The Good Life – March-April 2023

WRITTEN BY: PAUL HANKEL

AAs a father, there are many important lessons I want to teach my son. From how to safely handle a firearm to the importance of honesty, the list is endless. But perhaps one of the most important lessons I want to impart to my growing offspring is how to be a true gentleman.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. "But wait," you say, "isn't being a gentleman just about holding doors open and saying 'please' and 'thank you'? And isn't that something that kids learn in kindergarten?”

Well, my son, you would be wrong. Being a gentleman is so much more than that. It's about respect, empathy, and kindness. It's about being the kind of person that others want to be around. But where to begin?

Look smart, act smart.

Well, first things first: Look and act the part. Does this mean you have to wear a three-piece suit every day and speak with a British accent? No. But it means being presentable in the correct circumstances and taking pride in not only your appearance but also in how the world will view you.

Making the correct choices is a life-long struggle for every man. It’s best to start learning how to do it early on. I hope to instill a moral compass within you that will help you to make decisions that are wellthought-out, don’t harm others, and are beneficial to your growth as a young man.

Manners make the (young) man. Next up: manners. Yes, I know that "please" and "thank you" are basic words that you've been saying since you were old enough to speak. But they're also incredibly important.

Eye contact is also super important. When friends or adults are speaking to you, it’s important that you let them know you’re listening by engaging in eye contact.

R-e-s-p-e-c-t.

Now, let's talk about respect. I know that you're only eleven, but it's never too early to start treating others the way you want to be treated. That means not bullying others and remaining humble in victory and resilient in defeat.

Also, one of the key characteristics of a gentleman is the way he treats women. I hope to teach you to respect and value women, and to always treat them with kindness and consideration.

Sportsmanship.

Being a good sport is a crucial part of being a gentleman. It's important that I teach you that it's not about always winning or losing, a lot of times it’s about having fun and being a good sport. This is especially true during your younger years.

You can play a game where you make up your own rules and see who can follow them the best, or you can make a competition out of it and see who can be the best sport.

Self-confidence is key.

As I mentioned above, it’s not always about winning. However, I do expect you to try your hardest and to have a winning attitude. That effort begins with having the self-confidence that you can achieve most of the things you put your mind to.

A gentleman is comfortable in his own skin and is confident in his abilities. I plan to help you develop a healthy sense of self-esteem by praising accomplishments and encouraging you to try new things.

Kindness goes a long way.

And finally, let's talk about kindness. Being a gentleman is not just about being polite and respectful. It's also about being there for others. So, if you see someone who's sad or lonely, take the time to talk to them. It costs exactly ZERO dollars to be kind to someone. Offer a smile or a kind word. It might not seem like much, but it can make all the difference in the world. Empathy and the ability to see thing’s from another person’s perspective are important life skills that will help you in your personal and professional life.

Now, I know that these lessons might seem like a lot to take in. But trust me, it's worth it. Because when you're a true gentleman, it will radiate to those around you, and draw people to you.

So, my son, I challenge you to take these lessons to heart. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be the one teaching your own son how to be a gentleman. But for now, let's just focus on bathing regularly and limiting the backtalk. Deal? •

CONTENTS

MARCH-APRIL 2023

VOLUME 10 ★ ISSUE 5

DAD LIFE RAISING A GENTLEMAN... OR MY ATTEMPTS TO, AT LEAST

One of the most important lessons I want to impart to my growing offspring is how to be a true gentleman.

BEGINNING BIRDING

Getting started in birding, and where to see birds – especially during the spring migration.

HAVING A BEER WITH TYLER AXNESS

Politician turned radio host, Tyler Axness opens up about Looney Tunes, Tucker Carlson vs. Sean Hannity, his best on-air gaffe and PBS’ most famous pot smoker.

YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD TRAIN GUY

Jerry Lenssen is a local treasure deserving of his 15 minutes.

ON THE COVER - K9 MIKA

West Fargo’s finest firefighter has four paws, a tail, and a crime-fighting snout.

VALLEY VINTAGE CAR CLUB

Whether you collect classic cars or admire them, this club will welcome you with open arms.

HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER

Find your new best friend! These cats and dogs are waiting for their forever homes.

LOCAL HERO - CHRIS DEERY

Fighting the war at home. Local veteran advocates for those in need.

The GOODLIFE

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Beginning Birding

WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY MILLER

The afternoon sun slanted through the autumn foliage, dappling the forest floor. With nary a breath of wind, I caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye. Focusing my binoculars in the general area, I was shocked to see a pair of pileated woodpeckers. While I have often seen individuals of the duck-sized bird, it was my first encounter with a male and female pair. The next ten minutes were spent observing the pair, bowhunting deer forgotten.

Birding, or the act of going into habitats and looking for bird species, is incredibly popular across the country. While numbers are difficult to estimate, as unlike hunting or fishing, birding doesn’t require a state-issued license., There are no doubt millions of Americans that head afield each year to participate in the activity.

Gear:

Happily, birding requires very little gear. My good friend, Dr. Mike Bush, is a lifelong birder. When I asked him what he recommends for a birding first timer, he said, “No question, the most important piece of the birder’s kit is a pair of quality binoculars.” The best way to purchase binoculars is to visit local sporting goods stores and trying out various models. Binoculars vary widely in price, and what works great for one person may not appear as clear or user friendly to another. Look through many in the price range decided upon before making a purchase. Binoculars are a tool that will last a lifetime.

After obtaining binoculars, the next item to obtain is bird identification guides. Bush recommends either the Sibley or National Geographic guides as well as the Audubon

and Merlin apps. “The apps are pretty incredible; they can identify birds by photos or sounds.” I’ve used the Merlin app many times in the field when I hear a bird but can’t see it. Like any app or computer program, they aren’t infallible but are of value to beginning birders or birders in unfamiliar areas. I used mine extensively last summer on a trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Clothing is important when trying to view undisturbed birds. While camouflage isn’t necessary, drab Earth tones are helpful. Birds can see color, and bright clothing will spook many species. Comfortable, quiet clothing, matched to the season, is important.

Many birders combine photography with watching. While I dabble in photography, I don’t have the skill or knowledge to recommend camera gear. Internet birding forums are a great place to learn about the art of photography.

One interesting twist on photography is using camera traps, also known as game cameras. Attached to a tree or post, the camera is triggered by movement that occurs in

front of it. Placed on suet, bird feeders or animal remains, camera traps can catch some truly remarkable bird images. When using camera traps, however, landowner permission must be obtained, and using them on public lands is not recommended.

Seasons and Locations:

Our beginning birder is now outfitted in the right clothes and carrying a high-quality pair of binoculars. All is for naught, however, if they don’t know where to find birds.

The timing of the season is of great importance to bird species. Many of them migrate through our area, appearing during the spring and fall on their way to summering and wintering grounds. Some species stay all year, adapted to our hot summers and cold winters. The birder should understand the seasonal shifts, as that knowledge will help to find birds.

Spring and fall migration are peak times to see the widest assortment of birds. A myriad of ducks, geese and swans, collectively known as waterfowl, are winging north to their

nesting grounds. The migration is a grand spectacle, filling the air with the calls and cries of avian creatures. Songbirds like Lapland Longspurs and Horned Larks come through early in the spring, with sparrows, warblers, vireos, thrushes, and flycatchers appearing later in the spring. There is also a large uptick in raptors such as hawks, falcons, and owls.

Summertime birds include a variety of sparrows, pipits, buntings, and phoebes. Around water, ducks and geese are raising young along with shorebirds like Common Snipe, Grebes, and Coots. One of my favorite species, the Belted Kingfisher, can be seen hunting for fish along rivers and lakes.

During the fall the cycle repeats, with many of the same birds heading south. Winter is a sparse time for local birds. Around bird feeders Black Capped Chickadees, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Cardinals and Blue Jays flit and fight, and in open country Snow Buntings, American Crows, Bald Eagles, and the occasional Snowy Owl patrol the land.

Species adapted to woodland habitats can be found in riparian areas along rivers and lakes, while prairie species seek out wide-open spaces to make their home.

Where to Start:

Fargo/Moorhead has many acres of public lands to spot birds. Any of Fargo or Moorhead’s less developed parks hold a tremendous abundance of birds, as well as the area south of Fargo in the Orchard Glen and Forest River area. Native grasses and forests swarm with beautiful creatures all over the metro area.

Local Organizations:

Joining Audubon Dakota is a great first step to learning the nuances of birding. A local chapter of the Audubon Society, Audubon Dakota works to preserve and improve habitats for birds and other wildlife. Many members are hard-core birders and are happy to share their knowledge. Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited, while thought of as only a hunter’s organization, are also committed to wildlife habitat preservation, and include those interested in birding as well. All across the globe, habitat is the key to maintaining healthy wildlife populations for now and for the future. •

WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

Thanks to the stomach flu running rampant throughout my house, I needed to postpone my date with KFGO’s Tyler Axness. I had a lot of bleaching to do, for one, and I figured emergency sprints to the bathroom might hamper his on-air routine. Axness was graciously accommodating to my last-minute schedule change, which I suppose comes with the territory — he just crossed the five-year mark of hosting his daily radio show, Afternoons Live.

A week after recovering from the plague, I met Tyler at Drekker’s Brewhalla, which by the time this story goes to print will likely have celebrated its post-remodel/expansion grand reopening. After exchanging typical introductions and handshakes (yes, we still shake hands in the Midwest, covid be damned), Axness immediately went to the bar to order a beer… and I immediately knew this would be a fine interview. And so it was.

How’d you end up on the radio?

I was out in the state senate doing my thing there, and once the first session got done, Mike McFeely — who had the afternoon spot back then — asked if I would guest host. I filled in and that day the Casselton train derailment disaster happened. It was my first day ever hosting, and I guess I showed I could do the job. So I guest-hosted a few more times over the years, and when Mike moved back to the Forum, they [KFGO] called and asked if I'd consider doing the job full time.

What’s a typical day look like for you now that you’ve been on air for five years?

Now I’m full time 8-5. I do prep work during the day, talking to people who know what’s going on to get the pulse of what people are talking about. The unwritten rule is one hour on air takes two hours of prep, so beyond office work, I’m also out at events, meeting people… it’s kind of like an ongoing campaign.

Any interest in getting back into politics one day? A lot of things would have to change. Politicians today seem more interested in wanting to become a celebrity. We need to get back to priorities like funding things and making things better for people. The mentality now is “I want my team to win at all costs,” and until you get away from that, you won't see good people run again. And that’s a bad spot for all of us to be in.

What was the strangest political interaction you’ve ever had?

Door knocking led to interesting moments! There was one time this couple came together to the door wearing just bathrobes, and I think they were able to put together what was going through my mind. It was a brief conversation!

Who would win in a celebrity death match, Tucker Carlson or Sean Hannity? Importantly, the ghost of Rush Limbaugh is the referee…

Well, there’s always bias there if you got Rush involved. Tucker may be more nimble, easier to get around, but Sean is going to be one of those immovable objects and come off that turnbuckle with a nasty clothesline. I think Hannity has the advantage in this one.

What’s something you got in trouble for as a kid that you would totally get away with now that you’re an adult? This… what we're doing right now. Sitting in a dimly lit place and consuming a cold beverage just shooting the breeze. Also, indoor water gun fights. My parents weren't fans. I also grew up less than an hour away from Canada, so we made a few trips up there. I once went through the border and the security guy asked if I planned to leave anything behind… I said, “maybe a few golf balls.”He immediately said, “OK, pull ahead to the left, get out of your car.” Don’t joke around at the border!

How long does it take you to pack for vacation compared to your significant other?

Oh God, it’s a whole day for her! We both over pack, but I’m of the throw stuff in and I’ll make it work mantra. If it’s an event for work, you gotta have brand new clothes in her opinion, which means shopping…. It’s a whole day-plus affair for her to pack.

What was your favorite cartoon growing up, and what cereal were you eating when you watched it?

Fruity Pebbles for sure. I grew up with two older brothers, so I got into watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, and of course good old fashioned Looney

Tunes. Tom and Jerry is classic. Pinky and Brain was a great show. Same with Animaniacs.

What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever said on air?

Well I don’t enunciate all that well sometimes, so just listen daily 2-5 and you can pick. But one time I was at the Legion up in Harwood, and they had music videos playing, which you’re going to watch if you’re there. So Ronnie Milsap is on and playing, and I said he looked like a cross between Elton John and Ray Charles, as he was doing the sway, with the sunglasses and whatnot. And people had to tell me that Ronnie Milsap was blind. I got roasted by listeners.

If you hosted a radio show when you were 12, what would the show be about?

Life was so much more simple back then. Again, small town life, you’re out hunting, driving around, all the ins and outs of how to get away with stuff. And of course WWF wrestling! The Tuesday shows would be lit with what happened Monday night. That would've been the cornerstone of the show at 12.

Were you stunned to learn that PBS’ favorite travel guide Rick Steves is a total pothead?

Yes, absolutely! This is the travel guy who's advocating legalizing it everywhere. He was a pretty good spokesman for why legalization should be everywhere. His travels really showed him where legalization really is beneficial to society. He was so educational, it made you want to donate to PBS.

What does the good life mean to you?

The good life to me is being able to find your passion and do it for a living. Doesn't feel like work then. Being able to celebrate and spend time with family and close friends. And being comfortable and able to do what we want when we want, together. •

Your Friendly Neighborhood Train Guy

Jerry Lenssen is a local treasure deserving of his 15 minutes

WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

In a quiet corner of south Moorhead, a lifelong devotion hides in a modest two-story with a single stall garage, the locomotive-shaped mailbox the only clue to the historic fun inside.

I ended up at Jerry Lenssen’s house because tucked away in storage for nearly half a century, a dusty box of mismatched model trains that belonged to my father-in-law waited for a second life. The problem was nobody in my family had the first clue what to do. So off my wife went with her father’s toys to the now-closed Hobby Hut for a consultation.

“Oh, you’re going to want to go see Jerry,” the owner told her, a referral he’d repeated going on thirty years.

Three hours later my wife returned emptyhanded, but with a story to share. “It’s a museum,” she recalled, as she went into details about Jerry “The Train Guy.” I heard a tale of wall-to-wall model trains, an office stocked with parts, and of a man devoted to his passion.

Sounds like a story, I thought to myself, imagining a Wonka-esque character barricaded inside a funhouse of his own making.

A Family Tradition

I missed it at first. The train mailbox didn’t catch my eye until I walked back to my truck in a daze of childhood wonder at what I had just seen.

Jerry was excited to welcome me in, opening the side garage door before I even had the chance to knock. He was dressed in a plain red sweatshirt outlining his Kris Kringle figure…and jolly, kind-hearted demeanor. I was about to enter his workshop, but not before a quick tour of the garage that housed his vintage cars… which he drives.

The past is everywhere you look at Jerry’s. It’s alive. It’s being used, tinkered with, restored and enjoyed.

Growing up on a farm near Litchville, N.D., trains were always a part of his life — the Northern Pacific passenger train rumbled through the family land up until the mid sixties. Before the line was decommissioned, his father bought tickets for a single ride to the next town over just to give his kids the thrill.

His first model train, an American Flyer given to him by his father, still sits in his collection. He recalled days playing up in the top floor of the farmhouse, piecing together different displays, each with its own story. In the winter, the trains would sit idle until the weather turned warm enough to go back up.

For Jerry, it’s the hands-on piece that is the most valuable. He returned to a familiar mantra throughout our visit, explaining how model trains get kids into a real craft that involves working with their hands and minds.

“It’s a good hobby for the kids,” Jerry said calmly. “All they do is look at their screens these days, but this gets their hands on something… something that isn’t quite as stressful.”

Always a Bucket List Item

With his affable personality, constant smile and gentle confidence, Jerry’s longtime career as a traveling salesman came as no surprise. He worked for Goodyear for seventeen years, driving across the region selling tires. For another seventeen years, he “ran tow truck” for Bud’s Amoco.

“As soon as our son graduated from high school,” Jerry recalled, “my wife and I started a business cleaning office buildings in the evenings to help pay for college.”

Still a doting father, Jerry speaks of his son more glowingly than any of his passions. But he does give credit to model trains for teaching his son focus and discipline.

“It’s a very good hobby for kids,” Jerry reiterated, “as it keeps them out of trouble. My son always had something to do. Run trains for a little bit, go study, come back to the trains. They also learn the value of money when you go to shows. They learn to scout and decide what’s worth what.”

As Jerry dug out a box of photographs to show off the

trains he and his son worked on together, I wondered what, if anything, he felt was missing from his collection, which dates back to 1926.

“Oh yeah, there’s always something left on my bucket list,” Jerry chuckled. “There’s always an American Flyer car, some that are very expensive.”

He paused to pull out his phone from his shirt pocket.

“This is an American Flyer Northwestern Reefer car going for $3,200,” he said, handing me his phone. “I could've bought that car in Kansas City for $1,200 and I didn’t, even though I had the money in my pocket.”

Yet during two hours I didn’t see a hint of regret in Jerry’s eyes. He maintains the enthusiasm of a toddler, especially when it comes to introducing his favorite hobby to the next generation.

“Every kid that comes to my booth,” Jerry said, “I send them home with a free car. And I let them pick. The last show I probably handed out 100 cars. I like to send them home with a start, ya know?”

A drop in the bucket for Jerry “The Train Guy,” and his answer to what the good life means to him: sharing his passion.

“The passion is still pretty strong,” he said. “It’s always something to do. With model trains, you can display them, you can fix them and you can run them. You’ve got three things to always do…it’s a great hobby.” •

West Fargo’s finest firefighter has four paws, a tail, and a crime-fighting snout

WRITTEN BY: HILLARY SORENSON PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

Mika’s coffee-colored eyes looked lovingly at John Neeb, her K-9 handler of three years. The day had started like any other typical Monday. Eva, a German shepherd and Mika’s best friend, initiated a game of tag while John and his family completed the monotonous morning duties that plague most American families. Mika had been looking forward to easing into her Monday; maybe she would play a game of catch, or she and John would do some training, then John got the call. And Mika knew it was time to put her snout to work.

From the outside, Mika is like any other black lab. Her energetic and playful demeanor brightens the darkest rooms, and her mere presence lights up the faces within the community of West Fargo. But Mika isn’t just a black

lab who lazes around the firehouse hoping to catch glimpses from West Fargo’s finest. Mika is an arson pup, and she has a huge responsibility and purpose for the West Fargo Fire department.

Who Are Mika and John Neeb?

At the beginning of 2015, John was working in business administration but desired something more fulfilling than the typical nine-to-five, so he started volunteering at the West Fargo Fire Department. The end of 2017 into the beginning of 2018 marks a historical time for the West Fargo Fire Department as the department switched from a volunteer basis to a full-time entity. John is the first in the history of West Fargo Fire to be a full-time Fire Inspector and K-9 handler.

Mika, the five-year-old Labrador retriever hails from Michigan. Mika’s pawsome journey toward becoming an arson K-9, or Accelerant Detection Canine (ADC), began when the State Farm Arson Dog Program picked her up following a short stint as a seeingeye dog. Mika’s fun-loving and energetic personality didn’t quite fit the responsibilities of working with the disabled, and as with all canines in the program, she went from a disability assistant to a crime-fighting dog-O.

“We were looking at ways to expand the department and have more options,” John said. “My boss, Dell Sprecher, started looking into programs that we could get involved in. We researched and talked to other departments and chose the State Farm Arson Dog Program. And we were put on a two-year waiting list.” The anticipation of Mika’s addition to the fire

department concluded in August of 2020 when she finished and passed her 200-hour training that Maine Specialty Dogs developed and teaches. The fourweek training course is put on by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Gray, Maine. State Farm has been a sponsor of the program since 1993, and as of 2023, the program has successfully trained 425 canines including Mika.

A Day in The Life of Mika

Just like most first responders, Mika and John don’t have a set schedule and are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “But if I could make a typical day,” John said. “We’d get up, and I’d let her outside to play with Eva. Then we’d go to work and do basics at the first opportunity, which is the easiest way for her to get fed.”

“Basics” is where Mika seeks out a fuel-soaked cotton swab placed in an aluminum paint can among other empty cans. “I’d do one exercise maybe in the morning and then multiple exercises in the afternoon.”

– John Neeb

Arson pups are food-reward canines, which means they have to perform an accelerant exercise in order to eat. “Basics” is where Mika seeks out a fuel-soaked cotton swab placed in an aluminum paint can among other empty cans. “I’d do one exercise maybe in the morning and then multiple exercises in the afternoon,” John said.

Due to the type of activities and training Mika is required to achieve in order to consume her meals, she only eats from John’s hand and never a bowl. John said that some days Mika eats upwards of five cups of food a day depending on the number of exercises they’ve performed. “It keeps her mind and stomach out of sync so she is always prepared and willing to work because she doesn’t know how much food she’s going to get.”

John also keeps Mika on a diligent exercise regime, and they typically go out walking four or five times a day. “And thanks to the West Fargo Police Department,” he said. “I have been able to put her on a K-9 treadmill as well.”

When a working fire is called out, this is when Mika’s inherent abilities and learned skill set are put to the test. The average dog’s nose is tens of thousands of times stronger than that of a human. An ADC, like Mika, is trained to confirm or eliminate the possibility that an accelerant was located at the fire. If Mika sniffs out an accelerant, she will sit at the location, and John will mark it. Once Mika’s job is complete, it is up to the local jurisdiction’s fire investigator to pull the evidence and send it to a lab for testing. “There are a lot of different variables when it comes to saying whether something is positive or not for an accelerant,” John said. “Mika is a very good arson K-9.”

There are just 100 ADCs in the US and Canada. Which means, John and Mika stay pretty busy, and they aren’t restricted to the West Fargo area. “We could get called out in the eastern half of North Dakota to the western half of Minnesota, and we have responded to 123 fires and 40 demonstrations,” John said. As part of Mika’s continuing education, she must respond to 50 fires and recertify annually.

The average dog’s nose is tens of thousands of times stronger than that of a human.

Mika is also a great public educator and when she isn’t fighting crime or sniffing her way to snacks, she’s hanging out with the locals to teach about fire prevention. “October is fire prevention month, and every year we teach kindergarten through thirdgrade fire prevention,” John said. “She loves being the center of attention and being around kids.”

At Home with The Dynamic Duo

In spite of Mika’s incredible capabilities, when at home, Mika is an ordinary family pet who plays with the family’s other dog, protects John’s kids, and cuddles with his wife. “Anyone we are with loves her and she loves them back,” John said. “She does keep me pretty busy, but other than the amount of extra work at night or training, she hasn’t changed our family. But I do want to thank my wife for always supporting me.”

As a working dog, Mika has a minimum working life of five years and a maximum of ten, and when she retires, she will either become a station dog or stay with John and his family furever. John said that once she retires he would love the opportunity to handle another K-9 because the experience has been an extremely positive one, and he credits that to the support of the community, city commissioner, fire marshal, fire chief, and his family.

“Mika and I are together 24/7,” John said. “She works with me, she comes home with me – we make a really good team.”

“The Good Life for Mika means getting enough food and working enough fires. And also… her favorite thing of all is just playing with other dogs,” John said. “And for me, it means watching my kids grow up, maintaining the K-9 program, and just having a great family. And potentially getting another K-9 when Mika retires. It’s really something special to have a K-9 with me 24/7.” •

“The city and commission, fire chief, fire marshal – they’ve been wonderful supporting the K-9 program. And they love having Mika around. When people walk through the door, they just immediately smile because of her.” – John Neeb

50 Years!

Vintage to Modern - Just Like Their Members

WRITTEN BY: KRISSY NESS

Collecting has always been a beloved pastime; from vinyl records to baseball cards, there is something out there for everyone. However, one thing that the members of Valley Vintage Car Club have in common is collecting cars, motorized vehicles, and memorabilia, so much so that they have been a club for 50 years.

"Fargo-Moorhead has had many car clubs over the years, they come, and they go, and generally, one of the problems is money," stated Stan Krogh, founding member.

Another founding member, who has since passed away, Richard Dick (R.D.) Olsen came up with an idea. "We'll pay local dues, enjoy the fruits of our work, and we won't send money out of state to national clubs," shared Krogh. "We needed a name, so that night, we talked about it and decided to name it Valley Vintage Car Club; that name was chosen 50 years ago, and we're still going."

While they aren’t the only car club in town, they have drawn in a lot of members over the years.

Valley Vintage currently has 203 memberships, though not all reside in the Fargo-Moorhead area. What is great about a group this size is you get the opportunity to associate with people – young and old.

"I joined the club 20 years ago; I found myself not mingling with anybody, just working all the time," said Roger Gunderson. "Now, my friends are all car guys, we're all different ages, and it is a lot of fun."

The thing about Valley Vintage that grabbed my attention is how close everyone is to each other. "It's really a family club; children are welcome; we are a loose operating club on purpose," explained Krogh. "If we want to be miserable, we'll go back to work."

Jason Geir is the perfect example of one family joining the club and never leaving.

"Technically, I have been a part of the club since I was a kid; my dad became a member back in the early 80s," stated Geir, who has been a member for 20 years. "A few of us grew up together, going to these events, and some of us are still involved."

When you join a club like Valley Vintage, you are in it for the long haul; lifelong friends have been made and kept through simply enjoying cars.

"My biggest regret in life is that I didn't join earlier because I've met so many good people in the club. We all get along for the most part, even though we have different car choices," exclaimed Steve Lattimore. "We give each other a bad time sometimes, but that's half the fun."

The car club is more than cruising around town or posting up at a car show for a weekend, although I must admit that sounds like a great time! Valley Vintage is about

looking at their cars and the memorabilia they have collected, monthly meetings, or even going on supper runs with their families.

You may think, wow, this sounds great, but I don't own a classic car. Well, you're in luck; owning a collector car is not required to join this club. "Back when I joined the club, I did not have a collector car," said Lattimore. "People were so helpful trying to sell me theirs that I ended up getting a car like I had right after high school, in the 70s," explained Lattimore.

As long as you are interested in motors, you're in the club. Within the club, you will find classic cars, motorcycles, and even adult go-karts.

Being their 50th anniversary, they plan to do something special to celebrate.

"We usually have our banquet in the spring, but a lot of the guys are old and retired; they are snowbirds," said Geir. "So instead of doing a picnic this year, I proposed the idea of a 50th-anniversary party so the snowbirds can join us, and we can eat and visit and maybe tell some stories and,

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: JASON GEIR

One of the events they all enjoyed sharing with me was the award section. It is more of a roast than actual awards.

"A lot of people would get awards for ridiculous things like the Rusty Wrench award, for those who haven't done any work on their car for a year," laughed Geir.

"Sometimes we behave like a bunch of 12-year-olds," added Lattimore.

I enjoyed talking with these guys, hearing stories about their friendship and the jokes they have played on one another, their most cherished cars, and what the club means to each one of them.

The name Valley Vintage gives off a vibe that they are only interested in vintage cars, but that couldn't be further from the truth. "We have cars ranging from a 1904 Schacht to Stan's 2019 Corvette," explained Geir.

As you can see, this club enjoys vintage cars and modern ones, too, by members young and old; age doesn't matter. What matters is the enjoyment you get from your hobby and those you can share it with.

“The good life is having what you need and enjoying what you have. Good friends, family, a sense of adventure and a fondness for fun. In the case of us car collectors, it is the ability to relive our youth while celebrating the past,” exclaims Geir. •

!

These are just a few of the many faces in our care that are patiently waiting for their forever families to find them. We know there’s a match out there for all of them. And for all the rest of their friends at the shelter and in foster homes that aren’t pictured here on these pages. Maybe one has been waiting all this time to rescue YOU... Adopt a shelter pet today!

At Homeward Animal Shelter, our mission is: “Rescue. Shelter. Protect. Rehome.”. We provide a second chance

FIND YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND GIZMO

at happiness to lost, abandoned, and owner-surrendered animals; and educate the community on the proper, loving, and kind treatment of animals.

Homeward Animal Shelter is committed to preventing animal overpopulation and spays/neuters all animals 6 months or older before adoption. Since its inception in 1966, Homeward Animal Shelter has placed nearly 41,000 animals in lifelong homes. •

DONALD

Female

2 ½ years old

White & Grey DSH

Hello, I’m Gizmo, an independent and playful highenergy girl. Because I’m so smart I enjoy lots of activities and things to do. My intelligence also makes me a little careful and cautious of new folks, at least until I get to know you and can fully relax. I love to pounce, and I consider myself a master hunter. If you adopt me, I promise to keep your home insect and critter free! And if your home is ALREADY insect and critter-free, a few cat toys will suit me just as well. I am great at stalking my prey, and I do an adorable butt-wiggle before I pounce that I know you will appreciate. I hope to meet you soon!

Love, Gizmo

Male

Nearly 2 years old

Terrier Mix

Hi, my name is Donald and I'm a goofy and lovable pup. I'm always up for playtime, whether it's fetch, hunting for treasure with my nose, or tossing treats around for myself to catch. I'm happiest when I'm cuddled up with my human on the couch, and I love when they scratch my chest. I was in a difficult situation when I was younger and didn't get to experience the world as much as other dogs, so I'm sometimes a bit hesitant when meeting new people and places. But once I get to know you, I'm your best friend. My foster parents can't get enough of me and my cute sleeping habits, but I'm looking for a permanent home to give my love to. Give me a chance and I promise I won't let you down!

Love, Donald

P.S. My adoption fee is fully sponsored, so you can adopt me for FREE! *The normal adoption application process still applies.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER

CLARA

Hi, I’m Classy! I’m a young tabby girl with a cute white snout and bib. My coat is beautiful, shiny, and soft, perfect for petting. I’m sweet and playful, but also independent and smart. I like to explore and can be quite happy entertaining myself, but I also really enjoy people-time and hope that you will play with me and let me be your best pal. I am dog-curious, love a soft blanket, and am all around very well-socialized and ready for a family to call my own. Please fill out an application to meet me!

Love, Classy

FRED & FROST

Hi everyone, my name is Clara. I am a super sweet lady looking for my perfect home! I am a little bit older than most of the dogs here, I'm almost 6! But don't let that deter you, I love going on long walks and playing outside with my favorite human friends. Because I am slightly older, I do tend to prefer extended cuddles at the end of my walks. I really enjoy head and neck scratches, and if you give me head massages, I'll love you forever. I do great in my kennel, I usually just take a nap until I see someone coming to get me out, and then I get really excited! I'm also fully housetrained and am very good at waiting to use the bathroom until someone lets me out - I am a lady after all! I am a little too strong for kids under 5 but if you have older kids, I would be great! If I sound like the perfect match, set up a time to come meet me soon!

Love, Clara

For information on adopting, volunteering or to make a donation, visit: homewardonline.org

Female 5 ½ years old Pit Bull Terrier Mix

Males 3 and 4 years old

Female 2 years old

White & Tabby DSH Feline Leukemia Positive

Tabby & White DSH

FIGHTING THE WAR AT HOME

Local Veteran Advocates for Those in Need

“But then something happens and it snaps you back to reality. You want to be on guard because you never know what’s going to happen. I knew firsthand I had PTSD.”

In January 2022, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) listed more than 33,100 veterans experiencing homelessness.

While this was an 11 percent decrease over January 2020, the last year a full Pont-In-Time Count was conducted, the men and women who risked their lives in the name of American security deserve better,

And that’s just what fuels Cass County Veterans Services Director Chris Deery.

“Unfortunately, in Fargo-Moorhead, we do have a lot of homeless veterans,” said Deery.

Over the last three years, Deery and his team at Cass County Veterans Services have worked hard to help local veterans get their benefits.

While people have many reasons to make a difference in the lives of others, for Deery it’s personal.

“I graduated from Fargo South (High School) in ‘99,” Deery said. “I joined (the military) prior to 9/11. Just a couple of days. I was sitting in MEPS, it’s called, or Military Entrance Processing Station. It’s like a processing center where you get a physical and do some battery testing and all that stuff. But while I was there, 9/11 was going on. So all of a sudden you’re just like ‘Oh, now this got real.’”

WRITTEN BY: EMMA VATNSDAL PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

Deery was sent to Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army’s main production center for basic combat training. Then, in 2003, Deery went to Fort Lee in Virginia and was assigned a job.

“I was a supply specialist,” he said. “Anything anybody needed — from underwear to bullets, or boots to socks, anything like that. My mission was to have everyone prepared for battle. (Fort Lee) is a lot of running meals and learning your job, and it prepares you for war. But you never think you’re going to go.”

While in the Minnesota National Guard, Deery worked at a detox facility in Moorhead, Minn., and soon moved on to a tech role.

“We got the call from the Moorhead National Guard,” Deery said. “And we got a letter in the mail. So then all that training and everything you do, and all the long weekends and two weeks a year, all that came to fruition. Then I was on an airplane going to Camp Shelby, Mississippi. We had to learn real fast.”

Deery and his squad spent roughly six months in Mississippi before heading to Louisiana for a month and ultimately Kuwait.

“It was definitely a ride,” he said. Once in Kuwait, their mission was to support the base they were on and the men and women they were with.

“A lot of it was road clearing IEDs,” Deery said. “I remember we got there in, I think it was, March. The first time we ever got attacked was Easter. We were playing basketball and the siren went off and you’re wondering what’s going on. You hear thuds and kind of feel a heat come over you and you’re like ‘Oh yeah, that’s probably dangerous.’”

Deery spent 16 months overseas, and says by the last month the sirens were just part of everyday life.

PHOTOS SUBMITTEDBY: CHRIS DEERY

“You’re not thinking ‘oh, that’s just the siren, they can’t hurt us,’” he said, “You’re not as jumpy, you kind of just get used to it. That’s your way of life.”

But for every 100 veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, between 11 and 20 experienced a whole new battle once their boots hit American soil.

“I wrote in my journal that (life on the base) is so monotonous, every day is the same,” he said. “But then something happens and it snaps you back to reality. You want to be on guard because you never know what’s going to happen. I knew firsthand I had PTSD.”

Deery recalls being in an office in Iraq and feeling like a bomb was coming in as something flew over him. “I hid under my desk,” he said. “(When I got home) I

lived by the airport and when I heard a plane fly by I hid. It was just instinct. That’s when I knew something was up.”

Advocating

Deery’s work with helping veterans started before he was even a veteran himself — he worked at the Moorhead detox center before he was deployed.

“I started noticing a lot of veterans were using (the detox) services,” he said. “I just thought I could try to help.”

Not only does he help area veterans with accessing their benefits, he also has a personal connection too.

“When I first got back (from Iraq) I sat in my backyard and drank a lot for like three weeks and I contemplated not going back to school,” he said. “And unfortunately,

someone stole my lawn chair. So when I couldn’t sit down and drink anymore, I had to start standing up for myself.”

Deery says he was lucky enough to have colleagues from the VA to help him out, and it set up a whole new future for him.

“That’s how I got into supportive employment,” Deery said. “(My colleagues) said I would be good at it, so I applied and I got the job. And it kind of jump-started everything else.”

One aspect Deery focuses on, both in his professional and his personal life, is mental health.

“I use the VA counseling services once a week,” he said. “I take medications for depression and anxiety, and I try to tell my story and hopefully help somebody else or point them in the right direction. It’s not a

One aspect Deery focuses on, both in his professional and his personal life, is mental health.

stereotype and it’s not a weakness. It’s actually a strength for a 41-year-old guy to ask for help.

If I can show them I’m asking for help, maybe it’ll lighten the load.”

From housing and transportation, to mental and physical health services, and everything in between, the work Deery and his colleagues do has helped dozens of local veterans.

And they’re still not done.

But when it comes to living the good life, Deery has that figured out.

“The Good Life is working my job from eight to five, then going home and being a dad and being a family man and just being a good friend,” he said. “I just like to help people, I was raised right.” •

“If I can show them I’m asking for help, maybe it’ll lighten the load.”

If you’re a veteran looking for resources, or if you want to get involved with the Veterans Service program in Cass county, visit: casscountynd.gov/our-county/veterans-services

If you’re a veteran or concerned about one, find support anytime, day or night. The Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.