The Woman Today Feb/Mar 2019

WOMAN today the

Women of science

Hermantown Middle School teachers inspire all students

• Tips for holding a winter wedding in Duluth

• TV show guides design of modern farmhouse

• Embracing the role of Native storyteller

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Less than a quarter of scientists are women, Kathleen Murphy reports in our cover story, a trend that is bucked at Hermantown Middle School. This issue is about education — both in classrooms and out. Sharon Shuck, an 80-year-old first-time author took writing classes at the Adult Learning Center before finally writing a book about her grandfather. Lorena Rios Mendoza, a chemistry professor at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, recently won an award from the UW system. And Jeffrey Xu solved a seemingly simple problem in a way that has changed his life: people put pants on over their shirts, so why wouldn’t they put pants over their pants? That’s how a former aeronautics engineer invented Pants on Pants.

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A WINNING F RMULA

HERMANTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOWS WHAT WOMEN CAN ACHIEVE IN SCIENCE

By Kathleen Murphy

It is a well-known problem that in the STEM field (science, technology, engineering and math), less than a quarter of all scientists are women. In some fields, such as computer science, the numbers are even lower: as few as one in ten. One suggestion to bridge this gender gap is to expose students at a younger age to female scientists who can then serve as role models for the younger generation.

Hermantown Middle School has

this idea covered. All five science teachers at the middle school (and almost half at Hermantown High School) are female, a fact that escaped their notice until recently. “We’re focused on all our students, but it’s great that they get to experience a team of female scientists,” said Katie Conklin, a fifth-grade science teacher at HMS.

“We want boys to see female science role models just as much as the girls.”

There is research to suggest that as female scientists and science

Hermantown Middle School science teacher Katie Brown-Mesedahl (right) shares a laugh before class with Hermantown eighth-grader Elise Harriman.

Hermantown Middle School science teacher Jillian Godfrey works with Josh Muehlbauer and Julia Johnson as they build a scale conceptual model of a geological timeline in Godfrey's eighth-grade earth science class.

educators gain visibility, their female students gain confidence in their science and math abilities. Katie BrownMesedahl, a seventh-grade life science teacher, remembers an important role model in her life, a female engineer who loved flying airplanes. “Her influence seemed subtle while I was growing up,” she said, “but now I recognize she unwittingly planted a seed in me. I had to identify my interests and develop confidence, but she demonstrated that people like me do science.”

In “people like me,” she meant girls. It often takes a female scientist simply participating in her field to convince young female students they are also capable of engaging in the scientific world. Other methods of engagement, such as the “Women of Science” poster hanging in Conklin’s classroom, can feel like an honest effort but also feel off-track. A discussion amongst the five teachers ensues in which they unanimously agree that the poster

Continued on page 10

should be free of gender, simply highlighting great scientists.

They admit that attracting females into the STEM fields in college is a challenge. But at the middle school level, the enthusiasm for science class remains strong. “I have a really strong group of girls this year who are very interested in debating the issues,” said Madeleine Schmaltz, an eighth-grade earth science teacher. Statistics do say that girls lose interest in science and math by the time they reach high school, which carries over to the lack of female students graduating from college with STEM degrees. Schmaltz and the other middle school teachers hope that in helping all their students equally, the girls as well as the boys will grow up to understand and appreciate the scientific process.

It’s not just science and math classes, according to these teachers. Students of both genders become a little more subdued in high school. “That’s why it’s important for us to reach them in elementary and middle school,” said Jillian Godfrey, who teaches physical science, earth science and biology in both the middle school and high school.

Most teachers would probably agree that the best way to engage students is by creating a learning environment with as many hands on and relevant activities as possible. A passion for their subject can go a long way as well. “I’ve been told I’m enthusiastic about my subject,” said Jill Hansen, a physical and life science teacher, and one of ten finalists for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year award in 2016. “When students see and experience an animated and passionate

educator, they can’t help but be drawn to the topic being taught.”

To that end, all five of these teachers spend much of their teaching energy showing students how scientific concepts apply to their everyday lives, getting them out of their desks to participate in hands-on activities, and encouraging lively classroom discussion.

It’s all about channeling the enthusiasm, these teachers say. Talking with them, it is obvious the five of them have a strong sense of collaboration. They talk about joint projects their classrooms engage in, discuss how different topics are carried over and emphasized year after year, and laugh about how they all tend to walk by each others’ classrooms and stop to watch what the others are doing in order to gain ideas for their own classroom.

The colleges might be struggling to encourage women into STEM degrees, but if these teachers at Hermantown Middle School are any indication, that will change in the future. They teach to all their students, not just focusing on the girls, but nevertheless, the consistent presence of a team of all-female scientists educating them could very well have an impact on how the middle school girls perceive science as they grow older.

They are already seeing progress. As a beginning-of-theyear activity in both Godfrey’s and Hansen’s sixth-grade science classes, they ask their students to draw a picture of what they think a scientist looks like. In the past, most students typically drew a man in a white lab coat, more often than not with Einstein-crazy hair and a beaker or a test tube in his hand, smoke drifting out of the top. Few students ever drew a woman.

This year, half of their students drew female scientists. Though that in itself was enough reason to celebrate, they were quick to point out that some of the female scientists were drawn by their male students. “It’s important that the gender gap is recognized by everyone,” Hansen said. “This is where the change happens.” D

Kathleen Murphy is a freelance journalist who lives in Duluth.

Hermantown Middle School science teacher Katie Conklin watches over Nathan Gjessing, and Corban Peterson (right) as they do a lever lab in Conklin's fifth-grade science class.

Hermantown Middle School science teacher Madeleine Schmaltz teachers her eigth-grade earth science class at Hermantown Middle School.

Hermantown Middle School science teacher Jill Hansen responds to an answer from a team in her sixthgrade physical science class as they were playing "Hansen Land" a science game made up by Hansen based on the game Candy Land.

ENGINEER INVENTS A WRAP-AROUND WAY TO BEAT THE COLD

By Tony Bennett

Thisis the story of a man whose legs got so cold that he changed careers.

It's not hard to have sympathy for Jeffrey Xu. In 2015, he came to Duluth to work as an aeronautics engineer with Cirrus Aircraft. Previously, he had made Shanghai, China, his home. There, it can get cold, but winter temps tend not to dip any lower than the 30s or so, and snow is rare and doesn't stick around long. So imagine the plight of poor Xu, suddenly in a hostile

“The very first morning I went to work in Duluth was an early November morning in 2015,” Xu said. “There was a thick layer of frost on the windshield of my car. I spent 10 minutes scraping it off. My legs were really cold. At that time, I just took it as a life challenge in Duluth and did not light up my engineering fire to innovate and beat back the cold. However, as winter deepened, it became clear that something needed to be done to avoid the cold shocks every time I walked out

snow pants exist, and so do long johns, but these didn't work well enough for Xu. He wanted something easily removable.

“People around me were very intrigued by my prototype of Pants on Pants, given the unique and convenient way of donning and removal,” Xu said. “They said: 'Jeffrey is doing something funny, again.' The pants underwent many iterations before the first prototype was done, and even more changes after. Shell fabrics, insulation material and zipper locations were all modified. One of the key developments was the openings to reach the pockets of inner pants. I had to struggle to get the keys in the pockets of my office pants before we had these openings.”

Of course, making your own legs warmer doesn't necessarily translate into starting a small business, but Xu felt as if he had a marketable idea. Before long, he was putting up a Kickstarter and talking to retailers and doing all the — ahem — legwork that a start-up needs to do. The aeronautics engineer quickly became a clothing designer and marketer.

landscape of ice and snow, forced to contend with temps 10 or 20 degrees below zero. For him, the breaking point was when he had to endure sitting in his frozen car, shivering, while he waited for his seat to warm up. This is the stuff Twin Portians are inured to. For Xu, it became a battle he needed to win.

of a building and every time I sat on the frigid car seat.”

Necessity being the mother of invention and all, Xu set to designing something to ease his pain. The idea was pretty simple: people put jackets on over their shirts, so why wouldn't they put pants over their pants? Obviously,

“The pants attracted customers and media attention in cold areas worldwide,” Xu said of his early successes once his product went up for sale. “We had orders from Norway, Germany and Canada, and an order from Chile was totally (unexpected). The pants are selling great online” — at pantsonpants.com — “and in local retail stores — Trailfitters in Duluth and Northwest Outlet in Superior. We are establishing a sales network in Canada and the U.S. Since these pants need demonstrations, we intend to promote them on TV shopping channels in the future.”

For a while, Xu juggled his day job with his side gig, but, eventually, something had to give. In the end, his obsession with besting Old Man Winter emerged victorious.

“I am now working full time on

Jeffrey Xu demonstrates how to put on his "Warmthology" snow pants invention, also known as "Pants on Pants."

PHOTO BY BOB KING/DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE

this business, and no longer with Cirrus,” Xu said. “It certainly is a big change and a big challenge. Running a business requires a broad range of skills and activities. In addition to innovating a new product, we also need to communicate with customers and spread the news to people who are in dire need of this great product.”

That product, its creator says, is a game-changer for those who give it a try. “Since these pants solve the problem of cold legs elegantly, both outdoors folk and people who like to stay indoors hail their arrival,” Xu said. “It is straightforward to understand the enthusiasm of outdoors folk. The great benefit for people who like to stay indoors is equally liberating: now they do not need to consider outside temperature when making indoor fashion decisions. They can now enjoy spring, summer and fall pants in the winter.”

Xu suggests that his female customers have been vital to the

development of his burgeoning business. “The very first customer of Pants on Pants was a woman,” he said. “At that time, I had to provide her a prototype first, because a product was not available yet. Now, both she and her husband wear them daily.”

“Women love these pants for several specific reasons,” Xu continued, his confidence in his own market research evident. “Women usually feel colder than men, because of smaller sizes and lower metabolism. The other reason is, women are more fashion-conscious. Women’s Pants on Pants have a stylish cut. In addition, with Pants on Pants, women regain indoor fashion freedom because they do not need to worry about outside temperature.”

Xu’s a guy with an analytical mind. He's clearly thought through all the angles, engineer that he is. He even can explain why his product can help stave off winter weight-gain.

“It is a natural tendency for a body to accumulate more fat when it feels

threatened by coldness,” Xu said. “The first winter season in Duluth, I gained ten pounds of winter bump. These winter weight gains are difficult to get rid of, even after the season. The second winter, I gained only three pounds with my first Pants on Pants prototype, a significant improvement.”

This is how Jeffrey Xu became an entrepreneur, by fighting Minnesota winters head-on with his brains and his body and his determination. In that way, maybe he shares characteristics with the region’s fur trappers of 200 years ago, with the people who sacrificed to bring others more comfort. He, too, in his own way, is a man against nature.

Cold legs be warned: Jeffrey Xu is coming for you. D

Tony Bennett is a Duluth freelance writer and arts critic.

Women working to acheive more

SHERIFF'S SCHOLARSHIP ADVANCES EDUCATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

By Andrea Busche

TheSt. Louis County Sheriff’s Office announced in November that two local women, both nontraditional students, were among 20 recipients of a scholarship that helps people pursue careers in law enforcement.

Alida Hogan of Duluth and Nellie Torgerson of Alborn each received $600 to assist with their education costs. Both women are in their 30s, and both are moms.

These women have worked incredibly hard to pursue a higher education, juggling responsibilities unknown to many of their younger classmates. As such, both women deeply value the recognition and honor the Minnesota Sheriff's Association scholarship bestows.

Alida Hogan

Hogan is 34, and a graduate of Northwestern High School. She and her four children currently reside in Duluth.

Before making the decision to pursue a career in law enforcement, Hogan worked as a supervisor at a group home. It was a random exchange with a local police officer that changed the trajectory of her career.

“Recently, I had a great interaction with a police officer in downtown Duluth,” Hogan said. “She made me feel very valued, and this exchange made me re-evaluate my entire future.”

Shortly thereafter, Hogan signed up for the Duluth Citizen Police

Academy, a 12-week course, and later began volunteering for the Superior and Duluth Police Departments. “My heart completely changed,” Hogan said. “I knew I wanted to go into law enforcement. I have experience in the mental health field, and knew I could make a difference.”

After making her decision, Hogan changed career fields. She now works in the personal security field at Private Protective Services of Duluth while she completes her education. She will graduate from the Law Enforcement Program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College this spring.

Nellie Torgerson

Torgerson, 31, lives in Alborn with her husband and two young children. She also is a student in the Law Enforcement Program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Torgerson already has a bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of Minnesota Duluth and works as a Senior Court Clerk for the Sixth Judicial District.

Torgerson joined the Army National Guard at age 17. She served for six years, including a 2007 deployment to Iraq. Serving others is a high priority for Torgerson; she has also been a member of the Alborn Volunteer Fire Department for the past two years. Her current job as a senior court clerk requires her to attend court cases and take notes. While satisfying, she

Nellie Torgerson

Alida Hogan

PHOTOS BY DAVID BALLARD PHOTOGRAPHY

knew she wanted more.

“I decided I wanted to work in a different area of the criminal system,” Torgerson said. “I really like my job, but I want to make a difference.” When it comes to her future career, Torgerson is most excited about helping others and saving lives.

Nontraditional students

As women in their 30s with families of their own and plenty of job history, both Torgerson and Hogan bring a lot to the table. In a field where many of their classmates are as young as 17 or 18, “There’s something to be said for having all of this life experience,” Hogan said.

Torgerson agreed. “I relate to the teachers more than the other students, in terms of our stage of life,” she said. “But it’s also good that we have so many young, ambitious people in class.”

Both women are grateful and humbled to have earned these scholarships. “This award helps me afford what I need for school including a uniform, books and tuition. It makes a huge difference, and I am very grateful,” Hogan said.

“It’s hard to comprehend the concerning amount of debt needed to go into a law enforcement career,” Torgerson added. “As such, I feel very blessed and grateful for this scholarship.”

An honor for women

Hogan and Torgerson said the ratio of students currently enrolled in the Law Enforcement Program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is split roughly 50-50, male to female. Both women are pleased to represent their future career field’s strong female demographic. And, those at the top of the law enforcement leadership hierarchy agree.

St. Louis County Sheriff Ross Litman reflected on the privilege of awarding the two scholarships to two deserving women. "As much as I enjoy presenting these scholarships to local students,” he said, “it's particularly pleasing this year to see two female students chosen as winners. Recruiting more female applicants is both a goal and a challenge for many law enforcement agencies, including our own, so it's good to see quality prospects pursuing this profession." D

UWS associate professor receives

'Outstanding Women of Color In Education' award

By Sarah Libbon

We area public, college preparatory high schoolthat:

•Emphasizes academic excellence:AP &CITS Courses

•Develops global citizenship:international travel program

•Supports the Duluth community through service

•Nurturesasenseofbelonging

Lorena Rios Mendoza, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, was recently honored by the University of Wisconsin System as a recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Women of Color in Education award.

The award is given annually to faculty, staff, students or community members to recognize their achievements in advancing equity and inclusion for people of color within the UW System as well as communities across the state.

Rios Mendoza was formally

Lorena Rios Mendoza

recognized on Nov. 8 in Madison at an awards ceremony and reception for her promotion of social justice and organizational change and for helping UW-Superior achieve its goals of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Receiving this award was a great honor and privilege,” Rios Mendoza said. “This serves as a wonderful motivator to continue doing my work. I would like nothing more than to inspire students to finish their degree and to continue working together to fight for the environment.”

Rios Mendoza is an internationally

Continued on page 18

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UWS science professor Lorena Rios Mendoza.

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known researcher on microscopic plastic pollution in oceans and lakes. Her work has been published in the peer-reviewed science journal Nature and reported in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The National Geographic website, Atlantic magazine and others. The work of Rios Mendoza and other researchers led to laws in Wisconsin and Michigan banning the use of microplastic beads in personal-care products.

Among students at UWS, she is known for how she encourages them to learn from their mistakes and feel confident in the laboratory, and for taking a personal interest in their success in and out of the classroom. D

Sarah Libbon is an associate university relations specialist for the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

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UWS science professor Lorena Rios Mendoza stands beside UWS student Daniela Leon Vargas. Vargas is a student from Bogota, Colombia.

Heart to Heart

ST. LUKE'S MARKS 2,500 OPEN HEART SURGERIES WITH DR. BOYLAN AT THE HELM

By Claire Kiger

“Everypatient has a story,” said Dr. Mary Boylan as she considered the thousands of hearts she’s operated on in the past 23 years. As St. Luke’s first on-staff cardiothoracic surgeon, she has been a driving force within St. Luke’s Regional Heart & Vascular Center, helping reach a milestone of 2,500 open-heart surgeries.

Throughout her career, Dr. Boylan has aimed to keep the patient at the center of all she does. “I think one of the best ways to put the patient above all else is to know their personal story,” Dr. Boylan explained, “then I can really understand how to help them get better.”

Getting established

Originally from southern Minnesota, Dr. Boylan completed most of her education on the East Coast and in Chicago. During this time, she was involved in hundreds of cases.

“When you’re in the middle of residency, it seems endless,” Dr. Boylan said. “You're always exhausted and constantly running.” However, her everincreasing passion for medicine and interest in each individual case fueled her to finish.

When she came to St. Luke’s in 2003, she was looking for a place where she could give each person the individual attention they needed to get well.

Continued on page 20

Voted

Dr. Boylan, cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Luke’s Regional Heart & Vascular Center

“I saw working for St. Luke's as a great opportunity,” Dr. Boylan said. “It’s a close-knit community and our patients know they're not just another person in a bed.” Over the years each patient has brought a unique story, and Dr. Boylan has been glad to play a part in their care.

The McGivern story

One of these patients was Duluthnative Mike McGivern. After feeling light-headed, Mike went in to see his primary care provider. He was referred to a cardiologist and then scheduled for an angiogram. This procedure revealed that Mike’s heart needed triple bypass surgery.

“I just about flipped when I heard that,” Mike’s wife Gail said. “That sounded awful to me and I was just sick about it, but Dr. Boylan talked me through it and calmed me down.”

With three of Mike’s arteries blocked 80 to 90%, Mike’s heart needed attention immediately. Mike was scheduled for his triple bypass surgery with Dr. Boylan on a Tuesday in October, 2018. After a successful surgery, he spent a day in the Intensive Care unit, and was then moved to Cardiac Care.

As with any open-heart surgery, a triple bypass carries the risk of complications. Mike wasn’t immune

Journey through Memory

Dr. Boylan talks with a patient at St. Luke’s.

to these. Shortly after he was moved to Cardiac Care, he went into cardiac arrest.

The McGiverns will be forever grateful that Dr. Boylan was there to revive Mike. She remained by his side as he recovered and made sure he received the care he needed.

“She talked to me straight and I was thankful for that,” Mike said. “She made sure I understood the plan moving forward and was always so sincere.” After Mike had a pacemaker put in, he and Gail were able to leave the hospital.

“We really feel like we’ve become friends with her,” Gail said gratefully. “We love Dr. Boylan and it seems like everybody else that knows her loves her too.” Dr. Boylan’s chapter in the McGivern’s story may have ended, but it won’t be forgotten by either party.

“People become very dear to me,” Dr. Boylan explained. “Many go into medicine because they want to help someone. I was fortunate enough to find medicine to be that and so much more.”

The stories that lay ahead

As Dr. Boylan continues to play a part in each of her patient’s stories, she refuses to see herself as the only hero.

“No one person does anything worthwhile all by themselves,” Dr.

Boylan explained. “I need my team. That includes everybody at St. Luke’s.” From surgeons to housekeepers, Dr. Boylan believes that each person has a unique, irreplaceable role to play.

After 2,500 open-heart surgeries and counting, Dr. Boylan is excited for the stories that lay ahead.

“I’ve seen St. Luke's grow from

a hospital to a health system,” she explained. “We’ve come a long way. That said, there's always room for growth, and I think we have a bright future ahead of us.” D

Care for the whole family

Claire Kiger is a writer for St. Luke's. She wrote this for The Woman Today.

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Call today for an appointment with our family medicine physicians.

From humble beginnings to published author

Sharon Shuck

By Andrea Busche

“Iwasborn in 1939 on ‘the Rez’ in the backwoods of Brookston. There were five of us kids and two parents living in a tar paper shack that didn’t even have two rooms — it was really one room with a partition. We had no running water, no electricity, and we used an outhouse. That’s just how it was back then. We were poor, but we didn’t know it.”

This is the story of how Sharon Shuck’s life began. Although humble, her life has always sparkled with optimism and dreams of a better tomorrow. And, drawing on the good times as well as the bad, she has plenty of fascinating stories to tell.

Over the years, many people have told Shuck they wanted to hear more of what she has to say, and soon she will comply. This spring, Shuck, at age 80, will become a first-time published author. From tar paper shack to published author, this is the story of how Sharon Shuck utilized the power of education to elevate herself to higher ground.

Early years

Shuck, an enrolled member of the Fond du Lac Band, was raised in poverty. But her childhood was rich in

DULUTH WOMAN EMBRACES HER ROLE AS A NATIVE STORYTELLER

unique and special memories.

She remembers, for instance, that the plentiful Fiddlehead ferns growing near her home tasted like asparagus, and that her family had a pet porcupine. Her grandmother, who lived just down the road, was thought to be a natural healer. Once, when Shuck’s sister stepped on a rusty nail, her grandma knew exactly which root to apply in order to prevent infection and hasten healing.

Shuck’s father worked in Duluth’s shipyards, and her mother stayed at home with the children. After Sharon’s birth, two more children came along, bringing the total to seven. In 1947, the family moved to Duluth.

Professional and volunteer work

After graduating from Central High School in 1958, Shuck became certified as an LPN through Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. She got a job at the VA hospital in Minneapolis and made a life there for 20 years.

Shuck got married in the early 1970s and moved back to Duluth after her marriage ended. She worked in the medical field until her retirement.

After retirement, she became interested in volunteerism and ultimately made six trips south to help with demolition and reconstruction for Hurricane Katrina victims. She had

learned a lot about home repair after purchasing her own house in Duluth’s Kenwood neighborhood.

“I was living alone, and knew I had to learn how to work on my own house,” she said. “So, I took community education classes and some courses at the Home Depot.” She also credits a helpful neighbor for teaching her

things like how to install siding, and the skills needed to work on cabinets and windows.

An interest in writing

While witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Shuck wanted to write about her experiences but

Continued on page 24

struggled to put her thoughts on paper. While literate and educated, she had very low confidence in her writing ability. She decided to take matters into her own hands, and investigate resources for improving her writing skills.

Around this time, she saw an advertisement for Duluth’s Community Education program, and began taking writing courses. This led to her becoming a “regular” at Duluth’s Adult Learning Center (ALC). In addition to the writing courses, she also received help with basic computer skills.

Shuck didn’t stop there; she also joined two local writing groups. After some initial resistance, she finally agreed to read a short story she had written about her childhood aloud to the group. It was called “Storytelling from the Tar Paper Shack.” The overwhelmingly positive response shocked her.

“Everybody clapped,” Shuck said. “A lawyer from the group even gave me a computer so I could keep writing.”

The confidence and support she received from her writing groups and the ALC ultimately helped Shuck make the decision to write a book about her grandfather, Frank Doolittle, an interesting character who was born in 1886. Doolittle had

endured the Catholic Indian Boarding Schools and even served a stint in Leavenworth Prison. “I want to be a Native storyteller, to share with the next generation stories not to be forgotten; to put the memories, thoughts, feelings, and emotion in writing,” Shuck said.

Through her connections at ALC, Shuck was introduced to the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, who helped her apply for, and receive, a $3,000 grant through the McKnight Foundation to help her get her book published.

Comments from ALC

Kris Rikkola, an instructor with the ALC, said, “Sharon Shuck has been a student in Adult Education classes at the Duluth Area Learning Center for the past 13 years. She attended the Adult Learning Center for many years to improve her reading and writing skills, but nowadays she attends for the purpose of revising and editing her book, ‘Blood Memories and Unbroken Spirit.’ Sharon’s book project has also prompted her to obtain computer skills that she never dreamed possible. We have many students in our adult education programs with incredible life stories, and Sharon is no exception. She has overcome many challenges, culturally and academically, following her passion to write her stories which

are rich in the history of Native American culture.”

John Herold, one of the language arts teachers at the ALC said, “Sharon’s writing started as childhood memories to be shared with younger generations of Native Americans, written with standard grammar. That has changed now that she has a goal of teaching through her writing. I find her current project, about her grandfather, to be compelling for a few reasons. First is the sentence structure, sometimes referred to as ‘Rez speak,’ which has the authenticity of a native storyteller, which Sharon insists on using to honor her people. Secondly, this story presents the dominant culture’s treatment of Indians and the damage this has caused, particularly for Indians in the Minnesota-Wisconsin region. Lastly, Sharon presents the reality of cumulative adverse childhood experiences. She calls it ‘blood memories.’ She has a unique voice with an important mission.”

Rikkola added, “The teachers and staff at the ALC celebrate Sharon’s successes and her incredible story. The mantra ‘it takes a village’ is one that our teachers and staff share because we all work together to help our students meet or exceed their academic goals and have the pleasure of learning their

life stories along the way.”

No excuses

Shuck can hardly believe the interesting twists and turns her life has taken as she enters her eighth decade of life. “I never dreamed at my age I would be publishing a book,” she said. She credits much of her writing success to her lifelong pursuit of education, and particularly her teachers at ALC.

“I can’t say enough about the Adult Learning Center, and all of the support and encouragement they’ve given me.

Before, I was ashamed of going to ALC for help, but now I don’t care, and I refer a lot of people down there. Too many people make excuses so they don’t have to get out of their recliners.”

Sharon Shuck’s book, “Blood Memories and Unbroken Spirit,” will be published in the spring of 2019 through Dovetail Press. D

New approach leads to Susan’s transformation

By Connie Wirta

SusanKelley delights in joining her husband for a hike in the woods. She remembers when she could barely make it to the mailbox at the end of their driveway.

In a little over a year, Susan has undergone a metamorphosis. She has lost nearly 100 pounds and no longer needs any of her prescription medicines. She’s free from the chronic diarrhea and pain that limited her activities.

Susan says she was at her wit’s end when she decided to try a new approach to her health and made an appointment with Dr. Nancy Sudak, a physician in the new Integrative Health Department at the Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic. The 69-year-old Duluth woman was ready to make changes in her lifestyle if they’d help her feel better.

“I’d tried so many times with every diet that came out for 50 years,” Susan recalls. “I would stick to them, but nothing happened.”

Susan had worked with other doctors and dietitians, yet her weight had reached 278 pounds. She was considering weight-loss surgery “but just couldn’t say yes.” Instead, she turned to Dr. Sudak.

Dr. Sudak takes a holistic approach that embraces the whole person — mind, body and spirit — to reach the goal of optimal wellness. Integrative

health uses an array of approaches, including conventional medicine and other healing therapies. It emphasizes the relationship between patient and practitioner.

“Integrative health is effective because it delves into underlying factors,” explains Dr. Sudak. Patient and clinician work together to create an

immediately trust her guidance."

Susan identified four goals: lose weight; deal with pain from fibromyalgia and sciatica; improve her shortness of breath and resolve the chronic diarrhea.

“Our patients can radically change their lives,” Dr. Sudak says. “We help them feel deeply cared for and empowered. We rapidly establish a deep rapport and create a positive healing environment. At the end of their first visit, patients often tell us they have felt heard.”

individualized plan drawn from diverse healing practices. The plan can draw on the expertise of other practitioners, such as dietitians/nutritionists, acupuncturists and mental health therapists. Many options are available, such as diet modifications, exercise, nutritional supplements, acupuncture, aromatherapy, biofeedback, yoga and meditation.

“When I met Dr. Sudak, I just loved her,” Susan recalls of her first appointment in August 2017. “She took in all this information about me and was so interested. I felt her encouragement and knew I could

In trying to find the root cause of many of Susan’s problems, Dr. Sudak first looked to the gastrointestinal tract because Susan had struggled with heartburn and diarrhea. A timed lab test analyzed gas levels in Susan’s breath and helped diagnose a bacterial overgrowth in her small intestine. Acidblocking medications for heartburn had suppressed good bacteria and allowed other bacteria from Susan’s large intestine to travel to her small intestine, Dr. Sudak explains. The condition caused bloating, discomfort and diarrhea. It also made it difficult for Susan to lose weight. “All those of years of problems and all I had to do was blow into a straw at the lab,” Susan says with a smile.

Susan worked with Dietitian Jean Larson on an individualized nutrition plan to lose weight and restore a healthy

PHOTO BY DEREK MONTGOMERY OF DEREK MONTGOMERY PHOTOGRAPHY

Susan Kelley and her husband, Jim, enjoy a hike in the woods near their Duluth home.

gut. The plan has no gluten, dairy products, sugar, legumes or grains. “I’ll stick to it if it works, and it has worked,” Susan says. “Now I’m not worried that I’ll gain the weight back. Jean is very encouraging and so knowledgeable on how foods can hurt or heal your body."

Dr. Sudak recommended Susan begin exercising and referred her to SpineX, an eight-week exercise program for back pain that strengthens core muscles and safely boosts activity. “SpineX taught me how to think about exercise,” Susan says. “You have to stretch and move. If you hurt and you don’t move, you don’t get better.”

Acupuncturist Jake Swette has helped Susan with sciatica pain and vertigo. “Jake really listens to you and customizes each treatment to what’s bothering you,” Susan says.

Susan says the team treats her as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms. “I’m so much more active and I have a better outlook,” she says. “I’m excited about getting up every day and doing things instead of saying that it just hurts too much.”

“Susan is an extraordinary determined person,” Dr. Sudak says. “She puts her mind to it and she’ll do it 100 percent. Her spirit drives her. It’s so joyful to work with such a committed patient and participate in such a beautiful metamorphosis.”

Make an appointment

Integrative Medicine is a new department at the Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic. There are three physicians: Dr. Nancy Sudak, Dr. Sarah Astorga and Dr. Teja Dyamenahalli. The team includes Nurse Practitioner Rachel Scharfenberg, Dietitian Jean Larson and Acupuncturists Jake Swette, Amie Archambault and Emily Hysjulien. To make an appointment, call (218) 786-2125. D

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

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Amber Gilbert and her husband, Justin, were married on Dec. 19, 2015.

Photos by Bryan Jonathan Weddings

Winter wedding in Duluth A WEDDING PLANNER AND A WINTER BRIDE OFFER TIPS FOR THE SEASON

By Andrea Busche

Depending on whether you see the glass as half-empty or half-full, Northland winters are either cold and dreary, or crisp and magical.

There’s no doubt the weather is cold, the days are short, and the snow is deep. But on the flip side, it’s a great time to cozy up in front of the fireplace, light some candles and yes, even get married.

While the vast majority of local couples choose to marry during summer or fall, wintertime can provide a stunning, snowy backdrop for your special day. Cozy, romantic, and intimate are a few words commonly used to describe a winter wedding. Marrying in the off-season is also a great way to stretch your wedding-day budget.

Seasoned pros

Mary Carlson, owner of Pure Event Planning & Design, is a wedding and special events planner. She has been in the industry for seven years, and has coordinated 10 winter weddings in Duluth. Amber Gilbert is a winter bride; she and her husband, Justin, were wed Dec. 19, 2015.

Both women agree that winter can be a spectacular time to tie the knot in Duluth. Besides the inherent beauty of the season, couples can typically nab their first-choice venue without a waiting list and save money by marrying in the offseason.

Today, Carlson and Gilbert share what they’ve learned about planning a winter wedding, covering everything from footwear to flowers. When factoring in the rollercoaster of winter weather in the Northland, however, perhaps the

Continued on page 30

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most important tip they can offer is to maintain a positive attitude.

Décor

The Gilbert wedding took place at Duluth Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, with a reception at Lafayette Community Center on Park Point. The couple decorated, fittingly, with snowflakes, candles and twinkly lights. Their color scheme was white and silver, with accents of purple and green.

The natural beauty of our area appealed enormously to the couple. “The idea of a winter wedding seemed cozy and intimate,” Gilbert said. “I really wanted a winter wedding, complete with ice skating and a bonfire. And, the aesthetic of the snow was something I connected with.”

Carlson shared that a winter wedding lit by candlelight can be “comfortable and wonderful.” And when it comes to color schemes, she said, “Wedding colors tend to be on the darker side in the winter. Jewel tones are really popular.”

furniture such as mattresses,recliners

Food and drink

Carlson shared a fun idea for beverages at a winter wedding. “I helped plan a wedding with a hot beverage station, including hot chocolate and coffee drinks, including alcohol,” she said. “In the winter, you can really think outside the box with the bar.”

The Gilbert wedding also featured a hot chocolate bar. And for dinner, their guests were treated to a warm and cozy soup buffet, including cheesy broccoli and chicken wild rice soups. The soup was served with fresh bread, local jams, salad and cheese. Christmas cookies, cheesecake, eclairs and cream puffs were on the menu for dessert.

Flowers

If tying the knot during winter, it’s important to choose your flowers appropriately. “People often don’t take their flowers into consideration for winter weddings,” Carlson said. “But, they can die if you bring them inside and outside repeatedly.”

She recommends leaving the flowers inside until it’s time

for photos. And while Carlson personally prefers real flowers, another option is to go faux.

The Gilberts purposely selected several hardy varietals of flowers and foliage for their wedding day. “We had

eucalyptus and lots of greenery with splashes of hydrangea and white roses. We actually had more foliage than flowers,” Gilbert said.

Continued on page 32

Attire

When it comes to the bridal gown, “Every bride should choose the dress she feels good in, regardless of the season,” Carlson said. “But sleeves are becoming more popular right now. A lot of brides are wearing their grandmother’s shawls, or a coat, and I see a lot more veils in the wintertime. Gilbert covered her own shoulders with

a lace bolero, and purchased pashminas for her bridesmaids.

Carlson shared perhaps the most important tip for winter wedding attire: “Choose appropriate footwear! I love boots for winter weddings. Then they can wear whatever they want once they’re inside.”

Gilbert agreed. She wore white and gray boots while she was outside, saving her sparkly

high heels for indoors.

Weather

The weather is always a big unknown in Duluth. Winter can feature warm temperatures and slush, or snowstorms and ice. The tip is to be prepared for anything.

Leading up to the Gilbert wedding, the weather was unseasonably warm, rainy and muddy. But then the night before, Duluth received the perfect snowfall.

“It snowed enough to cover the trees. I was relieved,” Gilbert said. “It was cold, but it was perfect.”

The unpredictable weather can sometimes even necessitate a last-minute cancellation. “Once while I worked in Chaska, we had a mega-storm, and we had to reschedule a wedding,”

Carlson said. “But, a winter bride is a little more willing to embrace the Minnesota weather. They know it’s going to be cold, and there will probably be snow.”

Benefits of marrying in winter

There are plenty of perks associated with marrying in the off-season. “More brides are considering winter weddings for financial reasons, and also because they don’t want to wait two years for their venue to open up,” Carlson said. “Couples can take their time when planning a winter wedding.”

Gilbert was able to leverage the slower season to score good deal on her wedding photography. A photographer who was out of her budget in the summer was willing to negotiate a lower-priced package in the winter.

A special type of couple

The typical couple planning a winter wedding in Duluth is a lot more laid-back, and willing to accept the unknowns. “We live in Minnesota,” Carlson said. “Half of the year is cold and snowy. We have to just embrace it.”

“I am really happy with how everything turned

Continued on page 34

The Perfect Place to Meet

Be Part of Our Creative Learning Community

Your K-8 Schools of Choice

APPLY NOW FOR 2019-20

This is your opportunity to apply for enrollment for your child, kindergarten-8th grade. Students applying for kindergarten must be five years old by September 1, 2019, and Minnesota residents. First grade applicants must be at least six years of age on September 1, 2019 and Minnesota residents. An exception to the age requirement may be made if the student has completed kindergarten. Applications must be submitted by February 22, 2019, for first consideration and to be entered in our March 1 lottery. However, all will be accepted for consideration throughout the year. For more information and an application, call 218-728-9556 Ext. 5006, or apply online at www.duluthedison.org.

out,” Gilbert said about their December nuptials. “While it wasn’t cold enough for ice skating like I had hoped, we had a nice bonfire on the beach, and could hear the waves of Lake Superior. The look of the snow is just lovely in our pictures, and is something we’ll always treasure.” •

ONLINE

A talented wedding planner can help you manage the unknowns of a wedding any time of the year. Visit pure-events.com to learn more.

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

Photos by Bryan Jonathan Weddings

Amber Gilbert offers advice to people planning a winter wedding.

PHOTO BY DAVID BALLARD PHOTOGRAPHY

By Trina Hoff

We’veall been there: You’re at the register paying for that long-coveted purchase. You swipe your ATM/debit card, and the touch screen asks, “Credit or Debit?” If you’re like most people, you make a choice without investing too much brain power, but do you really know the difference between one choice and another? When is credit better than debit — and the other way around?

If you’re paying with your ATM/ debit card, one thing is always the same: Any credit or debit transaction you make will result in money coming directly out of your checking account. “Credit” transactions are not true credit; payments do not become part of a revolving account, as a regular credit card transaction would. There is no interest and no monthly payments. In this way, “credit” and “debit” charges on your ATM/debit card are largely interchangeable, and in most cases, either choice is perfectly acceptable.

Debit or Credit?

There are a few differences, however:

USE DEBIT WHEN:

• You want cash back. If your shopping day isn’t even half over and you don’t have the cash for a triple latte, this is the choice for you.

• Your transaction is small. ATM/debit cards carry a limit on purchases and withdrawals. If you’re purchasing a bigticket item, you may exceed your daily spending limit — or send the remainder of the day’s transactions into limbo.

• Your account is flush. Debit purchases are instantly taken out of your account, just like an ATM transaction.

USE CREDIT WHEN:

• You want increased fraud protection. VISA and MasterCard have zero liability policies on debit card purchases that are processed as “credit,” meaning you have signed for your purchase rather than

punching in a PIN.

• Your purchase is big. Because of smaller limits imposed when using PIN transactions, larger purchases are more likely to be authorized using signature debit. Keep in mind that there are still limits to the “credit” side of an ATM/debit card; it’s best to confirm this limit prior making that big-ticket item purchase.

Bear in mind that some retailers charge a fee for either one or both “credit” and “debit” services. To avoid excess fees and unwelcome surprises, ask the retailer what fees may apply prior to making a choice between debit and credit. You’ll also avoid excess fees by making sure you have adequate funds to cover any and all purchases you make, credit or debit, before you hit “enter.” Adding an overdraft charge to the purchase of price of any item can turn the best bargain into a splurge. D

Trina Hoff is President and CEO of Northern Communities Credit Union. She wrote this for The Woman Today.

Arts & Events Calendar

Celebrity Dance Challenge

Feb. 7

See what happens when locals from a range of backgrounds mix onstage with professional dance partners. This ever-popular annual event is a fundraiser for the Minnesota Ballet. Fregeau Auditorium at Marshall School, 1215 Rice Lake Road. 7 p.m. Advance tickets $30/$20. At the door, $35/$25. Call (218) 5293742. mnballet.org.

Vegan Cookbook Club

Feb. 7

Learn about meat- and dairy-free cooking in a nonjudgmental environment. 11:30 a.m. at Mount Royal Library, 105 Mt. Royal Shopping Circle.

Valentine’s Crafts for Kids

Feb. 9

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

“British Isles”

Feb. 9

Get ready for Valentine's Day! Drop in anytime between 2-4 p.m. to create your own valentines. For children in K-5. Children younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Duluth main library Green Room, 520 W. Superior St. duluthlibrary.org

The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra presents an amazing journey with a firsttime-ever-in-Minnesota performance of Ethel Smyth’s “On The Cliffs of Cornwall” from “The Wreckers.” Travel over towering mountains and glittering lochs with concertmaster Erin Aldridge and finish up by meeting up with some of Edward Elgar’s closest friends. DECC Symphony Hall, 350 Harbor Drive. 7 p.m. $20$55. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster. com or dsso.com.

Father Daughter Ball

Feb. 9

Create special memories with your daughter that will last a lifetime! A nonprofit outreach mission of Christ Lutheran Church. Visit fatherdaughterballduluth.org.

“Where’s My Money”

Through Feb. 10

When an out-ofwork actor who's cheating on her boyfriend with a married man runs into a woman she hasn't seen in years, the two have some catching up to do. Sardonic and caustic, this play vivisects the institution of marriage with inimitable razor-sharp wit. Tickets $5-$15. St. Scholastica Theatre, 1200 Kenwood Ave. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. 2 p.m. Sundays. Css.edu

Love’s Labor’s Lost

Feb. 7-9, 13-16

Promises declared amongst young friends with the best of intentions, until hormones take over and attraction rules. It’s a battle of the sexes — ‘boys meet girls = love’, but always with the Shakespearean twist. University of Minnesota Duluth. 7:30 p.m., Feb. 10 includes 2 p.m. matinee. $8-$21. (218) 726-8561 or tickets.umn.edu.

Sax-Zim Bog Winter Birding Festival

Feb. 15-17

This weekend festival is hosted by the Toivola Meadowlands Development Board in cooperation with the Friends of SaxZim Bog. It is a full 3-day weekend of field trips, food, speakers. Near Toivola, Minn. saxzimbirdingfestival.com

UMD Music presents

Feb. 18, guest artist Yousif Sheronick, world percussion

Feb. 19, guest artist Sarah Knott, mezzosoprano

Feb. 21, guest artist Sonora Trio

March 22-23, Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival

7:30 p.m. Weber Music Hall. (218) 726-8877 or tickets.umn.edu.

“Catch

Feb. 23

the Big Wave”

The eight-piece band of Big Wave Dave and the Ripples joins the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra for a heart-pounding soul, funk, rock and blues tour that promises to have audience members dancing in their seats. DECC Symphony Hall, 350 Harbor Drive. 7 p.m. $20-$55. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com or dsso.com.

Maria Bamford

Feb. 25

The NorShor Theatre welcomes former Duluthian and comedian Maria Bamford to the stage. 7 p.m. $44.50 at etix.com.

Newsies

Feb. 28-March 10

Set in turn-ofthe-century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy, and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right! ThursdaySaturday at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets $15-$17. On the Depot stage, 506 W. Michigan St. Visit duluthplayhouse.org or call (218) 733-7555.

“Outside Mullingar”

March 1-9

From the author of “Doubt” and “Moonstruck” comes a romantic comedy set in rural Ireland. Lovelorn farmers haven’t got a clue when it comes to love. These hopeless singletons will need to overcome a bitter land feud, familial rivalries and their own romantic fears to find happiness. Staged by Renegade Theater Company. 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. $20/$16. (218) 336-1417. zeitgeistarts. com

Arts & Events Calendar

“Wiley and the Hairy Man”

March 1-10

The spine-tingling tale of a boy and his worst fears. Set deep within the mysterious Tombigbee Swamp, this dramatic play centers around a young fatherless boy, his conjurewoman mother, his faithful dog, and the Hairy Man who haunts Wiley's days and dreams. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sunday March 10 at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at 2 p.m. is a special sensory-friendly performance. All 2 p.m. matinees are paywhat-you-can. Lincoln Park Middle School Auditorium, 3215 W. 3rd St. wisefooltheater. com

Postmodern Jukebox

March 3

Famed time-twisting musical collective Postmodern Jukebox will circumnavigate the globe in 2019 on their Welcome to the Twenties 2.0 Tour. NorShore Theatre, 211 E. Superior St. $59. (866) 300-8300 or jadepresents.com.

“Time’s Up”

March 7-24

#MeToo. Musical theatre. Medieval drama. What do these things have in common? This original piece, based on a 10th-century play and created by UMD students and faculty artists, puts a spin on pop culture, sex and politics. This work is an adaptation of a Hrotsvit of Gandersheim play. ThursdaySaturday at 7:30 p.m. March 24 at 2 p.m. (ASL interpreted). UMD’s Marshall Performing Arts Center — Dudley Experimental Theatre. (218) 726-8561 or tickets.umn.edu.

Dierks Bentley

March 8

The country singer brings his Burning Man tour to the DECC’s Amsoil Arena. 350 Harbor Drive. $32-$70. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

“Across Germany”

March 16

Young Finnish pianist Juho Puhjonen will take the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra audience to new heights with Brahms’ Piano Concerto No.2. The DSSO will also continue its collaboration with Minnesota Public Radio, performing and recording Beethoven’s Symphony No.7. DECC Symphony Hall, 350 Harbor Drive. 7 p.m. $20-$55. Call (800) 7453000 or visit ticketmaster.com or dsso.com.

“Lollipop Concert”

March 17

Enjoy an afternoon of music specially selected for young audiences by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. DECC Symphony Hall, 3 p.m. $5-$10. Family pack of tickets $25 (two adults and up to six children). Call (800) 7453000 or visit ticketmaster.com or dsso.com.

Easter EGG-stravaganza

March 31

Hop on down to the zoo and enjoy hunting for eggs, playing games, special animal enrichments, treats, prizes and the Easter Bunny himself! Baskets of fun for kids of all ages. $5 for ages 3-12, $10 for ages 13 and up. Members are free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit lszooduluth.org or call (218) 730-4500.

NSCSPre-K through 6th

•A 40-acre school forest with environmental education classes taught by an E.E. teacher

•Art, PE, music specialists with licensed teachers

•Attached greenhouse, school orchard and outdoor classrooms

•School-wide assemblies and community activities

•Small classsizes

NSCS’mission is to excel in connectingour students’ academics and learning with their natural and social environmentsina nurturing communitysetting. 5926

Preschool Info

•Fulland half-day options

•Hands-on learning thatis developmentally appropriate

•Competitive tuition rates

•Potential scholarships through Parent Aware

“The Fan”

April 5-14

A comedy in three acts, written in 1763 by Carlo Goldoni. A feisty poor peasant girl has attracted the attentions of suitors. Her brother holds the authority to select the man she shall marry. St. Scholastica Theatre, 1200 Kenwood Ave. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets $5-$15. Css.edu

“Toward the Heavens”

April 13

Be treated to compelling and seldom explored works by Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn on this musical sojourn. The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra presents unforgettable melodies and powerful choruses. DECC Symphony Hall, 350 Harbor Drive. 7 p.m. $20$55. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster. com or dsso.com.

Ryan Road, Duluth, MN 55804 218-525-0663 northsorecommunityschool.org

Recognizing Women as a Driving Force

Recognizing Women as a Driving Force

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:

Most Engaged Volunteer – Do you know someone who goes above and beyond and works tirelessly in the region for the good of us all?

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

WeGREYSOLON BALLROOM BY BLACKWOODS • Tuesday, APRIL 4, 2019 • 5 P.M. join us for appetizers and champagne gets stuff done!

Leadership Award – Presented to women who represent outstanding achievement in their field of endeavor.

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

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.

The Rosie Award – Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of the United States, representing the American women 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

Deadline for nominations is March 1st.

For questions please contact Ali 218-428-2929

sponsored by

A real 'FIXER UPPER'

New modern farmhouse channels ideas from popular TV show

By Alison Stucke

Ann

and Randy have a beautiful new “Modern Farmhouse”-style home in the Moose Lake area. They started building in November 2016 and moved in July 2017. It’s the third home they’ve built during their 32 years of marriage, so they felt that they knew what to do and when to do it this time through the building process. The couple had a fabulous team with designer Mindy of MS Designs, general contractor Todd Soukkala, and cabinets by An-

drea of Morningstar Woodworks.

“This was my second time working with Randy and Ann,” said Mindy of MS Designs. “The goal this time was to build a modern-styled farmhouse, which encompasses high, open ceilings and an open floor plan. Clean exterior lines with varying siding options and shutters maximize the modern farmhouse styling on the outside.

Continued on page 44

PHOTO BY MICHELLE TRUAX

Top: A dark wood farm table accents the white shiplap in true Gaines style

Left: High wall full of windows brings daylight shining in the living area.

Bottom: Ann incorporated shiplap beautifully on walls around the fireplace.

Ann put a lot of time and effort into organizing her ultimate goal of this house, and it really shows.”

Ann also credits a favorite television personality for the inspiration for the décor of the warm and welcoming home: Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper.”

“I’m a big fan of the show ‘Fixer Upper’ and of Joanna Gaines,” Ann said. “One hundred percent of my inspiration came from ‘Fixer Upper.’”

In the show, Gaines transforms homes from a variety of periods and in a variety of styles — many with issues and problems — into places of character and light. Ann started with a gorgeous new open-concept style house resplendent with daylight shining in from a high wall full of windows in the living area. Throughout the home, Ann followed Gaines’ guidelines for the modern farmhouse style, including the following details throughout:

• White as the predominant paint color, and neutral colors for accent paints, including very soft greys, taupes and greens;

• White cupboards and cabinetry in the kitchen;

• Dark accent pieces against the white, including bronze handles on drawers and cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms; black chandeliers and lamps, black iron railings on the staircase and along a balcony walkway above the living area;

• Wood accent pieces including wood tables, wood-look porcelain tile flooring, a long wood shelf above the ceramic fireplace, and a sliding barn door;

• A single, deep farmhouse sink and farmhouse faucet in the kitchen; and

• A mix of metal types throughout the house, including polished chrome faucets in the sinks, showers and bathtubs, dark iron grates on the stove, and dark metal towel holders and light

fixtures in the bathrooms.

“I like to mix it up when it comes to hardware and fixture finishes,” Ann said.

Gaines is big on shiplap, a type of wooden board used commonly as exterior siding in the construction of barns, sheds, outbuildings and residences. But she is a proponent of using it on the walls inside the house for a rustic look. Ann incorporated it beautifully in pine on walls around

the fireplace, in the dining area, and parts of the kitchen including on the island. She also used subway tile, also beloved by Gaines, with grey grout in the bathrooms and as backsplash in the kitchen.

“Working with Ann was a joy,” said kitchen designer Andrea Kiehl of Morning Star Woodworks, Inc., in Cloquet. “She had a strong style vision,

Continued on page 46

and we worked together to bring that vision for her home to life. In the kitchen we used an inset, flat panel door style in a white finish to give her home a timeless farmhouse look. Paired with modern finishes, it looks like something right out of HGTV! We mixed in some fun colors into the laundry room and back entry. We also copied a picture Ann had found online for her guest bath vanity. We incorporated some wood pieces to set everything off, including a custom barn door, fireplace-TV center, beam wrap, and some rustic pieces for the office. This is definitely at the top of my list of favorite design projects over the 17 years I have been with Morning Star.”

Ann found pieces from different episodes of ‘Fixer Upper’ to incorporate into her design. A friend, Brent Minkkinen of Minkkinen Iron in Minneapolis, was able to create a cathedral-style iron railing that matched the one Ann noticed and loved from a particular episode that

aired while they were building. The railing wraps around the curves of the wall all the way up the staircase.

“The cathedral arch pattern is repeated throughout our home on the wooden pew by the door, a mirror, vintage window and bench on the front

porch,” Ann said.

Ann also recreated a charming bathroom that she saw on Pinterest for their bathroom off the home’s front entryway. She found and ordered the star-patterned ceramic tile flooring.

Morning Star Woodworks was able to duplicate the sink console from the photo Ann shared. The star pendant light that hangs above the sink was found online and chosen to complement the vintage-look floor. The results are breathtaking.

The home also features a bedroom for the couple’s granddaughter (decorated all in pink, by her request); a screen porch; an office breezeway; and an in-law suite with its own cooking facilities.

“This modern-day farmhouse was a great build,” said general contractor Todd Soukkala. “It had different features than other houses we’ve built. Specifically, the roof design, which had many different pitches and angles. Also, the general layout was a unique design, with the apartment in the back and the office being above the garage. The black-and-white exterior color is something we don’t normally see but was very fitting for this house design. The siding design with the narrower shiplap and the board and batten on the gables of the house added even more character. Another nice look to this house was the galvanized tin on the covered porch roof.”

Ann and Randy love the location of their home. It’s on a blacktop road, includes a good amount of acreage, and is close to town. A charming pond borders one corner of the yard, and in

Continued on page 49-53

62 AND 72 COUNTRY CLUB LANE

Opposite: A black iron bed maintains the rustic farmhouse aesthetic and accents the neutral colors.

Below: White appliances blend-in drawing focus to the fun colors in the accent shelf and the dark porcelain floor.

winter the family can skate on it. Both Ann and Randy grew up nearby, and they have siblings in the area whom they see often.

“All that was here when we bought the land was one wall of a little house that had been here and two cast iron twin beds,” Ann said. “We really like this location. We’re going to be here for quite a while.” D

Alison Stucke is a Duluth freelance writer. Her "Home Touches" feature appears in every issue of The Woman Today.

Creamy Broccoli Salad

By Sarah and Tony Nasello

Whenit comes to food, there are only two ways I enter a new year: either by giving in to the bitter cold with the most indulgent comfort food recipes or by opting to give myself a much-needed post-holiday detox. While broccoli qualifies as a prime detox ingredient, I like to think that it can also provide a bit of comfort, especially after all the rosettes, beef wellington, sparkling zabaglione and sparkling wine I consumed in December. My body is practically begging me to indulge in a nutritious, yet delicious, Creamy Broccoli Salad.

When I’m really committed to eating well, I’ll often prepare a big-batch salad on Sunday so that I have several servings ready to enjoy throughout the week.

These powerhouse salads always include a good variety of vegetables, as

well as additional ingredients like beans and nuts for added protein — in this case, I’m using chickpeas, sliced almonds and sunflower seeds.

The ingredients in this salad have been selected primarily because they will hold up well over several days, even with a creamy dressing. Moreover, they all have great nutritional value and complement the broccoli in flavor, texture and color. And, to ease you into a healthier lifestyle, many of the ingredients can be purchased in packages ready to use, including the broccoli florets, matchstick carrots, shredded red cabbage, grated cheddar cheese and even the pomegranate seeds.

The amounts given in the recipe are just suggestions –- you can add more or less of any ingredient, as desired. Broccoli is one of the healthiest foods on the planet and a great veggie to embrace as part of a healthy eating regimen. This cruciferous plant is low in calories and packed with nutrients that help to decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, while boosting the body’s energy, immunity, digestion and even one’s complexion.

And, when combined with rest of the ingredients, there is enough ammunition in this salad to give your body just what it needs.

I toss the salad with a Lemon Pepper Yogurt Dressing made with plain Greek yogurt as the base. Creamy, tangy and wonderfully versatile, you can find plain Greek yogurt in whole fat, low-fat and nonfat varieties.

I am uncharacteristically opting for the non-fat variety, something I rarely ever do with dairy products. However, I’ve found Greek yogurt to be an exception to this rule because it holds up well in both texture and flavor, even without the fat. And skipping the fat in the yogurt means I can add just a touch of fat to the salad, in the forms of cheddar cheese, which pairs so well with broccoli, and extra-virgin olive oil.

Creamy Broccoli Salad with Lemon

Pepper Yogurt Dressing

Makes: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

1 12-ounce package of broccoli florets, stems removed and cut into smaller, bite-size florets

¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted

¼ cup sunflower seeds

1 cup red cabbage, shredded

1 cup carrots, matchstick style

½ cup pomegranate arils (seeds) or dried

cranberries

1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed

½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, thick grate

Lemon Pepper Yogurt Dressing

⅔ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

½ teaspoon lemon zest

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, add more as needed

1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard

½ teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon honey

½ teaspoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)

1 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste

3 green onions, green part only, diced small

Directions: Make the dressing at least one hour, or up to 2 days, in advance of preparing the salad.

Place all the ingredients in a Mason jar — except the green onions — and shake vigorously until fully combined (a food processor can also be used). Taste and add more vinegar, lemon juice, seasonings, etc. as desired.

Add the diced green onions and refrigerate for at least an hour before using. (Marinating the green onions will mellow their heat and add flavor to the dressing.)

To assemble the salad: In a large bowl, add the broccoli and half of the dressing. Stir until broccoli florets are evenly coated.

Add the remaining salad ingredients, reserving some of the almonds and pomegranate arils to garnish, if desired. Add the rest of the dressing, starting with half and adding more as needed; stir to combine. Any leftover dressing may be refrigerated for at least 3 days.

May be served immediately, but for best results refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Store salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. D

Sarah Nasello writes for Forum Communication Co. featuring recipes by her husband, Tony Nasello. The couple lives in Fargo, N.D., with their son, Giovanni.

Native art at the Tweed

The Tweed Museum of Art celebrated the opening of “Intersections & Manifest'o: A Presentation of Contemporary Native Art” on Nov. 15. The reception celebrated several local Native American artists and musicians and included a multi-media installation.

A night at the Tweed —

The Tweed Museum of Art hosted an opening reception for artist Anne Labovitz on Oct. 25. Her exhibit, "122 Conversations: Person to Person, Art Beyond Borders," celebrated the combined 122 years of relationship with Duluth’s five sister Cities: Rania, Iraqi Kurdistan; Vaxjo, Sweden; Petrozavodsk, Russia; Thunder Bay, Canada; and Ohara Isumi-City, Japan.

Julie and Chris McGlincey

Annie Dugan and Ken Bloom

Patricia Burns, John Lawien, Lizette Lawien, Mary Ebert, Terry Roberts

Karissa White and Joanne Ellison

Joe and Karen Nease

Jill Christie, Evelyn Anderson

Crystal Lohman, Anne Labovitz, Christine Strom

Christine Strom, Cheng-Khee Chee, Jeff Larson, Sing-Bee Chee

Dennis Lamkin and Jon Niemi

Kathy McTavish and Sheila Packa

Sheryl Smythe, Michelle Champlin Bergner, Karen Melk Robert and Rebecca Lindquist

Jim Denomie and Ann Klefstad Brenda Child and Steve Premo

Carl Gawboy and Ed Newman

Irina Haller and Linda Nervick

PHOTOS

Karissa White, Patricia Norby and Brenda Child

Leah Yellowbird and Ivy Vaino

Gary Glass and Nancy Olson

Benny Winebeck and Anne Labovitz

Briand Morrison, Karen Savage-Blue and Christine Strom

Ainsley Thole, Bryce Makela and Helen Makela

Alexandera Houchin, Kasey Rankle, Kamie Ashanti and Abbie Rivard

Superior celebrationStreet —

A crowd gathered and danced in the middle of Superior Street on the morning of Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of a three-year reconstruction project. They stood, listened to local leaders and danced on the 400 block of Superior Street in front of the Maurices building and other locally owned shops. Folk dancing was led by Harbor Harbor City String Band.

Support for Safe Haven —

More than 300 people attended the Oct. 11 Safe Haven fundraising luncheon at the Greysolon. This year marked 40 years of service battling domestic violence.

Mary Murphy and Zack Filipovich

Annie Harala, Scott Kyrola and Lance Lindahl

Lynn Nelson and Shari Sega

Kristi Stokes and Tammie McDonald

Safe Haven Executive Director Susan Utech and Rachel Leland

Julie Plys and Mary Stauber

Tristan Erspamer, Sophia Beaver and John Johnson

Darlene Marshal and Sara Sarvela

Troy Otterson

Heather Rand and Greg Wegler

Tamesha Pannell and Deborah Daniel

Carla Powers, a special friend, and Barb Paralla

Nancy Rubin, Kate Beresford and Mark Rubin

PHOTOS BY NAOMI YAEGER

Stephanie Goldfarb, Anna Bailey and Keri Jenkins

Joan Peterson, Jean DeRider and Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken

Brandi Grandaw and Brittany Preberg

Armella Bijold and Susie Backstrom

John DeSantos and Georgianne Sam

Brandon and Katie Hall

PHOTOS BY NAOMI YAEGER

Dan Chicos and Laura Johnson

Renee Lyttle and Karen Zimmerman