The Woman Today May/June 2022

Page 1

October Allen Named 2022 Minnesota Mother of the Year • Celebrating International Nurses Day • Keeks Kreations fuses art & community • Ready to fish? Meet Destiny Herring for tips • It’s grilling time! BBQ Feast for any occasion • Build your own pollinator garden
Mon., Tues., Wed. & Fri. 9 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. • Thurs 9 a.m. — 7 p.m. Sat 9 a.m. —3 p.m. Voted Best Flooring for 5 years in a row! Get the best under your feet At Johnson Carpet One Floor & Home, we know how important it is for you to feel confident in your flooring selection. Therefore, we strive to ensure that the floor we’ve created together, is as beautiful as the one in your dreams. If not, we’ll replace it for free. That’s what we call The Beautiful Guarantee®. 5611 GRAND AVENUE •218 628-2249 The Northland’s Leader in Floor Covering Since 1955

WOMAN the today

PROFILES

6 October Allen

Minnesota Mother of the Year

10 Dani Schultz

Photographer enables women to recognize their own unique beauty

14 Molly Solberg

Marketing expert empowers local businesses

18 Bridget McCutchen

Ashland woman aims to set world record circumnavigating the world on two wheels

FEATURES

22 It’s all in the family at Duluth's Best Bread

24 International Nurses Day

28 Fishing enthusiast shares tips for the beginner

42 Local entrepreneur fuses art and community

ENTERTAINMENT/ARTS

30 Arts and Events Calendar

HEALTH/MEDICINE

36 Essentia

Finding strength through adversity

40 St. Luke’s

From patient to physical therapist

FASHION

38 Fashions by Sam

FOOD/NUTRITION

52 Fire up the grill for a BBQ feastbrought to you by Mount Royal Market

REMARKABLE RENOVATIONS

44 Hiner Home Designs

DIY

56 How to plant your own butterfly garden

KIDS KORNER

34 Sloane's Suggestions

THE WOMAN YESTERDAY

58 Marjorie Wilkins

4 May | June 2022
contents may | june 2022 vol. 26, no. 4
Pick up The Woman Today at a store near you. View us at thewomantoday.com Like us on 10 52 42

WOMAN the today

GROUP PUBLISHER

Neal Ronquist

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Rick Lubbers

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Megan Keller

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Ali Carlson

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Kim Quinones

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Renae Ronquist

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Julie Schulz CONTRIBUTORS

Abigail Blonigen

Lillegard Family

Andrea Busche

Bridget McCutchen

Comstock Creative

Destiny Hering

Emily Curley

TO OUR READERS

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to May! This is the time of year when so many things are happening. Parents are preparing for their children to graduate or wrap up the school year, construction season will soon be hitting the ground, gardeners are anxiously waiting to plant, and anglers are gearing up their boats for dipping that first line in the water for the fishing opener.

May is a wonderful time of year. Perhaps I feel this way because I was born in May. I have to include a photo as I am writing this (in April), as today feels like the 365th day of January — the winter that wouldn’t end. I hope that by the time you read this, you can feel the warmth in the air and not the sting of winter.

Heather Kohl

Kathleen Zerwas

Kia Ronning

Megan Forsyth

Molly Solberg

Samantha Roffers

Tony Bennett

EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE TO:

magazines@duluthnews.com

The Woman Today is published by Duluth News Tribune. Mailed copies available for $32 per year (eight issues). Send check to The Woman Today®, 424 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802

ON THE COVER:

October Allen of Duluth has been named Minnesota’s 2022 Mother of the Year by American Mothers, an organization dedicated to honoring mothers across the nation.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OCTOBER ALLEN

We have a fantastic issue packed full of inspiring stories to share with you, another great round of meeting Northland women and businesses who are working daily to make a large and positive impact on our communities and people within them.

October Allen, who was named Minnesota Mother of the Year, shares her journey from a place of pain and how she turned her life around and now gives back to her community. We also paid a visit to Dani Schultz, owner of Red Stiletto Boudoir, where every photo session is intended to empower women and help them recognize their own unique beauty. We then took a cruise to Ashland where we had the opportunity to meet Bridget McCutchen, who aspires to be the youngest person to ever ride a motorcycle around the world. Additionally, in celebration of Nurses Week, we will feature three nurses where all three women shared some of their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. An entrepreneur who fuses art and community, Keeks Kreations owner Kia Ronning, who started this as a hobby to reduce stress. There are many more amazing stories in this issue, and I truly hope you enjoy what we have to share.

Thank you for picking up this issue of The Woman Today, we appreciate all of our loyal advertisers who make this magazine a reality, and all of our readers who continue to clear the racks each month when we distribute the magazine. Reminder, the fifth annual Rosie Awards take place from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the DECC Horizon room; for tickets please visit our website, www. thewomantoday.com!

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 5
© 2022 Forum Communications Company All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
Keller
Showcase your business in Ali Carlson (218) 428-2929 ali@thewomantoday.com Kim Quinones (218) 390-0135 kquinones@duluthnews.com WOMAN the today Dani Schultz Photography Duluth Monarch Buddies UMD Kathryn A. Martin Library WinsorSnaps Photography
Megan
Advertising Director

October Allen named MINNESOTA MOTHER of the YEAR

American Mothers, an organization dedicated to honoring mothers across the nation, has named Duluth resident October Allen as Minnesota’s 2022 Mother of the Year.

The Mother of the Year award recognizes an “admirable mother” in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. According to their website, honorees “represent a mother’s unconditional love, inner strength and courage.”

Allen is from Cass Lake, Minnesota on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. Her mother struggled with mental health issues and alcoholism, so Allen was placed in foster care around the age of 12.

Allen gave birth to her first child at the age of 17, eventually becoming a mother of five children. Two of the kids, twins, were born premature at just 24 weeks, which left them with severe medical issues.

In 2008, tragedy struck. As the twins approached their first birthday, one of them died unexpectedly of sudden infant death syndrome.

The loss shook the family, and Allen found that she did not have the tools or resources to cope.

“I didn't have it in me,” she said. “I didn’t process the trauma, reach out for help. I didn't know about that. So I delved into a drug addiction.”

Allen said she began abusing pain medication she had on hand from previous medical procedures. The opioid use eventually progressed to methamphetamine.

“It wasn't a very glamorous thing, and it turned very quickly

into something dark,” she said.

Allen’s drug use led to a child protection case, and her four children were placed into foster care. Allen found herself homeless and hopeless.

“I didn't believe or trust that there was hope,” she said of the experience. “And the idea of going to treatment was such a mountain to climb.”

“Luckily,” as Allen put it, she wound up in jail with time to detox and stabilize. At that point, Allen decided she would do whatever it took to get back on her feet and be reunited with her family.

Allen struggled to get clean and comply with her courtordered case plan. By that point, her children had been in foster care so long that they were being put up for adoption.

“I came to a place of acceptance, like maybe this is where the sacrifice of being a mother comes in,” Allen said. “I thought maybe I'm not in the best interest for my children. But if I'm not, then I want to support them as much as I can with a healthy transition and finding the best placement option for them.”

This passion for her children’s well-being did not go unnoticed. Allen developed relationships with the providers

6 May | June 2022
PHOTOS COURTESY OF OCTOBER ALLEN
October Allen holds a “Revive Kids” poster for her church, Revive City Church of Duluth, where her husband, Ron, is pastor. Allen is the Sunday school teacher.

October Allen gives the commencement speech when she graduated from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, where she was also named student of the year. Allen's adult daughters, who were students at the same, were in the audience with other family members.

involved in her case and demonstrated that those healthy relationships extended to her children.

After three long years, Allen was finally reunited with her kids. The judge at the hearing said he had never in 40 years seen anyone do what Allen was able to accomplish, and she was nominated for a parent mentorship program to help other struggling parents regain custody of their children.

Since then, Allen has helped countless families through the child protection process, assisting parents in navigating the systems and finding the stability to reunify with their children.

Housing, in particular, is a hurdle for people trying to get back on their feet, especially for those struggling with addiction or those with a criminal record. Knowing this struggle personally, Allen opened Grace Place in 2018, a longterm homeless housing support program for women in St. Louis County. Grace Place has more than a dozen homes throughout Duluth and opened Zachary Place for men in

Continued on page 8

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 7
1420 London Road, Duluth | 218-728-0650 lakewalk.com OUTPATIENT EXCELLENCE EACH & EVERY DAY Achieving a 98% satisfaction rating, Lakewalk Surgery Center provides quality and comfortable care daily.
8 May | June 2022
Staying at the KOA in Hayward, Wis., is an annual tradition for October and Ron Allen and their children July, Nick and Brandon, and her brother Jason and wife Tara Voeltz and their son, Peyton. "We have made it a family tradition to go there every year and love our time together!" Allen said.

January 2022.

Allen’s husband, Pastor Ron Allen, is also active in the community. The two planted Revive City Church in Duluth in September 2021, a nondenominational, community-based congregation focused on recovery and meeting folks where they are at. Allen is the Sunday school teacher.

“He's gifted at working with men,” Allen said of her husband. “And I'm gifted at working with women, and we're just like a powerhouse team. They call us the royal couple in Duluth, because that's what we do. We always show up.”

Because of the adversity and barriers Allen has faced in her motherhood, she was shocked that she was selected as Minnesota Mother of the Year.

“It almost felt surreal because I don't see myself as this wonderful mother to my children,” she said. “I'm a good mother, but I think I'm viewed as the mother to the community.”

Allen said her proudest moment as a mom was when she was selected student of the year at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and gave the commencement speech with her two daughters in the audience as students. A nontraditional student, Allen graduated with a degree in human services at the age of 38.

Allen’s children are December (24), July (21), Nick (17) and Brandon (15).

“My mission was to provide safety and health to my kids, and now they're wonderful,” she said of her children.

In terms of advice for other mothers, Allen stressed letting kids be themselves.

“I really think that if we are to have children that are happy and healthy, it's important that moms accept their kids for who they are and who they were naturally created to be,” she said.

Those who are interested in learning more about Grace Place, or are in need of its services, can go to graceplacehousingsupport.com or call 218-341-7699. D

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 9 BE: TRENDY WITH DESIGNER FRAMES SPECIALIZING IN EYEGLASSES, CONTACTS, EYE EXAMS AND BILLING YOUR INSURANCE VISIONPROOPTICAL.COM| 9LOCATIONS ACROSS OUR REGION
Abigail Blonigen is a Minnesota freelance writer.

enablesPhotographerwomen totheirrecognize own unique beauty

Boudoir, or “bedroom-style” photography, encompasses a unique niche within the industry. Often described as sensual, sexy, beautiful and bold, the experience of a boudoir photo shoot is intended to empower and inspire confidence.

“Often, women come in feeling timid,” said Dani Schultz, owner of Red Stiletto Boudoir. “But we’re all beautiful, and I get to help women recognize that beauty. I don’t care if you’re 21 or 71. This experience helps women feel incredible.”

Career switch

Schultz, who is originally from Homewood, Illinois, didn’t foresee herself working as a photographer, let alone a boudoir photographer. She had considered social work and psychology before ultimately entering the medical field.

“My dad always had a beautiful camera,” she said. “I only got into photography because it was one of his passions.”

Schultz earned a certificate in radiology technology and worked at Hennepin County Medical Center for seven years, followed by 20 years at CMDI, a mobile imaging company. Today, Schultz still works in the medical industry as a diagnostic medical sonographer (also known as an ultrasound technologist) three or four days per week. Although she lives in Duluth, she splits her work time between Lakeview Hospital in Two Harbors and North Shore Health in Grand Marais.

Schultz is fortunate enough to have discovered two professional pursuits she enjoys. “I love working in health care, but I’m equally passionate about photography,” she said.

Photography

After her dad gifted her with all of his camera equipment, Schultz began experimenting with the hobby. She took pictures of her children, friends and other family members, and realized she really enjoyed photography.

When Schultz and her husband, Troy, were making plans for a “mega garage” to complement their Kenwood home, they

10 May | June 2022
~ Dani Schultz ~ PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANI SCHULTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

decided to dedicate roughly half the space (equating to about 1,000 square feet) to a photography studio. The studio area is separate and very private. It also overlooks the woods, so it is a serene and peaceful space.

“At that time, I still wasn’t thinking about boudoir photos,” Schultz explained. “One of my girlfriends was looking into a boudoir photo shoot for herself, and all of the local options were booked up. I realized I had the perfect little space, and I said, ‘Will you let me try?’”

Schultz began her career as a boudoir photographer by working with friends, using her trusty Canon 60 to capture the images. Eventually, she grew her portfolio to the point that she decided to start a business. Red Stiletto Boudoir opened in late 2020, and remains housed in the “accessory dwelling” on the Schultz’ property.

“Red is my favorite color, and I thought it would be cool to get a pair of red stilettos in every size,” Schultz noted about the name of her business. “I like to get a set of photos of each woman wearing a pair.”

Process

Schultz, who has three assistants as well as two hair and makeup artists (all of whom are independent contractors), explained a little about her clients and the process of a boudoir photo session.

“I would say 99% of my clients are women, but I have had one man — I called it a ‘dudeoir,’” she said with a laugh.

“I see a lot of brides in their 20s, but 30-50 is probably the most common age. Some are single, some are going through a divorce. One client was celebrating turning 40, and another was starting treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, and wanted a session before she lost her hair. But sometimes a photo session is a gift — often from a fiancé, spouse or partner — or an anniversary or Valentine’s Day gift.”

Continued on page 12

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 11
Member FDIC HERMANTOWN •NOW OPEN CHRISLEWISSTACE YJOHNSONJODI MAYCOREY VERHEL CA020822 218.451.7130 FR ANDSENBANK.COM @FR ANDSENBANK 4803 Miller Tr unkHwy., Her mantown, MN 55811

When it comes to the actual photo shoot, care is taken to ensure the client feels safe and comfortable.

“They come in and we pour them a mimosa. Then my hair and makeup artists come in, taking extra time to talk to the client. We often recommend doing a little bolder hair and makeup than they’re used to. I often tell my clients, ‘We’re not here to be subtle.’ This process takes about an hour.”

Clients are welcome to bring a friend if they wish. And many women take comfort in knowing that all of Red Stiletto’s employees are women.

Attire

In regards to the attire, “We have a client closet, but customers are also welcome to bring their own pieces — this typically includes lingerie, jewelry and shoes,” Schultz said. “Brides often bring their bouquet, veils or wedding shoes, and plenty of people bring accessories or other props, such as a motorcycle or special bottle of whiskey.

“Then we take photos for about two hours. I continue showing them some of the photos I’ve taken through the

Clients at Red Stiletto Boudoir will be treated to mimosas, a hair and makeup session, and a typical photo session is about two hours. Clients can bring in their own clothing and accessories or choose from the client closet at the studio. “We’re all beautiful, and I get to help women recognize that beauty. I don’t care if you’re 21 or 71. This experience helps women feel incredible," Schultz said.

12 May | June 2022

session — I think it helps them feel comfortable.”

When it comes to poses, Schultz will incorporate any particular poses that her clients want to explore, but can also fully direct them throughout the session.

And a bit of retouching, to remove a blemish, for instance, can be done afterward. But Schultz tries to keep this to a minimum.

“I don’t want them to not look like themselves,” she said.

Personal life

Dani Schultz and her husband, Troy, who owns Technical Design Services, a local engineering firm, have a blended family. This includes five children: Jacob (24), Adam (23), Sami (21), Domenick (16), and Geno (13), and a family dog — a yellow Lab named Tommie. Schultz’ other interests include music, hiking, biking, hunting and travel.

Empowering women

Above all, a boudoir photography session is intended to empower women, and help them recognize their own unique beauty.

“My company motto is, ‘You are beautiful, brilliant, powerful and brave,’” Schultz said.

She encourages women to put themselves first on occasion. And one great way to do this is with a boudoir

session.

“As women, we put so much effort into everyone else — our kids, our spouse, our jobs. This is something you can do for you, and take with you. It’s an investment in your worth. I like to tell my clients, ‘This is something that you’re really going to appreciate 20 years

down the road.’”

Red Stiletto Boudoir is currently accepting new clients. Visit redstilettoduluth.com or find them on Facebook to learn more.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 13
D
Dr. Nathan A. Jarnot 303 S.E. First Street and River Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 • 218.326.0349 Dr. Nathan A. Jarnot • Dr. Eric Scotland, DDS • Dr. Scott K. Varland • Dr. Paul K. Hodapp • Dr. Scott K. Varland • Dr. Nathan A. Jarnot 303 S.E. First Street and River Road, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 • 218.326.0349
Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.
Surgeons
lasting
to offer,
Dental Implants
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Corrective Jaw Surgery
Your Oral & Maxillofacial
and their team are ready to assist you in making the best decisions for a healthy mouth and
smile. We have a wide scope practice
including: •
Financing Available/CareCredit
the
Serving
area since 1969

Marketing expert empowers local businesses

In the ever-evolving field of marketing, one needs to be constantly tuned into the latest trends, algorithm changes and new platforms to have a strong online presence. Without a dedicated marketing team, the sheer amount of information out there can be overwhelming.

That is where experts like Molly Solberg come in.

“My clients are all small-business owners, so they don’t have the time or the resources to know what they should be looking up and monitoring,” said Solberg, president of MAS Marketing. “I’m able to do all that research for them and then pass that on.”

Solberg grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota and attended St. Cloud State University, studying local and urban affairs. After graduating, she lived in Minneapolis, Wisconsin and then Colorado working in various planning positions.

In Colorado, she met her now husband and the pair decided to move to Duluth. Solberg had visited Duluth growing up and had family and property on Lake Vermillion near the Boundary Waters. Her husband had never been to Duluth at the time, though they have now lived there for 23 years.

Solberg started her life in the Duluth area working for the city of Hermantown. After taking some time off work to care for her newborn son, Solberg was contacted by Duluth Pack for some additional help for the Christmas season.

She soon became the director of sales and marketing at Duluth Pack, which put her in direct contact

with customers, taking calls and traveling to trade shows.

When social media came onto the scene, Solberg saw an opportunity to connect with customers online, continuing the same conversations she had with them over the phone and in person.

Solberg was at Duluth Pack for 11 years before she decided to venture out on her own and create MAS Marketing. She began implementing marketing strategies for businesses, but quickly decided that wasn’t exactly what she wanted to do.

“I realized that doing people’s marketing for them wasn’t something I was passionate about. It was training small businesses to market themselves so that they could do it,” Solberg said. “My motto was always to train people to the point that they could fire me because they felt they had the skills on their own.”

Solberg’s passion for training and education has extended past her own consulting business.

When social media was first entering the marketing sphere, Solberg sought to get a group of Duluthians together to talk about the latest trends. Groups like this already existed in the

14 May | June 2022 PHOTOS COURTESY
MOLLY SOLBERG
OF
~
~
Molly Solberg

metro area, so she connected with the Social Media Breakfast Twin Cities, a branch of a loose-knit national organization.

Solberg began attending their Friday morning meetings and decided to create a local chapter. Colleagues from the Twin Cities helped her create a logo and officially launch the chapter: Social Media Breakfast Twin Ports (SMBTP).

Marketing professionals from around the area joined the group, excited to offer support and resources. The first Social Media Breakfast Twin Ports was held at LHB, and businesses have been offering their spaces free of charge since its inception 10 years ago.

Early supporters of the group include the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, Glensheen Mansion, the Canal Park Business Association and the Downtown Duluth Greater Downtown Council. The local colleges and universities have pitched in, and hotels have offered their meeting areas free of charge.

Social Media Breakfast Twin Ports has covered topics such as LinkedIn, Google Ad Words, Instagram, graphic design and more, utilizing the knowledge of community experts.

“Since joining the group in 2019, I have gained rich,

Continued on page 16

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 15
Molly Solberg and Lindsey Edson Neizke take a selfie with Social Media Breakfast Twin Ports goers at the Sheraton Hotel. The presentation centered around audience reach for social media content.
Workforce training to meet your needs on your schedule. WOMEN’S CONSIGNMENT AND GIFTS Call Us! 715.394.7002 angiesclosetresale.com 1315 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI Shops at BlueStone 1016 Woodland Ave, Duluth, MN 55803 218.724.3444 KAT LEEK OPTICIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE Visit BOLD CONTEMPORARY Questions? kat@katseyesoptical.com M-Thur 10-4 Appointments preferred 20/20 ACHIEVE VISION IN 2022 Colby is the newest Mom here at the Zoo, welcoming twin babies in March. Happy Mother's Day from the LSZoo Family! OPEN DAILY |10AM-PM |LSZOODULUTH.ORG UPCOMING EVENTS: Mother's Day Craft Show & Plant Swap -May 8

Since launching the Social Media Breakfast Twin Ports, a number of local businesses have volunteered their event space for the group. TOP: The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center hosted SMBTP in September of 2021, featuring an update from the DECC's social media team.

BOTTOM LEFT: SMBTP participants prepare for a presentation at the Sheraton Hotel.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Folks prepare for a SMBTP presentation at Ursa Minor discussing selling on Instagram.

16 May | June 2022
EXPECT BIG THINGS • Enhances root growth • Helps soil drain in heavy rain and retain moisture in drought • Gradually delivers nutrition • Great for vegetable and flower gardens, potted plants, trees, lawn and turf Western Lake Superior Sanitary District wlssd.com • 218-722-0761 Every bag of Garden Green® compost:

Molly Solberg launched Social Media Breakfast

Twin Ports 10 years ago, a branch of a loose knit national organization. The Twin Cities chapter assisted with the launch and the logo.

relevant and supportive information from the professionals (and sometimes amateurs) Molly curates,” said Bud Trnka, director of sales and marketing at LightSpeed Lift and member of the Twin Ports Social Media Breakfast. “SMBTP rejuvenates my passion for vibrant, informative messaging; having fun all the while. I’m grateful for Molly Solberg and all she gives to her community.”

The SMBTP Facebook group has more than 1,000 members. In addition to posting details on the next meeting, members also post resources, marketing-related events and job opportunities.

The group took a hiatus from in-person meetings due to the pandemic, which gave Solberg an opportunity to regroup and plan for the future. Now that COVID-19 restrictions are easing, meetings are set to resume the second Friday of the month.

In the meantime, Solberg has continued to meet with clients to bolster their marketing efforts.

“In 2020, I took the opportunity to expand my design business and was able to work directly with Molly as a social media and website consultant,” said Elizabeth Mayne of Mayne Design. “Her knowledge on the subject is vast, and she does an amazing job of personalizing her trainings to her clients’ businesses. Specifically, she gives real ‘homework’ to help increase their knowledge and apply it to their own businesses. Molly is a rare gem in our local business community.”

Those interested in attending the Social Media Breakfast Twin Ports are welcome to join the Facebook group of the same name. Those interested in working with Solberg directly can reach out via her website, mollysolberg.com. D

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 17
Abigail Blonigen is a Minnesota freelance writer.

ASHLAND WOMAN aims to set world record circumnavigating the world on two wheels

Bridget McCutchen, a bright-eyed, energy-laced woman, aspires to be the youngest person to ever ride a motorcycle around the world, and her trip of more than 24,000 miles is set to begin this August.

Passion for riding

McCutchen, 21, grew up on a farm in Mason, Wisconsin, which is 15 minutes outside of Ashland. Four of her five siblings, along with her father, ride motorcycles, which influenced her from a young age. Her first ride was on the back of her brother Michael’s bike as a teenager. Eventually he let her ride it herself.

“I thought it was so cool,” McCutchen said. “The interest in motorcycles was always there.”

For McCutchen, riding is simply gratifying.

“I really like being on a motorcycle because it’s so more engaging to me,” she said. “You feel weightless, you feel like you’re flying.”

Being on a motorcycle is not only enjoyable to her, but every ride is also an experience.

“You are also so much more aware of what’s going on when you’re on a motorcycle because everything matters to you. If you are in weather, that weather is immediately affecting you.”

At 19, McCutchen got her riding permit. That same year she set out west to Washington to work on Tall Ships.

“Up until I was 19 , I don’t think I left Wisconsin except to go to Illinois and Minnesota,” she said. Being in Washington prompted her travel bug. She purchased her first bike, a Kawasaki Ninja 250, and started riding her motorcycle, including trips to Pennsylvania, Maryland, and riding by Lake Superior.

“I really like going to the Keweenaw. I really like riding around the lake. I really love water,” she said.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRIDGET MCCUTCHEN
~
~
Bridget McCutchen By Molly Milroy

CARING FO RW OM EN AT EVERYA GE

When it comes to gynecologic care, it can be hard to know what’s normal and when it’s time to ask acompassionate provider. From periods to menopause, ourgynecologists, certified nurse midwives, obstetricians and advanced practitioners are here to answer all yourhard to ask questions. Women’s health care like nowhere else.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 19
Da ugh te r – Si st er – Fr iend – Gr andma Hermantown Clinic 4855 WArrowhead Rd 218-786-3540 Duluth Clinic 420 E1st St 218-786-3800 Superior Clinic 3500 Tower Ave 715-817-7100

Around the world

But how does one go from riding through various states to seeking to break a world record by riding around the world?

In summer 2021, McCutchen’s older brother Thomas, who had previously ridden to South America, first brought up the idea of circumnavigating the globe by bike.

“I thought, no, it’s not possible,”

McCutchen said, “and then I kept thinking about it and kept thinking about it and I was like, why not.”

She explained how sometimes dreams take a moment to formulate, shedding off fears or concerns.

“There’s so many things that you tell yourself ‘no’ before anyone else does. And I think it’s much better to let other people tell you ‘no’, than to tell yourself ‘no’ before you even get anywhere,” she explained.

After a few weeks of mulling it over, McCutchen decided she was going to do it.

“It was a back and forth in my mind. Somewhere along the way, it just became, I wouldn’t say less daunting, but more accessible. The reasons why I couldn’t became less than the reasons why I wanted to,” she said.

The route

The adventure is to begin this August, starting from her home and then south through the United States. Next, she will ride through Mexico and Central America, eventually making her way to South America. She hopes to arrive in Argentina by early Spring 2023. From there she will have her bike shipped to Europe.

She’s currently working on finding a new route through Europe as her original plan has been affected by the war in Ukraine.

“This is the type of trip that one cannot plan out ahead of time,” McCutchen said. “You start riding, you know the direction, but won’t exactly know when you will arrive in town or where you will stay.”

Is she worried?

“I’m nervous, a healthy amount of concern is how I would put it. I’m nervous about being able to do things, but I’m not really scared about what’s going to happen. Maybe I should be,” she said with a laugh.

Pushing herself into unfamiliar territory and determining her route will be a way to grow. Plus, her history in solo adventuring is apparent.

“I’ve always adventured and done motorcycle trips pretty much by myself. For the most part, I’ve found people to be very accommodating, especially when you are on a motorcycle, because there’s a certain amount of respect you bring into a room when you are traveling somewhere alone on a motorcycle.”

Setting the record

The current record for the youngest person to travel the world by motorcycle is 23 years old, set by Henry Crew in 2019.

“Your age isn’t when you start, it’s when you finish,” McCutchen explained. McCutchen, who turns 22 in November, hopes to complete her tour in summer 2023, completing the tour prior to her 23rd birthday.

There are many specifics that Guinness World Records requires.

“It has to be continuous; I can’t stop for more than two

20 May | June 2022
Bridget McCutchen poses with her 2020 Kawasaki Versys-X 300, the bike that will take her around the world. Bridget McCutchen rides her 2020 Kawasaki Versys-X 300, the bike that will take her around the world.

weeks in any one place,” McCutchen said. “And it has to be on the same motorcycle. I have to go through two antipodal points, which are two points on the globe exactly opposing one another.”

Other requirements include riding a minimum of 24,900 miles, starting and finishing from the same location, and riding across the equator at least once, ensuring the motorcyclist rides in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

McCutchen will ride her newly purchased 2020 Kawasaki Versys-X 300 and will be outfitted in protective motorcycle gear from Aerostich, a motorcycle clothing factory in Duluth. She will wear a tracking device.

“My dad said, ‘I’m not letting her leave the country without one,’” McCutchen said with a grin.

Inspiring others

McCutchen hopes her journey inspires others.

“I also want to encourage other people to ride motorcycles. I think it’s a really good thing.”

Her advice to other women who might want to take up riding: “Don’t be intimidated by the first 20 minutes of your riding. That’s the scariest part. It’s like driving a car for the first time; it’s scary, but you just have to get over that.”

You can follow her journey on Instagram @bike.will.travel and, come August, track her whereabouts at http://www.twowheels-round.com/. D

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 21 7 8TH STREET, CLOQUET•218.879.7171 VOTED BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT 5 YEARS RUNNING! BRAND NEW GRILL & CANTINA Open in Cloquet When bad accidents happen to good people. For all of your questions about th e law. ° PE RS ON ALIN JURY ° ›› Stephanie Ba ll fr yber ger .com
Molly Milroy is a Duluth freelance writer.
Bridget McCutchen, 21, is heading out this summer to become the world record holder as the youngest woman to circumnavigate the world by motorcycle.

It’s all in the family at Duluth's Best Bread

It was clear that Duluth's Best Bread was going to be a family business, even before the families had truly come into the picture.

"Let's put it this way," said Alicia Lillegard, the spouse of Robert Lillegard, who with his brother Michael Lillegard opened the bakery in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in 2015, "Robert and Michael were signing the papers for the bakery building that we are currently in the day our firstborn daughter came into the world. Robert missed the birth and everything!"

Today, Duluth's Best Bread has become a smashing success, with a new location opening in downtown Duluth that also boasts a family-run Airbnb upstairs. While Robert and Michael are the co-owners, Alicia and Michael's wife, Christine, are the heartbeat of the whole operation, as are the kids they have been raising amongst the ovens and the flour. For them all, it's an all-hands-on-deck situation.

Michael got the bread bug when he was in college and decided to build a brick oven with his dad. Hundreds and hundreds of bakes later — and with the flexibility that youth affords — he decided to try and make baking his life.

"I was 23 and figured now was a good time to take a chance on such an endeavor," he said.

"We bought our first premises a year later in mid-2015, which is when work became very involved and stressful. I knew Christine during this time, but it wasn’t until I was able to sleep through the night without

working — or having nightmares about work — that we began dating. She came to the bakery to weed the landscaping, and I took this as a very promising sign of a possible future. We married in 2018 and had our daughter Rosalie in 2021."

"I definitely inherited my role as the baker's wife," Christine said. "It was perfect timing because, before then, Michael was totally overworked, and it would have been really hard to function in any sort of relationship. By the time we got married, he had a decent amount of staff and could work more-reasonable hours, which was really beneficial for us."

Early on, Christine said, "I spent a lot of time at the bakery with Michael doing random helpful things and trying to be a support system. The first summer we were married, we had a partnership with Endion Station that required us to be at the bakery by 6 a.m. every weekend — and let me tell you, I am so glad we don't do that anymore, but at the time I tried my best to enjoy the adventure. I can't be there quite as much now, but we view ourselves as a team and try to be there to support each other when and how we can."

Robert and Alicia met when she was still in college.

"She didn't really start to like me until we started speaking in German," he said. "She was more fluent than I was, so it

22 May | June 2022 PHOTOS COURTESY OF LILLEGARD FAMILY
Michael and Christine Lillegard pose with Rosie, just 2 months old, at Christmastime, 2021.

It's "all in the family" for the Lillegards as mom Christine often brings 6-month-old Rosie to work with her, delighting customers and staff alike.

forced me to shut up and listen, for a change."

Three kids later (the latest was born in March), they're deep into a journey that has found them fully integrating work and family.

"The best part of owning a family business," Robert said, "is that it's a family business. I end up working with my brother and sometimes his wife — if I'm lucky, one of them brings baby Rosie

in her pretzel onesie. Or I stand at the counter with Mercedes" (who is 5) "helping customers, or maybe Ruby" (she's 7) "gets to roll out pretzels with our extremely patient manager, Tonetta. I guess occasionally where it gets tough is if we're hanging out at my parents' house and we're still talking about business, or my wife is telling me I should really be more on time with XYZ

business task. So, that's hard to separate out."

"I talk about work with Christine more than she would prefer," Michael admitted. "Rosie distracts most of my staff whenever she comes. Most of the production stops while she smiles. I really depend on Christine’s support. She’s emotionally supportive and is willing to help me in all possible ways, and she is never resentful when I have to put in long hours."

With everything they do, Christine said, they try to remember that they're on the same team.

"For me," she explained, "that means being willing to run to the store for an ingredient we're short on, helping Michael make almond croissants late on a Friday night before a holiday, coming in early to help package boxes, or sometimes just folding the bakery laundry and walking it to work with the baby to cheer Daddy up on a busy Monday."

Alicia's taken on the mantle of "delivery driver." Every other week, she takes a full day to drive around to 50 or so Northland locations to drop off orders.

"I'm a math major," she said. "For me, this is easy. I can handle spreadsheets. I can look at maps. I'm also high-energy. I can get out of the car, run the box to the front door, ring their bell, and run away. Some people are like, 'I've never seen her. She's a ninja.'"

At Duluth's Best Bread, the growing Lillegard clan has figured out how to make things work. Everyone's got their jobs. And, as the business itself continues to expand, it certainly seems like the next generation will be poised for a handoff when that time comes.

"It's pretty busy," Christine Lillegard said, "but we've made it work fairly well by just being willing to help each other out." D

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 23
Tony Bennett is a Duluth freelance writer.

International Nurses Day

Duluth nurses share their COVID experiences

Every May 12 on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, we pause to observe International Nurses Day. Celebrated around the world, this special recognition honors the vital contributions made by nurses everywhere.

While nursing is a challenging profession in normal times, it has been made infinitely more difficult during the COVID19 pandemic. Extra personal protective equipment; no- or reduced-visitor policies being enforced at medical facilities; and the constant fear of contracting the virus (and passing it to loved ones) are just some of the additional challenges faced by nurses during this time.

To honor International Nurses Day, we highlight three local nurses. They include: Megan Forsyth, manager, surgical and procedural care and PACU (post-anesthesia care unit) at St. Luke’s hospital; Emily Curley, registered nurse in the MICU (medical intensive care unit) at Essentia Health; and Heather Kohl, registered nurse on the cardiac unit at St. Luke’s.

All three graciously shared some of their experiences working during COVID-19, and the humbling life lessons they’ve learned. These lessons run deep: two of the three contracted the illness themselves, one lost a family member to COVID, and all of them have watched helplessly as their patients have become critically ill, and in some cases died, during the pandemic.

Nevertheless, all three still recommend nursing as a profession.

The nurses

Forsyth is a mom to three young children: Mason, 7; Elliot, 4; and Ivy, 7 months. Her husband, Jim, is a police officer. The family, which also includes a dog, Dottie, and a cat, Pumpkin, live in Hermantown.

In her role as a manager, Forsyth’s duties include

coordinating plans for her patients who have day surgeries and communicating those plans to the hospital. She also helps with scheduling, team building, improving patient stays, and reporting. Although Forsyth is a manager today, she was still a nurse when the pandemic started.

24 May | June 2022
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEGAN FORSYTH, EMILY CURLEY AND HEATHER KOHL Megan Forsyth, RN, BSN, MBA, is the manager of Surgical and Precedural Care and PACU (postanesthesia care unit) at St. Luke's Hospital. She and her husband, Jim, have three children.

Curley and the rest of the MICU team care for a wide variety of patients who are very ill, including those with surgical complications, gastrointestinal bleeds, sepsis, drug and alcohol overdoses, and other serious concerns. As these patients are very sick, the ratio is typically one nurse to one — or maybe two — patients.

Curley and her husband, John, are newlyweds; they were just married Sept. 17, 2021. They live in the Woodland neighborhood with their German shepherd, Poppy.

Heather Kohl and her team on the cardiac unit see patients with heart attacks, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and those who need stents and pacemakers, among other heart-related needs.

• 48 years in business

• 6 greenhouses open to the public Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting in May - other days with limited staff available to help

• Summer hours JuneOctober 1, M-W-F

• Professionally trained landscape and maintenance crews ready to go

Garden Center: Take Hwy 35 south to Hwy B, go east on Hwy B 8 miles & turn left to garden center. (715) 399-2527 • missinnegreenhouse.com

Emily Curley is a nurse in the MICU (medical intensive care unit) at Essentia Health. Poppy, a German shepherd, is a ready-and-willing adventure partner, along with Emily's husband, John.

Kohl and her boyfriend, Brian Cody, live in Duluth Heights with their two dogs: Laila, a boxer, and Duke, a mixed-breed dog.

Early COVID-19 experiences

The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, back in early 2020, was a frightening time for everyone. But nurses, being “essential workers” at the front lines of the medical field, experienced this fear and uncertainty firsthand.

“I was still a floor nurse when the pandemic started,” Forsyth said. “We all heard about the massive number of deaths in New York City, and there was a lot of fear and uncertainty.”

Continued on page 26

• Huge selection of shrubs, evergreens, perennials and large 3” caliper trees

• Let us help you make your landscape dreams come true!

• Patios, boulder walls, flagstone walkways, custom entrance containers & hanging baskets

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 25

“It was extremely terrifying,” Curley shared. “The virus started on the coasts and worked its way in. Nothing prepares you for that reality.”

“When the pandemic started, I really struggled with anxiety,” Kohl said. “There was a lot of fear surrounding the situation.”

Adapting

As the pandemic progressed, so did policies and procedures at medical facilities. “Regarding our PPE,” Forsyth said, “we had to put items on and take them off in a certain order. It was very time consuming. We never sat down, and were constantly pulled away to help other patients.

“For our very intensive patients with COVID, in order to take care of them, we had to flip them on their stomachs. For some of the heavier patients, this would sometimes take five or six nurses.”

Forsyth became emotional when recalling a critically ill COVID patient.

“In the ICU, there was one patient on a C-PAP machine — they had refused a ventilator. Then, when family came, only one person was allowed in at a time to say goodbye.”

“My unit became the dedicated COVID ICU when COVID hit,” Curley shared. “We’re an 11-bed unit, and at any given time all patients had a ventilator. We had to stay in the room with one patient, and it was very isolating. For a while, there were no visitors allowed at all — even at the end of life. What was hardest for me is that we had COVID patients in their 20s all the way up to patients in their 90s. A couple younger individuals passed away, with no underlying health issues, and some of the older patients with comorbidities (multiple illnesses) made a full recovery. We couldn’t predict who was going to do well and who would pass away.”

“During the recent surge, four patients tested positive on our floor,” Kohl said. “There was no room for them in the ICU, so there was a lot of shuffling around to keep people safe.

26 May | June 2022
Heather Kohl is a Cardiac Unit nurse at St. Luke's Hospital. She contracted COVID at the start of the pandemic. “This experience has made me a stronger nurse,” Kohl said.

challenging. And some of the patients we saw for heart issues were much sicker because they hadn’t been to the doctor since the pandemic started.”

Kohl also shared her attempts to coordinate final visits with family for patients who were extremely sick. “I tried to arrange a Facetime visit for these patients when visitors weren’t allowed.”

Getting sick

Kohl contracted COVID about two years ago, at the beginning of the pandemic. Although she had mild symptoms and made a full recovery, she did experience some brain fog. An uncle of Kohl’s died from the virus about a year ago.

Forsyth also became sick with COVID. She was pregnant when the vaccine came out, so she waited until after the baby was born to get vaccinated. She unfortunately got sick a week after getting her first dose of the vaccine. Additionally, Forsyth’s husband and three children (including her newborn daughter, Ivy) also contracted COVID. Everybody came through OK. Forsyth’s grandmother contracted COVID, too, and survived.

Lessons

These three nurses have learned plenty of life lessons over the past two-plus years.

“COVID has taught us to be flexible and be more supportive to those around us,” Forsyth said. “We have to make decisions the best we can. I’m definitely learning a lot very quickly. We all have to be a little softer when it comes to change; we need to be fluid.”

“The pandemic has emphasized the value of family,” Curley said. “It’s scary how fast things can change. Also, my faith has been strengthened. So much is out of our control, and I’ve had to lift it up to God. This experience has also emphasized the value of advanced care planning, and end-of-life conversations.”

“This experience has made me a stronger nurse,” Kohl said. “It’s also emphasized the value of family.”

Advice

For those considering a career in nursing, here is what the three nurses had to say. “This pandemic has caused me to question becoming a nurse, which is something I’ve never done,” Kohl said. “But I still love my job. I would still recommend nursing, but you must be a very compassionate, special person to do it well.”

“I’d still definitely recommend nursing,” Curley said. “It provides a great opportunity to help people. And nursing has so many opportunities for personal and professional growth.”

“I would still recommend nursing,” Forsyth added. “There are challenges, but there are challenges with any profession. Our community depends on us to be there for them.” D

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 27 MATTERS HANFTLAW.COM LawFirm DULUTH 218.722.4766 |CLOQUET 218.879.3333 An experienced team who prioritizes your interests and works tirelessly towards the best possible outcome. YOU MATTER HERE. EXPERIENCE MOTHER’S DAY–JUNE30 Tran sp la nt Sa le annuals &perennials hangingbaskets vegetable transplants plants forpollinator s strawberr yplants blueberr ybushes from loca lg reenh ous es an dfarms suppl ysubjec ttoavailability 218.728.0884 wholefoods.coop

Fishing enthusiast shares tips for the beginner

Fishing is an easy recreation to take up in the Twin Ports, with convenient access to a multitude of nearby lakes and rivers. Destiny Hering, a high school senior, may be young, but she knows a thing or two about fishing. Her father, a captain at Lake Superior Fishing, first got her started.

“I’ve been fishing since I could stand up and hold a reel,” Hering said.

Here she offers tips and advice for beginners.

What to bring

The first thing you will need is your fishing license, which can be purchased on the state’s DNR website or at a local bait shop. A separate license is needed for each state. Along with that, and depending on what species you are fishing for, you may also need to purchase stamps.

“I buy my license and figure out what stamps I need to buy if it’s not included in the license already. For example, trout

need a stamp to fish them in Wisconsin,” Hering explained. “If you want to keep your sturgeon and eat it, you have to have a harvesting stamp for sturgeon.”

When you purchase your license, ask the agent which stamps are available.

You will also need to know the state fishing regulations, which may include the legal catch limits. These can be found on the state’s DNR web page as well. Keep a printed copy with you or access it online via your phone.

Fishing gear doesn’t have to be sophisticated.

“Start off with a rod and a worm; you don’t need the high-tech stuff to catch a fish,” Hering said. “My No. 1 suggestion for bait and tackle is Marine General (located on London Road in Duluth). They are super friendly. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or experienced in it, they will answer your questions in a heartbeat. They have everything you need from smelt, to wax worms, to night

~ Destiny Hering

crawlers, to stick baits, spoons and jigs.”

Along with your bait and tackle, a few other key items are needed.

“Bring sunscreen, water, a hat, and layers, too, because you never know when the weather can switch or when the wind can switch,” Hering said.

Additional items one might consider are sunglasses, bug spray, a pocketknife, and a first-aid kit.

However, there is one item that is on the do-not-bring-fishing list.

“You never bring bananas because it’s bad luck. Whether it’s Banana Boat sunscreen, banana-flavored Chapstick, nothing related to bananas or with the word bananas,” Hering said with a laugh.

This superstition proved itself to Hering when she went out fishing with a group one day and she was the only one not catching anything.

28 May | June 2022
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DESTINY HERING
~
Destiny Hering holds an eelpout caught on Lake Superior in November 2020.

“I remember I got a banana cream pudding at the gas station before we went out and I ate in the truck. I totally forgot about the whole banana thing. And then I got out there and my cousin was like, what did you eat because you’re not catching anything. I realized I had that banana cream pudding. So, you can’t even eat bananas,” she laughed. Where

and when to fish

The best time of the day to fish is early in the morning, as it gives you more time to fish.

“Normally, if you want to go out for a full day, be out on the lake by 8 a.m. at the latest,” Hering said. “I’m out by 6:45 a.m., and if I’m fishing on Lake Superior, I’ll be at the dock by 6 a.m.”

A good fishing spot for beginners is Billings Park in Superior. There is a winding, paved trail around the park which provides easy access to a wide variety of casting locations. The old Arrowhead draw bridge pier in Billings Park is also a popular fishing location.

“Any access to local lakes is good,” said Hering, who has fished a lot on Amnicon Lake. Other popular local lakes include Island Lake and Lake Nebagamon.

If you want to get out on the water, find a family member or friend with a boat, or take a trip with one of the fishing charter boats in the area.

“I prefer a boat because I like the feel of the water underneath me,” Hering said. “If I don’t have access to a boat, the shore does just as well. The shore is nice because you can sit, you can stand, and you don’t have to worry about falling over because of the waves. Either one does the job just as well and I think either one gives you the satisfaction just as much.”

Not just about fish

Every angler has a story about the one that got away, but a successful fishing trip doesn’t necessarily include catching fish.

“We were fishing the walleye opener on the river and everybody in the boat caught a fish, besides me,” Hering said.

“But the reason why I find it as a success story is because I got to learn so much more about walleye and how they adapt to things, especially during opener when the river is colder. It was overall a really good learning experience because fishing, to me, when I go out it’s not all about catching fish, it’s about the experiences that you’ll get out of fishing.”

And sometimes just as you are about to give up, the line jerks and luck turns for the best.

“I was fishing catfish and hoping for a sturgeon,” Hering said. “I wasn’t catching anything and the last 45 minutes before pulling everything in, I caught a 52-inch sturgeon.”

Advice for others

If you’re new to fishing, Hering encourages you to try it.

“Some advice I give is to just go for it. You’re always going to get those people that come across your life that are going to judge you. That’s a lot of challenges I’ve had as a girl trying to participate in fishing. Ask questions. No question is a dumb question when it comes to learning about fishing,” she said.

If you’re looking to get involved in the sport and want to meet others, investigate area groups.

“There are some associations like Twin Ports Walleye Association. They talk about fishing, have events they put on, and fishing tournaments. They also have a Facebook group,” Hering said.

Fishing is a great sport to take up. It can be exciting to catch your first fish, but it can also give a sense of peace, and connection to nature and to others. For Hering, that is what it’s all about.

“The relationships that I get to build with wildlife and the people that come with me is why I fish,” she said. “For me, it’s kind of like a home away from home. I always end up finding peace with myself and with everything around me and finding a way to kind of relax and take a vacation even though I’m still in my home area.” D

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 29
Molly Milroy is a Duluth freelance writer. Destiny Hering holds a king salmon caught on Lake Superior in July 2020. Destiny Hering holds a walleye caught on the St. Louis in July 2021. Destiny Hering holds a sturgeon caught on the St. Louis River in July 2020.

Arts & Events Calendar

The West Theatre Events

Thursdays in May & June

May 5 - Monroe Crossing; May 12 - An Acoustic Evening with Chris Hawkey/ Storytellers Show; May 19 - Davina and the Vagabonds; June 9 - Kiss the Tiger; June 16 - Sherwin Linton and The Cotton Kings: Grand Ole Opry Tribute. Visit thewesttheatre/ events.com.

Homegrown Music Festival

May 1-8

This 24th annual event includes a scavenger hunt, children’s music showcase, mayor’s reception, poetry showcase, short films, photo showcase, video showcase, livestreams, and music, music, music! Visit www. duluthhomegrown.org.

The Diary of Anne Frank

May 6-22

Drawing from previously unpublished parts of Anne Frank’s reallife diary, this show encourages audiences to experience Anne in a way that breathes life into this fearless young woman. Performances are held at the Norshore Theater. Visit www. duluthplayhouse.org/norshor-theatre.

Shen Yun 2022 Global Tour

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11

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.

Enjoy 5,000 years of Chinese music and dance in one night. Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of celestial paradises, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales. The performance is at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit www.decc.org/event/shen-yun.

Life House Celebration of Success

5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12

Honor the successes of local youths at Life House’s annual graduationlike celebration and fundraiser. It’s an evening of music, upscale graduation party food, raffle prizes, and acknowledging youth who have accomplished standout achievements in the face of adversity. This free event is at the DECC’s Harbor Side Convention Center. Visit www.lifehouseduluth.org.

Nice Girls of the North Arts and Crafts Show

Saturdays, May 14 & June 11

A collaborative of artists sell handcrafted items, with the artists on hand as personal shoppers and a central checkout. Visit www.nicegirlsofthenorth.com.

Make Believe

May 19-28

For the Conlee kids, playing house is no longer a game when their parents inexplicably disappear. Thirtytwo years later, their search for answers continues. Performances are at the Underground Theatre. Visit www. duluthplayhouse.org/underground-theatre.

Spirit of the Times

7 p.m. Friday, May 20

This 7th annual fundraiser features food, drinks and auction items. Proceeds support Zeitgeist’s artistic programming and community development work. For tickets and more information, visit www.zeitgeistarts.com.

Riverdance

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24

This 25th anniversary show is a powerful and stirring reinvention of this beloved favorite, celebrated around the world for its Grammy-winning score and thrilling energy of its Irish and international dance. The performance is at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit www.decc.org/event/riverdance.

30 May | June 2022
1-800-635-7779 Po box 432, Forbes, MN 55738 Diane Olds, Owner WE APPRECIATE YOU AND WE ARE TOURISM STRONG! www.happytrailtours.com

Northland Walk for Food Allergy

10 a.m. Saturday, May 28

Gather on the Lakewalk at Endion Station to support people living with life-threatening food allergies. Free will donations and same day registration will be accepted. Visit www. aleiaproject.org/events.

Duluth Garden Flower Society Plant Sale

8-10 a.m. Saturday, May 28

Bring your own shopping bags, carts or wagons and take home great deals on all things that grow. Plants come from DGFS members’ home gardens and are sold at super low prices; proceeds go towards purchasing plants to beautify our more than two dozen city gardens. Visit www.dgfs.org/find-a-club/.

West Duluth Memorial Day Parade

12:30 p.m. Monday, May 30

The parade route runs east on Grand Avenue from 59th Avenue West to Central Avenue, then south on Central to Ramsey Street. Organizer is Duluth Women of Today.

Glensheen: The Musical

June 3-12

This musical tackles Glensheen murder mystery with wicked dialogue and evocative music. This is a special event in collaboration with the History Theatre, and is available as an addition to your Glensheen season membership. Visit www. duluthplayhouse.org/norshor-theatre.

Continued on page 32

Convenientmorning andevening hours

Doctor-owned,locallyloved

We have threelocations in your area:

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 31
Hours: WEEKDAYS 9-6 • SAT 10-5 • SUN 12-5 • 2010 W Superior St • 218.722.2433 • happysleepermattress.com
BlueStone (nearUMD) 218-606-1040 Hermantown 218-722-7770 Downtown Duluth 218-722-3679 parkdental.com Tr us te ddentis tfor the

Nestled on 40 acres with a 20-acre school forest, a greenhouse, an orchard and outdoor classrooms.

Naturebased

schoolserving students

Pre-K - 6th Grade

Nature based school serving students

Learn more at northshorecommunityschool.org or call to schedulea tour!

Pre-K - 6th Grade Northshorecommunityschool.org

• Environmental Education integrated throughout the curriculum

Superior Bong Airport Open House

Saturday, June 11

• Art, Music, PE, and Environmental Ed Specialists

Art, PE,Music,and EnvironmentalEdSpecialists, SmallClass Sizes

• Small Class Sizes

Nor th S hore Community School

BusingfromDuluthand TwoHarbors

• Busing from Duluth and Two Harbors

Preschool: Fu ll an dH alfDay op tion s, Ha nds-on learning that is developmentally appropriate, Busingavailable for4 &5 year olds,Possiblescholarships

MN 55804

This event features the EAA breakfast from 8-11 a.m.; free airplane rides for kids; CAF lunch and tours; live music by Blue Water Big Band from 2-4 p.m.; the Antique Car Club show and more. Event is free with food donation. Visit www.superiorchamber.org/ events.

Steve-O: The Bucket List Tour

7 p.m. Thursday, June 16

Pre-K-6th: Environmental Educationintegrated throughout the curriculum,witha 20-acre schoolforest, greenhouse, orchard, and outdoorclassrooms. Kids

The stand-up comedian and star of Jackass movies will perform at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Not for kids; discretion is advised. Visit www.decc.org/ event/steve-o-the-bucket-list-tour.

Naturebased schoolserving students

Footloose

Pre-K - 6th Grade

June 24-July 27

Learn more at northshorecommunityschool.org or call to schedulea tour!

Nor th Shor e Community School

Art, PE,Music,and EnvironmentalEdSpecialists, SmallClass Sizes

BusingfromDuluthand TwoHarbors

The ’80s are back with this rockin’ musical, jam packed with all your favorite powerhouse hit songs from the era. Performances are held at the Norshore Theatre. Visit www.duluthplayhouse.org/ norshor-theatre.

Preschool: Fu ll an dH alfDay op tion s, Ha nds-on learning that is developmentally appropriate,

Pre-K-6th: Environmental Educationintegrated throughout the curriculum,witha 20-acre schoolforest, greenhouse, orchard, and outdoorclassrooms. Kids

CHUM Rhubarb Festival

10 a.m. to 3p.m. Saturday, June 25

The 17th annual event promises lots of rhubarb — including hundreds of pies, muffins and crisps, as well as rhubarb brats and burritos. There will also be live music, games, crafts, auctions and stage shows at Stella Maris Academy/Holy Rosary Campus. Visit chumduluth.org.

*Partnership

Park Point Art Fair

June 25-26

This 50th annual event on Park Point features juried art from the region’s finest artists. Visit www.parkpointartfair.org.

continued
32 May | June 2022
Arts & Events Calendar
Imaginea RESTFULNIGHT FREE of discomfort IgniteDispensaryis an18+establishmentwith electronicID verification.Allhemp and CBDproductscontain <.3% Delta-9THCper the2018FarmBill. CBD &Hempsolutions foryourwellbeing IgniteDispensary.com Superior |Hayward |Spooner Manitowoc |Milwaukee |Bismarck,ND
employment opportunities availableat jobswithus.org
First*
*Partnership
Knowledge* Stewardship
5926 Ryan Road~ Duluth,
218-525-0663 x100
First* Knowledge* Stewardship
5926 Ryan Road~ Duluth, MN 55804 218-525-0663 x100
Busingavailable
year
for4 &5
olds,Possiblescholarships
Kids First * Knowledge * Stewardship * Partnership 5926 Ryan Road ~ Duluth, MN 55804 218-525-0663 x100
THEWOMANTODAY.COM 33 ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS | NO PROVIDER REFERRAL REQUIRED | NO EXTENDED WAIT TIMES Medical | Surgical | Cosmetic 218.302.1000 1414 WOODLAND AVE | DULUTH, MN 55803 TWINPORTSDERM.COM

k i d skorner

Sponsored by:

It’s time to get out and enjoy the fabulous family activities our community has to offer! At the wise age of 20 months, Sloane loves animals and water, so the Lake Superior Zoo and the Great Lakes Aquarium are right up her alley. Or, in case it’s raining, we can check out the family activities at the Depot or bring the family skating at World of Wheels. Sloane says, "Let's go have some fun!"

SLOanE’s Suggestions

Let’s Skate

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.

At the Zoo

Carnivore Feeding Tour

Your private group will get one-on-one time with a carnivore zookeeper to feed either Black Bear & Grey Wolves or Alaskan Brown Bears & Amur Tiger. Limited to five people, the 30-minute tours are held daily at 2pm but must be scheduled in advance. Cost is $35 per person. Call or email 218-349-5607 or eperala@lszoo.org.

Build Your Birthday Party Package!

Includes: NEW Party Room for 1 hour and 45 minutes, the ability to bring in birthday cake or cupcakes, admission and skate rentals for birthday person and nine guests, and much more! Visit https:// wowskatecenter. com/

At the Aquarium

Water Striders 1/2-day Camp

In this preschool camp, discoveries await under every rock and around every corner! Campers will use a variety of tools for discovery to practice observation skills and develop a sense of wonder while we play inside and outside the Aquarium, meet animals and explore new things. Campers will need to provide their own healthy snacks. For 3- to 5-yearolds, sign up for either Aug. 22-26 or Aug. 20 to Sept. 2. Visit https:// glaquarium.org/education/forfamilies/camp/ for times, cost and other details. Registration now open!

34 May | June 2022
THEWOMANTODAY.COM 35 Grand Rapids Hibbing Duluth 409 NW 1st Ave 405 EHoward St 901 WCentral Entrance Shop online at BendersShoes.com for wherever summer takes you Style &Comfort

Finding strength through adversity

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. That’s just one way to describe 3-year-old Walter Duong’s outlook on life. Walter’s parents are Phoebe and Jeff, both 30, and this Duluth family has been “finding a way” since Phoebe found out she was pregnant.

“It was such an exciting day when we found out we were pregnant,” Phoebe said. “Jeff and I always knew we wanted kids and we were excited the time had come.”

Living in Oregon in 2018, Phoebe’s doctors diagnosed Walter with Treacher Collins syndrome prenatally. It’s a genetic condition that impacts the bones in the lower part of the jaw

and ears. Walter consequently has hearing loss, wears hearing aids and has an undersized jaw that causes obstructive sleep apnea and requires him to have a tracheostomy tube. But he doesn’t let those things define who he is — a little boy, full of life.

“He loves to be outside,” Jeff said. “He goes to an outdoor playschool several times a week and loves to go hiking and exploring. He’s a little jokester and very independent.”

In 2019, shortly after Walter was born, the Duong family moved back to Minnesota to be closer to family. Because of his condition, Walter’s doctors knew he would need a high level of care with a robust team of specialists. Phoebe said Walter’s

36 May | June 2022
HEALTH/MEDICINE SPONSORED CONTENT
PHOTO BY DEREK MONTGOMERY, COURTESY OF ESSENTIA Jeff and Phoebe Duong and their 3-year-old son Walter enjoy a spring evening on the Lakewalk in Duluth.

doctors in Oregon recommended Essentia Health as the best place for him to receive ongoing care.

“It’s really nice to have a team of people here in Duluth who know the plan and are willing to support his care in every way, communicate with each other effectively and always support Walter,” Phoebe said.

Walter routinely sees his primary care physician, Dr. Steven Schumacher; audiologist Camie Wheeler; Dr. Amy Garcia, a pediatric gastroenterologist; and speech therapist Kristin Goman.

“Kristin is who we see the most,” Phoebe said. “She knows exactly how to work with him without pushing him too far. It’s really nice to see her working so well with him.”

“Walt is an independent, playful, hard-working and determined young boy,” Goman said. “It has been a rewarding journey to help facilitate his ability to gain independence with his feeding skills and ability to vocalize using his speaking valve. Working with families like Walt’s is what makes my job so rewarding.”

Because his condition causes some overlapping symptoms, Walter’s doctors and specialists need to be on the same page, which requires significant communication between departments — something that’s never lacking, Phoebe said.

“It seems like everything is as seamless as it could be,” she said. “The communication with all of the providers to work out concerns and provide Walter with exceptional care is wonderful.”

Phoebe adds that, over time, she has seen Walter become more comfortable with his care team, noting that he actually likes going to the doctor now.

“He’ll run in and show them his toys and talk to them,” Phoebe said. “He even likes to put his blood pressure cuff on.”

While Walter uses sign language as his primary form of communication, through speech therapy Goman has helped him begin to speak more clearly. He has completed feeding therapy and has been able to transition off pureed foods to eating solid foods for every meal. Those are just a few things that have improved. Phoebe is proud to say Walter is doing better than ever.

“When I look back at the function of Walter from when we first got here to now, he has made so much progress with his speech,” Phoebe said. “He doesn’t get frustrated at school anymore when he’s talking to his friends and it’s really heartwarming to see him have that freedom.”

At just 3 years old and a whole life ahead of him, Phoebe said Walter is living large and loving life. Fresh off a trip to Hawaii, which Walter loved, the

trio now spends their days doing what Walter loves the most — walking on the Lakewalk in Duluth and playing the Toy Story version of Monopoly Junior. D

Anthony Matt is the media relations specialist at Essentia Health.

OUR SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:

• Compostable containers and organic pest control practices

• Seed grown, hard-to-find bedding plants

Over 25 varieties of tomatoes and 80+ varieties of culinary and medicinal herbs

• The area’s largest selection of colorful, custom designed hanging baskets New! Expanded selection of perennials,

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 37
trees & shrubs, including over 2 dozen kinds of fruit trees 5996 Cant Rd • Duluth, MN 55804 218-525-1994 bendingbirchesgreenhouse.com Located north of Duluth off Lismore Road Open Daily: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm • Sun: 10am-3pm Soils/Dirt Garden Blend/ Black Dirt
50/50 Topsoil Brown Packing Dirt • Manure • Compost Sand
Washed Sand Play Sand Sandy Loam • Pit Run Sand Gravel Class 5 Limestone Recycled Blacktop Landscape Rock • Pea Rock Washed Rock 3/4" or 1 1/2" Bluestone 3/4" or 1 1/2" • River Rock - MN or WI YOUR OUTDOOR PROJECT SUPPLY HEADQUARTERS! See our website for a complete listing of our mulches, dirt, gravel or rock. Schedule your delivery now! 525-1449 NOW OPEN! Pick-up and delivery available! BRINGING PEOPLE AND PLANTS TOGETHER, NATURALLY Cost is $25 Congratulations to all the 5th Annual Rosie award nominees!! We are Lisa and Taylor, owners of Country Acre Wild Rags. We are excited to offer customized Rosie Bandanas for you to purchase for the 5th Annual Rosie awards event. Please reach out to us on our Facebook page to order!

Hello, dear readers!

I hope that by the time you’re reading this spring will have officially sprung. It seems to be the neverending winter these days. Beautiful spring days are quickly chased away by snow, rain and cold.

It was easy to forget about the cold when we headed to Bender's Shoes in their new location at 901 W. Central Entrance, Duluth. Their new store is incredibly spacious and filled with high quality shoes, clothing, gifts, and much more. There are multiple large and clean fitting rooms and a great big cozy couch near the check out to relax and admire all your new goodies.

You could easily spend hours in this gorgeous new location, we certainly did. The new Benders is a onestop shop for yourself and the whole family. D

1

This first look is the perfect spring and summer outfit, for casual work days, baby showers, lunch dates and more. This cardigan is butter soft and the perfect length. This gorgeous floral top features an ever flattering flowy middle and a beautiful neckline. It could easily be worn alone or with a jacket or sweater. I paired this look with these gorgeous, strappy little sandals. The pink tones perfectly match the cardigan and they really just tie the whole look together. Plus, they are unbelievably comfortable.

38 May | June 2022 PHOTOS
MEGAN
BY
KELLER
Samantha Roffers, a Moose Lake writer, believes it’s important to shop for things you love and feel comfortable in. Everyone’s style is unique and that’s what makes it so special.

For this next look I paired the same awesome pants with a lightweight white blouse. This blouse is perfect for the warmer months. The delicate floral detailing, three-quarter sleeves and deep neckline take this from a “plain white top” to the next level. For this look I donned these great multicolor flats, which are so comfortable and feature an adorable concho accessory that my western heart was immediately drawn to.

The next look drew the attention of everyone in the store, in the best way! I paired that vibrant blouse from before with this beautiful striped romper. This romper was great on its own, but the top tied at the waist worked better for my short torso, adding some much needed shape. You could easily achieve this with a scarf or belt tied around the waist as well. I paired this look with these awesome Sorel wedges. They were so incredibly cute and comfortable, the perfect summer wedge!

This last look was probably my favorite. You all know I'm a comfy and casual gal most of the time. This sweatshirt had magic woven in it. It had such an unbelievably cozy fit and great attention to detail. I personally loved the thick cord strings and high neckline. The color was stunning and perfect for spring and could easily be brought into your fall line up. I paired it with these super fun canvas shoes featuring a gorgeous pastel tie dye. This look was a ten out of ten for me. This is the perfect outfit for hanging at the lake or around the campfire.

2
3 4 THEWOMANTODAY.COM 39

Incollege, Erin Hansen fell in love with running. Over time, she started to notice a persistent pain in her foot. Concerned it was going to get in the way of what she loved, she saw an orthopedic specialist. The specialist referred her to a physical therapist (PT).

“I had absolutely no idea what I was walking into,” Erin said, “but I’m so thankful I went.”

As she followed the treatment plan from her PT, Erin’s pain slowly got better. Ten weeks later, she was able to run a marathon.

The experience inspired her to completely change her career path.

“I quit my job and went back to school to become a PT,” Erin said. “On top of being a completely fascinating field, helping another person get back to

From patient to physical therapist

enjoying what they love is so rewarding.”

Now, she practices at St. Luke’s Mount Royal Medical Clinic, helping Duluthians enjoy every activity the area has to offer.

What a PT does

A PT is a movement expert who can help improve a person’s quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care and education.

“We teach each patient a set of customized exercises and stretches,” Erin said. “Sometimes a treatment plan will include other modalities as well.” This could be anything from manual therapy to trigger point dry needling.

There are no adverse side effects to physical therapy, and the ultimate goal is for patients to be able to manage their recovery long-term from home.

“I don't want patients to be dependent on me,” Erin said. “I want to teach them the tools they need to get

back on track and manage any flare ups they may have down the road.”

Education is also a large part of what a PT does.

“We teach a lot about the anatomy and the how the body works,” Erin said. “We want patients to understand why something is happening and how to prevent future injuries.”

Who a PT helps

Many patients who work with a PT have injuries, disabilities or other health conditions that need treatment. However, PTs also care for those who just want to learn how to be healthier and prevent future problems. They can help people achieve fitness goals, regain or maintain independence, and lead an active lifestyle.

“I help all kinds of people,” Erin said. “Recently, a runner came in with hip pain. I helped her identify some muscle imbalances. After only four or five visits,

40 May | June 2022
HEALTH/MEDICINE SPONSORED CONTENT PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL
Erin Hansen, PT, DPT, specializes in orthopedics sport rehab. Her primary location is St. Luke’s Mount Royal Medical Clinic.
How an injury inspired a career at St. Luke’s

we were able to clear things up for her.” This patient was able to run a 5K with no pain and is now training for a half marathon.

Another woman Erin recently worked with was experiencing pain in her Achilles tendon. “She lives in a hilly part of town and could barely walk her dog down her street,” Erin said. “I saw her for about eight visits and now she’s back out there, walking the Duluth hills and even hiking the Superior Hiking Trail.”

Physical therapy at St. Luke’s

With a team of more than 40 boardcertified PTs, St. Luke’s can connect you with the therapist that is just right for your situation. Many St. Luke’s PTs have been specially trained to address a widerange of concerns including:

• Amputation and prosthetic issues

• Arthritis symptoms

• Back and neck pain

• Balance issues

• Chronic pain

• Fibromyalgia symptoms

• Headaches

• Jaw pain

• Muscle weakness

• Pelvic floor problems

• Pinched or irritated nerves

• Posture restoration

• Pregnancy discomforts

• Running gait analysis

• Side-effects of cancer treatment

• Sports injuries

In addition, a referral is not required. “If you are experiencing any nagging aches or pains that are holding you back, you can just call us,” Erin said. “We have a great team of therapists and a lot of locations in the area to choose from. Physical

therapy can be the first step to get you back on track.”

To schedule an appointment, call 218-249-6040. To learn more about physical therapy and read the bios of St. Luke’s PTs, visit slhduluth.com/ PhysicalTherapy. D

Claire Kiger is a marketing specialist and writer for St. Luke’s.

Voted Best Wine Selection

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 41
Over 50 years of creating dream kitchens • Cabinets and Countertops • Tile and Stone • Hardwood and Luxury Plank • Decorative Plumbing & Shower Doors • Creative and Knowledgeable Staff Our showroom is open M-F 9-5 and by appointment. 1735 Maple Grove Road Duluth, MN 218-722-6306 • www.bradleyinteriorsmn.com
in the Duluth News Tribune’s 2020 Best of the Best Contest. KEYPORTLIQUORS.COM 1900 Belknap, Superior 715.392.5855

Ronning ~

Local entrepreneur fuses art and community

"I’m the CEO my parents wanted me to marry,” reads one of Kia Ronning’s sticker designs, several of which sold out the day they went on sale.

Ronning has always been a creative person, but had never thought about turning her talents into a business. That was until she posted a T-shirt she made for her child on social media and was contacted by Natasha Lancour of RoyalRoots Garden asking for Ronning to come up with a design for her business.

One thing led to another, and Ronning launched her company, Keeks Kreations, in January 2021, officially becoming an LLC in June of that year. She makes tumblers, keychains, home decor, shirts and more, all of which can be customized to fit a business’ brand or a customer’s style.

“(The business) started as a hobby to reduce stress, to make some cool stuff for my kids. And then one person believed in me and I was like, hey, yeah, I think I can do this,” she said.

Since then, through community connections and word of mouth, Ronning has created merchandise for the YWCA, the University of Minnesota-Duluth track and field team, Deep Cuts barber shop, Cheesecake & Company and more.

Ronning tends to follow her curiosity when it comes to creating, with a specific focus on Black and queer empowerment, as she is a Black pansexual woman herself.

“I definitely do follow my joy, and that's what leads to my different creations — things that are super important to me like Black History Month and Pride Month. Those are two of the main things that really inspire me the most,” she said.

Since launching her business,

PHOTOS
OF KIA
~ Kia
COURTESY
RONNING

Ronning has come up with special collections for Pride, Black History Month and Juneteenth each year. Her commitment to these causes extends beyond her designs, as she does work in the community as well.

In February 2021, Ronning launched the Northland Black Business Showcase to uplift other Black-owned businesses in the Twin Ports. The event was so successful that some vendors nearly sold out of their products.

“The support from the community was so fierce at this event. It was so amazing,” Ronning said.

Ronning organized the showcase again in February 2022 and is already excited for 2023. She hopes to grow the event each year, with the hopes of one day filling the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

“It paves the way for more Black businesses to come forward and do their thing and get out there,” she said of the showcase.

Ronning’s passion for the community extends to her professional life as well, as she is co-coordinator of MEGA (Making Equal Genders Awesome) at Men as Peacemakers in Duluth. This program works with local schools to facilitate conversations around gender, race and teamwork in a safe space where students are encouraged to ask questions.

“Their minds are so pure,” Ronning said. “They already have such unique minds of their own. We have several kids who identify as trans or gender-fluid at such young ages, and when we have those conversations, there's no one in the room making fun of them for being

Ronning herself has two kids, ages 10 and nearly 2, and a husband who has been a relentless supporter of her business endeavors. She grew up in St. Paul and has lived in Oklahoma, Indiana and California, officially making the Twin Ports home in 2016.

Juggling a family, full-time job and small business often results in late nights and lots of coffee, but the joy it brings Ronning makes it worth it.

Ronning encourages folks wanting to start their own business or side hustle to take the leap.

“Find support, because it's out there,” she said. “There are so many people who love supporting small businesses. … My advice would be to take the leap, especially if you have the time. Take that leap, believe in yourself, and find the people who are going to support you.”

Keep up with Keeks Kreations on Facebook at @ keekskreations1, Instagram and TikTok at @keekskreationswi or online at keekskreations.com and be on the lookout for this year’s Pride collection, launching in June. D

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 43
Abigail Blonigen is a Minnesota freelance writer. LEFT: Kia Ronning smiles with her husband Don and children Donny, 10, and Kingston, 2, outside of their home. ABOVE: Ronning makes tumblers, keychains, home decor, shirts and more, all of which can be customized to fit a business’ brand or a customer’s style. She is especially inspired by Pride Month and Black History Month, creating special collections each year.

RENOVATIONSRemarkable

WHERE LOCAL DESIGNERS SHARE SOME REMARKABLE PROJECTS DONE RIGHT HERE IN THE NORTHLAND.

At just 700 square feet, this two-bedroom, year-round cabin on Island Lake turned into a 3,900-square-foot dream home.

The Zerwas home has a "mountain modern” design, with low sloped roof lines that encompass the original cabin footprint inside, and tremendous views of Island Lake from many vantage points inside the home. "As we walk through the large passageways from the old cabin into the new 'lake home,' it has a natural flow and feels like a home blending our past with the future," said Kathleen Zerwas.

Hiner Home Designs

ZERWAS RESIDENCE

Why was this your favorite, what made this one so special to stand out in your mind, what were some of the key features that made it so special?

I hesitate to use the word “favorite” since I work with so many wonderful people and on so many interesting projects. So rather than saying this is my favorite, I would just say it is one of the more unique projects I’ve had the opportunity to work on. The homeowners wanted to expand their cabin but were hesitant about tearing down the old cabin which contained so many wonderful memories. So, my design solution was to keep the existing cabin and build new around it. The old cabin is inside the new structure and still retains its knotty pine walls and modest size bedrooms with the old living room area turned into a cozy game room. The new addition rises over and around the old cabin and has high ceilings and windows viewing the lake in the modern kitchen and great room area, so it’s a wonderful balance of blending the new with the old.

When was this project started and completed?

The design was developed during 2017 with construction in 2018.

What was one major challenge you had with this project?

It was important to leave the old cabin and its memories intact, so the challenge was to connect it to the new structure so that it flowed and functioned as one cabin. This was accomplished by creating a connection between the new great room and old cabin game room so that people and conversation could flow easily between the two areas.

Greatest success?

Enjoying a glass of wine in front of the fireplace with the homeowners after construction was complete, admiring the fruits of our labor.

What advice would you have to give to people thinking about remodeling their bathroom?

Plan ahead, hire the right people, and be open to creative ideas.

Continued on page 46

44 May | June 2022 BEFORE PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHLEEN ZERWAS. AFTER PHOTOS BY COMSTOCK CREATIVE
Before After

With a vast wall of windows overlooking the lake, there's a fantastic view from the new kitchen, dining area and great room. And the 22-foot-high asymmetrical stacked-rock fireplace, constructed by Solid Rock Masonry, features a lighted mantel.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 45
A nook adjacent to the kitchen is a perfect coffee, wine and beverage center for guests.
You Deserve A New KITCHEN! •FREE DESIGN •FREE ESTIMATES 3107 TOWER AVE. • SUPERIOR, WI 715-394-7721 campbelllumber

HOMEOWNER'S COMMENTS Kathleen Zerwas

What made you decide it was time to remodel your home?

We purchased our small 700-square-foot, two-bedroom, year-round cabin on Island Lake in fall 1995 when I was the director of A320 Aircraft Maintenance for Northwest Airlines leading the design and startup of the NWA maintenance base for the fleet located at the Duluth airport complex. I had been working with the local Duluth community to set up relationships with local companies and to recruit for the 350-plus new jobs and even held open houses at the DECC. It was at one of these open houses at the DECC that I met Greg Kamp, then president of East West Realty, and he inquired about the type of housing we would be looking for in Duluth. Not being that familiar with all the wonderful communities, I

rattled off my dream list of a home with knotty pine and cedar interior on a great fishing lake with level lot and two-car garage. Greg promised he would keep an eye out for such a property and three months later called about a friend’s home on Island Lake that was ready to sell! But we had to act fast and decided within four days. We had never heard of Island Lake or the communities north of Duluth but fell in love with the shoreline, beautiful islands, and lovely community complete with our local Minno-ette for local groceries and gas!

We were sold and took possession in October 1995 when the trees were blaze orange and red and caught our first walleye off the dock! We were hooked and the “Cabin” became our getaway for weekends from the Twin Cities since I had accepted another position leaving NWA. It quickly became our families, mine from Ohio and my husband, Jim’s from Cottage Grove, Minn., retreat as well! For over 20 years, we built so many memories of birthdays, 4th of July, Christmas, snowshoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks, campfires, fireworks and cookouts with groups up to 17 people at a time staying overnight in tents, campers, sleeping bags on cots in the garage and sharing one bathroom beside the lake “showers”! It was great fun and has led to many tall tales!

To retain all of the charm and memories of the old cabin, the renovation design actually encases and surrounds the old cabin structure. The existing knotty pine and cedar walls and ceiling, two bedrooms, bathroom, and utility room remained the same. The small kitchen became a bunk room, and the old dining and living room became a cozy office and game room area.

But as our families grew, we wanted to provide some more creature comforts…… and keep everyone coming back! So in 2015, we began to dream about what life would be like if we could “live at the Lake.” I owned an architectural sign design and manufacturing business in Blaine, Minn., so we were still tied to living in the Twin Cities. But we started dreaming and a debate emerged about whether it was best to tear down the existing cabin or add on to accommodate more guests. We started to talk to people in the community about an architect to work with who had a great design eye but also a sensibility for livability in the layout. We went to the Home Shows at the DECC and Twin Cities and just kept on looking for that right fit. That’s where Heather Hiner comes in. At least three to four people had suggested her based on their great experiences working with Heather for their projects.

So on a snowy day in late winter of 2017, we met Heather at the cabin and knew immediately that we had met a “partner” to design our new “cabin”! She arrived only to find me in a surgical boot trying to shovel snow away from the door and Jim inside with his shoulder in a sling from recent surgery. Her reaction…… to fly back out the door and grab a shovel from the garage and help me shovel!! Then she sat down with us around the small kitchen table after walking through the cabin and began to ask questions about the history of the place, what drew us here, how we used the spaces, what our hobbies were, and most importantly what we wanted in our new space. She listened intently and took notes all without sketching or referencing any blueprints. As we shared our desire to evolve the “cabin” into the extended family and friends Mountain Modern retreat with space for furry friends so we could make

Continued on page 48

46 May | June 2022
THEWOMANTODAY.COM 47 BR OUGH T TO YO U BY *WITH AP PR OV ED CRE DI T. SE E ST ORE FOR DE TA ILS 0%APR FOR 12 MONTHS ON ALL APPLIANCE PURCHASES * FEATUR IN G 218.722.5803 | 4258 Haines Rd | JohnsonMertzAppliance.com FA MILY TIME

HOMEOWNER'S COMMENTS CONTINUED

more memories, she asked if we had any thoughts about a future design. So then the great debate over teardown versus addon came out. She listened quietly to our pros and cons and all the memories that we still clung to in those knotty pine and cedar walls and the wildlife through the slider windows and the sounds of the lake waves and loons at night from the futon bed on the screen porch. At the conclusion of our discussion, she said she had some ideas and wanted to digest our wish list and set another meeting for two weeks out.

When Heather returned with drawings rolled up under her arms and tracing paper sheets in hand, she shared with us her design plan which was the best of both options: Keep the old cabin, the heart of our home, and build up around it. Those memories could be kept and flow into the new structure built over and around the existing small cabin! It would not be a “bolted on” addition but rather a cocooning of our existing space inside of the newer structure with a new roof built over the existing and new passageways created to flow from the old cabin into the adjacent new great room and entrance foyer. The existing knotty pine and cedar walls and ceiling would remain as well as the two bedrooms, bathroom, and utility room just as they were. The small kitchen would become a bunk room for our special kiddo visitors, and the dining/living room would become our new office and game room area! We loved it immediately and by repurposing the existing space, we were going to be able to stretch our budget further.

It took us about three meetings with Heather to finalize the design for a construction bid. At each meeting, she would come in with updated drawings and would trace rough-ups of potential changes over those as we discussed options for layout changes to provide more storage or functionality (e.g. incorporating the raised dog wash to actually function as a utility sink with an adjustable countertop for storage of towels for outdoor shower). By asking questions about how frequently we would use something, she helped us eliminate items or figure out how to create dual purpose space (e.g. a four season room becoming three season without dedicated heat source, or moving a small wood stove and creating a nook adjacent to the kitchen for coffee/wine/beverage center for guests). This way we were able to maximize her design suggestions and more quickly settle in on final details for a construction bid package.

Once Heather prepared the final detailed structural design drawings, I married the material specifications that I had selected for the exterior finishes and interior finish selections with it as a bid package for construction bids. We wanted to give contractors as much detail as possible about our material specifications so that we and they could prepare a thorough bid. Our approach has always been to have an itemized bid

prepared, working with the contractor to ensure they are providing the types of materials we select so we can avoid surprises and change orders as much as possible. Having run a manufacturing business, I know that I would rather know and understand the clients’ specifications so I can provide the most accurate and complete bid for the project and offer some alternatives which provide some timing and/or cost savings as alternatives to the bid. Everyone deserves to make a profit and wants to do good work and meet or exceed clients expectations. Having a clear itemized bid that you and your contractor discuss up front leads to a win-win scenario versus confrontation and disappointment later. In our case, we came to understand that we could not afford initially to build the three-car attached garage. So Heather made slight modifications to the design so we could easily remove and reuse a window and included routing of all HVAC/plumbing work into the future garage wall so that it could be easily added later.

Our final design yielded a 3,900-square-foot, five-bedroom, three-bathroom home featuring a grand entry cedar hallway (with hanging space for family picture gallery) leading to a 22-foot vaulted ceiling great room/kitchen/dining area with a beautiful view of Island Lake. There’s plenty of room for guests to enjoy a breakfast at the custom made live edge dining table of yellow birch over 100 years old retrieved from the bottom of Lake Superior, a 22-foot stone fireplace with eye level viewing from any part of the great room, a three-season porch to listen for the loons, a balcony for the telescope to see the Milky Way, and a mudroom with dog wash and outside shower for fourlegged visitors — all done with a “mountain modern” design of low sloped roof lines encompassing the original cabin and all of its memories.

What was your favorite portion of this remodel?

First and foremost is that the old “cabin” is still at the heart of the new lake home! The design retains all of the original old cabin complete with the signs of past memories of small marks from card games, indoor parades during winter, and images of favorite pictures faded in place. The two bedrooms and bathroom are exactly as originally constructed, the small kitchen is converted to a three-bed bunk room for little ones, and the original living room is now the home office and game area. Old family game boards of Chinese checkers, carom, and checkers fill out the space surrounded by puzzles and books. As we walk through the large passageways from the old cabin into the new “lake home,” it has a natural flow and feels like a home blending our past with the future.

How was it working with your designer? What made you choose their business?

Heather is hands on, attentive, realistic to help design for best function and value, and is very knowledgeable about the local construction market, suppliers, and the construction methods and features for our climate. And she is fun, tunes in

48 May | June 2022

quickly to the different style preferences of her clients and is also quick to help call out a design element that may require some extra work or attention for ongoing maintenance and/ or present some construction challenges. Heather’s approach to detail in her architectural design is solid for a contractor to develop a bid and is detailed enough for specifications and buildout while leaving it up to the client to take the lead on selection of materials/styles/finishes.

What advice do you have for prospective homeowners thinking about taking on a remodeling project?

Understand what you really want to accomplish with the remodel and set a budget range. If you have these things in mind before you start to meet with prospective architects/ contractors, it will help you focus on getting the results you want and provide your architect/contractor with parameters that can guide the design/material options for the best function and value. We had some initial “wishes” that were outside of our budget, but by setting this up front, they were able to select other options/approaches to stay within budget. Also, leave 10-12% contingence fund in the budget for those inevitable surprises.

Did you research other remodels for tips?

Once we started dreaming about making the lake our home, we spent time browsing books about modern cabin designs, attending Parade of Homes events and Home Shows, and subscribed to Dwell magazine and Architectural Digest. Anytime we saw a feature or look or unique construction technique, we would add it to our design file. Then as we got into the actual interior design, I started to reach out to local suppliers/artisans/craftspeople to source Minnesota-made services and products. An example is Solid Rock Masonry. Eric Moshier is within 10 miles of us and does amazing masonry projects all over the U.S. He came into the empty shell during construction and we spent an hour sketching on a notebook page the design he constructed of the 22-foot-high asymmetrical stacked rock fireplace with modern light mantel. Eric even had the sandstone material, which looks like wood, for the lintels buried in the snow outside his shop. I always ask artisans who else they have worked with and/or could be a possible resource. You will be surprised where it can lead you!

What amenities were must-haves? What were some you wanted but ultimately discarded?

We were focused on achieving two goals: creating a welcoming and special place for family and guests to gather and stay AND create a living space that we could “age in place” with a dog and enjoy and maintain for the next 30-40 years. So our must-haves were guided by those two goals.

Must Haves:

• Wheelchair accessible doorways, and shower entries and easy grip knobs and pulls — designed to age in place

• Walk-thru master closet near laundry room

• Great room with open floor plan to kitchen with island bar seating, dining room with table to seat 12

• Wood fireplace in great room at eye level with wood storage built in

• At least four bedrooms with at least three bathrooms; all with showers

• Cedar walls and ceilings in most areas

• Dog wash and dog supplies storage area with direct access to outside

• Four-season porch with retractable glass/screens

• In-floor heat with AC

• Easy maintenance interior and exterior materials that do not need painting or extensive cleaning: stained concrete floors, sliding fiberglass windows, LP siding and galvalume with aluminum soffits

• Mountain modern design with simple, bold lines, minimizing passageway space and maximizing access through use of barn doors and pocket doors and hiding HVAC work

• Attached three-car garage with bonus area for future additional apartment and balcony for telescope

Discarded/Revised/Delayed: Mostly due to cost and working to stay within budget:

• We revised the build design so that the attached three-car

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 49 Continued on page 50 BRINGING GREAT DESIGN HOME HINERHOMEDESIGNS.COM 218-391-7466
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN INTERIOR DESIGN nor thlandr ba.com 715.394.7390
Kelsey Hiner Heather Hiner

HOMEOWNERS COMMENTS CONTINUED

garage with bonus area for future additional apartment and balcony for telescope could be added on in the future as was over budget; and altered the original design so that all HVAC runs/plumbing and windows were laid out and built for easy tie-in to future buildout

• The four-season porch turned into three-season porch with a propane stove for occasional warmups

• Cedar walls and ceilings were cost prohibitive so we used cedar on walls in entrance and mudroom and one wall in the great room; we switched to using knotty basswood on the ceilings throughout which was less costly and kept the mountain modern feel

• We got four queen-size bedrooms and converted the old cabin kitchen to a three-person bunk room so we can accommodate at least 13 guests

Was the process easier or more difficult than expected? Any pleasant surprises?

This was our fourth new build project so knew what to expect, except for what the weather threw at us and lengthening material supply timeframes due to the frantic home building market in 2017-2018. Our foundation was poured and plumbing sub-floor lay-ins were completed the first week in December and it snowed the following day! Our construction team from Soumis Construction was out at the site during snow storms and whipping winds to get the house enclosed and roofed. So they got some hot coffee and warm cookies and cinnamon rolls to provide a break and warm up. We had to drive to New Ulm to pick up a propane-fired boiler so we could heat the in-floor heat to get concrete cured and set up before the final boiler could be installed after construction dust was gone.

We actually stayed in the “old cabin” section as the new home was being built around us that winter. Everything was ripped up except for the old master bedroom and bathroom. So we cooked in a microwave perched on top of the washer on a roll-around cart and a coffee maker on top of the dryer! There were several hours spent sitting on folding chairs on the concrete slab flooring with plastic windows reviewing design drawings and finalizing material selections and electrical and lighting placements! While it might have felt lacking in creature comforts, it was great to be able to be at the site 24/7 so we could talk with the construction team and get their input on the details! They always had great insights into some little twists that ultimately enhanced our home, such as location of switches, mounting of shelf lighting, positioning of thermostats, even determining the hinge side of door placements.

How long did it take to complete?

We started the design work with Heather Hiner actively in March 2017, received contractor construction bids in September 2017, signed the construction contract in October 2017, and groundwork started in November 2017. The main home was completed in June 2018. The attached garage addition framing construction started in September 2018 and completed in November 2018. Interior finishing is still in process and we expect to be completed by August 2022 as budget permits.

Was it disruptive at all during the construction phase?

Yes, by normal standards but we knew what to expect and just rolled with the sometimes daily schedule changes of hammering starting at 6:30 a.m. and materials appearing in the driveway blocking access for a couple days at a time. We were blessed to have some really great construction team members and skilled crafts people which made it interesting and not so stressful as we learned about their skills and journeys and they came to know more about our family and goals

Contractors on the project:

Soumis Construction – General Contractor

Mesabi Masonry – stained concrete floors with “River Runs through It” design

Red House Design – designed all interior cabinetry including custom dog wash surround

Solid Rock Masonry – designed and installed 22 ft high fireplace

Duluth Stove & Fireplace – sourced and installed 40” flush mounted fireplace box with retractable glass and screen

Stone Countertop Outlet – sourced and installed all of the Sandalus quartzite countertops

Cedar Lake Excavating – all of the foundation digging and exterior landscaping and rock walls

Tamarack River Carpentry – designed mantels and floating shelves and all fantastic finish carpentry including all cedar walls and knotty basswood ceilings

Billman Building Supply – major supplier of building materials and interior hardware and doors

Pella – supplier of all windows including custom sized fiberglass trapezoid glass for lake facing wall

50 May | June 2022
THEWOMANTODAY.COM 51 Loans made easy, friendly and fast. Apply online or use our live video banking service today! MEMBERSCCU.ORG/BOAT GONE! GET Membership and loan approval required. Restrictions apply. | Federally Insured by NCUA. |

Fire

52 May | June 2022 BROUGHT TO YOU BY Recipes provided and prepared by Chef Teal of the Mount Royal Market Deli for a BBQ Feast PHOTOS COURTESY OF MOUNT ROYAL MARKET
up the Grill

Grilled Vegetable Carpaccio

1 each Large yellow, orange, green, and red bell peppers

1 Yellow squash

1 Zucchini

1 Eggplant

1 Turnip

1 Gold beet

1 White onion

1 pound Feta cheese, cut into ½’’ slices

3 Rosemary sprigs, chopped

5 Thyme sprigs, chopped

1 bunch Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

5 cloves Garlic, minced

1 Tbsp Salt and pepper

Olive oil to brush on vegetables or lightly toss

Balsamic glaze for garnish

1. Slice all vegetables into ¼’’ slices length wise. Try to keep everything uniform in size. Excess trimmings can be used for kabobs. Season with herbs and olive oil.

2. Place on grill until ingredients

start to become soft yet firm enough to handle. Save the cheese for last as it will grill very quickly, about 1 minute.

3. Assemble on a plate by layering different varieties of vegetables across the plate. Place grilled feta every two to

three items. Finish by slicing down the middle and garnish with balsamic glaze. See photo for final layering look.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 53
Featuring PREMIUM ANGUS BEEF by Locally sourced MN beef 1600 Woodland Ave., Duluth | 218-728-3665 www.mountroyalmarket.com
It’s GrillinG Time

KABOBS / SATAY

Chef’s note: Try using the 5- to 6-inch skewers instead of the typical long ones, providing smaller portions with more options and flavors and a more consistent finished looking product. Average yield is 8-10 kabobs/satays per flavor profile.

Pork Tenderloin Satay - Chinese BBQ Char Siu

Thinly sliced pork tenderloin marinated overnight in BBQ Char Siu mixture (½ cup of seasoning mixed with 16 ounces of water for every 2-3 lbs. of meat).

Chicken Tenders Satay - Teriyaki

Chicken tenders marinated overnight in 1 packet of Lee Kum Kee Teriyaki Sauce to 2-3 lbs of meat

Shrimp Kabobs - Spicy Lime

1 pound (16-20 count) shrimp marinated for just a couple of hours in:

2 limes, zest plus juice

¼ cup honey

¼ cup Sashimi TogarashiJapanese 7 spice blend

¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil

Chef’s note: Shrimp can be left shell on or off depending on preference

54 May | June 2022
BROUGHT TO YOU BY MOUNT
MARKET
ROYAL
RIBS
BEEF SHRIMP CHICKEN PORK VEGGIES

Filet Mignon Kabobs - Herb Crusted

1 pound Filet Mignon cut into

1’’ chunks, tossed to coat and marinated overnight in:

2 sprigs Fresh rosemary, chopped

5 sprigs Fresh thyme, chopped

4 cloves Garlic, minced

2 ounces Extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp. Salt and pepper

Vegetable Satays

Each skewer would include a pearl onion, cherry tomato and crimini mushroom, and 1” chunks of zucchini, squash and bell pepper.

Marinate overnight in Italian dressing (enough to coat), or coat just before grilling.

Cook Time

Cook 8-10 minutes on the grill to 135 degrees medium rare for beef, or to 165 degrees for chicken, pork and shrimp.

BABY BACK RIBS

Chef’s note: The sauce used in this recipe is Stonewall Baby Back BBQ Sauce. Brine Rub used in this recipe is Chinese Barbecue Char Siu.

Brine, Rub, Sauce: Be creative and try out new marinades and rubs. The braising process is the key to achieving a super tender fall-off-the-bone product.

Place ribs in a braising pan with about 2 inches of liquid. Note: Liquid level is very important. Plastic wrap the top of the pan twice, creating a tight seal. Place a layer of aluminum foil over top and seal. Bake in the oven set to 300 degrees for 3-4 hours. Note: Plastic wrap will not melt.

Carefully remove wrap and let cool before removing from liquid. Reheat in the oven or smoker.

BBQ and glaze the top with desired sauce. For larger products (brisket or pork butts), repeat the same process but lower temp to 225 degrees for 10 hours. A little bit of planning will make a huge difference to the finished meal.

CARAMELIZED ONIONS & ROASTED TOMATO POTATO SALAD

This recipe feeds 20 people and can be cut in half for a smaller yield.

Dressing:

2.5 pounds Sour cream

2 pounds Mayonnaise

1 tsp. Fresh dill

3 ½ tsps. Cayenne

5 Tbsps. Chives

2 Tbsps. Meat Magic seasoning blend

1 Tbsp. Lawry's seasoning

Salad:

10 pounds Baby red potatoes, diced (parboiled until semi-firm, not mushy)

2.5 pounds Yellow onions, sliced

1 pound Roasted tomatoes packed in oil, chopped (reserve oil)

1 dozen Hard-boiled eggs, diced

1 bunch Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Place dressing ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk together. Set aside.

2. In a large pot with water, parboil diced potatoes until semi-firm, not mushy. Drain.

3. Slice onions and place in a saute pan with reserved oil from the tomatoes. Saute until fully caramelized.

4. Add the potatoes and onion mixture to the bowl with the dressing and mix, then gently fold in the remaining ingredients: roasted tomatoes, hard boiled eggs and parsley.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 55

How to plant your own butterfly garden

Tips from President of Duluth Monarch Buddies

Monarch butterflies are not only a beautiful summer sight, but also an essential pollinator for the health of gardens and food systems.

Duluth Monarch Buddies is a local nonprofit organization that came together in 2015 to educate the public on monarch habitat loss and encourage folks to plant milkweed and native pollinator plants.

The Woman Today chatted with Duluth Monarch Buddies president Cathy Wood about how gardeners can help monarchs as they make their journey along the Central Flyway from Mexico on north.

“It’s really essential that we provide the native pollinator plants that will provide the nectar that those butterflies need when they get here,” Wood said. “When butterflies get here in the spring, they need the nectar right away, and they have their generation through the summer. Then in the fall, they have their super generation of monarchs that will fly back to Mexico, and they need to ‘beef up’ here.”

56 May | June 2022 PHOTOS COURTESY OF DULUTH MONARCH BUDDIES
DIY

Below are Wood’s tips on how to plant a pollinator garden to help these butterflies on their journey.

First, select the location of your garden. Take into consideration the site conditions, including soil type and sun exposure. Prepare the area by removing grass, adding compost and getting rid of invasive species. Pesticides are a death sentence for pollinators, so remove weeds or cover them instead of using chemicals.

Once you have the location selected, create the design. It is best for pollinators to have flowers that bloom all season long, so stagger your planting accordingly. According to Wood, it is also best practice to plant natives in groups of at least three, so there are a number of flowers to draw pollinators in.

The rest of the design depends on your budget and your style. You can create a garden that appears wild or more polished. You can incorporate different colors, heights and textures, as well as brush and grasses so the area isn’t bare in the winter months.

Pollinators tend to love native flowering plants. Wood specifically

recommends goldenrod, asters, Blazing Star and Beebalms.

Milkweed is of course essential for monarch butterflies — they will only lay their eggs on milkweed plants and the caterpillars rely on them for a food source. Since certain milkweed varieties can be a bit tall and aggressive, Wood suggests planting near a shed, alley or fence line.

Duluth Monarch Buddies is hosting a Pollinator MarketPlace from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at First United Methodist Church — Coppertop Church. There will be free milkweed seeds available for community members to take, as well as native plants available for sale, children’s activities and informational booths.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 57
Abigail Blonigen is a freelance Minnesota writer.

The Woman Yesterday

Marjorie Wilkins (1923-1992)

Marjorie Kelly Wilkins was a civil rights activist and the first Black anesthetist at St. Luke’s hospital in Duluth.

Born on May 3, 1923, racial tensions were high in Duluth at the time, following the 1920 lynchings of three Black circus workers, Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson and Isaac McGhie. According to the Minnesota Historical Society, Duluth’s Black population declined 16% between 1920 and 1930.

Wilkins had always dreamed of being a nurse, but opportunities for Black students were very limited at the time. In a 1975 interview for the Minnesota Black History Project, Wilkins said that the idea of becoming a nurse seemed impossible.

Instead of nursing, Wilkins went on to study machinery at a government-sponsored school after graduating from Central High School in 1941. She then moved to Seattle to work for Boeing Aircraft on defense planes.

After World War II, she returned to Duluth and decided to pursue her dream of nursing. At the time, only the University of Minnesota was openly accepting Black students, but she decided to inquire at Duluth Villa Scholastica, which was affiliated with St. Mary’s Hospital. Wilkins was denied.

In the Black History Project interview, Wilkins said she was

denied entry because the school didn’t think she would be able to acclimate to the white students, despite growing up in Duluth and attending Duluth schools.

Wilkins persisted, asking the board to reconsider, and was then admitted as St. Scholastica’s first Black student. After graduation and a few years of practice, Wilkins continued her education and became an anesthetist.

Despite facing discrimination in her personal and professional life, Wilkins was a fierce community leader, and served as president of the Duluth NAACP for eight years.

According to her obituary in the Duluth News Tribune, she also served on the Mayor’s Fair Housing and Employment Practices Commission, the Community Action Board, the Advisory Board for Community Schools, the Human Relations Committee of the Duluth Chamber of Commerce, the board of directors of both United Way and the African American Education Committee, and the Duluth Public Schools Desegregation Advisory Committee, as well as various initiatives around equal housing and employment for Black citizens.

58 May | June 2022
PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH, KATHRYN A. MARTIN LIBRARY, NORTHEAST MINNESOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
is a Minnesota freelance writer.
Myers-Wilkins Elementary School in Duluth’s Hillside is named in her honor. D
Abigail Blonigen
Don’tLet House Projects Level Your Budget Take advantage of aHomeEquityLine of Credit Loantoday from MPECU! Call Peterat 218-336-1810 or Jennifer at 218-336-1820 to getstarted. www.mpecu.com

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.