The Good Life – January-February 2023

As a consultant, I’m on the road almost weekly. Bouncing back and forth between Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Minneapolis is the norm for me, 2-3 days per week. I thoroughly enjoy the simplicity of living out of a suitcase and racking up those travel rewards points. However, it’s not without its challenges, especially regarding parenting.

I hate missing out on sports games, choir concerts, and just family time in general, especially now that my son is eleven and keeps track.

As both he and I get older, it’s harder and harder to hop on a flight on a Sunday evening, get back on a Tuesday evening right before I’m supposed to pick him up, and then enter into full-on dad mode. Yet here we are.

Here are some insights on my experiences as a frequentflyer dad.

Don’t take it personally if they don’t miss you every time. Every time I return from out of town and go and pick up my son from his mother’s, I always hope that he will do the dramatic leap into my arms and act like he’s really missed me. Almost like a soldier returning home from defending our freedom...only I’m just returning home from a threeday business trip to Sioux Falls. I know, it’s ridiculous.

I then remember that he’s an eleven-year-old boy and eleven-year-olds don’t act like that. Kids are extremely

adaptable to most healthy situations. It still amazes me how quickly my son can, over time, adapt to changes in his routine and daily life.

I, on the other hand, am not as adaptable. Case in point: the hotel I stay at in the cities recently took my favorite sandwich off of their dining menu. Three months later and I still haven’t moved on or let it go.

Also, kids are kids and they tend to focus on what’s happening right in front of them. For my kiddo, it’s hockey, computer games, and not showering. I’ve learned a lot from my kiddo just by watching what he focuses on and, honestly, it’s refreshing to view the world through their lens of innocence.

The bottom line is, your child loves you and of course they miss you while they’re gone. Just don’t expect it to be like a scene from Casablanca when you return from out of town.

Embrace technology. Before having a child, I would have spent my travel evenings belly up at the bar or rewatching my favorite sitcom for the twelfth time in my hotel room.

These days, nothing makes an out-of-town trip go by faster than a quick video chat with my son. It reminds me of why I’m working so hard and what’s there waiting for me when I get home.

What's even more fun is that he now knows how to text and message so you can just imagine some of the convos we have. To say it’s entertaining would be a huge understatement. I should probably type a spreadsheet of the latest “kid lingo” but just haven’t had time to yet.

For your reference, when they say, “bet” it means deal, and when they say, “no cap” it means no lies

We, as parents, are trained to keep our kids away from electronics as much as possible. However, I am more of a “embrace the inevitable, but monitor” type of parent. Technology is engrained in almost every facet of our lives. Instead of trying to over-shelter our kiddos from it, I think we should instead be hyper-vigilant and take advantage of the many ways that technology has connected us.

When you’re home, be home. This is one that I struggle with. Politics and business development are 24/7 ventures and, at times, I am absolutely the dad that checks his phone during dinner or sneaks away during family time to make a “quick” work call, only to emerge from my room 15 minutes later, well after dessert has taken place.

I am fairly confident that I struggle with this issue due to several reasons. First, I absolutely love what I do for a living. So, why would I not let it into every part of my life, including family and parenting time? Turns out though, my eleven-year-old couldn’t possibly care less about P and L statements, clever marketing schemes, client acquisition techniques, or voter data. As long as those business pursuits allow us to have a nice home, do fun things, and eat way more boxed macaroni than his primary doctor recommends, he’s totally ok with it.

I also think my struggles with this concept stem from the aforementioned 24/7 nature of the various fields of work that I consult in.

Gone are the days when one could simply close their laptop and send their work phone to voicemail until the next morning. However, that doesn’t mean that we, as dads, must be constantly “plugged in”.

One of the hidden blessings I’ve found is the fact that south Moorhead has terrible cellphone reception. So when my son has hockey practice I’m forced to pay rapt attention (and eat my weight in soft pretzels and chicken strips). It’s a win/win.

In this world where us dads are trying to be everything to everyone, including our families and jobs, I hope these three tips may help you if you’re as lost and confused as I have most certainly been. As we enter a new year, I just want to remind you – you will never be a perfect parent or member of the workforce. However, learning to strike a healthy balance between the two is a lifelong pursuit that is well worth the struggle. •

Winterizing Backyard Chickens

Happy and Healthy Birds

Chickens are amazing creatures, able to bring a sense of the country to a city home or energizing a farmstead. During the spring, summer, and fall, our flock of hens and one rooster wander the yard and field, eating seeds, insects, acorns, and whatever else they can get their beaks on. Winter descends, however, and things get tough. Fortunately, there are a few things a chicken owner can do to keep the flock healthy and happy during the cold, dark days of winter.

Chicken Breeds: The American Poultry Association recognizes 53 breeds of chickens, with hundreds of variations within the breeds. When purchasing chicks for a backyard flock, the most important thing is selecting those with cold hardiness. Our hens are a motley crew, with Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Buff Orphingtons, and Brown Sex-Link. Each of the breeds has thick, fluffy feathers that cope well with the cold. In addition, they are all egg layers, providing an important source of protein for our family.

When purchasing chicks for a backyard flock, the most important thing is selecting those with cold hardiness.

WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY MILLER

PHOTO BY: WIRESTOCK ON FREEPIK

Coops and Runs: Our homes are insulated, wind-proof and heated. It would make sense for the same to be needed for a chicken coop, but those needs are not the same for the birds.

A drafty coop, where cold air blows directly on the bird’s roost or the coop floor will stress the birds. Ventilation, on the other hand, is the free movement of gentle air in and out of the coop. If the coop is sealed tight, without any exterior air movement, condensation will build up on the interior surfaces. Frostbite will occur on the chicken’s combs and wattles, causing unnecessary harm to the birds.

Ammonia, from the chicken's waste, can build up without adequate ventilation. Excessive ammonia causes respiratory issues for the birds and can cause serious health issues during the winter.

Our coop works great for providing roosting for our hens but is a touch on the small size for our flock of 12 birds. Attached to the coop is an outside run, 12 feet long and 8 feet wide. Covered in chicken wire, it provides a safe place for them during the warm months.

During the winter, the run offers little protection from the elements. To circumvent that and provide a safe place for them to spend the days in sunshine, we cover the run with clear plastic. The plastic, stretched tight over the wooden frame, nailed, and stapled into place; provides windproof and warmth. Not unlike a greenhouse, the temperature rises during the day, keeping the ground from freezing and providing a place for the chickens to dust and peck in the dirt. The ventilation from the coop prevents moisture buildup in the run.

Going through the automatic chicken door in the evening.

At night, in order to provide the most warmth for the coop, we installed an automatic chicken door. At daybreak it opens, allowing the birds access to the run. When darkness falls, it closes and keeps the warmth in the smaller space of the coop.

Heating a coop with a heat lamp seems like a great idea but can be deadly for the birds. Heat lamps can catch fire

in confined spaces, especially when dust settles on the bulb. The constant light is also confusing for the birds, as they are used to short amounts of daylight in the winter. Lastly, if the power goes out, the birds can freeze. Used to the heat, the sudden cold causes deleterious effects quickly. Without the light, the birds grow thicker feathers and huddle to conserve warmth. A power outage can be deadly for the chickens.

Water and Feed: After spending a day outdoors, I’m famished, needing a warm meal and water. Chickens are no different, requiring balanced feed and clean water during cold months. While we don’t feed the chickens during the free-ranging months, we purchase high-quality balanced food for the winter months. In addition, we place a heated plastic base on a concrete slab in the coop. Plugged into the house, the base keeps the plastic waterer warm enough to prevent freezing. We tried a heated plastic waterer in the past, but it was a pain to fill. Pouring water

on my boots and the ground, in -20 below temperatures in the dark after work, was not my idea of a good time!

Egg Production: During the short days of winter, the hens drastically reduce egg output. More of the bird’s energy is used to stay warm than produce eggs, so we may only get an egg or two a day. Unfortunately, it’s a fact of life for a backyard flock. I try to hide my head if I’m forced to purchase grocery store eggs during the winter!

Heating a coop with a heat lamp seems like a great idea, but can be deadly to the birds.

Chickens are hardy, adaptable critters that are a joy to have.

Happy Chickens: Chickens are hardy, adaptable critters that are a joy to have. Each of our birds has its own personality and quirks. Watching them saunter across the grass on a warm summer afternoon, with a cold drink in hand, is most enjoyable. In order for them to provide eggs and happiness to their owners, they need to be safe during the winter. No matter where a person has chickens, by following these simple steps to winterize the flock, birds can be happy and healthy all year round!

Social Media Stereotypes

WRITTEN BY: MEGHAN FEIR

There are many personality stereotypes on social media platforms, be it Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter or others. I could write a much longer list, but we’ll stick to a few of the basic stereotypes found on Facebook and Instagram.

I can guarantee you know at least one of these types of social media users.

Gertrude, the girl who’s getting old

Somebody help me. I’m getting old. I count myself as a Gertrude because of how tempting it is to comment on random Facebook posts.

“What’s your favorite dish your Swedish grandma used to make?” the post asks me, and I must fight the urge to answer, “Yulekake, Søtsuppe and Swedish meatballs!”

“What would you name this tiny puppy?” the post asks me as an adorable, watery-eyed Aussie puppy stares back at me. I fail to fight the urge and type, “Mr. Tubkins!”

I’ve realized I’ve either always used Facebook like a 75-year-old, or I’m evolving into one by commenting on useless posts and articles.

I’m pretty sure the urge to share your opinion of whether or not crocs should be legal only grows as you age.

Tally, the TMI wall poster

One of my favorite things is when older people write overly personal, TMI messages on someone’s Facebook wall.

When Facebook started during my high school days, people wrote on friends’ walls all the time. It was like shouting to the world, “Hey! I have friends, and we have inside jokes.” It was a wonderful time to be alive.

But while the feature of posting messages on a wall is still available, no one does that anymore. It’s out of vogue. However, that doesn’t stop some people from writing TMI posts for all to see.

Samantha, are you feeling better today? Heard you got a bladder infection. Hope you’re feeling better and got some antibiotics.

Love, Aunt Tally

Hey, Paul. Heard you broke up with Maddie. What’s that all about? You should actually pick up your phone for once.

– Doug

Lonnie, los lonely boy

Most people are plumb lonely. When you’re depressed and alone, it’s all too easy to grab that phone and scroll endlessly online. In fact, this is one thing I learned about myself a few years ago. Sometimes the lonelier I am, the more I post on social media.

So check up on your friends and family members.

Sara, the virtual seductress

Remember that high school classmate who always had obvious insecurities or was too cocky and overtly sexual, all to feed their need for more attention? Combine desperation with social media and

you have some overly seductive U-rated (“U” for ugh, uh oh and unnecessary) content on your hands. They’ve set out the bait and they’re fishing for attention.

Fred, the unaware Facebook friend

We can’t forget about the people who don’t realize everything you like or say can show up on other friends’ newsfeeds.

Take my married coworker from a previous job, for example. He was in his upper 60s, was a grandfather to about 10 children, and didn’t realize that some of the racy “hot girl” photos he liked on Facebook

appeared on my newsfeed. It made me feel weird, made me feel badly for his wife, and made me wonder who else was seeing his activity.

So… WARNING: People can often see what you like or comment on, so beware.

Whether they’re young or old, it’s equally cringy to see guys or girls liking or commenting on scantily clad snowmobile babe photos or “Magic Mike” clips.

Pete, the political pitbully

We all have friends like this (unless we’ve already unfollowed them).

Political pitbullies are friends who excessively post brash and overly offensive political memes, videos, articles and comments. It should be fine to share an occasional political joke, a concern, and to take a stand, but you don’t have to be an aggressive bully about it. Political pitbullies must comment on everyone’s everything in a ferocious, belittling manner. Also, they can dish it out, but they can’t take it.

Although they comment on other people’s posts without restraint, if someone challenges them on one of their posts, they tell them to not comment if they don’t like it.

Beatrice, the security breached

They might as well give out their social security number while they’re at it because these Facebook friends will answer any security question that comes their way in meme form.

“What is your mother’s maiden name?”

“Johnson!”

“What is the name of your first pet?” “Tobacco!”

“What street did you grow up on?”

“4th Street North. Heck, my entire address was 4235 4th Street North!”

Cher, the oversharer

Friends like this must post 80 pictures every day of their child, pet or self. It doesn’t matter if they have spaghetti sauce or snot all over their face, if they’re blurry or in focus, if they’re sitting on the toilet or doing absolutely nothing at all, friends like this will share every moment of their lives. They share so much on social media, you could go six decades without seeing them and still never have to ask what they’ve been up to over the years.

Victoria, the vulnerable

A subtype of “Cher, the oversharer,” this kind will overshare personal details of their lives to make others look bad and will often take photos and videos of themselves crying to earn “bravery” points.

Peyton, the pretentious

We can’t leave out the group of people who love to flaunt themselves as proudly as a peacock and virtue signal their way to the top. They think they are more educated, more stylish, more refined, more artistic, more anything-they-think-is-the-best than other people. They look down on those who don’t think or look the way they do, even though they think they are enlightened, compassionate heroes who champion causes.

You can find these types of people on either side of the political extremes. They are usually quite delusional and blind to their own hypocrisy.

“If you _____, you can unfriend me

right now.”

Wow, what a threat.

Meghan, the meanie

Then you have the people who take note of these stereotypes and silently file them away in their minds before they write articles about them (aka, me). Keep in mind that this type of person probably annoys 80 percent of their followers on a regular basis as well. •

WRITTEN BY: KRISSY NESS PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

For 50 years, the Minnesota State University Moorhead planetarium has provided a glimpse into the sky in ways we could never see in our city limits. Opened in 1972 in Bridges Hall, students and community members have participated in intimate stargazing, entertaining full dome movies, and even trippy laser shows. This facility provides entertainment, unlike any other place.

Sara Schultz has been the planetarium director for eight years and has provided education about our solar system. She is also passionate about raising awareness of this space's possibilities.

"Many people have rented the planetarium for birthday parties and anniversaries to watch programs on the dome or just portray the sky as it were on the day you got married or the day your child was born," explained Schultz.

It is important to note that viewing the sky in the planetarium is not a live image but rather a computer-

generated image. "The sky has been observed for a long time, and the sky is pretty predictable so that we can set it to any day in time," mentions Schultz.

I have had the opportunity to take in a couple of shows at the planetarium, including two laser shows and "What's Up." Which discusses our solar system and the night sky as it is when you are there, as well as visuals of the constellations set to music.

I attended "What's Up" recently, and the experience was a lot of fun. We were led through the solar system and the night sky by two students who explained in detail what

–

we saw and why. Not only was it educational, but it also provided many laughs along the way. It was worth it to get out of my house and brave the cold for a new and exciting experience.

In addition to "What's Up," I have seen two laser shows at the planetarium set to music by Pink Floyd and The Beatles; this was quite an experience! It was a unique way

to experience their music in a way I had never seen or heard before.

Currently, MSUM rents a laser light system and provides limited laser shows. Still, for their 50th anniversary, they are raising money for their own laser light system. With this addition to the planetarium, the plan is to provide more laser shows and expand the use and creativity of

“The sky has been observed for a long time, and the sky is pretty predictable so that we can set it to any day in time."

Schultz

“

the space. "It would really invite a different audience to the planetarium than you would typically find," exclaims Schultz.

Additionally, students and community members would have the opportunity to create music to accompany a laser show or create their own laser show entirely. "Whenever someone wants to try something new, I always say yes. I want people to be freer to play," said Schultz. "We are only as good as our people, the students and the community who supports us as well as the artist and the thinkers and believers who want to try something new."

Of course, the planetarium is doing its part in the community in other ways than play. First, the planetarium is pairing up with the local libraries to provide kiosks that stream NASA content. Then, they will develop programming between the MSUM

students and community members have the opportunity to create music to accompany a laser show or create their own laser show entirely.

planetarium, oceanarium, and regional science center based on the NASA content. Finally, they will invite the community to participate. They will be using NASA View Space, a series of short clips streaming to monitors on a rotation of some sort, taking some of these clips and creating programming on those to connect the community more by providing easier access to NASA content. Essentially, they will expand on already created NASA content and integrate it into their systems.

The theme for this first portion will be water; it will focus on water in our solar system and water outside our solar system. Additionally, it will focus on whether there can be water on other planets and what that means for space travel, colonizing other planets, and potential life on other planets, both in and out of our solar system.

Overall, the possibilities are endless. The planetarium can be a place to learn and a place to play. "I want people to know that we're not just space, even though it is really cool," exclaimed Schultz.

“I recently heard a quote that has stuck with me and perfectly sums up my approach to life and the planetarium,” exclaims Schultz.. ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go TOGETHER,’ most of the time, I’d prefer to go far.” ★

THE WAY OF THE SW D o r

AGASSIZ DOJO TRAINS STUDENTS IN JAPANESE MARTIAL ARTS

WRITTEN BY: AMY WIESER WILLSON PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

BBamboo swords chop the air in a tempo of swooshing sounds penetrated with firm counting: ichi, ni, san, shi, go. Then, always leading with the right foot, a line of students at Agassiz Dojo pushes across the wood floor, their bare feet creating a rhythmic pulse as they move and warm up before donning body armor. The movements are part of kendo, or the “way of the sword,” a Japanese martial art.

Sensei Brad Anderson runs students through the positions and footwork, demonstrating and guiding in much the same way as he learned while living in Japan — but all from his dojo in south Fargo. It’s one of several forms of Japanese martial arts that he teaches that emphasize swordsmanship but also physical agility and mental clarity. It’s the only dojo to offer such training within a 200-mile radius.

Joe Grasseschi, 24, drives more than 140 miles roundtrip each week to train there.

“I wanted to learn swordsmanship since I was about 3 or 4 years old,” he said. “It started when I was a little kid watching Star Wars with my dad.”

For the past year, Grasseschi has trained in two of the other martial arts Anderson offers: Jodo and Iaido.

In Jodo, or “the way of the staff,” participants hold a 50-inch-long wooden stick and train to defend against a participant with a sword. Testing for a belt in Jodo requires mastering both the staff for defense but also the sword in a series of 12 patterns for attacking, parrying and defending.

Unlike Kendo and Jodo, Iaido is not done with an opponent. Rather, participants use a katana – a curved, Japanese sword with a long grip for two hands – to fight off imaginary aggressors.

As Anderson demonstrates Iaido, which roughly translates to “the way of mental presence and immediate reaction,” it’s easy to imagine attackers approaching from all sides and angles. He starts low, with one knee bent to the ground and the other bent toward his chest, and draws the long, sharp sword from the sheath on his left side. The clouded silver blade jabs forward in defense, and then flashes up to the side, followed by a quick lunge to the back. The ending strike comes from above. Before long, imaginary opponents lie defeated in what feels like a scene from an

ICHI NI SAN SHI GO ROKU SHICHI HACHI KYUU JUU

action movie. Anderson shakes the sword, symbolically removing the blood, and returns it to its sheath at his side with precise, mindful movements.

Now with a rank of godan (5 dan), a fifth-degree black belt that requires a minimum of 12 years to attain, Anderson has come a long way since he was a high school student in Hawley, Minnesota.

FROM HAWLEY TO JAPAN

With an interest in martial arts and no training opportunities in his hometown in the mid-1980s, Anderson actively sought options. He contacted a Fargo tae kwon do school to see what it would take for them to do a demonstration in Hawley. They said if he could sign up 20 to 30 people who were interested, they would come. With recruiting and posters, he pulled it off. Then he asked what it would take for them to offer classes there. Anderson continued the recruiting and before long, the Hawley Karate School opened. It’s still operating nearly 40 years later.

Anderson continued training locally after graduating college in 1990, earning his black belt from Hidden Teachings Karate in Fargo after five years of training. Then, in 1996, he decided to move to Japan.

“It was literally two months after I got my black belt. I really wanted to study the sword,” Anderson said. “I didn’t know any of the language. I went to a public Budokan gym and met a fellow there who was just chain smoking, and I’m trying to muddle through some things in my dictionary. They didn’t offer Iaido, which is what I was after, but they taught Kendo. They said Iaido was for old ladies!”

He rode his bike to the gym three to five times a week to train in Kendo.

“Once in a while, Sensei would bring in an old lady or some high school kids to spar with me, but usually it was just the two of us. He didn't speak a lick of English, so I had to learn by watching.”

“I love witnessing a student have a lightbulb moment where they finally unlock or comprehend something that they’ve been striving to understand – it’s very satisfying!”

– Sensei Brad Anderson

After a year and a half in Toyama, where Anderson had been working in a conversational English school, he moved to south-central Japan. He found a Kendo instructor who also taught Iaido and stayed there from 1999 until 2007, when he returned to the Fargo area and opened a dojo in Moorhead. At national and Canadian seminars, he began to study Jodo and Tachiuchi-no-kurai, or Kenjutsu, another Japanese martial art that uses a sword to perform a kata, or choreographed patterns of movement.

SENSEI FOR SWORDSMANSHIP

Despite his wealth of experience in several martial arts, Anderson doesn’t play favorites.

“Kendo was first for me, but I’m just kinda old and I’m not fast. You need to have pretty quick reflexes. In Jodo, it’s fun to have a partner who can also go full speed. In Iaido, you’re constantly striving for a perfect execution of the pattern. There’s something about the self-refinement and getting closer to perfection; there’s a calming effect to it, too. Each martial art offers something unique and distinctive that the others don’t, so I can’t really pinpoint a favorite.”

His passion for all these forms results in a rotating curriculum of classes offered to those 10 years and older.

“When they start young, they can really grow,” Anderson said. “The biggest challenge with adult learners is how to move with your feet. We kind of walk like ducks, and we need to keep our feet straight, so we start with basic things, like learning how to not walk like a duck. Once you get the concept of how to move, then we put a sword in your hand — and you forget how to walk again!”

Sitting positions can be challenging at first for some, and the patterns can be cardio-heavy.

“You’re supposed to be able to do one full pattern with one breath, which is challenging depending on the shape you're in. Anybody can learn it, but it can be easier with a young person who isn't already locked into how to move their body.”

Finding balance between work, family and the things he enjoys creates a good life for Anderson.

“It's challenging to come here sometimes because I want to spend time with my kids, but 99.9% of the time, even if I'm not in the mood to practice, I feel that I accomplished something. It clears the mind,” Anderson said. “The good life also means putting God first in your life: God first, family second, and finding a balance between work and the rest of your life.” •

KENDO

(Ken-dō – “sword path” or “way of the sword”) Students use bamboo swords, or “shinai,” and train to strike opponents while wearing protective armor called “bōgu.” It’s similar to fencing in that both sides use a sword to attack, defend and score points during freestyle sparring. The concept behind Kendo is to discipline the human character while applying the principles of the sword, or “katana.”

IAIDO

(I-ai-dō – “I” is the existence of the body and spirit, “ai” is the ability to adapt to changing situations, and “dō” is how this art becomes a way of life) Students start with a wooden sword before moving to an actual sword, or “katana,” in this practice. There are four key motions associated with the practice: drawing the katana from its sheath, striking an opponent, shaking the blood from the sword and then returning the katana to its sheath, in precise, controlled movements. The practice emphasizes awareness as well as being able to move and respond quickly from different starting positions.

JODO

(Jō-dō – “jō” means staff and “dō” is how this art becomes a way of life)

A series of attacks and defending moves is taught in this class that uses a wooden sword and a “jo,” or short wooden staff. The practice pairs a student with a sword against one with a staff and incorporates a series of 12 patterns. Both sides attack, parry and defend, so students learn to quickly react as well as gauge distance and timing against an opponent.

TACHI-UCHINO

(Kenjutsu) (“methods, techniques and the art of the Japanese sword”) This martial art originated with the samurai class in feudal Japan and pairs opponents with wooden swords (bokuto). It incorporates 10 choreographed patterns of swordsmanship before returning the bokuto to the scabbard (saya).

WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

From the far side of the bar at Drekker’s Brewhalla, I watched the front door trying to guess which of the patrons slowly filtering in from the cold would be my late afternoon beer date. Even though Kyle Cornell holds the esteemed title of News Director at Flag Family Media (AM1100 and AM970), he somehow managed to keep his identity largely hidden.

All I could find during my hasty research were his many bylines, covering the latest news from the surrounding region. That and a quick video from Covid times with his face hidden behind an N95. So I was anticipating meeting a nonchalant, almost shy reporter type who had found his comfort zone behind a keyboard. I was wrong.

Like the trophy buck that appears out of nowhere, standing in the exact spot you had been keenly studying until you were forced to look away to muffle a sneeze, Kyle was all of a sudden there, smiling down on me as I returned my glass of half-gone beer to its coaster. Three things caught my attention: his dark, wispy mustache with the beginnings of two upward curls, his smile that never quit and the rare-for-me experience of feeling small.

Cornell is your classic gentle giant, the guy you’d instinctively be scared of until he reveals his teddy bear nature. How he slipped in the door without being noticed is some real Clark Kent stuff … if Clark Kent was from Ohio.

His journey to Fargo from Cleveland sounded like a fairytale full of good fortune. Cornell discovered his passion for broadcasting while still a teenager. So, he had more than a little experience under his belt before he found himself unemployed and perhaps only days away from having to give up on the dream and settle for a job in a factory.

“I was a news reporter and anchor for the only news talk station in Cleveland, ironically also AM1100,” Cornell recalled. “When I got let go, there weren’t a lot of other opportunities available. So when I got a call from Mr. Steve Hallstrom, who asked me to come out and join his team, it was a blessing.”

Cornell makes no secret of his gratefulness for that invitation, even though it came with the cost of uprooting his young family and relocating to a place populated exclusively with strangers. But aside from the difficulty of finding a reliable babysitter, it’s clear he’s made Fargo his home for now and considers his Flag Family Media as just that — family.

What does a typical day look like at work for you? Busy! There’s a lot going on. We do news for two different stations, so I’m up usually about 4:00 a.m., knocking out newscasts, lots of web stories … again two different

websites to maintain. I also host a midday show from 11-1 Monday-Friday. When I first came here, it was just me and the news director. Thankfully we now have a team of four, but as a news guy, I’m constantly working, coming up with stories and coaching the team.

What’s your News Director origin story? I went to the University of Toledo for a year, played basketball for a bit and then ended up attending a community college back in Cleveland. I was doing TV and radio by the time I was 15 years old. I was into it! I ended up going to the Ohio Center for Broadcasting, which is like a trade school, and got to work in the [Cleveland] Cavs locker room and a few different newsrooms before moving to Fargo.

What’s your favorite kind of news to report on or deliver? So it’s stressful but also awesome — election coverage. What we’ve done the past two cycles now is interview every candidate, both local and statewide. We did about 80 interviews over the course of a few months. It’s not my job to take a side. My job is to get the candidates in the chair and ask questions about how they’re going to affect people in the area. We even made our own election guide. I enjoy it, but it’s stressful. That‘s what we're here to do. We inform.

Which TV family would you love to be a part of?

The first show I ever watched — I’m not a big TV or movie guy — you can name big movies, I haven’t seen them. But I did watch “One Tree Hill” when I was growing up. The only reason I liked it was because there was basketball in it!

If you got stranded in the woods and everyone assumed you were lost forever, what theme song would you want playing as you made your miraculous entrance back into society?

Back in Black AC/DC, without hesitation. It was also my walkout song for my wedding reception. Seriously! I came out and had my wife put my sunglasses on, and we walked out together to AC/DC. It made sense, we were “back” home to Cleveland at the time.

Why is the obituary section more popular than the birth announcements?

I think people like drama, proven by the TV shows we watch or documentaries like the recent Dahmer series that has been so popular. Our crime articles always do really well, too … more suspense.

If you could create the next hit reality show, what would it be?

Spiderman Island. Get 10 different people all wearing different colored Spiderman costumes. I don’t know … my

kid got me into the Spiderman movies, haha.

If you could pick anyone to anchor the nightly news, who would it be?

I’d love to do the nightly news with my old colleague, Ken Robinson. He retired about six months or so before I was let go from my other job, and I always loved doing the news with him. It would be entertaining.

Can you explain how giant inflatable wacky guys help sell more cars?

It's a distraction, something that catches your eye. When you drive by and see a giant 45-foot giant wacky guy, you start wondering “Do I need a new car?”

How do you think the pitch went the first time somebody walked into a bank with the idea for a bar where you can throw axes against the wall?

I think they got denied. But now it's a great idea, people should invest, haha! I have not tried it, but I want to. Unfortunately having a kid when you’re 23, the bar scene fades out of the picture pretty quick. Plus, here we have fewer babysitters than we did back home.

If MacKenzie Scott (Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife) gave you $10M to make the world a better place, what would you do with the money?

This is funny because we’ve talked about winning the

lottery and what we would do. It’s tough, for me I connected with the Boys and Girls Club back in Cleveland, so that would be something to help out with. Also GiGi’s Playhouse here in Fargo… when they had the fire and then rebuilt, it was awesome to see them put that behind them and move forward. If I could strap a rocket to them to keep that going, I’d do that.

The mustache … what gives?

I keep extending the deadline, right? It was supposed to only last until the end of election coverage, but then the Police Chief in West Fargo said “nice mustache” one time, so I had to keep it. My wife is still adjusting.

As a tall guy, what’s your biggest advantage in life? I’m not going to say dunking, because I can’t do that anymore. At this point, I’m running out of things to say. Now it’s just a hindrance. I haven’t been able to buy shoes at the mall since I was 12. Amazon and I are now best friends.

What’s the most Fargo thing you’ve come across?

All the sports fans are so negative. I thought Cleveland was bad! We’re used to being disappointed, too. The Vikings are 8-1, but I think most people would actually prefer them to 1-8.

What does the good life mean to you?

The good life means being happy with what I’m doing. After I was let go from my previous job, I felt like I was stuck, and I give all the credit to Scott and Steve for throwing me a life preserver and the chance to commit to a place where I’m happy to go to work. Having the staff and newsroom I do … they make my life extremely fun and easier than it could be. You already have a great home life, and now you have a great work life, too. It’s full circle.

•

WRITTEN BY: EMMA VATNSDAL PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

Visit with Tim Briggeman for a few minutes, you’ll learn two things: he’s passionate and he loves his family.

Stick around a little longer, and you’ll learn just what makes this Captain at the Cass County Sheriff’s Office tick.

With 18 years in law enforcement under his belt, Briggeman has learned a few things that got him to where he is today.

It isn’t only what he’s learned in the line of duty that has helped form his philosophy on the job, though. Through conversations with his children and his experiences at home, Briggeman is helping his agency become a lot more than what people may think — especially when it comes to taking care of the team.

After graduating from Jamestown College with a degree in criminal justice, Briggeman began his career working at Luther Hall, a residential treatment facility with programs designed for men and women ages 10-17.

For the captain of the Cass county Sheriff’s office, words are the most important tool in his arsenal.

“It was great,” Briggeman said. “I loved the kids I was responsible for. A majority of them came from tattered or broken homes, and it was wonderful to be an adult role model they maybe didn’t have.”

But Briggeman felt he needed a change, and that change landed him behind bars.

“I started at the jail, kind of on a whim, and I fell in love with it,” he said. “It’s terrifying at first when you’re one with 48 inmates, but it definitely helped me develop really good interpersonal communication skills.”

He says these skills helped him get a feel for how people can be, and when it comes to working with them from a law enforcement perspective.

“The best tool that we have out of anything we learn is our ability to speak with people and treat them as human, treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve,” he said. “I can’t tell you the amount of success stories that

you get out of that, versus wrasslin’ with somebody and you getting hurt or them getting hurt.”

Briggeman built relationships with the patrol men and women and decided to leave the jail for life on the road.

“I thought, well, I’ll give this a try and apply for patrol,” he said. “I fell in love with it. Just like the cowboy blood that runs through me, patrol provided the same sense of excitement and fulfillment. I realized right away I wasn’t going to change the world one traffic stop at a time, but I was going to enjoy this profession and the unknown variables that come with it.”

He may not be saving the world with a traffic stop, but he has helped educate a few lucky folks when they’ve gotten into a pickle.

“Now that I have children, anyone that I stopped and they were in high school, I’d write very few high school tickets because I would call mom and dad,” he said. “I’d

"The best tool that we have out of anything we learn is our ability to speak with people and treat them as human, treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve."

– Briggeman

always offer suggested measures like ‘maybe let them drive to and from work or to and from sports’ or ‘I don’t know if I’d let them go out for a couple of weeks and they can come back to you and present you why their driving behaviors were not conducive to a safe environment.’ I’d like to think there’s a lot of success with that. It allowed the parents the opportunity to parent and collaboratively we were educating the kids and not merely enforcing and moving on to the next stop.”

Briggeman says he’s even run into parents who’ve gotten that call in the past who said it opened their eyes to what could happen with unsafe driving behaviors.

“I’ve never been a cop that couldn’t sleep at night if I didn’t make an arrest,” Briggeman said. “I’ve never been that guy. Have I made a lot of arrests in my career? I did, but those are the ones that I had to. If an opportunity was there for an educational component first, I’d go for that. That’s what I try to instill in the guys and gals that I’m responsible for. They don’t have to write four tickets, maybe they write the most egregious ticket and give the rest warnings. Whatever they feel would generate voluntary compliance, we as an office will support that — these are the same people who may come across me in trouble on the side of the road, if I’ve given them a break in the past, they may come help me out.”

Helping each other out is the name of the game when it comes to this profession, and it seems the Cass County

Sheriff’s Office has figured it out.

“I love this profession,” he said. “It’s been a challenge the past few years, but our agency is very accommodating to the family side of things.”

Whether it’s Monday-Friday, or overnight or weekend shift work — the team looks out for each other.

“We try to do everything in our power to make sure that you’re taking care of the homefront,” he said. “And being taken care of, so when you get back to work, we’re not seeing a level of burnout to the point of leaving this profession. We have some very talented deputies in this agency and we’d like to keep it that way. If we can help out at times to make home life easier, in return get a better work product out of the deputy, why would we not want to do what we can for them.”

And helping out even extends across state lines. Many familiar faces make up the agencies that watch over communities in this area, as well as the Red River Regional SWAT team, which is made up of individuals from Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo, as well as Cass and Clay counties and NDSU. Calling on one another for support and advice whenever the need arises is common practice.

“When you think back to cops in the 70s, 80s and 90s, it was definitely a ‘rub some dirt on it and move on’ mentality,” he said. “But in 2008, we started working

“I love this profession. It’s been a challenge the past few years, but our agency is very accommodating to the family side of things.” – Briggeman

with a team to learn Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). So any type of critical incident they are on, a brief oneon-one conversation or more in-deputy debriefing to check in on one another and take care of each other is another common practice.

Those conversations and screenings don’t just happen with critical incidents, though. Briggeman has an open-door policy, which aims to nip burnout in the bud.

“My office is a revolving door,” Briggeman said. “Sometimes I get into a project and someone walks into my office. I learned early on in my supervisory career that the most important thing at that immediate time is the person who walks into my office and pulls up a chair. I may lose a few hours of work during the day, but it’s something I’ll take with me until I retire from this organization. Someone needed to talk and my hope is I made a difference because I was there for them during that time of need. Whoever walks in my door at any given time is the most important person, and that’s how it has to be.”

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office as a whole also adheres to this sentiment too.

“We have a huge open-door policy through our whole agency,” he said. “That’s where some of the best training happens. They tell a story and I’m like, ‘I had that happen to me, and I remember we did this and approached it from this angle with a successful

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: TIM BRIGGEMAN

outcome. This type of dialogue allows us to continue and grow and get better at providing an excellent level of customer service together.

Does it take a lot of time out of my day? Yes, but I would have it absolutely no other way.”

Briggeman’s life isn’t all visiting with coworkers and helping them out in times of distress, though. His relationship with his kids and ex-wife is something many only dream of.

“They’re my everything,” he said. “And I carry myself, professionally, knowing I’m going to do everything in my power so that I’m not on the front page of the Fargo Forum embarrassing them. I want to be around for years, so whether that’s tactically or my approach to how I deal with people in the general public, I don’t want to put myself in a position where they’re not going to have a dad.”

He doesn’t just mean in life-or-death situations. Briggeman strives to be there for his family whenever at all possible.

“This job is extremely important,” he said. “It’s one of the most noble professions that I feel is out there. But it’s a means to an end. Don’t let it be your whole identity, you’re going to lose everything that you were raised with and thought was righteous if you let this profession consume you.”

For him, it was a life-changing event that helped him slow down and savor everything his life had to offer.

“I was extremely selfish professionally,” said Briggeman. “My office wasn’t demanding in a sense that I had to (work) but you just feel that sense of responsibility in this field. So when we had floods, when we had critical incidents and when we had all of that stuff going on — or if we only had one or two people working and (my kid) was sick, I would tell my wife ‘Well, you know I have to work so the burden is on you.’ It was a very selfish thought pattern and it came to a point where that wasn’t going to be a success anymore. I’ve told her many times now, ‘my selfish thought pattern got us divorced, I’m not going to have that thought pattern with my children and have them divorce me, too.”

“While there are times when duty calls and work can’t be avoided, our office tries to give deputies a chance to be with their family when time allows and staffing needs are met. We are not a Monday-Friday operation and our community depends on us 24/7. But, if time allows for you to get home and tuck your child into bed or share a quick meal and get back out there once done, that’s 100% supported.”

“There are times where I’ve told people ‘I know you want to work that event, but you’ve told me three or four times that things at home aren’t good because you are always working. So no, I’m not going to let you

“We also take pride in trying to pump the brakes and point out the importance of worklife versus home-life balance and do what we can to accommodate.” – Briggeman

do that assignment, go home and mow your yard, grill with your family, do whatever makes you happy, but it won’t be behind the wheel of a squad car.”

This profession has a high divorce rate and unfortunately myself, and others within our agency, relate all too well to what some of our staff are dealing with regarding home life. Those of us that have gone through a divorce do well helping out and conversing with them about the unexpected future. We also take pride in trying to pump the brakes and point out the importance of work-life versus home-life balance and do what we can to accommodate”

He says in those times it helps to know what is going on and it all comes from being a relational leader and establishing those relationships early on in someone’s career.

“There are so many things that create a good life, right?” Briggeman said. “I mean, I have the world’s greatest life. I’m healthy, gainfully employed in a profession that I absolutely love, I make enough money to provide for my two little loves and I’m surrounded in my agency with people I enjoy coming to work with. It’s not a job, it’s a passion and a career. And I have a

phenomenal balance outside of the law enforcement community. I’ve had that conversation with my bosses that when they’ve got me, I’m all in. But when my kids have me, I’m all in. It’s about finding that balance and I’ve more than found that.

So when I think of The Good Life, I think I have it.” •

Cheesy Bourbon Hot Brown Skillet Dip

Try this beefy take on a classic Game Day recipe featuring bourbon, cheese and roast beef.

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 ounces Deli Roast Beef

• 8 ounces cream cheese

• 6 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded

• 1/2 cup Romano cheese, shredded

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 4 strips cooked bacon, finely chopped

• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced 2 tablespoons bourbon

COOKING:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Set aside 1 tablespoon parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped bacon, and 1 tablespoon diced tomatoes for garnish.

2. In a standing mixer combine cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, bacon, Deli Roast Beef, sour cream, Romano cheese, tomatoes, paprika, garlic, mustard, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, bourbon, and pepper until well incorporated. Remove bowl from mixer and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to bake.

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

• 2 teaspoons granulated garlic 2 tablespoons cornstarch

3. Spread the dip into a 8" cast iron or oven-proof skillet. Bake in a 350°F oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown and edges are bubbling. Remove from oven and top with remaining bacon, parsley, and tomatoes. Serve warm with crackers, toasted bread or celery & carrots.