Area Woman Magazine Apr/May '16

K I NZ I ET HOMA S S MA RT , COMP OS E D&S OMUCHF UN

AREAWOMAN CONTENTS April.May

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Contributors Calendar Beans Coffee Bar Dress to Impress For MS Downtown Doings Women & Their Music Inviting In The Victim Profile: Ron McLean The Next 40 Years 50 Years Of Furry Friends Homeward Animal Shelter Visions of Gratitude Photography We Love Where to Shop The Best Of Both Worlds Having The Time Of My Life Expanding Opportunities Behind The Scenes at Camp Cormorant Celebrating Every Milestone Keeping Priorities Straight Spacious Luxury An Everyday Hero High School Connections Cover Story: Kinzie Thomas

PUBLISHER Area Woman Publishing, LLC EDITORS IN CHIEF Mike Sherman Becky Sherman PROOFING EDITOR Amy Peterson ART DIRECTOR Sydney Schermerhorn ADVERTISING Mike Sherman 701-306-5119 Debbie Trombley 701-729-1910 Ben Nash 701-200-3010 FIND US 701-306-5119 areawomanmagazine.com twitter.com/AWFargo facebook.com/areawomanmagazine pinterest.com/areawomanmag READ IT ONLINE areawomanmagazine.com

PHOTOGRAPHY 5Foot20 Design Lounge Ande Sailer Ashley Oberholtzer Photography Bell's Photography by Jenna Sandman Ben Nash Photography Elena K Photography FATcat Studios Golden Veil Photography Haney's Photography Karensa Tischer Photography Kensie Wallner Photography Legacy Photography Limelite Photography Lindsay Kaye Photography Mandey Marie Photography Mike Smith Ockhardt Photography Rachel Torgerson Photography Rick Westra Rosetta Ann Photography Scherling Photography Studio A Photo Thuen Studios Timeless Images Photography Traci Adamson Photography Wolff Photography

Area Woman is a proud member of the Fargo/Moorhead Chamber of Commerce. It is published bi-monthly by Area Woman Publishing, LLC and printed in the U.S.A. ©2016 Area Woman Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from AW. Area Woman is a trademark registered at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Area Woman Publishing assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs and does not necessarily agree with content or advertising presented.

WOMEN’S RESOURCES

WOMEN’S RESOURCES

CONTRIBUTORS

KIM MALAKOWSKY

PAUL HANKEL

BARB STANTON, PHD, LPCC, LMFT

An art lover from an early age, Kim spent the early years of her career as a graphic artist and editorial liaison.

Her work led her to the publishing world where she became Editor-in-Chief of award winning From House to Home national magazine. In addition, Kim served as editor for Wedding Vow and PB&J—a family publication, as well as Director of Operations for Publication Services of America.

Raised in Fargo his entire life, Paul is a fulltime marketing consultant, event coordinator and features/ editorial writer. He writes for several local and regional publications. He enjoys everything Fargo and feels blessed to have the opportunity to spend his days promoting and bringing attention to our wonderful city.

Dr. Stanton’s clinical work at Prairie St. John’s is focused on children and adolescents on the autism spectrum along with their caregivers. She provides assessments and therapeutic services to those with Asperger’s syndrome, high-functioning autism and pervasive developmental disorder. With several years of experience, Barb has learned to appreciate the infinite skills and talents of these amazing individuals as well as their struggles to navigate their environment.

The focus of her care is on finding how to support people with autism spectrum disorder allowing them to achieve their highest level of success and gain useful life skills.

Today, Kim continues to write and edit and is passionate about her work with Friends of Chimbote, traveling to Chimbote, Peru as often as she can, to work at Father Jack’s Mission.

This issue, Jill wrote our cover story!

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JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss grew up in western North Dakota and graduated from MSUM Moorhead with a BA in photojournalism. She has an extensive background in video production and still photography, and currently combines the two with her unique work in baby photography. She is a commercial photographer in Fargo as well as a photographer and writer for Area Woman.

Jill is a wife and mother and has a passion for cooking and hosting dinner parties, traveling, helping others and the history of the natives and settlers of her home state. Among her adventures she has lived in Germany, volunteered in Ghana, Africa, visited Cuba and plans to travel more of the world for both work and pleasure.

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Learn more about these talented women and how you can get involved at areawomanmagazine.com.

LIFE

Spring is officially here!

As you make plans to get out of your house and enjoy the weather, be sure to check out all the great things happening around town. And, prepare to be amazed at all the unique and inspiring events and individuals that are featured in this edition of Area Life.

April.May

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Note: All events are subject to change. Confirm dates and times before attending.

APRIL 1

CHIP IN FOR CHARITY DISCOUNT GOLF PASS

Purchase your Chip In for Charity discount golf pass for the upcoming golf season. The pass allows you to golf at 94 courses across North Dakota and western Minnesota for FREE or at a discounted rate. $40/pass | Purchase tickets online at CatholicCharitiesND.org or call (701) 235-4457

APRIL 4, 11, 18, 25 & MAY 2 & 9

BUILDING STRONGER KIDS FROM THE INSIDE OUT!

In this six-week class series, we will delve deep into the premises of the Nurtured Heart Approach®. You will leave having a heightened understanding of how to respond to challenging behaviors with intention and purpose, and how to help build stronger kids, from the inside out. Heart To Heart Consulting. Individual $149. Individual with CEUs $159. Co-Parenting Couple $169.

Old Chicago 2551 45th St S, Fargo HeartToHeartConsulting.com, Click on Calendar of Events

APRIL 5

DIVORCEES AND CRANKS: EARLY BASEBALL IN FARGO AND THE RED RIVER VALLEY

Long before the F-M Twins or RedHawks came to town, there was the 1897 Red River Valley Baseball League. Learn more as Jeff Bozovsky reads from his book, Divorcees, Barmaids, and Cranks: The 1897 Red River Valley League, and tells about the

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league’s history and its colorful characters.

Coming just as we begin another baseball season, this is the perfect way to get into the swing of things. Free with museum admission.

5:30 - 6:45 p.m.

Hjemkomst Center 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead (218) 299-5511

APRIL 8, MAY 13

FREE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING

Do you have questions or concerns regarding your child's development? Join us for a free screening on the second Friday of each month. Please call ahead to schedule a time for your free screening. Early Intervention Partners can answer any questions you may have.

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Pediatric Therapy Par tners 3060 Frontier Way S (701) 364-3945

APRIL 9 & 10

SLEEPING BEAUTY PRESENTED

BY FMBALLET

Be enchanted by the FM Ballet's spring production of Sleeping Beauty, with original choreography by Artistic Director, Matthew Gasper and music by Tchaikovsky. Tickets available through tututix.com/fmballet or by phone at 855-222-2TIX (2849). Tickets on sale February 15, 2016.

April 9- 2 p.m. & 6 p.m.

April 10- 2 p.m.

Fargo Theatre 314 Broadway N, Fargo (701) 234-9440 | www.fmballet.org

APRIL 9

BREAKING THE CYCLE ROLE MODELING SHOW

UNIQUE ...INSPIRATIONAL ...FAMILY! P's & Q's Etiquette is hosting the Breaking the Cycle Role Modeling Show. Join us for music, live entertainment, and treats, as we celebrate women and girls of ALL ages who are ROLE MODELS in our community. Purchase your tickets now online.

5:30 p.m.

Ramada Plaza 1635 42nd St S, Fargo (701) 541-6674 Facebook- psqsetiquette

Are you planning or attending an upcoming event? Submit local events online at areawomanmagazine.com

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April.May

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Note: All events are subject to change. Confirm dates and times before attending.

APRIL 9

SOROPTIMIST STYLE SHOW AND PURSE SILENT AUCTION

Soroptimist International of Moorhead presents Springtime Styles, a style show and silent auction. Fashions by Chico’s, Sanford Gift Shop, Maurice’s and Downtown Diva will be featured. Dessert and beverages will be served and the Clarion Quartet will provide music. All proceeds will benefit the lives of women and girls in the community.

1 p.m.

Dilwor th Lutheran Church 406 3rd St NE, Dilwor th Monica Douglas at (218) 233-7521 monica.douglas@lssmn.org

APRIL 13

EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS PRESENTS “REFRESH LEADERSHIP LIVE”

Express is hosting this free event to give back to local businesses. Come hear a distinguished lineup of inspirational speakers that will share their insight on how to lead your business, inspire your team and live an influential life. Featuring: Marshall Goldsmith, author, professor and executive coach; Shaquille "Shaq" O'Neal, TV sports analyst and 15-time NBA all-star; and Kaplan Mobray, author, motivational speaker and career consultant.. No cost to attend, but limited seating. Call now to reserve your chair!

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Hilton Garden Inn, Fargo Register by calling (701) 297-8800 or online at www.RefreshLeadership.com/Live

APRIL 14

LADIES' NIGHT OUT

This one night event will feature surprise goodies and premier pampering services at participating business locations. Services and goodies will range everywhere from 22

massages to gift bags, spa samples, tasty treats, gift certificates and much more!

Wristbands $20, available at participating locations.

5 - 9 p.m.

Downtown Fargo downtownfargo.com

APRIL 14

NEW LIFE CENTER AUXILIARY PRESENTS ITS 39TH ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST AND 17TH ANNUAL EVENING DESSERT

Praying for Strangers: An Adventure of the Human Spirit. Guest speaker River Jordan is a critically acclaimed author and playwright who also produces and hosts the radio program “Clearstory.” She made a resolution to pray for strangers each day for a year while her sons were deployed overseas. She wrote a book about her experiences and she will be sharing. Tickets on sale now.

Breakfast $22 Dessert $17 Breakfast: 9:30-11:30 a.m. $22 Dessert: 7:30-9 p.m. $17 Hilton Garden Inn 4351 17th Ave S, Fargo www.fargonlc.org | (701) 235-4453

APRIL 14

JEREMIAH FARGO-MOORHEAD SECOND ANNUAL GENERATION BUILDERS 2×2 LUNCHEON

Are you passionate about providing a legacy of stability and continuity to single moms and their children in Fargo-Moorhead? Join Jeremiah Program for its Generation Builders luncheon, where you’ll hear firsthand from a single mother who has changed her life with the help of Jeremiah. Jeremiah will break ground in spring 2016 on a campus to serve determined families in FargoMoorhead. Tickets to the luncheon are $40; sponsorships begin at $250.

11 a.m. -1 p.m.

(701) 793-5616 jeremiahprogram.org/fargo-moorhead

APRIL 19

APRONS GALORE! FREE PUBLIC RECEPTION

Vintage to contemporary art aprons worn by men, women and children presented by A Woman's Perspective with support by Quilters' Guild of North Dakota at the Hjemkomst Center through June 20. Bring an apron.

Share its story. All ages welcome!

Curator Talk: 5:30 p.m.

Free Public Reception: 4-7 p.m.

Hjemkomst Center 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead (218) 299-5511 | awp.handworks.org

APRIL 22 & MAY 23

FULL-DAY NHA WORKSHOPS - INTRO TO NURTURED HEART APPROACH ®

In this one day workshop, we will delve into the basic premises of the Nurtured Heart Approach®. You will leave having a heightened understanding of how to respond to challenging behaviors with intention and purpose, and how to help build stronger kids, from the inside out. Individuals: $99. Individuals with CEUs: $109. Co-Parenting Couple: $119 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Hear t To Hear t Consulting Coaching Center Historic Black Building - Downtown 118 Broadway N ; #402, Fargo HeartToHeartConsulting.com | Click on Calendar of Events

APRIL 22

MIDWEST SALES SYMPOSIUM

The Midwest Sales Symposium is the region's premier sales conference focused on the sales profession and sales technology. The conference concludes with keynote speaker, Sam Richter. Sam Richter is an internationally recognized expert on sales intelligence and online reputation management. His award-winning experience includes building innovative programs for start-up companies and some of the world’s most famous brands.

7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Holiday Inn 3803 13th Ave S, Fargo www.ndsu.edu/business/programs/sales/ midwest-sales-symposium

Are you planning or attending an upcoming event? Submit local events online at areawomanmagazine.com

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April.May

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Note: All events are subject to change. Confirm dates and times before attending.

APRIL 23

APRIL 29 & 30

First International Bank & Trust is hosting a Kids Club Spring Fling Event. This event is for families and will focus on spring, gardening, Earth Day, recycling and all the fun that comes with warmer weather.

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

First International Bank &Trust 3001 25th St S, Fargo (701) 232-1700

Single, divorced or even a parent of a teen or young adult, join us to find out what makes a relationship healthy & how to recognize when it's not. Seminar is Friday evening & Saturday morning and includes relationship RAM tool, workbook, continental breakfast & snacks. Registration required. $47/ Person April 29 6 - 9 p.m. & April 30 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Dakota Medical Foundation 4141 28th Ave S, Fargo Register/Contact on line at www.Impact-Relationship-Seminars.com Impact.Relationship@gmail.com

KIDS CLUB SPRING FLING EVENT

APRIL 23

MSUM 8TH ANNUAL SPRING SCHOLARSHIP GALA

Event partner: Bremer. Enjoy an elegant evening of entertainment and fine dining at the 8th annual Spring Scholarship Gala as MSUM alumni, faculty and staff, and the Fargo-Moorhead community come together to support scholarships for current and incoming students. Formerly the Founders Scholarship Gala, this premier event will feature: • Hors d’oeuvres and champagne social • Elegant cuisine • Live and silent auctions • Mystery wine sale • A thank you from scholarship recipients.

Purchase tickets over the phone or online.

4:30 p.m. Social 6:30 p.m. Program & Dinner Comstock Memorial Union Ballroom | MSUM campus 1104 7th Ave S, Moorhead (218) 477-2143 | mnstate.edu/gala | alumni@mnstate.edu

APRIL 28

MCCULLEY OPTIX GALLERY'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Join us for a ribbon cutting and champagne toast as we celebrate 10 years of business!

4-7 p.m.

McCulley Optix Gallery 2553 Kirsten Ln S, Fargo (701) 373-2020 | www.optixgallery.com

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LOVE THINKS - HOW TO AVOID FALLING FOR A JERK(ETTE)

MAY 7

SPRING GALA: 1976

Celebrate 40 years of Plains Art Museum!

• Silent auction of art • Shake your groove thing to Heart & Soul • Wine/beer tasting by Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops • Righteous food and drink by Mosaic Foods • Divine desserts by Nichole’s Fine Pastry • Visuals and audio by Livewire Entertainment • Proceeds go to museum educational programs • $90 before April 22, $100 after 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Plains Ar t Museum 704 1st Ave N, Fargo plainsart.org (701) 551-6100

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COMING EVENTS

COMING EVENTS

MAY 8

MOTHER'S DAY FUN WALK FOR DRESS FOR SUCCESS RED RIVER VALLEY

Join us for a fun, family-friendly indoor walk at West Acres on Mother's Day. Receive a gift bag with each registration and a fun scavenger hunt for kids. Cost is $10 per person or $20 per family. All proceeds support Dress for Success Red River Valley.

9:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.

West Acres Mall, Macy's Entrance inside mall 3902 13th Ave S, Fargo (701) 478-8076

MAY 8

MOTHER'S DAY AT THE ZOO

Treat the mothers in your life to a day at the Zoo! Mothers receive free admission.

Regular admission rates apply; RRZ Members, mothers and children under two are free!

10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Red River Zoo 4255 23rd Ave S, Fargo (701) 277-9240 | www.redriverzoo.org

MAY 12

CORKS AND CANVAS

Enjoy an evening stroll through Downtown with wine sampling, live artists and great shopping! Second Thursdays all summer long.

Wristbands $20, available at participating locations. 21+ 5 - 9 p.m.

Downtown Fargo downtownfargo.com

MAY 13-15

1ST ANNUAL FM CROSSROADS POWWOW

The event is an international contest powwow to showcase the rich Native American culture of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Canada. The powwow is open to the public and will feature dance contests, drum contests, dance specials and multiple vendors. Daily admission is $10/person and parking is free.

Grand entries to be held: Friday 7 p.m.

Saturday 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday 1 p.m.

Scheel's Arena 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo

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MAY 22

SUMMER GRIND

Beginners, intermediate and advanced skaters are invited to show off their skills during individual exhibitions.

4:30 p.m.

Dike West, 310 4th St S, Fargo www.fargoparks.com | 499-7788

MAY 22

WOMEN’S HEALTH CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS 1 p.m. Natural Running Workshop with Melanie Carvell, PT 3:15 p.m. STREZZ FREE Workshop with Zonya Foco, RD, CHFI, CSP Tickets are $25 or $45 for both Ramada Plaza Suites, Fargo Register online womens-health-conference.com

MAY 23

WOMEN’S HEALTH CONFERENCE

A powerful day with experts, speakers and educators whose mission is to coach, motivate and rejuvenate you towards a healthier life. Appreciate your mind, body and spirit.

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets are $45.

Ramada Plaza Suites, Fargo Register at womens-health-conference.com

MAY 26

RED RIVER VALLEY VETERAN’S CELEBRATION

FREE Bar-B-Q at 4 p.m. and a concert by the Red River Valley Veteran’s Concert Band at 5:30 p.m.

The event will be held in the Event Center at Bonanzaville.

4 p.m.

1351 W Main Ave, West Fargo (701) 282-2822

QUOTABLE "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Then you will seek me and find me: when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the Lord. " — JEREMIAH 29: 11-14 areawomanmagazine.com

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BEANS COFFEE BAR: POURING Love ... ONE CUP AT A TIME

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Words by Megan Bartholomay Photography by Kensie Wallner Photography

As high school sweethearts at Fargo South, Heidi and Chris Holland never imagined they’d be married with seven (yup, SEVEN!) kids and running one of the area’s newest and trendiest coffee bars. Enter Beans.

When you walk into Beans Coffee Bar, you’ll notice a few things that don’t come with your average coffee shop: the delicious smell of mini donuts (yes, mini donuts!), the bright and modern décor reminiscent of an upscale spa and the family-friendly atmosphere complete with a play area for kids.

Holland's nickname growing up was always Beans. It was a name her father, legendary NDSU football coach and ardent coffee lover, Don Larson, affectionately gave her early on.

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She recalled with a laugh, "My parents never called me Heidi unless I was in big trouble. And I like beans. A lot." So when her father suddenly passed away of a heart attack more than 10 years ago, she envisioned opening a coffee shop in honor of his memory.

Holland never shared her dream with anyone until one day in early 2014 when she confided in Chris, who insisted she pursue her dream and immediately found her the perfect retail spot.

"I was pretty scared," Holland said. "I was a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, but with my youngest in kindergarten, it was the perfect time for Beans to finally happen.” But with the love and support of Chris and her family, and their total dependence on God's will, ev-

erything just fell into place. And they haven't looked back since.

In November 2014, Beans made its debut on Veteran’s Boulevard with plans to open a second location on South University Drive this spring. Holland said both locations offer some unique perks like a bar with outlets to recharge your gadgets, mandatory drive-thru windows, same-visit free refills on regular coffee, homemade mini donuts on every drink (which she affectionately calls DON-uts, in honor of her dad), an array of breads and pastries from local bakers, free wifi and a play area with books, games and snacks for kids.

Holland said her inspiration for a kid-friendly space and modern décor stemmed from her

own experiences frequenting coffee shops. She said, “When my kids were younger, I spent a lot of time with them in coffee shops, so I knew what worked and what didn’t.” Holland and Chris, whose kids ranging in age from 7 to 21, named their specialty drinks after each child and offer half price discounts on each of their birthdays. Holland laughed, “It’s really cute. They get very competitive about who sold the most drinks with their name every month.” She even has a drink named after Chris called the Love-A-Latte.

And she attributes much of Beans' success to the overwhelming support from the community and outpouring of love from customers. "They've just rallied around us. Beans brings people together. We all have parents and loss and a chance to bless the lives of others, even if it’s just a smile and a yummy hot cup of coffee. Beans is all about giving back and glorifying God every step of the way." Holland and Chris' foundation is their faith, which is evident on their Bean of Light board daily inspirations (also found on their custom cups and website), and they often donate their retail space to host fundraisers and community-based causes. Beans hosts open mic nights and is home to periodic painting parties, Coffee and Canvas. To celebrate God's work and blessing in their lives, Beans exclusively plays Christian music every Sunday.

Patrons can see Holland’s commitment to her clientele by her infectious smile to anyone entering Beans. And the love for her dad is apparent as the shop is lined with photos she’s had made into giant custom canvases. “I miss him every day,” said Holland. With tears in her eyes, she said opening Beans has given her some closure with her dad’s passing.

“He would have been here every day getting a light roast, black. He’d be laughing and smiling and welcoming the customers. And I feel him every day saying, ‘Beans, I’m so proud of you.’” [AWM]

Heidi Holland

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Laurie Kuehl

DRESS TO IMPRESS FOR MS

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Little Black Dress Luncheon raises funds and awareness Words by Alicia Underlee Nelson Photography by Dennis Krull, 5Foot20 Design Lounge

There was no official dress code for the Little Black Dress Luncheon, hosted by the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society on March 4. But most of the guests in Fargo’s Holiday Inn ballroom took the hint and donned black.

The luncheon, however, was anything but somber. “It’s a really great event,” said first-time attendee Lisa Helbling. “It’s cheerful, energetic.”

Handsomely dressed attendees bid on silent

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auction items, friends sipped wine and coworkers chatted over lunch. The drinks, the silent auction and the convivial atmosphere are all part of the event’s successful fundraising strategy.

“This is the 11th annual event and we have 100 more attendees than ever before, with 411 registered this year,” said Event Coordinator Laurie Kuehl. “Last year we increased the fundraising by $10,000 and we hope to reach our goal of $50,000 this year.”

The money raised will fund research projects, programs and services for individuals who live with MS. The Upper Midwest chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society serves over 17,000 people in North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Nebraska.

“It’s a time to be together with friends and to support those who live with MS,” said Kuehl.

“But there are people who don’t know about MS. So this is a chance to spread the awareness.” [AWM]

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DOWNTOWN DOINGS

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The Downtown Community Partnership is committed to providing quality events in order to highlight downtown Fargo-Moorhead.

Words by Paul Hankel Photography provided by Downtown Community Partnership

The summer months are a busy time in Downtown Fargo and Moorhead. Warm weather means heavy foot traffic for local businesses and weekly community events. Area Woman caught up with Sam Olson of the Downtown Community Partnership to chat about the events that the group currently oversees and what new and exciting happenings are planned for the future.

What is the Downtown Community Partnership?

The Downtown Community Partnership (DCP) is a non-profit development group that consists of a board of 18 voting members including business and property owners and city representatives. The DCP is headed by Doug Anderson of Swanson Health Products, and has an office located in the heart of downtown Fargo.

What does the Downtown Community Partnership do?

The goal of the DCP is to promote the downtown districts of Fargo and Moorhead as vibrant, exciting and progressive areas of urban development. The DCP currently coordinates and manages many of the downtown events that Fargo-Moorhead patrons frequent throughout the year.

The DCP has also played a major role in the initiation of several large projects including the adoption of the North Dakota Renaissance Zone, the Railway Quiet Zone and other large major initiatives. While these large projects have had a major impact on life downtown, the core of what the DCP does lies in its daily mission of promoting anything and everything downtown.

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What events does the Downtown Community Partnership curate?

The Downtown Community Partnership oversees a wide variety of events, all of which highlight the vibrant arts, craft and retail climate downtown. Some of these events include: Cocoa and Coffee Crawl Ladies’ Night Out Corks & Canvas Art and Wine Walks Kegs & Canvas Ale and Art Walk Holiday Shopping is Fun Again Downtown Fargo Street Fair Holiday Lights Parade As the downtown areas of Fargo-Moorhead continue to flourish and experience exponential growth, so too will the role that the DCP plays. The group hopes to continue providing eclectic downtown activities and services. New for 2016, the DCP will be hosting several new events including the first ever Whine about Winter, Sweet Treat Stroll and VIP Night events that will take place during the fall and winter of 2016. They also plan on revamping their Holiday Shopping is Fun Again event.

Serving as the mouthpiece for downtown art, culture and living, the Downtown Community Partnership has a large and very important mandate.

As the downtown areas of Fargo and Moorhead seek to attract more and more patrons who will not only shop and spend time downtown but also live downtown, the role the DCP plays will only increase. With the increase of the number of students and residents moving to the downtown area, the pressure is on for Sam Olson and the DCP to continue providing quality events for the community to engage and participate in. It’s a challenging yet exciting task which Olson is confident that the DCP is up for.

For more information on the Downtown Community Partnership, its community involvement and the events it oversees, visit downtownfargo.com.

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WOMEN & THEIR MUSIC Words by Sarah Morrau Photography by Kensie Wallner and C.Snyder Photography

C.Snyder Photography

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For Celebration of Women and their Music founder Deb Jenkins, "the proof is in the pudding." She said “That’s what happened this year with the show. The proof was in the wonderful mixture of artists that came from as far away as Denver, Colorado and Minneapolis right here to ‘River city,’ Fargo, North Dakota.”

Emily Lech- Harp - Moorhead High School Megan Vetter - Visual Art West Fargo Sheyenne High Camilla Herbel- Visual Art Moorhead High School Abby Stugelmeyer- Piano/ Flute/Voice/GuitarDavies High School

During the show, held Saturday February 20, 2016 at the Fargo Theatre, seven female high school seniors received financial awards to further pursue their chosen talents. Jenkins said, “We're all very proud of our show and we are very proud of the award winners who shared with us another great success."

2016 Celebration of Women performers

2016 Celebration of Women and Their Music Award Winners -

Female high school seniors in the arts are encouraged to submit applications for next year’s awards. Check the Facebook page and website for more information about the show. [AWM]

Ellie Anderson - Visual ArtsCentral Cass High School Christina Erb- PercussionCentral Cass High School Laura Jossund - French Horn / Guitar /Base Norman County West High School

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Tabah Randi Kay Connie Gjermudson Hill Nora Hyde Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck Hannah Westerholm

www.facebook.com/celebrationofwomenandtheirmusic-Fargo and http://www.debjenkins.com/celebrationofwomen.html.

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Melissa Williams, Kimberly Larson and Megan Lundborg

INVITING IN THE VICTIM: CAN OPEN HEARTS LEAD TO OPEN DOORS? Words by Rebecca Meidinger Photography by Kensie Wallner Photography

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Over the past few years most of us have had our eyes opened wide as we’ve learned about the prevalence and growth of human trafficking throughout the world. As much as we’d like to think this evil isn’t in our own communities, the facts tell us differently. Our hearts have grown burdened as we turn on the news to see that even in our own state, young women, young men, boys and girls are being sexually exploited and sold for child labor. As a state, our hearts are opening and we are responding. Last year North Dakota passed the Safe Harbor law, protecting victims under age 18 who’ve been trafficked in prostitution from being prosecuted. A team of individuals called the Red River Human Trafficking Response Team has formed to take action and meet the immediate needs of identified victims. Across the state, various organizations and individuals have felt a call in their hearts to combat human trafficking by raising awareness, working with state legislation, and coming to the aid of victims. One of these organizations is Youthworks of North Dakota.

A local non-profit that provides support services to at-risk and homeless teens and young adults throughout the state, Youthworks has recently developed the Lotus Program to fight human trafficking – both child labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Kim Larson, the project’s host home case manager, said, “Victims end up where they are because they felt like they were nothing. And then they come out of it feeling even worse. But with support, they can come out of the darkness and muck and blossom, like a lotus flower.”

In their effort to partner with the public in fighting trafficking, Youthworks has applied for and received grant money from the US Department of Human Services to develop a host home program for identified victims of human trafficking. As North Dakotans are responding to human trafficking with open hearts, victims now need open doors too. Youthworks is looking to secure seven host homes throughout the state: three in the counties most impacted by the oil boom – Montrail, Williams, and McKenzie counties and one host home per county in Ramsey, Grand Forks, Cass and Clay (MN) counties.

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Jessica Fleck, Youthworks human trafficking program manager explains, “Human trafficking isn’t new…it’s been around forever. We are working to educate the public and flip the perception that this lifestyle is a choice. We also want to help the individuals realize that they are worth something and that they can be something…far more than their trafficker ever says they are.” To help victims recover and attain successful futures, they desperately need families that will walk the road of recovery…families that will not only open their hearts to the travesty of human trafficking, but that will also open their doors and invite in the victim. Right now, a victim that comes out of trafficking goes to either a juvenile correction center or a residential shelter.

However, what the victim really needs is consistent love and support and a place to call home…a family.

Host families will go through a licensing process very similar to that of foster care and will receive compensation through the grant program. Because of the trauma a victim has been through, the host families will be trained in trauma support. The host family will play a crucial role in the victim’s healing, providing consistent, one-on-one care, loving the individual, and showing them that they are valuable. The victim will need the host family to be a place of forgiveness, patience, and readiness for the ups and downs of healing.

Perhaps your heart has been opened to this need in such a way that you feel called to open your door to the victims of human trafficking. If you’d like to learn more about this, please call Kim Larson at Youthworks in Fargo (701-232-8558). If you’d like to learn more about human trafficking, learn about the signs to identify an individual that might be being trafficked, or report a suspicion, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888)3737888 or text “help” or “info” to BEFREE (233733).

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Ron McLean says 99% of his work time is spent on being a lawyer and 1% being the Honorary Consul of Norway for the State of North Dakota. After visiting with him, it is apparent that the honorary consul job accounts for nearly 99% of his fun.

McLean grew up in Fargo and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the University of North Dakota Law School. He joined the Serkland Law Firm of Fargo in 1975. He and his wife, Mona, have three adult children. He was appointed honorary consul in 1997.

According to McLean, after World War II, Norway determined that foreign services were needed to represent the Norwegian government and assist citizens who were living and traveling abroad. Norway chose to have consuls in states that have a high concentration of citizens with Norwegian ancestry. It is estimated that North Dakota has the highest of any state with 40% of all citizens having some Norwegian ancestry.

McLean’s duties include helping Norwegian citizens who need assistance while in North Dakota. This may mean finding them a lawyer if they run afoul of the law, contacting their family in Norway, and reporting to the Norwegian Embassy. He also assists Norwegian nationals with selling real estate in Norway and certifying signatures. When Norwegian nationals have babies in the United States, McLean helps them secure Social Security numbers from Norway to insure duel citizenship and coverage on Norwegian insurance.

The Serkland offices are the official polling place for Norwegian elections and they have a designated cubical where nationals come to vote. Lisabeth Pladson is his assistant.

RON MCLEAN :

HONORARY CONSUL OF NORWAY FOR THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA Words by Susan A. Stibbe Photography by Ben Nash Photography

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“I am responsible to be present whenever a member of the Norwegian royal family appears in public or has a social event in North Dakota and that is the real fun part of my job,” McLean said. “In 1938, Olav V spoke at Grand Forks to huge crowds. In fact, his grandson, Crown Prince Haakon, came to Grand Forks after the flood in June 1997 to speak to the people of the city that had shown his grandfather so much love 60 years before.”

Princess Märthe Louise visited North Dakota in 2005 and 2006 as a part of her book tour. The princess wrote a children’s book titled Why Kings and Queens Don’t Wear Crowns. She attended the Norsk Høstfest at Minot in 2005 and attracted huge crowds to her events.

The Norsk Høstfest is the largest gathering of people

with Scandinavian descent in the United States.

King Harald V is a special favorite of McLean’s.

He met with the king in the summer of 2015 at the palace in Oslo. “He is very easy-going with a great sense of humor,” said McLean. “We were meeting during the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs and King Harald was very interested in the games. I asked him who his favorite player was and he responded the New York Rangers Mats Zucccarello – a Norwegian national. After all, he said tongue-in-cheek, Zuccarello is such a good Norwegian name!” Zuccarello’s mother is Norwegian and his father is of Sicilian descent.

Many Norwegian government officials have also visited North Dakota. Wegger Strømmen, the past Norwegian ambassador to the United States, has been to the Norsk Høstfest. “The last days of his visit, he drove around central North Dakota, knocking on doors and looking for relatives,” said McLean.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food, Sylvi Listhaug, visited Minot in September of 2015.

“No question,” he continued, “the Norwegian leaders know their strongest ties are in the Upper Midwest and the state of Washington and that’s where they like to visit.”

“I am proud of Norway and the role that country played in World War II. They had a tremendous resistance force against Hitler and the Nazis. Gunnar Sønsteby was their greatest hero, who blew up train stations and would do anything to cause trouble for Hitler’s troops. While he was living, if he entered a restaurant in Oslo, every Norwegian stood up, as a hero was in their presence. He visited twice.” said McLean.

“After World War II, Norway stood vigilant against the Soviet Union, tracking all Soviet subs heading into the North Atlantic and reporting to the United States,” he continued. “Norway supported the Coalition Forces in Afghanistan and is helping train the Kurdish Army today. It is a wonderful country with wonderful people.”

Honorary Consul Ron McLean is a wonderful area representative for Norway here in North Dakota.

And we are very proud of him! [AWM]

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Andy Maus

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THE NEXT 40 YEARS

Plains Art Museum celebrates a milestone birthday and welcomes a new museum director and CEO Words by Alicia Underlee Nelson Photography by Kensie Wallner Photography

Fargo’s Plains Art Museum is celebrating 40 years as a regional art hub and community gathering place with a native North Dakotan as museum director and CEO. Dickinson native Andrew Maus took the helm in January 2016. After almost six years as executive director of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, Minnesota, Maus is excited to be back with the very organization that first made him fall in love with museums back in college.

“I started working at the front desk and it was the first time I had a job that I truly loved,” Maus said. “And it opened up my eyes of what a museum could really be. The Plains isn’t a traditional museum. What makes it great is what it does for the community. It’s a cultural and civic place.”

Maus would be drawn back to Plains Art Museum not once, but twice. After receiving a BA in studio art and a Master of Science in public administration/nonprofit management from Minnesota State University Moorhead, Maus managed fundraising and public relations for the Village Family Service Center in Fargo. Then he returned to the Plains Art Museum in various roles, including curator, director of education and curator of public programming.

Now back for his third stint at Plains Art Museum, Maus is excited about what the next 40 years will hold for the museum. “It’s a complex organization that already has a really great relationship with the community,” he said. “We’re going to build on what makes us unique and our strengths as a museum.”

Community involvement remains a cornerstone of the museum’s mission and Maus points to several projects as illustrations of successful art and

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community integration. Maus helped develop the business plan and programming for the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity and established a print studio partnership between the museum and his alma mater MSUM during his previous stints at Plains Art Museum and both the Center for Creativity and the print partnership continue to evolve and grow.

The recently completed pollinator gardens outside the museum have introduced native and edible plants to the grounds around Plains Art Museum and the Buzz Lab connects students, educators, environmental artists and food producers under the banner of sustainable urban gardening. The museum is a partner in the Heritage Garden that’s under development on the site of the decommissioned power plant along the banks of the Red River in Moorhead. And it continues to promote opportunities and career development for Native American artists from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin through a three-year project funded by the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation.

The Plains Art Museum Spring Gala is perhaps the most-buzzed-about event of the museum’s season.

Scheduled for May 7, it’s a high-energy night that combines food, drinks, art and a rollicking atmosphere. The theme for the evening is 1976, in honor of the museum’s 40th birthday, so expect some serious disco-era fashion along with savory snacks from Mosaic Foods, decadent desserts from Nichole’s Fine Pastry, wine and beer tasting from Happy Harry’s Bottle Shop and live music from Heart & Soul. The evening is topped off with an art auction that’s reached near-legendary status as both a fundraiser and a showcase for local art.

“I’ve experienced many galas and I feel like they keep getting bigger and better every year,” said Maus. “It’s a party, but the results are seriously impactful for the arts community here. It’s our largest fundraiser and we wouldn’t exist without it.”

The gala captures the open, celebratory spirit that Maus wants Plains Art Museum to be known for.

“If we do our jobs right, we will provide something that I think is inspiring and meaningful for anybody,” he said. “If we do our jobs right – which I think we do – you don’t need to come with anything, just an open mind.” [AWM]

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Friends 50 YEARS OF FURRY

Homeward Animal Shelter Celebrates a Half Century

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Words by Alicia Underlee Nelson Photography by Kensie Wallner Photography

The very first animal rescue organization in Cass and Clay counties celebrates a milestone birthday in 2016. Homeward Animal Shelter has been uniting pets and adoptive families for 50 years.

“It has a history of 50 years of serving our community by rescuing companion animals and rehoming them successfully,” said Executive Director Nukhet Hendricks. “It has placed over 30,000 cats and dogs during these 50 years.”

Homeward Animal Shelter (which was renamed in 2014, after being known most recently as the FM Humane Society and Humane Society of Fargo Moorhead) houses around 50 cats and dogs in the winter and 100 in the summer, when the population of adoptable cats swells. It’s a no-kill shelter that rescues animals from local impounds and places an average of 800 pets with adoptive families annually.

After a professional staff oversees the intake of the animals, pets over the age of six months are spayed or neutered to reduce the population of homeless animals in the community. All animals in the shelter are given a microchip so they can reunited be with their new families should they become separated.

Almost 200 volunteers assist the shelter staff with exercising and socializing the animals while they await placement in new homes. They walk the dogs, play with the kittens and shower the pets with love and attention. Animals who need one-on-one attention or additional socialization will be placed with one of 80 foster families who will help them grow and develop until a permanent home can be found.

“There’s always going to be misconceptions that people can’t get a purebred animal from a shelter or that all the animals at a shelter are damaged in some way,” said Heather Clyde, shelter manager. “And more and more people are seeing that that’s not the case. More often than not, if an animal’s in a shelter, it’s a human issue, not an animal issue.”

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Clyde sites divorce, a new baby in the home, allergies or a move to a building that doesn’t allow animals as common reasons that animals are put up for adoption. And occasionally, the shelter is called upon to help during a different type of transition.

“Homeward Animal Shelter also serves the victim of domestic violence by providing temporary housing to family pets when the family leaves the abusive home,” Hendricks explained. This temporary housing allows victims to focus on the safety of human family members and secure a safe home before a pet rejoins the family.

Finding a secure and loving home for all animals is the ultimate goal of Homeward Animal Shelter.

“Our hope is always to put ourselves out of business,” said Clyde. “We would love it if we were not longer needed. We want to get to a point where all the animals have loving homes and where there’re not more being bred than there are homes for them.”

But the staff is as realistic as they are idealistic.

“Unless a miracle happens - there are no homeless animals and we are not needed - the organization intends to continue to grow in order to serve a larger number of animals, larger geographical area and continue to prevent, educate, rescue and rehome companion animals,” said Hendricks.

And there are many opportunities for the community to help support this mission. Homeward Animal Shelter’s annual Spay-ghetti and No-Balls Lunch will be held at the Holiday Inn on April 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The proceeds from the spaghetti lunch, raffle and free-will donation will benefit the shelter’s spay/neuter fund.

Homeward Animal Shelter will also host a coffee and cake open house at the shelter at 1201 28th Avenue North on April 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. It’s a chance for the public to visit the shelter for a tour, learn more about the organization, meet the adoptable animals and explore volunteer opportunities.

“Adopting is a great option because you’re not only adopting an animal, you’re giving them a chance at a happily ever after,” said Clyde. And as long as there are animals in need of a home, Homeward Animal Shelter will be there to help. [AWM]

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Homeward ANIMAL SHELTER Celebrating 50 Years of Bringing Pets and People Together The pawsibilites are endless when you open your heart… Are you ready to open your heart to a shelter pet? If you can’t adopt, you can still support the shelter animals in a number of ways: donate, foster or volunteer. Remember, a shelter pet is waiting to share it’s love with YOU!

Jezebelle

Axel

Riley

TuTu

Swatch

Yoda

Clooney

Oslo

www.homewardonline.org www.facebook.com/HomewardAnimalShelter 1201 28th Ave N Fargo (701) 239-0077 Homeward Animal Shelter is a local and communityfunded, non-profit animal shelter. Its mission is: “Rescue. Shelter. Protect. Rehome.”.

It provides a second chance at happiness to lost, abandoned and owner-surrendered animals and educates the community in the proper, loving and kind treatment of animals.

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STYLE

Keeping up with the latest styles, trends and products is made easier with the Where to Shop section featured

in this edition of Area Style. If you are in need of professional photos for your special event, you may find what you are looking for in the photography section. And you can read about the team behind McCully Optix and their 10th anniversary celebration.

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VISIONS OF GRATITUDE

McCulley Optix Gallery Celebrates a Decade of Success by Donating to Local Charities Words by Kim Malakowsky | Photography by Dennis Krull, 5foot20 Design Lounge

March 6, 2016 marked the 10th anniversary of McCulley Optix Gallery opening its doors as a premier eye-care clinic and boutique optical in south Fargo.

A proud member of the Fargo-Moorhead business community, Dr. Melissa McCulley is quick to credit others for reaching this milestone. “I am thankful for my fabulous staff and for all our patients who have supported us and for the whole community of Fargo that has supported us, visited us, bought glasses, kept coming back and referring their friends and family,” said McCulley. “That’s what it’s all about, we wouldn’t be here if people didn’t do a great job supporting us.”

Open House Celebration McCulley and her staff of five are excited for an April 28 celebration that will include a ribbon cutting and open house. As part of the celebration, McCulley Optix Gallery will honor one local charity each month with a $1000 dona-

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tion, March – December, for a total of $10,000 going to local charities.

The process begins with patients and community members nominating their favorite charity.

Charities can be nominated by visiting McCulley’s website or Facebook page, or by stopping at the office. The first two winning charities will receive checks at the open house on April 28. Others will be presented throughout the year.

Giving Back Compassion for the patient and the concept of giving back has been a thread running through Dr. McCulley’s career since she first started studying optometry. Trips to Costa Rica and Chimbote, Peru provided not only education, but also helped set the tone for her work to come.

She described an encounter while in Peru, “I’ll never forget one patient, he was maybe a

20-year-old guy. His job was to drive truck, and just to have a job was a super big deal, and he was so near sighted he wouldn’t even be able to see across the room never mind his job was to be on the highway driving truck. He got glasses and his jaw just dropped when he put them on, he was just looking around the room, He’d never been able to see at a distance, it was a life changing moment for him.”

Today, Dr. McCulley is an InfantSEE provider.

McCulley performs a one-time, no-cost, eye and vision assessment for infants between six months and one year of age. “I encourage all parents to bring their infants in for a wellness exam. They would have no idea if they couldn’t see clearly and the baby wouldn’t act any differently, they would act normal,” said McCulley.

Day by Day A typical day in the office includes general optometry, eye care, contact lenses and a lot of

pediatrics. In working with children, Dr. McCulley takes care to remove the fear they might have in visiting a doctor. She doesn’t wear a white lab coat and often speaks directly to the little patient instead of only to the parent. She tells them they’re going to play some games and starts with little instruments that light up and look like toys. It puts the kids at ease.

On the other end of the spectrum one of her oldest patients is her grandmother who recently turned 101.

Fashion plays a big role with McCulley Optix Gallery patients. When opening her practice Dr. McCulley understood the value of providing fashionable eyewear and brought in many lines not then available in the city. Today, two of the most popular brands carried are Oliver Peoples and Tom Ford among a wide selection, including Jimmy Choo, Lafont, and Juicy Couture.

“Over the years, we’ve been able to learn what diverse lines to carry and which ones are not as appealing,” said McCulley. “The whole side of frame buying is like Christmas everyday when the boxes ship in.”

Patient Dawn Duncan describes Dr. McCulley as both warm and professional. “Seeing her makes me smile because I appreciate all she does to keep my eyes healthy and my look as good as it can get, and because I honestly like her and all she does for our community.”

Get Involved Nominate your favorite charity at www.optixgallery.com, McCulley Optix Gallery on Facebook, or by stopping at the South Fargo office.

Dr. McCulley’s #1 Tip: Wear sunglasses when outside―always.

Wearing sunglasses can help prevent macular degeneration.

Look for good coverage with polarized lenses.

You’re Invited!

McCulley Optix Gallery Open House Thursday, April 28 2016 4-7 p.m.

2553 Kirsten Lane | Fargo, ND

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you LOVE

Scherling Photography Eight Sixteen Photography & Design

Ben Nash Photography

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Kensie Wallner Photography

Scherling Photography

Legacy Photography

Legacy Photography

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lovelaughjoy Ashley Oberholtzer Photography

Ben Nash Photography

Scherling Photography

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Ben Nash Photography

Lindsay Kaye Photography

Ockhardt Photography

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FARGO | MOORHEAD

WHERE TO SHOP fowlers

JW kitchens

We carry a beautiful, unique selection of lighting 5675 26th Ave SW #144, Fargo, (701) 388-9584 | jwkitchens.com

Herschel Supply Company's collaborative collection with Hudson's Bay Company available at Fowlers Heritage Company in downtown Fargo.

210 Broadway N #101, Fargo | (701) 356-7778

dalbol flowers

Lovely lavender hydrangea, roses, alstroemeria, stock and freesia arrive in a magical Mirrored Silver Cube. As sweet as a sugar cube! $62.99 1450 25th St S, Fargo (701) 235-5864 | dalbolflowers.com

Twyla's Cosmetique

Indulgent, ontrend lipstick shades. Hundreds of colors to choose from. Custom-blend lipsticks and lipgloss available!

2420 S. University Drive, Fargo (701) 282-5303

scheels Home & Hardware

Liverpool Jeans feature four-way stretch and a contoured waistband to lift and shape. Shop a mix of skinny, bootcut and pull-on styles to find your perfect denim.

Available at Fusion Boutique Located inside Scheels Home & Hardware 3202 13th Ave South, Fargo (701) 232-8903 | scheelshomeandhardware.com

Stabo Scandinavian Imports

At the heart of the Ekelund brand is a proud tradition of craftsmanship.

Beautiful designs in runners, towels, table linens, all made in Sweden.

West Acres Mall, Fargo | (701) 282-0421 | www.Stabo-imports.com

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Mainstream Boutique

Adorable mixed-print tank top that can be worn with denim or black capris.

2603 Kirsten Ln. S #103 701-356-6684 | mainstreamboutique.com

Pinch & Pour

La Quercia: A full selection of American-made dry-cured artisan meats available at Pinch & Pour in downtown Fargo.

210 Broadway N, Fargo (701) 356-7779

pinchandpour.myshopify.com

centre for hair & wellness

NEW JOICO HAIR SHAKE. Liquid-to-powder finishing volumizer and texturizer that instantly takes your style from ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY! Downtown Moorhead (218) 236-6000 | centreforhairandwellness.com

MCCULLEY OPTIX GALLERY

Tom Ford Eyewear merges retro style with contemporary fashion to create eyewear and sunwear that is sure to make a statement. Available Exclusively at MCCULLEY OPTIX GALLERY 2553 Kirsten Ln S, Fargo.

701-373-2020 | www.optixgallery.com

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HEALTH In this edition of Area Health, meet two women that have a passion for children with autism and a woman that thinks all children should go to summer camp. Read the story of Jill Holmstrom, learn about the benefits of having a baby at Sanford and get the inside scoop on the new Center for Special Surgery in Fargo.

THE BEST OF BOTH

WORLDS Experience your special moment with experts at the ready Words by Erin Heinert Photography by Mike Smith

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Being pregnant and having a baby is something that many women dream about. They’ve envisioned everything from the nursery to the name to the birth experience. At Sanford Women’s, your pregnancy and the moment you meet your new baby can be as special as you’ve always hoped it would be.

First and foremost, Sanford puts the health of you and your baby first. The team of experts caring for moms and babies are specially trained to handle everything and anything that arises during pregnancy or labor and delivery.

The team also understands how momentous this occasion is.

They are dedicated to making your stay a healthy and memorable experience.

“Our goal is for you to have an amazing and unforgettable experience,” said Cyndy Skorick, vice president of Sanford Women’s Fargo. “We have channeled elements from spas and hotels to really surround our moms-to-be in comfort and provide a relaxing environment.”

The utmost for your comfort From silky soft linens and plush robes to onsite photographer

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options, the Family Birth Center is raising the bar on comfort and convenience. All of the birthing suites are private, but large enough to accommodate all your visitors.

“Everything used in these rooms is to encourage a comforting, warm and personal experience,” said Skorick. “From different light settings to soft elements in the rooms, we are thinking of every detail in preparing for the birth experience. We are honored when a new mother and father choose Sanford Women’s for their baby’s arrival.”

Other services have been added and are available for moms to take full advantage of, like the Comfort Menu.

“Birth is different for every mom and what might comfort them is different as well,” said Skorick. “This menu of comfort options gives them a great reminder of what can be done to manage pain, assist them with a safe delivery and enhance healing.

They are able to change things like their pillows, their position or put on their favorite playlist. A very popular service for some women is having a massage from one of our expert massage therapists. These things make the experience more personalized.”

THE PHOTOGRAPHY WAS AN ADDED BONUS AND WE NOW HAVE SPECIAL PHOTOS FROM OUR BABY’S FIRST DAYS TO CHERISH. –––––– ERIKA LAKE Another great addition to your birthing experience is the special food menus available to moms. The chefs at Sanford have prepared selections designed to give new moms the nutrition they need. And while they are nutritionally balanced, they are also made with trendy and tasty ingredients.

Designed for you One of the newest amenities to the birthing experience is the use of a birth designer. This is a registered nurse specialized in all the resources and options within obstetrics and labor. Much like a wedding planner helps you plan your nuptials, this person is here to plan your baby’s birth to your specific desires.

“This new role helps us make the unique experience of being pregnant and childbirth even more personalized,” said Skorick. “From the classes you want to take to prepare for your new baby, to the people you want in the room during labor, this person is here to help you walk through all your choices and help you plan the experience that would be best for you.”

And this is just the tip of the iceberg at Sanford Women’s. When the new Sanford Medical Center Fargo opens in 2017, the entire top floor will be solely dedicated to the special experience of giving birth.

“Moms, and their partners and families, will feel so secure having a floor to themselves,” said Skorick.

“They will be surrounded by people having similar experiences. There will also be bigger rooms, more amenities, making it feel more hotel than hospital.

Plus, the view from every room will be pretty spectacular, too.”

IT WAS SO NICE TO RECEIVE A MASSAGE DURING MY STAY. IT HELPED ALLEVIATE A LOT OF PAIN. –––––– ANGELA EBERSTEINER

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HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE: FIVE REASONS I LOVE WORKING WITH KIDS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

Barb Stanton, PhD, LPCC, LMFT

By Barb Stanton, PhD, LPCC, LMFT Photography by Dennis Krull, 5foot20 Design Lounge

I’ve worked with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for over 16 years. Recently my office moved so I am in the heart of our day treatment program for kids with an ASD. People ask if it is distracting or frustrating working with kids with an ASD. My unequivocal answer is “No.” Top five reasons I love working with kids with an ASD. 1. Every day is different.

This is self explanatory. Please, keep reading.

2. I am always challenged.

Autism is a neurological condition. It is about differences in the brain. But most people identify autism from behaviors when there is so much more to it. Autism is about different perspectives, diverse communication and understanding people and the world in a unique way.

The research comes out fast. There are approximately 3,000 new articles published every month. The world of autism is always changing. It is exciting and challenging to keep up with everything.

Daily I get calls or emails with questions. I often hear words such as “defiant,” “manipulative,” “lazy,” “doesn’t care,” “angry,” “noncompliant,” “uncooperative” among others used to describe the actions of children with an ASD. It is clear that the focus is on the behavior rather than the why.

The function of the behavior is to communicate.

It is important to figure out what the meaning is.

3. I love playing detective.

I get to figure out the why. There is much to consider.

The function of the behavior may not always be obvious. It may be something that happened

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immediately before the reaction or it may be something that happened weeks before or it may be something anticipated that may or may not actually happen. Children in a meltdown often don’t know what else to do so they resort to maladaptive physical and verbal behaviors.

Recent research shows that children with an ASD often have co-existing medical and mental health conditions. If they’re not sleeping well they don’t feel good (85% have sleep problems). It is estimated that nearly 70% of children with an ASD have a co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis such as anxiety, trauma, ADHD, depression, etc. It is hard to regulate emotions and behavior when the sugar or thyroid levels are off, if they have headaches, seizures, acid reflux, other gastro-intestinal issues or if they have overwhelming worries, loneliness and their world always seems chaotic and confusing.

At the core of an ASD are executive functioning issues such as organization, mental flexibility and motivation. They may process information slowly or get easily stuck on an idea. Then there’s central coherence, theory of mind, communication differences, etc. that can create misunderstandings.

Those are just some of the clues I must consider in finding a solution to the question, “why did that happen and what are they trying to communicate?”

4. There is mutual acceptance.

Let’s face it, I’m a little (OK, may more than a little) quirky. It’s great to talk to people who also like zombies, horror movie trivia, science and Dr. Seuss. My world perspective is not always mainstream. People with an ASD are the most understanding and compassionate people that I’ve ever known. They are the first to offer help and want to make things better for others.

Often what adults want to change in children with an ASD are the things that are problems for them. Does it really matter that someone hums, paces or flaps their hands? Why not have long conversations about markers, bowling pins or medieval weapons? Maybe having a lot of friends or going to the park isn’t something desirable. Maybe science fiction is preferred to sports. You can have a great conversation with someone who doesn’t look at you, sits behind a chair or is playing a video game. As Dr. Seuss said, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out..”

5. I learn the most amazing things.

I’ve learned to not fear meltdowns. I look at them as providing valuable information. I’ve learned that the term “destroyed the room” means something different based on your perspective. I am learning not to overreact or underreact. I have learned that when I see a meltdown I have to stay calm and help them shift to a preferred activity. (And NO, I’m not rewarding bad behavior. I am calming their brain.

This was a hard lesson to learn.) I’ve learned to not have negative consequences for the autism and to embrace the teachable opportunities.

I learned that communication is a key. I try to speak clearly and concretely. I provide explanations even if I think I don’t need to. This can be tricky because I’m not always sure of the explanation to a question like why adults can get away with behaving badly when kids get punished for it or why you can’t wear a hat in school.

I’ve learned that I can be wrong and make mistakes … frequently. And it’s OK to admit that.

I’ve learned to be interested in different thoughts and viewpoints. I now know about toilets, dinosaurs, Minecraft, Undertale, Legos, perler beads, the differences between Xbox 1 and Xbox 360, how to bypass computer systems and so on.

And this is something I am still learning. Say it once and give kids time. They heard you. Talk less … a lot less.

I learn something new every day from these amazing kids. They are the experts in autism. They have taught me curiosity, patience, different perspectives, and that every day is an adventure. I am better because of them.

I have also learned that I have a lot more to learn.

I am grateful for that opportunity.

For more information: www.prairie-stjohns.com www.rrvan.net www.cmcgc.com/media/handouts/101103/230_Peter_Vermeulen.pdf www.livesinthebalance.com www.socialthinking.com www.researchautism.org/resources/newsletters/ archives/documents/TheCycleofTantrumsRageandMeltdowns_002.pdf areawomanmagazine.com

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E X PA N D I N G

OPPORTUNITIES Jill Holmstrom sees many options for nurses

Words by Connie Wirta Photography by Scott Thuen of Thuen Studios

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Jill Holmstrom

Jill Holmstrom with Brian Gilbertson

Jill Holmstrom sees a world of opportunities for nurses.

“With Fargo-Moorhead growing and healthcare services expanding, there are unlimited opportunities for nurses,” said Holmstrom, an experienced registered nurse who has taught nursing at Concordia College in Moorhead.

“At Essentia Health-Fargo, it’s an amazing time,” she said. “We’re expanding, so it’s a great time to come in. We have so many options for both new nurses and experienced ones.”

When Holmstrom began her nursing career at a small community hospital in Oakes, N.D., nurses started on medical and surgical units. Now new nurses are entering a variety of units, such as obstetrics and critical care. “Some units require experience, but a lot don’t,” she said.

The former college professor advises young nurses to explore their options and find the best fit. “Look for what fits your life and your likes, both personally and professionally. You’ll find it here,” said Holmstrom, nurse manager of the Care Management and Float Teams at Essentia Health-Fargo. Last spring, 84 nursing graduates decided to join Essentia.

Love and caring prompted Holmstrom’s first nursing job. When her grandfather entered a nursing home, she became a certified nursing assistant there. “I didn’t trust them to take good care of him, so I started working as a CNA,” she recalled. That experience led her to become a licensed practical nurse and then a registered nurse.

In 2001, Holmstrom begin working in Essentia Health-Fargo’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Her daughter, Mari, spent two months there after being born premature in 1997. “We brought her home on her due date,” she recalls.

“My own experience drew me to NICU nursing,” Holmstrom said. “I saw the difference I could make, not just for the babies

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but for the parents and families. The parents felt they could leave for the night and trust you with the most precious thing in their lives.”

Holmstrom, now 44 and the mother of two, earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Mary in Bismarck. She went on to earn a master’s degree in nursing leadership and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix while working as a hospital nurse and teaching nursing at Concordia College.

Holmstrom said she continued to work as a nurse while teaching because she believed it was important to stay current on nursing practice. “I never wanted to be a nursing professor who hadn’t set foot in a hospital for years,” she said. “I wanted to help my students become better nurses. And I just loved what I did as a hospital nurse.”

Holmstrom believes nurses play a unique and critical role in caring for patients and their families. “In the hospital, you see the day-to-day impact you have on people’s lives,” she said. “What patients remember is how you make them feel, not what you did to them.”

After 10 years of teaching, Holmstrom decided last year to work full-time as a supervisor at Essentia Health-Fargo.

“I asked myself, ‘What is my calling?’ and this is where my heart is,” she said. “I want to make a bigger impact with patients.”

Holmstrom knew Essentia Health-Fargo and its people were committed to providing excellent patient care. The hospital’s work environment and culture also were factors in her decision.

“You’re important to the organization no matter what role you play,” Holmstrom said. “Every employee makes a difference. That’s how we can provide great care to our patients.”

Holmstrom pointed out that teamwork is one of Essentia’s values. “And that’s not just on paper, we live it every day,” she said. “It’s not about who pays the most, it’s how you’re treated as an employee.

Here, your vice president knows you by name.”

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BEHIND THE SCENES AT CAMP CORMORANT Meet the woman creating memorable summers for thousands of campers

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Submitted by Anna Hagen, Marketing Director at the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties; Kristin Miller, Marketing Coordinator at the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties

During the months of June, July and August, it’s hard to find a quiet moment at Camp Cormorant, the YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties’ summer resident camp just outside of Lake Park, Minnesota, one of the oldest resident camps in the United States.

Each week, more than a hundred campers fill the bunkhouses, fields and shorefront for a week of horseback riding, swimming, campfire stories and friendship. Laughter, screams and high fives fill the air as kids swing on the ropes course, reel in bass from the lake and canoe down the Crow Wing River. Every camper at Cormorant leaves the grounds at the end of the week a little more excited, confident and with a big list of new pen pals.

The summer camp extraordinaire who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that every child has the best experience possible is Kim Belgarde, the director at Camp Cormorant.

Belgarde has served as camp director at Cor-

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morant for the last four years and has a big job making sure that everything runs smoothly, and that all campers are safe and have an unforgettable experience. “I’m responsible for overseeing all aspects of camp, starting with hiring staff, planning programs and running the dayto-day programs,” she said, adding that despite the hectic schedule, “the fun is endless!”

for children battling cancer, working as the camp’s director and helping transition KACE to its host site at Camp Cormorant. “The year I moved Kamp KACE to the Cormorant site four years ago was the year I became director at Cormorant,” Belgarde said. “It was an easy transition with our two camps, and is a benefit to both.”

Belgarde brings decades of experience working with youth and camp to her position at Camp Cormorant. On top of her duties as camp director, she has worked as a teacher in the Fargo Public School District for the last 20 years, teaching fourth, fifth and sixth graders, and coaching cross country, track, volleyball and basketball. In addition, Belgarde is no stranger to the summer camp scene. Before taking on her role at Camp Cormorant, she began her camp career as a counselor at Camp Trowbridge near Vergas, Minnesota, later working as assistant director and director at that camp.

Since then, she has also worked to make the Camp Cormorant a host site for Camp Corral, a national program that provides free stays at camp for the children of military service men and women who have been injured, disabled or who have fallen in the line of duty. Belgarde has also made efforts to improve the physical aspects of camp such as installing new docks, lifeguard stands, and recreational equipment.

In addition, there’s another big project on the horizon for Camp Cormorant. “We’re putting up a brand new Welcome Center that will be 3,000 square feet!” Belgarde said excitedly.

Belgarde has also been involved with Kamp KACE, which provides camp experiences

The $1.5 million Welcome Center, which is set to open in the summer of 2017, will provide

a large shelter for campers to use during storms, camp store, nurse’s station, and areas for hosting events. Belgarde said that the center will help create more opportunities for programming and events at Cormorant, which is goal of hers moving forward.

“I hope to make camp a place that can be used yearround,” Belgarde said, adding that she anticipates school groups, conferences and private events will help expand Camp Cormorant’s mission and capabilities. Belgarde hopes the improvements will continue to build on Camp Cormorant’s ever-growing attendance.

2015 was a record summer for the camp, serving over 1,100 youth including 113 campers from Kamp KACE and 87 from Camp Corral. $97,000 was given to 353 of those campers who were able to attend camp on scholarships provided by funding from the YMCA’s Partner of Youth Annual Campaign, supporting Camp Cormorant’s mission to provide exceptional camp experiences for every child who wants to attend, regardless of ability to pay. In addition, Camp Cormorant hosted 1,250 youth from YMCA day camps and childcare, and Family Wellness day camps, the partner facility between the YMCA and Sanford Health, for field trips throughout the summer.

The camp’s mission is one that has had a long-lasting impact in our region. Camp Cormorant originally opened in 1903 and since then has offered spirit, tradition, leadership, exceptional facilities and safe spaces for campers to grow, learn and enjoy a traditional resident camping experience. “The tradition is long and strong at Camp Cormorant,” she said.

“It is one I am proud to be a part of because it is a wonderful family.” That family includes her staff, counselors and the scores of kids who spend a week (or more!) with her every summer.

“Camp Cormorant really is the best place to work,” Belgarde said. “I feel like I’ve become an extra mom at camp!”

For more information on Camp Cormorant, including session information for the upcoming 2016 camp season, visit campcormorant.org.

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Chelsea Evenstad

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CELEBRATING EVERY MILESTONE Chelsea Evenstad, turns challenges of autism into successes

Life is full of celebrations and milestones, from first words to the first day of school. For many of us those moments happen on occasion, but for Chelsea Evenstad, they’re a daily occurrence.

Evenstad is the behavior services program director at the North Dakota Autism Center, the state’s center-based program that offers early intervention, one-on-one applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs, consultation, daycare and in-home services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD can be a very challenging disorder, affecting behavior, communication and social skills. Both symptoms and their severity vary greatly from one person to the next―while one child might display repetitive behaviors, such as rocking, another might not be able to speak. But for Evenstad, it’s about the successes and not the obstacles.

Her passion for helping others with ASD ignited during college when she cared for adult 70

Words by Melissa Davidson Photography by Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss individuals who had ASD and couldn’t speak.

“Being able to communicate to others what you want and need is so critical to our wellbeing,” Evenstad said. “I thought there has to be a better way to improve the outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities.”

And she was right. According to the Center for Disease Control, children’s ASD symptoms can dramatically improve if they participate in behavioral therapy before they are three years old; and as Evenstad now knows first hand, it can be life changing.

In addition to program director, Evenstad is a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) licensed in the state of North Dakota, specializing in ABA, which involves, but is not limited to, breaking challenging activities and skills down into their simplest, teachable parts. She has been with the ND Autism center for more than seven years, working with kids 14 months to 14 years old. Her days are packed, from put-

ting together the children’s programs to training colleagues to coaching parents. But what really fuels her passion is working directly with the children.

“Seeing their faces light up when they accomplish something never gets old,” Evenstad said.

“We celebrate every day here, whether it’s for a child who clapped for the first time or used the potty.”

The celebrations even go beyond the walls of the center. Evenstad provides therapy to kids in their homes who are struggling with certain issues, such as potty training. And if there are issues triggered outside the home, such as a trip to the grocery store, she’ll be there, too.

“ASD and its challenges don’t just go away when we lock our doors to the center,” Evenstad said. “Oftentimes, that’s when they can be at their worst, and we need to be there to give these kids the best chance at a successful outcome. I get texts and calls at night from parents

and caregivers, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

In addition to the center’s early intervention program, in-home consults and therapy program, Evenstad works with the local school systems, observing classes, providing recommendations and working directly with ASD kids. Regardless of where she’s working, the squeals and excitement of big accomplishments are plentiful. Unfortunately, the number of BCBAs in our area is low.

Evenstad is just one of 18 BCBAs in the Moorhead and North Dakota area, and while she and the ND Autism Center have helped hundreds of kids, there are many others that don’t have access to the right treatment.

“There just aren’t enough of us to help these kids, and worse than that, there isn’t coverage or funding for the treatment,” Evenstad said.

Medicaid coverage is very limited and no ND insurance companies cover treatment for ASD. In fact, the Mental Health and Autism Insurance organization ranked North Dakota among the worst five states to live with ASD for that reason.

“It’s a challenge,” she added. “But like the disorder itself, with patience, time and perseverance I know we’ll see things start to change.”

Not only does Evenstad want to see that change, she wants to be the change.

“I really want to be a voice in our area and educate people on ASD,” Evenstad said. “I think most people either have a close personal understanding of the disorder or a distant understanding, and I’d like to close that gap.”

She also looks forward to honing in on her skills by continuing her education so she can give her staff and students the best support she can.

With ASD, meeting life’s milestones can be challenging, but with the right people and support, like that from Chelsea Evenstad at the ND Autism Center, the rewards and celebrations are even greater.

[AWM]

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Dr. Lesley Soine

KEEPING PRIORITIES STRAIGHT

Fargo’s New Outpatient Surgery Center, a Special Place for Doctors and Patients Words by Melissa Davidson | Photography by Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss

Doctors have an innate passion, not only for physiology, but also for helping people get better. To do that, they need the right instruments and a dedicated staff, but they also need a place to perform their craft and for patients to heal, which for many private practices can be a challenge.

Located on South University Drive, the Center for Special Surgery is that place. Fargo’s newest ambulatory surgery center (ASC), or outpatient surgery center, gives its six owner doctors, including Dr. Lesley Soine, a place to perform a wide range of procedures, such as scopes and tonsillectomies. Dr. Soine is the center’s ear, nose and throat specialist who, like her colleagues, has her own practice in the community at Plains Ear, Nose, Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery.

The doctors are all part of Heartland Healthcare Network, an independent network of physicians providing medical care to families in the area. It’s also how they connected. The doctors’ specialties include anesthesiology and pain management, eye and laser, including retina surgery, as well as orthopedics.

Dr. Soine has known the other doctors for more than 10 years, and while they all focus on different fields, they all once faced the same challenges when it came to surgeries. The physicians had their own facilities for clinical visits, but for surgical procedures, they had to reserve the time

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and space at the larger hospitals in the community.

“It can be challenging when everyone is competing for what we call block time, or designated days and time blocks for surgeries. The facility’s doctors get priority and rightfully so,” Dr. Soine said.

Not only did it create inefficiencies with scheduling, but it also inconvenienced patients. “We decided we needed a place where we were a priority and our patients could get the high-quality, attentive care they’re used to in our private practice settings.”

The facility opened in September 2015 after an eight-month renovation that included remodeling eight patient rooms and adding three specialized operating rooms. The 10,000-square-foot space not only gives its owners a place to perform outpatient surgeries, but it’s also available for use by other local independent doctors.

“We really want to become a positive force for healthcare in Fargo and this center is a big part of that,” said Dr. Soine. “I really look forward to making a substantial impact on our community.”

While the doctors still need to perform some surgeries at the local hospitals, having their own facility for the majority of their procedures has

streamlined their practices, and patients have noticed.

Since the Center for Special Surgery opened, the facility has seen more than 300 patients, part of that success, Dr. Soine attributes to the nursing staff.

“I’ve always believed that no matter where you go for care, the nurses are the faces of the clinic or hospital,” Dr. Soine said. “Patients can be at their most vulnerable moments when they are with us, which is why it’s critical to have staff that are caring and passionate about helping others as well as highly experienced.”

From scheduling the appointments on the phone to walking them out the door after recovery, the nurses at the Center for Special Surgery are with patients every step, making them the lifeblood of the facility. “They are highly dedicated and I really couldn’t ask for a better team,” Dr. Soine said.

She also shares that same passion. “I’ve always loved physiology and had an engrained desire to help people. We doctors are people pleasers,” Dr. Soine said.

While her dedication to helping patients brings with it some hectic days, from clinical visits and surgeries to being on call, her main focus in life remains her family. From gymnastics to swimming, her two daughters, 10 and 15, keep her and her husband busy, but they balance it well and her husband is a big part of that.

“He is a carpenter and fortunately we have the flexibility for him to be at home with the kids.” As summer rolls around they get a little respite from the hectic days, spending time on Pelican Lake and enjoying the company of family and friends.

From personal to professional, being a doctor has a way of putting things into perspective.

Spending time with family, having a dedicated place to perform procedures and giving patients high-quality care―all priorities that make Dr. Soine, her colleagues and the Center for Special Surgery just that, special. [AWM]

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HOME

Take a tour through a beautiful custom Thomsen Homes build in this edition of Area Home. With so many talented builders in the area, this section provides a peak inside the spaces these builders can create.

Luxury spacious

Creative design, luxurious details, lavish space: Thomsen Homes’ spacious model rambler offers the room many desire with the sumptuous details of a quality custom home.

Words by Joyc e Eisenbraun Photography by Mike Smith

THIS DESIGN STRIKES A GREAT BALANCE BETWEEN TRANSITIONAL AND MODERN

“This design strikes a great balance between transitional and modern,” noted Thomsen Homes’ design specialist Brandi Youngmark. “It’s a marriage of timeless design with new elements.” Marble and quartz are complemented by natural wood accents, enveloped in a contemporary framework that utilizes high-quality, easy-maintenance features.

Outside, the hazy blue siding has ledgestone decorative touches, along with white outlines. A charming covered porch with white pillars creates a warm welcome for guests.

Stepping into the front foyer, there is a lovely view of the living and dining areas as well as the open staircase to the lower level. The walls are in a warm gray with crisp white 4¼” wide casements and twopanel doors. Distressed cocoa-toned oak laminate adds the color and depth of hardwood flooring, and is used throughout the living areas on the main floor.

Large windows in the living room and the patio doors off the dining area add to the open and spacious feel of the main floor. A fireplace with Carrera marble surround in white and gray is accented with a wood mantle, matching the built-in cabinets on the right side. The versatility of the home’s neutral colors is beautifully displayed in the staging, with grays, whites and royal blue tones used in the living area. White, silver and blue pottery and books line the cabinets, while the area rug below the white leather bench coffee table is a charming abstract in blue, tan and gray. A light gray sleek sofa has white and royal pillow accessories. Chrome and glass end tables feature chrome lamps with round white shades. A jacquard art piece on the wall includes the royal blue with silver.

Lighting the dining room is a black ironwork chandelier with clear glass pillars from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. A rustic-look trestle table keeps the antique flavor, complete with dark taupe leather-covered chairs. Silver candlesticks with royal blue candles are added to a white centerpiece with silver and blue mesh balls. On the side, a transom window adds light and ensures privacy for the dining area.

Function and style are blended beautifully in the kitchen, with cheerful white cabinets, accented with black hardware and gray quartz countertops.

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Light fixtures by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

All the cabinets have a crown molding top and toe kick on the bottom and all the backsplashes are in a light gray translucent glass. The range is a fiveburner gas, topped by a black hood. An oversize island finished with white quartz countertop, holds the microwave on the kitchen side. Three stools in natural spice with black iron legs tuck into the island and encourage conversation while food is prepared. Four pendant lights above are finished in chrome and clear glass. Whether cooking for a crew or hosting a family buffet, this kitchen features both the space and the conveniences needed to handle the tasks in style.

From the kitchen, a short hallway leads back to the service area of the home, including a large pantry for the kitchen, a mud room, access to the threecar garage and laundry room. Keeping clutter controlled is easier with a handy locker space to hang coats, tuck boots and shoes, plus a lovely bench for putting on all the outdoor gear. A fabric message board helps keep notes and special events easy to recall. The laundry area is convenient yet tucked away.

Flexible Spaces To the left of the foyer is a hallway to the bedrooms.

At the front of the home is a multi-purpose room, sized to be a great bedroom or handy office. A large closet and two windows to the front yard support a host of flexible options. Soft taupe frieze carpet sets this area of the home apart. Next door is a guest bath, tiled in warm gray ceramic with white grout.

White cabinets are topped by gray quartz, and complete with bright chrome hardware, matching the light bar above the mirror. A second bedroom also features a large closet and windows.

The master suite is a relaxing retreat, with tall windows flanking the king-sized bed. A whimsical chandelier in crystal and chrome adds fun and romance to the room. At the foot of the bed is a tufted upholstered bench in gray, accenting the bed linens. To the side is the master bath with custom white and gray porcelain tile flooring and shower surround. To keep an open feel, this custom master bath has a sliding glass shower door. Wood cabinets in a warm spice provide another designer touch. Countertops in white quartz, embedded with tiny gray flecks, include his-and-hers square undermount sinks in white. Chrome hardware, plus silver

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IT’S A MARRIAGE OF TIMELESS DESIGN WITH NEW ELEMENTS

frames on blue abstract Parisian scenes illustrate the versatile color palette. Tucked behind a pocket door is a large walk-in closet, lined with shelves from floor to ceiling.

Lower Level One of the many benefits of the rambler style is immediately apparent when going downstairs: the large open finished space appeals to anyone who likes to entertain, enjoy home movies, have space for music, billiards or a host of other options. Taupe carpet is used throughout the finished lower level with taupe-toned walls and white casements, again providing a neutral palette for the homeowner.

A large sectional leather couch and metal mesh coffee tables invite conversation and illustrate the possibilities within this open living space. Large escape windows throughout the lower level ensure natural light.

Another bath to the left of the stairs continues the gray tile and bath surround, with white cabinets.

Two added bedrooms are finished, complete with large closets. With the large family room, bedrooms and bath on the lower level, it creates a private guest area for visiting family or friends.

A spacious floor plan, quality craftsmanship and creative attention to detail are all added to a wonderful open design that is just right for young families, those who like to entertain or an older couple that prefers one-level living. For spectacular space at a surprisingly affordable price, this beautiful 3446-square-foot rambler in Crofton Coves is worth another look.

For more information, please contact: Jessica or Nate Thomsen Homes 3168 41st St S, Suite 1 Fargo, ND 58104 www.ThomsenHomesLLC.com 701-478-3000

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PROFILES There are so many amazing, hard-working women in the Fargo/Moorhead area. The three women in this edition

of Area Profiles are no exception. Read the stories of everyday hero Melissa Christianson, College for Kids & Teens coordinator Shireen Alemadi, and archer Kinzie Thomas and remind yourself about all the good there is in our community.

Melissa Christianson, her husband Kyle and sons Colton (5), Caleb (9)

VISIONBANK’S MELISSA CHRISTIANSON

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AN EVERYDAY HERO

Words by Dan M. Carey Photography by Michelle Currence Photography & VISIONBank

Heroes to some are political leaders, sports figures, military leaders and great business innovators. To others a hero could be a coach, a police officer, a firefighter, someone who risked their life in a moment of extreme need by performing a courageous act. I believe there are heroes in our everyday lives that might be a neighbor, a school teacher, a youth leader, perhaps a parent or a supervisor or manager in the workplace. My hero is an individual who does not look for attention or recognition. My hero is an individual who is a teammate in our organization who is respected, admired by all and the type of teammate that we wish we had more of because she has so many positive attributes that make her very special. But her greatest role is not in the workplace; it is being a mom to a child with a unique challenge and as Melissa Christianson so aptly stated, "We don't have a 'special needs' child, we have a child with a unique set of special needs. Colton is a child first and we are blessed to help him with those special needs.”

Melissa started working with our company 13 years ago when we opened VISIONBank as a new banking organization. Melissa started her banking career as a full-time teller and accepted a number of promotions to her present posi-

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tion as Financial Reporting Analyst, performing a number of accounting duties and assisting with the funds management function. One of the qualities that Melissa prides herself on is her ability to take on the challenge of analyzing and understanding complex issues. She is relentless in tackling new issues and she will continue to drill deeper until she has a thorough understanding of the subject matter she is working on. Interesting that this quality of welcoming challenges coupled with her desire to grow by continually searching for knowledge and an understanding of issues would serve her well as she carried it into her primary role as Mom. Melissa and her husband Kyle are parents to Caleb, age nine, and Colton, age five. As with all working parents, there is a constant pull in balancing career and being the best parents they can possibly be. Caleb is your typical, active nine-year-old with a baseball bat, hockey stick or a fishing pole close by just in case someone offers up the opportunity to engage in any of those activities which, I might add, are only a few of his many interests.

Colton is five years old and is like a lot of little boys; he has his favorite sport (basketball), he

has his favorite foods (cottage cheese, pizza, and other things salty) and he likes to wrestle with his brother. He also has his own unique personality, as he is overwhelmingly funny and sweet. In addition, he has a strong will that shows he has a mind of his own and knows what he wants.

At the age of 13 months, Colton started having seizures. It has been three and a half years since he has had a day without a seizure. On a good day, Colton can have 20 seizures and on a tough day it could be as high as 50. At the onset, the Christiansons were searching the medical community for an explanation and the word "epilepsy" was not in their vocabulary, admittedly, because they were in denial of that being the term to describe what Colton was experiencing. Consider for a moment, as a young set of parents, with the hopes and dreams of every parent, the reality of your child having unexplainable seizures and trying to gain as much understanding as possible to deal with the decisions that needed to be made to treat his condition. The Christiansons, after consulting with medical experts at the Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota and the Minnesota Epilepsy Group, decided to proceed with the recommended procedure that would separate

the hemispheres of the brain to stop the seizures from spreading from one hemisphere to the other.

The first surgery took place in January of 2014 and the second surgery was performed in April of the same year. The surgeries were successful in reducing the severity of the seizures. Colton has since been diagnosed with a rare disorder named Lennox Gaustaut Syndrome which is, by definition, a difficult to treat form of childhood-onset epilepsy.

Throughout the past five years, Melissa has never allowed her personal challenges to affect the continued progression of her career. She always has a positive disposition and her outlook is one of accepting the fact that her family will always be challenged with Colton's condition. She, of course, has her rough days and truly believes that the best thing that has happened for Colton is that she and Kyle have continued to work full time and allowed Colton to experience life beyond their immediate family. According to Melissa, “Colton is happy his quality of life is as good as the people in his life. Colton's receptive form of communication is stronger than his expressive form of communication and, yet, we know when he is happy.”

Colton and his older brother have a special bond and it is partly due to the fact that Caleb had a good friend with special needs before Colton was born.

Caleb learned early on how to accept someone's uniqueness. Caleb is very protective and devoted to his younger brother and the joy they share as brothers is evident to anyone who observes their interaction. "Ahbu" is Colton's way of saying "I love you.”

As Melissa so appropriately said, “Every day is a challenge with Colton, but hearing an ‘Ahbu’ makes the most difficult days better.”

Melissa hopes that those who meet Colton are accepting of who he is. Her strength and acceptance of the challenges facing her family make her an inspiration and an incredible role model for everyone that knows her. Not everyone gets to see their hero every day, but I am very fortunate because I get to be inspired and interact with mine on a daily basis.

Dan Carey is President/CEO of VISIONBank, Fargo, ND.

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Nearly 120 Horizon Middle School students visited MSUM in January as part of MSUM’s community outreach efforts.

HIGH SCHOOL CONNECTIONS

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Words by Brittany Kelley, MSUM Writer Photography by David Arntson, MSUM Marketing & Communications

Connecting the community, and especially kids and teenagers, to Minnesota State University Moorhead is a passion of Shireen Alemadi’s. She has coordinated the summer program College for Kids & Teens (CFK&T) since 2011, but as the university’s recently named community outreach coordinator, she’s expanding that impact.

Alemadi has grown College for Kids to include Teens and classes that appeal to high school students. More than 1,200 students attended classes last year that encourage exploration, adventure and creativity in areas such as arts, science, technology, nature and more.

In response to parents asking for camps for high school students to explore career options, MSUM will be offering three new summer camps this year for students entering 9th through 12th grade.

Multimedia Camp will expose high school students to broadcasting, video, web, blogging and writing, and will give them an opportunity to experience what it would be like to work in the multimedia journalism field. With sponsorship from The Forum Communication Company and MSUM’s Marcil Center for Innovative Journalism, the Multimedia Camp gives students an opportunity to work alongside professors and working professionals in multimedia journalism.

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“It has been great working with Merrie Sue (director of the Marcil Center for Innovative Journalism) to create a unique opportunity for high school students to come to campus and learn about various aspects of journalism,” Alemadi said. “Students will work to create multiple finished pieces by the end of the week.”

Coding Camp is a one-of-a-kind camp new to Fargo-Moorhead. Working with faculty, students and local businesses, the four-day camp will introduce the process of building websites and web applications. Students will learn front-end web design and web application development from working professionals and educators. Students will also get to meet representatives and mentors from local technology companies and learn about the industry. Myriad Mobile is collaborating on this camp.

SCRUBS Camp is a collaborative project with HealthForce Minnesota and is for students interested in pursuing careers in the health care or medical field. The six-day residential camp will expose students to what campus life is like while learning about different health careers. This camp will partner with area businesses and organizations such as Essentia, M State and others to provide the most up-to-date health opportunities to interested students.

“Students can come to these camps and interact with other students that share similar interests. We know they will have a wonderful experience and make some great new friends. These camps can help solidify what they might want to major in when they come to college,” Alemadi said.

These summer camps are an excellent way to invest in students’ futures as well as showcase all MSUM has to offer potential students. To learn more about these summer camps or College for Kids & Teens,

visit mnstate.edu/outreach.

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Smart, Composed and So Much

FUN

COVER STORY

When an eleven-year-old Kinzie Thomas traveled to Yankton, SD with her dad, Eric, for a national compound bow archery competition—with only local competitions under her belt—the best they hoped for was to get a feel for what higher-level competitive archery was all about.

Words & Photography Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss

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Mandy, Thomas’ mom, said she was taken aback by the results. Eric called her on their way home and told her Thomas had won.

“She won what?” Mandy recalled asking Eric, not fully comprehending what he was saying. “She won the whole thing!” he said, laughing. Seemingly out of the blue, young Thomas, inexperienced and with her unrefined hunting-bow setup instead of the sleeker competition setup, won a national title.

The following weekend, back in Yankton for the International Field Archery Association World Indoor Archery Tournament, competing with archers from around the globe, Thomas initially tied for third place. The tiebreak shoot-off landed her the fourth place spot. After two weekends of success beyond their wildest expectations, Thomas and her dad made their way back home to Fargo slightly in shock, knowing that somehow, over the last two weekends, a door had been opened. And it was up to Thomas, and her family, to decide if she was going to walk through it.

That was three years ago. Today, Thomas is busy preparing for the AAE Arizona Cup in Phoenix at the beginning of April, the first of five major U.S. competitions she hopes to compete in this year. She’ll be shooting up a division―in the 18-20 year old junior division―in hopes of becoming one of the topfive-ranking junior archers in the U.S. and achieve her next major goal of qualifying for the United States Archery Team.

Already a seasoned traveler, Thomas has competed nationally as far as Montana, Iowa, Nevada, Utah, California, Florida, Alabama and Kentucky. At age thirteen, Thomas traveled to Rome, Italy as part of the Compound Junior Dream Team―a team comprised of thirty of the most promising young male and female compound archers in the country. Her parents, unable to afford the time away from work and money to travel with her―but knowing they couldn’t deny her that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity―put their trust in the coaches and other parents who accompanied the team across the Atlantic. Huddled around a laptop at three in

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THEY COULDN’T DENY HER THAT ONCE-IN-ALIFETIME OPPORTUNITY the morning the day of the competition (10 a.m. in Italy), they watched their daughter win two silver medals, competing against archers from all over the world in the individual and team competition via live online broadcast.

Thomas’ introduction to archery was through bow hunting with her father, something she and her younger brother, and avid archer, Tyler still do. Her first trophy was a doe at age nine. At that time, archery was just one of the many activities she loved.

Throughout grade school, Thomas was busy with dance and gymnastics, basketball, volleyball and track. Her mom, Mandy, said that watching how much Thomas enjoyed dance and so many other activities, she would have never guessed her little girl would take such a liking to archery.

Thomas said it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why archery calls to her. She said when the bad days make her question her dedication solely to this one sport, the successes, both big and small, and the camaraderie, all remind her why she’s stuck with it. “I could never miss the good days for anything.”

Archery is a sport that requires not only incredible skill, but almost an equal or greater amount of concentration. It is said to be similar to golf in the sense that when you get to the top level, where the fundamental skills are mastered, the difference between winning and losing is almost entirely mental. Thomas’ coach, Linda Beck, said it’s never too early to begin mental management―learning which of the thousands of thoughts running through your brain to act on. Beck is also Thomas’ coach for the Junior Dream Team. She is a level five archery coach―one of just a handful at that level in the United States.

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Beck said archers like Thomas need to train their thoughts, just as she’s trained her body to shoot an arrow.

“Although there is pressure [during competitions], I try to not let that get to me,” said Thomas, who’s learned a lot from coach Beck. “Everything we think comes back in visual form, so I think of shots where I’ve trusted myself, and visualize that.”

Thomas described the scene of the Gator Cup, a national outdoor target archery tournament in Florida―often used as trials for the World Archery Championship Team―where Thomas won gold individually in 2015. Two archers face off. With only twenty seconds to shoot your arrow, beginning immediately after your opponent gets their shot off, Thomas said it’s incredibly nervewracking. You’re watching your opponent and the clock, on top of hearing the announcer call your arrows and making comments about your shot over a loud speaker. Fortunately, Thomas is a quick shot, which, she said, sometimes flusters her opponents.

At the Gator Cup, Thomas said her opponent joked with her that she barely had time to get her own shot off.

“Kinzie’s also got what we call coachability,” Beck said. “People like Kinzie listen; they ask questions; they seek for understanding; they strive to do what we’ve asked them to do in order to improve.” A spot on the Junior Dream Team was no small feat for Thomas to achieve. Beck said that Thomas’ coachability, along with her raw talent, level of fitness and how well she did during interviews and on an essay all factored into why she was chosen ahead of so many who hoped for a place on the Junior Dream Team.

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EVERYTHING WE THINK

COMES BACK IN VISUAL FORM

“I heard another coach describe our job this way,” said Beck, “I’m coaching life skills―I’m just do it through archery.” The training that Beck provides carries far beyond archery. “I have to stay motivated in archery,” said Thomas. “So it just carries over to my daily life.” Thomas feels a big part of her personality has been developed through archery. Competition and everything that comes with it has made her more understanding about life’s ups and downs, learning to accept disappointment and learning to cope. And, learning the valuable lesson that nothing comes easy.

Thomas, who has been a straight-A student thus far, said that schoolwork comes before anything.

As archery took off in her life, she was also getting busier with the responsibilities of school and her other sports. Her competitive side eventually took over. To excel in school and compete at a high level in archery, Thomas knew she couldn’t put enough energy into other activities. So eventually the other sports dropped off. Thomas said she’s okay with that. “I get so many great opportunities through archery.” And, she said, she likes her 4.0.

One thing that struck me in talking to Thomas, her parents, coaches and mentors at the archery range, is that Thomas’ attitude, including her composure and ability to be coached, are her greatest assets.

“Kinzie has always been such a well-mannered girl,” said her mom, noting that from a young age, Thomas has been a model student, thoughtful and introspective. “We’re very lucky to have a daughter like Kinzie.”

Ben Teets is a family friend through the archery club who has become Thomas’ equipment manager. Teets has been setting state records and winning national titles since his teenage years. “Kinzie’s got the right mentality,” said Teets. “She doesn’t get down on herself when she makes a bad shot. She learns from it and moves on.” John Lien, a family friend who is an avid bow hunter and archer for the past thirty years has been Thomas’ league teammate for the past two years. Lien appreciates her ability to recognize a big lesson despite her young age. “It’s just bows and arrows,” said Lien. “It’s just a game and sport that we’re supposed to be enjoying.” Lien also admires Thomas’ ability to hold her own against anyone in a primarily male-dominated local league. “There’s guys twice her size on either

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I HAVE TO STAY MOTIVATED IN ARCHERY,

SO IT JUST CARRIES OVER TO MY DAILY LIFE

side of her and she just keeps pounding them in the middle,” said Lien. “She always has a smile on her face, and just keeps it fun. That attitude carries through to how she shoots.”

Thomas’ ultimate goal is to become pro and travel to major competitions worldwide. A big step to this is sponsorship. “It would open more avenues for her,” said Thomas’ dad, noting that sponsorship money would specifically allow Thomas to travel to more shooting competitions and qualify for bigger events. “She wants to do the World Cup,” said Eric, “but without sponsorship we can’t afford to do it.” The qualifying competitions for the World Cup are in France, Morocco, Poland and Thailand―with finals in Las Vegas.

Thomas receives some sponsorship from Scheels, which provides clothing and equipment discounts in return for Thomas’ help with Scheels’ youth programs; Firststring, a company that makes strings for bows―who met and immediately fell in love with Thomas’ ability and attitude―provides her with strings and features her in their advertising; and Kensok’s Hardwood Floors, Inc. out of West Fargo has seen Thomas develop, knows her passion for archery and has helped with some financial support. “Without this help,” said Eric, “it would be impossible to travel.”

Practicing up to five days a week, shooting 80 to 150 arrows each day, most times shooting five arrows one after another―three almost always smack dab in the center of her target, and two in specific spots under the target in the bale so that she doesn’t chance wrecking the other three arrows― Thomas has the routine of loading and shooting so engrained she said she doesn’t have to consciously guide her body through the motions anymore, it just happens. “When I’m loading my arrow, I am trying not to think of anything at all, except for what is going to happen next.” With the guiding words of coach Beck in the back of her mind, reminding her to take things one shot at a time; the steadfastness of her dad every night at the range; the encouragement of her friends in the archery league; and the positive support and love of her mother, younger brother, friends and other family, it is something we all await―news of what will “happen next” with this amazing young woman and promising, determined archer. [AWM]

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