The two main characters (Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter) are named after late television producer Sheldon Leonard.
We still don't know Penny's surname. Unlike the other characters, Penny is the only one whose surname has never been revealed. Reports claim that Kaley Cuoco prefers to keep this a mystery throughout the whole series.
Raj's inability to talk to women except when drunk is based on an old coworker of executive producer Bill Prady when he worked at a computer company.
The same purse! Penny has been using the same purse since Season 1 / Episode 02.
Sheldon frequently wears T-shirts with the characters or symbols of Green Lantern, the Flash, or the old TV show The Greatest American Hero (1981). The shirts from the "Green Lantern" comic book series are various colors with a corresponding symbol, with each color representing a different corps of heroes or villains (e.g. Red Lanterns, Orange Lanterns, etc). In the comics, each color also represents an emotion, thus possibly giving the viewer a clue to Sheldon's temperament for the day.
Did you know? Most of the time, Leonard has no lenses in his glasses.
Amy is the only cast member to have a PhD. In 2008, she completed her neuroscience studies. She earned her Ph.D. in Neural Biology. Sources: http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/the-big-bang-theory http://www.knowable.com/a/20-rarely-known-facts-aboutthe-big-bang-theory http://www.uselessdaily.com/news/40-amazing-factsabout-the-tv-series-the-big-bang-theory-list/ http://www.kickassfacts.com/25-interesting-facts-aboutbig-bang-theory/ 2 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
Soft Kitty is an actual song.'Soft Kitty' is the only thing that can help Sheldon feel better on the rare occasions he is ill, but did you know that it exists outside the show? Sort of.
The song dates back to the 1930s, and was titled 'Warm Kitty' by Edith Newlin. Producer Bill Prady revealed that his daughter sang 'Soft Kitty' while at pre-school, after her teacher first heard it while working in Australia.
Sheldon's favorite word 'bazinga' was first uttered in the season two finale, but it was created with the help of a silly prank. Writer Stephen Engel used the word to say 'gotcha' in a recurring backstage gag involving an old grapefruit in the writers' room. As the word kept getting used, it eventually made its way to the actual script shortly before filming the finale. In 2012, biologists discovered a new bee species in Brazil and named it the euglossa bazinga after Sheldon's favorite word.
Star Trek Even though Jim Parsons’ character Sheldon Cooper is a huge Star Trek fan, Jim himself has never seen the show.
The actors learned to
actually play their instruments for the show. (Amy plays harp, Sheldon plays theremin and recorder, and Leonard plays cello).
There is only one set of stairs. Every time they walk up the stairs in their apartment, they use the same set, but they redress every “floor” of the building.
Kevin Sussman, who plays Stuart Bloom the comic book store owner, actually worked in a comic book store before becoming an actor. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 3
Contents VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 4 JAN-FEB 2017
18
ON THE COVER JON HAUSER • TREADING ON THE HEIGHTS
30 KNOWN FACTS ABOUT 02 RARELY THE BIG BANG THEORY
28
PLAY TIME 06 ADULT FARGO VFW'S DERBY FOR THE VETS A BEER WITH... 10 HAVING STEVE HALLSTROM AUTOMOTIVE 14 THROTTLE'S REPAIR SHOP ON NITRO
24 MANSCAPING THE WORLD OF HAIRLESS MEN FULL-TIME DAD 28 MR. RAISING A CELEBRITY BABY HEROES 30 LOCAL WOUNDED WARRIORS GUIDE SERVICE 4 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
24
The
GOOD LIFE MEN’S MAGAZINE
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OWNER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER Dawn Siewert dawn@urbantoadmedia.com OWNER / PHOTOGRAPHER Darren Losee darren@urbantoadmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alexandra Floersch Meghan Feir Brittney Goodman Ben Hanson Krissy Ness ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Darren Losee / 701-261-9139 darren@urbantoadmedia.com
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BY: BRITTNEY GOODMAN • PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
E
ntering “your friendly downtown Fargo VFW Club” will likely not invoke the phrase “trend setting,” with its wood paneling, well-worn carpet, patriotic memorabilia, and bartenders known for, ahem, a “generous pour.” However, Fargo’s VFW was well ahead of one trend – the increasing popularity of adult pinewood derby racing. Since 2012, the Fargo VFW Derby for the Vets is apparently the only adult pinewood derby raising money for veterans, while other adult-focused derbies emerge. Milwaukee even has a “Mad Max” category for adventurous builders. The next Derby for the Vets is February 18th. And … no actual kids are allowed! Also, several women compete, including Lisa Stremick, 2015 champion. Jay Thomas, WDAY Radio, and his car, “The Bone Crusher,” have enthusiastically participated: “It gets a bunch of adults together to have fun reliving their youth and, at the same time, raises money for a great cause — our veterans. I built ‘The Bone Crusher’ for the first Derby for the Vets event I got involved with three years ago. I had thought that I would do just a quick car and I ended up spending days on it. It has done well over the years.” Jay adds, “People should go to the event for the sheer fun and to support a great cause. It’s adults having ‘kid fun’ mixed with beer … need I say more?”
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Every cent raised supports local veterans through the VA Hospital, purchasing roller recliner chairs in patient rooms. Dan Jacobsen, Derby for the Vets Director, explained that the chairs “help with the recovery of the veteran and also for the visiting family members. I met someone recently who used one of the roller recliner chairs as she stayed with her dad in the hospital. She emphatically said that the roller recliner chair was a lifesaver!” Lavonne Liversage, Health Care System Director for the Fargo VA Hospital described the chairs as having “a significant impact on our veterans and their families and friends” as the VA Hospital strives “to continuously improve the veteran experience – and that includes their comfort.” This year’s fundraising goal is $20,000. Mike McQuillan, VFW Quartermaster, said “the best thing is that the proceeds all go to a great cause – the VA Hospital, and I know from experience that the veterans really appreciate it.” The VFW has race car kits available for purchase including rules and specifications. Registration is $20. Registration for Brand Challenge is $50 and includes entry into both classes. All registrations include a car kit. The Cars Gravity-powered pinewood derby cars have no engines. For the race, they are on a sloped track held back by pins.
“The best thing is that the proceeds all go to a great cause – the VA Hospital, and I know from experience that the veterans really appreciate it.” – Mike McQuillan, Quartermaster, VFW Post 762 8 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
The cars roll down to a digitally-monitored finish line. Experts say the fastest cars are aerodynamically shaped, with particular focus on wheels, axles, lubrication and alignment. Creativity counts. Dan described a special category: “All entrants get a vote on which car is ‘most unique.’ I remember some great ones, including the ‘Coors Light Pounder Car’ and a car we call ‘The Wiener Car.’ It’s all great fun to see the creativity the event brings.” Racing Day At 10 am on February 18 the club opens for registration and car inspection. An opening ceremony occurs at 1 pm. Next, area mayors compete in a race, which is followed by a Brand Challenge involving area companies, then the derby races. Food, a full bar, giveaways, an auction and more round out the action. Dan applauded the Mayor’s Race: “I love that last year every mayor in the area showed up: Chad Olson from Dilworth, Del Rae Williams from Moorhead, Tim Mahoney from Fargo, and Rich Mattern from West Fargo.” The Brand Challenge emerged last year providing companies a unique opportunity. Dan explained, “The cars are cool and the so are the names the builders give them. I can see it growing exponentially. It was a great team-building event for companies and their employees. Many of them took up whole tables and they had a lot of fun with the friendly competition.” Expect a lively experience. Dan described the energy as “non-stop” with high-quality audio and video on both floors. And Dan’s live announcing keeps everyone in the moment. The day closes with live and silent auctions. Past items have included a “live” painting by artist, Kim Jore; signed NDSU Bison football; WEFest tickets; plane rides and much more. And the event is expanding. For 2017-2018, there will be fundraising races at the different veterans clubs in
the area, replicating the successful VFW model. The winners of these events would advance to a championship in February 2018 at the Fargo VFW. For the Vets Dan reminisced: “As a dad, I helped build cars with my son and let him race them and the whole time I was thinking, ‘Wait! I want to race that car!’ Now, with Derby for the Vets, the adults get in on the action. It’s an event by adults for adults, and we can have big fun. It’s our chance to pay it forward and have a great time.” Recently, an anonymous donor donated $10,000. Dan added, “Let’s surpass this year’s goal like we have done in the past!” Dan’s team is actively recruiting sponsors for the 2017 event, and Dan thanked all sponsors and helpers who “will continue to make this event a success.” VFW Commander Dave Rice concluded: “The Pinewood Derby is fun! We live in a very patriotic community. Our citizens like supporting our hospitalized veterans. Whether they enter a derby car or attend to make a donation, bid on an auction item or support the event, they are here for our veterans.” •
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Raised on a cattle and hog farm 60 miles north of Minneapolis, Steve Hallstrom knew at a young age he wanted to enter the business world. From being a grain elevator manager to a mortgage banker, the sports director on WDAY to a senior regional director at Discovery Benefits in Fargo, his wide range of experiences have shaped and given him the skills necessary to effectively perform his current role as a morning show host and the president and CEO of Flag Family Media. On a blustery day in November, Steve sat down with me in Drekker Brewing Company to enjoy a beer and a little conversation. 10 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
BY: MEGHAN FEIR • PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Good Life: Are you nervous for the questions I’m about to ask? Steve Hallstrom: No. I have two kids, an 18-year-old and a 14-year-old. I get weird questions all the time. GL: After being a sports anchor, have you ever accidentally introduced yourself as “Steve Hallstrom, sports”? SH: No, but when the phone would ring during the first week of my job at Discovery, I had a couple internal calls, like, “Sports — uhhhh, Discovery Benefits. This is Steve. Can I help you?” GL: What’s your favorite family tradition? SH: We have this doll that my daughter got when she was born. One day we asked her, “What’s the name of your doll?” She’d just gotten a new doll, so she said “That’s Old Baby.” Somehow along the way, Old Baby developed a place in our family’s history book. When my kids were little and we were changing their diapers, I would prop up Old Baby on the changing table, and Old Baby would sing songs to them. Other times, we would be in our car driving to the cities, and the kids would throw Old Baby up to the front of the car. I’d grab Old Baby, put her hands on the steering wheel, use my Old Baby voice and talk trash to the other cars driving, like, “Hey, if you don’t know where you’re going, get out of the way!” To this day, whenever
Old Baby comes out, they just start howling. It’s the silliest, dumbest thing ever, but in my family, it’s super precious. That’s probably the best one. GL: So I believe you’re friends with one of my older brothers. Of us Feirs, who do you think was voted “Most Athletic” their senior year of high school? SH: Right now, I’m doing damage assessment in my mind. If I say you, I’m going to get something thrown at me, at some point. If I say him—you’re being very nice to me, and the worst thing you can do is throw that glass of water, so I’ll say Matt. Am I right? GL: Yep, you’re right. I was probably voted “Most Likely to Ask Dumb Questions.” GL: What is one thing you think people would be surprised to find out about you? SH: I feel like I’m two, different people at home or at work. I try to not be a super serious guy at work. I love to have fun. I enjoy our people, and there’s a lot of joy in my day, but because of what I do and because the stakes are so high, I really feel like I have 16 people whose paychecks, food and mortgage payments depend on me to be good at what I do. That’s never far from my mind. I probably take myself too seriously sometimes because of that. But if there’d be something surprising, it would be that my kids think I’m just a big goofball. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 11
GL: We’re supposed to be getting a winter storm tonight or tomorrow. On a level of zero to Meghan, how excited are you to get some snow? SH: Zero. GL: Steve. SH: There are two reasons for this. No. 1: I’m getting old and crabby. No. 2: I like to run, so bare pavement for me is a wonderful thing. It doesn’t matter how cold it is. If I can run, I’m a happy man. I’m sorry. I know that’s the wrong answer, but I’ve been a good guy until this point in the interview, so we’ve just got one black mark. I think I’m doing okay. GL: But you did choose Matt…
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SH: That’s right… Two black marks. GL: If Batman and Superman each had their own radio talk show, whose show would you want to listen to more and why? SH: Well, Batman would be the better executive. A little more understated. A little more behind the scenes and stealthy. Superman kind of has the Donald Trump factor. He would come out and would start ripping people, so I would probably enjoy listening to Superman more, but I’d want Batman doing the books behind the scenes. GL: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
SH: I ran the Twin Cities Marathon for the first time, and I wanted to raise money for Charism, which is a local social service organization that works with at-risk kids, many of them from immigrant and refugee families. It’s a real melting pot. These kids are beautiful. They’re brilliant and they’re smart, but they have a lot of challenges. I have publically and very sharply criticized the refugee resettlement process in our country. I don’t have a hateful drop of blood toward anyone, but I think common sense would tell you we need to ask more questions. But these kids in our community are here now, and we need to love and support them. We’re commanded by God in the Bible to love everybody in our community. So the day we went over to present the check to Charism, we had all the kids there. After it was done, one little boy was sitting over by himself, and one of the volunteers went over and asked him, “What’s going on?” He said, “I want to do that someday. I want to run 26 miles and raise money for some kids.” I got that call the day after, and I honestly stood there on the phone and didn’t know what to say. You never in a million years would think that would happen. I have said for a long time that if you inspire a child, you change the world, and in some little way, I think I helped change his world a little bit. I still get choked up when I think about it. GL: What does living the good life mean to you? SH: To me, “the good life” is making sure that I’m asking God every day for wisdom, that I can be a person who loves people around me, that I’m doing the best job I can, and just being thankful that I have a God who gives me that kind of hope and joy. That’s the good life. In some way, shape or form, I’m beaten down to my knees every day. But there’s going to be a better day ahead, and that joy and peace never leaves. • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 13
Mark Dalquist and his wife Lisa opened up their repair shop, Throttle’s Automotive, four years ago, Mark is the sole mechanic while Lisa does the books. You would think working alone all day would get lonely, but Dalquist assured me that between his dog, Lindsey, and the amount of people coming through the doors he is rarely ever alone. There is a common misconception that Dalquist only works on older cars and that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Throttle’s Automotive is your average repair shop, but he also works on high performance race car, hotrod and boat engines. I had the opportunity to see the vehicles he has been working on and
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BY: KRISSY NESS • PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
I must say I was impressed at the amount of work he has on his plate. It was very educational for me to get a tour of his repair shop and know exactly what he has done and what he needs to do. Dalquist has a very easy business model; “I market myself as trying to be fair. If it were my wife’s car, how would I service it? I am going to treat your car the same way,” stated Dalquist. “I tend to use higher end parts to limit the customer coming back.” It is important to realize that, though you may be paying more for the part you will be saving money in the long run by not having to come back 6 months later. Dalquist is ASE master certified and he works on domestic and import cars. “I do factory level repair work on emissions controlled vehicles. At the same time I’m the go to guy for non-emissions controlled vehicles such as race cars or muscle cars,” declared Dalquist. “I’m never slow, I always have work to do.” I cannot stress to you how important it is for Dalquist to be fair to his customers, he has been in the repair business for many years and that is something he always said he would do if and when he opened his own
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business. There is always this stigma that surrounds mechanics and how they are always trying to cheat you and get you to fix things on your car that don’t really need fixing at that exact moment. Dalquist offered some advice in this situation – read your cars owners’ manual. There are regular scheduled times marked in your manual so you know exactly when you need to flush or change certain fluids. As someone illiterate to anything related to cars this was information I was excited about. Not only does Dalquist build engines, he teaches classes on tuning them too. His buddy Scott Clark teaches the class while Dalquist is the assistant; he provides the engine. From there they hook it up to an engine dynamometer and instruct how to tune the electronic fuel injection system. Dalquist is very good at what he does. For the past three years he has completely taken a 1967 Chevelle apart, restored it and has been putting it back together piece by piece. That kind of skill is immeasurable. “This isn’t the shop that is afraid to work on something different,” said Dalquist. From working on hotrods, race cars or your average Subaru, Dalquist knows exactly what he is doing. Dalquist and the rest of his team competed in the Engine Masters Challenge sponsored by Popular Hot Rodding Magazine and Amsoil, in 2013-2014, only 40 teams are selected from around the country, engines are ranked based on horsepower they can produce. In 2014 his team took ninth, and
“This isn’t the shop that is afraid to work on something different.” – Mark Dalquist 16 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
received Popular Hot Rodding’s Editor’s Choice Award. He and his team did not compete this year or last however, due to the changing of rules. “If I am going to compete I am going to try and win,” declared Dalquist. Dalquist has been locally and national recognized by the Fargo Forum and as mentioned before Popular Hot Rodding Magazine. He truly loves what he does and wants to provide honest business to honest working people. Finally, I asked Dalquist what the good life means to him. “The good life to me is being able to pursue my own interests outside of work. If all there is in life is work, you can start to hate life pretty quickly. I'm fortunate enough that my work overlaps my outside interests, which is anything race car to be honest.” •
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Where it all began Jon Hauser, a 2-week-old resident of Duluth, Minn., moved with his older sister and parents to Illinois where his father would pastor a local congregation. What the family didn’t expect was a devastating turn of events.
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When Hauser was only 1, his father was swept up in a whirlwind illness. On a Wednesday, he started feeling sick, and by Friday, Hauser’s father had to be carried to the car and sent to the hospital. He quickly entered a comatose state the following day and passed away that Sunday. What the doctors initially thought was the flu
was actually a form of meningitis. Hauser’s mother, Rosie, was a stay-athome mom with two young children and no driver’s license. After the death of her beloved husband, she immediately set out to learn how to drive and used her degree from the Bible college they had both attended to pastor the church for 16 months.
BY: MEGHAN FEIR • PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Church. It’s not always something people look forward to attending every Sunday. For some, if they do go, it’s done out of duty. Yet for others, like the members of Prairie Heights Community Church in West Fargo, it’s a healing ground full of acceptance, encouragement, love, and changed lives. From meeting in a hotel with 200 people to meeting in the Fargo Dome with a congregation of 1,500, Pastor Jon Hauser, the church members and staff of Prairie Heights have seen miraculous growth and life-changing transformations since its inception 16 years ago and witnessed another milestone Dec. 11 when they held the first services at their very own building in West Fargo. While the church itself has seen many providential acts that have made its existence and expansion possible, the start of its story begins with its pastor.
“She led the church, preached and took care of us,” Hauser said. “When we moved to Williston, where she was from, she worked at a Head Start so she could have summer vacations and the same time away as us kids.”
evening classes. She became a teacher, then a principal and eventually won the Bell Ringer Award, a standard of excellence for principals across the state of North Dakota.
Along with his mother’s determination to succeed and make a better life for her children and those surrounding them, what really stood out for Hauser was his mother’s forgiving kindness.
When Hauser was in second grade, Rosie, who had a full-time job and took care of her kids, went back to college and earned a degree in elementary education by attending
“Her life growing up was tough,” Hauser said. “Her dad had left them and her mom was a cleaning lady with a sixth-grade education, so they worked hard to scrape by.”
“We’ve all seen people who are bitter, and if anyone had a reason to be bitter against God, other people and life, it was my mom. She saw her dad less than 10 times in her whole urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 19
“She taught me everything. She taught me to love the Lord, how to love people, how to serve, how to find the talents of others, work ethic — yeah, I could never be thankful enough. I see her fingerprints all over what goes on here. My mom is the most gifted leader I’ve ever rubbed shoulders with, and 90 percent of who I am and how I lead is a direct result of the influence of my mom. Her legacy lives on in my life, in Prairie Heighters, and everyone she impacted so greatly.” life. She’s full-blooded Lebanese and got teased about that. Her husband died, and she was left with two small kids,” Hauser said. “I think I saw my grandfather twice. I remember that when he was at our house, she was only positive about having him there. My mom never talked bad about her dad. I’ve never heard her talk bad about anyone. I just thought your dad or grandpa only came around once every few years.” Although Rosie passed away this last summer, her legacy lives on in her son’s life and everyone she impacted so greatly. 20 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
Taking direction Coming from a family of pastors and schoolteachers, Hauser was determined to take a different route and studied electrical engineering at NDSU. But despite his penchant for the field and the promise of a steady and substantial income, something kept nagging at his heart. “I was definitely afraid of public speaking, so I said, ‘God, I will do anything, besides being a preacher or a teacher.’ But during my last year of college, I knew I needed to study for some kind of ministry. I knew engineering wasn’t going to be my long-term career.”
s i n m y l i f e by a s k i n g m e q u e s t i on s k r o w s y a . G od a l w
After a series of questions that kept bombarding Hauser, he received further confirmation from his wife, Teri, whom he was dating at the time. “God always works in my life by asking me questions. We had a special speaker, and as he was preaching, I heard in the back of my mind, ‘Jon, are you willing to do what you see him doing?’ and I was like, ‘Well, yeah, but I’m not supposed to do that.’ That was question number one. There were three specific times where I thought I heard God asking if I was willing. But it was still a hard thing to give up my dream. The actual way I knew, after all that, was when Teri and I got in a huge argument when we were dating. Teri said, ‘Jon, there is something you’re struggling with, isn’t there? There’s something you aren’t telling me.’ I looked at her and said, ‘I’m too afraid to even tell you.’ I had fear about being poor and didn’t want anything to do with public speaking. I finally said, ‘I think I’m supposed to be a pastor,’ and she looked at me and said, ‘I know. I’ve known that for six months.’” Following his calling, Hauser and Teri moved to Kansas City after getting married and he practiced engineering while going to seminary. They eventually moved to Minneapolis and joined a new church as he continued to use his engineering degree full time.
“I still didn’t know what I was supposed to do, and still the biggest piece was the public speaking. I didn’t know if I should be a missionary or engineer overseas,” Hauser said. “I was at a doughnut shop with my uncle, who is a pastor, and he asked, ‘What was your favorite class in seminary?’ and right away, I was like ‘It was our class on starting new churches.’ It just made sense to me. If you’re trying to reach people who like rock ‘n’ roll music, then do rock ‘n’ roll music at your church. You don’t have to have a choir and you don’t have to wear suits and ties.” In the spring of 2000, after a year of pulling a team together and planning, Hauser and Teri moved to FargoMoorhead to begin their next mission of planting a church. With a heavy emphasis on serving in the community, Hauser and his team were out washing and vacuuming out cars, doing full-service car checkups, and more, all to serve and spread love. “Some people said we were nuts. We didn’t have a building. We didn’t have the people.” Despite the skepticism of many onlookers, the first service of Prairie Heights launched on April Fools’ Day in 2001. “It was also the day you turned your clocks forward,” Hauser said. “We have violated many rules of how to start a church. It’s like God keeps asking us to do almost the
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, No m at ter yo ur position or stage in life
opposite of what works, just to show that this is only from him.”
Lord. We’ve seen a lot of folks who were spiritually dry come to life.”
A seven-day kind of faith
No matter your position or stage in life, Hauser wants everyone to know they’re welcome.
Although cynicism, criticalness and negativity surround us, there is hope to combat the toxicity of the world in which we live, and Hauser is determined to offer some of that every Sunday, and, well, Monday through Saturday, too, as his church and he serves the community and practices the faith preached about every week. “I just got an email last week from a young man who’s been sober for 6 years and came to Prairie Heights when he was in treatment. He said that if it wasn’t for Prairie Heights, he wouldn’t have been able to stay sober,” Hauser said. “We have some miracle stories of couples that were divorced and started coming to church and got remarried. We have stories of folks who were thinking of committing suicide before coming to church and seen how God has changed their hearts. And there are people who knew the Lord and were attending, but not active in really following the 22 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
“We all need to know that there’s somewhere we can go where people will love us, no matter what we’ve done. You aren’t going to find answers in the bar, and that actually costs you money. You can come to church for free and find hope and love,” Hauser said. “We cannot love people too much. When people don’t feel good about themselves, they can either chip away at other people, or they can find hope in Christ and realize, ‘Wow, I wasn’t a mistake or an accident. I have talents and gifts, and no one else has the same combination.”
Sunday they would go to church and put on their Sunday best, sit in a pew and act as if everything was okay, but it wasn’t,” Hauser said. “There was a huge disconnect between faith and how we treated each other and how we were actually living, so a lot of people have given up on faith because they’re like, ‘Well, it didn’t work.’ We’ve worked hard at sharing messages that relate to people’s lives Monday through Saturday and encourage men to pray for their families. Our kids and wives need to hear us pray for them. Having our faith impact our relationships, decisions within our homes, and our careers is an opportunity to love people and impact the world.”
Living the good life
While it’s common for many people in this part of the country to have some kind of church background, their experiences can raise unique challenges.
For many men and women, living the good life is merely enjoying a beer on a scorching summer day or making the money goals they’ve set for themselves, but Hauser went a bit deeper.
“A lot of them had problems in their home or things weren’t great, but on
“At the end of the day, there are only two things we take into eternity with
us: our relationship with God and with other people who love God. To me, ‘the good life’ is when those who know me the best, love me the most. But number one, living ‘the good life’ definitely means knowing Jesus Christ, walking with him, listening to his voice and following his plan. It’s loving God and loving people.” •
e r y on e t o k n o w t h e y ' r e w e l c o m e . v e s t n a w H a u se r
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BY: KRISSY NESS • PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Manscaping has been growing in popularity over the years; it is not just for celebrities anymore. In fact, it is a growing business. More and more men are connecting with their feminine side and taking care of their skin. Manscaping ranges from waxing backs to facials and anything in between and I mean anything. I got the opportunity to sit down with Kendall Kehres, a Josephs graduate and local Esthetician and wax enthusiasts at Olivieri's in downtown Fargo, and watch her work. Kehres has been waxing for four years, and in the beauty industry for 15. “I approached Oliveri’s with a business plan, because they didn’t have a waxer [on staff] and I created this position for myself,” declared Kehres. She is very enthusiastic about her job and really makes her customers feel welcome. First, we began with Scott Dahms who was gracious enough to let me sit in and watch his back being waxed. This is the second time Dahms has gotten his back waxed, both times were here at Oliveri’s with
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Kehres. For this wax Kehres uses soft wax, this wax is made from seaweed cream, the process was quick and painless for the most part, “the wax is comfortable and not irritating,” stated Dahms. The soft wax is used with strips and is used to cover large areas of the body including back, chest, legs and arms. After waxing it is important to wash the waxed area and use a back scrubber to get rid of the dead skin and avoid tanning or swimming for two days. Next, we will move onto facial waxing. Darren Zufelt comes to Kehres at Olivieri’s once a month to get his eyebrows and nose waxed. For this specific procedure, because it is used on the face, Kehres uses hard wax. This particular wax is a pumpkin pie wax and she obtains it from a small supplier in California. “Both waxes I use [seaweed cream and pumpkin pie] are unique to me and no one else in town uses them,” proudly stated Kehres. The pumpkin pie wax is removed from the face differently; instead of using a strip to remove the hair Kehres removed it with her fingers in a quick jerking motion.
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Finally, we will move onto facials. Kehres offers a mini facial for those who don’t want to sit in a spa all day. “I do dim the lights and I give a hand massage but, you are in and out in 35 minutes,” stated Kehres. For our male facial Raul Gomez gladly stepped up to the plate. Kehres uses Aveda and Lexli products for facials. After the scrub she applies a mask and leaves it on for 10-15 minutes. The results are amazing. Gomez’s face looks revitalized and healthy, though it wasn’t too shabby to begin with. Kehres is available almost anytime for her clients, she really works around peoples schedules so they can get what they want done when they want, within reason. If you are ever curious about waxing, facials, or just a consultation Olivieri’s is the place to go and Kehres is the person to see. •
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The results are amazing. Gomez’s face looks revitalized and healthy, though it wasn’t too shabby to begin with.
It is with great honor and pride that we announce the release of the first whiskey produced, distilled, barrel aged, and bottled since Prohibition, from our great state of North Dakota. The Single Malt of North Dakota
GLEN FARGO AMERICAN MALT WHISKEY PHOTO BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Glen Fargo is our own original American Malt Whiskey, 100% Malted Barley, North Dakota born, raised, and nurtured into an incredibly smooth and fine spirit. Small batch fermented and distilled in a time honored pot still tradition to produce a spirit that is true to its roots as a Single Malt Whiskey.
Please join our brands of 2DOCKS Vodkas & Liqueurs and MINIONS Gins in welcoming "GLEN FARGO American Malt Whiskey” to the Proof Artisan Distillers Family of fine spirits.
The depth of flavors and nuances of this spirit are advanced well beyond it's years as a direct result of our persistent vigilance over every detail throughout its journey. Our control of its maturation process elevates, or "raises" this spirit from infancy to final product. Initially placed in small new American oak barrels and transferred at the proper moment to hand selected, larger, previously used bourbon barrels. During this maturation process, we have gradually and slowly introduced pure filtered spring water into the barrel to reduce the whiskey to its finished bottle strength. These deliberate and time consuming actions allow nuances in both flavor and aroma to shine through. It is most appropriate to drink whiskey, “Any way you like it!” However, we recommend that you, at least one time, perform a proper tasting to fully appreciate the character of this spirit. Pour 1 ounce into a small wine glass or whiskey tasting glass. Savor the aroma. Add 1 teaspoon of cool water. Allow to rest for 5 minutes at which time the sweet caramel, maple syrup and butterscotch aromas come through. Finally, taste with a small sip and allow the spirit to coat your mouth. Breathe and savor the flavors and aromas. Ahh … this is Glen Fargo.
Joel Kath Distiller and Founder
www.proofdistillers.com
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BY: BEN HANSON • MR. FULL-TIME DAD • PHOTO BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
A few months ago, I noticed a peculiar phenomenon starting to take shape. Whenever I would take Macklin out on the town, we’d get stopped mid-errand by folks who wanted to say “hi”. But not to me. No, they weren’t interested in me. They wanted a piece of the Mackman. I was nearly invisible… just the guy pushing the stroller. The peculiar part was that it wasn’t just friends or family stopping us. Perfect strangers would flag us down, recognizing the chubby cheeks hanging over the side of the stroller. Macklin, it seemed, was becoming a bit of a celebrity around town thanks to our published #dadventures. When I launched MrFullTimeDad. com last year, my goal was to make myself famous for being the greatest dad who ever lived. I never anticipated that Macklin would end 28 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
up being the star, but considering he’s 50 percent his mother’s genes, I should have known better. And now that it’s really starting to happen — he nailed his first TV appearance in November and is now booking out months in advance — I am both grateful and leery. I am more than happy to shift the spotlight off of me, but I’m also worried that I may not be up to the challenge of raising a celebrity baby. The Finances So far, “no money, no problems” is our motto. Between the two of us, Macklin and I are currently making just enough to satisfy our bi-weekly trips to the donut shop. But one day, I assume we’ll have to hire accountants and money managers to keep us in line (and the yachts to a minimum). Depending on whom you ask, I’m either horrible with money or a
monetary genius. I hate spending money on anything other than a fresh bag of chips, so I don’t know what I’m going to do with this looming influx of cash. Do I let Mack make his own purchasing decisions? Will I need to bring the aforementioned accountants along on every outing? I just don’t know. The Friends As a stay-at-home dad, it can be tough to meet new people. However, Macklin is finding it even more difficult — his lack of a vocabulary is proving to be a real obstacle in breaking the ice. When he does solidify a few friendships, however, it might already be too late. Most celebrities don’t grow up famous like he’s going to, so how will he be able to differentiate between his true friends who “knew him when” and the ones just after his good looks and money?
And it’s not just the friends I’m worried about. I’m already seeing Macklin take his newfound fame a bit too far. For example, I’m getting reports from the drop-in daycare at the gym about how Mack helps himself to the other kids’ lunches, refusing to eat what I packed him. That sense of entitlement will not fly, son. The Family Family is another concern. While we might have the smallest bank account at the moment, what’s going to happen when the money starts rolling in? Are we suddenly going to be expected to pick up the tab every time we go out? I’ve been successfully mooching off of my family for 33 years now, and I don’t foresee an expanded bankroll curing me of my addiction to other people’s money.
I’m also more than a little concerned about increased family time. Don’t get me wrong, I love most of them. But I also love locking the doors, turning off all the lights and pretending we’re not home. If all of a sudden I’m fielding calls from long-lost relatives wanting their slice of the child star pie, I’ll need some help coming up with a longer list of excuses why we’re not available. The Paparazzi Considering Macklin’s notoriety arose largely from my borderline exploitation of him all over social media (follow us @ MrFullTimeDad!), it might seem hypocritical of me to be worried about the press. But since November 8th, it’s now every American’s God-given right to despise the lamestream media and question their bias, so sign me up.
Ultimately, my fear goes back to my love of privacy. And control. I don’t want to lose control of the story, or overstuff my son’s ego and end up losing control of him. The paparazzi loves celebrity tragedies, and any doughy, curly-haired son of mine is surely in for a few. Whatever challenges may come with raising an adorable child star will, in the end, be well worth the inevitable heartache. True, I may have gone into this Mr. Full-Time Dad business with the selfish intent to boost my writing “career,” but the personal rewards I’ve been blessed with as a stay-at-home parent far outweigh any professional success I’m sure wasn’t coming my way anyhow. Fame or anonymity, I’ll always have Macklin’s back, because one day I hope he’ll have mine (when it’s his turn to change my diapers, hahaha!). • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 29
LOCAL HEROES
BY: ALEXANDRA FLOERSCH PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
David Morse joined the Minnesota National Guard when he was 17. Though not old enough to vote, he was old enough to know service was his destiny. His grandfather served in World War II. His father in Vietnam. For Morse, enlisting was a no-brainer. “It was kind of in my blood,” he said. “I knew I was going to do it. Those were my heroes growing up and I wanted to do what they did — I wanted to be a hero for someone else.” A year after signing, at the age of 18, he was deployed on one of the longest tours of duty since World War II. “We were gone for 22 months total,” he said. As a part of an infantry company, Morse saw combat and witnessed or experienced casualties, deaths and injuries. The results were catastrophic and many of Morse’s fellow servicemen had issues coping with their experiences.
lives as a result of substance abuse directly tied to PTSD. The tragedies inspired Morse to act. He wanted to help his fellow veterans in some capacity; the willingness to serve was innate, and that desire went beyond serving his country. Seeking Solace in Nature “I grew up in the outdoors,” Morse said. “That’s where peace and tranquility, for me, are found. In watching the sunrise over the decoys or feeling that cool breeze come off the lake in the morning, you don’t have all the interruptions of society and technology. It’s just you and the world.”
“The military and the United States have a lot of things they can help returning service members with, but there’s one thing that remains constant: when you remove a citizen soldier from their life and you send them to war, then you throw them back into their life, it’s a very hard transition,” Morse said. “It’s two different lives.”
Morse wanted other veterans to experience that same feeling. What started as a couple of buddies out fishing or hunting in 2009 turned into a full-service hunting and fishing organization for disabled veterans. The Wounded Warriors Guide Service was born, serving veterans living with the physical and mental scars of war.
Within the first few years of returning home, a couple of soldiers took their
Morse is now Vice President on the seven-person, all-volunteer Board of
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PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: DAVID MORSE L: DAVID MORSE, R: KRISTOFFER SCHNEIDER
“In watching the sunrise over the decoys or feeling that cool breeze come off the lake in the morning, you don’t have all the interruptions of society and technology. It’s just you and the world.” — David Morse
Directors. With the help of 20 to 30 additional volunteers who donate time, land and resources, the organization runs chapters in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Their mission is simple. “We don't do it because we want to get rich from it; we don't do it because we want to be famous,” Morse said. “We do it because deep down inside, we feel the need to serve and we want to be the people that serve others without the need for repayment.” Veterans must apply, but if accepted, all expenses are paid — including licensing, lodging and equipment like fishing poles, guns, blinds, four-wheelers, ice houses and urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 31
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: DAVID MORSE
action-track wheelchairs for those with limited mobility. “As of this last year, we had 67 adventures for more than 900 veterans,” Morse said. Reluctant Heroes Signing up for the service is a selfless act, and that selfless nature keeps many veterans from reaching out and taking advantages of the programs and services they feel they don't need. Asking for help is not something that comes natural. Morse described one man who was hesitant to attend a fishing outing. “He was in fair health,” Morse said, and like many other participants, he didn’t consider himself worthy. But after a great day of fishing, Morse sat down to talk to the man about life and his time in Vietnam. Refusing to share, tears ran down the 72-year-old’s face. “I was never proud of what I did, it was my job,” he said. “And I don’t like to talk about that.” The next morning, the man angrily confronted Morse. Their conversation caused memories of the war to resurface — a part of his life he had attempted to forget for so long. “That kind of cut me deep,” Morse said, “because I get a lot of success stories out of (these trips). I get a lot 32 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
of people that feel good and tell me ‘thank you’ and I don’t like someone to tell me that I caused them pain.” But, on the last day of the trip, the man’s outlook had completely shifted, and he approached Morse, gave him a hug and offered a ‘thank you.’ “To go through that whole transformation is kind of why I do this,” Morse said, choking up. While the trip was a roller coaster ride for the first few days, it ended up being the healing journey Morse intends it to be for his participants. Re-connecting in the Field Kristoffer Schneider knows that same feeling. Schneider enlisted in the military at 18 — one of many inspired to serve his country after the terror attacks of 9/11. But he could never have expected where his deployment would lead him. While en route from England to Afghanistan in March 2011, Schneider’s squadron landed in Frankfurt, Germany. They boarded an Air Force bus that would take them to a base to continue their trip downrange. Before he knew it, Schneider heard gunshots ring throughout the airport and watched as a
ADAM DRESCHSEL
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: ELIZABETH VANLISHOUT
Florida Alligator Hunt — Adam Drechsel, MN Army National Guard
terrorist boarded his bus. He looked on as the gunman shot the driver before turning on his fellow servicemen. Schneider was shot in the right hip and front temporal lobe, surviving only by the grace of God. It wasn’t until a couple of years later that Schneider’s Recovering Care Coordinator (RCC) at the Grand Forks Air Force base told him about Wounded Warriors Guide Service. In June 2013, Schneider booked his first adventure — a prairie dog hunt in South Dakota. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 33
LOCAL HEROES
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: ELIZABETH VANLISHOUT
“It was my first time hunting ever,” he said. “I always wanted to try it but my work schedule didn’t allow it.” But hunting wasn’t the only “first" Schneider experienced on the trip. It was also his first time around other wounded veterans since that tragic day on the bus. “Everyone has their story, their wounds,” he said. “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like a secret society, It's a hard club to get into, but not one you necessarily want to be in.” Interacting with other men like himself brought Schneider back to his years of service, a time when he spent every waking hour with his troop. “It just took me out of a really dark place,” he said. “It’s like that brotherhood, that connection was back. Though we were strangers, it was an instant bond, a connection.” According to Schneider, being around people who can relate — paired with time spent in the outdoors — is both a release and a pleasant escape. “Once you’re out there, nothing matters,” he said. “When you’re out on the water or laying in the field, all the other crap goes away. Whatever you’re struggling with — your physical abilities, your mental abilities — it all just kind of disappears.”
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And it’s precisely that experience that led Schneider back, hunt after hunt, eventually to give his time to serve others. Now a retired Air Force veteran, Schneider volunteers with the Wounded Warriors Guide Service.
“When I first started it was just going on the hunts,” he said. “But now it’s like a purpose, something to look forward to. I’m not just helping myself anymore, I’m helping other guys.” Expanding a Legacy It’s stories like Schneider’s that keeps Morse and the Wounded Warriors team motivated and moving forward. He hopes the organization can continue growing, refining what they do and finding ways to reach veterans even faster. “Hopefully we can find more people that want to take part — people that know they’re hurting and want to do something about it,” he said. As he continues to be a beacon of hope in his spare time, Morse also works full-time with the Minnesota National Guard… and, of course, living the good life which, for him, means making the most of the life he has been given. “I think that life is so finite,” he said. “We have such a short speck in the continuum of life. Living the good life for me is being able to influence the lives of others — to expand my legacy.” As for Schneider, the good life is rather simple. “For me, it’s probably a lot different than most. I shouldn’t even be alive,” he said. “I still get to be a dad. I still get to be a husband. It’s waking up every day, being with your wife, your kids — getting to do the little stuff most people don’t think twice about. We have our good days and we have our bad days, but just being alive is a good life.” • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 35