June/July 2021 On the Minds of Moms by on the minds of moms

JUNE | JULY 2021

Inside:

ONE MOTHER IS WORKING TOWARD CLEAN WATER FOR EVERYONE, ONE WELL AT A TIME | 26 The valley’s for today’s

CONTENT

IN EVERY ISSUE

CONTRIBUTORS.................................................... 4 EDITOR'S NOTE........................................................ 7 SHUTTERBUG............................................................. 22 RESOURCES

Connect, find help, get answers, make a difference....................................... 42

EVENTS..................................................................................... 43 READY, SET, GO

Check out these great, family-friendly places both near and far......................................................... 44

Taylor Jane Photography

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

CONTENT

FEATURES & PROFILES MOD MOM

Heather Curran................................................................................. 8

GOOD FOOD

Shake up your grill game by throwing a pizza on.............................................................. 12

LATEST HEALTH THREAT

Here’s what parents need to know to combat vaping..................................................... 18

12 44

BLOOM

Photos from event hosted by FargoMom............................................................... 24

COVER STORY

One mother is working toward clean water for everyone, one well at a time........................ 26

RAD DAD

Doug Peters..................................................................................... 34

PARENTING PERSPECTIVES

This summer, I'm throwing out "mom rules" I made and you should too................... 38

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

n the Minds of Moms is grateful to have the following women contributing their expertise and voice to this issue of the magazine.

CONTRIBUTORS

Melissa Davidson

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

is a mom to three girls and writer for Click Content Studios, a marketing and video production agency. In addition to writing, she’s passionate about health and wellness, wishes she could get through all the non-fiction books out there, and thrives on learning new things, like the cello!

Alicia Strnad Hoalcraft is manager of integrated media operations production for Forum Communications. She lives in Moorhead with her spouse and their 7-year-old, Calliope. When she’s not working or parenting, she can be found reading, watching “Real Housewives” or painting.

Katie Pinke lives in rural North Dakota with her husband and three children, ages 11 to 23. In addition to juggling her family roles and owning a small business with her husband, she works full-time as the publisher and general manager of Agweek and AgweekTV. She can be reached at kpinke@agweek.com, or connect with her on Twitter @katpinke.

Paula Quam works as managing digital editor of InForum. A Glyndon, Minn. native, Quam served as an Air Force broadcaster before moving "back home" to join the news business in Fargo, working in both TV and newspaper. She and her husband Donavon are the parents of four children — Parker, Oliver, Addison and Kaja — and they live in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Jessica Rerick of Grand Forks is a freelance writer, trained chef and mom to four boys. Her food blog, wineandhotdish.com, is filled with recipes that quickly become new weeknight favorites. She also owns and operates Craveable Kitchen, an expanding line of dry mixes and seasonings.

Danielle Teigen is managing editor of On the Minds of Moms magazine as well as the author of two nonfiction local history books. She and her husband have three children who keep every day filled with laughter, craziness and caffeine.

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moms@forumcomm.com PUBLISHER Forum Communications Company EDITOR Mary Jo Hotzler mhotzler@forumcomm.com MANAGING EDITOR Danielle Teigen danielle.teigen@forumcomm.com WRITERS Melissa Davidson Alicia Strnad Hoalcraft Katie Pinke Paula Quam Jessica Rerick Danielle Teigen ADVERTISING Lisa Tillotson adfeatures@forumcomm.com DESIGN AND LAYOUT Sara Slaby specialsections@forumcomm.com PHOTOGRAPHY Renee Clasen CONTENT INQUIRIES moms@forumcomm.com

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MISSION AND VISION On the Minds of Moms is dedicated to providing a community of local support and real-life advice for the modern mom who is on the go and needs to know. We are inspired to help the woman behind “the mom” balance it all by offering support, validation and reassurance she is a good mom wanting only the best for herself and family. On the Minds of Moms is an online community and magazine for and about local moms. We strive to achieve a balance between useful information and entertaining content. Written to serve as the local reading alternative to family magazines that are produced for a national audience.

On the Minds of Moms contains views from across the parenting spectrum. These views do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All activities listed in these pages are at your own risk and require appropriate supervision.

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

MARY JO HOTZLER

The season is changing and so are we

ummer. Everyone is drawn to it for a different reason.

Maybe you are a teacher looking forward to some well-deserved down time or maybe summer means extra time with your kids. Perhaps you have a lake cabin you are eager to enjoy, or you simply love the heat. For me, it’s all about the longer days. After what feels like a year and a half of hibernation, I’m excited for those extra hours outside each evening, riding my bike, walking and just taking in sunsets. And unlike last summer, I’m looking forward to spending some of those extra hours with friends and family who I’ve seen very little of this past year thanks to the pandemic. You often hear people refer to our lives as having seasons, too. Collectively, it really does feel like we are in the spring/ summer of life, with the world opening up again and people feeling inspired to recapture some of the energy lost during “the dark winter.” The one thing we know is that this season — just as the season before it — will look a little different for everyone. Many of the women (and men) featured in this edition of On the Minds of Moms have experienced seasons of change this past year but have emerged with passion

and purpose and are ready to take on the world. Maureen Bartelt, featured on our cover, is one of those women. Despite a year filled with twists and turns, Maureen is undeterred in her focus on providing clean water for African communities through a nonprofit entity called Wellspring for the World. Then there’s our Rad Dad feature on Doug Peters. You might know him best as the face of MSUM athletics, but recently Doug was moved to make a change. He is now taking his passion for leadership development to an entirely new stage. As always, we have a few columnists who share their own parenting insights and summer advice, and On the Minds of Moms food columnist Jessica Rerick will help make sure it tastes good. Grilled pizza anyone? Yes, please. To the grilled pizza, to the long days, and to busting out of this COVID cocoon just in time to enjoy this next season.

Mary Jo Hotzler is Forum Communications Company’s Chief Content Officer and the interim editor of On the Minds of Moms. She lives in Fargo with her husband Heath and twin boys.

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Heather Curran stays busy keeping her homemade products fresh and well stocked. Special to On the Minds of Moms

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Heather Curran FARGO, N.D.

MOD MOM

Bringing business and family together

By Melissa Davidson

hen you discover something that works, you gotta share it with the world. That’s what Heather Curran did when she finally found relief from eczema she’d been dealing with for years. After looking for something to help relieve her pain and dryness to no avail, she eventually learned about tallow, which is rendered down beef fat. What she discovered was so much more. Not only did she find instant relief from her eczema, but it also improved her acne and complexion. From there, what started as a hobby, making jars for family and friends, turned into vendor shows, turned into booths at local events, and turned into a business: Dakota Tallow. But there’s more. She’s not only an entrepreneur, she’s also a stay-at-home mom to three (soonto-be four) kiddos, ages three to 10, and she’s their school teacher. Having that many littles around not only means she’s a busy woman, but she’s also got some help! From packing the trailer to labeling finished products, the whole family, including her husband, is involved in the business. So much so, it’s even inspired her two oldest to start their own—Raw Dakota Kitchen, a gluten-free baked goods business. “It’s so fun to listen to them plan, scheme and determine how they want to market it,” she said. You can often find the Curran clan at the local Red River Farmers Market.

Want to learn more about Curran and how she’s managing it all? Read on: What I find most fulfilling about it all is... receiving positive emails and reviews from our customers. Knowing that my products are helping babies, children and even adults is beyond humbling. I also LOVE learning more and coming up with new products! The most challenging part of owning my own business is.. keeping everything stocked! Since all of my products are all-natural and handmade, I keep everything as fresh as possible. The most challenging part of doing it while having to parent and homeschool is... I knew I needed to spend my time educating and supporting my children, but I also knew I had to get products made for orders to go out. I have been able to separate them now and put school and my children first during the weekday and do smaller tasks in the evenings. I spend a lot of my weekends restocking products and creating new products. In addition, my husband has taken on a huge role in our success and it has been a breath of fresh air. I create work-life boundaries by... Taking time for our kids and focusing on making memories for and with them. It is easy to attend vendor shows all summer and fall long. But saying "no" is healthy too. ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

MOD MOM

Make sure you find a balance! It is so easy to get caught up with both parenting and running a home-based business. Heather Curran

My advice to other entrepreneurs who are also parents is... make sure you find a balance! It is so easy to get caught up with both parenting and running a home-based business. It can take an emotional toll on yourself and your family. People most often ask me... “What is tallow?” Ha! Most people have never heard of it before! After a short explanation, almost everyone is intrigued and tries something! Having someone buy my products after never hearing of it before, is also quite rewarding. I hope through this experience my kids learn... ambition, self-confidence and to develop a strong worth ethic. Words I live by as a parent are... "Children are not a distraction from the more important work. They are the most important work."

Heather began making products as a hobby and now runs Dakota Tallow as a business. Special to On the Minds of Moms

to grow and it still amazes me that I am helping so many people. I can’t live without... my Frankincense and Lavender facial cream and a coffee!

I’m most proud of...

My best homeschooling tip is...

Our success and how my self-confidence over the years has grown. Every year we continue

keep things simple! Learning not only happens with books but also all day, every day! You can

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

MOD MOM

You can learn more about Curran and her products at www.DakotaTallow.com.

The Curran family, seen here a couple of years ago, will grow by one more member soon. Special to On the Minds of Moms

over complicate your whole homeschool journey by having too much. We’ve also dedicated room for our school supplies and learning time, which keeps things more in order and less chaotic.

The most important thing I’ve learned thus far in life is... enjoy life now and don't live for the future. ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

GOOD FOOD

Grilling goodness

Shake up your grill game by throwing a pizza on By Jessica Rerick

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

GOOD FOOD

n the past, I have been leery of cooking pizza on the grill. The entire concept of just putting dough on the grill seemed a bit strange to me. I mean, aren’t grills for meat and veggies? Won’t the dough just stick, start on fire, and then leave me calling for delivery anyway? The answer to that is no way! Pizza on the grill is so easy, and because of the endless topping possibilities, everyone is sure to find a combo that works for them. Not only is this one of my favorite meals because it’s a crowd pleaser, it’s also really fast from start to finish.

This Sweet Hot Pepper Pizza Sauce freezes well for future pizza nights. Recipe on page 16. Jessica Rerick / On the Minds of Moms

My favorite part is that all of the pizza toppings can be prepared and put into bowls ahead of time then stored in the refrigerator until it’s time to grill, leaving more time to visit with family and friends. After all, it’s been a long time since we have seen each other! To help inspire you to try your hand at pizza grilling, I wanted to share some of my favorite crusts and topping recipes. When it comes to the crust, I flip back and forth about making my own or not. It’s easy to purchase ready made dough at the grocery store or in the big box club stores, but a few weeks ago, I brought out an old recipe that I hadn’t made for 15 years. My boys fell in love with my Crunchy Cornmeal Crust. It takes about 40 minutes, including rest time, when I make it in my mixer with a dough hook, but if you wanted to knead the dough by hand, you could just add an additional 5 minutes of knead time. Each batch of this recipe yields one 16” hand-tossed thickness crust or two 16” thin crusts. This recipe also freezes really well, so if I want to save some prep work later in the month, I’ll make more than I need then pop the rest into the freezer. You’ll find that the crust is more delicious on the second pizza night because you won’t have as many dishes to do! Last year, when just about everything was in short supply at the grocery store, supermarkets were short of yeast for months. If you don’t happen to have yeast around — or want to try something fun — you can also make a soft, slightly tangy pizza crust using self-rising flour and Greek yogurt. That’s it. Just two ingredients! Alright, there are technically a few more ingredients because self-rising flour is all-purpose flour with a little bit ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

GOOD FOOD of baking powder and sometimes salt added to it, but still...pretty simple. The baking powder is the leavening agent in place of the yeast in most pizza doughs. Sometimes when I make that crust, I add a little bit of garlic powder and italian seasoning to give the crust an extra bit of flavor. This crust ends up being on the softer side, so you will have to be a little more gentle when handling it, but sometimes tiny teeth prefer this one. Once you have made your mind up on your dough, it’s time to think about the sauce. There are so many options! Classic sauce, olive oil, pesto, alfredo, taco, or even barbecue. We often make the kids’ pizza with a classic sauce, either store bought or homemade, and then try to spice things up for the teenagers and adults. Sweet Hot Pepper Pizza Sauce is one that we like to use quite a bit. It also freezes great, so any sauce that you might have left over, you can place in the freezer to use later. Here are the general directions for preparing pizza on the grill: • Prepare the dough. You can choose to go with homemade dough or store bought. I have done both, and they both work great! The key to making your own dough at home is to make sure it’s not too sticky. You will want to knead in flour if it sticks to your fingers or rolling pin too much. • Once your dough is rolled out and shaped, sprinkle it with cornmeal or brush the dough lightly with oil on the side that will touch the grill. If you are making multiple crusts you can stack the prepared dough by using parchment paper between each one.

burn down for about 30 minutes before grilling. • Pre-grill the crust on one side for 3-5 minutes to avoid a soggy center. Yes, you can place the dough right on the grates of the grill. If you don’t feel comfortable placing the dough right on the grill, you can use a stone or a pizza screen. Just make sure your dough has a little olive oil rubbed on it. Be sure to use oil sparingly so as to not create a flare up. To remove the pizza crust from the grill, have a tongs or pizza peel ready. • Be aware of the grill temperature and turn it down if necessary. • Remember to close the lid on the grill when you are cooking your pizzas. This is the only way that “baking” will happen on your grill. • Enjoy! Here are some fun topping ideas: • Sauces: Classic tomato pizza sauce, garlic olive oil, pesto, barbecue, taco sauce, refried beans, alfredo sauce, Sweet Hot Pepper Pizza Sauce (see recipe) • Meats: Pepperoni, crumbled Italian sausage, canadian bacon, cubed ham, cooked shrimp, bacon, browned hamburger, taco meat, grilled chicken, pulled pork, prosciutto • Veggies/Fruit: Bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, thin sliced zucchini, spinach, artichokes, jalapenos, pineapple, sliced olives, red onions, green onions, shaved asparagus, shaved brussel sprouts, sliced peaches

• Have all of your toppings ready ahead of time.

• Cheeses: Mozzarella, parmesan, feta, blue cheese, ricotta, cheddar, gouda, goat cheese, havarti

• Preheat the grill. If using gas, I like to make sure that my grill is at 450 before starting. If using charcoal, you will want to let the coals

• Garnishes: Chopped herbs, crushed red pepper flakes, shaved parmesan, honey, hot honey, arugula

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

GOOD FOOD

Crispy Crunchy Cornmeal Crust Ingredients: 14 ounces of all purpose flour 2 /3 cup yellow cornmeal 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon quick yeast, or bread machine yeast 9-10 ounces of water, room temperature or slightly warm. Directions: In the bowl of your mixer, stir together the flour, cornmeal and salt. Add yeast and water. Using a dough hook attachment, turn the speed to low and let it run for 10 minutes. If the dough seems like it doesn’t want to come together, you may need to add a little more water. If it seems like it wants to stick to the dough hook or the sides of the bowl too much, sprinkle in a little extra flour.

Let the dough rest for 20 minutes. (The crust can be frozen at this point for up to 3 months) Using your fingertips and a rolling pin, pat the dough out to desired size and thickness. Set aside. Preheat the grill to 450 degrees. Lightly oil the side of the dough that will go on the grill. Place oil side down on the grates of your grill, close the lid and cook the dough for 3-5 minutes or until it is marked, but not black, and feels partially cooked through. Using tongs or a pizza peel, remove the crust from the grill. Place toppings on the grill marked side of the crust. Return the pizza to the grill, topping side up. Close the lid and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the toppings are warmed.

Chicken Bacon Artichoke pizza uses the Crunchy Cornmeal Crust piled with a classic sauce, mozzarella cheese, spinach, artichokes, mushrooms, grilled chicken, bacon, tomato slices and garnished with basil. Jessica Rerick / On the Minds of Moms

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

GOOD FOOD

Greek Yogurt Pizza Crust Ingredients: 1.5 cups self rising flour 1 cup Greek yogurt

Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to desired size and thickness.

Directions:

Preheat the grill to 450 degrees. Lightly oil the side of the dough that will go on the grill. Place oil side down on the grates of your grill, close the lid and cook the dough for 3-5 minutes or until it is marked, but not black, and feels partially cooked through. Using tongs or a pizza peel, remove the crust from the grill. Place toppings on the grill marked side of the crust. Return the pizza to the grill, topping side up. Close the lid and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the toppings are warmed.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the yogurt and the self rising flour until the mixture is mostly combined. It will still be a little crumbly. Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead for 7-10 minutes until a smooth dough is formed. If needed add more flour or yogurt to help you work the dough better. You want to be able to get it smooth, but not too sticky. (See pictures on how to knead the dough.)

Sweet Hot Pepper Pizza Sauce Ingredients:

Directions:

2 tablespoons olive oil ½ yellow onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, fresh minced 1 14 ounce can diced fire roasted tomatoes 1 15 ounce jar roasted red pepper strips, drained ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons brown sugar ½ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper ½ teaspoon kosher salt (more or less to taste)

In a medium saute pan over medium heat, heat olive oil to simmering. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional one minute. Place the onions and garlic in a blender with the tomatoes and bell pepper strips. Puree until smooth. Return the mixture to the saute pan with the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, chipotle, and salt. Cook over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Use as you would any sauce on pizza. Will keep in your refrigerator for up to 1 week and freezer for 6 months.

FAR LEFT: Smores Pizza is made with the Greek yogurt crust then topped with chocolate hazelnut spread, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and graham crackers. This Sweet and Hot Italian Sausage Pizza includes the Crunchy Cornmeal Crust, Sweet Hot Pepper Pizza Sauce, mozzarella cheese, crumbled Italian sausage, pepperoni, jalapenos and olives. Photos by Jessica Rerick / On the Minds of Moms 16

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

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How to knead the dough: 1. Turn the slightly crumbly mixture onto your floured surface. Work until the dough starts to form into a smooth ball. Add more flour or moisture as needed. You do not want the dough too dry, but it also should not stick to your hands too much. 2. Working on a floured surface, use the heel of your hand, push the dough down and away from your body. 3. Fold the dough back towards you and use the heel of your hand to again push the dough down and away from your body. 4. Rotate the dough ½ turn and repeat. 5. Let the dough rest if needed. 6. Place the pizza dough directly on grill. ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Vaping is the latest health threat for kids

Here’s what parents need to know to combat this alarming trend

By Danielle Teigen

or nearly seven years, Fargo Cass Public Health Tobacco Prevention Educator Melissa Markegard has been talking about the dangerous effects of vaping, the products for which used to be called e-cigs when she first began educating kids, administrators and parents. Today vapes come in a wide variety of devices that resemble commonplace items like flash drives, watches, and pens and boast catchy flavors like berry lemon bubblegum and aloe grape. More alarming than the evolution of the products and names associated with vaping is the fact that younger and younger kids are becoming addicted to nicotine, thanks to vaping. “Vapes are not safer than cigarettes,” Markegard emphasized, noting that kids in local elementary schools have been caught with vape devices. Now with summer upon us, kids will have more opportunities to experiment with a dangerous product that could have long-term health effects.

What parents need to know In 2019, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory warning about the rising use of electronic cigarettes among youth. These products have been available since 2007 and deliver nicotine and other additives through an inhaled aerosol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, data from 2019 showed e-cigarette use had increased 78% among high school students and that in 2018,

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

1 in 20 middle school students were currently using them. Closer to home, the percentage of 11th graders in Clay County who use vapes every day was as high as 43% and in North Dakota, more than 12% of high schoolers reported using them frequently. And vaping is not harmless. Nicotine is an addictive drug, and using nicotine during adolescence can adversely affect the areas of the brain that manage learning, memory and attention. The nicotine content of these devices is extremely high, Markegard said, and is saltbased, which means it is more easily absorbed into the body and addiction happens faster than with traditional cigarettes. Plus, inhaling the

LATEST HEALTH THREAT aerosol exposes the lungs to harmful substances, according to the CDC. “Parents can be educating kids on the dangers of nicotine, and don’t take the approach that it’s just a vape,” Markegard said. “It’s not just a vape.” And the fun, fruit flavors prevalent throughout the vaping industry are specifically targeting kids, not adults, she explained. That’s why in January 2020, the Federal Drug Administration issued a ban on unauthorized flavored cartridge products designed to appeal to children; however, companies like Juul have been able to sidestep the ban by instead producing disposal products that can offer the user anywhere from

Parents need to educate themselves and talk to kids about making their health a priority. No parents want to see their kids doing something that could truly harm them. Melissa Markegard

500 to 2,500 puffs per device. These inexpensive items -- often around $10 -- also use names or logos that are similar to energy drinks, like Bad Bull and Bang, to appeal to kids.

“Of course the tobacco and vaping industry know kids are drinking energy drinks so that’s why they name (their products) that,” Markegard said.

Because vaping is still a relatively new epidemic, research showing long-term health effects of using the products is scant; what is known is that nicotine use at such a young age will be harmful and often leads to other drug use.

Vapes come in a variety of objects meant to be easily concealed and not look like a smoking device. Forum News Service photo

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

LATEST HEALTH THREAT Markegard explained that she often hears from students who have been caught using vapes share that they’ve had to quit sports because they’ve noticed diminished lung capacity. “I think we are going to see new lung diseases we haven’t seen before and won’t know how to treat because of vaping,” she said. In 2019, at least 14 teens and young adults were hospitalized in Wisconsin and Illinois with severe problems linked to vaping. Some patients experienced chest pain and fatigue and some were treated with a ventilator; medical professionals were unable to determine if the lung damage was permanent. One year ago, the Minnesota Department of Health issued an alert to health care workers across the state about cases of severe lung injuries associated with vaping, all of which required hospitalizations and some required ventilators.

What parents can do The rapid increase of vaping among youth has led Fargo Cass Public Health to implement a “Spot the Signs” campaign targeted toward parents. “Be on the lookout and keep communication open,” Markegard said. “Parents need to educate themselves and talk to kids about making their health a priority. No parents want to see their kids doing something that could truly harm them.”

Melissa Markegard, tobacco prevention coordinator for Fargo Cass Public Health, displays a few of the vaping devices popular among teenagers in August 2019. WDAY file photo 20

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

LATEST HEALTH THREAT

These vapes are inexpensive and offer flavors meant to appeal to kids. Forum file photo

Some of the signs moms and dads can be watching for include: • Behavioral changes, especially increased anxiety or irritability • Unfamiliar items that look like common items (think pens, compacts, flash drives or even watches) • New electronics being charged or plugged in • Poor academic performance or loss of interest in hobbies and activities • Unusual coughing, throat clearing or shortness of breath • Frequent headaches or nausea • Unfamiliar fragrances, especially on clothes or behind closed doors

through social media, or online where security measures supposedly in place to deter illegal purchasing are easily manipulated. Another effort to stem the flow of vape products came in April when the U.S. Postal Service announced it would no longer mail vaping products; other delivery companies quickly followed suit. For more information on the campaign, visit spotthesigns.net. Additional resources are available on the CDC’s website under Tobacco > Basic Information > e-cigarettes. Finally, another option is a free text-to-quit line for teens called My Life My Quit. Just text “Start My Quit” to 36072 to get started.

Additionally, listen for conversations that revolve around borrowing items from friends, such as a “nic”. “If you don’t know what that means, maybe you should ask what they are talking about,” Markegard encouraged. Kids might also be asking about items such as pens or books that can be borrowed from one another. “They are saying, ‘I want to borrow your vape,’ ” she said. “They’re trying to figure out how to get their next hit.” Vape devices are sold around the metro area but the pass rate for local retailers is very good, Markegard said. That forces kids to purchase devices from their friends, often

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BLOOM HOSTED BY FARGO MOM 2

1 4

3 1. Pictured from left to right are Michaela Schell, event coordinator, Leah Tennefos, FargoMom content editor, and Kathy Schommer, FargoMom owner, at Bloom. 2. FargoMom hosted Bloom, an event for new and expecting moms, in April at Sanctuary Events Center. 3. The event featured a variety of speakers on several topics related to the health and wellness of mom and baby. 4. The event sold out in its inaugural year and organizers hope to host an even bigger event in the future. Photos courtesy of FargoMom and Karly Schefter Photography 24

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

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ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Mom on a mission Maureen Bartelt is working toward clean water for everyone, one well at a time

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

MAUREEN BARTELT

By Danielle Teigen

other. Real estate agent. Wife. Volunteer. Surrogate. Clean water advocate. Maureen Bartelt has many titles and wears many hats, but she does so with ease and grace. The Oklee, Minnesota, native (who readily assures you it’s okay if you don’t know where the small town of a few hundred people 70 miles straight east of Grand Forks is) breezily mentions that in the past year, her family dealt with COVID as well as her role as a surrogate for a couple from China. In addition to all of that, she works full time for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, raises three kids, and continues to work toward providing clean water for African communities through a nonprofit entity called Wellspring. And she accomplishes all of that with a huge smile on her face and maybe a well-timed sarcastic comment. Because that’s who she is and that’s what she does.

Maureen Bartelt has been working on providing access to clean water in developing countries for more than a decade, and she does it while raising three kids and working full time. Photo courtesy of My2Peas Photography ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

MOM ON A MISSION Family fun Maureen and her husband Jess are parents to Jack, who just finished up sixth grade; Jemma, who finished fourth grade; and Lane, who will be six in September. They affectionately refer to the baby of the family as “Hurricane Lane” because “there is no more accurate way to describe that child than that,” Maureen laughed. Because her oldest two are only 19 months apart, before Lane came along her house used to be clean all the time. No longer. “He can destroy a space like no other,” she laughed again.

First photo: Wellspring staff members visited Catherine Chisimba, center, who assisted nurses at a local health clinic. With no water at the clinic, Catherine had to walk 1.28 miles to wash sheets and blankets in an unsanitary river. Maureen Bartelt, second from left, was one of the volunteers who learned how having improved access to clean water thanks to a well funded through Wellspring dramatically improved conditions at the clinic. Photo courtesy of Chris Huber / Wellspring for the World Second photo: Maureen holds the son of a woman who used to walk nearly a third of a mile to wash her family’s laundry. Access to clean water eliminated that issue and allows her nine children to get to school on time. Photo courtesy of Chris Huber / Wellspring for the World 28

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

As a real estate agent, Maureen was deemed an essential employee so her husband, who had just started working for Microsoft weeks before the pandemic began in March 2020, was able to work from home with kids around during the last tumultuous year. Lane, who should have been in preschool this year, wasn’t able to go so he’s been getting some serious Dad time. Maureen is hopeful that Lane will be able to enjoy a normal school year for his kindergarten year. Her husband is excited to get back to work again too, especially considering he really only had a few weeks before being sent home for remote working. Her older kids were happy to get back to school in person and be back with their friends. Everyone in the family are big Bison fans, though they opted not to attend the recent spring COVID season; Maureen said they’re hopeful to be able to safely return to the Fargodome this fall for some fun and football. Until then, the family is excited to enjoy the summer and all the fun that it offers, especially after a year of being at home so much more than usual.

The gift of life As if the last year wasn’t atypical enough for everyone, the Bartelt family had an

MOM ON A MISSION experience most did not: Maureen was a surrogate for a couple from China.

decided it was best if the couple continued with

Shortly after welcoming Lane to the family in 2015, Maureen had coffee with an acquaintance who had been a surrogate, and the woman’s experience made Maureen think maybe she should consider it. (Technically, Maureen was considering becoming a gestational carrier, because she would have no genetic tie to the child, who would be the full biological offspring of both parents.)

“They were literally putting all of their eggs in

“I had easy pregnancies with all of my kids, so in the back of mind, I was thinking, ‘I could do that,’ ” she said. She completed a questionnaire and was matched with a couple by 2017; they wanted to do the embryo transfer quickly but Maureen was scheduled to be overseas that summer. Once she’d returned from her trip, Maureen was matched with another couple but was frustrated to learn her body wasn’t responding to the medicine protocol she was on during the preparatory stages. More crushing medical issues arose, and because the couple she’d been matched with only had one embryo with which to work, Maureen said they all

a new surrogate. my basket,” she explained. “It was upsetting, and I felt bad. I didn’t know if I should stay with the agency and continue (the surrogacy process).” Her therapist encouraged Maureen not to give up and try one more time. Maureen was matched with a “wonderful, kind” couple who’d been trying to have a baby for 10 years. The embryo transfer took place in July 2019 and in April 2020, Maureen delivered a baby boy. The only issue was COVID, and the fact that the birth parents weren’t able to travel because of flight restrictions. “It was stressful because they couldn’t get over here,” she said. “I was paying attention to China when COVID wasn’t even here yet because I was thinking, ‘Do I need to prepare to take care of this baby?’ That is obviously not the situation they want.” In the end, other representatives were able to travel to Fargo to take the baby boy to Los Angeles just after he was born until he was more

Maureen describes this photo, which was taken during the early months of the pandemic, as accurate of reflecting who her family is and the craziness of their lives. Photo courtesy of Michelle Warren Photography

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

MOM ON A MISSION

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

MOM ON A MISSION than 4 months old; that’s when he was finally able to go to China to be with his birth parents. Her postpartum experience was pretty unusual compared to her previous experiences with her own babies. “People who are recovering from childbirth without a baby are doing so for heavier reasons, like the child died,” Maureen said. “That wasn’t the case for me. I didn’t have a newborn to take care of, but I also wasn’t missing out on anything because COVID shut everything down.”

Clean water advocate One thing COVID didn’t shut down was the importance of clean water; in fact, access to basic necessities became an even more important issue because of the pandemic. For nearly 11 years, Maureen has volunteered with a local nonprofit organization called Wellspring for the World, which raises money to provide clean water in developing communities around the world. Before that, though, Maureen had a transformative experience as a Concordia student when she visited Cameroon, West Africa, to be changed forever. “You can’t go to a place like that and not have it impact you,” she reflected. “It was a wonderful, life-changing experience.” Soon after she heard a Wellspring representative speak at church, so Maureen reached out to ask how she could help. “And the rest is kind of history,” she said. Life-changing history, as a matter of fact. When Maureen joined the board, the organization had funded 25 wells. Soon after, Wellspring embarked on a campaign to hit an important milestone.

Maureen and Jess Bartelt’s family includes their oldest son, Jack, daughter, Jemma, and youngest son, Lane. Photo courtesy of My2Peas Photography

“Darold came to us and said, ‘We need to get to the 100th well by our 10th anniversary,” Maureen remembered. Wellspring had been founded in 2005 by Don and Dorothy Johnson of Don’t Car Wash when they were inspired to help provide clean water to people across the world, according to a Jan. 26, 2013 Forum article. The Johnsons were responsible for securing the critical partnership with World Vision, a humanitarian organization that also happens to be the largest non-governmental provider of water in the world. Even though Wellspring had until 2015 to meet the goal, they made it before then; however, Rath lost ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

MOM ON A MISSION his eight-year battle to cancer on Nov. 3, 2012, when the organization had only funded 70 wells. Undeterred, his fellow board members, including Maureen, set out to honor Rath and his ambitious goal with a campaign called “Darold’s Dream: 100 Wells,” which sought to raise more than $150,000 to fund the remaining 30 wells, according to the Forum article. “We hit the 100th well milestone 5 months into that campaign,” Maureen said proudly. “And we actually finished with funding for 155 wells.” Impressed by Wellspring’s work, the president of World Vision visited Fargo as the local nonprofit announced a new goal: 1,000 wells over the next 5 years.

We are called to do that. We can’t ignore that problem. That’s what I’m trying to teach my children.

“We have loyal, generous donors...and we work with the best of the best,” Maureen said. “It’s incredible to get to see the work on a vision trip...clean water is not just about better health; it means kids going to school and women not having to walk five hours a day to get water.” Maureen’s passion for clean water is evident the moment she begins talking about Wellspring, and she was able to go on a vision trip back in 2017 -- that’s why she couldn’t be a surrogate for the first couple she was matched with. She ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Not only is Maureen trying to instill a servant leader mindset in her kids (they’re routinely out in the cold ringing bells for the Salvation Army, and they’ve helped raise funds through a charity running group in the Fargo Marathon in the past), but she’s also receiving recognition for her involvement with the organization.

Maureen Bartelt

Undaunted, Maureen and her fellow board members made meaningful connections with contributors to work tirelessly toward the new goal. They didn’t reach the milestone in 2019 like they should have, but they did hit the benchmark by October 2020. Reaching 1,000 wells meant providing 315,000 people with clean water for life in 40 countries. For an organization that has no staff and is 100% volunteer run, the exponential growth is a testament to the importance of its mission and how donors are able to connect with the simple, but vital, vision of providing clean water.

shared that while on that trip, she and another person spent some time in the local village and both bought bowls from a local vendor. Someone remarked to them that those purchases (which probably came to about $4 in the U.S.) were probably a big month for the seller. “As Christians, we are called to love our neighbor,” she said. “That neighbor can be somebody on the other side of the world. We are called to do that. We can’t ignore that problem. That’s what I’m trying to teach my children.”

In 2019, Maureen was named Woman of the Year by the YWCA in the Community and Volunteer Service category. She was honored by the accolade and humbled that a co-worker took the time to nominate her, but she admits being a little uncomfortable with any fanfare from the designization. “It was a huge honor to be amongst people like heart surgeons and an oncologist, but I was excited because it was another opportunity to talk about Wellspring,” she said. Accolades aside, Maureen is focused on the work ahead of her – for Wellspring, her family and her career. She’s quick to point out her many blessings but she wants to do more than just recognize how good her life is. She wants to share that goodness with others and help her kids do the same. “The most important thing is setting the example for your kids,” Maureen said. “Everybody is busy, but you get to choose what you’re busy with.”

Hiding Pods or Vape Under Mattress Unfamiliar Items in Backpack

Unfamiliar Devices Being Charged Through Computers, Gaming Consoles, or Outlets

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SpotTheSigns.net ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

RAD DAD

Doug Peters Fargo, N.D.

He’s trading the athletic realm for a world of Sunday sermons and faith formation

By Danielle Teigen

oug Peters was once asked what the two most important days in a person’s life are. His response? The day you are born and the day you figure out why you were born. Doug has a passion for helping people grow and develop into the best leaders he can be, and he’s been doing that in the college athletic realm for decades, with his family and kids for more than 20 and now at a local church where his soul is on fire. The former college basketball player (he’s a Colorado native who attended Bemidji State) said he’s had three transformative experiences in his life: the first was being a college athlete, the second came from personal growth and leadership development and the third happened through his local church. That’s what made the longtime MSUM Athletic Director switch gears to become the executive director at Prairie Heights Church in Fargo, a job he’s had for only a month. As he looks toward the future and his new career path, Doug has ample praise for his wife of 23 years, Jennifer, a photographer whose creativity flows through her camera lens. He readily credits her flexibility to raise their kids during a time when he was incredibly busy. “My wife is awesome and that was a huge help,” he says. The father of four (three daughters and one son) is excited for the change and the free time it will offer his family as his kids continue to grow up and leave the nest. With one daughter already at college and another heading there 34

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

in August, Doug appreciates a schedule that won’t require as many evening activities or road time. As with many parents, time has given him ample wisdom about how quickly it passes, and he reflects on how his profession in the world of college athletics gave his kids some pretty unique experiences (like riding in the Moorhead Days Parade with his second daughter, Ally, and Scorch, MSUM’s mascot) but now he’s eager for the opportunity to watch their passions develop. Passion has been a hallmark of Doug’s life for decades, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a few nerves about this new professional endeavor. “The goosebumps are a little nerve-wracking,” he shared. “It’s a hard left turn...but at the same time, I feel like this is something I have to do. I’m excited but nervous, but I also don’t want to live my life being not nervous. I don’t want to be completely comfortable all the time.” You had three daughters before you welcomed a son; what did having daughters first do to prepare you to raise your son? Having the daughters first gave me lots of practice. Marshall is the lucky one because I learned from all the mistakes I made with the first three before he came along. He also confirmed I am a fast learner because it only took me one time to figure out that I needed to change a boy’s diaper differently than a girl’s! What would you say is your best quality? I love to help people reach their goals and succeed in life.

Doug Peters recently left his longtime gig as MSUM athletic director to serve as the executive director for Prairie Heights Church. Photo courtesy of My2Peas Photography

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

RAD DAD How has your leadership development career affected your parenting style?

How do you help your kids discover and develop their passions?

A giant part of leadership development is self-awareness and this helped give me a greater understanding of who I am and how I come across to people. We try hard to help my kids understand who they are and feed their strengths. We get a lot of eye rolls every time we make them take an assessment. Although I get the eye rolls, the feedback has been invaluable in helping me understand them and how they are wired and for them to better understand themselves. We know it has an impact when we get the text asking what the assessment we did was so that they can do it with their friends!

Having spent time in college athletics, I didn’t want to be the dad whose kids played sports because I made them. We let our kids develop their passion by staying out of their way. Our plan of action was if the kids asked to do some sport or activity then we would sign them up for it, and we tried to introduce them to a variety of things to see what caught hold. We spent a summer geocaching which was adventurous! I had already known since childhood what my career path involved while my wife discovered her talent for photography later in life, so we felt like we should give our children time and space as well.

I think it has helped them in school as well. My wife and I have shared tidbits about their personalities during parent teacher conferences and have even shared the results to help make the teachers job easier.

Greatest parenting moment so far?

In short, the two go hand in hand because all parents are leaders and when you raise your leadership level you raise your parenting level too. What's your favorite thing to do with your family? As simple as it sounds, anything that brings us together. With the big age range it is hard to find something that a 9-year-old and a 20-year-old like doing. One constant is we enjoy going out to eat. We like breakfast for dinner because everyone can agree on that. We recently went to an escape room (we didn’t escape) and had a blast; I know we will do that again. Do you have any interesting family traditions? What are they? For the last 17 years we have spent a week at the lake place of one of my college roommate’s family, who have become close friends. My older kids plan their summer jobs around the trip so I know it means something to them. One of the highlights is making tie dye T-shirts. Another thing I am proud of is that my kids all love to read so pre-COVID, family trips to the library were a fun tradition. 36

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

There isn’t a moment — it’s the consistent behavior…our kids are awesome. They make us proud with the way they treat others, their bravery to be themselves and speak up when things bother them, and how loyal they are to friends even in tough situations. We've seen our children grow into strong-minded individuals who know what they want out of life and express it! What's been the biggest parenting lesson you've learned? The hardest thing a parent has to do is let their kids learn from mistakes. I know we've been there, done that and can see where our kids are headed — trying to convince them they're making a bad decision hasn't really worked for either us as parents or the kids, so we realized we need to help them through this process of seeing the whole picture so they can decide on their own what’s best for themselves instead of just following in our footsteps. What do you love about sports? While I love the competitive nature and that someone goes home a winner and someone goes home a loser, the biggest thing I love about competitive sports is being able to learn more about ourselves in both strengths and weaknesses. It's not always easy, but it teaches us how we react when something goes wrong

RAD DAD or right — which can be really helpful for life outside of athletics!

What's the one thing you always want your kids to know?

Do you ever still suit up and play some hoops?

I want my kids to know that no matter what happens, I'll always be there when they need me.

We get some pretty heated games of lightning in the driveway. For better or worse I don’t let my kids win; they have to earn it so when they beat me it means something. You described yourself as very extroverted while your wife is introverted; are there other important ways you two balance each other well? I am direct and to the point while my wife is a little softer and has more empathy. I am more of a planner while she is a free spirit. What's something people would be surprised to learn about you?

You're known for the firedup hashtag, but you said that stays with MSUM; now you're using #soulonfire. What's that a reference to? I'm an enthusiastic person with a loud presence and deep passion for what I do. Dragons, fire breathing and my exuberance made #FiredUp the perfect hashtag to represent Dragon Athletics. As I moved into my new position at Prairie Heights it just didn't capture everything that I feel inside: mainly the depth of my intense passion for helping people, so now I am using #SoulOnFire instead.

I am afraid of heights and played competitive chess in high school. My team qualified for the national championship back in the day.

Doug and his wife Jennifer are parents to (from left) Emily, 14; Marshall, 9; Haley, 20; and Ally, 18. Photo courtesy of My2Peas Photography ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

PARENTING PERSPECTIVES

Anika Pinke stands on the gravel road she ran on for summer exercise and activity in 2020. This particular evening she delivered garden produce to her great-grandmother. Katie Pinke / Special to On the Minds of Moms 38

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

PARENTING PERSPECTIVES

This summer, I'm throwing out “mom rules" I made and you should too

By Katie Pinke

n my 20s, I made a “mom rule” that each of my kids could only be in two activities each per

season. At the time, with an energetic and driven son, it seemed like a reasonable rule. Somewhere in my 30s and the addition of two daughters, I erased the “two” and made it “three” activities. By the time our son, Hunter, was in high school any activity rule limits I created in my imaginary mom rule book evaporated. While our son is now an adult, my husband and I are tempted to sign up our daughters for two or three or 17 different activities, camps and lessons after 2020 when they stayed home all summer. Last summer our girls gardened, growing the largest tomato plants I’ve ever seen on the North Dakota prairie, lush lettuce, carrots, broccoli, peas, cucumbers, squash, pumpkin and zucchini. They completed 4-H projects, and once

a week, they attended horseback riding lessons on a nearby farm. Instead of sports camps, they worked out daily with their brother, calling it “Hunter brother camp.” They ran from my parent’s farm mailbox to my grandmother’s mailbox and back again on the gravel road, about a half-mile route, while Hunter timed them. Fondly calling the activity “mailboxes,” the girls didn’t suffer from lack of activity or engagement in summer 2020. We played countless hours of the board game Catan and the card game Monopoly Deal before bedtime. Anika, 11, and I still play Monopoly Deal several nights a week. In summer 2020, we shared far more weekends tucked away at our family lake home than in previous years. This summer — and all future summers — I am tossing out my mom rules. I don’t want to go back to overscheduled days and weeks. Yes, they’re signed up for a couple of camps, but I

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PARENTING PERSPECTIVES

Katie Pinke's son, Hunter; nephew, Elijah; and daughter Anika, on the lap of her husband, Nathan, sit lakeside at her family's farm in rural North Dakota in the summer 2020. Katie Pinke / Special to On the Minds of Moms

resisted the urge to say yes to every activity they mentioned and didn’t force the camps of my childhood memories on them. Because I want gardening, board game and mailbox race memories this summer too, not just the one summer COVID-19 kept us at home. We only have five summers, one whole hand, left with Elizabeth before she’s a senior in high school. And just seven summers before Anika turns 18. Throw away the rules or standards you’ve set for yourself in the past. Your kids grow from shared experiences with you, your spouse and your family. Do not feel you have to make up for what your kids might have missed in 2020 and 2021. As harried, strung out mommas, you don’t have to fall prey to the thief of joy and compare how you’re living out this summer with your family versus the social media highlight reel of others or even what your sister or neighbor is doing. 40

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

You do you, momma. You raise up your children in the best way you know how, with more open days and weekends on the calendar, free to you and your loved ones to fill with traditions or new experiences. I’ve been on the parenting journey for 24 years this summer when as an 18-year-old I gave birth to Hunter. My first On the Minds Of Moms columns ran in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, OTMOM featured me, offering a deeper dive into my motherhood journey. During the past 18 months, the pandemic wasn’t the biggest disrupter in our lives. In December 2019, Hunter suffered a complete spinal cord injury and now lives as a paraplegic from the chest down. In May, he graduated from the University of North Dakota. He’s moving to Tucson, Arizona for architecture graduate school in late summer. This summer will be my last summer as a mom with all three of our kids close to home. It’s the end of an era, a closing of a chapter. While Hunter started me on this journey of

PARENTING PERSPECTIVES

Summer 2020 provided an opportunity for Katie Pinke's daughters, Anika and Elizabeth Pinke, to garden on their own. Rather than fill the summer of 2021 with activities and camps they missed last summer, she working to carve out more open days and weekends for simple routines they enjoyed when they stayed home more in 2020. Katie Pinke / Special to On the Minds of Moms motherhood and we filled our summer days with basketball and Bible camps and baseball games, having our daughters more than a decade younger than him gives me a fresh, clearer look at how I’ll journey on as a mom to teen daughters in my 40s than I did parenting in my 20s and 30s. Here’s to your summer, finding your path forward with your kids. It won’t look like mine, your neighbor’s or your sister’s summer. Make

it yours. Unplug. Plant a little garden. Attend a county fair. Pitch a tent in the backyard for an adventure. Next, adventure to a nearby state park. Find a new board game to become your family favorite this summer. Resist the urge to fill the blank space on your calendar. One day, your children will leave the nest and what they take with them is the shared values and experiences you’ve taught and given to them. ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

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RESOURCES

Our list of resources is as everchanging as the content of our magazine, so we’ve moved all the resources online so we can make changes better and offer opportunities to connect, find help, get answers, and make a difference. You can find resources regarding COVID-19, mental and behavioral health, food support, parenting, adoption, child abuse prevention, support groups, counseling, pregnancy and infant loss, MOPS groups and more. Go to inforum.com and search “OTMOM resources” to find the list. To submit a group or resource for consideration in the online listing, please email the information to moms@forumcomm.com.

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ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Note: This list is not exhaustive, but rather a resource for families looking for local events.

Summer Chalk Fest

Midwest Kid Fest

West Fargo Summer Rocks Run | Half Marathon, 10K and 5K

When: 2 p.m. Where: Broadway Square Artists and creatives of all ages and skills can participate in this free outdoor event.

2 Sneakers & Sunrise at the Zoo

When: 7 to 9 a.m. Where: Red River Zoo This weekly program offers a chance to walk the zoo during the morning hours, enjoy complimentary coffee in the Carousel Pavilion and chat with Executive Director Sally Jacobson. Guests of all ages are invited, and admission rates are $5 per session or a flat rate of $55 for as many sessions as you want. Zoo members receive free admission and can bring a friend for a special rate of $3. Program runs through Aug. 25.

When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Where: Island Park The 22nd annual event is back with educational booths, games, entertainment, a petting zoo and more. Event is free.

Baby Shark Live!

When: 6 p.m. Where: Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave. S. All the songs your kids love will be sung live by Baby Shark and his friends, and you’re welcome to join in the fun! Tickets range from 27 to $67, although children 2 years and under are free on their parent’s lap.

When: 6:30 p.m. Where: The Lights at Sheyenne, 3150 Sheyenne Street in West Fargo The inaugural Summer Rocks Run kicks off on Thursday with the 5K and the half marathon and 10K will be held on Saturday, June 25. Live outdoor music held throughout the event. Registration costs from $5 to $69 and can be completed at summerrocksrun.com.

JULY EVENTS

Movies at the Square

Downtown Street Fair

Fargo Tornado Anniversary Activation

When: 8 p.m. Where: Broadway Square The ND Film Society will show a series of movies about or feature the people, places and topics of North Dakota. Cost is $5 a person but a series pass is available for $25 or a family pass for $50. Popcorn, snacks and beverages will be available for purchase as well. Movies at the Square continues on July 8, July 22 and July 29 at 7 p.m.

3 Summer Chalk Fest

When: 2 p.m. Where: Broadway Square Artists and creatives of all ages and skills can participate in this free outdoor event.

When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday Annual event featuring artists, crafters and food vendors will line the streets of historic downtown Fargo. The event is free and open to the public. It runs

19 Juneteenth Education Activation

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Broadway Square Learn about the history and importance of the Juneteenth celebration and what it means to local community members.

JUNE EVENTS

When: Noon to 4 p.m. Where: Broadway Square Hear from speakers who will describe the rare F5 tornado that tore through Fargo in 1957 and participate in activities to help understand what the community learned from the devastating event. Also on the schedule is a screening of “Mr. Tornado”, a documentary about meteorologist Tetsuya Theodore “Ted” Fugita’s study of tornadoes, including the one that blew through Fargo.

24 Fargo AirSho

When: Gates open at 9:30 a.m. and the show begins about 11 a.m. The show typically ends around 4 p.m. with gates closing at 5 p.m. Where: Hector International Airport, 2801 32nd Ave. N. U.S. Navy Blue Angels will again bring their naval aviation demonstrations to the skies above Fargo to showcase their excellence and teamwork in a thrilling flight. For more information about the show and where to purchase tickets, visit https://www.fargoairsho.com/.

Hosting an event that you would like to have published in the On The Minds of Moms magazine? Email moms@forumcomm.com.

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

READY, SET, GO

READY FOR SOME SUMMER FUN?

Check out these great, familyfriendly places both near and far Melissa Davidson, Paula Quam and Alicia Strnad Hoalcraft

fter a year of staying pretty close to home, many families are looking for options to get out and about while still being safe this summer. Warmer temperatures and the appeal of traveling again combine for a great opportunity to visit attractions that may be in your backyard or just a few hours away. Here are some great options to get you started on planning a safe but spectacular summer vacation.

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock. ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

READY, SET, GO

Within FMWF metro Fargo Air Museum

You don’t have to buy a ticket to get up close and personal with the aircraft at the Fargo Air Museum. Get a firsthand look at the many planes on display from all eras, from a 1939 Duggy that served for Australia during WWII to a Wright

Forum file photos

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Flyer replica built on site. If your kids are really into planes, check out the museum’s educational day camps and hit the gift shop for something cool to bring home. Kids of all ages and pets are always welcome. https://fargoairmuseum.org/

Looking for more? Check out:

Downtown

RedHawks Baseball Yunker Farm

Downtown is the historical center of Fargo, which means there’s a lot to do and see for everyone in the family! Check out some of the interactive murals, including the iconic Mario Brothers scene. Broadway Square also hosts several ongoing events, such as the Red River Market, Chalk Fests, music events and yoga.

Bonanzaville

Located just outside West Fargo, Bonanzaville gives visitors a glimpse into the life of our earliest settlers. Explore the site’s 36 buildings that have been donated and moved from areas around the county, including old churches,

Red River Zoo

a town hall and a schoolhouse. For a more immersive experience, download walking tours on the Pocketsites app, which includes detailed history, photos and videos. https://www.bonanzaville.org/

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Approximately 1 hour from metro

Buffalo River, Turtle River, Itasca, Maplewood, Icelandic State Parks

Camping, fishing, hiking, biking...it’s all just a hop, skip and a jump away on both sides of the Red River. Good for a day trip or a weekend getaway, these parks are an inexpensive way to soak in Mother Nature’s finest creations in both Minnesota and North Dakota. The Buffalo River State Park, a few miles east of Glyndon,

Looking for more? Check out:

Vining, Minn., sculpture park

Bagg Bonanza Farm

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Minnesota, is a prairie lover's dream with trails, the park’s adjoining Bluestem Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, a swimming hole, campsite and picnic area. Itasca State Park, home to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River, is about 20 miles north of Park Rapids, Minnesota, and often leaves its visitors in awe of the grandeur of the tall, old pine trees, historic cabins, pristine lake and expansive biking and hiking trails. Maplewood State Park, outside of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, is known for its mature, gorgeous maple trees and colorful array of vegetation sprinkled throughout the picturesque landscape. On the North Dakota side, the Turtle River State Park is just west of Grand Forks and features trails for biking and hiking, a camping area, large, stone picnic areas and camping. And if homesteading heritage is your thing, the Icelandic State Park in northeast North Dakota near Cavalier is your place. With 2,300 acres of gardens, a pioneer heritage center, a nature reserve and beach, the park is the perfect getaway for folks wanting a little piece of the state’s historic beauty.

Chahinkapa Zoo (Wahpeton)

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Only about 45 miles down the road from the metro, Wahpeton is home to a zoo that features roughly 200 animals of 70 different kinds of species from six continents, all waiting for visitors. Not only is the zoo open for those just wanting a leisurely stroll through its expansive property, it also features extra perks for the curious animal lover, with various classes and an invitation to watch how they train the animals. Check out a “wild” game show called “Friendly Feud”, dart tournaments and other family-friendly events. https://www.chahinkapazoo.org/

Frontier Village/ National Buffalo Museum/ Fort Seward (Jamestown)

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When the world’s largest anything is just down the road and a travel mug of coffee away, folks should probably check it out. This is a place that boasts the “world’s largest buffalo monument”, standing tall in a recreated prairie town known as the Frontier Village. Real buffalo graze nearby, from a herd originally located in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The museum not only features old buffalo artifacts but also promotes an understanding of the bison industry of today. While you’re in Jamestown, a 70-stop talking audio tour of the city tells the old stories that make up the area’s history. https://discoverjamestownnd.com/

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

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Approximately 2-3 hour drive Storybook Land in Aberdeen

Aberdeen's Storybook Land is a theme park inspired by nursery rhymes and other familiar tales. Take a walk down the yellow brick road in the Land of Oz to Dorothy's house for a simulated tornado experience, visit Old MacDonald's farm, see Humpty Dumpty, Goldilocks and more. Check out the castle - complete with moat! - and take a ride on the Storybook Express miniature train as well as other rides like a rollercoaster, carousel, spinning cups and more. Storybook Land is also adjacent to Wypile Park, which offers camping amenities, a manmade lake, plus Thunder Road. Don’t forget about the Aberdeen Aquatic Center with its water slides, zero-depth area and lazy river. https://www.facebook.com/storybookaberdeen/

Photo courtesy of https://aberdeen.sd.us/ 50

ON THE MINDS OF MOMS | JUNE • JULY 2021

Looking for more? Check out:

Hemker Park and Zoo in Freeport, Minnesota

This zoo was designed to be as family friendly as possible, with more than 100 animals to visit. You can see greater one-horned rhino Tio, as well as giraffes, zebras, monkeys, puffins, kangaroos, meerkats and more as you wander this family-owned zoo. There are also options for close encounters including feeding some of the animals and holding a boa constrictor. https://hemkerzoo.com/

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in Mandan Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd

Lewis and Clark Riverboat, Bismarck ND Heritage Center in Bismarck

Safari North Wildlife Park in Brainerd

This private zoo and conservation center offers an up-close-and-personal safari experience. Ride a train around the 10-acre safari area and see wildlife from five continents. Animals include lions, ostrich, monkeys, hyenas, wildebeest, camels, tigers and more. Kids can feed giraffes, ride camels, visit the petting zoo, dig for dinosaurs and more. https://www.safarinorth.com/

Gateway to Science in Bismarck

Looking for a hands-on learning experience? Don't miss Bismarck's Gateway to Science to engage kids of all in fun and wacky science exhibits. The interactive experiences teach kids about magnetism, air pressure, electricity, light, color and more. Little brains and bodies are sure to get a fun workout in this educational and entertaining environment. Check the website for information on special events and for descriptions of exhibits that may cause sensory issues for some kids (blowing air, loud noises, sudden movements) so you can plan your visit. https://gatewaytoscience.org/

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