Hi g h l i g h t s o f Bi s m a r c k , M a n d a n a n d L i n c o l n
BISMARCK-MAGAZINE.COM
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WINTER 2026 | VOLUME 11 ISSUE 4
WISHING YOU A HOLIDAY SEASON FILLED WITH WARMTH, LAUGHTER, AND MEMORIES MADE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
171 Eastdale Drive Bismarck, ND 58501
701.751.6024
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CONTENTS
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Gathering Around the Table
Gathering Around the Table Hosting a potluck over the holidays is an easy way to create an inviting and memorable occasion. We hosted our own and are sharing the 8 delicious recipes our guests brought along.
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10 Gathering Around the Table 20 Local Holiday Gift Guide 20 Kharma Vida Wellness Spa 22 T erry's Health Products 18 BittyBean Coffee 26 Little Ways Shoppe 22 The Bismarck Larks 28 Lily Valley Baby 30 Desirae's Makeup & BeautyLounge
Volume 11 Issue 4
Winter 2026
Bismarck Magazine is published four times a year and is complimentary. Copies are available across the Bismarck, Mandan and Lincoln communities or online at bismarck-magazine.com.
PUBLISHERS
Hannah Haynes hannah@bismarck-magazine.com Caroline Crary caroline@bismarck-magazine.com
LAYOUT EDITOR
Jenna Kluting
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Cloudwatcher
COVER PHOTO
Cloudwatcher
CONTRIBUTORS
Maria Brezny
COPY EDITOR
Jennifer Kranz
ADVERTISING
info@bismarck-magazine.com
Printed in the USA
Bismarck Magazine Corporation, Copyright 2015 Bismarck Magazine and bismarck-magazine.com. All rights reserved. This periodical cannot be reproduced without the written permission of Bismarck Magazine. Bismarck Magazine will not be held responsible for any errors found in the magazine. Bismarck Magazine Corporation accepts no liability for statements made by advertisers.
PUBLISHERS
LETTER
There's something about a potluck that takes the pressure off the holidays. Nobody has to do it all. Everyone brings one thing they love, and somehow the table ends up fuller than any one of us could have managed alone. That idea is the heart of this issue. For our holiday potluck series, we invited six local women to bring the dish that shows up on their table year after year, along with the recipe card to go with it. Some are family recipes passed down for generations. Others are the "you're bringing that again, right?" kind. We set the table with velvet, candlelight, pears, pumpkins, and fresh greenery, then did what you do at any good potluck: passed plates, traded stories, and went back for seconds. You'll find every recipe in the pages ahead, and we hope you'll borrow them. Better yet, borrow the idea. Call a few friends, ask each to bring one dish, and let the evening be easy. That same spirit runs through our Holiday Gift Guide. It's filled with finds from the local shops and makers who give Bismarck-Mandan its character, the ones who wrap your purchase by hand and remember what you bought last year. When you check off your list close to home, the gift reaches further than the person opening it. Thank you for saving us a seat at your table this year. From our families to yours, Merry Christmas.
@hostingwithhannah
@carolinecrary
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Gathering A R O U N D T H E TA B L E
photos by Cloudwatcher
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Good food, great company and a little holiday magic. There’s something special about gathering around a table during the holidays. The conversations, the laughter and, of course, the dishes everyone looks forward to year after year. This holiday season, we decided to bring that tradition to life in a very Bismarck Magazine way. We invited six wonderful women to join us for a festive potluck party inside a gorgeous home built by Big River Builders. The only thing we asked? Bring the dish you're famous for. From treasured family recipes to tried-and-true crowd favorites, each guest arrived with something delicious and a story to share. And while the food certainly didn't disappoint, it was the company that made the afternoon so memorable. One of the things we love most about a potluck is that no two gatherings are ever quite the same. Every dish brings a little personality to the table, whether it's a recipe passed down through generations, a holiday staple that's become a family tradition or something so delicious that friends request it at every gathering. Together, those dishes create a menu that no single host could have planned quite the same way. And perhaps that's the beauty of entertaining this way. The holidays can come with plenty of pressure to make everything picture-perfect, but a potluck reminds us that hosting doesn't have to mean doing it all. When everyone brings a little something to the table, the work becomes lighter, the menu becomes more interesting and the gathering becomes a true reflection of the people sharing it. It's a tradition worth bringing back, especially during the busiest season of the year. At the end of the day, the best holiday gatherings aren't about perfectly set tables or elaborate menus. They're about the people who gather around them. A beautiful home may set the scene, but it's the friendships, familiar flavors and moments shared over a meal that make a gathering truly special. So pull up a chair, pour yourself something festive and get inspired by the women, recipes and traditions that made our holiday potluck one to remember. BISMARCK-MAGAZINE.COM
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Zucchini Bread PAU L E T T E B U L L I N G E R
“It is a recipe I got from a friend. I grow a lot of zucchini, and it’s an easy thing for potluck. I take it to my church, and it’s gone instantly. It’s one of those things that’s easy to make, so you can make it in bulk, freeze it, and pull it out in the winter.”
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Italian Sliders KOR I L I N K
“They are a good example of a quick and easy recipe you can throw together if you’re hosting a party or just having friends over for a glass of wine.”
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Chocolate Covered Strawberries M E D O R A S L E T T E N L AU F
“My mom always says that presentation is everything, and chocolate-covered strawberries are quintessential presentation is everything because they are easy to make but always look so cute and fancy.”
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Cucumber Baguette Bites KARI ANDERSON
“It is something that is light and refreshing for a potluck. It’s something everyone can enjoy. They go any time of the year, whether it’s summer, winter, fall, or spring. They’re a hit at all times.”
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Kitchen Sink Cookies DREW SCHIERMEISTER
“They are something I started making when my sister and my friend came over, and now they are the most requested thing that I bring to every party ever. Everyone always asks for the recipe, so I figured I would finally give it out to people.”
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Cozy Roasted Gnocci & Sausage M O L LY H E R R I N G T O N
“My sister calls it a hug from Molly. My sister lives by Washington D.C., and I don’t get to be there with her a lot, but I always cook for her when I go, and this is her number one dish for many years. When she feels homesick, she makes a hug from Molly.”
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Whipped Feta H A N N A H H AY N E S
“I love doing whipped feta because it’s a super easy dish, but you can also add any roasted toppings, fruit, nuts, or olives like I did and serve with olive oil and freshly baked bread. It’s something everyone loves, and you can make it day of, or a few days before, it doesn’t matter.”
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Fruit Soup C A R O L I N E C R A RY
“It’s a Scandinavian dish that my aunt used to make for me. It’s full of dried fruit like prunes, apricots, raisins. It can be a dessert, served warm or cold. Some people put cream in it, some people put ice cream. I brought it because it looks good with fall colors, and I had never made it before, so I wanted to give it a whirl.”
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3 2525 E. Rosser Ave. #1 Bismarck Monday 9 am - 7 pm Tuesday 9 am - 8 pm Wednesday-Thursday 9 am - 7 pm Sat: 9 am - 3 pm, Sun: Closed kharmavidaspa.com (701) 751-0870
1. Gift Certificate any amount | 2. Self-Reflection Set: Getting to Know Myself Journal $19, Aqua Zen Incense $3, Palo Santo $2 each | 3. Calming Set: In My Calm Era Book $10, Mindfulness Breathing Necklace $20 | 4. Eminence Best Sellers Travel Set $79 | 5. Wellness Spa Day Package $125: Includes Red Light Bed, Infrared Sauna, Halo Saltbooth, Vibro Acoustic Bed, and Oxygen Bar
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Terry's Health Products 717 E Main Ave, Bismarck Mon-Fri: 9 am - 6 pm, Sat: 10 am - 5 pm, Sun: Closed terryshp.com 701-223-1026
1. Anima Mundi Apothecary Blue Lotus Tea $29.99, Anima Mundi Apothecary Dream Elixir $23.99, Anima Mundi Apothecary Palo Santo Myst $19.99 | 2. Terry’s Health Products Essential Oil Blends: Be Happy $11.29, Be Focused $10.99, Be Joyous $15.89, NOW Diffuser $49.99 | 3. Grounding Well Mat $49.99, Grounding Well Sheet $69.99 | 4. Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes $14.99, Ecomax Body Brush $24.99, NOW Lavender Almond Massage Oil $17.99 | 5. Glimpse on the Prairie Lavender Milk Bath $14, Dakota Tallow Shea- Allow Body Butter $22.99, JML Soaps Brown Sugar Vanilla Sugar Scrub $14, Everblue19 Cutie Love Cuticle Oil $9.99, Stillness Natural Perfume by Future Echo $37.99 | 6. Zero Waste Products: Bamboo Dish Brush $3.99, Pattern Dryer Ball $5.99, Plain Dryer Ball $2.50, Charcoal Toothbrush $1.50, Coconut Fiber Scouring Pad $2.50, Soapsaver Bag $0.99, Reusable Kitchen Cloths $2.50 | 7. Old 81 Gourmet 1110 Smoked Seasoning $8.99, Wildmoon Salsa Luna Salsa $6.99, Timmy’s Pastime Smoked Bourbon Pistachios $13.99, Pemmican Patty Bison & Beef Bar $6 20
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Season’s Beaches
Remember someone special this holiday season with a gift that continues to give. All donations support an array of complimentary services to help patients through their cancer journeys. Complimentary services include:
Dietary Counseling • Lodging Assistance Support Groups • Physical Therapy • Massage Therapy Transportation Assistance • Emotional & Spiritual Counseling
Provide help today at: bismarckcancercenter.com/donate bismarckcancercenter.com|222-6100 500 N 8th St|Bismarck, ND 58501
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NORTHERN PLAINS DANC E PRESENTS
BELLE MEHUS AUDITORIUM DECEMBER 11 | 7 PM DECEMBER 12 | 2 PM & 7 PM DECEMBER 13|12:30 PM* & 4 PM *MY FIRST NUTCRACKER
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SCAN FOR TICKETS
TICKETS AT NORTHERNPLAINSDANCE.ORG
When the Light Finds Us – Katrina Case, ND
The Capital Gallery in Downtown Bismarck is celebrating 10 years of bringing art, history and culture to Bismarck-Mandan. Visit the Gallery today for one-of-a-kind original art for the perfect holiday gift.
Open Tues-Friday, 10 am-4 pm & Sat, 11 am-3 pm thecapitalgallery.com • 701.751.1698 109 N 4th St, Bismarck, ND 58501 Celebrating Art, History, and Culture
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Little Ways Shoppe
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4600 N 19th St, #401, Bismarck Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 10 am - 5 pm Tues: 10 am - 7 pm Sat: 10 am - 2 pm Sun: Closed facebook: Little Ways Shoppe (701) 751-3452
1. Earth Harbor Smooth Sailing Kit $32 | 2. Little Seed Farm Lemon Grapefruit Body Oil $24, “Gold & Rubies” Perfume $42, “The Leader” Cologne $48 | 3. Praise the Lord Hat $38 | 4. Purifying Magnesium 40oz Bath Soak $38, Rowe Casa Grapefruit Bergamot Shower Gel $29, “Cashmere” Whipped Tallow Body Butter $26 | 5. Whispering Willow Lavender Neck Wrap $42 | 6. Lifeboost Coffee - ranging from $29 - $33, Purity Coffee- starting at $29 | 7. Salt & Light “Cider & Bourbon” Beeswax Candle $26, Fontana “Lavender Vanilla Tangerine” Beeswax Candle $26, Rowe Casa “Christmas Cheer” Beeswax Candle $30 | 8. How to Draw Winter Things for Kids by Alli Koch $14.95, Sarah’s Silks Solid Color Playsilk $24, Silk Play Crown $24 24 BISMARCK MAGAZINE | WINTER 2026
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Lily Valley Baby
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1408 43rd Avenue NE, Bismarck Monday-Friday 10AM-6PM Saturday 11AM-4PM Sunday CLOSED lilyvalleybaby.com (701) 751-3452
1. Babyface Boys Wide-Fit Pants $70, Harrison Button Down, Plaid $44 | 2. The Viral Mystery Squishy Dumpling Countdown Calendar $100 | 3. Eloise Coat, Cream$145, Madeline Dress, Ruby $88, Holiday Padded Headband $16 | 4. Black Suspender Pants $68, Harrison Holiday Button Down $44, Sebastian Black Blazer $92 | 5. gunamuna Sleep Bag 9-18 Months 2.5 TOG $65 | 6. Amuseable Fitswell Mitten $43.00, Amuseable Pomilly $55.00, Amuseable Perta Snow Boot $70.00 | 7. Everly Bow, Eucalyptus $13, Luna Dress, Eucalyptus $88 | 8. Bartholomew Bear and the Snow Giants by Meredith Vigh and Ocean Hughes $16, Bartholomew Bear Stuffie $33 | 9. Coco Village Oversized Wooden Space Station Playset $145
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3 (701) 751-2312 105 N 5th St, Bismarck Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm, Sat: 10am-3:30pm Sun: Closed desiraesbeautylounge.com
1. RMS Beauty The Mini Lip Oil Trio $35 | 2. ILIA The Mini Eye Stylus Trio $36, ILIA The Mini Lip Sketch + Gloss Set $30, ILIA The Mascara Duo $32 | 3. Living Proof Perfect hair Day Frosted Fig Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo $33| 4. Jane Iredale Well Rested Nighttime Recovery Set - $48 | 5. RMS Beauty The Travel Prime & Set Duo Pouch - $49, RMS Beauty The Line & Shine Kit - $39 | 6. Jane Iredale Starry Eyed Eye Shadow Stick & Tubing Mascara Set $44 | 7. Living Proof The Classic Clean Dry Shampoo Set $46, IGK Juicy Baby Fragrance Mist & Hair Taming Wand $25| 8. Jane Iredale Just Kissed pH Lip Oil Mini Trio $44 28
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TWELVE DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS December 1-12 watch us live on Facebook at @bismarckmagazine for your chance to win gift certificates from all these fantastic local restaurants!
CAFÉ • PASTA & WINE BAR Visit animacucina.com 101 N. 5th St. Bismarck 701-751-1738
Downtown Bismarck 111 N. 5th Street fireflourpizza.com 701-323-9000
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tues-thurs 11am to 8pm | fridays and Saturday 11am to 9pm eatthaicafe.com | 701.680.0001 | 409 Riverwood Dr, Bismarck
CRAFT BEER, PIZZA, PASTA AND MORE 1601 N 12th St. Suite 102, Bismarck, ND 30
BISMARCK MAGAZINE | WINTER 2026
Expect More From The Everyday Real Food, Friendly Barista, Fast Service
@bittybeancoffee
1019 E Main Ave, Bismarck Apply at www.bittybeancoffee.com
Free Delivery, call 701.258.3518 for details Free Delivery, call 701.258.3518 for details
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kid’s level Caring for kids is different than caring for adults, and your child deserves a primary care provider that understands that. At Sanford Children’s in Bismarck, our pediatric care is designed to meet your kid right where they are and grow with them as their needs change. We are committed to providing the best care when your whole world is in our hands. We’re here to support your child’s health with: • Wellness visits • Care for illnesses and injuries • Developmental and behavioral screenings • Health education • Immunizations • Specialist referrals
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