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PHOTO: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
10 BEST WAYS TO PASS THE TIME ON A CAR TRIP
“Dad, she touched me!” “Dad, tell him to stop putting his feet on my side!” Ahhh – the sounds of the family road trip. We’ve all been on both sides of those exchanges. Separated down the middle and given a side “that we better not dare cross.” Thankfully, we have a few more options than our parents did to help ease those boredinduced frustrations from our kids. Here are a few ideas to help Dad keep his sanity:
1. Hollywood Portable DVD players. The best friend of the road-tripping parent. Think of an eight hour car trip as four movies. “Two more movies and we’ll be there kids.” It’s wonderful. Let Hollywood work its magic while you peacefully chew up the miles. And make sure the movies help enlarge your children’s understanding of the world.
2. The License Plate Game A classic. Drivers from all over the country are out there sharing the road 2
with you. Give everyone a blank map of the United States. As they spot different state license plates, they fill it in. Whoever fills in the most states wins. Prize? They get to choose where to stop for lunch.
adventures and sights. With these, the kids can create their own personal scrapbook story of the trip. Have them write details of what happened. Later on, they can add the photos they took.
3. Photo Journalists
Electronic games, iPod’s, iPad’s, cell phones. We have a whole lot of gadgets in our arsenal nowadays. Put them to good use. Challenge your son to beat his own high score in his favorite game. He won’t even notice that an entire hour just passed by.
Buy each of your children a onetime use camera. They usually have about 24 pictures. Instruct them to document the journey through their own eyes. They can take pictures of anything they want as long as they are taken during the road trip. It will be very interesting and likely very funny when you get them developed back home. Funny faces, blurry mountains, the back of Mom’s head. Who knows what will show up.
4. Scrapbook Time Give the kids paper, scissors and a glue stick. Every time you stop, let them pick out postcards of the area you are in. Grab some of those millions of brochures that tell of the local
5. Gadgets Galore
6. The Official Map “Dad, when are we going to get there?” A timeless question. Print out your entire trip using Google maps or your choice of site. Give a copy to all of the kids. When that question rears its inevitable head, you will be ready. Simply tell them where you are and have them find it on their map. The first child to figure out how many miles left to go wins a prize. Mom is in charge of all prizes.
7. The Scavenger Hunt Of course there are a lot of interesting sights on the road. Giant plastic dinosaurs. Historical landmarks. Wildlife. Lots of different things. Pick out a list of items you will be likely to see on your trip. Some easy to spot and some difficult. Whichever family member checks off the most items gets the prize. You can break it down into categories or just make one big all-inclusive hunt.
8. The Deep Discussion A novel idea. The whole family putting down the games, turning off the movie and having a thoughtful discussion. Deep discussions can last for hours. Maybe the topic is religion. How do you see God? What is He like? Maybe politics. Do you feel like everybody is treated fairly in this country? Not only do religion and politics usually lead to heated debates, but you will learn a lot about how your child feels and thinks.
9. Quirky Stops Of course Dad wants to plow through as fast as possible. However, you can break up the boredom by planning a few stops of fun along the way. Find quirky and unique places to check out. You have to get out and stretch your legs anyway. Might as well do that in an interesting location. Going to the restroom inside a building shaped like a great white shark is always more fun than a boring gas station!
10. Car Picnic Food and families go hand in hand. Some of our best moments are shared over a great plate of food. Keep plenty on hand while driving. Snacks. Drinks. Whole meals. Mom will want to keep it healthy, but try to sneak in a few fun things besides the bag of carrots. Nothing like driving down the great American road gnawing on a big chicken leg. That’s what it’s all about! Copyright 2015 All Pro Dad. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission. For more resources like this, visit AllProDad.com
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contents
may-june 2015 | volume 2 • issue 6
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FATHERS 10 BEST WAYS TO PASS THE TIME ON A CAR TRIP TAKE NOTE: BARBERSHOP SINGING IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE F-M AREA HAVING A BEER WITH ... TIM MAHONEY THE FM CRUSADERS BIG BIKES, BIG EVENTS, BIG GIVERS THANKS, I THINK - RESPONDING TO BACKHANDED COMPLIMENTS COVER - ROGER GRESS A WALK IN THE PARK FARGO INVADERS • SUMMER FOOTBALL IS SET TO INVADE FARGO FOR A SECOND SEASON WINE + GRILLING BURGERS AND BORDEAUX? LOCAL HERO - BRIAN RICHTER DESTINED TO SERVE
PUBLISHED BY Urban Toad Media LLP www.urbantoadmedia.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dawn Siewert dawn@urbantoadmedia.com PHOTOGRAPHY Darren Losee darren@urbantoadmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Soo Asheim Jessica Ballou Aaron Black Cantrel Meghan Feir Paul Hankel Wanda Perkins CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHY MJoy Photography
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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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TAKE NOTE: Barbershop Singing
is Alive and Well in the F-M Area BY: MEGHAN FEIR | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
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andy cane stripes do not glide down their suits, and skimmers are not required, but don’t let that fool you. These men are the real deal. Great Plains Harmony is a barbershop singing group in the Fargo-Moorhead area that is always looking for more members, if you can sing, that is.
Great Plains Harmony member Jeff Irwin has been singing in barbershop groups since 1982 and is actively encouraging men to join this brotherhood, this frat for singers. As long as you’re a man, can carry a tune and blend well with other singers, you can join. “The foundation of the society is a true American art form, like jazz. It was founded here (in America) and has spread,” Irwin said. The group is a part of the Barbershop Harmony Society, an international organization that aims to preserve and encourage the learning and spreading of barbershop music.
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“They’ve really started expanding in the youth area,” Irwin said. “We’re trying to set up the next generation so barbershop can thrive.”
The local chapter was started in 1951 and was originally known as the F-M Ambassadors. “In ’96, we decided to upgrade the name, so we changed it to Great Plains Harmony.” They have been called one of the best-kept secrets in Fargo, a phrase Irwin is tired of hearing. Averaging between 40-60 members, Great Plains Harmony will be focusing on expanding their group in the upcoming year with a goal of a 100-man chorus through their membership drive, FAR-MOOR SOUND. 6
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“When people hear a barbershop, especially a quartet, they’ll stop and listen because it’s different. The more you listen to it, the more you get hooked,” Irwin said. “We have a goodsounding chorus and a solid core, but when you have 100 men on stage, the dynamics completely change.” Irwin said they want to create an outlet for men of all ages. “It’s a hobby that anyone can do. We’ve got kids 9, 10, 11 years old all the way up to 90,” Irwin said.“Sometimes your knees give out. Different ailments and maladies prevent you from playing golf and other things, but this is a hobby you can do. It’s something you can do with your dad, your son, uncle, or grandfather. It’s really neat that way. My son is 15 and he sings with us. There’s just no age barrier.” The audition process isn’t a grueling one. Potential singers must attend and watch three rehearsals before auditioning with the director or section leader of your appropriate vocal part. Practices take place every Thursday night 7:30 p.m. at Knollbrook Covenant Church in Fargo. Great Plains Harmony makes it a point to reach out to members who may not be the strongest music readers but can learn parts by ear. “For people who can’t read music well, we have the learning track for them to listen to,” Irwin said. “We really help teach them how to learn music, even if they can’t really read it.” Irwin stressed the extensive education one receives from being a part of the group. “We get coaching from very
good musicians who come in, barbershop trained. There’s Harmony College that they put on once a year for a whole week. We have different coaches coming in all the time, and we also compete.” The competitions begin at a division level and proceed to the Land o’ Lakes regional district level, which includes Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. In 2013, they qualified for the international competition and performed in Toronto. Out of 1,200 chapters internationally, they were in the top 50. “Unfortunately, because of work, I wasn’t able to participate, but I watched and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the members.” The 2015 international competition will take place this summer in Pittsburgh, P.A. Great Plains Harmony’s director, Sheila Child, is a retired choral director from Fargo North High School. Her dad and uncle performed in a champion quartet, so Child grew up hearing barbershop. “It was a natural fit. She has earned the respect of everyone and knows how to work with us,” Irwin said. “We all respect and appreciate her. She’s got a gift and she’s fun, and we’re very fortunate to have somebody like that. This chapter has been blessed with great directors.” Locally, you can find the men performing parodies and
“It’s a hobby that anyone can do. We’ve got kids 9, 10, 11 years old all the way up to 90,” Irwin said.
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theme shows, from Disney songs to gospel. “We go out and sing national anthems. We’ve done things for the American Heart Association, singing valentines, and bell ringing for the Salvation Army. We try to give back, and it’s really a lot of fun.” The diversity of occupations among the singers is extensive, but their differences fall to the wayside when they enter the church to practice. “We have heart surgeons, pilots, salespeople, and farmers. It doesn’t matter what you do. When you come here, it’s a brotherhood. You build lifelong relationships.” If you would like to join Great Plains Harmony or hire them to sing for an event, visit greatplainsharmony.org.
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*This interview was conducted prior to the mayoral election.
HAVING A BEER WITH...
TIM MAHONEY BY: AARON BLACK | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
The Good Life Men’s Magazine caught up with Tim Mahoney at Drekker Brewery, for this issue’s installment of ‘Having a Beer with’. We chatted about his career, memories, and how he balances the hectic schedule of being one of the city’s top surgeons as well as its leader.
Family man, Experienced Traveler, City Leader GL: Did you ever see yourself becoming the Mayor of Fargo? Was becoming the Mayor a planned career goal? TM: [Laughs] No, me becoming the Mayor is what I like to call a fluke! I used to go down to Haiti and do mission work. We would generally go down there for a week and perform surgeries and other community projects. We got back and my wife pointed out to me the fact that there are plenty of people who need help in Fargo too. We have these 51 other weeks in which to do something. What should we do about Fargo? I had to admit, she was right. So I ran for City Commission and put myself out there.
GL: You have four children. Do you have any advice for young couples who are starting families? TM: A friend of mine always made it a habit of going out one night a week with his wife. I think that, sometimes, when we have a family, we get so busy that we forget to be a couple. It’s really nice to just have that private time to spend talking and connecting. I think that that notion is very important.
GL: Finish this sentence: On a summer weekend, my family and I will be…. TM: We have a lake cabin, so often times we will be down at the lake. We fish, ski and swim all summer. However, there’s always so many events going on in town, so it can be a tough choice! Often times, during the summer, people tend to evacuate town. What I love about Fargo, now, is that there are always things going on throughout our community.
GL: What is your favorite Fargo activity? TM: Well, sometimes we like to walk around downtown, eat at Sammy’s Pizza. We also like all of the events like the Street Fair, and Bison and Fargo Force games.
GL: What is the most extreme thing you’ve ever done? TM: I used to be in a water ski club, in Devil’s Lake, when I was young. In those days, we used to do a maneuver with kites. It worked really well, until the boat hit weeds! So, there I was trying not to hit the crowd!
GL: Do you still water ski? TM: I do. I still like to water ski and I also like to play hockey.
GL: What is something that Fargoans may not know about you? TM: One of my passions is, whenever I go to a new city, to try a new restaurant. It’s always fun for me to experience new cities through their unique restaurants. The only time I’ve gotten in trouble for that is when I went to a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. I have no idea what I ate, but I almost died! 10
GL: Being a frequent traveler, where have you had some of your favorite meals?
TIM MAHONEY AND MARK BJORNSTAD
TM: I like seafood, so one of my favorite places to go is Boston, right along the seafront. It’s the smells and sounds that I like. Coming from Devil’s Lake, all of our seafood was always fresh-frozen. So when you actually get something fresh caught, it’s delightful. The wharf and fishermen’s market in Seattle is also excellent.
Respected City Leader and Devout Fargoan Mahoney and his family have made Fargo their home since 1980. Living and working here for 35 years, Mahoney has had the opportunity to fulfill his career goals, while also serving as a City Commissioner, Deputy Mayor under Dennis Walaker, and now the Interim Mayor of Fargo. Along the way, he’s gained some valuable insight into what makes Fargo so special.
GL: You’re the interim mayor of Fargo, replacing the late Dennis Walaker. What is your favorite memory about, ‘Denny’? TM: He was a great man. Denny knew that the people of Fargo loved him. However, he knew that that love came with a price: he had to make the right decisions. I really respected that about him.
GL: What aspects of Fargo do you appreciate the most? TM: I came here in 1980 and fell in love with this place. I like how excited the people of Fargo get about stuff. The Fargo marathon started several years ago and just look at how it’s taken off. All these people come out for it, whether or not they’re actually in the race. It’s just so great to see people having a great time here. Also, if you come to town and have a certain interest, I can probably find you some people who have the same interest. This is a city where you can find your niche. It’s not like that everywhere!
GL: What’s your trick to getting through the long Fargo winters? TM: Well I’ll have to give credit to my mother for this answer. She used to say to me, ‘Tim, North Dakota is fine but the damn winters are too long. You’ve got to do one sunshine vacation every winter!’ She’s completely right! We try to take one warm vacation every winter. We can tolerate the cold, but it’s so nice to get away to somewhere warm. And when we come back the rest of the winter seems shorter!
GL: Lastly, what do you consider to be living THE GOOD LIFE? TM: Living the good life to me is making everyday count. As you go through your day, greet people with a smile and shake their hand. There’s so many little interactions that I have every day with people and that’s what really fun for me. When you go to bed at night, you should feel good about what you’ve accomplished that day.
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I
f anyone had randomly asked one of the very few motorcyclists back in 1967 whether there would still be a bikers club calling itself “The FM Crusaders” by the year 2015, who knows what the answer would have been. But it really doesn’t matter because it is now forty-eight years later and the FM Crusaders Motorcycle Club is still very active and making an enormous impact in the lives of the people they are able to help through their charitable fund raising activities and contributions. Only this past March the Ramada Inn was the setting for an FM Crusader event and as a testament to what they are able to achieve and who they focus on helping. Celebrating their 40th annual Bike Show in the Valley, the FM Crusaders had every type of machine conceivable on display for the public to view, gawk and yes, for some to drool a bit over as well. They held an auction as well and in so doing managed to bring in (at last count) over $16,000 for the charity the Crusaders plan to donate the money to: CCRI in Moorhead. An outstanding organization that helps disabled individuals learn self-sufficiency and independence. CCRI (Creative Care for Reaching Independence) is among many the FM Crusaders Bikers have helped over the many years. One of the very first charitable organizations they raised money for was the Big Brother/Big Sister Program.
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BY: SOO ASHEIM | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
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The FM Crusaders is not an organization packed with formality or has a board room filled with members so busy scrolling their iPhones and making future appointments they cannot keep up with the current conversation. Those I met are hard-working “joe six-pack” types who have families, jobs, and responsibilities like the majority of us. What these guys also have is a passion for motorcycles, their communities, and each other. That is what has kept this particular bikers club going. There are twenty-five or so “active” members within the FM Crusaders. These are the members who actively “pitch in” and do whatever needs to be done when the FM Crusaders’ event is coming up. They are usually the few who are also the “spokesmen” for the club. However, there are probably over 100 who once upon a time were also very active and even today are still supporters for whatever the Crusaders are doing. Like with everything else, the baton does get handed down from generation to generation eventually due to age, years of active “duty,” health, and for any number of reasons. One of the FM Crusaders main events of the year is their “Rally in the Valley” Motorcycle Challenge benefiting the Roger Maris Cancer Center. During this rally participants 14
must purchase a ‘passport’ for $61. For questions regarding passport purchases please call one of these FM Crusader members: Lyn at: 701-430-9884 or Thumper at: 218-9791035. The point to this Challenge is to achieve as many stops as possible in four months. With each stop your passport will be stamped and with every stamp the odds of winning a prize at “61 for 61” on September 12, 2015 increases. Budweiser is a major sponsor for this year’s FM Crusaders MC 3rd Annual Rally in the Valley Motorcycle Challenge. The fun part is going to all the neat places throughout the entire summer to get your *passport* stamped! These are places made for motorcycle cruising: 210 Bar & Grill in Foxhome; The Royal Bar & Grill in Park Rapids, MN., LOBO’s near Itasca Park; Corner Corral in Ellendale, ND., some trips will be further away, like the one for the Easyriders Saloon, in Sturgis, SD.; and there are a few others but for anyone who has a motorcycle and loves the open road, this Valley Rally promises to be a dilly of a great ride. Rally in the Valley Kickoff party will be held at Tailgators and is May 1st from 5 - 7 p.m. All Rally Passports purchased prior to April 15, 2015 will be eligible for a $200 drawing for bonus prize. The last day and prize drawing day for Rally in the Valley is September 12 and will be held in Sabin, Minnesota.
The FM Crusaders has a home-grown membership made from what every mother who ever made an apple pie or flew the American Flag from her front stoop would hope to instill in her child as he or she grew into adulthood: just enough curiosity to be adventurous, rebellious enough to at least question a few rules without breaking any, strong believers in camaraderie and giving to those within the community who need it the most. But the FM Crusaders are also givers to others as well. They’ve held street dances and lawn mower races and various types of events, small and large that the donations raised went for a few odd items— one was a goat. This specific goat was sent overseas so that it could provide milk. Another time money was raised for a Lutheran organization in Haiti after the tsunami hit a few years ago. Motorcycles and the lurid falsehoods of days long ago about “big, bad, bikers” should be laid to rest with Marlon Brando and James Dean. Thanks to guys with nick names like “Thumper” and “Hillbilly” and Lyn, Bill and Jason “Shameless” the March of Dimes, Folds For Honor, Hope, Inc., CCRI, The Village, Big Sister/Brother, Roger Maris Cancer Center and many more have been recipients of this motorcycle club with the name that says it all: The FM Crusaders. 15
Thanks, I Think
Responding to Backhanded Compliments BY: MEGHAN FEIR
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s a woman, before Always offered more than just feminine products by beginning their viral “Like a girl” campaign, drawing attention to the evils of the most common backhanded compliment, hearing the demeaning phrase “You (insert ability) good, for a girl” was supposed to be taken as a compliment by, of course, males. Thanks, but no thanks, guys. You might as well have said, “You’re nowhere near the skill level of a man, but I’m considering your performance adequate because most women would do an even worse job than you just did.” Perhaps someone is complimenting you on the weight you seem to have lost. “Man, you look great! The last time I saw you, you barely squeezed through the doorframe.” Maybe they are praising you on your accomplishments. “I’m so proud of you for landing this job. Back in high school, I didn’t think you’d amount to anything.” Sometimes, backhanded compliments are accidental. The commenter didn’t intend to end their planned positive with a negative. Other times, it was
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completely intentional, and make that painfully evident.
they
The irksome comment may concern your shack of a home, receding hairline, snaggletooth, Aunt Darcy, IQ – anything. Whatever it is, the remark is always offensive to you, to what you have, do or
stand for, but you don’t need to react. By taking away the reaction they were hoping to ignite, the evildoer doesn’t have any fuel to make it to Gloatsville. However, if you hate change and self-improvement, you can always stick with the “typical angry
guy” route, which involves becoming extremely defensive, swearing at them, followed by some sort of hand signal, and either getting in a fight or leaving in a huff. But let’s get a little more creative, shall we?
From one bro to another I’ve never been a man, nor will I ever be, but I’ve observed many an interaction between humans, including guy-toguy run-ins. In man land, there appears to be two main types of these “compliments,” the good and the bad. However, these have branches. One example would be the good-natured tease with the main message being a compliment and delivered with a smirk and shoulder hit. Conversely, there is a condescending approach that also involves a smile and shoulder hit, and for some reason, every time I imagine this, guys are in a locker room wearing football jerseys. After all, that’s about as bro-ish as you can get. When fellow boys are giving you crap, handling the situation good-naturedly will not only aid in diffusing the situation, it will eventually command respect. At least, that’s the outcome I can assume will happen over an
indeterminable length of time and harassment.
The “Oh, really?” route So someone outside of a locker room just gave you a backhanded compliment. Now what? It will only be awkward if you give them a smirk and a shoulder hit. Then again, maybe doing something awkward is exactly what you should do. When you don’t know how to take a snide comment, try embracing the awkwardness. Stare at them with your eyebrows raised, look off to the side for a second or two, and look back with the same expression. This may not accomplish anything, but it would be a golden reaction I’d like to witness and try myself.
Cry and run After the nasty remark has reached your ears, look at them square in the eye with a face that resembles a hurt puppy and begin quivering your bottom lip. Brew some fresh, salty tears. Stand in place for a few more seconds before proceeding to run. This will successfully make them uncomfortable.
What have been some of the meanest backhanded compliments you’ve received and how did you handle them? Share with The Good Life on Facebook! #ThanksIThink www.facebook.com/urbantoadmedia 17
WHEN ASKED WHAT THE GOOD LIFE MEANS TO HIM, GRESS SAID:
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A HEALTHY FAMILY ENRICHED BY GOD, A HAPPY MARRIAGE AND LOTS OF GRANDCHILDREN.
”
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A WALK IN THE PARK:
Gress reflects on past jobs, his time in the military and more before retirement from the Fargo Park District BY: JESSICA BALLOU | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
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hat do a shoeshine boy, a grocery carry-out, bartender/bouncer, an architectural designer and a Parks and Recreation employee have in common? Roger Gress.
At the end of 2016 he’ll retire from the Fargo Park District after working there for nearly 30 years, but he held a variety of positions in the past that shaped him into the man he is today. In his current position as Executive Director of Parks and Recreation, he mainly works with the public, park commissioners and senior administrators to solve issues or potential problems, as well as manage new programs, but he has held quite a variety of positions in the past. ‘An unbelievable eye opener’ Gress said he was always taught to work hard, get through high school and serve in the military because then, his mother said, when he came home, he could have his pick from any job. He said he could’ve cared less about college back then; he just wanted to join the Marine Corps. His mother begged him not to join the Marines because there was fierce fighting in Vietnam in 1968, so he joined the Navy instead. He was drawn to a position as a medical combat corpsman, which meant he served as a medic assistant to nurses and doctors, because there was the possibility of being transferred to the Marine Corps and fighting in combat. In 1969 Gress worked at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, which was the amputee center for the East Coast, where he saw many vets who came back from Vietnam, and many were missing multiple limbs. “I was 19 at the time, and I’m telling you, it was an unbelievable eye opener to see what was left of a young man after he would be hit by a ‘booby trap’ or land mine,” he said. 19
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: ROGER GRESS
He served as a medical combat corpsman for a three-year tour in the Navy-Marine Corps. “The physical things that I did for people in the hospital: helping them with their personal care, brushing their teeth, dressing changes, taking out sutures, administering medications, staying up with them at night and holding a cigarette while they were post-op and recovering. That was an eye opener, and I didn’t realize at the time the impact that that would have on me,” he said. After being transferred to the Marine Corps, he underwent training for about ten months with the Second Marine Division and then went to Vietnam with the First Marine Division for five and a half months. He said his mother had become very ill for a variety of reasons, and Gress was given an early out of the military because of her illness. Upon his return, he bumped into his high school sweetheart by chance, and they got married that fall, which was 43 years ago. He said that without a doubt, being in the military made him a better man, husband, human being, father and certainly a patriot. 20
“It’s really kind of unbelievable what it does for you when you survive that and you think about the people that didn’t,” he said. “It haunts you as a why. What are you supposed to do in your life that’s more than what you’ve done when you’ve been given such a blessing to come back home?” “And this sounds nuttier than hell, but I thank God that I did go,” he added. ‘Bit by the park bug’ Upon his return from the Navy-Marine Corps, he attended and graduated from Northwest Technical College in Moorhead, MN, in Commercial Art. He also graduated from NDSU with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1979. In June 1979 he was hired as a Park Designer and Planner with the Fargo Park District, where he was responsible for designing, presentation drawings, and planning construction and expansions. Gress said this was when he was bit by the park bug but didn’t realize it. In February 1980 he began working a variety of jobs to keep up and expand his knowledge with architectural firms including
Mutchler, Lunch and Associates; Norman Triebwasser and Associates; and Rogers, Perlenfein and Associates. He also ran and was elected for two four-year terms as a Fargo Park Board Commissioner. Three years into his second term, he resigned. During this time he also served as vice president and president of the board. After he resigned from the Board, he began working at the Fargo Park District once again as a Facilities Coordinator. In 1991 he was promoted to Director of Facilities and Park Planner. On Sept 1, 1996, he was promoted to Executive Director of Fargo Parks and Recreation, a position he will hold until his retirement at the end of next year. ‘It’s the people’ Gress said that he had absolutely no idea that working with parks would be in the future for him when he was younger. “The favorite part of my job as a designer was not really putting the buildings together, which you assume it would be,” he said. “It was working with the people and getting their plans and ideas and putting them down on paper.” “I certainly don’t want to ever say that my job wasn’t important when I worked in an architectural office,” he added. “It’s just that I get more gratification solving people’s
problems or by going into a neighborhood where there are issues and working with people and sport groups to solve problems.” At age 14 he was as a shoe shine boy at Eagle Shoe Shine on First Avenue in Fargo, and he enjoyed chatting with the people. At age 16 he worked as a carry out/stocker at a Northside grocery store. Later on he served as a bartender/ bouncer at a night club, among other positions. And despite the seemingly random nature of the jobs he used to have, they all had one common theme: people. “It wasn’t shining shoes, it was visiting with people. It wasn’t removing someone from the premises, it was trying to talk them off a ledge when they were drunk rather than having to throw them out, to try to talk them down and ultimately make a friend.” Reflecting on his career Gress said there have been numerous major changes at the Fargo Park District during his long tenure, including increased parent participation, more neighborhood park development, walkable communities and flooding issues. He said parents have become much more involved with programs over the years, where they run the programs and 21
the Fargo Park District provides the facilities. Gress said that due to the competitive nature of how people operate today, some parents and kids prefer a more intensive atmosphere than is provided from park programs.
promised his predecessor Bob Johnson and the public years ago. Gress said the park board and the management team have been ambitious in developing new programs, facilities, parks and trails over the last 30 years.
Another goal of the Fargo Park District has been to make Fargo more of a walkable community, meaning constructing neighborhood parks with connecting trails in every new neighborhood development.
“I always say, ‘Our staff, short of finding the cure for cancer, can solve just about any problem that is given to us,” he said.
Gress estimates there are about 135 parks of all sizes throughout Fargo, which is why it’s called the City of Parks. He said that’s important because parks serve as a nucleus of a neighborhood, a place where children can safely play, parents can get together and have block parties, teams can practice and more.
Overcoming stereotypes Just like policemen are stereotyped to love coffee and donuts, Gress said many people think working in a public service role is just an easy desk job where you can just write a report, have a meeting and answer the phone. There’s much more to the Fargo Park District than that, he said; each role involves a lot of talent, heart and passion.
He said that during his nearly 30-year tenure with the Fargo Park District, he and his team have taken everything to a new level, which is something he
“We have close to 2,500 acres of parks, and you would find pretty quickly that there are a lot of people who work at
the Fargo Park District that are very, very proud of what they do and understand that it’s a privilege to work here,” he said. He said some people just don’t realize the complexity of the Fargo Park District and what it takes to accomplish the construction of new parks and trails systems to the refurbishments, neighborhood issues, developing new programs and issues concerning flooding and more. Looking forward “I started out in my first job as a shoe shine boy over here on First Avenue. I’d go home at night and I couldn’t get the polish out of my cuticles, and I made 50 cents an hour, but every day I’d have four, five, seven bucks in tips in my pockets,” he said. “But I went from there to here. How do you do that unless you’re in a city that’s so open, inclusive and wonderful to live in? If you’re a good person and you work hard in Fargo, I’m living proof you can be anything you want to be.”
“I SEE NOTHING BUT ABSOLUTELY THE BEST FOR THE FARGO PARKS SYSTEM.” — ROGER GRESS
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“I see nothing but absolutely the best for the Fargo Parks system,” he said. “It’s only going to be get bigger, it’s only going to get better. Fargo’s going to grow and so will the Fargo Park District.” After retirement, Gress plans to take a part-time job, play a little golf and focus on devoting time to his family with an emphasis on his grandchildren. He and his wife Nancy have three kids and four grandchildren with another on the way. “My wife has had a profound impact on my life. Hands down,” he said. “You can say whatever you want about me. Yes it’s down deep, but it never would’ve come out if it hadn’t been for Nancy.” When asked what The Good Life means to him, Gress said: “A healthy family enriched by God, a happy marriage and lots of grandchildren.”
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PHOTO: MJOY PHOTOGRAPHY
BY: PAUL HANKEL
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ummer, in this writer’s opinion, is the best time of year. The lakes, outdoor concerts, the Fargo Marathon, FM Redhawks baseball games and bro tank tops are just a few of my favorite pastimes. The only thing that’s missing during those warm summer months is football, which is traditionally this writer’s fall obsession. Well, thanks to Matt Petznick and the Fargo Invaders football team, I no longer have to wait until the leaves to brown to get my pigskin fix. Who are the Fargo Invaders? The Fargo Invaders Football Club LLC, formerly the Fargo Lumberjacks, are a local semi-pro football team set to kickoff their second season in Fargo. The team originated in Brainerd and transplanted to Fargo for the 2013-2014 season, a season in which they achieved a record of 7-2 and won the NSFL Championship. The Invaders are part of an eight team Midwest league. Other cities in the league include St. Cloud, Duluth and Brainerd and others. The Invaders consist of a 65-man roster and play five home and five away games each season. The team is ran by Matt Petznick and a Board of Directors, and coached by Humberto Rodriquez. 25
Where can I see the Fargo Invaders play? Fans will have a chance to see all five of the Invaders home games this season. Games will be played at Shanley High School, in south Fargo. Games will be held on Saturdays at 7pm, May 9th through August 2nd. The Invader’s first home game will by Saturday, May 23rd versus the Tri-City Northstars. Team practices are held in the evenings. Winter practices are held in the Fargo North gymnasium and at Bennett Elementary fields during the summer months. Fans are encouraged to check out the team’s website, www.fargoinvaders.org, for more specifics.
with varying levels of experience. “Our team last year had a variety of different players. We had several former college players, former high school standouts and some players who are still in college,” said Matt Petznick, President and Founder of the Invaders, as well as a defensive end on the team. According to Petznick, last year’s 65man roster featured Former Valley City State University players, and former North Dakota State University Bison players Tony Stauss and Nick Jackson. He went on the say that having former college standouts on the team shouldn’t intimidate or deter any potential players, “We have all ranges of talent and ages on this team. Our youngest players, last year, were eighteen [years old] and our oldest were forty [years old].”
Who’s on the team? How can I join? The unique thing about the Fargo Invaders and other teams in the league is that they consist of a variety of players,
PHOTO: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
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The Invaders host two player combines, yearly. According to Petznick,
PHOTO: MJOY PHOTOGRAPHY
attendance at these combines has been upwards of 100 players. The team, however, has never had to cut a player. According to Petznick, “We’ve had great numbers for tryouts. We really want people who are interested to come and try out and be a part of our team.” The fee to join is $150.00 and goes towards team costs. Players will also be responsible for providing their own equipment. Those wanting to join the Invaders are encouraged to visit the team’s website and contact team officials. As spring sets in, the Fargo Invaders season is in full swing. The team is currently practicing, in preparation for their first game of the season against on May 9th versus the Sioux Falls Stallions, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
PHOTO: MJOY PHOTOGRAPHY
“WE HAVE ALL RANGES OF TALENT AND AGES ON THIS TEAM.” — MATT PETZNICK, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, FARGO INVADERS
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BY: CANTREL | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
WINE GRILLING Burgers and Bordeaux? The warm weather and the sunshine bring out the BBQ master in all of us. Clean up that grill, grab your favorite utensils and get ready to kick off the barbecue season!
Hamburgers top our list. Burgers and Bordeaux. Fun to say and the perfect pairing. Americans consume more grilled food than anyone on the planet. So we know what we’re doing, right? Of course we do. The most popular foods for our backyard barbecue are burgers, followed up by steaks and hot dogs. Chicken rounds off the list of America’s favorite food to cook outdoors. We all know a cold beer is great with any of these delicious grilled foods, but this season why not try something a little different? Get ready to add a little class to your backyard grilling adventures.
Chateau Recougne Bordeaux 2010 a full bodied wine, smooth texture with tastings of plum, cassis, caramel and spicy oak.
Wine with your favorite barbecue grub! Yes, we said wine. Put down the cold beer or set it aside for now and try some wine with your favorite everyday grilled dish.
About 80% of all Americans will grill steak this year. A porterhouse, a ribeye or NY strip will pair up nicely with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
With help from Ty Singman at D’Vine in downtown Fargo we pair your favorite all American grilled food with a delicious glass of vino.
Joseph Carr 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon a cabernet with raspberry and cherry flavors. Perfect for your next steak dinner.
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On the list of favorite food to grill is chicken. 73% of us will grill this bird sometime during the year. Pour a glass of Pinot Grigio to pair nicely with your favorite poultry recipe. Pighin, Friuli Grave D.O.C. with a fruity, floral banana and pineapple aroma.
Wine and hot dogs? Sounds crazy and a little white trashy, but they do work well together. Pop the cork on a bottle of Pinot Noir with your next Nathan’s dog. Francis Ford Coppola 2013 Votre Sante’ Pinot Noir with raspberry, cherry and spicy oak flavors. 29
DESTINED TO SERVE A LOCAL MILITARY HERO SHARES ABOUT HIS DEDICATION TO HIS FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY. BY: WANDA PERKINS | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
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ost of us have the luxury of awakening refreshed after a peaceful sleep in a comfortable bed. We sip our favorite cup of morning brew, listen to the morning’s news and enjoy a warm shower before beginning the day. Amidst the usual morning traffic frustrations and lengthy lists of errands, overloaded schedules and appointments, we sometimes take for granted the daily freedoms we enjoy and the great sacrifices our dedicated military heroes make each day. Born in Fargo, SSG Brian Richter grew up in Hunter, N.D. and attended Dakota High School. Just two days after graduation, he left for Basic Training. “I decided early in my junior year of high school that I wanted to go into the Army,” SSG Richter recalled. “My first thought was to become a police officer and this would give me experience. I first served in a Combat Support Unit instead of a Garrison Unit that normally performs regular police work on post.” 30
I LOVE SERVING MY COUNTRY. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH MANY THINGS, SOME GOOD AND SOME BAD. MOST OF THE BAD THINGS YOU FORGET. I’VE TRAVELED AROUND THE WORLD, SPENT MY 21ST BIRTHDAY ON A BEACH IN HONDURAS AND SNORKELED IN PANAMA. I WOULDN’T TRADE ANY OF THE EXPERIENCES THAT I HAVE HAD. BRIAN RICHTER
The training and schooling SSG Richter has received is extensive beginning with Military Police School in 1989. In 1992, he was no longer on active Army duty. He attended Combat Engineer School in April 1993 and also served in the North Dakota Army National Guard for one year and then in the Minnesota National Guard in 1996. Following completion of the National Guard Small Arms Instructor Range Operations Course in May 2000, he attended Infantry Training in November 2002. He clarified he went through Sniper School twice. The first time was in March 2010, when he sustained an injury to his knee.
“ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF SNIPER TRAINING IS CARRYING A 75-POUND BACKPACK, ALONG WITH YOUR WEAPON, WHILE RUNNING OVER UNEVEN GROUND ON THE RANGE,” SSG RICHTER DESCRIBED. “Unfortunately, I blew out my left knee and had to wait until September 2011 to complete the course.” Additionally, SSG Richter began training for deployment to Iraq in Louisiana, where he learned how to
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: BRIAN RICHTER
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drive the Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) in September 2004. The day after Thanksgiving, he was deployed to Iraq. “My mission with the 778th Transportation Company was transporting vehicles or equipment into and out of Iraq,” he recalled. “I spent about half of my time in the HET and half in a HMMWV gun truck doing security for our convoys.” He sensed the imminent danger of driving a slow-moving vehicle across dusty roads where roadside bombs were always a possible threat. While serving in Iraq, he received an urgent message from The Red Cross notifying him of a family medical emergency back home. The next day he boarded a civilian flight back to the states after serving eight months. In 2005, SSG Richter was working as the rear detachment Readiness and Training (NCO) in Moorhead, MN and had the
opportunity to speak with wives of military personnel. He answered difficult questions about why their spouses chose not to return home.
“ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS AND DIFFICULTIES THE MILITARY FACE IS THAT SOMETIMES OUR FAMILIES BACK HOME THINK WE DON’T CARE, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE. THERE IS A COMRADERY IN THE MILITARY WHERE EACH BRANCH STEPS UP BESIDE YOU. THERE’S ALSO AN UNQUESTIONABLE SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY AND LOYALTY TOWARDS YOUR FELLOW MEN AND WOMEN THAT YOU SERVE WITH.”
Other than his Iraq deployment with the Minnesota National Guard, he was stationed at Fort Davis Panama following Basic Training and Military Police training. Then in October 1989, he was assigned to the 549th Military Police Company (MP) and later in December participated in Operation Just Cause. “For this mission, my duties were spread over several different areas which included securing buildings or roads, clearing buildings and doing raids in areas of town while looking for weapons and drugs,” SSG Richter noted. “While Panama was under martial law, we operated as the police force breaking up civil disturbances and riots in the jail in Colon until a new police force was established.” One of the most rewarding aspects of military service for SSG Richter
is the comradery. He confessed he wasn’t a good student in high school and didn’t have much discipline, despite all the efforts attempted by his parents. His advice to young men and women considering a possible military career is dependent upon on what career choice is desired and what an individual wants to accomplish. He added, “A military career will be hard, but it will be rewarding.” SSG Richter diligently served our community during two floods. He said that one of the aspects that makes our community strong is the fact that everyone joins together when the need is greatest. “It is a sign of strength when families and friends come together to offer help. This is certainly not characteristic of all communities, where some simply wait for help to arrive,” he explained. In addition to his dedicated service to his community and country, SSG Richter has yet another challenging role as a single parent to two sons, Austin, age 16, and Cody, age 12. “I am fortunate to have a command that understands my personal situation and works with me to make sure that I have the time to take my children to their appointments and to attend their school functions,” he noted. Although he said it is a sacrifice to be away from his family one that requires significant coordinating he knows his sons’ needs will be taken care of. “There are many challenges to face during deployment. These differ for each person,” SSG Richter stated. “When you have kids at home, like when I went to Iraq, you always try to get a little time to run over to the Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tent. Everyone waits in line for computer time to video chat with family. I tried not to think too much about what was going on back at home so I could focus on my responsibilities there.”
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: BRIAN RICHTER
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HIS SONS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN HIS LIFE, AND HE ENJOYS SPENDING AS MUCH FAMILY TIME WITH THEM AS HE CAN. SSG Richter also described his personal reflection of what he considers a hero. Without wavering he named Chris Kyle, the trained Navy SEAL who wrote the best-selling novel American Sniper. The book was later released on film in December 2013. Kyle was shot and killed at a shooting range in Texas. “I love serving my country,” he admitted. “I have been through many things, some good and some bad. Most of the bad things you forget. I’ve 34
traveled around the world, spent my 21st birthday on a beach in Honduras and snorkeled in Panama. I wouldn’t trade any of the experiences that I have had.” Since 2002, SSG Richter has worked with the Army National Guard in Operations. His main responsibilities include reviewing training, scheduling equipment and resources, reviewing travel or pay orders and working with IT issues for his battalion for both full time staff and the regular National Guard side as well. In December 2014, he completed Electromagnetic Spectrum Manager School (ESM) and is currently one of three trained ESMs in the Minnesota National Guard. This is a
specialized training that de-conflicts any interference and works closely with electronic communication and electronic warfare. Even when our busy lives are packed with trivial daily annoyances, these inconveniences pale in comparison to the dedication and sacrifices our military personnel provide every day. For these true heroes that risk their lives to protect and defend us all, we owe a great debt of heartfelt appreciation and respect. When asked what The Good Life means to him, local hero SSG Richter smiled and thoughtfully answered, “My idea of The Good Life would be cruising down a curvy road on my motorcycle while listening to Johnny Lang.”
MY IDEA OF THE GOOD LIFE WOULD BE CRUISING DOWN A CURVY ROAD ON MY MOTORCYCLE WHILE LISTENING TO JOHNNY LANG. BRIAN RICHTER
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