Moms & Dads Today December 2018

to our readers

We’re talking a lot about learning in this issue of Moms & Dads Today. From the benefits of dance and music education to researching your family tree, you’ll see that a lot can happen outside the classroom. Essentia Health offers information about early vision screening, and St. Luke’s writes about the importance of establishing a primary care physician. With the holidays coming up, you might enjoy learning about day trips to take with your family, and how to keep pets safe when turkey dinners and poinsettias start arriving. A Duluth family shares their story of participating in a study about autism, and an education intern writes about her fun summer at Hartley. Enjoy!

ON THE COVER:

Morgana Kolenda of Duluth holds her twin girls, Isla and Adrienne, 3. Kolenda is the administrator for the local multiples Facebook group, Twin Ports Mothers of Multiples.

THE KITCHEN

Snickerdoodles recipe maintains childhood connection

25 RAISING CHILDREN

UWS offers more support at Pruitt Center 28 EDUCATION

Stella Maris Academy playground dedicated to devoted father

HANDS ON

Stain highlights grain of tactile wood sculpture 32 PETS

Keep your animals safe and healthy during the holidays

LEARN YOUR ROOTS

Duluth has multiple resources for genealogy research 36 FAMILY HEALTH

Duluth family enrolls in largest ever autism research project

39 TEACHING & LEARNING

Internship at Hartley Nature Center a special experience 42 KIDS’ CORNER 43 SOCIALS

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Page 42 ANSWERS: Right Eye - no white spot, Left Eye - blue instead of white, Smile - pink instead of green, Left Cheek - no red blush circle, Hat - 2 holly berries instead of 3, Hat - Holly leaf is solid instead of detailed, No glove string on right hand, Right sweatshirt sleeve is red instead of brown, No top button on stomach, Bottom scarf stripe is pink instead of red.

contributors

advertising account executives

Bonnie Ambrosi, Emma Ambrosi, Ayla Androsky, Clint Austin, Tony Bennett, David Ballard Photography, Betsy Holcomb, Katelyn Kammer, Bob King, John Lundy, Kathleen Murphy, Mary Rasch, Tyler Schank, St. Luke’s, Kasha Stoll, Madeleine Surges, Connie Wirta, Naomi Yaeger

group publisher Neal Ronquist executive editor Rick Lubbers advertising director Megan Wedel advertising manager Eric Olson features editor Beverly Godfrey

Photo by Kathleen Murphy

New vision scanners help DETECT PROBLEMS EARLY

Glasses help Peighton regain sight in ‘lazy eye’

BY CONNIE WIRTA

If Peighton David had been old enough to use a standard eye chart, she would not have been able to see even the largest E with her left eye.

A routine screening test during a well-child visit detected a problem with Peighton’s left eye and led to a prompt referral to an optometrist. There, a comprehensive eye exam showed she was farsighted and has amblyopia, also known as lazy eye. The 5-year-old girl’s vision tested 20/300.

“We were completely floored because there were no signs or symptoms,” says Peighton’s mother, Allie David of Hermantown. “We feel fortunate that we caught it early because we may have never known, and she may have struggled in school before it was detected.”

Dr. Michael Fuchs, an Essentia Health optometrist, explains Peighton didn’t have the crossed or wandering eye that’s often a sign of amblyopia. “She was not seeing with her left eye,” he explains. “Her brain was fully

suppressing the blurry images from her left eye and relying on her right eye, so the amblyopia was harder to detect.”

Relying on only one eye not only affects how clearly a child can see but also depth perception and reading comprehension, Dr. Fuchs says. “A child is working so hard just to see that they can’t encode things for learning,” he says, explaining impaired vision can affect a child’s development, academic performance and even social interactions.

Amblyopia is the most common

Glasses help Peighton David see better so she can read to her mom, Allie. A new vision scanner used in a well-child checkup at the Essentia HealthDuluth Clinic’s Pediatrics Department helped detect a “lazy eye” that is being corrected with glasses. DEREK MONTGOMERY PHOTOGRAPHY

eye condition in children, and early detection can make a big difference, says Dr. Fuchs and Dr. Shar Valentine, a pediatrician at the Essentia HealthDuluth Clinic. A new screening device in the Pediatrics Department is helping detect amblyopia and other vision problems in children as young as 12 months.

The vision scanner looks like a large camera. The sound of singing birds and patterns of colorful flashing light capture the attention and the gaze of children who are too young to read symbols or letters on a standard eye chart. In just a few seconds, the scanner captures data to detect nearsightedness, farsightedness, blurred vision, unequal refractive power, unequal pupil size and eye misalignment. The scanner can’t detect visual acuity. A printout identifies any problems and recommends a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

A grant from the Essentia Health Foundation purchased four vision scanners for the Duluth Clinic’s Pediatrics Department. Checking a

child’s vision is part of every well-child visit, and the new tool is used for all children ages 1-5 and older children who have developmental delays or other issues that make it difficult for them to use a traditional eye chart.

Emersyn Uchanski had her vision screened at her 12-month appointment. Her parents had noticed her left eye was turning out when she was tired. “I also noticed it when I was taking pictures, but she always seemed to be able to correct it,’’ recalls her mother, Nicole Uchanski of Superior.

After hearing Nicole’s concerns and seeing the abnormal results from the vision screener, Dr. Valentine referred Emersyn to Dr. Thomas Shuey, an Essentia Health pediatric ophthalmologist. He diagnosed her with amblyopia and is monitoring her vision as she develops. “We feel we’re ahead of the game and can be proactive instead of reactive,” Nicole says.

“Using the scanner, we had early detection of a condition that could have caused permanent damage by age 9 or 10,” says Dr. Valentine.

Early detection made a big difference

for Peighton, who was prescribed glasses. Dr. Fuchs says she has had steady improvement over the past year and now has 20/30 vision. “Peighton knows her glasses are helping her,” says her mother, Allie. “She sometimes takes them off when she reads and then puts them back on because she struggles more when they’re off.”

Allie says her 1-year-old son, Oliver, recently had his vision screened at a well-child checkup and was referred to Dr. Shuey, who prescribed glasses to correct farsightedness and another issue. Oliver is at a higher risk of developing amblyopia because of his sister’s diagnosis.

Dr. Fuchs and Dr. Valentine point out that early detection of vision problems makes it easier to correct them. “With the vision scanner, we can pick up on vision problems much earlier and prevent vision loss and discover other rare conditions for improved outcomes for our patients,” Dr. Valentine says.

Connie Wirta is an editor and writer for Essentia. She wrote this for Moms & Dads Today.

We are of this place, not just from it.

In this place, we face challenges head on, believing that with community and commitment, we can build something better. Live healthier. Take care of each other.

This is our role in the story. With top physicians and providers, world-class technology and personalized care, Essentia Health helps you realize your best health where you live. Schedule an appointment online

Raising Children

Support TIMES TWO –or more

Mothers of multiples can find answers easier these days

BY KATHLEEN MURPHY

Most people feel a sense of excitement when they discover they are expecting a new baby. Chances are, just as many people might feel a little overwhelmed at the news. There’s a lot to consider when adding a new member to the family.

What happens when people find out they are expecting twins? Or more?

Multiple births are not common. In 2016, only 33 sets of twins were born for every 1,000 births in the United States. The chances of triplets or higher is even smaller, happening in less than one out of every 1,000 births.

The first thing a newly expecting parent of twins should do is find support. “There are plenty of things about having twins that aren’t that

Morgana Kolenda holds her 3-year-old twin daughters, Adrienne and Isla, in August.

PHOTO BY KATHLEEN MURPHY

different than having a single baby,” said Morgana Kolenda, moderator for the group Twin Ports Mothers of Multiples and mother of 4-year-old twin girls, “but there are plenty of things that are different, too. Find someone who knows about those things.”

The Twin Ports Mothers of Multiples Group can be a great first stop for information. They coordinate playgroups, yearly rummage sales, and the occasional night out for parents. A part of the Twin Ports for decades, it has evolved through the years. Jill Cornwell, a mother to boy-girl twins who are now in college, remembers when her twins were young and the local multiples group focused on events that allowed parents time to talk away from the children, such as moms’ night out events. “In the days before social media, it was harder to track down the information we needed,” Cornwell said. “We used the multiples group as an opportunity to get together and talk, share our experiences.”

What parents want from a multiples group has changed, partly because it is so easy to connect with other parents through social media. Liz Redden and her husband, Ben, are expecting boy-girl twins this fall. As a working mother who already has two children, she felt overwhelmed and a little scared at the unknowns with a twin pregnancy. With her busy schedule making it harder for her to break away to attend in-person meetings, the online presence of the multiples group has gone a long way to reassure her worries. “Being pregnant with twins is a totally different ball game,” Redden said. “Being able to post questions and get answers from other moms going through the same situation I am makes me feel like I can do this.”

It is the beauty of social media: instantaneous answers. A nervous expecting mother who recently found out she is expecting twins doesn’t have to wait three weeks to get answers. Post a question online — in this case the Twin Ports Mothers of Multiples Facebook page — and receive answers from real, local people who have already been through it.

Redden recently was experiencing back pain and couldn’t get in right away to see her doctor. She asked online if others had experienced the same during their pregnancies, and within a day had a plethora of responses, including a few people who thought it sounded similar to what they had experienced and suggested it might be sciatica pain. Armed with the information and reassured that her experience was not out of the ordinary, Redden was able to follow up with her doctor and chiropractor and find relief.

Local support groups can help with other needs, too, such as asking for recommendations for services. Are there local pediatricians that have experience with twins? What if I want to use the services of a doula? My twin’s school wants to split them up into two different classes, but I don’t think they are ready for that. Are there any schools in the area that have welcomed multiples to share a classroom?

For more generalized questions, there are larger forums that can also be of help, such as the Minnesota Mothers of Multiples group, which has grown in recent years to include parents of multiples in adjoining states, such as North Dakota and parts of Wisconsin. MN MOM holds yearly conferences and outings for families to attend, such as an upcoming “glamping trip” in April

of 2019 for mothers to get away and enjoy a weekend of connecting with others who understand the changes brought about by a multiples pregnancy. Cornwell recommends that people attend these when they can. “I’ve met lifelong friends in these groups,” Cornwell said. “It was important for me to spend time with other people whose lives were also in a high-intensity parenting mode. We understood each other.” A national group also exists, called Multiples of America.

“Basically, it’s important for you to accept support from anyone who will give it to you,” Kolenda said. She was able to find support from family, as well as an outpouring of support from a community she was already involved in, the board of directors for the Minnesota Ballet. “I would show up to meetings, and people would take turns holding babies so that I could participate.” Kolenda works at Maurice’s in downtown Duluth, and has felt fortunate that they hold a moms group every other Friday.

“Parenting multiples can be hard,” said Kolenda. “Find a group of people who will support you in that endeavor, but will also appreciate you as an individual person.”

Kathleen Murphy is a Duluth-based freelance journalist and parent of multiples.

Adrienne and Isla Kolenda, six weeks old. PHOTO TAKEN IN MARCH 2015 BY LAURA JERVE.

Winter HOLIDAY FUN can be found by heading south

BY KATHLEEN MURPHY

We all know that the Twin Ports is the absolute best place to be for the holidays. We’re the Christmas City of the North, after all, and we even have a parade to prove it. But a few hours south there are some fun holiday events to be had, for those who don’t mind the drive. Bundle up the family, throw on those snow tires, and catch these events in the Twin Cities Metro Area:

The American Swedish Institute

The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis knows how to celebrate a Nordic Christmas. Their “Handmade Holidays” program kicks off on Nov. 10 with Family Day. In the weeks after, there will be no shortage of activities to choose from. Attend a family Gingerbread House Workshop, or one of several Julglädje Sunday Concerts, a collection of Swedish and American holiday songs that “evoke the feeling of standing around the family piano.” They even host several events just for

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toddlers, such as Lucia’s Legend and Kids at the Castle, both opportunities for young kids to explore Scandinavian storytelling, crafts, and music inspired by the season. There is so much for families to do here, you might want to make more than one trip!

Your K-8 Schools of Choice

APPLY NOW FOR 2019-20

This is your opportunity to apply for enrollment for your child, kindergarten-8th grade. Students applying for kindergarten must be five years old by September 1, 2019, and Minnesota residents. First grade applicants must be at least six years of age on September 1, 2019 and Minnesota residents. An exception to the age requirement may be made if the student has completed kindergarten. Applications must be submitted by February 22, 2019, for first consideration and to be entered in our March 1 lottery. However, all will be accepted for consideration throughout the year. We also have limited openings for the 2018-19 school year. For more information and an application, call 218-728-9556 Ext. 5006, or apply online at www.duluthedison.org.

Swedish Institute 2600 Park Ave. Minneapolis (612) 871-4907 asimn.org

American

PHOTO COURTESY AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE. ASIMN.ORG

Alexander Ramsey House

The kids might not be the only family member who fondly remembers reading “Little Women” and wondered what it might be like to experience a 1860s Christmas. For anyone who still cherishes this book as one of their favorites, “A Little Woman Christmas” will take over the Alexander Ramsey House in St. Paul for two weekends in December. Play along as Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy celebrate Christmas in the festively decorated Ramsey House. There will be Victorian-era parlor games to play, a display about the fashion of the era and craft tables. As an extra bonus, freshly baked gingerbread cake will be available, a timeless treat.

Alexander Ramsey House

265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul (651) 296-8760

ramseyhouse@mnhs.org

Holidazzle in Loring Park

Held every weekend from Nov. 23Dec. 23, the Holidazzle in Minneapolis is moving to Loring Park this year. What used to be a downtown Minneapolis holiday parade has turned into a full-fledged Christmas Market and Fair, where families can watch winter fireworks displays, enjoy a family movie night, ice skate, listen to free music and other entertainment, and of course, meet up with the big man himself, Santa Claus. A special kid zone and holiday light display will be definite favorites for the kids while the parents can enjoy the vendor market, as well as the Fulton Beer Market and board game area.

Holidazzle

Loring Park, Minneapolis Thursdays-Sundays, Nov. 24- Dec. 23 holidazzle.com

Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum Night Trains

Kids love model trains, so this museum is a no-brainer for those with young kids. It’s a good bet that everyone else in your family will be entertained as well. This museum is surprisingly large and entertaining, even for those

who never gave model trains a second thought, and it knows how to celebrate winter and the holidays. Every Saturday evening from Nov. 3-Feb. 23, the Model Railroad Museum turns down the overhead lights and lights up the train displays with miniature Christmas lights and decorations. Two Saturdays

in December, as an added bonus, Santa will be there! No need to wait in a long line at the mall.

Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum

668 Transfer Road, Suite 8

Saint Paul (651) 647-9628

tcmrm.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXANDER RAMSEY HOUSE, MNHS.ORG/RAMSEYHOUSE

PHOTO COURTESY DUSTY HOSKOVEC PHOTOGRAPHY VIA HOLIDAZZLE.COM

Ice Castles in Stillwater

More a winter activity since it doesn’t begin until after the holidays in order to capitalize on January’s freezing temperatures, the Ice Castles in Stillwater are worth an extra trip to the Citites. The charming river town of Stillwater welcomes a team of ice sculptors, who spend weeks converting

Minnesota Streetcar Museum

The Minnesota Streetcar Museum hosts several events in two different locations. At the Como-Harriet location, enjoy the Holly Trolley and Vinternatt, both weekend events in December where the kids can celebrate the holiday trolley-style. The Holly Trolley is geared more toward younger kids, featuring a decorated streetcar, Santa Claus and a marshmallow roast. Vinternatt also has a bonfire, marshmallows and the potential of a visit from the big guy, but features the trolley being decorated inside and out with lights and seasonal greens, as well as hundreds of luminaries lighting the streetcar tracks. If you are closer to the Excelsior Streetcar location, enjoy Christkindlsmarkt, a traditional European open air market that also features a ride on the streetcar. This event is only held one weekend in November. The streetcars are an iconic piece of Twin Cities history, make sure to add them to your Christmas traditions.

the town into an awe-inspiring series of ice castles and sculptures. Made so that people can get up close and even walk through them, enjoy the lighted ice castles, sculptures and tunnels. They even make frozen thrones, icecarved tunnels, slides and fountains for the kids to enjoy (though adults can get in there, too). Last year, fire performers

put on shows on weekends, and a certain ice-themed Disney princess made multiple appearances. Don’t forget to dress warm and wear boots.

Ice Castles

Stillwater, Minn.

Dates dependent on weather, but usually begins early to mid-January icecastles.com/stillwater

Excelsior Streetcar Line University Station, Water Street Excelsior, Minn.

Como-Harriet Streetcar Line 4200 Queen Ave. S., Minneapolis trolleyride.org

Kathleen Murphy is a journalist who lives and writes in Duluth.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROD EATON, COMO-HARRIET STREETCAR LINE

An ART form for everyone

Educating children in dance is artistic, athletic and fun

BY BETSY HOLCOMB

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TYLER SCHANK

It happens every performance of the Minnesota Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” Scores of the youngest audience members twirl in the aisles at intermission, inspired by the dancers on stage.

Some of these children go on to study ballet, which traces its origin to the elegant dance in Renaissance courts of Europe. The School of the Minnesota Ballet emphasizes that whether or not students pursue dance as a career, they will deeply experience a performing art. They’ll develop physical strength, artistry and graceful perfection; gain confidence to

reach goals; and develop discipline to apply to their lives.

The guiding principle of ballet training is preparing students for what is to come, starting with 3- to 5-year-olds, who while marching, leaping or “flying” like butterflies are introduced to dance. Six- and 7-year-olds are ready to work on movements such as bourrées (quick little steps on the toes), movement patterns and rhythms. By age 8, children are usually ready to begin the rigorous study of ballet, each year advancing from basic to more difficult movements.

Dancers from the School of the Minnesota Ballet dance to the song "The Greatest Show" from the opening act in the movie "The Greatest Showman" at their Student Summer Showcase at Duluth Public Library Plaza on July 27. The group performed 15 dances with techniques including modern dance, tap and jazz.

Girls work toward their rite of passage in ballet: getting their first pair of pointe shoes. At the ballet’s school, female ballet students at age 12 may be approved for pointe work only after taking pre-pointe classes to strengthen feet and calves.

At age 10, boys at the ballet’s school are encouraged to take Athletic Dance for Young Men, which specifically trains them in men’s technique and men’s variations (excerpts from classical ballets). Boys are also encouraged to do weight training to be ready to safely lift their female partners.

Liam Colclough, 14, a student in the highest level, especially appreciates the athleticism of ballet. “Ballet can be quite masculine, and it’s also an art form that you need to be very physically and mentally strong to do well,” he said. “You get the opportunity to express yourself while you’re dancing and to get away from all of the troubles of everyday life.”

A primary concern for the school is sequencing elements of the basic ballet class, watched over by LilaAnn Coates White, the Minnesota Ballet school’s principal teacher and an assistant professor of dance in the Department of Theatre at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She earned a master’s degree in physical therapy from the College of St. Scholastica, and to stay current with the latest medical findings impacting dance, she is a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science.

“Every movement from the first plié (bending of the knees) at the barre is set up to help the dancer safely land the last jump in class,” Coates White said. Each ballet class begins with warm-up exercises. Students keep one hand lightly on the barre while doing movements such as rond de jambes (high circling of the legs), in slower and faster tempos. No two classes are the same. Teachers vary the sequence of movements to make them mentally and physically challenging.

Then, as Coates White explained, movements are repeated away from the barre, adding balance to training. The last element of the class is jumping, first in place, next in alternating landing on one foot and two, then across the floor in patterns requiring the largest range of

movement.

Kirsten Rye, 17, this year a junior apprentice with the Minnesota Ballet company, said she’s grateful for her supportive and helpful teachers and for her roles in performances, such as a lady of the court in “Swan Lake.”

“The opportunity to perform with the company as a student not only solidified my passion for dance, but also taught me respect, the value of hard work, and what it is like to work in a professional company,” she said.

Kathy Rye, mother of Kirsten and her two older sisters, Kelsey and Carrie, who also have studied at the school, can claim triple experience seeing ballet training up close. She said she worried about ballet’s time commitment.

“Sometimes I thought that they were too busy, but the girls said they could plan around the schedule,” she said. “Ballet has given them structure and taught them to have control in their movements, which have helped them in all other aspects of their lives.”

The summer term offers additional dance styles to round out training, including character (European folk dance) and musical theater dance. Guest teachers enhance training. One of the favorite summer classes is choreography, which allows students to create their own works-in-progress and perform them in the Student Summer Showcase outdoors at the Duluth Public Library Plaza.

Believing that dance is for everyone regardless of ability, the school has offered Creative Dance, an adaptive ballet class on two levels for children with physical or developmental challenges. These classes also dance in the annual Student Performance at the DECC Symphony Hall, and some Creative Dance students have performed in productions of “The Nutcracker.”

The Teen/Adult Division welcomes students who have had no dance training and those at a point in their lives that they want to resume dance instruction, be it ballet, jazz, modern

or tap. Many teen/adult students take the opportunity to dance in the Student Performance.

To allow the children and adults to experience dance up close, every spring the school presents Dance Day at the Depot, a free public introduction to ballet and other styles in the Great Hall of the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center. One chilly, rainy May Day, upper-level students created indoor spring with their maypole dance of intertwining ribbons.

Beginning at age 8, students at the school may audition for young dancer roles in “The Nutcracker,” over their training progressing from carolers to mice and soldiers to gingerbread children to party guests to geisha and Spanish dancers. The most advanced students earn places in the corps de ballet of “Waltz of the Snowflakes” and “Waltz of the Flowers,” and some even tour with the production to such sites as this year’s Houghton, Mich., and Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The Minnesota Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9, and 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at DECC Symphony Hall. The production has delighted thousands … and the impromptu intermission entertainments in the aisles are special, too.

Betsy Holcomb works for the Minnesota Ballet as a writer and editor. She wrote this for Moms & Dads Today.

Student Allie Beyer of the School of the Minnesota Ballet tap dances to "The Glory Days" by Michael Giacchino during the Student Summer Showcase at Duluth Public Library Plaza on July 27.

Dancers from the School of the Minnesota Ballet dance to the song "The Greatest Show" from the opening act in the movie "The Greatest Showman" at their Student Summer Showcase at Duluth Public Library Plaza on July 27. The group performed 15 dances with techniques including modern dance, tap and jazz.

MANY STUDIOS IN THE TWIN PORTS OFFER STUDENTS THE BENEFITS OF DANCE EDUCATION HERE ARE A FEW:

Cuzzo Stocke Dance Studio Duluthdancestudio.com

Dream Dance Academy Dreamdanceacademy.wordpress.com

Elite Dance Productions Elitedanceduluth.com

Just For Kix justforkix.com/danceclasses/duluth-mn

Madill Performing Arts Center Madilldance.com

School of the Minnesota Ballet minnesotaballet.org/school

Stacie Juten’s Duluth Dance Center Duluthdancecenter.com

Sterling Silver Studio

Sterlingsilverstudio.com

Stacey's Studio of Dance Education staceysstudioofdance.com

• Dr. Paul K. Hodapp • Dr. Scott K. Varland • Dr. Nathan A. Jarnot

HEALTH CARE

101

How and why to establish health care for you and your family

BY ST. LUKE’S

There are a lot of things that might keep you from regularly seeing a physician. “Some people avoid going to the doctor. They think it’s going to be expensive, sometimes they’re worried about what they might have, and health care can be confusing to navigate,” explained Dr. Mitch Cardwell of St. Luke’s Hibbing Family

Medical Clinic.

However, there are a lot of benefits to regularly seeing a health care provider, especially when you’re managing the health of a family. By establishing care at St. Luke’s, you gain a primary care provider who gets to know your medical history, is actively engaged in your care, and helps you have a healthier future. Below are some common questions you may have in

starting this process.

What is a primary care provider?

A primary care provider is a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner who specializes in family medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics.

As for how often to see your primary care provider, you’re in control. An annual physical is recommended for adult care, while children should be

Dr. Amanda Webb of St. Luke’s Pediatrics Associates.

ST. LUKE'S PHOTO

seen more often to start out. “Kids get a lot of routine physicals starting out as an infant and toddler, and then we start spreading it out to every year. It’s a great chance to check up on their growth and development,” Dr. Amanda Webb of St. Luke’s Pediatrics Associates pointed out.

However, if you or your child gets sick between your scheduled appointments, your primary care provider will be available to help in any way he or she can. What does it mean to ‘establish care’?

Establishing care with St. Luke’s means choosing a primary care provider to work with you and your family on a lifetime of care. Along with providing regular preventive care and medical care when you are sick, a primary care provider is the coordinator of all the health care services you might need and acts as a guide to the St. Luke's system. Why is it important to have a primary care provider?

Having a primary care provider means that there is someone at St. Luke’s who knows you and your family’s full medical history. This makes them actively engaged in your care. It’s more than just knowing who to call when you’re sick. It’s about having someone who can coordinate care, from preventive to specialty care. What will it cost?

While coverage may vary, most major insurance providers cover an annual physical with a primary care provider at no cost, as part of

preventive care. If you have additional questions about coverage, contact your insurance company. There is usually a customer service phone number on the back of your insurance card. Why is preventive care important?

Focusing on staying healthy is important. “It’s hard when I see a patient who has a lot of preventable problems that would have been less difficult to treat if they had seen a health care provider regularly,” Dr. Cardwell said. Preventive care includes mammograms, pap smears, and other cancer screenings, as well as immunizations that help prevent disease.

Dr. Webb explained that preventive care is important for kids as well. “It’s really helpful that I see them when they’re well, and not just when they’re sick, because then I know what’s normal for them,” she said. What if I don’t like my provider or clinic?

You can, at any point, change your provider, clinic, or any other aspect of your health care.

What if I am sick and need to be seen now?

There are times when an illness or injury needs immediate treatment. If you are unable to see your primary care provider when you need immediate care, or do not have one established yet, St. Luke’s offers convenient, on-demand care. This is available at St. Luke’s Urgent Care clinics and Q Care Express clinics, and through eCare, our

virtual online clinic. Why should I choose St. Luke’s?

St. Luke’s is a comprehensive health system committed to providing compassionate and expert medical care to patients across the Northland. Patients are the focus of everything at St. Luke’s. This means great care, tailored to your needs.

How do I choose a primary care provider?

The first step is to call (218) 2494000 and say, “I want to establish care.” From there, St. Luke’s team will work with you to select a clinic and a provider. They will help you determine what type of provider you need, as well as finding a clinic that’s convenient for you, whether that means close to work or close to home.

Dr. Cardwell said, “I believe people need to have a primary care provider. This will help them stay healthy and know where to go when they have questions.” St. Luke’s has a team of physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who are all as passionate about caring for their patients as Dr. Cardwell.

Primary care providers are available at 14 primary care clinics across the region. St. Luke’s is a comprehensive health system that also includes six Urgent Care clinics, two Q Care Express clinics, and eCare, a virtual online clinic. Find a primary care clinic near you by calling (218) 249-4000 or visit www.ChooseStLukes.com.

KEY CHANGE

James Geisler finds his rhythm mentoring teens at Duluth’s Music Resource Center

BY TONY BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BALLARD PHOTOGRAPHY

In an era where kids are given fewer opportunities to be creative in the school environment because of budget cuts in the arts, Duluth's Music Resource Center has established itself as a meaningful, useful way to help spur the imaginations of young people. Since 2011, the MRC has operated in the welcoming environs of Sacred Heart Music Center, offering students from all manner of backgrounds in grades 6-12 a place where they can learn how to be better musicians, no matter their specific areas of interest. Folk, rock, rap — nothing is left on the doorstep.

The MRC recently announced a new program manager in James Geisler, a musician and UMD graduate who spent some time in the program as a volunteer while attending college. For him, it has been an interesting development to go from donating his time to managing the program, but it's an evolution that happened naturally.

“I was a music instructor. I'm a hip-hop artist, so I helped a lot of students with that,” Geisler said. “Otherwise, I helped with the website, some social-media postings, and I helped host some open-mics. It was a pretty well-rounded internship-slashvolunteer position, for sure.”

Geisler said his new position is “a really good fit” for him, given his past work with the MRC. “It helped me learn how to work with the kids effectively — developing relationships, figuring out what works and doesn't work.” He added that he hit the ground running, too, and that he's had ideas on where to take things that have been brewing for a while, now. “Seeing how everything was running, it gave me some ideas on how to expand off of certain things that were already in place,” he said.

The free, after-school program offers “music coaching and guidance,” Geisler explained. “It's a safe,

collaborative space for local artists to work with mentors. We offer recording equipment and instruments to play. We have performing opportunities. Kids meet other kids that maybe they wouldn't meet, if it wasn't for our program. It brings people from throughout the community together, old and young. We're helping build the next generation of artists.”

Mark Poirier is the executive director of the Armory Arts and Music Center, the parent program of the MRC. He has nothing but praise for Geisler. “James has been with our program for a number of years,” he said. “He was such a great volunteer. Very dependable, and the students just loved him. It's inspiring to see him grow as an artist and a leader.”

Emanuel Eisele is 17 years old. He first heard about the MRC through a teacher, and he's been involved for about four years, mostly doing recording projects. He said Geisler's a

James Geisler explains the workings of the Sacred Heart Music Center in the entry way of the building to Hunter Goeden, who had wandered in to see what it had to offer.

James Geisler plays drums and watches Tristan Erspamer play guitar in one of the practice rooms at the Sacred Heart Music Center.

James Geisler waves goodbye to a group of young people who had left after the opening day of the Sacred Heart Music Center.

James Geisler helps Storm Krause as he plays a keyboard at the Sacred Heart Music Center. Krause was a first-time visitor to the center and had played the piano only a few times.

great person for his job.

“I've always liked James and his approach to not only how he makes music, but how he helps and teaches others about it,” Eisele said. “He's chill, above all else. Very laid-back, but isn't afraid to lay down the law.”

“He's more of an electronic musician, preferring synths and such,” Eislele said. “He doesn't necessarily have the entire circle of fifths memorized, but that's not really what's important. What's important is that he knows the insides and outsides of producing and what actually goes into making music professionally. He brings experience and a good attitude to the table.”

“To be able to go somewhere and use award-winning software and excellent equipment for free is such a blessing, and the nice, kind, experienced staff make it even better,” Eisele said. “It's allowed me to put my thoughts and feelings into a physical

thing people can view and enjoy. I think a lot of kids my age tend to have feelings and thoughts they can't express in an understandable way, but this place opens up a whole new world for them. Freddie Mercury had to pick up and start learning a guitar at some point, and Paul McCartney had to practice on the piano for a while. I feel like this place is a starting point for a lot of young people. Who knows — maybe the next Beatles will start here.”

Sophia Beaver, 16, said she has been a part of the MRC since she was 13. “At MRC, I mostly practice my guitar and my singing, and I also perform at the open mics every now and then,” she said.

Beaver said that Geisler is “a very friendly and helpful person. He has helped me with recording, and has pushed me to do more live performances. So far this year, he has been giving lots of tours and

introducing new people. It's very cool.”

“I love the MRC,” Beaver said. “It gives me time to practice when I usually can't and gives me lots of chances to do performances. I might help teach some lessons for ukulele, which would be an amazing learning experience. Also, the recording for the CD at the end of the year is such a great opportunity to get experience with recording and producing music.”

The point is to be a positive force in fostering kids' creativity, to provide opportunities for expression and learning. “We're open to all skill levels,” Geisler said. “Whether you're just starting out and you have a little bit of interest or you're a seasoned veteran, we want to see you and help you in any way we can.”

Tony Bennett is a Duluth freelance writer and music critic for the Duluth News Tribune.

James Geisler plays drums as he jams with Emmanuel Eisele in one of the practice rooms at the Sacred Heart Music Center.

James Geisler helps Hunter Goeden with an amp that is connected to a bass he was trying out.

James Geisler gives directions to the practice rooms to Ben Berry.

Updated Snickerdoodles recipe maintains childhood connection

BY BONNIE AMBROSI

Iwas very fortunate, I now realize, to have a mom who was always there when I got home from school. To say that Mamma didn’t work would be wildly inaccurate. She worked tirelessly as a farm wife and the pastor of a small country church. She milked cows and chased them back into the pasture when they got out (usually on a Sunday morning, it seemed), tended a huge garden, canned fruits and vegetables, helped my dad in the fields, mowed local cemeteries, gave piano lessons, wrote sermons, and looked after her little local congregation and our rural community. She made meals three times a day on a shoestring.

And she was there for us at 4 p.m., often with freshly-baked cookies — usually Snickerdoodles.

Bonnie’s Snickerdoodles

Makes 2 dozen cookies

¼ cup Earth Balance Buttery Spread, softened

⅔ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour or spelt flour

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

3 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk or other plant milk

3 tablespoons sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Use a wooden spoon to cream together the softened Earth Balance Spread and ⅔ cup sugar. Add vanilla and vinegar. Add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. Add unsweetened almond milk or other plant milk, one tablespoon at a time.

Mamma used the recipe found in her 1956 Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook. I have that cookbook. It is held together with duct tape, and the most-used pages are barely legible for all the spatters and food stains. These are the marks of a successful cookbook.

The recipe I present to you today is not quite as printed in the 1956 Betty Crocker. I admit that I have a thing about using whole grain flour — I simply cannot bring myself to bake with white flour. I use whole grain spelt flour or whole wheat pastry flour, and my kids have never complained. Do not, however, use whole wheat bread flour, or the result will be too coarse.

Mamma made Snickerdoodles with Crisco, because it was the ’60s and that was what we used. I have substituted Earth Balance Buttery Spread, the yummiest plant-based butter on the planet.

After many test batches, my teenage daughter, Emma, and I have come up with this version which satisfies my whole-grain sensibilities and is also very much like the cookies my mom made for me 50 years ago: slightly crunchy outside, soft and pillowy inside, with a mild cinnamon flavor. I hope you like them.

You’ll find that the Snickerdoodle dough has a nice, moldable consistency — neither sticky nor crumbly. Kids can easily help you with making the dough into balls, then rolling each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. This is how happy kitchen memories are made.

Bonnie Ambrosi lives in Duluth and is an organizer of The Vegan Cookbook Club which meets at 11:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of every month at Mount Royal Branch Library. She writes once a month for the Taste section in the Duluth News Tribune.

Finish mixing it with your hands; the dough should come together nicely, neither sticky nor too crumbly. Combine the final 3 tablespoons of sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a wide, shallow bowl. Make 1-inch balls of dough and roll each ball in the mixture. Place balls 1 inch apart

on ungreased or parchment-papercovered cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 9 minutes. Do not overbake! Take sheet out of oven, but let cookies cool for a couple of minutes before removing them from the sheet to a cooling rack or brown paper.

Snickerdoodles are a sweet after-school treat.

PHOTO BY EMMA AMBROSI

Books, bags and mental health: A COLLEGE STUDENT’S CHECKLIST

UWS offers more support at Pruitt Center

BY MADELEINE SURGES

PHOTOS BY AYLA ANDROSKY

For college students living away from home for the first time, or even if they’ve been away for years, gaining independence comes with new stressors. Paying bills, managing classes, relationships and more can result in anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders.

All this can cloud the excitement that college can bring. Sure, stress is a normal part of life, but it’s important to recognize when things have escalated past a normal level, experts say.

A recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics showed that about 19.9 million students started college this fall. Of those, one in five struggles with mental illness. With that many students affected, college counseling centers can be too crowded to provide timely services.

Randy Barker is facing this rising issue. He’s the interim director for mindfulness and well-being at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He said college strives to educate people about using mindfulness and other natural techniques to improve mental health.

“We became interested in the science behind mindfulness and wanted to implement it into our school,” he said. “We are living in a stressful world with lots of stigmas around mental health, and instead of relying on reactive therapy, we want to try to prevent it from happening.”

Mental health disorders are not limited to students either. Teachers, faculty and other staff members are just as susceptible, but often overlooked when trying to make appointments with mental health advisers. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death

in people ages 15-34, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of 2015, the average student graduates with about $37,000 in loans. This forces many to work multiple jobs. Collections for loans can start as little as 30 days after graduation.

Workers at UWS set out to discover how to help. Becky Pruitt, an alumnus of the school, and her husband, Doug, provided money to two groups of the mindfulness board to attend The Greater Good Science Center Summer Institute for Educators in Berkeley, Calif. One group at UWS attended in 2015, and another the following year. There, the staff continued to learn about the importance of mindfulness and well-being, and they knew they wanted to open a center that provided the education, resources and activities that could be used by many.

North Shore Community School

Call to schedule a tour! 218-525-0663 Ext. 100

A public, tuition-free charter school serving students in grades PreK-6

Class Sizes: Low student-teacher ratio

Busing: Free from Duluth and Two Harbors

Environmental Focus: Academics are connected with natural and social environment. 40 acres with nature trails, outdoor classrooms and a greenhouse attached to the building.

Play-based Preschool: Morning and full-day sessions, space available. www.northshorecommunityschool.org

Mindfulness is a state of awareness and focusing on what is happening in the moment. Although it sounds simple, many struggle with staying in the present for more than a few seconds before their minds wander into the future or into worry, Barker said.

The Pruitts’ generosity allowed UWS to move forward with creating and developing the center, Barker said.

“They are very passionate about helping people grow personally and professionally and believe in the benefits of practicing mindfulness, and continuing to learn, regardless of position,” he said.

UWS graduate Suzie Baer struggled with mental health issues as a student.

“Before I knew what to call them, I had panic attacks and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at age 14,” she said. “I believe I was better able to discuss and write about my mental health more freely with my classmates and professors at UWS because I was an online student.”

Like many, Baer felt more comfortable sharing her experiences

through online schooling. “I don’t know if I would have been as open with experiences and opinions in a classroom setting because I would fear the judgment of classmates. I would likely read into body language ... even if no verbal judgment was passed,” she said.

Claire Graves, a junior at UWS, also has struggled with depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders.

“College has helped me talk about my mental health issues, but it has also been one of the sources of those issues,” she said. “There is always room for improvement, but I am glad there has been progression with this issue.”

As with many students, Graves has found herself working part time while maxing out on school credits.

“In my education classes, we stress the importance of leading a balanced life, which can be hard when students are working and have a full academic semester,” Graves said. “I think the Pruitt Center will be used and appreciated.”

With the number of students who struggle, UWS hopes to see the Pruitt Center as a gathering hub and a place to relax.

“We want to have drop-in times to practice mindfulness, as well as focus on sleep exercises, mental health and other workshops,” Barker said.

Anyone can help the people they love improve their mental health, experts say. Educate yourself on what mental health disorders look like and how they may present themselves in college situations, work environments and home life. Mindfulness can help people to stay in the present, which may help eliminate stress for future decisions, especially during class time.

“We want this education and science behind mindfulness to have a ripple effect throughout our neighboring communities,” Barker said.

Madeleine Surges is a Duluth freelance writer and student at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Ann Charbonneau of the Superior Chamber of Commerce presents a certificate to Doug and Becky Pruitt.

Doug Pruitt-Black, Renee Wachter and Becky Pruitt (at center) are among people attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Pruitt Center at UWS.

KEEPING ACTIVE in loving memory

Stella Maris Academy opens new playground dedicated to devoted father

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVID BALLARD

On a recent Duluth afternoon, Hilaire Hauer did her best to line up students on the fresh concrete surface that makes up a basketball court just outside the St. James Catholic School campus of Stella Maris Academy, of which Hauer is president. The students were fidgety and excited, talking loudly with each other, in anticipation of being released to play on the expanse of shiny new playground space and equipment.

But play would have to wait as parents, staff, friends and students of the St. James school gathered under drizzly skies to officially bless and open the newly renovated playground.

The playground was named in honor of Dr. George Jennings, who passed away in 2015 at age 44 from a brain tumor. Jennings was a doctor with Essentia Health in Duluth and was also a parent of four children who attend St. James.

“George was very active in supporting the school through fundraising and anything that needed to be done,” said Principal Julianne Blazevic. “He was a very active person and loved to see kids active, so it was a natural fit to name this space after him”

The Jennings family, including his parents, Len and Mary Lou Jennings; wife, Cindy Jennings; and four children, Jacob, Lenny, Samuel, and William, were present at the dedication. Cindy spoke of George’s love for the school and his dedication to children. She tearfully expressed how proud he would have been in how beautifully it turned out.

The play space is dotted with new slides, swings, a merry-go-round, a green space, and new basketball court, which was designed with input from the students.

“We asked what the students wanted most“ Blazevic said. “They wanted to keep the old metal merry-go-round, which was not viable due to age,” Blazevic said, laughing. “But they also wanted more swings, a green space, and a basketball court. We did our best to accommodate their request.”

The new space, constructed this summer with the help of 40-50 volunteers from the school and parish, was a needed change for the private Catholic school campus of 150 PreK-8th grade students.

“We needed to update and replace the older equipment, which was put in the 1990s. We had pea rock on the ground, which was not safe compared

to the current engineered wood chips” Blazevic said.

The playground will not only serve the school, but the West Duluth neighborhood as well.

“We want to keep the space open for the community as well,” Blazevic said. “I have driven by and seen kids playing on it, and they tell me they absolutely love it. I know the neighbors really appreciate it and will help us take care of it.”

The new space will not only be physically newer and safer, but it is also covered by a fresh spiritual blessing. Father Richard Kunst read a blessing and prayed for safety and peace before the playground was declared open. Dr. Jennings’ sons Jacob and William each took a handle of a large scissors and cut a red ribbon to applause and cheers.

“It’s wonderful to have God be a part of it and be blessed by him,” Blazevic said. “For us to start a new and fresh is wonderful. It’s by God’s grace we got this new equipment.”

The eager students would have to wait to play, however. As soon as the ends of the ribbon touched the ground, Hauer directed everyone inside for a beginning of the school year assembly. As rain began to fall, students and parents filed into the brick building. But the temptation was too much for a small handful of students who could not wait any longer and ran over to try out one of the new slides and spin on the new plastic merry-go-round several times before their parents called them inside.

Duluth photographer and journalist David Ballard is a frequent contributor to Moms & Dads Today.

OPERATING TIMES (departingfromFitgers) Fridays & Saturdays

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Trains board at FITGER’S, and bring passengers to the Bentleyville Tour of Lights display at Bayfront Park, with convenient, optional return times.

Father Richard Kunst blesses the playground and crowd gathered at St. James campus of Stella Maris Academy.

Cindy Jennings expresses how proud her husband George would have been to have a new playground named after him at the St. James campus of Stella Maris Acdemy.

Jacob Jennings, left, and his brother William cut the ribbon opening the new playground at the St. James campus of Stella Maris Academy. Helping them were Julianne Blazevic, right, principal of St. James and Hilaire Hauer, President of Stella Maris. In the background are Len Jennings, Mary Lou Jennings, and Cindy Jennings.

Hands On

Stain highlights grain of this tactile wood sculpture

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARY RASCH

Icame across a piece of artwork that made my heart swoon. I tried to make my own version and wanted to share it to inspire those of you who might be one with your woodshops. I love the end grain, the ease of the project, the use of colorful stains, and the unique final product. I chose Douglas fir because it showed its rings well and the growth was thick between each. A note about safety: Although this project isn’t geared for the littles, depending on your older child, it might be something that is doable for those who are working their way through shop class. As always, please take every safety precaution for yourself, and anyone who might be working with you. Please ensure careful supervision if you are allowing your teens to help. It’s a great project to make together!

MATERIALS

4x4 Douglas fir (length depends on size of final project)

¼-inch plywood

Saw (necessary only if backing needs to be cut down)

Planer (optional)

Miter saw

Safety glasses

Wood glue

Multiple stain colors

Staining rag

Paint can opener

INSTRUCTIONS

1.Decide what size of wall art you would like to make. I made a 17.5x31.5-inch wall hanging. I would suggest keeping your piece big enough to see the change in stain from one side to the other, but not too big. The bigger the piece, the heavier it gets.

2.If you happen to have a planer, you may want to use it on your 4x4 to make the corners crisp, as they often come rounded. This will help the pieces to have fewer gaps at the corners when lined up.

3.I decided to make wedges for each unit to give the piece dimension. Put your safety goggles on and begin by swinging the blade to make a 22.5 degree cut.

4.Swing blade back to 90 degrees and cut again. Continue this cutting pattern. Note: When making a cut, keep the blade down after completing the cut and let the blade come to a complete stop before lifting it up. You will have less chance of the piece launching across the room.

5.As you get more pieces cut, place them on your ¼-inch plywood board. Start in the middle and work your way out, turning the pieces in different directions. It is fine to have a hanging overlap on the edges. Note: 4x4 beams are actually 3.5x3.5 inches. If you have planed the beam down, it may be slightly less.

6.Count up how many pieces you have and divide this number by the number of stains you would like to use. The number you get is how many pieces you will stain each color.

7.Stain each piece. I love how well end grain pieces soak up the color, providing a strong, rich color. Let each piece dry.

8.Set up the pattern as you desire. I wanted to have a gradual shift from the dark stains to light. I also didn’t want a wedge to be placed in the same direction to any piece next to it. It took some arranging and rearranging to find what I liked best.

9.Glue each piece in place and allow plenty of time to dry.

10.Since this is a heavy piece, you’ll want a durable hanging mechanism attached to the back of your artwork. I used two eye hooks and picture wire to provide a robust hanging structure.

11.Be sure to find a stud when hanging this artwork, as drywall won’t be strong enough. Pick your perfect spot, search out a stud behind the drywall, hang your piece and step back to take in the satisfying scene.

Mary Rasch is a Duluth artist and mother of two. Her book, "Fleece Hat Friends and Playful Hoodies," is available on Amazon.

Keeping pets safe and healthy during the holidays

BY KASHA STOLL

There will be little to no Black Friday Christmas shopping for Dr. Tirzah Pop and the staff at the Waters Edge Animal Hospital and Urgent Care in Duluth.

“The day after Thanksgiving, we are usually booked solid with vomiting and diarrhea,” Pop said. “People feed their dogs turkey or the skin of turkey. They think, ‘I’ll be kind and nice to my dogs and let them enjoy Thanksgiving,’ but they should really stick to their regular diet.”

Pop also stays busy during Christmas, when the natural tendencies of dogs and cats tend to clash with holiday festivities.

Pop and Dr. Matt Severs, a veterinarian at Superior Animal Hospital and Boarding Suites in Superior, shared a list of holiday dangers for pets and some suggestions for pet owners.

“Almost every year, we have a cat that needs surgery because it ate strings and tinsels.”

— Dr. Pop

A CAUTIONARY TALE

While her owners were busy with holiday festivities, Duchess went counter surfing.

Last year, the 2½-year-old Great Dane stood up against the kitchen counter, grabbed a package of Ice Breakers gum and ate 42 pieces. Amanda Kubarek immediately called her sister, Marni Lind, for advice. Lind, who manages the boarding facility at Superior Animal Hospital, said the gum contains xylitol, and they needed to get the dog to the clinic as quickly as possible.

Duchess arrived at the animal hospital about 45 minutes later, and she was already showing signs of liver failure.

“Duchess is probably 95 pounds,” Lind said. If she had been a smaller dog, “there wouldn’t have been enough time. She ended up spending two days in the emergency clinic being hospitalized.”

Today, Duchess is healthy and happy, and still counter surfs every chance she gets.

“The children all know that everything has to be out of the dog’s reach,” Lind said. “They had a family discussion about that. They all love her, so of course they are trying to be much more careful. Things need to stay out of reach.”

“Corncobs are the perfect intestinal stopper. Owners think: ‘I’ll give this to my dog, and he can chew on it. It will be good for his teeth.’ But corncobs are just the right size; they are high causes of intestinal obstructions. Don’t feed your dogs corncobs.”

— Dr. Pop

bad accidents happen to good people.

Xylitol “can be very, very toxic. It is a little dose dependent, but a little bit goes a long way. Even one or two pieces of gum (with xylitol) can be fatal. Check the label. It is starting to be in more and more things.”

— Dr. Severs

“Try to limit the exposure. With dogs that is pretty simple; with cats, they tend to be a little more tenacious about getting at things.”

— Dr. Severs

“As a general rule, if we have cats in the house, I just say no lilies, even if it is in a location they can’t get to. It’s just not worth the risk.”

— Dr. Severs

Dr. Pop

Filling out the FAMILY TREE

Duluth has multiple resources for genealogy research

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KATHLEEN MURPHY

Genealogy is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States, second only to gardening. The parallels are certainly there — while some people find inner peace and satisfaction in nurturing the growth of their garden, others find it in the process of getting to know their ancestors. Maybe they heard rumors that an ancestor was a famous historical figure, or perhaps they simply wanted medical knowledge. Both are common reasons to dive into genealogy. Another common and legitimate reason is good old fashioned curiosity. We all occasionally wonder who we are and where we came from.

It can feel like a daunting task to start, even with the abundance of online information available today. Fortunately, Duluth has several places to turn for help. “The first thing you’ll want to do is sit down and make a list of everything you already know,” said Kathleen Cargill, genealogy workshop instructor and administrative assistant at the St. Louis County Historical Society. She suggests speaking to family members, especially older members, in order to create a family tree that is as detailed as possible. Ask about names, birth and death dates, and places of residence.

With this information in hand, head to the Duluth Public Library’s genealogy room, located on the second floor of the downtown branch. They have city directories, old newspapers on microfilm, and many other resources to help get started, including online resources that require subscriptions if used at home. “The library was my first stop when I began researching my family tree,” Cargill said. “The librarians there are very helpful and quite knowledgeable about

research options.”

While at the library, pick up information on the Twin Ports Genealogical Society, which meets at the library on the first Monday of the month. Their meetings are open to the public and they often have speakers. University libraries, such as the Kathryn A. Martin Library at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, often have special collections to assist in genealogical research, as do civic organizations and museums.

Another excellent resource is the Family History Center located in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 521 Upham Road in Duluth. “Sometimes people think they have to belong to the church to utilize their genealogy center, but that’s not true. Anyone is welcome to use it, and the staff is exceptional,” Cargill said.

Cargill’s workshop, “Basic Genealogy: How to Create a Working Binder,” gives the amateur genealogist guidance in organizing the inevitable plethora of information that will be created in a genealogical search. For ease of access, she encourages researchers to find a place in their home that is set aside just for this project. Once that is established, obtain supplies that will help keep information organized, such as threering binders, magnifying glass, and acid-free sheet protectors. Learn how to set up a basic hard copy file system in order to back up your documents online. And finally, fill your family binder.

Cargill has made two binders for her own family research, one for each side of her family. She wrote a short biography for every ancestor she researched, and included copies of any documents, maps and pictures. “It’s an addicting hobby,” she said. “But very enjoyable, especially if you like

research.”

If you can’t get to the library or Family History Center, a lot of research can be done online. Websites such as ancestry.com and 23andme. com provide DNA testing, but they also provide a means of organizing your research online. Several other sites allow people to search for information, such as findagrave.com, a burial data site.

If your family has a strong military background, there are even more resources available. Jay Hagen, a program assistant at the Veterans Memorial Hall, became interested in genealogy while searching for the remains of his uncle who had fallen in battle during World War II. Marine Sergeant James Joseph Hubert was listed as “killed in action” during the Battle of Tarawa in November of 1943. He was not found and his body declared “non-recoverable” until 2015, when an unmarked burial trench was discovered on the Pacific Island of Tarawa. Testing concluded that one set of remains did indeed belong to Hubert, and Hagen and his family were able to have a re-interment ceremony in 2017. “It was very satisfying to be able to bring him home, even though I never knew him,” Hagen said.

A genealogy search can indeed be satisfying, but it can also produce some unexpected results, such as discovering a hidden adoption or questionable paternity. Cargill encourages people to go forward with the search anyway, and not be deterred at the prospect of discovering family secrets. It’s more common than people think. “Don’t be afraid of bombshells in your family; it’s what makes the search interesting,” Cargill said.

Kathleen Murphy is a freelance journalist who lives in Duluth.

IF YOU GO:

The Twin Ports Genealogical Society meets in the lower level of the downtown branch of the Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St, on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Check their website at DuluthFamilyHistory.org for more information.

Jay Hagen, a program assistant for the Veterans Memorial Hall, became interested in genealogy during a search for his uncle, who had been killed in action during World War II, but whose remains had not been found until 2015. Pictured in July, he displays the program for his uncle's reinterment ceremony

Kathleen Cargill, administrative assistant at the St. Louis County Historical Society, displays one of her family's genealogical binders. The binder shown follows her mother's side of the family from Bermuda to Minnesota.

Jay Hagen discovered pictures and information about his uncle James Joseph Hubert while doing genealogical research.

Picture of Marine Sergeant James Joseph Hubert, who was killed in action during World War II. His family recently celebrated his life through a reinterment ceremony.

EXPLORING AUTISM’S SECRETS

Duluth family enrolls in largest ever research project that seeks to understand a complex disorde r

BY JOHN LUNDY

When Steve and Jeannine Morgan heard about the SPARK for Autism study, the timing wasn’t the best.

It was December 2016 and the couple, who live in the Woodland neighborhood with sons Dylan and Henry (now 6 and 2), had their hands full. Dylan had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder six months earlier. They’d already enrolled him in a clinical study at Duke University that would prove to be arduous.

On Halloween, Jeannine had been diagnosed with lung cancer. The prognosis was concerning. She was

living with the effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

“And I went, ‘Great, another thing,’” Jeannine recalled.

But the Morgans looked at the study’s purpose (“to speed up research and advance our understanding of autism to help improve lives”) and what would be required of them (a relatively simple process).

They decided it was doable, and worthwhile. “It’s just kind of being in the loop, knowing that we are part of helping them get more information,” Jeannine said.

They signed up, and now they are among at least 13,266 families enrolled nationwide in a massive research

project with sites at 25 medical schools and autism research centers.

The hope is to get more of a handle on a vexing lifetime disorder.

IT’S COMPLICATED

“We don’t know very much (about autism),” explained Dr. Suma Jacob, a physician researcher at one of those sites. Her lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.

“Some individuals have intellectual disabilities; others don’t,” Jacob said. “Some individuals don’t speak at all; others do. So the range of functioning is so broad. That makes it complex even at a clinical level.”

Six-year-old Dylan Morgan is lost in concentration while playing with Legos at his home recently.

PHOTOS BY BOB KING / DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE

Steve Morgan tries to grab his son Dylan's nose with a toy octopus as the two play together at their home on a recent morning. Dylan and his family are involved in the SPARK for Autism program.

Dylan Morgan laughs after jumping up on the couch and saying something funny to his mom Jeannine.

Understanding why it happens is just as complex, Jacob said. Not long ago, it was hoped that it would be found that a single gene or a handful of genes were responsible for the disorder. “In the last decade or so, it has become very clear that there may be hundreds of genes involved,” she said. “Since it’s a complex disorder with many, many genes involved … we’re discovering and figuring out over time you need lots of people in order to make these discoveries.”

That’s why the Simons Foundation, which funds scientific research, launched SPARK (an acronym for “Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge”).

The launch was inauspicious, at least from a Minnesota perspective, Jacob said. The date was April 21, 2016 — the day Prince died. A media event introducing the project in Minnesota quickly fizzled, she said.

The long-term study is the largest ever conducted on autism, Jacob said, but researchers want it to get larger. The goal is for 50,000 families to participate. Jacob said the project is well known in the Twin Cities, but less so in Greater Minnesota. That’s why Natasha Lillie, the study’s coordinator in Minnesota, reached out to the News Tribune. She made the connection to the Morgans. Believing in the project’s worth, they were willing to share their story.

‘A HAPPY KID’

Dylan, the star of the story, was present for an interview in the downstairs family room of the Morgans’ home, along with a box full of Legos, toy sharks and toy dinosaurs. Along with Steve and Jeannine, a reporter and a photographer, the family’s two cats also participated. Bruce, the family’s sociable goldendoodle dog, wasn’t there but dearly wanted to be.

Dylan belied any image of autistic children as withdrawn and antisocial. He eagerly demonstrated the

chomping mouth of one of the toy sharks to the guests.

“What dinosaur is that?” his mother asked as he held another toy.

“A pachycephalosaurus,” Dylan responded, as if that were the most known fact imaginable.

“He’s a happy kid,” Steve said, explaining their son’s default mood.

But his parents had prepared Dylan for this visit, Jeannine said. New situations, noises and bright lights can be traumatic. The sounds of automatic flushing toilets and hand dryers in a public restroom will have him covering his ears.

The signs that something might be amiss showed themselves when Dylan was about 2, Jeannine said. But he wasn’t officially diagnosed as level one, the mildest level on the autism spectrum disorder, until June 2016. The Morgans followed recommendations, placing Dylan in speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

At the end of that October, Jeannine received the cancer diagnosis, and soon after, they agreed to the Duke University clinical trial. The next September, the Morgans brought Dylan to Duke — four months after Jeannine underwent an open lobectomy, the removal of one lobe of her right lung. (As of her last scan in August, there’s no evidence of the cancer in her, she said.)

SALIVA SAMPLES

That first phase of the clinical trial — designed to determine the effect of cellular therapy on autistic children — required three days. At times, Dylan had to be sedated; he had to undergo diagnostic tests, including an MRI. They returned at the end of March of this year and were planning at least one more trip.

By contrast, participation in the SPARK study is simple. A kit came in the mail, and all four of the Morgans provided a sample of saliva. Then they mailed the samples back to the U of M.

The hardest part, Jeannine said, was getting enough saliva out of Henry.

That’s not atypical, from what Jacob said.

“Sometimes spitting and actually collecting the spit is more challenging than they expect,” she said. “They can call our site, and they can talk them through it.”

The researchers are particularly interested in families like the Morgans, with both biological parents, the individual with autism and one sibling who does not have autism, Lillie said. But that’s not required to join the study, and even people who are adopted and have autism can join.

The Morgans’ participation in the research is largely altruistic. Data suggest autism is becoming more common, Jeannine said. The prevalence has climbed from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 59 now (based on 2014 data), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

They want to be part of helping researchers find answers about autism, the couple said.

But participation also gives families access to the latest findings on the disorder. “You’ll continue to be part of the knowledge as it grows over years,” Jacob said.

“I want Minnesota to have these opportunities,” she said. “We are excited that it’s available, and we want families to know about it.”

Meanwhile, the Morgans are doing everything they can to help Dylan make the most of his potential. He’s in first grade now, after completing a kindergarten year that had its challenges, they said.

“Our goal is not to let his autism diagnosis fully define him,” Jeannine said. “We want him to show us what he can tolerate, what he enjoys. We want to give him those experiences.”

John Lundy is a health reporter for the Duluth News Tribune.

A COMMUNITY KEYSTONE

How Hartley Nature Center is affecting the health of our community

BY KATELYN KAMMER

This summer, I wrapped up eight months at Hartley Nature Center as an environmental education intern. I had the opportunity to teach, learn, experience and explore the park with students, campers and families from the community.

During my time there, I noticed an inclusive, adventurous and engaging spirit. Hartley is cool that way. Being outside connects so many of us in a multitude of ways. It centers us, inspires, motivates and provides us

with the space to grow and learn.

From teaching school programs and camps to interacting with the public daily, I realized the positive impact the center has on our community’s health. There is a contagious passion from the staff to create memorable experiences with the outdoors and a healthy connection to nature. With Hartley Nature Center’s mission to inspire lifelong connections to nature through education, play and exploration, it’s clear to see how Hartley has filled our community with a brighter perspective

of what it means to connect with the outdoors and develop healthy, lifelong habits starting at a root source: nature.

Not only does HNC offer educational programs for schools, engaging summer camps for kids, and member events for families and public programs. Hartley Nature Centers sits in the heart of Hartley Park, a local mecca for outdoor recreational activities. HNC provides our community with:

• 676 acre of trails, wildlife and natural land

Storytime with campers atop Gazebo Point.

PHOTOS BY HARTLEY NATURE CENTER

• Affordable equipment rentals open to the public (cross-country skis, snowshoes, and kick sled rentals)

• School programs

• Promotes a healthy and active lifestyle

• Nature-based outdoor preschool

During my time at HNC, I had the opportunity to connect with enthused families and individuals renting equipment, running the trails, and exploring the park with a leisure hike. I hear excitement and comments about their enjoyment in nature, spending time with their families, connecting with the environment and engaging in healthy activities. Or when teaching summer camp and seeing kid’s eyebrows raise with excitement when they spot the tracks of a whitetail deer. Their enthusiasm is a reminder of the connections with nature I am inspiring and get to see firsthand. I hear parents rave about how their child attending the preschool has developed a healthy connection to nature through daily outdoor play and exploration. These are a few examples of how Hartley is sparking healthy connections and habits with the outdoors.

As I finished my degree this summer studying Public Health Education & Promotion at the University of Minnesota Duluth, I learned the extensive list of health benefits the outdoors brings an individual. Spending even a short time outside lowers stress and increases physical wellbeing. Even simply looking at a picture of greenery for a few seconds can improve a person’s mental health.

Experiences with nature teach us things that tablets, computers and books just cannot. A podcast released by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences explained that being outside stimulates a child’s creativity and spending time in natural surroundings encourages a positive intellectual, emotional and physical connection with nature. I spent some time talking with Judy Gibbs, an active member of the community with a long connection to HNC. When I asked Judy how Hartley Nature Center impacts the

health of our community, she replied passionately, saying, “Hartley gives people safe and easy opportunities to get out into the world.”

Enjoying the outdoors is a great way to engage and connect with like-minded, outdoorsy members of the Twin Ports community. With the many hiking, biking, running, skiing, snowshoeing and walking trails available, Hartley Park has the perfect platform to engage with nature, family and friends.

There are endless ways to explore and connect with nature, which in turn teaches us to live a healthy and whole life. From the eyes of an intern, I have seen the community thrive at Hartley Nature Center. From toddler to grandparent, a connection with nature never weakens.

Katelyn Kammer is a former environmental education intern at Hartley Nature Center. She wrote this for Moms & Dads Today.

Students at Hartley Nature Center search for crayfish.

To LSYC’s Cantemus for being honored with a featured performance at the 42nd State Conference for the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota, November 16-17, 2018.

Hartley Park is enjoyed by children year-round.

Family Events Calendar • November/December 2018

‘Singin’ in the Rain’

Nov. 11

The Norshor Theatre hosts its Classic Film Series with this musical classic. This series gives audiences to watch a classic film and then talk about it with event hosts. 7 p.m. $12. NorShor Theatre, 211 E. Superior St., Call (218) 733-7555 or visit norshortheatre.com.

Christmas City of the North Parade

Nov. 16

The parade in downtown Duluth features bands, dancers, floats and Santa Claus, kicking off the holiday season for many families. The parade also is broadcast live on KBJR-TV. Free parking is available many downtown ramps after 5 p.m.; meters are free after 5:30 p.m. Call (218) 727-8549 or visit downtownduluth.com for more information.

Social Scene

BubbleFest

Bentleyville

Nov. 17

The annual holiday light display opens at Bayfront Festival Park. Free cookies and hot chocolate. Walk through the lighted pathways, listening to holiday classics along the bayfront. Hours are 5–10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (plus Thanksgiving, Dec. 24–25) and 5–9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Closes Dec. 26.

Peppa Pig Live!

Nov. 29

Peppa Pig Live! is back with an actionpacked live show featuring your favorite characters as life size puppets and costume characters in Peppa Pig’s Surprise! It’s an all singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and surprises. 6 p.m. DECC auditorium. Visit decc.org for more information. Call (800)-745-3000 for tickets.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Nov. 29–Dec. 16

Characters from the Disney movie come to life. Belle and her father face a small-minded town, including villainous town hunk Gaston. Then her life takes a turn when she’s held captive in an enchanted castle owned by a fearsome beast. NorShor Theatre, 211 E. Superior St., Call (218) 733-7555 or visit norshortheatre.com.

The Nutcracker

Dec. 7-9

The lively holiday party where young Clara receives a nutcracker dressed as a soldier. The soldier grown life size leading his troop against the Mouse King and his warriors. An annual family favorite from the Minnesota Ballet. Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. DECC auditorium. Visit decc. org for more information. Call (800)745-3000 for tickets.

Sankta Lucia

Dec. 8

The annual Sankta Lucia celebration will begin with the procession of Lucia and her Maids of Light. Svenska Sangarna (Swedish Singers) will entertain during the program. All children go home with a Swedish tree ornament. Brunch will be served for this family-friendly event. Great Lakes Ballroom of the Holiday Inn, 9 a.m. Purchase tickets by Dec. 3. Call (218) 727-4416. Sponsored by the Swedish Cultural Society of Duluth. Find them online on Facebook.

The Duluth Children’s Museum drew a crowd of 4,500 on Aug. 10 for the annual Bubble Festival. The festival was packed with bubble themed activities and music.

PHOTOS BY NAOMI YAEGER

Jackie and Joniven Hammond

Gabrielle, Ayden, Alyssa and Jerell Benton

Yang, Jonathan, Aizhen and Katie Li

Emalina Vanderport and Weston Vanderport

Hanni and Isla Hessen

Jessie Skumatz holds Bella. Megan Newman holds Elena

Nancy Van Vleet with Alex Van Vleet and Owen Golden, Shirley Jacklitch with Saffron Jack and Roland Jack

Troy Johnson

Kaleb and Kora Keppers “drive” a firetruck.