Area Woman Magazine Oct/Nov '15

ALL THE WOMEN THAT I KNOW IN MY LIFE ARE VERY STRONG, INDEPENDENT AND KIND OF SCARY WOMEN. I LOVE THAT. I THINK THAT’S WHAT WOMEN ARE. THEY’RE STRONG, THEY’RE INTENSE AND THEY SHOULDN’T BE LESS THAN THAT.

TWENTY FIFTEEN

yes please! artistsstudiocrawl!

it's just delicious...

Where

A

Breast

Andrea

Spherion

Cover story! (:

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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PHOTOGRAPHY

5Foot20 Design Lounge

Ande Sailer

Ashley Oberholtzer Photography

Bell's Photography by Jenna Sandman

Ben Nash Photography

Elena K Photography

FATcat Studios

Golden Veil Photography

Haney's Photography

Karensa Tischer Photography

Kensie Wallner Photography

Legacy Photography

Limelite Photography

Mandey Marie Photography

Mike Smith

Nate Mickelberg Images

Ockhardt Photography

Rachel Torgerson Photography

Rick Westra

Scherling Photography

Studio A Photo

Thuen Studios

Timeless Images Photography

Traci Adamson Photography

Wolff Photography

Area Woman is a proud member of the Fargo/Moorhead Chamber of Commerce. It is published bi-monthly by Area Woman Publishing, LLC and printed in the U.S.A. ©2015 Area Woman Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from AW. Area Woman is a trademark registered at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Area Woman Publishing assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs and does not necessarily agree with content or advertising presented.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KENSIE WALLNER PHOTOGRAPHY

WOMEN’S RESOURCES

WOMEN’S RESOURCES

CONTRIBUTORS

LASKA

Marie Laska has lived in North Dakota for the past five years after migrating south from Canada. Her passions include traveling, trying / cooking different cuisines, enjoying the trails and outdoor activities in and around North Dakota and meeting new people. She lives by the creed that everyone has a story to tell, and writing for Area Woman allows her to share some of those stories.

Meagan Pittelko is a freelance writer who dabbles in a little bit of everything, from wedding photography to marketing consulting. She loves coffee, wine and B-list horror movies.

This issue, Alicia wrote our cover story!

ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON

BAlicia 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.

An art lover from an early age, Kim spent the early years of her career as a graphic artist and editorial liaison.

Her work led her to the publishing world where she became Editor-in-Chief of award winning From House to Home national magazine. In addition, Kim served as Editor for Wedding Vow and PB&J—a family publication, as well as Director of Operations for Publication Services of America.

Today, Kim continues to write and edit and is passionate about her work with Friends of Chimbote, traveling to Chimbote, Peru as often as she can, to work at Father Jack’s Mission.

LIFE

As always, the Fargo/Moorhead area is bursting with opportunities to get out and get involved in community life. In this edition of Area Life, you can read about several recent events have given area residents the chance to mingle with their like-minded neighbors. The events calendar is the perfect reference for making sure you don't miss the next big events. And, take a moment to read the story behind two incredible organizations that are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals in the Red River Valley, throughout North Dakota and around the country. Image provided by Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS October.November

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

OCTOBER 3 & 4

FARGO-MOORHEAD VISUAL ARTISTS STUDIO CRAWL

OCTOBER 1 ZOOLEBRATION!

Don’t miss the Red River Zoo’s premier fundraising event with special guest host, Jungle Jack Hanna! “Explore Our World” with the sights, sounds and flavors from regions of the world found at the Red River Zoo. Your expedition will include a presentation from Jungle Jack Hanna. Must be 21 and over to attend.

6-10 P.M.

Courtyard Marriott

1080 28th Ave S, Moorhead www.redriverzoo.org

OCTOBER 3 & 4

FARGO-MOORHEAD VISUAL ARTISTS STUDIO CRAWL

Artists in the Fargo-Moorhead area open their studio doors to the public. Free maps available at fmva.org. NOON - 6 P.M.

Fargo-Moorhead

(701) 298-3936

OCTOBER 3-JANUARY 2, 2016

PICASSO: PASSION FOR CLAY, Ceramics from the Rosenbaum Collection is a traveling exhibition organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, based in Los Angeles, California. It was curated by Gerald Nordland, an independent curator and former Director of the San Francisco Art Museum. All artworks are from the private collection of Marvin Rosenbaum of Boca Raton, Florida, an avid collector of Picasso’s artwork and a world-renowned expert on his ceramics.

OPENING RECEPTION | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 7–10 P.M.

Plains Art Museum

704 First Avenue North, Farg0 plainsart.org

MONDAYS OCTOBER 5– 26

MOMMY & ME WORKOUT

Get your pre-baby body back with Mommy & Me Workout! This class is a workout for moms who have babies that can be held in a chest carrier or not yet walking. This class will enable moms to workout with their baby while creating a bonding experience that establishes a foundation for lifelong healthy habits. $20 members, $40 non-members

9:00-9:45 A.M.

Family Wellness

2960 Seter Parkway, Fargo familywellnessfargo.com

OCTOBER 7

FARGO-MOORHEAD VISUAL ARTISTS CONSTRAINT SHOW OPEN RECEPTION

Constraint Shows challenge artists to expand their thinking as they interpret the theme of "Antiquity." The exhibit will be on display October 1-28.

6 P.M. - 8 P.M.

Drekker Brewing Company

630 1st Ave N, Suite 6, Fargo mulciberglass@hotmail.com

OCTOBER 8

FARGO FORCE VS. CEDAR RAPIDS ROUGHRIDERS

Take the whole family down to the Scheels Arena as they take on the Cedar Rapids Roughriders.

7:05 P.M.

Scheels Arena

5225 31st Ave S

(701) 356-7656

OCTOBER 9

FARGO FORCE VS. SIOUX FALLS STAMPEDE

Take the whole family down to the Scheels arena to cheer on the Fargo Force as they take on the Sioux Falls Stampede.

7:05 P.M.

Scheels Arena

5225 31st Ave S (701) 356-7656

OCTOBER 10

2ND ANNUAL SURVIVING IN STYLE FASHION SHOW

Models will be breast cancer survivors as well as their relatives and friends. A free will offering is suggested for the fashion show and burger baskets. All money raised will go to FM Breast Friends** support group.

11 A.M.

Moorhead Center Mall

510 Center Ave, Moorhead

OCTOBER 10

NDSU FOOTBALL VS. NORTHERN IOWA (HOMECOMING)

DOORS OPEN: 11:30 A.M. | KICKOFF: 1 P.M. FARGODOME

1800 N University Dr, Fargo www.gobison.com

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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS October.November

OCTOBER 14

OCTOBER 10

AWESOME ART AFTERNOON

Love art but hate the mess? Bring your child to these interactive art programs to have fun while building a variety of take-home projects. All creative materials will be provided. This program is free thanks to a grant from Xcel Energy. Adult supervision required. F ee: Free

1-3 P.M.

RDJ Rec Center

1104 2nd Ave S www.fargoparks.com | 499-7788

OCTOBER 11

APPLE DUMPLING DAY

Come enjoy our famous homemade apple dumplings! Silet auctions, Tours, bake sale, book fair, and the Myron Sommerfield Orchestra.

CHI Riverview

5300 12th St S, Fargo chiriverview.org | (701) 237-4700

OCTOBER 14

POWER OF 100 - RED RIVER VALLEY

Four times a year, we meet for one hour and donate $100 each to a deserving local non-profit charity. In five years, our donations will total $200,000 to help the Red River Valley. Supper and beverages will be served. Non-members are welcome to attend, but in order to vote a member registration form must be completed prior to the ballot.

5:30 - 8 P.M.

Dakota Medical Foundation powerof100rrv@gmail.com

OCTOBER 14

STOMPERS, SCRATCHERS AND DIGGERS: HOW ANIMALS LEAVE THEIR MARK ON THE WORLD

National Fossil Day is Wednesday, Oct. 14, and the Fargo Public Library is celebrating. Kids of all ages are invited to the Main Library where Dr. Lydia Tackett, Assistant Professor of Geology at NDSU, will explain how paleontologists learn about the lives of extinct animals by studying the traces left behind. All materials will be provided; treats will be served. No registration required. Free.

6:30 P.M.

Main Library

102 3rd St N, Fargo Children’s Services, 241-1495 | Main Library, 241-1472 www.fargolibrary.org

CELIAC DISEASE AND GLUTEN SENSITIVITY

Do you or one of your family members have a restricted diet due to gluten? Come learn about what celiac disease is as well as the common symptoms and complications. We will also discuss what the gluten free diet is as well as any nutritional concerns that may arise from following the diet. This event is free and open to the community. Register at the front desk or by calling (701) 234-2400.

5:30 - 6:30 P.M.

Wellness Ed Room

Family Wellness

2960 Seter Parkway, Fargo familywellnessfargo.com

OCTOBER 16

PETER FLETCHER, CLASSICAL GUITARIST

A 90-minute concert given by Peter Fletcher, Classical Guitarist.

7:30 P.M.

Dawson Hall @ Bonanzaville

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

OCTOBER 17

7TH FARGO-MOORHEAD DESIGN/BUILD COMPETITION

Area interior designers, architects, engineers and other professionals will come together to build art sculptures out of canned food. It is an event that helps benefit the Great Plains Food Bank here in Fargo. Structures will be built Saturday, October 17th and will be on display at West Acres Mall for one week from Sunday the 18th through the 25th of October. It’s a fun event showcasing area talent. Viewers will get to cast their ballot for a “People's Choice” award. West Acres Shopping Center

3902 13th Ave S, Fargo

To make a charitable financial contribution to Canstruction or to donate full food cans, contact Shelly Richard at (701) 282-5505

OCTOBER 18

HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH FALL BAZAAR

Turkey Dinner, Country Store, Games, Tractor Pull for Kids, Bingo, Baskets, Silent auction, baked goods, jewelry, Gift Cards Cash & Raffle drawings. Family Event.

10 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Holy Cross Catholic Church

2711 7th St E, West Fargo (South of Costco) (701) 282-7217

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

NOVEMBER 16- DECEMBER 24 RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN

OCTOBER 22 & 23

PERMANENT MAKEUP BY CARRIE ANN IS HOSTING DAYS OF HOPE

Free areola tattooing for women that have had reconstrictive surgery. Schedule your appointment today!

Permanent Makeup by Carrie Ann

4357 13th Ave SW, Suite 100 701-566-1670

permanentmakeupbycarrieann.com

OCTOBER 23

FARGO FORCE VS. DUBUQUE FIGHTING SAINTS

Take the whole family down to the Scheels Arena for a night of fun as the Fargo Force take on the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

7:05 P.M.

Scheels Arena

5225 31st Ave S (701) 356-7656

OCTOBER 23

CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION BREWER'S BALL

Unlimited beer samples from local breweries, delicious food, silent auction, appearance by the Front Fenders.

GENERAL ADMISSION 7 P.M.

Avalon West

2525 9th Ave S, Fargo www.cff.org

OCTOBER 23 AND 24

YWCA/ALTRUSA BABY SHOWER

On October 23 and 24 we are having our annual YWCA/ Altrusa Baby Shower. This event is held at Kmart. Volunteers will be sitting in the entrance of Kmart collecting baby supplies such as diapers, formula, pacifiers, clothing, books, wipes, baby monitors, etc.

FRIDAY 5-9 P.M. SATURDAY 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.

Kmart S University

2301 S University, Fargo (701) 367-2862

OCTOBER 24

BOO AT THE ZOO!

Check out the Red River Zoo’s spooktacular Halloween event! Enjoy trick-or-treating, fall activities, creepy critter encounters, special keeper chats and more! Regular admission rates apply, RRZ Members and children under two are free!

10 A.M. - 5 P.M.

Red River Zoo

4255 23rd Ave S www.redriverzoo.org

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

OCTOBER 11

CALENDAR OF EVENTS October.November

OCTOBER 24

THE FINE ARTS CLUB OF FARGO BLING BLING SHOWCASE

Sale of Jewelry, Art, Apparel, Purses and Artwork. $5.00 includes admission and dessert and coffee.

9-3 P.M.

Fine Arts Club

601 4th St S, Fargo

OCTOBER 24

FARGO FORCE VS. DUBUQUE FIGHTING SAINTS

Come down to the Scheels Arena to cheer on our Fargo Force as they take on the Dubuque Fighting Saints. A night of fun for the entire family!

7:05 P.M.

Scheels Arena

5225 31st Ave S

(701) 356-7656

OCTOBER 24

MOONLIGHT MONSTER MASH

Vampires, ghosts and skeletons welcome. All participants are encouraged to wear a costume and dance the night away. Explore the haunted attic, play ghoulish games, and trick-or-treat for some spooky snacks. Enjoy a live DJ all night long and a spooktacular entertainment show at 7:30 p.m. Parental supervision required.

6:30 - 9 P.M.

Fargo Youth Center

2500 18th St S, Fargo www.fargoparks.com or call 499-7788

OCTOBER 24

YOUTH JOURNEYS

APPLE DUMPLING DAY

Youth Journeys is a day-long program for youth, ages six to 18, who have lost a loved one. Parents/ guardians are also required to attend a portion of the day program. The day is broken down in sections, allowing youth a chance to explore how the death of their loved one has affected their lives, feelings they have, self-care and embracing memories. Food and snacks are provided throughout the day. The session is free, but registration is required by Oct. 19. Pre-screening is also required for this class. Please call (800) 237-4629 and ask for the bereavement department.

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

Hospice of the Red River Valley office

1701 38th St S, Fargo (Use west door)

OCTOBER 25

NITRO CIRCUS

The world's greatest live-action sports event returns to North America this fall with an all-new show. Nitro Circus Live’s latest creation takes things to another level, as the best athletes in freestyle motocross (FMX), BMX and more will unite for an all-new production. Starring 17-time X Games medalist Travis Pastrana, the tour will feature unbelievable tricks and insane stunts, plus a whole new repertoire of daredevil fun. Ticket prices: $100.50, $70.50, $50.50 and $40.50. Tickets available at the FARGODOME Box Office or online.

DOORS OPEN: 5 P.M.

SHOW STARTS: 6 P.M.

FARGODOME

1800 N University Dr, Fargo

www.inforumtix.com

OCTOBER 27

RED RIVER YOUTH FOR CHRIST COMEDY CAFE

Comedy Cafe is a night of laughter and fun featuring the comedy of David Dean along with updates from the Youth for Christ staff. Visit www.redriveryfc.com for more information.

6:30 P.M.

First Lutheran Church

619 Broadway N, Fargo (701) 237-6682

OCTOBER 28

2015 CAREGIVER CONFERENCE: NAVIGATING THE CAREGIVER JOURNEY

The half-day seminar begins at 9 a.m. A light brunch will be served. The conference includes several speakers and topics. Area vendors will also be onsite during the event. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by Oct. 15. For questions or to register, please call Julie Marxen at (218) 299-5514.

9 A.M. - 1 P.M.

At Hjemkomst Center

202 1st Ave N, Moorhead www.hrrv.org

OCTOBER 28

"JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT"

One of the most enduring shows of all time, Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT" is the irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son.

Directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler, this new production is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colors.

Ticket Prices: $56.50, $41.50 and $31.50

Tickets available at the FARGODOME Box Office or online.

DOORS OPEN: 6:30 P.M.

SHOW STARTS: 7:30 P.M.

FARGODOME

1800 N University Dr, Fargo at www.inforumtix.com

OCTOBER 29

TENTH ANNUAL BRAS ON BROADWAY

Local hearts and local art come together to raise money for those in our area fighting breast cancer. Local artists donate the wearable and non-wearable pieces and all proceeds are donated to the Bras on Broadway Fund with Dakota Medical Foundation to support those in our area fighting breast cancer.

DOORS OPEN AT 6 P.M.

The Hotel Donaldson

101 N Broadway, Fargo brasonbroadway.com

OCTOBER 31

FARGO FORCE VS. SIOUX CITY MUSKETEERS

Take the whole family down to the Scheels Arena to cheer on the Fargo Force as they take on the Sioux City Musketeers.

7:05 P.M.

Scheels Arena

5225 31st Ave S

(701) 356-7656

NOVEMBER 2

BUILDING STRONGER KIDS FROM THE INSIDE OUT! 6-WEEK NHA CLASS

In this six week course at Old Chicago, we will delve into the basic premises of the Nurtured Heart Approach® while enjoying food and beverages together (class participants are responsible for their own meals). Classes will be held Mondays from 6:30-8:30, starting November 2 through December 7.

You will leave having a heightened understanding of how to respond to challenging behaviors with intention and purpose, and how to help build stronger kids, from the inside out.

6:30 - 8:30 PM

Old Chicago

45th St. S. Fargo HeartToHeartConsulting.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS October.November

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

NOVEMBER 3

PINT-SIZED EXPLORERS: PILGRIM PALS

When the Pilgrims arrived in North America, there were many new animals they had never encountered before. Come out to the Zoo to learn about the amazing animals of North America. Class includes games, activities, crafts and an animal encounter.

3:15- 4:45 P.M.

Red River Zoo

4255 23rd Avenue S www.redriverzoo.org

NOVEMBER 5

LOS ANGELES GUITAR QUARTET

The MSUM Cheryl Nelson Lossett Performing Arts Series presents this GRAMMY-award-winning quartet paying tribute to a range of artists representing styles as diverse as jazz, bluegrass, rock and flamenco.

Gaede Stage, MSUM

7:30 P.M.

For tickets, go to www.mnstate.edu/tickets or call the Box Office M-F, noon - 4 p.m., (218) 477-2271, or buy at the door.

NOVEMBER 5

CREATE & EXPLORE

Let your children explore through a variety of handson activities and projects. Preregistration is required.

6-7 P.M.

RDJ Rec Center

1104 2nd Ave S Fargo

www.fargoparks.com | 499-7788

NOVEMBER 7

NDSU FOOTBALL VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS (HARVEST BOWL)

DOORS OPEN: 1 P.M. KICKOFF: 2:30 P.M. FARGODOME

1800 N University Dr, Fargo www.gobison.com

NOVEMBER 7

LEGACY: THE EDDIE GASPER DANCE TRIBUTE

Legacy: The Eddie Gasper Dance Tribute will dazzle you with choreography by the late Eddie Gasper (1929 - 2015) and restaged by his son Matthew Gasper and alumni dancer Patrick Kasper. The evening of dance will be filled with one-of-a-kind pieces that lit up the stage during Eddie’s career as a choreographer

for the Fargo-Moorhead area as well as a new piece choreographed by Matthew Gasper paying tribute to his father and his signature style. We are excited to share these masterpieces with the Fargo-Moorhead area again and to remember the man who influenced so many during his time working in the community.

7 P.M.

NDSU Festival Hall

12th Ave N & Bolley Dr, Fargo www.gaspersschoolofdance.com

NOVEMBER 7

"A TASTE OF SCOTLAND"

The dinner/program is a celebration of the heritage (ie: history, clans, tartans, etc.) and culture (ie: haggis, scones, bagpipes, Highland dancing, etc.) of Scotland. Scots and non-Scots are welcome! Sponsored by The St. Andrew's Society of the FargoMoorhead area.

5 P.M. - 9 P.M. Courtyard By Marriott

1080, 28th Ave S, Moorhead Call (218) 287-1646, before November 3, for tickets

NOVEMBER 12

NOVEMBER 5

LOS ANGELES GUITAR QUARTET

NOVEMBER 12

GRIEF DURING THE HOLIDAYS

The bereavement department of Hospice of the Red River Valley is pleased to offer a FREE Grief During the Holidays class in Fargo for those 18 years of age and older. Managing grief in times of celebration can be overwhelming. This session is free and open.

3 - 4:30 P.M.

Hospice of the Red River Valley

1701 38th St S, Fargo

NOVEMBER 13- DECEMBER 4

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL FRASER, LTD. FESTIVAL OF TREES

Beautifully decorated Christmas trees, sponsored by area businesses, clubs and individuals on display. During regular business hours and DOME events.

FARGODOME

1800 N University Dr, Fargo (701) 232-3301 | www.fraserltd.org

COMING EVENTS

COMING EVENTS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS October.November

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

NOVEMBER 13

FARGO FORCE VS. MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS

Come cheer on the Fargo Force as they take on the Muskegon Lumberjacks. A night of fun for the entire family!

7:05 p.m.

Scheels Arena

5225 31st Ave S (701) 356-7656

NOVEMBER 14

BLACK IS BACK: A TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY CASH

The show will feature a diverse line-up of musical artists (10+), headlined by Sherwin Linton & the Cotton Kings.

7 P.M.

Fargo Theatre

314 Broadway, Fargo (866) 300-8300 | tickets300.com

NOVEMBER 14

PANGEA– CULTIVATE OUR CULTURES

free, indoor, one-day, family friendly celebration of the tremendous cultural diversity in the MoorheadFargo community. The festival draws community members together to learn about each other through sharing their artistic and cultural traditions.

10 A.M.- 4 P.M.

Hjemkomst Center

202 1st Ave N www.hcscconline.org

NOVEMBER 14

TURKEY TROT

The turkey trot is a family event to get everyone together to have some fun! Create a turkey themed craft before or after the run so you can really get in the turkey spirit. Join us in running, jogging or walking one mile on our indoor track at 1 p.m. All families who participate will be entered into a drawing to WIN one of two free TURKEYS! We will draw the winners at the conclusion of the race. All ages and abilities are

welcome! Craft begins at 12:45 p.m. Run begins at 1 p.m. Free for members.

12:45-1:30 P.M.

Family Wellness

2960 Seter Parkway, Fargo familywellnessfargo.com

NOVEMBER 14-15

HOLIDAY HOMES OF HOPE TOUR

Holiday Home tour featuring eight beautifully decorated homes in Fargo's Rose Creek neighborhood. Also features the Holiday Hope Boutique and vendor show located in Centennial School. Benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Association of North Dakota.

SATURDAY- 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.

SUNDAY- NOON - 5 P.M.

Rose Creek Neighborhood

4201 25th St S, Fargo

www.facebook.com/HolidayhomesofHope

NOVEMBER 16-DECEMBER 24

RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN

We are in need of volunteers to ring the bells during the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign! Make it a holiday tradition with your family, friends or coworkers. For more information, contact Kimberly at (701) 356-2688.

10 A.M. - 8 P.M., MONDAY-SATURDAY

Locations: All over the Fargo/Moorhead/West Fargo/Dilworth community

www.salvationarmynorth.org/fargo

NOVEMBER 21

ANANSI!

Based on African folk tales, Anansi will delight even the youngest children. But don’t be fooled by tricky Anansi -- he has something to say to young and old alike!

Hansen Theatre, MSUM

1 AND 4 P.M.

For tickets and more information, go to www.mnstate. edu/tickets or call the Box Office M-F, noon to 4 p.m., (218) 477-2271, or buy at the door.

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

OCTOBER 23 AND 24 YWCA/ALTRUSA BABY SHOWER

NOVEMBER 27

COOKIES WITH THE CLAUS FAMILY

An event for the whole family. The Claus Family, sleigh rides, Games Galore, entertainment, art, face painting, and more. Open to the public.

1 - 4 P.M.

FARGODOME

1800 N University Dr, Fargo (701) 232-3301 | www.fraserltd.org

DECEMBER 5

6TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY CRAFT & VENDOR FAIR

40 - 50 craft & vendor booths. Admission: Canned food items for Daily Bread Program. Complimentary bars, cookies, appetizers and beverages. Door prizes drawn each half hour.

10 A.M. - 3 P.M

Holy Cross Catholic Church

2711 7th St E, West Fargo (South of Costco) (701) 282-7217

DECEMBER 5

CHRISTMAS ON THE PRAIRIE

Visit Mrs. Claus' Kitchen to decorate gingerbread houses and cookies, listen to carolers and enjoy hot chocolate, apple cider and food provided by the Bonanza Belles. Enjoy the Winter Wonderland, get your picture taken with Santa and call the elves at the North Pole. “We’re in the Christmas Mood” Dinner & Show! Call for tickets.

Adults: $30, Children 12 and under: $15

Ticket price includes admission to Christmas on the Prairie and “We’re in the Christmas Mood”

1-6 P.M.

Bonanzaville

1351 West Main Ave, West Fargo | (701) 282-2822 | bonanzaville.org

MAKING CONNECTIONS AND FINDING COMMON GROUND

Words by Susan A. Stibbe

Bring together a group of farmers and guests, add the amazing cuisine of Tony and Sarah Nasello, mix in lively conversation, top with a gorgeous North Dakota sunset while sitting at beautifully appointed tables, and you have the perfect recipe for the second annual Banquet In A Field held August 4, 2015 at Peterson Farms Seed near Harwood, North Dakota.

Banquet In A Field is hosted by CommonGround North Dakota in order to bring together farmers and consumers to share conversations about food and farming and to discover how North Dakota farmers provide safe, nutritious food to American families. Julie Peterson welcomed guests to her and husband Carl’s farm. “Many of you have ag roots, but you need to connect with farmers today. Both Carl and I are passionate about agriculture,” said Peterson.

She introduced Chef Tony Nasello. “Sarah and I are excited to be here. You cannot imagine how our lives and food ideas have changed getting to know farmers. It is work

that matters to us. It is fun to come up with recipes to showcase our North Dakota crops. After getting to know farmers who feed the world, we realize they are rock stars,” he said. The dinner featured eleven crops and three meats all grown in North Dakota.

Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney, a first-time guest, commented, “We work to have solid relationships with Cass County farmers. It is an honor to be here.”

Kim Badenhop, who is originally from Georgia and now resides in Bismarck, said, “North Dakota is #1 in honey production and #1 in sugar beets. It’s a very sweet state!”

And a very sweet evening it was!

Join in the conversation at findourcommonground.com fb.com/commongroundnorthdakota

Photography by Betsy Armour and Erin Ehnie

TEE UP FOR THE GIRLS

CHARISM is a local non-profit neighborhood program designed to provide support to at risk youth and families. On August 28, a pleasant, sunny summer morning, 38 golfers joined together at Osgood Golf Course for a tournament to raise money and awareness for CHARISM.

The Tee Up for the Girls tournament was specifically designed to support CHARISM’s FACES project which is offered at Carl Ben Eielson and Discovery Schools in Fargo, reaching middle school girls through a 25-week mentoring program. The goal of the program is to encourage these young women to recognize that beauty comes from the inside. Through conversations about self-worth, healthy friendships and relationships, good character, making positive decisions and social issues that they might encounter, these young women are inspired to dream and plan for a positive future. In addition to learning about valuing and taking care of themselves, they also develop skills for reaching out to their family and friends, and the larger community through volunteer projects.

During the Tee Up tournament, not only did the golfers enjoy a beautiful day of golf and fun camaraderie, they were reminded about the purpose of their project with inspiring signs at each hole. Questions such as “Do you remember a time when it was difficult to stick up for yourself or others during middle school?” or “Do you remember who taught you about honesty?” encouraged the golfers to have meaningful conversations.

According to Julie Gunkelman, executive director of CHARISM, “Our first Tee Up event was successful and we look forward to growing even bigger next year.” [AWM]

Words by Carolyn Lillehaugen | Photography by Mitch Highman, MJOY Photography

3RD ANNUAL JEANS & JERSEYS FUNDRAISER ShareHouse:

In the midst of laughter, conversation and general excitement, ShareHouse Inc. successfully kicked off its 3rd Annual Jeans & Jerseys fundraiser. ShareHouse, which has been open for 40 years as of 2015, provides chemical dependency services with four residential buildings totaling 116 beds available across the Midwest.

The Jeans & Jerseys event took place at the Ramada Plaza Suites in Fargo on Tuesday, August 25 and began with an outdoor social hour, complete with live music and a tailgating theme.

“We’ve intentionally created an environment

Words and Photography by Meagan Pittelko

that people find inviting, relaxed and fun. In that environment we tell stories of folks, like our guests, who have the disease of addiction,” said Executive Director Deb Soliah. “We also provide our guests with an opportunity to be a part of the ShareHouse team and to impact the lives of those with this disease.”

Guests were invited to participate in an “adventure auction,” with experiences such as pheasant hunting, a private airplane ride and parachuting available to bid on. According to Soliah, this year's event raised a total of $96,035, which is a 2.5 percent increase from last year's total. The money raised will go toward supporting the overall ShareHouse mission; in particular, money raised this year will go toward building a new program that will allow ShareHouse to add recovery coaching services to its repertoire.

[AWM]

25TH ANNUAL PAWS WALK A SUCCESS

Words and Photography by Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss

Homeward Animal Shelter’s 25th Annual Paws Walk raised over $36,000 through the generosity of over 200 participants with their pets who turned out for the love of animals in near perfect summer weather the evening of July 28 at Lindenwood Park in Fargo. “It’s such a great organization and I’m honored to be a part of it,” said Heather Klefstad, Homeward Animal Shelter’s special events and P.R. coordinator. “All the proceeds directly benefit the shelter,” said Klefstad. “Some of the most important things it goes towards is food, shelter and vet care.” Participants donated a minimum of $25 but individuals raising over $75 were matched up to $20,000 by generous sponsors. Joanne Pounds, a regular dog-walker volunteer at the shelter, won first place in individual donations, raising over $1,760.

From cats in strollers to tiny Chihuahuas to an enormous English Mastiff, cats and dogs

of various breeds and their owners enjoyed the food, games, photobooth, vendor booths and socialization. For the grand finale, participants lined up for a 1K walk with their pets through Lindenwood Park.

Klefstad notes that the events are just one way people can help the shelter and the animals who, for however long, call it home. You can also volunteer, donate monetarily or with shelter supplies, become a foster family or adopt. “It was great to see our Homeward alum Windsor, a German Shepherd cross, proudly lead the walk as our grand marshal, and see many of our other former adoptees out at the event,” said Klefstad. “It’s so

heartwarming to see them with their families and getting the love and attention they deserve. An animal’s love is unconditional, and that’s really priceless.”

Mark your calendar: 6th Annual Wags, Whiskers & Wine, October 22, 6-9 p.m., NDSU Alumni Center, all proceeds benefit the Homeward Animal Shelter.

Shelter Wish List items are listed and online monetary donations can be made at www. homewardonline.org. Donations can also be mailed to Homeward Animal Shelter, 1201 28th Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102.

FINDING FAMILY

at the homeward animal shelter

The Homeward Animal Shelter of Fargo-Moorhead is primarily a pound rescue organization dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats at risk of being euthanized at local impounds. Each year, we adopt out hundreds of wonderful pets that just need a second chance at finding a “forever” home. We have a variety of pets available for adoption, from puppies and kittens to senior pets and everything in between, and almost any breed, including purebreds. Next time you’re considering adopting a pet, please check out our shelter and consider giving a pet in need a home.

Have questions? Give us a call!

• www.homewardonline.org

• www.facebook.com/HomewardAnimalShelter •

• (701) 239-0077

Cora

Grover

Tinkerbell

Lexus

Clover

Fabio

ANNE CARLSEN

Creating a Life of Independence for Individuals with Disabilities

Born without forearms or lower legs, Anne Carlsen understood early the challenges of living with disability in a normal world. Her unstoppable determination and boundless spirit propelled her to become a beloved teacher, mentor, administrator and world-renowned advocate for individuals with disabilities.

Her life began on November 4, 1915, in Grantsburg, Wisconsin. It was a time when individuals with disabilities often remained at home, but Carlsen’s parents took an unusual approach and mainstreamed her into public school. Her parents, four brothers and older sister nurtured her and became her biggest advocates. Her father offered words of advice, “Anne, two arms and two legs missing aren’t as important as one head that’s present. The best way to make that head help is to get it educated.” Those words set the stage for a life-long love of education.

She started school at age eight and applying her keen mind graduated from 8th grade at age 12. A long hospitalization for surgery and therapy while in high school did little to undermine her education and she graduated from St. Paul Luther Academy at age 16. She went on to college, pursuing her desire to become a teacher, and graduated cum laude

from the University of Minnesota in 1936.

In 1938 she was offered a job at Fargo’s Good Samaritan School for Cripple Children, later named the Anne Carlsen Center honoring her life-long work. “I bought myself a new dress and hat and a Greyhound bus ticket and headed west to Fargo. I had never been to North Dakota. I was offered $25 a month, plus room and board. I thought I was at the peak of my career,” she said.

Carlsen’s career, however, had just begun. After acquiring her MA from the University of Colorado, and a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota, Carlsen returned to Jamestown becoming the school’s principal, and quickly its administrator. She embraced and challenged her community in the interest of improving the quality of life for those in need of assistance. For thirty-one years she gave lead to continual growth and improvements vastly affecting the lives of countless individuals and families. She held the position until her retirement in 1981 and served as a consultant to the school and a mentor to its students until her death.

Carlsen’s awards and achievements were many, including the prestigious President’s Trophy as Handicapped American of the

Year presented to her by then-Vice President Richard Nixon. In a 1981 interview, she expressed her greatest satisfaction stating, “It’s gratifying to see those who’ve become successful by universal standards, as teachers, physicists, homemakers and in other professions. But others whose handicaps are so severe that they can’t be employed are successes, too. If they do the best they can and contribute whatever they’re able, they’re really doing as well or better in life than most non-handicapped people.”

Today, the Anne Carlsen Center proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary and honors what would have been Carlsen’s 100th birthday. Operating in eight cities across North Dakota, they carry on Carlsen’s spirit and vision offering a rich tradition of empowering individuals with disabilities including cerebral palsy, orthopedic vision and hearing impairments, autism, pervasive and other behavior disorders,and many other medical challenges. The center’s mission statement and guiding light states: The Anne Carlsen Center exists to make the world a more inclusive place where independence is a gift to all.

To learn more about the Anne Carlsen Center please visit www.annecarlsen.org.

Words by Kim Malakowsky| Photography provided by The Anne Carlsen Center

Matt Beilke

Matt Beilke is a Green Bay Packers fan, a member of the Fargo Shriners, works at the Moorhead Center Mall, and speaks publicly at colleges, high schools and elementary schools as an advocate for the disabled.

Beilke’s life by all accounts is full and rich. He was born with cerebral palsy but faces the challenges of the disorder with wit and determination. Beilke is quick to credit the Anne Carlsen Center for supporting him in his success. “They helped me dream about my future," said Beilke. “I can do anything I put my mind to.”

With the support of the center, Beikle moved out of his parents home into his own apartment with two roommates and sought a paid job to support himself. His life is filled with many interests including time with friends and family, fishing, hunting, camping and attending concerts. Beilke expressed, “I can look in the mirror today and feel successful.”

Photography by 5Foot20 Design Lounge

JEREMIAH PROGRAM

College is hard – a demanding schedule of courses, papers and exams, all balanced with internships or a part-time job.

Imagine trying to earn that degree while single-parenting one or two young children. Without a strong support system, steady income, affordable housing and affordable childcare, it quickly becomes almost impossible.

That’s where Jeremiah Program comes in. The national organization, based out of Minneapolis-St. Paul, is a non-profit dedicated to helping single moms and their children out of poverty. Jeremiah Program provides apartments, early childhood education and childcare, courses in empowerment and life skills, and a supportive environment. With these supports in place, women accepted into the program take year-round, full-time college courses to complete a two- or four-year degree, while working a part-time job.

Once they graduate from college, they transition out of Jeremiah Program. With a college degree, the women can now earn enough to support their families and they’ve established a support system to keep them on track.

“The whole goal is to get women financially independent, so they can support themselves and their children,” said Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead executive director Diane Solinger. “It’s inspiring to get to know these women. We provide the network of services to help them, but they do all the work.”

This opportunity to help women lift their families out of poverty is exactly the reason FargoMoorhead began developing their own chapter of Jeremiah Program in 2009. In late fall 2016, the program plans to open the first Fargo-Moorhead campus, a building featuring 20 apartments, an on-site child development center, a community room, classrooms and offices.

“There is a significant need in Fargo-Moorhead,” said Mary Lou Dahms of Fargo, who has

served with Jeremiah Program since 2009 and is now chair of the local board. “There are close to 2,000 single mothers living in poverty. When I think of those women trying to raise children and wanting to be able to further their lives, it seems like a no-brainer to try to do something to help them.”

Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead didn’t wait for a building to start offering programs. Volunteers taught the first Life Skills classes in 2012, helping women with everything from parenting and budgeting to self-care and career development. In 2014, more volunteers led the first Empowerment Program, an 11-week course that helps women focus on making positive choices for themselves and their children. Each program has graduated 20 women.

Tiffany Sundeen, an associate pastor at Olivet Lutheran Church, Fargo, is one of three volunteers who teach the twice-yearly Empowerment Program.

“These moms are everyday heroes facing daily struggles that are unknown to most people. They discover they can handle anything that comes their way through empow-

Words by Amanda Peterson | Photography by 5Foot20 Design Lounge

Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead executive director Diane Solinger.

Stephanie Navarro and her son, Camden Erickson

erment concepts and tools,” Sundeen said. “I believe the empowerment approach is what creates the lasting change. It goes way beyond transitional housing and a childcare program. It truly transforms a person for good.”

The Empowerment Program had such an effect on Courty Evanson, 24, of Fargo.

Evanson, mom of Aden, 4, joined Jeremiah Program in 2012 after learning about it on Facebook. She took the Life Skills program and then Empowerment, while adjusting to new motherhood and earning her LPN at Minnesota State University Moorhead. The Jeremiah Program courses helped her become a better mother, grow in confidence and face her fears, she said.

“I love the idea of Jeremiah Program and being able to have the support of other single mothers and a life coach, all while trying to juggle being a single mom and going to college,” Evanson said.

Through her Jeremiah Program involvement, Evanson also earned a life-changing scholarship to attend the 2014 North Dakota Women’s StartUp Weekend in Fargo. She overcame her fear of public speaking and pitched to hundreds of people her product idea for a massage-style lactation table. She won first place.

Since then, Evanson has created her own company, InnovativeMother, earned several awards and been accepted into prestigious entrepreneurial programs. This fall, when Aden started preschool, his mom returned to college to earn her associates degree in entrepreneurship – all while running her new business.

“I would encourage other single mothers to consider living at Jeremiah Program,” Evanson said. “I would strongly suggest completing the Empowerment Program because it can give you the foundation to success.”

For more information about Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead or to get involved, visit www. jeremiahprogram.org/locations/fargo-moorhead or contact Diane Solinger at 701-793-5616. [AWM]

STYLE

This edition of Area Style features behind-thescenes looks at several area businesses. Get to know the people that make Dunn Bros coffee, Basies Restaurant, Permanent Makeup by Carrie Ann and Hair Additions valuable parts of our community. As always, this section features a look at hair trends, area shopping options and examples from area photographers. And keep up with the latest fashion trends with the Midwest Bubbly Girls. Image provided by Midwestern Bubbly Girls

Dunn Bros Coffee:

WE SHOW OUR LOVE THROUGH EVERY CUP OF COFFEE WE SERVE

Words by Katherine Tweed |

Freshly roasted coffee beans. Freshly baked pastries. Freshly cracked eggs.

Cozy place for a cup of coffee. A regular place for business conversations. A place where students study and stay awake.

All of this at Dunn Bros Coffee in Fargo. At either the 45th Street and 18th Avenue location, or the 25th Street and 13th Avenue location, you will find yourself in a relaxed place.

The woman behind both shops is Meghann Poku, who also happens to be raising six children with her husband, chocolate entrepreneur, Isaac Poku.

She retired from the corporate world after 13 years so she could be an at-home wife and mom – and an entrepreneur, too.

“Corporate America is great, however, when you do want to be a mom, it’s tough,” Poku said.

Saying she loves to have the coffee shops is an understatement. “I love owning them. One of the reasons I opened them was for our community and to bless others. We are continually involved in things like donating for churches, non-profit organizations like the American Diabetes Association, womenbased groups and others,” she said.

Saying she is proud of her product is also an understatement.

“Roasting of the coffee beans is our prime differentiator from other shops. Now our freshness in both coffee and food is unmatched. We roast coffee daily in our stores. It is always with a week old from the roaster. You can smell the difference when you walk in,” she added and continues her shop talk with:

“Our new food menu is outstanding. Our ovens have no microwave elements. That’s right. Everyone near us that has similar ovens and says ‘baked daily’ has microwave

elements in their ovens.

“Dunn Bros Coffee has worked with Chef Andy Revella to develop an amazing oven with no microwave elements.

“Our eggs are cracked fresh, not poured. We have gluten-free and friendly options like our salads, gluten-free bread, energy bars and more.

“Our meat has no fillers. It’s real ham, turkey, whatever. We have no funny ingredients. We use real cheese, like cheddar and Swiss, no cheese products.

“Our pastries are baked daily. Customers will eat most things the same day products are baked. No pastry is ever more than 48-hours old.”

Poku grew up in New Town, N.D., what is now the heart of oil country. Her grandpa owned Independent Grain & Lumber back in the ’70s-’90s. She learned her business

Photography by Kensie Wallner Photography

acumen from him. “You were always welcome at his elevator. People got to know one another. He was humble, honest and loved the Lord.” And her other grandpa ran the General Store in Trenton, N.D., during the first oil boom.

Another influential man in her life is her husband, Isaac. “He never stops coming up with ideas for his chocolate business. His passion is cultivating Africa one step at a time. He is a third generation cocoa farmer whose Pride of Dakota business is Chipperz ™,” she said.

Africa plays a significant role in Dunn Bros coffee. The Dunn brothers, Minnesotans Ed and Dan, were passionate about coffee roasting. About 25 years ago, they decided to change the coffee consuming world. Their first coffee connoisseur shop opened in St. Paul.

They cared about fresh roast. Too many shops ground their coffee and packaged in advance so the coffee sat on shelves. They concentrated on the artisanal, in-house craft of roasting.

That’s why when you walk into Poku’s Dunn Bros coffee shops, the fresh aroma of freshlyground beans from around the world smells so enticing. The coffees are from growers who are adhering to high standards of sustainable agriculture.

Dunn Bros learned of severe drought conditions in a trip to Kenya. They provided the community with an “aquapulper,” a device that allows farmers to use only a tenth of the water they would traditionally use to process coffee.

This fall she’s adding a new line of exquisite teas to her shops.

Giving back is what Dunn Bros does.

Giving back is what Poku and her crew at the two coffee shops do, too.

Poku’s 14-year-old niece says it all – “It’s just delicious.”

AMANDA WOOD manages both locations in Fargo. Her first job was when she was 15 and a barista. She fell in love with coffee and connecting with people over a cup of coffee. Almost two decades later she is still doing what she loves and grows every day as a leader in the shops, the community and as a mother.

MEGHANN POKU and Isaac “embrace me as part of their family. That is the same treatment we extend to our baristas, roasters and guests. We hope to make an impression on them for life lessons of kindness and respect.”

BASIES REDISCOVERED

Jazz, Hollywood Glamour, and Culinary Perfection

Words by Kim Malakowsky

It’s time to revisit Basies restaurant. Culinary experts Monte Jones, restaurant general manager, and Aladin Glaoui, food and beverage director, bring decades of experience to the table. Jones, hailing from the Midwest but having spent much of his life in New York as both dancer and restaurateur, knows what a good steakhouse demands.

Inspired by classic steakhouses of Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York, Basies offers up succulent cuts of Certified Angus beef complimented by your choice of hand-blended rubs and delectable seafood sourced from the finest suppliers and flown in fresh. Entrées are served solo and sides are a delightful bonus, expertly prepared and served in sharable portions. The dreamy au gratin potatoes and mouthwatering creamed spinach top the list as favorites.

What’s the secret to the gold-standard steaks? “Our steaks are prepared under a 1000 degree broiler to sear in the juices so they are extremely tender and loaded with flavor” stated Jones. An entrée presentation wagon showcasing each cut of meat takes the guesswork out of how to order. Cut fresh daily, you’ll see various steaks, salmon, and daily choices of fish.

Ramada’s expert chefs are continually redefining the menu to bring guests the most innovative dining experience.

The atmosphere is comfortably sophisticated, perfect for a cozy couples night out or a friends-and-family celebration. Enjoy a wine flight or beer flight with your meal or sip them while enjoying the surrounding s.

Alongside the main dining room are two private rooms. These rooms will seat 10-12, or 20-22 people, perfect for book clubs, bridge groups, corporate meetings, birthday parties, family gatherings or whatever the need.

While food is the focus, Jones has brought a bit of showbiz to Basies. Every Thursday night from 7-9 p.m. you’ll find the air filled with Jazz featuring Kathie Brekke and the 42nd St. band along with other great jazz artists. When dining on Saturday nights you’ll enjoy Lori Cline or Ed Huttlin performing on the piano.

Jones also enjoys procuring special events. On Halloween night this October he and director of banquets, Jerry Erbstoesser, will bring a bit of Hollywood glitz and glamour to Basies with a very special Hollywood Glamour Night.” Guests will enjoy cabaret performances and an exhibition of the infamous Graffiti Dress.

In the 1980s Randy McLaughlin and Jerry Skeels of Holly -

Photography by 5Foot20 Design Lounge

Aladin Glaoui, food and beverage director, and Monte Jones, restaurant general manager

THE ATMOSPHERE IS COMFORTABLY SOPHISTICATED, PERFECT FOR A COZY COUPLES NIGHT OUT OR A FRIENDS-AND-FAMILY CELEBRATION

wood dressed some of the most famous women in showbiz. The Graffiti Gown Tour will include the sparkling red gown worn by Joan Collins on her December 1983 Playboy cover and the most famous of the pair's work, the Hollywood Graffiti Gown ― a black velvet couture dress adorned with more than 400 hand-beaded Swarovski crystal signatures of some of the most famous women in entertainment including Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Streisand, Bette Davis, Liza Minnelli, Halley Berry, Rita Hayworth, and even Mother Teresa.

The gown is touring the globe, and after completing its tour will be auctioned by a renowned auction house and opening bids are expected at one million dollars.

You won’t want to miss this one-time opportunity to see a fashion icon.

Jones sums it up perfectly, “Do what you love and do it with passion.” Both Jones and Glaoui’s passion for the business is evident. Glaoui was born and raised in Morocco, spent time in Boston, New York, and Myrtle Beach among other places and ultimately chose to bring his family here to Fargo. “It’s where we want to be to raise our children, “ said Glaoui.

Enjoy Basies' distinctive style for breakfast, lunch, dinner or one of its extraordinary Sunday or holiday buffets. It’s where you want to be.

[AWM]

AS YOU GO Making It Up

Carrie Ann Borgerding’s personality is evident in every corner of her permanent makeup studio, which is complete with bright pink furniture and walls adorned with pop art painted by Borgerding herself.

Borgerding, who opened Permanent Makeup by Carrie Ann in Fargo in February 2015, has her Associate’s Degree in Surgical Technology and is a licensed tattoo artist. In addition to running her own business, Borgerding continues working in the operating room; however, she said that doing permanent makeup is what she truly loves.

“It’s nice to be more in control of my own schedule,” she said. “I love helping people and, in specific, I love helping women. I like helping them to feel good about themselves because, when there’s so much negativity in the world, I want to add positivity.”

Borgerding offers permanent eyeliner, brows and, most recently, 3D areola tattooing designed specifically for breast cancer survivors. Her training specific to areola design included studying shading, depth and dimension, and she’s more than excited to be bringing such a unique option to Fargo.

“For a lot of breast cancer survivors, they feel like they’re missing something of their femininity,” she said. “I had one woman - my very first client in New Jersey - who said that she felt like the bride of Frankenstein. So, the areola is the final hoorah, where they feel like they’re complete again.”

Permanent eyeliner and eyebrows also help women feel more complete, in Borgerding’s experience.

“We’re all out here, living our lives, and it can be so beneficial not to have to do much to feel good about yourself. Maybe you have to get up at 5:30 in the morning or your kids are home sick or you’re an older woman with fluctuating hormones, which causes thinning eyebrows,” she said. “Any little thing that I can do to help the women in our society is rewarding. We’re all so critical and we just want to feel good.”

However, she admits that many women think permanent makeup is too expensive. Borgerding, though, thinks that it’s well worth the investment.

“When you’re looking at permanent makeup, you need to keep a few things in mind,” she said. “What is the technician’s skill level and how much training have they had? There are a million reasons to come to a permanent makeup artist instead of a random tattoo artist for something like eyeliner. For example, I have top-of-the-line equipment and use pigments instead of ink. Plus, as a surgical technician, I’m not squeamish around the eye area.”

One permanent makeup artist’s journey through entrepreneurship

Words and Photography by Meagan Pittelko

^ Carrie Ann Borgerding, owner of Permanent Makeup by Carrie Ann

In addition to her training and skills, Borgerding said that there’s more to being a top-of-the-line permanent makeup artist than the equipment.

“You have to continually grow, which is something that I know from my exposure in the medical field,” she said. “You have to be on top of the trends and constantly educating yourself. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been doing something - you could still be using outdated techniques and poor equipment.”

Overall, Borgerding said that she loves running her own business, despite the fact that it’s more challenging than she initially expected. She said that support is incredibly important, and credits a portion of her support to Ashley Froemke, owner of Lash by Ash and Borgerding’s suite-mate.

“I’m so blessed to have crossed paths with Ashley,” she said. “It’s so important to have that support and positivity. You want to surround yourself with happy and uplifting people that won’t constantly tear you down or be toxic. My close friends, my mom and my husband have all been huge supporters, too, but it’s still a matter of getting your name out there and getting people in the door.”

Balancing time and expenses is one of the most difficult parts of running a business, she said. Even so, Borgerding said that she’s excited about her journey and loves that she’s able to help women in the Fargo/Moorhead community. Her advice? Just keep trying.

“I’m told that all of this gets easier with experience and over time, but who knows,” she said. “I love what I’m doing and I want so badly to put out good work and have women feel happy with it. You just have to put out your work, assume it’s great and see that it’s great, and walk away. You just have to move forward.” [AWM]

SCHEELS

MAINSTREAM BOUTIQUE

FOWLERS

WE’RE MIDWESTERN BUBBLY: TWO BEST FRIENDS - TWO DIFFERENT STYLES - ONE BLOG.

At Midwestern Bubbly, we want to share with you pieces and trends we love. Our goal is to not only provide you with outfits we adore, but to also inspire you to develop your own personal style to go along with your awesome personality.

We want to share with you all the hot gossip revolving around FALL FASHION! Since the temperatures can still be warmer during the day, but cooler during the evening, dressing can get tricky. LAYERS are the perfect, trendy way to solve this. Adding a fun patterned sweater or bold blazer can pull together a fall layering effect all while keeping you warm - bonus!

Graphic tees & fun print patterns are also on trend this season and are a great way to express yourself. Pair your favorite patterned dress with fall booties and you’ll be lookin’ fine!

Now lets talk color - army greens, mustard yellows, browns and of course the color of the year MARSALA are huge this autumn. Not only do these colors look great on their own, but pairing them together looks wonderful as well.

If you want to see more of what we do, you can visit: www.midwesternbubbly.com.

TEXTURE AND DRAMA

The darker color palette and cozy layers of fall and winter provide a perfect backdrop for the intense hues and textures of cool weather hair trends. There’s a range of options for all tastes and commitment levels, from fun and flirty styling techniques to vivid hair color transformations.

Shake up a staid styling routine with major texture and volume. Backcombing at the crown is a simple styling technique

that creates volume and attitude with no commitment. Tuck the sides under for a punky faux pompadour. Or try slightly teased tresses with cascading waves or curls. This look combines soft structure at the top and touchable volume throughout.

Fall colors are eye-catching and unexpected. Add a jolt of energy to dark hair with rich, super-saturated red, purple or burgundy. A few well-placed streaks look dramatic in straight hair and add

dimension and interest as they peek out of curls or waves.

The season’s coolest shade is pastel violet, a hue that’s as startling as it is beautiful. Try a subtle streak or an icy ombré effect that gets progressively darker at the top or the tips. The key to pure pastel color is starting with a perfect white blonde base, so trust this look to the professionals. [AWM]

STYLED BY KYLEE LISBURG AT FREYA SALON • KRISTAN HAUGEN PHOTOGRAPHY

STYLED BY KIMBER AT FREYA SALON PHOTOGRAPHY BY INNA PHOTOGRAPHY

STYLED BY JOSEPHS SCHOOL OF HAIR DESIGN• STEFANI BINGHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

STYLED BY JOSEPHS SCHOOL OF HAIR DESIGN • STEFANI BINGHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Words by Alicia Underlee Nelson

STYLED BY NIKKI AT FREYA SALON • CHANTELLE ZIEGLER PHOTOGRAPHY

STYLED BY KIMBER AT FREYA SALON PHOTOGRAPHY BY INNA PHOTOGRAPHY

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

breathemassagefargo.com

Centre for Hair & Wellness

Treat your hair to a deep condition and repair treatment after a summer in the sun!

Surface Summer Hair Repair Kit is certified organic and free of sulfates, gluten and parabens.

Downtown Moorhead (218) 236-6000 centreforhairandwellness.com

WHERE TOSHOP

Dalbol Flowers

Pure happiness is what this pretty bouquet delivers - whether you're sending it for a fall birthday, Thanksgiving, thank you, or simply just because. Surely, no one can be in the presence of something so inherently happy and not smile.

Price: $59.99

1450 25th St S, Fargo (701) 235-5864 | dalbolfl owers.com

Fargo Force

TOP SHELF – With brand name women’s clothing ranging from t-shirts to sweatshirts to sweatpants to workout clothing, you’ll always be able to show your Fargo Force pride! Use promo code: WOMAN to receive 10% off your online purchase!

Located inside Scheels Arena 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo (701)-356-4350 | fargoforcestore.com

Fowlers

Stay warm with the original wool blanket from Fairbault Woolen Mill Co.

210 Broadway N #101, Fargo (701) 356-7778.

Heirlooms

Heirlooms gift shop has a lovely selection of seasonal candles that make perfect gifts.

3120 25th St S, Fargo (701) 356-2670 | hrrv.org/heirlooms

Heritage Gift Shop

There is always something new at the Heritage Gift Shop, with a variety of heritage crafts, local art, books and unique foods coming in daily.

Hjemkomst Center 1st Ave N, Moorhead (218) 299-5511 ext. 6731

jw kitchens

“JW Kitchens Design and Experience Center” features unique Lighting, Flooring, Custom cabinetry, hardware, tile and other unique things to make your home special. Cool fixtures and finishes to liven up any style of décor!

5675 26th Ave SW #144 (701) 388-9584 | jwkitchens.com

Mainstream Boutique

Our grey top with zipper detail is a customer favorite! Fringe is a huge trend this fall as seen on our fringe booties. We love our sheer jewel tone top that pairs well with denim!

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

Pinch and Pour

Experience the explosion of exotic flavors from our array of fragrant salts.

210 Broadway N, Fargo (701) 356-7779

pinchandpour.myshopify.com

SCheels

Represent your spirit and team pride with the Original Spirit Jersey from Fusion Boutique. Fashionable, comfortable and made in the USA. Go Bison! Available at Fusion Boutique.

Located inside Scheels Home & Hardware | 3202 13th Ave S, Fargo | (701) 232-8903 scheelshomeandhardware.com

Wimmers Diamonds

These Hearts on Fire rings from Wimmer’s offer the very best in diamond quality. With exceptional color, clarity and carat weight, these rings are sure to dazzle.

Downtown Fargo | West Acres Mall (701) 282-2606 wimmersdiamonds.com

Lifestyle Savvy

s.a.l.t. sisters herbs provide all-natural, gluten-free, non-GMO products $6.95

4141 31st Ave S (701) 356-0097 lifestylesavvy.com

kimber trenda salon and spa

Brazilian Blowout! Through the use of breakthrough bonding technologies, these customizable smoothing treatments actually improve the condition of the hair. The end result is smooth, frizz-free hair with radiant shine!

Located in Freya Salon Suites | 3140 Bluestem Drive Suite 101 West Fargo | (701) 739-9930

kimbertrendasalonandspa.com

Stabo Scandinavian Imports

Ozone Design is devoted to putting fashion and fun into socks. Beautiful new styles in men's and women's fashions.

West Acres Mall | (701) 282-0421 | stabo-imports.com

Plains Art Museum

S'well bottles are beautifully crafted composed of non-leaching and nontoxic 18/8 stainless steel, that keeps your drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12, while giving back to those in need.

The Store inside Plains Art Museum

704 1st Ave N, Fargo | (701) 551-6100 | plainsart.org

Twyla's Cosmetique

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

2420 S. University Drive, Fargo (701) 282-5303

IT ALWAYS PROTECTS, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES. LOVE NEVER FAILS.

BEN NASH PHOTOGRAPHY

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OCKHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY

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YOU HAVE PUT GLADNESS IN MY heart

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A CUSTOM SOLUTION

Hair Additions helps patients fight hair loss

Words

Hair loss can be devastating. Whether it’s caused by chemotherapy, medication, hormone imbalance, heredity, stress or other causes, hair loss and thinning affects a person’s appearance and can influence their sense of self. One Fargo salon helps guide its clients through the emotional process of restoring their confidence, one step at a time.

“We want to offer services and products that make this journey as easy as possible,” said owner Lisa Dresser. “There are many salons that offer the basics in hair care and maintenance but very few that offer solutions for thinning hair or hair loss. And that’s what we specialize in.”

“We focus on educating our clients on all available options,” said Dresser. “Our main goal is to keep the clients’ natural hair whenever possible. However, if we can’t, we do have a number of options for them at various price ranges that will look natural and feel comfortable with minimal maintenance.”

A client who has thinning hair may benefit from medications like Rogaine and Propecia. Dresser may consult with Rick Schue, a board certified family nurse practitioner, who may suggest light therapy, vitamins, shampoos, conditioners and overnight treatments. Hair extensions and integrations that use either natural or synthetic hair are also discussed. “We also offer styling, cutting and coloring of the hair piece whether they buy it here or if they have something that they want us to change,” said Dresser.

Hair Additions is the only salon in the region that carries CyberHair, a light, durable and natural looking synthetic hair. A procedure called Micro Point Link is also an option. “A technician ties a ‘link’ containing four hairs onto one of the clients own hairs in the area that is thinning,” explained Dresser. “The results are immediate and they leave the salon with a thicker and or longer look.” The staff at Hair Additions is trained in over 15 different attachment methods.

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

Photography by Photography by 5Foot20 Design Lounge

F rom left to right– Ashley Lehmann, Lisa Dresser, Rick Shue and Nicole Hollingsworth

If more intervention is needed, FDA approved medical options like laser treatments and stem cell treatments are available. Laser treatments use low-level laser light to stimulate hair follicles, while stem cell treatment takes a client’s own stem cells and applies them to the scalp. Dresser’s clients have seen encouraging results. The staff at Hair Additions monitors the scalp throughout the process so clients can see results as the treatment is progressing. “There are many claims that say they can re-grow hair and we want to actually prove it,” said Dresser. “It isn’t a one size fits all approach. Each person is very individual.”

Hair Additions’ commitment to maintaining natural hair extends to helping cancer patients keep theirs throughout the chemotherapy treatment process by using a treatment called Cold Cap Therapy. It works by using dry ice to freeze the blood flowing to the scalp so the chemotherapy medication can’t be fully absorbed by the hair follicles. Clients wear the caps during each treatment and for two hours before and after.

Dresser admits she was skeptical at first, but talking with former patients changed her mind.

“I have talked with two women in the area that actually used them and they didn’t lose their hair,” she said. “Both mentioned that it was a little uncomfortable at first but was tolerable and they loved the results.” She emphasized that Cold Caps don’t work for certain types of blood cancers and that everyone responds to treatments differently.

Dresser and her staff provide the ongoing maintenance necessary for a natural look. Clients become deeply connected to the salon. And Dresser is just as committed to her clients. “I pride myself in the fact that many of my clients have been with me for 15 to 20 years,” she said.

“I have had clients look in the mirror after a service and have cried out of happiness as they have tried so many things and have been disappointed so many times and have wasted so much money they thought there may not be a solution out there for them. That’s what it is all about, making our clients happy and feel comfortable about their situation. [AWM]

HEALTH

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

and the Fargo/Moorhead community is doing its part to participate. This edition of Area Health features articles about the realities of breast cancer and information about the Bras on Broadway event. You can also read about less painful cosmetic procedures, a nurse practitioner's journey to improve care for those with Parkinson's disease, a look at the work done by Family HealthCare Clinic and gaining peace of mind after learning of a cancer diagnosis. Image provided by Britta the Photographer

PINK IT FORWARD

Sometimes our biggest reason to go forward comes in the smallest package. In the case of Kayla Leier, she looks to her baby daughter Adelynn. It’s no secret that parents want to be around to watch their kids grow, but in Leier’s family, the threat of not being there hits a little too close to home. Breast cancer runs in the family, with her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and several aunts and cousins all facing the big “C.”

“We say yet, not if. Treat it as if we’re going to,” said Leier. Her mom Deanne talked openly with her kids after her diagnosis, a vast difference from a generation earlier when people “didn’t talk about it.” That attitude delayed action for many women of that generation and that was not going to fly with Deanne, not when she had a daughter to

raise. The family openness led Leier to getting screened well before doctors say is necessary for most women. “If we’d have followed government standards—no way. There’s no way we’d be here,” said Leier.

At her first screening six years ago at age 21, Leier had a “sinking feeling” that “something was off.” In her case, it’s a mass doctors will be watching closely. They’ve talked about removing her breasts preventatively, to which Leier only half jokingly said, “hack 'em off.” She is currently breastfeeding and would do so again if she has another baby, so for now, the breasts are staying. In the event doctors say they have to go, she’s ready. “They’re not worth anything to me. [Without them] I’m not less of a woman.” Echoes Deanne, “it’s tissue, tissue. tissue. You don’t need it to survive.”

Both Leier and her mom take one glance at baby Adelynn and it’s obvious they’re both thinking what Leier says next, choking back tears. “I want to be here forever.”

Words by Ashley Thornberg

Photography by Kensie Wallner

Kayla Leier with her daughter Adelynn and her mother Deanne

Ever the tight-knit group, Leier’s extended family all worked to help each other, from screenings, to chemo and remission. “You prep so it’s not a shock,” said Leier. They swap chemo stories the way most of us swap recipes, with a mustbring list that any good traveler has. Except it’s not passports, it’s throw blankets. Instead of accessories that transform an outfit from museum appropriate to cocktail ready, it’s toiletries that fight dry skin and germs. There’s no squeezing into shapewear, no little black dress. There are pajamas you can wear when you can’t lift your arms. Chemotherapy, said Deanne, can be rough. “My husband said this is just another bump in the road and I said, ‘no it’s a mountain.’ I got over all the bumps and I climbed a mountain.”

Those kits they put together for themselves and each other, they led the women to their next mountain. Leier, Deanne and two of Deanne’s sisters formed the non-profit Pink It Forward. They want cancer patients to know they’re not alone by sending them the same care packages that got them through cancer. Said Leier, “We were already doing it, so why not help other people.” A package recipient wrote to Pink It Forward after “having a crappy day.” When the PIF package came, she “just broke down,” thankful that someone “knows what it’s like.”

The PIF team wants more people to know they can help. You can make donations or request a care package at pinkitforward.net gear stressing the importance of staying healthy and fit to best prevent or fight cancer.

This is a group of highly motivated women who can throw together a successful fundraiser in a matter of weeks, but when they’re being frank, they’d rather not have to do this at all.

For Deanne, “There’s hope that there will be a cure, that researchers will come up with a cure so [Adelynn] won’t be having this conversation. If there’s an end to Pink It Forward, that means breast cancer has been cured.” [AWM]

A DOWNTOWN SPECTACLE

Bras on Broadway celebrates ten years of breast cancer fundraising

The colorful bra garlands suspended from the roof of The Hotel Donaldson during the month of October are the most visible part of the Bras on Broadway fundraiser. And that’s intentional, said Hotel Donaldson owner Karen Stoker. The entire fundraising event is designed to get people talking about breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond. “Once you start stringing hundreds and hundreds of bras across a building -- and now we have enough to string them across Broadway -- that becomes a spectacle,” said Stoker. “And that was our goal. We want to stop people in their tracks.”

Bras on Broadway will celebrate its 10th year in 2015 having gradually evolved into a threepart fundraising event. First, the community is invited to contribute old bras and a suggested donation of $5 per bra to benefit the Bras and Bros on Broadway Charitable Fund. Bras collected by individuals and teams and can be dropped off at the Hotel Donaldson, all Olivieri’s Salon locations and Catalyst Medical Center in Fargo.

Those who want to contribute a little more bling bring their bras (and free will donations) to the BRAzaar at the Fargo Civic Center on October 8 and decorate them with other members of the community from 6-10 p.m. This high-energy, gender-neutral, family-friendly event has been growing steadily since its inception three years ago. “It’s doubled in size each year,” said Stoker. “If we can accomplish that this year, that’s going to be wonderful. We have room for everybody.”

Once decorated, the bra garlands are assembled and strung from the roof of the Hotel Donaldson during the week of October 26. It’s not uncommon to see traffic slow down and downtown pedestrians peer up as the colorful garlands sway gently in the fall breeze.

Then Stoker and the planning team put the final preparations for the Bras on Broadway event on October 29 in place. Although two employees coordinate the event, she estimates that each of the hotel’s 65 employees is involved in the event in some way.

Words by Alicia Underlee Nelson

Photography by Britta the Photographer

On the evening of October 29, the hotel, restaurant and lounge will be filled to capacity with festively dressed partygoers. The party itself is a heady blend of art, music, food and philanthropy.

Guests savor appetizers and delicate desserts as the bartenders keep the drinks flowing. A hush falls over the crowd as over 40 models wearing custom-made bras designed by local artists weave their way through the room. Both the wearable art and the non-wearable art showcased on the walls are part of the highlight of the evening, a vibrant art auction that inspires good-natured bidding wars, introduces the public to new work and earns even more money for the cause. Once every piece has been assigned a new home, the band plays on and the guests dance deep into the night.

Bras on Broadway has raised over $700,000 since its start in 2006 and over $100,000 a year every year since 2011. “It moves you to tears,” said Stoker. “That’s an incredible amount of money.”

The funds are distributed to local residents battling cancer in the form of $200 gas cards, a practical and appreciated form of support for patients who must drive to and from treatment facilities. All of the money raised stays in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. And Stoker thinks this local focus is a big part of why the event has been such a success.

“It’s a community-driven, community-given event and we are fortunate enough to live in a community where people not only get it, they really embrace it, “ she said. “People understand that if everybody pitches in a little we can change a lot.”

Tickets for Bras on Broadway on October 29 go on sale on September 14. Find more information and donate online at brasonbroadway.com.

FACE FORWARD: A PAINLESS TECHNIQUE FOR INJECTABLE FILLERS

Words by Megan Bartholomay

The old adage “No pain, no gain” isn’t always true, especially when you’re talking about dermal fillers. After Botox, injectable dermal fillers are the second most common minimally invasive facial procedure, and while both procedures require the use of sharp needles, dermal fillers can be more painful. Dr. Aileen Luz, of The Fountain of Youth MD in Fargo, practices a method called microcannula, and said the process is as close to painless as it can get. “Dermal fillers can be more painful due to the much larger volume of filler that is needed to cover large areas such as cheeks, nasolabial folds, and even sensitive areas like the lips,” Dr. Luz said.

Many skin clinics use various strategies to reduce the discomfort of injectable fillers such as cooling the skin with ice, topical numbing creams, or dental block injections, but Dr. Luz said, “While these are all helpful, none completely reduced the pain or potential bruising from the fine sharp needle typically used for injections like microcannul a does.”

So, just what is a microcannula? It’s a very thin, flexible hollow tube similar to the cannulas used in IVs. Sure, it’s still a needle, but the tip is blunt and not sharp, and it has a port on the side allowing the filler to be dispensed more evenly.

This revolutionary procedure was first developed in France and Dr. Luz said, “The most obvious result is safety and greatly reduced pain. A needle is sharp so it can easily enter the skin, but can also nick tiny vessels and nerves as it moves through the tissue. Repeated needle

Photography by Kensie Wallner Photography

sticks cause pain, increase bruising potential, and leave marks on the skin. With microcannula, only two to four entry points are needed for full facial correction.”

And according to Dr. Luz, it’s much safer than using a traditional sharp needle because it does not cut through blood vessels and tissue, but rather navigates smoothly around them. With microcannula, the sensations are basically that of slight pressure and movement as the cannula moves from one area to another, not the sharp pain of a needle.

She also said the microcannula technique can be safely utilized with a variety of cosmetic procedures and fillers of any type and viscosity such as lip volumizing, soft augmentation of the face, wrinkle reduction, cheeks and temple plumping, and softening saggy skin and bags under the eyes.

There are other advantages to the microcannula technique as well. Dr. Luz asserted there are strong reasons to believe that when employing skin sculpting technique (SST), the back and forth movement of the microcannula actually stimulates fibroblast and produces new collagen. This result is also seen by cannulas during liposuction surgery when skin begins to tighten by initiating internal growth factors.

Using the flexible microcannula is an exciting advance and allows for much safer injections, significantly fewer side effects, such as reduced pain and bruising, and allows for detailed facial sculpting.

However, Dr. Luz sited the risks of the inexperienced performing microcannula. “Microcannula is a tool. Its proper use depends on the meticulous knowledge of anatomy, art form and dexterity of the injector.” Find out more about microcannula or schedule your free consultation with Dr. Luz at www.thefoymd.com or by calling 701-540-9030. [AWM]

PARKINSON’S OUTREACH

While Sarah Matcha makes her rounds at Bethany on 42nd, seeing several residents with Parkinson’s disease, I notice that while each has been diagnosed for roughly the same amount of time, their symptoms and progression seem drastically different. “Progression is not the same for any two people,” said Matcha, “and the hardest thing about Parkinson’s disease is that we can’t determine a single cause, so we can’t determine a single cure.” Only 15 percent of Parkinson’s cases are hereditary. The rest are considered idiopathic, occurring for reasons unknown.

With statistics like that, diagnosing and treating Parkinson’s is a complicated matter. As I sat in on the three patient visits, just a small part of an outreach care program that Matcha developed, I see that the breadth and depth of Matcha’s experiences in life and medicine have all played a role in the quality of care she brings to her patients. “There’s no way to improve on her,” said Mary Ellen Maltry, one of the residents Matcha sees on the day of my visit. “I haven’t found Parkinson’s as difficult for me as it has been for many people,” Maltry continued. “I don’t think I’m better, I just think I’ve had good treatment.”

Recalling her childhood, Matcha explained, “I was sick a lot.” She was hospitalized for infections and asthma twenty-one times before she was even three years old, often times necessitating two to three days in an oxygen-tent crib. Later she was diagnosed with an immune deficiency and began a treatment plan that stretched into adolescence. Realizing the quality of care and support she was receiving, she began to wonder what life would be like if you didn’t have good people taking care of you. “There are so many patients―kids and adults―who just don’t have people to take good care of them. So I knew from a very young age I wanted to go into medicine―so I could be there for those who needed it.”

As a pre-med student, Matcha started working in a nursing home as an aid. She began to understand the role each caregiver played in patient’s lives, and feeling a pull towards closer

Words and Photography by Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss

One Woman’s Remarkable Journey to Improve Care

patient interaction, she switched majors to nursing. “I wouldn’t have had the same hands-on experience as a medical student that I would get as a nurse. And I didn’t want to wait twelve more years to take care of people.”

Matcha enrolled in nursing school right away and excelled so much that Mayo Clinic in Rochester took notice. During her last year of nursing school, Mayo recruited her for a position in neurologic rehab, mostly with adolescents with spinal cord injury. She enjoyed the work, but struggled with feeling that there was more that she could do for patients. “There were times that no matter who I talked to, or how many times I went to bat for that person, nothing really seemed to happen,” Matcha explained. So she decided to take her nursing education once step further, getting her nurse practitioner’s license. “I felt that if I was in a position to call some of those shots for my patients, I could make a far greater impact in their lives.”

As a nurse practitioner, Matcha moved into psychiatry, a field much more rewarding than she’d expected. “You don’t stop and think about how detrimental emotional distress is to somebody,” observed Matcha, “but it’s during those times when people need the most help. What better time and place to make a difference.” Matcha said her psychiatry experience still plays a major role in her ability to help the Parkinson’s patients she sees now. ”It gave me a lot of insight into what people were experiencing―why they would or wouldn’t follow treatment plans. I really think it’s made me a better provider.”

After six years in Rochester, Matcha and her husband, Pete, made the decision to move to Fargo with their first daughter to be closer to family. She took a job in the Movement Disorders Clinic at Sanford, where she was first immersed in the world of Parkinson’s. “It amazed me how much one disease, although not fatal, could affect every single part of your life, every single part of your body,” recalled Matcha. “I realized that just taking the time to listen to these issues made a huge difference in their quality of life and outcomes.”

As Matcha grew more independent in her role, she observed that while she was able to help pa-

I KNEW FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE I WANTED TO GO INTO MEDICINE–––SO I COULD BE THERE FOR THOSE WHO NEEDED IT

tients in her clinic, Parkinson’s patients in nursing-home care were being seen strictly by internal medicine providers. Though their Parkinson’s symptoms and other observations were relayed to Matcha, there seemed to be a disconnect between her orders and recommendations, and actual follow through. Curious why this was occurring, Matcha began calling the facilities to speak directly to staff, and her findings surprised her. “It wasn’t that they weren’t willing to do it,” says Matcha, “it was that they didn’t understand why it was so important.”

Expressing her frustrations to a pharmaceutical rep, Matcha explained how great it would be to go into nursing homes to educate staff about how with Parkinson’s treatment, the little things can make a huge difference. Surprising her, the pharmaceuticals rep went to his supervisor and got funding for Matcha to do just that. Recalling the feedback she received after these trainings, Matcha said, ”It was amazing how much difference it made and how appreciative the staff were. They’d tell me that if they’d known all this before, they would’ve done it differently.”

The success of the staff training led Matcha to develop an innovative outreach program. While Sanford provided onsite specialty clinics in several towns, they didn’t provide specialty neurology outreach to local facilities. “I thought about the people with Parkinson’s disease who are so debilitated that it’s just too difficult for them to come into the clinic,” said Matcha. “They would just get lost in follow up, and wouldn’t get specialty care anymore.” Matcha’s solution was to simply take her specialty practice into the nursing homes. Sanford was on board, and Matcha was able to start seeing patients in several area nursing facilities.

By educating nursing home staff, and through outreach clinics, Matcha has felt that Parkinson’s patient care in those nursing homes has tremendously improved. “The outcomes are improved, and the education of the staff is better. There’s no wondering if orders are going to be followed,” said Matcha. “Everything seems more consistent for the patient.” But Matcha’s outreach didn’t stop there.

Thinking about the all those in the Fargo Moorhead area with Parkinson’s disease who Matcha wasn’t seeing in the clinic, and who weren’t in nursing facilities, she began to wonder: Who was taking care of them? Knowing there was a need to bring education out to the community―to patients, family members, caregivers and medical staff beyond those she already was reaching ―another idea blossomed: a non-profit called the Midwest Parkinson’s Initiative. This project is bringing what Matcha’s seen to be beneficial and helpful in practice to everyone who wants access with a program called PD Monthly. Each month the program will cover a topic as it relates to Parkinson’s disease. “They’ll be about an hour long and interactive,” explained Matcha. “You’ll learn all the specifics on the topic of the month. The more

you know, the better you’ll do at home.”

Matcha’s team is also in the process of developing a once per week, six-week caregiver transition class that would address issues surrounding adult children or spouses who find themselves transitioning into caregiver roles. “There are so many emotions and unanswered questions attached to caregiving,” said Matcha. “My goal is to make that transition an easier one, for as many people as possible.”

Matcha’s journey for better Parkinson’s care is paving the road for a new standard in care for those living with Parkinson’s, and for people working with patients or family members with the disease. Having had no prior personal or specific medical experience with Parkinson’s, it’s remarkable the time, energy and passion Matcha has for making the lives of those with Parkinson’s better. “I don’t know what it is about them,” she said, “but I have a personal connection now to each one of them. I can’t fathom leaving these people.”

What keeps her going? Maybe it’s the support and encouragement she receives from her husband who Matcha said sees how much it means to her and supports her both emotionally and at home with the kids. Maybe it’s her seven-yearold daughter, Emme, who suffers from the same immune deficiency as Matcha but has learned the credo that Matcha said was passed down in her family: Paying it forward and giving of yourself is the best gift you can give. Emme’s been dubbed the “Roger Maris Cookie Princess” making homemade treats and handing them out to all those receiving treatment and their loved ones each month while she gets her treatment too. Or maybe it’s the many lessons Matcha learned from her parents that keep her going. “From a work ethic perspective, they both had the mentality of, ‘You keep working until the work is done.’”

It’s easy to see from Matcha’s track record of one accomplished goal after another, her efforts to serve the Parkinson’s community aren’t soon done. If you ask her, she’s just getting started.

Learn about upcoming events at www.midwestparkinsons.org [AWM]

BREAST CANCER AT 32: TIFFANY’S STORY

At age 32 with a busy teaching career and an upcoming marriage, Tiffany Olsen of West Fargo didn’t expect to have breast cancer. Two years earlier, she had found a lump in her breast, but was told she had fibrocystic breast tissue, and it was nothing to worry about. As the lump got larger and more painful, Olsen sensed something wasn’t right and consulted another physician. Two weeks after her wedding, a biopsy and mammogram revealed she had invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3, triple positive, which means female hormones estrogen and progesterone and the HER2 gene trigger cancer cells to grow. The good news was all three respond to treatment and her cancer was detected early enough for a positive outlook.

Olsen described the weeks following her diagnosis as a roller coaster of emotions. With her family rallied around her and new husband Nate at her side, she now faced an aggressive treatment regimen and big decisions. “I found that many of the resources and literature available on breast cancer focus on women over age 40. It’s so isolating as a younger person when you feel your issues, like fertility, are ignored.”

Fortunately, Olsen’s oncologist, Dr. Shelby Terstriep at Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, made sure that preserving fertility was part of her treatment plan. “I’m so grateful for her,” said Olsen. “She’s so holistic in her treatment, and she knows how important preserving fertility is to young women like me. Nate and I are newly married, and we want to have a family someday.” But another roadblock was placed in their way when insurance denied payment

Words by Jane Heilmann | Photo courtesy of Mike Smith

TO WHAT YOUR BODY

for embryo preservation, something they needed to do before she started chemotherapy. Not ready to give up, a family member set up a GoFundMe page and quickly helped raise the money for the treatment. Two days after Olsen’s embryo preservation procedure, she started her first of six rounds of chemotherapy.

In addition to chemotherapy every three weeks, Olsen will undergo surgery in December and start radiation in January. She also will continue Herceptin infusions every three weeks, targeted at HER2 receptors, and she will take the drug Tamoxifen when her treatment regimen is complete to prevent her cancer from coming back. Because chemotherapy is exhausting, she is currently on leave from her 11th year of teaching. She hopes to be back at Fargo South, where she teaches English, around Thanksgiving and work around her surgery in December.

If there is one thing Olsen is passionate about, it’s knowing your own body and seeking care if you suspect something isn’t right. “Breast cancer is not just a disease in older women. Young women need to be adamant about their health, too. Do self-exams. Listen to what your body is telling you. Don’t think because you’re young, you can’t get cancer. We are all at risk.”

With a positive attitude and lots of loving support from her husband, family and her care team at Roger Maris Cancer Center, Olsen is determined to get though her treatment and is looking forward to returning to her teaching career and a bright future with Nate.

DO SELF-EXAMS. LISTEN

IS TELLING YOU. DON’T THINK BECAUSE YOU’RE YOUNG, YOU CAN’T GET CANCER. WE ARE ALL AT RISK.

FAMILY HEALTHCARE CLINIC PROVIDES AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR EVERY PERSON

Words by Katherine Tweed

Respect is the feeling that greets you at the front door of the Family HealthCare Clinic in downtown Fargo.

From your first step onto the beautiful, terrazzo floor lobby, people wait respectfully for appointments and services. A waiting room filled with light from huge windows, and a spacious foyer to a pink marble stairway with wrought-iron railings give the place a sense of calm and quiet, dignity and peace.

Its patient-centered services include medical, dental, behavioral health and optometric. The providers create an integrated, healthcare team. Age, nationality or ability to pay are never barriers to care.

“Our clinic has a diverse group of patients,” Kelly Polcher said. Polcher holds a doctorate of nursing practice from Frontier Nursing University, Hyden, Ky. Her B.S. in nursing is from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

“We are recognized through the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a Level Three Patient Centered Medical Center, a huge accomplishment,” Polcher said. “Our focus is on access to care. We work with oth-

er clinics and agencies to make sure patients receive the care they need. Medicaid, other federal subsidies and private health insurance are all used to help our patients. We do our best to make healthcare accessible and affordable.”

Certified Nurse Midwife Meghan Dockter, board certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board, agreed.

Dockter is seeing many Somali and Nepali pregnant women. “We understand and work with lots of cultural things. We all respect their cultures (and those of many other countries). Working with a pregnant woman means we form a bond. We try to spend as much time as possible with each woman.

“I have a lifetime of memories from the time I catch the baby, put the baby on its mother’s chest and then see the look on the mom’s faces. One of the draws for Family HealthCare is we see the mother throughout her pregnancy and deliver the baby,” Dockter said.

If Dockter does not do the delivery, Avis Grothem, NP, CNM, or Dr. Napoleon Espejo, MD, does. Grothem is a midwife and Espejo is the medical director. Among the three, they do about 150 deliveries a year at Sanford Medical Center. The number of births they

attend goes up each year.

Kathryn Gray, PA-C, along with Polcher, sees patients of all ages, from “little kiddos to geriatric” and loves it. She cares for people with chronic diseases, annual physicals, women’s health – any healthcare need.

Gray appreciates the collaboration in their work. “We all work well together. We all act as resources for each other. That’s especially important when we serve so many cultures,” Gray said.

While Gray said the workday schedule is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the real work is likely 45-50 hours a week. The schedule is to see 20-26 patients a day but that flexes. “We all have an extra time commitment,” Gray said.

Dockter does not have a regular schedule because “babies come when babies come.” Whether the baby to be delivered comes from her Family HealthCare or Cass County Jail practice, she is there.

“When a woman tells me she feels respected, we are doing our job,” Dockter said.

Family HealthCare is contracted through Lutheran Social Services to provide initial medical care to new refugees. Many refugees

Photography by Kensie Wallner Photography

From left to right– Kathryn Gray, PA-C, Meghan Dockter, Certified Nurse Midwife, and Kelly Polcher, DNP

continue to receive primary care services at Family HealthCare.

It is the same for the homeless population who come for health services.

Once patients come to Family HealthCare, no matter what or where the first introduction is to its services, they often keep coming back.

“While we are not a free clinic,” Gray said. “We are here to improve the quality of healthcare. We have that advantage because we are such a fantastic organization. We have a great medical and administrative team. Our board of directors is composed of 51 percent patients.”

“We have competitive salaries, comparable compensation. We are recognized for our hard work and we hear thank you all the time. We are supported by our leadership. We are inspired to want to stay, to do this work,” Gray said, with both Polcher and Dockter chiming in affirmations. [AWM]

The community need for the clinic is evident in 2014 statistics. They had an all-time high of 54,445 patient visits including more than 14,500 separate patients. The renovated building contains 33 medical exam rooms, seven dental chairs, an automated pharmacy, on-site lab, X-rays and offices for counseling, optometry, refugee health, interpreters, behavioral health, physical therapy and health education– all under one roof.

The Family HealthCare facility is in the historic Pence Automobile Building on the corner of Northern Pacific Avenue and 11th Street North, including three adjoining buildings.

ANDREA HORNING HELPS PATIENTS NAVIGATE THEIR CANCER JOURNEYS

When you’re in unfamiliar territory, it’s good to find a guide.

Being diagnosed with cancer can feel like entering unfamiliar territory. That’s why Andrea Horning works as a patient navigator at the Essentia Health Cancer Center in Fargo. Her only job is to offer help and support to patients diagnosed with breast, lung or colorectal cancer.

“I tell patients that I’m their advocate,” Horning said. “I’m your go-to person and I’m here to make life easier for you. There’s so much for a patient and family to take in. I want to help take any of that stress away.”

Horning often meets people right after they have received a diagnosis. She calls to let them know about her services and lends a listening ear. Sometimes she meets them in person at their first appointment with an oncologist or surgeon.

Kathy Dahlsad of Fargo describes herself as “pretty shell-shocked” when she received her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013. A routine exam and mammogram discovered a lump in her left breast.

“Andrea was on the scene pretty quick and she told me she could help me in all kinds of ways,” Dahlsad recalled. “She also told me I could call her any time.”

Horning answers questions and provides information in a way that patients and their families can understand. The patient navigator also meets with them before appointments so she can understand what information they need from the doctor or what concerns they have. During appointments, Horning can help guide the conversation.

“Patients can hear one thing -- good or bad -- in an appointment and then they hear nothing more,” Horning explained. “Each person is so different and each family dynamic is so different. That’s why I like to be there because I can listen closely and remind them what was said.”

Dahlsad said Horning helped her make decisions as she had a mastectomy, then chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Not one for internet research, Dahlsad appreciated that her patient navigator explained what to expect each step of the way. Her treatments were successful.

“Andrea kept Kathy calm and alleviated her fear,’’ said Dave Dahlsad, Kathy’s husband. “There are a lot of uncertainties and Andrea guided Kathy through that.”

Dave said Dahlsad had to make some dif-

Words by Connie Wirta of Essentia Health |

Photography by Scott Thuen of Thuen Studios

AAndrea Horning is a registered nurse who serves as a patient navigator at the Essentia Health Cancer Center in Fargo. Here she discusses a patient with Laurie Wollenzien, a registered nurse and care coordinator at the Cancer Center.

ficult decisions about her treatments and Horning was there with information and emotional support. “There’s so much information and so much going on, but Andrea helped keep us focused on what’s happening now,” he said. “You don’t know how to get the right answer if you’re not asking the right question. Andrea helped Kathy ask the right questions.”

Horning is an experienced registered nurse with special training in caring for people with cancer. She’s worked in cancer care for nine years, including time in the chemotherapy center.

Horning helps educate patients and their families about diagnoses and treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. She answers questions so patients can better understand their options and make the best decisions for themselves. Other ways the patient navigator helps include:

• Make and coordinate appointments.

• Accompany patients to appointments.

• Help fill out paper work for employers or insurance companies.

• Connect a patient and family with community resources that can help, such as getting a wig, buy ing prosthesis or meeting living expenses while unerdergoing treatment.

• Provide emotional support.

“I love helping my patients,” Horning said. “I tell them to not be afraid to call me. They can rely on me to be there. And I’m here to take care of the whole person, not just his or her cancer.”

Horning wants to make a difference for patients and help them on their cancer journey. “I’ve held hands. I’ve prayed with them,” she said. “Anything that can make them feel more comfortable with the decision they’ve made.”

Horning said she has learned much from her patients. “I’m a better person, a better nurse because of my patients,” she said. “They’ve taught me ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff.’ ”

To reach Andrea, call her at (701) 364-3430.

HOME

It's all about finding a builder that clicks with your needs and wants as you go through the building process. Thomsen Homes prides itself on being a builder you can click with. In this edition of Area Home, tour three of their Classic homes, and see the choices for color and style come alive.

Image provided by Jill

Ockhardt Blaufuss.

PARTNERS IN DESIGN

Words by Joyce Eisenbraun

Photography by Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss

Creating a home can seem like a daunting task with all the choices an individual or family needs to make to suit their lifestyle. Sometimes, prospective homeowners give up in despair, overwhelmed by the undertaking. That’s where the team at Thomsen Homes can relieve the stress and bring sanity back to the process.

“We try to keep the process simple,” said Jessica Metcalf, director of Sales and Marketing for Thomsen Homes. “If the homeowner likes to design and has ideas, we work with them to create their dream. If someone has a piece of art that they love, we can design a home around that art. Our goal is to hold your hand and help you as much as you want.”

With Thomsen Homes’ lovely new showroom in south Fargo, all the choices for design are easily accessible under one roof. “If we don’t have something you want,” Metcalf noted, “we’ll source it for you, get the best price and bring it in to the design appointment. Our goal is to save you the work, while giving you the options you want.”

In addition to having a stunning array of options from which to choose in their design showroom, homeowners can also take a look at how a color or style works in real life as Thomsen Homes always has staged models available to view all year round. Thomsen Homes has several model homes, giving homeowners an opportunity to see the colors, styles and textures used in a collection of home designs. Best of all, the price point for these lovely homes is in the $200,000 to $250,000 range.

“We try to include many of the preferred features as standard items in our Classic homes,” explained Metcalf. Granite countertops, high-quality laminate flooring, toe-kicks on all cabinets, recessed lighting in the kitchen, staggered-top cabinets in the kitchen, brick facing on the exteriors, and two finished levels are some of the primary features that are considered “standard” to all Thomsen Homes Classic Series designs. With multiple designs from which to choose and a host of creative options in the color and patterns, the homes can reflect the preferences suited for their lifestyle. For owners that want additional features, Thomsen also offers a Luxury series, built to the same quality standards, but with additional upgrades such as a third stall and floor drains in the garage and bathrooms with tile floors and tub surrounds as well as granite countertops.

To better understand some of the options, Metcalf provided a tour of three of their Classic homes in a south Fargo development, each offering a different style. Fortunately for homeowners, Thomsen Homes has numerous developments in which these homes can be built.

Bi-Level Beauty

The foyer in this Classic bi-level is a slim column with a 13-foot-high ceiling. Light gray walls are trimmed in white, with three-panel doors in white. Rustic wood-look laminate flooring is smooth to the touch and easy to clean. Stairs to the upstairs and lower level are topped with white banisters.

The lower level is a garden height, so there is natural light in each room. A large family room has warm tan carpet, which extends throughout the lower level. On the side, the bath is finished with a linen-look tile, and rustic brown cabinetry. Two bedrooms are finished, offering views of the back and side yard.

Upstairs on the left is the master bedroom, carpeted in warm tan, with adjoining bath and walkin closet. The bath has the linen-look flooring tiles, matching his and hers sinks in rustic wood cabinets.

Down the hall is the kitchen, which features a peaked ceiling and gray painted cabinets with bronze hardware. The island and other countertops are finished in gray, taupe and black granite, complementing the stainless appliances. Pendant lights above the island match the beaded glass globes in the dining room chandelier. Patio doors open to the back yard. The living room also has a peaked roof for a spacious feel, with natural light from the windows.

Three Level Split

Homeowners wanting a different approach will appreciate Thomsen’s split level design. A slim foyer provides access to the two-stall garage, lower and main levels. Here the design features white walls and three-panel doors with darkstained wood casements.

The lower level offers a family room with light gray carpet, one bedroom and bath. The bath has

gray laminate countertops with gray and tan rock-look laminate flooring.

The main level welcomes you with tall 13-foot-high ceilings. Light gray laminate flooring keeps maintenance to a minimum, while giving a cool and airy feel to the space. The kitchen has staggered-top cabinets in a dark espresso finish, with polished nickel hardware. The granite countertops have shades of gray, black and hints of rose. The island has cabinet space on the inside, with seating for three. Pendant lights above are a modern lantern look in clear glass and chrome.

The adjoining dining room has patio doors to the back yard, while the living room offers a tall rectangular privacy window to the side yard, and large windows to the back yard. Rustic wood detailing creates a “chimney” look for the fireplace, which has a gray tile accent surround inset on the white mantle.

An open staircase leads to the third level, overlooking the main floor. Light gray carpet is used throughout the upper level. In a large closet on the left is the handy washer and dryer space, a great convenience for tucking in a quick load. On the right, is a bath with gray countertops and white cabinets, and gray tile flooring.

Down the hall are two bedrooms, with the right bedroom utilizing the space over the garage, overlooking the front yard. The master bedroom on the left has an adjoining bath with matching gray countertops and white cabinets, plus walk-in closet.

Relaxed Rambler

The third option is a charming rambler, offering a large foyer, with access to the garage and a handy coat closet, which then opens to the living room, dining and kitchen areas. The flooring is a warm quarter-sawn oak-look laminate. Walls are finished in light gray with white casements, and Thomsen has used a deep gray as an accent on the four-panel doors.

Windows in the living room overlook the front yard, while the dining area has a rectangular privacy window on the side, with patio doors to the back yard. A peaked ceiling adds to the spacious feel.

The kitchen island and countertops are finished in white quartz, with flecks of gray. The center island is painted in the accent dark gray, while the rest of the alder cabinets are done in white with black hardware. Stainless appli-

ances add to the clean, contemporary style.

Just down the hall are two bedrooms and bath. On the way is an oversize closet that holds the laundry area. The bath features a dark gray cabinet with a light gray and white countertop, accented by gray and taupe slate-look flooring.

Both bedrooms are finished with taupe carpet and the dark gray accent color on the closet doors. The master bedroom also has pocket doors to the walk-in closet and to the bath. Slate-look flooring and a light gray countertop match the other bath accessories.

An open banister railing on the side of the living area leads to the taupe-carpeted lower level. Homeowners will appreciate the large family room, which features an inset gas fireplace and a large escape window on the side, for natural light. Two bedrooms and extra bath create a great getaway space for guests or family.

Affordable Luxury

From floor plans to exterior sidings, colors to textures and patterns, creating a home can be bewildering at times. For homeowners who choose to work with Thomsen Homes, they can not only see the designs they have selected, but get to look at color and texture choices in real homes.

“We want to help the homeowner in any way we can,” said Metcalf. “We have all the design options under one roof, we’re very upfront about any pricing questions, we’ll help them from start to finish, and we back it up with a great homeowner warranty.”

The experts at Thomsen Homes make the homebuilding process exciting and fun with a delightful end result: a home that matches your dreams and your budget.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE THOMSEN EXPERIENCE, PLEASE CONTACT:

Jessica Metcalf or Nate Anderson

Thomsen

Homes

3168 41st St. S., #1

Fargo, ND 58104

701-478-3000

www.ThomsenHomesLLC.com

PROFILES

The three women in this edition of Area Profiles all have three things in common: they are all interested in putting their best out in front of people at all times. For Jill Berg, it's doing her best to help employers find quality employees. For Natalie Sparrow it involves representing top notch talent and models. And for Kristi Wilson it means being willing to be bold in front of the camera. Read their stories here.

Image provided by Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss.

SPHERION ENERGY LIFTS JILL BERG’S TEAM TO OWNER OF THE YEAR

Words

It’s one thing to love your job. It’s another thing to find jobs for people and people for jobs.

Jill Berg, owner and president of Spherion in Fargo, Bismarck, Minot and Perham, and her team worked hard to achieve the “pinnacle” award in the Spherion network.

To earn the highest distinction in the company, “Owner of the Year,” takes standout work – and that is work for people.

Spherion is a word that blends sphere, which means global, and ion, which means energy. The award is based on hard data. It means Berg and her team are engaged on multiple levels in the company, that they are a vital task force within the business, that they engage in learning experiences and, perhaps

most importantly, they are a 21st century business. There is no resting on your laurels at Spherion.

One of Berg’s credos is that as an owner she works for her employees. Her business model means she does not just work in the business, she works on the business.

Berg started the first Spherion franchise in North Dakota in 1994 in Fargo. She has 20 employees with a network of three branch offices and one on-site location. The company places office support, call center, light industrial and professional employees for numerous clients.

The sales team visits businesses and finds out who they need to be successful. Applicants fill out online forms at Spherion. Then the matching begins. Spherion selects the best people for the positions.

John Funk, area manager, once worked 367 days to make the right match. The client tried a few people while Funk searched. None worked. When Funk knew he had the applicant for the job it turned into a perfect match. He finds great satisfaction in continuing to work for people on both sides of the working partnership.

In the first conversation he had with Berg, two decades ago, she asked what he wanted in his career – an often-asked question. He said he did not want to be bored and one day would like her job. “She stood up and asked me to change seats with her and we continued the interview with me behind her desk. I reflect back to that crossroads moment in my life and believe it was the best action I have taken,” he said.

“Her philosophy is that our responsibility as managers is to grow our people and improve processes. This is the core of our business relationship with our customers and the culture of Spherion.”

Berg and her team discover client needs, create relationships and craft solutions that meet those needs. Berg noted, “We ask the questions. What challenges you? What would help you?” The discovery work she and her team do answers questions that create successful partnerships.

“When we recruit a potential employee, we look at their skills, behaviors and the cultural fit with the employer. Then we work hard to find the right fit,” she said.

Spherion staff knows the other side, too. “To

by Katherine Tweed

Photography by Dennis Krull

OUR JOB IS FINDING PEOPLE JOBS. WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!

serve our business partners, we have to know where the target is. Then, it’s a lot easier to hit it,” she adds with a smile that means business.

Karen Witzel, regional sales manager, said working at Spherion allows her the autonomy to network and build meaningful relationships with her customers. “I love seeing that my efforts contribute directly to the success of the business. Jill has been supportive of my professional development – a significant factor in why I’ve stayed with the company for sixteen years,” she said.

Witzel cited Spherion’s tagline as something that is true for her, “Our job is finding people jobs. We love what we do!”

Kathleen Toft, senior professional recruiter, echoes Funk and Witzel, and adds another element to the success equation.

“I trust that every day I will be a blessing to someone I meet and have the opportunity to impact someone’s life. I meet with people who are in various places or stages in their lives. Listening is key and means asking the questions to understand their needs, what motivates them or what keeps them up a night.

“It is very gratifying to find the career fit for someone,” Toft said.

Berg credits her success to selecting the right people, playing to their strengths, never giving them a cap and continuing to mentor. “I let them mentor me, too,” Berg added. “We are in a relationship.”

Spherion is a team – a team is passionate about staying on top.

We’re Spherion, North Dakota’s staffing experts, recently named “Owner of the Year” by our franchisor. We’ve been serving the recruiting and staffing needs of area businesses for more than 20 years. While our address is new, the same dedicated team of professionals stands ready to achieve your workforce goals.

In our business, it’s all about who you know - and we know a lot of people! Gain the local advantage - call Spherion today!

Jill Berg, owner and president of Spherion in Fargo, Bismarck, Minot and Perham

CREATING THE ULTIMATE IMAGE

Words by Erin Peterson

Red carpets, slinky dresses, tuxedos and bowties, camera bulbs flashing, all necessities to tell the story of the glitz and the glam of what it’s like to work in the entertainment industry… or perhaps not. Tune in further for a glimpse of reality and replace those words with hard work, sweat and tears (literally), and most notably, persistence.

I recently had the pleasure to sit down with the infamous Natalie Sparrow of the Fargo/Moorhead community who heads the success story behind Ultimate Image Model and Talent Management. Throughout our conversation on a cracked leather couch at down-

town Babb’s Coffee, we caught up on what it’s like to run the circuit in such a hectic, ever-changing industry. Sparrow began her story in the year 2001, a bright-eyed blonde in her mid twenties who was inspired to start her own agency through a mentor at the annual Gift Fashion Show, a charity event held every November. She entered into the agency headstrong and without fear, all while dealing with the newness of motherhood, following the birth of her first of two sons. With what seemed like a juggling act on the side, it’s safe to say that Sparrow didn’t have a hand full of aces when she started out, but with the encouragement of her husband and a little trial and error, such as her experience with the ludicrousy of paying $4,000 for a photo shoot that didn’t even provide composition cards (the equivalent of a business card for a model), she has made a name for herself and her clients. The industry’s snakes sneaked around as Sparrow navigated her way to the top (enduring a few bites along the way), she rose above and soon came to be known as full-blown business mogul.

Now with seasoned experience behind her, Sparrow has a tip or two on what she looks for in recruiting new clients. In an industry that’s known for outer beauty, it came as a surprise that the number one thing she looks for in a new client is personality. She doesn’t judge submittals on photos alone and prefers to meet potential clients in person, however the required image that does get sent in as a part of the application process must have one attribute, interest. If you can capture Sparrow’s interest, you can count on capturing an interview for her management service. However, getting an interview with Sparrow might be the easiest part if you want to go the distance within the industry, because success doesn’t come over night and Sparrow admits that she’s hardest on the people that she believes in most. She’s honest and you best put your North Dakotan layering skills to work and pile on the thick skin.

Photography by Kensie Wallner

No success story comes without turbulence, and Sparrow’s isn’t the exception. She expressed how it’s difficult for her to be taken as serious as other national and international agencies because of her geographic location. The state of North Dakota isn’t exactly known as the breeding ground for entertainment. Yet, that underestimation stirs up a sense of drive within Sparrow that could be rivaled from any dot on the map. Sparrow has driven her talent to walk the runways in New York Fashion Week, honor the stages of Broadway, and appear in national campaigns for Target. Just this past June Sparrow brought three of her local talent over to Paris for a European model showcase. There’s nothing to underestimate here.

As far as Sparrow can see into the future for Ultimate Image, we can expect to see local talent in more national commercials and campaigns and look forward to an explosive community project to be anticipated. Although Sparrow’s goals have stayed consistent, she admits that her idea of what it means to be rich and famous has changed. A beautiful quote from our conversation, “If friends and inspiration could pay the bills, I’d be rich.” [AWM]

WHAT THE CAMERA WANTS

FARGO MODEL KRISTI WILSON TAKES HER CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL

BY ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

COVER PHOTO BY JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

She’s right. And she owns it. The flame-haired 22-year-old is here to discuss her modeling career, her recent trip to Italy and the three months she’ll be spending working with a new modeling agency in Seoul, South Korea. But instead of sticking to her professional talking points, Wilson is gleefully jumping down every conversational rabbit hole, discussing and debating a wild range of topics, from politics, travel and art (including her own sketches) to spirituality, tattoos and the supernatural. Most models – and indeed, most people – couldn’t hold forth on gypsy pirates and quantum physics with equal gusto. But Kristi Wilson is not an ordinary person. And she doesn’t claim to be.

“Models need to be a blank canvas, kind of,” she said, choosing her words carefully at first. She looks up, her eyes bright, mischievous, conspiratorial. “I think I’m a blank canvas but I also think I have a personality that I can’t hide. And I think that shows in my pictures.”

As with most models, Wilson’s images precede her. Her portfolio -- her book, in industry-speak -- serves as a photographic resume and showcases her print work. Quality images and a wide range of looks are the goal and Wilson’s book exhibits plenty of both. In one photo, she’s a

fierce young Stella Tennant, all angles and eyeliner and a thousand mile stare. In the next she’s quirky and androgynous, with her hair piled high, her long limbs and ivory skin a perfect backdrop for sharp tailoring. In her favorite shot she’s barefaced. The camera kisses her generous sprinkling of freckles and gets lost in her eyes, her gaze fresh and frank and startlingly, almost unnervingly open. She is not a passive beauty, not in pictures or in person. Her physical presence at the shoot confirms this.

Wilson arrives over an hour late with a flurry of mortified apologizes. She worked a double on the overnight shift at the front desk at the Hotel Donaldson in downtown Fargo and she’s horrified that she’s violated her own professional standard and overslept. In person, she is a Waterhouse redhead, a Pre-Raphaelite beauty with a striking, modern edge, flawless ivory skin and a face full of interesting edges and angles. She absently twists her wild red hair up into itself and folds her long legs, clad in knee-high leather boots, under her as she talks. A tusk dangles from one ear, while a delicate fishbone runs up the other. The piercings in her nose are still healing, but she’s removed her jewelry already, since photographers rarely ask her to keep it in. A fox tattoo runs along her inner arm and others peek out from unexpected places – behind her ears, on her hip, running down her ribcage. She has seven tattoos total -- “which I would not recommend for models” she added. She spends a lot of time in make-up chairs getting them covered up, although that hasn’t exactly stopped her from adding to her collection in the six years that she’s been working.

Wilson has been professionally represented since she was 16. She graduated from Fargo North High School a year early and moved to Chicago to model in 2010. Since then she’s worked in New York, done a stint in Italy this spring to build up her portfolio and traveled to Seoul, South Korea for three months of runway and editorial work.

I’M NOT A NORMAL MODEL, SAID KRISTI WILSON. I’M KIND OF A WEIRD MODEL. AND YOU CAN WRITE THAT DOWN.

IMAGES COURTESY JOY MODELS ITALY

She’s represented by different agencies in different markets, but one constant in her life and career has been Natalie Sparrow, owner of Ultimate Image Modeling and Talent Management in Fargo. Sparrow serves as Wilson’s mother agent. “A mother agent is somebody who prepares the girls, grooms them and then sends them on to the big agents," explained Sparrow. Sparrow currently represents twelve models and actors in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis in this manner and her responsibilities vary from client to client and market to market.

As for Sparrow and Wilson, the two have an almost sisterly relationship. It was Sparrow that Wilson called when she hit a professional snag on a shoot in Italy; Sparrow behind the wheel as the two traveled to far-flung casting calls; and Sparrow on the phone late at night earlier this year when Wilson called from Missoula, Montana, ready to end a temporary modeling hiatus and get back to work. “A lot of the time, models think, ‘Oh, I’m going to move to New York and get myself signed,’” said Sparrow. “And it doesn’t always work that way. You need someone to stand up for you.”

Having a strong support network is especially important for young models just starting out.

“You need to know who to trust,” agreed Wilson. “There are a lot of crazy people in this industry and you have to watch out for yourself.” Modeling can be transient, isolating work and Wilson sometimes worries for the newer girls coming up, the ones with thinner skins, less confidence and no one in their corner.

“The agencies give you tough love sometimes. If they don’t like something, they’ll tell you,” she said, adding that she’s constantly told that her hips are too big for her frame, a reality in an industry that demands that models perfectly fit a sample size―not just for aesthetic purposes, but for efficiency’s sake, since altering or procuring a new outfit can derail a shoot and cost a client money. Wilson makes an effort to eat healthy food, take excellent care of her skin and remain active while she’s working, but she refuses to diet or to deprive herself of something she loves.

“If I want a hamburger, I’ll eat a hamburger,” she shrugged. “This is my life. But the thing is, you

have to keep on being like, ‘This is who I am. I love myself and I’m not going to change myself for someone, ever.’ You have to comfortable with yourself or it doesn’t work. If you don’t believe in yourself it will show in your pictures.”

Wilson takes her work seriously. She insists that this profession requires focus, persistence and hard work. And it definitely requires more than just a pretty face. “A model has a certain type of interest that a pretty girl doesn’t,” she explained. “They’re almost like exotic cats: They’re intense, they’re fierce. A pretty girl, they’re beautiful, but they’re not going to scare you. They won’t have that thing that the camera wants.”

Wilson definitely has that thing. In front of the camera she is alert and engaged, finding her light and making a series of tiny physical adjustments that evoke a range of subtly different emotional reactions. She responds to direction with an almost imperceptible nod, working with her photographer to conjure up an image that they are both creating as they go. She is bubbly and curious in person and she can certainly amplify these attributes on film. But more often than not, she gives the camera something darker, fiercer. The angles of her face are striking, her eyes haunt and burn. She is occasionally otherworldly – and it doesn’t always take a photographer to see it. A man on the street in Manhattan once told her she was a mermaid and it seemed fated when they saw each other again, not one time but three, a flame-haired mermaid and her admirer, adrift in the same city. When photographers look through their lenses, they tell her they see a vampire, a fairy, a nymph, a fury, a witch.

Wilson loves this last one. She’s of German (and Polish, Welsh and French) descent and her Oma, Ursula Benzenberg, her mother’s mother, kept witches in the kitchen, just like her family had done in Germany for years. “Witches are good luck and they get rid of the bad spirits and the bad demons and they scare the evil away,” Wilson explained. Being a witch is a compliment in her book. Wilson laughs that in another time and another place, her wild red hair, her otherworldly look, her powerful personality and her love and respect

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

of nature, herbs and botany would probably have prompted whispers that she was an actual witch. And she considers that a compliment as well. She comes from a long line of strong women who aren’t afraid to be different.

“All the women that I know in my life are very strong, independent and kind of scary women,” she said. “I love that. I think that’s what women are. They’re strong, they’re intense and they shouldn’t be less than that.”

Wilson’s Oma is a major figure in her life and she taught Wilson about life, love and her German heritage in the time-honored way that women have handed down their secrets for centuries, weaving them into stories and working side by side in the kitchen. Wilson’s mother, Stephanie Wilson, a massage therapist and small business owner, is another source of support and inspiration. “Not only does she work very hard but she always supported my dream of modeling and helped me with it when I was young,” said Wilson. “She’s always been there. I did not grow up with a rich family, but I did grow up with a rich spirit and my mother was a big part of that. She sacrificed a lot and she believed in me when there wasn't many who did.”

Wilson was raised in a home that seemed to her to be more European than American, where coffee was served after every meal, conversation was an art form and children were expected to be curious and opinionated and participate in adult conversations. She grew from a spirited child who made bows and arrows out of sticks with her father, James Wilson, into an independent and highly literate woman out on her own at 17. Wilson has been working all over the globe ever since. There have been moments when she’s been tempted to take a rest or even step away from the camera permanently, times to physically and emotionally recharge, like the stint in Missoula and extended rests to regroup back home in Fargo. But the rush of her work is part of her now, a rush that she still craves.

“(I love) the randomness of it, the spontaneity,” she said. “You never know how the shoot is going to go. And I think that’s a beautiful thing. It’s raw, you know?”

She’s curious about the work and the culture of South Korea, thrilled to be back in front of the camera and even more excited to be back on the runway again. She did three shows at New York Fashion Week in 2014 and she misses the energy that comes from being in front on an audience. “New York Fashion Week was really awesome,” she grinned. “Runway is of the moment. I can just close my eyes and be there and the energy is so high. It’s new and freeing.”

She will be working constantly in Seoul and she’s eager to get started. She feels wiser, stronger and more prepared than ever.

“The most common misconception about modeling is that it’s easy,” she said. “I think looking in, it’s easy to be like ‘This girl has beauty, she’s in the limelight, she’s glamorous.’ But it’s not like that. It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of perseverance. It is my job, but it’s also my passion.”

Wilson compares the daily grind of a modeling career to college, the same constant process of routine, challenging and sometimes tedious daily work that, after time, leads to the accomplishment of a larger goal. For every show or shoot she books, there are dozens, even hundreds of casting calls. These calls are a combination job interview, audition and networking opportunity that give her a chance to connect with agents and refine her process. “Every casting is a job,” said Wilson. “You’ll sometimes have 14 castings in a day and you’ll have to get to all of them. And you can’t be early and you can’t be

late. You’re running around all day and you’re in heels and you’re on the subway with millions of people. It’s work.”

She works hard to be professional and courteous, engaging everyone with her friendly brand of Midwestern charm and writing everyone’s name down in a notebook she carries with her. It’s a small industry and she knows she’ll meet them again. And she wants to be ready. “There are so many people and so many opportunities,” she said. “I want to take modeling as far as I possibly can and then I really want to branch out. I want to make a positive difference in the world.”

College isn’t out of the question someday – she’s attracted to the idea of obtaining knowledge for its own sake – but for now her focus is firmly on modeling. And the world is her classroom. She treats every opportunity overseas like a study abroad trip, every job as a lesson. She’d love to see more of South America, but she’ll only go where her cat --- a snowwhite beauty named Annabel Lee (after the Edgar Allen Poe heroine, naturally) can follow.

For now, she’s enjoying time at home with friends and family while she prepares for South Korea. Each market is different and clients want a different look, a different attitude, she said. Europe loves a clean aesthetic. Miami is all about color, swimwear and a sexy Latina look and New York wants something gritty and edgy. “Asia is another thing,” she said. “Seoul is amazing and I’m getting more excited about it. I’m excited

IMAGES COURTESY Q MODELS, NEW YORK

IT’S A LOT OF HARD WORK, A LOT OF PERSEVERANCE.

IT IS MY JOB, BUT IT’S ALSO MY PASSION

to see what’s it’s like. I know they’re going to work me hard, but that’s what I want to do. I want to work.”

“I feel like, if I put my focus somewhere, I put it all in. I’m all in,” she said, rings flashing as her slender fingers slice through the air for added emphasis.

The next step in Wilson’s career is a big one, but she’s as ready as she’ll ever be. “I’m not afraid to fail,” she said. “But I know if I do fail, I’ll bounce back quick.” Failure is nothing more than a stepping stone and a learning experience for a woman who says she’s attuned to magic in the world and not averse to creating a little of her own.

“My Oma would always say ‘If you don’t accept the bad, then you don’t deserve the good.’ The world is a mix and you have to respect that balance.” She smiles broadly. “The world is a reflection of yourself. And if you don’t like what you see in it, then you have to change it.”

[AWM]

FAREWELLAdieu