FATHERS | DAD LIFE
The Dad Bod WRITTEN BY: PAUL HANKEL
What is Dad Bod?
Dad bod, in its simplest terms, is the body profile that a male acquires when he's comfortably settled into his late 20’s/early 30’s. Dad bod males are those who look like they were, at one point, physically fit, however have now succumbed to 2-for-1 appetizers and thick dark beers. The easiest reference would be Andy Dwyer from Parks and Recreation. 2 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
How is Dad Bod acquired?
The answer is in the name, at least in my situation: by becoming a dad! Weekend flag football leagues, a semi-consistent gym schedule, and twice per week martial arts lessons gave way to hasty fast food dinners in between my son’s sports lessons. Running 10k races for charity was replaced by visible back sweat from putting together my son’s new bedframe.
My Fitness “Journey”
For the last nine months, I’ve found myself using the pandemic as an excuse to not use my gym membership. I chalked my lack of attendance up to not wanting to possibly get sick and wanting to social distance. In reality, I was just being lazy and, due to plenty of craft beer and couch time, found myself quickly crossing over from dad bod to just plain fat.
A few situations confirmed this status for me: - I caught myself exhaling and grunting whenever I sat down or stood up - I was no longer able to simply bend down and put on my socks, I had to put my foot up on the coffee table or do this awkward backward bending pose - I was visibly sweaty and winded from bringing the groceries inside (in one trip of course, because I’m a male) - There was a dark period, during the pandemic, where I was one of those people who gets the ridiculous 50-ounce fountain sodas from the gas station Needless to say, I needed to revisit an active lifestyle. So, like millions of adult men, I spent the last week of December 2020 watching motivations work out videos, featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, to get myself pumped up about my cliché New Year’s goal of getting back in shape. New year, new me! I also bought hundreds of dollars worth of at-home gym equipment on Amazon and, at one point was literally days away from ordering a Peloton. After finding out that dumbells are impossible to purchase online during a pandemic for some reason, I settled on a heavy bag, some resistance bands, pull up bar, foam rollers, one of those massage guns, a fitness tracker, and sweatproof headphones. Surprise, surprise, the third week in January came and went and my resistance bands were gradually gathering dust on the floor of my room. So, I decided to reactivate my gym membership, in the hopes that the sense of community would motivate me. In reality, I would show up, walk or half jog a few miles, shoots some hoops in order to relive my glory days of being backup point guard on my high school basketball team, then hit the sauna. Needless to say, it was unproductive.
To Summarize
In short, I’ve found that a hybrid model of exercise works best for me. As someone who is on the road half the week, it's not always feasible or possible to eat correctly or hit the gym every day. I’m not going to dive heavily into recommendations, as I am the furthest thing from qualified and am in moderate shape at best. However, I will defend to the death the sexiness and appeal of the modern dad bod and all of its benefits (we are the best cuddlers and our beer guts make an excellent pillow). After all, if you can’t handle me at my 20 pounds overweight then you don’t deserve me at my 10 pounds overweight! A word of caution though – pontoon season is rapidly approaching, and no one wants to be that guy that wears a shirt to hide the rolls. Cheers! •
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Contents MARCH-APRIL 2021
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 5
02
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FATHERS // DAD LIFE
THE DAD BOD
06
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A
10
YOUR SAYING IT BAD
12
BODY ART
16
TASTY RECIPE
18
ON THE COVER // MARK EMPTING
24
GROW YOUR GARDEN
26
HAVING A BEER WITH
30
LOCAL HERO
SNOW REMOVAL GUY
ABUSED EXPRESSIONS, WORDS AND TERMS
PERSONAL SELF EXPRESSION
VENISON & MUSHROOM GALETTE
SHERIFF OF CLAY COUNTY AND FIRE CHIEF OF DILWORTH FIRE DEPARTMENT
REGARDLESS OF YOUR LIVING SITUATION
CHIEF METEOROLOGIST ROB KUPEC
VIETNAM VETERAN // RUSS STABLER
PUBLISHED BY Urban Toad Media LLP www.urbantoadmedia.com OWNER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER Dawn Siewert dawn@urbantoadmedia.com OWNER / PHOTOGRAPHER Darren Losee darren@urbantoadmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Meghan Feir Paul Hankel Katie Jenison Jeffrey Miller Krissy Ness Alexis Swenson ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Darren Losee darren@urbantoadmedia.com
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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.
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PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: RYAN SHERBROOKE WRITTEN BY: KATIE JENISON PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
It’s no secret Mother Nature can be unpredictable, especially when it comes to Midwest winters. We’re no strangers to heavy snowfall and white-out conditions. Since we are used to the snow, it can be easy to take clear roads, driveways, and sidewalks after a snowstorm for granted — but it doesn’t happen by magic. It’s all thanks to hardworking snow removal crews willing to sacrifice sleep and family time so the community can safely get from Point A to Point B. It may come as a surprise to some, but planning for a snowstorm starts long before the first flake falls. The process begins with a contract that determines just how much snow needs to fall before snow removal occurs. Contractors refer to this threshold as a snowfall trigger. 6 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
Clear roads, driveways, and parking lots are all thanks to hard-working snow removal contractors willing to sacrifice sleep and family time so the community can safely get from Point A to Point B.
These triggers can vary from property to property and typically depend on the client’s level of liability. Commercial properties like grocery stores and strip malls usually have a zero-tolerance trigger, which requires snow removal for even a light dusting. Residential properties such as apartment buildings usually require removal for snowfall over an inch.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: RYAN SHERBROOKE
There are many moving parts when it comes to preparing for snow events. Dedicated triggers make it easier for contractors to coordinate snow removal efforts when a storm occurs. They can plan routes and schedule crews based on their clients’ triggers and how much snowfall is anticipated. That said, we all know how fickle the weather truly is. Things can change at any time, and contractors have to keep a close eye on the weather. Depending on the storm, snow removal crews will typically wait to head out once the snow has stopped. Until then, they stay busy preparing the equipment. From snow plows to payloaders, each piece of equipment undergoes extensive safety inspections. Crews will also perform necessary maintenance to ensure equipment is in optimal working condition before leaving the shop. Most snow removal takes place at night when there are fewer obstacles to contend with. It certainly makes the job a little easier, but it requires crews to adjust to a urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 7
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: RYAN SHERBROOKE
new sleep and work schedule. Shifts frequently run on a 12-hour swing, so if there’s time, crews will try to grab a little shut-eye before their overnight shift starts. Once the snow stops, it can take anywhere from 8 to 24 hours to clear. If a snowstorm lasts for multiple days or is accompanied by high winds, it can take even longer. While some snow events may only produce a few inches, the wind can cause large snowdrifts to build up. To combat long-lasting storms and blowing snow, contractors will perform a quick pass while waiting for the storm to end. At that time, they’ll clear residential driveways and aisleways, entrances, and emergency exits at commercial and multi-family housing properties. Snow removal isn’t a walk in the park; it’s a fairly demanding job. 8 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
Snow removal isn’t a walk in the park ... Crews work long hours operating heavy equipment and shoveling by hand in often freezing temperatures. The job also comes with a long list of dangers.
Crews work long hours operating heavy equipment and shoveling by hand in often freezing temperatures. The job also comes with a long list of dangers, which is why contractors go through meticulous safety training. They’re also taught how important it is to be aware of their surroundings at all times. One of the most obvious dangers they face is drivers crowding snow plows. Drivers tend to be impatient when dealing with a slow-moving plow. To prevent an accident from occurring, plow drivers will pull off to the side when they can to let vehicles pass safely. In addition to other drivers, snow removal crews have to be aware of stationary obstacles such as fire hydrants and utility boxes. Contractors also have to keep an eye out for signs of kids playing in snowbanks. Large piles of snow are the perfect place for kids to sled, build forts, and dig tunnels. However, there is a hidden danger to playing in snowbanks, especially when snow removal crews are out and about. Only when the snow has been cleared do crew members call it a day. If they’re lucky, they’ll be able to head home to enjoy a warm meal and catch up on sleep. Some may only get a short break before they have to go back to work for a regularly scheduled shift. Despite the long hours and physical demands of the job, snow removal contractors find it rewarding. They enjoy stepping up to the challenge that each snow event presents and take pride in a job well done. It is a rigorous and time-consuming process, but snow removal crews do what they do to make our lives easier. How can we return the favor? Remember to give plows and equipment operators plenty of space, and if you can, park your vehicles in the garage. Above all, try to be patient and understanding. Snow removal crews are often underappreciated, but a kind word or a friendly wave can go a long way. • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 9
Your Saying It Bad WRITTEN BY: MEGHAN FEIR
Ahhhh, the mighty eggcorn. You may have never heard this word spoken, but its meaning is relevant to every human tongue. Eggcorns are frauds—misconstrued words created from a misunderstanding or mishearing of the actual thing. People have butchered some terms and expressions for so long that it’s actually more common to say them incorrectly. Before you feel judgment as you read the following list of the commonly misspoken, please know that I have my own issues. This is written by a girl who perpetually, by accident utters, “hit the nail on the hammer,” instead of “hit the nail on the head.” Are you guilty of the following speech crimes? It’s never too late to retrain your brain and trade in your eggcorns for the real steal.
Abused expressions:
Nip it in the butt
WRONG: For all intensive purposes RIGHT: For all intents and purposes Thine ears are full of trickery and doth deceive you. This eggcorn takes the cape. This phrase was originally taken from “to all intents, constructions and purposes” from sixteenth century English law. It essentially means “virtually” or “in every practical sense.” WRONG: Nip it in the butt RIGHT: Nip it in the bud You’re nipping what in a butt? Nipping something “in the bud” doesn’t sound any more reassuring. This phrase was first recorded in the 1600s, and to “nip something in the bud” means to kill or destroy in the first stage of growth.
WRONG: Case and point RIGHT: Case in point
I’ve said this incorrectly for 30 years. I am 30 years old. This phrase isn’t that dramatic of an error, but the next time you need to emphasize that what you said is true, try to remember your case is “in” the point you just made.
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WRONG: One in the same RIGHT: One and the same Throw everything you just learned about switching “and” with “in” and toss it in the paper shredder of your mind because it’s the opposite with “one and the same.” “Case in point” and “one and the same” are not one and the same.
I could care less
WRONG: I could care less RIGHT: I couldn't care less When someone says, “I could care less,” you know they actually do care. How can you tell? Because they’re literally saying they care and have the capacity to care less than they do. If you really don’t give a rat’s clap about something, remember to say “couldn’t.”
WRONG: Taken for granite RIGHT: Taken for granted
Don’t give me a stone-cold glance when I tell you, but you’re not being taken for “granite.” Unless someone is mistaking you for a granite statue (are you really that chiseled?) or kidnapping you to be used as a kitchen counter, they’re not taking you “for granite.”
Abused words and terms: WRONG: Irregardless RIGHT: Regardless
KIND OF WRONG, YET NOT: Escape goat RIGHT: Scapegoat
Ahhh, “irregardless.” My favorite aggravation is when arrogant CEOs say this during meetings right after they’ve brushed you off with an aggressive hand wave. They may wear the pants of the company, but that doesn’t mean they passed English class.
You know all those animal sacrifices made by various religions throughout time to atone for sins and pay honor to God or the gods? That’s where the phrase “scapegoat” came from. It’s hard to say “escape goat” is incorrect because “scapegoat” is honestly just a shortening of “escape goat.” So whatever. The goat doesn’t get to escape either way. It dies.
WRONG: Warshing RIGHT: Washing One of my darling grandmas says this. It’s common in the American Midland dialect. One theory for how this mispronunciation started dates back to a protestant group called the Scots-Irish. They kept moving around for religious freedom and eventually sailed from Ireland to America in the 1700s for the same reason. They really did a number on Warshington when they got here.
WRONG: Card shark RIGHT: Card sharp The evolution of this term is exactly like a game of Telephone. It started out in England as “card sharp” because of “sharpers,” a term used for cheats, swindlers and rogues. But we hear what we hear and “card sharp” became “card shark.”
WRONG: Expecially RIGHT: Especially
WRONG: Supposably RIGHT: Supposedly
Since when did “es” make an X sound in modern English? SINCE NEVER.
I know Ds and Bs look similar, but please take care of your letters and show respect. Don’t call me a D for telling it like it is.
WRONG: Expresso RIGHT: Espresso Once again, people getting an “es” mixed up with an X. I don’t know which came first, the mispronunciation of the word or the stupid, punny phrase of “Expresso yourself” printed on coffee mugs and homely nightgowns for women.
For all intensive purposes
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PERSONAL SELF EXPRESSION
WRITTEN BY: KRISSY NESS PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Body Art is an expression of one's self, from head and body piercings to body branding and scarification. The history of body art goes back as far as the 9th century BC. The oldest mummified body had ear piercings from 7-11 mm in diameter, proving that body art is at-least 5,000 years old. People from all over the world partake in body art for cultural purposes or personal reasons. In recent years the look of gauged ears and face piercings have been widely popular. If you take a look around your community, you can see people ranging from young
to old with their personal touch when it comes to piercings. I have had many piercings over the year, from a nose ring in my left nostril to gauged ears, which I have since let close up and heal. Currently, I have two piercings in each ear, and my conch pierced on my right ear. The conch is a band of cartilage the stretches across the ear. I had the chance to speak with Chuck Kesler, a professional body artist who has been working in this industry since 1999. He began his career at Sterling Rose in Fargo, North Dakota, as an apprentice, and worked there for three years.
After leaving Sterling Rose, he opened Dead RockStar with his family - a tattoo, piercing, and alternative clothing store. "This is when and where my interest in the sterilization process began," said Kesler. In 2007 Kesler joined the Association of Professional Piercers and has attended many of their conferences. "I was pretty excited to be the first in North Dakota to join this Association," exclaimed Kesler. Joining the APP lit a fire under Kesler to continue to grow his knowledge in sterilization, sanitation, and the art of body piercing.
Kesler has performed many exotic piercings and body branding/ scarification in his career. One of the most exciting piercings I saw was the Rhino. This is where you get a stud pierced through the top of your nose cartilage mimicking the horn of a rhinoceros. Another piece of body art that caught my eye was a back corset. Yes, it is exactly how it sounds! Two rows of hoops are pierced into the skin on either side of the spine and ribbon is thread through it creating the look of a corset. Body branding is essentially like a tattoo where you lay out a stencil and burn the design into the body. Where-as scarification uses
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a scalpel and the design is cut into the body. "We have a lot of farmers in this area, and they come in to get their farm logos branded onto their body," Explained Kesler. "With this area being so conservative, you would not think you would get as many people in for this kind of work." I was fascinated to hear this bit of information. When I think of body branding, a local farmer is not the first place my mind goes, but I am pleasantly surprised to hear it! In 2014 Kesler encouraged local promoters to join him in his idea for a tattoo and body art convention in Fargo, North Dakota. With enthusiasm from his professional colleagues, he began the Rough Rider Ink & Iron Expo. Each year
it has grown into an event many people look forward to, including me! One thing Kesler and I discussed was the more psychological l reasons people come in for piercings. Kesler studied psychology a Minnesota State University Moorhead, and he took that knowledge with him as he continues his professional body art career. "I am always looking to understand the root of the one's decision to get a piercing," explained Kesler. "Some of my clients who come in are there because of body image issues or are the victims of rape and abuse. Some of the goals being to take back their body and make their own choices with what they do with their bodies."
"WE HAVE A LOT OF FARMERS IN THIS AREA , AND THEY COME IN TO GET THEIR FARM LOGOS BRANDED ONTO THEIR BODY." – CHUCK KESLER
This idea is something I had never really given much thought to, although it makes total sense. I applaud these individuals who take such measures to reclaim what is theirs. In my opinion, this is a positive quality in someone modifying your body. Kesler is genuinely interested in why you are there and how he can better your experience. As the years passed, Kesler found himself in a kind of stagnant place; his passion for body art was still there but less enthusiastic. "That is when I decided I need to make a change," explained Kesler. "When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it renewed my passion for working in this business." Kesler is in the process of opening Chuck's Body Art, in Moorhead, MN. His mission statement, Passion for Promoting Safe and Sterile Procedures, has followed him throughout his career and will continue in his new space. "I am hoping that my reputation will prompt clients to follow me to my new location," expressed Kesler.
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Venison & Mushroom Galette RECIPE AND PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: JEFF BENDA
You will need... -
1/4 pound venison steak, thinly sliced One refrigerated pie crust 8 ounces Bella mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cup ricotta cheese 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese 2 teaspoons minced garlic Fresh thyme and rosemary 1 egg, beaten
My 5-year-old daughter and I had fun making this quick and easy dish together to turn a North Dakota Whitetail bottom round steak into something golden brown and bubbly. My wife was impressed when she got home!
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Saute steak in the pan for one minute with butter, and season with salt and pepper or your favorite steak seasoning. Set aside. Saute mushrooms and garlic in the same pan for two minutes. Set aside. Roll out pie crust on pizza pan. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon each of fresh thyme and rosemary. Spread ricotta mixture over pie crust leaving two inches around the edge. Spread cooked steak and mushrooms over it like you would if making a homemade pizza. Fold pie crust sides over and brush with egg wash. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Sprinkle with fresh thyme and rosemary. Serve warm. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 17
ON THE COVER | MARK EMPTING
Sheriff of Clay County and Fire Chief of the Dilworth Fire Department
WRITTEN BY: MEGHAN FEIR PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Mark Empting, fire chief of the Dilworth Fire Department and the new sheriff of Clay County, has a long history with the area surrounding Dilworth, Minn. As a kid in the ‘70s and ‘80s, the small town of Dilworth was different than it is now. The railroadcentered community is still close-knit and welcoming, but back then the residents consumed a lot more spaghetti. Growing up on the south side of the tracks in an area dubbed “Little Italy,” Empting was primarily raised by his mom and grandparents, all full-blooded Italians. That part of the community was where many Italian immigrants had settled a few generations before. Neighboring the rambler-style home his dad had built, Empting and his family were surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins. “I lived within a stone’s throw of them. You really couldn’t get away with much in Dilworth because everybody knew you,” Empting said. “I had family in darn near every corner. It was a small town and you knew everybody. If I did do something wrong, it didn’t take long for mom to hear about it. By the time I came home, she’d already had a phone call telling her what had happened.”
"It was a small town and you knew everybody. If I did do something wrong, it didn’t take long for mom to hear about it. By the time I came home, she’d already had a phone call telling her what had happened." Despite the unnerving sapience of loving yet watchful eyes, Empting’s childhood had a lot of freedom. “It was a time where you left the house at 10 in the morning and came home at dark. It was fun. If your mom needed to get a hold of you, she knew about one of five places she could call,” Empting said.
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ON THE COVER | MARK EMPTING
After he turned 5 years old, his parents divorced and his father moved to the Iron Range in northern Minnesota where he worked as a roadmaster for the railroad. Empting’s mother worked at The Academy, a modeling agency in Fargo. When she was at work, his siblings and he would walk to their grandparents’ place, a building downtown that held his grandfather’s barbershop below and their apartment above. During the many days he spent at the barbershop, Empting could look across the street and watch the activity brewing at City Hall and the Dilworth Fire Department. He would even go over to talk to the firemen. As time went by, his admiration grew as he imagined the adrenaline rush of answering the call to help people in their greatest time of need. Adrenaline junkie In 1991, only a month after turning 18, he joined the Dilworth Fire Department. Still in high school, Empting would occasionally have to leave class during a fire call, but he was dedicated to his new role. Thirty years later, Empting has experienced his fair share of danger. Going into a burning building is always 20 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
precarious, but some situations have been particularly hazardous.
"Probably the hottest fire I’ve ever been in was a house fire where we were searching for animals. When we were in there it got so super hot it was melting the shields on our helmets.” “Probably the hottest fire I’ve ever been in was a house fire where we were searching for animals. When we were in there it got so super hot it was melting the shields on our helmets,” Empting said. “It’s been some great times. Any member of a fire department is going to be kind of an adrenaline junkie. That’s one of the reasons you get into it. Those are actually fun times because you’re out there helping the community. It’s the worst time of their life, but you’re able to help them out a little bit.” For the past 7 years, Empting has been Dilworth’s fire chief. He stays out of the burning buildings now to direct the situations at hand, but the knowledge and experiences he has under his belt make him a vital asset to everyone’s safety.
ON THE COVER | MARK EMPTING
Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting and Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner teamed up to raise awareness for Veterans and the homeless population in our community. They braved the arctic cold blast while sleeping outside on the evening of February 5th at the Moorhead American Legion Post 21.
“I don’t necessary go in anymore to do stuff like that, but I’m coming on the scene to make sure people are being safe and that they have the resources they need to put the fires out,” he said. Up to the challenge Along with his pre-established desire to help others in need and satisfy his desire for an occasional adrenaline rush, Empting soon figured out the next step he needed to take and enrolled at Alexandria Technical College for law enforcement in 1993. “Law enforcement always piqued my interest as well,” he said. “I saw some of the things that law enforcement did when I would work alongside them in the fire department, so I went to Alex Tech and graduated from there in ’95.” In 1997, Empting started working for the Glyndon Police Department and served Glyndon and Dilworth before being hired by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in 2002. He was promoted as a shift commander in January 2014, and less than two years later, he was promoted to patrol lieutenant and then patrol commander to oversee the entire patrol division.
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Another milestone in his career happened this January when Empting was elected sheriff of Clay County. “It’s been a great and joyous career,” he said. “I wouldn’t and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I’ve had the opportunity to mentor and teach new officers coming in. That’s one of the things I’ve really enjoyed. It’s been fun for me, growing and learning, and I learn things from them every day as well.” Building trust In all his years of serving, Empting, like every fireman and officer, has faced a lot of pressure. But in today’s tumultuous times, tension has been elevated to new heights. “Right now the profession is definitely getting a little tougher and harder, but we’re really unique here in Clay County because we do have a lot of strong support from our community members. They support our mission,” Empting said. Part of their immediate action plan this year has been to implement body cameras and more protective gear. “Before we rolled these out, I definitely wanted to talk to our staff to get their ideas and thoughts—and their buy-
in, quite frankly. It was easy,” he said. “They wanted body cameras to protect themselves and the county, and it holds us more accountable too. Everybody was happy to have them.” As officers continue to get nationally scrutinized because of devastating incidences of misconduct and, in some cases, only partially revealed storylines, Empting hopes Americans will come to a few realizations. “I think a lot of our community already understands that we are human beings and there are times we do make mistakes. I’ve made plenty of mistakes over my life and career, but I’ll be the first one to admit them,” he said. “I understand you’re human, but it’s how you address the mistake. Do you accept responsibility, learn from it and move forward? I can work with that. In our political climate, we don’t see people being willing to say they messed up.” While it’s difficult for law enforcement to anticipate the future, some goals remain constant for Empting and his team. “We have such a great community here in Clay County. We need to continue to work on maintaining their trust and building the trust of people who aren’t comfortable around us,” Empting said. “We continue to look at what we can do to strive for excellence, what kind of equipment and things we can give the staff to make their lives easier and better, what we can do for the community and how to better serve them. It’s not necessarily a 5-year-plan, but it’s a daily plan where you’re always looking for better ways to serve the community and those who are working for you.” Living the good life From the seeds of servitude planted in a small-town boy’s heart to the harvest of those dreams benefiting the same community, there’s no doubt Empting’s roles are a huge part of his life’s calling. If he could change anything about the direction he’s taken, he wouldn’t. He already believes he’s living his best life. “I truly appreciate the support for the sheriff’s office and the area I work. I don’t want to take that for granted,” Empting said. “‘Living the good life’ is what I’m doing right now, seriously. I enjoy our community and the people that are a part of this team. They make my life a good life. I can’t ask for a better group of people than I have here. It’s been great, especially as sheriff, and I can’t think of doing anything else.” •
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GR W YOUR GARDEN WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY MILLER
F
an acre of land on a rural farmstead and nearly anything in between. Regardless of your living situation, you can grow some of your own food each year.
Productive gardens can range from a planter on an apartment balcony to
Container gardens are simplicity at its finest. A wooden or plastic container (don't use metal as it heats up too much in the sun) with
ew things are more satisfying than being immersed in nature. Hiking, hunting, bird watching, skiing, the list is endless. Growing your own food ranks among the easiest ways to do so.
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holes drilled in the bottom to let water flow through and filled with potting soil can be used to grow such vegetables as tomatoes, peppers, herbs, or many other plants. The downside is there is limited space. While the amount of food that can be grown in a single pot is small in terms of weight, it's huge in terms of satisfaction!
Regardless of your living situation, you can grow some of your own food each year. Larger gardens yield more food and more work. It's easy to get excited and plan a large garden in a backyard in the spring, with the warm sun in your face and your hands in the fertile soil. Reality hits in mid-summer, when the weeds seem to be growing by feet each day, the heat hangs in the damp air, and mosquitos try to drain the gardener of every drop of blood. Too often, the garden is abandoned to the weeds. My significant other Melanie and I garden over a halfacre of land on our rural homestead, Cottonwood Bend Farm. As we both have full-time jobs, along with summer kid's activities that seem to consume a large portion of every week, we struggled to keep up with the garden. That is, until we started using woven landscape fabric. The same fabric we use at the Soil Conservation District for newly planted tree rows, it allows water to filter through and smothers weeds. After laying the fabric down in the Spring, we simply cut holes and plant transplants into the soil. For crops that grow from seed, such as okra, green beans, carrots and many others, we cut rows a few inches wide by many feet. Using a triangle garden hoe, a furrow is dug for the seed bed and the seeds are introduced to their new home. Moisture is the key to a lush garden. The fabric keeps the soil from drying out prematurely, especially on hot, windy days. While we still water when the skies remain clear for weeks at a time, it is better than watering every few days. When Mother Nature smiles and provides abundant moisture, our work is even less. For the most part, people today are cut off from their food source. We simply go to the grocery store and buy what we consume, giving little thought to how difficult it is to grow fresh, healthy crops. By investing time and effort into growing our food, we go from being a bystander of the natural process to an active participant. Digging in the soil, planting a seed, nurturing the crop as it grows and finally harvesting the fruits of the labor not only nourishes the body but also the soul. It also reminds us of the work required to feed our country and our world. This spring, I encourage you to plant a garden and grow some food for your table. I can guarantee you will gain a new appreciation of the natural world! urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 25
HAVING A BEER WITH | ROB KUPEC
“IN SECOND GRADE WE DID A UNIT ON WEATHER AND YOU HAD TO KEEP A WEATHER DIARY. WHEN THE MONTH ENDED, I MADE A NEW ONE, AND I JUST KEPT GOING.” – ROB KUPEC 26 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
HAVING A BEER WITH
ROB KUPEC
Born in Willimantic, Conn., an old mill town on the eastern part of the state, Rob Kupec knew he wanted to be a weatherman by second grade. Years later, he went to school for meteorology in Albany, N.Y. But before he started working in the industry he worked other jobs, like as a coffee salesman and an assistant restaurant manager. For nearly 19 years, Kupec has been a recognizable face in the FargoMoorhead area, bringing the forecast to thousands of homes. At KVRR FOX, Kupec has been the chief meteorologist for 8 years, fulfilling his lifelong dream of tracking the weather for a living. On a perfectly appropriate day of fluffy flurries, Kupec and I met at Drekker to chat about his life. Read
WRITTEN BY: MEGHAN FEIR PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
on to find out if he’s ever had a ghostly encounter and whether or not circus peanuts candy should survive the year. Good Life: Are farmer’s almanacs legit or a bunch of malarkey? Rob Kupec: They’re a bunch of malarkey. There’s some interesting data and good weather history, but the predictions are not very good. GL: Why did you want to be a meteorologist as a kid? RK: In second grade we did a unit on weather and you had to keep a weather diary. When the month ended, I made a new one, and
I just kept going. My mom took a map of the U.S. and laminated it for me. I’d take a dry erase marker and make the daily weather map in my room. Then we had a huge blizzard in 1978. Nobody saw it coming. We were in school and all of sudden we were going home. I was like, wow, how did nobody see this coming? GL: Who was your meteorological hero? RK: When I’m presenting the weather, I can identify things I do that I totally ripped off from my youth. Growing up, there was this guy on the radio station named Norm McDonald. He would occasionally do the weather in different voices. He’d be like, THE GOOD LIFE / 27
HAVING A BEER WITH | ROB KUPEC
“Oh, it’s my brother Igor,” and he’d do the weather in a Russian accent. Not only was he a goofball, he was a super good meteorologist. Some of the techniques I use are definitely similar to his. GL: Why did you move from Albany to Moorhead? RK: We moved here in 2000 for my wife’s job. When she was looking for a job, we didn’t want to move any farther west than Minnesota, so we stuck to that within about nine blocks. GL: What did you do after moving here? RK: For the first two years I was the stay-at-home dad, and I didn’t realize what a freak I was. We were out at some event and somebody
said, “Oh, you’re that stay-at-home dad that lives across from so-andso,” and I was like, “What? This is how I’m known around town?” I did that for two years. When my son was really young, he thought the mother was always the one who went out and worked. He was like “There’s a kid at preschool whose mom stays home.” He was shocked. GL: How did you finally get into meteorology? RK: When my son got to kindergarten, my wife was like, “Maybe you should get a job.” I told her I’d like to be a meteorologist, so I took a few broadcasting classes and one was taught by Kevin Wallevand. He had me set up a meeting with John Wheeler. We kind of clicked and he said they
“AT WORK WE HAVE A VENDING MACHINE, AND ONE DAY CHUCKLES SHOWED UP. I THOUGHT, ‘IT’S NIRVANA AT WORK.’” – ROB KUPEC 28 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
could probably get me in as the fill-in guy. One night after Monday football, they let me do the weather, and there I went. GL: What nationality is the last name Kupec? RK: Kupec is Slovak and means merchant. I’m a real mutt, though. The biggest thing I am is Italian. My great grandfather came from Italy. We took a trip to Italy and went to the town he was from. It was the most amazing trip. Not far from where I grew up there is a cemetery where my other relatives are who fought in the battle of Bunker Hill—Revolutionary War heroes. When I go back home into the wooded areas that used to be the farmsteads of where my ancestors were, it’s a weird feeling.
And walking through the streets of that little town in Italy—it was just amazing. GL: Do you have any traditions? RK: After doing the genealogical research, we’ve kind of implemented a Slovak Christmas Eve. When my son comes home, he wants the Slovak Christmas Eve. We have sauerkraut soup, which is actually really delicious. You’re also supposed to put out a plate in case a traveler comes, so we always set the table with an extra spot. GL: Which food should be canceled? RK: Circus peanuts. Who ever thought that was a treat? They’re terrible. I do have affection for oldschool candy, though. At work we have a vending machine, and one day Chuckles showed up. I thought, “It’s nirvana at work.” I put the money in and that row wasn’t working in the machine. The people at the vending company must have thought I was a lunatic because I called them and said, “You put Chuckles in the machine, but I can’t get them. You need to come fix it.” GL: Do ghosts exist? RK: From personal experience, no, but I have known people who have very convincing stories. In my hometown there was this old place called the Windham Inn. It dates back to the 1700s. The story was that a woman who had lost her baby would walk up the road through the Windham Inn where she used to live. My middle school teacher lived there. She came home one day and her photo albums were scattered about and all the pictures of kids were taken out of the photo albums and spread on the floor. She seemed like a very normal person, not a nut. GL: What does living the good life mean to you? RK: It means having the ability to travel and see new places, but always having a place to come home. In my 50s I can envision retirement somewhere near a large airport. I’ll also have a camper and travel around with my dog and wife. That would be the good life for me. •
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LOCAL HERO | RUSS STABLER
LOCAL HERO: RUSS STABLER
Being human and taking care of one another WRITTEN BY: ALEXIS SWENSON PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Russ Stabler, 72 year old Vietnam veteran, has lived more life than most. In October 1967, Stabler enlisted in the military 23 days shy of his 18th birthday. The transition was made easier because he'd already learned discipline and respect from having a good upbringing. "I did not like the idea of being drafted. I enlisted in the Air Force because my dad was in the Air Corps and my uncle was Air Force, so I figured that was the logical step: become Air Force," said Stabler. He originally applied to be an Air Traffic Controller. "The Air Force in their infinite wisdom said, 'You're going to control traffic son, but it ain't going to be in the air,'" said Stabler. As a cop on the ground, Stabler pivoted, making the decision to apply for K-9 school to become a Sentry Dog Handler. "My dog, Prince, didn't like anyone, including himself. I think he got up in the morning and bit himself just to prove how mean he was. I called him Devil. He bit me three times and I was his best friend; the one who fed him," said Stabler. Unfortunately, Prince was put down two and a half years later and Stabler then became a Security Police Officer. In his 20 years in service, Stabler served in Germany; Wyo.; Vietnam; Thailand; Hampton, Va.; and Grand Forks, ND. He held various roles including Airman and Missile Police Officer on a Security Response Team. In his two tours in Vietnam, Stabler served with the Marines for a year and then the Army for a year. As he was previously trained in explosives he assisted his team (first the Marines, then the Army) in blowing up enemy items including weapons and food. During his second tour in Vietnam, Stabler was shot in the leg and sent to a hospital in Thailand to recover. After recovering, Stabler was stationed on a base in Thailand issuing bedding and overseeing Change of Quarter duties. Stabler has always been fond of animals and even living in Vietnam couldn't change that. His 11 ½ foot "pet" cobra named Charlie was especially fond 30 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
RUSS STABLER PICTURED FAR RIGHT.
Stabler prefers not to be called a hero.
For him, that is a designation reserved for the 58,000+ names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. of Stabler and would listen to Stabler's commands to lay down and stay put. "I would feed him white rats and he would curl up right next to me. He scared more than one supervisor when they came up the wrong way. Nobody would mess with me," said Stabler. Back in the states, Stabler was a Security Response Force Leader responsible for securing the ammunition and weapons storage area at Langley Air Force Base. Due to his experience in Vietnam and Thailand, he was certified as Air Base Ground Defense. He quickly became a flight trainer, teaching individuals to pass their Quality Control exams. In the time that Stabler took over the training, the pass rate increased from 25% to 98%. When stationed in Grand Forks, Stabler was a Security Escort Team Camper Alert Team Chief in the
Missile Squadron before moving into the role of Fire Team Flight Chief. Stabler became a Master Security Police Officer and eventually achieved his 9 level or superintendent skill level designation. Among the many medals and recognition Stabler received from serving, the most impressive is the Air Force Commendation Medal. Still, Stabler prefers not to be called a hero. For him, that is a designation reserved for the 58,000+ names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. AFTER THE VIETNAM WAR Stabler met his wife, Nancy, in 1976 and married the following year, 1977. After living in Grand Forks, ND for several years, in 2009, the couple found themselves settled in Hunter, ND. Sadly, Stabler's wife passed away in 2015. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 31
LOCAL HERO | RUSS STABLER
His marriage
"A lot of our friends were saying our marriage wouldn't last a year. Well, they were right. It didn't last a year. It lasted 37 ½ years. I told her I wanted her for another 150."
"A lot of our friends were saying our marriage wouldn't last a year. Well, they were right. It didn't last a year. It lasted 37 ½ years. I told her I wanted her for another 150," said Stabler. Upon retiring from the military in October 1987, Stabler earned a degree in teaching through which he taught middle school in western ND for two years. At the prompting of others around him to further his education and demonstrate progress in his career, Stabler went back to school for his Master's degree in Modern European History with a minor in Asian History. Stabler is also an ordained minister. After earning his two degrees, Stabler "needed something else to study" and was naturally drawn to the field.
"I relearned my faith and my faith in God."
"Over in Vietnam, you get to thinking because you're doing things that you're taught by the Bible are wrong. But you're taught in the military to do them. And you do them without thinking." "I relearned my faith and my faith in God. Over in Vietnam, you get to thinking because you're doing things that you're taught by the Bible are wrong. But you're taught in the military to do them. And you do them without thinking. You ask yourself why God has abandoned you. He's supposed to help me with these things and the help is not there. But, I have learned that He's always been there. I just wasn't asking the right questions," said Stabler. LEARNING TO BE A HUMAN BEING AGAIN Returning to the United States after serving in Vietnam was challenging for Stabler. He sought to numb the negative memories and emotions that consumed him by drinking. "I came back from Southeast Asia a very disillusioned 32 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
individual. I had no faith in humanity whatsoever. I wanted nothing to do with people; the less I had to interact the better off I was. Sure, while I was drinking I'd forget. But, then I'd wake up the next morning and the problem was still there," said Stabler. Through classes offered at the VA including anger management and behavior management, Stabler realized what happened is never going to go away. However, he made the choice to learn how to deal with it. "Thank God I have my fellow veterans because I got folks I can talk to. We've seen things we didn't want to see and done things we didn't want to do, but we are learning to live with it. We're learning to be human beings again. This means not being a vengeful, angry
" Thank God I have my fellow veterans because I got folks I can talk to."
"We've seen things we didn't want to see and done things we didn't want to do, but we are learning to live with it. We're learning to be human beings again."
person at everybody and everything. We've learned not to dislike somebody because of the way they think," said Stabler.
again. My joking around is hiding a multitude of sins. It's keeping that guy in the back of my head in check," said Stabler.
It's an ongoing process, one that Stabler works through daily. "I've got a dark side that I keep pushed to the back and I never want to let that individual out
TAKING CARE OF ONE ANOTHER For Stabler, the biggest takeaway from serving in the military is his sense of responsibility and commitment. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 33
LOCAL HERO | RUSS STABLER
"It doesn't matter what kind of day it is; it's a wonderful day because you're still alive." 34 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
"If you're going to commit to doing something, you need to do it 100%. Be there when you're supposed to be there. Do what you're supposed to do," said Stabler. Today, Stabler remains committed to taking care of his brother and sister veterans and their families. He currently volunteers at the Fargo Veteran Affairs Information desk on Mondays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Stabler is at the Fargo National Cemetery fulfilling his duties as Chaplain and Squad Leader for the Memorial Honor Guard.
The Home is located in Lisbon, ND. The Board supports special programs and purchases equipment including aromatherapy, medical equipment, touch screen TVs, and a baby grand piano. Ideas in the pipeline include a memorial garden and a separate building for hosting BBQs and entertainment. THE GOOD LIFE Stabler places great importance on listening to and seeking to understand one another, even if points of view differ greatly. He also maintains that keeping a positive perspective is crucial.
Furthermore, he serves as Region 5 Director for the Air Force Security Forces Association, secretary for the Vietnam Veterans State Council, a member of the North Dakota Veterans Legislative Council, a member of the Compassionate Contact Corps, and a member of the North Dakota Veterans Home Foundation Board, Inc.
"Every day that we get up, that day is our gift from God. What we do with that day is our gift to God. You go to bed at night and you thank God for helping you through the day. You get up in the morning and you thank Him for letting you get up and for letting you live your life. It doesn't matter what kind of day it is; it's a wonderful day because you're still alive," said Stabler.
Stabler represents the Vietnam Veterans of America on the ND Veterans Home Foundation Board. The ND Veterans Home Foundation was created in 1987 to build a permanent endowment for the North Dakota Veterans Home to enhance the quality of life of veterans.
For him, this is all part of how he embodies the good life. "The good life to me is showing how people should be and the good that people do in this world and in this community...to take care of one another," said Stabler.
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