Grand Cities Woman Volume 3 Issue 2

Volume 3, Issue 2 April | May 2014

COMPLIMENTARY

NEW!

MINI MENTORSHIP

HOT

Spots

TO SHOP

CareyLeichter Another Option

GROW A

Nutritious

Garden IN A POT

Obsessed with fashion or beauty products?

We are looking for you.

Grand Cities Woman is currently accepting resumes for a freelance fashion and beauty editor. This paid opportunity is open to those with an obsession for fashion and beauty. The ideal applicant will possess creativity, organization, an outgoing personality, and experience in writing. Job duties include, but not limited to: • Becoming a liaison between Grand Cities Woman and area salons and retail clothing establishments • Recognize trends to promote to area women and tell them where to get these products locally • Connect with community experts to provide meaningful information regarding new technology offered in our area

Send your resume to Grand Cities Woman, P.O. Box 5503, Grand Forks, ND 58206 by May 31,2014.

Contents April | May 2014

4 Save the Date 8 Hot Spots to Shop 12 Gardening 14 Little Critters 16 Safe Kids Corner 20 Conquer the World 23 This Day 24 In Pursuit of Happiness 26 Mini Mentorship 28 Feature: Carey Leichter Volume 3, Issue 2 April | May 2014

COMPLIMENTARY

NEW!

MINI MENTORSHIP

HOT

Spots

TO SHOP

CareyLeichter Another Option

GROW A

Nutritious

Garden IN A POT

Download and take us with you! Sign up for our free digital subscription at www.grandcitieswoman.com and receive a digital copy of Grand Cities Woman in your inbox a week before it hits the stands.

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Save the Date

April | May

April/May 2014

The Norwegian Solje Wedding Crown

Velkommen, downtown Grand Forks Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

A permanent installation is available for rent for weddings or special heritage events. Dates are filling up quickly. Inquire within and reserve your dates for this year or next year.

April 2

National Walking Day

All Day This event is sponsored by the American Heart Association. Americans are encouraged to adopt a healthier lifestyle by walking more, eating better, and living longer. Brisk walking for 30 minutes will help to improve your cardiovascular health. Sign up for your free toolkit at www.heart.org/nationalwalkingday, or you can contact Joan Enderle by phone at 701-252-5122 or send an email to joan. enderle@heart.org.

April 5

Gardening Saturday

Alerus Center, Grand Forks 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

This event is sponsored by the NDSU Extension Service and Grand Forks Horticultural Society. This year’s theme is “Gardening by the Season” and will be divided into four sessions, each having eight or more concurrent programs. New this year is a series of beginner gardening topics, titled “Basics,” that will focus on such topics as Annuals, Pruning, Container Planting, Roses, Vegetables, Soil Preparation, and Tree Planting. Additional topics include: Spring Gardening, Summer Gardening, Fall and Winter Gardening, Plant Disease Diagnosis, Teaching Kids to Garden, Ornamental Grasses, Gardening with the Weather, Insects - Pests and Friends, Advanced Pruning, and various classes on birds. Many experts will cover the numerous topics; some recognizable names include Eric Bergeson, Julie Schroer, Jodie Ramsay, and Stan Tekiela. The $40.00 registration fee covers all of the day’s events including the educational programs, gardening vendors, breaks, lunch, door prizes, a free perennial, and lots of great gardening camaraderie. For more information go to www.ag.ndsu.edu/grandforkscountyextension or call the NDSU Extension Service at 701-780-8229.

April 7

An Evening with Marion Blumenthal Lazan

7:00 p.m.

Grand Forks Public Library Meet Mrs. Lazan and hear about her experiences as a nine-year old child who was interned with her family in the German concentration camp of Bergen-Belsen, the same camp in which Anne Frank died.

April 7

Telemark Rosemaling (April Series)

Sponsored by: Velkommen, downtown Grand Forks This final spring folk-art painting series taught by Gayle Anderson is now SOLD OUT. Class size was limited to 15 students on a first come, first served basis.

April 8 and 9

Advanced Microsoft® Excel® 2010

Call TrainND at 701-795-3731 for more information about registering for this class.

April 10

Child Passenger Safety Made Simple

6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Rydell GM Auto Center, 2700 South Washington This class is for expectant parents or those of newborn babies. If you have already purchased a car seat, bring it along for hands-on training on how to properly install the car seat into your vehicle. For more information and to register, please call 701-780-5179.

April 10

Car Seat Checkup

4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Rydell GM Auto Center, 2700 South Washington Stop by and make sure your children have a safe ride. For more information, contact Safe Kids Grand Forks at 701-780-1489 or go to www.safekidsgf.com.

April 10 through 12

Mrs. North Dakota America Pageant

Jamestown Learn more at www.mrsnd.com or contact Director Mary Schwartzkopf at (701)347-8744. Follow the Mrs. North Dakota America Pageant on Facebook for updates.

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Please call ahead to confirm events. Promote your June and July community events by sending information to grandcitieswoman@live.com or calling Autumn at (701) 261-2692 by May 1, 2014.

April 11 ArtSee

4:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Empire Arts Center Showcasing up-and-coming and distinguished artists, ArtSee gives guests the opportunity to view art from a variety of mediums, mingle with talented local and regional artists, and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces in a fun and social atmosphere. Newcomers and art enthusiasts alike can experience the art scene in the relaxed and creative environment at the Empire Arts Center. Approaching its ninth year, ArtSee has proven to be a distinguished event in Grand Forks. Guests are encouraged to come and enjoy free appetizers and drinks while surrounding themselves with live music and an art experience available nowhere else in the region. ArtSee is the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals opportunity to provide support for the arts in our community and engage the citizens of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks in an event that is completely free and open to the public.

For more information, go to www.ypartsee.com.

April 12

Greater Grand Forks Heart Walk

9:00 a.m.

Choice Health and Fitness Walkers are engaged in educational activities, entertainment, and healthy snacks while raising funds that support medical research, grants, and educational programs of the American Heart Association. For more information, go to www.greatergrandforksheartwalk. org.

April 12

Spin for Kids

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Altru Health System’s Spin for Kids is an indoor bike relay race on stationary spin bikes.

Teams of riders raise money to help ease the financial burden that families who have children with special needs often face. Learn more at www.altru.org/spinforkids or “like” Spin for Kids on Facebook.

April 13 through 19 National Library Week

Grand Forks Public Library

April 14

Help for the Hurting Knee

5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Community Room at Choice Health & Fitness Learn about options that are available through Altru’s Orthopedics & Sports Medicine to help alleviate joint pain and help you get back to the life you enjoy. Altru’s Darin Leetun will discuss options in knee replacement surgery to assist with relieving your pain. The presentation will take place in the Community Room at Choice Health & Fitness.

April 17 and May 15

May 1

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Altru Psychiatry Center Offered by Altru’s TEARS Suicide Prevention Project, this group aims to bring together those who have experienced suicide loss to help them understand that they are not alone. Come share your stories, or simply listen to others. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at Altru Psychiatry Center.

Run for Your Buns is a 5K run/walk on June 21 benefitting colon cancer. Proceeds will be donated to Altru Health Foundation to help uninsured and underinsured individuals pay for screening colonoscopies. Colonoscopy is the best line of defense in reducing risk of colon cancer. For more information or to register, visit altru.org/runforyourbuns.

Survivors of Suicide Support Group

April 22

Child Passenger Safety Made Simple

4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Rydell GM Auto Center, 2700 South Washington This class is for expectant parents or those of newborn babies. If you have already purchased a car seat, bring it along for hands-on training on how to properly install the car seat into your vehicle. For more information and to register, please call 701-780-5179.

April 26

Money, Mani, & Mimosas

Sponsored by Karen Grainger and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Angel Nail and Spa - 2475 32nd Ave S, Grand Forks 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Please bring a friend! Receive a free, basic fill mani/pedi. No products will be sold at this event.

For additional important disclosure information, please go to www.thrivent.com/disclosures. Or, you can call 218-773-1181 or send an email to Karen.grainger@thrivent.com. Please send your RSVP at least three days prior to the event so the salon can prepare for adequate staffing needs.

April 29

Effective Presentation & Public Speaking Skills

Call TrainND at 701-795-3731 for more information about registering for this class.

April 30

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser for Ethiopia Reads

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

You can help raise money for Ethiopia Reads just by eating pizza! Ethiopia Reads and Pizza Ranch are uniting to raise funds for Ethiopia Reads, a non-profit organization that promotes a culture of reading and literacy for children in Ethiopia. Pizza Ranch will donate 20% of your guest check on this evening. This includes carry-out and delivery, but you must mention the invite when you call. We encourage groups to order pizza for the evening. For delivery, call 701-775-2222. Friends of Ethiopia Reads will be serving you. You must bring this article or a flyer advertising this event.

Early Bird Registration Deadline for Run for Your Buns

May 2

North Dakota Ballet Competition Showcase

Empire Arts Center Join us for a special presentation of our Junior and Senior Competition teams. They will present all of their groups numbers, as well as specially choreographed solos, duets, and trios.

May 3 through 5

North Dakota Ballet Spring Academy Concert

Empire Arts Center The exciting end-of-year recital! Dancers ages 3 and up take the stage for the end of the year concert showcasing the talent and the progress the dancers made throughout the year. Doors open thirty minutes before each show and admission is free.

May 8

Child Passenger Safety Made Simple

6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Rydell GM Auto Center, 2700 South Washington This class is for expectant parents or those of newborn babies. If you have already purchased a car seat, bring it along for hands-on training on how to properly install the car seat into your vehicle. For more information and to register, please call 701-780-5179.

May 8

Car Seat Checkup

4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Rydell GM Auto Center, 2700 South Washington Stop by and make sure your children have a safe ride. For more information, contact Safe Kids Grand Forks at 701-780-1489 or go to www.safekidsgf.com.

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May 13

Develop a Winning Attitude

Call TrainND at 701-795-3731 for more information about registering for this class.

May 13

First Time Manager

Call TrainND at 701-795-3731 for more information about registering for this class.

May 15

Survivors of Suicide Support Group

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Altru Psychiatry Center Offered by Altru’s TEARS Suicide Prevention Project, this group aims to bring together those who have experienced suicide loss to help them understand that they are not alone. Come share your stories, or simply listen to others. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at Altru Psychiatry Center.

May 15 and 16

Altru Alliance Art Sale

7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Proceeds from this art sale benefit Altru patients and their families. The sale is located in the lower level of Altru Hospital (meeting rooms A-D).

May 17

Syttende Mai Open House

Velkommen, downtown Grand Forks 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Here’s your chance to learn to make and sample Scandinavian almond cake and the new Swedish pepparkakor cake. In addition, “Uff Da Chip” (derivatives of cinnamon/sugar flavored lefse) will be available. For more information, call 701-775-8482.

May 20 and 21

Advanced Microsoft® Word 2010

Call TrainND at 701-795-3731 for more information about registering for this class.

May 27

Child Passenger Safety Made Simple

4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Rydell GM Auto Center, 2700 South Washington This class is for expectant parents or those of newborn babies.

If you have already purchased a car seat, bring it along for hands-on training on how to properly install the car seat into your vehicle. For more information and to register, please call 701-780-5179.

May 28

Altru’s Rehab Autism Screening Clinic

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

One in 88 children are diagnosed with autism. Early detection contributes to more effective treatment while decreasing the likelihood of developmental problems later in life. Parents who have concerns regarding a child’s development have access to the autism screening clinic at no cost. For more information, call 701-780-2481 or visit altru.org/autism.

May 28 through 31 & June 4 through 7 The Full Monty

The Empire Arts Center The Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre presents “The Full Monty” at the Empire Arts Center. Grab your friends and make a night of it. This event is the prefect bridal party outing for both men and women. For more information, call 701-7774090 or go to www.ggfct.com.

May 31, June 1 & 2

Nelson County Barn Quilt Trail

(Featuring 8 new quilts) The quilt trail is a series of barn quilts that are hung along a highway or country road. A barn quilt is an 8 X 8 or 4 X 4 foot of quality plywood painted with a quilt block pattern. These quilts are then hung on barns and other buildings for people to view. A map for this self-guided, 40 mile driving tour that coincides with the Nettiques, Heritage Arts, and Elaine’s House of Dreams event called “Trails and Treasures” on Highway 2 can be found at all three businesses.

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Contributors

If you would like to become a contributor to Grand Cities Woman, please contact us via email at grandcitieswoman@live.com or call us at 701-261-2692. We are currently searching for experts in their industry to submit articles relevant to women in our area.

Carma Hanson, MS, RN, Safe Kids of Grand Forks/Altru Health System Coordinator | Writer Safe Kids of Grand Forks is an injury prevention coalition whose mission is to prevent unintentional injuries and death to children. Altru Health System is proud to serve as the lead agency for Safe Kids of Grand Forks. To learn more about our program or for other safety tips, go to our website at www.safekidsgf.com or “like” us on Facebook at Safe Kids of Grand Forks. You can also send an email to safekids@altru.org.

Safe Kids of Grand Forks is keeping kids safe at home, at school, at play, and on the way!

Shannon Teigen | Writer Shannon writes from her rural hobby ranch that is nestled in the peace and quiet of the North Dakota countryside. Her family, consisting of her husband, two teenage daughters, and one son, is the farthest thing from being peaceful and quiet, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything. After graduating from UND, Shannon established her career with foundation blocks of marketing, sales, customer service, human relations, and communications.

Ashley Rae | Writer Ashley Rae, owner of Brand Logic and founder of HBDG, is a dynamic combination of brand visionary, marketing strategist, and professional business consultant. Her experience, along with her true desire to empower and mentor women to reach their full potential, has provided her with a unique ability to help today’s Independent Business Woman experience success, both professionally and personally.

Stacey Dimmler | Writer Stacey grew up in Park River, ND. She attended the University of Mary and UND and graduated with a degree in Dietetics. She worked for the NDSU Extension Service from 2009 until she accepted a position as Executive Director of the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals in August of 2011. She’s excited for her next career adventure as Events Coordinator for Scheels in February. Stacey, her new hubby Dustin, and black lab Abby love calling Grand Forks home.

Melinda Myers | Writer Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author, and columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including “Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening.” She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.

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Lifetime Vision Center

Coach personifies high class and tradition linked with modern style and trend. A widely appealing style that will enhance your eyewear collection is available at lifetime Vision Center. See their ad on page 27. $129

Sublime Aesthetic Professionals

Norvell®, a name synonymous with ground breaking sunless tanning innovation continues to develop and manufacture technological breakthroughs in the sunless industry. Amber Sun products can be found at Sublime Aesthetic Professionals. See their ad on page 19.

Studio South

Until now, hair extensions have been messy, damaging, costly, and a mediocre product at best. Get Dream Catcher® extensions from Studio South. See their ad on page 17.

Rose Floral

GrandCities Woman Shopping Guide

Hot Spots to

SHOP

Jack’s Shoes

Step into spring in a new pair of Spring Step® shoes from Jack’s Shoes in the Grand Cities Mall.

See their ad on page 23.

PRODUCTS YOU NEED this spring Find these items and more through local retailers. When purchasing an item that you’ve seen in our shopping guide, make sure you tell them that you saw it in Grand Cities Woman. Claims that products make in the Grand Cities Woman Shopping Guide are of product manufactures’ and not of Grand Cities Woman or Graber Media.

True Colors

Look no further! These vintage looking pendants might be the perfect gift for Mother’s Day. A large variety are available at True Colors. See their ad on page 21.

Daydreams Specialties

Personalize your groomsmen and bridesmaid gifts at Daydreams Specialties with their new UV printer. See their ad on page 22.

Little Coyote Coffee

Impress your family, friends, and customers with a Little Coyote Coffee blend that’s branded your own. From annual meetings and golf tournaments to weddings and family reunions, your gift will be treasured and enjoyed.

There is a minimum order of 25 and available in 12 oz. and 4 oz. bags. Call Little Coyote Coffee for label details and pricing. See their ad on page 6.

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Add some color to your outfit with these locally, handmade jewelry pieces from Rose Floral. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings available.

See their ad on page 24.

Lisa’s Soy Scents

North Dakota is known for abundant farm land, rich black soil, and open clear blue skies. It is here that Lisa’s Soy Scents hand pours each and every soy candle, in Grand Forks, ND. Lisa’s Soy Scents are available at Hugo’s 32nd Ave. S & East Grand Forks, True Colors, Home of Economy, The Front Porch, and Barb’s Main Street Gifts. See their ad on page 20.

Velkommen

Ready. Set. Fly your heritage! Some things never change... like these Scandinavian flags. Machine stitched, heavy duty nylon for outdoor display at home, the lake, or family reunions. Made in the U.S.A. Available for Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland; other countries by special order from Velkommen, downtown Grand Forks. See their ad on page 25. $62.95 - 2 feet by 3 feet $72.95 - 3 feet by 5 feet

Trail maps available at Elaineʼs House of Dreams, Heritage Arts, & Nettiques.

Truyu

Explore our line of natural, long-wearing mineral foundations that nourish and protect your skin while showing your most even, fresh complexion.

Jane Iredale ® skin care makeup is available through Truyu. See their ad on page 22.

Amish Gallery at Home of Economy

Smith Brothers of Berne has built a reputation for crafting fine residential furniture that is solid, comfortable, and stylish. Smith Brothers of Berne is available through the Amish Gallery at Home of Economy. See their ad on page 17.

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Jack’s Shoes

A new line of Baggallini® handbags and travel bags are now available at Jack’s Shoes in the Grand Cities Mall.

See their ad on page 23.

Studio South

Alexandria Professional® body sugaring treatments get rid of hair and conditions your skin. This service is available at Studio South. See their ad on page 17.

Velkommen Truyu

JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC injectable gel is the first and only filler FDA-approved to instantly add volume to the cheek area. It gives you a subtle lift, helping to restore contour and a more youthful profile, for up to 2 years, in patients over the age of 21. This service is available at Truyu. See their ad on page 22.

Why wait? Your feet will appreciate the all day Swedish comfort of these modern classic, hand-crafted leather clogs by Troentorp from Basted, Sweden. For men and women (size, colors, assorted styles vary). Personalized services for custom orders always available from the area’s #1 Scandinavian resource, Velkommen, downtown Grand Forks. See their ad on page 25. $159 Style Shown

Lifetime Vision Center

Prada is synonymous with an understated style that has always anticipated, and often dictated, new trends. Prada sunglasses use only the finest materials to strike the ideal balance of form and function. Exclusively at Lifetime Vision Center. See their ad on page 27. $239

Rose Floral

Freshen things up with a beautiful arrangement from Rose Floral. See their ad on page 24.

Daydreams Specialties

Memorialize that special fury family member in a personalized pet urn from Daydreams Specialties. See their ad on page 22.

Sterling Carpet One

Start making your home decoration plans now with Color Trends 2014, Benjamin Moore’s free color forecast for the coming year. To see the color forecast, go to www.sterlingcarpetonepaint.com.

Sterling Carpet One

You don’t always fall in love with the first shade you see. So go ahead, sample the night away. Find the perfect Benjamin Moore® color from Sterling Carpet One. See their ad on page 23.

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Sublime Aesthetic Professionals

The SkinTX Skin Treatment System is a medical grade daily skin restoration system that helps correct hyperpigmentation, aging skin, irregular skin texture and tone, skin laxity and acne at the cellular level. This product is available at Sublime Aesthetic Professionals. See their ad on page 19.

ITʼS A COMPETITIVE WORLD. TRAIN FOR IT!

EMPLOYEE TRAINING IN GRAND FORKS · Advanced Microsoft® Excel 2010 - April 8 & 9 · Effective Presentation & Public Speaking Skills - April 29 · Develop a Winning Attitude - May 13 · First Time Manager - May 13 · Advanced Microsoft® Word 2010- May 20 & 21

701-795-3731

Tabitha.bachmeier@lrsc.edu Jill.morseth@lrsc.edu www.lrsc.edu/workforce

True Colors

You just feel good in red. Find the best accent jewelry and a Coach handbag at True Colors. See their ad on page 21.

Lisa’s Soy Scents

North Dakota is known for abundant farm land, rich black soil, and open clear blue skies. It is here that Lisa’s Soy Scents hand pours each and every soy candle, in Grand Forks, ND. Lisa’s Soy Scents are available at Hugo’s 32nd Ave. S & East Grand Forks, True Colors, Home of Economy, The Front Porch, and Barb’s Main Street Gifts. See their ad on page 20.

Happy Mother’s Day! We celebrate and remember our first caregivers—our mothers.

Contact us to learn more about our high-quality care.

www.hrrv.org • (800) 237-4629

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Gardening Eco-Friendly Weed Control in Lawns Written by Melinda Myers

Don’t let lawn weeds get the best of you. These opportunistic plants find a weak spot in the lawn, infiltrate, and then begin overtaking your grass. Take back the lawn with proper care. Your lawn will not only be greener and healthier, but good for the environment.

The grass and thatch layer act as a natural filter, helping to keep pollutants out of the groundwater and dust out of the atmosphere. They also reduce erosion, decrease noise, and help keep our homes and landscapes cooler in summer. Also, a healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds.

Start weed control by identifying the unwanted lawn invaders. Use them as

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a guide to improve your lawn’s health and beauty. Weeds appear and spread when the growing conditions are better for them than the grass. Correct the problem to reduce the weeds and improve your lawn’s health. Killing the weeds without fixing the underlying cause is only a temporary solution. Unless the cause is eliminated, the weed problem will return.

High populations and a variety of weeds mean that you need to adjust your overall lawn care practices. Mow high and often, removing no more than one-third of the total height of the grass at one time.

Leave the clippings on the lawn so that water, nutrients, and organic matter can return to the soil. This, along with proper fertilization with an organic, nitrogen, slow release fertilizer with non-leaching phosphorous (like Milorganite) can greatly reduce weeds.

Knotweed and plantains that are often found growing next to walks and drives or other high traffic areas can also be found in lawns that are growing on heavy and poorly-prepared soils. These weeds thrive in compacted soil where lawn grasses fail. Reduce soil compaction and improve your lawn’s health with core aeration. Aerate your lawn when it is actively growing in spring or fall. Alternatively, you can replace grass in high traffic areas with permeable pavers or stepping stones to eliminate the cause.

Nutsedge is a common weed in wet or poorly drained soils. Improve the drainage to manage this weed. This might entail core aerating the lawn and topdressing with compost, regarding, or installing a rain garden to capture, filter, and drain excess water back into the ground.

Clover and black medic mean that it’s time to get the soil tested and adjust fertiliza-

tion. Both weeds thrive when the lawn is starving. Clover was once included in lawn mixes because of its ability to capture nitrogen from the atmosphere and add it to the soil. If these weeds are present, boost the lawn’s diet starting this spring with a low nitrogen, slow release fertilizer. The fertilizer feeds slowly throughout the season, promoting slow steady growth that is more drought tolerant, disease resistant, and better equipped to outcompete the weeds.

Creeping Charley—also known as ground ivy, violets, and plantains—usually gets its foothold in the shade and then infiltrates the rest of the lawn. Take back those shady spots by growing a more shade tolerant grass like the cool season grass fescue or warm season St. Augustine grass. Mow these shady areas high and fertilize less often (only 1 to 2 pounds of nitrogen per growing season) than the sunny areas of your lawn. Alternatively, you can replace the lawn with shade tolerant groundcovers. Adjust your overall care to reclaim and maintain the rest of the lawn.

Crabgrass and Goosegrass are common weeds that follow a hot, dry summer. Mow high to shade the soil and prevent many of these annual grass weeds from sprouting. Corn gluten meal is an organic pre-emergent weed killer that can help reduce these and other weeds from sprouting. Apply in spring and fall to reduce weeds by as much as 80 percent in three years.

And, when mowing this year, consider an electric or push mower to manage your lawn in an even more ecofriendly manner. [GCW]

Grow a Nutritious Garden in a Pot Written by Melinda Myers

Are you a horticulturist or do you have an extended background in gardening and all things green? Become a contributor to Grand Cities Woman, please contact us via email at grandcitieswoman@live.com or call us at 701-261-2692. We are currently searching for experts in their industry to submit articles relevant to women in our area.

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A lack of time or space shouldn’t get in the way of gardening your way to a healthy lifestyle. Plant a container of nutritious vegetables and herbs. Include a few planters on the front porch, back patio, or right outside the kitchen door.

All you will need is some potting mix, fertilizer, plants, and a container with drainage holes. A 15 to 24 inch diameter pot or a 24 to 36 inch long window box is a good starting size.

Bigger containers hold more plants and moisture longer, so it can be watered less frequently.

Check containers daily and water thoroughly as needed. Self-watering pots need watering less frequently, allowing busy gardeners and travelers the opportunity to grow plants with minimal care.

Fill the container with a well-drained potting soil mix.

Make sure that you read the label on the potting mix bag prior to using the soil. Add a slow release organic nitrogen fertilizer, like Milorganite (milorganite.com), at planting time for better results with less effort. This type of fertilizer provides small amounts of nutrients throughout most of the season and eliminates the need to mix and water in fertilizer throughout the growing season. Sprinkle a bit more on the soil surface midseason or when changing out your plantings.

Mix colorful flowers with nutritious vegetables for attractive, healthy results. Bright Lights Swiss Chard, pansies (their flowers are edible), colorful leaf lettuce, spinach, radishes, and trailing ivy make a great cool season combination. Freshfrom-the-container-garden vegetables make the best tasting salads and the greens provide Vitamins A and C, in addition to calcium. Use the pansy flowers to dress up a salad or frozen in ice cubes for an added gourmet touch to beverages.

For summer, use a tomato, pepper, eggplant, or peas, beans, and cucumbers trained on a trellis. All are packed full of nutrients and make a great vertical accent. Surround the towering vegetables with purple basil, tri-color sage, carrots, beets, and a colorful trailing annual like verbena, lantana, or bidens.

Don’t forget to squeeze in a few onions or garlic. The fragrant foliage can be decorative and these vegetables help lower blood sugar and cholesterol, while aiding in digestion.

Be creative and add a few small-scale, attractive vegetables that are high in nutritional value to a variety of containers this season. [GCW]

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Bring in this coupon for one free session with Stephanie Klebe when Join now for you join for $8.95!

$8.95 includes the current months dues and one free session with our new trainer, Stephanie Klebe.

Oer Expires May 31, 2014

Call Snap Fitness for details

701-757-7627

4571 S Washington St., Grand Forks ----------------------------------------grandcitieswoman.com

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2110 LIBRARY CIRCLE GRAND FORKS, ND 58201 701-772-8116 WWW.GFLIBRARY.COM

AN EVENING WITH MARION BLUMENTHAL LAZAN Meet Mrs. Lazan and hear firsthand about her experiences as a nine-year old child interned with her family in the German concentration camp of Bergen-Belson, the same camp in which Anne Frank died.

April 7 7:00 p.m.

“Amid a growing number of memoirs about the Holocaust, this book warrants attention for the uncommon experiences it records and for the fullness of the record.�

-Publishers Weekly

Birthday bags for children less fortunate

Call

701-795-4772

for presentations or information on making a donation.

Bags distributed through local food pantries.

cheerfulgiversnd@gra.midco.net

www.cheerfulgivers.org 14

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Dr. Stacy Hallgren

Helping you perform your

best.

Chiropractic Care For Kids

Reports show success when infants with colic are treated with chiropractic care.

701-732-2888 4350 South Washington Suite 100 Grand Forks, ND

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Safe KidsCorner Spring is in the Air Written by Carma Hanson, MS, RN

Coordinator – Safe Kids Grand Forks/Altru Health System

The days are beginning to get longer and the birds are returning to our neighborhoods.

The streets and sidewalks are filling up with kids on bicycles, and backyards are busy again with children playing. The arrival of the sun and green grass is a welcome relief from our long, cold winter. After spending lots of time inside during the past few months, kids can finally get outside and engage in some physical activity and do the things kids love to do.

Being active is what being a kid is about, and with the arrival of spring and summer, comes the opportunity for kids to engage in the many games and activities that these seasons bring. To help keep your children safe from the number one cause of injuries and death in children—unintentional injuries—this article focuses on some of the common spring and summer activities that parents should know more about.

Playgrounds: One of the most common reasons for emergency room visits is falls from playground equipment. While these falls don’t often result in death, kids can sustain injuries that include breaks, the need for surgery, head injuries, and overnight stays in the hospital. Injuries on playgrounds are most often a result of three easily remedied causes: improper surfacing, using equipment that is not age appropriate, and lack of adequate supervision.

Playgrounds need to have at least 9-12 inches of proper surfacing under them to cushion the impact of a fall. Many play structures found in backyards are simply placed on the grass; this does not provide adequate cushioning. While the grass might feel soft, the ground underneath it is com16

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pacted, much like cement.

Adequate surfacing materials include products such as sand, pea rock, wood chips, or rubber mulch.

These products range in price from inexpensive to somewhat costly, but this is a feature that should be included in the price of setting up the play structure so that the kids can play safely and be protected during a fall.

When you are creating a surface area around a playground, be sure that the depth is 9 – 12 inches and then check the depth again each spring and throughout the summer months during use. Eventually, the materials will become compressed, scattered, or displaced, especially under swings and at the bottom of the slide (where most falls occur). The distance that the surfacing should extend around a play set is about 6 feet in all directions.

Public playgrounds often have two play structures set up for varying age groups: 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds. These structures are designed with the children’s body size and proportions in mind. Be sure to have your child play on equipment that is designed for their age and assure that they have proper supervision. Often, kids use the playground in ways that it was not intended, thus resulting in falls and injuries.

Wheeled Sports: Riding a bike is a great way for kids to get exercise, travel to and from friends’ houses, or get to summer activities. When riding, children should wear a helmet and consider it a necessity, not just an accessory. Helmets are effective in reducing head injuries that can have life altering consequences. If adults set rules that require helmet use with any wheeled sport and then set a good example by wearing a helmet themselves, kids will be more apt to use them and will consider it normal practice. If kids can be involved in picking out a helmet that they love, they will be more likely to wear it.

Wearing a helmet that properly fits with the padding in place is imperative to correct function. As spring approaches and

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bikes, scooters, skateboards, or inline skates make their way out of the storage shed, be sure to check the size of last year’s helmets. Heads might have grown over the winter; therefore new helmets might be in order. Helmets are typically good for 3-5 years, so if a growing head size is not a reason to replace it, be sure to keep it updated based on the helmet’s age.

When wearing a helmet, be sure that it sits flat on the head, not tipped back. Use the “2V1 rule” as a guideline: no more than 2 fingers should fit between the helmet and the eyebrows, the straps should come together under the ear lobes to form a “V,” and no more than 1 finger should fit between the straps and the chin.

This will ensure a proper fit and the best protection in a crash.

Supervision Guidelines: As spring turns to summer, parents and caregivers are often tasked with making decisions about supervision and the ability for kids to stay home alone during the summer or to attend activities without an adult.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services provides guidelines for what age children can be left unattended and for how long. These are only guidelines; parents must also consider their child’s maturity level when making this decision.

- Children 8 years of age or under should normally be supervised at all times. They should not be left in charge of other children.

- Children who are 9 years old should not be left unsupervised for periods greater than 2 hours during the daytime. A child of this age should never be unsupervised at night and should not supervise other kids.

- Children who are 10 and 11 years old can be left alone for 2 hours or less with ready access to an adult. Children in this age group should not be responsible for younger children and should not be left home alone overnight.

- Children who are 12 years and older may be permitted to act as babysitters. It is recommended that they successfully complete an approved childcare training course. They should not be unattended overnight.

- Children in early adolescence (12-14 years), should not be left unattended overnight.

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When children get to an age when they will be playing without adult supervision, traveling to other kids’ homes, or staying home unattended, be sure that they know the following:

1. Their contact person’s phone number and home address 2. What to do in the event of an emergency such as fire or injury 3. A fire escape plan

Additionally, you can show kids the proper procedure for making an emergency 911 call, and then have them practice a few times so they are well prepared in an emergency.

Summer is the time of year when injuries increase and more kids visit emergency rooms due to preventable injuries. Kids will be kids; they will skin their knees and topple off bikes. We want them to be active and explore their world, but if we can equip them in ways that help keep them safe and decrease their chance of injury, sending them off to play can put our minds at ease. For more childhood injury safety tips, visit Safe Kids Grand Forks at www.safekidsgf.com or contact us at safekids@altru.org. We have many resources available to parents and caregivers to help make their job of learning how to keep kids safe easier. Altru Health System is proud to serve as the lead agency for Safe Kids Grand Forks. [GCW]

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Autumn Graber was recently named 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year by Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals (GGFYP) and Center for Innovation at the GGFYP Annual Launch. Autumn was presented the award by Katie Langlie from the Center for Innovation. The Center for Innovation at the University of North Dakota was among the first entrepreneur outreach centers in the nation when formed in 1984. The Center provides Autumn Graber assistance to innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers to launch new ventures, commercialize new technologies, and secure access to capital from private and public sources.

Autumn Graber, owner of Graber Media, publishes a women’s quarterly in the Devils Lake area called Lake Region Woman, in addition to the bimonthly women’s publication, Grand Cities Woman, for the Grand Forks area.

Before launching Lake Region Woman in 2010, Autumn began her career in communications as a radio announcer with KZZY in Devils Lake while attending Lake Region State College (LRSC). After graduating from LRSC in 1997 and transferring to Minnesota State University – Moorhead (MSUM), she continued her work on the radio as “Polly Wog” on Froggy 99.9 in Fargo. After her stint on radio, Autumn began a career in television and worked for WDAY TV. Once she graduated from MSUM with a BS in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism, Autumn worked as an editor for Video Arts Studios for six years, and then spent the next six years at Media Productions in Fargo as an editor, later to be promoted to producer.

While working in television production, Autumn honed her editing skills on projects such as television commercials, sales and marketing campaigns, and a few television shows for Discovery Health Channel.

Autumn is a 2009 graduate of The Chamber Leadership Program, nominated for Microsoft Business Solutions Vendor of the Year in Customer Service for 2002, and has gained recognition by the North Dakota Professional Communicators and the MSUM Academic Conference.

She was elected and served six years on the Board of Directors for the American Advertising Federation of North Dakota (AAFND). Autumn enjoyed a successful term as president of AAF-ND, helping them win the “Club of the Year” award for District 8 at the national convention in 2010, competing against all clubs from South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Autumn and her family moved to Grand Forks shortly after launching Grand Cities Woman in March of 2012. Autumn and her husband, Kelly Graber, agriculture equipment salesman for Butler Machinery, are making their new home in Grand Forks with their two young children, Aiden and Zachary.

Graber was one among a large group of award winners at the Annual Launch that celebrated the winners and welcomed the new Executive Director, Corey Mock. Michael Helt was awarded the YP Businessperson on the Year Award, YP Grand Cities’ Cheerleader of the Year was awarded to Emily Burkland, YP Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Shana Wiley, Grow Grand Award was given to JLG Architects, and YP of the Year went to Jill Baird. [GCW]

This Day

The Human Side Written by Shannon Teigen

The glossy pages caught my eye as I stood in line waiting my turn at the cash register. The bright, bold words exclaimed some celebrity didn’t want to be called fat while she is pregnant.

I’m supposed to take that seriously? As if any of us want that! Another headline faded into a timeline of photos chronicling the life of a 1950s star, suggesting that she had hidden a facelift from her fans. Admittedly, as I waited in line, I glanced through the pictures, and as my cart inched forward, I shook my head, replaced the magazine on the stand, and thought, “Wow, what troubles.”

As the conveyer belt moved my groceries closer to the register, I noticed that the salesclerk seemed down. She wasn’t rude, but it felt like she just didn’t want to be there that day.

We’ve all had those days and can relate to how that feels.

As she scanned my items, we chit-chatted. I asked if she was a college student. You should have seen her face light up! I was surprised to learn that she was a high school student and having a bummer of a weekend, so the fact that someone thought she looked old enough to be in college made her day.

By the time we were done, she was smiling and engaging with me, the customer in line behind me, and the person bagging my groceries.

I witnessed a wonderful change in that young woman in a few short minutes. The moment wasn’t printed on the cover of a magazine for millions to purchase; instead, that vibrant change was fueled by a simple question: A question that was important to her.

The screaming magazine headlines and touched-up pictures of those who are exalted because of their athletic ability or celebrity status really don’t matter. What really matters in life is being yourself and caring about others, not the headlines. Taking time to show others that you care about them as individuals and that they matter is an important skill that each of us mothers, daughters, sisters, and girlfriends should strive to master.

It’s easy to be caught up in the headlines and forget that, ultimately, it’s about the people—human beings who are full of emotions, dreams, and ideas. Whether it’s in the break room, the grocery store line, or the family room, remember to acknowledge the individuality and importance of everyone with whom you come into contact. I encourage you to put someone on a pedestal, not because they are an athlete or movie star, but because on this day you have respected and cared about them.

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Mini Mentorship 10 Excuses Preventing Full Potential Written by Ashley Rae

People make excuses every day. What some might fail to realize is the tremendous affect those excuses have on the ability to reach their full potential, and how they prevent people from realizing the best version of themselves. The following are 10 common excuses that prevent people from reaching their full potential. But worry not—there are ways to stop allowing these excuses to hold us back.

#10 I lost my chance. Regardless of our past or current circumstances, it’s never too late to be what we might have been. Today is a new opportunity. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements for the future. #9 I’ll be criticized. Although some forms of criticism can be constructive, people often criticize others because of their own insecurities and inadequacies. Therefore, we should associate with people who support and inspire us, surrounding ourselves with people who see our true potential and choose to lift us up instead of pull us down. #8 My idea will be rejected. Many of us search for the acceptance of others, and if we don’t get it, might feel rejected. Someone else’s opinion, and whether they accept or reject us, shouldn’t affect our own opinion and the belief we have in what we’re trying to accomplish. As Harriet Tubman aptly stated, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer.” #7 Someone else is already doing it. Just because someone else is already doing something, and has more experience doing it, that doesn’t mean that we won’t be able to contribute something unique and valuable. Never compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.

#6 I might fail. When something doesn’t turn out as planned, some might feel as though they’ve failed, implying a negative experience. However, failure is an opportunity to learn lessons that can be applied in the future. It’s an opportunity to begin again, only this time, more wisely. Just because something didn’t turn out the way we thought it should, doesn’t meant that it didn’t turn out the way it was supposed to. #5 I can’t take the risk. Taking a risk, and the fear of the unknown, is often too much for some people to handle. What we need to realize is that when wanting something we’ve never had, we sometimes have to do something we’ve never done. This might mean pushing out of one’s comfort zone, but that’s the only way to find out how far one can go. #4 I don’t have the resources. As Tony Robbins once said, “It’s not about resources, it’s about resourcefulness.”

Opportunities are often lost while waiting for perfect conditions, so we have to learn how to be resourceful and use what we have right now to get to where we want to go. #3 I don’t have the money. We don’t need an abundance of financial resources to get started, but we do need to be creative. Ken Hakuta, American inventor and TV personality, says that, “Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle.” So, start small and build from there as the finances become available. #2 I don’t have enough time. Adding another task to our to-do list can be overwhelming, but if we want something bad enough, we simply need to find the time to make it happen. We must never give up on something that’s important to us just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. #1 I don’t know how. Not knowing how to do something should never hold us back from progressing or moving ahead in life. We might not have all the answers, but we don’t need to. Sometimes the key is to start before we’re ready and then to learn along the way.

Each of us has the ability to reach our full potential. Whether we do it or not is up to us individually. We can continue to make excuses and hold ourselves back, or strive to be the best versions of ourselves. Whatever we decide, we need to realize that we alone are the problem, and we alone are the solution. In the end, if reaching our full potential is a true priority, we’ll find a way to make it happen.

And if it’s not, we’ll make an excuse.

For an in-depth overview of this article, visit www.HerBrandDevelopmentGroup.com to learn how to sign up for our Online Training Webinar. [GCW]

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Discovering Yourself

Create Your Highlights Reel

Written by Stacey Dimmler

Have you ever stop and asked yourself, “Who am I?” Have you considered how you would define or introduce yourself to those around you?

There have been times in my life when I have felt as though I had nothing special to offer the world, and others when I stop and think, “Wow. I guess I have lived.” Many of us wait for that one defining moment or opportunity to which we can attribute certain attitudes, choices, and relationships; sometimes, we’re so busy waiting that we forget to stop and realize all that we have and all that we are.

A few years ago, I started wrestling with the idea that in every circumstance, people have their own perspectives and reactions. At that time in my life, I was acting as more as life’s spectator than participant, often thinking, “That’s just how life goes.” With that in mind, it has become quite an empowering thought that in every situation, a person always has input. This notion helps me keep a more positive mindset as well; rather than dwelling on tragedies, difficulties, and mistakes, I can turn it around in a way that makes me proud of the person I am.

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Using this mindset, if I were to describe myself, I might pull out some of my “highlight reel” moments: • I grew up the middle of 3 daughters, with the most patient father I know.

• I have gone from being the first Executive Director of the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals to being the first Grand Forks Scheels’ Events Coordinator.

• I married my husband this summer, and subsequently took on the role of “mom” to a 6-year-old black lab.

• I defeated obesity by losing over 100 pounds while in high school. I graduated college with honors thanks to tutors and perseverance.

• I carry the title of “Potato Princess” after somehow finding myself in the Walsh County Potato Queen Pageant.

I encourage you to stop and reflect on your own life, and choose to stop apologizing for the things that are unique. We are all given special gifts, interests, and abilities, and by sharing them with the world, we keep life interesting. It’s your turn now: sit down and start with your “highlight reel,” and write the good and the bad. What did you learn from each experience or choice? No matter the outcome be thankful for your life—others certainly are! [GCW]

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Anot h er Option

CareyLeichter Encouraging Children to Think Critically, Work Collaboratively, and Act Boldly Written by Autumn Graber | Photographed by Katie Brock Photography

It began in San Lorenzo, Italy in 1907. Dr. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and founder of the educational method that bears her name. The Montessori Method is an educational process that promotes children learning in a natural way. When Dr. Montessori spoke at a celebration on January 6, 1942, she said, “Anyone who wants to follow my method must understand that he should not honour [sic] me but follow the child as his leader.”

Montessori, the first to introduce child-sized furniture, believed education should be a natural process for the child. She wrote, “[E]ducation is not what the teacher gives: education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual. It is acquired not by listening to words, but by experiences upon the environment.”

Carey Leichter, owner and administrator of Grand Forks Montessori Academy, is passionate about the Montessori Method and feels fortunate to offer this option to our community for educating children. “Montessori is about following the child and the power of observation.” The Montessori environment is made of mixed age groups of 0 to 3 year olds, 3 to six year olds, and six to nine - year olds. Children spend three years of their formative years with the same teacher. “As a result of being with a child for that length of time, you understand more about that child and can make better observations—almost like a parent would—and thus, you are in a better position to introduce new and developmentally appropriate material to the child, based on individual readiness.”

While growing up on the east coast, Carey had been exposed to the Montessori Method, in addition to other choices in private schooling. And though she attended public school, she considered private school and alternative methods of schooling when it was time to start her own family. The mixed age groups were one component that attracted Carey to the Montessori Method of education. Before Carey and her husband began having children, she researched educational models to explore her options. When she rediscovered the Montessori Method, she and her husband felt it was a good fit for their family. “I liked how you are focusing on the development of the child through observation, following the child’s lead, respecting both work and play equally, aiding the child in becoming an independent person. And yet there are so many other reasons to become passionate about the work of Montessori. So much research is proving what she and her successors already had been doing the last 100+ years.” grandcitieswoman.com

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Carey’s passion for Montessori had grown over the years while she worked toward her Montessori certifications. Then, after moving to Grand Forks in 2007, Carey enrolled her five children in Little Scholar Ship Montessori Preschool, owned by Gorthea Noll, and also worked as a substitute teacher there. When Gorthea decided to retire, she looked to Carey as her successor and asked her to take over the school. “Right before Thanksgiving, Miss Gorthea contacted me and knew I had the same passion that she did and could continue the school.” Soon after that, Carey became the official owner of the school that is now known as Grand Forks Montessori Academy.

Carey’s hope for the school’s future is to be the best private school in the area with the Montessori influence. “There are people in town that want another option for private school. It allows parents to have more choice in educating their children—because who ultimately is responsible for the education of our children? Who best knows what our children need, and who best knows who we want to help us raise our children? They say it takes a village, but we have a choice as parents in who and what constitutes that village.”

The newly remodeled facility offers generous space and a variety of areas that allow the children to work and play freely. “When it comes to the Montessori materials, the ‘work’ is organized on the shelves in a manner so that one piece doesn’t stand out or 30

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appear more enticing than another,” said Carey. “All of it should be beautiful, interesting, and engaging. You increase it in difficulty from top left to right, just as we write and read.” The open floor plan allows children to learn on their own terms under teacher supervision. “We have a long, open room with areas progressing logically from practical life to sensorial, and to math and the sciences. As you continue into the room, you move into your geography and culture, writing, phonics and language, and finally a nook for reading. It’s not that you progress in sequential order, per se, but an order that feels natural. Many of the materials developed specifically by Dr. Montessori have multiple purposes, aiding a child’s development both directly and indirectly.”

If a child is more interested in, or advancing quicker in a subject matter compared to the others, the Montessori Method allows them to pursue their interest instead of staying with the group. “If a child is really interested in some subject matter that someone would say is beyond their level, we can support that,” said Carey. “We can say, ‘Go ahead and fulfill your desire to learn more about science. I know you are only eight, but that’s okay. We are not going to hold you back because of your age. You are not going to be with three other children exactly your age because that is not what real life is about.’”

“The child doesn’t know they are learning algebra when they are doing the Binomial Cube; they are just doing a 3-dimensional puzzle. But when they get older and return to it, they are looking at it mathematically. The approach feels very natural to the child.” In reality, this “work” is preparation for mathematics (the cube of a binomial, the cube root), an introduction for algebra, and preparation for the proof of the formula (a+b)3 at the Elementary Level. But in the Montessori classroom, this is typically introduced to the child when they are only 3 years old.

Birth of a Movement Maria’s early medical practice focused on psychiatry. She also developed an interest in education, attending classes on pedagogy and immersing herself in educational theory. Her studies led her to observe, and call into question, the prevailing methods of teaching children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Pictured: Carey Leichter and the staff at the Grand Forks Montessori Academy

“You want children to become highly functioning individuals that contribute to society,” said Carey. “You want them to be able to identify their passions, know how to achieve goals that they set for themselves, and how to have good self-esteem.” Montessori supports this. Some well-known Montessorians include the founders of Google, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Alice Waters, Helen Keller, Alexander Graham Bell, Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, Sean “P.Diddy” Combs, Julia Child, Anne Frank, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Noble Prize winner for Literature.

In addition to the private school atmosphere and Montessori Method influence, the Grand Forks Montessori Academy offers year-round preschool for children through age 6, support for homeschoolers, an After-School Kid’s Club program during the school year, and an expanded Summer Kid’s Friendship Club in which children ages 6-12 go on field trips and explore a new topic each year. This summer, as an additional learning experience, their Kid’s Club students will take part in a special Youth Entrepreneurship program at UND’s Center for Innovation. Carey has also developed a relationship with Arioso Music Academy that allows the school to offer Suzuki-based music classes as part of the regular curriculum in addition to programming in art, sign language, and foreign languages. Also, she is exploring an ongoing relationship with the North Dakota Ballet so that students have additional opportunities during their time at the school.

“I am so proud to work with my staff. They are a dedicated group of women that have been with the school more than a year, and some as long as 20 years. Not only do they enjoy working with our children, but they also embrace the Montessori Method and have their own highly educated backgrounds to contribute to our learning environment.”

For more information or to schedule a tour of the Grand Forks Montessori Academy, go to www.gfmontessori.com. [GCW]

The opportunity to improve on Pictured: Dr. Maria Montessori these methods came in 1900, when she was appointed co-director of a new training institute for special education teachers. Maria approached the task scientifically, carefully observing and experimenting to learn which teaching methods worked best.

Many of the children made unexpected gains, and the program was proclaimed a success.

In 1907, Maria accepted a new challenge to open a childcare center in a poor inner-city district. This became the first Casa dei Bambini, a quality learning environment for young children. The youngsters were unruly at first, but soon showed great interest in working with puzzles, learning to prepare meals, and manipulating materials that held lessons in math. She observed how they absorbed knowledge from their surroundings, essentially teaching themselves.

Utilizing scientific observation and experience gained from her earlier work with young children, Maria designed learning materials and a classroom environment that fostered the children’s natural desire to learn. News of the school’s success soon spread through Italy and by 1910 Montessori schools were acclaimed worldwide.

Source: American Montessori Society

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