The Good Life Men's Magazine - January/February 2019

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019

FREE TO A GOOD HOME

FATHERS | MR. FULL-TIME DAD

WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

Ahh, New Year’s. What a wonderfully two-faced time of year. Sure, we get one more chance to party (if you can find a sitter) with friends and family, but it’s also the end. Literally. Not just the end of the year, but the end of the most joyous, merry-filled time of the year. And to celebrate, we embark on a ruthless examination of our personal failings and character flaws. Cheers!

I’m of course talking about the yearly self-hazing ritual known as the New Year’s resolution. Lose weight, stop smoking, eat a little healthier, transcend time and space, finally write that children’s book you’ve been talking about for the past two years… we all know the obvious ones.

This year, I’m giving up before I start, not even bothering to pick up the towel before throwing it in. But I’m a sucker for tradition and couldn’t stop myself from still making a list. Not for me, however, but for Macklin, my above average three-year-old son. I put together a pretty universal toddler resolutions list I’d like to believe he might choose to tackle in 2019.

I won’t lose my mind every morning when the cartoons get turned off.

Routines are routines because they’re routine, right? My morning routine goes off with atomic clock precision. Mack crawls into “the big bed,” we watch cartoons, I destroy his life by turning the TV off in order to get him dressed for school. I’d like to think he learns to anticipate the inevitable and at some point in 2019 we make it to school without a fight.

I’ll stop referring to the people I love as “poopy.”

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My wife, Emily, is a therapist. A damn good one, too. But it took a psychiatrist coworker of hers to help us put this one into perspective.

“Poop is his favorite word,” she said. “It’s therefore a sign of affection.” Sure, but it’s still poop, and the rest of the literate world isn’t going to understand that when he calls me poopy in front of the poor server who’s just trying to take our order at B-dubs that he’s really just saying “I love you, Daddy, I’d like some white milk, please.”

I won’t sprint into the middle of the parking lot.

You only get so many chances to get this one right, so please don’t give me any looks if I happen to lose my cool while strongly supporting my son in achieving this very important resolution.

I’ll remember it’s winter and my wagon’s in the shed.

Time is a tough concept to grasp. I get it. I still get confused about what day it is after a hard night’s sleep. I also get that his favorite thing to do is walk to the park and drag along his wagon in case he’s too tired to make the walk home. But it’s been months since we last took a wagon walk to the park. Months since he’s seen any hint of green grass. Let’s connect the dots in our heads, eh son?

I’ll look down when I pee.

Whether standing up or sitting down. Walking, running or riding. Driving, chipping or putting… watching your aim is a valuable, versatile life skill. He’s pretty much mastered every other aspect of potty training, so here’s hoping he can dial in that midstream focus and keep it all in the pot.

I’ll make friends with the dog, finally.

Just be nice to the dog already. Please? She’s old and was here first. And she’s really pretty awesome, even if she’s got some concerning lumps and blotches of baldness. I’d hate to one day have to blame you for those, son, so please don’t put me in that position. I love you both.

I’ll break the world record for volume of surface area touched in public in a single outing.

It’s amazing to me how infrequently Mack gets sick. I think he’s only had to stay home from daycare twice in his life, which is almost record-breaking by itself. It’s amazing because of the sheer amount of public-facing stuff he touches. He’s put his hands on more goods than a Hornbacher’s stock boy. Considering his strong constitution, I’m quite curious to see how far he can take this one. Surprisingly, he’s got my full support.

As for me, I’ve already succeeded with my New Year’s resolution. Wildly so, in fact. No one has ever given up faster or more effortlessly than I! But with all this free time, I suppose I could resolve to be more patient when morning tantrums delay our departure or when he can’t keep his grubby little hands inside the shopping cart. We only have 15 years before he probably moves out… I really should enjoy them all as much as possible. • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 3

CONTENTS 02 06

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019 VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 4

FATHERS / MR. FULL-TIME DAD A TODDLER'S NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION ICE FISHING GRAVEYARD SHIFT WALLEYES

THE RISE OF LIVE EDGE SLABS BUFFALO COULEE WOOD PRODUCTS JEWELRY BUYING TIPS FOR MEN 5 TIPS TO FIND THE PERFECT GIFT ON THE COVER / THE MEYERS' BERT, LISA AND KLAUS

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HAVING A BEER WITH / NICK BROADWAY WEEKEND ANCHOR AND REPORTER ASK 30 WOMEN / WHAT IS THE BEST/WORST PICKUP LINE YOU HAVE HEARD? LOCAL HERO / YOUTHWORKS YOUR FRIENDLY SUPERHERO SOCIAL WORKER

PUBLISHED BY Urban Toad Media LLP www.urbantoadmedia.com OWNER / PHOTOGRAPHER Darren Losee darren@urbantoadmedia.com OWNER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER Dawn Siewert dawn@urbantoadmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Meghan Feir Brittney Goodman Ben Hanson Katie Jenison Jason Mitchell ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Darren Losee darren@urbantoadmedia.com

READ A PAST ISSUE issuu.com/thegoodlifemensmag FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/urbantoadmedia FOLLOW US TWITTER @urbantoadmedia

The Good Life Men’s Magazine is distributed six times a year by Urban Toad Media LLP. Material may not be reproduced without permission. The Good Life Men’s Magazine accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from content in this publication. The opinions expressed, or advice given, are the views of individual writers or advertisers and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of The Good Life Men’s Magazine.

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WRITTEN BY: JASON MITCHELL | JASON MITCHELL OUTDOORS

o many fisheries come to mind where after dark patterns offer some of the best opportunities for catching fish. After dark strategies and locations however can vary dramatically from where we might find fish during daylight or twilight hours.

What happens so often to us as anglers is that we simply figure out one window or movement of fish and when that window ends, we assume that the bite is over. Could be setting

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up on a classic point anticipating the sunset bite. A classic pattern might start in deeper water and as the day progresses to where the sun hits the horizon, we find an intense window of fish activity on top of the point that might last half an hour. What so often happens is that after this intense flurry, we quit marking fish and assume that the bite is over. The bite might indeed be over if we don’t make any adjustments but the reality is that we can prolong the bite and keep catching fish if we move with the fish. Of course there are also basin

and transition bites as well like what we often see on Red Lake and Mille Lacs after dark. Perhaps the toughest aspect of catching walleye well after dark is forgetting some of the lessons we tend to learn during the day.

So often, finding and catching walleyes is all about reading structure and focusing on edges.

After dark however, you can throw that edge mentality out the window.

We often find walleyes roaming away from structure well after dark. Large expansive flats in shallow water are a

Walleye after dark play by a different set of rules.

MAKE THE RIGHT ADJUSTMENTS TO CAPITALIZE ON SOME OF THE MOST INTENSE WALLEYE BITES.

favorite location. That four to six-foot sand flat that is several acres might be void of walleye activity during the day where even sunrise and sunset patterns seem to revolve around structure that breaks into deeper water. In the middle of the night however, walleyes will often push up and roam much shallower water than what some anglers would envision.

On some fisheries, walleye will also be more apt to eat much higher in the water column well after dark. We have seen many scenarios where we

caught more walleye after dark by fishing halfway down in the water column, especially for big fish. This is particularly true for set rods and tip ups with big bait.

Like any other time of year, full moon periods can make some after dark patterns better but there will often be feeding windows that happen in intense flurries through the night.

Don’t expect activity all night long, wait out the windows because ninety percent of the activity will happen during ten percent of the time.

My favorite after dark locations and patterns are not necessarily classic walleye structure or breaklines that are close to deeper water. Typically, large flats or even basins and large shelves shine after dark. I use the whitetail deer analogy a lot when describing walleye patterns and movements. During the day, deer might follow an edge but come middle of the night, they might be more apt to be standing out in the middle of a soybean field that is several hundred acres. Walleyes can also be just as random after dark.

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Because the exact location of fish can be so random on large flats and shelves, fishing these locations takes a certain kind of mentality. You can spread out tip ups to increase the chances of contacting these roaming fish or you can fish out of a shelter but in this situation, you have to realize that the fish are going to find you. This isn’t a situation where you can necessarily move around to find these random fish, set up so that at some point during the night… these fish find you.

The beauty of fishing well after dark is that these fish will be looking for you. What makes after dark patterns for walleye so much fun is that these fish are typically much more aggressive and these fish are looking for a meal. The bites are often much more intense. These fish will peel off much more line off a tip up for example or hit a lure repeatedly.

WHAT MAKES AFTER DARK PATTERNS FOR WALLEYE SO FUN IS THESE FISH ARE TYPICALLY MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE.

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PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: JASON MITCHELL

When fishing after dark, I am a big proponent of using glow finishes on lures. Not always necessary but I have seen so many situations where we almost immediately caught a fish after charging a lure. When using live bait on tip ups, don’t hesitate to use larger baits that are up to eight inches long. Clip the tails of rambunctious chubs and suckers so that they can’t trip flags or pull the roller around the spool. Strike indicators are nice to have on tip ups.

Other nice tools for the graveyard shift include head lamps and LED lights for inside shelters. LED light sources have about replaced a lot of traditional propane lanterns.

What can make the after dark period so fun is the intensity of the mayhem.

You can have an hour or two of complete silence interrupted by the most intense feeding windows. The bite is often a full on blitz where it seems like every line has a fish.

Where every tip up is out of the water and there are fish flopping all over the ice. Realistically, this after a dark window is what can make spending the night in a fish house so appealing. Tangled rattle reels and chaos. On so many fisheries, the period between sunset and sunrise offers some of ice fishing’s most exciting walleye fishing. •

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AVAILABLE AT RETAIL LOCATIONS ACROSS THE AREA

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414 4TH AVE N - DOWNTOWN FARGO PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 11 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR OTHER SPIRITS, PLEASE VISIT: PROOFDISTILLERS.COM

THE RISE OF LIVE EDGE SLABS BUFFALO COULEE WOOD PRODUCTS

Woodworkers know one of the most important decisions of any woodworking project is selecting the type and size of wood necessary to get the job done. Whether building custom furniture or a designing the perfect bar for your man cave, each project is unique and deserves the highest quality material which often can’t always be found at chain stores.

That’s where Buffalo Coulee Wood Products comes in. As a go-to when gathering wood materials, Buffalo Coulee Wood Products offers a variety of materials including reclaimed lumber and beams, wood discs, and live edge slabs.

The men behind Buffalo Coulee Wood Products are Jared Johnson and Matthew Weaver, who forged a friendship while working as arborists. While their business partnership began in the spring of 2016 after purchasing a Howell Model 0 circular sawmill from the early 1900’s, the company didn’t come to fruition until late the following year when the duo received their first load of live edge slabs. Shortly after, the partners purchased a full-blown sawmill operation just a few miles east of the Buffalo Coulee in Cummings, North Dakota which provided the inspiration behind their business name.

From there, business took off quickly.

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Live edges have been around since the dawn of time...or at least since humankind’s first attempt at creating furniture.

WRITTEN BY: KATIE JENISON

• PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 13

Within the first few months, Johnson and Weaver noticed one product in particular seemed to be a hot commodity among their clientele – live edge slabs. While live edge slabs aren’t an entirely new concept on the woodworking scene, they’ve begun to increase in popularity in recent years. The rise in popularity is more than likely due to home renovation and design shows such as HGTV’s beloved Fixer Upper, Pinterest DIYers, and specialty woodworking shops.

If you’ve missed out on this trend, you’re probably scratching your head and wondering what a live edge is.

Live edges have been around since the dawn of time...or at least since humankind’s first attempt at creating furniture.

Most commonly utilized in woodworking projects to create tables, shelving, and fireplace mantles, a live edge refers to leaving at least one side of wood slab completely raw.

Rather than paring down the slabs to create uniformed planks, the natural shape and edge of the slab is displayed in all its glory. In fact, most woodworkers design their pieces around the shape of the slab, resulting in a truly unique finished product. Live edge slabs can come from a large variety of wood species including walnut and oak, and woodworkers have the option of leaving the bark as is or removing it to create a smoother edge while maintaining the original shape.

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Imperfections in the slab? No problem! Rather than seeing cracks, knots, and voids in the wood as problematic, woodworkers choose to showcase them because they add to the uniqueness of each project. If a smooth surface is desired or the bark is left on, an epoxy mixture can be used to fill in the voids while preserving the characteristics of the wood.

Since the first load of wide edge slabs arrived at the Buffalo Coulee Wood Products sawmill, customers can’t seem to get enough, and the slabs continue to be a bestseller. Recognizing just how in-demand live edge slabs are, Johnson and Weaver go the extra mile to bring in different species of wood from all over the United States to create the ultimate customer experience. If they don’t have a desired species of slab on hand, customers can rest easy knowing they’ll do what they can to locate it and bring it to the sawmill.

The process behind cutting down logs may not be totally unique, but for the guys at Buffalo Coulee Wood Products, it’s a labor of love. Once logs are brought to the sawmill, each one is cut into slabs using either the bandsaw or chainsaw mill. Johnson says this is one of their favorite parts of the process because each log is different. He equates it to Christmas morning because “you never know what you’re going to get!” After the logs have been cut into slabs, they’re moved into the mill’s solar kiln where they’re dried down. When the moisture content is at about 10%, the slabs are removed from the kiln and ready for purchase.

While Buffalo Coulee Wood Products celebrated its one-year anniversary in November, Johnson and Weaver have seen so much success with their fledgling business.

So much success, in fact, they’re already looking to the future. First up is expanding their operation to cut wide width slabs. At the moment, the mill is able to cut materials up to a 54” width but hopes to accommodate larger slabs in the future. The duo is also open to setting up a woodworking shop to sell finished products like custom wood furniture down the line. Until then, their number one goal is to be the premier source for woodworkers in the region. •

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5 TIPS TO FIND THE PERFECT GIFT WRITTEN BY: KATIE JENISON

Between the holidays and the upcoming Valentine’s Day, it is definitely jewelry buying season!

While jewelry makes a great gift this time of year, it’s perfect for other occasions, too.

From anniversaries to birthdays, a beautiful piece of jewelry is a wonderful way to show her you care. Here are five tips to help you do just that.

1. BE PREPARED

When buying jewelry for a woman, it’s important to have an idea of what she does and does not like. Helpful things to know include what kind of stones and metal she prefers, as well as if there’s a specific shape of stone she likes. With just a little basic information, picking out jewelry will be that much easier.

To avoid ruining the surprise by asking her questions, there are a couple options to determine her preferences. First, take a peek at the jewelry she already has. What does she wear the most? Is there an overall style she seems to like? Next, ask those close to her what she likes.

If you’re still struggling to figure out what she likes, go with a classicdiamonds!

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2. BUY MATCHING ITEMS

Purchasing jewelry from a collection is a great way to create a theme and will provide several options the next time you buy her jewelry.

Most collections include a necklace, earrings, ring, and bracelets. Or, if she’s the type to mix and match consider purchasing a piece that complements her existing jewelry.

3. PERSONALIZE IT

One way to add a special touch to your selection is to make it personal.

Choose a piece showcasing her birthstone or get her a charm bracelet featuring items significant to your relationship. Take it one step further and have a message engraved on it.

Personalized touches to her jewelry will make the gift even more unique.

4. MAKE IT MEMORABLE

Once you’ve found the right piece of jewelry, it’s time to go the extra mile. Have it gift-wrapped and make a special plan to surprise her with it. By making the first time she sees it a memorable experience, the gift is even more meaningful, and she’ll have a great story to share with friends and loved ones. Plan a romantic dinner out or take her to a place that has a special meaning to both of you. Do it right and she’ll be gushing about it for years to come!

5. KNOW THE RETURN POLICY AND WARRANTY

It’s important to understand what kind of warranty is included with a jewelry purchase. Jewelry repair and replacement can be costly, so it may be necessary to invest in an extended service plan. Regular cleanings and inspections are usually required to keep up the warranty, but they often cover things like sizing, repairs to damaged stones, and replacing missing stones.

While these tips will be a big help when picking out jewelry for your significant other, there’s no guarantee she’ll absolutely love it. The best way to be prepared for that situation is to know the store’s return policy before making the final purchase. Neither of you wants to be stuck with an expensive piece of jewelry she doesn’t like!

Luckily, jewelry store staff are well versed in helping men find the perfect piece of jewelry for the women in their lives. So, if you’re still struggling with what kind of jewelry she’d like, you can count on jewelry consultants to steer you in the right direction.

Regardless of what kind of jewelry you pick, she’ll love the care and thought you put into the gift! • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 17

ON THE COVER | THE MEYERS

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WRITTEN BY: BRITTNEY GOODMAN

• PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

The Good Life sat down for a cocktail and conversation with Bert, Lisa, and Klaus Meyers, proprietors of Dempsey’s, Würst Bier Hall and the upcoming Beerfish to talk about beginnings and the future.

Klaus moved to Fargo in 1988 for college. Bert came the following year. Lisa came in 1994. Bert and Klaus met Lisa in 1995 when they all worked at what was then the Doublewood Inn.

Bert and Klaus Meyers are twin brothers born on the north side of Chicago who grew up from the age of six in Nashwauk in the Minnesota Iron Range. Bert’s wife and partner of 18 years, Lisa Meyers, spent her childhood in Verndale, Minnesota on a dairy farm.

One of Bert’s first entrepreneurial adventures was a window washing business, Lenny and Squeegee’s Window Washing. Klaus owned a landscaping business.

Bert and Klaus’s father was an ironworker and their mom was a cook and restaurant owner. “Our neighborhood in Nashwauk was pretty fun. We would go cliff diving, ride our bikes all over and raise hell every day,” described Bert.

Klaus added, “We learned how to party up there.” Lisa said, “My neighborhood was fields.”

Bert, always social, said, “In Nashwauk, I was one who had the keg parties. It is a different world now; nobody does keg parties. But I was, ‘two bucks, or go home.’”

Perhaps this was foreshadowing of his entrepreneurship and ownership of successful bars.

Lisa and Bert married in 2000 and started the first location for Bertrosa’s Chicago Café in an old gas station on South University Drive in Fargo. The name “confused people,” said Bert, but it is a combination of Bert with his mother’s name, Rosa. Lisa said, “Bertlisa’s just didn’t have the same ring to it.” Klaus explained, “In Chicago, there was a restaurant we liked called Manjovens which came from the three owners’ names: Manny, Joe and Vinnie. We liked that idea.”

Bert said, “We started with four items on our menu. We made $600 our first day, and after that, we did $25 a day for four months.” Lisa added, “It was a long haul.” urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 19

ON THE COVER | THE MEYERS

They continued the idea of Chicagostyle street food at a location on 45th Street next to J.T. Cigarro’s.

Bert said, “It was successful. We made money but we could have made more.”

Most people discovered Bertrosa’s in its final location in downtown Fargo in the lower level of The Black Building opening in July 2002. Bert asserted, “Downtown was where we got our footing — where Bertrosa’s took off. But it did take a while for

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people to understand what we were.”

Lisa said, “Because we had Chicago in the title, people would confuse us with the chain restaurant, Old Chicago.”

The Bertrosa’s menu came from the food Bert and Klaus grew up eating, such as Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs. Klaus added, “We moved from Chicago when we were kids but we stayed connected.”

Bert asserted, “It is the greatest city in the country.” They visit Chicago

at least once a year and have a big connection to the Windy City.

They then sought something different, and their chance came when a new type of liquor license came out in Fargo – the Z License.

Bert explained, “When the new Z licenses came out, Klaus and I, along with my cousin, Ron said ‘let’s do this.’ We put a $200 check down at the City of Fargo and we were chosen. We borrowed money from family, sold Bertrosa’s, sold

our house and Klaus sold his landscaping business. We basically sold everything to do it.”

They bought the building “for a reasonable amount of money,” said Bert. As downtown Fargo has boomed, the building’s value has increased so much that it has helped them be able to open their subsequent businesses.

Dempsey’s has become a downtown hub for music. Most nights of the week there is activity on each level, drawing national and regional acts.

Dempsey’s and The Aquarium are celebrating their 13th anniversary in March of 2019. On March 11th, there will “definitely be a party to celebrate” according to all three.

If you have been to Dempsey’s or The Aquarium, you know that music is an important part of the atmosphere. Bert’s favorite artists at the venue have included Langhorne

Slim, The Black Keys, and The Iron Horse Band. Lisa really has enjoyed Halestorm, 2 Live Crue, Mark Mallman and Band of Horses. Klaus mentioned Two Gallants and Future Islands.

The Irish-themed bar’s name originates from the last name of their great-grandparents in Mudfork, Logan County, West Virginia. They recently traveled to a family funeral in Kentucky and got to sample some moonshine from family in West Virginia, staying true to their roots. The twins definitely have Irish heritage. According to a DNA test, their father is 52 percent Irish. Klaus added, “A lot of our family is Scottish, Irish and English.”

Klaus has the distinction of being a Kentucky Colonel, an honorary commission given by the state to a person noted for public service.

He explained, “I was in the hotel business for a long time. There was

a high maintenance customer in the hotel, but we took care of him well.

The man told me that the Governor of Kentucky, Paul Patton, was a friend of his. So he took care of me and now I am a Kentucky Colonel,” proudly showing us the official, framed certificate hanging in the office at Dempsey’s along with his updated membership card from his wallet.

Bert said, “Dempsey’s is fun to have.

We spend a ton of time here. If we ever go out, we always end up here – seeing all of these bands that become somewhat famous. It’s just plain fun.”

Klaus replied, “My favorite part is all of the music we get here and also all of the friends that we have made here. We have met a lot of people over the years.”

The furniture and interior design are due to Klaus’s artistry and skill.

He and the general contractor worked together. Klaus did all of

YUM!

peppers + onions, sauerkraut, and báhn mì

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ON THE COVER | THE MEYERS

the tiling, stone and bathrooms.

Bert complimented, “Klaus’s craftsmanship is amazing.”

Dempsey’s was not enough. In January 2014 the crew opened Würst Bier Hall on 1st Avenue. The idea of sausage and beer hall came after exploring several concepts. Bert explained, “We all chose the idea of a sausage place with communal seating. We wanted the long benches and communal feel, but we did not know how that would fly in Fargo. But the concept has been gangbusters.

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It was initially supposed to be more European but local media kept reporting on it as German, and we went with it. In the end, it has worked out for the best.” Lisa added, “And we were taking a chance – being off-Broadway at the time, we were unsure.”

Würst is Lisa’s focus. She is the President and does the accounting, payroll, and day-to-day operations.

Lisa explained, “I am a firefighter putting out fires – literally and figuratively. I have had to learn

general maintenance, plumbing and electrical. I am a handyman in many ways.” Bert chimed in, “Not me.

When something needs fixing, I call someone.”

Klaus, just like with Dempsey’s, is the artist behind Würst’s look and feel. He made all of the tables and benches and much of the artistic touches are his.

As for the food, Lisa said, “I have only been cooking since opening Bertrosa’s downtown. We opened

Bertrosa’s and I learned as I went.” Bert smiled and added, “I taught her.” He learned how to cook from his mother “and a lot of it on my own.” He gave this advice: “Always become friends with the chef where you work. They are the most important persons to know.”

The staff at both Dempsey’s and Würst are very important to the Meyers and are “family.” Klaus asserted, “We care about the employees. We’re pretty easy going.” Bert added, “We don’t try to be a**holes at all.”

Bert explained, “We have been through deaths, kids, marriages and divorces. And, heck, we actually have real, blood-related family members working with us too.” Lisa added, “We have many employees who have been with us since day one.”

The most recent venture is the new Würst Bier Hall in West Fargo. Klaus described it as the “same concept” as the downtown Würst, but “less industrial. It is decorated in the Würst look with a lot of art by Punchgut.” As always, Klaus built the tables and benches. Lisa explained, “We have 36 taps, wine on tap and an amazing patio.”

And the adventurous three are not done yet.

Another concept, Beerfish, is on the horizon. It will be a fish and chips restaurant with more, including an oyster bar and will be located directly behind Dempsey’s in Roberts’ Alley. Bert emphasized, “Located across from the greatest bar in the city of Fargo!”

Beerfish will have a variety of fish and chips with heavy appetizers, pasta and tiki drinks. Bert said, “But we don’t want people to think it is going to be English style fish and chips. It will literally be Iron Range style fish and chips – a highfalutin fish and chips place.”

All three described what “the good life” means to them.

Klaus said, “Good food. Good friends. Good booze.

And family is the most important.”

Lisa is thankful for being fortunate and “being successful.”

Bert said, “Life is good. It is living comfortably and helping others who are less fortunate. We work hard and we are lucky to have a good life.”

Success could not happen to three more fun and deserving people at the heart of downtown Fargo, and now West Fargo. Cheers to Klaus, Bert and Lisa! • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 23

HAVING A BEER WITH

NICK BROADWAY WRITTEN BY: MEGHAN FEIR

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• PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE "BROADWAY" IS ANYTHING MORE THAN A STAGE NAME For WDAY weekend anchor and reporter, Nick Broadway, interviewing and sharing stories is, of course, his job.

During a chilly weeknight in November, the tables were turned as I got the lowdown on our youngest beer-featureboy yet. What came up were details that don’t usually get mentioned on the nightly news, such as his obsession with Oreos and how various people don’t believe “Broadway” is anything more than a stage name (he showed me all his ID and credit cards, so I think I’m ready to believe it’s his real surname).

As he sipped a beer without judgment from any beer snobs at Brewhalla, he told me how his career started a few years ago with an internship-turned-job at KVRR before stepping foot in the WDAY studio. Yet, as it goes with news anchors, he’s already a household name, as proven by my parents who knew who he was when I mentioned this interview at our Thanksgiving dinner.

Good Life: Take a sip. Prepare yourself… Are you the type of person who, in coming to the end of the toothpaste tube, gets everything out of the tube before you throw it away, or do you just give up?

Nick Broadway: I thought I was the get-everything-out-ofthe-toothpaste-tube type, until I met my wife. I never do the roll-up method. Don’t do it. It’s crap. One time, I was going to throw it away, and Kate grabbed it and said, “No, you still have a good 30 days left in that.” Challenge accepted.

She made it happen. I don’t know how she did it. Thirty days went by and she kept using it.

GL: What song is your most common earworm?

NB: For the longest time it was “Gratitude” by Beastie Boys. The second is “How Many More Times” by Led Zeppelin. I’m not particularly fond of either of these songs.

Great bands, great albums, right? But, for some reason, urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 25

OREOS. I'M NOTORIOUS FOR EATING THEM. those particular songs have a knack for getting stuck in my head.

GL: Do you know what song always gets stuck in my head? The Tim McGraw one that goes, “I’m an Indian outlaw, half Cherokee and Choktaw.” Yeah, that one.

GL: If you could be any video game character, which character would you be?

NB: That’s a tough one. I’m a big video game guy. If I were going to go with someone who originated in a video game, I’d probably go with Captain Falcon. He’s my favorite Smash Bros. character, and it would mean I’d get to drive lightning-fast, futuristic cars in space.

GL: What’s the most annoying, cliché thing to say or love these days? For example: people past the age of 15 who are still obsessed with unicorns, or people who always brag about their coffee addiction.

NB: I would say the most annoying thing would be — and maybe this is bad because we’re in a place of business that sells it — but something about the beer-snobbery culture. It’s like, “Ohhhh, this tastes a little too hoppy.” I enjoy a good craft beer. That being said, the people who 26 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

make fun of me for liking a particular beverage or not is probably the most annoying thing people have taken up these days.

GL: What’s your favorite movie to watch in the winter when you’re cold and sad from a lack of vitamin D? NB: I really like the movie “Black Dynamite.” It’s great.

It makes fun of 1970s action films. It’s a parody of itself.

A lot of people I’ve recommended it to do not like it, but that’s always a classic for me.

GL: Do you have a special food that you’re known for loving?

NB: Oreos. I’m notorious for eating them.

GL: So do you split them apart and dunk, dunk the whole thing, or not dunk at all?

NB: I’m versatile. I switch it up. Either I’ll dunk the whole thing and let it sit for a minute and enjoy the soft cookie, or I’ll split it in half, eat the non-frosting half first — to get that little palette cleanser — and then eat the rest of it. Double stuff is probably my favorite. There’s a cookie dough flavor that came out that was pretty good, too. I don’t understand the Swedish Fish flavor.

GL: If aliens took over WDAY, what would their main message be?

NB: They’d probably say something along the lines of, “We picked North Dakota because in every alien invasion movie where they show a map of all the places the aliens are invading, North Dakota and Minnesota are never on the map, so surprise! Please become enslaved by our alien race and give us all your money.”

GL: I love that they’d say please.

“We’re forcing you, but we’re also polite.”

NB: They’re in the Midwest! They have to be kind about it.

GL: What are your thoughts on Valentine’s Day? NB: Valentine’s Day is pretty great because I get to spend time with my wife. We usually make it a point to do something special, and it’s an excuse to get her presents.

GL: So the societal pressures don’t burden you?

NB: No, no.

GL: Thank you! I don’t understand why guys usually hate it so much and get so stressed about it.

Darren Losee: People that hate it are bad at it.

GL: Have you ever tripped on live television?

NB: No, but I did rip my pants. I was shooting my own footage that day. I did a little squat to get the camera down and they ripped.

There was a reporter on the way to relieve me, regardless of the condition of my pants, so I got to run away pretty quickly.

GL: What does living the good life mean to you?

NB: Living the good life is doing what you can to be happy and make others happy. If you're able to enjoy a fulfilling life without hurting yourself or others, and while surrounding yourself with positive people, you're doing it right. • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 27

ASK 30 WOMEN

WHAT IS THE BEST/WORST PICKUP LINE YOU HAVE HEARD? As Valentine’s Day approaches, you may find yourself desperately searching for a date. While pickup lines may grab her attention, we are here to advise you – the information below probably won’t help you achieve your goal.

Unless her sense of humor is off the charts, then by all means… go for it! We hope you find your perfect match!

The Good Life Men’s Magazine is not responsible for the results of any pickup line directed at or in the presence of other humans. Shame on you for thinking any of these would work. •

1. Is that a real ring, or just something you wear to keep guys like me away?

2. I want to drink your bathwater.

3. If beauty where a sin, you wouldn’t deserve God’s forgiveness.

4. Are your parents gardeners?

Because they have raised a truly beautiful flower in your household.

5. Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?

6. Do you live in an igloo?

Because you’re a pretty cool person.

7. I should call you Google, because you have everything I’m looking for.

8. If I told you you had a nice body, would you hold it against me?

9. I got more moves than U-Haul.

10. Hey, girl. Is your name Wi-Fi? Because we have a connection.

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11. Did you have Lucky Charms for breakfast? Because you look magically delicious!

12. If you were a Transformer, you’d be Optimus Fine.

13. Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?

14. If you were a fruit, you’d be a fineapple.

15. You’re so beautiful that you made me forget my pickup line.

16. Hello. Cupid called. He says to tell you that he needs my heart back.

17. If you were words on a page, you’d be what they call "fine print".

18. I must be a snowflake, because I’ve fallen for you.

19. Looks at my shirt tag and says, "just what I thought - made in heaven."

20. Your dad must be a thief. He stole all the stars from the sky and put them in your eyes.

21. You look like my future ex-wife.

22. "I can see the moonlight in your eyes.”

(We were in a lower level bar – Inside.)

23. "I have some Jack Daniels at my house.

Want to come over?” It apparently worked, we are still together after 33 years!

24. There is something wrong with my cell phone. It doesn't have your number in it.

25. You spend so much time in my mind, I should charge you rent.

26. We're not socks. But I think we'd make a great pair.

27. How much does a polar bear weigh?

Enough to break the ice!

28. On a scale from 1 to 10, you're a 9...

And I'm the 1 you need.

29. Are you a camera? Because every time I look at you, I smile.

30. Did you swallow magnets? Cause you're attractive.

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LOCAL HERO | YOUTHWORKS

YOUR FRIENDLY SUPERHERO SOCIAL WORKER YOUTHWORKS HELPS STRUGGLING TEENS DEFINE THEIR OWN SUCCESS WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON

• PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

Tucked behind towering trees that line South University Drive near downtown Fargo in a grand 90-year-old home, a growing nonprofit organization called Youthworks is helping homeless, runaway, trafficked and struggling teens and young adults find direction in their lives. The agency has been providing direct services since 1991 in Fargo, where they partner with the United Way, as well as several local, state and federal programs for funding and support.

Leading the way from his cozy third-floor office decorated with local art, vintage lighting and a round gathering table set in the middle, Program Director Ethan Hoepfner — not far removed from his teen years — drives the mission with unrestrained passion.

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“I started at Youthworks when I was just 15 years old knowing that I wanted to help people,” Hoepfner said with a conviction in his voice that betrays his young exterior. “I didn’t want to flip burgers or do dishes. I wanted to help people.”

At 27, he’s not much older than the young men and women he’s committed his life to help, and you get the sense that he sees himself in many of the kids with whom he works.

“My clients changed my life. Every single story of a youth that sits in that chair,” Hoepfner said, pointing across the table, “reminds me of how truly lucky I am. I got my degree from the University of Mary, but my profession was inspired from my clients.”

MY CLIENTS HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE. EVERY SINGLE STORY OF A YOUTH THAT SITS IN THAT CHAIR, REMINDS ME OF HOW TRULY LUCKY I AM. A Strengths-Based Approach From anger management programs to street outreach and traditional family counseling services, the organization meets kids — and their families when possible and appropriate — wherever they are in life.

“Most of the youth we serve really just have adverse childhood experiences,” Hoepfner explained. “They’ve either experienced abuse or neglect, grown up with parents who are separated or may be in and out of jail or struggling with substance abuse.

These childhood experiences threaten brain development and lead to negative long-term health conditions and ultimately erratic behavior.”

As Hoepfner speaks, rattling off statistics and anecdotal evidence from the latest research into child and human urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 31

LOCAL HERO | YOUTHWORKS

THESE KIDS I WORK WITH ARE THE MOST RESILIENT MENTALLY TOUGH SURVIVORS I KNOW.

development, it’s like listening to a well-rehearsed, yet very impassioned TED Talk. Once again, it’s easy to forget he’s three years shy of his thirtieth birthday.

“These kids I work with are the most resilient, mentally tough survivors I know. They just need one person, one consistent, caring, non-judgemental adult that just doesn’t give up on them to make the necessary impact on their lives,” Hoepfner said. “That’s how we approach what we do… we have this positive, strengths-based model where we take anything negative and turn it into a positive.”

It sounds easy and simplistic. But the reality is it’s much easier to label these kids as troublemakers and lost causes than it is to lend them your ear and give them a chance to tell their stories. While the rest of us might see a teenager in handcuffs — arrested for selling a bag of weed to his friend — and rush to judgement about his character, Hoepfner sees a kid with untapped potential as a future accountant.

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“Think about it…” he started. “That kid has to know his math in order to survive on the streets selling drugs. He has to be good with money, almost shrewd. We take that negative life choice and highlight the skills involved to turn it into a positive.”

And that right there is the secret superpower of the Youthworks mission. Part friendly neighborhood Spiderman, part social activist Superman always seeking to find the good in others.

“We are experts in youth,” Hoepfner said. “We are experts in best practices of trauma-informed care and positive youth development. We believe in young people; we don’t think of them as delinquent or runaways or addicts. Rather, we help them discover what their strengths and skill sets are.”

Origin Story All good superheroes have an origin story — something that sets them on the virtuous path of helping others, often at great personal risk. For Hoepfner, yes, he may join the street outreach crew that seeks runaways under bridges and in mini-tent cities unseen to most F-M residents, but the greater risk of working with struggling teens is more mental than physical. To that end, he speaks carefully and succinctly.

TRANSITIONAL LIVING & PARENTING PATHWAYS The Transitional Living and Parenting Pathways programs provide transitional housing and support services to young adults and young parents transitioning out of homelessness, with the goal of increasing core life skills and empowering youth to reach sustainable independence. The programs provide housing, education, independent living and parenting skills, and employment support.

OUTREACH / DROP-IN PROGRAM Through its Street Outreach and Drop-In Center programs, Youthworks provides low to no-barrier access to survival needs and support to homeless youth. Youthworks staff are present in the Fargo/ Moorhead community, meeting homeless youth on their turf and providing information on critical services and support that can help these youth take the first steps out of homelessness.

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LOCAL HERO | YOUTHWORKS

“I’ve also struggled with some of those adverse childhood experiences that I now see on a daily basis with the kids I work with,” Hoepfner said. “It’s what inspired me to call up a homeless shelter and ask if I could help in the kitchen.

They said I had to be 18, so call Youthworks instead. And here I am all those years later.”

Some origin stories are richer because of the secrets they hold back. For Hoepfner, you get the feeling there’s more to that initial inspiration that drove him to seek out others

in need of help — others who are perhaps more like him than he cares to reveal. That air of mystery is also what may permit others to open up, as they see a glimpse of themselves in him and find the trust they need to listen to his guidance. Whatever the truth may be, it is a shared truth between him and his clients. It’s a truth that not only brought him to Youthworks as a teen, but is also keeping him here as a purpose-driven program manager.

“My clients keep me here and this great amazing team that we have,” Hoepfner said. “Not a day goes by where I don’t learn from my clients or from this amazing staff that I supervise and the people above me who’ve mentored me.

It’s all about that relationship… I want to leave a legacy of relationships, with the people I work with and the clients I serve.”

What Does Success Look Like?

It’s an easy question for most of us. We measure success by deadlines met and goals achieved at work or home. We balance our checkbooks and find satisfaction in a growing bottom line. For the kids Hoepfner works with on a daily basis, success isn’t just hard to find, it’s hard to define… often because no one has ever asked.

MY CLIENTS KEEP ME HERE AND THIS GREAT AMAZING TEAM THAT WE HAVE. 34 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

“Most of these kids haven’t had any guidance in their lives,” Hoepfner explained. “These kids literally have no one. Their parents are in and out of prison or inconsistent; they’re used to street life. Youthworks — we are the ones who are there to make an impact and be with them on the journey. They will struggle, but it’s not a failure with us. We regroup and figure it out tomorrow.”

Ultimately, success at Youthworks is whatever the young people define for themselves — with a little guidance from the team. Success is also different for all of the different programs offered, each with their own complex challenges.

“It might be reuniting with their family. It might be getting youth off the streets and getting their basic needs met that night. It might be not dropping out of school. Ultimately,” Hoepfner pauses… “Ultimately, it’s not our life. It's their life and we try to help them strive for their own goals.”

Focusing on relationships has been a hallmark of Hoepfner’s short, but highly impactful career. It seems instinctual, but he also has the science to back it up.

“I think just believing and valuing young people is where we all need to start,” he said. “A study came out recently that polled a bunch of North Dakota students and found that only 1 in 3 young people reported they had someone who valued them in their life. Hearing young people, listening to what they need and what they want is so important. If we can find strengths in them and respond in a new way not based on labels, it’s so much more effective.”

Listen to kids. Value them and their stories. Focus on their strengths and avoid rushing to judgement. It sounds so easy that it makes you wonder how it can feel so hard to do.

Perhaps it’s hard for the same reason it’s successful — longterm relationships are hard to forge, but harder to break.

“We get so frustrated with our clients who relapse maybe 50 times…” Hoepfner said, trailing off for a moment. “But what if the 51st time works?” •

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

YOUTHWORKSND.ORG

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