3
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Questions from a
Dirty Mind
BY: MEGHAN FEIR
We’ve all had questions run across our minds that invoke apprehension and embarrassment. You don’t feel like asking anyone for fear they’ll think you're unkempt, gross, or just downright weird. Since it’s not common for people to enjoy feeling as such, I’ll take the bullet and ask some of these pressing questions for you, tainting my own reputation for the sake of my readers. After checking out the American Cleaning Institute’s (ACI) website, I felt like such a dirty person. It’s probably one of Martha Stewart’s favorite sites because, along with being helpful, it makes others feel inadequate, like they’re failing to live a respectably clean and organized life (when not behind bars). Somehow, I’m able to look myself in the mirror every day, though water spots brazenly sit on my kitchen sink. Since moving into my apartment last August, I haven’t cleaned behind my fridge. And I occasionally forget to vacuum once a week. ACI’s high ideals fatigue me, just as my home economics class in high school made me feel like an underachiever at 14 years of age. I may have been a squeaky clean saint of sanitation compared to all of my past college roommates, but college is over, and we all have room for improvement. May these answers only enlighten your laundry load and not send you into a spin cycle of shame.
Q: How many times should you use a bath towel before you need to wash it for fear of it becoming a health hazard? A: Although I usually wait to wash my bath towels until I start feeling slightly guilty, ACI recommends bath towels be hung to dry between uses (duh) and washed after three to five “normal uses,” which seems excessive to me. Do I live in a hotel? Am I so delicate that my skin should ne’er be touched by a lightly used yard of cloth? They also recommend washing your towel immediately if you’ve bled on it, sneezed on it, eaten a meal on it, or a if a three-yearold sat on it instead of a toilet. I find that reasonable. 2
Q: How many days in a row should you wear clothing if it doesn’t have a stain on it and doesn’t smell? A: In other words, I wear clothes until they have a stain on them or smell, but ACI recommends that jeans be washed after three uses and T-shirts and tank tops washed after each wearing. Obviously, socks and undies should be fresh and clean every day. I bet your mom taught you that. If you’re a suit-wearing man (please say yes), you can wear your wool suits three to four times and synthetic suits four to five times before bringing them to the dry cleaners.
What other clean questions are you afraid to ask out loud? Send them to Meghan at feirmeg@gmail.com or tweet to @FeirMe on Twitter.
Q: How often must sheets be washed? A: As often as your mom told you. Sheets should be washed at least once every two weeks. We nasty, normal humans sweat, shed skin cells, drool, and are oily. Some even eat crackers and chips in bed with their pets as they binge watch shows on Netflix. One blogtress named Heather from “Home Ec 101” stated that it’s “a dust mite buffet.” She went on to talk about how “all things that eat also excrete.” In other words, dust mites poop in your bed, which should prompt even the grungiest of adolescent girls and boys to run to their mother’s laundry and wash their nasty nests. People vary quite a bit, and our standards of living and cleaning also differ to a perplexing degree. So where do we draw the line between being a reasonably hygienic person and becoming an irrational germaphobe of immense proportions? ■ 3
CONTENTS VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 5
MARCH-APRIL 2016
02
QUESTIONS
FROM A DIRTY MIND
06
YOUR GUIDE TO JOINING THE RANKS OF THE
'SWOLE PATROL'
10
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SOUND ENGINEER
14
FATHERS
A MAN'S GUIDE TO PREGNANCY: HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A PREGNANT WIFE
24
HAVING A BEER WITH ...
FARGO CITY COMMISSIONER: TONY GEHRIG
28
GOLD AND SILVER
A NON-TRADITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY, WITH HUGE POTENTIAL
30
LOCAL HEROES
HOPE INC. HOPING, DREAMING, DOING
PAUL SHOL
GEARING UP: FARGO TEACHER PREPARES FOR 4,500-MILE BIKE RIDE ACROSS THE U.S. 4
PUBLISHED BY Urban Toad Media LLP www.urbantoadmedia.com
OWNER | CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dawn Siewert dawn@urbantoadmedia.com OWNER | PHOTOGRAPHY Darren Losee darren@urbantoadmedia.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jessica Ballou Meghan Feir Paul Hankel Danielle Teigen
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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.
How to begin a successful bodybuilding program and avoid injury. You’ve made the decision - you’re ready to join the ranks of the ‘Swole Patrol’, by starting a bulking program. To get the physique of a championship body builder such as Jay Cutler or Ron Coleman will take years of hard work and dedication, both inside and outside the gym. However, with enough motivation and a solid diet and lifting program, crafted by professionals, you can achieve any type of result you’re looking for. Below is a list of important factors to consider when beginning a bulking or power lifting program.
Do Be This Guy Do your research. Before beginning a bulking program, take the time to talk with both fitness professionals and other body builders. They can be a wealth of knowledge and can offer tips and advice on how to reach your goals. Also, consider joining a physical or online community or fellow body builders. These groups can offer you valuable support and motivation. You should also consult with your doctor, to ensure that your body will physically be able to handle the bulking program you’re about to begin. If you don’t have a masseuse or chiropractor - get one! 6
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Plan on weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly trips to see them, in order to keep your expanding physique in top shape. Pick a protein source, diet, and supplement regimen that is right for you. There are millions of articles online and in print that tout the many different choices of protein powders and supplements that are available to body builders. While these resources are valuable, there is no substitute for a consultation with a qualified nutritionist or fitness professional. They will analyze your specific needs and help you pick the products that are right for you. Gone are the days of having to eat two dozen eggs in order to ingest the required amount of protein in order to bulk. Today, there are simple pills and powders that allow you to ingest condensed forms of protein and other vitamins and nutrients. Study up, and pick the right one for you. Any power lifting or body building program starts and ends in the kitchen. Believe in the power of rest days and yoga. Mentally, you may want to be in the gym every day. You’re seeing gains, and don’t want to stop! However, the body, like all machines, cannot perform high stress functions for extended periods of time, without rest and maintenance. The human body is an amazing machine, capable of restoring and often fixing 8
itself. However, this requires rest or downtime. Off days or light lifting days are often the best way to achieve these healing processes. On your off days, consider doing yoga, Pilates or some other low-intensity activity. This will allow you to still get a decent workout and increase flexibility and movement, while not putting strain on tired, sore muscles. Sleep. Sleep, much like diet, is just as important as the actual lifting of weights! While asleep, your body will heal the minor aches and pains of your grinding workouts, while also detoxifying and clearing your body of acid buildups. Ensuring that your body gets the proper amount of sleep is paramount to you meeting your fitness goals.
Don’t Be This Guy Overwork Your Muscles. As Mentioned above, believe in the power of rest and off days! We all want to be that guy that’s in the gym maxing out every day, but that’s just not feasible. Your body needs ample rest and recovery time. Massage therapists and chiropractors are your friends! Use them to pinpoint and treat problem areas and to keep your muscles and bones in peak condition. Overextend Yourself. Personal records and maxing out are awesome. They raise the bar for your fitness levels
and challenge you to reach even further. However, these types of lifting activities need to be carefully planned and managed. For example - after full lifting sessions, trying to max out on squats may not be the best decision! If you plan to increase your PR’s and max weights, set aside specific days for it. Most importantly, always use a spotter! Only Work One Area of Your Body. Yes, yes, we all know, “(Arm) curls get the girls,”. However, only working out one part of your body is not only aesthetically imbalanced, it can lead to injury and a weakening of your overall core strength. Ensure that you work all the parts of your body - arms, legs, chest, back, and abdominals. Nowadays, there’s a machine or a lift for every single muscle in your body. No excuses! Try new lifts without professional instruction. The fitness professionals at your gym are there to help you! Ask questions before trying a new lift, or even ask them to demonstrate. Quit. In the words of the legendary Coach Jimmy Valvano, “Don’t give up,…don’t ever give up!” Bulking is tough work. It means long days in the gym followed by sore nights. There’s going to be morning where you just don’t want to get out of bed and hit the gym. However, the gains, physically and mentally, from challenging yourself are worth the pain! Get fit, don’t quit! Well bro, now you know what to do, and what not to do while at the gym! The way to get the bulking results you desire is to follow some simple steps - eat right, lift right, rest right, and, most importantly, DON’T SKIP LEG DAY! Cheers to mad gains, and looking sweet in a bathing suit this summer. See you at the squat rack! Sun’s out, guns out! ■ 9
S
ound engineering is a combination of art and science with a dash of intuition. Sean Boe is a 20-year musician who taught himself what it takes to be a good sound mixer and system technician. He’s been working so closely with the sound guys for his band’s shows that six years ago he opened his own company, called Purple Hat Productions. Through that company, Boe has worked with an impressive lineup of musicians, such as Deana Carter, Jack White, Crystal Gale, Kat Perkins, Theory of a Deadman, the Johnny Holm Band, Buck Cherry, as well as comedians such as Bill Maher and Lewis Black.
Boe also works closely with Minnesota State University Moorhead because of its music industry program. He hires many students from MSUM who have academic knowledge but need realworld application experience. As a musician, Boe enjoys listening to certain types of music; as a sound engineer, he enjoys an eclectic 10
range of genres. Mixing a combination of instruments and vocals requires a delicate balance that allows the instrument to be heard as it should be to a specific style of music. Mixing also requires working with an artist to ensure he or she hears exactly what is preferred. To communicate, the artist may use a variety of hand signals or mouthing words to Boe about preferences. In November, Boe and his company was hired to provide the sound system for the Theory of a Deadman concert at the Fargo Theatre. Here’s a peek at what his day looked like:
BY: DANIELLE TEIGEN â– PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
8 AM: Production load-in.
10 AM: Test the PA.
Boe and his team unload equipment from a 24-foot truck and begin connecting it to power. The Fargo Theatre has lights, so Boe didn’t have to supply those, but he did have to tie into the main breaker of the building to have an even and safe distribution of power throughout the show.
Making sure the PA works is critical for the system, but Boe also has to check to make sure all speakers are ready to go both on stage (such as monitors for the musicians) and in the front of house (such as the speakers that face the audience).
During this time, rigging takes place. To optimize sound for the audience, much of the equipment has to be suspended from the ceiling, so a crew flies the public address (PA) system.
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3 PM: Sound check. Boe works in reverse order sound checking artists, so the main act is up first. He sound checks the main board for the band and ensures it sounds good for the artist as well as the audience, which isn’t in the room at the time. Boe explained that minor adjustments will have to be made once the venue fills up, but he wants to make sure they sound pretty good even in an empty room. Typically, the sound check doesn’t last more than an hour because the artist doesn’t want to spend too much singing before the actual performance.
11 AM: Artist loads in. This part of the process involves bringing in all the drums, amps, lights (in most cases, the artist supplements the venue’s lighting system). The lighting package typically involves rotating lights (called moving heads) and other lights that the artist wants to have at every show on the tour. Getting all the equipment set up requires incredible coordination between the production manager and Boe’s team. Often, an artist will have a show file already created that includes every channel being used for each instrument and its queue. Having a show file created saves time during setup because instruments and systems don’t have to be set up individually. Boe said he can help smaller acts create a show file if they don’t have one, but many already have them ready to go. 12
4 PM: Load in opening acts. Theory of a Dead Man had two opening acts, so each one had to bring in their equipment, set it up, tie it into the main system, and sound check. The first act is the last to sound check so things do not have to be adjusted before the show begins.
6 PM: Break. Boe and his team take a few minutes for themselves to eat or rest before the show begins.
7 PM: Doors open. As the audience enters the venue, music plays in the background. Sometimes, the artist selects the type of music or songs to be played, and other times the artist allows Boe to choose what the audience hears.
8 PM: Opening acts perform. The first act played for 30 minutes, then Boe and his team had to strike their set and prepare for the next act. Drums and amps are pulled from the stage, and the next act’s show file is brought up on the monitor. Boe does a line check, ensuring that the monitors and microphones are working correctly. Once the second act finishes, it’s rinse and repeat, Boe said. During the main act, Boe often stands near the artist’s sound guy or walks around the venue to listen for any issues. He said a successful show is one where the audience has no idea he was even there. In the industry, an uneventful evening of smooth sound engineering is referred to as an “easy day.”
Midnight: Show concludes. The Fargo Theatre has only one loading dock, so Boe has to wait for the headlining artist and the opening acts to load up before he can.
1 AM: Head home. Boe said most nights are fairly seamless or he can troubleshoot an issue easily. What complicates an event is power—generators can be inconsistent, power can be distributed unevenly, or something can short out. The Fargo Theatre has good power, so the Theory of a Dead Man concert was an easy day. ■ 13
fathers
A Man's Guide to Pregnancy: How to Take Care of a Pregnant Wife BY: BRETT MCKAY ■ ARTOFMANLINESS.COM
In today’s society, it’s easy to forget that there any major differences between the genders. Until your wife gets pregnant. Then the difference between the sexes will yawn like a great chasm before you. While your pregnant wife spends nine months growing a baby inside of her, you will be left to watch from the outside. But while your biological contribution might be over, if you’re like me, you’ll still want to be part of the pregnancy process. Being a pregnant wife is tough. Seeing what Kate went through to bring my progeny into the world certainly gave me a greater appreciation for her and for womankind in general. As a man I wanted to be there for Kate as much as possible while she cooked the Gus bun in her oven. I wanted her to be as happy and comfortable as possible, and I wanted to do whatever I could to help our little kiddo come out kicking and screaming like a champ. A lot of guys find the pregnancy process a little bewildering. Not knowing what to do, they end up nervously backing 14
away instead of stepping up the support when their women need them the most. So I decided to start a series for dadsto-be to discuss the ins and outs of this very cool but nerveracking period in your life. Today, we’ll talk about how to take care of your pregnant wife. Then we’ll talk about how to get ready for the new arrival to come home, how to deliver a baby in an emergency (you never know!), and how to be an awesome coach during the birthing process.
How to Take Care of a Pregnant Wife Respond appropriately to the news your wife is pregnant. If you weren’t planning on the arrival of a bundle of joy, make sure you don’t respond in a way that shows you’re not excited about the news. Inappropriate responses would include: breaking down and crying tears of agony, making a face of disgust, or asking why she wasn’t using her birth control. You want your wife to feel confident and secure that you’ll be there for her during these trying nine months and that you’re willing to step up and be a great dad. Read some books on pregnancy. The more you know about what she’s going through, the better equipped you are to
empathize and know how to help. There are hundreds of pregnancy books to choose from. "What to Expect When You’re Expecting" is a classic and guides you through what your wife is experiencing during each step of her pregnancy. They have a section dedicated just to dads that has a lot of useful information. It also lays out the development of your baby throughout his/her incubation. I thought it was kind of fun to check the book to see when Gus lost his vestigial tail or his eyes moved from the sides of his head to the front where they belong. Accompany her to doctor’s appointments. This serves three purposes. First and most importantly, it shows your pregnant wife that you’re with her all the way in the pregnancy. Second, you’ll know exactly what’s going on with her pregnancy and will be better prepared to help her. Pay close attention to what the doctor says at these visits. A woman’s memory takes a dive during pregnancy and she may be nervous and excited, so your wife might rely on you to remind her about which cheeses she’s not supposed to eat. Finally, seeing your baby’s picture, even when it looks like an indistinguishable lump, and hearing its heartbeat will help create a fetus/father bond. Even if you’re really busy at work or school, always make time for the doctor’s appointments. Reduce her stress. Pregnancy is physically and emotionally demanding, so don’t burden your pregnant wife with any unneeded pressure. Take on more of the household chores so your wife can rest. Help her get some ZZZs. Sleeping will become a more and more uncomfortable as your wife gets further along in her pregnancy. When women sleep on their back, the baby’s weight puts pressure on their spine, back muscles, intestines, and major blood vessels. All this can lead to pain, decreased circulation, and consequently trouble falling asleep. On top of that, the baby could be using your wife’s uterus as a punching bag right around bedtime. Try falling asleep when you’re getting punched and kicked from the inside. (Gus was super-active at nighttime when he was in the womb. Which didn’t make Kate very happy.) There are a few things you can do to help your pregnant wife get some shuteye. • Get your wife a full body pillow. Pregnant woman are supposed to sleep on their side instead of on their back or stomach. A full body pillow makes side sleeping a bit more comfortable by helping support the back and cradling your wife’s belly. • Backrubs right before bed • Herbal tea that relaxes the mind and body • Cuddling Be patient. Pregnancy totally wreaks havoc on your wife’s hormones. Some days she’ll feel fantastic, some days she’ll 15
ginger and peppermint haVe been shown to help reduce the feelings of nausea associated with morning sickness.
bite your head off as soon as you open your mouth, and some days she’ll break down and cry for no reason at all. Be patient and recognize that it’s the hormones. Also, be understanding when it comes to your love life. Your wife’s sex drive will be all over the place during her pregnancy: often plummeting in the first trimester, bouncing back in the second and falling again in the third. Patience, friend, patience. Handling frequent peeing. Pregnant women pee frequently. Very frequently. I’m talking every 30 minutes they’re making a run for the bathroom. It’s kind of funny, but put yourself in your wife’s shoes, and you’ll see just how much of an inconvenience it is. Imagine having to get up three times during a movie or several times in the middle of the night just to take a leak. Two things you can do to help your wife out in this area: First, be understanding and accommodating. Don’t roll your eyes or grumble under your breath when your wife asks you to pull over into a gas station so she can go to the bathroom. Second, keep her path to the bathroom clear so she doesn’t trip over anything during her night trips. Installing a night light in the hallway can be really helpful as well. Act like you’re pregnant. No, I don’t mean you need to put 16
on one of those ridiculous bodysuits that let men know what it feels like to be pregnant. Nor am I encouraging wild mood swings and consuming ice cream sprinkled with pickle juice. What I’m talking about here is adding or dropping the same habits your wife has to add or drop because she’s pregnant. It’s a way to show moral support and to help her follow doctor’s orders as closely as she can. So when your wife has to give up alcohol and coffee, become a teetotaler too (or at least don’t imbibe in front of her). Exercise is incredibly beneficial to mom and baby to be, so help her get in the habit by offering to go for a walk or to the gym together. Tell her she’s beautiful and that you love her. Your wife will be undergoing some serious body transformations during pregnancy. Reassure her that you think she’s beautiful and that you love her immensely. Affirm your unwavering dedication to her each and every day. Help her through morning sickness. Morning sickness is quite possibly the worst part of pregnancy (well, besides that whole labor thing). It strikes about 75 percent of all pregnant women. Symptoms of morning sickness include headaches, excessive sleepiness and of course feelings of nausea and sometimes vomiting. Most women will start feeling the symptoms of morning sickness about a month after conception, and it will typically last until the twelfth to
fourteenth week of pregnancy. Some women will experience morning sickness their entire pregnancy. Despite its name, morning sickness doesn’t happen only in the morning. Most women experience the symptoms of morning sickness all day long. When helping her through this rocky period, the key is to keep experimenting with different remedies. Introduce new treatments each day to see which work for her and which don’t. Be willing to make many trips, sometimes late at night, in search of something else to ease her troubles. Here are a few remedies that might do the trick: • Vitamin B6 supplements. Studies have shown that vitamin B6 supplements can alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness. • Seasickness bracelets. Seasickness bracelets are elastic bands with plastic bumps that apply pressure to points on the wrist. Supposedly this pressure can reduce the feelings of nausea. • Ginger ale. The fizziness of ginger ale or any other clear soda can help with nausea. And ginger has been shown to reduce the symptoms of morning sickness. So ginger ale is a winning combo. Most popular brands of ginger ale don’t have any real ginger in them; look for smaller, independent brands that still use the real McCoy. • Crackers. The problem with morning sickness is that your wife will not feel like eating much, but an empty stomach will only make the feelings of nausea worse. Crackers are easy on the stomach and can stave off the nausea that starts in the morning. Have her eat some before she even gets out of bed. • Ginger or peppermint tea. As with ginger, peppermint has been shown to help reduce the feelings of nausea associated with morning sickness. • Be flexible. Some foods will be totally unappetizing to your wife one day, and the next it will be the only thing that appeals to her. Be flexible and give her whatever her stomach will keep down. Be willing to run out and buy whatever she craves. • Keep yourself clean. Pregnant women become hypersensitive to smells. Even scents she once enjoyed can now start her stomach churning. So brush your teeth and shower daily, or she may not be able to stand having you around. Keep an open door policy for venting. Pregnancy, especially for first time moms, can be a little scary. Women wonder if the baby is doing okay, what labor will be like, whether they’ll have to have a c-section, and whether they’ll be good at being a mom. Be willing to let your wife vent or cry whenever they need to, even if it’s in the middle of the night. If there’s something specific that’s worrying your wife, do some research so you can confidently tell her, “Those pains you’re experiencing are normal and do not mean you will give birth to a two-headed hydra baby.” ■ 17
BY: JESSICA BALLOU ■ PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
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“I want to make this bike trip as meaningful as possible. I want it to affect as many people as possible in a positive way.” — Paul Shol
D
uring the summer, some families plan big vacations, and some kids are just excited to be home from school. But for Fargo North teacher Paul Shol, he’ll be gearing up for a 4,500-mile bike ride.
One of his main missions on his trek across the United States is to raise $25,000 for Legacy Children’s Foundation in Fargo, whose mission is to assist diverse teens in their quest to achieve a high school diploma. Many students, some of which are low income, get extra help in academics and life skills in this after-school program.
The idea for this trip came from a friend of his, Dave Jensen from Fergus Falls, who did a cross-country bike trip through the Southern states and raised $25,000 for Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls. He was inspired by his friend and knew he also wanted to make a big impact. ‘As meaningful as possible’ Shol has been working with Legacy as a volunteer for the past four or five years, so he decided to use his bike trip as a catalyst to raise money for that organization. “I want to make this bike trip as meaningful as possible,” he said. “I want it to affect as many people as possible in a positive way.” He said some people think he’s crazy or very weird because he decided to make it a solo bike mission, but he’s excited and looking forward to the adventure of making a huge impact on people in this oncein-a-lifetime event. “It’s a great personal challenge, and it’s a life-changing event,” he said. Legacy Children’s Foundation Mary Jean Dehne started Legacy Children’s Foundation five years ago to help students she taught who needed extra support. The program has grown from three students to 40, and 100% of them have graduated high school. The Legacy program helps kids with more than just academics. College-age kids serve as one-to-one mentors for the students, and 20
they discuss everything from school to life and more. All of the kids in the program must be involved in an after school activity and complete community service hours every week, which helps them become more well rounded. Shol said the kids get many opportunities that they probably wouldn’t otherwise, like traveling to different landmarks and colleges, practicing Tae Kwan do, learning guitar and more. On Feb. 27, Shol hosted a fundraising event for his biking trip called The Madison 450 at Madison Elementary in Fargo. He picked that name for a few different reasons. Firstly, many students in the Legacy program come from Madison Elementary, making that a good tiein to his trip this July. Secondly, the number 450 was chosen because Shol’s trek this summer will be 4,500 miles across the country. At this event, Shol planned to bike 225 quarter-mile laps, and he invited members of the community to collectively do 225 laps by walking, running, biking, skiing or anything else. As of mid-January, he had raised around $13,000 toward his goal of $25,000, and he was excited to see where it would go from there. “Big and small [donations], it doesn’t matter,” he said. “They all 21
add up. The more people who know about this, the bigger and grander it can be.” One hundred percent of the donations Shol receives will go directly to Legacy. ‘It slows my life down a bit’ Shol has been interested in biking since he used to bike around Fergus Falls when he was younger. He also used to do triathlons. Now he commutes to work, the store and many other places mostly via his bike. After visiting Norway, he couldn’t believe how many people he saw commuting on their bikes, and he decided to start doing the same in Fargo. He said biking to and from work has become very peaceful for him. “I find myself slowing down, actually, because I allow myself to bike rather than hop in my car and floor it,” he said. “It slows my life down a bit.” Biking is his main mode of transportation, but if there’s a storm, he has to make appointments after school or is visiting family back in Fergus Falls, he’ll use his car. He doesn’t even think about lifestyle change and commitment much anymore; he just does it. “You just keep doing it, and all of a sudden, it just builds into your schedule one day and then you don’t think anything of it, really,” he said. The biggest trip he’s done up until now was to Rochester, Minn., and back last summer for a wedding, which was about a 650-mile round trip. In addition to biking, he loves to fish and run. He’s done many ultra marathons, which are races that are longer than 26.2 miles. Some of the races he’s done most often include 50Ks, 50 miles and 100 miles. He has a few 50Ks and 100mile races planned before his big trip this summer. ‘I want to inspire people’ In addition to simply making it all the way on his journey, he also wants to inspire people.
“I want to inspire people to live an active life, to go for it, to get out and do it, to take one of your dreams and just try it,” he said. “Things are going to break down, I know that, and I’m not afraid of those things. I know they’re going to happen, and so if people can see that and realize that, that’s one of the things I want to share when I speak. I know these things are going to happen, but I trust God that he’s going to get me from one end to the other and keep me calm.” He also hopes people see how much heart, desire and passion he’s putting into this adventure. Passions are very important to him, and he hopes to instill that to the people he meets on his journey, no matter what their passions are. “I hope that just by being there and physically doing it that people can see me and say, ‘Wow, if he can bike across the country, maybe I can bike a couple times a week or over to the next town or to get my groceries,’” he said. He’s lining up speaking engagements in some of the towns he’ll stop in along
How to Get Involved For updates, visit: www.facebook.com/paulslegacytour Email: pmshol@cord.edu 22
his journey as another way to make more of an impact on people across the country. He wants to share his story and potentially inspire people to follow their passions in life or try something new and see what happens. Shol said putting together this event has taken a lot of effort from meeting with people, discussing his mission and passion, making flyers, figuring out the best way for people to donate, updating the Facebook page and more. “It’s picking up and more and more, and I love it,” he said. “I love meeting with people and talking with people. I love the opportunity to promote something good. It takes a lot of effort, but I enjoy it.” Secondary mission Shol said in addition to raising money for Legacy, he has a secondary, more personal mission for this trip: spreading his faith. He felt inspired by Jesus Calling, a devotional book by Sarah Young that’s meant a lot to him over the years. He even contacted the publisher of the book and Young to see if they would be able to offer a discounted price on the books that he will be giving away for free at his speaking engagements. “This is God’s mission for me, I can feel it,” he said. “I don’t have any doubts that I’m supposed to be doing this trip, so this is a way that I can spread God’s word and love.” When asked what the good life meant to him, Shol said, “The good life is when I have a strong connection with God and his presence. That’s when I feel the best and know that I’m living out his purpose. There are times where I say ‘What am I doing? Show me, Lord,’ and I’m praying and connecting with him, and I feel calm and at ease. Those times when I know I’m on the right track and I have a close connection with God. I try to keep that presence every day.”
To donate, visit: http://areafoundation.org/index.php/donate Select: Legacy Children’s Foundation Endowment Fund
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Danger may not be his middle name, but it is his son’s (seriously), and a contagious energy emanates from this 32-year-old Fargo native. Originally set to become a history teacher after graduating from NDSU, Tony Gehrig took a different route 14 years ago and is an unmanned aerial vehicle pilot for the North Dakota Air Guard and a Fargo City Commissioner. On a snowy, Friday afternoon, I had the pleasure of visiting with Tony as I ordered a water on tap and he sipped on a beer at Drekker’s in Downtown Fargo. 24
Good Life: Did you have a bad first impression of me when I asked you if we could have our interview during the Bison Game Day in Frisco that I wasn’t aware of? Tony Gehrig: Yeah, I was thinking it was a trick question. I was like, “Does this girl really not know that NDSU is going to win the national championship game?” I didn’t understand. GL: Just call me Miss Understood. GL: If Batman and Superman each wrote a book about each other, what would they name the titles?
BY: MEGHAN FEIR ■ PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
TG: I think they’d be competitive and kind of snarky. I think they would be called “Super Tights” and “Baby Billionaire.” GL: Would you have voted for Pedro? TG: Oh, boy. That movie. I would not have because I’m a really specific guy. Pedro, tell me how you would make my dreams come true because you’re being too vague, buddy. He never gives specifics. Gosh darn it, when I’m in debates, I cram as much as I can into those 30 seconds. I would also have to see who the other candidate was because I don’t remember, but I
think she gave specifics, or, at least, she danced. I don’t know. GL: Would the dancing win you over? TG: Well, more so than Pedro, I guess. Maybe I’d vote third party. GL: True, true. Some grassroots effort. GL: What’s your favorite thing about Fargo-Moorhead? TG: The people, for sure. Everywhere you go, people are helpful. And we have the best service. I’ve traveled a lot for training and for fun. In Vegas and the Southwest, the service is awful. When I came back to Fargo, I was just like, “Yes.” People use eye
contact and say hello to me on the street. They help me if my car gets stuck or whatever else. The people are what make Fargo great, not the government, and I firmly stand by that. I’m here to try to represent them the best I can and not tell them how to be. They tell me how to be. GL: Spring in Fargo-Moorhead or spring in the Bahamas? TG: Oh, Fargo-Moorhead. You’re getting ready for lake season and being out in the sun. I mean, it’s heaven. It’s the best. It’s always fun to see the last pile of snow melting in 25
some parking lot. The weather’s great, so I love getting the motorcycle out, so absolutely here. GL: Do you ever dance when people aren’t looking? TG: Yeah, I dance when people are looking. I love to dance. Wedding dances are the best. My wife laughs at me, but I think that’s one of the reasons she married me. I got the moves. Ask her. We can call her up and ask. GL: How would you describe your dance style? TG: Erratic. Definitely erratic and free-flowing. GL: Like Elaine Benes kind of erratic, or… TG: Nah, I like to think I have more body control. It’s not jerky. It’s more free-flowing. It’s smooth. GL: Smooth Move Tony. GL: What’s your favorite article of clothing? TG: I have a few. I have a pair of sweatpants that I have from basic training from 14 years ago. My wife tried to throw them away, and when she told me she threw them out, I got really mad and started going through the garbage. She was actually just testing the waters to see how I’d react. I also really enjoy this Aaland Law 26
pullover. I’m very proud of my wife. She went to law school, graduated, got a great job, and her boss is a great guy and bought us these pullovers. I enjoy repping this and telling people how special she is. I also enjoy when people think I’m a lawyer. GL: So are your glasses fake, too? TG: No! Absolutely not. GL: If you could choose to be any celebrity for a day, who would you choose to be and why? TG: Boy, that’s a hard question. GL: Bill Cosby, right? TG: No. I was thinking Tom Hanks. I just really like Tom Hanks. But I should choose a musician, right? Garth Brooks. I’ll be the richest country star ever and have a show in Vegas. Garth Brooks. Yes, he’s awesome. GL: What would you like people to remember about you? TG: That I was responsible to people. That I was openminded and fair. That I made a change. That I did what I did to make Fargo even greater. In my personal life, I want to be remembered as a dad, a husband, and a friend. And other than that, I don’t have any grand ideas of being anything people write about. GL: What does the good life mean to you? TG: Family, a good job, and good friends. I’m living it. I’m a very lucky person. We have a wonderful house in South Fargo. My wife and I both have good jobs. My son is growing up strong and healthy. My parents are still around. I have family here in Fargo. What more could you want? That’s the good life for me. I’m living it. I’m blessed. ■ 27
A Non-Traditional Investment Strategy, with Huge Potential BY: PAUL HANKEL ■ PHOTO: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
he world economy of today is ever-changing and complicated. More and more people grow leery of traditional forms of investment such as investing heavily in stock markets, due to the unpredictability of global economies, cyber and white collar crime and the stability of the most precious resources such as water, oil and grains. However, there is an industry that has stood the test of time and remained constant as a relatively safe form of investment precious metals. Gold, silver, and precious stones have always been strong in value and show no signs of decreasing in value. Industry experts point to the turmoil in the world as a great example of why one should invest in these assets. Should the American dollar collapse, what would take its place as the principal form of currency? While diapers, toilet paper, guns, and liquor are sure to be the immediate valuable commodities, those items would soon run out. Enter gold and silver - natural resources that are still being dug up from the earth and, according to experts, poised to take the place of paper money, should the day ever come. The Good Life met up with Jack Seaman, owner of the Mindak Gold Exchange, to get his insights on the precious metal industry and why it’s a safe investment strategy for almost anyone. The Good Life: Why invest in gold and silver? Jack Seaman: Gold and silver have been considered money for over 2,000 years and will continue to be so. If the day comes where paper money is no longer accepted as currency, gold and silver will take its place. GL: If the world economy collapses, gold and silver will become the new currency? 28
JS: I always ask people, “If you were to wake up tomorrow and couldn’t spend a dollar, what would you have?” The value of the dollar keeps depreciating. As that keeps happening, if you turn those depreciating dollars into, say silver, that silver becomes an asset. GL: So precious metals like gold and silver will become, ‘money’? JS: We will be back to the barter system, and everyone recognizes the
fact that gold and silver are ‘money’. So buying gold and silver now is like an investment or insurance policy. GL: According to industry research, more and more people are foregoing the traditional investment routes and investing in gold and silver. What types of customers do you see the most of serious investors or everyday families? JS: I serve everyone from fast food workers to multimillionaire investors.
I’ve been seeing a lot more fresh faces these days, given the markets. People want to invest in things other than paper assets. GL: Why do you think that investing in gold and silver is so appealing to a broad spectrum of people - those who know investing and even those who aren’t as familiar? JS: I think it has to do with the fact that they can walk into my store and be able to hold and touch the actual gold and silver. They can feel the weight of their investment. Researching on the internet is great, but it’s even better when you can actually feel the product you’re investing in! GL: What are some other precious metals, besides gold and silver that people should consider investing in? JS: The other two I’d recommend would be platinum and palladium. Seaman says he buys and sells mostly silver these days. This is due to the per-ounce cost of silver being a fraction of what gold is. Investors are able to buy significantly larger amounts of silver and are able to buy it in different size increments. However, the gold market is always hot and never short on investors. Gold is pricier though, at the time of this interview gold was a roughly $1,100 per ounce, compared to silver being at approximately $14 per ounce. If you are interested in investing in precious metals, the first step should be taking the time to learn about the process. Consult with your personal banking professional or stock broker to ensure that investing in gold or silver is financially feasible for you. Before investing, you should ensure that you have the following bases covered: • An emergency fund consisting of up to a year’s worth of expenses. If you were to experience a crisis, would you be able to sustain your current lifestyle for up to one year? If not, set aside money monthly until you could cover all necessary expenses for up to twelve months. • A healthy retirement portfolio and 401k account. • A comprehensive understanding of the gold and silver market, its fluctuations, and historical data. To do this, consult with industry experts such as Jack Seaman from Mindak Gold Exchange. • Ensure that it’s the right decision for you and your family. Investing in gold and silver is a great option for seeking those seeking to invest in alternative markets. However, investing in gold and silver may not be for everyone. ■ 29
HOPE INC. Hoping, Dreaming, Doing
BY: DANIELLE TEIGEN ■ PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
At HOPE Inc., nothing is impossible. HOPE, Inc. provides family-friendly sporting and recreational opportunities that are critical to the health and development of children and young adults with mobility challenges. No matter how much or how little a person is physically able to do, an activity will be adapted to allow him or her to participate. Everyone wants to connect with other people, despite disabilities.
Before Adair took over in 2006, HOPE, Inc. offered a 1-week summer camp which brought in vendors of adaptive and therapeutic equipment for the kids to try; the organization was also based in Grand Forks. Adair and Bill saw a larger need to expand the programming to year-round sports, recreation as well as adaptive recreational equipment rental. So the mission shifted.
That’s what HOPE, Inc. does — creates connections.
“These kids need more than a week,” Adair said. So HOPE expanded. What began with five families has now grown to include more than 100. Now, the organization offers more than 17 various activities, such as bowling, downhill skiing, sled hockey, soccer, baseball, curling, music therapy, skating, track and field, a fashion show, and much more. New activities are added frequently.
And those connections aren’t just for jubilant children or adults who’ve never been able to play a sport before; support is also available for parents, siblings, and extended family. When you get involved with HOPE, Inc. you become a family. That’s how Executive Director Adair Grommesh and her husband, Bill, describe it. For them, it is a family matter. Their son, Garrett, was born with Spina Bifida, so they empathize with the isolation parents and children experience when a child has a disability.
“It’s very inspiring to us to see them,” Bill said. “It’s important to let people keep their eye on a dream, to give them something meaningful to look forward to. HOPE gives them something positive to focus on in life and a sense of purpose and inclusion by being part of a team.” That type of re-focus allows new sides of participants to emerge. Take the girl cast as the witch in Snow White; she has to communicate through a talking board, but she knew every cue and delivered her lines flawlessly through her device. Plus, she had the biggest smile on her face the entire time…despite playing an evil character. Or the young man who lost his leg to cancer as well as his identity as a threesport athlete; thanks to HOPE, he can play sports again as a sled hockey again. Participating in HOPE activities also brings out new sides of family members as well. Bill explained that when a child participates in an activity with his or her parent for the first time, it’s an “aha moment” for everyone involved. That’s why HOPE offers the activities — all for only $5. Their main focus and goal is simple — involve the entire family. Siblings can get involved as well as parents, friends, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. It is an indescribable feeling to see parents playing in adaptive sports equipment with their child or
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“It’s important to let people keep their eye on a dream, to give them something meaningful to look forward to. HOPE gives them something to focus on in life other than being in a wheelchair.” — Bill Grommesh
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“Our goal is for families to go out and live their lives. Our families find support for their kids with disabilities, the other children, as well as themselves.� — Bill Grommesh
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a sibling playing sled hockey with a loved one who has experienced a traumatic injury that left them paralyzed, Adair explained. A weeklong rental of adaptive equipment for a family costs $10; that small price provides a family with a sense of normalcy because renting recreational equipment like a beach wheelchair or bike for a family vacation means no one gets left behind. “We understand what they go through — all the emotions they encounter…fear of rejection, isolation, and just wanted to fit in,” Bill explained. “Our programming is fun and energetic, yet a place where they feel comfortable and safe.” A crucial aspect of creating a safe environment is keeping costs low for families, despite the high cost of the adaptive equipment required for everyone to participate. HOPE has cultivated important partnerships with many other organizations and entities within the community to help keep expenses down. Another lifeline is volunteers — from parents of children benefiting from the program, college students, and many other individuals in the community. Ice rinks, schools, and churches all help by allowing HOPE to utilize their facilities. An endowment provides security for a sustainable future. Grants, community donations, and fundraisers help pay for equipment, programming and the costs of running the organization. HOPE holds three major fundraisers each year: Giving Hearts Day in February; a golf tournament in the summer; and a sled hockey tournament during the winter. Both Bill and Adair light up when talking about the tournament. Now in its third year, the event provides businesses in the community a distinct team-building opportunity. Teams pay a tax-deductible entry fee that allows them to compete during the three-day event against other local businesses. This year, the event will take place March 11-13. “Playing in the sled hockey tourney for HOPE, Inc. was an experience we will not forget! It was just an awesome team-building experience, and I would recommend it to any company,” Tyrone Leslie, president of Heritage Homes, said for a HOPE testimonial. “I cannot wait to do it again…it was a memorable and awesome time!” Much of the excitement about the event revolves around people being able to experience an adaptive sport they’ve never played before. Plus, the fundraiser generates awareness about HOPE and what it does for those with mobility challenges in our community. “Everyone is welcome to come and watch,” Bill said. Welcome. That’s a key component of what makes HOPE 33
“HOPE is a family … it’s a place for everybody of all abilities. With HOPE, anything is possible.” — Adair Grommesh work. Trying a new activity can be nerve-wracking, so everyone within the HOPE community strives to welcome new families to an event, whether it’s the first or fifth visit. “We always want them to come back,” Bill explained. “We want them to have a great time and are eager to come back again AND give one of other activities a try…our goal is for families to go out and live their lives. Our families find support for family members who have a mobility challenge, their other children, as well as themselves.” HOPE has now become an integral part of the lives of all Grommesh family members. Due to ongoing medical challenges the past five years, Garrett’s ability to participate has been limited; the family is hoping his health will improve so he can start participating in more activities again. Their daughter Peighton plays an integral role, volunteering her time to assist with planning, organizing, and setting up activities. Adair works full-time for the organization, and Bill devotes as much of his free time as he can beyond his full-time position with PATH of North Dakota. Bill and Adair dream of the day when the organization will have its own building — a facility with an ice rink, gym, track, a stage for performances and their fashion show, and a social hall for other non-athletic activities. Bill and Adair also dream of seeing the organization spread to other communities; HOPE is frequently contacted about setting up similar programs, such as Dreams in Motion in Bismarck. “We have grown the programming in terms of quality and price,” Adair said. “Ten years ago, the cost was $5 a week, and it’s still that today.” As Adair and Bill continue to hope and dream about what HOPE will look like 10 years down the road, they know they are on the right track at the moment. That knowledge comes from seeing the transformation participants undergo through activities as well as affirmation from non-participants. Last year, HOPE took the junior sled hockey team to the national tournament in Buffalo, New York, and encountered other teams with ties to the National Hockey League and cities of more than two million people. The HOPE team took third place and heard nothing but praise for what the organization offers in a community of only 200,000 people. “They couldn’t believe it,” Adair said. “And we know the families are so appreciative of what we do…HOPE is a family; it becomes part of them and their lives. It’s a place for everybody of all abilities. With HOPE, anything is possible.” ■
What does The Good Life look like to Bill and Adair Grommesh? Having a loving family, a job you love, a home, being able to provide for our family and making a difference in the lives of others. 34
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