The Woman Today April/May 2018

WOMAN today the Anna Madsen

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TO OUR READERS

Change is in the air for this edition of The Woman Today. Beverly Godfrey joins our team as features editor. She hopes to bring you the stories of inspiring women each issue.

Featured on our cover, Anna Madsen went through changes no mother could ever imagine. Read her story of tragedy, grief and ultimately, joy.

Christina Woods heads change at the Duluth Art Institute. This longtime Duluth advocate now lends a platform to diverse artists.

Adri Jusczak is changing opinions, proving herself in a Superior car showroom.

Artist Stephanie Wilcox changed a hobby into work that she loves.

Dianna Hunter’s new book speaks of her being witness to decades of change in the LGBTQ movement.

Barb Montee turned her love of houses into a career as a landlady. Turns out, she loves people, too!

And at 87, Imelda Dickinson may have seen the most changes of all, but she’s still looking for the next adventure.

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The pastorsingle-mom with a Ph.D.

Two Harbors woman finds peace after tragedy; theological retreat is her mission

by Alison Stucke

TheRev. Anna Madsen joined the Northland community in the summer of 2016, when she and her children moved into their dream house in Two Harbors and opened it to guests as a retreat center.

The Spent Dandelion Theological Retreat Center and its 20 acres sit on the spot where — word has it — in ancient days, the shores of Lake Superior ended. It includes an apple orchard, numerous hummingbird feeders, walking paths, tranquil surroundings, beautiful natural views and a studio apartment that houses two adults or a small family.

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PHOTO BY DAVID BALLARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Madsen and this peaceful setting provide guests with a place to hear God’s voice in quiet contemplation, as well as soothing walks among nature, readings from Madsen’s 4,000-volume theological library, and conversations with Madsen, a Lutheran minister with a Ph.D. in systematic theology, with an emphasis on the presence of God in human suffering.

“Somehow this place has a tangible restorative sense that seems as if it itself asks, ‘How are you broken, tired, or just need a bit of peace, and how can I provide it?’” Madsen said. “Restful quiet and healing can be found here; we can’t quite explain why, but it does.”

Journey included death and despair

In 2004, Madsen had everything she could dream of — a loving husband (who, like Madsen, was an ordained Lutheran minister), two healthy young children, a strong faith in God, an advanced degree in a field she loved, and an exciting teaching career awaiting her. She and her family were living in Regensburg, Germany, where Madsen had recently completed her Ph.D. The family was preparing to move back to the U.S., where Madsen had attained a teaching position at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Then, in an instant, right before they were to move, her life changed, and the dream she was living seemed destroyed. In Regensburg, her husband, Bill, and their 3-year-old son, Karl, were hit by a car. Bill died within five hours, and Karl suffered traumatic brain injury. Madsen was suddenly the single parent of Karl and 8-month-old Else. Karl needed multiple surgeries, and doctors told Madsen that he might not live. If he did live, he would never move, laugh, play, or communicate. Suddenly, death, despair and suffering took the forefront of Madsen ’s life. Suffering was no longer merely a field of study for Madsen — it was now her existence.

“It was a day that in every way changed everything,” Madsen said. “Before the accident, I didn’t understand persistent grief. After the accident, I could identify with suffering and sufferers; not just theoretically, or from a pastoral perspective, but by way of daily lived reality.”

But Madsen, a minister of the Evangelical Church of America, refused to let death win. She took the difficult realities of her new life, and, with God’s help and the help of friends and family, made good things happen. She used her new-found familiarity with suffering to help others who suffer.

Suddenly a single mom

First, she focused on getting Karl through the many surgeries, procedures and therapy sessions he needed, and on raising her two children as a single mom. Karl had to stay six weeks in the hospital’s intensive care unit, followed by six

weeks in a rehabilitation center in the Alps. Thankfully, Madsen didn’t need to worry about those bills because of Germany’s universal health care.

After Karl’s release from rehab, Madsen and her children moved to Sioux Falls. Although she certainly didn’t feel ready to start working outside of the home, because Karl still needed a great amount of care, not to mention her baby daughter needing her mama’s attention, Madsen began her teaching job at Augustana only six months after the accident, mainly to get health insurance for herself and her children.

“It was a total culture and reality shock to learn that medical bills aren’t covered,” Madsen said, “or that more social support isn’t offered in South Dakota to people in rough circumstances, as was a matter of course in Germany — or,

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as I’ve learned since our move here, in Minnesota.” As far as it affected her teaching, she noted, “The woman whom Augustana hired wasn’t the person who showed up to do the job. There was no way that I could offer the same attention and vigor to my teaching vocation as I had for years, or had wanted to give: My tiny girl was still nursing, my tiny boy was still barely in the land of the living, and, for that matter, the same could have been said of me. I had a family to heal, and it was impossible to do that amidst the claims, stresses and responsibilities of tenure track work.”

Given that, Madsen taught full-time at Augustana for 1½ years, but then became an adjunct instructor and taught parttime. Meanwhile, a new vocation began to take shape.

A new career path emerges: OMG and The Spent Dandelion

“After the accident, I had all sorts of people asking me questions about God,” Madsen said. “They’d say, ‘I’ve been wondering about God and …’ then they’d fill in the blank with any number of options: divorce, politics, vocation, addiction, different religions, different denominations, abuse, forgiveness. Maybe it was because they perceived, perhaps even before I did, my own post-accident receptivity to

ambiguity, to uncertainty, to doubt. Slowly it dawned on me that people had questions about God, but they weren’t aware it was OK to ask them, or they didn’t have a place to ask them in a sustained and personalized way.”

Madsen realized that with her education in theology and ministry, as well as her personal experience with suffering, she could help those people get answers — or, she is careful to say, responses, since sure and universal answers are hard to come by. She began creating her freelance theology

The Rev. Anna Madsen and her children Else (left) and Karl.

business OMG: Center for Theological Conversation.

Madsen said, “I wanted OMG to be a place where people can ask questions about faith, religion and theology, to know that it is OK to doubt, to learn that, as one of my mentors said, they might be wrong, and that nobody really knows for sure what is right! Nobody has it all figured out. That said, there are some things we can figure out, and some hints we get about God, and our relationship to God, and therefore our relationship to each other and the world. So in addition to wanting people to feel free to be curious about God, and Scripture, and Church, at OMG, I also want to help people discover what they believe, why they believe it, where their belief system has strength, where it has weakness, and what difference it all makes on the ground.”

She called it OMG because, she said, “In Scripture, we see people crying out ‘Oh my God’ in lament, praise, questioning, doubt, anger and joy. Some people have been offended, but I use the phrase intentionally, respectfully and biblically.”

Questions and conversations might come from any and all of those places, and from anyone. Questioners can be clergy, laity, people who have only a little to do with the Christian tradition, or nothing to do with it at all. They may be individuals or large groups, synod assemblies or convocations, and can even take the form of consultations for congregations or synods wanting to find their theological moorings and mission that springs out from them. Conversations with Madsen can happen in person or long distance, with the help of Skype or Zoom technology. They can even submit questions to be addressed on her regular blog, found at omgcenter.com.

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Moving to Northern Minnesota and opening The Spent Dandelion

In early 2016, Madsen realized that she could do her freelance work from anywhere, so she asked daughter Else, if she could live anywhere, where would that be? Else grinned and suggested throwing a dart at a map to select their new home turf, but Madsen grinned back — and suggested they take a more thoughtful approach.

“So Else said that she wanted to be someplace with a lot of water, and a lot of hills, and a lot of woods,” Madsen said.

Madsen had lived in Hermantown for two years as a child, when her father was pastor of a church there, so she knew that Else had unwittingly just described Minnesota’s North Shore.

On the second day of their visit, the Madsens stumbled on their new home, and what has become retreat center. They were smitten as soon as their car hit the driveway. “It was everything we wanted but didn’t know we needed,” she said.

The Spent Dandelion opened in summer 2017 as an extension of OMG. “I intend it not just a vacation spot or a B-and-B,” she said, “but a place and an opportunity to get theological input on what the guests are considering and wondering about. It’s a place to come and stay with a purpose.”

Through these businesses, Madsen shares her theological expertise with the world in writing, public speaking, and oneon-one consultations with individuals, through which people may fuss with their deepest questions about faith, vocation, or plain old curiosity about the Christian tradition.

Karl and Else today

Karl is now 16 and is “thriving in every way” in his new home and at Two Harbors High School. His teachers love Karl. “They are all so dedicated to his well-being, and know that in him is one special boy with a ready and contagious grin. They say, ‘What would we ever do without Karl!’” Else is 14, a freshman in high school, loving Duluth East, debate and learning about outdoor life in the North Woods.

Although Karl still experiences effects of traumatic brain injury, he has defied doctors’ original prognoses, and today

“Suffering helps us to be more appreciative at any moment. We know that life can change on a dime."

Anna Madsen

he laughs, plays, speaks, and is learning to walk — with assistance — again. The Courage Kenny Institute helps to make available physical activities that Karl enjoys, including kayaking and sailing, and the therapists at the Polinksy Institute have been invaluable to his continuing recovery.

“This kid is strong, vibrant, playful, mischievous and resilient,” Madsen said. “And Else is resilient in a different way. She’s extremely wise and fiercely protective of her brother, and she’s a passionate social justice advocate. The two of them adore one another, and they have both taught me a life lesson that shapes my every day: Joyful Defiance.”

Madsen has learned a great deal about hope and possibility from both her children. And she has learned a lot from suffering, she said.

“Suffering helps us to be more appreciative at any moment,” Madsen said. “We know that life can change on a dime. That could make us anxious, of course, nervous about whether or when the next awful thing will happen. Instead, it’s taught us to see joy where it is, be grateful for even the mundane moments, and where we see suffering and injustice, we work all the more passionately against it. If we weren’t to do those things, well, death wins. And we can’t have that.” D

Alison Stucke is a Duluth freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Woman Today.

Christina Woods

New leadership, new vision

The Duluth Art Institute selects executive director

by Andrea Busche

At the start of this year, the Duluth Art Institute announced the selection of Christina Woods as its new executive director, replacing Anne Dugan, who departed in August. Woods brings a strong educational background to the table. She attended

the University of Minnesota and taught elementary school for several years. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and founded a consulting firm, Diversity Consulting. The Woman Today introduced readers to this dynamic woman last

year. At that time, she served as the executive director of the Damiano Center. She recently spoke about her new role.

Duluth Art Institute

The DAI is a contemporary

arts gallery and arts programming nonprofit that has served northeastern Minnesota for 110 years. It specializes in artist services, education and exhibitions for the visual arts.

In addition to their main headquarters, which include a business office and art galleries in Duluth’s Depot, the DAI more recently opened the Lincoln Center for Arts Education. A former Carnegie Library in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, this satellite location hosts educational programming and ceramic artists.

Transferable Skills

The transition from working at Damiano, which features a soup kitchen, free clothing exchange and addiction recovery program, has been bittersweet for Woods. During her tenure serving people in crisis, she formed close relationships with staff members and clients alike.

But she is enthusiastic about bringing her leadership skills, along with a deep personal appreciation for art, to the DAI.

“Art has always been central to how I make sense of everyday life,” Woods said. “I’ve successfully used the visual arts many times in my life to explore challenging questions for students, my children and myself.”

Goals for the future

As its new leader coming in with fresh eyes, Woods has plenty of ideas for the future of the DAI.

“Right now, we are working on our visibility,” she said. “We want the public to know what’s happening here, and what’s coming up. So, we’re working on a marketing plan. Part of that is to get added to a variety of community calendars.

“We’re also interested in providing a broader array of opportunities for artists in various stages of professional development. We want to make sure

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that they have a place to ask questions about accounting, marketing and putting a portfolio together, in addition to working on their art.”

Another issue close to Christina’s heart is artist diversity.

“We plan to continue featuring artists who have been historically underrepresented in galleries,” she said.

“We’d like to do more to help feature LGBTQ artists, as well as people from a variety of ethnicities and cultures. At the DAI, we are intentional in our inclusion of diversity.”

Boards, commissions and committees

Woods isn’t satisfied to simply have

a full-time job. She also feels passionate about helping her community and fulfills this drive by serving on a variety of local committees and boards.

Woods has served on the Board of Directors for PAVSA and the YWCA. She is the president-elect for the Duluth League of Women Voters. She also serves as the co-chair for the

Christina Woods, new executive director of the Duluth Art Institute, views paintings in the 2018 Duluth Art Institute Membership Show at the Depot earlier this year.

PHOTO BY BOB KING /

Duluth Human Rights Commission, is a participating member of the Sixth Judicial Equity Committee, and a field producer and education consultant for the WDSE-TV program “Native Report.”

Woods lives in Duluth’s Canal Park, making her morning commute incredibly convenient. Her daughters, Mallory and Camryn, both attend Dartmouth College. In her free time, Woods loves trail racing, downhill skiing and spending time with family, including her niece, Patty, whom she is particularly close to.

While Woods was sad to say goodbye to the Damiano Center, she said she feels confident that she left things in good standing for her successor, Seth Currier. She is approaching her new role with a blend of gratitude, competency and poise. And, the DAI feels fortunate to have her on board.

“We are very pleased to announce this appointment,” said Helena Jackson, DAI board president, in a Jan. 4 news release. “Christina brings leadership and creativity to the Institute, and a deep commitment to our region’s creative sector.”

Woods remains open to the sublime aspect of her work in the artistic sphere.

“I like to think of the visual arts as a language,” Woods said. “As a patron and member of the DAI, I’ve witnessed beautiful moments where I’ve heard people say, ‘I never thought of things that way.’ Art provides a great opportunity to open doors of dialogue.” D

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Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Woman Today. You can learn more about the Duluth Art Institute at duluthartinstitute.org.

Finding a space free from scrutiny

Former UWS professor shines light on LGBTQ movement in new book

by Tony Bennett

"Itcomes from my life experience, beginning in the Cold War and Vietnam era in Minot, North Dakota," Duluthbased writer Dianna Hunter said of her new book, “Wild Mares: My Lesbian Back-to-the-Land Life.” It was a time, she said, that she was "deeply unaware" of her sexual identity. Her journey out of that darkness is what her book aims to describe.

"Lesbians were thought to be sick — both psychologically and biologically, potentially — and also criminal," Hunter said. "It was very hard to come to consciousness, which is kind of an old story."

Regardless, Hunter said she needed to tell her version of that tale. In her book, she looks to describe how a "burst of feminist, lesbian energy" led her and the people she found herself drawn toward to create environments where they could feel safe and secure and somewhat free from scrutiny. "There was no space for ourselves in the world that we were born into," Hunter said.

"I found my way from North Dakota to a college in St. Paul which had a progressive reputation," Hunter said of her youth. In college, she read early feminist literature like "The Redstockings Manifesto."

"It had a transformative effect on my life," Hunter said, adding that she has no memory of seeing works by women on her college syllabi at all. Eventually, she created an independent-study course on feminism. "The need was huge for women to discover their own history and talk to each other about shared realities

and make our stories part of the American story."

Hunter wound up teaching a class at Macalester College called "Is Anatomy Destiny?" in 1971, long before things such as gender-studies or queer-studies classes were created. "One of my friends who sat in on my course joined in with me and other women I lived with, and we created a consciousnessraising group. We started talking with each other about our experiences, and our eyes were opened" about cultural forces that kept women subordinate, Hunter said. It was a time when terms like "sexual harassment" had yet to be defined.

This time was one of awakening for Hunter. Writers like Virginia Woolf and Zora Neale Hurston were sources of inspiration. Eventually, Hunter's path led her to an acceptance of herself. "My friend and I both came out," she said. "We realized, after talking about our experiences, that we actually were lesbians."

This led Hunter to the lesbian bar scene, a place where she said a gay woman could feel at ease with her nature. "The bars were the place where the culture was being perpetuated, and where you could be yourself," she said. With time, issues of alcohol abuse came to be a problem, and so Hunter and the people she was close to in her community began to talk about finding a place where they could have the same feeling of freedom without the problems alcohol can bring. All of these catalysts led to what Hunter calls her "lesbian-collective land experiments." These experiences are what “Wild Mares” looks to shine a light on. Hunter speaks about the alienating culture of war surrounding the Vietnam conflict and about how many professions were closed to women, and she does so not with anger, but to explain the conditions that inspired her to eventually seek refuge of sorts outside of the society that had no

Dianna Hunter

"Wild Mares" by Dianna Hunter will be available April 10, published by University of Minnesota Press.

place for her, that seemed to reject her at every juncture. "There were all these interconnecting oppressions going on," Hunter said, recalling the prevalent questions being raised in her community at the time: "How can we get out of this? How can we escape?"

"A lot of young people had already decided to go back to the land," Hunter said, "to try to get away from militarism and materialism and environmental ruin. We decided to do it with other women. We thought we could make a space where we could start making healthier lives for ourselves and get strong and maybe start making a difference in the world."

"We began with some little hardscrabble farms," Hunter said of her early forays into living a new kind of life. "We wanted to find that simpler place." Things like indoor toilets and running water were luxuries that she gave up, at least for a time. Eventually, she landed on a dairy farm in 1981 and

plugged away until about 1986.

As time went on, Hunter left the farm life and went fully into education. She taught college classes on gender studies and writing and women's studies, and she retired from the University of WisconsinSuperior six years ago. Today, Hunter's book exists as a reminder that the freedom and acceptance — however limited in some corners it may be — the LGBTQ community now has was hard-won by people who lived in a much different America than exists today. Forty or 50

years ago, the struggle was different, but it goes on. The future is promised to no one, and “Wild Mares” helps to remind people reading it in 2018 and beyond that much work has been done over the decades, but the forces that aim to divide and regress are always present. "It's kind of a crucial time to get that history recorded," Hunter said, "to make that movement visible." D

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Tony Bennett is a Duluth freelance writer and musician.

Dianna Hunter rides her mare Taja in the 1970s.

PHOTO BY ELLEN WOLD

by Andrea Busche

Duluth landlady Barb Montee recalls first being bitten by the real estate bug at the tender age of 10.

“I fell in love with houses when I was a little girl,” she said. “I remember seeing a ‘for sale’ sign on this beautiful pink Italianate house on Summit Hill in St. Paul. I asked my mom if we could buy it.”

While her family ultimately didn’t purchase the pink house on the hill, many other homes have been added to Montee’s portfolio over the years. Her knowledge and passion for real estate have grown with experience, and she has become a well-known, respected landlady.

PHOTO BY DAVID BALLARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Years of experience create valuable mentor

A few different career paths

Over the course of her career, Montee has worked many jobs. She has been a baby-sitter, waitress, mental health professional, served in the U.S. Army, and continues teaching parttime. Currently, and perhaps most rewarding, she has found her niche working as a self-employed landlady. She now owns a dozen rental properties in Duluth, including her own residence, a modest Arts and Crafts home in East Hillside. Montee’s life has taken some interesting twists and turns along the way, but she has learned to embrace the curveballs.

Open heart, open door

Montee cares deeply about people, and she extends this nurturing instinct to just about everyone in her life. Over the years, she has rented rooms in her home to friends, nurses, medical students — even a tugboat captain.

Her house is also home to a tiny Yorkshire terrier named Twinkle, who was adopted from a rescue group in the Twin Cities. The dog was hard to place because she has a heart condition requiring daily medication, and she doesn’t have any teeth. “But she’s happy, and just as sweet as can be,” Montee said.

Montee also takes her tenants, many of whom are college students, under her wing. She offers to teach them how to take care of simple things on their own.

Last week, a tenant had no hot

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water. “With everyone carrying a cellphone,” Montee said, “I was able to have the tenant walk to the basement and check if the water heater was on ‘vacation mode.’ The tenant was able to turn the dial, I saved a trip, and the student conquered a small hurdle with big rewards.”

Minnesota

Montee, her brother Joe and sister Mary were born and raised in St. Paul. Her dad worked for the post office, and her mom worked at Ramsey County Hospital (now Regions Hospital).

When Montee was just 16, her father took his own life. He had served in the Army during World War II and suffered a suspected traumatic brain injury when his Jeep hit a landmine. It’s hard to know for certain how that accident affected him.

North Dakota

After her husband’s death, Montee’s mother resolutely packed up her life and family and moved back to North Dakota, where her family lived. She eventually remarried, after putting an ad for a husband in a North Dakota newspaper. A shy Norwegian bachelor farmer answered the ad. Montee’s stepfather, a lifelong bachelor with no

children of his own, was a good farmer and a great man, Montee said.

Montee graduated from high school in Dickinson, N.D., and then graduated from college at North Dakota State University in Fargo. She earned an undergraduate degree in psychology, then returned to NDSU to earn a master’s degree in the same field.

House No. 1

During this time, Montee bought her first house: a starter home in Dickinson, for which she paid $30,000. Prices were low because of the oil boom/bust happening in the ’80s. This purchase made a huge impact on Montee’s future. “Buy low, sell high,” she advised. “But beware; not everyone makes money on real estate.”

As a young woman, Montee got married and had two daughters: Meagan, now 22, and Maren, 19. The girls’ father received a job opportunity in Duluth, which was the catalyst that brought the family back to Minnesota.

Fate has other plans

Upon arriving in Duluth, a pretty painted lady caught Montee’s eye. “This Queen Anne Victorian had eight different colors of exterior paint, period wallpaper, high ceilings,

hardwood floors, tiled fireplaces, stained glass, pocket doors, the works,” Montee said. She planned to turn the house into a bed and breakfast. She studied the market, read up on the industry and went to work learning the bed-and-breakfast trade. “I discovered it was a lot of making beds and scrubbing toilets,” she said.

“I had already bought the house when I got a call from the hospital, offering me a job working on the adult mental health crisis unit,” Montee said. With the birth of her second child plus having a teenage foster daughter, Montee chose the security of the hospital job.

One good investment leads to many more

As a single mom, saving for college was often a challenge. She thought to herself, “Why not buy a house to use as a savings plan for my girls?”

A sweet, reasonably priced house in Chester Park was listed, and Montee and a friend from church, who also had two children in need of a college fund, got the rental ball rolling. Together, the women used this opportunity to learn about being landlords, studying everything from accounting, plumbing, wiring, legal issues and more.

While the home ultimately became a good investment for Montee, she said she can’t promise that good intentions will lead to success. “You can’t just assume you’ll make money on real estate,” she said. “You have to be really savvy and do your homework.”

After acquiring a few more houses, Montee bought a fixer-upper cabin on a lake. Together, she and her boyfriend gutted the walls, replaced windows, re-roofed the home and added log siding.

Leading landlady

Montee discovered that she is good at being selfemployed, and is very fulfilled by her work as a landlady. She eventually founded the Duluth Landlord’s Association and still serves as its president. The group meets the second Thursday of every month.

At their meetings, landlords use the opportunity to network and learn from each other. When there are issues affecting landlords, city councilors and other local policymakers will attend their meetings. “We try to offer education as often as possible,” Montee said. “I think everything works better when we understand things.”

Investing in her community

Montee has put down Duluth roots in a variety of ways. She serves on the board for her church, Unitarian Universalist Congregation. She volunteers her time through the Conflict Resolution Center as a neutral mediator at the St. Louis County Courthouse. She teaches counseling as an adjunct faculty at the College of St. Scholastica. And, she is in the process of getting back into foster care.

What is perhaps her favorite role, however, is that of mentor to other landlords and tenants, both formally and informally. “There are many women who have mentored me through my life, so I try to do the same,” she said.

Advice from a pro

When it comes to buying and selling real estate, this veteran homeowner shares: “Education is key. I would advise people to find a mentor, read and learn what you can, do your homework, and find good resources. You’ll need good legal advice, and I believe that Realtors are worth every penny. So, take the time to educate yourself, but don’t be afraid of making the purchase, either.” D

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Woman Today.

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Selling cars, smashing stereotypes

Superior Chrysler's sales staff includes 21-year-old

by Andrea Busche

As a 21-year-old woman, Adrianna (Adri) Jusczak probably isn’t the first person you’d expect to see on the sales floor of a local car dealership. But perhaps it is not fitting the stereotype of the “typical salesperson” that gives her a distinct advantage.

Although she has been on the Superior Chrysler sales force only since August, she has already become one of their top salespeople, averaging nine sales per month. In total, she has sold between 45 and 50 vehicles, vastly exceeding her supervisors’ expectations.

Unique skills acquired in childhood

Jusczak, along with two older sisters, grew up in rural Moose Lake. Their mom owned a coffee shop, and their dad owns a shipping container business.

From her time as a child up until last August, Jusczak worked for her dad. She handled multiple tasks, including joining him on deliveries, office work, conducting maintenance on the shipping containers, refurbishing the containers into tiny cabins, and transporting the containers with a Bobcat or forklift.

“I have always been business-minded because of my dad,” she said.

Throughout childhood, Jusczak was exceptionally active in sports and outdoor activities. She enjoyed dirt-biking, four-wheeling, and playing volleyball and basketball. When

she was in the 7th grade, she was the only girl to join the football team. She has also done some coaching.

An early start in sales

You could say that Jusczak’s sales career began in childhood.

“I’ve always enjoyed sales,” she said. “As a child, we had chickens, and I sold the eggs. I had lemonade stands, and as I got older, I bought motorcycles and bicycles from Craigslist, had them repaired, and resold them at a profit.”

Jusczak planned to attend Southwest Minnesota State University on a basketball scholarship, but had to withdraw from school after a sports-related shoulder injury flared up. She returned home and was contemplating what to do next.

On a whim, she applied for a sales position at Superior Chrysler. Although she didn’t have much sales experience, she got the job, and has stunned the team with her almost-immediate success.

PHOTO BY AYLA ANDROSKY

What do customers think?

While her customers are often surprised by her presence on the lot, Jusczak has only had positive experiences thus far.

“Customers say they’re surprised that a woman assisted them,” she said. “After all, most car salespeople are older gentlemen. I’m young, and I’m a woman, so I know I have to prove my worth, and prove that I know what I’m talking about. I feel like I have to work harder to earn my customers’ trust.”

Jusczak takes a much more low-key approach to sales than many of her peers. “While I’m definitely a competitive person,” she said, “My sales strategy is very laid-back, and not pushy. I understand that a vehicle is the secondbiggest purchase a person will make (after their house), and I’m aware that it’s a serious decision that takes time. My customers and I walk through the car-shopping experience together.”

This strategy has paid off. Jusczak enjoys a great rapport with her customers and a genuine love for her work. It’s not uncommon for Jusczak’s customers to send her a Christmas card or to thank her with a hug. “When Monday morning rolls around, I just can’t wait to get back to work,” she said.

While Jusczak is well-versed in the models she sells and knows a bit about what’s going on under the hood, her true expertise is in technology. She enjoys helping her customers pair their devices to their car’s U Connect System (the standard option found in Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler and Ram vehicles), and delights in teaching them about all the bells and whistles their new vehicle has to offer.

Support from colleagues

The staff at Superior Chrysler has been supportive of Jusczak since day one. “I’m the only woman on the sales staff,

but they all feel like my brothers,” she said. “My colleagues have always made me feel welcome and respected here. And, if I’m out on the lot with someone I feel uneasy about, I always know they are looking out for me.”

Jusczak’s boss, Superior Chrysler co-owner Dave Clusiau, shared these thoughts:

“Adri Jusczak is an essential team player at our dealership. Having someone knowledgeable and professional like Adri is a true benefit to our customers. She's in tune with today's buyer, driven for success, and does it all with a smile on her face. She has brought a new light to our store by creating live Facebook videos and participating in local networking groups to connect with the community. She is truly a special person, and we couldn't be more proud to have Adri on our team.”

Goals for the future

While Jusczak never planned to become a car salesperson, she has discovered that it’s a brilliant fit for her skills and personality. She continues learning more about her craft by speaking to employees in all areas of the company, gaining useful sales experience through assisting her customers, and working 50-hour weeks. Her main goal for the future is to earn positive referrals from previous customers.

And, if you’re wondering what this 21-year old car saleswoman drives, it’s a 2017 Jeep Compass. “They’re pretty easy to sell,” she said. “In fact, they practically sell themselves.” D

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Woman Today.

by Alison Stucke

Asshe sleeps, she dreams of vibrant colors, bold lines, shapes, patterns and textures. When she wakes, she goes into her studio to create those visions. As she’s working out, “Boom!” an idea for a work of art comes to her. Sunsets and trees, circles and squares. Then she goes home and straight into her studio to make that striking piece.

An eye for art Vocation training helps turn passion to profession

Stephanie is an artist in our midst. “I am an artist,” she said. “Every day there’s a new idea. I’ve got to do it. It feels great.”

This is the creative process of Stephanie Wilcox, the artist behind the brands “Stephanie Wilcox Studio” and “Diversified Art.” If you haven’t yet seen her work around town, you will. Stephanie has been showing and selling pieces in more and more venues during the past several years. She is featuring her art at Amazing Grace in April and the St. Luke’s Amazing Grace in May.

“Stephanie is a very, very productive artist,” said her mom, Lynn Wilcox, who shares a Duluth home with her daughter. “She has always enjoyed art, and she always had a talent, but during the past 10 years or so, she’s really gotten into it. Somewhere in that time, Stephanie shifted over from ‘This is fun’ to realizing she really had something to share.”

Lynn recognized Stephanie’s talent early on. “When she was a young teenager, I started slipping her artwork out of her

Stephanie Wilcox stands beside one of her favorite pieces of artwork, which she made this year. She will have her work displayed and for sale at an art show this April at Amazing Grace Cafe.

PHOTO BY HENRIETTE SODERLIND

room, and I started framing it.”

Stephanie’s artist statement

“I am an artist. I make paintings. I make drawings. I am inspired by nature and pop culture.

My artwork is neat, nice, and colorful. When shapes repeat, it looks cool. In my art, I make mazes. I make a maze and then I turn the maze into a tree. Mazes are made from memories. My memories are from dreams. I choose pencil, markers, paper, and canvas. When I paint on large canvas I feel powerful. Making one artwork feels like millions.

Stephanie’s favorite medium is acrylic paint. She paints and draws with acrylic, mainly using Montana markers and Promarkers on canvas. Sometimes she adds graphite or a watercolor drip. On Monday through Thursday, she paints on small canvases, and on Friday through Sunday, she works on big canvases. She also makes and sells jewelry. She’s focused and dedicated in her work, and she completes a piece for every idea she has. She loves going into her studio and sometimes doesn’t want to do anything else. As she paints, she stands on a colorful painted rug that she created. Inspiring music blasts from her iPod — often movie scores, dramatic and intense, or meditative chanting.

It’s so fun. I don’t know why I keep doing it, I just can’t help it. When I’m sleeping, I’m dreaming about my artwork. I think it’s just ‘me.’”

— Stephanie Wilcox

working for 1½ years on art vocation training with art teacher Maria Brown at CHOICE, unlimited in Duluth. These art vocation sessions give individuals who are most serious about their artistic pursuits the guidance and support they need to take their work to the next level.

Continued on page 30

“I want to keep doing it,” she said. “Making more art and having more shows.”

To Stephanie, making art is more than a hobby. “It’s my job, but I still enjoy it,” she said. Stephanie has been

PHOTO BY HENRIETTE SODERLIND

Top: Stephanie Wilcox said she loves her paintings and plans on making prints of her work into clothing, such as leggings.

Bottom left: Stephanie Wilcox holds a painting she made this year while standing on a rug she designed.

Bottom right: Stephanie Wilcox sits beside one of the bigger pieces of art she has created this year.

PHOTOS BY HENRIETTE SODERLIND

“Stephanie is the most confident artist you will meet,” Maria said. “She is passionate about her art, and she works hard. Her creativity is matched only by her ambition.”

In art vocations, Stephanie works to prepare and set up an art exhibition or a vendor table at an art fair. She has participated in group and solo exhibitions in Duluth, Grand Rapids, St. Paul and Quintana Roo, Mexico. During the past several months, you may have seen her work in her solo exhibitions at Beaner’s Central or at the BlueCross BlueShield Retail Center in Duluth, or in the Member Show of the Duluth Art Institute. She has also sold her work at the Get It Local Gift Fairs around Christmas the past two years. Her resume also includes winning the SO-MN Area 3 Unified Bowling T-Shirt Design Contest in 2017 and serving as the Commissioned Logo Designer for BOLD-choice Theatre’s touring production in 2012.

Stephanie has gone through several artistic stages during her 10 years of creating. She started out making a multitude of circles and squares on one piece of paper. Then the circles and squares became smaller and smaller. Next came trees and then sunsets, where a huge circle sunset on canvas was the focus. Most recently, her ideas have

come from movies and pop culture, and there have been many aliens and fantasy creatures. With an eye to the future, her work continues to evolve. D

Alison Stucke is a Duluth freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Woman Today. She works at CHOICE, unlimited in Duluth.

Superior author, 87, keeps up gardening, teaching and helping people

by Kayla Felien

Atage 87, Imelda Dickinson is on a mission to contribute her talents and to help people for as long as she is able.

The Superior woman works in health care and spends what time she can on a variety of hobbies, including sewing, gardening and writing. She retired at 65, but missed working, so she spends 35 hours a week in home health care, taking care of family members. She began sewing lap quilts for disabled veterans and gets them to people in need through local groups. And you can even find her online at imeldadickinson.com.

Dickinson enjoys sharing stories and last year published “Personolly Yours,” a collection of poetry and prose that tells stories through the eyes of a doll.

"It's a collection of 44 stories that I started writing 25 years ago," Dickinson told the Superior Telegram. "I would dress up a doll for a story I wanted to tell. The first one was Emily Dickinson. My father was related to her.”

What Dickinson shares includes some fantasy, but is in large part true stories from her interesting life.

Dickinson is originally of Saint Cloud, Minn., one of 13 siblings who lived in a 14room house. She speaks fondly of her family — particularly her parents. As a girl, she spent time climbing trees and listening to her parents play music. Her mother could play eight instruments, and music was valued in the

family. The children would trade chickens for music lessons.

“In earlier years, Mom and Dad started a western band,” Dickinson said. “It was in the Depression years.”

Dickinson’s father was a hardworking man who loved his family. He was educated only through the fourth grade and helped raise his nine siblings. He grew up to build a family farm of his own and work full time. Dickinson’s mother was born on a farm. When they had their own kids, farming continued to be an important part of their lives.

Dickinson’s family lived on a 250-acre farm. They raised cows and tended a one-acre garden by the house. One of Dickinson’s chores was to clean the machine used to milk the cows. In the summer, she plucked potato buds and pulled weeds. She helped clean canning jars since her hands

Imelda Dickinson holds a copy of her book, "Personolly Yours," at the Superior Public Library.

Imelda Dickinson wrote "Personolly Yours," a collection of her poems.

PHOTO BY BRAD SAINT GEORGE

were just the right size. The girls often helped their mother cook meals for the family and do laundry.

The family would play card games and listen to the radio. Some of their favorite programs were “The Lone Ranger,” “The Twilight Zone” and “Inner Sanctum.” Once they got a television, they would watch the “Lawrence Welk Show.” When the circus arrived in town, Dickinson’s father would take them to see the show.

The children would go skating at a field near their house in the winter and check out books from the library. As they grew, their parents allowed them to go to the Coliseum Dance Hall for dances — on the condition that one of the brothers would make sure they got home. Every Sunday, Dickinson’s family would attend church. The family needed two pews to sit together.

Dickinson grew to have her own family: three daughters, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and eight greatgreat-grandchildren.

She was the first in her family to earn a high school education. She earned a master’s degree in natural health — the lessons her parents taught Dickinson on the farm took root and grew with her over the years. She loves fresh vegetables and sharing her knowledge with others. Healthy living is something she’s passionate about teaching. She has taught classes on vegetarian eating and handling stress.

Even today, when the weather allows, Dickinson can be found growing peas, carrots and other vegetables, and tending her flowers. She continues to haul wood, rake leaves and shovel snow.

“Be kind to one another and value friendships,” she advised. “Appreciate small things; they happen more often. I go to bed and thank God for another day of life.”

With an eye on the future, there is a second edition in

the works titled “Personolly Yours, Too.” Dickinson is still working on it and looks forward to sharing more stories and adventures. D

Kayla Felien is a Duluth freelance writer. Dickinson’s book is available at Zenith Bookstore, 318 N. Central Ave., Duluth, in the local section.

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By Connie Wirta

NursePractitioner Christie E.

Erickson has a new way to meet with patients. An alert on her smartphone tells her another patient is waiting for her via an Essentia Health E-Visit.

Instead of walking into an exam room at the Essentia HealthHermantown Clinic, Erickson logs into a secure computer network. There, the experienced nurse practitioner reviews information that a patient has submitted by answering an online questionnaire. It asks much the same questions that Erickson or a colleague would have asked as part of a clinic visit.

“The E-Visit questionnaire asks a thorough set of questions that not only helps with a diagnosis, but also makes sure that an online appointment is both appropriate and safe for this patient,” explains Erickson. “I have all the information I need to make a diagnosis

E-Visits offer quick connection to expert care

A smartphone alert tells Nurse Practitioner Christie E. Erickson that she has a patient awaiting an Essentia Health E-Visit. The new visits are available for 20 common health concerns and take five to 10 minutes for a patient to complete. Providers are available 24/7 and respond within an hour.

and offer treatment.”

Essentia E-visits are available for 20 common health concerns and take five to 10 minutes for a patient to complete. Within an hour, an Essentia Health physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner reviews the information, and the patient receives an email reply with a diagnosis, treatment plan and, if appropriate, a prescription. The email also includes advice on self-care measures and other information, such as a medicine’s potential side effects.

“The conditions we’re treating on an E-Visit are pretty straightforward,” Erickson says. “The questionnaire itself helps determine if a patient needs to be seen instead at a clinic because he or she needs a physical examination or something else, like a lab test.”

Since she began working on E-Visits last November, Erickson says her most frequent diagnoses have been colds and flu, pink eye (conjunctivitis), bladder infections, sore throats and rashes. One helpful feature, especially

when it comes to rashes and pink eye, allows a patient to submit a photograph to help with a diagnosis.

As the flu season peaked, many patients used E-Visits to share their symptoms and get expert advice on whether they had the flu and needed a prescription or were at risk for complications. “A nice thing about an E-visit is that when you’re feeling really bad, you stay on the couch and have an appointment,” Erickson says.

Erickson sees many benefits for patients. E-Visits are available 24/7 by simply logging on with a computer, tablet or smartphone. Not only are they convenient, they save time traveling to an appointment and waiting to see a provider.

“E-Visits are health care’s way of getting in synch with our busy lives,” Erickson says. D

Connie Wirta is an editor for Essentia Health marketing. She wrote this for The Woman Today.

Try an E-Visit instead of a clinic appointment

Essentia Health offers E-Visits for 20 common health concerns, which means you can get care from the comfort of your home or office. Just log in to EssentiaHealth.org/OnlineVisit from your smartphone, tablet or computer.

An electronic visit begins with you answering an online questionnaire about your symptoms and medical history. It takes about five to 10 minutes. An Essentia Health physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner reviews the information and responds within an hour, anytime day or night. You receive an email with your diagnosis and care plan and, if appropriate, a prescription will be sent to your pharmacy. If you need to schedule a clinic appointment to address your condition, you won’t be charged for the E-Visit.

E-Visits are available for adults, ages 18-64. An adult must start an E-Visit for patients who are age 17 or younger. An E-Visit costs $30.

Essentia E-Visits are available for these conditions:

• Acne

• Burns (minor)

• Canker or cold sore

• Cold, sinus infection, or sore throat (upper respiratory infection)

• Constipation, diarrhea and/or irritable bowel syndrome

• Diaper rash

• Eczema or dermatitis

• Female bladder infection (UTI)

• Hay fever/allergies

• Influenza (the flu)

• Lice

• Lower back pain

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

• Shingles

• Stye (bump or bumps on the eyelid)

• Tick bite

• Tinea (fungal skin infection)

• Tobacco cessation

• Vaginal yeast infection

Celebrating 50 Years in Business!

Annual Port Cities Luncheon

Wednesday May 2, 2018 •Noon

Greysolon Ballroom by Black Woods

Speaker: Beth Bartlett

Author,Professor,Feminist

Theme: Women Making Waves

Purpose: To name a2018 Woman of the Year -anoutstanding woman volunteer from the Port Cities area

Tickets $20,toreserve call Marcia Semerau at 722-1042

Deadline to reserve,Monday,April 23 001700467r1

RISE AND SHINE: Tips from successful women

by Liz Carey

In light of recent scandals featuring sexual harassment in the workplace, much more talk about gender equity and women’s issues on the job are finding their place in the national interest.

Women earn 80 percent what men do for the same job, according to the American Association of University Women. Many would also say they have faced discrimination in the workplace, whether it’s overt or not. Just 17 percent of startup businesses have a female founder, reports techcrunch.com. And while the U.S. Department of Labor reports that 47 percent of the U.S. workforce is women, in 2017, Fortune.com reported that only 32 Fortune 500 companies had female CEOs.

But highly successful women will tell you, there’s no secret to making it. It takes diligence, perseverance and focus.

Renee Wachter, chancellor of the University of WisconsinSuperior, said it’s important to start your day off on the right foot.

“I’ve learned how you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day,” Wachter said. “I usually begin my day at 5 a.m. by listing 3-5 things for which I’m grateful, prayer and exercise. These things keep me centered, even in the midst of challenge.”

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said she makes a habit of waking up early so that she has time to herself, and meditating, doing yoga or running during that time. Throughout the day, she said, she takes time to pause a moment and take some deep breaths to regain her focus and energy.

Most importantly, she said, was her attitude toward her mistakes.

“I try to treat myself like I would a good friend,” she said. “When I make a mistake, or something goes wrong, instead of focusing on what I did wrong, I try to acknowledge the mistake and remember that I’m only human, I’m not perfect, and then move on. It’s important to do that, I think, because we’re all so much harder on ourselves that we are on others.”

PHOTO BY STEVE KUCHERA/DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE

Emily Larson

Renee Wachter

Sascha Mansson

For Sascha Mansson, director of the Women’s Business Alliance in Duluth, it’s all about organizing your day to be more productive.

“One thing that I have learned to do, is each morning I make a list of to-do items for the day and prioritize them. I put the items that are least desirable to complete on top of the list,” she said. “I find that if I complete those tasks and take care of the tougher things at the beginning of the day, they are off my mind and I am much more productive and present the rest of the day.”

BusinessStudent.com recently published a sampling of “The Habits of Highly Successful Women.” Some of the highest-profile women in the world weighed in.

For women such as Oprah Winfrey and J.K. Rowling, pushing oneself is key. Winfrey said, “as you push yourself towards greatness, you will inevitably stumble a few times, but remember: There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction.”

According to the list, writing down your goals

is a way to keep on track to reach your goals. Both singer songwriter Dolly Parton and Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles write down their goals.

Sheryl Sandburg, COO of Facebook, said she writes her schedule and to-do lists by hand, rather than keeping a digital calendar, in a decidedly untech spiral notebook. Once every item on a page is checked off, she tears the page out and starts on a new one. The habit keeps her focused and motivated, she said.

Another piece of advice is to take time to rest and clear your mind. Arianna Huffington, cofounder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post, makes sure she gets eight hours of sleep a night to avoid overwork, while Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings said that she begins her day with 10 to 15 minutes of meditation first thing in the morning. D

Liz Carey is a freelance writer and contributor to The Woman Today.

By Sheryl Jensen

Thispast New Year’s Eve was a frightening and life changing one for Beverly Talonen, a Grand Rapids grandmother. She had gone to bed at 11 p.m. “I woke up at 3 a.m. to go to the bathroom, and I couldn’t think of how to get out of bed,” she recalled.

When Beverly woke her husband, Maurice, to tell him, he quickly came around to her side of the bed to help her up. As she tried to stand up and to put weight on her left leg, she crumpled and fell to the floor.

“I told my husband, I think I am having a stroke. Call 911,” Beverly said. After getting to the Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital by ambulance and having an MRI and a CT scan, doctors determined she should be flown to St. Luke’s hospital in Duluth immediately. Beverly had been right. She was having a stroke.

When it comes to treating a stroke, time is critical. Medical professionals refer to this as “time is brain,” meaning the more time it takes to get the patient appropriate care, the more brain cells are lost.

Dr. Morgan Althoen, an Interventional Radiologist at St. Luke’s, said, “We know that for about every 30 minutes the clot stays in the brain, the patient's chance of getting a really good functional outcome decreases by 12 percent.”

St. Luke's stroke care saves lives

Success story for Grand Rapids grandmother

While Beverly remembers few details of the flight to Duluth or the rest of that night, Dr. Althoen and his team had removed the clot from her brain using a procedure called a stroke thrombectomy.

This clot retrieval procedure requires a physician to thread a catheter through the femoral artery and then to the brain, using a clot-grabbing device within it to reach and remove the clot.

After the procedure and 10 days of recovery and rehabilitation at St. Luke’s, Beverly was able to go back home. “I feel really great. I am still doing physical therapy, and I am working on getting my strength back,” she said.

Until relatively recently, the closest place Northland patients could receive stroke thrombectomies was the Twin Cities. The travel time to the Twin Cities meant not getting care as timely as possible.

Beverly noted that if she would have been flown to a Minneapolis hospital for treatment instead of to St. Luke’s in Duluth, she probably would not have survived or would have come out of this with much more serious impairments.

Recognized for their stroke care by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, St. Luke’s is the only hospital in the region to offer the option of stroke

Beverly Talonen is a Grand Rapids grandmother and stroke survivor. She's pictured with her husband, Maurice Talonen.

thrombectomies. Their highly trained staff and state-of-the-art hybrid operating room save time and brain for their patients.

Stan Sadenwasser, St. Luke’s Cardiovascular Services Coordinator, said, “We’re very, very fortunate to be able to provide stroke thrombectomies which have a success rate of 70 to 75 percent for qualifying patients.”

“Stroke is such a devastating disease for both the patient and their families. We want to do everything we can to use best practices for treating a stroke using the clot-busting drug tPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) or performing a thrombectomy,” Sadenwasser added.

“Time is of the essence to get the patient to the hospital, get the stroke diagnosed and then follow up with the best plan for each patient. While it doesn’t cure everybody, thrombectomies give some patients the best chance for recovery,” Dr. Althoen said.

Thankful for her new lease on life, Beverly added, “I have always been a positive person. I came through cancer six years ago. Both the cancer and the stroke reminded me that you need to enjoy every day you’ve got spending time with your loved ones.”

Dr. Althoen added, “It is very satisfying for St. Luke’s to be the regional center for this procedure.” D

Sheryl Jensen is a Duluth freelance writer and former managing editor of The Woman Today. She wrote this for St. Luke’s.

According to recent American Heart Association statistics...

stroke is the second-leading cause of death in the world and a leading cause of adult disability. It kills about 133,000 Americans every year, and occurs in the U.S. about once every 40 seconds.

The American Heart Association encourages everyone to learn how to recognize the warning signs of strokes. Their F.A.S.T stroke campaign makes the sudden signs and symptoms easy to remember:

Face Drooping — Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile and check if their smile is lopsided or uneven.

Arm Weakness — Is one arm numb or weak? Ask the person to raise their arms to check if one side drifts downward or have them squeeze your hands to see if each side has equal strength.

Speech Difficulty — Is the person hard to understand, slurring their words or unable to speak? Ask them to repeat a simple phrase.

Time to Call 911 — If you can see any of these signs, you should call 911 for immediate medical attention and get that person to a hospital immediately — even if the symptoms go away. Tell medical staff they are showing signs of a stroke and what time you began to see the signs.

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Arts & Events Calendar

Zoo Tots

March 19, April 2, April 16

Through a story, activity and animal encounter, children ages 2-3 will learn about a different animal each visit. Zoo Tots is a great way for toddlers to interact with each other as they learn about animals. Explore the zoo on your own after the program. No older siblings, please. No preregistration required. 10:30-11 a.m. first and third Mondays of the month (none in May). Free for members. $2 plus admission for nonmembers. Lszooduluth.org. Buy tickets at thewomantoday.com.

An evening with Foreigner and the Dave Eggar Orchestra

April 4

Foreigner is hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales. Teaming up with musical prodigy Dave Eggar. DECC Auditorium, 350 Harbor Drive. Doors open at 7 p.m.; concert starts at 8 p.m. jadepresents.com/event/2018foreigner-duluth/. Tickets $55. Buy tickets at thewomantoday.com.

Arrowhead Home & Builders Show

April 4-8

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.

The Woman Today presents 2nd annual Rosie Awards

For 52 years, the Arrowhead Home and Builders Show has been bringing the latest trends and technology for the home under one roof, allowing you to meet the area’s very best experts who can help create your dream home and yard. DECC. Wednesday and Thursday 5-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults $10, ages 6-17 $6, 5 and younger free. shamrockprod.com/visitor/homeshow/ homeshowvhome.aspx.

‘Kinky Boots’

April 9

“Kinky Boots,” the smash-hit Broadway musical, makes a stop at the DECC Symphony Hall.

Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos. $32. Ticketmaster.com.

April 10

We are mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and friends; pilots, receptionists, writers, teachers, police officers and sculptors. The women of our community are a driving force, and The Woman Today wants to recognize them for what they bring to our unique culture. Help us celebrate those among us who drive us forward. Winners will be announced during The Rosie Awards event at Northland Country Club. Buy tickets at thewomantoday.com.

Breakfast with Champions: Men’s and Women’s Track and Field

April 12

Yellowjacket Athletics will offer an opportunity for its fans and friends to enjoy a meal with coaches and student-athletes. Perkins restaurant in Superior. These events are pay-on-your-own and are open to the public. 7:30-9:30 a.m. Call (715) 395-4693. Buy tickets at thewomantoday.com.

UMD Theatre presents ‘Into the Woods’ April 12-15; 18-21

Take a magical romp where the lives of well-

• Dr. Paul K. Hodapp

• Dr. Scott K. Varland

Dr. Nathan A. Jarnot

known characters from familiar fairy tales intertwine. But the woods are dark, and we discover that even fairy tale characters are all too human. Approximate length is 2.5 hours. Recommended for ages 12 and older. UMD’s Marshall Performing Arts Center, Mainstage Theatre. $10-$21. Tickets.umn.edu or (218) 726-8561.

Fairlawn Mansion presents Friday the 13th Flashlight Tours

April 13

Tour the darkened Fairlawn Mansion with flashlights, and learn about the superstitious life of the Victorians. Tours will leave every half-hour beginning at 7:30 p.m. (no reservations needed). This event is not recommended for children 5 and younger. For more information call (715) 394-5712.

AAD Shrine Circus

April 13-15

The 72nd annual AAD Shrine Circus fundraiser, Amsoil Arena. For more information, visit kernkompany. com/events.

Prices to be announced.

Duluth Fiber Handcrafter Guild’s Fiber Rummage Sale

April 14

Pick through great deals in the community’s fiber-related stash. You can even bring contributions from your own stash! 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Lincoln Arts Center, 2229 W. 2nd St., Duluth. Call Ryan at (507) 476-5489 for details.

Party for the Planet

April 20

Join the Lake Superior Zoo for a special after-hours event from 7-9 p.m. See what the animals are up to at dusk and meet endangered species up close. Activities will include animal presentations, fire dancers, campfire and free snacks. The Arrowhead Astronomical Society will also be on hand with telescopes for viewing the night sky. Cost: $5 for children 3-12, $10 for ages 13 and older; 2 and younger free. Zoo members half off. 7210 Fremont Street, Duluth. Visit lszoo.org.

Arts & Events Calendar

‘Dining in the Dark’

April 26

The Lighthouse Center for Vision Loss will host a fundraiser at Pier B Resort at 5 p.m. The event will include a blindfolded dinner, awards, silent auction and more to support independent living for people with vision loss and blindness. $75 per person. Tables of eight. 300 W. Railroad St., Duluth. Visit LCFVL.org/ DiningInTheDark.

UW-Superior Theatre production:

‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Opens

April 27

UWS theater, 1805 Catlin Ave. Apr. 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 at 7 p.m.; Apr. 29, May 6 at 2 p.m. Adults $15, senior (60+) $10, UWS $5, other students $10. Group (10 or more) $5. A comedy with audience participation, this show portrays an eclectic group of six students who vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Some adult content.

The Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO) presents ‘Reflections’

April 28

The DSSO’s season closer. “West Side Story” and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, featuring animated movies,

commissioned by Michael Tilson Thomas and the New World Symphony. Finally you can hear and see Mussorgsky’s incredible masterpiece. This concert begins at 7 p.m. at the DECC Symphony Hall. dsso.com.

Jim Gaffigan – The Fixer Upper Tour

April 29

Jim Gaffigan’s humor largely revolves around fatherhood, laziness and food. He is also regarded as a “clean” comic. 7:30 p.m. Amsoil Arena. ticketmaster.com

Duluth Homegrown Music Festival

April 29-May 6

An annual community celebration of the original and diverse music of Duluth and its surrounding communities. Homegrown occurs every year on the first weekend in May. Eight days and includes more than 30 venues, nearly 200 local musical

acts, a children’s music showcase, poetry, visual art, film, a classical music showcase, and a kickball game. Highlights for the 2018 festival include a free children’s music showcase at the Duluth Children’s Museum, the Homegrown Poetry Showcase at the newly restored NorShor Theatre, a trolley between venues on Superior Night, and the annual Homegrown Mayor’s Reception. duluthhomegrown.org.

Port Cities Luncheon

May 2

Beth Bartlett, a retired women’s studies professor from the University of Minnesota Duluth, will be the guest speaker. She has been active in the women’s movement for decades and is the author of several articles and books about feminism and political activism. Noon at Greysolon Ballroom by Black Woods, 231 E. Superior St., Duluth. Tickets $20. Call (218) 722-1042.

Duluth Lions Club Pancake Day

May 3

Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes and extras at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Children 4 and younger free with paid adult.

Continued on page 48

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Arts & Events Calendar

Hartley Nature Center’s Spring Youth Outdoor Expo

May 5

This fun family outdoor event in May will have a number of stations set up inside and outside the facility, where youth and their parents learn and experience skills such as flytying, archery, bird banding, emergency rescues and birdhouse building. Done in conjunction with the W. J. McCabe Duluth Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, this event remains free for all participants and includes a sandwich, water bottle and ice cream. Registration is limited to 140 youth. hartleynature.org/signature-events

The Duluth Playhouse’s Theatre for Young Audiences presents ‘The Cat in the Hat’

May 5-20

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat arrives with Thing One and Thing Two to turn a dull and dreary day into a wacky extravaganza, leaving Sally and her brother speechless

when their mother comes home and asks about their day. Don’t miss all the magical tricks and hijinks that make this classic Dr. Seuss story really awe-inspiring on stage! duluthplayhouse.org.

Hartley Nature Center’s Wildflower Walk

May 16

Do you know where the secret patch of bloodroot is? Can you tell the difference between an oak fern and an ostrich fern? Join Joy for a guided evening wildflower walk where you’ll stroll through Hartley Park, stopping to check what’s blooming or who’s singing. Learn tips on how to identify plants, fun folklore tidbits and see treasures of Hartley Park. Meet at Hartley Nature Center, and the walk begins at 6 pm. Call to pre-register: (218) 7246735. hartleynature.org/hartley-nature-centerprograms/birthday-parties.

Bergum home holds treasures of yesterday, today and tomorrow

by Alison Stucke

Tom and LaDonna Bergum designed a one-level home that fits their lives today and going into the future. This stunning Craftsmanstyle home is a showplace of natural materials, including wood, steel, glass and stone, as well as a fabulous collection of antique furniture and European decor. Its practical one-story layout makes all rooms accessible and easy to enjoy.

“We wanted a new home with the warmth and charm of an old home,” LaDonna said. “It took us about five years to think of all the components we wanted to incorporate.”

The Craftsman style originated in the first years of the 20th century and is defined by “many fine details and

Photography by Michelle Truax Duluth News Tribune

Dark rustic cherry cabinets and stainless-steel appliances make this kitchen pop.

excellent workmanship,” according to antiquehome.org. The style includes lowpitched gabled roofs with broad eaves, exposed wooden structural elements, natural materials and exceptional craftsmanship. All this is certainly true of the Bergum home. The style was believed to allow the homeowner to “return to a simpler, less pretentious style [that] would lead to a healthier, more comfortable and productive life.”

Like the Bergum home, most Craftsman-style houses are one- to 1½-story bungalows. But this home doesn’t feel like a bungalow. It has a “big” feel with lots of design, storage and space for daily living. It’s located within the Duluth city limits, but it has an “out in the country” feel since it sits on a beautiful wooded property. The Bergums even built a big red barn near the house.

A striking entrance

There is much to see and enjoy upon entering this inviting home. Straight ahead in the open-concept layout is the living room area where wood, stone and iron mingle. An oversized gas fireplace is surrounded by designed iron, white stone hearth and tall, painted white wood cabinets (one of which hides a television). Atop the cabinets are antiques purchased by the couple on their travels, including glass gas lanterns, a glass butter churn and an adorable wood carved donkey with wicker saddle bags bought recently on a trip to Mexico. A contemporary overstuffed leather sofa and large ottoman invite relaxation or reading by the fire.

The back wall is made of windows that bring in light to the cherry hardwood floors, and an additional soft glow is provided by strip lighting along the base level of a tray ceiling. Antique tables — one a bank table with cubbies for deposit slips, and the other two salvaged from an old building in Duluth — hold plants, including a succulent collection

and antique pieces. A collection of Red Wing crocks sits beneath one table. An adorable antique child’s roll-top desk sits up against the window, and Tom and LaDonna’s little granddaughter loves to play there.

A dazzling kitchen and helpful butler’s pantry

To the right is a kitchen that grabs the eye, with Bianco Antico white granite countertops speckled with browns

and off-whites, and dark rustic cherry cabinets and stainless-steel appliances that make this kitchen pop.

The tall cabinets were designed to hold pots and pans, as well as racks of beautiful serving trays. Oiled rubbed bronze cabinet handles and faucets and a backsplash of granite and glass in golds, off-whites and browns give the kitchen additional sparkle. Double convection

Continued on page 52

The home’s master bedroom is grand with dark-stained wood, wrought iron fixtures and decor in shades of brown.

ovens (set on the diagonal with cubbies on both sides to hide appliances) and a handy warming drawer are designed for joyful cooking.

“We share the cooking. Tom does most of the everyday cooking, and I like to practice different things,” said LaDonna, who makes lefsa as one of her specialties. “We also cook together with me as Tom’s sous chef.”

As she designed the kitchen, LaDonna dreamed of a round antique table that she could place by the window as a charming spot to have coffee or to share a meal with just a few people. She found one in a local antique shop, with beaded wood trim, and then she found bead-edged dishes to coordinate, proving a knack for finding just the perfect antique piece. A large antique wooden butter churn stands on its own legs nearby, and an impressive vintage rolling pin collection hangs on the adjacent wall.

Next to the dazzling kitchen is a helpful “butler’s pantry,” which provides more storage space with tall cabinets and glassfront cupboards, as well as an additional sink and dishwasher, and a wine cooler. Step out of this room, and you’re in the dining room, so entertaining couldn’t be easier. Repeated in the dining room is the mix of metal, wood and glass — a

Continued on page 55

meeting of elements, including a brass chandelier that hangs above the table, and two modern but vintage-looking china cabinets that stand against the wall.

“I have everything possible for cooking and entertaining either in the kitchen or in the butler’s pantry,” LaDonna said, and she specifically planned the rooms that way. “I didn’t want to have to go to the garage to get the crockpot or the basement for the waffle iron.”

“Buddy’s Room” aka “The Travel Room”

To the left of the home’s entrance is what looks like a sitting room, but it actually can be used as an extra bedroom. It’s called “Buddy’s Room” because it’s the favorite hangout of Buddy, one of two dogs (the other is named “Maggie”) who live in the home. Buddy likes to lounge on the loveseat in this room and look out the window.

“This is actually the dogs’ house, but they let us stay here,” LaDonna joked about their two adorable Labs — Buddy is a chocolate Lab and Maggie is a yellow Lab.

The couple like to travel and buy mementos from the various places they have visited. This room holds many beautiful pieces acquired during these trips, such as an exquisite tapestry bench from Italy and an elaborately-carved cuckoo clock from Germany. Leadedglass display curios hold framed photos and additional souvenirs. “Pocket” doors close off the room when it’s being used as a bedroom.

The master bedroom and granddaughter’s room

The home’s master bedroom is grand with dark-stained wood, wrought iron fixtures and decor in shades of brown. Another tray ceiling provides soft

Continued on page 57

| HERMANTOWN | SUPERIOR | CLOQUET

Anna Carlson (218) 625-1263 NMLS#582759

Elizabeth

Stocke (218) 733-5535

(218) 733-5581

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overhead lighting. A “split” above the bed provides either air conditioning or heat. The owners say it doesn’t take much to heat the home, as the in-floor heat provides comfortable warmth throughout the house.

A pocket door opens to a roomy walk-in closet, complete with large dresser and organizer shelving. The connected master bath includes double sinks and a walk-in shower with large “rain” showerhead, similar to the showers the Bergums have seen and used in Mexico.

“We go to Mexico often, and my husband just loves these showers,” LaDonna explained.

The glittering tile and glass trim along with another oiled rubbed bronze faucet like in the kitchen appear again here, and Estoria granite tile covers the floor, shower bench and sink counter.

A frequent guest in Tom and LaDonna’s home is their 3-year-old granddaughter, Harper. She loves to stay in “her” bedroom in the home, which includes a white metal bed fashioned in an antique style and quaint prints from France. It’s a little girl’s dream room.

A cozy den, powder room and more

The den feels like a cozy lodge, with slate floor tile, an iron-and-stone woodburning fireplace (the stone comes from the Bergums’ property), wood accents, windows that look out into the woods, and a sliding door that opens to the poured cement patio that is stamped to look like cobblestone.

The hallway leading to the garage includes a little closet that’s perfect for housing the vacuum; two coat closets — one for each of the home owners; the mechanical room; a door to the garage; and a door to a room above the garage that’s destined to be Tom’s “man cave.” And don’t forget the “Doggy Condo” — a small tile-covered room with a doggy grooming station and shower. The sliding door is an old stall door bought from a farmer in Esko.

Open the pocket door with the crystal handle, and you’re in the “Powder

Room.” It includes a large pedestal porcelain sink with a polished nickel faucet, and industrial-look shelving made by LaDonna with plumbing piping.

“LaDonna’s Room,” or the laundry room

Finally, a very important room in the house is “LaDonna’s Room.” She has masqueraded it as “the laundry room” so that no one else will want to enter it! But it contains so much more than the stainless-steel washer/dryer and huge antique porcelain laundry sink. This is where LaDonna keeps her ribbons and wrapping papers, sewing machines and several of her handmade baskets, as well as many other secret treasures. For a light and airy look, the cabinetry is painted white and the granite countertop is colonial cream.

Continued on page 58

Lowpitched gabled roofs with broad eaves, exposed wooden structural elements, natural materials and exceptional craftsmanship.

A home of dreams

LaDonna and Tom have created the home they dreamed of for five years. They’ve filled it will the souvenirs and antiques that they love. They’ve lived in it now for 2½ years, and they still have dreams they hope to fulfill there — several of which might just make use of their red barn.

“We’re pondering getting alpacas or goats, and we will definitely have chickens this spring,” LaDonna said. “We both think we were farmers in a former life.” D

Alison Stucke is a Duluth freelance writer and frequent contributor to The Woman Today.

Above: For a light and airy look, the cabinetry is painted white and the granite countertop is colonial cream. “LaDonna’s Room.”

Right: Masqueraded as “the laundry room” But it contains so much more ...

Left: Shelving made with industrial piping and reclaimed wood gives a floating effect.

by Matthew H. Hanka

Spring is construction season. Are you planning a project? If so, you may find the following tips helpful.

First, how do you identify a contractor for your project? Is the work specialized or general? Have you used a certain contractor before and been pleased with the result? Or, can a trusted contractor give you a referral if the work is outside their expertise? Finally, you can ask trusted neighbors, co-workers and business contacts for referrals.

Is contractor licensing important? Hiring a Minnesota licensed contractor ensures that the company has met certain standards that include continuing education and maintenance of proper liability insurance — both important considerations. Also, hiring a licensed contractor may allow access to Minnesota’s Contractor Recovery Fund, which is a statutory safeguard that compensates owners who have suffered losses because of fraudulent, deceptive or dishonest practices.

Once you have identified a contractor, and assured that the contractor has the proper credentials, you are ready to proceed with outlining

Managing your residential construction project

the rules for the performance of the work — that is, you need a contract. At a minimum, a written contract should cover the project’s cost, scope and timing. Changes during the life of the project should be documented in a written change order. This helps alleviate surprises at the end.

When the project is done, do you have a warranty that the work will be as expected? Minnesota Statutes Chapter 327A provides warranties that cover essentially any new dwelling or major home improvement project. The warranty period depends on the type of alleged defect.

A builder must warrant that during a one-year period, the dwelling is free from defects caused by faulty workmanship and defective materials due to noncompliance with building standards. There is a two-year warranty that covers defects caused by faulty installation of plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems. And there is 10-year coverage that warrants that the dwelling is free from major construction defects — that is, actual damage to the load-bearing portions of a dwelling.

Minnesota Statutes also cover home improvement work involving major structural changes or additions. The home improvement warranty periods mirror those covering newly constructed homes — a one-year

period for defects caused by faulty workmanship and defective materials, a two-year period covering the installation of plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, and a 10-year period covering major construction defects.

The goal for everyone should be to avoid disputes, but what if there are disputes related to the work? Outside of litigation, Minnesota has a statutory home warranty dispute resolution process. With some exceptions, Minn. Stat. § 327A may require homeowners and contractors to employ the dispute resolution process before proceeding to litigation. The dispute resolution process is administered by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Choosing a qualified contractor, communicating clearly, and understanding the parties’ contractual responsibilities all go a long way toward ensuring a successful construction project. If you are mindful of these concerns, you can be confident that you have done everything possible to ensure that your project will be a success. D

Matthew H. Hanka is a lawyer who works for Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, P.A. He wrote this for The Woman Today.

Showplace Cabinetry for the home is made in America by employee-owners who, naturally, take great pride in every cabinet they craft for you. And crafted they are to your exact specifications, in adizzying array of styles, woods, finishes and paints. And right now, for alimited time, all of the popular Showplace painted finish options are offered at special price reductions. Stop in soon and learn all about this unique opportunity.

Log Cabin kitchen remodel

A marriage of design and project management

When the Olsons were ready to freshen up their home by tackling a kitchen remodel, designer and project manager Sherry R. Simmons, owner of Veshé Inc., knew this was an important job.

“It was important to give this beloved log home the kitchen it deserves,” Simmons said. “One that meets the needs of Honna, a professional cook, and also allows for

a project manager. When she takes on a remodeling job, she provides a design that meets her clients’ lifestyle and aesthetics, and also manages bids for all sub-contractors. She acts as the go-between for the client and the team, and ensures that the project is completed successfully.

When your designer is also your project manager, several good things happen.   Designs are realistic and buildable according to the clients budget.  The designer is also aware of what it will take to build the design and can choose a “Team” that best fits the desired final result.

“Sherry was good at keeping all of the sub-contractors on task,” he said. “She knows all of the contractors around town and how to coordinate their efforts. We didn’t have to work directly with any the sub-contractors; she was the ‘go between’ for all of us. This was just an invaluable part of the process.”

The Gold Team

by Andrea Busche

and Honna Olson’s Long Lake log cabin is a much-loved piece of real estate. Originally built in Montana, it was painstakingly deconstructed in 1976, log by log, at the former homeowner’s request, so it could be transported to Minnesota.

Rick

some of the outgoing Olson personality to come through.”

Designer + Project Manager

One special aspect that Simmons brings to the table is that she is not only an interior designer, but also

With more than 30 years in the industry, Simmons refers to her favorite sub-contractors as her “Gold Team.” Whether it’s a plumber or a carpenter, she has a specific list of requirements each professional must meet before she’ll consider hiring them.

Continued on page 64-68

Skillfully handled by Veshé Inc.

Sherry R. Simmons

“It’s cozy and warm, and we just spend hours in there.”

"We wanted Honna to be able to cook and entertain at the same time."

Beautiful new custom cabinetry...

The measurements within the log cabin required exquisitely close attention to detail.

Spacious refrigerator and other appliances

from Johnson Mertz

Tile flooring from Johnson Carpet One

“Some of the qualities I look for in a sub-contractor include quality workmanship and competitive pricing,” she said. “Additionally, they must be good communicators, responsible and available when I need them.”

For the Olson project, Sherry’s Gold Team included:

• Cabinetry — Gemini Designs

• Countertops — Graniteworks

• Fireplace — Fireplace Corner

• Project Manager — Veshé

Cabinetry Details

Gemini Designs’ interior designers Patty Sertich and Nicole Krisak provided beautiful new custom cabinetry. Having them visit the site for the final measurements was a valuable service. The measurements within the log cabin required exquisitely close attention to detail, as the walls were a bit bowed, and nothing was perfectly straight.

“With every remodeling project, there are different challenges,” Patty and Nicole share. Gemini enjoys joining forces with Sherry on a variety of projects, and are proud to be members of her Gold Team.”

Nicole and Patty said when they work with designers like Sherry, the cabinetry arrives with extra-special attention to detail because three designers are working together.

Full-Scale Remodel

The Olson kitchen project was a fullscale remodel.

“Our family gatherings revolve around food and food preparation,” Rick said. “So, we wanted Honna to be able to cook and entertain at the same time.”

The project took many months to complete, requiring many stages of demolition and construction. Walls were removed to create a better flow, doorways were widened, and the lighting, cabinetry, appliances, flooring and countertops are all new.

A new 10-foot island was installed, creating a natural place for the Olsons to gather. Ceiling beams were added, and electrical service was wired to the beams. This allowed for the use of special, upward-facing mono-point lighting, which highlights the home’s beautiful vaulted ceilings.

A professional range with two ovens and new refrigerator and freezer were

added. A new heavy-duty hood was installed, which required venting that exits through the roof. A walk-in pantry was built, and windows were relocated and replaced, with one new window added.

Before the remodel, the kitchen of the Olsons’ log home was cold.

“The home is beautiful, but it’s almost like the kitchen was forgotten,” Simmons said.

A top priority was to install a propane fireplace, adding not

only warmth, but a comfortable ambiance to the space.

A Few Special Surprises

Sherry included a few delightful surprises along the way, proving just how closely she listens to her clients. Rick, a retired dentist, enjoys woodworking in his spare time. One of his hand-carved logs, featuring an expressive human face, was used as a base to construct a hanging light fixture. A custom, built-in knife block gave Honna a special place to store her highly prized kitchen knives.

“Sherry added amenities that we hadn’t even thought of,” Rick said. “The knife block, spice drawer and pantry are just invaluable. And the fireplace has really become a focal point of the room.”

Of all the remarkable comforts in their new kitchen, a particular favorite of the couple is a new seating area where they can visit over a cup of coffee. “The little coffee area has been such a great addition,” Rick said. “It’s cozy and warm, and we just spend hours in there.”

Happy Homeowners

The Olsons are thrilled with their new kitchen. They look forward to plenty of visits from their adult children and grandchildren, along with opportunities to entertain neighbors and friends.

“We want this to be a legacy home,” Rick said. “We know our family will be able to use and enjoy this home, along with our beautiful new kitchen, for many years to come.”

And, Sherry Simmons couldn’t be happier with the end result. “My driving force is not just to create spaces, but a place my clients can go home to, or a business that they’re proud of.” D

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

For more information, Veshé Inc. can be found on Facebook, and Sherry R. Simmons can be reached at vesheinc@gmail.com.

Hand-carved logs, featuring an expressive human face by home owner, Rick

Lighted cabinets allow for unique displays.

By Reid Strelow

Home is where the heart is, but for many people, it’s also where their money is. Given its value both financially and emotionally, protecting the home is imperative. In the unfortunate event that your home incurs a loss, a properly structured homeowners’ policy is the first step in making sure you can get back to where you were prior to any loss. Three essential components will help ensure you are properly covered.

Key choices will determine proper homeowners' insurance

1. How much coverage?

Insuring your house for an incorrect amount can be a costly mistake. Over-insuring leads to unnecessary premiums being paid, while underinsuring can leave you with not enough money to rebuild your home. The three values of a home are market value — what someone is willing to pay to buy your house and the land it sits on, tax value — what the county determines your property to be worth, and replacement cost — the real cost to reconstruct your home from scratch after a total loss. Replacement cost does not consider which neighborhood, school district, or land / lakeshore value. Working closely with a local insurance agent or Realtor is the best way to ensure an accurate replacement cost.

2. What is covered?

The largest variances in homeowners’ insurance policies appear in the language that is used to define what is and what is not covered. For example, “named peril” policies provide a list of precisely what types

of loss is covered. If damage occurs to your house that is not specifically listed on the policy, the insurance company will deny the claim. For this reason, “named peril” policies are often available at a lower premium because they pay fewer claims. In contrast, an “open perils” policy provides broad coverage for any kind of accidental direct physical loss, less a few exclusions — such as flooding or earth movement. The later policy provides much more comprehensive coverage to protect a home.

3. How is it covered?

Here again, difference in policy language is paramount. Some homeowners’ insurance policies pay claims on an actual cash value basis. Like car insurance, an actual cash value (ACV) policy pays the depreciated value of damaged property after a covered loss. If a 10-year-old sedan with an odometer reading of 175,000 battles a whitetail deer for lane position and loses, an insurer will pay the depreciated value of the car. When a homeowners

policy with ACV coverage has a 15-year-old shingled roof that sustains hail damage, the policy will pay a depreciated loss settlement. In contrast, replacement cost coverage on a homeowners policy takes that same hail-damaged, old roof and pays the market rate cost to replace the roof with new shingles.

The fact of the matter is, not all homeowners insurance policies are created equal. And like most things, you don’t know what you don’t know. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — and I’m sure to continue saying it — work closely with a qualified local agent to help you explore different coverage options. It’s the best way to ensure that you have a properly structured homeowners policy that will help you get back to where you were prior to a loss. D

Reid Strelow owns Reid Strelow State Farm Insurance and Financial Services, 2521 Miller Trunk Hwy., Duluth. He wrote this for The Woman Today, and the opinions expressed are his own.

Improving the Local Economy One Business at a Time

Hands and Knees Cleaning

There’s more to Angela Johnson’s cleaning business than vacuuming floors, dusting shelves and scrubbing sinks. Johnson said she finds great happiness in her work because at its heart, her business is about helping people.

“I love the satisfaction I get from making someone’s life easier,” she said, explaining that current clients include someone recovering from hip replacement, and one undergoing treatments for cancer.

Johnson said it’s satisfying to know that with her help, clients can continue to keep their homes the way they’d like, which relieves their stress and perhaps even aids in their recovery. Even in the absence of illness or injury, Johnson’s clients can be facing a lot of challenges managing their daily lives.

“Mothers coming home to a house that’s already clean, they can spend time with their kids,” Johnson said. “This makes me happier. I enjoy the people I get to meet.”

Johnson took the reins at Hands and Knees Cleaning last March. The previous owner, Sheila Beleane, had started the business in 2009 but was retiring. Johnson had been working for the business, cleaning and bookkeeping.

Johnson now spends her days cleaning and also managing a staff of seven part-time employees. New employees will train with Johnson until she knows they’re ready to work independently. They do general cleaning for homes and offices, and deep cleaning for move-ins and move-outs. “We tackle any situation,” Johnson said.

Johnson hired two people last summer when she found she was having to turn down clients, and she’s hoping to expand more in the future. Being a business owner wasn’t always on her mind, Johnson said, but she finds she likes it, despite the work being physically demanding.

“I’ve always enjoyed people,” she said. D

Phone: (218) 349-8558

Angela Johnson

PHOTO PROVIDED

Spice up supper with‘angrypasta’

by Tony and Sarah Nasello

Penna all’Arrabbiata (Angry Pasta)

Serves: 4

1 lb. penne pasta, cooked al dente according to directions on package

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

4 to 5 large garlic cloves, minced

½ to 1 serrano pepper, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat if desired)

¼ to ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

½ yellow onion, small-diced

½ cup dry white wine, optional

One 28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes, pureed Salt and pepper to taste

Simple

and delicious, penne all’arrabbiata is a pasta dish made with penne noodles tossed in a spicy tomato sauce. Arrabbiata means “angry” in Italian, and this dish is thus named due to its signature spiciness. Roman in origin, you will now find variations of this popular specialty throughout Italy and the world.

In its purest form, arrabbiata sauce is made with just a few basic ingredients: tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, onion and red pepper flakes. My recipe includes a serrano pepper for flavor and added heat, but you could substitute the milder jalapeno pepper, or skip the fresh hot pepper altogether. I also add a half-cup of dry white wine (such as chardonnay or sauvignon blanc) for flavor, and the liquid reduces by half before adding the tomatoes.

People always ask us what kind of canned tomatoes we use, often assuming we prefer the more expensive Italian varieties (which we don’t because they are usually too sweet for our taste). We make sauce from scratch several times a week, and our favorite tomatoes are the store brand Essential Everyday whole peeled tomatoes.

Penne pasta comes in the form of short, thick tubes with ridges, and it is a staple in our household. Penne has great texture, and the ridges on the noodle, along with the wide openings at each end, enable the tomato sauce to cling to the pasta so that every bite is filled with spicy heat.

Penne all’arrabbiata pairs wonderfully with Italian sausage or meatballs, and this meatless dish would also be great served with a salad. We always serve our penne all’arrabbiata with fresh bread and a generous topping of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Making tomato sauce from scratch is easy and takes just a bit longer than heating up a jar of pasta sauce. The results are so much more satisfying, and even if your pasta is angry, we’re pretty sure that you won’t be. Buon appetito!

In a medium sauce pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and saute the garlic for 1 minute, stirring often and being careful not to brown the garlic. Reduce heat to medium-low, add the crushed red peppers and saute for another minute.

Add the onions and serrano pepper and cook over medium to medium-low heat, stirring often, until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 to 6 minutes.

If using, add the white wine and cook over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, until the liquid has reduced by at least half. (The alcohol content will evaporate as it reduces.)

Add the tomatoes, stir and bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Reduce heat to medium-low or low and cover pot, leaving a little room to allow steam to escape. Cook for at least 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to directions on package. Be sure to season water with 2 tablespoons of kosher salt before adding the pasta. When al dente, drain pasta and return to large pot.

Pour or ladle the sauce into the pot and toss pasta until noodles are evenly coated. Transfer to serving bowls and top with a dollop more sauce, and freshly grated ParmigianoReggiano. Serve and enjoy.

Sarah’s Tips:

• Arrabbiata sauce may be refrigerated for at least five days, or frozen for several months in an airtight container.

• This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger batches, but don’t double/triple the peppers. Start with the recommended measurements, then taste and adjust as desired.

Sarah Nasello’s blog, “Home With the Lost Italian,” features recipes by her husband, Tony Nasello, and appears on Area Voices, a product of Forum Communications Company.

Black Duluth in History Superior business awards

For the past two years, the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial Board has been gathering oral histories from elders and leaders from Duluth’s African-American community. That work, “The Life, the Work, the Fight: Black Duluth in History,” was on display in February at Zeitgeist Atrium Gallery in Duluth.

Choice Unlimited Masquerade Ball

The Superior-Douglas County Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting and Business Awards on Feb. 1 in Superior. The group is a nonprofit with more than 400 members throughout the area.

CHOICE, unlimited, an employment agency in Duluth, hosted a Masquerade Ball at Greysolon Plaza Ballroom on March 8 to benefit its arts program.

Jodi Broadwell and Julia Cheng

Ryan Nelson, Outstanding Young Business, P&R Properties Twin Ports

Braden Sorenson and Sarah Hendrickson

Cynthia Donner and Carl Gawboy

Allyson Rolph, New Business of the Year, Earth Rider Brewery

Andrea Sengenberger and Summer Nault

Michelle Fonseca and Emily Drevlow

Maria and Stephen Brown

Kayla and Dale Dietzmann

Hannah and Hope Simiyu

Exhibit curator Jordon Moses and exhibit designer Terresa Hardaway

Jenna Harting, Taylor Pedersen and Robert McClellan, Community Cornerstone, Superior Animal Hospital

Cade and Andrea Gornick

Dorothy and David Wolden

Linnae Currie of Superior Choice Credit Union, Chamber Ambassador of the Year

Annie Roseen and Toby Churchill

Exhibit featuring Earl Ellis

Peggy LaBlanc

Maria Isley and Claire Kirch

Kim Mathias and Jackie Nelson PHOTOS

PHOTOS BY MICHELLE TRUAX

Never sett le

Handcrafted in America to be the best of the best, Cambria’s natural stone surfaces are complex and compelling with incredible elegance, movement, and flow found nowhere else. Find your dream kitchen or bath by visiting Maureen’s LLC at the Arrowhead Home and Builder Show in booth #741-743, April 4-8, 2018.

BRIT TANICC A WARM™ Marble Collec tion™

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