Area Woman Magazine Dec'18/Jan'19

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

LINDSAY KAYE ARBACH photographer

Lindsay is a full-time family, wedding and birth photographer in the FM area. When she’s not behind a camera, she’s reading, sewing and chasing her busy 4-year-old. She singlehandedly keeps Caribou Coffee in business.

CAROLYN LILLEHAUGEN

Carolyn Lillehaugen loves meeting people and learning their stories. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, and a master’s from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, Carolyn has spent the past 35 years teaching, mentoring new teachers, building a Shaklee health and wellness business, and writing about some of the interesting people she meets along the way. Carolyn and her husband Mark love traveling, exploring outdoors, and spending time with their four adult sons who happen to live in really interesting places.

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 three little girls.

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

WHITNEY LYNNE DUDEN

Balancing life of family, friends and fashion. Whitney lives for laughs, good people and great clothes, with a few other things too. Whitney graduated from UND with a degree in marketing. She goes by the title of "fashion maven" (also known as a fashion influencer). You can see her daily fashion posts, and catch her crazy ideas on Instagram @whitney_lynne.

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 online at eatlivebebuff.com.

SIRI FREEH

Siri is a former Miss Minnesota, media personality, and current RN health coach at Sanford Health. She focuses on helping people living their best life possible and enjoys gourmet cooking, hot yoga, and the occasional (vegan) burger.

ROXANE B. SALONEN

Roxane, a wife and mother of five from Fargo, is an award-winning children's author, freelance writer and newspaper columnist.

MEGAN FLICEK

Megan is a NICU registered nurse with a passion for food, fitness & furry friends. She is a graduate of Concordia College and enjoys exploring the FM area with her husband and family.

ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON

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

celebrating all things woman

publisher

AREA WOMAN PUBLISHING, LLC

editor in chief

JON-MICHAEL SHERMAN

art director

MEGAN ELGIN

proofing editor

JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

advertising

MIKE SHERMAN 701-306-5119

DEBBIE TROMBLEY 701-729-1910

JON-MICHAEL SHERMAN 701-306-1288

graphic design intern

HELENA NORRAW

marketing intern

LINDSEY WAGNER

photography

5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

ABBY ANDERSON

ANNA LIGOCKI PHOTOGRAPHY

EXPRESSIONS BY ASHTON PHOTOGRAPHY

JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

LILY BRUNDIN

LINDSAY KAYE PHOTOGRAPHY

MIKE SMITH

SCHERLING PHOTOGRAPHY

STACY KENNEDY

read it online issuu.com/areawoman

find us areawomanmagazine.com

Area Woman is a proud member of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. It is published bimonthly by Area Woman Publishing, LLC and printed in the U.S.A. ©2018 Area Woman Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from AW. Area Woman is a trademark registered at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Area Woman Publishing assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs and does not necessarily agree with content or advertising presented.

PHOTO BY STACY KENNEDY PHOTOGRAPHY

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areastyle

holiday 2018

photo: stacykennedy.com

how to:

gilded EYE MAKEUP for

the holidays

Who is excited for the holidays: fun parties, festive dresses and beautiful makeup? I know I am. To make the holiday events more glamorous, today I am going to show how you can get a shimmery bronze-gold makeup look with easy-to-follow steps. To make it sound fancy, let’s call it the “gilded eye makeup look.”

What is amazing about this look is that you can pretty much wear it with any dress. You can even change the color schemes and following the steps, do any eye makeup you want: silver, pink, purple, green, etc.

Before we do the actual eye makeup, we are going to fill in our brows first. You can either choose a brow pencil or a powder, just stay within your brow hair color range by choosing the closest shade or one shade lighter color if possible. As for me, I have black brow hair so I am using a dark brown brow pencil from CoverGirl and filling in the gaps within my brows.

Next we need eye primer. Why? Because it will ensure the eye makeup stays put for a long time without creasing or fading.

After blending the primer, I am going to use the first shadow for this look. Pick a matte brown color that is 1 shade darker than your skin color. As you can see (picture 3), I have used a neutral light brown which is a shade darker than my skin color and I have placed it on my upper lid. I have limited this shadow just on the crease area.

Now I am taking a fluffy blending brush (picture 4) and adding the second color on the outer part of the upper lid. This shadow should be matte and two to three shades darker than your skin color to create depth and dimension. Just add a little bit of shadow, blend and build up the color intensity gradually. How dark do you have to go? It depends entirely on how dark you want it to be.

The next shadow is the fun one! I have chosen a bronzegold shimmery shade very close to my skin tone and color (picture 5) As you can see I have placed the shadow on the inner half of my upper lid. Make sure that the shimmery shadow doesn’t cross the crease area. If you place any shimmery shadow past your crease and to the brow bones, it will not look good.

To soften the edge of the shimmery shadow, I have used the first shadow from picture 3 and blended out the harsh edges of my crease with a smaller blending brush. I have used a little bit of shadow and added gentle pressure while blending the crease area. Be mindful not to extend the shadow too much to the brow bones.

Let’s not forget about the lower lashes! We are going to use the dark brown shade from picture 4 and add it to the outer half of the lower lash line. Just like before, use gentle pressure and build up the color intensity gradually.

Now add the shimmery bronze-gold shadow on the inner two-thirds of the lower lash line. Blend it into the dark brown shadow.

Take a soft white matte shadow and add it under your brows (picture 9a) and on the innermost corner (picture 9b). It will brighten up your eyes, give an instant lift of the brows and erase any mistakes you have made.

Finish off the eye makeup with your favorite black or brown liner and a good coat of mascara. You can add some false lashes too if you are comfortable.

Now to complete this soft, smokey, gilded eye look, I have chosen a neutral nude lip color from Urban Decay according to my skin tone. Want to go bolder? Try a deep rich oxblood, plum or red.

Wasn’t that easy? Would you try this look? Remember, practice makes it perfect. So if it gets tricky to achieve the final result at first, always try it out before your big event. Enjoy the holiday festivities!

photography provided by GUNDERSON’S

JEWELRY

GUNDERSON’S JEWELRY:

a new gem in

west fargo

Like many of you, I continue to be in awe of the growth of not only Fargo and Moorhead, but the continued expansion of West Fargo. It seems to me that every time I drive to visit a friend or check out a restaurant on the west side, more and more stores are popping up. With all these “opening soon” signs, my excitement builds as I dream of the new ice cream shops, shopping and other amenities this rapidly expanding area is offering its residents and visitors. One new venue that has caught my attention is not a restaurant or boutique, but a jewelry store bearing the name Gunderson’s Jewelers. During a phone chat with its vice president, Breanne Demers, I got all the juicy details on the new West Fargo store and why it’s definitely worth a visit.

Although the store will be sparkling and new, Gunderson’s Jewelry has been around since 1945 when it began as a watch repair shop owned by George Gunderson. The company remains in the family to this day and keeps its small business vibe as it continues to expand locations throughout the midwest. Those familiar with the Gunderson name may have visited the other locations in Sioux City, Omaha and Sioux Falls. The West Fargo store will open early next year and will be located in the new Uptown & Main development near Sanford Medical Center.

So what does Gunderson’s Jewelry bring to the already thriving jewelry industry in the Fargo area?

This standalone store will feature brands of watches and jewelry such as Rolex, Tudor and many more. Gunderson’s also stands out as the largest boutique of Forevermark diamonds in existence. The coming store will also specialize in creating customized pieces for its customers such as unique engagement rings or modern family earlooms. The new Gunderson’s will have a fun, exciting atmosphere where customers will be able to shop for their new pieces or even create a new piece with the aid of educated, professional staff.

So stop by this fresh new face on the Fargo jewelry scene in the upcoming year. Gunderson’s Jewelry is excited to join the community and become your friend in the jewelry business. It’s a family-founded, community-oriented business that is ready to bring its expertise to the area. Whether it’s for you, a friend or a loved one, this new store will have everything to give a little sparkle to your life along with the fun atmosphere to make your shopping experience a great one.

Mona Tedford

Marit Haman

HOLIDAY STYLE

ho!ho!ho!

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree … can you please dress me?

Imagine the holiday season. Take a deep breath, closing your eyes. What comes to mind? Probably a Christmas tree, that smell you love to flood your home with, the pretty décor, shopping, family and friends, your seasonal traditions, food (let’s not forget that), and so many more things.

This time of year is truly magical. I mean, who doesn’t love Christmas? There is something about the hustle and bustle that seems to bring joy to the mundane. It makes me smile, and need more coffee too. Because I love coffee and it tastes extra special in those Starbucks Holiday cups.

Between all the joyous things above, and everything in between, style is so fun this time of year, too. I love a special occasion to go all out, and while most of us don’t travel in a gown (to those of you staring at me in the airport — sorry, not sorry) it’s fun to pull out dressy pieces. But, it’s also nice to throw on red lipstick and a sweater to cozy up by the fireplace. Red lipstick is so fun for the holidays. If you haven’t tried it, I highly suggest it, even if it’s secretly in your bathroom and you don’t tell a soul. It’s good to go outside of your comfort zone from time to time, and I promise it wipes off.

Follow Whitney Lynne on INSTAGRAM: @whitney_lynne

Anyways, traveling is something most of us do this time of year, so I’ve created a packing list to help you stress a little less about clothing, and focus more on other things.

A weekend away…

I always make sure to have a pair of jeans, and black pants. Fitted black pants you can style alone, or with a more casual dress.

Dressy top

Sweater

Jacket for layering

Boots and heels

Now with these few pieces think of all the different outfits you can create. You can style the jeans with that dressy top or the sweater. Layered over those you could do the jacket. You have the black pants and dress, sweater, or dressy top. You have so many options with five pieces. And you can even layer the dressy top and sweater, too! It’s good to pack basics for travel, this way you’re prepared with options — because it seems as if there are always spontaneous outings during this time of year. If you’re anything like me, you’ll come home with more clothes than you left with, too.

Wishing you and your family a holly jolly holiday season filled with love and happiness!

Holiday gift guide

01 BOUTIQUE BOOTS

Boots to carry you through the winter, including styles from Boutique by Corkys.

Fusion Boutique

Inside Scheels Home & Hardware

3202 13th Ave S | Fargo scheelshomeandhardware.com

02 GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK

Tis the season for all things cozy and simple stocking stuffers. A portion of all Leela profits are donated to honoring the potential in all women and children.

Leela & Lavender

Shoppes at BLU: 3265 45th St S | Fargo leelaandlavender.com

03 SPARKLE AND SHINE

Add some sparkle to your holiday outfit or gift bag!

Mainstream Boutique

2603 Kirsten Ln S | Fargo mainstreamboutique.com

04 COZY SCARVES Cozy scarves make great gifts for everyone on your list.

Fusion Boutique

Inside Scheels Home & Hardware 3202 13th Ave S | Fargo scheelshomeandhardware.com

05 CHIC ACCESSORIES

Don these chic accessories (which include handmade Pärlaluna earrings) and you’ll be set for a style-savvy holiday season.

Blue Daisy Boutique

1650 45th St S | Fargo shopbluedaisy.com

06 PERFECTLY RED SWEATER

Fargo's unique boutique offering women’s sizes up to 3x, jewelry and accessories, and specialty items for men such as beard oils, watches, bow ties and more. Be strong, be beautiful, be you.

Perfectly Beautiful Boutique

4302 13th Ave S | Fargo 701-532-1486 perfectlybeautifulboutique.org

07 LOUIS VUITTON

This year, give a gift that's (almost) as glamorous as her. These authentic Louis Vuitton bags will bring holiday joy all year round. Prices range from $500–$800 with complimentary gift wrapping. Olive Street

835 23rd Ave E | West Fargo 701-639-6990

shopolivestreet.com

08 PERFECT ENOUGH TEE

A super comfortable tee. You will love the way it feels next to your skin, paired with a lovely handmade choker style necklace. VAVA Boutique | vavaboutique.com

Holiday gift guide

10

The

11

Each purchase of these Italian-made wool-blend blankets provides a blanket to a local homeless shelter. Available in various colors and patterns. $58–$118

12 ORREFORS RASPBERRY PATTERN CRYSTAL FROM SWEDEN

One of Orrefors‘s most beloved patterns. Bowls, vase, votive. All available at Stabo Scandinavian Imports 406 Broadway | Fargo stabo-imports.com

13 ALPACA SOCKS

Dalbol Flowers

1450 25th St S | Fargo 701-235-5864

dalbolflowers.com

Others 218 Broadway N | Fargo 701-478-8722 othersshop.com

100 percent alpaca socks and insoles are a real treat for your feet. Available at Dakota Fiber Mill dakotafibermill@gmail.com 701-238-4002

dakotafibermill.com

HALLS OF HOLLY

holiday table shines with this festive centerpiece of roses and winter greens, artfully arranged inside an ovento-table stoneware serving dish that's hand-painted with a classic holly motif.

BLANKETS FOR ALL

14

Give

Kindred People

300 Broadway N | Fargo 701-478-2012

shopkindredpeope.com

15 WINTER LANDSCAPE VASE by Fargo artist Jon Offutt.

The

704 1st Ave N | Fargo 701-551-6100 : plainsart.org

16 TAPLETOP BOWLING SET

Carved in India,

Others : 218 Broadway N | Fargo 701-478-8722 : othersshop.com

17 WARMIES

Warmies are microwaveable stuffed animals filled with lavender and flax seed. They are great for relieving stress, anxiety and helping little ones sleep better at night.

Tootsie’s Children’s Boutique 5670 38th Ave S | Fargo

WILD BOTANICALS BATH SALTS

the gift of luxury with these 100 percent organic bath salts. Pair with a clay face mask and coffee scrub for the ultimate spa gift set.

Available in

Store at Plains Art Museum

this darling tabletop bowling set is as functional as it is fun. When the fun is done, all the pieces fit back in the handmade box, ready for the next adventure. $34

Holiday gift guide

18 SPARKLE IN BLUE

Blue as the Union Jack, this faceted London blue topaz collection is set in 18K white or yellow gold accented in sparkling white diamonds.

Little Bird

Gunderson’s Jewelers 5601 28th Ave S | Fargo gundersons.com

19 HAIR ARTS HAIR WRAP

Human Hair. Makes you look like you have a lot of hair.

Centre for Hair and Wellness

Downtown Moorhead : 218-236-6000

20 SUNGLASSES

Sunglasses (or a gift card for sunglasses) make a perfect gift. The expert staff at McCulley Optix Gallery can help you make the perfect choice for all your gift giving.

McCulley Optix Gallery

2553 Kirsten Ln S | Fargo : optixgallery.com

21 MILLIONHAIR BY MERESA

Cuts, colors, updos, makeup.

@millionhairbymeresa

Inside Nora Salon : 5670 38th Ave S | Fargo : 218-841-2646

22 CREATIVE COLOR

Beauty is in the eye of the makeup artist. Sleek and affordable, these shiny black two-well and three-well magnetic compacts are a must.

Pair with your favorite shades to create your own signature palettes and color stories.

Twyla’s Cosmetique

2420 University Dr S | Fargo : 701-282-5303

23 CRATEFULL OF HOLIDAY BLISS

Claret Plush Throw

Love Your Melon Gold Foil Beanie

Tahiti Vanilla Lotion & Scrub

Sleighbells & Snowflakes Soy Candle

Lenny & Eva Gray Agate

Gemstone Bracelet

Handcrafted Cedar Crate

Grateful Cratefulls

25 Sheyenne St | West Fargo 701-541-9077 : gratefulcratefulls.com

24 SOY CANDLES

Gift their favorite scent with 100 percent American soybean wax candles by Swan Creek Candle Co.

Scheels Home & Hardware

3202 13th Ave S | Fargo scheelshomeandhardware.com

25 STOCKING STUFFERS

All natural skin care, must-have necklaces, and men’s SS bracelets make great stocking stuffers. Offering ladies’ fashion at an affordable price with a European twist from Zara Fashion. Come and see where fashion meets affordability.

PrimRose Boutique

616 Main Ave | Fargo

701-541-2386 : facebook.com/primroseboutiquefashion

EPIC HOMES

BUILDING differently

words by ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON and TAYLOR BELK, contributor

photography by DAN FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY and DENNIS KRULL, 5FOOT20 DESIGN LOUNGE

Epic Homes does things differently. The builder creates unique custom homes that truly reflect a homeowner’s individual tastes. They’re redefining the customer’s experience by maximizing communication before, during and after construction. This minimizes surprises and makes the homebuilding experience as stressfree as possible, and often times even fun, for Epic Homes’ clients.

That might sound like a lot of extra work, but for Taylor Belk, who runs Epic Homes in partnership with Parker Pladson and Tom Seifert, it just makes sense. Houses by Epic Homes in Fargo-Moorhead and Bismarck-Mandan are anything but cookie cutter because they spring from the imaginations of the people that call them home. “Every home we build is designed for a particular client,” says Belk. “From the inside to the outside, we are geared to take someone’s vision and bring it to reality.”

The homes Epic builds are visually striking. They blend timeless architectural elements with modern, eye-catching details. With styles ranging from ultra-contemporary to rustic farmhouse, and everything in between, the common thread running through each finished home built by Epic is a one-of-a-kind personality.

“We don’t want to go after a certain style. We want our homes to be completely different,” explains Belk. “Even when we are building a modern farmhouse or Craftsmen styled home, there’s usually something added that sets it apart. When using an architect, we are able to blend styles to showcase unique exterior features.”

This incorporation continues both inside and out. Epic Homes primarily uses LP SmartSide products to offer clients a striking exterior that goes well beyond simple siding. “It’s an upgraded product that allows us to offer our clients several different color options and architectural details,” explains Belk.

Epic dedicates additional time and attention to the exterior of their homes, providing features that add personality and curb appeal. That extra “wow” factor matters. “When you pull up to a house, the exterior of the house is the first thing you see,” Belk says. “We want every house to look different. Even if a client likes a plan we have built before and just wants to make some minor changes to it, we will still change the exterior to make it appear like a completely different house.”

This creative collaboration with homeowners starts early on. It’s a key part of the Epic Homes building process and it starts with an initial meeting. “We’ll have them bring a ‘top 10 list’ of the things that are most important to them,” says Belk. “From one to ten, we try to incorporate the most important things into the house design.”

Epic Homes brings the clients’ top 10 list to architect Jan Mevold of Fargo’s Mevold Studio. The Epic Homes team works alongside Mevold Studio, offering practical insight and a project manager’s oversight. This spirit of collaboration helps unify the concept of the home, but also helps prevent a common stumbling block in the building process — going over budget.

“Often if people go to an architect directly, they’ll design a house they want, but it’s way over budget,” explains Belk. “We give the architects the parameters based on the budget and the client’s wish list. This way you’re not going way over budget before you even start the design and build process.”

When people talk about building their own home, the most common pitfalls are often budget related. Because most homeowners aren’t familiar with the costs of labor and raw materials and don’t frequently budget for a project of this nature (especially if it’s their first build), the process can come with lots of surprises and hidden costs if the home builder isn’t good at communicating these details to the client.

Epic Homes aims to eliminate surprises for the customer by engaging homeowners in every step of the process by using hands-on, interactive technology that allows the clients to monitor the project’s progress and budget from start to finish. To make sure each project stays on track, Belk and his associates engage customers in a comprehensive exploratory phase well before the project breaks ground. During this discovery phrase, clients explore not just the style they want but many of the finishes and custom features they want it to contain.

Delta Pivotal™ Kitchen Collection

Belk says its common for clients to pick a familiar brand or product without having a sense of the actual cost of those things. Seeing all the major costs in one place can prompt a discussion about what’s truly important to the project and where the money is best allocated. The clients’ top 10 list is referred to often and Belk’s goal is to make the allowances for major expenses as grounded in reality as possible. “Once something is selected during the build process, our clients can accept or reject their choice,” says Belk. “They can see updated project pricing based on the selection being reviewed, so there is never a surprise when it comes to the overall project cost. In addition to the transparency during the project, when we initially price it out we can determine some of the big ticket items ahead of time, so they’re known prior to the build process. Clients just understand where their pricing is coming from when we do it this way.”

Being straightforward is clearly important to Epic Homes. “Honesty is a big one for us,” says Belk. “Sometimes the construction industry has a poor reputation in that category. To avoid that, we make the process transparent.”

To take its commitment to honesty, transparency and customer involvement to the next level, Epic Homes enters every detail of the project into a project management program called CoConstruct. “That’s where we upload all of our pictures, pricing, change orders — anything that’s relevant to the

process is uploaded to the cloud-based software,” explains Belk. “We use it for estimating, scheduling and project management during the entire project.”

Customers can use CoConstruct to monitor every detail of their build, eliminating the need for clients to keep a running total of allowances. They can also see how their build is progressing without dropping by the site or picking up the phone. The system streamlines communication and makes the details of each project clear.

“It’s better to have everything in writing,” says Belk. “This allows the process to be more black and white. It’s very user-friendly from the client’s perspective.”

It also puts everyone at ease. “Allowing the client to have access to the project and see what’s going on allows them to feel like they’re a part of it,” Belk says. “It helps them have a much more enjoyable process of building.”

Once the contract is signed and construction has begun, Epic Homes brings in Lindsey Grace Interiors to help guide the next phase of the project. Fargo-based Grace offers another point of contact for customers as the build progresses.

“She’ involved with each client regarding what will fit the style they’re going after,” Belk says. “Building a house can be overwhelming. She brings that confidence to the table, to help the clients feel comfortable that the final product is going to be what they envisioned.”

What clients want today can be as unique as they are. Although some clients gravitate toward a particular style and may respond positively to a house in the Epic Homes portfolio, Belk still emphasizes that the specifics of a customer’s top 10 list and a home’s unique location will help determine the house’s final look, ensuring that it will be distinct and stand out.

“We are able to take a similar floor plan and totally change the exterior, from roof lines to window locations, to give it a totally different style,” Belk says. “One advantage of designing the house from scratch every time is that we make the most of the lot and where window placements should be so we can take advantage of natural light and breathtaking views. We aren’t just plopping a generic house on a lot without first thinking and planning on our clients’ behalf.”

Every house Epic Homes builds is different, but there are some design signatures you’ll notice if you look closely. Windows are one of them. “We incorporate considerable amounts of windows,” Belk admits. “Windows add so much to a house. Natural light is a big one, but they can help a space feel larger. I’ve never heard someone say that a house has too many windows.”

Nearly every home Epic Homes constructs features large windows to bring the outdoors in and neat rows of elevated windows just above eye level to flood every room with natural light. But the effect is subtle, so you notice the feeling of space and light rather than the windows themselves.

Garages are another Epic Homes design signature. Although in this case, Belk hopes that the garage, which is often pushed back or tucked away, will be the last thing you see. “We try to not make the garage the focal point,” he says.

But that doesn’t mean that the garages they build are small. In fact, the opposite is true. “Our garages tend to be much larger than an average garage because we hear people complaining about not having enough storage space or not being unable to park their vehicles inside,” says Belk.

During the consultation process, Belk and his associates interview clients about what type of vehicles they have, what kind of storage space they need, and how their long-term plans might change both of those estimates. It’s just another way that Epic Homes creates truly custom homes for their clients. It takes time and effort, but the team at Epic Homes wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We are not the builder that builds the same thing over and over,” says Belk. “We enjoy using our creativity and interactive process to deliver a unique home to each and every client.” [ aw ]

Every home we build is designed for a particular client. From the inside to the outside, we are built to take someone’s vision and bring it to reality.”

TAYLOR BELK

area health

holiday 2018 photo: juan pablo rodriguez on unsplash.com

84-YEAR-OLD BETTY KOELLN

“gets her wheels back”

TWO MONTHS AFTER A STROKE

Betty Koelln is an independent 84-year-old who has lived on Star Lake near Dent, Minnesota, since 1961. On the night of June 14, 2018, she got out of bed and fell down, unable to get up. Luckily, her son was staying with her that night, and he immediately called 911. Paramedics in Dent responded quickly and got Betty to the emergency department at Perham Health, 13 miles away, where it was determined she was having a stroke and needed the services of North Dakota’s only advanced comprehensive stroke center at Sanford Medical Center Fargo (SMCF).

Betty doesn’t remember her ride in the AirMed helicopter to SMCF other than landing and seeing all the lights of Fargo. The time from her home to SMCF was 82 minutes. She couldn’t move her left arm or leg, her face was partially paralyzed and she slurred her words. She does remember the stroke team telling her to hold still as they fed a catheter from her groin to her brain to remove the clot.

“When Betty arrived at Sanford, she had weakness on her left side and was unable to move. We did a thrombectomy (a procedure to remove a blood clot) within 35-40 minutes, and we completely reversed her symptoms,” says Dr. Alex Drofa, neuro-intensivist at Sanford Stroke Center.

When Betty woke up, she was surrounded by her six very-worried children. The first thing she said was, “What are you all doing here?” This shocked them, since she couldn’t talk when she arrived.

“She was back to normal and able to go home in 48 hours,” says Drofa. “For someone who’s 84 years old, that’s a miracle.

“As an advanced comprehensive stroke center, we’re able to take care of people like Betty. Our stroke team at Sanford has some of the best response times in the county. That’s why she had such a great outcome.”

Her recovery included a few weeks of physical therapy at her home and then a few more weeks in Perham, and a check-up with her primary care doctor, Jeffrey Blickenstaff, MD, at Perham Health. Two months after her stroke, Koelln passed her driver’s test. “I got my wheels back,” she says proudly. “It’s nice to be able to go where I want to go and come home when I want.”

Today, Koelln is back to her independent self. She continues to keep busy with quilting, playing cards, painting china and other activities, and she still does her own laundry, cooking and housecleaning.

But she also makes sure to take care of herself. She faithfully takes her medications, rests when she needs to and uses a cane when she’s out of the house. She’s grateful for her son being there that night, the EMS teams in Dent and Perham, and for her wonderful doctors and caregivers in Fargo.

‘I’m so glad I got to Sanford,” she says. [ aw ]

She was back to normal and able to go home in 48 hours. For someone who’s 84 years old, that’s a miracle.

— DR. ALEX DROFA

YOUR HEALTHY GUIDE to Navigating holiday parties

The next few months bring the challenge of finding balance between making healthy choices while enjoying holiday parties. Many people find themselves eating (and drinking) more than usual and forgoing their typical healthy eating habits. Before they know it, they’ve gained a few extra pounds and now start the New Year feeling less than ideal. Fortunately, eating healthy and enjoying holiday parties is not impossible. Use this healthy guide to help you navigate holiday parties so you can enjoy the party, and the food, feeling your best.

DRINK WISELY

Immediately upon entering the party, you’re often handed the signature drink. Stop right there! These are typically loaded with sugar and juice mixes, which add up quickly calorically. You don’t want to drink all your calories when there’s a full buffet just a few steps away. Stick to the basics, have a beer, glass of wine, or straight up liquor with seltzer. Then practice the 1:1 rule of one alcoholic drink per hour, followed by a hydrating glass of water.

PLATE IT

Grab the smaller appetizer or salad plate (rather than a large dinner plate) for your food and put everything on it. If a server comes around with hors d'oeuvres, place it on your plate so you can visually see what you’re eating and ensure you’re not mindlessly eating. The smaller plate will help you control portions, saving you a lot of calories. Allow yourself to have one or two of those indulgent items that you love, just be mindful of your portions and overall consumption. This isn’t permission to turn your small plate into a leaning tower of food!

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

EAT MINDFULLY

Healthy items can be found at parties, so choose to fill your plate with the good stuff (the foods that will make you feel good). Vegetables will help fill you up. Look for healthy dips like hummus and guacamole. Hard cheeses are a better option than soft cheeses. Deviled eggs are a good pick, as well as lean meats (especially shrimp cocktail and smoked salmon). Then practice eating mindfully — take a bite, and if you don’t love it, don’t finish it. Your grandmother’s homemade pie you look forward to all year should be one of the things you choose, while skipping the store bought cookies. Be mindful of the one slice of pie, as it should not equate to eating the entire pie.

CHEW, DON’T GOBBLE

Do you eat so quickly that you don’t even enjoy your food or realize you’re full? Most people would agree that’s what they do. Slow down and thoroughly chew your food, even place your fork down between bites. This will allow you to be present at the party, engage in conversation and enjoy the delicious food you’ve so mindfully selected. Your brain will recognize that you’re full and you’ll be less likely to overeat.

DISTANCE YOURSELF

Don’t stand by the buffet or the dessert table, but rather find a place in another room, away from the food and drinks. Removing yourself from the temptation will keep the food out of sight and out of mind. If you do need to go back, you’ll burn a few extra calories from the walk and have time to think about if you’re really hungry and what you’re actually hungry for.

Now that you have a strategy with this Healthy Guide to Navigate Holiday Parties, you’ll be able to find balance between making healthy choices while enjoying holiday parties. Practicing these strategies, you’ll be able to attend and enjoy all the parties the season brings, enjoy the foods and beverages you love, and remain in control of your health. Go ahead and RSVP with confidence, knowing you’ve got this!

WINTER IS COMING,

• Classes are offered one evening per week in eight-week sessions.

• Attend class twice a week to finish in four semesters.

• Specialize in areas such as:

» Business analytics

» Digital marketing and innovation

» Leadership and managerial skills

» Investments and applied portfolio management

leads active volunteer

essentia health’s volunteers

For Kerri Anderson

the season of giving doesn’t just come around the holidays. Volunteering is not only the focus of her professional life, but she also shares her time and talents in her personal life.

As supervisor of volunteer and guest services, Anderson recruits and trains volunteers for Essentia Health in Fargo. She started as Essentia Health-Fargo’s gift shop manager in 2004 and became supervisor of volunteer and guest services in 2009. Anderson began with 50 volunteers and now has around 160.

The 43-year-old volunteer supervisor describes herself as a people person and problem-solver so her job suits her well. She earned a degree in education from Minnesota State University-Moorhead so teaching and training volunteers is a good fit.

Anderson herself is an active volunteer. She has volunteered with her children’s 4-H club, coached softball, taught Sunday school, tutored children and supervised parental visits for a social service agency. Her whole family rings bells for the Salvation Army and helps with the annual rodeo in Hawley, Minnesota, where they live.

Anderson and her husband, Danny, have two children, Hoyt and Morgen, and they work to instill in them the importance of volunteering. Both children volunteer at the Fargo hospital. Hoyt has been part of an annual landscaping and cleanup day with Concordia College students. Morgen plays an elf and delivers gifts to hospitalized patients at Christmas. “Patients’ faces just light up when they see her,” Anderson says.

“I want my kids to know that only doing something to get something in return is not a good way to look at the world,” Anderson says. “When I volunteer, I know I feel a higher sense of accomplishment. I know I’m helping other people and making someone’s day better.”

In her job, Anderson works with volunteers ages 16 to 93. Some have helped for years, while others, especially high school or college students, make a short-term commitment. Most volunteers work at Essentia Health-Fargo and the clinic that shares the 32nd Avenue medical campus.

“Our volunteers are a special group. They’re here because they want to be here,” Anderson says. “People giving up their personal time is huge. It seems so many of us have so little time, but these people know the value of volunteering and giving of yourself.”

kerri anderson believes in sharing time and talents

← (From left) KERRI ANDERSON talks with MARGARET TINNES, who volunteers at the hospitality desk at Essentia Health-Fargo. Kerri is Essentia’s supervisor of volunteer and guest services. Margaret, who lives in Fargo, has volunteered since 2002.

Many volunteers greet patients, families and visitors at hospitality desks. Patient escorts help people get to their appointments. “We’re always looking for outgoing individuals who assist our patients and their families,” Anderson says.

This month, the hospital’s gift shop is re-opening after being closed for four years to accommodate a series of construction projects. Anderson is eager to stock the store and recruit volunteers. The gift shop will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but Anderson would like to offer evening and weekend hours as well.

In the hospital’s newborn intensive care unit, volunteers help families create scrapbooks, do babies’ laundry, organize supplies and occasionally rock babies. In the hospital’s restaurant, hosts help people get their food, carry trays and tidy tables. Nearby, volunteer musicians sing and pianists play in the hospital atrium. All around the hospital, volunteers wheel a cart of books and magazines to share with patients and family members. Other volunteers help with office duties and special events.

Volunteers are asked to work one four-hour shift a week but the schedule can be flexible. High school students can fulfill their volunteer hours. Partnerships with area colleges bring students who are pre-medicine majors or pursuing degrees in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. They work in departments related to their majors.

There are even opportunities for people who’d like to contribute from home, Anderson says. Knitters and crocheters make baby hats. Crafters make blankets for every child and teen who is hospitalized. Other people donate to an annual holiday giving tree or bring clothes to give to patients treated in the hospital’s emergency department.

Anderson is open to a volunteer’s ideas on how he or she can help. “We’re always trying to make life easier for our patients and lighten the workload of our staff,” she says.

TO VOLUNTEER WITH ESSENTIA Health, or to ask about opportunities, call Anderson at 701-364-8898 or email kerri.anderson@essentiahealth.org.

• Do not overload electrical outlets with too many decorations or appliances.

• Extension cords used for holiday decorations should be checked for fraying/damaged or exposed wires.

• Carefully inspect all electrical decorations before you use them. Cracked or damaged sockets and/or loose or exposed wires can cause serious shocks or start a fire.

• Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation.

• Always unplug electrical decorations before replacing bulbs or fuses.

• Make sure a live tree is watered daily.

area family

holiday 2018

photo: scherlingphotography.com

to HOLIDAYS REMEMBER

When reminiscing about Christmas cards from prior years, we probably all think of photos where we were wearing head to toe denim or the year the whole family wore matching red sweaters. For us women, we can all remember the Christmas photo where we had way too many bows on. My personal favorite was from a year we had a very formal photo session and my mom picked the one with the most ridiculous smile I have ever made in my life. Of course, that picture happened to be the photo that our family and friends seemed to keep around for years. Being in fourth grade at the time, I was so embarrassed. One year my mom told everyone in the family to wear khakis with a white or blue shirt. Well, everyone else picked white except for my husband and I. We looked like we totally missed the memo in our amazingly planned blue shirts.

I have some cherished memories of my siblings and cousins wearing pajamas that were similarly patterned or even completely matching. We love to criticize our parents for making us wear those silly pajamas but, if we’re being honest, we adore those memories. Now as a mom, I find myself doing the same thing to my kids. Just trying to give my kids some content for making fun of me later in life!

It is easy to think of clothing as just a means to an end or the pressure to prove something. At Christmastime, I like to put all those negative feelings out of my brain. It is an opportunity to wear some dorky family matching pajamas or committing to wearing the most ridiculous ugly Christmas sweater you can find because it is the chance to make memories with your family and friends.

Follow Lindsay on INSTAGRAM: @pinkandnavystripes

This year my goals were to get some photos of the girls in these cute plaid dresses, buffalo check dresses, and some photos where Josie, my youngest daughter, is the focal point. I tried doing that by having her outfits complement her sister’s, but not perfectly matching them. With it being our first Christmas card with her, I want to make sure she stands out.

Christmas and Thanksgiving at our house is a much more casual event these days. I still love getting dressed up to go to church, but when it comes to mealtime we are not wearing our Sunday best. It may just be the product of having young kids, but I am not really shopping for cute holiday dresses anymore. I am loving the layered looks this year though! I’ve been looking for great cardigans and basic shirts. These are outfits to which you could add your favorite patterned scarf and some animal print shoes or fun boots.

I hope you can all make the most of your holiday season. It is such a special time of year for so many reasons. I try to make it the most magical time of year for our girls. We try to slow down and celebrate the important things and remember what we are thankful for.

personal growth

fargo engineer enhances job performance with NDSU graduate degree

Virginia Regorrah has a growth mindset. She loves working as a resident engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Fargo. She’s been on the job for 18 years and continues pushing herself to grow as a professional by keeping up with the latest in her field and serving as an effective mentor for junior engineers.

She is accomplishing her goals by pursuing a doctorate in construction management and engineering at North Dakota State University. The program is designed to advance technical knowledge, competence and interdisciplinary understanding and to prepare students for entering or advancing within the civil engineering profession.

“I’ve enjoyed the classes and the professors so much,” she says. “Their willingness to explain things and their willingness to work with my schedule has been incredible. They are teaching things that are not just academic. It’s benefitting me in my job on a day-to-day basis.”

Regorrah started the program fall 2015 and is currently working on her dissertation. She has a demanding full-time job and a family, so the program’s flexibility has been a good fit. She scheduled several classes at night and online so she wouldn’t miss any family time. She rarely missed her children’s activities.

Every opportunity to open a book is an opportunity to gain more information. Studying is something I love to do. AND I LOVED STUDYING AT NDSU.”

— virginia regorrah —

She also likes the attention to each student’s success. Professors welcomed Regorrah’s questions and feedback, and encouraged her to visit during office hours for clarification or guidance.

She is already an experienced professional, overseeing multimillion-dollar projects in the region, including the Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion. Yet continuing her education givesher additional tools to keep growing. “A lot of things I was taught can be directly applied to my work every day,” she says.

Regorrah has already taught a few courses at NDSU and other colleges in the area. However, a doctorate from NDSU will allow even more opportunities to share what she’s learned. Teaching more classes will help her grow as mentor to young engineers.

Regorrah’s life focus is personal and professional development. As a curious kid, she wanted to know how to build things. The search for knowledge continued as an undergraduate and graduate student at the University of Hawai’i at Mãnoa and as an officer in the Army. She learned. She grew. She felt fulfilled.

Those pursuits never stopped, even when life was packed with work, travel and family. She always found time to learn. She pursued a master’s degree while she was the corps’ resident engineer in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

That same drive is what led her back into the classroom to get her doctorate at NDSU. “Every opportunity to open a book is an opportunity to gain more information,” Regorrah says. “Studying is something I love to do. And I loved studying at NDSU.”

CONTINUE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH with a graduate degree at NDSU. Explore our programs at ndsu.edu/gradschool.

equitable not equal:

THE INS and NOT-SO-EQUAL OUTS DURING DIVORCE

With national divorce rates at an all time high, you may be surprised (or not) to find that North Dakota ranks the lowest on percentage of marriages that end in divorce. While the national average of firsttime marriages that end in divorce teeters around the 50 percent mark, North Dakota’s divorce rate sits at approximately 8 percent.

Whether you’ve experienced divorce yourself, or witnessed someone else going through the process, you know that it can be a trying and confusing time. Among many other issues, one of the biggest concerns that separating couples face is the division of property and spousal support.

Here are three things you should know about property division and the awarding of spousal support:

01

Property division and spousal support are interrelated, and an equitable distribution doesn’t necessarily mean an equal distribution. The division of martial property and awarding of spousal support go hand-in-hand. An example of how this could play out in a divorce is for one spouse to take more real property in exchange for making a lumpsum spousal support or property settlement payment. Or, for one spouse to receive more tangible assets in exchange for getting a smaller percentage of their joint savings. Again, it is important to remember that equitable doesn’t necessarily mean equal. A common misconception is each spouse takes half. However, the division of property is rarely (if ever) that simple. In North Dakota, the standard is equitable division of property, which means one spouse may end up with more than the other. 02

Your income is not the only factor in determining spousal support. When awarding spousal support, the court looks at a great deal more than the earning income of the parties. The court will consider the needs of the spouse seeking support and the ability of the other spouse to pay. Additionally, North Dakota utilizes the Ruff-Fischer Guidelines which take into account: respective ages of the parties, their earning ability, the duration of the marriage and conduct of the parties during the marriage, their station in life, the circum-

stances and necessities of each, their health and physical condition, their financial circumstances as shown by the property owned at the time, its value at the time, its income-producing capacity if any, whether it was accumulated before or after the marriage, and other such matters that may be material. If marriage is very short, courts are more reluctant to award long-term spousal support. On the other hand, if a spouse has a disability or is physically dependent on others, this could weigh in favor of awarding long-term support.

Just because you came into the marriage with it, doesn’t mean you’ll leave the marriage with it. Another common misconception is the idea of individual property. In North Dakota, all property acquired during the marriage is marital property. There are exceptions to every rule, but the default rule is everything acquired during the marriage is marital property. So, just because the boat was purchased in one spouse’s name or because a retirement account is funded solely from one spouse’s job, that does not necessarily mean that spouse will end up with it in the divorce.

MORGAN L. CROAKER

This article was written and prepared by Morgan L. Croaker, an associate attorney with the Serkland Law Firm in Fargo, North Dakota. She concentrates her practice in the areas of divorce and family law; and general commercial litigation. For more information, call 701-232-8957, email at mcroaker@serklandlaw.com or visit serklandlaw.com.

This article should not be considered legal advice and should not be relied upon by any person with respect to his/her specific situation. [ aw ]

“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” matthew 1:21

RONALD H. MCLEAN BERLY D. NELSON

ROGER J. MINCH PETER W. ZUGER KASEY D. MCNARY

JANE L. DYNES

JAMES R. MARING

JOSEPH WETCH JR.

TIMOTHY G. RICHARD

IAN R. MCLEAN MORGAN L. CROAKER REBECCA S. THIEM

JACK G. MARCIL

area profiles

holiday 2018

photo: lindsay-kaye.com

OFFERS ONLINE HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION DEGREE

Investing in signature healthcare programs

Minnesota State University Moorhead is responding to the growing need for skilled healthcare executives to manage organizations and programs across the region by offering its Health Services Administration (HSA) degree entirely online beginning Spring 2019. The HSA degree is for students interested in managing hospitals, acute and long-term care organizations or public health agencies.

The HSA program is approved by and meets licensure requirements of the Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators in Minnesota and North Dakota Long Term Care Administration, and is a member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. HSA courses have been delivered in a hybrid format using online and on-campus classes since the late 1990s.

However, a recent market study conducted for MSUM indicated the growing need for 100 percent online delivery of this type of program. Online delivery allows students to earn the degree from anywhere in the world, under the same rigor and quality of an on-campus experience.

“Another key reason we decided to deliver the program online was to fulfill our promise to non-traditional students,” says Jitendra Singh, associate professor and coordinator of the HSA program. “You can manage the program and still have time for your family or a full-time job.”

Even without face-to-face interaction, professors like Singh ensure online learners get the same experiences as on-campus students. Technology tools promote teamwork for real-time discussions and group projects, allowing students to interact fully with their professors and peers.

words by KRISTI MONSON, MSU MOORHEAD photography by DAVE ARNTSON, MSU MOORHEAD

MSU Moorhead

Tony Santos, a 2018 HSA graduate, took several online classes, which he preferred over on-campus courses because of their flexibility and convenience. That wasn’t the only reason Santos enjoyed the program.

“The faculty members go the extra mile in helping students find ways to showcase their knowledge and skills,” Santos says. “I took part in many great opportunities throughout my undergraduate experience that supported my goals as an aspiring healthcare professional.”

Santos credits Singh’s mentorship and support in securing meaningful internship and project management experiences that have equipped him to be job ready upon hire.

In addition to bringing the HSA degree online, MSUM’s nationally ranked Master of healthcare administration (MHA) — designed for early to mid-careerists working in the healthcare field — recently added additional faculty resources to keep up with market demand. MSUM also offers an MBA in healthcare management designed for high-level healthcare managers to assume leadership roles in the industry. All of these programs are delivered online or in a hybrid format to accommodate students’ lifestyles.

“One of MSUM’s strategic priorities is to promote and invest in our signature programs, which include healthcare offerings in HSA, MHA and MBA in healthcare management,” says Marsha Weber, interim vice president for academic affairs. “We strive to serve new populations by adding fully online options for students that align our academic offerings with market demand and workforce needs.”

Students can expect MSUM to continue its investment in online delivery, says Lisa Karch, interim dean of graduate and extended learning. “Online courses and programs meet students’ needs in being accessible and flexible so they can continue working part- and full-time.”

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE online Health Services Administration program, visit mnstate.edu/health-services.

To learn more about graduate programs for healthcare professionals, visit mnstate.edu/graduate/programs.

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP

SLETTE superintendent of west fargo schools educating today’s learners for tomorrow’s world

words by CAROLYN LILLEHAUGEN photography by LINDSAY KAYE PHOTOGRAPHY hair and makeup by SARA ALBRECHT : MJ CAPELLI'S (maxx location) 4340 13th avenue south suite 70 a , fargo

BETH

GO BE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE.”

In 1987 these wise words from Mr. Wik, the Mahnomen high school guidance counselor, encouraged Beth (Wambach) Slette not to worry about her future, but rather to just get started and allow the path to unfold naturally. At the time, she was thinking about becoming a hairdresser. Little did she imagine that her career path would eventually lead her to the role of superintendent of the third largest school district in the state of North Dakota.

Growing up in Mahnomen, Minnesota, as the youngest of Andrew and Beryl Wambach’s eight children, Slette was accustomed to being around older siblings and adults, and could relate well with all kinds of people. Though they never discussed career planning, Slette learned many valuable life lessons from her homemaker mother. By her example, Beryl Wambach taught about developing relationships, servant leadership, parenting, and providing hospitality; all skills that Slette uses daily in her roles as wife, mother and superintendent. Likewise, Slette’s father Andrew Wambach significantly impacted her development. Serving as a lawyer in Mahnomen, he consistently modeled active listening and focused engagement with each person he met. Now in his late 80s, Wambach is still active in his law practice and his absolute adherence to honesty, strength of character, and wise counsel continue to guide his daughter today as she is faced with difficult decisions.

After graduating from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1991 with a degree in elementary education, Slette was still uncertain if she was fully ready for a classroom of her own. She moved home to Mahnomen and began her career as a paraprofessional in the local school, and one year later, became a classroom teacher at Naytahwaush Elementary School. In 1994 she accepted her first position with West Fargo School District at Harwood Elementary. During her time there, Superintendent Chuck Cheney asked if he could come visit her during her prep period one afternoon. Again, a simple suggestion, “Have you ever thought about being a principal?” along with gentle encouragement to plan for future leadership roles in their rapidly growing district inspired Slette to ponder the possibilities.

Emboldened by her husband Bruce to “Just do it,” Slette asked for a year’s leave of absence and plowed head long into getting her master’s degree in educational leadership from North Dakota State University. Looking back now they can agree that it was the right decision, but at the time it was a challenging commitment. Their young daughters, Maria and Sophie, were just four and two years old, and like all toddlers, they required a lot of time and energy. Additionally, they had just moved into a new house and downsizing to one income left them financially stretched. Bruce, who works for UPS, added overtime shifts to make ends meet.

Many of her master’s degree classes required either library or online research, and since she did most of her schoolwork during her daughters’ naptimes or after their bedtime, getting to the library was hard. At the time the Slettes did not even own a home computer. Again, Bruce said, “Just go buy one.” So she did. But in 2001, home computers were not as commonplace and Slette didn’t even know how to set it up. With a lot of hard work, some creative scheduling, and a little extra help from both sets of grandparents, she succeeded in accomplishing her goal of finishing her MA in one year.

a career path full of small incremental steps

West Fargo’s population was indeed booming and Slette was soon called upon to serve as transition coordinator providing leadership as the district reorganized and opened new schools. When Cheney Middle School opened in 2003, Slette accepted a position as assistant principal, working alongside Principal Rob Kaspari. As Slette describes it, “His patient leadership was invaluable. He not only gave me responsibilities, he also showed me how to do his job by inviting me to learn alongside him when he had a new task to accomplish. He graciously explained and demonstrated the tasks necessary for managing a building, scheduling classes, planning for summer school and so much more.”

As time went on, Slette continued to accept new leadership roles within the West Fargo district. She learned to rely on the system, revealing that, “I continued to apply for the next job and trusted they would let me know if it was not the right fit for me.” Following her years as assistant middle school principal, Slette became the principal at Westside Elementary. A fond memory of those years was working in the same building where her daughters were attending class. They would ride to and from school together, and when possible, Slette gladly took the opportunity to walk down the hallway to see their class programs and activities.

In 2011, Slette transitioned to a position in the central administration office, working as director of assessment and federal programs. In this role she worked to monitor district compliance with guidelines and implement the district’s strategic plan.

The next career step for Slette was as assistant superintendent for elementary curriculum and instruction. This role was particularly rewarding because of the direct impact the curriculum team had on student learning. As Slette reflects, “The whole team worked so hard to accomplish our goals, and the work we did made significant improvements for students and teachers.” In this position, Slette worked directly with the superintendent, Dr. David Flowers, and gained an even greater understanding of the complexities of school systems.

As Flowers observes, “Slette is a bright and knowledgeable educator. I always knew I could rely on Beth to do a job well. She is a very diligent worker, and there were many occasions when she took initiative to suggest a solution before I had even recognized we had a problem.” During his 45 years as an educator, Flowers realized that one of his jobs was to mentor others and help them prepare for the next opportunity. Because of this, Flowers believed that Slette would be a great person for the job and he fully supported her application for the superintendent position upon his retirement.

In an early message to the West Fargo community after accepting her position as superintendent, Slette emphasized her core belief that the purpose of school is to focus on the needs of the students and create environments where they can thrive and develop skills and attitudes that will prepare them for the future. As she explains, "Educating today's learners for tomorrow's world is not just a feel-good statement that we stamp on our letterhead. It actually means that it is our responsibility to ensure West Fargo students are ready for whatever path they choose: post-secondary ready, workforce ready, and/or military ready.”

One of the superintendent’s responsibilities is to oversee the financial management of the district. According to Slette, “Our school board and administration are cognizant of our duty to provide the best education possible while trying to keep taxes at a minimum.” West Fargo Public Schools (WFPS) has a general fund budget of $126 million, which covers everything from buildings and busses to teachers’ salaries and technology and so much more. Although the community of West Fargo recently passed a $106.9 million bond referendum to build much needed facilities, WFPS officials also diligently apply for grants to support a wide variety of initiatives. One example of a recent award they received is a $28.8 million Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant that will fund

professional development in effective strategies for teaching reading, writing and related skills. WFPS was also recently awarded a five year grant from KnowledgeWorks, a national organization supporting educational innovation. West Fargo plans to move from the “one-size fits all” model of education where students are constrained by required class time, and instead adopt a competency-based model that personalizes the learning plan for each individual. This system will allow for better support of both remedial and accelerated learning, and everything in-between. The KnowledgeWorks organization will provide staff training and technology support to help educators develop strategies, thus allowing them to educate today's learners for a world where they can learn anything, anytime, anywhere.

Another positive part of the overall educational system in West Fargo is strong community support. Early in her time as superintendent, Slette faced the challenge of dealing with misconduct on the part of a staff member. Rather than seek cover behind a response of “no comment,” Slette determined to publically address the tough issue and seek help from the greater community. “The police and mental health professionals are our allies as we tackle challenges such as mental health, sexting, social media and substance abuse.” She continues, “It is our duty to make decisions based on what is best for kids, regardless of the issue.”

educating today’s learners for tomorrow’s world

Living in a metropolitan area with many strong and thriving school systems is a wonderful benefit for families. When one of the metro schools does something especially well, it raises the bar for all of the schools and as Slette suggests, “that makes all of us better.” Rather than creating a sense of competition, there is a definite sense of collaboration among the West Fargo, Fargo, and Moorhead schools and beyond. Each spring the districts cooperate to sponsor a technology camp where educators and tech industry leaders share practical and innovative ways to use technology in the classroom. Another example of collaboration is metro-wide learning walks when administrators go together into schools from each district analyzing what is happening in actual classrooms and looking for best practices to share.

With such a demanding job, Slette admits there is not a lot of time for outside interests. At this stage in her life, most of her out-of-office reading still focuses on educational topics; most of her travel centers around professional conferences; and most of her volunteer work is directly connected to boards and organizations she is on to represent the school system.

Spending time with family is Slette’s greatest joy. Slette and her husband Bruce, along with Maria and Sophie — who are now young adults —especially relish relaxing at the lake in the summer and celebrating with extended family during the holidays. “Each stage of life is new and exciting to me, and I feel like I always have something to look forward to. Although it sometimes makes me sad to see our girls grow up so fast, it is truly a privilege and blessing to see what they are doing with their gifts and talents.”

According to Slette, it would not have been possible to accomplish her career advancement alone. She relies on Bruce to handle the majority of the daily household obligations, but even more importantly, she relies on him to be a sounding board. Though she is careful to preserve confidentiality, many evenings Slette will seek his insight when she begins, “Do you have time for a story?” and Bruce is always a willing and supportive listener.

Slette is calm and confident as she considers the important assignment of leading West Fargo Public Schools. She cares deeply about children and keeps her focus clear, stating, “We need to provide opportunities for all our students, regardless of neighborhood or socio-economic status, to have equal access to a well-rounded personalized education, ensuring they will be fully prepared for success in tomorrow’s world.”

BETH’S HOLIDAY FAVORITES

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG

Merry Christmas, Darling – The Carpenters; my sister Coleen passed away in 1977 when she was 23 years old. I was only 8 at the time, but every year my mom would play this song over and over because it reminded her of Colleen. It’s my favorite, and Maria and Sophie love it, too.

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE

White Christmas

WHAT’S THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER GIVEN

When my girls were little, we got them American Girl dolls. They loved them so much, and the adults, especially my mom, loved them just as much!

TELL US A SPECIAL HOLIDAY MEMORY

The year my niece got a karaoke machine and my mom sang a Patsy Cline song! All the grandchildren were stunned!

YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY

TRADITION

My mom always made “pigs in a blanket” the night we decorated the Christmas tree. She would set up a picnic on the floor under the tree for my sisters and me. My mom passed away 12 years ago, but it’s a tradition we continue today.

FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP

The White House Co – I bought my favorite petal pink velvet chair that is just the right size for my “getting ready” room. They constantly change up their displays and items, so it’s like a new store every time I go in!

FAVORITE RESTAURANT

Tru Blu Social Club – I love the atmosphere because there is just enough music that you can’t hear other people’s conversations, but it is not too loud. I also like the lighting. It’s relaxing and the food is great, especially the popovers!

HOW DO YOU DECORATE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

I put up two trees. Our tree upstairs is all red and gold, full of poinsettias, gold/red ribbon, red cardinals, and gold/red bulbs. The tree downstairs is full of ornaments the girls made, were given, and even some from when Bruce and I were kids.

FAVORITE WINTER ACTIVITY

Going to the lake and making chicken and dumplings or soup. I love how cozy it is when the snow is falling, and we sit by the fireplace.

arealife

holiday 2018

photo: abbyanderson.com

making merry memories

HOW MAXWELLS CREATES the perfect holiday evening

The holidays — no other time of year brings out such a rich display of lights, sounds, smells and colors. Every one of your senses, excited by your surroundings!

And the flavors are no exception. Some of the richest dishes and elaborate feasts are enjoyed in celebration of family, friends and life. An annual holiday dinner or special meal before the show is highly sought after to make the evening complete. But does enjoying the quality of fine dining mean sacrificing the comfort of a cozy evening?

According to owner and chef Mike Wald, it doesn’t have to. At Maxwells, he delivers the impeccable art of French cooking in a warm and approachable atmosphere. His inspiration comes in part from his own childhood memories, “I like taking those dishes to the next level.” Wald has grown and lived in North Dakota his whole life. Originally from Bismarck, he started working in the restaurant business at the age of 14. He was inspired by chef Gregorio Dedona, an Italian chef from New York, “He showed me how to manipulate ingredients to get what you want.” After developing his skills, he came to The Bistro in Bismarck where he was first introduced to fine dining and French cooking technique. He smiles as he reveals, “Any French chef will tell you, anything good starts with a good stock.”

It is this attention to detail and commitment to making everything from scratch that sets the high standard Maxwells is known for. However for Wald, “It’s about bringing it to the basics and making it comfortable.” A warm atmosphere and welcome from owner Ramon Sosa supports this priority. Asked what dish is a must have, Wald surprises with the recommendation of the soup. He explains, “It might just say chicken noodle, but

it’s homemade noodles, free-range chicken.” Other dishes patrons rave about include the bison meatballs and choice scallops. The chef feels strongly when it comes to the produce and meats he brings in, “If I have the option to go with the higher quality, I absolutely will.” He goes on to explain, “It’s the little things that set your restaurant apart.”

Wald, Ramon, and the staff at Maxwells know the honor that comes in creating an experience for each customer that sits at their table. To Wald, execution is key, “People don’t know what it is that makes [a meal] great, but really it’s in the execution.” From a perfectly prepared steak, to the precise moment when a dish is served, “It’s about executing everything properly.”

Many of us look for those perfect moments together during the holidays. Moments to forget the wear and tear of life and fully feel the magic of the season. This year, Wald is excited for patrons to enjoy not only the holiday menu, but the New Year’s Eve menu, as well. The menu will feature many of the classics, including oysters, champagne, surf and turf, and the mixologists’ own surprise cocktails, wines, and drinks to enjoy. But no matter what brings you to Maxwells, the chef promises, “Everyday is a celebration!” Because ultimately, creating that one special evening is what it’s all about, “We want not just a happy palate, but a wonderful memory.”

Marina Gilca, MD

Max R. Johnson, MD

SERVING THE FARGO/MOORHEAD AREA SINCE 1988

LIKE MANY EVENTS,

the annual Celebration of Women and Their Music relies on the volunteers who give of their time, their talent and their financial support. This event features regional women musicians and female high school students in the arts, who also apply for and receive monetary awards. The show was founded in 1998 by Deb Jenkins, and she discovered a small army of people who shared her passion.

every

One of those people is volunteer Tracy Walvatne, who says she fell in love with the group of people and the behind-the-scenes workings of the show. Walvatne has been involved since 2005 in various roles and is currently a board member and head of the application committee. She believes in the show’s mission of empowering young women’s voices through art. She says, “I feel like the show in January is the best kept secret. The talent and diversity is second to none, and every show has goose-bump moments created by some budding young artist.”

Jenkins says many of the volunteers have been involved in the celebration for years, and that makes her job eas-

ier. She knows she can delegate and depend on her team. Jenkins says when people hear the story about the show and the mission of helping young women in the arts, they often ask how they can help. And just as often they end up involved with the show in some capacity.

The 22nd annual Celebration of Women and Their Music will be Saturday, January 19, 2019, at The Stage at Island Park. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at6:00 p.m. General tickets are $20. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $40 and include the VIP party from 4:30–6 p.m. at the venue. Tickets are available at Eventbrite 22ndcelebrationofwomen. eventbrite.com and will be for sale the day of the show.

Scheduled to appear are:

Peggy Bartunek (Minneapolis)

Natalie Fideler (Minneapolis)

Deb Jenkins (Fargo)

Dakota Kate (Moorhead)

Kari Marie (Fargo)

Diane Miller (Minneapolis)

Emy Miller (Fargo)

Lucy Mitchell (Minneapolis)

Katie Morrau (Fargo)

Sarah Morrau (Fargo)

Gina Powers (Fargo)

Jessica Vines (Fargo)

And more…

behind

great celebration of women and their music… is a devoted group of volunteers

Award winners to be announced at a later date. In addition to the main show, musicians are scheduled to perform throughout the week. Show sponsors are Ruth Rosberg Evans, The Forum and Gate City Bank.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17

HoDo, 101 Broadway

Host Pat Lenertz Band & Celebration of Women Guests

8–11 PM

21+

No cover

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18

HoDo, 101 Broadway

8–11PM

Jessica Vines & Conor Lee

Peggy Bartunek Quartet

21+

No cover

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18

Side Street, 404 4th Ave N

10 PM–close

Gina Powers Band & Guest

21+

No cover

SATURDAY JANUARY 19

Aquarium, Downtown Fargo

10 PM–close

Natalie Fideler

Little Fevers 21+

$5 cover

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the show please visit debjenkins.com/celebrationofwomen.html or visit our Facebook page.

PAM TEBOW tells of ‘miracle son’

AT FIRSTCHOICE EVENT

transition to women’s care center model, move in motion

Pam Tebow, mother of Heisman trophy winning Tim Tebow, shared with the hundreds gathered at the Holiday Inn in Fargo on Oct. 8 why her youngest child shouldn’t exist.

“We thought we were going to lose him so many times,” she says, explaining their refusal to abort Tim despite medical advice, and the delivering physician calling Tim a miracle. Only a tiny piece of placenta had been preserved during the high-risk pregnancy.

Singing nursery rhymes with biblical references and recounting stories of both trial and triumph, Tebow says not all our successes will be known during our earthly lives.

“Thanks for making an eternal investment tonight,” she said during the FirstChoice Clinic event, quoting Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

FirstChoice Clinic, a local pregnancy-resource center, serves mothers and fathers in vulnerable pregnancy situations.

A client, with her infant daughter nearby, shared her testimony of choosing life, while Angela Wambach, executive director, updated participants about the clinic’s forthcoming move to Downtown Fargo.

The employment of a new model, proven to increase client volume in other cities across the country, has already begun at the Fargo and the Bismarck sites, Wambach says.

“In its first year, the original Women’s Care Center in Indiana served 300 clients, Wambach notes. “Now, they serve 400 a day. Ultimately, the only thing that matters to us is the woman who walks through our doors.”

FIRSTLINK’S ANNUAL

Gala

irstLink’s Annual Glitter Gala took place on August 9, at 6 p.m.

The event was hosted by Amanda Lea from Big 98.7. The program included fun games and their always popular glitter beard contest. Attendees arrived dressed in beautiful sparkled outfits and everyone looked fabulous. The event was generously sponsored by M.J. Capelli, Bremer Bank and Prairie St. John’s.

FirstLink leads the way in suicide prevention, education, follow-up and immediate support. FirstLink assists people to identify, access and make effective use of community and volunteer resources 24 hours a day. It’s the first link to connect people to resources. Just call 2-1-1 or 701-235-7335(SEEK) to contact their help-line.

Giving to FirstLink takes your dollar and turns it into resources utilized by our whole community. Your donation makes sure the resources for a strong community are always available.

TO GIVE, VOLUNTEER and MAKE A DIFFERENCE, connect online at myfirstlink.org.

SOMETIMES ANGELS

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

BUTTERCREAM

homewardonline.org | facebook.com/HomewardAnimalShelter/ 1201 28th Ave N, Fargo | 701-239-0077

Homeward Animal Shelter is a local and community-funded, nonprofit animal shelter. Its mission is: “Rescue. Shelter. Protect. Rehome.” It provides a second chance at happiness to lost, abandoned and owner-surrendered animals and educates the community in the proper, loving and kind treatment of animals.

PENGUIN

LUNA

APPLE CIDER

GRAPE

OLLIE

DEMI

RECIPES by MOLLY YEH – creator of the popular food and lifestyle blog

my name is yeh , author of Molly On The Range and host of Food Network's "Girl Meets Farm" photography by FOOD NETWORK

goulash with bread dumplings

goulash:

2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup canola oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

4 carrots, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons sweet paprika

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

4 cups beef broth

One 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

2 bay leaves

bread dumplings:

½ cup all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

½ cup whole milk

2 large eggs

12 ounces stale bread, cut into ½-inch cubes

6 ounces Gruyere or Swiss cheese, shredded

3 scallions, finely chopped

Chopped fresh parsley or scallions, for garnish, optional

Serves 8

for the goulash:

Preheat the oven to 250° F.

Sprinkle the beef with ½ teaspoon salt and a few turns of pepper. Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and coat with the oil. When the oil is shimmering, sear the beef all over in batches until deep brown, about 4 minutes per batch. Transfer the beef to a bowl and set aside.

Add the onions and cook, scraping up any meat bits from the bottom of the pan, about 3 minutes. Add the carrots, garlic and a pinch of salt and saute until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the paprika, tomato paste and caraway and stir to combine; cook for 2 minutes. Add the beef back to the pan, then add the broth, chopped tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover, transfer to the oven and cook until the beef is tender and can be broken down with a spoon but still maintains its shape, about 2 hours.

for the bread dumplings:

Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, nutmeg, ¾ teaspoon salt and a few turns of pepper in a small bowl. Whisk together the milk and eggs in a large bowl. Add the bread cubes, cheese and scallions to the egg mixture and stir to combine. Mix in the flour mixture. Let the dumpling mixture sit for 15 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Using a ⅓-cup ice cream scoop, form firmly packed balls of the dumpling mixture. Add them to the pot and boil until cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

Spoon the goulash into bowls and add a dumpling or two to each. Top with chopped parsley or scallions if desired.

MOLLY YEH is the star of Food Network’s new series “Girl Meets Farm.” Her memoir, “Molly On The Range: Recipes and Stories from an Unlikely Life on a Farm” earned her a place on the New York Times top releases of Fall 2016, became winner of the International Association of Culinary Professionals judge’s award, and was selected by NPR as one of their “Great Reads of 2016.” Yeh followed with the release of the book “Yogurt,” featuring recipes dedicated to an ingredient she calls “the duct tape of food.” Yeh is the creator of the acclaimed lifestyle food blog mynameisyeh.com. She has been featured in the New York Times, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, and New York Magazine, and has contributed to Vanity Fair, Saveur, Condé Nast Traveler, Food52, and The Jewish Daily Forward. She was named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list for 2017 and Apartment Therapy ’s 10 under 40 list. Outside the kitchen, Yeh is a Juilliard-trained percussionist and has performed with orchestras around the world, in off-Broadway theater, and as the glockenspielist for the pop-band San Fermin. She lives on a farm on the North Dakota-Minnesota border with her fifth-generation farmer husband and their little flock of chickens.

butternut, bacon + apple

HOTDISH

ingredients:

1 pound thick cut bacon

2 large purple onions, thinly sliced

Kosher salt

Serves 8

2 pounds squash, seeded, peeled, and chopped into ½ inch cubes

Leaves from 6 sprigs fresh thyme

Black pepper

Crushed red pepper

2 large apples, chopped into ½ inch cubes

¼ cup white wine

1 cup vegetable broth

biscuits:

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

14 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed

¼ cup heavy cream

1 large egg

Cheese, optional

Preheat oven to 425° F.

In a large skillet or pot, crisp the bacon. Transfer it to a paper towel. Drain off most of the fat from the pan, you’ll want a thin coating to remain, add the onions and cook over medium high for 10 minutes, until soft.

Add the squash, thyme, a few turns of pepper and a few pinches of crushed red pepper and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally, and then add the wine and broth. Give the bacon a rough chop and add it to the pan along with the apples. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, while you make the biscuits.

To make the biscuits, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and, using a food processor or pastry cutter or your hands, incorporate the butter until the mixture is the consistency of oatmeal. Mix in the cream until the mixture comes together to form a dough. Turn it out onto a floured work surface, pat it out to ¾ inch thick and then cut out round biscuits, re-rolling scraps as needed. (You can also use torn crusty bread as the topping for your hotdish. I like this as a lower maintenance weekday option.)

Pour the squash mixture into an oven-safe vessel such as a casserole dish or cast iron pan or Dutch oven and then top it with the biscuits. Brush the biscuits with the beaten egg and top with black pepper and grated cheese, if desired. Bake until the biscuits are golden brown. Begin checking for doneness at 25 minutes.

LIVING YwithGRIEF

These meetings are led by our Grief Support Coordinators Sonja Kjar and Ann Jacobson.

Photo by Chantell and Brett Quernemoen [ aw ]

December JANUARY

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

NOVEMBER 29-30 & DECEMBER 1-2

FOLKWAYS CHRISTKINDLMARKT

Stone Building | 613 1st Ave N, Fargo

Celebrate the holiday season at the Christkindlmarkt. Four days of festive cheer in the outdoor Winter Wonderland, Gift Market, Art Demonstrations by Kirby’ Glass, and a Beer Hall. Food, live music, art demos, mulled wine, holiday treats, shopping and activities for the kids. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. Free parking at Roberts Commons Garage, 217 Roberts St. N. Enter garage on Roberts St. and exit via the stairs or elevator on 2nd Ave. N. You can walk through the alley to get to the Christkindlmarkt (one block away)

HOURS:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH

5:00–9:00 PM

6:00–9:00 PM Performance by Matt Hodek and the Dakota Dutchmen, dance and polka music

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH, 5:00–9:00 PM

Make and Take Project by Unglued

NOVEMBER 30

14 th Annual TRADITIONAL NORSK CHRISTMAS EVENT

This event features live music from “The Front Fenders” along with special guests “Charley Johnson and the Moving Parts.” Enjoy Norwegian food including Rømmegrøt, Flatbrød, Salmon, Meatballs, Kransekake, Lefse, Norwegian Heart Shaped Waffles, and Gløgg. There will be a silent auction with all proceeds benefitting Concordia Language Villages. 21 and older only. Tickets: $35 door, $30 advanced (at Scan Design, Stabo Scandinavian Imports, or online at fargounderground.com)

6:00 PM

Sons of Norway 722 2nd Ave N, Fargo

6:00–7:00 PM Accordion performance by Aimee Klein

7:00–9:00 PM Performance by the Meat Rabbits

SATURDAY, DECEMEBER 1ST, 12:00–9:00 PM

12:00–4:00 PM Kids activities including face painting, crafts and holiday story readings (2nd floor) 5:00–9:00 PM Beer Hall

7:00–9:00 PM JT Kenelley Band

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2ND, 12:00–5:00 PM

More information, vendor list and full schedule at xmasfargo.com.

photo: stacykennedy.com

DECEMBER 1

CHRISTMAS on the PRAIRIE

We are excited to bring you a historic Christmas celebration at Bonanzaville. The pioneer village will be transformed to a simpler time where carolers sing the sounds of the season and cookies are baked in a wood burning stove. Families will gather to celebrate the joys of Christmas, both past and present. Grab a hot drink and mix up your own creation at the hot chocolate bar, enjoy docents in the pioneer village and blacksmith demonstrations, design a Christmas card and print it on an old press, take a horse drawn sleigh ride, decorate and design your own Christmas treat, call Santa’s elves at the North Pole to check on your Christmas gifts and get a photo taken with the big man himself! We also have crafts for the kids, s’mores over an open fire, a sledding hill and an ice skating rink (weather pending).

Admission $3 kids 12 & under, $6 adults

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Bonanzaville

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

DECEMBER 1

9 th Annual "HOLIDAY COLLECTIONS" CRAFT SHOW

Over 80 artisans, crafters and vendors will display their crafts for all your holiday shopping needs. Door prizes will be drawn each half hour and lunch available for purchase. Largest church-held craft show in the region.

Admission $1 (proceeds to the Daily Bread Program)

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Holy Cross Catholic Church

2711 7th St E, West Fargo

Just south of Costco 701-277-9681

DECEMBER 1 & 2

THE NUTCRACKER and HOLIDAY SHOW

The Bonnie Haney School of Dance will be performing their 2018 Holiday Show along with their Nutcracker performance.

DECEMBER 1 AT 7:00 PM

DECEMBER 2 AT 1:00 PM

Moorhead Senior High School

2300 4th Ave S, Moorhead 701-232-9900

DECEMBER 6

TENTH AVENUE NORTH

DECADE THE HALLS TOUR

Join Tenth Avenue North and Love & The Outcome for a Christmas concert like no other! Tenth Avenue North is bringing 100 years of music history to the Christmas songs you love in a show your family will remember forever.

7:00 PM

First Assembly Church | 3401 25th St S, Fargo life979.com

DECEMBER 7-9, 13-16, 20-22

A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL presented by Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre

Based on the perennial holiday movie favorite, A Christmas Story – The Musical chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle (You’ll shoot your eye out kid!). An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dogdare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish in this delightful musical adaptation.

Tickets: Adults $25, Seniors (65+) $20, Students $15

DECEMBER 7-8, 13-15, 20-22 | 7:30 PM

DECEMBER 9 & 16 | 2:00 PM

Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre | 333 4th St S, Fargo 701-235-6778 | fmct.org

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

DECEMBER 8 & 9

A MAGICAL MEDORA CHRISTMAS 2018

Medora’s hit Christmas show is returning to Fargo for its fourth year. A Magical Medora Christmas features vocal performances by the amazing Emily Walter, the talented yodeler and Broadway star Jared Mason, and the wonderful Broadway soloist Job Christenson. Former Medora Musical bandleader Chad Willow accompanies on piano and banjo. Throughout the show Bill Sorensen the Wild West Prestidigitator will wow you with magic true-to-the-season and lighthearted humor the whole family will love. Tickets $30 (at medora.com and Hornbacher’s)

7:30 PM

Fargo South High School | 1 15th Ave S, Fargo 701-223-4800

DECEMBER 13 AND JANUARY 11

HER STORY AT 11:11

Spend one hour with authentic women, hearing stories from women who have overcome challenges and are quiet heroes in our community. Their stories are encouraging, inspiring and relatable. Admission $22.22 (profits go to the storyteller’s charity of choice) Find us on Facebook at Her Story at 11:11. Contact Robin Swanson, robin@superiorinsuranceagency.com.

11:11 AM – 12:11 PM

Boy Scouts of America | 4200 19th Ave S, Fargo

December JANUARY

DECEMBER 15

SANTA FLY-IN

Santa will catch a ride in the Sanford helicopter and arrive at 10:00 a.m. to visit with children about their lists and depart at 1:00 p.m. Santa’s elves will help children in and out of a couple of special airplanes to take a look around. FREE to Fargo Air Museum members. Photos available for purchase.

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Fargo Air Museum | 1609 19th Ave N, Fargo 701-729-1611

DECEMBER 15 & 16

FM Ballet Presents THE CLASSIC NUTCRACKER

FMBallet’s The Classic Nutcracker choreographed by Artistic Director Matt Gasper features graceful snowflakes and flowers, the majestic Sugar Plum Fairy, an epic battle between mischievous mice and toy soldiers plus many more characters as Clara and the prince travel to faraway lands. This holiday classic is sure to put you in the holiday spirit and is a family friendly show that will delight audiences of all ages. It is also the only ballet production which features a live, professional orchestra in over a 300mile radius. Last season the final show sold out! Get your tickets early so you don’t miss out on the magic.

Tickets $8 – 42.

DECEMBER 15 | 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

DECEMBER 16 | 2:00 PM

NDSU Festival Concert Hall

1511 12th Ave N, Fargo fmballet.org/tickets

DECEMBER 20

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

Christmas Wonderland Holiday Spectacular is quite simply one of the most delightful and enchanting Christmas shows ever, featuring glittering costumes, a dazzling cast and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the North Pole. Start Christmas in style as Santa and his merry helpers take you on an unforgettable nostalgic journey.

Ticket $66.50, $49, $36.50.

7:30 PM WITH DOORS OPENING AT 6:30 PM

FARGODOME | 1800 N. University Dr, Fargo

DECEMBER 28, 29 & 30

RUMBLE ON THE RED WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

The Rumble on the Red Wrestling Championships would like to welcome you to one of the largest wrestling events in the country. It’s the 13th year of the “Rumble” high school tournament (December 28-29), 11th year of the Rumble youth duals (December 29), and 7th year of the Rumble youth individual tournament (December 30).

Tickets: Adult 2-day pass $25, single day $15; Student 2-day pass $12, single day $7; Kids 5 and under are free.

Saturday only: Adults $10; Students $5.

DECEMBER 28, 10:00 AM

DECEMBER 29 & 30, 9:00 AM

FARGODOME | 1800 N. University Dr, Fargo fargodome.com

JANUARY 11, 12, & 13

GAMES GALORE “FIGHT THE FROST” INDOOR CARNIVAL

Kids of all ages will enjoy three days of jumping on inflatables at FARGODOME. More than 30 inflatables, including eight obstacle courses and even a designated kiddie land will occupy the main floor. The popular Archery Tag and Blacklight: Dodgeball, 9 Square and Mini Golf will be held on the other two levels of FARGODOME. Groups of 10 can purchase in advance, 701-298-2736. Admission ages 6 and up $12; ages 5 and under $7; Archery Tag $5 for unlimited play; all inclusive $15. Put on by Games Galore.

JANUARY 11TH, 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM, JANUARY 12TH, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, JANUARY 13TH 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM. FARGODOME | 1800 North University Dr, Fargo | fargodome.com

JANUARY 19

22 nd Annual CELEBRATION of WOMEN and THEIR MUSIC

General tickets are $20. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $40 and include the VIP party from 4:30–6 p.m. Tickets are available at Eventbrite 22ndcelebrationofwomen.eventbrite.com and will be for sale the day of the show.

SHOWTIME IS 6:30 PM

DOORS OPEN AT 6:00 PM

The Stage at Island Park

For more information and additional events, turn to page 66.

JANUARY 25-26

FROSTIVAL

A tri-city two-day event dedicated to making cold cool. Celebrate winter with cardboard sled racing, human curling, live music, snowga, and more. Brought to you by the FM CVB, Fargo Parks, West Fargo Parks and Moorhead Parks.

FRIDAY 4:00 – 10:00 PM

SATURDAY 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Multiple locations frostival.com | info@frostival.com

JANUARY 25, 26, & 27

27 th Annual 2019 RED RIVER VALLEY BOAT & MARINE PRODUCTS SHOW

North Dakota’s largest boat show is back at FARGODOME! See the latest in fishing boats, pontoons, wakeboard boats, personal watercraft and more. See the latest in electronics and take in great fishing and fishing electronics seminars daily. Visit website for daily schedules.

Admission: Adults $8, Kids ages 6-12 $2.50, Ages 5 and under FREE

JANUARY 25, NOON – 9:00 PM

JANUARY 26, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

JANUARY 27, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

FARGODOME | 1800 N University Dr, Fargo fargoboatshow.com

Saturday, December 1 st 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Celebrate the joys of Christmas both past and present with the whole family. $6 for adults, $3 for children

fargo PUBLIC LIBRARY Events

Fargo Public Library events are free and open to the public. A complete schedule of upcoming events is available at all locations and on our website at fargolibrary.org.

MAIN LIBRARY | 102 3rd St N, Fargo

DR. JAMES CARLSON LIBRARY | 2801 32nd Ave S, Fargo

NORTHPORT LIBRARY | 2714 Broadway N, Fargo

WORLD WAR I ON SCREEN FILM SERIES

SUNDAYS AT 2:00 PM

DEC. 2

World War I on Screen Film Series at the Main Library featuring Paths of Glory (1957, NR)

DEC. 16

DEC. 9

World War I on Screen Film Series at the Main Library featuring Gallipoli (1981, PG)

World War I on Screen Film Series at the Main Library featuring Testament of Youth (2014, PG-13)

Film historian/collector and former Concordia College Professor Tony McRae along with film critic Matt Olien will host a film series featuring four World War I movies. A short discussion will follow each screening. This film series is part of the 2018 One Book, One Community program series. Free popcorn. Main Library

UNRAVELED CRAFTERS CLUB

DECEMBER 9, JANUARY 13, JANUARY 27

For all crafters, knitters and crocheters, from novice to expert alike.

1:00 PM | Dr. James Carlson Library

for the LOVE OF READING

The Fargo Public Library offers something for every child. There’s Weekly Storytime for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Families; Baby Rhyme Time and PAWS for Reading (where kids can read to a reading therapy pet). Check out fargolibrary.org for meeting times and info.

FARGO LIBRARY BOOK CLUBS

Meet new people and discover some great reads. A list of current titles is available at fargolibrary.org.

CURRENT HISTORY BOOK CLUB

Meets last Tuesday of the month

Book club featuring classic titles.

7:00 PM – Main Library

TEA TIME BOOK CLUB.

Meets second Monday of the month

For all interested readers.

6:30 PM – Carlson Library

NORTHPORT CLASSIC BOOK CLUB

Meets third Wednesday of the month

Book club featuring classic titles.

6:30 PM – Northport Library

DECEMBER 1

HARRY POTTER CELEBRATION DAY

For kids and teens. Three sessions are planned. All materials will be provided. Pre-registration is required online or call 241-1495.

NOON, 1:00 PM AND 2:00 PM | Main Library

DECEMBER 8

HOLIDAY CONCERT FOR FAMILIES

FEATURING FM CHORAL ARTISTS

All ages are welcome, particularly kids and families.

10:00 AM | Main Library

DECEMBER 17

Traveling Lantern Theatre Company presents DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL

All materials will be provided. Kids of all ages and their families are welcome.

6:30 PM | Community Room at Main Library

DECEMBER 27

LEGO MANIA @ MAIN.

Library’s annual LEGO design contest for kids 12 years old and under. Prizes will be awarded. Pre-registration is required. Snacks will be provided.

2:00 PM | Main Library

DECEMBER 31

PJ MASKS NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION

Open to kids age 12 and under. We are making way for the New Year the superhero way! We are bringing the bedtime into the daytime with engaging themed activities. All materials will be provided; treats will be served. Registration not required.

11:00 AM | Main Library

For God

so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved .

— JOHN 3:16-17

merry CHRISTMAS

I BECAME A MOM AT SANFORD

Becoming a mother is an experience like no other, and at Sanford Women’s we are here to help make it the best experience possible. We provide expert care before, during and after pregnancy allowing you to choose the options that are right for you.

We offer:

• Pregnancy appointments starting at eight weeks

• B4Baby education, birth designers and doulas

• The delivery option and provider you want

• The region’s only maternal fetal medicine specialist

To learn more, visit womens.sanfordhealth.org