The Woman Today April 2022

WOMANthe today

Chartering new local chapter

• Laura Kleive shares her nontraditional career

• Selling? Follow the ‘3Ds’ with Tidy Details

• Helpful tips to make hiking with toddlers work

• New! ‘The Woman Yesterday’ looks back

Interventional Cardiologists Dr Scott Mikesell and Dr James Mohn perform a procedure in one of St Luke’s new Cath Labs

WOMAN the today

PROFILES

6 Markéa Wyro

Talented artist pursues her dreams

10 Mindy Sonneman

Residential designer brings dream homes to life

14 Laura Kleive

Owner of Red Maple Drywall describes her journey to this nontraditional career

FEATURES

18 Preparing your home to sell: tips from Tidy Details

22 National Association of Women in Construction launches Twin Ports-Iron Range chapter

38 Builders Corner

57 Honor Earth Day by reducing food waste

ENTERTAINMENT/ARTS

28 Arts and Events Calendar

HEALTH/MEDICINE

32 St. Luke’s

Empowered to make a difference

36 Essentia

Women’s health: The answers to those tough questions

FINANCIAL ADVICE

30 Everything you wanted to know about construction loan financing

FASHION

34 Fashions by Sam

FOOD/NUTRITION

52 Herb-Crusted Frenched Lamb Rack brought to you by Mount Royal Market

REMARKABLE RENOVATIONS

40 Bradley Interiors

DIY

56 Margarita Body Scrub

KIDS & FAMILY

48 Hiking with toddlers: A Twin Ports guide

KIDS KORNER

50 Sloane's Suggestions

THE WOMAN YESTERDAY

58 Sarah Burger Stearns

WOMAN the today

GROUP PUBLISHER

Neal Ronquist

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Rick Lubbers

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Megan Keller

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Ali Carlson

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Kim Quinones

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Renae Ronquist

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Julie Schulz CONTRIBUTORS

Abigail Blonigen

Andrea Busche

Comstock Creative

Hannah Robb

Jessica Winter

TO OUR READERS

Hello, readers!

Welcome to our April issue of The Woman Today. Can you feel spring in the air? I recently had a friend over to my home, and as she was walking to her car she turned and smiled at me and said: “Megan, spring is coming! Can you smell it?”

That really sat with me as I was scraping ice from my windshield later that day, thinking about how hard this winter has been and how it's seemingly not wanting to leave. Rather than looking back at how hard the season was this year, it's time to look forward and smile. What's ahead is unknown, but smile and enjoy whatever is thrown our way.

Laura Kleive Lisa Holm

Mindy Sonneman

Molly Milroy

Samantha Roffers

Susi Hedenberg

Laura Jean Media Services

UMD Kathryn A. Martin Library

EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE TO: magazines@duluthnews.com

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

As we enter April, the season of construction starts to ramp up, homeowners may be embarking on new remodeling projects, or some are thinking it's time to sell their home and come out of their shells to take on new challenges.

In this issue, we had the great opportunity to meet some incredible women in the construction industry, from architectural design, to a drywall business, to a new local chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction.

We didn’t stop there! With how hectic the housing market has been, Katelyn Biese, owner of Tidy Details, provides some tips and services to help you get your home properly set up for the market.

This time of year, the layers we wear become lighter and perhaps you’re thinking it's time to get outside. Earth Day is April 22, and this year's theme is “Invest in our Planet.” What will you do? Western Lake Superior Sanitary District is a great resource to turn to for tips and advice on how to be more green.

Last, but not least, we met with Markea Wyro, a 23-year-old tattoo artist who is living her life as a professional artist, which nourishes her soul.

Thank you for picking up this April issue of The Woman Today! We hope you enjoy what we have in store for you. And reminder, that May 19 is our 5th Annual Rosie celebration! Visit our website to purchase your tickets today!

“Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!” —Sitting Bull

ON THE COVER:

On the Cover: Charter members of the Twin PortsIron Range Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction pose for a photo at their chartering event on Oct. 28, 2021. They include

1-Amber Nelson, 2-Susi Hedenberg, 3-Becca Bohlman, 4-Sarah Byers, 5-Barb Stovern, 6-Jenny Blatchford, 7-Stephanie Simmonds, 8-Mandy Boyle, 9-Reah Johnson, 10-Rhiannon Klein, 11-Ashley Nelson, 12-Annie Harala, 13-Jordan Nikunen, 14-Jaren Thell, 15-Lacie Jurek, 16-Christine Barta, 17-Carissa Smith, 18-Melissa Graftaas, 19-Kim Hileman, 20-Lisa Clarke, and 21-Emily Kautzman.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSI HEDENBERG

Megan Keller Advertising Director

Talented artist pursues her dreams

By Andrea Busche

Atjust 23 years old, Markéa Wyro is already an accomplished artist. She has completed several commissioned works, and today works full time as a tattoo artist. Living her life as a professional artist nourishes her soul.

But there was a time that she tried following a more conventional path; one that clearly wasn’t right for her. Gratefully, she recognized this, pivoted, and has continued to pursue her dreams ever since.

Immersed in art

Wyro was born and raised in the small town of Antigo, Wisconsin, the oldest of seven children. She was mostly raised by her mother, Katie — who was single until she met Wyro’s stepfather, Peter — along with her grandma and great-grandma.

“I was very heavily influenced by these three amazing women,” she said. “They showed me a lot about kindness, and how to treat other people.”

~ Markéa Wyro ~

Markéa Wyro braves the cold weather in order to show off the early stages of a sleeve tattoo she is getting from Jason Voss, owner of Gitchee Gumee Tattoo.

They also taught her about art.

“My Nana (grandma) taught me to draw trees with charcoal. She still has pictures of me painting with an easel when I was very young.”

Wyro graduated from Stewartville High School near Rochester, Minnesota. There, she took several art classes, and even served as the art teacher’s student helper.

College

Wyro’s family wanted the best for her and felt uncertain about whether she’d be able to make a living as an artist. So, at their behest, Wyro decided to attend college — as a pre-med student. She began at Rochester Community and Technical College, later transferring to South Dakota State University.

Ultimately, she knew it was time to reassess her plans.

“I realized it wasn’t the right path for me, and dropped out,” she said. “It didn’t make me happy because I knew I wanted to be an artist.”

Wyro later moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, with several friends. She worked at a bar to pay the bills, while landing several private art commissions on the side. Notably, she was hired by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s feminist club to create several artistic renderings they could use to create T-shirts and posters.

“That really made me think I could be an artist,” she noted of that early success.

Tattooing

After a chance encounter with a friend who was interested in “stick and poke” tattoos, Wyro became intrigued by the art form of tattooing. She went door to door, visiting every tattoo shop

Continued on page 8

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in La Crosse, until she landed at Mind Altering Tattoos, owned by Cody Story. Story would later become her mentor.

“Cody gave me 30 minutes to draw three things: a bird, a rose and a sacred heart,” Wyro explained. “He saw my work and asked me to start the next day. At first, I started out scrubbing the floors, but eventually Cody and everyone in the shop helped me learn, and I was a tattoo artist there for a year.”

Wyro left La Crosse on good terms and moved to Duluth in October 2021. She has a significant support network, which includes many friends, and her boyfriend, Marcus, who works as a musician.

Wyro got a job at Gitchee Gumee Tattoo in Duluth, owned by Jason Voss, and today works full-time as an artist.

“First, Jason had me start at the front desk, getting a feel for how he runs his shop, and learning how the other artists worked,” she said. “Today, I am a full-time tattoo artist.”

When it comes to tattooing, Wyro doesn’t have a particular niche; rather, she prefers to be more of a generalist.

“I want to be able to tattoo every style,” she said. “It’s good to be an all-around artist. Jason does a lot of traditional and Japanese-style tattoos, and I love learning about these styles, and the history of tattooing, too.”

Wyro, and the rest of the Gitchee Gumee team, accept appointments as well as walk-in clients as time allows.

If she had to pick, a favorite tattoo she has completed for a client would be one that is both simple and sweet: a frog sitting on a mushroom playing a guitar. When it comes to her own skin, “I have more tattoos than I can count,” she said with a laugh.

Her most meaningful, however, is a full sleeve on her arm. It honors a dear friend who has passed away, and their shared love for the book “The Divine Comedy.”

Other Interests

When she isn’t working, Wyro enjoys pursuing other forms of art, including drawing and painting. She also likes swimming, hiking, reading and spending time at the beach. She lives in the Morgan Park neighborhood with a friend, Julia, and has a rescue turtle named Lenny.

In the pursuit of more knowledge, Wyro will be attending the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention later this month. She will join her colleagues to learn more about this unique art form, and hopefully bring in some new clients.

“Gitchee Gumee has been very welcoming, and they’ve already taught me a lot,” she said. “But I’m a young artist looking to learn more.”

Eventually, Wyro would love to become more involved with Duluth’s art community; particularly women’s art. Other big dreams include having her art on exhibit in museums, owning her own tattoo shop, and opening a turtle/tortoise sanctuary.

Advice

When it comes to advice for others, Wyro stresses that it’s important to march to the beat of your own drum.

“Tattooing can be a hard thing to get into — especially for young women,” she said. “But I’d like to encourage anyone who is interested, and tell them they can do it. Put together a portfolio of your art and start talking with other artists.”

In regard to her family, who were initially somewhat reluctant about her pursuit of life as an artist: “They are all extremely happy and supportive of me and my career now,” Wyro said. “In fact, they all want tattoos from me!” D

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

This tattoo of a skeleton hand with the pomegranate, inked by Markéa Wyro, is based off a story of Persephone and Hades

This rose is a traditional tattoo done by Markéa Wyro on her good friend, photographer, Hannah Robb.

Markéa Wyro said of this frog tattoo: “This was a gumball machine tattoo at the shop that I got to do and thought was super cute! I love doing cute stuff.”

Mindy Sonneman brings dream homes to life

By Abigail Blonigen

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and as many in the construction industry know, neither is a home.

Mindy Sonneman has been in residential design for 30 years, but has been doodling homes since she was a kid. She grew up in West Duluth and attended Denfeld High School. At Denfeld, she took some drafting classes and really liked them, so a teacher encouraged her to check out architectural technology.

Sonneman studied architectural technology at Duluth Technical College, now Lake Superior College, and got a job right out of school for a builder who

Mindy Sonneman has been in residential design for 30 years.

Mindy Sonneman ~

would take her to job sites once a week, something designers don’t always get the chance to do.

“Once a week I would go out on the field to the homes he was building. I would meet the guy’s framing crews and then I would meet all the subcontractors. That was like a huge extension of something I've never learned before. I was actually going out and seeing what I designed come to life,” she said.

Getting out onto the job sites also helped Sonneman get to know others in the industry, which has proven to be a huge benefit.

“Because of that young age and meeting a lot of the people who are still in the field today, I've grown with them. I've been able to get respect and keep their respect because we grew up together — starting in our early 20s and now here we are in our 50s, and that's been great,” she said.

After a few years with that builder, Sonneman moved on to a lumber company to expand her skills. There she did home design, in-house sales, kitchen designs, project estimating and project coordinating.

Eventually, Sonneman went out on

her own and started her business, MS Designs, launching in 2001. She primarily works on residential new builds, but can also help clients with additions, remodels and renovations.

Generally projects will begin with a meeting between Sonneman and the clients where she asks questions, finds out what they are looking for and

sketches out some preliminary ideas. She then takes these notes, which she referred to as “puzzle pieces” and creates a full conceptual drawing.

From there, she goes back and forth with clients, making adjustments until the design fits their desires. Sonneman

Continued on page 12

Sonneman designs both the interior and exterior of homes through her business MS Designs.

finds that even if folks don’t know what they want in a design, they usually have a better idea than they think they do after their first meeting.

“My favorite part is actually taking the pieces I'm getting and doing those initial floor plan layouts of what it's going to look like on the inside and outside,” Sonneman said. “I like coming up with the flow of a home, of a floor plan. Usually when I'm doing that, I can visually see the whole house done.”

Depending on the project, Sonneman will sometimes stay involved through the build, but more often hands off the construction documents to the contractor.

Sonneman lives in Cloquet and has a husband and two daughters, one in high school and one in college. This year, the family is hosting a foreign exchange student from Spain. In her free time, she likes to travel, hike and spend time with her two dogs.

In terms of being a woman in the industry, Sonneman said she has been really lucky to not face any substantial challenges. While most of the builders and contractors she works with are men, most of the residential designers she knows are women.

“I believe it's still male-dominated,” she said of the industry. “But as far as women designing, I only know of a couple of men who do what I do. The rest of us are all females in this area. I think we are starting to step up and take over in the design aspect of things.”

Sonneman primarily designs homes in the Duluth area; the project furthest from home that she has worked on was for a friend in Savannah, Georgia. She has even been able to help her twin sister and her husband with their new home.

“My greatest joy is seeing these designs become homes,” she said. D

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Abigail Blonigen is a Minnesota freelance writer.

Laura Kleive enjoys the outdoors and took her first 40-mile, three-day solo trip on the Superior Hiking Trail in September 2019.

“I especially love hiking in the fall when the leaves are changing,” Kleive said.

Owner of Red Maple Drywall describes her journey to this nontraditional career

By Andrea Busche ~ Laura Kleive ~

Asthe founder and owner of Red Maple Drywall, LLC, the workday is an active one for Two Harbors resident Laura Kleive. She offers a variety of services for her clients — who are mostly residential, with a few businesses in the mix — all related to drywall work.

This includes taping and texturing, priming and painting, repairing damage to walls, and texture matching. She can even remove the rough, bumpy texture from unappealing “popcorn ceilings.” Her jobs include new construction as well as remodeling projects.

The job is physically demanding, but this is an upside for Kleive.

“The pails of mud I carry are 45 to 50 pounds,” she said. “And I definitely get a lot of steps. It helps me stay fit. I like that it’s hard work, and that I’m busy all daylong.”

All of these tasks are carried out solo: Kleive is her business’ sole employee. In addition to being a busy entrepreneur, Kleive is also a wife, mother, homeowner, volunteer coach, and even the head election judge for Silver Creek Township.

From the North Shore

Kleive was born in St. Cloud, but grew up mostly in Silver Creek Township on Minnesota’s North Shore. Her father worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and her mother was a homemaker and

prolific volunteer. Later, when Kleive and her younger sister, Cynthia, were a little older, their mom served as the clerk for Silver Creek Township.

Kleive has always been on the go and enjoyed several highenergy sports in her youth. She played basketball and volleyball, and also enjoyed cross-country skiing.

She met her future husband, David Kleive, when her mom was babysitting his younger sister. Kleive graduated from Two Harbors High School in 1995, and the couple were married in 1996.

Adventurous newlyweds

The Kleives moved to Alexandria, Minnesota, while David pursued his education as a diesel mechanic. Later, when David landed a job with Ames Construction, the couple traveled around the country in a fifth-wheel camper, following the work. Their travels ultimately brought them to Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and New Mexico.

Kleive worked as a waitress initially and then later pursued (and earned) a diploma as a medical assistant from Cambridge College while they were based in Aurora, Colorado. But this career field wasn’t meant to be.

“It was really hard to find a job as a medical assistant for just a short stint,” she said.

With David’s encouragement, Laura was hired at Ames Construction, where she initially worked as a laborer.

“My husband told his bosses, ‘She’s a hard worker — you won’t regret hiring her.’”

Later, she also operated heavy equipment.

“I didn’t have any prior experience; I just thought it was a good job,” she shared, grateful for the on-the-job training available to her.

Return to Minnesota

Once their first child was on the way (son, Nathen, who was born in 2003), the Kleives decided to move back to Minnesota to be closer to family. Another son, Trevor, was born in 2005. When her children were young, Kleive was a stay-at-home mom and was also active with her local MOPS group, Mothers of

Continued on page 16

Preschoolers.

When the family decided to build a house in 2006, Kleive wondered if she could help in some way.

“I said to myself, ‘I bet I could tape the drywall myself — it would save us some money.’”

She reached out to a local professional, Rich Sve, owner of Rich Sve Interior Design, who became her mentor. It took her years to become proficient at working with drywall, but with plenty of practice she got there.

Red Maple Drywall

In 2009, Kleive opened her own business, Red Maple Drywall, LLC. She worked with Sve and another professional, Steve Larson, until the two men retired. Today she runs and operates her business alone.

Kleive’s service area is centered around Two Harbors, but she will also travel.

“I’ve had some jobs in Duluth and some in Silver Bay,” she noted. “But I try to keep my jobs to within about an hour of my home.”

Kleive explained why the drywall business has been a good fit for her.

“This has been a great job to have while raising kids,” she noted. “I can set my own hours and it is very flexible. And, also, desk jobs have never been fulfilling to me. I enjoy moving around all daylong.”

Kleive also currently serves as head election judge for Silver Creek Township. Additionally, she worked as the Silver Creek Township clerk for a time — the same role previously held by her mother. David now works for Northland Constructors, and has since 2014.

Personal interests

In her spare time, Kleive enjoys hiking — both with her family and solo. She once did a six-day solo hike/backpacking adventure where she covered a whopping 108 miles on foot.

She also enjoys snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and trapshooting. In the warmer months, she shoots trap at the Agate Bay Gun Club every Tuesday. She also volunteers her time as a coach for the Two Harbors High School trap team.

The Kleive family has two pets: a cat and a ferret. They live just outside Two Harbors city limits on a 40-acre property with plenty of trails — a perfect setting for Kleive to pursue her outdoorsy interests.

Advice

Kleive’s career path, while deeply fulfilling to her, is no doubt a nontraditional choice for a woman. As such, she has a few helpful tidbits of advice to share.

“I would say, find somebody who is respected in the field you want to pursue and learn from them,” she said. “This will help you have a good base. And then, just go for it.” D

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

Laura Kleive uses a spray gun to paint trim on a project recently. “It’s not glamorous but this is how I look on a daily basis!” she said.

One of the services Laura Kleive offers is the removal of acoustical texture, or “popcorn ceilings,” as seen in these before-and-after photos.

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Preparing your home to sell: tips from Tidy Details

By Molly Milroy

Are you getting ready to sell your home? Overwhelmed with the project at hand and want some support?

Preparing your home to sell can be a daunting task and may include activities like organizing, decluttering and a deep clean, but completing these tasks can pay off.

Kaitlyn Beise is the owner of Tidy Details, a company that specializes in affordable and professional home staging and residential cleaning.

“The goal is to make your home appealing to the maximum number of potential buyers,” Beise said. “The ultimate goal is to sell quickly and for top dollar, so you have a competitive listing.”

If you are thinking of selling your home, here are some ways you can prepare it prior to listing.

Home staging

Preparing a home to sell can be overwhelming, but with the help of Beise and the Tidy Details team, it can turn an overwhelming project into a manageable one. Tidy Details offers home-staging services which can include anything from a deep clean to reorganizing the seller’s furniture to full vacantstaging services.

“We provide walk-and-talk staging consultations where we walk through and do a tour of people’s homes,” Beise

explained. The walk-through gives sellers an opportunity to see what steps need to be accomplished prior to listing a home on the market.

“That includes decluttering, depersonalizing, furniture arrangement, color consulting,” she said. “We throw it all into a step-by-step report, so people feel really equipped to list their home.”

Based on the walk-through, they will recommend other specific services that might be beneficial.

“We can help with as little or as much as they feel that they need,” Beise said. “Sometimes it’s a clean. Sometimes it’s a clean and decluttering where we’ll clear off surfaces and center items of décor and do some light furniture rearranging. Sometimes we come in for a power stage, where we don’t bring in any inventory and we clean, arrange and stage to ensure that every room looks appropriate for photos.”

They also offer home staging with

Continued on page 20

final touches. This includes keeping the seller’s furniture in the home, but Tidy Details will bring in items like throw pillows, blankets, baskets, wall décor, bedding and more.

“We change the look of the house by just adding our soft inventory,” explained Beise, who is an accredited home-staging professional. “I became a buyer trends specialist so I can know what a specific property might benefit from.”

The final service offered by Tidy Details is full vacant-staging services. This is where they bring in all the furniture, bedding and décor, and set up the vacant home prior to real estate photos and showings.

Deep clean, depersonalize, declutter

“Deep clean, depersonalize and declutter” are the three most important tasks to prepare your home to sell.

Many things go into home staging, but the most important one, according to Beise, is a clean home.

“My No. 1 recommendation as a professional home stager is a good toothpick level clean,” Beise said.

Tidy Details started as a home-cleaning service in 2018 and

has evolved to home staging, home organizing and residential-cleaning services.

“I think it’s really, really beneficial to clean. It shows that the property has been maintained.”

Depersonalizing and decluttering are two more important steps a seller should take.

“Depersonalizing is essential to home staging,” Beise said. “It is about transitioning your space from it being your home to a product about to hit the market. Depersonalizing is best explained as eliminating your personal tastes while still trying to make it feel warm and welcoming.”

It’s important to allow potential buyers the opportunity to envision themselves in the space. By freeing up space, it allows buyers to do just that.

As sellers prepare to move, depersonalizing can also be helpful as it allows one to slowly detach from the space.

“Sometimes I’ll suggest really quick, simple fixes,” she said, “like clearing off top surfaces of dressers and instead of having several picture frames, they have one centered plant or one

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centered item of décor.”

Another way to depersonalize the space is by removing family photos and replacing them with craft paper, which gives the appearance of wall art.

“People want to envision themselves in the home; they don’t want to think about who was living here,” Beise said.

After depersonalizing comes decluttering and organizing. Creating a clean, welcoming space allows future buyers to envision their own personal touches to the home.

“If you go through the trouble of decluttering, organizing and depersonalizing — if you go through that process, and even the interior closets and pantries, and things like that — you are going to make people feel like there is a place for everything and that there’s no storage issues in the home and that they are going to be neat and organized, too,” Beise said.

It’s not just about creating a warm and inviting space, it’s also about creating a lifestyle that buyers sense comes with the home.

“When you get this house, all of this comes with you,” Beise said, “the new home, the feel of the new home, the organizing, the cleanliness. It’s a fresh start.”

Creating space

Preparing your home for market doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Be sure to create a clean and uncluttered space, one that allows others to see themselves living there.

“The energy and the pain you can go through with home staging is going to pay off,” Beise said.

If you’re not ready for the task at hand, look to Tidy Details to help you with the process.

“It’s really a benefit to the seller to meet with a home stager, so they can know all that they can do to create urgency with their listing and get

multiple competitive offers,” Beise said.

To see before-and-after videos of completed home-staging services, visit https://www.instagram.com/ details.tidy. D

Milroy is a Duluth freelance writer.

Molly

Decluttering the home makes it more inviting to potential buyers.

National Association of Women in Construction launches

TWIN PORTS-IRON RANGE CHAPTER

By Abigail Blonigen

Members of the Twin Ports-Iron Range Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction and representatives from supporting chapters pose for a photo at their chartering event on October 28, 2021.

TheTwin Ports-Iron Range region is now home to a local chapter of The National Association of Women in Construction.

NAWIC was founded in 1953 to support the advancement of women in the industry and provide networking opportunities. There are 115 chapters nationwide and 18 in the Midwest, according to NAWIC Midwest Region Director Raven Hoffman.

The seed for the Twin Ports-Iron Range chapter was planted at a conference in Minneapolis in 2018.

“We had some speakers come down from (the Northeastern Minnesota) area, and we were talking to them and realized how much construction is going on there and looked at each other and said, ‘Why is NAWIC not there?’” Hoffman said.

The other Minnesota chapters — Fargo-Moorhead, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Southwest Minnesota — banded together to help sponsor the Twin PortsIron Range chapter and lay the groundwork for its launch. Hoffman took on an advisory role, providing resources and information from the association when needed.

After extensive community outreach, the Twin Ports-Iron Range chapter reached its minimum of 25 members

Continued on page 24

Members and supporters of the Twin PortsIron Range Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction gather for their chartering event on October 28, 2021.

Duluth-Superior area and four from the Iron Range.

“I was so overwhelmed by the warmth and support we had from the construction industry up in the Twin Ports-Iron Range area,” Hoffman said. “We are really excited to be up there, and we know it's going to be a very successful chapter because of all the community support.”

As the local chapter’s first president, Hedenberg is tasked with figuring out their identity and priorities as an organization. With women still representing a small percentage of the construction industry, members identified networking

Twin Ports-Iron Range Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction held their chartering event on October 28, 2021.

as the top initiative to pursue.

“It's really nice to be able to call someone who’s a woman in construction to bounce things off of and hear their stories and get to know because it's all about empowerment and standing alongside everybody else,” Hedenberg said.

She has been in the construction industry for eight years. Her father was a general contractor, so she grew up around construction, but it was rare to see women represented in the field.

After her father passed away, Hedenberg did some

The

reflection and decided she wanted to get into construction. She left her previous career in office administration and human resources to pursue new opportunities, and has found her fit with project administration.

Another founding member, Becca Bolhman, has been in the construction industry for five years, working as an office administrator at Kraus-Anderson.

“For so many years now the image of construction and careers in construction have been predominantly seen as a male industry,” Bohlman said. “Even here in our communities of the Twin Ports and Iron Range, you do not hear a lot about women in the industry. With the newly formed NAWIC chapter, I am hopeful we can change that.”

NAWIC is open to all women employed in the construction industry. This includes contractors, tradespeople, suppliers,

Continued on page 26

architects, lawyers and more, according to their website. There are five levels of membership: active, corporate, associate, student and retired. Active members are individuals who work an average of at least 20 hours per week per month in the industry. Corporate memberships allow businesses to have a representative from their company serve as a member and can be transferred at any time. Both active and corporate

members can vote and hold office within the organization. Associate memberships are for those who do not qualify as an active or corporate member, but still want to be affiliated with NAWIC and its resources. Student and retired memberships are nonvoting roles that allow women to stay involved in the industry both before and after their official careers.

Board members of the Twin Ports-Iron Range Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction include (front, from left) Jenny Blatchford of The Boldt Company; Susi Hedenberg of P&R Companies, Sarah Byers of KrausAnderson Construction Company, (back, from left) Stephanie Simmonds of Siemens US, Mandy Boyle of Maverick Cutting & Breaking, Becca Bohlman of Kraus-Anderson Construction Company, and Barb Stovern of Benson Electric Company.

“Having a local chapter may encourage more females to step towards the many construction related career pathways,” Bohlman said. “It will also provide more opportunities for women to connect with others in the industry, not only locally but nationwide.”

Connecting with schools and providing mentorship for young women will be a priority for Chapter 329, Hedenberg said.

“We hope to empower women to get a little bit out of their comfort zone,” she said. “It's also a great-paying job with a great community to be a part of.”

Hoffman experienced this empowerment and community firsthand.

“When I came into NAWIC, I planned on just networking. I never planned on being in a leadership role. I never saw myself as a leader, but through the opportunities in the chapter I was able to see myself in a different light. I was able to develop some leadership skills and practice them in a place where everyone was supportive,” she said. “What I truly love about NAWIC is it is women lifting up other women. We support each other and we want to see each other succeed.”

Those interested in learning more about the Twin Ports-Iron Range chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction can visit their website at nawic329.org or email nawic. tp.ir.392@gmail.com. D

Abigail Blonigen is a Minnesota freelance writer.

Arts & Events Calendar

The West Theatre Events

Thursdays in April April 7 - David Bromberg Quintet; April 20 - Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience. Visit thewesttheatre/events.com.

Granger Smith

7 p.m. Saturday, April 2

Granger Smith, featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. and LANCO & Lainey Wilson, will perform at Amsoil Arena. Never Surrender Inc., an ALS fundraiser, is the nonprofit beneficiary of this event. Visit decc.org/ event/granger-smith.

UMD Faculty Woodwind Recital

7:30 p.m.; Monday, April 4

The recital will take place at Weber Music Hall. Visit z.umn.edu/UMDMusicEvents.

DSSO: To Fall In Love

7 p.m. Saturday, April 9

The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra will perform Poulenc and Bruckner at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit dsso.com.

55+ Day Trip: Planetarium

9 a.m. Saturday, April 9

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.

Pippin

7:30 p.m. April 14-16 & 20-23

2 p.m. April 24

Pippin is determined to be extraordinary. But will the price be too high? Known for Stephen Schwartz’s score, and Bob Fosse’s original direction, the musical Pippin explores what makes a meaningful life. Performances are at the Marshall Performing Arts Center. Visit z.umn. edu/UMDPippin

Join Duluth Parks & Recreation for a special morning of socializing and stars. Meet at Morgan Park for coffee and checkin, then enjoy three 30-minute private shows at the planetarium. To sign up, visit duluthmn.gov/parks/seniors.

Whose Live Anyway?

7 p.m. Sunday, April 10 Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray of the Emmy-nominated TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” will perform 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit decc.org/event/ whose-live-anyway.

MercyMe

7 p.m. Thursday, April 21

Christian artist MercyMe brings their Inhale (Exhale) Tour, featuring Rend

Collective and special guest Andrew Ripp, to Amsoil Arena. Visit decc.org/event/mercy-me-2022.

UMD Symphony Orchestra Concert

7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23

This concert will take place at Weber Music Hall. Visit z.umn.edu/ UMDMusicEvents.

PAW Patrol Live!

April 23-24

The heroic pups from the toprated animated preschool series “Paw Patrol” embark on a pirate-themed adventure in “PAW Patrol Live!

The Great Pirate Adventure” at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit decc.org/ event/pawpatrol-live-3.

A Year With Frog & Toad

1 & 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday

April 23-24, April 30-May 1

Based on Arnold Lobel’s beloved books, these two best of friends celebrate and rejoice in their differences that make them unique, but also makes their partnership so special. Best for ages 3 and up. Shows are at the Duluth Playhouse. Visit norshortheatre. com.

Spring Choir Concert: Liebeslieder Walzer

3 p.m. Sunday, April 24

Featuring VarshavskiShapiro piano duo, with Concert Chorale, Chamber Singers and University Singers, with special guest artists, the Varshavski-Shapiro Piano Duo, performing Brahms’ Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52, at Weber Music Hall. Visit z.umn.edu/ UMDMusicEvents.

Get Downtown April 25-30

Support your local Downtown Duluth restaurants, retailers and breweries during Get Downtown Week. Participating businesses will be offering a weeklong buy one get one 50% off special.

55+ Day Trip: Lake Superior Zoo

8 a.m. Wednesday, April 27

Join Duluth Parks & Recreation for a private guided tour and special behind-the-scenes program at the Lake Superior Zoo. For more information or to sign up, visit duluthmn.gov/parks/ seniors.

DSSO: To Sing

7 p.m. Saturday, April 30

Join us for a night bursting with song! The concert opens with the Negro Folk Symphony, then the Symphony Chorus performs an array of choral showstoppers including Orff’s dramatic O Fortuna and Handel’s timeless Hallelujah chorus at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit dsso.com.

Everything you wanted to know about CONSTRUCTION LOAN FINANCING

By Corey Verhel

Planning a major renovation or remodeling project? Unless you are paying cash for your project, you will need a construction loan to pay for the materials and labor, and you can use it to buy the land as well. Construction loans are a bit more complicated than conventional mortgage loans because you are borrowing money short-term for a building that does not yet exist. A construction loan is essentially a lineof-credit, but with the bank controlling when money is borrowed and released to the contractor. Additions or remodel projects are categorized similarly to new construction financing with most lenders as well.

Both you and your contractor must be approved for the loan. The bank wants to know that you can afford the loan with enough cash left over to complete the house, and that the contractor has the financial strength and skills to get the house built on time and on budget. Some lenders will allow you to be involved in the project as a contractor, some lenders specifically prohibit that. You will need to convince the bank that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to get the job done on time and on budget.

If you are converting the construction loan to a mortgage when the building is completed, the bank also wants to know that the finished building plus land will have a high enough appraised value to support the mortgage. Because the lender needs to know the story behind the project, and believe that you can make it

happen, construction loans are sometimes referred to as “story loans.” There are many variations on these types of loans from lender to lender, and they change frequently, so you should talk to a few different lenders to see what plan is best for you.

Construction loans are definitely harder to find than conventional mortgages, not every lender offers this type of financing. Luckily there are some strong lenders in the Northland that do offer construction financing. Simply starting with your local bank where you already have a relationship is good, but you will also want to speak with other local banks, including community banks and credit unions, that are more likely to make these types of loans.

In all construction loans, money is disbursed by the lender based on a preestablished draw schedule. Funds are released in stages, upon completion of the foundation, upon completion of the rough frame, and so on. The title company of your choice handles all of the draws. Monthly interest only payments are made on the balance from the draws, until everything is completed properly and the owner is issued a certificate of occupancy (CO).

Traditional construction loans

A traditional, or two-time-close, loan is the most common type of financing, it effectively is two separate loans — a short-term loan for the construction phase and then a separate permanent

mortgage loan on the completed project. Essentially, you are refinancing when the building is complete and need to get approved and pay some closing costs in order to set up the new “end” loan.

Because of two loan processes, some costs will be greater for this type of loan. However, you typically will get a better rate on the permanent mortgage as you will be working with mortgage refinance rates, which are typically more competitive than the rates offered in onetime-close loans (see below). While it is easiest to stick with the same lender for the permanent financing, in most cases you will be free to shop around to make sure you are getting the best rate and terms.

One-time close construction loans

Also called “all-in-one loans” or “construction-to-permanent loans,” these wrap the construction loan and the mortgage on the completed project into a single loan. These loans are best when you have a clear handle on the design, costs and schedule, as the terms are not easy to modify. The loan has one approval process and one closing, simplifying the process and reducing the overall closing costs. However, due to the difficulty of managing the project timeline, especially in our local building area, these loans are harder to find as many lenders and/or title companies do not offer them.

Steps to qualification

If you are in the market for construction financing, it is advisable to get pre-approved for the financing well ahead of the actual building process. Getting pre-approved will allow you to set your budget. Once pre-approved, the fun, and sometime stresses, of the project can begin. Building plans with specifications, a materials list (known as a Sworn Construction Statement) with cost estimates and bids, and putting all of the finite details together with your builder are the next steps to building your dream home or construction project. D

Corey Verhel is a mortgage banker with Frandsen Bank and Trust of Duluth. He can be reached at 218-673-5024 or cverhel@frandsenbank.com. We fabricate and install all solid surface and stone countertops!

Trunk

Empowered to make a difference

By Claire Kiger

Health care is all about making a difference by helping other people. At St. Luke’s, this is accomplished with a diverse team in a variety of roles. Here are a few stories showcasing who fills these roles and what they love most about their work.

Leah, Medical Assistant, Cardiology

“We like each other. We support one another,” Leah said about her coworkers. “It puts patients at ease and makes every day enjoyable.”

Leah’s main roles include rooming patients, checking vitals, preparing charts, performing EKGs and scheduling follow-up appointments. But she said, by far, the best part of her job is the people she works with.

Teamwork and quality are the St. Luke’s core values that mean the most to her.

“This is not a job anyone could do on their own. Teamwork is so important,” she said, “and quality is vital. We strive to do our absolute best for our patients.”

Ashley, Scheduling Representative, Centralized Scheduling

Ashley loves helping patients get the care they need. She has lots of stories, but one stands out as particularly rewarding.

“I had a patient call to schedule an injection for extreme back pain,” she said.

He was about to go on a trip. However, his pain was so bad that he was on the verge of cancelling. The kind of appointment he needed can take some time to set up, but Ashley wanted to do whatever she could to help. She was able to get him in the next day. He went on his trip pain-free.

“After he came home, he called to thank me,” she said. “It’s so rewarding to be able to help people.”

Leah, Linen Porter, Housekeeping

Leah delivers linens in St. Luke’s Hospital.

“I love working here,” she said. “What we do in our department is crucial. If there isn’t clean laundry, we can’t care for patients.”

When Leah is out and about, she enjoys interacting with patients and visitors.

“Just this week I saw a woman struggling to find her way, so I stopped to help her,” Leah said. “Other times, I strike up a conversation when I’m in the elevator with people. It makes work fun.”

Pat, Home Health Aide, Home Care and Hospice

In her role, Pat cares for some of St. Luke’s most vulnerable patients in their homes.

“I love being able to provide personalized care in this way,” Pat said. “I aim to connect with each person. I want them to know that I care.”

Pat loves the opportunity to brighten someone else’s day.

“Even during hard times,” Pat said, “I try to leave people smiling.”

Lisa, RN, Care Coordinator, Palliative Care

Lisa is known for her hard work, kindness and optimism. When she talks with patients, she looks for ways to bring them peace and hope.

“The emotional side of caring for someone is so important,” she said. “Patients are so much more than the symptoms they’re dealing with.”

Lisa chose St. Luke’s because of the mission: “The Patient. Above All Else.” She hasn’t once been disappointed.

“It’s so much more than a paycheck,” she said. “It’s about taking care of others. I love it.”

Caring for a community takes a community. At St. Luke’s, a wide variety of people and positions are needed to keep everything running smoothly.

Meet a few wonderful women who work at St. Luke’s

Amber, Social Worker, Case Management

Amber connects with patients right before they are discharged from the hospital.

“I really enjoy meeting them, and helping them feel supported and understood,” she said.

Discharge planning can include anything from coordinating community resources to home health care. Amber and her colleagues make sure plans are in place and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Amber appreciates the positive atmosphere. “Even during a pandemic, I have always felt supported by my team,” she said. “That makes it easier to stay patientfocused.”

Working at St. Luke’s

Each day, these women come to work and play a role in something big. By being part of a comprehensive healthcare system, they are empowered to help others and make a lasting difference in their community.

If you’re interested in joining the St. Luke’s team, see the wide variety of roles available at slhduluth.com/ careers. D

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

Samantha Roffers, a Moose Lake writer, believes it’s important to shop for things you love and feel comfortable in. Everyone’s style is unique and that’s what makes it so special.

Hello, dear readers!

Welcome back to Fashions By Sam. If this is your first time reading, a very warm welcome! Thank you for being here.

For this issue, we headed to Esko, Minnesota to visit Dot and Anne Boutique. I love seeing the way small business owners create unique spaces for their products and this wonderful gem is no exception. From the outside, this business appears to be a beautiful family home, nestled between banks of snow and trees. However, when we stepped inside, I was blown away by the clever layout and huge amount of inventory inside.

Although the ladies of Dot and Anne were mid-renovation when we visited, their vision for the future was very clear. Racks of beautiful clothes and accessories adorned the rooms within. Music played softly and handmade candles flickered gently as we perused the racks. While these ladies are currently shopping by appointment only and over Facebook Live, a huge stack of readyto-ship items was proof of a booming business.

Dot and Anne features clothing that ranges from ultra trendy to timeless and classic. They carry a wide array of bags and jewelry along with their clothes, which makes styling a complete outfit a breeze. These ladies put so much love into everything they sell, it is very apparent they are proud of the products they offer and stand behind them. I had so much fun visiting with these wonderful gals and shopping their racks, I just know you will too! D

by Sam

My first look caught my eye immediately. This top was buttery soft and so flattering. The flared sleeves are unique and an adorable touch. The fit was just right, cinching in around the waist and opening ever so slightly around the midsection — perfect top for those of us who are pear shaped or conscious about our bellies. The light blue color and delicate floral pattern is perfect for spring and cool summer nights.

This second look was one of my favorites. We all know by now I am a creature of comfort most of the time and I definitely gravitate towards comfy clothes. This trendy, oversized graphic tee paired with leggings and a super soft flannel is the perfect casual outfit. This look is made for running errands, traveling, or a casual date. If you get too warm you can tie the flannel around your waist, giving you some shape and extra booty coverage while still staying on trend and cute.

2 5

For this third look I switched out the flannel for an oversized denim jacket. This jacket was so reasonably priced and perfect for any occasion. Roll the sleeves and throw it over a dress for the perfect spring jacket or layer it with a flannel to bring it into fall. Not everyone is a fan of flannels or plaids and I think this is a perfect alternative. The classic denim jacket will never go out of style and can be worn so many different ways.

And last, but certainly not least, the ultra comfy hoodie. Who doesn't love a classic hoodie and who says your favorite hoodie has to be frumpy? This super soft hoodie is perfect for all seasons. With a gorgeous floral pattern and beautiful orange you could pair this with a ton of shoes, bottoms and accessories. Dress it down with leggings, sneakers and a cap or dress it up with your favorite skinny jeans, boots and jewelry. This hoodie also featured oversize sleeves which gives it an adorably casual vibe and maximizing comfort. 3 4

One thing I really loved about Dot and Anne was their impressive size inclusive shopping. They have racks of clothes from XS to plus size and everything in between. No matter what your body type or comfort level may be, I am sure you can find something from this charming boutique that makes you feel beautiful — I know I certainly did. It is obvious that these ladies care deeply so everyone who shops with them leaves happy.

This look makes my cowgirl heart so happy. I am a sucker for all things western and this ultra soft cardigan immediately caught my eye. With its flowy shape, beautiful burnt orange pop of color and fun pattern, it was a must for me. I paired this with leggings and a lacy orange tank top. This gorgeous top could easily be paired with jeans or slacks to dress it up or down. You can really get creative and play with your jewelry and accessories while wearing this neutral beauty.

Women’s health:

The answers to those tough questions

By Anthony Matt

Women’s bodies no doubt experience a lot of changes over a lifetime. Whether it’s your menstrual cycle, having a child or menopause, there are numerous hormonal changes as well as physical ones. A lot of these topics are tough to talk about and oftentimes considered taboo in some circles. The truth is, it’s all completely normal.

Dr. Andrea Lays, an Essentia Health OB/GYN says there is nothing to be embarrassed about, and plenty to learn from asking questions about your body and how it’s behaving, especially when it is going through these changes.

Question: Is it normal to leak urine when I cough or sneeze?

Answer: About 80% of women will leak urine when they cough or sneeze. A popular treatment would be to use something called a pessary, which is a little plastic device that can support the urethra. There is also pelvic floor physical therapy available to strengthen those pelvic floor muscles. Finally, there are surgeries and medications available as well.

Question: I am scared to get a pap test. Is that normal?

Answer: Many women are scared to have a pap test done. A pap test is a little Q-tip swab of the cervix. The sample is used to determine if there’s any precancerous cells or abnormal cells that could lead to cervical cancer in the future. The pap test itself is a very quick and easy procedure. But it can be very daunting for some. In seeing a provider who performs these tests, it's important to make sure you ask your questions prior to the exam and to feel comfortable with your provider. We all work very hard to make sure that you have a comfortable and easy experience with us.

Question: I am afraid to have sex after having my baby. Is that normal?

Answer: Many women are scared to have sex after having a baby. It’s important you realize that, while your body may feel

different, it is still safe to have sex after having a baby. If you have questions on this topic, it’s very important to bring that up with your obstetric provider.

Question: What can I expect when it comes to menopause?

Answer: All women will go through menopause at some point in their lives. That journey can be very challenging for some and very easy for others. The most common symptoms of menopause are starting to feel some hot flashes or having night sweats. Another common symptom as you enter menopause is to have irregular periods. Sometimes you can skip your period for several months, but then when you do get a period it can be very heavy in the amount of flow you have and can be challenging to deal with. The overall menopause transition, on average, lasts about four years, finally ending when women stop having periods for about one year. After periods subside, the hot flashes and night sweats typically start to go away. But for some women, they can persist and there’s definitely treatment available to help deal with those. You can ask your doctor which is best for you as there are prescription and over-the-counter options. There are also lifestyle modifications that will make things easier. Be sure to wear cotton underwear, cotton clothing, dress in layers — so that you can peel off that sweater when you’re starting to get a hot flash — keep fans around you or have your bed be next to a window.

Question: Is sex supposed to be painful in menopause?

Answer: This is such a common question. The answer is it’s very common. But, no, there are definitely things we can do to make sex more comfortable despite being in menopause. One of the most common treatments is to replenish the body with estrogen in the form of a cream or a tablet or some kind of insert. That is definitely the most successful therapy, but there are other alternatives, which are nonprescription. D

Anthony Matt is the media relations specialist at Essentia Health.

Dr. Andrea Lays is an OB/GYN with Essentia Health.

BUILDERS BUILDERS CORNER

Tips from the experts!

If you had someone getting ready to take advantage of your products / services - what would you say to them for advice, tips?

Design:

Symmetrical elements in a design are not always the answer. Mix it up with asymmetrical elements, which can help draw attention and give your design the personality you are looking for.

Design: Feeling overwhelmed from your inspiration photos? Start by finding a common theme. Does the same countertop or wood color keep showing up? Design style or tile layout? Create your design around those similar elements that you have previously been drawn to.

Architectural: Corners on your project have hidden costs. They add labor to every part of the project including excavation, footings, foundation, waterproofing, concrete, framing, roof trusses, siding, and not to mention all the interior finishing.

-Bruckelmyer Brothers

Construction

Use an established designer on your project. Let our many years of experience and expertise guide you. As designers we can help you navigate the many decisions you need to make. We design the lay-out of cabinetry with both function and aesthetics in mind to achieve a finished project that incorporates the best materials and products for your investment.

-Patty and Nicole, Gemini Designs

Cabinetry

I think the most important advice I would give a homeowner is that ALL electrical work in the state of Minnesota is required to be done by a licensed electrical contractor. Hiring a "handyman" or a person willing to do the job "on the side" is not only illegal, it can also be extremely dangerous. When hiring a contractor, talk to friends, general contractors, inspectors or people involved in other trades. Duluth is a very small town with a high quality workforce. With a little bit of due diligence, you will be able to find a reputable contractor.

-Jim Lenard, Lenard Electric

Simplify your window replacement job by installing a slightly wider casing to cover the existing paint lines.

-Ann Anderson, The Tongue and Groove Store

Windows

Use coasters for your glasses, especially those containing alcohol or citric juices. If you do have a spill, make sure you blot — not wipe — the stain with a microfiber cloth or other soft material. Clean stone surfaces without products containing lemon, vinegar or other acids, which can cause the stone to dull or etch. Hot soapy dishwater works great. Make sure you seal your countertops at least once a year to help keep your counters more stain resistant.

-Alexa Eggen, Northwoods Granite

Having a professional landscape design plan by an experienced company will help you with budget creation, construction planning and selections and, ultimately, give you a peace of mind.

-Miller Creek Lawn & Landscaping

If new siding is on your “to do” list then LP SmartSide pre-finished engineered wood siding and trim is an excellent choice. Lighter weight means one person can install with no special tools required! It is treated with zinc borate to resist fungal decay and termites. SmartSide is locally produced in Hayward and Two Harbors. It is backed by a 50year product warranty and available in many colors with 15- or 30-year paint warranties. The 16-foot siding lengths mean less seams versus the competition. It’ll stand up against hail, baseballs, hockey pucks, and lawnmower rocks. A smart choice is LP SmartSide!

-Frank Gerard, Campbell Lumber

Think about the purpose that you want this fireplace to have. Is it for ambiance, is it the centerpiece of the home and more like artwork, or is it mostly to heat a space? Knowing this will help us find the perfect solution for your home and your fireplace. It doesn't have to be all, one or the other, but a combination of all those. We will find the unique one that fits your unique project.

-Bryan LaCore, The Fireplace Corner

Fireplaces

1. There are two items that drive the price of a project: design and finish selections. For us to provide an accurate price/ estimate for a project, we will need a design.

2. Ask the right questions: How long have you been in business? Can I get a list of references? Is the company full service or a specialty firm? Are you bonded and insured? Will a permit be required for my project? How do you control the quality of your jobs? Do you use subcontractors or your own employees?

3. Make sure you truly trust and respect each other. There must be mutual trust and respect between the client and the contractor. This will help in creating good communication by both parties and will assure a great project!

-Sam Litman, Litman Construction

Landscaping Construction

RENOVATIONSRemarkable

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

Bradley Interiors

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

I enjoy working on projects that maintain or recover the architectural style of the home…in this case it was a classic pre-World War I Congdon Park home with a horribly remodeled bathroom from the late 1970s-early ’80s. It looked like a bad ski chalet.

When was this project started and completed?

I visited the site in the summer of 2020 and it was completed in the fall of 2021. The demolition and rebuild was completed in about six weeks.

What was one major challenge you had with this project?

Older homes can utilize radiators as the primary heat source and they always take up vital space. We removed the radiator and replaced it with an in-floor heat system which serves as the new heat source.

Greatest success?

Creating enough space to allow us to install a stunning freestanding tub…one that looked original to the home.

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

Start with a list of the amenities and products you would love to see in your new bathroom. Consider the style of your home and meet with a professional. Be open minded about new products and enjoy the learning process. Do a little homework and create an inspiration folder for your project.

Anything else you wish to add?

Be practical and realistic about your budget. Home improvement shows can create a false sense of product and project pricing…don’t buy cheap materials! A bathroom should be a place of peace, not a room you lose sleep over because of poor materials and workmanship.

Continued on page 44

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

From the time we moved into the house, we knew we wanted to redo that room. The decor did not match the rest of the house, the layout was not functional, and it was so dark. It was just a matter of having the time and the finances to be able to move forward with it.

What was your favorite portion of this remodel?

It is so hard to choose a favorite part, but I think the biggest thing is the brightness and openness of the bathroom now, compared to how it was before!

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

It was a personal referral and we were very happy. Sean was great to work with! The showroom was wonderful and gave us great ideas and then the computer modeling really helped us visualize what the room would look like. Very personal and professional service. We will use Bradley Interiors again and will refer our friends!

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

Have fun with it and enjoy the process. Just build into your thought process that it is going to take longer and probably cost more than you think. You just never know what is going to conspire against you. For us, it was Covid and all of the related supply-chain issues and the high demand for contractors that delayed getting the project off the ground.

Did you research other remodels for tips?

We love to watch home improvement shows on television, we subscribe to magazines that show different design styles, and we love looking at real estate to see what other people have done with their homes. I don't know that we specifically looked

HOMEOWNERS COMMENTS continued

at remodels, but we spent a lot of time figuring out our wish list that we then took to the designer to put into action.

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

We wanted a bigger shower. Our old shower was so small! Also, two sinks was a must. One of the real issues with the old bathroom was that it was very difficult for two of us to get ready in the morning at the same time because the shower, toilet and sink were all in the same area. With the remodel, we have so much room! It is hard to believe that the walls are in the same place! We were going to put in a heated towel rack and a half wall for the shower, but ultimately decided it made more sense from a spacing standpoint with the tub and the windows to have all glass doors on the shower and to not have the heated towel rack.

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

A little of both. You never know what you are going to find until you start tearing things apart, so we ended up with some unanticipated plumbing issues that made it a bit more difficult. However, the contractor and subcontractors were so good about their work and how they isolated the bathroom that the job was much less disruptive to our household that we might have anticipated, especially for a second-story room remodel!

How long did it take to complete?

Just over two months.

Was it disruptive at all during the construction phase?

Honestly, Brendan Payton of Payton Customs was our contractor and he was the best! The disruption to our household was minimal and he always made sure we knew what was coming up next so that we could anticipate any issues that might occur. D

• 48 years in business

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

• Summer hours June-

October 1, M-W-F

• Professionally trained landscape and maintenance crews ready to go

Garden Center: Take Hwy 35 south to Hwy B, go east on Hwy B 8 miles & turn left to garden center.

(715) 399-2527

• missinnegreenhouse.com

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

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

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

Hiking with toddlers: A Twin Ports guide

By Molly Milroy

Hiking with little ones can be an adventure in and of itself. Maybe it’s their short statures or inquiring minds, but kids tend to see things we don’t. This can help us to enjoy nature on a whole new level. Lisa Holm, a Duluth resident and mother of two, enjoys hiking with her children because it gives them a chance to slow down.

“We like stepping back and taking time to enjoy the rocks, sticks, leaves or whatever else catches their eyes,” she said.

Whether it’s taking the time to stop and inspect the fuzzy caterpillar or to pick up rocks, getting kids outside is good for them and for us. If you’re new to hiking with toddlers or are looking for outdoor excursions in the Twin Ports, then read on.

Where to go

The Twin Ports offers a plethora of kid-friendly trails.

“We love Park Point, Jay Cooke and anywhere up the North Shore,” Holm said.

Another excellent spot is Pattison State Park, located in south Superior, which has multiple paved trails. Make sure your kids are secure when you take in the views of the highest waterfall in Wisconsin — Big Manitou Falls at 165 feet.

Willard Munger State Trail, a 70-mile paved pathway that runs from Duluth to Hinkley, is another easy trail. Popular spots to pick up the trail in the Twin Ports region are in Carlton one block south of Highway 210 on County Road 1 and in Duluth at the northern trailhead on Grand Avenue (Highway 23) and 75th Avenue West, behind the Munger Hotel.

Looking for a more moderate hike? Check out Lester Park, located in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood. This park features over 9 miles of hiking trails. There is a nice playground, picnic area and porta-potties for use as well.

For more advanced hikes, the Superior Hiking Trail has plenty of trails to explore.

Jessica Winter, Duluth resident and

The Holm family overlooking Bear and Bean Lakes in October 2020.

Mikaela, 7, and Kory Holm, 4, have fun hiking in Grand Marais in August 2020.

mother of four, explains, “The whole trail is fun, but the sections here in Duluth are easy to access and we can choose different sections each time.”

Depending on the ages and ability of your hiking companions, choose the hike that suits your group best. Whichever trails you choose, make sure you read about the place ahead of time and be aware of high elevation gains or potential safety concerns such as cliffs and rocky terrain.

When to go

There are two main factors to consider when timing your hike with toddlers: weather and naps. Before heading out, always check the weather first and time your hikes so you are hiking during daylight hours. Another important factor is to check trail conditions. Spring and early summer hiking can be tricky with mud, and some trails may be closed. Trail closures will be listed on the Superior Hiking Trail or on the Duluth Park and Recreation websites.

Plan the hike around the toddler’s schedule. Morning hikes after breakfast or a late afternoon hike after nap time are both ideal times to go. The toddler will be rested and have a lot of energy to burn.

What to bring

A good carrying pack will be essential for longer and more strenuous hikes.

“Having a backpack carrier for your littles is a must,” Winter said. “We enjoyed our Kelty carrier pack, so our littles could come along while we hiked at a pace that my older kids enjoyed.”

If you do plan on carrying the child, make sure they get out and walk at some point as they will be able to explore and experience nature more fully. It will also build confidence in their hiking abilities.

If you are planning on hiking rockier terrain, investing in children hiking boots is a good choice. Check out Great Lakes Gear Exchange for possible finds. Break in hiking shoes ahead

BHC AUXILIARY PRE-OWNED JEWELRY AND PURSE SALE

We have so many wonderful donations that we’ve

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA HOLM

k i d skorner

Sponsored by: By Ali Carlson

SLOanE’s Suggestions

Our community is FULL of family friendly activities! Between animals, museums and skating, we can keep our littles busy for days! Please continue to support local businesses so our children can continue to enjoy them all as they grow. Sloane appreciates it :)

At the Depot

Museum exhibits. Educational programming. Family events. The St. Louis County Depot is a welcoming space for all. Follow us on social media or visit our website to find all there is to experience inside this wonderous building. ExperienceTheDepot.org or “St. Louis Count Depot” on Facebook & Instagram.

At the Zoo

Easter Egg-Stravaganza

Celebrate spring at the Lake Superior Zoo! The Easter EggStravaganza will be held Saturday, April 16. Purchase tickets at LSZooDuluth.org.

Let’s Skate

World of Wheels

Bring the Kids roller skating! Open Skating, Birthday Parties, Super Glow Skate Friday Nights! Video Arcade with redemption counter, snacks & refreshments and more. Check it out, great fun for kids! Visit www. wowskatecenter.com or call 715-392-1031.

At the Aquarium

Water Striders 1/2-day Camp

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

of your first hike to save from possible blisters. Because kids grow so quickly, buying hiking boots for little ones may not be on your list, but make sure the shoes they go in have some tread.

What to bring

When hiking with children, be sure to carry these essential items: sunscreen, hats, water, snacks, diapers and wet wipes.

“We always have a few snacks and water bottles for everyone in our backpacks,” Winter said. “Snack breaks are a must. Plus, the backpack keeps all the treasures that the kids find.”

If you’re really feeling ambitious, you can pack a lunch and bring a picnic blanket for a nice afternoon break.

To make it more of an educational adventure for kids, Holm advises on these additional items.

“They’ve had fun having their own small backpack with a snack, magnifying glass, bug box, nature journal, binoculars — anything age appropriate for adventuring.”

Download the Seek App, a nature guide that identifies birds, trees and flowers.

Other key items to carry are a map and compass. Introducing children to these tools at a young age will allow them to learn and become familiar with outdoor navigation skills.

Easy trails first

If you’re new to hiking with children, start on easy trails first to see how the child adapts and then build up to longer or

Photographer Jessica Winter snapped this picture of her children Asa, 3, Asher, 7, Ezra, 9, and Elijah, 10, and husband Christian along the Brewer Park section of the Superior Hiking Trail. more terrain-filled hikes.

“Start them young and try different spots,” Winter said. “Be willing to take your time and don’t push it too far. Enjoy the journey.”

Remember, when hiking with kids, being flexible and adaptable is key. Don’t fret if you don’t reach your destination, there will be plenty of time to hike the trail again.

“Slow down and enjoy the hike,” Holm said. “Let them lead. If they are having fun exploring, climbing, let them do it. The point is to get them loving it and appreciating nature as much as you do.” D

Molly Milroy is a Duluth freelance writer.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JESSICA WINTER

Jessica Winter carrying Asa, 2, in a backpack carrier, along with Elijah, 10, Ezra, 8, and Asher, 6, enjoy the views on top of Oberg Mountain near Tofte, Minn., on the Superior Hiking Trail.

EasterDINING

Recipes provided and prepared by Chef Teal of the Mount Royal Market Deli

Herb-Crusted Frenched

Lamb Rack

1/2 Rack of lamb, Frenched* (about 1 pound)

1 bunch Parsley, chopped/diced

4 Rosemary sprigs, chopped/diced

8 Thyme sprigs, chopped/diced

2 Tbsp. Garlic cloves, chopped/diced

4 Tbsp. Butter, melted

1 Tbsp. Salt

1 Tbsp. Black pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and evenly distribute among the lamb rack. Place rack on preheated oven-proof saute pan fat side down for 2 minutes on high heat on stovetop. Turn over and sear for another 2 minutes. Turn back over to fat side up and place in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cover with foil for 5 minutes prior to cutting. Lamb should be med-rare (130 degrees).

Cucumber Mint Relish

1 Cucumber, peeled, de-seeded and cut into 1’’ chunks

1-2 Tbsps. Fresh mint, chopped

1 Fresno red pepper, rough chopped

As needed Salt and pepper to taste

1 Tbsp. Red wine vinegar

Place all ingredients in the food processor until coarsely ground, not pureed. Place in strainer to remove excess water, do not push down, let gravity do the work. Place and serve next to the lamb rack.

Continued on page 54

*Rack of Lamb ‘’Frenched’’: usually prepped “Frenched’’ upon purchase otherwise the bones can be Frenched by scraping alongside the bones until meat and connective tissue are removed.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta & Mustard Seeds

1 pound Brussels sprouts, cut in half and stem removed 2 oz. Pancetta, cut into 1/8-1/4 inch slices and diced

1 Small red onion, diced

2 Tbsp. Mustard seeds

½ bunch Fresh parsley, rough chopped

As needed Salt and pepper

Saute pancetta until golden brown. Add diced onion and mustard seeds and continue sauteeing until onions are translucent and mustard seeds have bloomed, about 5 minutes. Strain fat over Brussels sprouts. Set aside. Place Brussels sprouts in a 350-degree oven and toast for about 15 minutes. Sprouts should be slightly firm to the touch but not mushy. Spread the sauteed mixture over sprouts and season with parsley, salt and pepper. Distribute mixture to plates.

Cheesy Hash Browns

1 pound Frozen hash browns, divided into 2 bowls ¼ and ¾

1 White onion, diced

1 Tbsp. Minced garlic

4 each Thyme and rosemary sprigs, rough chopped

8 oz. Butter or olive oil, melted and divided into 2

1 tsp. Crushed red pepper

1 pint Heavy cream

10 oz. Shredded cheddar jack cheese

½ bunch Fresh parsley, chopped

1 bunch Green onions, diced/sliced

1 Tbsp. Salt & pepper

Saute onions, garlic, rosemary, thyme and crushed red pepper in a sauce pot with half of the butter until onions are caramelized. Add heavy cream and

bring to a boil. Add 8 ounces of cheese and whisk or stir until cheese is melted and the sauce thickens up. Remove from heat. Pour sauce over ¾ of the frozen hashbrowns and mix together.

For the other ¼ of the hash browns, add the remaining 4 ounces of the melted butter, sliced green onions and parsley.

Place the larger portion of mixed hash browns into an 11x13 baking dish. Add the other portion of hash browns to the top of the baking dish. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes until the top layer is golden brown. Add remaining cheese to top and melt or brown cheese for another 5 minutes in the oven. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes prior to serving.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY MOUNT ROYAL MARKET

Inspired-By-You Deviled Eggs

Hard boiled eggs, cut in half w/yolks set aside into multiple bowls.

Imagination is key to make your base egg mixture with less mayo than required and add any combination of cream cheese spreads, guacamole, dill/ ranch dips or any other spice or pliable condiment. There is no wrong choice. Just slowly add random ingredients to the egg mixtures until desired consistency is reached. With a piping bag, pipe out mixture and garnish with an equal amount of imagination!

Ingredients used in this photo:

Filling options to add to egg mixture:

Alouette and Boursin cream cheese spreads

Premade guacamole

Dill, Fiesta, Spinach or Ranch dips

Plant- and almond-base sauce dips

Mayonnaise

Relish

Any other flavor you like can be used. Unlimited possibilities!

For garnish:

Baked pancetta, soppressata, capacolla

meats

Roasted pearl onions

Green onions and chives

Peruvian peppers

Sliced jalapeno/Fresno peppers

Be creative! Paprika is not the only spice required to make a great deviled egg!

Margarita Body Scrub

By Renae Ronquist

Dreaming of a hot summer day on the beach or water? I know I am.

Lime has such a clean fresh scent, and when combined with coconut oil, this margarita body scrub will have you dreaming of being oceanside or lakeside in no time. And by the time summer actually gets here your skin will be silky smooth from this scrub. The best part is that it's super easy to make and you may already have the ingredients in your pantry.

Oh and don't forget to save a little salt to rim your margarita drink! Wink wink!

Let's do this!

Begin by measuring out the coarse and fine ground sea salts into a medium size bowl. The supply list I followed called for both coarse and fine ground. But if you don't have both, it's okay to use one or the other.

Using a lemon zester or fine grater, zest the lime into the salt and give it a quick stir to mix them up nicely.

Cut the zested lime in half and remove any seeds. Squeeze the juice of both halves into the salt mixture. Give this a good stir to incorporate.

For the last step I used my hands to combine the salt mixture and coconut oil. When it was all incorporated, I didn't want to waste the mixture that stuck to my hands, so I rubbed

it into my hands, rinsed, and wow! It made them so soft and the coconut oil soaks into your skin and smells heavenly. You can also slightly warm the coconut oil to its liquid form and mix with a spoon.

Place the scrub mixture into a clean, dry glass jar. It will keep at room temperature for a week or two, or longer in the refrigerator.

To store my scrub, I repurposed the glass container I had from a three-wick candle. Add a ribbon and a small sprig of floral and what a great gift this would make for someone!

Not a fan of lime? Substitute orange, lemon or grapefruit, or any essential oil scents you may have lying around.

Whatever scent you choose, your tired, dry, winter skin will thank you. D

Supplies:

Makes approximately (1) pint jar

2 cups coarse ground sea salt

1 cup fine ground sea salt

1 line

1/2 cup organic coconut oil

Clean dry Mason jar or similar

Lemon zester or fine grater

Honor Earth Day by reducing food waste

By Sarah Lerohl

Rich, juicy, crispy, crunchy food powers our minds and bodies, transforming the energy of the sun and the nutrients in the soil into (delicious) bundles of energy. Honor Earth Day, every day, by reducing wasted food.

Any eater can attest that food shopping and preparation is a big part of the household budget and daily agenda, but growing food, harvesting, processing and distributing it uses a lot of energy on the global scale. Wasting food is also wasting time, land, energy, and water. Since much of the energy used in the food production system is derived from fossil fuels, wasted food contributes to harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

“Wasted food” is food that isn’t used for its intended purpose, and we look to the US EPA’s Food Recovery Hierarchy to understand how we as consumers can derive the very most energy and value from any food that doesn’t end up in a belly.

At the top of the hierarchy is Source Reduction, where we find our most powerful tools as consumers. Here in the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, 19% of the waste we deliver to the landfill is food waste, and a good portion of that waste should have been eaten in the first place. Buy only what you need, and use it up! It seems so simple but there are plenty of distractions in everyday life to trip up even those with the best of intentions.

Menu planning and inventory

Go to the store or market knowing your household preferences and what’s already stocked in the fridge, pantry, and cupboards to avoid buying items no one will eat, or duplicating what you already have. Meal planning in advance, with the help of flyers or sales information, saves money and ensures everything in the basket has a purpose.

Thoughtful purchasing

There’s something extra alluring about a massive amount of fresh produce. Resist the urge to make bulk purchases of perishables unless you absolutely have a plan: freezing, canning, and drying are all great options for food preservation but they take time and effort, and impeccable timing.

Leftovers and creative cooking

To reduce the amount of food waste you and your family generate, be thoughtful about knowing your food inventory, planning your meals, purchasing, and using leftovers creatively.

A system for tracking leftovers is helpful to keep little containers of yum front-of-fridge and front-of-mind. Consider keeping a tub or drawer dedicated to the purpose, or jot a quick note as a reminder. Expand your recipes and routine to include leftovers in whatever capacity you can, adding stir-fry, casseroles, quiche, smoothies and other dishes to the rotation that can easily incorporate perishables. Embrace cooking soups and stocks that can use up odds and ends, or best yet: cook and serve the right amount to avoid leftovers if they aren’t a favored ingredient.

Share

Reach out to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers if you find yourself with more on your hands than you need. You might be surprised how welcome it is. While food donation programs help connect grocery stores and restaurants to food shelves and soup kitchens, informal networks in communities can make a big difference too.

Lower on the Food Recovery Hierarchy, after food is used for people or animals, is diverting food scraps for beneficial reuse like composting. For a relatively lower-effort alternative to backyard composting, turn to WLSSD’s largescale compost facility to make the most from your food scraps. Our community Food Scrap Drop Site program has eight locations where residents can drop off anything that is or was edible, including raw and cooked food, meat, fish, bones, fruits, veggies, peels and pits, cheese, breads, pasta, etc.

Bag up scraps using certified compostable bags (available at staffed drop sites a few at a time, or for purchase at area businesses) and drop off as a last-ditch effort to keep this valuable resource out of the landfill. The compost that emerges on the other end of the process is available for purchase as a soil amendment, preventing the production of greenhouse gases in the landfill as food decomposes while providing soils with a needed boost. Learn more at wlssd. com. D

Sarah Lerohl is the Environmental Program coordinator for Western Lake Superior Sanitary District.

The Woman Yesterday

Sarah Burger Stearns (1836-1904)

By Abigail Blonigen

The Woman Today is excited to present a new history feature, “The Woman Yesterday,” highlighting prominent Northland women in history.

Our first feature is suffragette and activist Sarah Burger Stearns, born in New York City on November 30, 1836. According to MNopedia, Stearns’ family moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan when she was about 9 years old.

A writer from a young age, in high school Stearns served as president of a literary society for girls and as an editor of her school’s newspaper. There she wrote an article and started a petition for the University of Michigan to allow female students. When the university refused to change its stance, Stearns obtained her education at the State Normal School in Michigan (now Eastern Michigan University) and went into teaching.

She was married in 1863 to Ozora Stearns who soon after left to fight for the Union in the Civil War. Stearns continued to teach during the war as well as provide aid at hospitals.

After the war concluded, the couple moved to Rochester, Minnesota where Ozora became mayor and Stearns immersed herself in suffrage work. She and other suffragettes spoke to the Minnesota Legislature in support of an amendment allowing women to vote, but it did not pass. She also founded

one of the state’s first women’s suffrage organizations during her time in Rochester.

In 1872, Stearns moved to Duluth and founded the Duluth Women’s Suffrage Club. After decades of advocacy and a suffrage amendment making its way through the Minnesota Legislature only to be vetoed by the governor, suffragettes across the state banded together to create the Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association in 1881. Stearns was elected their first president.

An educator all her life, Stearns was the first woman to serve on the Duluth School Board. She was instrumental in the formation of the Duluth Children’s Home to provide food and housing for women and children. She also served as secretary of Duluth’s Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.

The Stearns’ moved to California in 1895, but still summered in Duluth. Stearns continued advocating for women’s rights until she died in 1904 — 16 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified in the United States, giving American women the right to vote. D Abigail

Sources: Dyson, Hannah. "Stearns, Sarah Burger (1836–1904)." MNopedia, Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnopedia.org/person/stearns-sarah-burger-1836-1904