AMY CARLSON ANDREA BUSCHE CATHERINE O’REILLY ELAINE BRADLEY
ELOYES HILL GRADIMAGES
KIM QUINONES
LYNNETTE’S PORTRAIT DESIGN
MOLLY MILROY
NORTH CO. PHOTO
SARA RAPP
SARAH SANDBERG
TIFFANY HUGHES
EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE TO: magazines@duluthnews.com
The Woman Today is published by Duluth News Tribune.
TO OUR READERS
Do we wish each other a Happy April Fools’ Day?
I posed that question a couple of years ago in a weekly newsletter that I put together for the Duluth News Tribune: Weekly Wave.
I am as unsure now as I was then if there is a proper way to address the jokes, pranks and general silliness often surrounding the first of April.
Here’s what I wondered then: Do we celebrate it? Observe it? Practice it?
There are no Hallmark cards to send to each other that I know of, and the U.S. Postal Service still delivers the mail on April 1 if it doesn’t fall on a Sunday. And there’s not a single ode to April Fools’ Day that I can find in my music library. But it’s listed on my desk and wall calendars every year in case I forget.
April Fools’ Day and countless facsimiles have dotted the calendars of many cultures for centuries. It seems as though we’ve all needed an excuse to have some harmless fun at the expense of our family, friends and neighbors from time to time.
Fear not, dear Woman Today readers. This magazine intro is not a long windup into a punch line designed to leave you dazed and fooled. This is a prank-free space.
But I do wonder if April Fools’ Day has lost some of its luster. It doesn’t seem to be as widely executed as it has in the past. As a youth, I always had to be on the lookout for a family member or friend with an April Fools’ joke that landed anywhere on the prank spectrum from a simple lie to a Hitchcockian production. Now, as an adult, I tend to let my guard down on April 1 and make it through the day without so much as a “Kick Me” note slapped on my back.
I have to admit, too, that I can’t remember the last time I concocted a good, old-fashioned prank. Maybe it’s time I constructed one.
Have we gotten too serious to engage in a little fun once in a while? Can we no longer laugh at ourselves when we’ve been fooled?
I sure hope that’s not the case. If there’s one thing we all could use in our lives right now, it’s permission to lighten up and have a little fun. No foolin’.
Mailed copies available for $32 per year (eight issues). Send check to The Woman Today®, PO Box 16046, Duluth, MN 55816-0046
CORRECTION
The photo on Page 32 of the February/March issue of The Woman Today (“Transforming Smiles”) incorrectly identified Jessica Goodermote, licensed dental assistant and lab technician at Dental Implant & Reconstructive Center in Duluth. The Woman Today regrets the error.
ON THE COVER
Tiffany Hughes “is a cheerleader and champion for businesses across our community ... we are incredibly lucky to have Tiffany as a leader in our community,” said Kathleen Privette, of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.
Here are some of the stories we’re excited to share with you in this issue:
You’ll meet Catherine O’Reilly, who recently took the helm at the Large Lakes Observatory.
Find out what the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is all about and meet a couple of the women who help steer that organization.
Meet Tiffany Hughes, who was recently lauded as the 2024 Business Champion of the Year by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.
You’ve probably been inside several of the buildings she helped design. Now, you can meet talented interior designer Sara Rapp.
Get in the spring spirit and create a foam floral initial.
Thanks for spending some of your valuable time reading The Woman Today. Your readership is greatly appreciated!
Rick Lubbers Executive
editor,
The Woman Today
By Janna Goerdt
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary gives props to boating safety
U.S. Coast Guard auxiliarist Elaine Bradley holds an injured seagull she helped rescue while volunteering with the auxiliary. Though not a part of an auxiliarist’s official duties, it was a memorable experience, she said.
Photos courtesy of Elaine Bradley and Eloyes Hill
Elaine Bradley is helping the U.S. Coast Guard during a “boat in distress” training exercise. U.S. Coast Guard auxiliarists assist the U.S. Coast Guard in many ways.
Eloyes Hill and Elaine Bradley arrived at the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary because of very different reasons.
For Hill, the group was a window into her son’s new world with the U.S. Coast Guard. Alex Hill had just enlisted, and the auxiliary offered Eloyes an introduction to the language, customs and activities of the military service.
For Bradley, it was the reverse. She was recruited by some scuba diving buddies, and she was drawn to serving with the auxiliary’s boat crew as a way to contribute to public service. Her son, Ryan, later enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Volunteers power auxiliary
Both women have now served as commanders of the auxiliary, which Hill describes as “not military, not law enforcement,” but an agency that supports boating safety and education. Anyone can join the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and participants volunteer from all walks of life, both women said.
“We have teachers, aviators, people from the medical field,” Bradley said.
“Our mission revolves around boating and water safety, and we do a lot of preventative work,” Bradley said. By promoting this kind of boating safety, auxiliary members hopefully reduce the incidents that require U.S. Coast Guard intervention, she added.
That includes educating people in small vessels — like kayaks, canoes or tiny sailboats — about exactly why they need to stay well away from the shipping lanes in the Port of DuluthSuperior.
There are many educational opportunities throughout the year, such as at the Duluth Boat Show, where auxiliarists hand out information about how to stay safe on the water.
About 30% of auxiliary members in the Duluth flotilla are women, Bradley said, and it’s about an equal percentage across the division. There are four flotillas in the North West area, with meeting locations in International Falls, Warroad and Duluth in Minnesota, as well as one in Bayfield, Wisconsin.
Both Hill and Bradley are past commanders of the Duluth flotilla, a responsibility that includes a lot of behind-thescenes work such as making sure all the auxiliary members have the proper certification. Commanders coordinate with other units, maintain records and provide leadership and supervision for the rest of the flotilla.
The commander serves a two-year term, Hill said, with the vice commander usually stepping into the commander’s role. The current vice commander of the Duluth flotilla is Denise GatesDanilewski.
Some see it as a way to keep giving back, while others simply love being on the water and helping educate the public about boating safety.
Each spring, auxiliary members also head out to monitor the 30 private aids to navigation — think buoys — that have been set out on Lake Superior. Members make sure they are in good condition and still in the correct position, and send that information to the U.S. Coast Guard, Hill said.
Hill has been an auxiliarist for over 18 years and has been involved in many aspects of the service, including as an instructor, member trainer, boat owner and coxswain, program visitor, vessel examiner, private aids to navigation inspector and website manager.
Bradley has been an auxiliarist for 12 years and has become highly involved in public safety and boating safety events. She also enjoys marching with the auxiliary color guard in local parades to help bring attention to the U.S. Coast Guard presence in the area.
Auxiliarists Eloyes Hill, left, and Elaine Bradley, second from left, help out at the Boating and Water safety booth at the Fisherman’s Picnic in Grand Marais.
Elaine Bradley, center, enjoys bringing public awareness to the U.S. Coast Guard. Here, she prepares to march with the color guard.
Many members, many interests
Auxiliary members can follow their interests as to how they serve, Hill said. One of the Duluth flotilla members works for the Duluth Area Family YMCA, which provides lifeguards at the beach at the end of Park Point. That member keeps track of how many auxiliary-provided lifejackets get checked out from that location, Hill said.
Another Duluth flotilla member uses his own airplane in service of the “air auxiliary,” Hill said.
“Our mission revolves around boating and water safety, and we do a lot of preventative work.”
Elaine Bradley
Naturebasedschoolservingstudents
Pre-K - 6th Gr
Learn more at northshorecomm or call to schedulea
“It’s like the boat crew, only in the air,” Hill said.
The aircrew surveys the ice on Lake Superior during the winter, conducts safety patrols and can take part in rescue operations during the open-water seasons.
• Environmental Education integrated throughout the curriculum
• Art, Music, PE, and Environmental Ed Specialists
• Small Class Sizes
• Busing from Duluth and Two Harbors
“It’s a fun moment. You’re part of something important.”
-Elaine Bradley
The auxiliary also periodically offers vessel exams, a kind of on-boat safety checklist. Sometimes an auxiliary member will go to a person’s home if they request a vessel exam, and other times boaters will travel to Barker’s Island Marina in Superior or the Silver Bay Marina on the North Shore to perform the boat safety checks.
“They are free,” Bradley said.
These vessel exams are not an enforcement action, but there are some criteria that all boaters should be meeting: Are there enough Coast Guard-approved lifejackets on board? Also, are there working navigation lights, adequate fire extinguishers, visual distress signals like flares, and is the boat in overall good condition? These are some of the topics covered.
Another area of focus is, of course, on the water. Hill uses her boat, a 22-footlong C-Dory with two 40-horsepower motors, for auxiliary drills and educational activities. The C-Dory comes in handy for towing drills — she can just barely tow the official U.S. Coast Guard ship with the C-Dory, but it’s rather a strain.
And then there are the more unusual events, like whenever the Tall Ships
Festival comes to Duluth. The auxiliary boat crew helps the Coast Guard provide on-thewater traffic control for the event — in essence, keeping the private vessels that flock to the harbor to watch the arrivals stay
Auxiliarist Eloyes Hill enjoys volunteering to help provide traffic control on Lake Superior during special events like the Tall Ships Festival.
clear of those very tall ships. “It’s a fun moment,” Bradley said. “You’re part of something important.”*
Janna Goerdt is an Iron Range farmer and freelance writer.
Hughes lauded by Duluth Chamber as Business Champion of the year
By Tony Bennett
Photos courtesy of Lynnette’s Portrait Design
Tiffany Hughes
It wouldn’t be surprising to find that a person who runs a company and has the title of “CEO” might be an ambitious, attention-seeking type — a person who thrives on being the big cheese.
It is a bit surprising, however, to run into a reserved person like A&L Properties’ CEO Tiffany Hughes and learn that she didn’t climb the ladder of success by stepping on others’ fingers along the way. On the contrary — Hughes will tell you that she never meant for her life to play out the way that it has.
And now that she’s been recognized as the 2024 Business Champion of the Year by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce for her work with the commercial real-estate business, she’s reluctant to take credit for any of it. It’s in line with how she sees her entire career.
“I totally stumbled on it,” Hughes said of her employment at A&L Properties, which happened about 24 years ago. “Rob Link — who is the ‘L’ of ‘A&L’ — I nannied for their son when he was born. I was with their family for a number of years, and Rob said ‘I’d like you to come work for me.’”
Not as an exec or some kind of higher-up — she came in on the ground floor. “I started at the front desk,” Hughes said.
With time, Hughes became Link’s assistant, and she began to ascend within the ranks of the company. By the time Link departed, it was obvious to everyone involved who would take the reins of the whole operation.
“(I didn’t) believe in myself the way I should have, but I had a lot of positive leaders around me who pushed me to persevere and get me to where I am today.”
-Tiffany Hughes
“I got my real estate license and got my broker’s license within the last couple years,” Hughes said. “Although I’ve been here 24 years, I’m continuing to evolve and grow and learn.”
‘Positive leaders around me’
Ask Hughes if she felt as if she had an aptitude for the work she ended up doing, and she talks about luck and about the people around her seeing things in her that she couldn’t see.
“I always had to have been pushed to a certain extent,” she said. “(I didn’t) believe in myself the way I should have, but I had a lot of positive leaders around me who pushed me to persevere and get me to where I am today.”
Hughes makes it clear that sometimes it takes a village to make a leader, and maybe the leaders who can recognize that about themselves can earn a lot of respect by keeping grounded in that way.
“Even working alongside Rob,” Hughes said, “I would never have thought that I could run this company one day, or that this is
something I would want to do.”
But here she is nearly 25 years later, running the five-person company and being awarded Business Champion of the Year for her work.
Her first thoughts upon being told of the acknowledgment?
“No. Not a chance. Not gonna take it. I can’t speak in front of 1,200 people,” Hughes said, with a laugh. Once she got over that initial gut reaction, her CEO side took over. “I also recognized the importance of promoting our business and what that could do to help me get in front of people.”
A & L Properties’ CEO Tiffany Hughes attended the 2025 Duluth and St. Louis County Days in St. Paul, Minnesota, in February.
In the end, she gave the speech, received the award, and “was pretty honored,” she said. “It really still doesn’t seem real. I’m super honored and humbled to have been nominated.”
‘Deep civic and business influence’
Kathleen Privette, director of events and board operations for the chamber, said that Hughes “is a cheerleader and champion for businesses across our community,” and that “we are incredibly lucky to have Tiffany as a leader in our community.”
Matt Baumgartner, president of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, feels similarly.
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Tiffany for many years,” he said, “and she has consistently been a driving force in Duluth’s business community. As the president of A&L Properties,
she has played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s commercial real estate landscape.
“Beyond her professional achievements, Tiffany’s influence extends deep into the civic and business landscape,” Baumgartner continued. “She serves on the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Board, the Executive Committee and the Military Affairs Committee, playing a key role in shaping policies and initiatives that benefit businesses of all sizes. She is widely respected for her ability to balance the interests of commercial property owners while also advocating for the needs of small businesses — demonstrating a keen understanding of how these sectors intersect and contribute to a thriving local economy.
“What sets Tiffany apart is her approach to leadership — not just as a business executive, but as a community champion,”
“She understands that strong businesses create strong communities, and she has dedicated her career to ensuring that both continue to grow in tandem.”
-Matt Baumgartner
Baumgartner said. “She understands that strong businesses create strong communities, and she has dedicated her career to ensuring that both continue to grow in tandem. Her work exemplifies the kind of leadership that not only drives success, but also fosters an environment where businesses, employees and the broader community can thrive.”
For her part, the born-and-raised Duluthian looks forward to doing more of what she enjoys doing — seeing friends and family, enjoying the outdoors and enjoying the fruits of a life not marked by career ambitions, but by a desire to serve others.
“Even though I don’t want to be the face of our company, that’s who I am,” Hughes said. “I just enjoy meeting people and talking with people and seeing what, if anything, we can do to assist them.”*
Tony Bennett is a Duluth freelance writer.
were only 9 and 7 years old.
BeeHive Homes of Duluth:
Where residents
‘Thrive at the
Hive’
By Andrea Busche | Photos courtesy of Laura Jean Media
The Kalkbrenner kids — Cody, 19, and twins Cooper and Rylee, 17 — came to meet Beehive’s first resident when they
When it comes to assisted living, not all facilities are created equal. Families in need of help in this area must carefully consider their options to find the best fit for their loved ones.
At the locally owned BeeHive Assisted Living and Memory Care community in Duluth, Jon and Erin Kalkbrenner take a hands-on approach.
“2024 marked our 10th year in business, a milestone we’re incredibly proud of,” Jon shared. “We remain deeply involved and always accessible — residents and their families have direct access to the nursing team, and I personally give out my cell number to ensure open communication.”
The medium-sized, one-level community was custom-designed by the Kalkbrenners. Unlike the facilities their grandparents lived in, Jon and Erin wanted to create a place that truly felt like home.
Thoughtful details include strategic lighting, a soothing color palette, wide pathways, an open floor plan with optimal visibility, and large windows that bring in natural light. The furniture and surfaces are highly washable, yet maintain a warm, home-like feel. Every aspect of the home was purposefully built to support the needs of its residents. For Jon and Erin, BeeHive is more than just a facility — it’s family.
The Kalkbrenners — Jon, Erin, Cody, Cooper, Rylee, and dog Champ — live locally and work alongside the Beehive team to serve residents.
Beehive offers bright lighting, lots of room to gather, and amenities like a large aquarium and fireplace.
“IT’S LIKE WE HAVE 41 GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS LIVING HERE.”
- Jon Kalkbrenner
Family environment
“It’s like we have 41 grandmas and grandpas living here,” Jon said with a smile.
“We’ve had business owners, honorable veterans, professors, nurses, pilots, farmers, dentists, homemakers, chemists, beauty queens, coaches, and so many other remarkable individuals here,” Erin added.
“They’re like walking history books,” Erin continued. “If you ever have the chance to listen,
they’ll completely change your perspective on life.”
When the Kalkbrenners opened their door to Edith, their first resident, back in 2014, their three young children also came to meet her. Today, all three Kalkbrenner teens work part time at BeeHive: Cody, 19, and Cooper, 17, work in dining. Rylee, 17, works in housekeeping and assists with administrative tasks. This family atmosphere has been beneficial for the Kalkbrenner kids and BeeHive’s residents alike.
“It’s so much more than them receiving a paycheck,” Jon said.
“The kids have learned what I think is a lost art: respecting your elders. They have recruited many helpful co-worker friends, and the residents have benefited from having the youth around, too.”
Statistics
Communities like BeeHive are more in demand than ever. Erin shared some eyeopening statistics about the prevalence of dementia in America today.
Live music on the grand piano is a favorite weekly event at BeeHive Assisted Living and Memory Care.
“According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia) currently,” she explained. “And, by 2050, that number is expected to hit 12.7 million, just in the U.S. We still haven’t found a cure, and the only real remedy offered to family caregivers is finding available resources to help provide safe and appropriate care to help support their needs.”
Layout and amenities
The facility’s layout was thoughtfully designed to encourage socialization with many beautiful common areas where families can gather. The open-concept kitchen and dining room serves as a focal point, providing a welcoming space where people can visit and relax.
Another highlight of life at BeeHive is the food.
“Our home-cooked meals have been a big hit with both residents and staff,” Jon shared. “I’d say they love the comfort and nostalgia of our traditional meals the most — like roast beef with mashed potatoes, and, of course, ice cream or fresh-baked pie for dessert.”
BeeHive offers plenty of amenities for fun and enrichment. Residents can enjoy the on-site beauty and barber shop, colorful aquarium, raised gardens, jetted tub, grand piano, theater, fireplaces, big screens, water wall and patios.
Delicious meals and snacks are prepared and served fresh throughout the day from Beehive’s open-air kitchen, allowing aromas to fill the home with comfort and nostalgia.
Celebrations are held each month for families and friends to enjoy.
“WITH EACH PASSING YEAR, OUR FAMILY GROWS. WE REALLY LOVE THAT. AND, OF COURSE, THE STORIES AND LIFE ADVICE FROM PEOPLE WHO’VE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT ARE PRICELESS.”
- Erin Kalkbrenner
A key part of daily life at BeeHive is its robust Life Enrichment Program. Each day follows a unique theme, such as Music Appreciation Mondays or Travel Tuesdays. Residents have choices, including live piano performances, singalongs, cultural exploration, exercise and many more opportunities for fulfillment.
“It’s about a gentle routine or daily flow, familiarity, and keeping anxiety at a minimum,” Erin explained. “The life enrichment team begins every morning at 9:30 a.m. Activities continue throughout the day until 7 p.m. — there’s always something to take part in. Ultimately, we want every resident to feel a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. We just want every resident to know they’re valued and that they still have so much to learn and offer the world!”
Team
What sets BeeHive apart, beyond being locally owned and operated, is its exceptionally high staff-toresident ratio, averaging about 1:4. Staffing is a top priority, with every employee carefully selected and kept up-to-date with the latest training.
“We have over 75 staff members who are our trusted teammates,” Erin explained. “They fully embrace and help us shape BeeHive’s approach to quality care. Our goal is to be the most well-staffed facility in the area.
The on-site Beehive beauty/barbershop and jetted tub is always open. A beautician specializing in our senior population often visits to provide various services.
Beehive was designed with plenty of spacious areas for people to gather.
The combination of our staffing ratio and a team of hard-working, soft-hearted people is where the rubber meets the road.
“A new position has recently been filled at BeeHive, dedicated to care plan oversight and compliance, and we brought another RN clinical nurse supervisor on board. The BeeHive team also includes several dedicated volunteers, all of whom had a loved one live at the facility in the past. Neil, Judy, Jan and Dan use their talents to provide manicures, work puzzles and facilitate ‘pet snuggles,’ among many other things, to help spread joy in the home. A variety of talented and interactive musicians also visit regularly to perform live for the residents.”
Jon added, “I have the privilege — and the pain — of calling
families to let them know when their loved one has passed. Time and time again, I hear from these families how wonderful the people were at BeeHive.”
A good decision
For many families, placing a loved one in a care facility is one of the hardest decisions they’ll ever make, but it can also be one of the best.
“Often, when I take that initial phone call from a family member, I can hear the despair in their voice,” Jon shared. “But as the journey unfolds, I hear the gradual change. The energy returns to both the resident and their family as they settle in.”
BeeHive is fully equipped to meet the unique needs of residents experiencing brain changes or age-related physical limitations.
“The building is secured, there are plenty of eyes and ears on residents, and we have 35 cameras throughout the facility,” Jon explained.
Residents have access to a range of on-site services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, nail care, X-rays and hospice care. From the moment they arrive until the time of their peaceful passing, BeeHive is committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive support every step of the way.
“With each passing year, our family grows. We really love that. And, of course, the stories and life advice from people who’ve been there and done that are priceless,” she said, her smile warm with appreciation.*
Andrea Busche is a Duluth-based freelance writer and small-business owner. She has been a frequent contributor to The Woman Today since 2008.
This photo showcases Beehive’s welcoming circular drive, secured entry, large windows and beautiful raised gardens.
a love of travel
By Andrea Busche | Photos courtesy of Sarah
Speech-language pathologist Sarah Sandberg has a career she truly enjoys. Throughout her daily duties for Duluth Public Schools, where she is based at Homecroft Elementary School, she has the privilege of watching children make progress in real time.
“The most rewarding part of my work is when kids have that ‘aha moment,’” Sandberg said. “When they can say something correctly, or say it as their peers do, it’s really magical.”
“Being a clear, articulate communicator is part of being human,” she added. “If you aren’t able to say what you want and say what you mean, you are often overlooked. I’m really passionate about helping children find their voice.”
Blended family
Sarah Sandberg
Sandberg is originally from Minneapolis and grew up as part of a blended family with eight children. Her mother, Colleen Martel, worked as a teacher. Her late father, Neal Anderson, was a nurse. She also has a stepfather, Rodney Martel.
Her next steps were initially unclear after graduating from Minneapolis South High School.
“I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do,” she said. “But I was inspired by my mom, who went back to school when we were kids. So, I knew I wanted to go to college.”
Sandberg
Education
Sandberg enrolled at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus and began her general courses. She immediately fell in love with the field of speech-language pathology and decided to pursue it as a career.
She earned an undergraduate degree in communication disorders and, later, a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. She also earned a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
Working with kids sparked her decision.
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to work in the schools or a hospital setting,” she said. “During my field placements, I got to do both. And I discovered that I really loved working with children.”
Sarah Sandberg is pictured with husband, Stephen, and daughters Elsa and Mae in Riga, Latvia, in August 2024.
West Coast
Sandberg was introduced to her future husband, Stephen “Steve” Sandberg, by her mother, when Steve was working as a science teacher. (He is now a special education teacher for Ordean East Middle School and specializes in working with kids who have emotional and behavioral disorders.) Steve is originally from Roseville, Minnesota.
Over the years, the Sandbergs have lived and worked in a variety of places, including Annette Island, Alaska; Eugene, Oregon; Palm Springs, California; and Fort Bragg, California. They relocated to Duluth in 2018.
“Steve and I are both from the Twin Cities, but the hustle and bustle of the Cities wasn’t something we wanted for our family,” Sandberg said. “We wanted the great outdoors. And Duluth was our top choice. Luckily, we both found jobs here.”
“Duluth is a really wonderful community with a lot at its fingertips,” she added. “You can go from city to wilderness very quickly. And it’s a very tight-knit community that supports its people.”
Speech-language pathology
Sandberg explained a bit about her profession.
“I help students with articulation, which includes tongue and lip placement, and voice — which includes vocal quality and addressing things like raspy breathing.
“I also help with language disorders, including the use of inappropriate syntax. I help students with things like eye contact, staying on topic, vocal health (addressing things like nodules and polyps), and fluency. I also help them ease concerns around public speaking or speaking up in class.”
Sandberg paddleboards with
Sandberg has her own office within Homecroft Elementary where she typically meets with students individually. In addition to the public school students, she also sees private school and homeschooled students, who are bused to her office.
Travel
Besides her work, Sandberg has another big passion: travel. Together with her family, she has enjoyed many adventures.
In the early days of their relationship, Sarah and Steve biked across Canada. They also traveled to Ecuador.
In 2022, the Sandbergs traveled to Portugal, Spain and France with their children. In 2023, they visited Churchill, Manitoba to see polar bears. Steve’s father, Denny Sandberg, joined them for that trip. Paddleboarding near a group of beluga whales was another wonderful highlight in Churchill.
“The belugas really stole the show,” she said. “They were so curious and
friendly. And they look like they are smiling.”
The Sandberg family also completed a Baltic tour in 2024, including visits to Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Sweden.
“Traveling has been a wonderful experience for our children,” she said. “Our kids are old enough now where they can appreciate all the different cultures.”
Extracurriculars
When she isn’t working or traveling, Sandberg remains active with a couple of civic and volunteer engagements, such as door knocking to “get out the vote.” An avid runner, she has also volunteered for Duluth’s trail running community.
Over the years, she has been recognized for her work in a couple of meaningful ways. In March 2023, she was nominated and selected to attend the National Leadership Summit, which is hosted by the National Educators Association. Additionally, in 2023, she was nominated by
Sarah
beluga whales on the Churchill River in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada in August 2023. The experience was a surprise birthday gift.
“The most rewarding part of my work is when kids have that ‘aha moment.’”
Homecroft Elementary for a Goldfine Gold Star Teacher of the Year Award.
The Sandbergs live in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood. They have two daughters: Mae, 14 years old, and Elsa, 12. They also have a rescue dog named Sunny.
“Sunny is 100 pounds of love and fur,” Sandberg shared with a chuckle.
They also maintain a large and very productive garden. Steve is certified as a master gardener through the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Success stories
Sandberg shared some of her professional success stories, which help make her work deeply meaningful.
“When I was working in a preschool setting in California, one little girl — who was about 3 ½ — still sounded like she was speaking gibberish,” Sandberg explained.
“I quickly gave her a mode of
-Sarah Sandberg
communication through pictures and worked with her on articulation. I had to do a lot to build her trust, but then she got her sounds very quickly.
“I’ve also had a handful of students who started out in special education but are now ‘mainstreamed’ and don’t need any extra support,” she added. “That’s truly a testament to early intervention.”
Tips
On the topic of advice for parents, Sandberg said, “Early intervention is so crucial. If you are concerned about your child’s language or overall development, parents can start by reaching out to their child’s school, school district or pediatrician. There is no such thing as an overly concerned parent.”*
Andrea Busche is a Duluth-based freelance writer and small-business owner. She has been a frequent contributor to The Woman Today since 2008.
Left: Sarah Sandberg and her oldest daughter, Mae, pause on the Headlands Trail, which leads to Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, Calif., in July 2024. The family lived in Fort Bragg from 2012-2018.
Right Sarah Sandberg takes a selfie with her youngest daughter, Elsa, in Tallinn, Estonia in August 2024.
Sara Rapp
Sara Rapp, daughter Nataleh (left), husband David, and daughters Addyson and Alexis, are photographed at Jay Cooke State Park in October 2024.
MEET THE TALENTED INTERIOR
DESIGNER BEHIND SEVERAL notable Duluth projects
By Andrea Busche | Photo courtesy of Sara
You may not know the name of Sara Rapp, but there’s a good chance you’ve seen her work.
Rapp is the talented interior designer behind many local projects, including North Shore Veterinary Hospital’s 2018 transition to a “Fear Free” facility.
Here, Rapp incorporated some unique aspects into the building’s design. This includes specific dog and cat examination rooms, a dog scale recessed into the floor, the elimination of a waiting room and more — all in the name of a calmer experience for pet patients.
Rapp is also responsible for the design of Marshall School’s Forest School, which opened in 2022. Here, she incorporated elements like pod areas for learning — and plenty of unique nature-related aspects — into the design.
“My role as an interior designer is different every day because I get to do projects from start to finish,” she said. “I consult with people about their needs, including layout, flow, space planning and adjacencies of spaces.
Rapp
Sara Rapp helped with remodeling the art and music wing at Marshall School in Duluth.
“I also handle construction documents, finish selection and overall design. Every project is a little different; sometimes people just want the design, and sometimes it involves architecture.
“I’m definitely not just a decorator or a ‘color picker,’ although I help with that, too,” she added with a chuckle.
Family business
Rapp is employed at Scalzo Architects, a family-owned, family-operated architectural and interior design firm started by her father, Bill Scalzo, in 1993. Bill is a licensed architect, and Sara’s mother, Lynne Scalzo, also works for the firm as the business manager.
Additionally, Rapp’s two younger brothers, Anthony and Zach, round out the Scalzo staff roster. Anthony is the CAD technician and Zach serves as a consultant; he is employed by Northland Consulting Engineers as a structural EIT (“engineer in training,” as he is not yet licensed). Scalzo Architects often works with Northland Consulting Engineers (including Zach), since engineering services are necessary on many of Scalzo’s projects.
The business has been located at 4731 Gladstone St., in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood, since 2021. This site is the former home to the Lake Superior Masonic Lodge.
Youth
Rapp was born in Minneapolis. The family remained there until relocating to Duluth for her father’s career when Rapp was in seventh grade.
As a child, she was both ambitious and athletic. She was trained in classical ballet and was also a cheerleader for Duluth East High School.
Sara Rapp and her employer, Scalzo Architects, put together the remodeling project for Rejuvenations Center, the med spa for Aspirus St. Luke’s in Duluth.
Another remodeling project that Sara Rapp helped with was the Inpatient Hospice/Oncology Unit at Aspirus St. Luke’s in Duluth.
Her cheerleading career continued after graduation, too. She became a professional cheerleader for the Universal Cheerleaders Association and traveled the country, teaching summer camps.
When selecting a career, it was an easy decision for Rapp.
“I had always wanted to do interior design,” she said. “I used to go into work with my dad just so I could sit with the designers.”
Education
But when the time came to continue her education, things got tricky. There weren’t any interior design programs in Duluth at the time. So, she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in supervisory management from Lake Superior College. She later returned to LSC for an Associate of Arts degree.
After a few career pivots — including 10 years at United HealthCare, where her last title was renewal account executive — she was hired at the family business in 2012 after an administrative-type job opened up.
At her mother’s urging, Rapp decided to go back to school and finally pursue the career she had dreamed of. At the time, she was already married with two little girls and a third on the way.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in interior design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 2016. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA while raising a growing family and working full time.
Upon graduation in 2016, she pivoted from her admin duties at Scalzo to working as a professional interior designer.
“IT WAS SUCH A HUGE ADVANTAGE TO LEARN ON THE JOB WHILE I WAS IN SCHOOL.”
-Sara Rapp
“It was such a huge advantage to learn on the job while I was in school,” she said.
Over the years, Rapp has earned several more certifications in her field: She is NCIDQ certified through the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. She is a certified interior designer through the state of Minnesota. She is also a Wisconsinregistered interior designer.
She is a certified health care interior designer through the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers. Rapp also is certified as a professional practitioner through the American Society of Interior Designers.
Career
In her role as an interior designer, Rapp handles mostly commercial accounts with a few residential clients sprinkled in, too. Scalzo Architects has many years of experience serving the health care community.
“My dad’s background is in health care architecture,” she explained. “At Scalzo, we have a 20-plus-year relationship with Aspirus/St. Luke’s. We’ve helped them with several remodeling projects at the clinics and hospital. We’ve also served Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, and Essentia Health.”
Additional business segments on their client list have included education, hospitality, housing, municipalities, nonprofit organizations and more.
Rapp shared that she has learned a lot from her architect father, including how to determine exterior elevations of a building and the layers/components that go into a wall section. But the drawings always get Bill’s approval before they are finalized.
“Although I work on them, my dad signs off on all the architectural drawings, because he’s the only one with the license,” she said.
“I DON’T COME IN WITH MY OWN AGENDA. MY JOB IS TO GIVE THEM EXACTLY WHAT THEY DESIRE.”
-Sara Rapp
Building updates (including an eatery)
Ultimately, Rapp would like to add more residential clients to her roster. In the meantime, she’s involved in a remodeling project of her own: The Scalzo Architects building is undergoing many significant updates.
This includes adding new restrooms, a new entryway and a “co-op” space on the top floor intended to be a workspace for other design professionals. The family also will eventually add an Italian eatery to the first floor.
The Scalzo-Rapp family is of Italian descent and shares a passion for good food. They also want to improve their neighborhood.
“We are really communityminded, and we want to bring some more good things to Lakeside,” Rapp explained.
Personal
Rapp and her husband, Dave, who works as a sheet metal journeyman for Local 10, have three daughters: Nataleh, 19, Addyson, 17, and Alexis, 11. They also have a cat named Clover, and an Australian
Sara Rapp put her creative touch to the exterior and interior design for Corktown Eatery & Bar in Duluth.
shepherd named Mercy. The family lives in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
In her spare time, Rapp loves to read and cook.
“I read a bit of everything,” she said. “And I like to make semigourmet meals for my family.” One particular Rapp family favorite is Sara’s traditional French clams with linguini.
The Rapps also enjoy going to their “happy place” in the summer: a seasonal campsite in Wisconsin where they spend lots of time with family and friends.
Rewarding career
Rapp finds deep fulfillment in her career as an interior designer.
“The most rewarding part to me is the people I get to work with,” she said. “I love developing a relationship with my clients and trying to give them what they envision.
“I don’t come in with my own agenda. My job is to give them exactly what they desire.”*
Andrea Busche is a Duluth-based freelance writer and small-business owner. She has been a frequent contributor to The Woman Today since 2008.
Sara Rapp and her daughter, Alexis, get silly with s’mores in May 2020. “We enjoy camping and making memories at our happy place in Wisconsin,” Sara said.
CATHERINE
O’REILLY TAKES THE HELM at the Large Lakes Observatory
By Janna Goerdt | Photo courtesy of Catherine O’Reilly
Freshwater Discovery Days
The Large Lakes Observatory invites the public to its annual Freshwater Discovery Days event, set for July 30. Check in with UMD’s Swenson College for Science and Engineering for tickets and pricing at www.scse.d.umn.edu/large-lakes-observatory.
The new director of the Large Lakes Observatory, a research institution based on the University of Minnesota-Duluth campus, wasn’t always surrounded by water.
Dr. Catherine O’Reilly moved into the director’s office on Jan. 2, taking leadership of the only institute in the world dedicated to the study of the earth’s large lakes.
But some of O’Reilly’s formative years were shaped by the absence of water.
Catherine O’Reilly
O’Reilly grew up in South Africa, and when she was young the country was living through an extended period of drought. As the drought wore on, water supplies were drastically cut. Each household had a limited number of gallons they could draw from the tap for cooking and cleaning. O’Reilly and her siblings were allowed to take one bath each week, in total — as soon as one got out of the tub, another got in, and then the bathwater was used during the week to flush the toilet.
The experience made quite an impression on O’Reilly.
“I realized, early on, as a child, how critical water was for human society,” she said.
From water scarcity to myriad lakes
When she was older, O’Reilly’s family relocated to the United States, and O’Reilly attended high school in Minnesota and then Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Now she lived with a seemingly limitless supply of water, in the land of (officially) 11,842 lakes.
- Catherine O’Reilly
“It was a luxury to have so much water around,” O’Reilly said. “But seeing that, it made me realize, too, that you can have a lot of water, but it might not be usable water, there might be water quality issues.”
She embarked on a career studying large water issues and ecosystems, which recently led her to Duluth, where a full 11% of all the fresh surface water in the world is just outside her office door, in Lake Superior.
Tackling the science of lakes
At the Large Lakes Observatory, she can use all her science skills to tackle the growing list of problems these large lakes face today.
“It’s such an amazing place to be,” O’Reilly said.
O’Reilly spent years in Africa doing research around Lake Tanganyika, a large tropical lake in Tanzania. She studied the effects of climate change on the fish population. The lake was warming unevenly, so the water wasn’t mixing the way it had before, meaning fewer nutrients could be found by fish, meaning fewer fish.
She also learned how intimately the locals understood the big lake, as they plied the waters in their wooden boats and fishing nets — they could dip a hand into the water and know that it was a few degrees warmer or cooler, and they understood what effects the winds and phases of the moon were going to have on the lake.
“They have a very complex, conceptual understanding of how the lake works,” O’Reilly said.
The scientists who work with the Large Lakes Observatory tend to use different instruments to study their lakes. One amazing tool they have is the research vessel Blue Heron, the only such vessel that is part of a United States academic research group.
Federal government funds support the 86-foot-long boat and the crew. “The boat goes all over,” O’Reilly said. In summer 2024, it traveled through all five of the Great Lakes as scientists worked on their research projects.
Studying large bodies of water to make sure they can stay clean and healthy is in the public interest because so many people use water drawn from these sources, O’Reilly said.
Duluth draws its drinking water right from Lake Superior, for example, and because it is a relatively healthy lake, “You do not have to spend a lot of money on getting our drinking water clean,” O’Reilly said. That’s not always the case, even on the Great Lakes.
Residents of Toledo, Ohio, were unable to drink or even touch their tap water for several days in
summer 2014 due to a toxic algae bloom in Lake Erie. There is no way to clean an algae bloom of that size, so residents were forced to use bottled water for all their needs.
Understanding why those kinds of algae blooms happen — which are generally rare in larger lakes, although they keep occurring — and learning if they can be managed or prevented is an example of ongoing large lake research, O’Reilly said.
Large Lakes Observatory scientists are also researching the effects and distribution of microplastics in lakes, and how the ecology of a lake works while it is covered with ice. Others are studying how climate change affects how water moves in a lake. While some large lake research takes scientists overseas or to Canada, “There will always be a focus on Lake Superior,” O’Reilly said.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, with its 1 million acres of woods and water, is one of Catherine O’Reilly’s favorite spaces on earth. The other is the vast plains of the Serengeti in Africa.
- Catherine O’Reilly
As she settles into the director’s position, O’Reilly said she, too, will be developing projects. She also provides management and leadership at the agency as it looks toward the future.
Spare time spent on the water
And when she isn’t thinking about some of the world’s largest lakes, O’Reilly enjoys getting out on some of the world’s smallest — and most pristine — systems of lakes and forests. Having more opportunities to explore the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is an opportunity O’Reilly is looking forward to. While she has done a seven-day solo trip, she is anxious to take an even longer trip further into the wilderness.
She loves the sense of space that the Boundary Waters offers, much like the plains of the Serengeti in central Africa, her other favorite place on the planet.
“It’s a huge, big space, and society feels very far away,” she explains. “There’s not many places in the world that are like that.”*
Janna Goerdt is an Iron Range farmer and freelance writer.
The calling of health care: from pregnant cancer patient to oncology nurse leader
By Korina Borash
Working in health care is a calling that requires compassion, resilience and a deep understanding of the human experience.
Missy Rock, a nurse manager on the Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center oncology unit and an Essentia colleague for 14 years,
embodies this calling in her work and through her remarkable story.
In 2007, while 22 weeks pregnant with her second child, Rock received an unexpected diagnosis: cancer.
At the time, she lived in Gilbert, Minnesota, with her 2-year-old son, Dakota. Rock said
her care team detected critically low hemoglobin levels through a routine pregnancy blood test.
“My doctor couldn’t believe I was even up walking,” Rock recalled. “I was told to pack an overnight bag and go to Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center.”
Missy Rock is pictured here with her husband, Dana, and children Dakota and Angel. Photo courtesy of Essentia
Not knowing the journey ahead, Rock’s “overnight” trip turned into a fourmonth stay when further tests revealed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a highly aggressive cancer in her blood and spinal fluid. Under the guidance of oncologist Dr. Lloyd Ketchum, she began rigorous chemotherapy treatments.
Rock faced this challenge head-on, armed with a can-do attitude, determination to live for her children and a glass-half-full sense of humor, as well as support from friends and family.
During her time at St. Mary’s, Rock gave birth to her baby girl, Angel, who is now 17.
“There’s no better feeling than knowing we’re making a difference in people’s lives. Because we do, every day.”
- Missy Rock
hospital throughout this process.
“In a way, being pregnant with Angel may have saved my life,” she said. “That’s why she’s named Angel. After she was born, she had to come with me for the rest of my treatments. Dr. Ketchum and the nurses were hesitant at first, but then surprised me with a bassinet, formula and diapers to help out.”
The relationships Rock formed while a patient at St. Mary’s have lasted. Many of those who cared for her have become colleagues and friends today.
Another important step in Rock’s treatment plan in 2007 was a stem cell transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. For months, over the holiday season, they waited. The transplant required Rock and her family to stay in an apartment near the
“I remember finally getting the call at Walmart shopping with the kids,” Rock said. “I was like, ‘What? There’s a match!’”
More chemotherapy, radiation and testing in preparation for the stem cell transplant taught Rock an important lesson.
“It’s important to have support,” she said. “I went into the clinic alone for tests because it was too much to bring the kids with. This was only one day, but it involved many, many tests to ensure I could receive stem cells. Essentially, the doctors wanted to track the baseline of my body’s functionality to know how the medications would affect certain organs, and I sat there hearing the risks and potential side effects of everything by myself.
“I told myself, ‘Don’t do anything else alone.’” Rock’s journey as a cancer patient and her interactions with the compassionate health care professionals she encountered along the way solidified her desire to work in health care.
She initially went to school to be a nutritionist but was encouraged by the nurses who cared for her to pursue a career in nursing. Rock completed nursing school, and with the support of Dr. Ketchum, who wrote her a letter of reference, Rock joined Essentia in 2010 and started working on the oncology unit.
Today, she oversees the St. Mary’s oncology and transport teams, offering her team members and patients alike special perspectives of what it means to be in oncology.
“I’m able to be the leader I am today because I’ve been in every position on our floor, literally,” Rock said. “I remember the people who were really good to me, and I have the privilege to be able to do that for other patients. There’s no better feeling than knowing we’re making a difference in people’s lives. Because we do, every day.”
With her words and actions, Rock inspires others to keep fighting, keep moving and keep living. Her incredible journey from pregnant cancer patient to nurse leader of an oncology unit exemplifies the compassion, resilience and understanding that’s rooted in the calling of health care. *
Korina Borash is a communications specialist at Essentia Health.
Arts & Entertainment Calendar
The West Theatre Events
APRIL
April 3 — The Crown Jewels: A Tribute to Queen April 10 — Sinatra: My Way with Andrew Walesch & His Orchestra
April 17 — Cheryl Wheeler with Special Guest Kenny White.
Find updated information at thewesttheatre. com.
Circle of Friends
APRIL 3
The annual Circle of Friends Arts and Culture Awards Celebration, presented by the Depot Foundation, will shine a spotlight on the immense art and culture talent we have in the Northland. The event will be held at the Depot. Visit depotfoundation.org/circle-of-friends.
Arrowhead Home & Builders Show
APRIL 3-6
This 57th annual event at the DECC is a one-stop shop for building, remodeling and home and garden products. See hundreds of exhibitors and take part in seminars and entertainment. Visit arrowheadhomeshow.com.
“American Son”
APRIL 3-12
Zeitgeist Theater will present “American Son,” by Christopher DemosBrown, about an estranged biracial couple who must confront their feelings about race and bias after their son is detained by the local police. Visit zeitgeistarts.com/theater.
“Every Brilliant Thing”
APRIL 3-13
We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.
This transcendent and tender coming-ofage journey reminds us to pay attention to life’s smallest joys — and to each other. The hilarious and heart-wrenching play will be performed at the Duluth Playhouse’s Underground Theater. Visit duluthplayhouse.org.
DSSO MW6 — La Valse
APRIL 5
The final Masterworks installment features incredible musicians, concertmaster Erin Aldridge and the DSSO Chorus. The concert will be performed at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit dsso.com/ concert/la-valse.
Amy Grant
APRIL 6
For over 30 years, Amy Grant’s iconic voice has represented both the Christian and pop music worlds. She will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit decc. org/events-calendar.
“Mean Girls: The Musical”
APRIL 7
As the third of four shows in the “Broadway at the DECC” series, “Mean Girls: The Musical” will be performed at the DECC’s Symphony Hall at 7:30 p.m. Visit decc.org/ events-calendar.
“Romeo and Juliet”
APRIL 10-13
Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, encounter passion and tragedy. Performances will be held at the Depot Theater. Visit minnesotaballet.org.
Night Ranger
APRIL 11
Rockin’ it out since 1982, Night Ranger will perform at Black Bear Casino’s Otter Creek Event Center. Visit blackbearcasinoresort. com/ottercreek.html.
UMD
Jazz Combos Concert
APRIL 16
University of Minnesota-Duluth jazz combos will perform their Spring Semester Concert at Weber Music Hall. Visit tickets.umn.edu/ UMDCAHSS.
“Cabaret”
APRIL 18-26
Duluth Junk Hunt
APRIL 25-26
This vintage and handmade market features over 150 booths of antiques, clothing, home decor, jewelry, candles, bakery treats and more, and it will be held at the DECC. Visit duluthjunkhunt.com.
Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland Jr.”
APRIL 25-27
Gala for Boys and Girls
MAY 1
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland present this annual fundraiser at the Greysolon Ballroom to support services for young people in the region. Visit bgcnorth.org/special-events/gala.
UMD Theater will perform “Cabaret,” based on the 1998 Broadway revival about a 1930s Berlin nightclub, at the Marshall Performing Arts Center. Visit tickets.umn.edu/ UMDCAHSS.
UMD Big Bands
Concert
APRIL 23
Jazz Ensemble I and II, both directed by Gordon Lewis, will perform a variety of music for jazz big bands, from the swing era to the present day, at Weber Music Hall. Visit tickets.umn.edu/ UMDCAHSS.
Cain: The Jesus Music Tour
APRIL 25
This tour features CAIN, Katy Nichole, Ben Fuller, Caleb & John, and Joseph O’Brien. Sing your heart out, dance, and celebrate faith in the most fun and uplifting way. Visit decc.org/ events-calendar.
Fall down the rabbit hole with Alice as she navigates the curious world of Wonderland on a journey of selfdiscovery. Performances will be held at the NorShore Theater. Visit duluthplayhouse.org.
Dude Dad
APRIL 26
Dude Dad invites you to a parents’ night out for his “On Thin Ice Comedy Tour.” And yes, Heidi will be there, too. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit decc.org/events-calendar.
Homegrown Music Festival
APRIL 27-MAY 4
This 27th annual event features nearly 200 local musical acts at over 30 venues, a children’s music showcase, poetry, visual art, film, fire spinning and a kickball game. Visit duluthhomegrown.org
ONGOING:
Duluth Children’s Museum 115 S. 29th Ave. W., Duluth 218-733-7543 duluthchildrensmuseum.org
Duluth Depot 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth 218-727-8025 duluthdepot.org
Douglas County Historical Society 1101 John Ave., Superior 715-392-8449 douglashistory.org
Glensheen Historic Estate 3300 London Road, Duluth 218-726-8910 glensheen.org
Great Lakes Aquarium 353 Harbor Dr., Duluth 218-740-3474 glaquarium.org
Lake Superior Zoo 7210 Fremont St., Duluth 218-730-4500 lszooduluth.org
North Shore Scenic Railroad 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth 218-722-1273 duluthtrains.com
The Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad 6930 Fremont St., Duluth 218-624-7549 Lsmrr.org
Helping hands, healing hearts
By Claire Kiger | Photo courtesy of Aspirus St. Luke’s
Twenty years ago, Pam Nylander found out she needed quadruple bypass surgery. She had been feeling unwell for a while but had put off seeking care — until she no longer had a choice. What was supposed to be a routine angiogram turned into a life-altering moment: Surgery was inevitable. Her recovery wasn’t easy. Complications kept her at Aspirus St. Luke’s longer than anticipated, but what stood out to her wasn’t the difficulty — it was the people. The nurses, doctors and staff who cared not just for her, but for her family as well, left a lasting impact.
Pam Nylander can often be found welcoming patients and their families as they enter into Aspirus St. Luke’s Building A.
“Everyone was just so good to us, and that made such a difference,” she recalled. “I knew I wanted to be part of that.”
Even before retiring, Pam began volunteering at Aspirus St. Luke’s. Now, 16 years later, she still spends four days a week giving back to the place that she feels gave her so much.
Pam is just one of many dedicated volunteers at Aspirus St. Luke’s, individuals who give their time to support patients and their families. From providing directions to assisting with administrative duties, volunteers at Aspirus St. Luke’s make a real impact every day in the lives of countless people.
The ripple effect of volunteerism
“The care and joy our volunteers bring to those around them has a significant ripple effect,” said Mary Matlack, program administrator for volunteers at Aspirus St. Luke’s. “They impact so many people — more than they will ever know — creating an atmosphere of kindness and support. They make a clinic or hospital visit a little easier, a little more comfortable.”
Finding the right role for each volunteer is key to sustaining this impact.
“Each volunteer comes to us with a unique set of strengths, skills, experience and interests,” Matlack explained. “We take all of that into consideration so we can match them with a role they find rewarding while also meeting an important need.”
There are many ways volunteers contribute, from greeting patients at the information desk and other waiting areas to assisting with clerical tasks. Volunteers also help with deliveries, stocking supplies and supporting the Emergency Department and Surgical & Procedural Care teams. Each role plays an important part in creating a welcoming environment for both patients and staff.
Diane and Pam:
Making an undeniable difference
For Diane Vogel, volunteering was a natural next step after nearly 40 years of working in the Birthing Center. Encouraged by former colleagues, she decided to give it a try and quickly found a perfect fit in the surgery family waiting area.
“It’s funny — sometimes people recognize me and say, ‘You were there when my child was born!’” she said with a laugh. Her experience in labor and delivery taught her the importance of staying calm and listening closely, which now helps her support anxious families awaiting surgical updates.
Even though her quadruple bypass was many years ago, Pam uses her experience to help others to this day. She volunteers with Mended Hearts, a program at Aspirus St. Luke’s where former heart patients visit those about to undergo surgery.
Both Diane and Pam offer unique perspectives that only those who have walked through similar challenges can provide.
“It’s so rewarding; there’s such joy in giving back,” Diane said.
For Pam, it’s the connection with patients and families, offering a listening ear and a reassuring voice during uncertain times.
“Many times, just talking to someone who understands makes all the difference,” she said. “Small gestures can make a big difference.”
Joining the team at Aspirus St. Luke’s
No matter how volunteers choose to give their time at Aspirus St. Luke’s, their contributions are nothing short of amazing. Whether they’re helping in a waiting area, delivering mail or staffing the Marketplace, Aspirus St. Luke’s on-site gift shop, the care and kindness they bring make a significant impact on patients, families and staff alike.
Diane sums up the experience perfectly and encourages others to join the team: “Not only are you helping your community, but it’s a really gratifying thing personally. There are so many areas where help is needed, and many ways you can contribute.”
“We are so grateful for our volunteers and always have room for more,” Mary added. “Whether you’re a college student looking to gain experience in health care, an adult seeking a meaningful way to give back, or a retiree with time to spare, we may just have a spot for you!”
Those interested in applying can call 218-249-5344 or visit slhduluth.com/ volunteers to learn more.*
Claire Kiger is a writer and marketing specialist at Aspirus St. Luke’s.
“IT’S SO REWARDING; THERE’S SUCH JOY IN GIVING BACK.”
Diane Vogel
Bring spring indoors with a FOAM FLORAL INITIAL
By Molly Milroy
Who says you have to wait for spring to enjoy blooming flowers? Spring typically arrives later in the Northland than in most areas of the country, but even if the snow still falls, you can bring a touch of warmth inside with this fun and easy DIY project.
Creating a foam floral initial is a fantastic way to add a personal and colorful splash to your space. Whether you’re sprucing up a bedroom or crave a floral pop, this project is the perfect fit for your spring fever. Plus, you don’t need to be a florist as a bit of creativity and some faux flowers will do the trick.
MATERIALS NEEDED
• Foam letter(s)
• Faux flowers
• S cissors or wire cutters
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Ribbon
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Prep your flowers
Start by cutting the faux flowers from their bouquet stems. Wire cutters will make it easier, but scissors can suffice in a pinch. Trim each stem so that it’s slightly shorter than the thickness of your foam letter. This way the stems won’t poke through the back of the foam.
2. Arrange and attach the flowers
Take your foam letter and push the flower stems into the surface, arranging them to cover the top entirely. Play around with placement to create a visually appealing mix of colors and sizes. If needed, add a dab of hot glue to the flowers, as this will help keep them in place over time.
3. Define the letter
Once your letter is fully covered, step back and check its shape. If the flowers overflow, use scissors to trim them down around the edges. This helps keep the letter’s shape visible and distinct.
4. Add the ribbon
To complete the look, wrap a ribbon around the edges of the foam letter, securing it with hot glue as you go. Make sure the ribbon you have is the same width as the foam letter. This will create a clean border and prevent any rough foam edges from showing. If your letter has any inner cutouts (like “A” or “K”), you may need to trim the inner sides and glue them in separately.
5. Display your floral initial
Now that your floral masterpiece is complete, it’s time to show it off. You can:
Lean it against a wall on a shelf or dresser. Hang it with ribbon for a floating effect. Use it as a party decoration or personalized gift. Display it on your desk.
Enjoy your everlasting bloom
With this DIY foam floral initial, you can enjoy vibrant flowers all year. These floral fun projects make great additions to a nursery, as a gift for a friend or as a little extra charm in your home. This craft is a simple yet beautiful way to bring a bit of spring indoors. Grab your supplies, unleash your creativity and let your floral dreams bloom.*
Molly Milroy is a Duluth freelance writer.
Korner k i d s ’
By Ali Carlson
I don’t know about you guys, but Sloane is ready for summer!! She can’t wait to participate in all the fun Easter activities our local businesses organize for kids. We are very fortunate to have so many! If you’re planning to do any of them and you see Sloane, please say hi!
At The Aquarium
OTTERS’
BIRTHDAY
Help us celebrate Agate and Ore’s 12th Birthday! Saturday, April 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Enjoy otter birthday cake, otter-themed crafts and special programming all day long, with special appearances by Splish and Splash, the Great Lakes Aquarium otter mascots! Visit glaquarium.org/events/ celebrations/otters-birthday.
At The Depot MUSEUM EXHIBITS
Educational programming. Family events. The St. Louis County Depot is a welcoming space for all. Follow us on social media or visit our website to find all there is to experience inside this wonderous building. ExperienceTheDepot.org or “St. Louis Count Depot” on Facebook & Instagram.
Get 10 admissions and roller skate rentals, birthday place settings, 1 free pass per guest and a birthday T-shirt for the birthday person for $18495 with more options available.
Make reservations online: wowskatecenter.com
Yes,peas!
Honey Teriyaki
Chicken Stir-Fry
Serves two. Total time: 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 large carrots, halved and sliced on a diagonal
2 cups snow peas, fresh or frozen, stems removed 1/3 cup of teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon canola oil
Red pepper flakes, optional
DIRECTIONS:
Slice the chicken breast across the grain in thin slices, then cut them into ¾-inch strips. Set aside.
Prep the vegetables and reserve. In a small bowl, mix the teriyaki sauce and honey. Place a large wok or skillet over high heat for a minute, until the pan is very hot. Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan, then add the chicken. If using red pepper flakes, add a generous pinch now. Stir frequently for about 3 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink and has some browned spots. Add the carrots and snow peas and keep stirring for about 1 minute. When the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are crisp-tender, stir the teriyaki sauce mixture again and pour it over the chicken and vegetables. Stir to coat and thicken the sauce for 1-2 minutes, and serve hot.
Snow peas and carrots add color and crunch to this simple stir-fry. Serve over rice or stir in cooked udon noodles, coating them with the teriyaki sauce.
Mint Pesto Pea Soup
Serves six. Total time: 30 minutes
SOUP INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup yellow onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
6 cups fresh or frozen peas
2 green onions, diced
2 tablespoons fresh mint, minced
¼ cup of sour cream
PESTO INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
¼ cup of fresh mint leaves
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup pine nuts
1 lemon, zest and juice
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil with the butter in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute for 5 to 10 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent. Add half the minced garlic and cook another minute, and then add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add the peas, return to a boil, and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in the green onions, mint, sour cream, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Be careful — vent the blender to allow steam to escape or use an immersion blender. Taste for salt and pepper.
To make the pesto, put the parsley, mint, garlic, pine nuts and lemon zest and juice in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the Parmesan cheese and blend. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil until blended well. Top each bowl of soup with a large spoonful of pesto, and serve warm or chilled.
Recipe content brought to you by Whole Foods Co-op. Reprinted by permission from grocery.coop.
Add chocolate-covered strawberries with springtime sprinkles to embellish the serving platter. Melt melting chocolate or chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals and stir until melted.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels
By Kim Quinones | THE WOMAN TODAY | Photo courtesy of Kim Quinones
STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE PINWHEELS
One sweet, One savory
INGREDIENTS:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened and divided into two bowls
8 ounces strawberries, chopped, divided
1 spring green onion, sliced thin including green end
¼ cup walnuts, chopped
1 package of puff pastry, thawed overnight in refrigerator
Dusting of flour
Egg wash — 1 egg whisked with a splash of water Sprinkles
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Divide softened cream cheese into two small bowls and add a splash of water to each.
In one bowl, whip cream cheese and water together with a spoon until smooth. Mix in half of the chopped strawberries. Stir until well combined. Chill for 10 minutes.
In the other bowl, whip cream cheese and water together with a spoon until smooth.
Mix in the other half of the chopped strawberries, walnuts and sliced green onions. Stir until well combined. Chill for 10 minutes.
Next, cover a sheet pan with parchment paper, dust with flour. Remove puff pastry from the package and unfold, discarding the paper between layers. Center pastry on parchment paper and roll out to the size of the cookie sheet.
Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture (one flavor) across the pastry sheet. Set aside and chill extra filling to be used as a spread on toast, muffins or waffles.
Roll up the pastry from the short end to the other short end. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 5 minutes.
Slice into quarter-inch segments and lay flat on parchment paper. Brush with egg wash. Add sprinkles at this point. Bake in a 425-degree oven for 12-15 minutes until puffed and golden.
Remove from the oven and top with additional toppings to decorate and identify the filling; for example, sliced strawberries and chocolate or sprinkles for the strawberry filling, and chopped strawberries, walnuts and onions on the savory cream cheese-filled pinwheels. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Store extras in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
Add chocolate-covered strawberries with springtime sprinkles to embellish the serving platter. Melt melting chocolate or chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals and stir until melted.
Dip washed and dried strawberries in chocolate, then sprinkles and set on parchment paper to cool.*
The Woman Yesterday
Halldora Gudmundsdottir Olson 1855-1921
By Amy Carlson
Halldora Gudmundsdottir was born in 1855 on a farm in Iceland. Her mother died in childbirth while Halldora was very young, so she was raised by an aunt who was a midwife and trained her in the profession.
When she was 19, she married Siggeir Olafsson. According to the Icelandic National League of North America, they had five children, but only two sons lived to adulthood: Oliver, a Duluth physician, and Thorgeir, an editor-in-chief of the Duluth Herald.
With several active volcanoes threatening Iceland at the time, the Olafssons immigrated to Winnipeg in 1886 (at some point changing their last name to Olson) where they lived for three years, moving to Washington Harbor, Wisconsin, for a short time before finally moving to Duluth in 1890.
The family lived on the ground floor of a twostory house where Halldora worked as a midwife and ran her own maternity hospital for many years. She catered to poor and unmarried mothers, many
of whom worked as cooks and maids at her home as payment for her services.
Vestur Farar, an Icelandic historical website, notes that she helped deliver more than 3,000 children throughout her career in Duluth. In 1907 the Duluth News Tribune called her “the oldest and most popular midwife at the head of the lakes,” and family lore claims she never lost a single mother or baby.
Despite no formal education, she was one of the first midwives in Duluth to be granted a license to practice as a midwife by the Minnesota Medical Association, and the first midwife in Duluth to be certified by the city. At the time, Minnesota law banned midwives from using forceps, so Halldora patented her appliance made of ribbon that was designed to help deliver the baby by pulling on the loops of ribbon.
Halldora was a member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the Westminster Presbyterian Church. She died in Duluth in 1921 at age 66 and is buried next to her husband at Oneota Cemetery.
Portrait of Halldora Gudmundsdottir Olson (with her name embroidered on her dress). Courtesy of Ljósmyndasafn Akraness (www.vesturfarar.is).
