The Good Life – November-December 2022 by The Good Life Men's Magazine

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merry christmas!

CONTENTS NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2022

dad life

Unsolicited Holiday Advice from a Hockey Dad

Plainsmen Black Powder Club Bringing History to Life near Fargo

So Long, Sandbags! The FM Diversion Will Make Sandbagging a Thing of the Past

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VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 3

cover / local hero

Selfless Service When Duty Calls, These Men Answer to Raise Awareness for Veteran Suicide

having a beer with

"Big Game James" McCarty Flag Family Media Sports Director

Tracks in the Snow Hunting the Cottontail Rabbit

The

GOOD LIFE MEN’S MAGAZINE

PUBLISHED BY Urban Toad Media LLP www.urbantoadmedia.com OWNER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER Dawn Siewert dawn@urbantoadmedia.com OWNER / PHOTOGRAPHER Darren Losee darren@urbantoadmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Paul Hankel Ben Hanson Jeffrey Miller Emma Vatnsdal Amy Wieser Willson ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Darren Losee darren@urbantoadmedia.com

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The Good Life Men’s Magazine is distributed six times a year by Urban Toad Media LLP. Material may not be reproduced without permission. The Good Life Men’s Magazine accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from content in this publication. The opinions expressed, or advice given, are the views of individual writers or advertisers and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of The Good Life Men’s Magazine.

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DAD LIFE

WRITTEN BY: PAUL HANKEL

unsolicited holiday advice from a

HOCKEY DAD We set a family record the other weekend, in terms of how many sports games my kiddo can have take place in one weekend. Seven. The answer is seven.

This got me thinking about how quickly the holiday season flies by for us dads. Amongst the Q4 work deadlines, band and choir concerts, sporting events, and shopping and travel, there’s often very little time to simply enjoy the season. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP It’s easy to get sucked into the Instagram alpha male brand on social media. Influencers would have you believe that we dads are supposed to be macho, head of household, alphas who provide. While this is sometimes true, the added stress of the holidays can definitely put a dent in that armor. As a consultant, I travel a lot for work. October, November, and December are typically a blur for me and consist of managing political campaigns, managing events, holiday marketing campaigns, and everything in between. I’m not one bit ashamed to say that I, at 37 years old, routinely drive up to my sister’s house and raid her pantry and fridge, in search of non-boxed dinners to feed myself 6 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

and my kiddo. I disguise it as, “spending time with family,” but in reality, I just hate grocery shopping and rarely have time to do it. Yes, I’m fully aware that you can now order groceries online and pick them up. However, I just can’t get myself to trust someone else to pick out fresh fruit for me. My point is – use your resources. Grandparents, relatives, and friends are there for you. Reach out! DON’T COMPARE YOUR FAMILY HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES TO OTHER PEOPLE’S You know EXACTLY what I’m talking about: you’re scrolling social media late at night and come across a perfectly edited picture of a family in matching pajamas. They’re either sitting in front of a stone fireplace with bedazzled stocking or walking hand in hand down a well-lit neighborhood street, with perfectly symmetrical snowflakes falling softly in the background. Their childrenAiden, Brayden, and Kenlee are sporting matching winter jackets! It’s perfect! What you don’t see reflected in those photos is the hourlong fight and process that it took to make that photo happen.

One of the kids is sick and coughing, another one forgot one of their shoes (which is somehow the dad’s fault?), and the dad was fifteen minutes late getting home to help get the kids ready. That’s the reality. Prove me wrong. The not-so-subtle point is – no one’s holiday is, “perfect”. The things that are shared on social media are the highlights and glimpses, not the norm. EMBRACE THE ABNORMAL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES In an effort to cut down on screentime, I’ve been making my kiddo help make dinner more often. There’s nothing grosser than when he wipes his nose with the back of his hand (that he probably didn’t even wash after hockey practice anyway), and then goes right back to mixing the dough with the same hand. However, I think the positives outweigh my abhorrence of germs so I just roll with it. Plus, germs die at 350 degrees, right? One of the things we’ve really gotten into is looking up weird recipes online and then trying them out. Our favorite so far has been a “corn on the cob hack,” that we found on TikTok. Instead of boiling a pot of water and then boiling the corn, you simply cut off the pointy end of the ear of corn, microwave it for four minutes with the husk on, and it’s done. The ear of corn will literally slide right out of the husk. I was floored. It’s now a seasonal tradition at our house. I also love the conversations that stem from our oneon-one cooking sessions. Just the other night, we were discussing the fact that, when Santa enters a house during the middle of the night to leave presents, it’s NOT breaking and entering. But, if anyone else enters a house in the middle of the night, it most certainly is. Teachable moments, you guys. Traditions are what you make of them. Advent calendars are great, especially the newer style ones that have mini bottles of wine instead of chocolates in them. However, new traditions are fun too. Find one and make it your own! As I have vigorously stated in several of my previous columns, I am far from an expert on the whole parenting thing. In fact, I still can’t believe I get paid to share my musings on this whole parenting thing. However, I hope the above suggestions can serve as light-hearted reminders to slow down, relax, and make this holiday season meaningful. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to do a quick late-night trip to Walmart because my kid is making gingerbread houses at school tomorrow and I don’t keep gumdrops in stock in my pantry. I also need to get sprinkles, which have been banned from our house since the notorious backseat spillage incident of December 2019. Happiest of holidays, dads! • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 7

WRITTEN BY: EMMA VATNSDAL PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

Buckskin clothes, fur caps, black powder and tipis — all very common sights for the Fargo-based Plainsmen Black Powder Club. Pretty old-school for 2022, don’t you think? But that’s just the way their members like it. “It’s a love for the old-style muzzleloading guns,” said club president Mark Roster. “It started out as basically a shooting competition. Different guys from throughout the area.” 8 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

The Plainsmen Black Powder Club formed in 1972, with six men, in preparation for the 1976 bi-centennial. Roster joined the fun in 1981 and was elected president in 1982. Since then, the club has grown exponentially. “We grew quite rapidly due to the fact that many of us in the organization were pushing for muzzleloading deer season; they didn’t have that at the time,” said Roster. “(The bill) had failed several times at the legislature

“We camp in tipis and wall tents, marquees and wedge tents from the revolutionary war.” when they tried to get it through. Then in 1987, we finally got it (passed).”

in time-out. It’s a wonderful place for kids to grow and experience living history.”

The club saw a decline in membership in the 1990s when the legislature permitted inline muzzleloaders — a style that looks more like modern guns. But these sharpshooters had a trick or two up their buckskin sleeves.

Days are spent with shooting both percussion and flintlock rifles, participating in tomahawk and knife, fire starting, stick bow archery and many other competitions.

“We started doing more of the pre-1840 events,” he said. “We’d camp out and try to live like our forefathers. We start fires with flint and steel and cook over open fires, we camp in tipis and wall tents, marquees and wedge tents from the revolutionary war.” Numerous times each year, members of the Plainsmen Black Powder Club, along with their families, don their best “mountain man” buckskin garb or their colonialstyle clothing for a weekend in the woods. “It’s very kid-oriented,” Roster said. “We’ve got kids' games that go on and everyone is an aunt or an uncle, much like the American Indian culture. Everybody has a chance to parent if kids start misbehaving, we put them urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 9

Oftentimes, there’s trading and selling of goods and necessities that fit into this era. “It’s big people play, is what it really is,” Roster said with a chuckle. And play they do. The club welcomes anyone and everyone who shares their love for “doing it the old way.” “We find that everybody that does get involved with (the club) has a tendency to find out they really like it,” said Roster. “And if they get involved at the beginning level, over the time they spend with us, they may get into it a bit more. They may not go full tilt into the reenacting part of it, but often they will come out next time or maybe a year down the road with an old-style shirt and maybe a pair of pants. We really try to mentor people.” It’s a living history for young and old. “Our oldest member is 79 years old and he was out camping at our event,” said Mark Roster, President of the club. “There’s a lot of times if you go to some of these events, you’ll find people in their 80s, and maybe in their early 90s. They love the camaraderie of the organization.” 10 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

From the first pour of black powder, to the final embers burning in the campfires late into the night, these club members are here for it all. While many have their own reasons for joining, for Roster, it comes down to one main thing. “Being able to enjoy everything that God has put out there for us. There’s an old saying, and I kind of live by it: I’m not very wealthy, but I’ve got enough.” Roster said. “And what that means is, I've got enough to be happy. When you can share that with people (in this way), that’s what makes a person happy. That’s the Good Life.”

If you have an interest in joining the Plainsmen Black Powder Club, Roster said they’re always welcoming new members. “Right now we have 35 family memberships,” he said. “Annual memberships are $30, and you get a lot with it.” Your $30 includes a monthly newsletter, club pricing on blackpowder and percussion caps, access to the club’s range near Georgetown, Minn., weekly summer shooting, schedules of area rendezvous and several events hosted by the Plainsmen. • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 11

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SERVICE ANIMALS

IN PLACES OF BUSINESS IS THAT A REAL SERVICE DOG?** It is unlawful to claim a pet, comfort animal, companion animal, emotional support animal, therapy animal, or protection dog as a service dog under ND Century Code. (NDCC 25-13-02.2)

Please note: different laws apply to housing, air travel or employment situations, and may vary per state.

A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. A service animal must be allowed to accompany a person with a disability in all areas of the facility where members of the public, program participants, customers or clients are allowed.

You may ask the following questions under the ADA: 1.

Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?

Simply having a diagnosis is not the same as having a disability. A person must have a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Disability is defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered. SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING A person can have a service dog in training in public if they notify the onsite manager that a service animal in training is being brought to their facility, the trainer wears photo identification issued by a nationally recognized program, and the trainer is liable for any damage done by the service animal in training. (NDCC 25-133-02.1)

What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

The answer to this question needs to be medical in nature. Service Dogs are medical devices. Think of a service dog like a prosthetic limb or a nerve stimulator (for seizures). You cannot just walk into a store and buy these medical devices, you must justify medical need with a medical professional to qualify for them. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Note: Persons are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability.

*MISREPRESENTATION If the animal is being misrepresented as a service dog you can ask the patron to remove their dog from the premises and call law enforcement to file a report for the legal infraction under the listed century code. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 13

LEARN MORE WWW.SERVICEDOGSFORAMERICA.ORG | 701-685-2242

SO LONG,

SANDBAGS! The FM Area Diversion will make sandbagging a thing of the past WRITTEN BY: AMY WIESER WILLSON

How do you recognize someone from FargoMoorhead while on a beach vacation? They’re the ones putting all the sand in bags. The good news is that sandbagging – and that joke – will fade to a memory in another handful of years. After the community came together in 2009 to fill 7.3 million sandbags — more than enough to stretch from LA to New York if laid end to end — it’s pretty safe to say that nobody will miss the grueling, stressful work of protecting their homes and their neighbors’ property. Upon completion of the FM Area Diversion comprehensive project in 2027, Fargo-Moorhead will have permanent, reliable protection for up to a 100-year flood and have fightable protection for up to a 500-year flood. For perspective, the 2009 record crest would be considered a 50-year flood.

So, what does it take to achieve an infrastructure project of this magnitude and significance? In short, a lot of permits, people, engineering designs and funding. More than 50 organizations, 200 permits and 14 pieces of legislation came together to get the project going. The most visible construction to date has been happening this summer. Here are answers to some questions you may have about this historic engineering feat. Who is building it? You have likely heard a lot of organizational names tossed around regarding the project. That’s because there’s a lot of teamwork in getting it designed and built. Here’s a quick look at some key players and their roles. Metro Flood Diversion Authority: As a North Dakota political subdivision with members from both sides of the river, the MFDA works closely with Fargo, Moorhead, Cass County and Clay County to oversee the project’s development, construction and operations and maintenance. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: The Corps is the federal agency in charge of overseeing and implementing the federal portions of the project. Their contractors are building the control structures, southern embankment and related infrastructure. Red River Valley Alliance: The public-private partnership, or P3, developer for the project is comprised of three international corporations known for their work on projects of this scale and scope.

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ASN Constructors: As RRVA’s design and construction arm, ASN is tasked with building the stormwater diversion channel, aqueducts and related infrastructure. How many will be working on the project? ASN Constructors anticipates having as many as 800 people working at the peak of construction and will gradually ramp up to that level. This includes subcontractors as well as participants in their apprenticeship program, which will help workers gain new skills and certifications that can be used on other projects once the diversion is complete. The Corps of Engineers also has contractors working on the project. Are you hiring? Those interested in apprenticeships, jobs or bidding on the project can find more information at www. FMDiversion.gov. Is this project unique to our area? While flood mitigation projects have been implemented elsewhere, including downstream of the Red River in Winnipeg, there are features of the design and its implementation that set the FM Area Diversion apart from others.

How will it work? This map shows the major features of the FM Area Diversion comprehensive project. When floodwaters near 37 feet, in-town flood protection measures (in violet) will reach capacity and the diversion will begin operations. At this time, the Red River and Wild Rice River structures will close, causing water to back up into the tan area behind the southern embankment. Then, the Diversion Inlet Structure near Horace will open, routing the water into the 30-mile-long diversion channel. As the water travels north, it will pass through heated aqueducts to ensure fish passage is not interrupted. The water rejoins the Red River north of Argusville. Once operations have ended, the MFDA will begin removing any debris that may have collected in the upstream mitigation area. For a more detailed video explanation of how the project will work, go to https://bit.ly/FMDiversionOperations.

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Wild Rice River Structure

The first radial-arm gate is installed by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor at the Wild Rice River Structure, the smallest of the three structures that will control flows through the stormwater diversion channel of the FM Area Diversion project. This single gate weighs about 140,000 pounds, roughly as much as 10 elephants, and stands just over 40 feet tall.

The project is being implemented as a public-private partnership, or P3. This is the first time this concept has been used for a flood management project in North America and the first P3 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. By using a P3, the private partner takes on the financial risk as they do not get paid until milestones have been completed. This arrangement also will allow the construction to be completed much faster than with traditional construction methods, delivering flood protection in fewer years. How is it being paid for? Thanks to Fargo and Cass County voters realizing the need for permanent flood protection, sales taxes were passed with overwhelming support to fund the project. The federal government, North Dakota and Minnesota have also contributed funding, and the Metro Flood Diversion Authority successfully sought

low-interest loans to cover the rest, a large portion with the help of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By securing loans at just 2% interest, taxpayers will save about $470 million when compared to typical interest rates. Will I still need flood insurance? Most of the property owners in this area will be able to drop their flood insurance, but patience will be needed. Once the project is built, FEMA will need to review and certify the floodplain maps before insurance will no longer be necessary. Where can I find more information? Follow the Metro Flood Diversion Authority on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or Twitter, or get monthly updates in your inbox by subscribing to The Diversion Current at www.FMDiversion.gov/news. •

Diversion Channel

The Red River Valley Alliance, the public-private partnership developer for the stormwater diversion channel, broke ground this summer on that portion of the project. They purchased about $50 million in equipment locally and have started moving dirt near Argusville, North Dakota, on the downstream end of the channel. 16 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

FM Area Diversion by the Numbers 45 million cubic yards of material will be moved for the stormwater diversion channel – enough to fill the Fargodome 58 times 40 miles of bearing piles will support the three control structures; that distance is what a West Acres Mall walker would cover in 49 laps

Chad Peterson

Joel Paulsen

“This project is already making history, and the world is watching. As the first public-private partnership flood management project in North America, as well as the first P3 civil works project ever for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, others are watching with interest and seeking to learn from us. It’s incredible to see the positive impacts of this project extend far beyond our region through the lessons others can take from it and implement in their own areas.” – Chad Peterson, Cass County Commissioner and Metro Flood Diversion Authority Board Chairman

Diversion Inlet Structure

1,812 acres of mitigation projects for aquatic habitats, floodplain forests, and wetlands – enough to cover NDSU’s campus seven times 96,700 cubic yards of concrete will be used to build the three control structures; that’s enough concrete to fill North Dakota’s Capitol building as well as a couple of Goodyear blimps 35 miles of in-town levees and floodwalls, enough to run up and down Red Shirt Table, the highest peak in the Badlands, 28 times 690.5 tons, the combined weight of the 8 radial-arm gates used on the three control structures, would surpass the weight of 11 of Jamestown’s “World’s Largest Buffalo” statues

The second largest of the three control structures, the Diversion Inlet Structure will feature three radial arm gates that together weigh nearly as much as the Statue of Liberty.

“All of us working on this project are pushing forward with a single goal in mind: to protect the homes and livelihoods of our many friends and neighbors. We’ve seen the destruction the Red River brought year after year, and we are looking forward to the day we can rest assured that our community is safe from flooding.” – Joel Paulsen, PE, CFM, Metro Flood Diversion Authority Executive Director urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 17

ON THE COVER | SELFLESS SERVICE

WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON

SELFLESS SERVICE When Duty Calls, These Men Answer to Raise Awareness for Veteran Suicide

Somewhere in rural Minnesota, while everyone but the local farmer remains quietly snuggled into bed, an RV rumbles down the road. Inside is a hodgepodge of energy bars, socks hung to dry and carefully curated med kits packed full of blister care necessities. Behind the wheel is a chiropractor from Montana, serving as medical director and blister fixer for a crew of men who chose to sacrifice themselves — once again — for a cause greater than self. Each has their own story to tell, but that’s not why they signed up for the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation’s annual Border2Border Ruck March. They showed up with their 18 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

50-pound packs and hiking boots to shine the spotlight on others … the heroes of the Armed Forces that have been lost to suicide. “For the 2022 Ruck,” explained John Dalziel, an original organizer of the yearly ruck march, “I wanted to show that a group of 50-year-old former Marines and FBI agents can complete even the most grueling tasks — in this case, a 315-mile Ruck from St. Paul to Ulen to the Veterans bridge connecting Fargo and Moorhead. I wanted to march with individuals who have spent their entire life “serving and protecting” this great country … guys who

truly understood and lived the “why” of serving as a US Marine or law enforcement agent … guys who at several times in their lives wrote blank checks to “The United States of America,” for an amount up to and including their life.” Selfless service has been a theme for these men throughout their lives, and there seems to be no

amount of quit in any one of them. Through backaches, dehydration and brutal exhaustion, these former Marines and law enforcement professionals never lost sight of the mission. For them, it’s personal. Each knows intimately the demons that take hold of many returning from combat, and they march on to raise awareness that help is always close by. They march on for Brady. These are their stories. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 19

ON THE COVER | SELFLESS SERVICE

John Dalziel John Dalziel graduated from Princeton High School in 1981, and about a month later he was on a plane to San Diego for Marine Corps boot camp and basic training. He spent four years in the Marine Corps as a Special Intelligence Communications Operator assigned to 2nd Radio Battalion at Camp LeJeune, N.C, where he first met Lenny.

After leaving the Marine Corps. with an Honorable Discharge, John graduated from Winona State University and was hired as a Special Agent with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. For six years he was stationed in Yankton, S.D., and worked drugs, outlaw motorcycle gangs and sexual crimes of violence. In 1995 he was hired as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigations FBI, where he’d spend the next two decades in roles that took him from Chicago to Fargo, Washington D.C. to Iraq, Lebanon to Afghanistan. He deployed to Iraq with Craig Harris and to Afghanistan with both Craig and “Captain Jack,” all members of the Ruck team. John is the mastermind behind the yearly Ruck, as he came up with the operational concept for Brady’s Border2Border Ruck March in the early part of 2018. It was his way to bring attention to the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation and a greater awareness of veteran PTSD and veteran suicide. What does this sort of event/tradition really do as far as helping a cause like this? The awareness we raised for veteran PTSD and veteran suicide was immense. In the first leg, we had seven people jump in to start the Ruck. All those people talked to their friends about the Ruck, bringing more awareness to our cause. People would stop their car and ask what we were 20 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

doing — they would give an example of one of their loved ones who served and were dealing with the effects of war. Personally, I have four instances that stand out … On the first evening, we stopped at the Armed Forces Memorial in St. Michael, where we had five or six on-duty deputy sheriffs and policemen, who were all US Marine Corps vets, join us for a picture. Then on the second afternoon, as I was rucking through Albany in the rain, I had two Korean War vets from the Albany American Legion Post 482 stop, chat with me and grab a photo with us and their Post colors. That was very motivating. When entering Alexandria on Thursday morning, a police cruiser met Captain Jack and I on the bike path and followed us with his lights on all the way to Broadway. Once we hit Broadway, another cruiser blocked traffic and led us the eight blocks to their veterans memorial … we were a two-person parade. And finally, the six rock stars from CrossFit 701 who did our 15-mile leg from the Ulen cemetery to five miles south of Felton. They kept Captain Jack and I from rucking into traffic or falling in the ditch! Will you do it again if the opportunity presents itself? Yes, I will be planning and participating in the 6th annual Brady’s Border2Border Ruck March in May of 2023.

Lenny Desmarais Lenny Desmarais grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts just north of Boston. He served in the US Marine Corps. from 1981 to 1985, where he met John while both were stationed at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina. After serving his time with the Marines, Lenny worked at the General Electric Riverworks Plant back in Lynn while studying for the police exam. Though it took him two attempts, he was still a Marine at heart … and Marines don’t quit. Lenny donned the uniform of the Lynn Massachusetts Police Department in 1988 and retired in 2022 after 34 years of dedicated service that saw him rise through the ranks from patrol officer to sergeant, lieutenant to captain, deputy chief and interim chief. What inspired you to join in the cause and strap on a rucksack? I signed on to the cause of bringing attention to veteran suicide, but also inspired by the challenge of the Ruck. I believe mental health is such a key piece to anyone's quality of life. Giving help to those who need it improves not only their quality of life, but also that of their family and friends. What does this sort of event/tradition really do as far as helping a cause like this? By being a part of these events, you are helping address veteran suicide. Any attention or funding that comes in due to the event may be the link needed to keep someone from taking their own life. I think you may actually be helping many veterans, but even if you only help one it is still all worth it. I believe it helps many. Have you been a part of any other fundraisers such as this? In 2020 I ran the Marine Corps Marathon to raise funds for the New England Home and Center for Veterans. I was originally going to D.C. with several co-workers, who were also USMC vets, but the pandemic forced the marathon to be virtual. I still did it at home so I could raise the funds.

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ON THE COVER | SELFLESS SERVICE

Roger Dalziel

Born and raised in the small Minnesota town of Princeton, Roger joined the Marine Corps on his eighteenth Birthday and found himself in MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego) four short days later. For the next 20 years, he was a Marine, ten years enlisted and ten years as an officer, after which he didn’t stray too far from the ranks. Roger spent the next five years working as a contractor for the Marine Corps, and for the past fifteen years he’s been working in the Pentagon, providing communication support for the Secretary of Defense. He’s a busy guy, in other words, but he knew he’d be lacing up his rucking boots as soon as his schedule allowed. How did you first hear about the Brady Oberg Ruck? I’ve been aware of the Brady Oberg Ruck since the beginning. John [Roger’s older brother] has been trying to get me involved in the Ruck for the past five years, but because of my travel schedule, the opportunity was not available until this year. What inspired you to join in the cause and strap on a rucksack? 22 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

It is a great event and it raises awareness of veteran suicides. I have been working for the Department of Defense for forty years, and nothing is more awe-inspiring than the men and women of our Armed Forces. What was the biggest challenge along the way? I was on Team 3, with Lenny and my son, Alex. We were the “Team of Rookies” — none of us had ever participated in the Brady Oberg Ruck, so it made our experience challenging and unique. Trying to keep up the pace along with the weather, terrain and time on our feet was hard, but we kept each other moving and motivated What does this sort of event/tradition really do as far as helping a cause like this? The timing of the Ruck (close to Memorial Day) and the media coverage really helped to create awareness of the cause. And when people are aware, they usually donate (time or money). It was an incredible event and one that required physical and mental endurance — 96 hours straight through rain and wind, night and day, hot and cold.

Craig Harris Craig Harris was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, attending college at the University of Texas at Austin. Growing up, he recalls always having an interest in the military and the Marine Corps., specifically, as well as an interest in the FBI. It was in his blood — his grandfather served in the FBI during World War II, chasing down German spies. After college he joined the Marines, serving four years on active duty, including a six-month deployment to the Middle East during the Persian Gulf War. Like his fellow marchers, his service wasn’t finished after leaving the Corps. Craig joined the FBI and served for 24 years primarily working criminal and counterterrorism investigations. He officially retired from the FBI in 2020 and has been living the life of a nomad, traveling around the country and the world, ever since. How did you first hear about the Brady Oberg Ruck? I first heard about the Brady’s Border2Border Ruck March through John, who is a close friend and former FBI

colleague of mine. I first met John during a deployment to Iraq in 2007, and he invited me to participate in the Ruck in 2021 and 2022. What inspired you to join in the cause and strap on a rucksack? I was inspired by the importance of its mission. The United States and its citizens have a solemn duty to care for the veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend the freedom of our country, and it is critically important to do everything that we can to raise awareness about veteran mental health challenges and suicides. What does this sort of event/tradition really do as far as helping a cause like this? I think this event does an excellent job of raising awareness about veterans’ mental health through its high public visibility. I was very impressed with the media coverage and the overwhelmingly positive and encouraging public reception received along the route, both of which help further raise awareness. If this event can encourage even one veteran who is suffering from mental health challenges to seek help, then we have accomplished our goal.

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ON THE COVER | SELFLESS SERVICE

Alexander Dalziel Alex Dalziel, the youngest of the crew, served in the Marine Corps for eight years — five in the infantry and three as an embassy guard in Munich, Germany; Guangzhou, China; and Bamako, Mali. He’s working on his degree in health sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, after which he plans to sign up for the FBI … a familiar story by now. What inspired you to join in the cause and strap on a rucksack? During my eight years in the military, I served alongside a lot of great men that lost their battle to their demons. In March of 2018, one of my good friends that was a team leader with me in 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines lost his battle. That put me in a dark place, until I saw an organization that did a lot of good to raise awareness for veteran suicide. Since then I have tried to help and support any organizations whose mission is to raise awareness for veterans’ mental health and suicide to help erase the negative stigma associated with veterans struggling with their mental health. What did you guys do in between shifts? In between each shift we would eat, sleep, have doc tape us up, and build camaraderie. We would talk about the funny or cool things that we saw during our leg, such as deer, skunks, cars swerving towards you or how the police led them through the town or would pass every thirty minutes. The time in the RV really helped to build your spirits back up and remind you of how important this cause is. What does this sort of event/tradition really do as far as helping a cause like this? Even if doing an event like this raises awareness and gets one person to speak out, it is worth it. There are so many people in the military, law enforcement, fire department, etc. that view speaking out as a weakness. Organizations and events like this help erase that stigma and help them realize that help is out there! We owe so much to our heroes that hold the line and protect us every day. I love being able to get out and help organizations like this and show support in any way that I can. Will you do it again if the opportunity presents itself? Although it took weeks for my feet to heal, and after each leg it took hours to figure out how to walk without pain, I believe I would do something like this again. Just the camaraderie and sense of belonging that I had being along such great men and warriors like John, Roger, Lenny, Craig, Brandon, Doc Jones, Darren, and “Captain Jack” was a truly once-in-a-lifetime humbling experience. Everyone's feet hurt, bodies were sore and sleep deprived, but yet no one really complained. I loved and hated every minute of it, but wouldn't trade that experience for anything. 24 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

Aaron “Doc” Jones If there was an outlier in the group, Aaron Jones would be the one, but his role is as important to the group’s success as any. Jones has been a chiropractor for 20 years, working with athletes of all types. He had a practice in Fargo for about 15 years, before making the move west to Montana. Despite the distance, he remains dedicated to the Ruck and makes the yearly pilgrimage back to support the team. How did you first hear about the Brady Oberg Ruck? The first time I recall hearing about the Ruck, I was a member at CrossFit Fargo and I remember hearing about this crazy group of guys rucking across North Dakota. At the time, I didn't know as much about rucking, the cause or who was involved. Obviously, that changed as I got more involved. What inspired you to join in the cause and strap on a rucksack? The first year I was a part of the Ruck, John actually reached out to me and invited me to join them as the support vehicle driver. I had recently moved to Montana and was going through some challenges in my personal life, and he invited me to come out and spend a few days with him and the other guys I knew from CrossFit Fargo. I was a little unsure at first, but I respect the hell out of John and it was an opportunity to spend time with friends… so I figured why not? I had no idea what a great experience it would be. I never served in the military, but I have a deep appreciation and respect for those who have and that was a part of the initial inspiration behind me wanting to be a part of the Ruck. In the three years I've participated in the Ruck, I got to know more about Brady and also got to know his family, which inspired me to want to do more for this cause.

Will you do it again if the opportunity presents itself? For this cause and the group of men involved in it, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

How did you get ready for the march? My primary role in the Ruck was driving the RV, helping the guys with aches and pains so they could be as ready as possible for their next leg and generally trying to do what I can to make things run as smoothly as possible so the guys logging the big miles could focus on their recovery. As far as my prep, other than making sure I had the equipment I needed, my prep was pretty simple. I did do a few Rucks before I came out for it, because I was planning to hop in for a few miles here and there when I got the chance. What does this sort of event/tradition really do as far as helping a cause like this? I think it does three things. First, it raises funds to directly help the cause. Second, it brings awareness to the cause through media coverage and through the many people who stopped to ask what we were doing and why. And third, it's a way to honor Brady and the many other veterans who lost their personal battle after arriving back on US soil. urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 25

ON THE COVER | SELFLESS SERVICE

Brandon Schlenner Brandon Schlenner, like “Doc Jones,” was among the minority in the group who has never worn a uniform. He was born and raised in a small southern Minnesota town and attended Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he earned his education degree. He taught for 12 years at Fargo’s Discovery Middle School, served as high school principal, activities director and transportation director at Lidgerwood Public Schools, and now teaches health and physical education at Moorhead’s Alternative Learning Center. What inspired you to join in the cause and strap on a rucksack? Getting to know John has allowed me to learn more about people that serve, why they do it, and some of the struggles they face when they come back home. I've never been through the things that these men and women have gone through, and it inspires me to want to do as much as I can for them. If that means strapping on a 50-pound pack and rucking for over 100 miles to bring awareness to what veterans go through, I will gladly do it. These men and women have given their lives to keep America free, and I can never repay that … but I can try and make sure that we are doing our best to serve them when they get home and to make sure others are aware of what happens when our veterans suffer from PTSD. What was the biggest challenge along the way? The biggest challenge for me was pushing through pain and trying to keep my mind positive. If it wasn't for Craig on a couple of those rucks (especially in the middle of the night ones) I would have been close to just giving up. Having someone there to continually push you was a huge part of this. Also, trying to find the right mindset knowing that I am not doing this for me … I'm doing it for the people that cannot, for the ones that are afraid to speak up. What does this sort of event/tradition really do as far as helping a cause like this? I know that when we were rucking this past year, we had quite a few people talk and ask us questions about the cause. It was great, because it spread the word outside of just our FM metro area. We were greeted very well throughout our trip, and I feel that it helped. I believe any event that helps bring awareness to our veterans is a great use of my time. Have you been a part of any other fundraisers such as this? We have done a golf outing for the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation, which is great but I don't think it spreads the word like this does. The other one that we recently did was Workout 4 Warriors at CrossFit Fargo. This fundraiser allowed us to push our limits in a different way than the ruck. Both of these events were benefiting the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation, so it was great to do and to see how we can reach out to others in our community through these organized events. 26 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

Darren Losee Darren Losee is co-owner of Urban Toad Media, publishers of The Good Life. He’s been a valuable supporter of the annual Ruck March, documenting the journey with his camera. Though he wished to keep his name out of this story, the rest of the crew insisted his role be recognized. What inspired you to support this year’s ruck? This event holds a powerful message and I wanted to do my part to support this mission. To photograph and capture the raw emotion, the pain, the tears, the joy and the camaraderie that these heroes showed every day was incredible. It was an honor to tag along and very humbling to see this event unfold. What was the biggest challenge along the way? The ruck teams did the hard work … while they were rucking nonstop, enduring the physical and emotional battles, lack of sleep, and banged-up bodies, I was sleeping in hotels in cozy beds, drinking warm coffee, editing photos and updating social media, supporting in any way that I could. Warm showers and zero blisters for this photographer. What’s your message to those reading? How can they support the cause? Words can't express the intensity of this event and the importance of the message. I encourage everyone to get out and participate and support in any way possible. Show your support by cheering on the team as they pass through your neighborhood. Join in and ruck or walk for a mile or several miles. Together we can make a difference. This is something you need to witness firsthand. And keep up with the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation online at bradyoberglegacyfoundation.org.

Everyone Has a Brady Most are surprised to learn that the overwhelming majority of participants in the annual Brady Oberg Border2Border Ruck March have no direct ties to its namesake, Brady Oberg. But according to Tracy Oberg Dunham, Brady’s sister and foundation board member, that’s exactly the reason why these men sign up to ruck. They march in honor of their own Brady, and their own loved ones who’ve lost their lives to suicide. They march to keep the next Brady alive. “The ruck means a lot for the foundation because it not only brings in donations that allow us to add adventures, but the awareness it brings to combat PTSD is significant,” Dunham explained. “All of the ruckers that have done this event for the long haul, never actually met Brady. They each are doing it because they have a connection to their own Brady … someone that has taken their own life because of the war from within, someone that meant a lot to them.” • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 27

HAVING A BEER WITH | JAMES MCCARTY

WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

A big, booming voice, a big ego and big energy … three things most sports broadcasters share in common. James McCarty (aka “Big Game James”) checks two of those boxes, apparently having missed out on ego training camp. But what he lacks in ego he more than makes up for in heart. And perfectly coiffed hair, to which radio will never do justice. I met the Flag Family Media Sports Director during the noon hour at Drekker’s Brewhalla, presumably to talk sports over a couple of cold beers. As McCarty strolled in through the oversized doors, that heart of his was the first thing I noticed. It hung, clearly and confidently, from his neck — a cross. It was a curveball I admit I did not see coming. McCarty, a native of Braham, Minn., a tiny blip of a town about an hour north of the twin cities, shattered my illconceived “sports guy” stereotypes within seconds. His gentle demeanor, warm smile and natural nonchalance set me at ease for what would be a long and friendly conversation that spanned sports, faith and family … and true to his on-air professionalism, zero dead air along the way. Tell me a bit about your background … I grew up in Braham, a nice small town where everybody knows everybody. I played football, baseball, can’t skate worth a damn but I love hockey! I always thought the E60 28 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

docu-series on ESPN was so cool, so I figured if I can’t be a pro player, I wanted to go be the next Sportscenter guy. In high school, my best friend’s brother came up here to play football at MSUM, so I would come up to visit periodically. It became a second home and gave me a chance to see the journalism program, which is one of the best in the country. I fell in love with it, came up here and rolled with it. So I’ve been here in Fargo-Moorhead for about six years now. What’s your favorite sports memory? People are going to hate me, but in January of 2020 I had the chance to go and cover my first NDSU Bison game … in Frisco … for the Championship game! I found myself down on the sidelines shooting video alongside an ESPN guy when James Hendricks had that incredible interception. I wasn't more than 10 yards away when he caught that ball. Watching everybody jump over the railing and storm the field, I think I saw my life flash before my eyes. I thought I was going to be mauled by a herd of bison! Favorite sport? Baseball. I love everything about baseball, and I hate how they’re trying to change it with pitch clocks and those sorts of things. They’re trying to get people to watch the game who aren’t watching now, but they’re not going to watch even if the game was 15 minutes shorter.

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HAVING A BEER WITH | JAMES MCCARTY

Every time I go hunting or fishing, when the sun comes up over the horizon … man, there is a God out there.

If you could spend a day with anyone from the world of sports, who would it be? Stuart Scott. Everything that guy was about, I love. No matter what he did at any point in his broadcasting career, he was himself, one hundred percent Stuart Scott. You weren’t going to change how he looked or what he said. It was about family, his two daughters and then sportscasting. He would make things seem so entertaining. Is it true pitchers are the most athletic players in baseball? I think they get paid the best … for having to complete only 30 starts a year. I have no idea where that idea came from, honestly. Probably a guy like Nolan Ryan who said it and nobody was going to challenge him, haha. I don’t think fat first basemen get enough credit, and shortstop is crazy, too. Which sport do you think deserves more airtime? I would have to say hockey. I think hockey is about as disrespected as it gets. The NBA and NFL are all over the place. Hockey … we’ll get “Hockey Night in America” and maybe some coverage on ESPN+. In hockey, you gotta beat out guys from around the world to earn your spot, so the athleticism is unmatched. The speed of the game is so intense. 30 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

What’s the real value of sports … specifically local sports? The way the community rallies around it. You used to get that in the pros or in college, but with so much hostility in the world it can get a little too political. At a local level, though, you really see how different community members and businesses rally behind the local youth and community in general. And when you get a chance to talk to those kids, ninety-nine percent of them don't have an ego yet. They’re so happy to talk to me and tell me the story of the game. Their world is so much more simplified … we have so many things going on, but they just want to go play with their buddies. When Moorhead, for example, gets to state in hockey, the whole town seems to shut down to send them off. Favorite concession stand treat? Honestly, pretzel and cheese. If you can get a soft pretzel with just the right amount of salt … just need a little light dusting … and warm nacho cheese. You can’t go wrong. What’s top on your sports bucket list? Well the closest I’ve come to a hole-in-one is about 30 yards, so I can probably scratch that off the list. Going to the Masters would be cool just to watch those guys perform at their highest level at such a historic venue. The hockey olympic games would be cool — it’s not like basketball where it’s just the US against basically

everyone else. You get to see stupid good talent from across the world. Be honest … are you radio guys ALWAYS wearing pants when you’re on the air? If my boss is reading this, yes. If he’s not, then there’s a time when things get a little interesting! When it's warm outside and you’ve been working 20 hours, you might see a little more belly than you paid for. We do have webcams up now, and I said you’re setting us up for some interesting experiences. I’ll go in when the other guys are looking super serious and do the truffle shuffle or try to do the worm. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing your job. What’s your stance on eSports? I think it's pretty dang cool. That’s something where if it was big 15 years ago, I would be professional — take that mom, I did something with my life! People might ridicule it, but if you’re talented at something, why can’t you go and make a living out of it? I’ve seen some of those tournaments they have and they get about as intense as they would if it was on the real hardwood. The world is changing and technology is taking over. I see your cross, so I gotta ask … What does faith mean to you? I definitely need to get better at my faith. I do dumb stuff every day and the fact that I’ll be forgiven one day is awesome. Every time I go hunting or fishing, when the sun comes up over the horizon … man, there is a God out there. He created all of this, and he made sure to have every detail perfectly in place for me to be there. It blows my mind. What does the good life mean to you? The good life means being able to go to work in the morning and not feel like you’re working and having enough time at the end of the day to spend with family. Get in a little fishing and duck hunting in God's country, that's what it means to me. • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 31

Tracks in the Snow Hunting the Cottontail Rabbit

WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY MILLER PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: JEFFREY MILLER

The winters can seem to last a very long time around here. Sure, a person can ice fish or cross-country ski. Some less-hardy individuals hole up and watch football and basketball on the TV until spring. I look forward to the bitter cold winter days, as they are perfect for pursuing one of America’s most popular small game animals, the cottontail rabbit.

The Game Cottontail rabbits, much like whitetail deer, are supremely adaptable animals. A single spirea bush in a sea of asphalt may provide a home for an urban rabbit, while farmsteads, tree rows, and brushy ditches provide habitat for rural bunnies. Rabbit meat is relished by nearly every predator, from hawks and owls to coyotes and foxes. Over 90% of rabbits never live to see their first birthday, and those that do develop keen survival skills. The most important factor that ensures rabbit 32 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

Cottontail rabbits, much like whitetail deer, are supremely adaptable animals. populations into the future is a remarkable birth rate. In the first year of life, a female rabbit can raise as many as six litters, averaging five rabbits per litter. Without predation, rabbits would take over the world! Rabbits are most active during dawn and dusk, rarely straying from heavy cover to feed. Open, mature forests are devoid of bunnies, as they prefer dense, short brush. Lilacs, dogwood, even the invasive European buckthorn provide food and cover for cottontails. Avian predators find it difficult to swoop through the thick brush, and terrestrial predators can’t help but make noise as they stalk through it.

Guns Before setting afield, the proper firearm must be selected. Rabbits are thin skinned, and light furred, and it doesn’t take much of a bullet to humanely harvest one.

A hunter who thinks a flushing pheasant is a difficult target will be in for an awakening when a rabbit bounds through thick cover! When hunting in the prime hours, a quiet, stalking hunter is most apt to carry a rimfire rifle. 22 Long Rifle as this is an excellent choice. I prefer using my Marlin 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire which has a variable power telescopic rifle scope which allows for precision shots through dense cover. Regardless of the caliber, solid bullets are the best choice for a fulfilled end. Hollow point cartridges expand upon impact and can destroy the tender white meat. Instead, a solid bullet drills straight through, preserving the meat which is then edible if someone chooses. During most of the daylight, rabbits sit in “forms,” shallow depressions in the snow, to soak up the meager sunshine. An 8-pound red fox cannot sneak through the thick cover without alerting a rabbit, a bumbling hunter certainly can’t! When hunting during this period of the day, or when hunting near farmsteads where a bullet may be hazardous, I prefer a shotgun. Sub-gauge shotguns

shine for rabbits, and I’ve used 16-gauge, 20-gauge, and a 410 when busting brush. Low base shells, shooting number 6 shot, are the perfect medicine for bounding rabbits. A hunter who enjoys flushing pheasant and embraces the challenge, would love the excitement when a rabbit bounds through thick cover!

Hunting Before setting foot afield with a gun, the hunter must first go scouting. For reasons known only to rabbits, some of the best cover for most rabbits can be devoid of bunnies. Snow is a wonderful canvas to determine the population of animals in the habitat. Rabbit tracks are a bit odd looking, with the back feet being laid down, while the front of the much smaller. A hunter should look closely at browsed brush to check if there are branches that have been clipped clean off; if so, it’s the work of a rabbit. With teeth on both top and bottom of

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AUTHOR AND RABBIT.

their mouth, rabbits can easily cut branches. Deer, with teeth only on the bottom, will tear the branch off. Stalking rabbits is best done on a bitter cold day. A rabbit’s coat may look and feel thick and warm, but it’s actually quite thin. When the mercury drops below zero, the critters will sit on south-facing slopes using the sun to warm them up. I use my binoculars and glass on every thick patch of cover from around 100 yards or so. Once a rabbit, hunched up in a furry form, is spotted, I’ll cut the distance to close to 50 yards. Slipping into the frigid snow, I’ll brace my gun and attempt to collect the rabbit. The thick cover has a way of deflecting bullets, and for every rabbit in the bag another escapes to live another day. A small group of hunters can drive rabbits on warmer days. Posters need to remain motionless as the drivers’ flush rabbits towards them. This is a shotgun game, and safety is of utmost importance. Hunters should wear high-visibility orange clothing and only take safe shots. 34 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

The Table Rabbit is top of the table, as far as I’m concerned. Young rabbits are tender and delicate, while older rabbits tend to be tougher. An Instant Pot works wonders on tough rabbits. Once cooked, I remove the meat from the bones and use it mixed in pasta sauce. A warm plate of rabbit fettucine, followed by a glass of red wine, on a cold winter’s day is an epicurean’s delight! Younger rabbits can be treated like chicken, breaded, or fried. My family loves fried rabbit with garden potatoes, and the meal costs little in terms of dollars on the grocery budget. Of course, the cost is in different forms like procuring the meat! Hunting rabbits can be a hobby for the entire family. Introducing youngsters to safe firearm practices right from the start, allows them to learn about ecology and animal habitats, bringing home delicious, healthy, wild game. Rabbit hunting is a great way to spend a cold North Dakota winter day! •

Hunting rabbits can be a hobby for the entire family.

AUTHOR'S SON AND DAUGHTER WITH RABBIT.

A warm plate of rabbit fettucine, followed by a glass of red wine, on a cold winter’s day is an epicurean’s delight! urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 35