being part of a corporation with so few shareholders.

For those shareholders that also act as directors or officers it is important to know there are additional duties to act in good faith, in a manner the person reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation and with ordinary care. Directors or those in control of a close corporation also cannot act fraudulently, illegally or in a manner considered “unfairly prejudicial” toward one or more shareholders.

It is not always easy to know what actions could constitute a breach of duty, especially because the Act does not identify particular unlawful actions. Instead, the Act broadly states the duties owed by directors, officers and shareholders of a close corporation. A few actions which could be considered a breach include failing to make appropriate distributions, freezing shareholders out of corporate affairs, or altering a shareholder’s ownership interests.

A shareholder aggrieved by unlawful actions is permitted under the Act to seek a forced buyout of his or her stock. In certain instances the shareholder may even seek a complete dissolution of the corporation, and recovery of his or her costs and attorney fees for pursuing a legal action. It is therefore important for those in control of a close corporation to be mindful of the legal duties owed to the close corporation’s shareholders.

This article was written and prepared by Kasey McNary, an attorney with the Serkland Law Firm in Fargo, North Dakota. For more information call 232.8957, email at kmcnary@serklandlaw.com or visit www.serklandlaw.com.

HEALTH

Looking out for the interests of others is a common thread in this edition of Area Health. Meet some inspiring women and learn about the different ways they are impacting the people around them. Whether it's through fitness and healthy eating habits or helping women receive cancer screenings, the women in these articles are doing their part to make a difference! Image provided by Nate Mickelberg Images.

CAPTURING HEARTS

Article Provided by Sanford Health

Anyone who meets Anna Olivia Marcy can tell she is one very special little girl. With a smile that will steal your heart, she caught the attention of everyone who walked into her hospital room.

“I think she just captured their hearts,” said Anna’s mom Beverly Marcy. “Her personality, smile and just the way she responded to things… She always wanted to say thank you to whoever was there. Whether it was the nurse, the person bringing her food or the cleaning staff, she wanted to let everyone know how grateful she was. I think it i s rare to fi nd such a spirit of gratitude and strength in someone so young.”

A difficult road

Anna is the 2015 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals North Dakota Champion and the honor is well-deserved. Last summer Anna’s parents noticed she was gaining a little weight around her midsection over a short period of time.

“We went through a few steps and after an ultrasound discovered it was a buildup of fluid coming from her shunt,” said Anna’s dad Greg.

Before Anna had her first birthday or even met the people who are now her parents, she had surgery to place a shunt in her birth country of Azerbaijan. Anna was born with hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid accumulates around the brain. The common treatment is to reroute this fluid to another area of the body, most commonly the abdomen, where it can be absorbed safely back into the bloodstream.

Anna had the fluid drained and was sent home with appointments set for the following week. However, over the weekend Anna’s abdomen again began filling with fluid. She was admitted

into the pediatric intensive care unit where the fluid was drained and a cause was found.

“Usually when patients have shunt infections, they occur soon after the device is placed,” said Tong Yang, MD, pediatric neurosurgeon at Sanford Children’s Fargo. “But in Anna’s case, it was a slow-growing bacteria that didn’t present until almost four years later.”

A long wait

Anna’s shunt would have to come out and an external one placed to relieve her body from the building fluid.

“It was a challenge for us and for her,” said Greg. “An almost 6-year-old doesn’t just sit in bed very well. She wanted to be up and moving, but with the external shunt she really couldn’t. If we turned it off for more than 20 minutes she would get a headache.”

Anna was in the hospital for more than 30 days as the external shunt drained the fluid. Once it was under control, Yang and the team at Sanford Children’s made a plan to hopefully fix the issue for good.

“Replacing Anna’s shunt in the original location was no longer a viable option for her,” said Dr. Yang. “The infection had made it a hostile environment. So we elected to place it through a vein near the heart.”

A happy result

Anna is now doing well and excited to take on the role of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals North Dakota Champion.

“When we were approached about it, we knew we wanted to help,” said Beverly. “We received such amazing care from the team at Sanford Children’s and the Children’s Miracle Network that we really wanted to give back.”

“Watching our child go through this was so difficult,” recalled Greg. “But hopefully by sharing our story and drawing attention to the work done through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, we can help make it a little easier for another family going through a similar situation.”

JULIE SEERY: CREATING A WAVE OF WELLNESS

By Anna Hagen, marketing director at the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties

Photography by Nate Mickelberg Images

At 12:00 p.m. sharp every Wednesday, Julie Seery is performing planks and forward folds in a sunlit studio at the YMCA in downtown Fargo. She leads a yoga class of health-seekers looking for a mid-week meditation and relaxation session. "Namaste" she whispers with her head down at the end of each class, which means “The light in me honors the light in you.” The whole group of relaxed and detoxified yogis mutter back – “Namaste.”

Seery, vice president of program and member services at the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties, is a Minnesota native who moved to Fargo for love in 2012. After joining the Y family, she found a whole lot more. She is grateful for her yoga students and for the opportunity to share her passion for health and wellness with others in the community.

In addition to teaching yoga since her debut at the Y, she has mobilized her staff to implement and grow programs in areas such as personal training, nutrition, endurance, athletic sports performance and women’s fitness. She created Women’s FIT Camp – a weekend health and fitness camp for women of all ages and fitness levels to discover the power to improve their health through fitness, nutrition and stress management. These wellness programs are flourishing under her lead and are educating members and participants on healthy lifestyles around the principle that there is a oneness of mind, body and spirit.

Members at the Y love the new adult wellness opportunities. Personal trainers are now on site to help define fitness needs and create personal exercise plans. A registered dietician is also on

FITNESS IS NOT EASY, BUT IT CAN BE FUN!

site to discuss weight loss, disease prevention and grocery shopping tips. In addition, fitness veterans and others new to the gym line the halls waiting to get into cycle, BODYPUMP™, Zumba® and other new formats such as Tabata and Barre Fitness classes throughout the week.

Simply stated, Seery is creating a culture where health and wellness are at the forefront. Her experience as a strategic planner and creative thinker have added focus and attention to detail on the new programs implemented at the Y. She is an experienced and engaging leader who embraces change and creates an awareness for healthy living. Her ability to inspire and empower staff and participants is unmatched.

“Fitness is not easy,” explained Seery, “but it can be fun!”

The Y isn’t the first community in which Seery has ignited a fire. She has spent her professional life working in the health and fitness industry, jumpstarting her career teaching health and physical education and coaching. In 1995, she became the senior director of member activities and retention at Lifetime Fitness based out of Chanhassen, MN. During her 13 years with the

company, she established a legacy of delivering operational and financial excellence, helped to create engaging, family-centric programs and was directly responsible for building a $22 million annual member activities category.

Following her time at Lifetime Fitness, Seery continued on as the founder and president of Bear Paddle Swim School in Illinois and LifeCore Yoga Studio in Minneapolis. During her time at LifeCore Yoga, she was able to leverage her solid business expertise with her deep passion for yoga and create an encouraging experience for people to nourish and transform themselves.

Seery was first introduced to yoga in 1996 when she implemented a yoga program at Lifetime Fitness. Since then, she has graduated from the Power Yoga Teacher Training program at Core Power Yoga in St. Paul and has become a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. Seery is currently teaching weekly yoga classes at the Y, Family Wellness Yoga, and to athletes at NDSU. In addition, she teaches classes around the world on a yearly basis through the Fitness Profession Travel program, most recently in the Barbados and Fiji.

Seery also started FOGA – Fargo Organization Giving through Asana – a movement in the community to create unity and rally around local causes. Seery hosts yoga classes for advocates in the area to raise money and create meaningful change for their initiatives. To learn more about FOGA, contact Seery at seery@ymcacassclay.org or check out Facebook.

Julie Seery is on a mission to inspire a movement and change lives. Who’s with her?

Image provided by YMCA

PROTECTING AND SUSTAINING HEALTH

Lipetzky Committed to Thriving Public Health

For the last 30 years, Kim Lipetzky, a public health nutritionist for Fargo Cass Public Health, has dedicated herself to the betterment of the overall health and wellness of the community she serves.

Lipetzky, a wife and mother of two and a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutritional science, is involved in many initiatives that serve infants through seniors in an attempt to make sure that the community has unfettered access to healthy food and an environment that supports active living to cut down on preventable diseases and improve the health of generations to come.

“We are associated with all of the ‘Alives’ in the area,” said Lipetzky. She is referring to StreetsAlive, SchoolsAlive, ChildcareAlive, and FaithCommunitiesAlive to name a few. “There is no way I could do my job without the fabulous partners throughout the region working together to help improve public health.”

Lipetzky is referencing the partners at Clay County Public Health, Dakota Medical Foundation, Extension Services, local universities, Metro COG, along with all of the community entities like school and faith leaders eager to join Lipetzky on their shared public-health mission.

Words by Janelle Brandon

“I’m really excited about serving on the steering committee of the Cass Clay Food Systems Initiative,” said Lipetzky. “The goal of this initiative is to increase access to safe, nutritious and affordable healthy food for our residents by strengthening the local food system.”

This includes working with a variety of individuals like producers and distributors to get healthy foods into various markets such as convenience stores and concession stands, as well as promoting the production and consumption of locally grown food. Lipetzky is also involved in the process of forming the Cass Clay Food Systems Advisory Commission which is made up of elected officials and food systems experts. This 11 member commission will work to

Photography by Dennis Krull, 5foot20 Design Lounge

address policies and systems impacting our local food system.

“We do have emerging food deserts in our community,” she said. “A food desert occurs when urban neighborhoods or rural towns don’t have ready access to fresh, healthy and affordable food. In town this is sometimes measured as being within one mile of a grocery store or market that provides healthy food choices. Currently, we have ethnic markets in some of these areas to help fill this gap but there is still work to be done to build a sustaining infrastructure for healthy food options.”

With the rise of urban agriculture, Lipetzky has worked with community volunteers and organizations on projects like the One Vegetable One Community promotion which works to unite the community around growing and preparing a single vegetable (beets in 2015) and begin conversations about our food. Other community events include community gardening workshops, grower/buyer networking meetings, and the One Million Square Feet of Gardens Challenge.

Because diet and physical activity are closely linked with overall health, Lipeztky has worked with several partners to develop a fun initiative called the FM Walk This Way program.

“Starting at the end of March and going through May 19, we encourage residents to get out and start moving as the weather turns nicer,” said Lipetzky. “We have a series of 13 walks at different locations throughout the community. The walks are free and anyone can attend.” [AWM]

TO LEARN MORE

about becoming involved with the Cass Clay Food Systems Initiative, participating in FM Walk This Way, or volunteering with other communitybased public health programs , visit metroinmotion.org or contact Lipetzky at klipetzky@cityoffargo.com.

Words by Susan A. Stibbe

Kristi Lee-Weyrauch is the director of the local coordinating unit of Women’s Way. Women’s Way is the North Dakota Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The purpose of the program is to provide a “good health opportunity” for eligible North Dakota women to obtain mammograms, Pap tests and other breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services.

According to Lee-Weyrauch, “Early detection saves women’s lives, definitely. Screenings are expensive when you don’t have insurance or have only a minimum-wage income. And women tend to put their own needs last. We provide a way to pay for breast and cervical cancer screenings for these women.”

“A woman qualifies who lives in North Dakota, is between the ages of 21 and 64, has insurance that doesn’t cover Pap tests and/ or mammograms or can’t afford to pay her deductibles or co-payments or doesn’t have insurance, and is not enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare Part B,” said Lee-Weyrauch.

Lee-Weyrauch provided the following story from the Women’s Way promotional calendar. Two sisters from West Fargo, Teresa and Carol Hannestad, are now enthusiastic supporters of Women’s Way. Carol had never been a fan of medical providers. “I don’t like doctors,” she

said. She would have continued putting off consistent breast and cervical screenings if it wasn’t for one of her five sisters, Teresa, who persuaded Carol to sign up for Women’s Way in early 2014. “I looked at Carol and said, ‘We need to go in and have this done,’” Teresa remembers. “I literally brought her in.”

The results for both women were normal, however, their oldest sister was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer not long afterward.

Watching a loved one undergo a double mastectomy and struggle with the side effects of chemotherapy is difficult. “It scared me,” Carol said. “I don’t know if I’m next.”

The once reluctant Carol now embraces regular screenings as part of her future and will rely on Women’s Way to help pay.

Women’s Way clients are usually able to receive screening services through their regular health-care provider including doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. “They can go just about anywhere,” said Lee-Weyrauch. “If they have a primary, they can continue to go there since most North Dakota health-care providers have signed up with the program to provide Women’s Way clinical services.”

Photography by Nate Mickelberg Images

WOMEN’S WAY: EARLY DETECTION IS YOUR BEST PROTECTION

“We have hundreds of women enrolled in the program, but there are many more women out there we are missing. That is why we are trying to get the word out about the program,” continued Lee-Weyrauch. “I serve Cass, Trail, and Steele Counties, but there are seven other local coordinating units, so all of North Dakota is covered in our program. We rely on word of mouth from friends and family and our area mammogram services are good about referring women.”

Women’s Way help is only a phone call away. “Generally, my office assistant or I can screen clients over the phone and see if they qualify. We then send out the paperwork and tell them to make appointments. We watch for the reports to come back and then pay for the screenings,” said LeeWeyrauch. “If you find a lump or a skin change, just call. I will do my darnedest to get you enrolled for a least a year.”

If a woman is diagnosed with a breast or cervical cancer, she is encouraged to work with the local coordinator to determine if treatment services would be available through Medicaid Expansion or the Medicaid-Women’s Way Treatment Program.

Lee-Weyrauch, a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree, has worked in Public Health for the past fifteen years. She knows there is still much work to do to ensure North Dakota women have access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, but she also knows what a difference Women’s Way has made to its clients.

“The ones who come back and say ‘thank you, you saved my life, if not for Women’s Way, I never would have checked’—that’s what makes it all worthwhile,” concluded Lee-Weyrauch. [AWM]

TO REACH A WOMEN’S WAY

local coordinator call: 1-800-449-6636 or to reach the state office call: 1-800-280-5512 or 1-701-328-2306

www.ndhealth.gov/womensway

GIRLS ON THE RUN

Girls on the Run has changed the lives of thousands of girls across the country― and now girls in Fargo/Moorhead can get in on the fun. By the time Girls on the Run Cass County launches its inaugural season, over one million girls will have been touched by the organization nationwide.

The program empowers third through eight grade girls through twice-weekly meetings that celebrate the joy of movement and foster creativity, confidence and character. The Fargo council’s 10-week season starts July 27 and culminates with a 5K on October 3. The race is open to the public, but it also serves as a goal and celebration for the Girls on the Run participants, who walk, skip and run the race course with gusto.

Although fitness, health and positive body image are major components in the program, Girls on the Run Cass Clay cofounder Danielle (Elle) Irving said they’re part of a broader focus on overall confidence and wellness for girls with a wide range of abilities.

“This program is for any young girl,” said Irving. “This is not a competitive running program or something to do with only running. This is for girls who want to come

and learn about heath and inner beauty and connectivity. We will accommodate all abilities, whether you are walking on two legs or wheeling. Nothing should stop any girl.”

Participation in the 10-week season will cost $125 and scholarships are available. As a former public educator turned private academic tutor and personal fitness trainer, Irving understands the importance of programs that develop confidence in girls at an early age. And Girls on the Run’s unique focus caught her attention.

“There are so many programs out there, but this one really drew me in because of its outstanding curriculum that covers everything from how they connect with themselves and with each other,” said Irving. “And the part I love is it teaches them to be community members. So it teaches them to make a meaningful contribution to society as well.”

Each season, every Girls on the Run council conducts a service project. As long as the project fits within budget and time constraints, the girls can choose anything they feel passionate about. “It’s very girls led,” explained Irving. “Raising pennies to buy dog

food for the shelter, knitting potholders and bringing them to a group home or a nursing home―anything that strikes them.”

Young women who are interested in joining the Girls on the Run can register on the local council’s website, www.GOTRFargo.com or find the organization on Facebook at Girls on the Run Cass County. Registration will open this summer.

Irving and cofounder JoEllen Kohlman Petrick are also accepting volunteer applications for coaches and 5K volunteers, as well as assistance for several upcoming fundraisers. Interested parties can connect with the local Girls on the Run council through the website, the Facebook page or contact Irving directly at danielle.irving@girlsontherun.org.

“Fargo needs this program to inspire youth, especially girls, to show them that they, as a group of young women who are going to grow up and take over this world, have the power already within them,” said Irving. “We’re going to kindle that and grow their light. We want to make sure those girls blossom and give them every opportunity to grow.”

[AWM]

Words by Alicia Underlee Nelson

Photography by Legacy Photography

NEW LIVER CANCER TREATMENT SAVES FRANEK’S LIFE

By Connie Wirta at Essentia Health Photography by Scott Thuen/ Thuen Design

Rose Marie Franek said a new treatment for liver cancer has given her a new lease on life.

In 2013, what Franek thought was a lingering cold turned out to be a neuroendocrine tumor on her thymus gland. The rare cancer behind her breastbone was at stage 4 and had spread to her liver. Her prognosis was bleak: just six months to a year to live.

But Franek wasn’t ready to give up and her sister, Bonnie Nagel of Fargo, had read about a new treatment for liver cancer offered by Dr. Richard Coursey Jr., an interventional

and vascular radiologist at Essentia Health in Fargo.

“I figured what do I have to lose? Let’s make an appointment,” Franek recalls.

Dr. Coursey explained he could treat the tumors in Franek’s liver with a new procedure called TheraSphere, but the first step was to put together a team of Essentia Health cancer experts to develop a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan.

“When I met Dr. Coursey, I had such a good feeling,” Franek said of her appointment on Nov. 23, 2013. “He’s a smart man and so personable. I told my daughter this is the one I want. I put my life in his hands.”

“Dr. Coursey gave us hope,” said Franek’s daughter Michelle. “Up to then, it was all gloom and doom. He reassured us that he could help my mom.”

Two physicians at the Essentia Health Cancer Center joined Dr. Coursey: Dr. Shamudheen Rafiyath, a medical oncologist, and Dr. Mark

Cooper, a radiation oncologist. Their plan combined chemotherapy and TheraSphere to attack the liver tumors and chemotherapy and radiation for the thymus tumor.

TheraSphere delivers radiation directly into a liver tumor through microscopic glass beads that contain radioactive material, Dr. Coursey explained. During the procedure, he makes a small incision in the groin and, using realtime imaging to guide him, carefully threads a tiny catheter into an artery in the liver. Next he injects the radioactive beads that flow directly to the liver tumor and lodge in the tumor’s small blood vessels. Over several weeks, the beads emit radiation that destroys tumor cells from within.

“With TheraSphere, we can give a big punch to a tumor with little negative effects,” Dr. Coursey said, comparing it to radiationinfused “seeds” used to treat prostate cancer.

TheraSphere has several advantages over traditional radiation therapy for liver tumors, Dr. Coursey said. It directly attacks the tumor, working from the inside out, so it mostly

• Rose Marie Franek of Fargo (right) with Dr. Richard Coursey Jr., an Essentia Health vascular and interventional radiologist

affects the tumor and not the normal liver or other nearby organs. TheraSphere can often kill and shrink tumors faster than chemotherapy alone, he said. The procedure also can treat tumors where chemotherapy and traditional forms of radiation haven’t been effective.

Dr. Coursey said Franek was a good candidate for TheraSphere because her tumors were inside the liver.

Franek said she felt no pain during the procedure on Dec. 17, 2013, and went home the same day. Over the next few weeks, she said she felt very fatigued. The tumors in her liver’s right lobe responded so well that she had a second treatment on her left liver lobe last Aug. 14 after those tumors could not be controlled by chemotherapy alone.

“Rose Marie has tolerated TheraSphere extremely well and has had an excellent outcome,” Dr. Coursey said. “She has had massive reductions in her tumors―around 95 percent of their overall volume is gone. Some were larger than four centimeters and they’re microscopic now.”

While TheraSphere can be a cure for early stages of liver cancer, it also can be helpful in advanced stages when treatment options are limited, Dr. Coursey said. “In advanced stages, TheraSphere decreases the tumors and can keep them at bay for a long period,” he explained. “It can improve quality of life and lead to longer life.”

That’s proven true with Franek, who said she’s back to taking care of her home and yard. She’s cheering on her four grandchildren at wrestling meets and basketball games. The treatment hasn’t cured her cancer but it has made the disease less burdensome.

“Mom still has stage 4 cancer but there’s nothing new and she’s stable, which is the best news we can expect,” said Michelle, who works as a nurse practitioner in Roseau, Minn.

“We didn’t think Mom would be here for Christmas this year and I believe if it wasn’t for Dr. Coursey, she wouldn’t,” Michelle said. “He has been a godsend.”

MINDFUL EATINGARE YOU HUNGRY?

Article Provided by By Jennifer Anderson, MSW, LICSW | Clinical Therapist Catholic Charities North Dakota

Have you ever eaten something so fast that you didn’t remember tasting it? Perhaps, you felt you deserved a small treat, but that treat turned into a smorgasbord after you’d eaten the entire package and were still "hungry" afterwards.

Mindfulness is being aware of your thoughts, emotions and physical sensations in the present moment. With practice, mindfulness cultivates the possibility of freeing yourself of habitual patterns of thinking, feeling and acting.

Mindful eating is an experience that engages all parts of us, our body, our heart and our mind, in choosing, preparing and eating food (Jan Chozen Bays, 2009). It involves all our senses as we slow things down in order to love ourselves by eating according to what we need for our bodies. Mindful eating is not a diet; it is a way of life. How many times have you tried a diet and then quit because you were bored? Or maybe the rules were too restrictive, so the rebellious teenager came out and you sabotaged that diet? We then blame that diet, continue on with our poor eating habits, until we see another “quick fix” advertised. Thich Nhat Hanh uses the analogy of washing the

dishes. If our task is to wash the dishes, then simply wash the dishes. By completing one task at a time, the task has our full attention, and the likelihood that the task will be completed well is high versus if we are trying to juggle numerous tasks at one time.

We need to apply this concept―being in the present moment―to our eating. Jan Chozen Bays, MD writes in her book, “Mindful Eating: A Guide to Rediscovering a Healthy and Joyful Relationship with Food,” about the seven hungers that we have. These seven hungers are the following: Eye, Nose, Mouth, Stomach, Cellular, Mind and Heart hunger. Of the seven types of hunger, there are just two hungers, the stomach and cellular hunger, that satisfy our actual use/ need for food to fuel our bodies. Many of us treat our cars better than our own bodies, by filling our car with premium gas, oil and scheduled maintenance. So if stomach and cellular hunger are the actual rationale for eating, we are eating five times out of seven for the wrong reasons and that is why we continue to feel “hungry” after we have eaten something, because we are eating for the wrong reasons.

What then satisfies these other “hungers” if it isn’t food? Let’s take a look at the other five hungers that we have.

Eye hunger is satisfied by beauty which is why when the waiter brings out that tray of those

beautiful desserts, you choose that large piece of chocolate cheesecake despite being full; it’s because the dessert looked good.

Nose hunger is satisfied by fragrance, so we, as adults, can walk into our mother’s kitchen and smell a familiar dish and be brought back to simpler, happier times of our childhood.

Mouth hunger is satisfied by sensation, for example when we are craving a certain flavor or texture such as sweet, salty, or crunchy.

The mind hunger is a difficult one to satisfy as our minds are always changing. One day we may be on a strict diet, and the next day our mind convinces us to have a big dessert. The mind also contains the voice that criticizes us about what we “should or should not” eat or drink.

Lastly, the heart hunger is satisfied by intimacy, which is the hunger that prompts us to eat when we are sad, happy or lonely for example.

So what satisfies the stomach hunger? The right amount and kinds of food.

To satisfy cellular hunger we need the essential elements. This includes water, salt, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and trace elements such as iron or zinc (Jan Chozen Bays, 2009).

Of the seven hungers, there are three that tend to be the problematic hungers in our lives: mouth, heart and mind hungers. It is these forms of hunger that are the main reasons why we overeat. Until we realize this is the core issue, every diet that we try will result in the same result, regaining the weight back. By practicing mindful eating, it becomes so engrained into one’s life that it becomes second nature. I suggest buying Dr. Jan Chozen Bay’s book, “Mindful Eating: A Guide to Rediscovering a Healthy and Joyful Relationship with Food.” Her book explains the seven hungers along with exercises on how to start your mindful eating practice.

Please refer to CatholicCharitiesND.org for further information on the counseling department and for upcoming groups and seminars.

Common barrier #1: The role of the board isn’t clearly defined.

Key #1: The role of a board of directors is to safeguard the mission of a not-for-profit organization.

This simply – and profoundly – says a mission is worthwhile; it must be kept relevant; it is worth preserving. Notice, please, that this does not say that the board is supposed to run – or even help run – an organization.

Common barrier # 2: The role of the executive director isn’t clearly defined.

Key #2: The role of the executive director is to turn the mission into service. In other words, the executive director (not the board) is supposed to run the organization. The board is supposed to ensure that she or he does this is a manner consistent with the mission of the organization.

NONPROFIT BOARDS: TWO COMMON BARRIERS TO REAL EFFECTIVENESS

My consulting services have grown out of a career in the not-for-profit world, having spent nearly 18 years as an executive director who reported to a board of directors and, simultaneously, serving on a board of directors. These opposing perspectives opened my eyes to the alchemy of quality governance, well-defined executive functions and great missions.

Heartfelt thanks to the numerous community leaders who served on the board of directors of Hospice of the Red River Valley during my tenure. They had the foresight and commitment to evolve the governance structure to meet the growth of the organization, giving me the opportunity to learn and grow along with them.

Not-for-profit missions make our world a better place; over 300 of them in the greater F-M area help make this an exceptionally great place to live. Small or large, they are

dedicated to social services, arts, children, health care, sports, animal welfare, people with special needs and more. For all of this diversity, they have an essential element in common: boards of directors.

Generally comprised of community minded women and men (like you, perhaps), notfor-profit boards have very serious fiduciary responsibilities to their communities, clients, donors, foundations, the government… But, who teaches us to be good members of a board of directors?

Most of us, I believe, learn by experience. We accept an invitation to serve, we observe and we say, “Well, this must be the way it works.” And that is the primary way in which common dysfunctions of boards and their relationships to their executive directors are perpetuated and how MISSIONS are shortchanged.

Here are some common indicators of this role confusion:

• Board meetings are dominated by detailed, essentially pointless operational discussions;

• Standing committees, with all good intentions, are either doing the work that belongs to staff or are simply reviewing reports of activity that has already occurred (such as finances);

• Board meeting agendas are full of reports from these committees;

• Individual board members give direction/ orders to the executive director and staff, intending to be helpful (the marketing department is a great target);

• Board members are disengaged;

• Frustrated executive directors aren’t clear about their authority;

• There is no effective evaluation processes for the executive director, and

• No one is having much fun. Yes, I said, “Not much fun.”

No governance model is perfect. However, I believe there are elements of sheer genius in the formal policy governance model.* My version is considerably simpler and more practical, and certainly not perfect, either. But, as I work alongside boardsestablishing board policies, metrics for monitoring essential business functions,

Article provided by Susan J Fuglie

executive evaluations that are related to an organization’s overall performance, coaching in actual board meetings - I hear comments such as, “What a difference it makes to have a clear approach to the board’s work.” Or, “The way we were doing things before just didn’t make any sense.” “I felt like my time was being wasted.” “This change in our governance has impacted the entire organization.” And, even, “Now we are making a real contribution to the mission… and having fun, in the process.” Yes, fun.

So, what are some indicators of an effective governance model? An effective governance model guides both a board and an executive director towards mission-driven work that includes:

• Necessary fiduciary monitoring;

• Support and evaluation of an executive director;

• A focus on the future.

The board acts and speaks as one; the president’s primary role is simply to preside over the meetings and keep them on track. Standing committees are not utilized; only issue-specific task forces are used to occasionally streamline board work/research. Most of the meeting agendas are focused on the future, i.e. where the organization is going and what it will take to get there. In the process, a good model significantly enhances an organization’s strategic direction and strategic planning processes.

Operational work belongs to the executive director and staff, freeing the board to focus on the mission and the future without being bogged down in administrative details. When executive responsibilities and authority are clearly defined, organizational effectiveness increases exponentially. The difference is tremendous –and the mission can flourish.

I believe this because I see its impact every day. Visit my website: www.susanjfuglie.com and answer a short questionnaire to see if your organization may benefit from changes in your governance model. If so, perhaps we should talk. The coffee is on me.

*John Carver created a formal model of Policy Governance in the 1980s.

HOME

Go behind the scenes with two custom builders and see the beauty and functionality that can come from working with a builder you can trust to make your dreams come true. This edition of Area Home features homes by Building Concepts and Jordahl Custom Homes.

Image provided by Nate Mickelberg Images.

ALL IN THE DETAILS

Building Concepts is a client-driven business. Each home is the beautiful result of professional expertise blended with a thoughtful understanding of the client’s lifestyle.

Alan and Kim Hochhalter began the business 26 years ago. And while technology and trends have changed over the years, Building Concepts' philosophy has remained at the core of all they do. “The client’s satisfaction is our sole purpose. We’re doing it as a service to the client, for the client,” stated Kim.

The model home in South Fargo is a stunning showcase of the architectural and design combination of principal architect Alan Hochhalter and interior designer Karen Freberg. The Building Concepts slogan “Architects • Designers • Builders” truly defines the depth of their services.

Entering the light-filled 3,434-square-foot rambler-style home, it’s evident every detail was carefully considered. A large expanse of windows covers the east wall of the living room offering a stunning view of native grasses and dunes of the Osgood Golf Course.

Natural light has always played an important role in Building Concepts homes. It begins

with the site plan, determining how the home will sit on the land and incorporating windows as part of the environmental design. “We have always used abundant windows,” said Alan. Windows throughout the home optimize sunlight while strategic placement promises privacy.

The distinctive living room fireplace is heavily textured with a scratch coat for both visual and tactile appeal. Along one side of the fireplace the wall is covered with walnut

planking, clear-coated to bring out its natural deep, rich color. Floating shelves finish off the area. The skillful mix of wood, texture and shape brings out a sculptural element giving the room visual interest and creating a feature wall and focal point.

The deep, rich walnut is carried through into the kitchen in the cabinetry which features a full overlay flat panel design. A granite slab in warm tones provides workspace on the island. The island's generous size also allows

Words by Kim Malakowsky

Photography by Nate Mickelberg Images

for casual dining with seating on three sides.

Freberg chose monochrome quartz for the perimeter kitchen surfaces allowing the island stone to stand out with its beautiful natural movement. Complementing the upper cabinets is a smattering of open shelves, the perfect place to show off special items.

The kitchen introduces stone-inspired slate, a new GE finish for appliances. It comes as a response to the popularity of stainless steel,

but the dislike of fingerprints and the cleaning that comes with it.

A large pantry sits just off the kitchen combined with what Freberg describes as a “drop zone.” It’s a place for keys, mail, cellphones and gloves, along with lots of storage in the built-in cabinetry. It solves the question of what to do with those every day life items as you walk in the door.

An ingenious space next to the pantry is the

multi-purpose room. One area of the room is used for laundry with the washer and dryer occupying only a portion of the room rather than being its focus. There is room for the laundry basket and a place for things to dry. But more than that there is space to work on crafts, wrap gifts, or a multitude of other activities. “We wanted this room to be comfortable if you wanted to sit here or use it as an office space,” said Freberg. There is also an incredible amount of storage including a built-in file storage cabinet.

WE’VE PUT OUR HEARTS AND SOULS INTO WHAT WE DO. IT’S VERY PERSONAL

Filling out the main level of the home are two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The first bedroom, sitting at the front of the home, can be a guest room or could function as an office. A main floor bathroom in the hall is one of three that features custom shower-tile designs by Freberg. At the rear of the home is the master bedroom/bathroom. The amply spaced bedroom is graced with morning light and a beautiful view. The master bathroom features double floated vanities, an amazing freestanding soaking tub with a black base for a punch of interest, custom-tiled shower with glass doors, and a large window for natural light. Finishing off the master suite is a his-and-hers walk-in closet.

The stairway railing leading to the lower level serves both a functional and visual purpose. Made of walnut rails and customized aircraft cables it is a true piece of art.

A fully finished basement complements the main level of the home. Downstairs is an entertainment area with a family-friendly bar, perfect for adult beverages or sodas for the kids and snacks for game night. The room boasts a glass-enclosed wine room with a walnut backdrop. It was a cornerstone of the design for the room, setting the tone of elegance and comfort. Nine-foot ceilings give the basement rooms a spacious feel.

Adjacent to the entertainment area is an exercise room. A main feature of the room is the flooring. Made of durable rubber matting, it offers comfort and practicality underfoot. It acts as an insulator keeping the floor warm and provides a nice cushion for low-impact when exercising.

Two generously sized bedrooms and an additional bathroom complete the lower level of the home.

Part of an18-home development, the model home, like the others, is association maintained including snow removal and lawn care. Each home is completely custom-designed and built.

“Being architects and designers,” Alan explained, “we’re always trying to come up with something new and different. We never build the same home twice.” It’s the reason you’ll never drive down the street saying “that’s a Building Concepts home.”

Building Concepts shines in their ability to work

with the client. Freberg was quick to explain, “A home can be beautiful but if it’s not functional for the family, it’s not what you need.”

Personal attention to detail and personal attention to each client are the cornerstones that make these homes truly a home of one's own. Armed with inspiration and options, Building Concepts works with each client, helping them to make choices suited to both their lives and their tastes.

Freberg is responsible for the finishing touches of the home including everything from flooring to cabinetry, to paint choices and beyond. Both Hochhalter and Freberg keep up on industry trends by attending shows and following industry experts.

One of the exciting things Building Concepts offers is 3D visualization. New software technology allows for representations of rooms not yet built so the homeowner is able to see the finished project, giving them confidence and allowing for changes to be made while still in the planning phase.

It’s a fascinating and engaging process. “Primarily, the homeowners come in because they’ve seen something we’ve done that they like,” said Kim. “Alan will go into an in-depth interview with them and write down everything they are saying, getting all the data. He will take what they want and create a home plan for them. We are listening to what people are looking for and showing off those features.”

“We’ve put our hearts and souls into what we do. It’s very personal,” said Alan. [AWM]

COZY CONTENTMENT

Jordahl Custom Homes

Words and Photography by Jill Ockhardt

Mike and Heather Nelson’s puggles, Zoe, 3, and Bailey, 6, rule the roost until the couple returns home in the evening to their Jordahl Custom Home. In preparation for building this their third Jordahl Custom Home, the couple brought in their own ideas and pictures to the consultations with the Jordahl design and drafting team to help them achieve their thoughtful home design. Now, when the couple enters their spacious two-story house, they’re greeted by the wide-open floor plan and all the design features they were dreaming of. It’s easy for anyone to imagine coming home here.

When I asked what she thinks the dogs do all day while she and her husband Mike are working, Heather Nelson said, “It’s funny you ask that, because I think they’re having their own little party,” recalling how lately they’ve discovered Zoe can jump on the guest bed, leaving the covers messed up and the pillows all over the floor by the time they return home from work.

Heather’s first stop when returning home from work is her main-level office, finishing out her day working on scheduling and tying up other loose ends. “Our old house had the office in the basement. I just felt so secluded,” Heather explained. “She just ended up spending a lot of time working at the kitchen counter or table,” added Mike. So now, just off the front entrance, the

new home office offers plenty of window light and those main-level comforts.

The main living areas of the home―the living room, kitchen and dining room― all face south, bringing in warm bright window light, illuminating the mix of cool and warm tones the couple chose for the home’s basic color scheme. “Heather likes grays and I like the more neutral colors, browns and greens,” Mike explained.

There’s a definite cohesion of style, attributed to Mike and Heather’s similar tastes but also to the process they went through when designing their Jordahl Custom Home. “Mike’s a construction project manager and with my business I see a lot of different home interiors,”

IT’S REALLY RELAXING AND I REALLY ENJOY BEING HERE

said Heather, who owns Heather’s Housekeeping in Fargo. “So together he and I figured out what we wanted and brought those ideas in to the team at Jordahl.” That team, they said, made it easy to merge their ideas into a workable design.

Heather recalled their previous home having a step leading up to the kitchen, which she felt unintentionally separated houseguests. “Now, in this home, everyone seems to migrate to the kitchen. And people don't feel like they're on top of each other. If people want to sit into the living room, they can still be a part of the conversation.” The kitchen boasts an extra-large two-tiered island, a gas stove and a large walk-in pantry. Pendant lighting and vertically aligned glass and marble tiles reflect the abundance of light shining through this elegant and well-designed space. The stacked oven is something Heather said is practical and time-saving for entertaining. “We had a New Year's Eve party and it was really nice to make multiple pizzas at one time.”

The couple recalls the Jordahl design team’s professional perspective was invaluable in ensuring their ideas became a reality. Mike, having seen many home interiors with his work, enjoyed a large part in helping in the selection of the interior construction materials―like the granite slabs for the countertops and the dark rich knotty alder cabinetry. The richly toned, hand-scraped Asian walnut Acacia hardwood flooring throughout the main living

room, dining room and kitchen was a design element that Mike says he and Heather actually requested after seeing how well it worked in one of their favorite pubs.

A coffered ceiling, a feature Jordahl masterfully constructed upon the couple’s request after Heather saw it in one of her client’s homes, offers visual depth and elegance to the living area. But what makes an impression on Mike is what you actually can’t see in the living room. Pointing out the “electric eyes” for the home’s TVs, Mike explains there are sensors for the remote to communicate with the media equipment which is housed in built-in wood cabinetry around the stone fireplace and TV. Any unattractive wiring is hidden―electronics instead are connected through a chase within the wall. “The biggest thing was to hide everything and still be able to use it,” said Mike.

The transition from the main level to upstairs is marked by plush light beige carpet, the comforts of which Mike said he preferred over continuing on with hardwood in the upper level. Stair and hallway lights illuminate the way, making it easy to navigate your path without having to turning on every light.

A must-have on Heather’s list was a TV in each of the guestrooms. “I wanted my guests to feel at home,” she says. The TVs in the rest of the home were Mike’s idea. Which takes us to the master bedroom suite, with its cool gray tones, beveled ceiling and arched entrance into a sitting room. The sitting room is a bookworm’s dream, or anyone’s for that matter. Warm south and east light filters in throughout the day though windows overlooking the pond behind the house. In the

evening the space glows with the radiance of soft firelight. “That's my area,” said Heather. “When I'm not in the office, I'm in the sitting area. Mike consulted with Jordahl to incorporate the stone fireplace and TV in our plans for this area―which I didn’t think I’d need―but I actually use them a lot.”

The sitting room sofa was a compromise in individual comforts. “She wanted a couch she could lay down on and I wanted a recliner,” explained Mike. So the couple found a sectional sofa they could customize by both color and what would be built into each section.

Just off the master suite is the master bathroom. “I wanted a big shower with a bench―I wanted it to be a spacious, relaxing space,” said Heather of the oversized tiled shower room with two showerheads, inset shelves, a tiled bench and pebble-tiled floor. The master bath has a genuine spa-like feel. A large whirlpool bath, double vanities, walk-in closet and a separate room for the toilet (equipped with a TV) round out the master bathroom.

“For me it’s really relaxing and I really enjoy being here,” said Heather of the couple’s home. “Jordahl really made the process of home building and home design a great one.”

Come warmer weather, they look forward to opening up the patio doors and spending time on the deck and enjoying all the niceties outside of their home―landscaping springing back to life after a long winter, the pond thawing out, the dogs running in the fenced yard. Although Heather knows Mike may once again get the building bug, she finds this house to be close to perfect. “I like the neighborhood, and everything else. But more than anything, it’s the house. I’m very content with this home.” [AWM]

For more information on lots, floor plans or virtual tours, please contact

701-234-0404

4802 Amber Valley Parkway, Fargo

www.jordahlcustomhomes.com

sales@jordahlcustomhomes.com

PROFILES

The women of the Red River Valley never cease to amaze. This edition of Area Profiles highlights just a few of the women that make this area such a great place to live. Read about the team at the YWCA and their commitment to empowering women, and get a glimpse of MSUM's College for Kids and Teens program. Get to know librarian Anita Syvertson, marathoner Tenielle Klubben, and MSUM President Anne Blackhurst and read about the ways they are impacting this community for the better. Image provided by Nate Mickelberg Images.

BREAKING THE CYCLE

Words by Alicia Underlee Nelson

Photography byDennis Krull, 5foot20 Design Lounge

The YWCA operates a shelter with capacity to serve 65 women and children. The shelter is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of year and serves women and children throughout North Dakota. Over 37,000 women have received safe shelter and housing through the organization in the last 30 years alone. But the YWCA provides a continuum of housing services, case management, educational and employment assistance and support to empower women to start a new life on their own terms.

“There are many misconceptions about women living in poverty not wanting to work and ‘get off the system.’ In our experience, that is just plain wrong,” said Prochnow. “The women we work with have so many challenges facing them; it’s not that they don’t want to work their way out of poverty, it’s that they don’t know where to begin.”

Gate City Bank’s longstanding partnership has been expanded, allowing the YWCA to enhance its Education and Employment Program, which provides critical employment and educational mentorship to the women the YWCA serves. The new Gate City Bank Economic Enrichment Wing contains a computer lab, an education and employment classroom and a study room. Each client works with a team of experts to uncover her strengths, set goals, polish her resume and refine her interview skills.

These services are vital, since many of the women aren’t employed or work as full-time mothers and caregivers when they begin working with the YWCA. Those that are employed outside of the home often struggle to earn a living wage. “On average, women served at the Emergency Shelter earn $6,700 per year,” said Prochnow. “Eight of ten women in YWCA housing programs

earn less than $15,080 a year, which is equivalent to what a minimum wage worker earns.”

In addition, the women the YWCA serves are statistically more likely to be without access to sick days, vacation time, benefits, meaningful compensation and the flexible work arrangements that are essential to balancing work and family life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80% of working women occupy low-wage, lowstatus, traditionally female jobs in the service, retail and domestic sectors. So in 2014, the YWCA expanded its Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) Program to train women for more traditionally male jobs in transportation, welding and manufacturing. The program meets regional demand for these types of workers while helping women provide for their families and advance their careers.

The YWCA tackles other obstacles as well, like financial literacy. A woman may have delegated money management to a husband or boyfriend or she may not have access to money that she’s earned. “Over half --58% -- of the women served at the YWCA last year did not have a checking or savings account,” said Kim Meyer, executive vice president and director of administration for Gate City Bank.

“Gate City Bank understands the importance of the full continuum of care that is provided by the YWCA, beyond shelter,” continued Meyer. “ The YWCA’s approach to support and empower women and their children at an extremely vulnerable time is essential to the progress of women in our community.”

Prochnow agreed. “Investing in women and children makes sense not just from an altruistic perspective but from business and community perspectives as well,” she said. “Women who are empowered, confident and economically secure are more likely to raise children that do the same.”

“To us, empowering is not about setting goals for women, telling them what to do, when to do it or how to do it,” said Prochnow. “Each woman learns new approaches to daily life, but the overall path she selects is up to her. We celebrate in small, but substantial victories, because taking small steps is what leads to big changes.” [AWM]

TEENS EXPLORE CAREERS

College for Kids & Teens adds classes for high school students

Words by Brittany Dunnigan, MSUM Marketing Intern

Marketing & Communications

With an updated name, more sessions and new classes, Minnesota State University Moorhead’s College for Kids & Teens (CFK&T) has more exciting learning opportunities available this summer. Now, high school students can take age-specific classes to explore careers or develop their interests.

“I wanted to change the name (of the program) this year to reflect the age range changes. I felt that adding ‘& Teens’ would help communicate to parents and students that the program is not just for young children,” said Shireen Alemadi, director of College for Kids & Teens.

CFK&T creates a fun and exciting learning environment that plays on the interests and passions of students through a variety of course offerings. Students also get a taste for the college experience by attending classes in college classrooms and using the same technology and supplies as MSUM students.

MSUM faculty, upper-level college students and community instructors teach courses to encourage exploration, adventure and creativity. This year’s faculty includes Dr. Kenyon Williams, conductor of Fuego Tropical, and Fargo 3D Printing. The rugby class will be taught by a member of the MSUM rugby team that took third place at nationals.

More than 80 classes will be offered in morning, afternoon or all-day sessions with age-specific courses to interest students at every level. Courses offered specifically for older students this year are intended to help students explore more about what they are interested in.

Pottery on the Wheel is one of many popular classes returning this summer. College for Kids & Teens is a day camp that offers courses over four weeks: June 8-11; June 15-18; July 13-16; and July 20-23.

Photography by David Arntson, MSUM

“I want to provide courses that will ignite a fire in them to pursue a specific career or major,” Alemadi said.

Some of the courses specifically for high school students to be offered this summer include: Creating Video Games, Graphic Design, 3D Printing and Programming, Clay and Toy Animation, World Music, and Advanced Pottery on the Wheel.

Hands-on learning is the hallmark of CFK&T. In the Graphic Design and Creative Animation course, for example, students will create various graphic designs and computer works of art, including logo designs and T-shirt designs and stop-motion videos using state-of-the-art equipment.

A variety of classes for younger students will feature arts and crafts, fitness and sports, nature, science and technology and space exploration. Courses back by popular demand include: LEGO Robotics, Crazy Kitchen Chemistry, Cartooning and Comics, NASA Space Camp, Grossology and Pottery.

Anne Kaese’s children have been attending CFK&T for about five years. “My daughter Rebecca, 13, has focused on art, glass making and writing classes,” she said. “My son Arthur, 11, has done pottery, art and other classes, but LEGO Robotics has been his favorite. This year he is keen to try some of the technology classes.”

CFK&T’s offers a discount: Register for three courses and the fourth is FREE. This applies to all courses taken by kids in a family. In addition, students who participate in College for Kids & Teens can apply for the College for Kids & Teens Alum Scholarship. Any student who has attended CFK&T at some point in their K-12 education and chooses to attend MSU Moorhead for college, can apply for this scholarship.

LEARN MORE ABOUT

College for Kids & Teens: mnstate.edu/collegeforkids, cfk@mnstate.edu or 218.477.2579.

SHARING THE MAGIC

Just before 8:30 a.m., the sun-filled library at Fargo’s Washington Elementary School is still. The shelves brim with picture books and first readers, adventure novels and biographies. The child-sized tables are cleared off and ready for the next project. The computer room hums softly, waiting for little researchers.

The first students trickle in, laughing with friends, carrying armloads of books. They set yesterday’s books on the circulation counter, smile at librarian Anita Syvertson and wander to their favorite shelves.

More students arrive, fitting in a quick library trip before their first class. Syvertson and assistant librarian Susan Kiser ask the students about their families, a new haircut, a trip to the YMCA. They check out all their books without asking for names. They know them – and not just their names. They know each child, from their reading level to their interests.

“Anita truly cares about all of the students at Washington,” said fifth-grade teacher Char Burgraff, who has worked with Syvertson for 21 years. “She creates a welcoming and positive environment that has become the nucleus of our school. Students and teachers feel comfortable there. It reminds me of a small town café where everyone is welcome. The relationships she develops with the students help her to recommend books that she believes they will enjoy.”

It all helps Syverton cultivate a lifelong love of reading in others.

“To me, books are magical,” she said. “We read for information, inspiration, comfort and, of course, entertainment, all of which enriches our lives. My family valued reading. Bedtime

Longtime Librarian Inspires Thousands to Read

Words by Amanda Peterson

Photography by Jill Ockhardt

stories, visits to the library and books received as gifts all added to the magic. I was the kid who loved libraries so much I used to play library as a child. I became a librarian because I wanted to share that magic.”

This spring, Syvertson, 60, retires after 39 years as a Fargo Public Schools librarian. She worked 26 of those years at the Washington library, the very same library she visited as a child. More than 2,000 Kindergarten through fifth graders (two generations) have walked through her doors, learned how to research a topic, discovered a favorite author, enjoyed reading challenges and listened to inspiring stories.

“When I think of elementary school, I think of the library and how Mrs. Syvertson made my love for reading grow,” said Pippa Robinson, a sophomore at Fargo North High School. “I could never thank her enough for giving me so many great memories. When I think about how much enthusiasm she has for books, it makes me desire to have that much enthusiasm for something in my life.”

Martha Semanko, a senior at Fargo North, was similarly inspired.

“Mrs. Syvertson not only helped me to learn to love reading, but I think she really impacted my education as a whole,” she said. “She was always there to help out with whatever necessary and she really helped me to love school and learning, as well as reading.”

During those decades as a librarian, Syvertson and her husband, Jim, also poured a love of reading into their own three children. Their sons became teachers and their daughter works as a librarian at Fargo’s Lewis and Clark Elementary School.

“My mom always suggested I might enjoy a career as a librarian,” said daughter Rachel Lacher. “But like any good daughter, I didn’t really listen. One day, it just hit me that she might be onto something.”

As a librarian, fostering a love for reading isn’t always easy. Some kids struggle to learn and technology competes for their attention more each year. Syverston encourages reading through fun story times, frequent library hours, genuine

interest in the students and a wide selection of books. She makes sure to shelve plenty of shorter, appealing books for reluctant readers, like graphic novels and illustrated books like “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.”

“Often a student will spend a few years on these high interest/reluctant reader books and then finally latch onto a series they love,” Syvertson said. “All of a sudden, they have become a reader.”

Syvertson also builds up reading excitement through monthly book talks for third- through fifth-graders. After reading several books each month, she chooses her favorites of various reading levels and presents them to the students.

“The students are so excited to hear about the books I have selected,” Syverston said. “I learned early on that I could only share books that I have read and loved. Students know when you haven’t read the book and then it’s a really hard sell.”

Kiser says the students trust Syvertson and look to her for guidance.

“Her book talks make the pages of books and genres come alive,” Kiser said. “Her passion for sharing a love of reading helps students to discover the new worlds and stories that are waiting for them.”

Though she’ll miss the library, her students and her colleagues, Syvertson looks forward to retirement. She’ll visit her mother in Arizona, spend many a summer morning reading by the fireplace at her cabin in northern Minnesota, and pick up her grandkids from school each day in Fargo. Chances are, she’ll take them to the library.

“Reading isn’t an end to itself,” she said. “It adds a depth to your life in the same way that art and music do. Life is richer when we enjoy art, music and literature.”

[AWM]

READING TIPS FOR FAMILIES

Syvertson offers these suggestions for parents:

1. Read to yourself. “Let your kids see you reading. Have books and magazines lying around the house.”

2. Read bedtime stories to your kids every night.

3. Let your kids read to you.

4. With older children, “read novels together that you can discuss and think deeply about.”

5. Visit the public library regularly and make it a special event.

6. Buy each child a journal and encourage writing about trips, adventures and dreams.

7. Turn off technology (yours and theirs) for more time for reading.

FAVORITE BOOKS

Syverton admits that picking her favorite book feels like picking a favorite child, but she named a few anyway:

• “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White

• “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling

• “Little House” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

• “Betsy Tacy” series by Maud Hart Lovelace

• “The False Prince” by Jennifer Nielsen

• “Jinx” by Sage Blackwood

• Books by Mo Willems

VISIONBANK’S TENIELLE KLUBBEN IS “RUNNING WITH PURPOSE”

By Tristan James

Photography by Nate Mickelberg Images

Tenielle Klubben, Human Resources Coordinator at VISIONBank, will be running the Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015. She qualified for this prestigious event by posting a qualifying time in last year’s Fargo Marathon. Klubben will be running with purpose as she has dedicated this race to the memory of a young lady she used to babysit. Klubben’s inspiration is the story of a young girl by the name of Cassidy Joy Andel.

Klubben grew up in Cooperstown, ND, a typical small town in rural North Dakota with a population of approximately 950. Her love of running led her to compete in cross country and track starting in junior high and continuing through high school. Her first marathon event was entered for fun in 2007 with friends and former teammates. Klubben continued to run on her own after high school, but it wasn’t until 2012 that she ran in an organized race again. “The moment I realized I missed running in a more competitive setting was after running the 10K in the Fargo Mini Marathon.” Following that experience she ran the half marathon in 2013 finishing 12th among the women with a time of 1:30:27. That fall she competed in the October Mini Marathon Half, placing 1st on the women’s side with a time of 1:27:52. “After that I set my sights on the 2014 Fargo Marathon.” She finished 5th in the women’s division with a time of 3:11:57, which was well under the Boston qualifying time of 3:35:00.

Living in the tight-knit community of Cooperstown, the Andel and Klubben families were neighbors and close family friends. Amy, Cassidy Andel’s mother, babysat Klubben and her sister when they were young and it was only natural that when Klubben was old enough she would babysit for the Andel family. According to Klubben, “Cassidy was a strong, beautiful young woman with a magnetic personality and a remarkable ability to make friends no matter where she went.” Klubben was attending NDSU when she received some stunning news on the morning of November 4, 2010. Cassidy Andel had taken her own life. When Klubben’s

THINKING ABOUT WAYS I CAN SPREAD THE WORD AND MAKE THE GREATEST IMPACT FUELS ME LIKE YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE.

mother called to inform her of this tragic situation she couldn’t stop the tears and to this day the tears come easy whenever Cassidy’s name comes up in conversation.

Fast forward to the present time. When Klubben decided to run the Boston Marathon she kept the news to herself until she fully embraced the rigorous training regiment required of all marathoners. When she finally shared the news of the upcoming competition with family, friends and coworkers she was well on the path of preparation. Ever mindful of charitable causes, Klubben’s boss, VISIONBank President Dan Carey, stopped in Klubben’s office one day and asked her what charity or cause she wanted to support. Without hesitation, she replied “suicide prevention and education.” The tears started flowing and Klubben shared Cassidy’s story. She had thought of how great it would be to dedicate this run to Cassidy’s memory but had no idea how to go about bringing attention to the why and how of a potential fundraiser. What she did know was that her inspiration for training was her thoughts of Cassidy. Running 10 - 20 miles in a

single training session gives Klubben plenty of time for thinking. “Since we came up with the idea, Cassidy really has been my greatest inspiration for training. The fact that I will be talking about her and this great cause has made me want to train more intensely,” Klubben said. She continued, “thinking about ways I can spread the word and make the greatest impact fuels me like you wouldn’t believe.” Klubben’s sincere hope is that she can raise the awareness of Cassidy’s struggle and help others deal with challenges. “If we can influence one person to make the decision to ask for help rather than to take their own life, then it will be worth the effort,” a sentiment Klubben shares with Cassidy’s mother, Amy.

As a result of sharing her goal of dedicating this race to Cassidy with Dan Carey, who also happens to be the chairman of Impact Foundation, he aligned her with the team at Impact to launch the effort. Pat Traynor, executive director of Impact Foundation, and Scott Holdman, director of operational excellence, along with Carey, met with Klubben to outline the fundraising effort and bring a heartfelt idea to realization. With Impact Foundation’s assistance, Klubben

NO MATTER HOW HAPPY OR PUT TOGETHER SOMEONE SEEMS, WE ALL HAVE OUR INTERNAL STRUGGLES. HOW WE ARE EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THOSE STRUGGLES CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

is able to utilize their online giving site and resources. Impact Foundation helps people and charities become exceptional fundraisers.

The funds raised from this effort will be donated to suicide education and prevention along with mental health programs. “What I learned from Cassidy’s situation is that no matter how happy or put together someone seems, we all have our internal struggles. How we are equipped to deal with those struggles can make all the difference.” Klubben intends to direct money raised to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and other local charities.

Klubben believes that “running with purpose” has many applications beyond running. “The Fargo Marathon had over 24,000 participants in 2014 and if everyone had a purpose for their run and voiced it, just think how awesome the impact of this event becomes.” No surprise that Klubben’s choice for a Facebook page was Running With Purpose Fargo. Klubben is hoping that the theme of 26.2 miles in the marathon can also serve as the funding goal per individual whether it is $.26, $2.62, $26.20, etc. Interested parties can go to the Facebook page or runningwithpurposefargo.org for more information and to learn how to donate to the cause.

Klubben is undecided about running the Fargo Marathon this year since the Boston Marathon is a short three weeks before the Fargo event. Ever the competitor, Klubben is reserving that decision until she has completed Boston and wants to assess her physical condition following the Boston race.

Cassidy Joy Andel ^

LEADING FOR THE LONG RUN

blackhurst

BY CAROLYN LILLEHAUGEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATE MICKELBERG IMAGES

Dr. Anne Blackhurst, president of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After working as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at MSUM for three years, Blackhurst accepted the role of president in July of 2014, and has assumed her responsibilities with enthusiasm, determination and a vibrant display of school spirit.

Students, campus colleagues and community civic leaders eagerly proclaim Blackhurst’s praise. Marsha Weber, dean of business and innovation at MSUM, described Blackhurst as “a strategic thinker with vision and enthusiasm for progress.” Whether providing guidance for strategic planning, meeting community leaders to promote opportunities for collaboration, or having lunch with students to learn what is on their minds, Blackhurst is thoughtful, perceptive and engaged. She is a leader who is capable of making and implementing tough decisions and also a caring mentor with deep compassion for individuals. According to Mary Jo Richard, MSUM alumna and Foundation Board member, “Anne is an intelligent, diplomatic and charismatic leader. She is committed to the university, and people trust that she will provide positive leadership. In addition the students love her and appreciate that she relates to them through social media and supporting their activities.”

Years before her role began as an upper-Midwest leader in higher education, Blackhurst grew up as a Navy kid in balmy Southern California. Her parents were each the first in their respective families to attend college. Her father, Chuck, graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in physical education. He went on to attend the U.S. Navy Officer Training School and began a 22-year career that culminated in his promotion to Naval Commander. Her mother,

The potential of education to transform lives is a source of passion and purpose for

Photography by Ande Salier

Sandy, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of San Francisco which led to a nursing career that included positions in hospital, private practice and college settings. With a dad who was overseas for months at a time and a busy working mom, Blackhurst and her younger brother Mike and sister Jeannee became independent, self-sufficient kids. “It was normal for us to come home from school and take care of ourselves and each other while my mom was still at work. We all learned to pitch in, especially when my dad was on sea duty. We had daily chores— assigned by my dad and posted in military time on our bedroom doors—that we were responsible for completing."

Following a move to Idaho after her father’s retirement from the Navy, Blackhurst chose to enroll at Boise State University to begin her college education. As she explained it, “Because of my parent’s experience and success stemming from continued education, I knew that I too would go to college. I had no idea what career direction it would take me; I simply knew I would begin.” After receiving a degree in Economics at BSU, Blackhurst continued her education in a very different area of study pursuing a master’s degree in counseling at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho. A natural observer of people, she found counseling to be a great vocational fit. “I’ve always been intensely interested in why people behave the way they do, and using the understanding of the motivation behind a person’s behavior can translate into helping them reach their potential.” The foundations and diverse perspectives provided by both degrees in economics and counseling proved very beneficial as life’s roles unfolded.

While at the College of Idaho, Blackhurst began working as a residence hall director. College dorm life provides much more than just a place to sleep and store belongings; ideally there is an intentional educational component designed to bring learning beyond the classroom. Among her goals for the students were promoting leadership, community and multiculturalism.

ontinuing in residence life administration, Blackhurst’s next position was at Ohio University, a large public research university in Athens, Ohio. It was here, too, that she began work on her PhD. This was an extremely busy and challenging time in Blackhurst’s life. Not only was she working full time and going to school, she was also newly divorced and learning to juggle her role as a single mother to her young son Evan. Living far away from family support and struggling financially, Blackhurst recalls that “it required every ounce of my determination to hold it all together.” Vivid memories from this time help her to empathize with students today who also face financial and other concerns beyond the classroom. “Many students have tough choices and challenges that require them to demonstrate ‘grit’ – the determination and resolve to persist, even against formidable odds.”

There is no single path of preparation prescribed for becoming a college president. Although she may not have set out with a goal to pursue a presidential role early in her career, the variety of positions and depth of experience in several academic settings certainly laid the groundwork for a strong and comprehensive understanding of higher education. Following her time at Ohio University, Blackhurst moved to Marietta, Ohio to work at Marietta College, a small, private, highly ranked liberal arts college where she eventually became assistant dean of student life. Next she accepted a position at Minnesota State University in Mankato, the largest of the Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) institutions, where she ascended the ranks from professor to department chair, to dean of graduate studies and research, and eventually to acting vice president for academic and student affairs.

In 2011, Blackhurst joined the administrative staff at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, accepting the position of provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Because of her well-rounded experience, she was able to quickly assume the responsibilities of directing day-to-day operations as well as long term planning efforts of the university. During her time as provost she led a campus-wide strategic planning process that resulted in a new core vision statement, enhanced

Photography by Morgan Prouty

Her passion for the university and its students translates into a great feeling of pride all across campus.

partnerships with community business leaders and established better alignment of policies with the MnSCU system.

Laps for the Long Run

Upon becoming MSUM’s president in 2014, Blackhurst kicked off her presidency with a unique and unprecedented event, "Laps for the Long Run.” The fundraiser was part of homecoming and presidential inauguration week activities to raise money for scholarships. To jump-start the challenge, Blackhurst personally pledged $1,000 per lap for a total of $50,000 toward the President’s Merit Scholarship Endowment. More than 250 “Anne fans,” including faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni and friends, pledged money and ran laps with the president to show their support. Their combined efforts raised more than $1.2 million, helping to make it one of the most successful fundraisers in MSUM history. As Ceanna Egan, senior communications major from Rosemount, MN described, “It was exciting to run with Anne and be part of the inauguration. She is such a great role model; it makes us proud to be Dragons.”

Running for Blackhurst is much more than a strategy to benefit a fundraiser. “About 30 years ago I began running as a way to stay fit and healthy.” Little did she know she would fall in love with the sport and begin a life-long passion. Describing her daily training runs, Blackhurst said “I primarily train alone. The solitary time allows me the opportunity and space to think, problem solve and recharge.” But like many marathon runners, Blackhurst explained, “It is a true joy to experience the community that exists on race day. The camaraderie with other runners and support of spectators makes it possible for race participants to go further than we could have on our own.”

Each year since she has been in town, Blackhurst has participated in the Fargo Marathon, an experience she relishes. Because she will be running in the Boston Marathon in April this year, she will not run the full Fargo marathon, opting instead to participate in the relay as part of a team with four other administrators from MSUM. She also plans to sponsor 10 student marathon teams who will surely be wearing red to show their Dragon pride.

Not only did Blackhurst use running as a way to inspire the MSUM community for a fundraiser, and as encouragement for students to be physically active and engaged in the community, she also uses running as an analogy for her presidency. “Leading for the Long Run,” the title of her inauguration address, reflects her commitment to longevity as MSUM’s president. It is her goal to lead the university in a way that will help it thrive, now and long into the future. The challenges of declining numbers of high school graduates, increasing numbers of underprepared students, decreasing public support for education, crippling student debt and pressure to justify the value of a college degree are issues that all colleges face. Blackhurst considers it “the responsibility of leaders to find solutions for these issues so that higher education can be accessible for students for whom a college degree will be a pathway for a better life.”

This challenging time has forced universities to be creative and innovative. Some of the initiatives that have been developed because of strained resources have spawned new collaboration and progress. At MSUM one example of this trend toward collaboration is the new Center for Geospatial Information Sciences. The GIS center brings together faculty from economics, anthropology and earth sciences, biosciences, history and the library to provide a platform for students and faculty to work with agricultural industries and other partners. This authentic learning experience allows students to produce and analyze complex data sets resulting in the creation of interactive maps useful for industry. Another example of creative collaboration is the Center for Innovative Business Solutions, where teams of students, called Dragon Consultants, work with community businesses to find solutions for a variety of real world problems. These partnerships not only benefit the businesses, they help students gain concrete experience which will help them in future careers.

BBeyond administrative duties, Blackhurst is very involved in all aspects of the life of the college. She literally wears her Dragon pride on her sleeve as she dresses in red and black each day for work. Additionally, she deliberately chose to buy a home near campus so she could easily return for evening events, and when she needed a new car, she chose a little red Nissan Juke as a reminder of her loyalty to the university. Blackhurst loves supporting academic, athletic, musical, and theatrical events on campus and usually attends seven or more events each week. In describing Blackhurst’s involvement, Karla Nelson, MSUM women’s basketball coach says, “She is a

“We want higher education to be accessible for students for whom a college degree will be a pathway for a better life.

great supporter of our teams. Her passion for the university and its students translates into a great feeling of pride all across campus.” Students appreciate that Blackhurst is tech savvy, and they eagerly follow her social media posts which frequently showcase “selfies” with students from all parts of campus. According to Ceanna Egan, “She simultaneously makes us feel welcome and important as individuals, while also providing an example which encourages us to pursue big dreams.”

Although the role of a college president can be all-consuming, Blackhurst understands the importance of a well-balanced life. Her daily run provides time to unwind and reflect. A selfdescribed bookworm, Blackhurst loves quiet time to read, and also makes time to pursue other interests including photography, gardening and travel. She and her husband Joe, a retired tennis coach and professor of sports psychology, enjoy entertaining in their home and their flower-filled back yard. Friends and colleagues agree that an evening at their home is sure to be a time of warmth, fun and inspiration. Her son Evan and his wife Paige live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and are proud supporters of Blackhurst and all that she has accomplished.

As she reflects on her first months in her new leadership role at MSUM, Blackhurst counts it a privilege to be part of a system that continues to provide opportunities for transformation in students’ lives today and long into the future.

{AWM}

FAREWELLAdieu

Scherling Photography