The Woman Today Feb/Mar 2018

HELPING FAMILIES FOR 25 YEARS.

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Recognizing Women as a Driving Force

Recognizing Women as

Wejoin us for appetizers and champagne

are mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and friends; pilots, writers, receptionists, teachers, police officers and sculptors. The women of our community are a driving force and we want to recognize them for what they bring to our unique culture. The Woman Today is hosting a Recognizing Women as a Driving Force cocktail hour where we will celebrate who we are, what we do and how we touch those around us.

We’re looking to you, our readers, to help us celebrate those among us who drive us forward. If you would like to nominate a special woman you know please send us a 100 word proposal describing their contributions to the region. We will honor those in the following categories:

Eng lu yo someone be rk tirelessl gion good

t ed – Do you know someone who goes above and beyond and works tirelessly in the region for the of us all?

Silent Advocate – This category encompasses those women who silently help their communities and their ighbors.

To nominate a woman who is a driving force fill out the online nomination form at thewomantoday.com

Deadline for nominations is Februar y 28th. For questions please contact Ali 218-428-2929

Leadership Award – Presented to women who esent outstanding achievement in their field of deavor.

ship represent endeavor.

Advo –encompasses those women their neighbors. gets stuff done!

The Spirit Award – Presented to a young woman who has shown exceptional courage and determination.

Awa

The Mentor Award – This award is given to a woman among us who has acted as an experienced and trusted adviser to those around her.

among us who has acted as experienced the ican men World War many of whom war These women new the were as of women’s economic power. woman know who

The Rosie Award – Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of the United States, representing the American men who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies. These women sometimes took entirely new jobs replacing the male workers who were sent off to war. Rosie the Riveter is used as a symbol of feminism and women’s economic power. This award is presented to that woman we all know who simply

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Duluthian Aileen Geving makes 2018 U.S. curling team

Olympic dream a long time coming

by Alison Stucke

Whenthe torch was lit for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, Duluthian Aileen Geving was set to be there as a member of the U.S. Women’s Curling Team. The games, taking place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, will be televised on NBC networks and digital platforms.

“We’re leaving February 1, training in Japan a couple days, and then we go to Korea,” Aileen said weeks before the games. She was referring to the U.S. women’s team, which includes four curlers and one alternate. “The opening ceremonies are on February 9, and our first game is February 14.”

Years of dedication helped Aileen reach her goal of playing on the U.S. team.

“I’ve put a ton of time and effort into this goal,” she said. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s definitely paid off.”

Aileen, who will celebrate her 31st birthday while at the Olympics, started curling at age 10. Her parents curled, so she thought she’d give it a try.

“My dad always encouraged me to try,” she said. “I had no interest because it was their thing, but when I tried it, I loved it.”

Aileen then became involved in the Duluth Curling Club’s junior program.

“Every Tuesday and Thursday night, they had instructors for anyone age 21 and under,” she said. “I also played as an after-school thing, a couple days a week. A few years later, three other girls in the program and I decided to start a competitive team together. We went to junior tournaments a couple times a year to play and learn.

Continued on page 10

Aileen Geving (right) and Tabitha Peterson sweep the ice during the U.S. Curling Team Trials in Omaha, Neb., in November.

PHOTO BY RICH HARMER, USA CURLING

I also started playing with my parents recreationally in the adult league.”

Trying out for the 2018 games was not Aileen’s first effort to go to the Olympics. Competition is great, she said, because curling has a large number of competitive athletes in the Midwest.

“This was my fourth Olympic trial,” she said.

“When I was 13, during our first year with junior team, we went to junior nationals and took third place. This was unheard of for how young we were. I went to the junior world competition as an alternate. In 2001, at age 14, I was added in World Juniors to Team U.S.A. for one event. My thirdplace team continued to play after that.

Later, my team managed to get into Olympic trials when I was 16. I didn’t realize the severity of what we were doing. We could hardly fathom it. After a few more years, we started realizing this is a very serious thing.”

The fourth time was the charm. Aileen was a member of one of three

teams selected (out of many teams who tried out) to go to Pyeongchang. There, teams from 10 countries will compete for one Olympic gold medal.

During the weeks before leaving for Korea, Aileen and her teammates kept a vigorous workout schedule, including playing in tournaments,

The U.S. Olympics women’s curling team holds their trophies at the 2018 team trials in Omaha, Neb., in November. From left: Coach Al Hackner and team members Becca Hamilton, Aileen Geving, Tabitha Peterson and Nina Roth.

PHOTO BY RICH HARMER, USA CURLING

practicing curling for 45 minutes a day, and spending several hours in the gym five days each week, including strength training, cardio sessions and yoga.

“It’s a matter of keeping moving and just keeping what muscle we have as we go for the gold,” Aileen said. “It’s not about putting on a lot of muscle right now.”

Aileen said she wasn’t sure how much time she would have for sightseeing in Korea. “It really depends how much curling we’ll be doing,” both in practicing and as official games, Aileen said. She was thrilled that her husband, Garrett, was planning to go to Korea as a spectator, as well as Aileen’s father, and her brother and his girlfriend.

“It will be awesome,” Aileen said.” I don’t know how much I will be able to talk with them, but it will be great to have them there to cheer me on and experience it with me.”

Aileen would also like to thank her employer, Marsh & McLennan Insurance Agency in Duluth.

“They’ve been super supportive,” she said. “They’ve sponsored our team, and they let me have time off. They’ve been wonderful.”

Aileen is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth, and she called herself “a very normal person.”

“I like to do outdoor, Duluth-type things,” she said. “I like to hike, camp and fish.”

Visit nbcolympics.com to view a schedule of the televised Olympic Games, and watch for Aileen’s jersey during the curling competitions. She’ll have travelled a long way from Duluth to get there! D

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

The sky’s no limit

More women discovering careers in Duluth’s growing aviation industry

by Janet Blixt

In the next 20 years, airlines in North America are going to need 117,000 new pilots, Boeing estimates. The military and regional carriers alike are challenged to find and keep aviators.

Some Northland women are hearing the call and seeking out the education they’ll need to fill this gap.

“We are seeing more women coming to us with an interest in either becoming a pilot or an aircraft mechanic,” said Dan Traska, director of Lake Superior College’s Center for Advanced Aviation. “We encourage women to consider a career in aviation. The job market is very healthy for licensed and qualified professionals.”

Duluth is home to an expanding aviation cluster centered around the Duluth International Airport, Cirrus Aircraft, AAR Corp. and the 148th Air

National Guard base. Cirrus Aircraft, designer and manufacturer of allcomposite personal aircraft, and AAR, provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services to commercial airlines, are major industry players located in Duluth, as well as a host of related suppliers. Working closely with these industry partners, LSC’s aviation program provides professional pilot, aviation maintenance technician and aviation management training for this growing industry.

“Our regional demand for pilots is as strong as the national demand for pilots,” Traska said. “Airliners are offering bonuses, and there is a flight instructor job available almost anywhere in the U.S.”

According to Twin Cities Business Monthly, both Cirrus and AAR have ongoing workforce needs, with AAR looking to add about 15 to its head count of 385. Cirrus, which employs about 1,000 people, wants to fill more than 200 new positions.

Historically, aviation has been a male-dominated industry. According to the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide, despite the progress of women in the for-hire category, they represent only 5.15 percent of the

BELOW: PHOTO BY JACK RENDULICH PHOTOGRAPHY

pilots holding a for-hire pilot certificate. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Labor reported in 2010 that only 4.3 percent of the population that reports making a living as a pilot or flight engineer is female. If you think that you are seeing more women flying for the airlines, you are right. However, out of the more than 76,000 people reporting their income source as a pilot or flight engineer, only about 3,200 are women.

“It’s a slow gain, but we are seeing more women in aviation,” said LSC flight instructor Melissa Lange, who was the first LSC graduate to be hired as a flight instructor. “Women have the same opportunities as men do, but there are just not enough women in aviation to be more well-rounded and diverse in their aviation specializations. Unfortunately, some employers and people out there think women should not be in non-traditional aviation positions. This bias makes women in the aviation industry work harder and want to be the best at whatever it is that they are pursuing.”

Female aviation students will find many opportunities — but also challenges. LSC helicopter student Hannah Lewis brings an impressive depth of experience and education to her pilot training. She is a U.S. Army veteran who served as an explosive ordnance disposal specialist in Afghanistan. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Clemson University. She is using her veterans benefits to earn her helicopter flight instructor certificate. A person who has never wanted a desk job, Lewis plans to also complete her airplane ratings and ultimately work on the West Coast to fly cargo or a MedEvac helicopter.

“One of the main challenges in pursuing a career as a

Continued on page 14

PHOTO BY LAKE SUPERIOR HELICOPTERS LLC

Aviation Career Night

pilot is the cost of training. The cost of flight time is very expensive. Almost all of my expenses have been covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill, but there are limits to this funding.”

Lewis said her experience at LSC has been very positive.

“I have been very welcomed at LSC’s flight school. My performance has never been questioned because of my gender. Being a competent pilot is based on how well you communicate with others and demonstrate good judgment on the ground and in the air,” she said.

Friday,March 16 ,5 –8 pm

RSVP Online: lsc.edu/AviationCareerNight

With a master’s degree in social work, Della Warren has spent most of her professional life as a social worker. She is currently a case manager for St. Louis County. While still working full time, Warren is enrolled in an evening cohort of LSC’s aviation maintenance technician program. As a person who loves puzzles, she said she enjoys doing hands-on work that yields results.

“When you put a wing on a plane, you get a sense of accomplishment. In social work, you can help vulnerable people, but there is a lot of paper pushing involved to get that help.”

The role of an “airframe and powerplant mechanic” involves assessing and repairing all parts of an aircraft, including the engine, electrical systems and structural systems. Warren recommends the program, noting that the demand is skyrocketing for aircraft mechanics, and graduates can locate anywhere once they are FAA certified as an A&P mechanic.

“It’s hard, physical work. It’s squeezing your fingers into a very small space to tighten a bolt. It’s brain work. You problem-solve as you work toward the solution. You can’t rush to fix a problem but it’s very rewarding,” Warren said.

For people interested in pursuing a professional pilot or AMT career, Traska recommends they meet with LSC’s aviation instructors and advisers.

“Taking a ‘Discovery flight,’ where you are at the controls, is a good way to get hooked on aviation,” he said. “Many of our grads end up working for us as flight

Student Hannah Lewis takes part in a lesson to learn to fly helicopters.

PHOTO BY LAKE SUPERIOR HELICOPTERS LLC

instructors. After gaining experience in the field as a flight instructor, our alumni go on to work for regional airlines, corporate flight departments or for freight carriers.”

LSC works closely with area employers AAR and Cirrus.

“Many of our AMT students find employment with both AAR and Cirrus Aircraft prior to earning their AMT licenses,” Traska said. “Once our students earn their FAA licenses, they become more valuable to the employer, and this increases the employee’s earning potential as well.” D Janet Blixt is an information officer for Lake Superior College. She wrote this for The Woman Today.

Summer academy for high school girls

Lake Superior College will offer its free Women in Aviation Summer Academy for high school age girls in June. It includes career exploration, tours, female presenters from aviation businesses such as SCS Interiors, Ikonics, Cirrus Aircraft, AAR, Delta Airlines, American Airlines and the 148th Fighter Wing, and a Discovery flight. Aviation scholarships are available through Women in Aviation International, wai.org, and the Lake Superior College Foundation, lsc.edu/ foundation.

School of Research

Research involving zebra fish at UW-Superior could play a role in learning more about a pediatric cancer

by Jim Biros

Fluorescent light illuminates rows of tanks organized neatly on three shelves. Small black-and-white fish circle about. As recirculating water bubbles, it’s a scene reminiscent of any pet store.

University of Wisconsin-Superior assistant professor Dr. Jenean O’Brien has an interest in these tropical fish that goes beyond any entertainment or stress-relieving factor they may have. She’s hoping these 1- to 2-inch blackstriped fish could play a role in learning more about a pediatric cancer.

“My research involves using zebrafish,” O’Brien said. “They are used a lot for developmental biology. When they lay their eggs, the eggs are transparent. Developmental biologists are watching how the embryo develops into the adult. If we can see through the tissues, that’s a really useful tool.”

O’Brien is hopeful that her research will be able to better understand muscle and immune development to provide insight into rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a devastating pediatric muscle cancer with less than 30 percent five-year survival rates. Patients with RMS are primarily treated with chemotherapy and radiation, not specific molecularly-targeted therapies. More than 50 percent of childhood cancer survivors experience severe, disabling, life-threatening or fatal events, often stemming from non-

targeted treatments. The research being performed at UWS could help improve treatment options.

“What we’re interested in is looking at the DNA and seeing what genes get turned on and off in normal development and seeing if that’s similar to the genes that get turned on and off in tumor development,” O’Brien said. ”RMS is relatively easy to model in zebrafish, so that’s why we’re looking at this particular type of cancer.”

With the aid of the zebrafish, O’Brien is examining two separate different settings — one is developmental and the other is cancer.

“Cancer, the development of tumors, often utilizes programs that our cells use during normal development,” O’Brien said. “The cancer cells kind of takeover that machinery and use it for tumor-building purposes. If you can study what is normally happening in development in our cells and our bodies, it can help get insight for what tumors might be doing.”

Cancer research has been a consistent theme in her work. O’Brien

earned her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado Denver. For her post-doctoral work, she trained in two separate labs — one with a developmental biologist to learn more about zebrafish and another with a breast cancer researcher to learn more about the particular genes, which O’Brien is continuing to research at UW-Superior.

“I really like doing cancer research because it feels like it’s that much closer to the patients,” she said. “I like developmental biology. Sure, you can be studying a developmental disease, but cancer affects so much of the population. I couldn’t leave cancer research.”

The current research project at

Recent UWS graduate Kim Kobar (front) works with assistant professor Dr. Jenean O’Brien on research into rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a devastating pediatric muscle cancer. The research being performed there could help improve treatment options.

UWS has been greatly benefited by a grant awarded to O’Brien from the National Institutes of Health, which funds three paid summer internship experiences for students and allows O’Brien the time in her teaching schedule to monitor more students performing research projects.

“I was hoping to have this research happen no matter what,” O’Brien said. “It’s just now, with the grant, the scope of it is much larger and the number of students that we can involve is a lot higher.”

For the spring semester, O’Brien has six students working with her — something that could not have happened without the grant.

“I purposefully chose a teaching career because I want to work with students, not do full-time research. But research has to be part of that training of a scientist,” she said. “We actually get to have these authentic research opportunities, and we know that our students are really excited about them.”

Students participate in research O’Brien has been organizing since she arrived at UWS in 2015. Yet the size of this project isn’t something one individual can create. O’Brien has had assistance that has ranged from a fellow faculty member and student working to build the zebrafish facility to support from colleagues at the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Minnesota Duluth and the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Seeing the greater research community and our campus community work together to create this opportunity for students has been pretty cool,” O’Brien said. “You really can’t do research yourself. One person can’t create a molecular biology research lab. It takes a group of people — it takes a community.” D Jim Biros is a university relations specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He wrote this for The Woman Today.

the

Teaching Teachers

by Bob Ashenmacher

Preparing the teachers of tomorrow is an inspiration for Brenda Fischer, the Dean of the School of Education at The College of St. Scholastica.

“I often hear from school administrators, ‘We are so happy to get teachers from St. Scholastica. We love them,’” Brenda said. “I think it’s because our students get the combination of state-of-theart professional preparation and the values that make St. Scholastica unique.”

Brenda is proud of both parts of the St. Scholastica experience.

Brenda Fischer

“The technology and techniques of effective teaching are changing all the time,” she said. “I want to ensure our teachers are not just ready for the classroom but are prepared to be leaders when they go out in the schools.

“At the same time, we are successful only if our graduates are living the values they have encountered here.” St. Scholastica calls them Benedictine values in honor of the College’s founders, the Catholic Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery. They are: community, respect, hospitality, stewardship and the love of learning.

Brenda’s other priority is to strengthen partnerships with the many area schools that welcome St. Scholastica’s student teachers and hire them upon their graduation.

“These are important reciprocal relationships,” Brenda said, “and we want to support the schools in every way we can.”

Brenda’s affinity for teachers and teaching goes back to childhood. She was raised in Hinckley, the second of

four children. Her father and mother were both teachers.

“We had a blackboard in our basement and I remember ‘teaching’ the neighborhood kids and my siblings as my students.”

She was athletic — dad was also a coach and an athletic director — and played basketball and volleyball. Summers included work as a lifeguard.

“I taught swimming lessons for many years, and that was when I realized that I really did love to teach. Here were these little kids who couldn’t do something, and by the time we were done they could do it. That was very satisfying.”

Brenda played flute in high school and college, including for a time with the Twin Ports Wind Ensemble. She hopes to take it up again when her life isn’t quite so busy.

Going into education was “a natural fit,” Brenda said. “I enjoyed reading, and I enjoyed math — it’s kind of nerdy to say but I loved being a student. I always liked school.”

She graduated from Moorhead State University in three years and promptly went on to earn a master’s degree in education from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

She met her future husband, Aaron, when “we were the only second-grade teachers in Willow River, Minnesota. He was actually on the committee that hired me. We joke that after we got married, you either had Mr. Fischer, Mrs. Fischer, or you had to open enroll elsewhere.”

Aaron went on to get his administrative license to be a principal, and he’s now the superintendent of schools in Esko, where the family resides.

When sons Ben, now 18, Quinn, 17, and Riley, 14, were small, Brenda took a leave from teaching in the elementary classroom so she could spend more time at home with her boys. It was at that time that she started teaching adult learners part-time and found it just as satisfying as teaching children. She completed work on her doctorate at the University of Minnesota in May 2011, and that fall started at St. Scholastica.

Balancing home life and her career has required vigilance.

“I’ve learned to prioritize what really matters. Sometimes the things a person can get hung up on really aren’t that important. Aaron and I have always been supportive of each other, adjusting when professional responsibilities have been more impactful for him, or for me. Regardless of how hectic things get, though, my family always comes first. Always.”

Brenda taught education courses at St. Scholastica in face-to-face settings, in an accelerated blended format (inperson and online), and in a fully online master’s program.

In 2014 she was appointed chair of the undergraduate education program, overseeing programs on the Duluth campus (elementary education, five secondary education programs and two K-12 programs) and the elementary education degree completion program — which she developed — on

Continued on page 20

St. Scholastica’s St. Paul campus.

She also oversaw development of an academic behavior strategist license program to help address the shortage of special education teachers in Minnesota and across the country.

Last August she reached a new professional height, being named to her current position.

“Dr. Fischer is a collaborative and innovative educator who has fostered positive change on behalf of students and faculty in all of her areas of engagement — as a faculty member, a chair, and now as dean of the School of Education,” said Dr. Wolfgang Natter, St. Scholastica’s vice president for Academic Affairs. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to work

closely with Dean Fischer in advancing the School and the College.”

Brenda leads a major academic enterprise. St. Scholastica’s School of Education has four main programs — traditional undergraduate, master of education, degree completion and graduate teaching licensure, with locations in Duluth, St. Paul, St. Cloud and online. The School has about 160 graduates a year.

And Brenda’s professional contributions at St. Scholastica go beyond the School of Education. For example, she recently co-chaired one of the task forces that are helping guide the College’s Strategic Planning process.

She said being engaged across campus feels natural.

“Honestly, from the first day I stepped on this campus, it has felt like home. It’s the relationships, the people here. The (Benedictine) Sisters have a welcoming presence that you can feel. And everyone is supportive. Every department works together to help each other regardless of what their role is at the College. I think that’s unique. It’s a sense of community that I haven’t experienced elsewhere.”

She has learned something about leadership.

“The biggest part is working with people collaboratively, to move forward and accomplish a goal. It takes everybody being on board.

“As a brand-new teacher, I thought it was all about the content. Teaching children ‘the stuff’ — the reading, the math, the science. As I grew more experienced, I realized it was much more about the relationships. Once students understand you, trust you and know that you care about them, they buy into it; they want to learn from you. Until you break down the barriers, the content is really hard to get to.”

A personal story illustrates the point well. Brenda’s favorite teacher from her own school days is Patrick Riley, who taught social studies in Hinckley.

“His class was very challenging, content-heavy, but I embraced it because I knew he cared about all the students. My dad died unexpectedly when I was 15. I distinctly remember the conversation Mr. Riley had with me that was

Educator

Kimpling

very meaningful, about getting through hard times, being your best even when you didn’t feel like being your best.”

Her most significant role model, however, is her mother, Florence Berquist of Hinckley.

“After the death of my dad, she raised four kids while working full time and going back to school herself. She’s the most amazing woman I know. Her incredible strength in difficult times has shown me that nothing is impossible.

“I talk to her every day on my commute to work.”

One of Brenda’s favorite stress relievers is running. She has completed Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon almost every year since 1997.

“I do it 20 percent for the health benefits and 80 percent for the mental health benefits,” she said.

Of course, family vacations are a highlight.

“Our family loves to boat and fish. We go to Canada every year, where we can be away from email and cellphones and just laugh and enjoy our time together.”

When Brenda is asked to name one thing she wishes that everyone understood about the role of K-12 teachers, she doesn’t hesitate.

“You’ve got 20 to 30 children in a classroom who all have different backgrounds, needs and goals, and you’re responsible for making sure they achieve. That’s far more challenging than most people realize. And far more rewarding than most people can imagine.It’s a truly awesome responsibility.

“I can’t imagine being involved in any other profession.” D

Bob Ashenmacher is the executive director of marketing, communications and media for the College of St. Scholastica. He wrote this for The Woman Today.

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by Andrea Busche

Leading the Duluth Lions Club into its next century

WhenBarb Oswell joined the Duluth Lions Club in 1990, it was undeniably a different world. Women had only been allowed to join the group three years earlier, and the service organization was still pretty much known as a men’s group.

Thankfully, 27 years later, much progress has been made. Barb, the freshly-minted Lions Club president, says, “In 2003, the percentage of female members internationally was at 14 percent. Today, the Duluth Lions Club is made up of 47 percent women. Women are now the fastest-growing segment of Lions Clubs International.”

Barb is proud to be the 13th female President, bringing a year of fresh leadership to the Lions Club. She is thrilled to usher in the club’s 100th anniversary, which will feature lots of exciting Centennial activities. And as a new retiree, Barb Oswell is grateful that she now has the surplus of both passion and time the club rightly deserves.

What is the Lions Club?

The Lions Club was founded by Chicago businessman Melvin Jones in 1917. Jones was interested in creating a group of people who could work together in service and leadership to improve the community.

Today, there are more than 1.4

million members in more than 46,000 Lions Clubs worldwide. Men and women work side-by-side, following the motto “We Serve.”

The club does many great things for communities worldwide, but five of the club’s top initiatives include improving access to diabetes care, youth services, access to services related to hearing and sight, and the environment.

service. The Duluth Lions Club supports hunger initiatives, helps sponsor and works at the kids’ Whipper Snapper races during Grandma’s Marathon, screens preschoolers for vision problems, and supports Duluth’s Lighthouse Center for Vision Loss. In 2012, the Lions managed a $10,000 grant to help residents in Duluth and surrounding areas with flood relief. In addition, it offers scholarships and work on environmental cleanup projects.

Pancake Day!

Barb still recalls encountering a woman she met many years ago, who was down on her luck. “If it weren’t for the Lions Club,” the woman said, “I wouldn’t have a pair of glasses.”

Duluth Lions

The Duluth chapter of the Lions Club, now 72 members strong, was officially chartered in 1945, but began meeting informally back in 1920. Meetings are held at the Holiday Inn downtown every Tuesday at noon. The group is focused on community

Famous Duluth Lions Club fundraising events include Pancake Day (which just celebrated its 60th anniversary), an apple harvest sale, a caramel apple sale, and mint sales. Barb shares that a couple of years ago, leadership behind the Pancake Day decided to add bacon to the menu, and people were very happy about it.

“This year, I was known as ‘Bacon Barb,” she says. “Because I cooked bacon during much of the event I earned the name.”

Pancake Day alone, which usually serves about 10,000 hungry people, nets $50,000 per year for club initiatives. The majority of Lions Club funding is raised from these well-known events, and 100 percent of monies realized from these activities are used to further the club’s service projects.

Lifelong Duluthian

Barb has lived in Duluth all of her life, and recently wrapped up a 45-year career, which was mostly spent working in the hospitality industry. After 15 years working with the railroad, she began working for the Duluth Convention & Visitors Bureau (now known as Visit Duluth). The purpose of her positions as group tour director and PR director were to introduce people to the wonders of Duluth and Lake Superior. Her career also included working for a local hotel and resorts along the North Shore.

Despite joining the Lions Club in 1990, career obligations took her away from Lions activities in 1995; she returned in 2010, and joined the club once again. “I specifically wanted a leadership role in the club,” she shares. “I knew it would help me in my career.”

Barb lives in Canosia Township; her late husband Denny was from the area, and she decided to remain there after his passing. Barb enjoys living close to her in-laws and many friends in the neighborhood, and looks forward to more time with her church community at First Lutheran.

She retired three years ago, and now relishes in having extra time to share with the Lions Club. Along with her role as president, where she will serve a one-year term, she is also involved in the Lions’ membership committee, convention committee and diabetes committee.

When she’s not volunteering, Barb loves to read non-fiction books, travel, grow flowers, and make improvements to her home. She’s also considering getting a canine companion someday, who would certainly have plenty of space to roam on her eight acres of land.

A Family of Lions

Many members of the Lions Club retain their membership for decades,

and Barb is no exception. She is proud to have started out as a regular member, and worked her way up to becoming president.

She shares that the Duluth Lions are always looking for new members who are interested in community service. “Even if people aren’t sure that they want to become full-fledged members,” she says, “we invite folks to contact us and come to a meeting, to learn more about what we do.”

Although Barb is usually on the

service side of the club, the love and caring categorically flow both ways. When Barb’s father and husband both passed away within four months of each other, fellow Lions immediately rallied around to help. “It’s truly like we’re a family of Lions,” she says. D

For more information about the Duluth Lions Club, please visit e-clubhouse.org/ sites/duluthmn, send an e-mail to duluthlions@gmail.com, or find them on Facebook under the name Duluth Lions Club.

FINANCE

Raise your grade in personal finance by getting Money SMart Money SMart

Feeling okay-ish when it comes to retirement planning?

Take your assessment and figure out areas where you need to get a little more versed and where you could use a bit more help.

By Annie Lepper, MPECU

Whenyou think about your approach to money management, how does it make you feel? Confident? A little freaked out? Something in between those two? If you’re like most people, it’s the “something in between” feeling.

Traditionally, financial management isn’t something that has been taught in school, so it’s no wonder four out of 10 adults give themselves a failing grade when it comes to personal finance. If it wasn’t a skill taught (and taught sufficiently) in your home growing up, it’s not a mystery why some people are able to get by with some of the basics of managing money but aren’t feeling completely competent when doing it.

Get money smart. Assess your skills and knowledge on some fundamental money basics:

• Budgeting

• Debt management

• Savings for the short term (such as a yearly vacation), mid-term (a car down payment) and long term (retirement)

• Investments and how they work

• Insurance and tax

Feeling like you have a good budget and debt management strategy in place? No clue if you have enough insurance or how taxation affects you?

Use your resources. If you know someone who does taxes for a living, ask them to take you through the basics of how to maximize your income with your withholdings and deductions. Ask your benefits person at work to help you understand terms and options within your insurance plan or how the company’s defined benefit plan and/ or 401(k) programs can benefit you more. Have a friend who is financially savvy with managing their household finances? Ask for tips and tricks.

It’s hard to admit that we don’t know something. If you aren’t confident enough to ask for help from people we know, turn to some experts. Set up an appointment with a financial adviser to do a review of your retirement, life insurance and investments. Choose someone you trust, and be completely honest with them. Tell them how you aren’t confident with your handle on things. A good financial adviser will review your current financial state, help you create steps to reach your goals, and take you through assessing how comfortable you are with risk. If you need help with debt management or creating (and sticking to) a budget, look for a reputable and accredited financial counseling service. Your local credit union or bank may have a partnership in place with certified

financial counselors and can get your scheduled for no-fee appointments. It goes without saying that you can find anything on the internet. If you’d like to lay down a base layer of knowledge before you start using resources to help, be careful. Anyone with a blog or Pinterest board can offer financial advice. Look at their credentials and search out advice from established experts and websites.

If you have a partner in your household, you have an ally in this adventure. Get on the same page with brushing up skills and financial goals. Though going to a financial seminar or meeting with an adviser might not be the most romantic date, it may just be the most rewarding!

Have kids? Make it a part of your learning adventure to help them. Kids pick up on money concepts as early as 2-3 years old (generally when they realize that money is used to buy things). As their age and understanding allows, help them understand basic financial principles and skills. You’re never too young or too old to have a review in “needs versus wants,” “delaying gratification” and setting up a “savings challenge.”

Your confidence will grow as you sharpen up your skills. Lifelong learning is a critical skill to success, so even if you hit a point where you feel confident in your money smarts, keep on learning! D

Annie

Lepper is VP

of Operations

and Marketing at Minnesota Power Employees Credit Union. She wrote this for The Woman Today.

Dr. Anne Stephen Caring for kids and leading colleagues

by Connie Wirta

Asa young pediatrician, Dr. Anne Stephen became the fifth woman physician to join the Duluth Clinic. Twenty-eight years later, she’s caring for the grandchildren of some of her first patients and serving as a physician leader.

As a regional chief medical officer for Essentia Health, Dr. Stephen leads more than 1,400 physicians and advanced practitioners in clinics and hospitals across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. She provides medical oversight as part of a team that manages and develops staff, programs and services. She helps set protocols for medical care and works to ensure quality and safety. She also continues to see patients.

In 1989, Dr. Stephen was finishing her pediatric residency at the Mayo Clinic when she decided to visit the Duluth Clinic. She discovered a team of supportive physicians and a community that both she and her husband, David, felt was a good fit.

“I joined with Dr. Lori DeFrance, another pediatrician, and that was such a huge gift because we were able to support each other,” Dr. Stephen recalls.

Now 58, Dr. Stephen began growing her leadership skills as a

section chair in pediatrics. She took on greater responsibilities as associate chief of the medical specialties division and chair of the Division of Women and Children. She also enrolled in the Physician Leadership College at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

“At first, I didn’t feel like I belonged in the program because I wasn’t a decisive command-and-control person, and I didn’t have all the answers,” Dr. Stephen recalls. Eighteen months later, she knew she belonged. She learned her strengths as a leader and the value of her own leadership style.

“Helping other people succeed at a job is my role,” Dr. Stephen says. “I look for transparency, clarity and collaboration. Everyone’s voice needs to be heard.”

In 2016, Dr. Stephen was asked by Dr. Daniel A. Nikcevich to apply for the regional chief medical officer position. She hadn’t anticipated the opportunity.

“Dr. Stephen is highly regarded as an excellent physician who is patient-centered and humble,” says Dr.

Nikcevich, a hematologist/oncologist who serves as a regional president. “Dr. Stephen is thoughtful, curious and approaches complex matters with the spirit of appreciative inquiry. She truly embodies the professionalism and servant leadership necessary for a physician leader at Essentia Health.”

Dr. Stephen recalls her deliberations: “As a woman leader, how could I not take a position that had never been held by a woman at Essentia Health? I’d be letting everybody down. I was honored to be offered this responsibility and I knew I had the potential to do it. Not to take the opportunity to continue to improve would be counterintuitive to what I had done.”

Dr. Stephen says her leadership style and work ethic reflect her late parents, who were Quakers and active liberal Democrats. Serving others and seeking justice were key lessons. Her father, Harvey Hinshaw, was a pianist and music professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her mother,

PHOTO BY DEREK MONTGOMERY OF DEREK MONTGOMERY PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Anne Stephen examines Zoe Anderson during an appointment at the Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic. “I’d say 85 percent of my work as a pediatrician is to listen well, do a thorough evaluation of the child and then reassure the parent,” said Dr. Stephen, who also serves as a regional chief medical officer for Essentia Health.

Marcelline Hinshaw, was a junior high teacher who had volunteered with the American Friends Service Committee in Europe after World War II.

“My mother had high expectations for behavior,” Dr. Stephen says. “I grew up thinking that women can do whatever they want to do.”

While earning her medical degree at the University of NebraskaLincoln, Dr. Stephen found her calling in pediatrics. “I realized interacting with young children would be a daybrightener for me and get me through the hard work of being a physician,” she says. “I also wanted to work with women — to listen to their concerns and believe what they say.”

Becoming a mother helped her become a better pediatrician. During her first pregnancy, she was like other women, worrying her baby would have a birth defect or that anything she did would harm her baby. “Until I had my own child, I didn’t really understand,” says the mother of two. “We as mothers

feel guilty about everything. I never want to make a parent feel guilty again.

“I had a perfect baby at age 31,” Dr. Stephen recalls of her daughter’s birth.

“I knew how a mother feels — that this person could die if you don’t do it right. That flipped a switch for me. I’d say 85

percent of my work as a pediatrician is to listen well, do a thorough evaluation of the child and then reassure the parent.” D

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

Grooming Confidence

Seeds of Hope Youth Ranch gears up for another season of offering free horseback lessons

by Beverly Godfrey

Onthe surface, visitors may see bales of hay, hear the whinnies of horses, and perhaps whiff those smells so closely associated with barnyards.

But look closer, and visitors to Seeds of Hope Youth Ranch will witness things that go much deeper.

Like pride in a girl’s voice after she overcomes her fear.

Or confidence displayed through strong posture and a firm voice.

Or love welling in a boy’s eyes as he cares for a creature 15 times his size.

Reaching out to kids through the love of horses has been the mission for founders Russ and Wendy Krook for 14 years. They currently provide a home for 28 horses, 19 of which are used to give children free riding lessons.

For the past four years, the ranch has enjoyed a spacious 70 acres that was donated by an anonymous benefactor. The property, at 3974 W. Pioneer Road, nine miles north of Duluth, allows room for outdoor and indoor arenas, and includes hills where they can grow hay.

“This was a big, huge miracle,” Wendy said of the new space.

Over the years, Wendy estimated that 900 children have learned to ride horses

through Seeds of Hope, which is an important part of the couple’s faith.

“We do pray,” Wendy said. “We don’t force it on anybody, though. We trust God that he’s in charge of this, and it is his ranch.”

Along with those hundreds of children, Wendy said she has learned some lessons as well.

“I’ve learned how amazing the horses

are, and how sensitive,” she said. “They know what you know; they know what you don’t know. They’re very gracious with the kids and us, and very willing to give rides and put up with kids.”

While some children are learning to ride, older, more experienced ones are learning to teach. Lydia Herbert, 16, and Natty Mallett, 15, both Duluth homeschool students, started at the ranch as

PHOTO BY AYLA ANDROSKY

Wendy Krook of Seeds of Hope Youth Ranch stands beside Flash, one of the resident horses.

young students and now teach children, care for the horses and tend to the ranch.

Lydia started visiting Seeds of Hope when she was 5. She learned to ride and continued as a junior volunteer at age 10. She started spending full days at the ranch, doing chores and helping teach lessons.

“I really love the horses,” she said, “and I really love the kids. I love the feeling of working with the horses and developing the relationship.”

Lydia said she’s fascinated by the behavioral psychology at play when people and horses interact.

“You’re not just forcing the horse. You’re gaining their trust, gaining their confidence. They want to do what you’re asking them to do.”

Natty started taking lessons at the ranch when she was 8. She also finds a personal connection to the big animals.

“You get to have a good relationship with the horse,” she said. “If I have a bad day, they make me feel better.”

The girls’ experience has shown it’s not all about the horses, of course. They also have gained experience working with children and learning how to be effective teachers.

“There’s always different kids who learn a different way,” Natty said. “It’s challenging but it’s a lot of fun.”

To help children with different learning styles and comfort levels, the ranch includes two miniature horses that are used to pull a cart. The option comes in handy with children who are hesitant to sit on a horse. Respect for children and animals alike is built into how the ranch is run.

“If someone is scared to get on,” Wendy said, “we can take them in the cart. There’s some kids that are scared cause they’re a big animal. We don’t force any of the kids to get on.”

Wendy recalled one child who took all summer to feel comfortable enough to get on a horse. But space was still reserved in their program for that child to participate.

“We take the time it takes,” Wendy said. “The horse knows if you’re nervous or not. Sometimes the horse won’t even step because they know, ‘OK, this kid is really nervous.’ They’re really amazing animals.”

Different levels of ability and learning are something the teenage volunteers experience, too. They find satisfaction in

Continued on page 30

“I really love the horses,” she said, “and I really love the kids. I love the feeling of working with the horses and developing the relationship.”

experiencing their own growth and education.

“I enjoy taking note of the different levels,” Natty said. “I can get in and learn certain things: ‘Let’s see how good I can remember this, let’s build up and meet a certain goal.’”

With an annual operating budget of $60,000, donations of money are always needed. The ranch also relies on grants and its two biggest fundraisers, the Hoedown Silent Auction every September, and the Pumpkin Hunt Family Fun Day, which attracted 600 people in October. Although they are fundraisers, the ranch keeps these family-oriented events affordable, charging $10 per family.

Everything has its season on the ranch, and now is the time for the horses to start getting back into shape.

“I work with the horses to get them ready, those that need a tune-up, the ones that we use during the season,” Wendy said.

She compared it to people stepping back onto the treadmill after going a while without exercising.

“Come March, we’ll start putting some miles on them,” she said.

Seeds of Hope also will have training for volunteers in

Natty Mallett stands beside her favorite horse at the Seeds of Hope ranch, Loui. “We work a lot together; he is a good teacher,” she said.

Lydia Herbert stands beside Lilli.

Lydia Herbert (seated) directs Tony, a miniature horse at Seeds of Hope Youth Ranch, around an outdoor arena as ranch owners Russ Krook (left) and Wendy Krook look on.

March. People don’t need experience with horses to volunteer, and those who do still must be trained by the ranch to learn its specific practices and procedures.

“We want to stay consistent, how we handle them, so the horses know what we ask them to do,” she said.

When they come for lessons, children who imagine jumping on a horse and galloping away will find more reasonable goals set before them, as safety is a priority. Students are guided through a “walk, trot, canter” process and don’t progress unless they’re ready. Whether it’s horses or children, perhaps the biggest lesson learned on the ranch is confidence.

“Confidence is huge,” Wendy said. “I’ve seen a lot of confidence. The kids, being able to ride a 1,200-pound horse by yourself, it builds a lot of confidence.”

Over the years, the ranch has acquired rescue horses, but none are being taken in currently. Those who were fortunate to find a home at Seeds of Hope enjoy being brushed and groomed by children, who perform chores in connection with each lesson. Part of the horses’ rehabilitation is a sense of purpose.

“Horses want a job,” Wendy said. “If they’re healthy and able to work, they want a job.”

Again, it’s a two-way relationship, with many students facing the same feelings.

“Sometimes they’re either going through something that’s hard and can escape by petting a horse or interacting with it because a horse will listen,” Natty said. “It’s a safe environment for everyone. It’s a form of therapy when you go to a horse and just pet them. They love you unconditionally.”

As the years pass, improvements continue to be made at the ranch. There’s a trail course children can ride on, and a “challenge course” that includes obstacles to step over or around, such as tires, a tarp, rocks, suspension bridge and barrels. The courses are enriching for the horses in that they give the animals something to do beyond the arena.

“Wendy’s always coming up with new games to play with the kids,” Natty said.

This includes Scrabble on horseback, where letters are hung on the wall, and riders must direct their horses to them, then return them to a set location.

Lydia said she has grown as a person because of her work at the ranch. People used to describe her as shy. “No so much anymore,” she said, laughing.

Lydia said caring for horses, working with children, outdoor and elementary education are all things she has considered continuing in the future, in part, because she has seen the good that can be done. She has seen children overcome fears and learn empathy. The ranch has taught children so much, she said, including herself.

“I can honestly say that working at Seeds of Hope has changed my life,” she said. D

Beverly Godfrey is a copy editor and writer for The Woman Today.

When bad accidents happen to good people.

For all of your questions about the law.

° PERSONAL INJURY °

›› Stephanie Ball ›› Donald Erickson fryberger.com

For children, play time is learning time

by Tammy Rackliffe

Asadults, we have memories of childhood play: times when we would create imaginative adventures, explore new things and pursue individual interests, times when spontaneous play would provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment. Through these experiences, we gained new skills, discovered talents we didn’t know we had, formed friend-

ships and learned to navigate the ups and downs of the world around us.

Children learn best when they are mentally active, engaged, socially interactive and building meaningful connections to life. Regular physical activity has multiple benefits for the physical, mental and cognitive health of children.

Within a school setting, play-based learning is critical.

Students at Duluth Edison Charter School engage in play-based learning, an important part of young children’s education.

It is the cornerstone of learning and builds the foundation for conceptual learning. Play-based learning falls into two main categories: guided play and free play.

Guided play

Guided play is derived when children explore within an environment guided by adults. Adults choose materials that will encourage exploration and open-ended discussions. The key to exploration and discussion is twofold.

First, adults must follow the lead of the children as they play so that children have the autonomy to play freely. Second, they must guide discussions, which progress toward the intended learning goals. This increases student knowledge through opportunities to receive immediate and meaningful adult feedback.

Behavior researchers have identified positive correlations between children’s play and development of skills within oral language acquisition, executive functioning, mathematical skills, scientific thinking and social/ emotional development.

Learning labs at many schools provide an optimal time for skill development.

“Learning labs give students a time to be creative and flexible with their

thinking,” said Stacy Sosniecki, firstgrade teacher at Duluth Edison Charter School. “Student language development has increased significantly through the integration of learning labs, whether they are creating spaceships to fly or performing a play with puppets.”

Free play or recess

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines recess as “regularly scheduled periods within the school day for unstructured physical activity and play.” Most remember recess as an integral part of the school day. However, the demise of recess is an

issue of great concern for our children. In a national educational environment that many feel is too focused on testing, it is important not to lose site of the value of recess, free play, brain breaks and other movement opportunities for children. The benefits of cognitive interruptions allow the brain a break so that it can “regroup.” Brain research shows a relationship between physical activity and the development of brain connections. Through practice and role-playing of social skills, recess promotes the

Continued on page 34

• Dr.Paul K. Hodapp

• Dr.Scott K. Varland

• Dr.Nathan A. Jarnot

social-emotional development of children. Children are able to bring skills taught in the classroom onto the playground for practice and exploration. They are able to learn how to resolve conflicts, exercise leadership skills, learn negotiation skills, develop positive communication skills and coping skills.

Implementation of multiple opportunities for recess is a vital component to primary grades programming.

“As kindergarten teachers, we clearly see the students attention span and ability to focus increase after recess,” teacher Jill Ellison said. “Students are engaged in their learning. We are able to coach students through problem-solving during play, and students are able to carry this into the classroom. During learning labs, there are limited problems that need to be solved because they have an understanding of how to solve problems on their own.”

Physical activity throughout the school day has a positive effect on student performance and behavior management within the classroom. The same is true for children at home. One of the most important gifts we can give our children is time to play, alone and with others. Encourage free play where children use their imagination to build

child. When you play with your child, you will have the opportunity to enter into a child’s imaginative world. Playworks, an advocate for the integration of play in all schools, identifies five benefits of recess. First, play breaks are a necessary part of life for adults and kids. Second, classroom performance improves after such breaks.

Third, recess fosters social development as children develop social skills and conflict resolution strategies.

Fourth, daily opportunities for physical activity help fight against childhood obesity.

Finally, play enhances brain development. D

forts with blankets, play neighborhood games or create projects utilizing recycled materials. Think before you buy the latest and greatest toy. Children can learn to improvise with an empty box to create a rocket and blast off into space. Take time and play with your

Tammy Rackliffe is Primary Academy director for Duluth Edison Charter Schools, North Star Academy. She wrote this for The Woman Today.

where to SHOP

Miller Hill Subaru 4710 Miller Trunk Hwy millerhill.com

White Cedar Studio 916 Hammond Ave., Superior, WI whitecedarstudio.com

Bullyan RV 4956 Miller Trunk Hwy bullyan.com

Kat’s Eyes Optical 1016 Woodland Ave katseyesoptical.com

Bender’s Shoes 2116 Maple Grove Rd. bendersshoes.com

Orange Blossom Healing Arts 1330 E. 1st. Duluth orangeblossomhealingarts.com

by Andrea Busche

Fromhunting for the perfect buttercream-frosted cake to locating a romantic yet comfortable venue, planning a wedding can be a full-time job. But it’s important to keep in mind that in addition to planning the wedding, you’re also planning a marriage. And one of the biggest obstacles in marriage is merging your finances.

Remember … after the confetti is thrown and you return from the honeymoon, “he and she” officially return as “we.”

Wedding planning

When it comes to planning your nuptials, organization is key.

“As with everything, it’s important to have a budget, along with a clear understanding of your needs versus wants,” said Annie Lepper, vice president of operations and marketing for Minnesota Power Employees Credit

for richer and for poorer...

Tips for merging finances as a couple

Union. “Be realistic about what you can afford, or perhaps more importantly, what you want to afford. If having a particular wedding dress (with a steep price tag) is important, that’s OK — just see if you can economize elsewhere.”

While some couples opt to take out a loan to pay for their wedding, Lepper advised against it. “If you’re looking to upgrade your living arrangements,” she said, “Such as buying your first house or upgrading your home, or if you have any other reasons for needing a loan in your near future (like a car on the verge of replacement), you don’t want to be hampered by a loan for a wedding. A wedding loan could prevent you from qualifying for something you truly need or want. Also, consider the

affordability factor; even if you don’t have foreseeable loan needs, can you afford the additional payment?”

Instead, consider saving up in advance and “cash flowing” your nuptials. By having a frugal wedding, you may be able to afford a nicer home or take a great anniversary vacation a year or two down the road.

Meshing financial styles

Often times, a saver will marry a spender. This type of partnership can be great, since the saver can encourage

PHOTO S BY MICHELLE TRUAX

the spender to budget for the future, while the spender can encourage a bit of relaxation and fun.

“If you have a saver in your marriage, put them in charge of some of the goal-setting, and have them plot the roadmap to help you get there,” Lepper said. “It’s important that the couple set a budget and maintain the plan so the spender stays on track.”

Merging finances — yay or nay?

While many couples choose to adopt the “what’s mine is yours” attitude after marriage, merging their finances 100 percent, many couples keep things separate. This could include maintaining two checking accounts, along with a joint account for shared household expenses.

“There is no right or wrong way to do this,” Lepper said. “Whatever works best for the couple is the best way. If you combine your accounts into one, just make sure you’re wellaware of who is spending what and when. You don’t want to wind up in a situation where the money has run short for the pay period because you’re both spending.”

Lepper advised that if accounts are kept separate, that each

Continued on page 39

Professional flower designers bring a lot to the table

Hiring a florist will free up valuable time in the days before the Big Day

Manypeople consider flowers to be one of the most iconic parts of a wedding day. From traditional to modern, they set a tone and can be a bold display of a theme or color palette.

They’re also one of the most fussy parts of the day. As delicate as they are beautiful, flowers require special care. That’s why many couples decide it’s best to leave it to a professional.

“It’s time-consuming,” said Leslie Hietala, owner of Artistic Florals By Leslie in Superior. “When your flowers come in on a Thursday, and your wedding is on a Saturday, between bridal parties, grooms dinner, things like that, it takes so much of your time.”

Hietala said she has seen groups of friends come together to successfully decorate a banquet hall with flowers, but when it comes to all the bits and pieces of bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages, it can easily become a bigger job than expected.

“The flowers don’t just come all clean and ready made,” Hietala said. “I have had a couple people call me the night before and say, ‘I can’t do this, I don’t like the way they turned out.’”

She and her crew will have floral food, buckets and refrigeration on hand to properly care for fresh flowers. They’ll have mechanical pieces, such as wire and tape. And if a shipment of flowers comes that isn’t presentable, she can have her wholesaler send more. Leslie said this can become a problem

for individuals who buy bulk over the internet because they might not be able to secure last-minute replacements.

Leslie suggests couples first contact a flower shop six months in advance to their wedding. Bookings can start that far in advance, and many florists will

But if they’re stuck on these ideas, Leslie recommends couples come in for an early consultation anyway. Florists are accustomed to helping guide couples through the process. They’ll consider what will be in season at the time of the wedding, look for opportunities to save money and suggest different types of flowers that might be more available or hold up best.

Couples should expect to meet with their florist more than once. After all, there’s more to wedding flowers than that famous bridal bouquet. Well in advance, couples might want to consider their plans for bridesmaids, groomsmen and centerpieces. Maybe there will be flowers gracing the aisles, banquet hall — or even the cake.

Consultations can also help couples find their own signature style. Leslie recalled when she had four brides present her with the same bouquet picture. She designed variations of it so each bride’s bouquet was unique. She considers proportion, too, when designing her pieces. For example, using spray roses for a ring-bearer’s boutonniere. The tiny flowers are just the right size for tiny members of the wedding party.

accept only one wedding a week because the time required is so great.

She also suggested setting a budget (her customers often have a budget of $750 and up), considering the theme, tone and artistic vision for the event.

Leslie said current trends she is seeing are rustic, unconstructed looks with lots of greens, such as seeded eucalyptus and lily grass. But traditional looks always have a place, such as white bouquets of roses or calla lilies. D

— The Woman Today

Floral design by Leslie Hietala, owner of Artistic Florals By Leslie in Superior.

partner is listed on the other’s account. Then if an emergency arises, each spouse has access to the money. Couples who have a “yours, mine and ours” system should establish whether both partners are contributing 50-50 into the household, or what the ratio will be, if one spouse out-earns the other, or has more personal debt.

Goal setting

One of the best parts of marriage is dreaming about your shared future together. What are your goals as a couple five, 10, and even 30 years down the road?

“It’s important now that you are partnered (legally and financially) with someone else to get on the same page with life and financial goals,” Lepper said. “Look at the plans for the short term (i.e. vacation), mid-range (saving for a house or down payment on a car) and long-term (paying for a child’s education and retirement) what you want to do, and what it’ll take financially to get there.”

Remember to update your beneficiaries!

Now that you’re officially a married couple, don’t forget to update your beneficiary information. Things such as life insurance policies, bank accounts, and 401(k)s should be updated with a

spouse’s name. This can help to avoid the nightmare of probate court if a spouse dies.

While merging finances can be tricky, it can also be a great time to bond with your spouse and dream about your goals for the future. With a bit of advance planning, strategic budgeting, and some good old-fashioned hard work, there will be plenty of time to enjoy your new lives together. D

Dawn Janousek • Event Coordinator • 218-525-1941 nor thlandcountryclub.com • djanousek@nor thlandcountryclub.com

Wedding Planning For Dummies

by Marcy Blum

Thebestselling wedding planning guide — now updated! Besides obtaining a fancy tuxedo and a stunning gown, organizing a wedding ceremony takes creativity, planning and diplomacy. The whole ordeal can seem overwhelming at first, but with lots of guidance, you’ll plan a wedding people will remember for ages. Wedding Planning For Dummies demystifies and simplifies all the details that go into the Big Day, providing inspiration and innovative ideas to personalize your wedding celebration and, of course, make it fun for everyone — especially you! Expert wedding planner Marcy Blum walks you step-by-step through everything you’ll encounter as you plan your wedding, from choosing a reception site to picking a photographer — and everything in between. — barnesandnoble.com

The Knot Ultimate

Wedding Planner & Organizer:

and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

by Carley Roney

For the first time, the go-to wedding website, The Knot, has compiled all their essential planning tools — and dozens of new ideas — into this beautiful wedding organizer. Inside you will find timelines, worksheets and budgeting help. Tips on planning everything from the dress to the music to the reception decor. Tabbed dividers, more than 100 color photos of centerpieces, table settings, favors, and more. Ideas for the twenty-first-century bride, including how to use online tools and mobile for maximum convenience. — barnesandnoble.com

The Groom’s Guide: For Men on the Verge of Marriage

by The Black Tux

FromThe Black Tux, the formalwear company that has “come to rescue guys from tux rental hell” (GQ), comes a go-to wedding resource for anyone who’d classify themselves as groom or groom-adjacent. From choosing your best man (literally, the “best man” not to screw up your wedding) to figuring out your first dance (nothing choreographed, please) and how to wear a tux without looking like an uncomfortable butler, The Groom’s Guide gives grooms and groomsmen the tools they need to make their wedding one of the best days of their lives and look good while doing it. Fast Company says “The book is surprisingly insightful and delightfully designed as a down-to-earth antidote to the frilly, Pinterest-centric model of contemporary wedding planning. … It is advocating for grooms to take greater responsibility and ownership in planning their wedding. It does, after all, set a precedent for the rest of your life.” — barnesandnoble.com

Employees of the following companies can join MPECU:

• A.H. Zeppa Family Foundation

• ALLETE Clean Energy

• ALLETE Inc.

• ALLETE Investors

• ALLETE Properties

• AT&T

• BNI Coal

• CenturyLink

• Cirrus

• Como Oil & Propane

• Consolidated Communications

• CW Technology

• Duluth News Tribune

• Enbridge (US) Inc.

• LHB

• maurices

• Physio-Control Data Solutions

• Stewart Taylor Printing Co.

• Superior Water, Light, & Power

• Zeigeist Arts

Ligia & Josh Huot

Photo by Shawna Vine Photography

Kayla & Max Dibrell

Photo by Shawna Vine Photography

Alicia & Blaine Heil

Photo by LaCoursiere Photography

Seth & Rachel Christianson

Photography by Alan Johnson

Jaimee & Michael Casper

Photography by Alan Johnson

Joel & Lauryn Wuorio

Photo by Bryan Jonathan Weddings

Sara & Luke Nichols

Photography by Alan Johnson

Rachel & Keith Blanke

Photo by LaCoursiere Photography

Weddings

Katy & Adam Ferek

Photo by Derek Montgomery Photography

Eric & Jenn Engelken

Photo by Bryan Jonathan Weddings

Brian Peterson & Lisa Novack

Photo by Derek Montgomery Photography

Adopt A Pet

Now that the chaos of the holidays has passed, maybe you’re looking to add to your family. Winter is a great time to think of our four-legged friends and make a visit to Animal Allies. While these cuties probably have been placed by press time, there are plenty more just waiting for a forever home. Animal Allies can always use donations of money for critter care. They also can use donations of treats! Visit animalallies.net for more information about upcoming events, education, donation requests and available animals.

Photos by Trudy Vrieze/ Vrieze Photography

Zeke

Shade

Julie

Koda Star

Pua

Balsam

Roland Snow

Jake

Bella Zues

Arts & Events Calendar

Courage Kenny Ski and Snowboard Program

Through March 8

Courage Kenny Ski and Snowboard offers one-to-one instruction in adaptive skiing and snowboarding techniques that accommodate people with a variety of disabilities. Lessons take place at Spirit Mountain, Giant’s Ridge, and Lutsen Mountain. Contact Mark Hanna: (218) 726-4834 ext. 1, or mark.hanna@allina. com.

The Duluth Playhouse presents ‘Mamma Mia’

Through Feb. 18

The regional premier of the Broadway blockbuster “Mamma Mia!” opens the NorShor Theatre with the songs of ABBA and a colorful cast of characters gathering on a Greek island. Visit duluthplayhouse.org or call (218) 733-7555.

Paw Patrol Live!

Feb. 10-11

Using their unique skills and teamwork, the Paw Patrol pups show that “no job is too big, no pup is too small,” and share lessons for all ages about citizenship, social skills

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.

and problem-solving as they make several heroic rescues on their race to the finish line. Purchase tickets at the DECC ticket office, by phone at (800) 745-3000 or at ticketmaster. com. Event will take place at the DECC’s Symphony Hall, with shows on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. Visit decc.org/event/paw-patrol-live.

Isle Royale Trout Feeding at the Great Lakes Aquarium

Feb. 11

Watch a Great Lakes Aquarium staff member feed the trout in the Isle Royale 1 tank, the largest tank in the aquarium 5-5:30 p.m. in the St. Louis River exhibit. Visit glaquarium.org.

The Humane Society of Douglas County Presents Cat Yoga

Feb. 14 and 28

The Humane Society of Douglas County is offering cat yoga. The 75-minute class will be led by certified yoga instructor Holly Bounting in a traditional Hatha style yoga, perfect for all levels. The class will take place at HSDC, 138 Moccasin Mike Road, Superior, the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The cost is $15, five of which is donated to HSDC. Visit hsdcpets.com.

Duluth Boat, Sports, Travel and RV Show + Northland Outdoors Deer Classic

Feb. 14-18

The Great Outdoors is headed indoors with the Duluth Boat, Sports, Travel and RV show.

Stop by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s World Class taxidermy display. Experience live racing action at the Great American Duck Race. Attend the Ultimate Outdoor Cooking show with Mac and the Big Cheese. Attend daily Seminars, and see live animals. Held in the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center at 350 Harbor Drive. Visit shamrockprod.com.

Energy Design Conference and Expo

Feb. 19-21

Visit the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Feb. 19-21 to learn about the latest in energy-efficient building and technologies, renewable energy, best practices, and responsible design. With over 40 sessions from some of the best educators in the business, you’re sure to find something that’s right for you. Visit duluthenergydesign.com.

UMD Theatre presents ‘These Shining Lives’ March 1-3

Raised in Duluth, playwright Melanie Marnich spins this poetic love story/docudrama about strong women fighting for a safe workplace in the roaring 1920s and the Great Depression. General admission seating. Approximate run time is two hours. Held in Marshall Performing Arts Center - Dudley Experimental Theatre on the University of Minnesota Duluth campus.

Arts & Events Calendar

Visit tickets.umn.edu or call (218) 726-8561.

Free First Friday

March 2, April 6

Admission is free at the Duluth Children’s Museum 5-7 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. 115 South 29th Ave. W., Duluth. Visit duluthchildrensmuseum.org.

The Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Roots’

March 3

Joined by the fantastic DSSO Chorus, the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra is pleased to offer three works that reach back in time for inspiration.

Featuring the folk music roots of Grieg’s Symphonic Dances, to the Old Testament texts of Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, and finally Ravel’s incredible setting of the ancient Greek story of Daphnis and Chloe. Performance is 7 p.m. at the DECC Symphony Hall. Visit dsso.com.

Duluth Women’s Expo

March 3

Whether shopping, meal planning, choosing the family car or making important financial decisions, having the right information is key! The Duluth Women’s Expo brings you all the information you need to make educated

decisions, all under one roof. Learn how to feel healthier, more beautiful or just plain appreciated! Event is 9 a.m.-4 p.m.at the DECC. Visit duluthwomensexpo.net.

Rotary March for Veterans Celebration

March 3

The Cloquet Rotary Club hosts the “Rotary March for Veterans Celebration.” Featured entertainment will include “Letters from Home: The Patriot Show,” social hour,

dinner, and silent auction. The majority of the proceeds directed to local veterans’ organizations. Starts at 5:30 p.m., at the AAD Shriners Center and Meeting Facility, 5152 Miller Trunk Highway, Hermantown. Call (218) 879-1131 or email julie.rothmeier@gmail.com with questions.

The Lake Superior Youth Chorus presents Honor Choir 2018

March 4

Join the Lake Superior Youth Chorus for its 4th annual Honor Choir. This event brings together youth in grades 4-6 for a memorable day of choral music alongside LSYC singers and directors. This event will take place at

TOP 15% OF MN SCHOOLS GR ADES 912

2018 HIGHQUALIT Y CHARTER SCHOOL

Duluth East High School. The time is still to be determined; visit lsyouthchorus.org/ performances for final details.

First annual Stride, Ride, Glide Tri

March 4

Get the most out of these amazing Superior Municipal Forest trails as you run, bike, and ski them during resurrection of the Stride, Ride, Glide Tri! Similar to the Pole, Pedal, Pant of years past, the event will be a 5k-ish run on a flat, snow-covered dirt road, a 10k-ish bike on a very scenic snow-covered dirt road with a few hills thrown in, and a 10k-ish ski on a mix of wide, flat and hilly trails. All proceeds will go toward new grooming equipment for the trails. This event can be done as an individual or a team! If Mother Nature provides no snow, the event will go on as a run-bike-run event. Pre-registration required. zapevent.com/reg/ event/13297

Regional FIRST Robotics Competitions

March 7-10

Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology, FIRST Robotics Competition is often called the ultimate “sport for the mind.” Under strict rules, limited resources, and an intense sixweek time limit, teams of 20 or more students are challenged to raise money, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. This event takes place at Duluth’s DECC. For more information, visit mnfirst.org.

Nice Girls of the North Second Saturday Marketplace

March 10

At the Nice Girls of the North Second Saturday Market, you’ll be treated to free coffee, cookies and door prizes, lively music and a friendly atmosphere. Browse a collection of handcrafted clothing and bags, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, photography, personal care products, baby items and more. Artists are on hand as personal shoppers to help you select just the right one-of-a-kind gift for every occasion. Held at the Lakeside Lester Park Community Center, 106 N. 54th Avenue E., Duluth from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit nicegirlsofthenorth.com.

Twin Ports Wind Orchestra Concert

March 10

The Twin Ports Wind Orchestra’s winter concert, “From Tragedy to Triumph” features an original symphony for band from the pen of composer James Barnes.  His “Symphony No. 3 – the Tragic” was written out of a deep sadness after the death of his young baby daughter, Natalie. The piece has a closing movement that describes the process of healing and restoration.  It is truly a triumph over the tragedy. They will also perform “Symphony No. 1- In Memoriam Dresden” by Daniel Buckvich. This short symphony musically describes the devastation of the city of Dresden done by allied troupes in 1945 during World War II. Concert begins at 7:30 pm, and will be held at Fregeau Auditorium, Marshall School: 1215 Rice Lake Road, Duluth. twinportswindorchestra.org

STYX and REO Speedwagon in Concert at Amsoil Arena

March 13

Midwest rock heroes REO Speedwagon and STYX have a rich touring and recording history together. In 2000, the bands recorded a live album and DVD called Arch Allies: Live at Riverport at Riverport Amphitheatre in Missouri. In 2009, the bands embarked on the “Can’t Stop Rockin’” Tour and marked the occasion with a single, “Can’t Stop Rockin’,” co-written by STYX’s Tommy Shaw and REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin. 2012 and 2013, REO Speedwagon and STYX hit the road together with the wildly successful “The Midwest Rock ‘n Roll Express” tour. STYX, the multimegamillion-selling rock band that has forged an indelible legacy both on record and onstage share the Amsoil Arena stage once again with REO Speedwagon this March. Purchase tickets at the DECC Ticket Office, by phone at (800) 745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.

UWS Choirs Concert

March 15

Join the University of Wisconsin-Superior for a choirs concert. The performance will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Duluth (1710 East Superior Street), from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. Please contact the UWS Music Department with questions about the concert: (715) 3948115, or music@uwsuper.edu.

Rockin’ Road to Dublin

March 15

Rockin’ Road To Dublin is the new sensation that combines the art of an Irish dance show and the power of a rock concert, with the finish of a Broadway theatrical production. Starring World Champion Irish dancers Scott Doherty and Ashley Smith, Rockin’ Road to Dublin is a must-see spectacle that Irish Dancing Magazine calls “World-Class”. Purchase tickets for this all-ages show at the DECC Ticket Office, by phone at (800) 7453000 or at ticketmaster.com. Doors to the DECC Symphony Hall open at 7 pm..

Little Big Town — The Breakers Tour

March 16

See an exciting performance of country superstars

Little Big Town, featuring special guests

Kacey Musgraves and Midland. AMSOIL Arena, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth. Purchase tickets at the DECC ticket office, call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert begins at 7:30. More information at decc.org/event/little-big-town.

The Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra presents Green Grass of Home

March 17

Join the DSSO as they collaborate with heritage groups and artists from Duluth,

Arts & Events Calendar

including Gaelynn Lea, winner of NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, to celebrate the “Apostle of Ireland” on St. Patrick’s Day. Music and dancing from Ireland and other Celtic countries will fill the hall. Concert at 7 p.m. at the DECC Symphony Hall. Visit dsso.com.

Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra presents a Lollipop Concert

March 18

Visit the DECC’s Symphony Hall on March 18

for the annual Lollipop Concert! Join Sinfonia, Concert Orchestra and Youth Symphony as they present their 55th annual Lollipop Concert. Tickets are available in advance at the DSSO office or at the door on the day of the show. For more information, visit dsso. com/community-education/youth-orchestras.

Minnesota Ballet presents ‘Swan Lake’ March 23-25

It’s the contrasting realms of the elegant palace with its pageantry of royal court dances and stylized national dances, to the darkened woods by a moonlit lake where Prince Siegfried comes upon graceful swan maidens and falls in love with Odette, their

North Shore Community School

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

www.northshorecommunityschool.org

Class Sizes: Low student-teacher ratio

Busing: Free from Duluth and Two Harbors

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

Arts & Events Calendar cont.

beautiful queen. The wicked enchantment of Prince Siegfried by Von Rothbart’s daughter, Odile, inevitably leads to the final act of love. Held in Symphony Hall at the DECC, 350 Harbor Drive. Visit minnesotaballet.org.

50th Annual Arrowhead Auto Body Motorhead Madness

March 24-25

Four of the DECC arenas will be filled with more than 100 one-of-a-kind, customs, trucks, 4x4s, hot rods, street rods, race cars, cycles, and antiques. Judges will decide who will go home with thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Meet the designers, owners and builders while enjoying the creative car club exhibits and shop for the latest in automotive trends and accessories. Tickets will be available at the DECC box office the weekend of the show. Visit motorheadmadnessmn.com.

The Original Harlem Globetrotters

March 29

The Harlem Globetrotters

are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater, and comedy. Add the Magic Pass to spend time on the court with the Globetrotters, shooting, trying out ball tricks and getting autographs and photos. Amsoil Arena at 7 p.m. Tickets available at the DECC tickets office, or visit www1. ticketmaster.com/event/0600534B970A2BEF.

Easter EGG-stravaganza

March 31

Hop on down to the Lake Superior Zoo and enjoy hunting for eggs, playing games, special animal enrichments, treats, prizes and the Easter Bunny himself! 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 7210 Fremont Street, Duluth. Cost: $5 for ages 3-12, $10 for ages 13 and older. Members are free. Visit lszoo.org.

An Evening with Foreigner and the Dave Eggar Orchestra

April 4

With 10 multiplatinum albums

and 16 Top 30 hits, Foreigner is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world. This limited live orchestra engagement is being celebrated for its fresh, other dimension-like audio experience. Held in the DECC Auditorium, 350 Harbor Drive. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the concert begins at 8 p.m. Visit jadepresents. com/event/2018-foreigner-duluth/.

Arrowhead Home and Builders Show

April 4-8

For 52 years, the Arrowhead Home and Builders Show has brought the latest trends and technology for the home under one roof. Discover trends, fresh ideas, new materials, crafted interiors, and outdoor finer living spaces. Tour shipping containers which have been transformed into beautiful living spaces. Show will be held at the DECC. Visit shamrockprod.com/visitor/homeshow/ homeshowvhome.aspx.

Kinky Boots

April 9

The smashhit musical brings together fourtime Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein and Grammy Awardwinning rock icon Cyndi Lauper. 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 stilettos. DECC Symphony Hall. Visit ticketmaster.com.

The Woman Today Presents 2nd annual Rosie Awards

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 on April 10 at Northland Country Club. Please stay tuned to The Woman Today magazine, or vist thewomantoday.com for more details!

UMD Theatre presents ‘Into the Woods’

April 12-15; 18-21

Take a magical romp where the lives of wellknown 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. Show will take place at UMD’s Marshall Performing Arts Center - Mainstage Theatre. Visit tickets. umn.edu or (218) 726-8561.

AAD Shrine Circus

April 13-15

The 72nd annual AAD Shrine Circus will play Duluth at Amsoil Arena. The circus is a fundraiser for the local AAD Shrine, and money raised from the circus go back to the AAD Shrine to help fund the organization’s day-to-day expenses and is the primary fundraiser of the AAD Shrine. For more information, visit kernkompany.com/events.

Party for the Planet

April 20

Friday, April 20, 2018 • 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. 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.

33RD ANNUAL OPEN

February

Signorelli house is for this family of three

by Alison Stucke

‘just right’

It’snot too big and not too small: this house is “just right” for the Signorelli family, who designed and built it.

Ryann and Joe Signorelli wanted a house with enough space for everything they and their 9-yearold son, Trajan, need — and no extra space for things they don’t need. Every inch of their house on Greysolon Road is carefully planned to include room for comfortably living, indoor activities, and the “stuff” they need to do it. But the house has no unused areas to heat, and no extra space where the family could accumulate clutter.

A “what we need” home

“This isn’t our dream home,” Ryann said of the house they designed with architect Heather Hiner. “This is the ‘what we need’ home.”

Ryann and Joe had built a beautiful big show house in Lakeside, and it was featured in a 2012 issue of The Woman Today. But after living in the

house for three years and finding that it had much too much space for three people, the family decided to design the house that was truly right for them.

“We definitely down-sized, but we knew what we needed,” Ryann said. “We use every room in this house. Every part of the home is useful. This was a minimalism move.”

Rustic, industrial design

But even though the Signorellis don’t consider this a showpiece home, the dwelling is beautiful in its smart design and careful attention to details. The house is built in a L-shape around a majestic white pine tree that can be viewed through tall windows downstairs and upstairs. Ryann and Joe purposefully kept the tree standing and built around it. An “industrial” theme appears throughout the home, with heated concrete floors, dark hardwood ceilings, metal beams and railings, stainless steel art sculptures, and gas pipe decor, including cupboard door pulls and light fixtures, designed and created by Ryann.

“We tried to do rustic,” Ryann said. “That’s where our hearts lie.”

At the home’s entrance, a handy mud room stores outdoor clothing such as hats and scarves, and it also serves as a convenient place to shut

General Contractor - MD Hoops

Construction

Subcontractors

Arrowhead Supply - Kitchen

Cabinets

Hiner Home Design - Home Plans

Tongue and Groove Store - Wood

Ceiling and Doors

Hagen’s Glass and PaintWindows

Bradley Interiors - counter tops, tile flooring, carpeting

Harbor Mechanica - Plumbing and heating

Campbell Lumber - Building Materials

in the family’s dogs when someone knocks at the door. At the other side of the front door is a mini garage, which is actually used as Joe’s home-brewing station and Ryann’s coffee-roasting area. In this room is a large fermenter for holding the beer, a large plastic

sink, as well as the needed venting for making beer. A main floor bathroom includes a beautiful stone basin and the “industrial steampunk” light fixtures Ryann designed with gas piping.

Continued on page 54 - 57

Family

It’s hard to tell where the living area ends and the woods begin

Then comes the main living area, which is open and, thanks to large windows on three surrounding walls, seems to continue on to the wooded yard of the home. The

centerpiece of this living area is an industrial-style hearth, made of hot rolled steel and surrounded by a stone bench where the family can sit to feel the warmth of the fire.

“The concrete workers were amazing,” Ryann said of the crew who created this cornerstone piece.

Leather sofa, chairs and lounger provide comfortable seating in this living room, which almost seems to be in the forest among the trees. A nearby dining room table, rustic yet elegant, was made from a white pine that had to be cut down to build the house. Ryann added the legs, again made of metal pipes. Local art pieces with a nature theme appear throughout the home.

“We love the woods around our home,” Ryann said. No walls break up the space, so the beautiful and functional kitchen, with stainless steel appliances, adds to the industrial look of the living area. In the kitchen, a tap connected to a keg in the “kegerator” pours one of Joe’s home-brewed creations. Stainless-steel rolling doors hide storage areas for small appliances, as well as a desk space in the kitchen. Ryann worked with Arrowhead Supply to design this area, and again her handmade gas piping handles open all drawers and doors. The solid wood walnut butcher block countertops have a special finish on them to make them durable.

Staircase and upstairs

A dark wood staircase leads to the home’s upstairs, and tall windows provide downstairs and upstairs views of the white pine tree that the home was built around. Ryann herself stained the staircase.

Upstairs, again, includes only spaces used by the family. Instead of creating a guest room that would seldom get used, Ryann and Joe made an exercise room. Again, the Signorellis’

Design details in metal and stone can be found throughout the Signorellis’ home.

careful planning shows because this exercise room is above the garage, where it stays cool, and the exercisers can jump all they want without bothering anyone below.

“This is our play place,” Ryann said. “It was designed very purposefully though for resale, with egress windows and everything you need for it to be a bedroom. But we just didn’t need a guest room, because guests only come twice a year. So we made it a place to hang out.”

Overhead storage spaces in the room hold items that come out when guests visit, like blow-up mattresses.

“We got creative with storage space because we need some space, but we don’t want to accumulate lots of stuff,” Ryann said. “We decided that a basement was something that we didn’t need. We try not to get more stuff.”

Carefully-planned bedrooms

Ryann and Joe carefully measured Trajan’s furniture to plan the size of his bedroom. “Here’s the size room you need,” they told Trajan. His space includes a desk nook, and inlaid shelves to hold his stuffed animal collection.

“My favorite thing about this room is that I don’t just have one closet, I have two,” Trajan said, opening the door of shelves to expose a second hidden closet.

Trajan has his own full bathroom, but he shares it with guests when they stay.

Ryann and Joe’s bedroom is also modest in size — about half the size of their bedroom in their previous home.

“You don’t need a couch or a fireplace in a bedroom,” Ryann said. “You only need a bed.”

Yet they love their bedroom, with travelthemed posters from their favorite places, the big black exposed pipe from the fireplace stove downstairs, light fixtures that Ryann made with wire caging, and large windows giving a view of the top of their favorite tree.

The attached master bath of ceramic tile is an open space with a large shower on one side, the sink in the middle, and the toilet on the other side. Discreet partial walls provide privacy at both the shower and toilet areas. Again, Ryann’s pipe creations appear throughout the area as towel hooks and handles. Just outside the bathroom is the master bedroom’s closet space — not too large, but big enough to hold both the couple’s clothing.

The upstairs office converts into a guest room

An office space upstairs holds log cabin bookshelves and, made by Ryann and Joe, and rustic-style hickory table, chair, and stools. When they sit at the table, they can look out the large window ahead to see their favorite tree.

“We wanted a lot of wood here,” Ryann said. “Metal is cold, but wood is warm. Also, a big part of what we wanted is having windows and bringing outdoor light in.”

When company comes, the office’s sliding barn doors can be closed to hide the room, and the Murphy-style bed that’s housed in the wall behind a door can come down to make a cozy guest room.

The last room upstairs is Ryann’s laundry room. She designed the room and calls it “My Space” because she’s

Good design leads to a good use of a smaller space, including sliding doors that can create open or closed areas depending on current needs.

the only one who currently uses it. So she made it just the way she wanted it, with a large window that brings in light and provides a view outside. The room has a sterling silver washer/dryer combo, folding table, hanging rack and industrial-style garage cabinets.

The house is “just what we wanted”

Ryann and Joe appreciate their builder, Mike Hoops.

“He was incredible,” Ryann said. “The reason we picked him was his ability to communicate. I was very involved in

the project. I was here every day for 10 months. He really communicated well with me.”

Mike also built the Signorelli’s cabin on the Gunflint Trail, which is very similar in style to their home.

Ryann and Joe have now helped design three dwellings together with Heather Hiner: their original “showplace” home, their cabin, and now their home on Greysolon Road. This time, they truly knew what they wanted. And Ryann said they have not once said, “We should have added (blank),” or, “We should have done this differently.” Their careful planning for every inch of their new home has paid off.

“We love it,” Ryann said. “The layout is absolutely perfect. It’s as useful as we planned it to be. We didn’t build this as a show house. We built this as our home. We built what we needed.”

Kitchen remodel adds value to the heart of your home

A local Realtor and designer tell all

by Alison Stucke

Other BANKERS HEAR RISK.

WE HEAR OPPORTUNIT Y.

It’s the place in your house where creativity, comfort and closeness happen. It’s a place where people hang out while empty stomachs get filled. The kitchen is a much-used room in your home. Some people even call it “the heart of the home.” So maybe it’s time to update your kitchen to make it more user-friendly and attractive. Not only does a remodel make the kitchen a more comfortable and beautiful place to use and enjoy, it can truly raise the value of your home.

Continued on page 60-63

001682482r1

White cabinetry surrounds the gas fireplace which is the focal point in the kitchen. A custom-made knife block houses multiple knives

Resale value of an updated kitchen

When it comes time to sell your home, an updated kitchen can help encourage buyers to make an attractive offer.

“A kitchen remodel adds great value to your home,” said designer Katie Story of Arrowhead Supply in Duluth. “Unlike the kitchens previous to the 1950s that were tucked away in the back of the home, kitchens today continue to be a gathering place in the home. Home buyers want to see money well spent in the spaces they're going to be spending the majority of their time.”

Realtor Christine Fairchild of RE/MAX Results-Duluth agreed that a kitchen remodel can add value in the sale of a home.

“The added value is typically much less time on the

market, which means a higher sale price and sometimes multiple offers if the home is priced right, prepared, and staged to sell,” Christine said. “There are just fewer objections when a home is updated in the key living areas and ready. Thinking that a buyer will do what they want after they buy is a myth, as most are looking for these key areas to be done.”

Christine explained that a kitchen update can be done at a variety of cost levels.

“There are different levels that I see in kitchen updates,” Christine said. “A ‘spruce up’ can cost about $200 to $1,000; a ‘minor remodel’ is $15,000 to $25,000; and an ‘upscale overhaul’ is about $100,000.”

A remodeler and potential home seller must decide which update level is right for the home.

Anne Holy Financial Advisor Susan Stelman, CFP® Financial Advisor

Jade Swanson Advisor Associate Carrie Kelly Advisor Associate

Cabinet lighting and smart lighting can make a collection of treasured items really stand out.

“It’s all about the budget or whether a homeowner can afford to invest to capture the highest sales price,” Christine said. “In my opinion, a spruce-up (deep cleaning, fresh paint and staging) or minor remodel (deep cleaning, fresh paint on the walls and sometimes the cabinetry fronts, new hardware, new countertops, often a sink, new flooring and a new appliance package) is typically what I see when a seller is preparing their home for sale.”

The value of using and enjoying the updated kitchen

Another value of updating the kitchen — especially for homeowners who aren’t selling the home in the near future — is the pleasure of getting to use and enjoy the updates.

“Major and upscale remodels are usually done and evaluated for cost versus value when a seller is intending on staying in the home for a while,” Christine said. “They do not always see their return on investment, but they get to enjoy having what they want.”

Imagine using a kitchen with one or more of these contemporary updates:

• More natural light from added windows

• Specialty kitchen lighting including task lighting, cabinet lighting and smart lighting

• Convenient, beautiful cabinetry including pull-out cabinets and floor-to-ceiling cabinets

• Easy-to-clean quartz countertops

• Universal design such as movable countertops that work for cooks of all ages and heights

• Time-saving appliances such as convection microwaves and induction cooktops

People who use and spend time in the kitchen get to appreciate the value of these kitchen updates.

Trends and local favorites in kitchen design

If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen, you’ll probably want to check out the latest trends and local favorites in kitchen design, décor, lighting, cabinetry and appliances.

“Most of the kitchen remodels that we do at Arrowhead Supply involve new cabinetry, countertops, appliances and plumbing fixtures,” Katie said. “Lighting is a huge element of a design and something that is well worth updating. The kitchens being remodeled today feel airy and bright. Many of the older homes in the area had soffits built in, so typically those are coming out, and taller cabinetry is going into the space. For our region, painted cabinets continue to be the most popular and second to that are rustic wood species such as hickory. We're seeing a shift away from dark stain colors that were once popular — the ‘espresso’ and ‘chocolate’ colors — and moving toward light or mid-tone stains. Painted white cabinetry is our biggest seller. There's such versatility with

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white cabinetry you can go in different style directions — contemporary, classic, or modern. Navy-painted cabinetry is on trend for this year, along with brushed brass accents. We're seeing more black accessories in not only cabinet hardware but plumbing fixtures as well.”

Other popular kitchen design trends include paints in neutral colors such as grays, tans, and whites.

“Blue in many shades is the hot favorite color,” Christine said. “Quartz countertops in light or more neutral shades seem to be the No. 1 choice, but also granite, recycled products, warm wood, cement and better Formica with farmhouse, stone and undermount sinks. I am seeing bolder tile backsplashes, and luxury vinyl flooring, tile or wood for the floors. Reclaimed wood and upcycled furniture often painted with chalk paint is trendy. Wallpaper, brass and rose gold are coming back, but I haven’t seen much of this in Duluth yet. Appliances are coming out in the slate grays (they show fewer fingerprints) and as bold, colorful statement pieces.”

Don’t forget the basics

If you can’t afford or don’t want a full-fledged major remodel or upscale overhaul of your kitchen, the basics can still go a long way in making your lessthan-modern kitchen a more inviting place.

“Inexpensive improvements would be a deep cleaning, decluttering, removing any bad odors, new, bright light bulbs, fresh new kitchen towels, and fresh light paint on the walls,” Christine said. D

Improving the Local Economy One Business at a Time

Rebekah Quinlan, Everest Financial

Whether they are young workers just starting out or retirees on fixed incomes, Rebekah Quinlan invests her time in her clients’ investments from her offices for Everest Financial services in Duluth and Golden Valley, Minn.

“I travel to meet my clients and help them out whenever they need me,” she said.

The services she provides are specific to each person’s needs. For many clients, she said, retirement is their biggest investment. She handles IRA rollovers, 401(k)s with current employers, and checks into investment allocation to make sure no one area is too heavily invested. After looking everything over, she can provide clients with detailed reports so they can make informed decisions.

“I have software that can help clients figure out exactly when they can retire,” she said. “They may say they want to work until 70, and this is the money I want to have on retirement. How do I get there?”

Sometimes, clients get good news. Sometimes, they find themselves under-funded to meet those goals. Quinlan then gives them the information they need to make changes and get on track.

“I do a lot of research on the investments that we choose,” she said. “There are thousands of things that we can invest in, but not all of them are good. We spend time trying to find ones that will meet my clients’ investments goals.” D

Phone: (218) 728-1445

Website: everestfg.us/Rebekah-Quinlan.e394101.htm

at The Woman Today magazine have long recognized the heart of the economic climate is vitally linked to the success of locally owned businesses. In this issue and going forward, we want to continue to focus on area businesses who are hiring new employees, adding to their buildings, moving to a different location, bringing in new products, or otherwise enhancing the business climate in the area.

We

Orange Blossom Healing Arts

Education is key at Orange Blossom Healing Arts in Duluth. The business makes available aromatherapy products, massage and yoga, but beyond selling products and services, it provides the knowledge to use these things to improve health.

“This is why I wanted to do this,” said owner Jan Tomaino. “You can buy essential oils everywhere. There’s a lot of over-use for them, a lot of promoting of cures and kind of the be-all, end-all. I don’t want people to treat them like medications.”

This philosophy is in line with Tomaino’s impressive background. She’s an RN with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice, specializing in integrative health and is currently working on a holistic health curriculum for a local health clinic. She teaches people, both in clinical and other settings, how to use essential oils to ease pain, anxiety, nausea and insomnia. They can be used for emotional, spiritual and physical reasons, and have antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Orange Blossom provides space for other teachers, too. Past classes have included yoga and creating custom aroma blends. Also offered is Reiki massage, which is an energybased therapy that can provide a sense of calm and well-being, Tomaino said. D

Address: 1330 E. 1st St., Duluth

Phone: (218) 349-1650

Website: orangeblossomhealingarts.com

Jan Tomaino

Rebekah Quinlan

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Punch Up Your

by Karen Tolkkinen

POPCORN

Ifyou’re still eating popcorn with just salt and butter, prepare for your world to be shaken. You can now mix popcorn with herbs, berries and yes, even beef jerky.

Here are a couple of recipes, courtesy of The Popcorn Board (yes, there is such a thing).

Beef Jerky Chili Popcorn

Don’t miss a minute of the game while taking your tailgating snacks to the next level with a bowl of this quick, beefed-up, cheesy popcorn treat. Yield: 4 servings

8 cups unsalted, unbuttered popped popcorn

1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup butter

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp each garlic powder and paprika

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup chopped beef jerky

1. Preheat oven to 300. Line large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; spread popcorn evenly on baking sheet. Sprinkle cheese over top.

2. In small pan set over medium heat, melt butter; stir in chili powder, garlic powder, paprika and salt. Bring to light boil; remove from heat.

3. Drizzle hot butter mixture over popcorn; sprinkle with beef jerky. Bake, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes or until popcorn is dry and crisp. Toss gently; transfer to shallow serving bowl.

Nutrition Facts per 2 cups: calories 400, fat 30 g, saturated fat 18 g, cholesterol 80 mg, sodium 830 mg, carbohydrate 15 g, fiber 3 g, sugars 2 g, protein 18 g

Cinnamon Popcorn

Crunch

Here’s a twist on a classic, sweet and crunchy snack – with maximum flavor from kisses of warm cinnamon and maple. Yield: 12 cups

12 cups unsalted, unbuttered popped popcorn

1/3 cup chopped unsalted almonds, coarsely chopped

1/3 cup chopped unsalted cashews, coarsely chopped

1/3 cup chopped unsalted pecans, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup coconut sugar

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup brown rice syrup

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. In large mixing bowl, combine popcorn, almonds, cashews and pecans.

2. In saucepan, combine butter, sugar, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, ¼ cup water, salt and cinnamon; bring to boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook until mixture reaches hard crack stage (295 degrees).

3. Slowly pour syrup in thin stream over popcorn mixture. Toss gently to coat evenly. Let cool; break into large chunks.

Tip: Add dried fruit, such as cranberries or mangoes, if desired.

Nutrition Facts per 1 cup: calories 250, fat 13 g, saturated fat 6 g, cholesterol 20 mg, sodium 290 mg, carbohydrate 31 g, fiber 2 g, sugars 19 g, protein 3 g D

Karen Tolkkinen writes for Forum News Service.

Cinnamon popcorn crunch (Forum News Service)

Beef jerky chili popcorn (Forum News Service)

Women’s Resources

Twin Ports Women’s March

Hundreds of people marched through downtown Duluth on Jan. 20 for the Feminist Action Collective’s second annual Twin Ports Women’s March. The event ended with a rally at City Hall, a multitude of diverse speakers and musical performance.

Lynn Korhonen, Jill Korhonen, Julia Jones and Jessica Fauver

Barbie Evans, Stephanie Hemp Hill and Gene Johnson McKeever

Liz Carlson and Angie Miller

Jarrett VanderPoel, Caiti Marks and Austin Sorem

Mia Torch, Sandra van den Bosse and Liz Olson

Marie Rosati, Patti Berg and Dianna Hunter

Janelle, Ellen and Evelyn Turner-Miller

David, Beth and Lily Lindlbauer

Hazel Bennett and Brynn Sias

Rikki Born, Hattie Ecklund, Ellie Gresser and Emily Ross

Maria Isley and Chelsea Helmer

Justin, Justin Jr. and Livey Campbell