Fargo Monthly April 2023

Cover Breakdown

My Stomach Hates Me!? Local Restaurant Picks

Sponsored Content: The Perfect Golf Fitting Experience

Think Global; Act Local

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Editor's Event Picks

The 'Pursuit' of Success in the Metal Scene

Joe Overmoe's "To Jesse"

HEALTH SPORTS & REC

A Life of Hockey: My Grandpa's Story

HOME & DESIGN

Meet Lindsey Christie: Interior Designer

PARENTS & KIDS

A Look Inside: KidCo. Children's Museum

Word Search with the Red River Zoo

MIXOLOGIST OF THE MONTH: OMAR TORRES

MIKE BRADY KIM

LEVI TY

GENEVA

GRANT

SAM JOSIAH

JENNY

AL

DEVAN

TORI

HAILEY

MIRANDA

JESSICA

NICK

KELLEN BEN

TOMMY KELLAN

JONATHAN RYNE

JOHN

Fargo Monthly Magazine is published 12 times a year and is free. Copies are available at more than 500 Fargo-Moorhead locations and digitally at fargomonthly.com.

Publisher

EDITORIAL Editorial Team Lead

Editors

Art Director

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Contributors

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Brady Drake Brady@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

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Nick Schommer

Kellen Feeney

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ADVERTISING: 701-478-SPOT (7768)

EAT, READ,

A & BE HAPPY

s you can tell from the cover of this month's Fargo Monthly issue, we ventured into the topic of one of our favorites to feature—food. But this time we added a twist, foods that fall under the category of a variety of food restrictions due to intolerances or allergies. This might include glutenfree, dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan. We know that the Fargo-Moorhead area has plenty of amazing dining spots, so we wanted to explore another level of that. We also know that many people live with these food restrictions for their health, but that doesn't mean they can't enjoy good food. While I have no personal gluten restrictions myself, there are a handful of people in my life who do and I have seen the increase in their dining options in the FM area grow

immensely over the years, so why not show that off?

On a creative note, we chose to showcase a dish that almost anyone would see and immediately crave (and, obviously, is gluten-free), and we wanted to showcase it in a way that catches their eyes. The photography for this cover pushed me more than any has before, and I loved every minute of it—yes, including the many, many fails during the process. So, thank you for continuing to read and support Fargo Monthly, so I can keep pushing myself in photography, writing, and storytelling for our community. This month, expand that support to the wonderful local businesses featured here and try a new dish.

To warmer weather and fuller bellies, Happy Reading!

Geneva Nodland Editor

CHECK OUT

SPOTLIGHT MEDIA'S OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Bison Illustrated is your number one source for all of the behind-the-scenes action inside the North Dakota State University Athletic Department.

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You may already be familiar with our Faces of Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo publication which we publish once per year in order to highlight the faces behind all of the great businesses in the community.

Are you overwhelmed trying to plan for your big day? You're not alone. We've done our best to provide all types of local resources, expert guidance, destressing tips and everything in between. Your wedding day is one of the mos important days of your life. Hopefully, this issue will help you prepare for that day so it's all about you.

With the Experts at SCHEELS

or many, golf is the most beautiful sport in existence— the serenity of a day on the links can feel like a waking dream. Those same people are hardly immune to the nightmare that the game can become when things aren’t going well.

There is nothing worse than slicing your way through the round—putting it in the woods, putting it in the drink, and spending the majority of your time looking for your last bad shot is not most people’s idea of a relaxing 18.

Of course, we do have to accept some level of this if we are going to partake in one of the world’s most precise sports—weather, club selection, and any number of factors can turn a shot disastrous. Even the legends of the game know these facts all too well.

Given how challenging golf is, why not take advantage and choose clubs that are well-suited for your swing?

The Experts at SCHEELS certainly think you should.

Golf Fitting FAQs With SCHEELS

"What kind of golf clubs do I need for my level of play?"

The answer is to ALWAYS come get a fitting done by a SCHEELS Expert. Spending time in the simulator, no matter the experience level, can always improve the customers' experience and gives us the ability to recommend what is best for the customer.

"Will I even see a difference in fitting vs just buying club stock off the shelf?"

The answer is, let's book a fitting and find out. You will see a big difference. Even if the clubs that we recommend are clubs stock off the floor and we don't have to necessarily custom order anything. A fitting will teach someone all the ins and outs of their golf swing and why a certain shaft or head combo is better for them than another. Get with a SCHEELS Expert club fitter and take your game to the next level.

According to the Golf Experts at SCHEELS, having golf clubs fitted for your swing, spin rates, and launch angle will help golfers of any level perform better and have more fun with the sport they love.

Most clubs purchased straight off the rack don’t offer customization features. They do not allow you to adjust the golf clubs’ length, lie, loft, or shaft material. This will limit your clubs' potential.

4 Reasons to Get Your Clubs Fitted

By Brady

1. Distance - reaching the club's full potential means more distance on your shots.

2. Accuracy - during a fitting, SCHEELS Experts get a complete picture of your swing and utilize every metric available to them. From that information, their team recommends the best club to make sure you are hitting your shots where you want them.

3. Confidence - having a properly fitted set of golf clubs will boost your confidence—no more guessing!

4. Knowledge - walking through a golf fitting with the SCHEELS Expert will help you learn more about your swing, ultimately, improving your game in the process.

Drake | Photos provided by SCHEELS

The golf simulator at SCHEELS is a key component of the fitting experience.

#1 The Questions

At SCHEELS, the Experts start off by asking the customer:

• What are they using right now?

• How often are they playing or practicing?

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of their game?

• Have they been previously fitted?

• What are their goals with a brand new set of clubs?

This, along with additional questioning, will help the SCHEELS Expert

During the fitting experience, the experts at SCHEELS will take the customer through an array of options.

determine where the customer is currently at and what brand(s) they have experience with.

#2 Product Viewing

After the SCHEELS Expert has gathered some information, it’s time to pass along some information to the customer.

The SCHEELS Expert will walk the customer through the different types of clubs including drivers, irons, wedges, and putters from all the major brands, while passing along their own experience with the products, as well as information they have received from past customers about them. This will allow the customer to have a better idea of what they are working with once they begin testing in the simulator.

#3 Analyzing the Swing

Next, the SCHEELS Expert will take the customer into the golf simulator and ask them to begin warming up using either a club that they are currently using, or a club provided by the expert that is similar to what they are currently using. During the warmup, the Expert will start to get a sense of the customer’s swing pattern and a better idea of what their

game looks like—beyond the answers to the questions they answered during step #1.

#4 Measuring

The SCHEELS Expert will start by collecting the customer's height and then will measure the distance between the customer’s wrist and the floor. This helps to give the SCHEELS Expert a baseline idea of how long the club should potentially be and how that club should potentially lie on the ground.

From there, the Expert will take the customer through a few different head options to figure out which club they would like to get dialed in.

Once the selections are made and tested through the simulator, the Expert can look at the data side-by-side in order to get the customer the best club option. When diving into the analytics, the Expert will be looking at how the club is bottoming out on the ground as well as launch, spin and descent angle.

#5 Building the Combination

Once the SCHEELS Expert understands what the customer needs, they work to start building different combinations and setups to see what feels the best and produces the best numbers.

#6 Revisiting the Goal

Once the SCHEELS Expert has narrowed down the selection, they go back to step #2 to revisit the customer's goal of the fitting and make sure the set is geared towards that.

#7 The Unveiling

Vaughn Massie Bryce Jorgenson

Jeff Aikens

Justin Gehrke

Jimmy Crummy

I CAN EATITHAT!? CAN EAT THAT!?

If you don't recognize this intriguing take on a classic chicken sandwich, it's called the 'Buff Bird' and you can get your hands on one of your own at Brew Bird in downtown Fargo. Let's see what exactly this handheld masterpiece is hiding between the buns!

I CAN EAT THAT!? I CAN EAT THAT!?

the FargoMoorhead community has officially upped its food game, especially in terms of glutenfree options! So this month, we met with Cassie Temple, blogger of the My Stomach Hates Me gluten-free and dairyfree food blog, to hear her local favorites, check out where she shops for her pantry goodies, and even learn a few handy tips and tricks in the kitchen. We also highlight a few of the amazing gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan dishes you can try from around town! Whatever your diet restrictions are, we hope you see something in these pages that makes you say, 'I can eat that!?'

MY STOMACH

HATES ME!?

CASSIE TEMPLE

Having lived in the Fargo area for most of her life, and having spent significant time alongside her grandmother in the kitchen, Cassie is all too familiar with the Midwestern love and craft for comfort food. Unfortunately, she learned over time she’s intolerant to gluten and dairy (two staples in traditional dishes around here). However, Cassie wasn't ready to give up the foods she grew up with, so she set out to recreate her favorite dishes and eventually found success. After reinventing those comfort foods she grew up eating, she decided to turn her handwritten notes into digital recipes—and thus, mystomachhatesme.com was born! Cassie runs an Instagram account donning the same relatable name, with just under 5k followers, where she connects with a community of followers looking for recipes to fit their lifestyles.

Although awareness surrounding food sensitivities and allergies has grown exponentially in recent years, there still remains confusion about terminology and misconceptions about what exactly it means to have a sensitivity or allergy-restricted diet. To break that down, plus give us some tips, tricks, and recommendations, we chatted with Cassie Temple, the creator behind the food blog, My Stomach Hates Me.

“I am gluten and dairy-free due to intolerances, not allergies. Allergy versus intolerance is very different, and then celiac is very different, which would be right up there with allergies [in terms of severity]. When it comes to cooking and restaurants, we're all looking for the same thing, but they're two very different pools. [For] the people who [have] celiac or have allergies, any cross-contamination can cause days or weeks of issues—my issues aren't like that. If there's cross-contamination, I'm okay, [but] I might not feel great. It totally depends.”

“People are so much more open-minded [about food intolerances and allergies] now than I think they used to be. I think even five years ago when you said gluten intolerance or gluten-free at a restaurant, somebody would look at you, and you’d get that server that would roll their eyes because there were some people who turned it into a fad diet. People take it more seriously now. You go to restaurants and they have specific gluten-free menus and the stress of going out to eat is just not as much of a thing anymore,” Cassie said. “In general, people are just more educated on it, more accepting of the fact that people do have to live like this. Believe me, I did not wake up one day and decide, ‘I will never eat regular cheese again,’ because there is no real replacement, it does not taste the same. Not eating a pile of nachos was not a choice that I made.”

“GLUTEN-FREE”

When a restaurant has an item or a separate menu labeled “Gluten-Free,” it means those dishes are or can be made without gluten-containing ingredients AND the workspace in the kitchen is free from any cross-contamination from ingredients that may contain gluten. If someone has a severe allergy to gluten, something as simple as measuring gluten-free flour with the same spoon that measured glutenous flour can cause a painful reaction.

VS.

“GLUTEN-FRIENDLY”

When a restaurant has an item or note on the menu that says, “Gluten-Friendly,” it means those dishes can be made without gluten-containing ingredients, but that they cannot ensure that the item will not have cross-contamination with other glutinous ingredients in the kitchen. Although reactions are very dependent on the person, for someone with a sensitivity to gluten (not an allergy), crosscontamination may not affect them.

Keep an eye out on Cassie's Instagram, @mystomachhatesme, this summer as she is going on the hunt for the best gluten and dairy-free pizza in the FM area!

“There's a huge difference between [gluten] friendly and free. For example, Sandy's donuts just released something that said, ‘we're not gluten-free, we're gluten-friendly,’ and it makes sense for them. They don't want to be responsible for somebody having a reaction. I think this community really respects when a restaurant will just disclose what they are. Especially for me, it's one thing, for somebody who has celiac it's another thing. [For] a lot of people, it's their children, and that is 100 times scarier. It's way better to know, this is off-limits now, so let's find a replacement.”

Whatever your restrictions are when it comes to your diet, there are many more options for dining than there used to be. And the same goes for cooking!

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For her recipes, Cassie has a few favorite spots around town to pick up must-haves for stocking the pantry. After you’ve picked up some items from your shopping list, you might try out a recipe… but the kitchen can still be a bit daunting. If you or someone you're cooking for has a diet that’s restricted by gluten, dairy, or anything else, it can sometimes be overwhelming in the kitchen. There may be a lot of experimenting as you go. Check out some of Cassie’s tips and tricks in the kitchen!

CASSIE'S PANTRY PICKS

FOR A GF DIET!

COOKING TIPS & TRICKS

“My most common recommendation, especially for someone just starting a gluten or dairy-free diet, is to meal prep. It can be really overwhelming to realize how many foods you eat that have gluten or dairy in them and you had no idea. When you meal prep, it takes all of the worries out of your meals.”

"Keep a list of go-to meals on your phone. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and restaurants. So when you need something in a pinch, you don’t have to think too hard about it.“

“Your gluten-free pasta will go ‘not ready, not ready, not ready, READY—blink, and then overcooked.’ Watch it closely!”

“Gluten-free bread is a joke. It’s 4x the cost and ¼ the size. I honestly don’t eat it at all anymore, I gave up on it.“

“Gluten-free wraps fall apart so if you’re like me and you love them, you can warm it up! [Warm it up for] 10 seconds, add your toppings, wrap it up, wrap foil around it and peel off the top so the wrap is all cozy and contained while you eat. Tear it off as you go.“

“Amazing dairy-free cheese does not exist. There are decent substitutes, but if you’re craving pizza, get a Schar gluten-free crust and choose a pizza with a ton of toppings. I love doing Cuban and taco pizzas so I skip the cheese and don’t miss it at all.“

“When cooking at home, I know this sounds so generic, but just pick a new recipe each week , something you haven’t tried, and go for it. Every recipe I made when I first started was terrible round one, edible round two, and shareable round three. Now I have a much better grasp on what works and what doesn’t, but in the beginning, it’s all about experimenting. I have had so many hilarious Pinterest fails, and that’s when you grab a Mehl’s gluten and dairy-free pizza and call it a night."

LOCAL RESTAURANT PICKS

When you’re not scouring mystomachhatesme.com for new recipes and instead are looking to go out, you’re in luck. Much different than 10, or even 5, years ago, the Fargo-Moorhead area has some great options for dining when it comes to diet restrictions. But it is important to keep in mind the terminology mentioned before, as well as to always double-check with your server if you’re unsure and have any worry about an unfavorable reaction. Here are some of Cassie’s favorite dining spots, and a few extra. Check all of the stuff you CAN eat!

When you dine, sip on their Thai Lemon Tea!

Most dishes in Thai cuisine are naturally Gluten-Free, and it can be very easy to modify others to fit Dairy-Free, Vegan, or Vegetarian diets. Another bonus is the fact that dishes are cooked in a separate pan one by one! Thai Orchid offers a large selection of Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free dishes, as well as a Vegan menu. Pictured here is their Vegan Thai Garden (1) dish with "Mock Duck," featuring a spread of broccoli, carrot, celery, onion, fresh garlic, and mushroom in a light soy sauce. The curry on Thai Orchid's menu is always GlutenFree—here is their Yellow Curry (2) made of onion, carrot, and potatoes simmered in yellow curry paste with coconut milk!

If you're looking for something with a kick, the Evil Prince Fried Rice (3) with chicken is a house specialty, made of fried rice in Thai spices sauce with snow pea, egg, carrot, bamboo shoot, and basil sprinkled with scallion—order it up to their highest spice level, level 10!

“The Boulder Tap house in Moorhead is really proud [of their menu]... I'm there pretty often for work and their gluten-free menu is awesome! Same thing for Thai Orchid in Moorhead, I live [far] and I will drive 30 minutes to Thai Orchid!

Scan Here!

Since they use specific kitchen tools, different oils to fry, and separate prep stations to prepare Gluten-Free orders, almost anything on the Boulder Tap House menu can be ordered Gluten-Free. Don’t miss out on the variety of perfectly stacked burgers and sandwiches from the Boulder menu, like the Brown Sugar & Smoked Cheddar Burger (1) with housemade cinnamon brown sugar bacon combined with smoked cheddar cheese, Pabst onions, and honey BBQ sauce, and the Cuban Sandwich (2) with layers for ham, pulled pork, melted swiss cheese, fresh cabbage, pickles and dijonnaise! Don’t forget your sides of crispy sweet potato fries and chips with salsa. Pictured here is the Lettuce Wraps (3) appetizer, complete with fajita chicken, black beans, corn, peppers, onions, lettuce, seasoned sour cream, guacamole, and pico toppings. Finally, end your meal on a sweet note with a delicious Flourless Chocolate Cake or caramel-topped Cheesecake! (4)

Not only does the Boulder Tap House have plenty of options when it comes to ordering a gluten-free dish, but they are also very transparent and proud to share their steps in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination. They are truly Gluten-Free in their restaurant. They also offer a variety of ciders and sours that are gluten-free!

Pictured here is the Island Bliss Bowl. This colorful and flavorful bowl is both GlutenFree and Dairy-Free, starting with a kale crunch base, topped with Mahana’s signature honey sriracha brussels sprouts, buffalo cauliflower, and key west chicken and tossed with a citrus ginger sauce. We’ve also added some sliced almonds for crunch!

Mahana Fresh Power Plate Meals

HILLARY EHLEN

For a quick meal, without skipping flavor and still filling, stop by any of the Power Plate Meals locations around town. Every meal in the store is marked with its specifications like the Southwest Fajita Bowl, a Gluten and Dairy-Free and Vegan plantbased meal, complete with corianderscented jasmine rice with fresh pinto beans, paired with sautéed sweet corn, black beans, and peppers and finished with browned Spanish seasoned vegetable protein.

Enjoy an evening of delicious dining downtown at Mezzaluna, where you can find amazing Vegetarian and Vegan dishes on the menu and Gluten and Dairyfree options and substitutions! Pictured here is the Corvina (1) dish with confit fingerling potatoes, mushrooms, and bacon in a red wine reduction, and topped with microgreens. Another option is the Tri-Tip Steak (2) order, which sits on a bed of ginger rice, drizzled in gochujang sauce, layered with an herb salad and sliced radishes in a citrus vinaigrette, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. These are just two of the many dishes you can find at Mezzaluna!

Although Brew Bird is rocking it with their gluten-free options, remember to still specify a Gluten-Free bun in your order!

Brew Bird

Probably one of best known Gluten-Free joints in Fargo-Moorhead, Brew Bird brings GF dreams to life with their crispy fried chicken meals and sides bursting with flavor. Here we have the Buff Bird sandwich, with a crispy chicken breast dipped in the house buffalo sauce, layered with bacon, tomato, the signature blue bird slaw (made of cabbage, celery, carrots, and blue cheese), and served with a blue cheese ranch vinaigrette (not pictured).

Mehl’s Gluten-Free Bakery

Mehl’s Gluten-Free Bakery is filled with treats for anyone’s cravings. While you can find a variety of bakery items like buns or rolls, you can also try their Gluten-Free cupcakes, which also have a great selection of DairyFree options! Here is a Cookies ‘N Cream cupcake (left), a Blueberry Lemon cupcake (right), and a sweet sugar cookie!

As a sister restaurant to the Gluten-Free restaurant Brew Bird, 701 Eateries’ menu offers a variety of options for those dining with GlutenFree, Vegan, and Vegetarian needs. Pictured here is the Mushroom Sandwich, made of a balsamic marinated portabella with grilled green onion, fried pickled onions, and a smoked veggie spread, with a side of crispy fingerling potatoes!

“Mezzaluna, Maxwell's, Rustica, and 701 are all my go-to dinner spots Every time I sit down, they'll customize everything. I just tell the server that I can't have gluten or dairy, they say 'perfect' and it's like they're prepared for it every time and I appreciate that a lot.“

“They mark everything on there. Everything on their buffet is marked gluten-free or dairyfree, It's fantastic. I don't even have to think about it!“

Himalayan Yak offers Indian and Nepali cuisine, which in turn offers delicious dishes that are often vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free! Pictured is the Chana Masala (1), a chickpea dish cooked in an oniontomato-based masala gravy and spices and served with rice. Also shown is a Gobi Manchurian (2), which is a very popular Indo-Chinese dish made of crispy cauliflower florets which are deepfried and tossed in a sweet, Manchurian sauce. Both of these tasty dishes are completely Vegan and Gluten-Free!

They ve moved! Himalayan Yak is now located at 1109 38th St S in Fargo. Same delicious food in a new spot!

Wurst Bier Hall wurstfargo.com

“I love, love German food and they do have a gluten-free baguette that you can put stuff on.”

Crisp & Green crispandgreen.com

Chipotle Mexican Grill locations.chipotle.com/nd/fargo

“Crisp & Green and Mahana Fresh are my top two if I'm going to lunch with somebody those are the top of my list!

Note: The only gluten item on their menu is the flour tortilla!

Beer & Fish Company beerandfishcompany.com

Maxwells maxwellsnd.com

Plaza Azteca plazaaztecafargo.com

“Plaza Azteca is so good. Mexican [food] is always easy for gluten intolerances because you can get stuff with a corn tortilla and it's immediately fine. They have a chicken and rice dish, and it has cheese on it but I get it without cheese and add guacamole. My friends and I go there probably once a week!”

Wasabi Sushi & Asian Grill wasabipokebowl.com

“Sushi is a must-have!”

Smiling Moose Deli smilingmoosedeli.com/locations

Rustica Eatery & Tavern dinerustica.com

“Smiling Moose Deli and Erbert and Gerberts both have gluten-free buns and it's really nice for quick lunches.“

Need a second opinion about a specific place? Head to findmeglutenfree.com to search for the best menus catering to those with gluten intolerance and allergies! You can search by address, city, state or postal code, as well as by the type of food you’re craving. Your search will show you all of the restaurants that have been voted on, which are rated on the overall “safeness” of the restaurants when it comes to menu items as well as cross-contamination and you can read past customers’ reviews of the establishments. You can also download the app for on-the-go dining hunting!

EDITOR’S PICKS!

Blaze Pizza

blazepizza.com/location/blaze-pizza-fargo/ menu

"Blaze Pizza is one of my favorite spots to order from, whether I’m ordering with friends who have gluten allergies or not! Their build-your-own is my absolute favorite way to order."

-Geneva

Rosewild

jasperfargo.com/rosewild

A great option for those looking for places to adjust for allergies outside of gluten is Rosewild. The team at Rosewild takes dietary restrictions very seriously

and chats with you, Chef, and the line cooks to communicate correctly. They mark the allergy to track it through the guest’s entire dining experience and the kitchen will do everything it can to accommodate whenever possible as long as they have the capacity to, or the alteration does not compromise the integrity of the dish!

"Gluten-free options are more minimal given that Nordic style cuisine, which we highlight here at Rosewild, is naturally very grain heavy, especially in the winter months when fresh fruits and vegetables are not abundant. However we do have a

few dishes, such as our Brassica which is a hearty hearth-roasted cauliflower dish; our Finbiff, which features a Venison Tasso and hearth roasted mushrooms in a rich mushroom broth; as well our Pastrami Short Rib served with braised kale and Potatoes Anna."

-Rosewild Team

Rosewild partners with local farms in multiple dishes on their menu! See who is featured on their current menu!

- Doubting Thomas Farms, Moorhead, MN provides local grains including our heirloom barley, rye, and oats.

- Dig It Produce, Fargo, ND and Sandhills Farms, Mcleod, ND provide a lot of summer vegetables that we ferment and pickle for use year-round.

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BernBaum’s, a downtown hotspot, especially for those weekend mornings, has a menu built for customization, which also means it’s great to work around diet restrictions! Here is BernBaum’s take on a classic, the Vegan Reuben (1), which is filled with roasted beet, smoked carrot, cashew cheese, kraut salad, and Russian dressing served on rye bread. Any of the bagel plates are fan favorites, pictured here is the Vegetarian MidEast bagel plate (2), served with hummus, labne (yogurt cheese), olives, pickled turnip, sumac onion, lemony greens, and a ciabatta bun. Pictured, the Vegan Lox (3) bagel plate is towered with smoked carrot, black garlic tehini, whipped tofu, capers, onion, microgreens, and a seeded bagel! Make sure to also get a knish when you visit. Here is the Vegetable Knish (4), which is potato in puff pastry. Another Vegetarian small plate to try is the Latke Apple (5), which is a potato latke (or potato fritter) served with apple compote and crème fraîche. Finish off any meal with their Mocha Tahini Cookie, which is Vegan!

Nautical Bowls

Nautical Bowls is the perfect stop for fresh, feel-good, AND tastegood food. These plant-based bowls are filling, nutrient-rich, and simply tasty. Pictured here is the Paddle Bowl, which has three layers of sorbet; blue majik, mango, and coconut, and is topped with granola, strawberries, coconut flakes and honey! These are the perfect quick grabs when you’re on the go, and taste perfect in the warming weather!

By Alexandre Cyusa

Photo By Josiah Kopp

Meet Coach Said Ahmed:

A Youth Mentor

Asalaam Alaykum

During this holy month of Ramadan, I wanted to visit with someone who embodies the values of giving and service to others. I am always inspired by the stewards of the Red River Valley, but this is even more inspiring when I see the youth taking pride in becoming stewards of the community they call home. It is my utmost honor to have Coach Said Ahmed share his journey with us because he is a stellar young gentleman who truly is the epitome of Servant Leadership.

I asked him to introduce himself:

"I'm truly blessed to have such a big family. Among my 10 siblings, I have 7 brothers and 3 sisters. I’m the seventh kid in my family, and it's truly a blessing to have such an incredible mother. I'm currently in college and having just finished my first year, I am looking forward to my second. I’m currently a high school soccer coach. I’m trying to help kids achieve their dreams in the process of achieving mine."

Coach Said Ahmed has an affectionate personality and anyone crossing his path feels uplifted by his positive attitude towards life.

The Fargo-Moorhead area is fortunate to have Coach Said Ahmed call the area his home away from his beautiful Somalia.

If you see him during this month of April, ask him where Iftar is taking place and when Eid is.

Until we meet again, Stay Warm!

- Cyusa

Where do you call home?

At the age of 9, I moved to the United States from Somalia, my home country where I was born. Despite not remembering much of Somalia, its culture remains an enduring influence on me. Somalia is a lovely country with a united people. Among the many things I love about my country, I admire its food the most. I enjoyed the food there very much and it was amazing. Despite enjoying living there, moving here has been a real game-changer for me. As soon as I moved to the Fargo-Moorhead area, I had to adapt to the new food and culture, and I was successful in doing so.

What is the story of your passion for giving to your community?

The passion I have for giving back to my community is derived from a variety of sources. The young soccer players my brother trained during my childhood fascinated me. This led me to become a soccer coach and mentor kids who were passionate about the sport. In order to give back to my community, I have become more motivated as a result of my brother. It was inspiring to watch him achieve his soccer goals. I was impressed with how hard he worked and never complained. Despite never expecting anything in return, he always loved to give. One of the people I look up to most is Amin. As a result of him, I have been able to accomplish things I had never imagined I would be able to do. It is Amin who inspired me to have a passion for giving back to the communities I live in. The power of

someone motivating you to give back is truly remarkable.

What were your experiences like growing up in the FargoMoorhead area?

Growing up in the Fargo-Moorhead area was an enjoyable experience. I have lived here for almost 10 years. I learned a myriad of new things and met a lot of new people. I always thought there weren’t many things to do here, but I didn’t realize that if I just explored a little bit more there were a variety of cool and new exciting things to do.

What are some misconceptions about people from the Somali community?

When you hear Somali pirates, you think about 21st-century pirates. The Somali people are generally misunderstood, with most Somalis living both abroad and at home never encountering Somali pirates. Specifically, Somalis are fighting to protect their people and their land, and they face daily hardship. Despite what might seem like exaggerated intentions now, pirates in Somalia began this way: protecting their coastline sovereignty from foreign exploiters.

Can you share some of the activities you wish there were in the FM area?

I think some activities we had in our community would be to open sporting venues for youth to play at

night. It will help keep kids occupied and in shape while it will also prevent them going down the wrong path and looking for other activities to find. That will hinder not only their growth as a person but will hold back our community. I truly view this as an opportunity for our youth to change and grow. It will not only help them improve but also show them they are cared for and not alone.

Kids deserve to live their childhood plentifully and have big dreams. Many kids feel left out because they don’t have shoes to play with or the proper gear and that's a dream killer.

What is your vision for 2030 for the Fargo-Moorhead community?

As

a young community leader, what is the next problem you are trying to solve?

Kids not being able to afford soccer gear such as shoes and shin guards. Having to borrow one pair of soccer shoes between three children is not right, especially in the 21st century in America and I want to be able to help them out. It may mean starting a charity or having fundraising events for student-athletes, so they are able to compete at the highest level and not fear being left out because of financial reasons. When it comes to having fun or trying to achieve our goals as a kid, financial reasons should not stand in our way.

I want more people from my community to be able to pursue their goals and play soccer at the next level. It could mean collegiate or professional, and it will show lots of growth from where we once were of not really having fields to play to having players come out of our area. Putting the Fargo-Moorhead area on the map in the soccer world. That’s something I’m truly looking forward to achieving and it might be a big goal, but nothing is ever impossible in this world.

The arts are the lifeblood of our community. The arts are what support the uniqueness of the people here, it represents love, culture, identity, and more. Entertainment often fuels that art, an event to bring people together to share experiences, explore unknown territory and learn, sometimes more about themselves than the topic! Here are a few Arts & Entertainment-related events coming up that will keep our city's heart pumping.

ARTS ENTER TAINMENT

PopExpo 2023

Pop on over to this year's Fargo PopExpo at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds on April 22 & 23! As the event celebrates its 13th year, the PopExpo has plenty to offer, including guest speakers, panels, workshops, and much more!

King Sage's Fargo Residency

Head to the Jasper Hotel on Thursdays at 7 p.m. to check out King Sage, a folk Americana duo! Their music is sure to impress, as they perform grand covers of artists ranging from Bob Dylan and The Cranberries to Coldplay.

Free Comic Book Day!

On Saturday, May 6, pick up a free comic book from Paradox ComicsN-Cards! Plus, meet famed comic book writer Chris Claremont in person, as he is in attendance for a special comic book signing.

'Women of the Year' Turning 50

The YWCA is celebrating its 50th annual 'Women of the Year' event on Monday, April 24 at the Delta by Marriott! Attend to support and highlight the latest mentors and leaders in the Fargo-Moorhead area!

Spring Artisan Market

When: May 6 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Where: Cellar 624

"I'm looking forward to a day out on the town with my family as we support small businesses and vendors while having some food and beverages. Best of all, it's just in time for Mother's Day!"

Vietnam Week 2023

When: April 29 at 9 a.m. to May 5 at 5 p.m.

Where: Fargo Air Museum

"The opening ceremony will be something you won't want to miss! With Vietnam veteran keynote speakers, a 21 gun salute, the presentation of colors, and a missing man ceremony, it's sure to leave a memorable impact on all attendees."

Fargo Gala for Charity: Water

When: May 2, Social Hour at 6 p.m., Dinner/Program at 7 p.m., Mingle/ Meet Scott Harrison at 9 p.m.

Where: The Pines White

"Every dollar raised at this event will benefit charity: water, a charity founded by Scott Harrison that brings clean and safe water to people around the world. Do what you can from here in the community!"

Foreigner

When: May 10 at 8 p.m.

Where: SCHEELS Arena

"I got the chance to interview one of the band members before they come to town. Now, I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to see them live!"

FMBallet Presents Peter Pan

When: May 6 at 2 p.m. and May 7 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Where: Fargo Theatre

"I've always loved the story of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell; now I'm excited to check out FMBallet's take on the classic!"

Valley Vintage Car Club Car Show

When: April 30 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and May 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Veterans Memorial Arena

"I'm a bit of a motorhead, so the Valley Vintage Show and the classic cars are sure to impress my friends and me.

I'm always excited to learn more about such a unique piece of American culture!"

Sam Gary

Humble Roots

When Wyatt joined Pursuit as the third member, the band only had about $65 in their fund!

‘PURSUIT’ THE OF SUCCESS IN THE METAL SCENE

In the group’s early beginnings, it was just Dalton and Henri. They were in what Henri described as a "tacky punk band" titled Pursuit of Cash. Wanting to write more serious music that challenged them, they underwent a rebrand to get more promotion and shows underway. They also shortened to "Pursuit" as the two felt that it would be more recognizable and easier to pronounce.

“Pursuit of Cash was a great time, but we just wanted to start being more serious about pursuing music. No pun intended,” Henri said.

The two members decided that they were interested in finding another member who was as willing to be as committed as they were to booking shows, promoting the band, and matching the energy, leading them to Wyatt.

“Dalton and I were in the beginning stages of writing music for the 'Scourge of Humanity' album, which came out last September, but we didn't have a drummer at that time. We were sitting on two and a half songs written for the album at that point. We were asking around Facebook forums for the local scene, other people that we know, and bands in the area just looking for any drummers that might want to try out,” Henri said.

"A friend of ours had hit us up saying that Wyatt is a really fast drummer who still plays in an additional band, Thrållfrost,

and that we should have him tryout. We sent Wyatt the 'Scourge of Humanity' demos and said that we could meet up in a week or two. He came in and sat behind the drum kit and gave us a four-count. When we ran through those songs, it felt like he had been in the band for months already at that time. He was super prepared, so we offered him the role on the spot and the rest is history.”

More About Thrållfrost

"Thrållfrost was formed in the fall of 2015, and with their unique blend of darkness and technicality they have ravaged the frozen wastes of the Midwestern United States." From Thrållfrost Website

Today, the three members are consistently practicing and creating music, with their album “Scourge of Humanity” being recently released in September 2022. Read on to check out a Q&A with band members Henri and Wyatt, where we discuss “Scourge of Humanity,” their musical inspirations, what the musical act has in store for fans in 2023 and more!

JUSTUS CARLSON

PURSUIT A Q&A WITH

Let’s talk about the album “Scourge of Humanity” and its inspirations. How was it putting the album together?

Henri: The title track, "Scourge of Humanity," was the first song that Dalton and I had written together, so that was the inspiration behind the album’s title. It was kind of a signification of achieving a higher standard musically for ourselves and evolving in our musical endeavors. It also has a double meaning because right around that time, which was around a year before Wyatt joined, was when COVID and George Floyd’s protests were on every headline.

There was a lot going on, both politically and socially, so "Scourge of Humanity" was fitting for my perspective on how people can be so cruel, polarized, and hateful sometimes. We’re all human and people say that a high tide raises all ships, but the entire point of existence is to work together and improve.

Was “Scourge of Humanity” the first song that you wrote together in general or the first song written for this album?

Henri: Yes to both of those. However, we weren't necessarily thinking of

recording and putting out an album at the time. That song was actually written when we were still billed as Pursuit of Cash. Over time, it’s been refined and made a lot heavier.

Wyatt: It's been just over two years since I joined the band and we started working on new material right away. We brainstormed on some riffs and structures on our own, then would all meet up for rehearsal and kind of play it out. What's really cool about this group is that one person will introduce a new idea, maybe there will be a counterpoint and we’ll jam it out through multiple iterations and find the perfect concept for it. You can see the evolution of Pursuit even across the album, there’s a shift in sound between the older and newer songs on the project.

Tell me a bit about Pursuit’s writing or creative process.

Henri: We do a lot of practice on our own at home. Dalton and I will be jamming by ourselves and we’ll come up with something that we think sounds really cool, then we'll record it so that we don't forget it. We'll either bring it up at the next rehearsal and show the entire group or will send it to each other via email so we can check it out at home. All three of us come up with ideas all the time that we show

to the band to add to and trim the fat away to try and make it as heavy as possible.

Wyatt: We record almost every single one of our practices and we have a shared online drive to trade files back and forth, which helps a lot when it comes to time outside of practice. Henri and Dalton both have degrees in music production and I use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to help expedite editing and other processes as well.

What are your musical inspirations outside of the metal genre?

Wyatt: I love listening to hard bop and modal jazz. The instrumentation of those players makes me want to practice and learn more anytime I hear Tony Williams or

MATT MCGEE

Art Blakey behind the drum kit. I like listening to blues music as well. It has its own sort of heavy tone. Specifically, Junior Kimbrough’s first album, “All Night Long,” is heavy and amazing in its own regard. We’ve talked about the space that he's able to make around his instrument that’s incredible and fills every single cubic inch of volume when you're listening. The same thing goes for Stevie Ray Vaughan’s studio recordings which sound just like live albums.

Henri: One of my bigger inspirations outside of metal is Pink Floyd for both obvious reasons, as well as some more nuanced reasons. I think that Pink Floyd, although simple in their instrumentation, was arguably one of the most impactful bands to ever exist and it's specifically because of their utilization of emotion and song structure. They've got some really heavy riffs that are very simple. I think that's something that we try to put into the songwriting, where it doesn't have to be technical or brutal all the time. It just has to be emotional, impactful and make sense within the context of the song.

Tell me a bit about your first live performance as a band.

Henri: Our first performance was at a festival called Safety Joe Fest in June of 2021. There's a guy who was a friend of mine named Joe Genovese, a very nice and supportive guy, and a member of the Duluth/Twin Cities scene, who, unfortunately, died by suicide a few years ago. Years before, he was nicknamed “Safety Joe'' because he showed up to a show in this crazy fluorescent safety vest, and the nickname stuck. Now, Safety Joe Fest

MATT MCGEE

happens every year at Waskos Campground for suicide awareness in his honor.

Wyatt: I remember coming off stage and the three of us were curious how we even stayed together since we couldn’t hear each other. I remember it being a little bit of a mess for our first show together. We had a mutual friend there who was saying, “You know, it wasn't that bad. You just need some more time together on stage.” Comparing June of 2021 to our show in Omaha in January of 2022, it’s two completely different performances as far as being able to read each other's body language and being able to jam with one another.

Is Pursuit signed to a label or completely independent?

Henri: That's kind of a gray area. Our album is distributed by a Twin Cities record label called Town Tyrant Records, but the complication comes where it's not really an active label, unfortunately. The gentleman that runs the label said that we were kind of the last release that they wanted to put out. So we are technically signed, but at the same time, we have done the vast majority of our own promotion and distribution.

It’s nothing against the label at all, as it's more of a circumstance rather than a characteristic of the people involved with it. They have helped us out a bit financially, which came in really handy when we were preparing for touring and stuff like that. I'd say we have been doing most of the distribution ourselves, but at the end of the day, it's worth getting a lot better at that and learning the ropes. I think that it’s more effective and feasible to do things yourself.

What are some of Pursuit’s goals as a band?

Wyatt: Personally, I'd like to see us have a wider reach. In these last two years, we've been able to grow so much through social media on our own. When we see people wearing our merch at a show that we’re not playing, it’s a great sign to see that it’s growing steadily. It may take a little while, but it is growing bit by bit. Every show seems to be getting a little bit better and a little bit more in merchandise sales. Rather than comparing ourselves to other bands, I like to compare us to where we were as a band two or four months ago and how we’ve grown.

Henri: I used to think that getting signed by a label was the main goal, but we’re focused on personal improvement and putting our best foot forward before reaching out to look for any “big opportunities.” We want to get out on the road a bit more, as well as study what the best shows and most interactive crowds were from recordings. We’re studying those performances and what made them such impactful experiences, then we try to improve upon that.

Where did the idea to record all of your shows come from?

Wyatt: My girlfriend bought me a camera that's designed specifically for musicians for live concerts. I watch it like how a sports team watches its recaps. That's why I'll even call it “game tape watching” to see how we did during previous performances. It gives a whole new perspective and avenue for improvement. I’ll see things like “Oh, my left

BEN HOOS

MATT MCGEE

MATT MCGEE

hand wasn’t quite where it needed to be” or “I'm not giving as much energy during this song.” I don't think any other local bands do that. It gives us some really good content for social media as well. It acts as an archive and it's cool to see the progression.

What can people expect from Pursuit in 2023? Could it be another album, more shows, new merch or any singles?

Henri: A bit of all of that stuff, honestly.

Wyatt: We're recording and releasing a demo as our next “official release,” before an EP down the road, that will show what we're capable of as our next release. We want to release a little something to keep our own momentum going. We’ve created a distribution line for record stores around the country. We also have a Bandcamp website that's owned by us and we use that platform to promote ourselves. So we’ll release it there. We'll have limited physical releases, but it's basically a teaser of what's to come from Pursuit.

Henri: We wanted to put something out that would keep our name relevant, but also something that people could buy and support us through. While it is a demo, we're still going to do proper tracking, mixing, and mastering so that people aren't paying money for something that isn’t up to our standards to be released. We just want to show people that we're working on new stuff and we also want to see how people respond to the new music as well. It's a bit of a test to see if people are

liking where we came from, along with where we're headed, and then it'll also help us raise some money for new merchandise and more.

While Pursuit may still be an up-andcoming act, look out for them to expand their reach in the extreme metal scene. Stay up to date on the latest news, including new music and performance announcements, by following Pursuit on the social media platforms below. Support Pursuit through Bandcamp, along with all major streaming services, including Spotify.

Support Pursuit

Bandcamp: pursuitfargo.bandcamp.com

| /PursuitFargo

| @PursuitFargo

Is there anything else that either of you wanted to mention to readers?

Wyatt: Every time we make a sale through Bandcamp, the platform takes a small percentage cut, because they have to keep the infrastructure on Bandcamp. The Bandcamp platform launched an initiative called “Bandcamp Friday.” Bandcamp Friday is on one Friday of every month in 2023, where every purchase that someone makes on our site goes directly to us. So if someone is reading this article and wants to support us or any other local artists, this is one of the best ways to do it because we get the most money from sales of merchandise that goes towards gas and repairs on our van for touring, promotion, artwork from local artists, and more of a cushion for the band.

| @PursuitFargo

What is Bandcamp?

Bandcamp is a music and merchandise distribution website for independent record labels and artists, such as Pursuit.

Upcoming Bandcamp Fridays: May 5th, August 4th, September 1st, October 6th, November 3rd, and December 1st.

“This sets them apart from other bands in the area!”

Did You Know?

Throughout the album, you can hear Joe’s son and daughter hidden on certain tracks.

Born and raised in the Fargo-Moorhead area, Joe Overmoe, an indie-alternative musician, has been surrounded by music since he was a little kid. As a child, his mother was the drummer who inspired him to follow in her footsteps when he learned drums and piano. Another inspiration was found in his friend Jesse, with whom he grew up playing music with frequently. Last year, Jesse tragically passed away from an accidental overdose.

“Jesse’s life was cut unexpectedly short by an accidental overdose. He had been struggling to get clean while his fiance was pregnant with their first child. He wanted to be there for her and be the best that he could be, but he struggled and it just didn’t work out in the end for him, sadly. When he passed away last year, the album felt like a way to honor him and cope with his loss,” Joe said.

Now, Joe has released the project ‘To Jesse,’ an album dedicated to his friend that aims to help others find hope and inspiration. I sat down with Joe to discuss the new album, the journey behind the project’s creation, what’s next for Joe musically, and much more.

Did

and

in one

the last pictures they took together.

Using this passion for music to positively handle his emotions, Joe worked on an album dedicated to his dear friend for six months. Those six months culminated with "To Jesse," a new album that tackles love, loss, and everything in between on a journey of grief. The album was released on December 4, 2022, coinciding with the six-month anniversary of Jesse’s passing.

With "To Jesse" out now, music listeners can catch it on any major streaming service, or support the album directly through Bandcamp, a music platform that benefits the artists directly, where "To Jesse" can be purchased from Joe. While the project has only been out for a few months, it’s made quite an impact on others.

Did You Know?

The song "Berlin" is named after and dedicated to Jesse's daughter, who was born shortly after he passed.

“I have a friend that I met online who lost his father. He said that he was listening to the album and each song made him weep, which touched my heart that this was able to help other people as it helped me,” Joe said.

While a heavy album, listeners can hear the passion and grief within the album. ‘To Jesse’ can be streamed on all major streaming

platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, or purchased directly from Joe Overmoe’s Bandcamp. Check out a Q&A with Joe Overmoe below to learn more about the project, his upcoming musical endeavors and more.

Did You Know?

Joe has played the drums for various churches since he was 15 years old!

JOE OVERMOE

Joe

Jesse

of

Explosions

Did you do most of your recording at home?

I did all of the recordings for "To Jesse" at home in one room, including the microphone, electric guitar, piano, and drums. I would send my work to a friend of mine and Jesse's, River Marchand, would produce and fine-tune the tracks. River has worked on their girlfriend’s music, who goes by the name Liyv, and I was blown away by the music’s quality. That ultimately inspired me to actually give this project a go, as I wanted to make music that would honor Jesse, rather than sound cheap and thrown together.

Do you have any specific memory tied to a song when making the album?

The fifth song on the album, “Life and Fear,” has Jesse’s vocals. He’s speaking from his YouTube channel on a previous overdose that he had. When putting that song together, I sat at my desk crying. It was a heavy moment for me when I heard his voice again, months after he passed.

What's your creative process when it comes to "To Jesse" as well as this potential upcoming project?

I usually come into our “music room,” pick up the guitar, and start playing around. When it comes to writing melodies, every once in a while I'll get

Novo

God

M83

HONNE

Rayland Baxter

an idea for a song with lyrics. As far as lyrics go, ‘97 and Go Easy On Me are the two songs that I sat down and did in one take, where it kind of all came to me at once.

I love that you let the songs naturally breathe throughout the album, without being drowned out by the lyrics. Was that intentional?

It was a half-intentional, halfunintentional happy little accident, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. I had quite a few songs written with lyrics. As I was listening to them, I noticed that some of them weren’t up to par with what I wanted this album to be. As I was trimming what I wasn’t completely satisfied with, I reached out to River to get their opinion. We decided that I’d put some completely instrumental songs on the album, as well as put lyrics on some of the instrumental tracks that were already there. This album was a way for me to cope with loss and honor Jesse.

Do you have any other musical projects coming up?

I’ve actually started work on the second album. I'm not settled on a name or exact feel for the album, but I’m excited to be coming up with new music. All of the songs I've written for it so far are instrumental.

Also, I’d love to do some live performances with this next album, whether it’s by myself or with other musicians. I’m intentionally writing the music with a band in mind, as there are so many different instruments and backing tracks. While the last album was very serene and peaceful, I want this next album to have a strong and victorious feeling behind it.

What’s your favorite song on "To Jesse"?

I can’t pick a favorite song from the album, but I do love “Go Easy On Me.” It was a great writing exercise to tell people that they have to keep going and power through it. Taking the time to process emotions is important, rather than shoving them down and being tough. If you recognized that your car was leaking oil, you wouldn’t consider yourself a tough guy if you just ignored it. You’d be a mean idiot to not take care of yourself!

HEALTH, SPORTS, REC

Tyler Kleven Makes NHL Debut

The former Fargo Davies defenseman tallied an assist in his first professional action with the Ottawa Senators on March 30.

Jacob Rodin Named Summit League Track Athlete of the Year Jacob Rodin, NDSU's excellent mid-distance runner, became the first track athlete to win the honor for the Bison.

Getting Squirrely

Congratulations to Central Cass which took home the crown in boy's and girl's basketball this year.

Lil' Angler Fishing Clinic and Derby Set for June 20

Bring your little fishing pal out to this free event! The clinic runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the derby runs from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Whether you are a local sports fanatic or an everyday Joe looking for a little fun or fitness, here are a couple of the things happening in the community.

By Brady Drake Geneva nodland

Hockey A Life of My Grandpa's Story

*The story you are about to read is from the minds of the people who lived these events and are told as how they remember them. It's impossible to sum up this man in these pages, but I tried.

Clayton Mannausau poses before one of his evening pickup games.

The Miracle on Ice, the Lamoureux Twins' heroics in 2018, TJ Oshie's shootout goal in Sochi—all iconic moments that hold a great deal of lore to me and other fans of USA hockey. However, perhaps my favorite hockey moment involving the red, white, and blue was when my 82-year-old grandfather, Clayton Mannausau, told me that he would be playing for Team USA in an 80 and over game against the Canadians to honor the 2022 class of inductees to the 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame in Burlington, Ontario.

No, Clayton never played in the NHL. He never played collegiately. He never played junior hockey. And neither did the majority of his very seasoned teammates representing the stars and stripes in a two-game series against the 80 and over Canadians.

And while the event came with much less notoriety than the international hockey events we are more familiar with—the Olympics, the IIHF World Championship, and the IIHF World Junior Championship—the athletes' accomplishments and dedication to the sport, I would argue, equals, if not surpasses, that of our more recognizable international competitors.

Hockey is a lifelong sport—sort of. The men competing in the tournament that my grandfather was invited to play in are proof of that. However, in order to make it a lifelong sport, you need to get through the

years of youth and high school hockey where players are incentivized to play as physically as possible— the bumps, bruises, and injuries remove many from the sport during these years and an even greater number have had enough of it by the time their competitive careers are over. Then, there are the decades of amateur and men's league play to get through—injuries and burnout claim more here. And then there are the life events— accidents, health issues, and the toll of the largely sedentary lifestyle which comes with the 8-5 desk job. Very few are still playing hockey at this age—even many former NHLers give up the sport entirely long before becoming an octogenarian. These men are a true testament to longevity and their passion for athletics is truly inspiring.

Clayton was not among the inductees to the 2022 class as only Canadian competitors are admitted to the 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame. However, anyone who plays with him in pickup games Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays, will tell you that he would be deserving of such an honor. The 82-year-old defenseman isn't just putzing around the ice taking up space, he can really skate and play. In fact, Clayton played competitive men's league hockey through the age of 80... in the 30 and over division.

Now, he only plays at pickup games and tournaments. However, many of the players at the pickup skates are less than half his age.

"We all wonder when he is going to slow down," Dan Zutz, who has been playing with Clayton since the 70s, said.

"He doesn't turn it on as much as he used to," Tom Samuelson, a goalie who has been playing with Clayton since 1988, said. "But when he does, [it's] hard for anyone to get around him. I saw him, when he was 75, get caught in a bad position. This player

All three of his grandchildren (myself, my brother Rylan, and my sister Olivia) have had the pleasure of playing with and against Clayton. And we have all been stopped, bested, and hauled down at one point or another by the best grandfather that anyone could ask for.

Surely a man who skates that well at that age must've gone through a very advanced and rigorous training program as a youth athlete, right?

has been to many times.

If you see Clayton warming up for a skate, he will almost always do this stretch.

The CARHA World Cup is a tournament Clayton

a is Passion born

Clayton, who grew up in Indus, MN with five siblings, first started skating at the age of 6 on a frozen pond located about half a mile from his childhood home with a pair of hand-me-down skates from his uncle—sized men's 10. Clayton, now an 82-year-old adult, wears men’s size 5 or 6, depending on the brand.

"My siblings and I would wear our boots inside of our skates and take turns," Clayton said.

From there, Clayton would spend the winters skating with his family and friends. And eventually, at the age of 12, he started to play pickup games with his friends on the pond.

We will forgive you if you haven't heard of Indus Indus is a town located between International Falls and Baudette, MN. As of 2010, the unincorporated community, which closed its post office in 1974, had a population of 463.

At this point in his life, hockey was also the sport that would be played during their post-lunch physical education period, preparing them to join the high school team—which played their games at the same outdoor rink.

Two years later, as a freshman in 1954, Clayton, like every other boy in the school of about 70, began playing organized high school hockey—the only organized sport offered at Indus High School at the time.

"I played goalie most of my freshman year," Clayton said. "And that was the last time I did that. We were a small school. I like to tell people I graduated in the top 14 in my class— there were 14 of us, 7 boys and 7 girls."

Clayton looks back fondly on those years. For him, the game is about the exercise, the freedom he feels on the ice, and, most of all, the relationships with his teammates. However, if you press him hard enough, there are a few—and I mean only a few—moments of actual gameplay that he will describe as memorable.

From coaching, to introducing his love of the game to his grandchildren, to volunteering and helping young kids learn how to skate, Clayton has made a huge impact on many.

Clayton wears #82, representing his current age.

Geneva nodland

Zealand in 2003.

Trojans in a game against a Roseau team that boasted four future Division I hockey players, three of whom would go on to play for the United States at the international level (Larry Stordahl played for the University of Minnesota and represented the United States in two World Championships and one Olympic Games; Don Ross played in three World Championships, two Olympic Games, won an NCAA

UND; and Jim Stordahl played at the University of Minnesota and played in one World Championship). That squad, not surprisingly, would go on to win the state title that year, starting a run of three state titles in four years.

"They beat us like 16-1 and I had the one goal," Clayton said.

Clayton (third from the left in the front row) poses with his team that went to New

Clayton (third from left) poses in the front row with the Metro Merchants.

High School Post

Many people's athletic careers end after high school, but Clayton knew that his wouldn't.

"All of our seniors and juniors were very active," Clayton said. "We formed a team pretty much right after we were done, the Indus Eagles. We played for six to eight years together in amateur games and tournaments."

During that time, while competing as an amateur squad, Clayton's Indus team "took consolation at state in Minnesota." I only put this in quotation marks because I cannot find information on an amateur state tournament in the state. In fact, if you google 'Indus Minnesota Hockey' you will find hardly any information on the unincorporated town that still has a co-opted school with Birchdale, MN—though they now send their hockey players to the Lake of the Woods hockey program due to a lack of numbers.

As life progressed, Clayton moved on from the Indus Eagles, got married to his wife Kathy, had three children (Steve, Lisa, and Scott), and attended a community college in Duluth before relocating to Moorhead, MN, where he currently resides.

Those are not small life events. So, I asked the man who had earlier told me that he has skated three to four times a week since his high school career ended whether or not he ever took any time away from the game.

"Oh, yes," he responded. "How long," I dug deeper.

"Excluding the summers when there weren't any ice sheets, probably three to four months," Clayton said.

When ice has been available, Clayton has skated three to four times per week for over 68 years.

Knowing that, it's not surprising that one of the first things Clayton did after moving to Moorhead was start a team, the Metro Merchants—a team that still competes today and whose namesake is used annually for a local charity tournament.

The M&M's, as they often referred to themselves, started off by playing tournaments in places like Grand Rapids, MN before expanding outward from there. Some of their most notable wins have come at the AARP Senior

Hockey Championships in Blaine, MN, where they have claimed multiple first-place finishes.

"Of course when we were down there, Clayton double-dipped," Samuelson said. "He played on both the 50 and over and 60 and over teams while we were there."

This is something Clayton still does today, as he is rumored to have played seven games in a weekend tournament this past March.

However playing a bunch of games stateside is not the only tournament experience he has under his belt. Clayton has traveled much further for the sport he loves, sometimes with the Metro Merchants, sometimes with groups that he hardly knew (including a team out of Portland, the New York Applecore, and the Mild Wild out of northern Minnesota), and sometimes with a mix of the two. His travels include:

• Austria, twice

• Russia

• New Zealand

• Spain

• Holland/Germany

• "Most of the major cities in Canada"

His list of travels also includes many trips to Winnipeg to play a group, that he does not believe has a name, that the M&Ms have been playing for over 30 years. It is a beautiful annual event that has spanned generations

with players' children (and grandchildren) now taking part in the games that occur on both sides of the border.

"That's a special relationship with those folks out of Winnipeg. My favorite thing about hockey is the comradery, period," Clayton said. "I also like to see different places with the travel part of it."

"He knows so many people," Jim Taylor, who has been skating with Clayton for almost 40 years, said. "We've been going to a tournament up in Babbitt, MN for years now and if he ever misses, people want to know why. Usually, it was to watch his granddaughter Olivia skate. She's kind of the apple of his eye."

Again, however, there are a few moments of actual hockey that are memorable to Clayton. And perhaps the coolest of those moments came during his travels to Russia in 1993.

A flyer from Clayton's trip to play in Austria.

The Russia

The trip was supposed to be a routine men's league excursion—win some, lose some, but an overall equal competitive playing field for all involved.

There must've been some miscommunication somewhere along the line because the organizers of the tournament had turned the tournament, dubbed the Valeri Kharlamov Memorial Tournament, into a "national tournament," according to Zutz, once they heard that the Americans, whom they assumed was a team of ex-professionals, were coming.

"We started our trip by playing an exhibition in Moscow, which was kind of cool," Zutz said. "We did well. I think we might've beat them

One of the things I asked every person in creating this article was, “What kind of a player was my grandpa when he was young?”

Lonnie Seager, a long-time hockey friend of my grandpa's gave me a great description.

"He had very, very good speed. He was always very maneuverable. He was quick and his strength was really good, especially for his stature (Clayton is 5' 4''). He was never afraid to go into the boards with anybody," Seager said.

even. So we thought this was going to be a fun tournament. It took us a while to get to Saratov, where they were having the tournament. Part of the reason was that the airline found out that we were Americans, and they decided that we should pay more to have our luggage put on that plane. So it took about four or five hours until we took off. We landed at 6 p.m. and our game was at 7 p.m. and there were opening ceremonies. Four of us guys got in a car and made for the opening ceremony and the rest of us had to go right to the rink and start dressing. We got on the ice and the 6-7,000 person stadium was full and the game was being nationally televised. We were all looking at Jon Erickson, who set up the trip for us, like, 'What in the world did you tell them?'"

At that tournament, there were two Russian teams that had the majority of the 1980 USSR Olympic team divided among them. In fact, Clayton and Zutz believe that the only players not to play in the tournament were Boris Mikhailov, who was coaching one of the teams; Vladislav Tretiak, who was living in Detroit Lakes and working at the International Hockey Schools as a goalie instructor; and Valeri Kharlamov, whom the tournament was memorializing.

"It's so hard to pick a favorite trip. They're all so different," Clayton said. "But the trip to Russia was pretty special. We lost by a lot most of the games, but it was fun."

NHLer and Stanley Cup champion; and meeting Phil Esposito during a tournament in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

And then, there's the trip to Burlington, Ontario.

Playing for Team USA

Clayton was excited about his trip to Burlington. However, getting there did not go as smoothly as he would've hoped.

"When I put the location into my phone, I made the mistake of accepting the option to avoid toll booths. I like to see more of the country than most people and I don't mind taking my time, but what I didn't realize about selecting that option was that what it really meant was that I would be avoiding interstates," Clayton said. "So, I was on secondary roads all the way there which took me a couple of hours longer. A lot of the secondary roads were probably very scenic, but I was driving at night so I didn't get to see it. I was traveling on the southern edge of the Great Lakes and that triggered roaming on my phone. That's $5 per minute. So, by the time I got to Buffalo, New York, I had exceeded my limit and they cut the GPS off. So, I still didn't have the GPS when I got into Canada. I finally got to Burlington and I had the address of the hotel, but I didn't know how to get there. So, I pulled into a gas station. One lady offered to help and found the hotel on her phone. She gave me the directions to it, but there were probably 20 turns and the first direction was to take a right on a certain street. I went to one street and there was no name on it, two streets and there was no name on it, three streets—no name on

it. So, I came back to the gas station and she was just pulling out of the gas station when she saw me and offered to have me follow her to the hotel. So I got to the hotel that way."

From there, Clayton got to spend his time "with a lot of really nice people," attend the 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame induction, and of course, play hockey.

In game one of the two-game series, the Americans lost by a score of 7-1. In game two, the US was bested again, this time by a score of 4-3. But as we know, it's never about the score for Clayton.

Who scored the lone goal in game one? Clayton did, just like he did against Roseau in 1958.

Clayton isn't planning on hanging the skates up any time soon. If you were to peek your head inside our local rinks, there's a good chance you'll see him flying around, stick in hand, with a smile on his face.

HOME DESIGN

Mosaic Interior Design has a new owner

In March, Mosaic Interior Design welcomed its brand-new owners, Paige Breidenbach and her partner Nicholas. Breidenbach has a pretty impressive resume, having been a mentee of notable designers like Trever Hill and, of course, Melanie Iverson before having the baton handed off to her. Former owner Melanie Iverson is now focused solely on her role of empowering women through LadyBoss Lifestyle.

Spring furniture & product picks for the home

Keep an eye out for our upcoming issue of Trendsetters, which will have hot picks and trending items for all things home and design, from furniture pieces to lighting and more—all sourced from local places right here in FargoMoorhead!

Historic downtown Fargo building has new occupant

The historic building at 916 Main Ave recently welcomed its new occupant, White House Co., an event and rental service in Fargo. The space will now act as a special event venue, offering a renovated, industrial and modern feel.

The Red River Valley is constantly blooming with new architecture, trend-setting designs and industryleading artists to help bring your home and living spaces to life. From the hottest new design trends to the newest spaces in town, consider this your local beat for all things home and living.

BY JOSIAH KOPP JOSIAH KOPP

LINDSEY CHRISTIE

Interior Designer Lindsey Grace Interiors

Keep an eye out for the upcoming issue of Trendsetters, where we share Lindsey's local recommendations for home & design, her top products for the home, and an exclusive Q&A.

Fargo's Lindsey Christie is best known for her magic in creating bright, airy, and open spaces layered with texture. The materiality of her work pushes the limits of trends while also maintaining timeless, lasting impressions. With nearly 10 years of experience, Lindsey brings a unique perspective of design to Fargo-Moorhead, having spent time studying design in New York City as well as working in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul market.

Let's tour her most recentlycompleted project, a full remodel of a Detroit Lakes master suite, plus five hacks for interior design that homeowners can utilize in their own homes.

Long Lake Primary

When the homeowners first connected with Lindsey Christie of Lindsey Grace Interiors for this full-service remodel of their existing home's primary suite, located in the Detroit Lakes area, their goal was to create a more open, bright, and overall relaxing space.

From the ground up, Lindsey replaced the existing dark flooring in the bedroom with white-washed oak hardwood. She then transitioned the flooring to a Carrara marble tile in the primary that flowed into the custom steam shower. For the bathroom, she mixed two very classic finishes, polished nickel, and aged iron, for an updated yet refined feel. Additionally, an elegant but classic free-standing soaking tub was added.

Complementing the hardwoods in the primary bedroom, Lindsey opted to warm up the feel of the bathroom with custom-inset white-washed oak cabinetry. Both spaces have custom wainscoting on the walls that give the newly remodeled space an "always meant to be" feel. She then opted for bright white walls in the primary bathroom and a soft Benjamin Moore Stonington gray in the primary bedroom. "These colors highlighted the tall ceilings and gorgeous natural lighting the existing space had," Lindsey said. "We found the perfect chandeliers to create a subtle but elegant statement in each space."

The tall ceilings were the perfect setting for a classic canopy bed moment. Lindsey chose a white finish to subtly contrast the soft grey walls. Natural textures can be found in several of the furnishing selections including a natural rattan bench anchoring the foot of the bed. The only thing left for the finishing touch was to select the bedding, and Lindsey selected a soft linen bedding—a perfect finishing touch to this Minnesota Lake retreat, which was completed in the Spring of 2022.

JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

5

HACKS FOR INTERIOR DESIGN

1.

MIXING METALS

When picking fixtures for a space (plumbing, hardware, mirrors and lighting), pick two finishes and stick to them. For example, if you opt for polished nickel faucets, pair them with polished nickel cabinet hardware. Then you can go more trendy with brass sconces and mirrors.

2.

BE INTENTIONAL WITH NATURAL MATERIALS

Real hardwood flooring, Carrara Marble, and cedar shakes are all classic elements of design. Don't be afraid to utilize natural materials in spaces where you are comfortable with them aging a bit. It's these items that add character and charm to new spaces.

3.

LAYERED LIGHTING

One of our favorite things to add during an electrical walk-through is a statement sconce here or there. While these fixtures add a design element, they also add an opportunity for soft wall lighting in addition to the overhead ceiling lighting.

4.

INVEST IN MILLWORK

A simple wainscoting detail, the right casing around doors and windows, and a statement arched pantry door create a more finished and special-feeling space.

HIRE A TEAM

Depending on the scope of the project, the best investment you can make is hiring a design and build team that consists of an architect, interior designer, and general contractor. Each professional brings a unique level of expertise to the table, and having a well-organized team is the key to each successful project; the best projects are products of collaboration.

Lindsey's

HOT TAKE

"We may be overinfluenced. I love the fact that we have such amazing access to fresh ideas, products, tips, and tricks via social media, but there are a few ways I think it really hurts clients and their expectations. There's always going to be something new and exciting in the interior design world, but the value of investing in an interior designer is not to be constantly re-doing your space ; it's to have wellthought-out spaces that bring you comfort for many years to come. Our spaces are meant to be lived in—get a little messy and have memories made.

I just always like to remind people that nobody's home is Instagram perfect. "

PARENTS KIDS

Brewhalla: the Newest Family Hotspot

Drekker Brewing Company's longawaited Brewhalla complex has finally opened its doors to the public! The 100,000-square-foot building offers plenty of snackables, shopping, sips, and much more for the entire family to enjoy. Check it out!

Kids Make It Club: Softies! Check out this kid's craft event at Unglued's space in Brewhalla on April 22! Kids 8+ will learn to craft a handmade felt character with Jenny Sue, hand-stitched and designed themselves! Get tickets at ungluedmarket.com/events

Treat Yourself to Spring

To honor the launch of the iconic treat in 1985, Dairy Queen is offering 85-cent blizzards from April 10-23! To get in on this tasty deal, you have to place your order through the Dairy Queen app. Kick-off warmer weather with the S'mores Blizzard of the Month!

Buy it or Make it? Both!

Head to West Acres on April 22 from 12-5 p.m. to create something fun on your Saturday! Kids can make unique paper flower crafts to take home while you shop around the host store—Evsie. Make it a day for you and your kids!

We know at Fargo Monthly that raising a family is no easy task. That's why we keep our eyes peeled for useful information and resources to help you in your day to day.

A Look Inside

KidCo. Children's Museum

The newest hotspot for families and kids in the area is just over one month into the opening and they're already getting feedback for more. KidCo. Children's Museum is an interactive play center that engages children mentally and physically with its variety of mini-structures, games, performances, and more! With extended hours having started in April, kids have more opportunities to experience the museum and get their wiggles out! Let's take a peek inside the KidCo. Children's Museum!

Museum Background

Aaron Duma was inspired and created the business plan for this interactive museum during the COVID-19 pandemic. While trying to find something to do, other than binging another Netflix show, he crunched the numbers and smoothed out the details for what would become KidCo. Aaron, his wife, Emily, and his business partner, Tom Kemmer, joined forces to bring it to life!

By Geneva Nodland

Remember! No shoes allowed on the carpet—remember to sport your favorite silly socks for the KidCo. Adventures!

Photos by Geneva Nodland

A barbershop and salon on the floor level and a lookout spot on the second.

A construction zone with a netted nook for exploring above, including a worker's vest and hard hat.

A "jail" inside the police station, hiding a secret escape route to the second level.

A jungle of noodles to venture through.

A KidCo. Fire Station, complete with a pole for the "firefighters" to slide down from the second level and a fire hose.

Inside Tiny Town

It's hard to try to fit what the museum holds inside a simple sentence because, really, what the four walls off Center Ave in Moorhead have is lots of room for imagination. But, there are plenty of structures, games, toys, and more that help fuel those hours of storytelling in kids' minds— check it out!

A bistro serving up dishes through the floor-level dining or carry-out window, as well as a spot to enjoy "ice cream" on the secondlevel terrace.

Although KidCo.'s focus is kid-forward, they haven't forgotten about those who brave taking the kids out to places like this. A bar railing surrounding the Toddler Area is set up with chairs for adults, featuring a view of the entire space. So order some coffee at the register, grab a snack, and hang out with the comfort of being able to keep an eye on the adventures while you chat with a friend or read a book!

So Much To Do, So Much To See!

When the kids aren't adventuring in the jungle, saving the day, working the lunch rush, or whatever else their minds might come up with in Tiny Town, they can venture to the other side of the room to find their next act—the stage. Be it creating music with the PVC pipe drum set on the wall, sending balls or scarves through the air-powered "Woosher" on the wall, watching a puppet play, or finding themselves centerstage in front of the wall of stars, there's no doubt that kids will forever remember the stories from KidCo.!

How Can I Get in?

You can plan your visit to KidCo. by purchasing "Plays." There are a variety of play packages to fit your needs. Play sessions last 90 minutes for maximum play time without overdoing it for either the kiddos or the adults. Because of the reservation system, KidCo. keeps a limit on the number of kids to ensure more crazy excitement and less chaos.

Wiggle Reducer (5 Plays) - $49

De Wiggler Package (10 Plays) - $89

Wiggle Buster Package (20 Plays) - $149

Curious about that "GlowZone" sign?

Inside the GlowZone, kids can get artsy (without the mess OR the clean up!) in the UV-lit room, seeing the spectacularly UVresponsive paint-splattered walls! They will be able to draw on giant dry-erase boards and sport their UV light bracelets, headbands, and more!

Mini Wiggles

It's clear to see that between Tiny Town and the stage area, the kids will busy themselves in whatever world they've created, but that might be a bit too busy for the smaller toddlers. If that's the case, send them to the Toddler Area where they can blast off to space, serve ice cream at their truck, travel across the variety of soft beams and steps to practice balance, read a book or two with an adult, and so much more.

Wednesdays 3:305 p.m. reserved for Sensory Sensitive Sessions!

DID YOU KNOW THAT A MAJORITY OF THE RED RIVER ZOO'S YEAR-ROUND RESIDENTS ARE COLD-CLIMATE CREATURES? So, yes while we are patiently waiting for warmer weather, our friends at the zoo are content to see us year-round! Can you find all of these words about the valley's own zoo for a chance to win FREE passes to the Red River Zoo?

PRAIRIE DOG

JACOB SHEEP

SICHUAN TAKIN

GREY WOLF

SWIFT FOX

RED PANDA

PALLAS CAT

TARANTULA

SALAMANDER

SALE ALERT!

The Red River Zoo is offering $10 off a purchase of all memberships now through April 22. Get your memberships for your family's outings now!

EURASIAN LYNX

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

JOINING THE HERD

The New Pride of the Prairie Exhibit at the Red River Zoo will be opening early this summer! Keep an eye out for a full story on the exhibit and what the enclosure will have in store for visitors in our May issue of Fargo Monthly!

Find and circle or highlight all of these zoo-related words, snap a photo of the magazine page or screenshot the digital version on your cell, and tag or DM us on Facebook or Instagram (@fargomonthly) OR email the photo to geneva@spotlightmediafargo.com to be entered in a giveaway for 4 passes to the Red River Zoo! The deadline to send in your completed word find to be entered is May 1. The giveaway winner will be announced on our Facebook and Instagram on May 2.

Mezzaluna

309 Roberts St N, Fargo, ND 58102

Omar Torres

Sangre Nueva

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz of Basil Haydens Red

Wine Cask

1/2 oz Sour Cherry Liqueur

1/2 or 3/4 oz Simple syrup

1 oz of fresh lemon juice

Bar spoon of amaro lucano

2 dashes of cherry bark

vanilla bitters

Top with Malbec or Côtes du Rhône wine over small rocks in a double old-fashioned glass