Grand Cities Woman Volume 4, Issue 3 by Grand Cities Woman

COMPLIMENTARY

Volume 4, Issue 3 August 2015

Women Celebrating Women Night

& Woman to Watch Awards

Ashley Rae Brittany Dvorak Brittany Callier Ashley Dyste

Glory Fladland Carey Leichter Katie Lee Bergner Mary Glessner

Amanda Rengstorf Dr. Natalie Muth Katie Munion

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Distributed by Girl on Fire Publishing at the following locations:

If you would like to provide Grand Cities Woman to your clients or customers, please contact us by phone at 701-261-2692 or by email at grandcitieswoman@live.com. MAIN DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS: Hugo’s Supermarkets SuperOne River Cinema HOTELS: Holiday Inn Express Lakeview Inn and Suites Days Inn Comfort Inn Road King Inn Quality Inn C’mon Inn Settle Inn Howard Johnson Ramada America’s Best Value Inn Super 8 Econo Lodge Canad Inns Sleep Inn Springhill Suites by Marriot Country Inn & Suites AmericInn Knights Inn and Suites Staybridge Red Roof Hampton Inn My Place Select Inn Expressway LaQuinta RETAIL LOCATIONS: True Colors Grand Cities Mall MODE Tim Hortons Dakota Harvest Living Sage SERVICE PROVIDERS: Altru Waiting Areas Grand Forks International Airport Choice Fitness Snap Fitness Curves University of North Dakota Student Union

COMPLIMENTARY

Autumn Graber | Publisher Autumn graduated from Minnesota State University – Moorhead (MSUM) with a BS in Mass Communication emphasizing journalism. She was the 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year, an award given by the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals and University of North Dakota Center for Innovation. Autumn is a 2009 graduate of The Chamber Leadership Program. She was elected and served six years on the Board of Directors for the American Advertising Federation of North Dakota (AAF-ND). 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 relocated to Grand Forks shortly after launching Grand Cities Woman in March of 2012. Autumn and her husband, Kelly, who is an agriculture equipment salesman for Butler Machinery, live in Grand Forks with their two young children, Aiden and Zachary. Mary Glessner | Advertising Sales Mary Glessner grew up in North Dakota and graduated from Mayville State University. She has been with Girl on Fire Publishing since March of 2012 and employed with the North Dakota University System for twenty-four years. After relocating to Grand Forks and accepting a job at UND, she decided to start Cheerful Givers, ND because of her passion for helping others. Mary is a board member and volunteer for the Sunshine Memorial Foundation. She enjoys the community in which she lives and is currently volunteering on the Sunshine Hospitality House Executive Committee to bring the proposed Sunshine Hospitality Home to fruition in Grand Forks.

MariLou Harveland | Copy Editor MariLou is a freelance editor since 2001, when she began editing technical manuals, collaborating on a style guide for writers, and training new writers for Microsoft. During this time, she also earned a Master of Arts in English from NDSU, where she also taught College Composition I and II. In 2011, MariLou published her first novel, “The Seventh Soul,” which won the 2012 Indie Reader Award in Paranormal Fiction at the International Book Expo in New York, NY. Currently, she’s working on her second novel, which should be published in 2015. Though born and raised in North Dakota, MariLou now lives in Woodinville, WA with her husband Dan, a spoiled Golden Retriever, two domineering cats, and a loquacious parakeet.

Kaelyn Teigen | Business Development Kaelyn is a University of North Dakota student working toward a bachelor’s degree in business and serving as a UND Student Ambassador. She is a recipient of the 2014 Western State Bank, Dennis Flynn Memorial, and Morris & Christine Barks Family scholarships. Kaelyn is from Devils Lake and has volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and elementary school teacher assistant. Kaelyn manages Grand City Woman’s digital marketing campaigns and assists in identifying potential business opportunities.

& Woman to Watch Awards Glory Fladland Carey Leichter Katie Lee Bergner Mary Glessner

Amanda Rengstorf Dr. Natalie Muth Katie Munion

2015 Woman to Watch Award Winners

On the Cover

Photographed by Behl’s Photography

If you would like to become a writer for 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. We would appreciate sample writings or a rough draft of your first article to use for consideration.

Volume 4, Issue 3 August 2015

Women Celebrating Women Night Ashley Rae Brittany Dvorak Brittany Callier Ashley Dyste

It Takes a Team...

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Melinda Myers | Writer Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & 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 and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone” 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.

Carma Hanson, MS, RN, Safe Kids Grand Forks/Altru Health System Coordinator | Writer Safe Kids 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 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 Grand Forks. You can also send an email to safekids@altru.org. Safe Kids Grand Forks is keeping kids safe at home, at school, at play, and on the way!

Publisher Girl on Fire Publishing Managing Editor/Ad Sales Autumn Graber (701) 261-2692 grandcitieswoman@live.com

Advertising Sales Mary Glessner

(701) 330-3150 gcwmagazine@gmail.com

Ashley Rae | Writer Ashley Rae, owner of Brand Logic and founder of Her Brand Development Group (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 professionally and personally. For more information about Her Brand Development Group, go to www.hervoiceherbrand.com.

Shannon Teigen | Writer Shannon writes from her rural Devils Lake hobby ranch that is nestled in the peace and quiet of the North Dakota countryside. Her family, consisting of her husband, two 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. When Shannon’s not focusing on family or roasting coffee for Little Coyote Coffee— a hobby turned small business—she is passionate about sharing her life’s experiences and motivating others. Whether writing an article for Lake Region Woman or conducting a training session on marketing, Shannon truly believes that you should do what you love and love what you do. You can reach Shannon at thisdaylrw@ yahoo.com.

Carey Leichter | Writer As a young girl afraid to skin a knee, Carey nevertheless learned how many times a worm could be divided, boosted her immune system by ‘eating dirt’(according to her mom), and climbed trees in roller skates. She has yet to break a bone or skin her knee. As the mother of five children, Montessori teacher, and the Director of Grand Forks Montessori Academy, Carey has spent 11 years analyzing and preparing children’s environments—indoors and outdoors—to provide optimal learning, following the Montessori philosophy. Her children’s garden was previously featured on the annual Grand Forks Garden Tour, and she has most recently led the development of North Dakota’s first Nature Explore Certified Outdoor Classroom. She is available for consultation in the development and preparation of Montessori-inspired, child-centered environments. “As a young girl [who was] afraid to skin a knee, Carey nevertheless learned how many times a worm could be divided, boosted her immune system by ‘eating dirt’(according to her mom), and climbed trees in roller skates. She has yet to break a bone or skin her knee. As the mother of five children, Montessori teacher, and the Director of Grand Forks Montessori Academy, Carey has spent 11 years analyzing and preparing children’s environments—indoors and [outdoors]—to provide optimal learning, following [the] Montessori philosophy. Her children’s garden was previously featured on the annual Grand Forks Garden Tour, and she has most recently led the development of North Dakota’s first Nature Explore Certified Outdoor Classroom. She is available for consultation in the development and preparation of Montessori-inspired, child-centered environments.”

Copy Editor MariLou Harveland Design/Layout Autumn Graber CFO Kelly Graber Business Development Kaelyn Teigen Mail correspondence to: Grand Cities Woman PO Box 5503 Grand Forks, ND 58206 Connect with us! grandcitieswoman@live.com www.girlonfireonline.com www.facebook.com/grandcitieswoman www.twitter.com/gcitieswoman Messages sent to us by email, Twitter, or Facebook might be used in future issues of Grand Cities Woman.

Printed in North Dakota. © 2015 Girl on Fire Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Grand Cities Woman Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Grand Cities Woman Magazine does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented.

This magazine is printed on an environmentally certified paper that contains a 10% post-consumer waste. FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) is an international, non-profit association that promotes well-managed forests by ensuring forestry practices that are environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable. 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 701-2612692. We are currently searching for experts in their industry to submit articles relevant to women in our area.

PROUD MEMBER OF

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Event Calendar Promote your November, December, January, and February events in the next issue by sending information to grandcitieswoman@live.com or fill out the event submission form on our website at www.girlonfireonline.com by October 15, 2015.We recommend calling ahead to confirm events you are interested in participating in. Listing events in our calendar is free for community event organizers and current advertisers.

Open All Year

Nelson County Barn Quilt Trail The quilt trail is a series of 40+ barn quilts that are hung along a highway or country road. A barn quilt is an 8 X 8 or 4 X 4 foot section 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, 40mile driving tour can be found at local businesses or www.nelsonco.org.

August 15

Country Chic Paint Workshop 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Living Sage, Downtown Grand Forks Learn new painting techniques at Living Sage in downtown Grand Forks for only $35 per person. Call 701-757-2071 to reserve your space before the class fills up!

August 17

Alive at 25 Defensive Driving Class for Teens 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Altru Psychiatry Center Alive at 25 Defensive Driving Class for Teens provides participants with the opportunity to be eligible for an insurance premium discount and a three-point deduction off their North Dakota driving record. For more information or to register, call 701-780-5939.

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August 18

Healthy n’ Fit Kids and Families 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sanny and Jerry Ryan Center for Prevention and Genetics, located within Choice Health & Fitness Healthy n’ Fit Kids offers physical and nutrition education for kids and their families. This program can be tailored to fit the needs of each child, with registered dietitians and health & wellness specialists who are dedicated to helping kids learn how to be healthy and happy. Individual consultations and group sessions are offered. For more information, call the Sanny and Jerry Ryan Center for Prevention and Genetics at 701-732-7620.

August 20

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 understand they are not alone. Come share your stories, or simply listen to others. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month.

August 20

Nourishing Boomers and Beyond 12:15 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. NDSU Extension Service, 3rd Floor County Office Bldg., 151 S 4th St These face-to-face classes are free of charge and designed specifically for those who are 50-plus year olds. Nourish your body and mind. This class focuses on the brain, stress management, muscles, heart, eyes, skin, bones, joints, digestive system, and medications. To register, call the NDSU Extension Service at 701-780-8229.

August 20

Country Chic Paint Workshop 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Living Sage, Downtown Grand Forks Learn new painting techniques at Living Sage in downtown Grand Forks for only $35 per person. Call 701-757-2071 to reserve your space before the class fills up!

August 25

Bringing Home Baby 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 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. Registration fee for this class is included with the prenatal class registration of $20.00. The fee is waived if this is the only class being taken. For more information and to register, please call 701-780-5179.

August 25

Baby Care Basics 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Altru Hospital Rooms F & G The class will cover caring for your newborn from birth to six months. The class is intended for first time parents and others who have children. Topics include sleep habits, guidance on when to seek medical advice, comfort measures, seasonal information, sleep deprivation, and a bath demonstration. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 701-780-5179.

September

Anniversary Sale Riddle’s Jewelry During the month of September at Riddle’s Jewelry, take 40 percent off loose diamonds and get 12 months interest free on your purchase.

September 6 & 7

20th Annual Stump Lake Village Threshing Bee Stump Lake Park, 10 miles south of Lakota or 10 miles north of Pekin on Hwy 1 The threshermen’s breakfast will be held between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. both days. Join us for parades, craft show, live entertainment, old time demos, horse-drawn events, food vendors, and tours of the village. The admission fee does not include food or drink. This event is fun for the whole family. For more information, go to www. stumplakepark.com.

September 8

September 9

Food Allergy Support Group 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Choice Health & Fitness If you or a loved one live with food allergies, join Altru allergist Dr. Fatima Khan for a monthly Food Allergy Support Group. Connect with and learn from others who deal with food allergies. Free and open to families/individuals who have been diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies. For more information, call 701-780-6400.

September 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.

September 10

Bringing Home Baby 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. Registration fee for this class is included with the prenatal class registration of $20.00. The fee is waived if this is the only class being taken. For more information and to register, please call 701-780-5179.

September 12

JunkFest and Flea Market 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Foster County Fairgrounds, Carrington The 11th annual JunkFest and Flea Market brings you a fun, festive atmosphere with live music, food on site, and over 100 vendors!

September 13

TEARS Walk for Suicide Prevention 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. Lincoln Park/Greenway Altru’s annual Walk for Suicide Prevention includes a 5K Memory Walk, guest speakers, and other activities. The goal is to raise $10,000 for support groups, with 100 percent of the proceeds staying in our community and region to implement suicide awareness programs. Visit www.firstgiving. com/altru for how to create or join a team for the walk. For additional information about TEARS, visit www.altru.org/tears.

September 15

September 17

Dr. Stacy Hallgren Helping you perform your

best.

Fall sports are in action.

Come in today to prevent injuries and help you perform your best!

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

September 17

Altru’s Rehab Autism Diagnostic Clinic 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Altru Rehabilitation Center Early autism 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 or to register, contact Tiffani Peterson at 701-780-2481.

September 17

AARP SMART Driver Course for Drivers 50+ 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Altru Psychiatry Center The AARP SMART Driver Course for Drivers will help boost safety awareness, refresh and improve driving skills, minimize crash risk, prolong mobility, increase confidence, and help maintain independence. After completing this course, participants might be eligible to receive an insurance discount. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. For more information or to register, call 701-780-5939.

Trail maps available at local business or

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September 19

Walk to End Alzheimer’s 8:30 a.m. Registration 10:00 a.m. Walk Lincoln Park Start a team! For more information, go to www. alz.org/walk or call 800-272-3900.

September 22

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September 26

Altru’s Harvest Gala 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Alerus Center Enjoy a festive night at Altru’s Harvest Gala. This year’s beneficiary is Altru’s Healthy n’ Fit Initiative, benefiting Altru’s Weight Management Program and Healthy n’ Fit Kids and Families. One hundred percent of the funds raised go to the programs. The night includes dinner, a speaker, live and silent auctions, and closes with dancing. For more information, go to the gala’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/altrusgala. To register, call Diane Blair at 701-780-5547.

October

Rose Sale Riddle’s Jewelry The rose has long been a symbol of love and beauty. It has been immortalized in the art and literature of many cultures. It is, to the flower world, what gold has come to be in the realm of precious metals. These two timeless elements have been perfectly combined in your Real Rose flower, which is carefully selected, preserved, and dipped in 24K gold. Enjoy and keep with pride. During the Real Rose sale at Riddle’s Jewelry, you can purchase this keepsake for $59.00 to $99.00.

October 3

Fall Fit Fair 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Altru Professional Center Join us for a celebration of our new space, new brand (Altru Advanced Orthopedics), and new program (Sports Advantage powered by EXOS). This celebration features screenings, tours, and much more. The event is free and open to the public.

October 3

BLAST!: Babysitters’ Lessons & Safety Training Altru Health System 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. BLAST! is a babysitting class designed by the American Academy of Pediatrics to teach 11 to 14 year-olds about the responsibilities of caring for children. Attendees receive a certificate of completion and a course manual. The cost for this class is $45, which includes lunch. Registration is required and can be completed online at www.altru.org/ calendar. For more information, call 701-780-5179. This event is sponsored by Altru Health System and Safe Kids Grand Forks.

October 8

October 11

October 11 through 12

Women’s Business Summit Bismarck Participate in a breakfast with an entrepreneur panel, keynote speaker, breakout sessions, business advising, and opening night social. Register for this summit by going to www.trainingnd.com.

October 13

October 14

October 15

October 15 and 22

Journey Through Grief Class 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sacred Heart Catholic Church, East Grand Forks Hospice of the Red River Valley is pleased to offer free Journeying Through Grief courses this fall. Journeying Through Grief is a two-session class for those who are recently bereaved. It is intended for adults 18 years and older who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. The sessions will help you better understand the grief process, explore methods of self-care, and embrace and carry memories with you as you move forward. Space for the class is limited; therefore, registration is required for one week prior to the class date. To register, call 800-237-4629 and ask for the bereavement department or send an email to: bereavement@hrrv.org.

October 18

Tummy to Tot Expo 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Alerus Center Find the latest products, safety information, services, and fashions for you and your little one—all under one roof. The first 500 admission tickets purchased will receive a free, reusable event bag filled with samples and coupons. This event features breakout sessions sponsored by Quotable Kids, thousands of dollars’ worth of giveaways, raffles, silent auction items, interactive product demonstrations, and a car seat checkup. Admission for this event is $5 in advance or $7 the day of the expo. To purchase tickets and reserve your free event bag, visit www.safekidsgf.com.

October 20

October 22

Tiffany and Co. and Bvlgari Trunk Show Lifetime Vision Center, Grand Forks

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October 27

Kate Spade and Fendi Trunk Show Lifetime Vision Center, Grand Forks

A resale shop featuring brand name fashions from Chicos to the Buckle, along with your favorite new boutique brands, and unique gift items.

6 S 3rd St., Downtown Grand Forks, ND 701-795-5660 www.truecolorsconsignment.com

October 30

Agri-women’s Harvest of Knowledge Conference Ramada Inn, Grand Forks This event features Teresa Lewis, mindset coach and inspiration speaker. This conference helps women find and build their personal and professional strengths and to become better communicators for agriculture. For more information, call Deb Whalen at 218-686-1009.

November WIG STUDIO & HAIR SALON

Christmas Sale Riddle’s Jewelry

November 3

SYNTHETIC WIGS heat friendly wigs clip-in bangs highlight wraps 10% oﬀ in stock wigs Follea certiﬁed

COLOR HIGHLIGHTS PERMS CUTS STYLES HAIR CUSTOMIZATION REVITALIZE WIGS Jan Wunderlich, cosmetologist/owner Appointments Only

218-791-5553

2150 32 Ave South, Suite B Grand Forks, ND 58201

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November 8

American Girl Event 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sharon Lutheran Church, Grand Forks Meet the 2015 American Girl of the Year books author, Mary Casanova, and award-winning children’s author, Jane Kurtz. Bring your books, or purchase books at the event, for both authors to sign. Enter the Grace doll raffle. Decorate cupcakes with help from bakers at O’ for Heaven’s Cakes N’ More. Lots of American Girl Fun! Event is free. All proceeds go to Ethiopia Reads for children’s literacy programs in Ethiopia.

November 11

November 12

November 19

Grief During the Holidays Class 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sacred Heart Catholic Church, East Grand Forks Managing grief in times of celebration can be overwhelming. Suffering the loss of a loved one is difficult any time of the year, but the holiday season can intensify feelings of loss. This presentation will enable attendees to identify and learn how to manage the mixed and painful emotions that can surface when grieving during the holidays. Participants will also learn important self-care strategies. This class is FREE and open to the public; no registration is required.

Northland Christian Counseling Center Speakers Captivate

Third annual luncheon serves up support for clients and staff Submitted

Birthday bags for children less fortunate

Call

701-795-4772

for presentations or information on making a donation.

Bags distributed through the local food pantries.

cheerfulgiversnd@gra.midco.net

On June 25, 2015, Northland Christian Counseling Center hosted its third annual summer fundraising luncheon on the UND campus. The event moved to the Gorecki Alumni Center and featured a panel of six speakers who captivated attendees. “The speeches were so good; it was hard for me to focus on taking pictures!” said photographer Megan Sugden. “I was just taken in and wanted to listen.” Panelists shared their journeys of brokenness and restoration along with genuine appreciation for the services they have received through Northland Christian Counseling Center. For some, those much-needed counseling sessions would not have been possible without the Client Assistance Fund. Donors who support this fund through events like the summer luncheon, the Giving Hearts Day campaign, and other fundraising efforts are making a real difference through their generosity. As one panelist shared, “This journey of what was broken shattered pieces that I called my life, would have never been put back together if it was not for my counselor at Northland. One life has been changed, my life, because of people like you who have given to the Northland Counseling Client Assistance Fund, a fund for people like me who carry financial burdens from unexpected events in their lives and need a safe place to go and not feel the pressure of needing help and not being able to pay for it.” More than $12,600 was raised at the luncheon, which will provide support for the Client Assistance Fund and for the organization’s operations. “We are so grateful to the community for your support in this effort,” said Executive Director Stephen Seay, who also serves as a counselor and speaker for the organization. Northland Christian Counseling Center is a ministry of restoration, offering clients the opportunity to move from despair to hope—even if they don’t have the ability to pay for their counseling sessions—in a safe and confidential place. Services include, but are not limited to, counseling for individual, premarital, marital, family, group, life-changing issues, substance abuse, pornography, gambling, eating disorders, and workplace challenges. The trained staff helps a person consider life from a different perspective; one that can bring hope and healing. For more information, go to www.northlandccc.com or call Mission Awareness Consultant Michelle Walters at 701-215-8350 or the office at 701795-8550.

www.cheerfulgivers.org

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Truyu

BIO•SERUM is supercharged with an unprecedented amount of PSP® and pro-collagen Amino Acids to help provide results in as little as 7-14 days. This exclusive combination of concentrated PSP® with targeted, nutrient rich ingredients work together to promote youthful, firm and supple-looking skin. Available at Truyu. See their ad on page 17.

Riddle’s Jewelry

All gold chains 50% off for a limited time at Riddle’s Jewelry. See their ad on page 17.

True Colors

Believing that we each make our lives every moment of every day, this 30 day guided journal brings attention and mindfulness to the choices we make. Find this guided journal and home decor at True Colors. See their ad on page 10.

Hot Spots to Shop PRODUCTS YOU NEED THIS FALL

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 Girl on Fire Publishing.

Lifetime Vision Center

Never forget your reading glasses again! Thin Optix are reading glasses that attach right to your phone case. The nose pads flex and grip to ensure a secure and comfortable fit on all noses. You can personalize your look by choosing from many different colors. Pick up your pair of Thin Optix at Lifetime Vision Center. See their ad on page 19.

Sublime Aesthetic Professionals

VivierSkin Advanced Skin Lightening Serum Experience the beauty of luminous results! This new 2-in1 serum targets anti-aging AND skin lightening at the same time. It’s uniquely formulated to lighten the appearance of sun damage, age spots, liver spots, freckles and melasma, while also smoothing fine lines wrinkles, and improving the overall evenness of skin tone. See their ad on page 27. Product contains: L-Ascorbic Acid USP (pharmaceutical grade Vitamin C) | 2% Hydroquinone USP

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True Colors

A resale shop featuring brand name fashions like this fuchsia Coach purse! See their ad on page 10.

Riddle’s Jewelry

Treat yourself. Mention their ad on page 17 and take an additional 5% off your purchase. Some exclusions apply.

Living Sage

Have the newlyweds snuggle up to these witty love you more pillowcases. Matching, funny, and comfortable, these pretty pillowcases are a great bridal shower, engagement, or wedding gift for your favorite newlyweds! Pillowcases are gloriously soft as they are made of 300 thread count cotton.

Living Sage

Country Chic Paint is a chalk and mineral based paint that is specifically designed for DIYers with a love for refinishing furniture and home decor. This fabulous paint is VOC free and contains no harmful solvents. The paint comes in a variety of colors shown at Living Sage in downtown Grand Forks. See their ad on page 7.

Sublime Aesthetic Professionals

SkinTx Skin Brightening Cream This non-prescription, non-Hydroquinone skin brightening cream reduces the appearance of age spots. Uniquely formulated to reduce the appearance of aging while sloughing off dead skin cells, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Ideal for patients who cannot tolerate Hydroquinone or long-term use of Retinoids. Bright on! See their ad on page 27. Product contains: Arbutin | Resorcinol | Lactic Acid

Truyu

BB Prime Time: Great looking skin starts with a great foundation! This multi-tasking BB primer-cream immediately diminishes the appearance of discoloration, uneven skin tone and imperfections while providing Broad Spectrum SPF 30 protection and defense against environmental stressors. Available at Truyu. See their ad on page 17.

Lifetime Vision Center

Don’t lose your sunglasses to the bottom of the lake! These lightweight cords and floats help your glasses float in water for an easy retrieval. Pick up your Croakies float kit today at Lifetime Vision Center. See their ad on page 19.

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Plant Now for a Beautiful Garden Now and in the Future

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pack away that shovel and trowel. Fall is a great time to plant a few new additions in Written by Melinda Myers the landscape. Here are just a few ideas for adding immediate and longterm beauty to your garden. Add cool season annuals like pansies, snapdragons, ornamental kale, and stocks to brighten the fall garden. Those in milder regions will enjoy them throughout the winter. Consider adding cold-hardy pansies; they provide color in the fall garden, survive most winters, and are back blooming in the spring just as the snow melts.

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Fall is also a good time to plant perennials, trees, and shrubs. The soil is warm and the air cooler, so the plants are less stressed and establish more quickly. Select plants suited to the growing conditions and be sure to give them plenty of room to reach their mature size. Plant trees so the root flare, the place where the roots curve away from

the trunk, is even with the soil surface. Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball and two to five times wider. Roughen the sides of the hole and backfill with the existing soil. Water thoroughly and spread a two to threeinch layer of mulch over the soil surface, keeping the mulch away from the tree trunk. Follow a similar planting procedure for shrubs. Plant these so the crown, the place where the stems meet the roots, is even with the soil surface. And be sure to keep the mulch away from the stems. Plant daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and other bulbs in fall for extra color next spring. Set the bulbs at a depth of two to three times their height deep. Then, cover the bulbs with soil and sprinkle on a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer, like Milorganite (milorganite.com). This organic nitrogen fertilizer promotes rooting without stimulating fall growth subject to winter kill. Start planting spring flowering bulbs after the nighttime temperatures hover between 40 and 50 degrees. Be patient; waiting until the soil cools reduces the risk of early sprouting that often occurs during a warm fall. Those gardening in the far south and along the gulf coast can purchase pre-cooled bulbs to compensate for the warm winters. Or the chilling can be done at home by storing the bulbs in a 35 to 45 degree location for at least 14 weeks before planting. Those tired of battling the animals might want to plant resistant bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, Fritillaria, alliums, Camassia, glory-of-the snow, snow drops, squills, and grape hyacinths. You might find it is easier to avoid the problem than battle the animals with repellents and scare tactics. Plant a few short season vegetables in your garden for fresh-from-the garden flavor this fall. Simply count the days from planting to the average first fall frost to determine how many growing days are left in your area. Select vegetables that will mature and can be harvested in that amount of time. Leaf lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, radishes, and carrots are fast growing, cool weather tolerant vegetables that make great additions to the fall garden and your dinner plate. Get these vegetables off to a good start with a side dressing of low nitrogen fertilizer. Incorporate it into the soil prior to planting or sprinkle a narrow band along the row of plants. This organic nitrogen will provide needed nutrients without damaging the tender seedlings. Extend the harvest season with the help of floating row covers. These fabrics allow air, light, and water through while trapping the heat around the plants. No construction is needed; just loosely cover the plants with the fabric, secure the edges with pipes, boards, or landscape staples and let the plants provide the support. So be sure to get a jump on next springâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden season with a bit of fall planting now. [GCW]

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Mini Mentorship

Our Ability to Empower

Written by Ashley Rae

Every day our brains are bombarded with information, the majority of which tends to be negative. As a society, we’ve developed an overall negativity bias, which is the tendency to give far more emphasis on negative details than positive ones. Over time, that negativity becomes programmed into our daily lives, ultimately impacting not only how we feel about ourselves, but also our ability to empower those around us.

As a woman, this negativity bias has proven to be a challenge for me at times, professionally and personally. Too often, I have witnessed women tear each other down rather than build each other up. Whether it be among work colleagues or personal friends, women oftentimes allow this negativity bias to impact how they feel about themselves and how they interact with other women in their lives. Not all women are like this; plenty of men are also guilty of the same behavior. However, it is a profoundly widespread problem among women. It is my hope that all women can eventually learn to filter out that negativity bias and reprogram their minds in a more positive manner, to empower themselves and the women around them. What follows are a few simple tips to help us do just that.

Focus on the Good “Being positive does not mean ignoring the negative. Being positive means overcoming the negative.” ~ Author Unknown Every morning when we wake up and every night before we go to bed, focus on the good. Think about all the things for which we are grateful. Recognize and celebrate the positive impact that women in our lives have had on us. Try to filter out negative chatter throughout the day. Focusing more attention on the positive might not change the women around us, but it will change the mindset we have, ultimately changing the way we interact with them.

Be Confident “A beautiful and confident woman never compares herself with other women because she knows she is an original.” ~ Patricia Ann Goodman Every day we’re bombarded with distorted realities of what we should be as women. Often, those distortions can cause feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Learn how to filter out those distorted realities and embrace who we are as individuals. More importantly, remember that another woman’s success doesn’t take away from our own. Being truly confident with who we are enables us to genuinely support and empower other women.

Be Understanding “If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care.” ~ Marvin J. Ashton

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No one understands the struggles and triumphs of a woman better than another woman. The women around us inherently understand us because they are often on a similar journey or have walked the path we’re now on. To support and empower one another, be more understanding of other women and be willing to lend valuable insight and advice from our own experiences.

Surround Yourself with Like-Minded Women “You can tell who the strong women are. They’re the ones building each other up instead of tearing each other down.” ~ Author Unknown As women, we are one another’s best support system, creating a network of allies, mentors, problem solvers, and friends. Collaborate and surround ourselves with other like-minded, passionate women who also support the passions and efforts of others. Plenty of women believe in the “sisterhood” of women and want to support one another, so don’t invest time (if possible) with women who don’t.

Lead by Example “Each day you are leading by example. Whether you realize it or not, or whether it’s positive or negative, you are influencing those around you.” ~ Rob Liano Today’s woman needs to be aware of the stage we as women are setting and the impact we’re having on those who come after us. Our behaviors and actions today are shaping the generation of tomorrow. By simply choosing to lead by example and truly supporting the passions and efforts of other women, we become part of a much larger movement toward forever changing the way women interact with and support one another in every avenue of life. If we can learn to filter out the negative information we’re exposed to throughout the day, and replace it with a more positive mindset, a transition from that negativity bias to a positivity bias will automatically occur. Ultimately, that transition will impact not only how we feel about ourselves, but also our ability to genuinely support and empower the women around us. [GCW]

This Day

Enjoy Your Current Routine It’s exciting, different, and feels like a clean slate—a fresh routine. Looking forward to and, sometimes, dreading a new routine is synonymous with being a mother of school-aged children. These mothers have a new routine at least two times a year: the summer routine and the WAHOO back to school routine. Written by Shannon Teigen

The summer routine is a welcomed break for children. They have about three months off, a summer of rest and relaxation. I remember being a mom of little ones and looking forward to a more laid-back approach to life with the kids. I was more lenient with bedtime, what they wore to daycare, and I let them sleep a little later in the morning. However, summertime isn’t just about rest and relaxation; we moms make sure of that. We sign them up for swimming lessons and t-ball, get them to camp(s), and enroll them in different programs or activities to make sure they have an overall enriching summer. Does this sound right to anybody else? You are not alone! By the end of July, I was so wiped out from coordinating my and my husband’s work schedule along with juggling the kids’ activities that I wished the rest of the summer away so we could get back to the “normal” routine. I appreciated the “old” routine and welcomed it with open arms, just as a mother kneels down at day’s end and catches her little one in a loving embrace to wash away the day’s “grime.” The summer routine, albeit filled with rest and relaxation, tends to make us appreciate the back-to-school routine. And once the kids are back at school, we can breathe a sigh of relief.

Yourself TREAT

The fresh routine is relief. Welcomed are the back-to-school routines that signify fall: the evenings of supper, homework, reading, getting ready for bed, followed by a decent bedtime. Simple tasks, but the structure we crave after three months of “rest and relaxation.” The structure of this routine is calming like a warm, soft blanket draped over your shoulders on a crisp fall day, where the air is spiced with the scent of fallen leaves and harvest. The back-to-school routine is neither busier nor less busy than the summer routine. We tend to keep ourselves as busy as we want to be and can handle. The back-to-school routine is simply a time to wipe the slate clean, so to speak. Likewise, when time draws near to summer, we will embrace the exchange of routines and the rest and relaxation that come with summertime. So is the circle of life. Living in one routine helps you appreciate the other. Remember, your routine—whether summertime or back-to-school—will change soon enough. It will be replaced by something new and exciting, and it will give you a clean slate. So on this day, try to relax and enjoy your current routine. [GCW]

Additional

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Planting Seeds, Making Memories, and Giving the Gift of Nature

Getting children back to nature seems to be a current trend. Today’s children are encouraged to play in outdoor settings in which getting dirty, exploring, seeing, touching, smelling, and hearing (and sometimes tasting) nature is a first-hand experience. While playing outside is not new, in recent decades, communities have leaned toward a form of protective play that has become restrictive to children’s Written by Carey Leichter growth. But, current research supports “existing theories linking nature-based outdoor education to positive learning and developmental outcomes including enhanced imaginative play, increased physical and mental well-being, and environmental stewardship.” 1 Allowing children to explore their world quietly, or with robust glee, is a gift. A hands-on exploration of the natural world helps children feel connected to the earth’s cycles, grounding them and giving a distinct perspective on life and respect for our natural resources. Direct exploration helps children develop their senses, test limitations (within relative safety), and empower them by helping hone their abilities. We can foster this connection not only by taking children to the lakes, forests, or parks for special events, but also in their daily activities. When planting seeds with children, we do more than plant actual seeds, we plant the metaphorical seeds for a love of nature. Observe your backyard, or any personal outdoor space for children, and consider the following.

Resources

Amongst the many good websites for inspiration—whether it’s crafts or landscape and garden design—the following list is a great starting point for research, tips, and insight. Nature Explore — http://natureexplore.org/ Dimensions Educational Research Foundation — http://dimensionsfoundation.org Children and Nature Network — http://www.childrenandnature.org/ The Arbor Day Foundation — http://www.arborday.org/

Research

http://dimensionsfoundation.org/findings.html 1 A Post-Occupancy Study of Nature-Based Outdoor Classrooms in Early Childhood Settings by Dennis, S.F., Wells, A., & Bishop, C. (2014) Children, Youth and Environments 24(2): 35-52.

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• Is it child-friendly? • Does it provide sensory opportunities for the child to see, feel, hear, smell, and taste? • Can the child take part in the process of creating, or maintaining, the space? • Does the child have the opportunity to explore nature’s lifecycles—not just the cold North Dakota winters—the inter-connectivity of the natural world, the decomposition of the plant material, and the habits and habitats of our outdoor friends? Challenge yourself to think outside the box and try something new. Lie on your back, feel the grass, watch the clouds, and hear the wind blowing the tree branches. Listen to the birds, crickets, and frogs. Crawl on all fours and view the world through a child’s vantage. Consider the art of nature, the music that can be created, the poetry, and the stories. Experience the physical exploration, the climbing, leaping, and balancing. Take part in the planting, the growing, and the harvesting. Observe the changes of the seasons, the change in light and shadow, the changes in temperature, colors, smells, and textures. Examine the changes in wildlife, insects, and birds. Don’t forget to allow your children to independently explore and discover their world. Interpretations will vary, and it’s wonderful to share experiences. Providing children access to the natural world throughout the seasons—with a variety of sensory experiences—fosters a love for their environment. Whether it’s touching worms, balancing on logs, or climbing rocks and trees, we need to encourage outdoor exploration. Allow your children to get dirty, to explore, observe, learn, and test their fears and personal boundaries. In turn, we can perceive and experience our children’s joy through their expressions, laughter, stories, songs, and pictures. And, while sharing in every moment is unlikely, we know that our children are creating strong, wonderful memories. Creating lifetime memories is part of the family experience, a legacy in which children realize their place in the world, where they can feel grounded and connected to Mother Nature, and can eventually share with future generations. Taking the time to slow down and connect with our children is more than a gift of time. The wonders of the world reveal themselves, in addition to the wonders of what we can achieve. [GCW]

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august 2015

Safe Kids Corner

Parenting: What kind of “orientation” comes with this “job”?! community and region coming together to support our mission. Many individuals and resources within our community help make the safety of our area children a priority and much easier than one would assume. Having experts and resources at your fingertips makes this important and, at times, overwhelming job a little bit easier. And for that, as a mother, I am grateful. In this edition of Safe Kids Corner, I will share a few resources that are available for parents and caregivers to provide a little “orientation” for this important role of parenting. Safe Kids Grand Forks Website A simple computer search for Safe Kids Grand Forks will bring you to our website (www.safekidsgf.com). This site is filled with many resources on our injury risk areas. From water safety to ATVs, from home safety to school safety, this site is organized in a way that showcases our topics of expertise. Explore the site and contact us if you find materials that would be helpful in hard copy or multiple quantities.

Twenty three year ago, I was a brand-new mom, sitting in the hospital room with our first-born daughter in my arms, anticipating our discharge home. I had been a nurse in an intensive care nursery for four years before my husband and I welcomed this new baby into our lives. I was practiced at caring for other people’s precious little babies Submitted by Carma who were much more fragile than my Hanson, Coordinator – Safe Kids Grand Forks own. Yet, I pondered the huge responsibility of us becoming a mom and a dad and all that the roles would entail.

Facebook and Twitter Many people are now online and using social media. Accordingly, Safe Kids Grand Forks has social media presence with Facebook and Twitter. Daily, we post or tweet safety tips, upcoming event announcements, free safety devices, and useful links. Go to our Facebook page today and “like” us to receive tips each day as we post. Bringing Home Baby & C.A.R.S. (Child and Restraint Systems) Classes These two classes are geared toward expectant parents and child care

To become a nurse, I had four years of education at the University of North Dakota and the coursework was rigorous. Once done with college, the hospital provided an eight-week orientation for my new job in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Conversely, as I left for home with our precious little bundle, I had so many questions. Parenting is the most important job I would ever have, yet it comes with the least amount of “orientation.” Fast forward a few years later when my nursing career was in full swing and I had since become mother to two children: a daughter and son. I was asked to lead Safe Kids Grand Forks, an injury prevention coalition whose mission is to prevent unintentional injuries and death to children. The position seemed to fit well with my ideals and approach to parenting. In addition to instilling a strong sense of faith in our children, I hold sacred the responsibility of keeping them safe. Now, not only was I challenged with safeguarding my own children’s safety, but also those in our community and region. Safe Kids Grand Forks, a department of Altru Health System, is a communityowned coalition with experts and leaders in injury prevention from all over our 20 girlonfireonline.com august 2015

providers. Respecting full disclosure, my car seat knowledge wasn’t the best when I first took over as the Coordinator for Safe Kids Grand Forks. I attended my first car seat checkup event with my own child in a recalled car seat. So little information was known or distributed about car seat use at that time that I didn’t know better. Today, an abundance of car seats are on the market and prove to be much more complex than before. Consequently, a great deal of

knowledge and plenty of ways to disseminate information about proper use of these seats is imperative. The Bringing Home Baby and C.A.R.S. classes are extremely helpful in teaching parents and child care providers, respectively, about child passenger safety. Our car seat checkup events are another way for parents to learn about proper installation and receive hands-on assistance in the vehicle. Statistically, four out of five car seats are used incorrectly and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children. We encourage you to take steps to make sure your car seat is installed properly, and we are here to help. Tummy to Tot Expo When engaged couples plan their wedding, they often attend a bridal show to get ideas for the big day. Similarly, Safe Kids Grand Forks has developed a Tummy to Tot Expo that is geared for expectant parents or those with young children. The event features numerous vendors displaying services, products, safety items, and other items that will help parents with young children. This year’s event takes place on Sunday, October 18 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. Booth displays and mini classes will also be available to help on a variety of topics. The event offers lots of prizes and great resources; you won’t want to miss it! To find out more information, go to our website or Facebook page.

www.facebook.com/junkfest www.junk-fest.blogspot.com

Area Voices Blog Many people have taken to blogs as a way of learning new information. Some of the information on the Internet can be helpful, but with such easy access to computers comes the danger of inaccurate, incorrect, or outdated information. Safe Kids Grand Forks has a weekly blog that contains safety tips on a variety of topics. The information in each blog entry is up-to-date and research-based, providing tips on topics ranging from parents’ current concerns (drownings, bike safety, poisonings, etc.) to topics that might not even be on their radar (button battery dangers, television tip-overs, etc.). Check out our blog at safekidsgrandforks. areavoices.com. Parenting, it is hard work, but the joys abound. My children are now adults at 19 and 23 and, luckily, we got them to that age with only a few bumps and bruises along the way. Now, I get to share my experiences with a co-worker in our office, who in April gave birth to a baby girl to join her two-year-old brother at home. While my days of childhood parenting is over, new parents are “born” each and every day, and I want to assure them that Safe Kids will continue to be a resource for them as they navigate this world of parenting. If you have questions about childhood injury topics, please contact us; we are happy to assist. Altru Health System is proud to serve as the lead agency for Safe Kids Grand Forks. [GCW]

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august 2015

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Women Celebrating Women Night & Eleven Women Honored in Woman to Watch Awards Written by Autumn Graber Event Photographed by Behl’s Photography

On July 30, Grand Cities Woman publisher, Girl on Fire Publishing, and Brand Logic partnered to host “Women Celebrating Women Night” at the Gorecki Alumni Center on the University of North Dakota campus. Through this event, Brand Logic “Her Voice Her Brand” and Girl on Fire Publishing hope to lead a movement throughout our communities where women show true support and empowerment of one another in an overall effort to help one another succeed. Ashley Rae, owner of Brand Logic, said, “Our intent for this event was to be able to celebrate and recognize the role that women play and the impact that they have in our communities. We wanted to provide women with the opportunity to be surrounded by other like-minded, passionate women who truly support the passions and efforts of others.” The event, emceed by Missy Ohe, entertained over 150 women with performances by acoustic performer Jenny Nichole, dancer Lily Goehring, and belly dancing by The Lovely Dozen. The audience was inspired by guest speakers Ciara Stockeland, creator of the MODE Outlet franchise, Amy Shimek, area entrepreneur and mom, and 2-time Olympic Silver Medalists in Women’s Hockey, Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux. Eleven women, who had been nominated by their peers, were honored with the 2015 Woman to Watch awards sponsored by Grand Cities Woman Magazine. Categories included arts and entertainment, volunteering, philanthropy, passion, education, faith, health and wellness, business and entrepreneurship, community leadership, up and comer, and overall achievement. A panel of judges from outside the Grand Forks community was organized to help sort through the many nominations forms. We were thrilled to see the amount of nominations come in; some women were even nominated multiple times by different people. The following is a feature on each award winner and why they deserved to win, according to their nominators.

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Woman to Watch in the Category of Health and Wellness Sponsored by Amy Suda of Isagenix

Katie Munion

This past year, Katie resigned from her fulltime corporate job to start her own company, Soul Purpose (Soulates), which allowed her the time and creative freedom to bring her knowledge of mindfulness and physical health to the masses. Her nominator wrote, “Katie thinks of other people before herself. She is giving of herself and her talents for the purpose of bettering others. She is vibrant and kind.” Her business, Soul Purpose, aims to help individuals pursue their purpose and improve their wellbeing. Katie has over 10 years’ experience in corporate HR, extensive training in Dale Carnegie, and has achieved several certifications in Pilates instruction. She has even registered a trademark for her own Pilates program titled “Soulates” – Pilates for the soul. Soulates sessions focus on multi-dimensional wellness, incorporating traditional mat Pilates with positive language and visualizations. Katie’s nominator admires her for her sense of purpose and clear understanding of herself. “With her own self-awareness and understanding, she is able to breathe life into the people she meets on a daily basis. Her multi-dimensional approach to wellness of the whole self is innovative, and quite essential to truly achieving a healthy lifestyle. She has an impeccable way of instilling inspiration in others, and is so very deserving of the Woman to Watch Award for Health and Wellness.” 24 girlonfireonline.com august 2015

Woman to Watch in the Category of Volunteer Sponsored by Adley Ann’s

Dr. Natalie Muth

“Natalie is extremely generous with her time, talent and donations to so many organizations in the community,” her nominator wrote. Dr. Muth volunteers for the North Dakota Museum of Art as auction chair, donor, and chairing the Children’s Museum initiative. “Natalie has always been active with the museum since her days at UND and recently took on spearheading bringing a Children’s Museum to the Grand Forks area.” She has served for several years as the chair of the Autumn Art Auction which helps sustain the museum financially. Dr. Muth sits on the executive board for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). “She is so welcoming to moms with children ages 0-5 and designs programming and mentoring for this group.” Some of the other organizations she volunteers for are Talking About Kids with Autism, ArtWise4Kids, Calvary Lutheran, and Muddy Waters. Plains Chiropractic, Natalie’s chiropractic clinic, has also been a supporter of many events and organizations in town, including The Wild Hog ½ Marathon, Frozen Feat, Forx Roller Derby, Curling for a Cure, Special Olympics, Empire Arts Center, and Altru Harvest Gala. Dr. Natalie Muth nominator wrote, “Natalie embodies all qualifications for the nominated category. She is giving of herself, of her time and financially to many organizations in the community and always with an open heart and open mind. She is the first to offer her help and never expects anything in return. Through both her actions and philanthropy, Natalie has improved and enriched our community in a way that few others have.”

Woman to Watch in the Category of Philanthropy Sponsored by Dance, Etc!

Brittany Callier

After seeing how destructive ill-managed finances can be to a family, Brittany developed a passion to pursue wealth management/financial services to show the world all of the good that money can do. She accepted an intern position with a non-profit agency that offers grants to individuals in need, furthering her love for philanthropy from there. Brittany’s nominator, who is also a client of hers, wrote, “She has taken exceptional care and time in getting to know me and my family and gather an understanding of our needs. I have also seen that she commits an exceptional amount of energy to bettering our community and giving back to young students in teaching philanthropy to them.” In addition to her work in philanthropy, Brittany volunteers for the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals, Art and Wine Walk, and Sunshine Memorial Foundation. Her nominator wrote, “Whenever a volunteer is needed at a community event, Brittany is always one of the first to express interest. Her willingness to not only help, but to also put her full enthusiasm behind a project makes her shine. She’s a great person, through and through.”

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Woman to Watch in the Category of Arts and Entertainment Sponsored by Bright Brushes

Katie Lee Bergner

Katie is a self-taught artist who has been painting since she was 14 years old. She most recently made a name for herself in the Grand Forks Community for working on the downtown Blue Man project. Katie is owner and co-founder of The Art of Giving (TAG) in Grand Forks. TAG’s mission is to enrich the cultural life of our community through supporting the arts while giving back to our community members. According to her website, “Lee’s hope for the people viewing her work is that they will start to see color the way she does and begin to see this world is far more beautiful than most give it credit.” Her nominator wrote, “Katie Lee continues to do great things with her involvement in the community of Grand Forks. One of the previous TAG events raised money for additional community art for the 42nd Avenue Art Project. Katie Lee should receive this award to recognize her past, present and future gifts she uses her talent for to improve the city of Grand Forks and bringing a renewed appreciation for local art.”

Woman to Watch in the Category of Education Sponsored by Kimberly Keller of Northwestern Mutual

Carey Leichter

Carey is the owner of Grand Forks Montessori Academy. She home-schooled her children using the Montessori Method for several years and has a passion for child-directed education. She took over ownership of the local Montessori school in 2014 knowing that her purpose was to offer such education so that other children could benefit as much as hers were. Carey’s nominator wrote, “Carey works tirelessly to bring innovative ideas to the local community, not only with her school but with anything she does. She is a champion for both children and teachers. As a parent, it is not easy to trust the care and wellbeing of your child to others, but after seeing Carey raise her own children to be independent, kind, and happy kids, as well as seeing that educating children is second nature to her, it was a no-brainer to put my daughter in her school.”

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Woman to Watch in the Category of Passion

After being employed at Vaaler for just a few weeks, she learned of a co-worker