Area Woman Magazine Feb/Mar '18

STYLE + ADVICE

+ HEALTH, home, family and life celebrating ALL THINGS

WOMAN

WEDDING THE issue Dayna DEL VAL a dream role

the arts activist

Wellness Programs from BCBSND. Inspired by Melissa at Eventide.

With the help of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Eventide kicked off its corporate wellness program with a focus on reducing stress. By encouraging and scheduling quick, regular stress relievers—like 10-minute guided relaxation—employee satisfaction and resident care improves.

“The best time to take a break is when you don't have time.”

— Melissa Nelson

Employee Engagement Coordinator

Eventide Senior Living Communities

OUR WRITERS

are the voice of Area Woman Magazine. They bring to life the Fargo-Moorhead area and the incredible stories of the women we feature.

these are the talented writers showcased in this issue. Learn more about these and our other contributors at areawomanmagazine.com .

ASHLEY

HAM »

Ashley is a full-time wedding, lifestyle and destination photographer with her husband Ryan at FloraPine Photography. She is passionate about documenting the every day, writing about home simplicity and renovation projects, and writing music.

ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON

Alicia wrote our cover story, page 76

Alicia is the creator of prairiestylefile.com, a website that explores the arts, culture, shopping, events and fashion of FargoMoorhead and the upper Midwest. She frequently travels across the region in search of what's beautiful and what's next.

«

LINDSAY TRUAX

Lindsay is the editor of the website Pink and Navy Stripes, a lifestyle and fashion blog. She loves to help others take the latest fashion trends and make them wearable. Lindsay and her husband have two little girls.

«

ASHLEY SORNSIN

Ashley is a local health, fitness and life coach with a passion for inspiring and motivating others to live their best life. She started her own business, BUFF Inc., teaches group fitness classes at the YMCA in Fargo, is a health and fitness writer, has appeared on local TV as a fitness expert, and shares her life and expertise candidly on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To work with Ashley for nutrition, fitness and life coaching, contact her at ashleysornsin@gmail.com or eatlivebebuff.com.

« WASIFA AHMAD HASAN

Wasifa is a dentistry graduate, full time blogger and makeup artist. She blogs and makes videos about beauty, makeup, fashion and lifestyle on her blog sifascorner.com

KRISTY OLSGAARD »

Kristy grew up in Buhl, Minnesota, and graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She spent 16 years in the banking industry. After moving to her husband Kevin’s family farm, she has had the privilege to be a stay-at-home mom, a title she is proud to wear. It has given her time to pursue a career in writing. With two sons, Nick and Tyler, the family keeps busy attending their activities. Their family spends time golfing, snow skiing and mowing a large yard.

« MEGAN ELGIN

Megan grew up on the family farm near Fessenden, North Dakota, and graduated from MSUM. She loves all things creative including her job as the art director here at Area Woman Magazine. She is passionate about reading as many books as possible about a variety of cultures, subjects and genres and loves discussing them with others. Megan lives in Horace with her husband and son, loves camping with her family in the summer, and snuggling on the couch with them in the winter.

« MARIAH PRUSSIA

Mariah is the owner of MPX Fitness, founder of the NOW Project (501C3), professional MMA fighter, coordinator of fitness at MSUM, motivational speaker, corporate wellness coach and single mother. Find her online at mpxfitness.com.

« SUSAN A. STIBBE

Susan graduated from North Dakota State University with a major in English education and a minor in speech/communication. She is a former teacher who served on the Northern Cass School Board, the North Dakota State Board of Education, and the North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education. Susan and her husband, Bill, live on their farm near Hunter, North Dakota. They have one grown daughter, Emily.

« REBECCA MEIDINGER

Rebecca is a speaker, Bible teacher, writer, blogger and stay-at-home mom to four wild kids in south Fargo and wife to her awesome husband Paul. As a speaker and Bible teacher, it is Rebecca’s joy to bring messages of hope, joy and freedom in Christ to groups of teens and adult women. As a blogger, Rebecca shares the real-life challenges of marriage and motherhood. Rebecca loves a hot cup of coffee, a cool morning run, and warm sunshine on her face. Learn more about Rebecca at rebeccameidinger.com.

JULY

2012 JULY

celebrating all things woman

publisher

AREA WOMAN PUBLISHING, LLC

editor in chief

JON-MICHAEL SHERMAN

proofing editor

JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

art director

MEGAN ELGIN

advertising

MIKE SHERMAN 701-306-5119

DEBBIE TROMBLEY 701-729-1910

JON-MICHAEL SHERMAN 701-306-1288

photography

5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

ABBY ANDERSON

EXPRESSIONS BY ASHTON PHOTOGRAPHY

JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

KELYN & CO. STUDIO

KENSIE WALLNER PHOTOGRAPHY

LINDSAY KAYE PHOTOGRAPHY

MIKE SMITH

NYBLADH PHOTOGRAPHY

SCHERLING PHOTOGRAPHY

STACY KENNEDY

read it online issuu.com/areawoman

find us

areawomanmagazine.com

WEDDING words by MEGAN ELGIN photography by SCHERLING PHOTOGRAPHY

AREA WEDDING Rachel + Brady MAY 20, 2017

Amatchmaking friend set up Fargo native Rachel Braaten on a blind date with Brady Bergquist and the couple quickly hit it off. After nearly two years of dating, Brady surprised Rachel with a new puppy and a sweet proposal with the ring tied to his collar. They began planning a rustic May wedding at The Vintage Garden with a fishing theme they called “Two Less Fish in the Sea,” a nod to one of Brady’s favorite hobbies.

Family is very important to the couple, and many of their choices revolved around their families and the traditions they uphold. They chose to have a unity candle at the ceremony because their parents had done so when they were married. Parents and grandparents were included in everything, and the décor, flowers and stationary were all done with the help of family and friends.

The day of the wedding was cold and rainy and the plans for an outdoor ceremony were quickly changed as they moved inside to the venue’s stable house. Rachel says, “Even with all the

CEREMONY & RECEPTION:

The Vintage Garden, Barnesville

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Scherling Photography

BRIDAL GOWN, JEWELRY AND BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES:

Your Day by Nicole

MEN’S FORMAL WEAR:

Men’s Warehouse

HAIR: Missy at Haven Salon, Moorhead

CAKE: Hornbacher’s

WEDDING RINGS: Wimmer’s Diamonds

DJ: PowerPlay DJ

CATERING: Lush Lola’s

TRANSPORTATION: Red River Trails

“We tried to check in every half hour during the reception to steal a few private moments together.” — rachel

rain, the ceremony turned out really beautiful.” The ceremony was officiated by Brady’s childhood pastor from his hometown of Bemidji, Minnesota. She asked the couple to write letters to one another about how they fell in love, which she then read during the ceremony. “It was so emotional,” says Rachel.

Cold rainy weather may have derailed the outdoor wedding, but it seems somewhat fitting for a fishing themed wedding, complete with fishing lure boutonnieres, Swedish fish in bowls next to the desserts, and fishing themed decor added throughout the reception. Rachel says, “Everyone had to keep dancing because that was the only way to stay warm!” All that dancing made for an unforgettable night as most of the guests were disappointed when the last dance ended.

Rachel’s advice for wedding planning is simple: “Something will always go wrong, but the only person that knows it is you, so don’t stress.”

AREA WEDDING Emma + Taylor JULY

29, 2017

After moving to Lisbon, North Dakota to teach elementary school, Fargo native Emma Meyer says, “I had a job I loved but something was missing.” Taylor Waloch was experiencing the same feeling working as an engineer at Bobcat in nearby Gwinner when a friend told the two they had to meet. The couple set up a meeting to please their matchmaking friend, hit it off right away, and have been together ever since. After a sweet proposal at home, the couple started planning a wedding with a romantic vintage garden vibe inspired by Emma’s love of fairy tales.

Shopping for the perfect dress was a bit of an adventure. Emma had an exact idea of the kind of dress she wanted and had tried on so many different dresses when the owner at Alan Evans Bridal suggested one displayed on a nearby mannequin. Emma says, “It was nothing like the dress I thought I wanted so I refused. There was no way I was putting that dress on.” Eventually she was convinced it was worth trying, and as soon as she put it on she started crying.

CEREMONY & RECEPTION:

Romantic Moon Events Center, Glyndon

PHOTOGRAPHER: Kensie Wallner Photography

SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER: Brittany Walsh

BRIDAL GOWN: Alan Evans Bridal

BRIDAL JEWELRY: Your Day by Nicole

BRIDESMAIDS: Coralie Beatrix on Etsy

MEN’S FORMAL WEAR: Halberstadt’s

WEDDING RINGS: Riddle's Jewelry

HAIR & MAKEUP: Cally Jo Salon at Cloud 9 Salon and Day Spa

FLOWERS: Floret & Foliage (formerly Blue Barn Event Floral)

CATERING & CUPCAKES: MSUM Catering Services

CAKE: Hornbacher’s

DJ: PowerPlay DJ

RENTALS: Gathered Rentals and Events

HONEYMOON: San Diego, California

WEDDING words by MEGAN ELGIN photography by KENSIE WALLNER PHOTOGRAPHY

With vintage details and pretty flowers everywhere, Emma and Taylor’s wedding day was perfectly magical. Emma’s talented sister, Hanna, created all the invitations and stationary, as well as the chalkboard signs decorating the venue. Another sister and her maid of honor, Becca, presented Emma with a special box filled with photos and letters from those people closest to the couple. During the ceremony, the couple planted a specially chosen tree to symbolize their marriage, which is now in their yard and, says Emma, “will last for as long as we take care of it.” Taylor says his favorite part of the day was the ceremony itself and “actually getting married to Emma.” After the ceremony, guests proceeded inside for dinner and dancing. While their guests were eating, photographer Kensie Wallner stole the couple away for a few photos. For Emma, this chance to relax, take a breath and be alone together was the highlight of the day.

The best advice Emma received during the wedding planning? “Remember why you are doing this. At the end of the day, the point is to get married. That’s what it’s all about and nothing else really matters.”

“Everyone is there for you and your spouse, and it’s incredible.” — emma

AREA WEDDING Kara + Tyler NOVEMBER 18, 2017

College sweethearts Kara Froelich and Tyler Wulfekuhle both come from farming families and love cattle. So naturally the proposal took place in the hayloft on their farm with Tyler on one knee underneath a paper and twine “Marry Me” garland he made himself. Photographer Abby Anderson traveled to their family farm near Wolverton, Minnesota, for engagement photos, making sure to include the cattle they love to show. When it came to planning the wedding, Kara says, “We were rustic enough as it is day-to-day, so we decided to get dressed up.”

Everything from Kara’s illusion lace-backed dress, to the gray, lilac, and plum color scheme, to the stunning flowers (designed by a talented relative of the groom) was chosen to fit the formal, classic and elegant theme. They chose to get married in Fargo because, “It holds a little piece of our hearts. It’s where we met and where our relationship first grew,” says Kara. Of course, they couldn’t completely get away from the farm, and the “I’ll love you ‘til the cows come home” bells at the reception were a huge hit.

For both the bride and groom, the first look was the highlight of the day. “The second Tyler turned around, all the feelings of anxiousness and ner-

CEREMONY: Hope Lutheran Church South

RECEPTION: Delta Mariott Hotel

PHOTOGRAPHER: Abby Anderson

BRIDAL GOWN & BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Your Day by Nicole

MEN’S FORMAL WEAR: Tip Top Tux and Broadway Shoe Company

WEDDING RINGS: Helzberg Diamonds

HAIR & MAKEUP: Formal Elegance by Ashley Trappen

FLOWERS: Karen Wulfekuhle (relative of the groom) at The Maple Tree Floral Design and Art

CAKE: Buttercream Bliss Custom Cakes

DJ: PowerPlay DJ

STATIONARY: ShortPrinter, designed by Taylor Mjelstad

WEDDING words by MEGAN ELGIN photography by ABBY ANDERSON

“Don’t stress about trying not to stress, because it’s going to happen. Enjoy every emotion leading up to the big day.” — kara

vousness went away and the excitement and happiness started to settle in,” says Kara. “It was a moment of pure bliss and acknowledgement that the beginning of the rest of forever was finally here.”

Their family was an important part of the wedding as well, and having Tyler’s two grandparents attend the wedding was very meaningful. Kara carried her grandparents’ wedding rings tied into her bouquet and the couple chose to display all of their parents’ and grandparents’ wedding photos and anniversary dates next to a memory bouquet for those grandparents no longer with them. With over 450 people there to celebrate their love, Kara says, “It was absolutely perfect. So humbling and heartwarming to see so many people there.” At the reception, Tyler made sure to thank all of their family and friends for coming. “Public speaking is not my forte, but I felt the right way to express our gratitude was to face my fear,” says Tyler.

What’s next for Kara and Tyler? They are planning their honeymoon somewhere tropical this spring. Cancun anyone?

experience your Dream

top 5 reasons to say yes to a destination wedding and honeymoon

1. WAY LESS STRESS

Resorts have made planning to wed on-site easier and more appealing. Many have full-time wedding coordinators on their team who are familiar with that country’s marriage license requirements and who offer wedding packages that take care of all your ceremony essentials (photographer, cake, officiant, decor, etc.) Many of the major resorts, like Sandals, Beaches and AM Resorts, offer a complimentary wedding package that includes flowers, cake, cocktail reception and pampering for the wedding couple.

If you're not getting married at an exotic destination, you can hire a local travel planner who specializes in destination weddings, contact an event planner, or start early and do it yourself. Either way, hire a travel/ event planner and the logistics of pulling off a reception and party are off your plate.

Here’s a little secret: There are many reasons to do a destination wedding, from experiencing jaw-dropping scenery to spending real bonding time with your nearest and dearest. It’s an increasing trend and now one in four couples choose to travel for their wedding. Here are five fantastic reasons to take your big day to a dream destination.

2. ENJOY QUALITY

TIME

with LOVED ONES

We’ve all been to those weddings where the couple ends the night exhausted from making the rounds to greet and thank every guest. One reason destination weddings are popular is because they allow the bride and groom more opportunity to truly interact with their guests over a longer period of time.

3. PERSONAL DREAM LOCATION

Part of the joy of a destination wedding is showing off a place that has special meaning to you, be it bringing friends and family back to a beloved college campus, sharing where you took your first vacation as a couple, or finally going to a locale you’ve always dreamed of visiting.

4. SMALLER guest list

The average number of guests at a traditional wedding is 140. The average number of guests at a destination wedding is 48. Outsourcing your event to Mexico, Maui or the Colorado Rockies gives you an automatic excuse for a smaller affair. It is a great way to filter out colleagues and acquaintances.

5. YOU CAN START the HONEYMOON EARLY

Just arriving at your destination is sure to put you in a relaxed mood as the pre-wedding festivities begin. Many hotels offer upgrades to the bride and groom during their wedding stay and, depending on your group size, your room could be complimentary for the entire stay.

Whether you decide on a destination wedding or a traditional wedding. Please, please, consider the honeymoon a priority!

Sometimes I get interesting looks from couples when I tell them that taking a honeymoon will be one of the most important things that a newly wedded couple is going to experience. Here are five persuasive reasons to take a honeymoon:

1. TAKING your HONEYMOON PROVIDES STRESS RELIEF

It is often said that the wedding is for the guests, and the honeymoon is for the couple. Do you know why that is? It is because of all the planning. This is also not the time to skimp on destinations that you can visit any other time in your life. Besides, why would you spend thousands of dollars on everyone else at your wedding and skimp on yourselves when it comes to your honeymoon?

2. YOU NEED to GET AWAY from the family and work for at

LEAST A WEEK

No explanation is needed.

3. YOUR HONEYMOON SETS THE TONE for your NEW LIFE

A honeymoon provides your first memorable moments as a couple. It sets the stage on how a couple treats each other and creates memories that will help keep the spark alive while reminiscing.

4. A HONEYMOON is a WONDERFUL WAY to CREATE a YEARLY TRADITION

This tradition would be a vacation every year to rekindle your romance, and relive that special feeling when your marriage was in its beginning stages.

5. YOU ARE WORTH IT

The best reason of all is because you work hard and should celebrate your love and connection together.

ALISON OTTESEN is a travel enthusiast and owner of CoExist Travel. alison@livetocoexist.com

be a stylish guest

Ican tell I’m far past my college days when it’s fun just to have something to get dressed up for. Whether it be a charity function, church, date night or someone’s wedding, it is so fun to either look for a new dress or find one that I haven’t worn in a while. For me, putting together the perfect wedding look is almost as fun as celebrating the happy couple. Here are some things to consider when putting together your look.

dress code

When going to a wedding you want to make sure you arrive to the event dressed appropriately, especially if the couple has taken the time to include a dress code on their invitation. Look for formal, semi-formal, dressy casual, casual, black tie, white tie or festive attire. If you’re unsure what each of those levels requires, a quick internet search should clear it up. When my husband I got married, we had a beach wedding. I really wanted to make sure that it was still a dressy event so I included a dress code on my invitation. I did feel a little bad for all the men wearing warm long sleeves on the beach, but I sure love my pictures!

location

If the wedding is going to be inside, outside, at a church, or in a special venue, there may be certain dress codes that you need to follow. Depending on the church, they may want woman to have covered shoulders. The requirement can be easily achieved by bringing a shawl to cover your arms. I am not good at walking in heels in the grass. Usually I like to bring a pair of flats or wedges to wear to the wedding and then I can always switch shoes later. If you’re going to a country club or to certain restaurants, they may require sports coats.

Follow Lindsay on INSTAGRAM: @pinkandnavystripes

wedding theme

Normally before I go to a wedding I like to check out what colors the bridal party may be wearing. Depending on the wedding I am attending, I want to make sure that I don’t pick a dress or color that may look too similar to the bridesmaids. I have been a personal attendant in a couple of weddings and did not want to look like I was getting confused on my role. It’s always a good idea to ask the bride if there is something she would like you to wear if you’re going to be included in any pictures.

accessories

Accessorizing a look for a wedding is one of my favorite parts. It gives me a chance to pull out a favorite clutch purse or shoes that I do not get to use very often. Do not be afraid to let these items shape your whole look. If you have a pair of statement earrings that would go perfectly with your hair up, then pick a dress that does not detract from them. If you have a little black dress that fits perfectly, you can really switch up the look with some bright pink shoes or a big necklace. These are the key elements to pulling together a fresh look.

And, of course, the most important wedding attire rule is to never wear white to a wedding. You do not want to detract any attention from the bride on her big day.

your wedding day

how to get the perfect LONG LASTING RED LIP for

Do you like red lips?

As a woman, I think red lipstick is empowering, effortlessly chic and timeless. In most American weddings, I have seen the brides wearing neutral or shades of pink on their lips. Though it looks beautiful, I think a statement-making classic red color will look even more amazing.

So if you are going to be a bride this year or attend a wedding, follow these steps and you can easily achieve a beautiful red lip which will last through food, drinks, kisses and tears.

PICK the PERFECT RED:

Choosing a perfect color and product is the first step of getting a beautiful long-lasting result. There are various formulations and finishes to choose from: tint, gloss, powder, liquid lipstick, matte, satin matte, creamy lipsticks, etc. For a long-wearing result, I would suggest going for a matte or satin-matte finish. There are long-wearing products like MAC Retro Matte lipstick in Ruby Woo or Huda Beauty Liquid Matte lipstick in Heartbreaker, which I love to use.

1. PREPARE YOUR LIPS:

A statement color can be unforgiving if you haven’t prepared your lips well. So take an unused toothbrush or mascara brush, add a bit Vaseline and rub it well on your lips. The brush will get rid of the dry flaky skin and the Vaseline will moisturize the surface at the same time. Let it absorb for a couple of minutes and wipe the excess.

1 2

2. make it BLANK:

3. OUTLINE:

It’s convenient to use a liner when you are going for a red lip. Liner creates a guideline for flawless application and makes a barrier so the product doesn’t bleed around your mouth.

Don’t know how to make the outline? FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

a. Find the center of your mouth by paying attention to the position of your nose. Make an X on your cupid’s bow (middle of upper lip).

b. Line the lowest part of lower lips. It will define the center of lower lips.

c. Draw lines from the corner towards the center.

4. FILL IN:

Fill in the lips with your liner first. It will create a base for the color on top—so at the end of the day when the lipstick color starts to fade, you will still have a tint from the lip liner underneath.

Now, using a brush, applicator or directly from the lipstick tube, start coloring from center to the outer corner. I have used Milani Color Statement lipstick in Red Label.

5. BLOT and LOCK:

Let the product set for a minute, then blot with a clean tissue paper. It will take off the excess.

a. If you want a cleaner, sharper lip line, use a flat concealer brush (like MAC 195) and take a small amount of your foundation or concealer (in your exact skin shade) and clean up the edges. It will give you that makeup-artist like precision.

b. If you are using a regular lipstick, there’s another trick to make the product long lasting. Use clean tissue paper and place it on top of your lips. Dab a bit of your setting powder as pictured here.

like a lot of steps, but these little steps will make sure your red lips look fierce and flawless. Now put on a confident smile and flaunt your red lips. It’s your big day!

Follow

Wasifa on INSTAGRAM: @sifascorner

I know it may have sounded

Follow Ashley on INSTAGRAM/TWITTER: @ashleysornsin FACEBOOK: ashleysornsinhealthfitnessscoach

SHEDDING FOR THE WEDDING

WEDDING WELLNESS

WHETHER

YOU’RE

THE BRIDE,

the bridesmaid, mother of the bride, or even a wedding guest, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the phrase “shedding for the wedding.” This typically translates into losing weight to squeeze into that beautiful wedding gown. I’ve decided it’s time to change this phrase and approach this a bit different, so I’m calling it “wedding wellness.” Wellness is all encompassing and translates to not just looking your best, but more importantly feeling your best.

Ok, so maybe it’s not your big day, but there’s no shame in wanting to look and feel your best. Weddings are big events with a set date, meaning we’ve got a deadline. But I’m talking wellness here, so we will focus on the big picture. The big picture of a one-day wedding event is a lifetime of marriage. Just like a lifetime of marriage, wellness is a lifetime of making healthy lifestyle changes. Cheers to wedding wellness!

I’ve provided some tips on eating, sweating and de-stressing to give you a balanced approach to your wedding wellness plan. These tips are not quick fixes, but rather lifestyle changes that will allow you to look and feel your best every day — not just the big day.

EATING

EAT WHOLE/REAL FOODS,

rather than processed foods that are filled with ingredients our bodies are not familiar with processing. Real food doesn’t have ingredients; real food is ingredients. As a nutrition coach, I have seen a lot of success with clients following a primarily plantbased meal plan, which means limiting meat, dairy and eggs. (For information on plans such as this, contact me for details.) Focus on getting in a variety of foods — choose plenty of vegetables (especially the non-starchy ones), fruit, beans, nuts and seeds, and whole grains that are filled with fiber.

Watch portions by eating smaller meals, more often. This way you won’t get so full and stretch your stomach. Focus on eating slowly and thoroughly chewing your food before you swallow. I tell clients to chew 30 times before swallowing food (get your food as close to liquid state as possible before swallowing). Our goal is to understand when we are full and this will trigger your stomach to tell your brain you’re full. Following these guidelines will lead to positive results.

SWEATing SWEAT, HAVE FUN, STAY CONSISTENT

Schedule time to get in a good sweat session at least four days a week for 30 minutes. I’m giving you full reign here to choose something that you enjoy. If you enjoy it, you’ll stick with it and I want you to create a sustainable plan that becomes a habit. Choose something that will get your heart rate up a little for 30 minutes. Go to the gym and try a class, do yoga, go snowshoeing, or walk the dog. Whatever it may be, schedule it for four days each week and check it off each time you get it done.

Most importantly, have fun and stick to it, remember that results don’t come overnight.

DE-STRESSING

CALM, RELAX, RESTORE

When your body experiences stress, your cortisol increases and your body tries to get back to homeostasis, so weight loss is halted. Think about ways to eliminate stress or at least manage it. Many of my clients have benefited from techniques such as: yoga; deep breathing (take 5-10 deep breaths anytime you feel anxious or a stressed); meditation (although a 20 minute session is great, I have clients start by simply taking three minutes at 3 p.m. each day). Find a go-to way you can calm an anxious mind, relax and restore your mind and body to a stress-free state.

Mother of the Bride,

Before you continue reading, I want you to take a deep breath, close your eyes, and reflect on this next chapter your daughter is about to start. Think about the moments and the journey that has lead up to her finding the one she will spend the rest of her life with, and then picture her wedding day. Not necessarily the details or the event itself, but the moments that will become memories. Moments like when she puts her dress on for the first time or walks down the aisle. Moments that only happen once.

As my husband and I have continued to photograph weddings over the years, we have noticed a common trend: The mother of the bride becomes the hero by completing last minute errands and making sure everyone is taken care of. While this is honorable, I encourage you to be fully present instead.

Follow Ashley on INSTAGRAM: @florapinephotography

Here’s how you can: 1. Delegate

While I know that you are more than capable of handling it all and multi-tasking like a queen, I want you to be present on this day. I often say that not only should brides have personal attendants, but mothers of the brides should as well. Do you have a best friend or close relative that would be willing to help you delegate errands and tasks throughout the day? Turn your phone on silent and allow yourself to be fully present. If it’s absolutely urgent, someone will let you know.

2. Leave the camera at home

While it’s tempting to bring your family camera from home, I encourage you to leave it there. Why? Because your daughter will want you in these images. If you would like to have some behind-the-scenes images, have a close friend take them on your phone. Leave the cameras behind, because trust me when I say that you will want to be in these photos.

3. Feel the emotions

Last year we were photographing a wedding at a local venue here in Fargo. As the bride was about to put on her shoes, the mother of the bride offered to help. As she was helping her daughter, she was reminded of the many times she had helped her tie her shoes as a little girl. The simple task of putting on shoes became a special moment for the bride and her mom. When these moments and emotions come, feel them. These moments are a gift.

Let me end with this: You are an irreplaceable part of not only your daughter’s wedding day, but also her life. No matter the current strength of your relationship, you share the unique and special bond of being mother and daughter. Give the gift of your time, your presence and your attention. Allow yourself to be a part of these moments while creating once-in-a-lifetime memories together.

You're engaged!

³ First, tell your friends and family

³ Nail down a budget, including who will be able to contribute and how much

³ Envision your wedding — think about the style you want, season, colors, location

³ Get that gorgeous ring appraised and insured right away

12+ months before:

³ Set your date

³ Visit, choose and book your ceremony and reception sites (popular venues book up early so get this done as soon as you've made a decision)

³ Choose your wedding party

³ Start looking at dresses in magazines and online, then start shopping for your gown

³ Pick a photographer and set up an engagement photo session

³ Start working on your guest list and acquiring addresses

Photo by Lincoln Nybladh, Nybladh Photography

the ultimate wedding

He put a ring on it! Now what?

Follow this checklist all the way down the altar and you'll be on your honeymoon in no time.

10 months before:

³ Select your officiant

³ Sign up for pre-marital counseling or classes

³ Hire a wedding planner if needed and book your florist, band or DJ, caterer, and any other important vendors (adjust your budget after getting estimates)

³ Gather wedding inspiration: start a Pinterest board (or several) to make it easy to share your ideas with your various vendors

³ Create a wedding website

8 months before:

³ Order the dress and schedule fittings for six weeks before and one to two weeks before the wedding (remember to bring your shoes and veil to all fittings)

³ Order your save-the-dates, include the wedding website, and mail them out six to eight months before the wedding

³ Start researching the honeymoon, book flights and hotel reservations, and order passports if necessary

³ Book a block of hotel rooms near the reception site for out-of-town guests

³ Keep track of your favorite songs for the reception playlist »»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

s

6 months before:

³ Meet with all your vendors to plan the details

³ Order the invitations or start making them

³ Register for gifts

³ Schedule food and cake tastings

³ Purchase your accessories such as shoes, headpiece, jewelry and lingerie

³ Schedule beauty trials and book hair stylists and makeup artists

³ Order wedding rings

³ Have the bridesmaids order their dresses

4 months before:

³ Arrange the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

³ Start making a "day-of" timeline, determining what should happen when

³ Begin addressing your invitations and add postage to the envelopes (check to make sure postal rates will be staying the same before buying stamps, or buy "forever" stamps)

³ Finalize all of your flower arrangements with your florist

³ Complete wedding cake order and finalize the rental list (tables, chairs, linens, etc.) with the caterer or rental company

³ Arrange wedding day transportation for yourselves and the wedding party

³ Order tuxedos or suits for the groom and groomsmen

³ Choose and order wedding favors

2-3 months before:

³ Check requirements for a marriage license for the state your wedding will be held in

³ Mail your wedding invitations (RSVPs should be due one month before the wedding)

³ Discuss ceremony readings and songs with the officiant

³ Meet with the caterer or venue manager to finalize the menu

³ Order or print the programs, menus and any other table or reception stationary

³ Buy gifts for your attendants and any other thank you gifts you wish to give

³ Compose your vows if writing your own

2-4 weeks before:

³ Submit a must-take shot list to your photographer (keep it short — a dozen or less — so you get the shots you really want)

³ Enter RSVPs into your guest list spreadsheet (call any guests who haven't responded after the reply by date)

³ If putting together a seating chart, work on that and make changes as needed for last minute guest changes

³ Send your day-of timeline to your attendants, vendors and any other participants who need to be there for photos

³ Go for your final dress fitting (bring your shoes, accessories and undergarments so you can see the entire look)

³ Make sure the gift registry still has plenty of options

1 week before:

³ Once you've got a final head count, share it with the caterer and venue manager

³ Finish the seating chart and write out or print place cards

³ Designate point people to be in charge of day-of tasks and last-minute changes

³ Confirm the vendor details and put together any final fees

³ Pick up your dress and wedding rings

³ Wear your shoes around the house to break them in

³ Remind wedding party to pick up formalwear and check for fit

Day before:

³ Give the marriage license to your officiant

³ Go for a manicure and pedicure

³ Arrange for a note or gift to be delivered to your fiancé on the wedding day while you are getting ready

³ Rehearse the ceremony and enjoy time with your attendants, family and anyone else you have invited to the rehearsal dinner

³ Breathe , relax, and get excited — You're getting married!

HERITAGE HOMES on helping customers find a way to live their dream and TAYLOR MADE LIVING

living the DREAM

→ words by SUSAN A. STIBBE photography by HILLARY EHLEN

Heritage Homes has established itself as a trusted builder in the Fargo-Moorhead area. They are all about customizing and maximizing the true livability of each home they design and build for their customers.

Kris and Brett Lindemann are a perfect reflection of these principles. They built their dream house in the Arrowwood neighborhood of Horace, North Dakota, in 2014 and could not be any happier with the results and the experience of partnering with Heritage Homes.

The Lindemanns began their journey working with Heritage Homes’ lead home designer, Eric Smith. “He was wonderful,” says Kris. “He drew things up, we thought of changes, and then he drew things again. Right up until we started building, we flipped and rearranged the plans and he made it all work.”

The Lindemann’s home is considered a custom build. They blended three different floorplans to create their dream home. They used the Ashmore plan for the kitchen/dining area, the Donelly for the great room, and the Georgetown III for the second floor/bedroom area.

The Lindemanns have three young children, ages 3–7. “When I’m in bed, I need to see the kids’ bedroom doors,” says Kris. “It was one of my weird requests and they accommodated us. I don’t believe any plan had that in it, but Eric made it work.”

The Lindemanns began design work and deciding on floorplans with Heritage Homes at the end of 2013. The builders started digging the foundation in June of 2014 and the family moved in on December 5, 2014.

Kris and Brett had very different ideas about the style of their new home. Kris likes a farmhouse look, while Brett wanted a more modern style. Both agreed they wanted clean lines, lots of white, and character throughout. “Farmhouse and modern are a hard marriage,” continues Kris. “Nichole, our designer and project coordinator, helped every step of the way and made it work. She is very personable and so good at her job. She and Eric really helped us build in the character.”

The result is a perfect blend of farmhouse chic meets modern sensibility. It is beautiful, livable and very homey with a contemporary, cool vibe. The wall colors are various shades of light and dark gray with white trim and personal touches.

The house features a great room with a gorgeous brick fireplace, built-in shelving, a gracious open stairway, a large kitchen/dining area, and a home office on the first floor. It also includes a stunning front foyer which looks out on the spacious front entry and porch, and a large back entry off the garage. The back entry includes a drop zone for children’s backpacks, coats, boots, shoes, athletic equipment, etc. It has built-in shelving, cabinets, and cubbies, with a large window for great organization. Four bedrooms are located on the second floor, including the master bedroom and bath, and a laundry room. There is a lovely bench on the landing underneath windows looking out over the trees in the side yard. A very fun feature of the upstairs is a secret passage connecting the two brothers’ closets.

The lot backs up to the Sheyenne River with a raised stone patio off the great room and kitchen that faces their large backyard.

The basement is unfinished for now but could easily be finished with a family room, a second office, an additional bathroom, or an extra bedroom.

This is truly the Lindemann’s dream home, a place where all their children’s friends can hang out, a house filled with the laughter of family and friends, and a house where their children can grow up knowing this is truly home.

The Lindemanns felt all their partners and teams were wonderful, very accommodating and supplied a very high quality product. They worked with Hebron Brick, D&M Industries, Ferguson’s, Mill Creek Custom Cabinetry, Floor to Ceiling, Red River Drywall, St. Blaise Security, Valley Lights, and JL Shelving to name a few.

“We looked for five years to find a builder. We shopped around, we talked to people, and then we chose Heritage Homes. They had the quality we were looking for. We fell in love with their house styles and then we fell in love with their people. They made it so doable,” concludes Kris. “This is our one and only and it is truly a dream.”

Heritage Homes also believes in giving back to the community and finding ways for unique customers to live their special dreams. They were the builder for the new Anne Carlsen Center’s Taylor Made Living Home in South Fargo.

Taylor Made Living is a community residence for individuals with developmental disabilities. It provides an environment that allows individuals to be as independent as possible, while receiving the support needed to maintain their health and safety.

The vision for Taylor Made Living began with Jane Nelson.

“All parents are concerned about their children’s future,” says Nelson. “But for parents of special needs children, it is especially important. We want our children to lead happy, productive lives.”

She became the driving force behind the project. She has been working for over a decade developing a plan, working with the state, and fundraising.

Taylor Made Living is named after her son Taylor, 28, who will be one of the home’s first residents. Taylor Made Living represents a new direction in community residential services from the traditional group living that was established 30 years ago.

The Doormen has made replacing your interior and exterior doors the easiest upgrade you’ll ever do. You choose the style and color, we’ll measure, order, finish and install.

The home includes five efficiency apartments. Each apartment has an outside entrance, a full-size refrigerator/freezer, a microwave, and an induction cook top. “Residents will hold a lease, just like anyone renting an apartment, and then they will furnish and decorate the apartment as they wish,” says Katy Barnum, director of Community Based Services for the Anne Carlsen Center in Fargo.

In addition to the apartments, the home has a communal area with a great room, a kitchen, and a dining room in an open plan concept, as well as two separate sitting areas, a private entertaining/dining space, and an exercise room. It is expected that the residents can share these common spaces however they wish while still living autonomously.

Heritage Homes came to the project as experts in design and building. “They came from the building perspective,” says Barnum. “They worked with the Anne Carlsen Center to understand the need to build in a way to support individuals and to keep them healthy and safe. They wanted Jane’s vision to shine through everything and really listened to what she wanted for this home.”

It was important that the construction of Taylor Made Living answer two basic questions: “How can this residence have a homey, non-institutional feel?” and, “How do we allow for independence?” Heritage Homes answered both questions with their innovative design and unique touches. It is obvious that the answers were woven into every decision that was made during the construction of the home.

Taylor Made Living will have a 24-hour staff.

Respect for each individual and his or her uniqueness is paramount to the vision of Taylor Made Living. It uses smart home technology to foster independence. These technologies include security system card readers for those who may not have the dexterity to use a key, motorized window shades with no risk of accidents with cords, and motion detector sensors. The sensors allow staff to monitor when a resident may need assistance at night without disturbing the privacy of the individual.

Taylor Made Living also recognizes the role families play when an adult is no longer living in the family home. “We value and want parents to be involved,” says Barnum. “Parents are very valuable members of our team. Our staff will be working with them on a daily basis, as well as the individuals in the residence.”

And they choose this area specifically so the residents could be surrounded by an active and vital neighborhood where they could go out and join in events and leisure activities.

Taylor Made Living held an open house last December to celebrate those who have helped support the project and to create community awareness for those who will be calling Taylor Made Living their home.

“Taylor Made Living offers a choice for adults with disabilities and their families different from other community living arrangements. Unique in design, equipped with technology, and outfitted with the everyday conveniences of home, Taylor Made Living challenges the current trend in independent living and is the new bar raised for expectations of community homes,” says Trent Gerads, associate development director for the Anne Carlsen Center.

Tyrone Leslie, president and CEO of Heritage Homes, is thankful to everyone involved for choosing Heritage Homes to be a part of this project. “We have been building in this community for over 20 years and we are all about giving back,” he says. “The independence of these young adults is very important and we wanted this home to feel warm and cozy. I want to thank the whole team for helping us think outside the box and for all the work they did on this house. Our trade partners put their love and support into this and we loved being a part of it.”

We in the Fargo-Moorhead area are lucky to have Heritage Homes in our community helping all their customers find a way to live their dream.

kallodcarpet.com

TYRONE LESLIE

(second from left) at the open house for Taylor Made Living.

Mid-Winter Warm Up... FIREPLACE FACELIFT

i've heard a line from an old song a lot lately ... "The weather outside is frightful." What can we do to make the indoors more delightful? A crackling fire in the fireplace, of course. Not only do we enjoy the physical warmth generated by the flame, but we also reap the benefit of the ambiance it creates.

For centuries fireplaces have served as the centerpieces of homes. Fireplaces bring a luxurious feel to a home and certainly increase the value. It's not a surprise then, that one of the most sought-after features a homebuyer is looking for is a fireplace. So if you want to increase your own enjoyment of your fireplace or increase the resale value of your home, let's look at a few fireplace updates that would accomplish both.

Don't worry about whether the fireplace is wood burning or gas. Both are desirable. Some people prefer the crackling, unpredictable flames of the wood-burning style, while oth-

Fireplace with textured wallpaper

ers lean toward having a gas-fueled fire with no cleanup involved. Either way, the first priority should be that the system is in full working order and maintenance has been ongoing.

PAINT

Almost anyone can achieve a big change to the fireplace update by painting. The investment is minimal (paint and brush) and the skill necessary is within reach. Painting the mantle and/or the brick can transform a dark and dated fascia to bright and beautiful. Use indoor enamel paint that withstands high heat when painting the bricks.

TILE, WOOD, and WALLPAPER

Wanting a more striking update? The possibilities are endless with the wide array of decorative tiles and textural wallpapers. Applying decorative tile, reclaimed wood, or wallpaper to the hearth or surround means bumping up the investment as well as the skill level. This may be the time to reach out to a professional installer to ensure perfection.

time for a REAL FACELIFT

There are instances when a complete overhaul is called for. Starting with a clean slate allows for uninhibited styling. Once the golden oak mantle and surround were removed, it was time for the professionals to come and reconfigure the wall, add a new, sleek fireplace, and apply new tiles and textured wallpaper. The results are dramatic and the room is almost unrecognizable.

The next time you're feeling a chill and long to curl up in front of an aesthetically pleasing fireplace, remember that your update options are abundant. Let your imagination guide you, and let the flames keep you warm.

MARY LYSTAD

As one of the five co-owners of designingwomen2, Mary and her partners have been working with home and business owners to create spaces that are always more than they expected. Go to designingwomen2.com to see more projects created by the team.

photo: brandon pereira on unsplash.com

skin care products to transform your skin top

Shopping online for skincare products can be daunting. With a wide selection of products geared toward every skin type and situation, choosing what to order can feel like grasping into the unknown.

At Sanford Dermatology & Laser Clinic we can help you sift through piles of product to make the right choices for your skin. You can meet with a specialist who can analyze your skin, giving you insight into its unique properties and which products would be best for your needs or concerns.

We guarantee the quality of the products you purchase at the clinic and we’re here to answer any questions you have as you start using the product in your skin care routine. Here are five trusted products that can be a solid foundation for creating a better skin care routine.

SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5

This retinol complex stimulates the production of new skin cells, reducing the appearance of fine lines and age spots, while also treating any blemishes. The formula leverages your skin’s natural healing properties to enhance the look and feel of your skin. With regular use it can improve overall texture and tone. You can apply it to your entire face, neck and chest.

Clarisonic Cleansing System

Clarisonic cleansing devices remove dirt, oil and makeup six times better than you can with your hands. And each deep cleansing

will increase the absorption rate of any topical skincare products that you apply. Most users see an improvement in overall skin texture and a reduction in the appearance of pores. There are multiple devices to choose from.

EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser

This gentle enzyme cleanser loosens makeup, oil and other impurities on the surface of your skin and in your pores. The combination of enzymes and amino acid ingredients leaves your skin clean and balanced. This foaming cleanser pairs well with Clarisonic cleansing devices and is gentle enough for daily use on all skin types.

Youngblood Mineral Foundation

This ultra-fine mineral makeup provides a lightweight and buildable foundation that gives you a flawless finish with a touch of radiance in liquid, crème to powder, loose or pressed powder foundation. Created by a medical esthetician, this brand uses only the purest, premium minerals and is formulated without talc, parabens, oils or fragrances. It comes in a wide range of shades and in several different formulas — so you’re sure to find your perfect match.

Colorescience Brush-On SPF

It’s still true – sunscreen is so important. This unisex brush-on sunscreen offers powerful SPF 50 UVA/UVB defense alone or over makeup, in one simple on-the-go application. It comes dermatologist recommended and helps prevent up to 90 percent of skin aging in an immediate, mess-free formula without chemicals. Compact packaging makes the brushes perfect for carrying in a purse, golf bag or beach bag, so reapplying throughout the day is a breeze.

START INVESTING IN YOUR SKIN TODAY.

You can get more information and purchase any of these great products at Sanford Dermatology & Laser Clinic. Mention this article to receive 25% off all retail products.*

*Expires March 31, 2018. Limit one per customer. Cannot be combined with other offers

BEKKI HILL, RN, CANS, (pictured above left) is certified as an aesthetic nurse specialist through the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board for demonstrating clinical expertise and for providing quality, evidenced-based clinical care.

NATALIE HAZELTON, LPN, CAC, (pictured above right) is a licensed practical nurse and medical aesthetician with extensive experience in both fields, and specializes in laser hair removal and superficial laser resurfacing. She is also a certified aesthetic consultant and medical aesthetician.

every day is every day is NEW YEAR'S DAY

stop starting over

Let me guess: you

hit the road running in the new year and now find yourself back at square one, sitting on the couch, sore from head to toe and feeling defeated? One of the most common mistakes people make in the start of the new year is flipping a complete 360 on their nutrition and exercise, which then turns into a flop. So now what? Get off your couch and focus your energy on creating an individual plan built for gradual progressions so that you are able to sustain the shifts you are incorporating into your life. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so expecting a complete body transformation overnight is impossible. Stop starting over!

Every day is New Year’s Day which allows you to begin a healthy lifestyle at any moment. Our society has become overly fixated on a date to make significant changes. However, some individuals are not adequately prepared, or may have under-anticipated what is required to successfully sustain a healthy regimen. According to Forbes magazine, only 8 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions are successful in maintaining exercise on a regular basis. Also, did you know that most individuals fall off the “resolution wagon,” on Super Bowl Sunday? So, when the Vikings make the Super Bowl this year, I can only imagine how many of you will be living it up, well most of you anyway (keep in mind I am a positive thinker and hoping that when you read this, my prediction is correct). Listed below are tips to help you design a program to help you burn fat, increase energy and look/feel like the beast you want to release from the inside out. #noexcuses

NUTRITION

1. Meal Prep

Chop your vegetables immediately after grocery shopping and plan for your protein ahead of time. Most healthy meals on average take between 7-15 minutes to prepare, when planned in advance.

2. Eat every three hours (breakfast, a.m. snack, lunch, p.m. snack, dinner)

3. Balance a protein-fat-carbohydrate for every meal/snack (blood sugar stabilization)

4 Always pack a meal-readiness kit for your snacks and lunches (knocking out the “hangry” monster)

5. Drink water consistently throughout the day

For more from Mariah, go to mpxfitness.com or find her on social media: INSTAGRAM/TWITTER: @mpx_mma FACEBOOK: Athlete page: mariahmpxprussia Gym page: mpxfargo EMAIL: mpxmma@gmail.com

EXERCISE Variation is Key

Find what exercises you enjoy while incorporating other classes or training that your body may be craving. Plateaus usually occur when an individual gets stuck on a set point of what they are doing for an exercise program. Imagine your body being put on cruise control and not being forced to adjust speeds. If your exercise of choice is walking on a treadmill at 3 mph for 60 minutes daily, yes, it is great for your heart along with additional health benefits. However, your body has become accustomed to train at the same workload and has no other choice but to eventually plateau. If you choose to train the same, your body will stay the same. Check out some of the upcoming events that you could participate in to not only improve your health, but also to raise awareness within the community.

ADEQUATE SLEEP

Without adequate sleep your adrenal gland, which is part of the endocrine system, suffers; thus preventing the five systems in your body from running effectively. Lack of sleep prevents proper metabolizing of nutrients and will slow down fat loss. Sleep is essential, so turn off zombie mode and crank up the fat burning machine by maximizing your time on the pillow.

Each of the above components will help you reach and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Remember every day is New Year’s Day, so stop starting over and start moving forward. [ aw ]

5K CHAKRA WALK / RUN

If you are looking to set a new short-term goal, check out the inaugural 5K Chakra Walk/Run, which I’ve had the pleasure of co-organizing with Sue Bertsch. The Chakra Run’s mission is to raise awareness for domestic violence and abuse. Strengthen your body while strengthening your community! Cheers to owning the moment, taking control of the day and your life.

TO REGISTER OR TO LEARN MORE about the Chakra Run go to chakrarun.com

Five dollars of each registration fee will be donated to the Fargo Police Department’s Unity Program for youth. We appreciate your support.

HEART ATTACK SIGNS in women

As with men, the most common heart-attack symptom in women is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/ vomiting and back or jaw pain, says the American Heart Association.

Even though heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, women often chalk up the symptoms to less life-threatening conditions, like acid reflux, the flu or normal aging.

If you have any of these signs of a heart attack, call 911 and get to a hospital right away:

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

• Other signs, such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

GO RED for WOMEN LUNCHEON

Learn how to reduce your risk of heart disease while helping raise money for the American Heart Association at the Go Red for Women luncheon on Feb. 15 in Fargo.

Essentia Health is a major sponsor of the Heart Association’s event that features speakers, a vendor fair and a silent auction. Mary Wentz is among the heart attack survivors who will share their stories.

The luncheon begins at 11 a.m. in the Radisson Hotel, 201 Fifth St. N. in Fargo. The event supports the Heart Association's life-saving research, education and community programs that benefit women in North Dakota.

Tickets cost $100. Go to heart.org/FargoGoRed.

quick

response meant survival during life-threatening heart attack

← MARY WENTZ of Fargo survived a life-threatening heart attack last May. “I didn’t think I was having a heart attack because I didn’t have any pain in the center of my chest,” she says.

Mary Wentz was just puttering around her house on a Saturday afternoon when she suffered a life-threatening heart attack.

“I didn’t think I was having a heart attack because I didn’t have any pain in the center of my chest,” the 66-year-old Fargo woman recalls.

Instead, Wentz first felt nauseous. Then both arms began to ache and she began feeling pain between her shoulder blades.

“It was a weird ache in my arms and I couldn’t pinpoint where the pain was coming from,” Wentz remembers. “Then

the sweat just started pouring off me, like someone was pouring cups of water.”

That’s when Wentz called her friend and neighbor, Barb McCarty. McCarty, a retired licensed practical nurse, and her husband, Jay, who once worked as an emergency medical technician, came right away.

“We knew it was pretty urgent when she called,” McCarty says, describing her friend’s color as ashen when they arrived and found her in pain. “It was either a stroke or a heart attack and we knew she needed to get to the hospital.”

McCarty, who had worked as an Essentia Health pediatric nurse, recommended Wentz go to Essentia Health-Fargo for care and escorted Wentz into the emergency department.

The emergency department team quickly determined Wentz was suffering a life-threatening heart attack called an ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). A major artery in Wentz’s heart was 100 percent blocked, which meant a large part of her heart was not getting oxygen.

Dr. Samantha Kapphahn, an interventional cardiologist, and her team took Wentz into the cardiac catherization lab, where Kapphahn expertly threaded a tiny catheter into Wentz’s artery and placed two stents to open it up. It took only 45 minutes from the time Wentz arrived at the hospital to blood flow being restored to her heart. Wentz not only survived the heart attack but suffered minimal damage to her heart.

“Time is of the essence, and minutes can be a huge game-changer in who lives and who dies and who suffers irreversible heart damage,” Kapphahn explains.

Wentz appreciates not only how the team saved her life, but that Kapphahn also took time to clearly answer all her questions during her hospital stay. “Dr. Kapphahn is friendly and downto-earth,” Wentz says. “She lets you know it’s serious but she doesn’t talk down to you or shake her finger at you.”

Kapphahn says caring for a patient like Wentz in an emergency is where her work begins. “Then you build a relationship that helps prevent a patient from having another heart attack or prevents them from having heart failure that gets worse and affects their quality of life,” the cardiologist explains.

Kapphahn says women tend to dismiss heart-attack symptoms or attribute them to something else. “We need to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical attention immediately,” she advises. “More minutes put more heart muscle in jeopardy. That can mean the difference in surviving a cardiac event and making a good recovery.”

area family

photo: stacykennedy.com

dating your spouse:

five ways to save money while finishing entire sentences (WHAT?)

An hourly occurrence at our house is that either my husband or I will begin telling a story, something that we really want to tell the other person, and just as the plot of our story thickens, we are interrupted. “Moooommm!” Typically it sounds as though the sky is falling when really it’s just a pesky fly that needs swatting or a toothbrush that needs finding. Nonetheless, our conversation is stalled, the excitement of the story has waned, and we sigh: “I’ll try to remember to tell you at nine tonight.” Like we ever remember at 9 p.m.

This reality is why dating your spouse is an absolute must. So you can laugh together like you did in the days before mortgages and medical bills. So you can sit quietly together, maybe not even saying much but simply enjoying the calm. So that you can tell your exciting stories with all the day’s plot twists without interruption (or with the only interruption being the server coming to refill your Diet Coke or bring you a meal that you didn’t have to cook and you won’t have to clean up).

Nearly a decade ago, in the midst of some struggles with post-partum depression, a physician actually “prescribed” regular date nights to Paul and I. We heeded and made a habit of regular date nights for a long time. But as you know, the calendar and the checkbook often make dating difficult. When the bills need to be paid, date night seems like an easy thing to cut, and a free evening in our family of six is becoming a rarity. Yet we know that we owe it to one another and to our kids to make date nights a priority. Here are five ways we’ve kept our dates regular yet affordable over the years.

1

SHARE MEALS. If you keep track of which restaurants serve oversized dishes in addition to free appetizers like bread, chips or popcorn, then sharing an entrée becomes an easy way to cut the bill (and the calories) in half. Plus, choosing a meal together hones your negotiating and problem-solving skills.

2

SHORTEN DATES. We realized early on that there was no reason to pay a babysitter to sit in our quiet, sleeping house; we wanted to be the ones sitting in a quiet house! Thus, we made a habit of scheduling our sitters from 6–9 p.m. Shortening dates lessens your babysitter fees substantially and still gives you ample time to converse in whole sentences (paragraphs even).

3

DESSERT ONLY. As much as we all love a nice dinner at a restaurant, sometimes that is simply not in the budget. So, enjoy frozen pizza with the kiddos before the babysitter arrives and then go out for dessert. This also lessens guilt when you splurge on the cheesecake.

4

CUT COUPONS. For years our dates were limited to which BOGO coupons I could find, meaning nearly every date was at a burger joint. (But seriously, burgers, fries and fountain pop? No complaints from us.) While basing your date options on coupons may seem terribly unromantic, sharing french fries with your best friend actually is pure romance.

5

DATE AT HOME. This is actually my favorite (and our most frequent). At least once a month we announce to the kids that they get to eat supper early and then have a “Kids Movie Night” while Mom and Dad have a dinner date. The kids think it’s awesome — a movie night without the ‘rents. But not just that. There’s a gleam in their eye that tells us they feel secure and safe when Mom and Dad spend time with each other. The kids eat and then head to the basement while we have a quiet dinner of frozen pizza or fried chicken, with our very own playlist and our very own bag of Cheetos for an appetizer. No babysitter fees, no loud people at the table next to us, and, bonus, I’m not freezing like I would be in a restaurant. And there’s really nothing like speaking in full sentences at your very own dinner table. That’s romance.

HOW DO I GROW AS A LEADER?

Early on, being a leader seemed so far out of my reach. Even though I was ready to jump in, I struggled with what to do first. What if I made the wrong first step? What if someone saw me take the wrong first step? I learned those times of mistakes were when I grew the most.

One mistake I made many times when I first started leading groups was I was so passionate about inspiring the women to grow as leaders that I assumed everyone in the group would feel the same as me and also that everyone in the group was an extrovert like me. I did not take into account the introverts and how they would best learn. When I received feedback from the groups, they were always so mixed: “Great group, learned so much.” Or, “I was so nervous every week because I didn’t know what we were going to have to do. It was hard to learn.” Mistakes are good as long as we learn from them.

If you can’t take that first step alone, find someone to take that step with you. This fall I am leading a Women’s 21 Laws of Leadership group. It has been inspiring to watch this group commit to grow, be authentic in where they are at, and take steps toward becoming a better leader. On week three of our group, I taped large pieces of paper on the walls. We broke up into groups of two and began working on our personal growth plan. Their faces and body language showed their anxiousness, excitement and fear. I asked them, “What are you going to do daily, weekly, monthly to grow personally and to grow as a leader?” Some were excited because they had wanted to do this for so long but didn’t know where to start. Some were nervous but ready to try. Others were completely stuck. During the whole exercise they stood in front of that piece of paper and wrote nothing! When asked what was going on, their responses ranged from, “I have never thought about myself before and what I want,” to “I don’t have the time to put together this plan. My life is already full.” Now, four weeks later, the commitment they have all made to work the plan every day, every week is paying off. It has not been easy. In some areas of growth, it has been hard but they say, “those hard spots are where I am growing the most.”

ARE YOU READY?

What could your first step be?

Do you have one or two women in your life that are committed to personal growth? Are you accountable to each other to grow? Find those women in your life. Begin meeting and growing personally and as leaders together. Find ways in the community, in your family, your job to begin using what you are learning.

Evaluate where you are as a person: spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally. Begin working on one or two. Be honest with yourself. Journal what you need to work on and what steps you are going to take. Share them with women that you trust to hold you accountable. This list may take you a month, a year, 10 years. But if we are not working to get better ourselves, we cannot help others to grow.

Every week someone in the 21 Laws group talks about how much they appreciate this opportunity because it has given them a place and people to grow along side. We all need someone in it with us.

Once you start, the passion, excitement and energy will propel you to take more steps. Some small and some leaps. The steps will build your confidence. Keep growing! Don’t give up.

Advance your teaching career and leadership potential through MSU Moorhead’s nationally accredited, high-value graduate education programs.

▸ Entirely online with personal interaction and faculty support

▸ Flexible and convenient for work-life balance

▸ Multiple emphases and licensure options

▸ Special Education (Licensures: DD, EBD, ECSE, SLD, PHD)

▸ Educational Leadership (M.S. & Ed.S. & Ed.D.)

TERI HAUSER

Teri and her husband Jon moved to Fargo in 2000 and started Prairie Heights in April 2001. They love this community and strive to connect those who don’t know Christ yet with Him and a church family. Teri is the communications and marketing director for Prairie Heights and loves seeing ideas become tools for leadership growth. She is passionate about football (Bison and the Green Bay Packers), being a great mom to Nate and Brooke and inspiring others to grow as leaders.

▸ Two-year degree completion typical

▸ Curriculum & Instruction

Learn

▸ Teaching English as a Second Language

▸ MN and ND School Administrative Licensures

EmbracingPARENTINGCHAOS

motivational speaker dispels myth that parenting is easy

no one said parenting would be easy. Yet well-intentioned inexperienced idealists devise many hope-filled notions. Then, when children appear and reality sets in, those fantasies get lost under dust and dirty diapers and we become distraught.

World-renowned motivational speaker and comedian Kristina Kuzmic is credited for honestly addressing parenting challenges. For instance, at the start of our interview, she warns me there may be chaos in the background as she speaks from her home. She and her second husband live with three children and two dogs, where disruption is a regular occurrence.

Kuzmic says, “We set unrealistic expectations for careers, marriage, motherhood and children. When we aren’t living the fantasy we created, we wonder what we are doing wrong. Reality is much messier and we need to make the best of the mess.”

At one time, when divorced with two children, Kuzmic felt like a failure. She wasn’t able to provide her children the dreams she had imagined. Life felt like it was unraveling.

Kuzmic continues, “It just came to me one day. Put the pre-conceived notions aside. Stop wishing for what you thought and accept what

it is. Think about what’s positive—I fed the kids; we have clean clothes; I walked the dog. That’s when I started enjoying parenting and made the journey better. Embrace the chaos and everything will be fine.”

As a hobby, Kuzmic started posting parenting video blogs in 2015. “I was surprised when they went viral practically overnight. I guess my honesty struck a chord. Parents posted comments of relief that they weren’t the only ones struggling with reality.”

Christian Adoption Services (CAS) brings Kuzmic to Fargo April 19 to share her observational and encouraging humor at their Growing Forever Families evening dessert fundraiser event. The event also offers a preview of their agency and what adoption looks like today through the eyes of clients, both birth and adoptive parents. In 1985, CAS began guiding birth parents to make responsible decisions and supporting life-affirming decisions by facilitating adoption plans.

According to CAS office manager Cambria Larson, “We primarily work with infant placement and find families for babies, not babies for families. Adoption is not often presented as an option to people experiencing unexpected pregnancy. National statistics find only 2% choose adoption, 49% parent and 49% abort. Through CAS, birth parents may review pro-

we set

UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS for careers, marriage, motherhood and children."

kristina kuzmic

file books to select a family for their child. Also we encourage a relationship be maintained between the birth and adoptive parents through emails, pictures and visits.”

One birth mother wrote to the adoptive parents: I couldn't have wished for better parents for her. You are so gracious and generous with all the pictures and letters you send. They comfort me so much. Every time I see her smiling face, I know I did the right thing.

CAS, serving families from Dickinson to Minneapolis, averages ten adoptions annually. The 501(c)(3) non-profit agency is licensed through the North Dakota Department of Human Services and complies with both North Dakota and Minnesota adoption laws. Because they are a faithbased and ministry-oriented organization, the majority of funding is through donor support.

Adoption costs through CAS average $19,000. The national average is $20,000–40,000. International adoptions are even higher.

John Steinbeck wrote, “Perhaps it takes courage to raise children.” Choosing an adoptive family for your child may take even more. It may take faith that your child will have a better life through this decision.

Kuzmic says, “When going through something hard, in that moment, it feels so permanent. When I was crying in my flatbread (see YouTube video), I wish someone had shaken me and said a bad year or two doesn’t equal a bad life. I promise, you will not feel despair forever.”

While Kuzmic’s audience is mostly female, dads are also encouraged by her words. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube under Kristina Kuzmic. A book based on her blog is in the works but no publication date has been set.

FOR MORE INFORMATION or to purchase tickets, go to christianadoptionservices.org Tickets are $20, or $35 for couples.

Make plans to attend even if your life isn’t feeling chaotic now. Some parenting encouragement couldn’t hurt.

BE A PART OF THE TRADITION

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3 yr old Little Deacons - 12th Grade

For information or a tour call 701-893-3271 jp2schools.org

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Stacy Kennedy

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SOMETIMES ANGELS

choose fur instead of wings. These are just a few of our furry angels awaiting their forever homes.

BELLA BALTHAZAR

POLLO

WILDER

area profiles

photo: ockhardtphoto.com

fashion meets PHILANTHROPY

Can fashion be a force for good? We think it can,” says Laura Polanski, co-owner of Leela & Lavender, one of Fargo’s newest and most innovative boutiques.

“It’s not just about clothes to us. It’s really important that we are able to give back.”

And they do. Polanski and co-owner Jill Shea (the pair also share the title of Chief Style and Culture Creator) donate a portion of the store’s profits to the FM Women’s Fund, which supports women and children in the region. Tags affixed to cozy sweaters, versatile layering pieces and premium denim displayed throughout the high-ceilinged boutique proudly proclaim the shop’s commitment to the non-profit organization. Signs tucked amongst the enticing displays of sparkling earrings, statement necklaces and a carefully curated collection of covetable gifts, from soothing candles to effervescent bath bombs, proclaim that giving is always in style.

“It is our major goal to pay it forward, to be that spark to ignite giving or empowering women and children to follow their dreams and live their best lives,” says Shea.

Leela & Lavender, named for the Sanskrit word for “divine play” and a favorite, feminine color and soothing scent, opened its doors in the fall of 2017.

“We are fortunate enough to live our dream and we want everyone to live their dream,” Polanski adds. This dream, a blend of fashion and philanthropy, personal style and entrepreneurship, was forged by years of studying the retail model from the inside. The Leela & Lavender concept grew out of a desire to disrupt it.

Shea and Polanski are both retail veterans, enjoying a combined 35 years of experience with stores like Vanity. When that brand folded, the pair, along with manager Angie Sunde, set out to create a unique shopping experience for their ideal customer, a busy tastemaker who could be a college student, a powerful professional or a multi-tasking mom. The clothing, gifts and accessories on display appeal to a variety of income levels, lifestyles and aesthetics.

Leela & Lavender customers have moved beyond the disposable fashion of junior’s shops and are looking instead for unique items to highlight their personal style. The Leela & Lavender woman ap-

Leela & Lavender turns shopping into a force for good

preciates quality, beauty and design but shopping is just one task in her busy life. So everything in the boutique is designed to make shopping more pleasant and convenient for her and her family.

“We designed the store with our customers lives in mind,” explains Shea. “We have a fireplace near our shoe boutique where customers can sit, visit, sip or snack on treats from our bar area. We have a TV/bar area to keep a pulse on all of the big games and a spot for significant others to be comfortable at Leela. Also for the Leela ‘littles’ you will find treats, toys and cartoons. We welcome all that is a part of our customers’ lives to Leela.”

“We want her to feel like it is a one-stop style shop, so she can get whatever she needs in one place,” adds Polanski. “We want the whole place to feel like a home.”

There is also a team of experts on hand to help women shop more strategically and effectively. “We hear women say ‘I don't know what to wear,’ and ‘I don't know how to put the clothes in my closet together,’” says Shea. “We have a dedicated team of style catalysts creating authentic relationships with customers that enhance each women's unique, personal style.”

The shop’s style catalysts offer style assessments, alternation services, special orders and personal appointments for women who want to revitalize their look, fill in the gaps in their wardrobe or choose an outfit for a particular occasion. Leela & Lavender also offers style parties where women can relax together and make shopping a social event.

“Our goal is to create confidence, happiness and love of family, and spark in people the passion for giving,” says Shea. “Laura and I believe very strongly that true happiness is when you are following your heart, your passion, your dreams. Lead with your heart! Everyone has a unique gift to share with the world.”

LEELA & LAVENDER

Shoppes at BLU Water Creek 3265 45th St S, Fargo

leelaandlavender.com

National Education for Women's Leadership Development Institute: a new generation of women leaders

Do you have it? That little nagging feeling in the back of your mind calling you to help, to do more? Do you listen to that call? Or ignore it, telling yourself you’re not qualified or experienced enough to make an impact?

You’re not the only one. Almost 70 percent of self-talk is negative, and it’s often worse for women. It keeps people from reaching their full potential and doing what they love, but some women are learning to say enough is enough.

Initially developed by the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), the National Education for Women’s (NEW) Leadership Development Institute is a five-day program designed to provide leadership training, inspiration and support for women who do not have leadership experience. Each year, approximately 40 community and college women are selected to participate. They must be at least 18 years old and reside in Minnesota, North Dakota or South Dakota.

“My passion to help others was always something I wanted to pursue, but I didn’t know how to do it or where to start,” says Marilyn Bernabe, a former NEW Leadership participant. “However, now the program has taught me how to take action and has motivated me not to be afraid to enter the political world and continuously give back to my community.”

During the five-day program held each spring at Minnesota State University Moorhead, participants attend workshops on public speaking, community collaboration, fundraising, anti-oppression, running for office, public policy advocacy, working with new and traditional media and much more. They also get the opportunity to meet with more than 20 women leaders, including state and local officials, women in tribal government and nonprofit leaders.

Participants and women leaders all stay on campus, living together, eating together and attending sessions as a group. This provides a unique experience for all involved, and encourages new and lasting connections among the women.

“The goal of the event is giving women the tools and the inspiration so they can go out and create positive change in their community,” says Deborah White, NEW Leadership program director. “We intentionally work at getting a really diverse mix of women so that every year there are women from all over the region, representing different ages, backgrounds, experiences. I think they learn a lot from each other.”

There is no cost to participate in the institute, with participants’ food, accommodations and materials paid for by institute sponsors and other donors. Some scholarships are available for individuals with restricted incomes to cover travel and/or childcare expenses.

At the end of the NEW Leadership Development Institute, the women are encouraged to coordinate community projects together.

“We’ve found that by having them make connections at the institute, they will continue to support one another,” says White. “I always tell participants that the institute is just the beginning of our journey together.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the upcoming institute, May 30–June 3 at MSUM, contact White at whitede@mnstate.edu or 218-477-2041 or visit mnstate.edu/new-leadership

project is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

ATTORNEYS KRISANN NORBY-JAHNER and VANESSA LYSTAD practice

in the area of employment law at the Vogel Law Firm. They provide employers with legal counsel involving a variety of workplace matters, including sexual harassment complaints; discrimination, retaliation and whistleblower issues; general employee and workplace management; employment policies and handbook reviews; wage and hour law compliance; hiring and termination; workplace investigations; employment contracts; separation agreements; unemployment benefits hearings; and employee benefits.

Norby-Jahner and Lystad are frequent lecturers and authors on employment law compliance for both small and large business owners, supervisors and human resource professionals.

ensuring

#MeToo is #NoMore IN THE WORKPLACE

beginning in October 2017, the #MeToo movement swept the nation and spurred a flurry of sexual harassment allegations and scandal. Though the unlawfulness of sexual harassment is not a new concept, law or policy for most businesses, ensuring you function in a harassment-free work environment has never been more important. Here are our top five tips for ensuring that your work environment is safe, healthy and happy in 2018.

1. Understand the Law

Sexual harassment in the workplace has been unlawful for several decades. In 1986, the United States Supreme Court held Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in employment based on sex (among other protected classes), and encompasses sexual harassment. Sexual harassment means unwelcome verbal, visual, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature or based on someone’s sex that is severe or pervasive and affects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment.

Throughout the years, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued numerous directives, compliance manuals and related publications aimed at preventing and remedying workplace sexual harassment. Individual states, including North Dakota, have enacted

legislation that mirrors federal law, and both state and federal courts have clarified and defined specific illegal conduct that qualifies as sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation. In short, while sexual harassment is now receiving national attention, the law on sexual harassment is anything but new.

2. Know an Employee’s Rights

If you witness or experience sexual harassment in the workplace, you have a right (and sometimes obligation) to complain either to the harasser or to the company’s human resource department and/or management team. Any workplace conduct of a sexual nature or based on sex should raise red flags. Some examples might include commenting about a person’s clothing, behavior, relationships or body; making sex-based jokes; requesting sexual favors; denying advancements based on someone’s sex; spreading rumors about a person’s sex life; threatening a person for refusing sexual advances; physically blocking someone’s movement; inappropriate or unwanted touching; staring at a person’s body; making sex-based gestures; and displaying or distributing sex-based pictures, drawings, posts, e-mails, etc. If an employee reports this behavior in good faith, the reporting employee — whether a bystander or victim — is protected from retaliation under both federal and state law.

In addition to reporting the behavior to the company, an employee has the right to lodge a complaint with the EEOC or North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights (DOL). Once these investigating agen-

cies complete an investigation, an employee may also file a complaint in a court of law. Sexual harassment complaints must be made to the EEOC within 300 days of the alleged incident(s), so time is of the essence.

3. Know an Employer’s Obligation

Employers are obligated to take reasonable steps to prevent and/or stop sexual harassment. One of the first questions an investigating agency will ask is whether the company issued to employees a clear sexual harassment policy and complaint process. Companies need to train managers on how to follow these policies and ensure the policies are enforced and all complaints are promptly investigated. All managers, human resource professionals, and business owners should regularly undergo training to identify conduct that constitutes sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation, and to learn how to respond to employee complaints.

4. Understand a Workplace Investigation and its Importance

Employers greatly alleviate liability by investigating complaints quickly and making legitimate efforts to eliminate any sexual harassment. A diligent workplace investigation will involve interviewing the complainant, accused and witnesses; gathering evidence; corroborating facts; issuing a determination as to whether sexual harassment occurred; and exacting an appropriate response, which may include training, discipline or termination for the harasser. If you are an employer, make sure you conduct workplace investigations. If you are an employee, question whether your employer will be conducting a workplace investigation.

5. Be Proactive

Employers can be proactive in ensuring professional, non-hostile work environments by having clear (updated) sexual harassment policies and regularly communicating those policies to employees. Ongoing sexual harassment training is also essential in ensuring all employees understand what is and is not acceptable in the workplace and under the law. Employees who may be experiencing sexual harassment at work can be proactive by clearly saying “No” and demanding the harassment stops; documenting when the harassment occurs; reporting the harassment; asking about the complaint procedure and any anticipated workplace investigation; involving their union (if applicable); and filing a complaint with the EEOC or DOL if the employer is not being responsive to the situation.

Vanessa Lystad

KrisAnn Norby-Jahner

NDSU’s

three minute thesis:

COMPETITION OPENS DOORS to CAREERS

Condensing years of complicated and time-consuming research into a short timeframe is a tough thing to do, but going over three minutes means disqualification. And they need to do it without notes.

A major benefit to the students, beyond cash prizes, is the hours of preparation. It will give students an advantage during a job search. Human resources personnel or agency administrators often don’t know the intricacies of leading research, and many interviews require a short presentation. The competition helps make a student more marketable.

Surveys suggest most people’s worst fear is public speaking, ranking even ahead of death. But graduate students at North Dakota State University know some nerve-racking moments speaking to a roomful of strangers can pay big dividends later when they look for employment.

Those students are competitors in NDSU’s annual Three Minute Thesis competition, hosted by the College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies. The students’ objective is to explain their groundbreaking research in everyday language under a strict time limit.

Australia's University of Queensland developed the first Three Minute Thesis competition in 2008, and the concept has spread to more than 600 universities in 63 countries.

“Many of our students conduct research on complex topics. Talking about their work in ways an average person can understand helps them connect better during the hiring process,” explains event organizer Brandy Randall, associate dean of the College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies. “Talking with strangers can be an intimidating, scary thing. But public speaking in a high-pressure situation prepares people like really nothing else can.”

On top of that, skill in communication is often key after a researcher is hired. “Graduates will work with people from a variety of fields who may have expertise in engineering, chemistry or sociology. They all need to work together in a productive way,” Randall says. “To do that, they have to understand each other.”

Last year’s winner, Tayebeh Anajafi Marzijarani, is a great example of how the competition sets the stage for success. Her presentation, titled "Targeted Drug Delivery in Pancreatic Cancer,” focused on her research on chemotherapy delivery systems that target cancer cells without being toxic to healthy cells.

TAYEBEH ANAJAFI MARZIJARANI gives her winning presentation at the 2017 Three Minute Thesis Competition.

↑ MARZIJARANI along with last year’s finalists, from left, Xiaoxia Li, Farnaz Fouladi, Babak Jahani, Masahiro Toyama, Brian Schmidt, J. Stanley and Matthew Crouse.

After earning her doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences from NDSU, Marzijarani is now a method development and validation scientist for Eurofins Bioanalytical Services of St. Charles, Missouri.

“Conveying the scientific importance of our research topics and showing enthusiasm are great skills that help in our job-hunting journeys,” she says of the competition. “Those skills definitely assist us to stand out among other candidates.”

Marzijarani’s advice is to demystify the research and display a passion for the topic.

Those thoughts are taken seriously by Breanne Steffan, an NDSU doctoral student in microbiological sciences who will be one of the competitors.

“One of the most important aspects of research is the ability to share your findings in a way that is understandable for those who aren’t in your field,” says Steffan, who is from Fargo.

Steffan is researching the interaction of the Aspergillus fumigatus mold, Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium and the host’s immune response, and how they contribute to the severity of childhood respiratory diseases, such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.

“A big problem in today’s society is the lack of trust and understanding by the general public about the current research being done. This competition helps bridge that gap between research at NDSU and the FM community,” Steffan says. “My Three Minute Thesis experience will show my future employer that not only do I know how to make my research understandable to a lay population, but I also care enough to make that connection.”

This year’s competition, sponsored by Sanford Health, is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22. Preliminary rounds are set for 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., with the finals at 2 p.m. in NDSU’s Memorial Union.

Both events are free and open to the public. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT

ndsu.edu/gradschool/current_students/3mt/.

a dream ROLE

arts activist

DAYNA DEL VAL TAKES CENTER STAGE

words by ALICA UNDERLEE NELSON

photography by JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

“SOMEBODY called me an activist for the arts recently,”

says Dayna Del Val as she settles in behind her desk at The Arts Partnership headquarters in Fargo, her bright eyes shining in the muted winter light. Her expressive hands pause mid-gesture for a split second as she considers the difference between the term “advocate” and the term “activist.” Both are titles she wears with pride. “I think an advocate promotes it when it’s convenient,” she decides. “And an activist eats, sleeps and breathes it.”

clothing by WHITE HOUSE BLACK MARKET

So which one is she? Del Val doesn’t hesitate for an instant. “I’m an activist,” she replies with a broad grin.

The president and CEO of The Arts Partnership, which funds, supports and advocates for art and the artists who create it, has been preparing her whole life for this role. Animated and articulate, Del Val displays the poise and accessible charm of a lifelong performer. She scored her first community theater role (Marta in “The Sound of Music”) at age six and jokes that she hasn’t stopped since. Del Val obtained a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a master’s degree in english composition from North Dakota State University and has continued to write and act, teach and create ever since.

“I still perform when I want to and have the opportunity, because I believe really strongly that it’s important for an arts leader to also be an artist,” Del Val explains. “So you’ll still hear me occasionally on commercials. You might still see me on some billboards, some print work.”

Her commercial work, her monthly column for The Forum and her active radio presence make her a familiar face — and voice — in the region. But it’s her tireless arts activism with The Arts Partnership (and her position as board president of Arts North Dakota and previously serving on the Art and Culture Commission for the City of Fargo) that fuels her and brings her creativity into focus.

Many assume that the goals of art and business are worlds apart, maybe even acting in opposition to each other. The Arts Partnership aims to show that the circles of art and business overlap and compliment each other. The organization works to strengthen connections between two seemingly disparate worlds. Del Val serves as the bridge and translator between the two sides, with a foot in both worlds, deftly maneuvering between the two. Her mission is to weave art through community life at all levels, starting with kids in the K-12 school system and threading art’s influence (and its lessons of creativity, inclusion, empathy, innovation and self-expression) up through the university system, its vibrant tendrils extending into the offices and boardrooms of the corporate world and coloring city governments and urban planning initiatives.

“My goal is not to make everyone quit their day jobs and be artists,” says Del Val. “My goal is to help people understand that whether you ever walk through the door of a gallery or a performance, whether you ever own a piece of original art, whether you ever perform in anything, having a strong art and culture component in your community is imperative to the overall success of your community.”

Del Val rejects that idea that art — and the community that creates it — is frivolous, what she calls the “frosting” of a community. “Actually, I would argue that we’re the core of the batter of the cake,” she says, learning forward a little to support her assertion with expertly delivered talking points, drawing her audience in. “We’re an economic driver. We’re what new young millennial employees are looking for. We spur independent restaurants and shops. We create culture. We preserve our history. We put Fargo on the map.”

And don’t think for a second that this is some passionate plea from a dreamy creative. When Del Val calls the arts an economic driver, she comes armed with facts to back up her claim. The Arts Partnership recently completed a two-year economic impact study, conducted with assistance from Americans for the Arts, a national arts advocacy organization. It found that in 2015 alone, the nonprofit arts sector generated $41.6 million dollars in the Fargo-Moorhead metro. And that number doesn’t tally money generated at and around events at for-profit galleries or performance venues like the Fargodome and Scheels Arena. It only measures the money spent by the organizations themselves, ticket sales and the pre- and post-show dinners, drinks and coffee stops, the hotel room stays, the shopping and the additional money spent when arts patrons from the metro and around the region made Fargo-Moorhead a cultural destination.

The cities and the business community support the arts as well. Between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017, Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo city governments and local businesses have partnered with The Arts Partnership to award grants worth $138,078 to individual artists, arts organizations and non-profits working to integrate the arts into their mission and programming. The Arts Partnership also promotes the work of area artists and arts organizations, helping creative people serve new audiences, develop their skills, and create new and interesting work. “We want to help artists figure out how to have a more sustainable and thriving career,” Del Val explains. “How to not just exist, but to be the professional workers that they are, and how to help organizations reach their fullest potential.”

These stats are excellent news for artists and art supporters in the area. And they’ve brought both Del Val and her office increased news coverage, visibility and opportunities. The organization accepted the North Dakota Arts Organization Governor’s Award for the Arts in 2017 and Del Val was the only arts leader present at the CEOS for Cities event in Phoenix last year. But Del Val and her staff aren’t taking it easy. They have a list of goals and objectives to take the arts in the Fargo-Moorhead metro to the next level in 2018 and beyond.

“I believe really strongly that it's important for an arts leader to also be an ARTIST .

Del Val

is excited about forming new connections with artists in the region’s international community. “We have this fabulous, growing, new American international community whose art is largely invisible,” she says. “We have access to so many cultures in this community and we aren’t connecting with them. And that’s a mistake. So I would love to think about how we might further connect.”

She’s seen how those connections can transform perspectives firsthand. “I taught at the college level for ten years and I almost only taught freshman English to international students,” she explains. “So my international travel experience is limited, but my understanding and connection to the international community was greatly expanded because I had students from all over the world. And it was just so powerful to have them say, ‘You think this because you’re American. But here’s our perspective. Here’s our culture.’”

Another major priority is the construction of a performing arts center. “We’re way beyond community size to not have one,” says Del Val. “The arts have more than

proven their value. We need additional gathering space above and beyond the ability to perform there, but also to host events, to be a community asset.”

She sees a broader, more international perspective and a dedicated performing arts space as necessary steps to attract the next generation of workers who want to live in culturally vibrant cities. She’s also seen how a thriving art scene is a magnet for white collar professionals who are accustomed to diverse cultural options, students considering the Fargo-Moorhead area as a place to continue their studies at the university level, as well as blue collar workers who appreciate the creative outlet. We’re off to a great start, in her opinion. But it’s time to dream big.

“Fargo-Moorhead’s support for the arts ranks not only higher than comparable communities in the country, but higher than the national average,” says Del Val. “So that is good. That’s something to celebrate. My challenge now to the business community is think what more we could be doing with more resources. I had a businessman once say to me, ‘But if I give you more, you’ll just want more.’ And my short answer to that is, ‘Yes.’” And here she breaks out into a wide and winning grin.

← LEFT:

"My grandad was a ND state legislator in the 1960s; my grandma purchased this dress in Bismarck and wore it to the 1963 Governor’s Ball. I first wore it to my Junior Prom and am delighted that it still fits!"

ABOVE : Speaking to the shareholders at the Community Supported Art event, a program run by The Arts Partnership. July 2017.

Del Val with her husband Mazz (right) and their son, Quinn (left)

having a strong art and culture component in

“And my long answer is, I want more for the arts community because when the arts community can do more, it’s a direct asset to the business community,” she says. “So my goal for the business community is just to understand that investing in the arts is not charitable investing in the typical sense of the word, because what they put into us absolutely comes back to them multifold in their ability to grow their own business.”

This passion for her work and this commitment to cultivating connections appears to be hardwired into Del Val’s being. She admits that since her life and her work are so intertwined, it can be difficult to unplug completely. “I might physically leave my office. But it’s very, very rare that I’m not doing email right before bed and getting up way before work and starting up again,” she says with a shrug. “It’s integrated because it’s always been integrated.”

But that doesn’t mean that she’s all work and no play. When asked about what her perfect day would entail, she turns the fanciful question over in her mind, an expert storyteller mulling the possibilities, letting them unfold as she speaks. “Well, let’s assume that we can time travel or we can teleport,” she begins with a conspiratorial smile, before detailing a day that includes a trip to England for cream tea, scones and clotted cream (and maybe reading a little Jane Austen) with her mother. Then it’s off to swim in the warm ocean waters of Hawaii with her husband Mazz Marry and son Quinn, a college senior, orchestra musician and school newspaper editor who will graduate with physics, engineering and mathematics degrees next December.

After zipping back to North Dakota to explore downtown Fargo and do a little shopping for groceries at the market (a simple task Del Val adores), she’d return to a place she loves more than anywhere in the world — the neighborhood where she lives and works.

“Home is just down the street from here,” she says contentedly, gesturing to the leafless trees arching toward the gray morning sky outside her office window. “I brought my son home to a little

house in the Hawthorne neighborhood. It’s a great little school district. Everything that has mattered to me has happened in the Hawthorne/Clara Barton neighborhood, including this job.”

She knows exactly how her perfect day would end. “My husband and my son and I would make dinner together,” she says, conjuring up a menu of quinoa, sweet potatoes and salmon for her, a “mostly vegetarian,” and steaks for the men in her life. “And we’d sit out on our back deck at our little table, which is my favorite, most decadent thing to do. I feel like the richest person in the world when we sit on our deck and eat supper together.”

Del Val knows how fortunate she is to be able to integrate her passions and purpose into life — to be able to use the skills she’s acquired over a lifetime to advance a cause she believes in. She remains quietly, profoundly grateful.

“I think I’m a really pretty basic person who just gets to do this really, really fabulous work,” she says. “I always say my theater degree is my most important degree. Because what you learn at the end of the day is to listen and to understand your audience. And I feel like that has just been key to my ability to see success at The Arts Partnership. I realized that being president of The Arts Partnership is the greatest role I’ve ever been cast in.”

The arts have brought joy and purpose to Del Val’s life. And she hopes to use her position to bring that same joy and purpose to the lives of others.

“At some point in almost every person’s life, they believed they were an artist, because they drew something that Grandma put up on the refrigerator, or they did a project in school that somebody commented on or they wrote something and won a contest or they just enjoyed it,” she says. “And somewhere along the way, that enjoyment, for many people, slips away. And I’m less interested in why and how and more interested in helping people regain that joy and understand that value.”

“My goal is to help people understand that whether you ever walk through the door of a gallery or a performance, whether you ever own a piece of original art, whether you ever perform in anything,

your community is imperative to the overall success of your community.

photo: joanna nix on unsplash.com

mandy b. anderson

is a speaker, author, certified life coach, and the CEO of Big Blue Couch Coaching. She also is a gifted encourager, an innovative business woman with a knack for product development, and a genuinely positive person. She lives in Bismarck, North Dakota, with her husband, Nate.

BEAUTIFULLY WHOLE warriors arise!

there is a desire that is burning in the deepest parts of women across the nation right now. A yearning that is crying out to be heard. It is building in our hearts and rising to the surface.

I see it in the eyes of the women that sit in our audiences. I hear it in the voices of those who share with me as we lean in across the table in group and private sessions. The words might be different, but the question is the same…

“How do I live beautifully whole when I feel so broken; when I’ve made so many mistakes?”

Maybe you’ve wondered this, too. The answer boils down to four building blocks.

a beautifully whole woman is

intentional.

Ladies, we cannot become all we were meant to be if we keep ourselves stuck in the past. We must be intentional about our personal growth. A beautifully whole woman is intentional. She cultivates a teachable spirit and seeks out opportunities to learn and grow in all areas of her life: mind, body and spirit. She believes she can kill doubt and fear with consistent action. She lets herself dream. She writes down her goals; then, she does something that takes all her strength — she goes after those goals. Step by step she intentionally moves forward by faith, building upon her experiences.

a beautifully whole woman is purposeful.

So many women get caught in the trap of rehashing their mistakes and beating themselves up instead of purposefully learning from them. A beautifully whole woman believes there is purpose in the pain she has experienced. She finds that purpose and then implements effective ways to honor her relationships so she can build others up, too.

a beautifully whole woman is

courageous.

I have yet to meet a woman who didn’t want to be known as courageous. It seems to be woven deep within the DNA of every one of us. A beautifully whole woman embraces her God-given courage and is brave enough to challenge the thoughts and behaviors that have kept her stuck. She believes in the power and healing of vulnerability. She no longer hides behind the lies; she embraces the truth and shares her story so others can learn from it and be victorious, too. She is a risk-taker who is not afraid to be herself.

a beautifully whole woman is

steadfast.

We’ve teetered between mediocrity and greatness for far too long. A beautifully whole woman is unwavering in her commitment to her dreams. She persists in digging deep within herself so she can overcome and be victorious in every area of her life. She recognizes that there is a process to every dream, every goal, and she sticks with it long enough for that process to be walked out. She is not distracted by shiny objects — no. She is focused and determined to faithfully sharpen her skills because she realizes that others are watching her. She knows that she is leading more women along the way, even when it feels like she’s alone.

You aren't too far gone, dear beautifully whole warrior. That burning desire in the depths of your soul is meant to be answered. You can do it! You can become more intentional, purposeful, courageous and steadfast. When you do, you too will feel the freedom of living beautifully whole — cracks and all.

"When Mourning Dawns" is our six-week series that looks at the seasons of the year to guide our conversations about the seasons of your grief. Preregistration is required and space is limited. Please call or email us if you have questions or interest in this series. for more info: boulgerfuneralhome.com

For tickets: ConcordiaTickets.com

the truth WILL SET YOU FREE

On Nov. 7, at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, more than 700 people gathered to hear stories of redemption from members of our community who are returning after time spent in the Cass County Jail.

the audience included jailers, judges, attorneys, pastors, law enforcement officers and their guests. Importantly, the volunteers and donors who support the Jail Chaplains ministry came to listen to stories from people whose lives were affected by the faith-based programs it delivers in the jail and in the community.

Eighty returning citizens joined the group for an evening of celebration, thankfulness and praise for redemption. We heard the story of Miki who spent 19 years abusing alcohol and drugs and was sentenced to six years in federal prison. Her two daughters were adopted by a local family, and Miki didn't know if she would ever see them again. Knowing this was the best course for her

children, she embraced the situation and prayed for the health and safety of her daughters' new family.

Through Miki's story the audience learned how God can repurpose lives to become productive members of our community and how Jail Chaplains guided Miki to her new life. Stage guests shared how they were involved in giving Miki a second chance with employment, housing and mentoring while dozens more stood when the question was asked who had been in Miki's life in the last two years. The visual was a stunning reminder of the effort it takes to support a healthy re-entry into our society.

Jail Chaplains is thankful to their neighbors for embracing Miki and to the family who adopted her daughters. Through her tears, Katie, the adoptive

mom, said via video, "Jail Chaplains not only helped Miki but our family as well. As we watched her being supported and making good choices, we were comfortable to invite her more into our lives, and so our family has also been positively impacted."

While they celebrate their successes, Jail Chaplains is also investing resources to help launch the Living Free community program. Living Free is a faith-based, small group model designed to guide lay people to help others overcome life-controlling problems. Living Free will equip local churches to answer the pleas from law enforcement and the Blue Ribbon Commission on Addiction. Jail Chaplains is taking the lead in applying a coordinator to work with churches throughout the community. They’ll provide training and information based on experiences with leading people to better lives.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MORE

information, please visit jailchaplains.com. We appreciate your prayers and support!

SCHAFER is a former North Dakota first lady and board chairwoman of Jail Chaplains.

Area Woman’s resident Bookista, Megan Elgin, serves you up with books worthy of spending your entire afternoon with. Search for Megan on Goodreads or @meganann on Litsy and find out what she’s reading now.

books she loves

Weeks of below zero temperatures have had me cozying up with a cup of coffee and my favorite blanket while reading like crazy. I've read so many great books recently that I had a really hard time narrowing it down for this article. After a lot of deliberating, I decided to feature these favorites that I know will give you a wonderful escape to get you through the end of winter.

1. the BRIDE QUARTET

by Nora Roberts

Vision in White

Bed of Roses

Savor the Moment

Happily Ever After

When we decided to include a wedding section in this issue I knew I would be neck deep in wedding magazines, photos and articles in preparation. Thinking back on my own wedding nearly seven years ago, I was immediately reminded of this series. I first read these books around the time of my own wedding and instantly connected with Parker, Emma, Laurel and Mac — four childhood friends who start Vows, a full-service wedding planning company combining their individual talents. Each book focuses on one of the four women as they build their careers, their friendship and in true Nora Roberts style, find love. This series also gives you a behind the scenes look at wedding planning in a way that makes for a fun escape from concentrating on your own plans, or makes you nostalgic for your own wedding. I've read a number of Roberts' books, some better than others, but this series remains my absolute favorite and is one I'm more than happy to revisit again and again.

2. BEASTS of EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCE

by Ruth Emmie Lang

If you are looking for something adventurous in which to escape, this is the book you need. Weylyn Grey is an extraordinary character. Orphaned, raised by wolves, and the proud owner of a horned pig named Merlin, he leaves each person he meets with an unforgettable tale to tell. I loved seeing him through the eyes of those people as the story is told by them rather than from his own perspective. It's been said that this book is an homage to childhood favorites, and while I can see that connection, I think it is so much more than that. It's a beautifully told adventure of love, the wonder in nature, and one extraordinary man that changes the lives of others in unexpected ways.

3. THE POWER

by Naomi Alderman

Winner of the 2017 Women's Prize for Fiction, this book has been all over literary lists, and for good reason. In “The Power,” the world is as we know it today, but something vital has changed. Teenage girls now have immense physical power and can cause pain and even death with a touch, causing the world as we know it to turn upside down. This book examines gender and society in a completely different way than you might expect. What happens when what it means to be male and female is flipped? What would our society really be like if women held all the power? It underlines many of the inequality issues in the news today while exposing us to some of the hard truths of our contemporary world. While “The Power” is making a statement if you look closely, it's also a unique, unparalleled dystopian novel I think many of us will connect with.

4. the CITY of BRASS

by S.A. Chakraborty

Nahri is a con woman on the streets of 18th century Cairo, living off her wits and sleight of hand. During one of her cons, she accidentally summons a mysterious djinn warrior who forces her to accept that magic is real and she is more than she thought. He takes her to Daevabad, the legendary City of Brass where she unearths the secrets in her past. Incredibly descriptive with magic, political turmoil, great world building, and plenty of surprises you won't see coming, this is a fantasy book you don't want to miss.

spotlight on an area author:

LOVE'S WILL

by P. Ryan Campbell

Based on a true inspirational story of faith, fate and love, I found “Love's Will” to be an endearing love story from start to finish. Will is the perfect poster boy for a small Minnesota lake town. He's the star athlete with the beautiful cheerleader girlfriend, Jenna, and a group of rowdy but good-hearted friends. But, when Jenna suddenly dies from a heart condition, he has to find a way to face life without the person he thought would always be by his side. When summer starts, he unexpectedly runs into Jenna's cousin, Hannah, who is working in Shoreham Lake for the summer. Will finds that Hannah is the only person he can talk to about what he's lost and they develop a close relationship that soon turns into an intense summer romance. In the end, Will has to decide if he can take another chance on love and if he has the faith to plan a future with Hannah. Anyone who has spent time on the lake during the summer will feel right at home in Shoreham Lake and Will and Hannah's relationship kept me on edge between heartwarming smiles and softly shed tears the entire time. You might even recognize references to a well-known lakeside restaurant that uses z's in all its marketing.

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

fun and FUNDRAISING

FEBRUARY 8

CCRI POLAR PLUNGE

An event for the whole family. Plungers with a little courage, a warm heart, and a desire to support a worthy cause will be taking the icy dip to support people with disabilities. There will be free horse drawn carriage rides, campfires and hot chocolate in addition to the plunge entertainment. For more information or to sign up to plunge, visit creativecare.org. FREE

4 – 6:30 PM

CCRI 2903 15th St S | Moorhead

FEBRUARY 10

60th Annual KIWANIS PANCAKE KARNIVAL

The longest running community event in the region. Join us for our famous sausage and all you can eat pancakes plus Games Galore fun for kids. Funds raised benefit local youth oriented organizations. Tickets $7 in advance, $8 at the door.

7 AM – 7 PM

Fargodome

1800 N University Dr | Fargo fargo.kiwanisone.org

FEBRUARY 8

FARGO FAMOUS TALENT SHOW

This Giving Hearts Day, Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre is hosting an all-ages talent show to highlight local talent and encourage ongoing community support for FMCT. Here’s how you can help make this a great event:

VOTE

The top 10 entries will be selected to perform LIVE during the talent show final at FMCT on Feb. 8.

ATTEND

Show your support for community talent and FMCT through your $10 (minimum) admission to benefit FMCT. Prizes will be awarded to talent show winners who will be selected by audience votes and celebrity judges.

DONATE

Can’t make it to the performance? Make your donation to FMCT online anytime on Feb. 8 at givingheartsday.org.

7 PM

The Stage at Island Park 333 4th St S | Fargo

FEBRUARY 24

NORDIC GALA

Swedish dinner and silent auction to raise funds for this summer’s Scandinavian Festival.

7 – 10 PM

Dakota Medical Foundation

4141 28th Ave S | Fargo nordiccultureclubs.org

APRIL 3

3 rd Annual SWEET FREEDOM

A dessert and fundraiser event for the Clay County Jail Ministry. Come and hear how God has intervened in the lives of men and women who have faced challenges with drugs and incarceration.

6 PM SILENT AUCTION

7 – 8:30 PM EVENT

Marriott Hotel and Conference Center

1080 28th Ave S | Moorhead claycountyjailministry.org

mind, BODY, SPIRIT

FEBRUARY 17

BEAUTIFUL WHOLENESS

Beautiful Wholeness is a group coaching, one-day event for all women designed to help you erase the lies and labels, gather your courage, and build the skills you need to grow into the beautifully whole woman you were designed to be.

9:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Baymont Inn & Suites

2611 Old Red Trail NW | Mandan, ND 701-204-6597

bigbluecouchcoaching.com/beautifulwholeness

informational EVENTS

FEBRUARY 20

ADOPTION INFORMATION MEETING

Thinking about adoption? This free informational session will discuss types of adoption opportunities, children available for adoption, timeframes, and will include a Q&A session. Call 701-451-4913 for more info.

6 PM

The Village Family Service Center

1201 25th St S | Fargo

MARCH 10

Knowledge is Power

WOMEN'S CAR CARE CLINIC

A three-hour clinic with demonstrations and activities covering everything from how to sense potential problems under the hood to tips on how to communicate effectively with your service center, all in a relaxed, confidence-boosting environment. Bring your girlfriends and be ready to have a great time learning about regular vehicle maintenance, and more. Contact Alejandra at Matt's at alejandra@mattsautoservicecenter.com or 701-418-3838.

9 AM—NOON

Matt's Automotive Service Center

1150 43 ½ St S | Fargo

arts, CRAFTS & HOME

FEBRUARY 22

PAINTING, DINNER & DESSERTS

No art-smarts required - it's the art of socializing. Come paint "Dream On." Invite a friend to join you. It's guaranteed to bring out creativity, fun and laughter. Meal provided. For questions contact penelope@ galleryonthego.com or 701-7810042. To preregister visit penelope.galleryonthego.com, select “paint party tickets” and choose MOMS CLUB of F/M-IR. Limited seating available. Funds raised will be donated to the Moorhead Public Library. $35/PERSON.

6:15 PM DINNER

7 PM PAINTING

First Congregational Church of Fargo

1101 17th Ave S | Fargo

FEBRUARY 23 — 24

CRAFT FEST

Join us for our 8th annual Unglued: Craft Fest showcasing the creative work of 70+ makers and creative opportunities all weekend. Friday night is the ticketed Craft Party Preview with live DJ, included DIY projects with admission, cash bar and exclusive first-look shopping. Saturday is free admission with free workshops, young maker’s market, scavenger hunt for kids and adults, craft beer garden, and 70+ makers setting up shop.

FEBRUARY 23, 5 – 9 PM

FEBRUARY 24, 9 AM – 4 PM Plains Art Museum 704 1st Ave N | Fargo ungluedcraftfest.com

FEBRUARY 23–25

RED RIVER VALLEY

HOME & GARDEN SHOW

Fun for the whole family. The Home & Garden Show ushers in spring and welcomes hundreds of exhibitors, including the largest selection of home and garden exhibits in the region. Adults $10. Children 18 and under FREE. $6 advance tickets available Feb. 1 – 22 at the Fargodome and online. $2-off coupons available Feb. 19 in show guides and online. A two-for-one admission special all day Sunday. Visit www.hbafm.com.

FEBRUARY 23, 3 – 9 PM

FEBRUARY 24, 9 AM – 6 PM

FEBRUARY 25, 11 AM – 5 PM

Fargodome 1800 N University Dr | Fargo

performing ARTS

FEBRUARY 3

&

4

THE TRUE STORY of the THREE LITTLE PIGS

Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre

MARCH 12 – 15

EXPLORATIONS IN DRAWING AND WATERCOLOR WITH BARBARA BENDA NAGLE

Whether you are a beginner, advanced artist, or unsure of your ability, you are invited to learn to draw and paint. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Nagle uses her personally designed curriculum that promotes success for every participant. For more info contact Bev at 701-610-9529 or bbenda@gra.midco.net. Fee: $325 plus supplies. Class size is limited to 15 people. Register by March 2.

9 AM – 4 PM

NDSCS – Fargo Campus 1305 19th Ave N | Fargo barbarabendanagle.com

A musical delight for all ages, this pork-filled tale finally puts the Big Bad Wolf on trial for the destruction and dismay he caused to not one, not two, but three poor little pigs. But is the wolf actually guilty, or can he shake off familiar accusations and convince an audience of skeptics that he is actually friend to swine, and not foe? What really is the true story of the three little pigs?

FEBRUARY 3 AT 5 PM

FEBRUARY 4 AT 2 PM

The Stage at Island Park 333 4th St S | Fargo

MARCH 16-18, 23-25

CALENDAR GIRLS

Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre

What happens when eight strong women put their heads together to raise money for a local hospital cancer wing after the death of the loved one? They make a blush-inducing calendar, of course. Calendar Girls is a heart-warming comedy that tackles the topic of grief, while celebrating the tenacity, creativity and sass of the female bond.

MARCH 16, 17, 23, 24 AT 7:30 PM

MARCH 18 & 25 AT 2 PM

The Stage at Island Park 333 4th St S | Fargo

CONNECT WITH US AT OUR UPCOMING EVENTS.

February 1, 2018

DRIVER SAFETY CLASS

February 15, 2018

COMMUNITY YOU!

March 6, 2018

FRAUD & SCAMS LUNCH AND LEARN

March 7, 2018

Learn more at aarp.org/fargo

FARGO PARK DISTRICT events

More events and info at fargoparks.com

FEBRUARY 3-4

WINTERFEST BROOMBALL

TOURNAMENT

Men’s division. Register online at fargoparks.com. ALL DAY

Southwest Youth Ice Arena 4404 23rd Ave SW | Fargo

FEBRUARY 5, 12

S’MORES & MORE ON ICE

Come join us at S’mores & More on Ice for a night out with the family. We will have s’more supplies to cook your own, hot chocolate and music playing to enjoy. The rink and warming house will be available to use during the event. Don't forget to bring your ice skates so you can skate to the music on the outdoor rink.

5 – 7 PM BOTH NIGHTS

Kennedy Park (Feb 5) 4501 42nd St S | Fargo

Bennett Park (Feb 12) 1900 58th Ave S | Fargo

FEBRUARY 10,

MARCH 3

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 grant from Xcel Energy. Adult supervision required.

1 – 3 PM

RDJ Rec Center 1104 2nd Ave S | Fargo

FEBRUARY 10 – 11

FARGO POND HOCKEY CLASSIC

The Fargo Pond Hockey Classic showcases the game the way nature intended it to be played — on the ponds! The annual tournament features multiple rinks and a warming tent for those looking to escape the winter elements. Register online at fargoparks.com.

ALL DAY – GAME TIMES TBD

Edgewood Public Golf Course

19 Golf Course Ave N | Fargo

FEBRUARY 10 – 11

WINTERFEST VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Get in on the action at Winterfest! Volleyball is for men, women and coed. So gather your friends, put a team together and sign up. It is guaranteed to be a good time. Register online at fargoparks.com. Play will occur throughout both days at area gyms.

FEBRUARY 24

YOUTH ICE FISHING DERBY

Bring your ice fishing rod and try your luck at the annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby. South Woodhaven Pond is stocked with perch, bluegill and northern pike. Holes will be pre-drilled for participants. We will have free hot cocoa and t-shirts (while supplies last). Trophies will be awarded.

1:30 PM REGISTRATION, 2 PM DERBY STARTS

1:30 – 3:30 PM

Woodhaven South Park & Fishing Pond

4802 Woodhaven Dr S | Fargo

MARCH 10

CELTIC FESTIVAL

The 14th Annual Celtic Festival 2017 is a celebration of the rich culture of the seven Celtic Nations featuring the intriguing history, arts and traditions of Brittany, Cornwall, Isle of Man, Galicia, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Enjoy lyrical Celtic music played by great bands from the community and region. Watch dancers' impressive footwork. The festival features entertainment stages, several presentations about folk traditions of the past and present, activities booths and Celtic foods.

10 AM – 4 PM

Hjemkomst Center

202 1st Ave N | Moorhead

MARCH 13

BUTTERFLY BALL

Ticket Sales Open

Young ladies age 4–12. Create memories with your dad, step-dad, uncle, grandfather or other male role model at a magical evening of music, dancing, photo opportunities and more. Light snacks, dessert and punch will be served. Register online only at fargoparks.com. Butterfly Ball dance dates are April 13 or April 14 (chose one). Tickets ($25/person) go on sale at 8 AM.

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