The Woman Today Jan/Feb 2022

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PROFILES

6 Jessica Chenevert

From medical crisis to meaningful mission

10 Katelyn France

Inspiring women to make tomorrow beautiful

14 Sarojini Sharma

From India to 'at home' in Superior

FEATURES

18 Weddings: The big day is here

22 Esko's Woodfire Candle Company

26 Celebrating 25 Years

ENTERTAINMENT/ARTS

24 Arts and Events Calendar

HEALTH/MEDICINE

28 St. Luke’s Hope for the heart

32 Essentia Quitting for a better future

FINANCIAL ADVICE

37 Women and Investing

FASHION

30 Fashions by Sam

FOOD/NUTRITION

46 Eating Fresh in the New Year with Mount Royal Market

HOME TOUCHES

34 From baby blue to modern chic

DIY

44 Remodel a coffee table into a bench

WOMANthe today

GROUP PUBLISHER

Neal Ronquist

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Rick Lubbers

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Megan Keller

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Ali Carlson

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Renae Ronquist

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Julie Schulz

CONTRIBUTORS

Abigail Blonigen

Andrea Busche

Carmen Smalley

Comstock Creative

Jessica Chenevert

Katelyn France

Molly Milroy

Molly Ovenden

Samantha Roffers

Sarojini Sharma

TO OUR READERS

Hello, readers!

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2022!

This year marks a very important milestone for The Woman Today. We are celebrating our 25th anniversary!

Thank you to all our loyal customers and advertisers who support us with each issue. Because of you, we are driven to continue and create a fabulous magazine. In this issue, you will hear from our publisher, Neal Ronquist, who will deliver a very special message on celebrating our 25th anniversary.

I have been on the team since 2017, and this is my favorite part of my job. I truly enjoy learning about all of the amazing businesses and stories that women in the Northland have to share. Thank you for opening your doors to us. I experienced a very proud moment when I was at Serenity Salon and Spa for our Fashions by Sam photo shoot. I saw a group of ladies standing around the front counter, reading our magazine and chatting about the stories. My heart swelled with joy to see that. The December 2021 issue may have been one of our most popular issues to date — we distributed 10,000 copies around the Northland at the end of November and the racks were nearly cleared before Dec 1.

In this issue of The Woman Today, we have a wonderful variety of great stories to share with you. January tends to be the month all about weddings and getting your health in focus. You may have heard the business name Serenity Salon and Spa a few times — as this truly is an amazing hidden gem located right in Superior, Wisconsin. Sam Roffers, our fashionista for the magazine, and I received a tour of the entire facility. One room in particular presented itself to have “a lot of energy” as Sam put it. It even made her a little emotional. This was their reiki healing room; they even mentioned in the salon they have to leave the door closed because of its powerful energies. I am intrigued and would like to experience this for myself!

While staying in Superior, Sarojini Sharma left India to become an American citizen to pursue a career in medicine. She has a beautiful story to share about her life.

Going from Superior to Esko, Minnesota, we have another business with a unique story. Moving from her home to a storefront business, Kristin Hinricks, owner of Woodfire Candle Company, shares her journey to making today's Woodfire candles which are sold in all 50 states.

Also, February is known as American Heart Month. We had the pleasure of meeting a remarkable woman named Katelyn France, who was selected as one of the American Heart Association’s 2020 EmPOWERED to Serve Scholars. Next, Jessica Chenevert shared the story of her son's journey with congenital heart disease. See how she turned her personal mission of helping her son into a deeply meaningful career.

May the start of 2022 treat you well, may you have goals set that motivate you and may your health be well! I look forward to this new year.

Thank you for picking up this issue of The Woman Today. We know you will enjoy it!

Megan Keller Advertising Director

From medical crisis to meaningful mission

By Andrea Busche

According to Jessica Chenevert, marketing director for Conquering CHD, 1 in every 100 babies is born with the medical condition known as congenital heart disease.

“CHD is the most common birth defect affecting babies born today,” she said.

Within that shocking statistic several permutations exist.

“There are actually about 40 different heart defects possible,” Chenevert said.

According to the Conquering CHD website, nearly 40,000 babies will be born with CHD in the United States this year alone. Estimates suggest that there are nearly 1.5 million adults living with CHD today.

For Chenevert, her career — which is centered around helping other families dealing with CHD — was launched out of a very frightening time in her own personal life. Her son, Barrett, was born with CHD and had a total of three heart defects. Through learning about Barrett’s condition, along with volunteering and advocating for the cause, Chenevert eventually turned a personal mission of helping her son into a deeply meaningful career.

Medical background

Chenevert is originally from the small North Shore community of Lutsen, Minnesota. Her great-great-great grandfather, C.A.A. Nelson, was the original founder of Lutsen

ski hill and resort, and her family retains deep ties to the community.

After graduating from Cook County High School, Chenevert pursued a career in the medical field. She earned an associate’s degree in medical billing and coding, and later became a certified nursing assistant and then a trained medical assistant.

“I have always loved the medical side of things,” she said. “I’m just drawn to it. It was a fortuitous decision for me to pursue a medical career, but I just didn’t know it at the time.”

Chenevert also worked in education for a while. She was a paraprofessional at Birch Grove Community School in Tofte, which is where she met her husband, Nolan Chenevert — a second and third grade teacher. They married in 2013.

Barrett’s arrival

When the Cheneverts were expecting their son, everything looked great.

“I had a normal, healthy pregnancy, and my ultrasounds showed that everything was fine,” Chenevert said.

However, at just 20 hours old, baby Barrett developed cyanosis — a condition where the skin turns blue due to lack of oxygen. His pulse also dropped into the 30s. The decision was made to airlift the tiny infant to Children’s Minnesota, and his

Barret Chenevert, who is 7 now, enjoys baseball and horse therapy.

Below: Jessica Chenevert and her son Barrett bond while he was an inpatient at Children’s Minnesota.

distraught parents were forced to stay behind — later driving to the Twin Cities to be with their son.

“We said goodbye to him, and it was so emotional,” Chenevert shared. “We weren’t sure if we’d see him again.”

Upon arrival, Barrett immediately underwent a heart catheterization procedure. At just 56 hours old, he had his first open-heart surgery — an arterial switch operation — to correct the transposition of his great arteries. A septal defect (hole in the heart) was also discovered and corrected/closed at that time. And, at 13 days old, Barrett had another surgery to repair a coarctation of his aorta.

After a very frightening 17 days, Barrett was doing well, and the family was sent home from the hospital.

“We had medications to deal with, and lots of medical appointments,” Chenevert said. “But there wasn’t a lot of extra care required other than the suggestion that we ‘try not to let him cry too hard,’ which is tough with an infant.”

While Jessica and Nolan were incredibly grateful for their son’s recovery, it was tough to absorb the fact that Barrett’s heart condition would be for life.

“Thankfully, defects can be repaired, but Barrett will live with CHD forever,” Chenevert said.

Looking for support

While she was home caring for Barrett, Chenevert wondered what forms of support existed for families dealing with CHD. She stumbled upon the Pediatric Congenital Heart Association (now known as Conquering CHD).

“I really connected with the information and content they had,” she shared. “First, I followed them on social media, and I was eventually offered the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to share my story with Congress. I loved the idea of it being more than just helping my kid — I could make a difference on a bigger scale.”

Chenevert noted that she was “bitten by the advocacy bug,” and immediately began volunteering for the organization. She has been a regular employee since 2018. Through her role as marketing director, Chenevert handles the marketing, graphic design and communications needs for the organization, and also runs its website.

“I get to be the voice for our organization and make sure we reach everyone who needs us,” she said. “I help make sure our resources are accessible and relevant, and everyone has a place to land and be heard.”

Continued on page 8

Jessica Chenevert

Other initiatives

Chenevert donates her time to other related organizations, too. She serves on the education and training committee for the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Collaborative, and up until this year served as co-chair for the Congenital Heart Public Health Consortium.

She also volunteers for the Minnesota Chapter of Conquering CHD, of which she is a founding member. In 2016, she was recognized for her volunteer work and won a national Heart Hero award from Conquering CHD.

Barrett today

Today, the Chenevert family lives in Duluth. Nolan is the educational technologist for Duluth Edison Charter Schools. The family has a dog named Penny. When she isn’t working, Jessica enjoys singing and hiking. And Barrett is an active, healthy 7-year-old boy who loves baseball, enjoys doing horse therapy, and also helps advocate for the cause. In fact, he has joined his mom twice on trips to Washington D.C.

Barrett Chenevert at the United States Capitol, where he shared his story and advocated in Washington D.C.

“Barrett is just like other kids, but he has something that makes him unique,” Chenevert said. “He has to learn his own limits. He can participate in any activities, but must listen to his body. He will always need to see a congenital heart cardiologist, remain on blood thinners, and he must be mindful that he is at higher risk. Barrett is a best-case scenario, but even at 7, he’s at the beginning of a lifelong journey.”

Support

Chenevert has a powerful message for anyone dealing with this condition, and urges families to reach out to her organization for support.

“I know it’s an overwhelming time, and it can be really stressful,” she said. “But you are now part of a community, and a family who understands. You will have people in your corner from now on.” D

For information and support surrounding CHD, please visit conqueringchd.org.

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

Katelyn France and STEM: Inspiring women to make tomorrow beautiful

By Molly Ovenden

"Hi,I'm Katelyn France. I have a cat named Switzerland and I speak German,” France said as she laughed at her favorite personal introduction.

A University of Minnesota Duluth pharmacy student, France, 21, is making a difference empowering young women, and through her own innovations, while pursuing a master’s degree in public health and doctorate in pharmacy.

France studied through PSEO in high school, managed early graduation from UMD, majoring in chemistry and biochemistry, minoring in German and quality science education.

France continues high level achievement academically and through her business, Scientists Making Your Life Easier, LLC.

She prioritizes spending time with people she cares about, too, loves hiking and crocheting hats to donate. She’s even hand embroidered a sweater: “Put it on my Google Calendar.” It’s how she accomplishes everything.

“I believe that what we create today is the inspiration for tomorrow and what a beautiful day tomorrow will be,” France said.

February is American Heart Month

Selected as one of the American Heart Association’s 2020 EmPOWERED to Serve Scholars, France won a financial scholarship and the opportunity to work with Briana Johnson, AHA development director.

“The AHA works to engage more women in STEM through a program called 'STEM Goes Red,’ drawing from our organization’s long history based in science, technology, engineering and math,” Johnson said.

National Wear Red Day is Feb. 4. France, AHA’s keynote speaker at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center on Feb. 9, will discuss her career path and current projects in relation to the AHA.

“‘Go Red for Women’ is the AHA’s signature initiative to raise awareness that heart disease is women’s greatest health threat, and to educate and empower women to take action to lower their risk,” Johnson said.

France’s grandpa, mom and brother were all diagnosed with

Katelyn France turns 22 in February 2022, a sophomore in UMD Pharmacy School, pursuing a Masters of Public Health and Doctorate of Pharmacy.

heart disease, so she’s “a passionate advocate” for the AHA, France said.

What is MAQR?

At the end of her ninth grade year, France saw an ad for a medical alert bracelet. At $100 for a simple piece of metal, she thought she could do better.

France remembered what her science teacher, Joe Ranger, said: “If you think you can make the world a better place, why aren’t you doing that right now?”

His words spurred her on.

France has been developing the Medical Assistance via Quick Response code bracelet since 2015.

MAQR’s tagline, “Help is only one scan away,” demonstrates how its design is intended to be easy to use, accessible to everyday people, and patient-focused. Anyone with a smartphone can scan it and be empowered to help someone having a medical emergency.

Scanning the code bracelet brings the user to a page with information about the patient’s emergency protocols, location

of the patient’s medication and what help they’re likely to need. From the rural Hinckley area, France has experience waiting with family over 30 minutes for an ambulance. The

Continued on page 12

France's MAQR bracelet features a scannable QR code, making information about how to help the wearer in the event of a medical emergency.

France displays the MAQR bracelet with the scannable QR code, which provides instructions to help in a medical emergency while waiting for medical help to arrive.

Top: France works in the lab finetuning the MAQR bracelet features.

Middle: Katelyn France poses with her high school science teacher Dennis Boxrud and mentor Dr. Cynthia Welsh after winning a chance to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Bottom: Katelyn France has spoken on many occasions as a result of her invention, including as a keynote with the American Heart Association and presenting her MAQR bracelet to Governor Walz.

MAQR bracelet offers quick aid till emergency services arrive.

Inspiration for future generations

France began work on the MAQR bracelet prototype right away and presented her invention at the 2015 International Science and Engineering Fair.

“This is like the Olympics of science fairs,” France said.

For three years, France competed at the ISEF, alongside students from around the world who presented inventions, including a new sort of battery and lasers for curing Alzheimer’s.

At the first competition, a second grade girl visited France’s booth. After talking to France, the student told her mom she wanted to be just like France when she grew up. France nearly burst into tears.

“That’s what STEM is all about,” France said.

Strong women in STEM

France has always had strong women in her life, but not always in STEM fields. She’s grateful for the numerous men and women who’ve advocated for and encouraged her over the years.

When she began competing in science fairs, however, she met her mentor, Dr. Cynthia Welsh, regional director for Northeastern Minnesota science fairs. Welsh encouraged France

to pursue opportunities which stretched her.

Her confidence grew and during her involvement with the AHA, the development director saw her as an inspiration.

“I have two young daughters and the moment I met Katelyn I wanted my girls to know her,” Johnson said. “She has an incredible thirst for knowledge and a creative curiosity, combined with a generous heart that is always thinking of ways to help others and make her community a better place for future generations.”

France is also excited to have another woman, Dr. Laura Palombi, as her research mentor in pharmacy school.

“Strong women in science really inspired me and got me excited about becoming that representation I lacked,” France said.

Representation and opportunities

While France is excited now to be in a predominantly female

pharmacy class, it’s not simply about having women in STEM for the sake of it. It’s about having wider diversity in perspectives.

She remembers one class when they discussed a case study depicting a situation in a rural area, similar to her own community. Her fellow students didn’t understand the implications of the issue in the study. When France spoke up, describing her rural life experience, her perspective broadened her classmates’ viewpoints.

Bringing diverse perspectives means “solving it in a way that matters,” she said, “I think is really important.”

France wants to inspire those who might not naturally be exposed to STEM subjects. Through speaking opportunities, including at her high school, she also mentors young women who might be interested in a similar career path to her own.

“The support is not so much the hand reaching down, but the stepladder boosting you up,” France said.

She’s hopeful to make a difference, providing that boost and opportunities for future generations.

“(Volunteering) is a great way to make connections and can open doors like it did for Katelyn to scholarships, contests and even internships and jobs down the road,” Johnson said.

“There are so many opportunities that exist if you're willing to put in the time and the energy to look for them,” France said. D

Molly Ovenden is a Duluth freelance writer.

Katelyn France, shown here with students in her program, constantly invests in women around her, empowering them to explore STEM fields.

From India to ‘at home’ in Superior

By Molly Ovenden

"I’man immigrant person who is super happy here. I lack nothing,” Sarojini Sharma said.

Sharma, 56, was born in India in the state of Punjab, city of Ludhiana. In 1993, Sharma traveled to America via Milwaukee before settling in Superior, Wisconsin, in 2002.

It was her medical profession which made it easier to move.

Why medicine?

Sharma’s education didn’t start in medicine, but engineering.

“When I was little in India, I was good at maths and physics,” Sharma said.

Several family members were engineers, so she pursued that field, but only for two weeks. Her aunt told her to study medicine, instead, so she did.

When choosing between family practice, which specializes in younger, often healthier patients, or internal medicine with adult patients, including more complex issues with the elderly, it was easy to choose internal medicine.

“No surgeries!” Sharma said.

She loves practicing medicine, researching to help her diagnose patients. Sharma believes God prompted her and gave her the innate ability and energy to practice medicine.

Even coming from a middle class Indian family, pursuing higher education is necessary.

Attending college is, Sharma said, “(an) attempt to climb out of poverty.”

Because education is so highly valued, Sharma said everyone

years,” Sharma said.

She gave up her Indian citizenship to become American. Dual citizenship isn’t possible, but this was fine with Sharma.

She’d been in an abusive arranged marriage, and got divorced, feeling ashamed.

“I really don’t miss India because I attach it to that severe trauma I had,” Sharma said.

She actually prayed that she could go somewhere far away from India. That’s when she found an opportunity in Wisconsin.

English is a standard subject of Indian primary education. All of medical school is taught entirely in English, too, so the language and her training made moving easy.

Sharma was already practicing internal medicine in India. When she came to America, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) assessed her ability to practice medicine as a licensed physician in the United States of America.

“We have to take repeat boards every so often to keep up to date with guidelines,” Sharma said.

She did an internal medicine residency in Milwaukee before

Continued on page 16

Sarojini Sharma celebrates Xena’s puppy graduation.

her current role started through Essentia. Prioritizing family, furry and otherwise

Sharma wanted to sponsor her family to emigrate to America, too, so the decision to revoke her Indian citizenship was a practical one. She became a citizen, then sponsored her family. It was a long but worthwhile process. Sharma’s mom and sister moved to America in 2018 to live with her. Her other sister and her children also live nearby.

Sharma has two fur babies in her family, too. Xena, a mini pinscher, and Enu, a Chihuahua shiatsu mix, who came from Texas only seven days before Sharma’s father passed away.

“(Enu) was such a beautiful comfort,” Sharma said.

Sharma said Xena (or “Gattu,” her Indian name meaning “plumpy”) is her princess warrior.

Sharma sits with Enu to make sure he eats.

“He is such a prince,” Sharma laughed. “He’s spoiled to the core!”

Language

Sharma’s home is full of joy, food, and multiple languages, even with her dogs.

“They are both bilingual!” she laughed.

With her sister and mom, they use a mixture of English and Punjabi. Many people in India speak English because of the historic British colonization.

Coming to the USA, one of the cultural issues she faced is, “they can’t seem to say my name right,” Sharma said.

But, she’s not offended. She lets people call her Sarah because it’s easier to understand, although her name, Sarojini is pronounced with a long, accented “o.”

“My patients find my last name easy, so Dr. Sharma is good,” she said.

Religion

Raised in a Hindu family, Sharma’s love of reading changed her life.

“I was, like, 22 years of age and I always loved to read and there was a Christian magazine,” she said, that she found while she was a student.

There were Bible verses at the end of the magazine. She got a Bible for herself and while reading it, Sharma said God spoke to her.

“I found one true God,” she said. This is significant, “because in India there are many gods.”

Because of her unhappiness from her marriage, her choice of religion was allowed.

She remembered her dad saying, “Let her do what she wants to do.”

Food

Hospitality is a way of life for Sharma and her family. They make sure their guests are well fed, offering chai and plenty of food.

“We don’t eat meat at all,” Sharma said, but roti, roasted potato and cauliflower, and lentils are her favorites.

With access to online Indian grocery stores, Sharma and her family are able to order pretty much any Indian food they’d like.

Sarojini Sharma with her niece, Jagriti. Sharma enjoys having family nearby.

Sarojini Sharma, left, and her sisters, Alka and Rekha, celebrate their niece’s marriage.

Healing from trauma and burnout

When she came to America, Sharma found her identity and worth in her work. She said she believed lies about herself, that something was wrong with her and that she wasn’t worthy of love and belonging. She kept everyone at a distance.

“I couldn’t give or receive love,” Sharma said.

With workaholic tendencies, she suffered burnout.

“Since I had suppressed all my unhealed wounds,” she said, she still felt a lot of shame.

“Now my focus is in transformation and soul care,” Sharma said.

About eight years ago, she changed her schedule to work part time, which she said, “is more conducive to soul care.”

She walks with Enu and Xena and enjoys views of Lake Superior. She attributes her healing and self-worth to God.

When asked what she wished people knew about her, Sharma said, “I would rather they knew Jesus…that would get them someplace.” D

Molly

Sarojini Sharma loves cuddling her furry babies, Enu, left, and Xena. She attributes her healing and self-worth to God.

The Big Day is Here

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Treat yourself and your bridesmaids to some well-deserved pampering

By Andrea Busche

The American wedding industry has grown exponentially in recent decades, due in large part to popular reality TV shows, including “Say Yes to the Dress” and “Bridezillas.”

As such, modern couples have more options than ever for their nuptials. Brides and grooms today are spending more on everything from the dress and the honeymoon to a little prewedding pampering.

In fact, the average cost of a wedding in 2020 was $19,000, according to popular wedding website The Knot. While this number may sound high, this figure is actually on the low side, as many couples “downsized” their weddings due to COVID-

19. The bottom line: Weddings today are big business.

One particular subset of this booming industry includes pre-wedding beauty appointments. Where once it was common for a bride to simply get her hair done for her wedding day, the pre-wedding beauty ritual now includes manicures, pedicures, professional makeup, lash extensions, facials, laser hair removal, Botox and more. Many brides also include their bridesmaids in the fun, and enjoy bonding while undertaking a few of these beauty treatments together.

To learn more, we recently visited with Jolene Timmers, the owner of several businesses dedicated to these services; in fact,

Jessica (Sajec) Matson of Superior poses with her bridal party, Haylee Matson of South Dakota, Lainy Schorr of Superior, Marisa Miner of Superior, Carolyn Olson of Chicago, Jamie Derwin of Green Bay, and Jolene Timmers of Solon Springs. Jessica and Chase Matson were married April 20, 2018.

weddings, prom and other special events make up roughly 40% of her annual revenue. Timmers’ businesses offer the perfect “one stop shop” for a bride and her crew to relax and enjoy some well-deserved pampering.

The shops

Timmers, whose businesses are located at 1705 Tower Ave. in Superior, has been a leader in the beauty industry for a long time.

“I’ve always wanted to be independent and own my own business,” she said. “And I wanted a facility that gave our stylists a place to grow.”

Timmers herself is a certified cosmetologist, meaning she is trained to treat hair, skin and nails; she is also Xtreme Lash certified, and does teeth whitening, chemical peels, SkinPen and microdermabrasion treatments.

“I’m a firm believer in expanding my education,” she said. “The more services you know, the more you can offer.”

Timmers also employs a medical director and registered nurse to handle the medical-grade treatments that occur onsite.

Timmers began her empire in 2009, when she started creating a business plan. In 2010, she opened Serenity Spa and Salon, and purchased the building later that same year. In subsequent years, she has added Superior Salon Suites, Twin Ports Laser and Cosmetic, and Posh Affair Boutique to the family. In 2021, her younger sister, Jessica Matson, and her business partner, Raya Horst, took over Serenity Spa and Posh Affair Boutique; however, Timmers remains deeply involved in the businesses.

Timmers is incredibly proud of her businesses, her staff, and noted strong support from the local business community, too.

“Our community has just been great,” she said. “And we support continued growth in women and in business — we really want to encourage that. It’s so rewarding to watch staff members start out in beauty school and grow to eventually open their own hair chair. Being a mentor to others is my favorite part.”

Trends

As Timmers and her team handle many wedding parties, she has her thumb firmly on the pulse of some popular hair and makeup trends.

“When I first started in this industry, we didn’t do airbrush makeup,” she said. “But now airbrush makeup is very popular. People also want highlighting, contouring and matte finishes.

Lashes are also very popular — strip lashes, groupings and permanent lash extensions.”

When it comes to hair, trends vary.

“I get requests for a lot of braiding,” she shared. “Bubble braids and Elsa braids are popular. Classic, loose waves, hair up with pieces coming down, and half-up, half-down styles are also popular.”

Timmers also noted a few helpful recommendations for brides.

“Drinking water is huge for the health of your skin. But a lot of brides come in with skin issues. For instance, if they are breaking out, they will often get a facial. We’ll do some light

exfoliation, but I don’t recommend anything crazy leading up to their wedding.

“And, if you don’t normally wear a ton of makeup, we’d recommend that you do a softer makeup with a more natural

Continued on page 20

CALL 218-830-0771 FOR A TOUR AND FREE CONSULTATION

A beautiful venue and the perfect place for your special event!

Newly remodeled and updated just steps from Lake Superior in downtown Two Harbors, Minn.

Jessica Bride-to-be Jessica Sajac prepares for her day of pampering at Serenity Spa and Salon. "I was nervous for my big day, but I felt relaxed at Serenity knowing they'd do a great job," she said.

lash,” she added. “We always do trials with brides beforehand. We meet with them, chat with them, and help them pick a stylist. We have to find their groove.”

Services

To accommodate these and other trends, Timmers’ businesses offer a wide variety of services that appeal to many brides. This can include treatments on their wedding day, or even a unique venue for a bachelorette party.

The fact that her businesses are all connected, providing a convenient “one-stop shop,” makes this venue a great choice for many bridal parties. Timmers shared a list of treatments offered at each venue.

Twin Ports Laser and Cosmetic:

• SkinPen

• Microdermabrasion

• SkinMedica skin peels

• Latisse

• Lash extensions/lifts

• Lash and brow tinting

• Laser hair removal

• Botox and Juvederm

• Facials and other medical-grade skin care

• Waxing services

• Lipolaser for skin tightening and fat reduction

Superior Salon Suites:

• Haircuts and styling

• Hair coloring

• Foils

• Balayage

• Waxing services

• Retail sales of hair care products

Serenity Spa and Salon:

• Manicures

• Pedicures

• Skin care, including facials and body wraps

• Lash extensions

• Henna brows

• All hair care options

• Waxing services

• Retail sales of hair care products

Bride-to-be Jessica Sajec gets her hair and airbrush makeup done for her wedding by Jolene Timmers, founder of Serenity Spa and Salon.

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Extended hours and improved safety

An additional convenience of this suite of businesses is their expanded hours. Stylists will often come in early and stay late to accommodate a wedding, and will even travel.

“We always accommodate our brides,” Timmers said. “We’ve traveled to Brule, Solon Springs, and even the Twin Cities. Once, we left at 6 a.m., drove to Bayfield, and took the ferry over to Madeline Island.”

Timmers noted that safety is a top priority for her clients, as the pandemic continues.

“Our staff have all been vaccinated. But we will follow our customers’ lead, and will wear a mask if that makes them comfortable.”

Relax and enjoy some pampering

It can be a special bonding experience for a bride to experience a day of pampering with her loved ones. It can also help ease some of those notorious pre-wedding jitters.

Timmers and her entire staff are dedicated to helping brides feel beautiful on their wedding day. And the convenience of multiple services in one location makes things run much more smoothly.

“It’s always amazing watching a bride find their style; their look,” she said. “We want to make sure their day is all about them. We love watching our clients — some of whom come in starting as children — grow up and get married. They’re like my second family. They’ve been with us through it all.” D

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

Esko woman makes the leap from basement business to store front

By Molly Ovenden

"I'm just a mom and a wife who just accidentally happened into this candle business,” said Kristin Hinrichs, 39, owner of Woodfire Candle Company.

In November 2012, Hinrichs wanted something to do with her hands while she awaited the birth of her son, Otto, now 9. Nearing Christmas, she decided making candles as gifts for friends and family might be fun. Not thinking much of it, she listed a candle on her Etsy shop, where she occasionally sold her handmade crafts, just for fun.

“It wasn’t meant to be a business,” Hinrichs said.

She poured her first candle in November, sold her first candle in December, and had her first wholesale purchase in March.

Today, Woodfire candles are sold in all 50 states and available internationally.

From dining room to factory

“When you can't find it, you make it yourself,” Hinrichs said.

Many candles available at the time were mass-produced. They were full of chemicals, and not her style, so she set out to make candles that she wanted to buy.

Unconcerned about business growth, she already had a job she loved when she started pouring candles. And she wasn’t looking to leave anytime soon.

“I've just let it kind of grow organically,” Hinrichs said. About six months in, Hinrichs needed help. A new mom, still working full time in accounting, she asked her mom to join. Linda Carlberg has been with Woodfire Candle Company ever since.

“Currently, I prepare and assemble all the components of the candles so they are ready for pouring. I've done just about every job at one point or another,” Carlberg said.

About 30,000 jars are assembled annually and Carlberg has faithfully handled each one for years.

From Hinrichs’ dining room, the candle production moved to the basement, and eventually outgrew the garage.

Pandemic influence

“We kind of exploded during the pandemic,” Hinrichs said. With everyone spending more time at home, people wanted to be cozy, and candles do just that. The online shopping boom meant Woodfire Candle Company needed a new home.

Every day, Hinrichs drove past a building in Esko that’d been for sale for a while. It’d be perfect for expanding production, she thought. She didn’t plan to have retail space, but customers had been asking for it.

“They want to see the whole collection and smell everything in person,” she said.

Hinrichs figured she’d set up a small display of her collection in the factory, but it’s grown. She also features other

local makers in the retail space, located on the corner of Canosia Road and Highway 61 in Esko.

“It’s been a lot more fun than I thought it would be,” Hinrichs said.

Working with family

Among the best bits of running her business is getting to hire her favorite people. Working alongside her family and friends each day makes it even better.

Hinrichs’ husband, Dan, has been significant in the company, especially since the purchase of the building. They remodeled it together and he comes in biweekly to do maintenance.

“He's helped me tremendously throughout the whole thing,” Hinrichs said.

Most of Hinrichs’ immediate family have owned businesses over the years. She watched her parents and learned from them. Now, she’s giving her son the same opportunity.

“I like doing the stickers on the jars,” Otto said. “I also like putting the crinkle into the boxes. And I like checking out the customers. I love how fun it is and how grateful I am to have the best mom in the world.”

Challenges

One of the biggest challenges was quitting her job.

She’d work her full-time job during the day, take care of Otto and make dinner, and put Otto to bed each night, and then stay up to make candles until midnight.

It took six years for her to feel confident the business was thriving before she left her full-time job in July 2018.

“I probably should have done it a lot sooner,” Hinrichs said. Supply issues, especially with shortages and delays from the pandemic, have also been difficult.

“Candle-making is a science,” Hinrichs said.

Wanting to produce a consistent product, the transition from kitchen crafter to manufacturer was a jump. Moving and storing such volumes of heavy wax and heavy glass jars is challenging.

She jokes with jewelry-making friends who don’t need much space for their business.

"I'm a total

Kristin Hinrichs said, so she prides herself on providing high quality soy wax candles, essential oil scents, and a wooden wick that crackles when burning, so all the other homebodies can feel extra cozy, too.

“I tell them how jealous I am of them being able to have these tiny little materials that they don’t have to lug around,” she said.

Importance of community

Hinrichs has enjoyed the Esko community and its small business owners, whom she’s now among.

“(It’s) a tight little group there that I can turn to,” she said.

She’s also found colleagues online and in the Northland who champion each other with positivity. Community over competition prevails.

“We just all help each other and it's just really cool to be a part of that,” Hinrichs said.

She gives just as much as she receives. For those wanting to start a business, she advises them to not get hung up on all the details because it’s about the decision.

Saying “I am a business now” is a great first step, she said.

Everything else can be learned along the way. Hinrichs’ accounting background has proven beneficial and she suggests new entrepreneurial creatives take a business or accounting course to help.

Carmen Smalley has been employed at Woodfire Candle Company since August 2021 and recently received encouragement from Hinrichs to pursue her photography dreams.

“Sometimes, just having someone believe in you like you believe in yourself is all it takes to light a fire within your soul,” Smalley said. “Kristin has taught me that community is so important, and if you have a vision, a plan, and the mindset to go for it, that you can succeed.” D

Molly Ovenden is a Duluth freelance writer.

homebody,"

Arts & Events Calendar

The Duluth Wedding Show

January 8

You said “Yes!” Now let the planning begin. This annual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by a fashion show from 3-4 p.m. at the DECC. Meet with the area’s most talented and trustworthy wedding professionals in a relaxed and fun atmosphere while you taste delicious cakes, see light displays, register to win prizes, and find your dream dress. You’ll be inspired as you find new ideas and uncover the latest wedding trends.Tickets are limited; visit www.duluthbridalshow.com for details.

Greysolon Dinner Dances

January 21 - March 4

Greysolon hosts Dads and Daughters, Moms and Daughters, and Moms and Sons dinner dances from 6-10 p.m. on selected evenings. All ages are invited to enjoy a night filled with dancing, laughing, singing, sweets and savories. Cost is $26 per person and includes

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.

a grand dinner buffet, endless dessert buffet, pictures, cash bar and kiddy drinks and so much more. For details and to register, visit https://greysolonballroomevents.ticketleap. com/.

Two Harbors Winter Frolic

February 11-12

Embrace the fun of winter at this annual event, featuring curling, boot hockey, winter T-ball, outdoor bean bag tournament, photo scavenger hunt, sliding hill, snowman contest, kids’ races, vendor fair, live music, and more! For details, visit www.facebook. com/twoharborswinterfrolic.

Lake Superior Ice Festival

January 28-29

This community-driven event celebrates the coolest aspects of our region! It features 24 ice sculptures around Superior, each on a blue base and with a trivia question attached. Watch ice carving in action. Get free figure skating lessons. Put your snowshoeing skills to the test in an obstacle course race. Create your own snow creations with spray bottles of color dye at Fairlawn Mansion. Enjoy a performance by the Sterling Silver Fire Twirlers. Take part in two mini-golf experiences (lighted at night, snow hazards during the day) or try your hand at free disc golf. Play Kubb, a traditional Viking yard game, or watch one of the live demonstrations. Stop at Barkers Island Inn and shop the 6th Annual Ice Festival Market and Craft Fair. Submit your pet in the Canine King and Queen Contest, or the Felines of the Festival Contest, sponsored by the Humane Society of Douglas County. Warm up by bonfire pits. Watch beginners to pros race motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs on the ice, near the SS Meteor Whaleback. Kids, try your hand at the Passport Scavenger Hunt, crafts and refreshments at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, or see the Disney ice princesses. All ages can enjoy the food and beverage tent presented by the PASS Foundation, the Superior Snow Slide, and Saturday evening’s fireworks. There’s a lot to see, so hop on the hay bale shuttles at four various stops. For all details on all these activities, visit https://lakesuperioricefestival. com/.

Duluth Sport Show

February 17-20

The Duluth Boat, Sports, Travel & RV Show plus the Northland Outdoors Duluth Deer Classic is one mega sports event you don’t want to miss, featuring exhibitors and vendors and the following shows: Wild World of Animals, Freedom in a Can, Lowrance Marine Electronics University, Kids Fishing Clinic, hunting expert Tim Andrus, Pheasants Forever Youth Village, and Live Trout Pond. See the exhibitor list and details at duluthsportshow.com. The event will be held at the DECC; hours are 3-9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Duluth Women’s Expo

February 29

The Duluth Women’s Expo is always a great excuse to gather your girlfriends and head to the DECC. Women wear more hats than a coat rack and all at a moment’s notice. Whether they are shopping, meal planning, choosing the family car, or making important financial decisions, women are calling the shots, and having the right information is key! Enjoy a day of fun, shopping, information and more from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DECC. Free tickets are coming soon; see Duluth Women’s Expo on Facebook.

magazines@duluthnews. com

ONGOING:

Duluth Children’s Museum 115 S. 29th Ave. W., Duluth 218-733-7543

duluthchildrensmuseum.org

Duluth Depot

506 W. Michigan St., Duluth 218-727-8025

duluthdepot.org

Douglas County Historical Society 1101 John Ave., Superior 715-392-8449

douglashistory.org

Glensheen Historic Estate 3300 London Road, Duluth 218-726-8910

glensheen.org

Great Lakes Aquarium 353 Harbor Dr., Duluth 218-740-3474

glaquarium.org

Lake Superior Zoo 7210 Fremont St., Duluth 218-730-4500

lszooduluth.org

North Shore Scenic Railroad 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth 218-722-1273

duluthtrains.com

The Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad 6930 Fremont St., Duluth 218-624-7549

lsmrr.org

Pre-K

25 years ago... WOMAN today the

Patrick and Glenda Sherman launched The Woman Today magazine showcasing the talents and influence of the women of the Northland. Six years ago the Duluth News Tribune acquired The Woman Today magazine vowing to grow the legacy the Shermans started.

As The Woman Today celebrates its 25th anniversary, it remains a community-oriented publication intent on telling the stories of women from all walks of life and all the good they do in our community.

It’s fitting for a magazine that the traditional gift of any first anniversary has been paper. The threads within paper symbolize the strength and connectivity of the blossoming relationship. Paper is also a blank slate, a reference to the beginnings of a new life together.

When the Shermans started The Woman Today they indeed started with a blank slate prepared to tell the unique and powerful stories of local women. The Shermans took a chance believing a magazine focused on telling the stories of local women would have a large audience. They were right. Readers connected with the stories, and the magazine, immediately and an amazing relationship took flight.

Sherman was onced asked when he started The Woman Today if he ever worried about having enough stories to tell. His response: “We believe everyone has a story.”

Today’s staff of The Woman Today has found Sherman’s exclamation to be true. The story ideas are abundant and the readership continues to grow.

The 25th anniversary is referred to as the silver

anniversary because silver symbolizes the harmony needed to grow and sustain a relationship throughout such a long period of time. The magazine’s fervent readership suggests the staff of The Woman Today continues to strike the right notes with readers. Time has marched on and The Woman Today has continued to tell the stories of the amazing women of our community and readers have flocked to the magazines as soon as they hit the stands.

While the content mission of the magazine has remained intently focused on local women, some things have changed.

The magazine now publishes eight times per year, an increase from its initial six times per year, and is still found in local grocery stores free of charge to its loyal readers. The Woman Today is now also found online at www. thewomantoday.com and the magazine utilizes a heavy social media presence to boost the exposure of its highquality content. The Woman Today has also expanded into the event world, hosting the annual Rosie Awards to honor high-achieving women in our community.

We’re certain the next 25 years will bring more of the same. We will cover the many fascinating women in our community, keep the relationship with our readers fresh with new ideas and continue our expansion into the digital world.

Thank you, our readers, for an amazing 25 years and to the Shermans for their bold vision to launch The Woman Today. Neal

Ronquist, Publisher

Meet the Team

We asked The Woman Today team to share a favorite memory from 2021 and/or a wish they had for 2022. See their responses.

My wish for 2022 is one many others probably share - that the world has Covid better contained and we're able to return to a more normal life.

I look forward to connecting more with family, friends and community in 2022!

My favorite memory of 2021 was learning a lot about my biological roots, including that my biological grandfather was a newspaper journalist!

I am grateful for having the opportunity to travel across 4 states with my horse Herb in 2021. It was a dream of mine to do this, and he succeeded beyond my expectations. I wish you all the best for 2022, may you be healthy and happy!

I lost my Irish twin to a stroke at Thanksgiving. Gail and I were in the same grade from kindergarten on.

I am thankful that I had just sent her a Thanksgiving card and a follow-up "I love you" text when she texted a thank you to me. She sent an emoji blowing a kiss to me. Then the next day she was gone.

In the midst of this loss to our family, I was touched by the love and support of relatives, friends, and co-workers. Difficult moments like this cause me to remember that each day is a gift from God, and that it's important to let those that you love know how much you care for them.

And to understand how much God loves each of us - John 3:16.

I have a couple wishes for 2022-I would really like time to slow down a bit. I feel like it’s been going by in the blink of an eye! I also wish to be able to travel again. I feel like we all have missed out on so much time with family and friends over the past couple of years. Plus, I need my sun and beach fix :)

Wishing all of our readers a safe and prosperous New Year. Hoping that 2022, is good for both you and your loved ones.

My wish for 2022 is for my family to continue to be healthy. I hope to be able to safely see family and friends from near and far in-person once again.

I am blessed and so very thankful to have a loving family, good health, a great job with a hardworking team, and the beautiful outdoors that I get to play in every day. Let's all make gratitude a priority in 2022!

Ali Carlson Advertising Account Executive

Megan Keller

Advertising Director

Rick Lubbers Executive Editor

Scott Blatchford Advertising Account Executive

Kim Quinones Advertising Account Executive

Neal Ronquist Group Publisher

Julie Schulz

Production Coordinator

Renae Ronquist Graphic Designer

Bernie Bischoff Advertising Account Executive

Hope for the Heart

By Claire Kiger

It was a warm spring day when Amy Addy suddenly fainted in the driveway of her Duluth home. A few moments later, she regained consciousness and glanced at her Apple watch. Her heart rate had hit 200 beats per minute, and she knew exactly what was wrong: she was having an atrial fibrillation (A-fib) episode. She hadn’t had one that severe in eight years.

A-fib is a condition where the heart has episodes of beating irregularly. A minor episode can leave the person feeling tired, light-headed or nauseous, but a major one can cause loss of consciousness or lead to heart failure. These episodes can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days before the heart corrects itself and can be reduced by taking medications. However, a particularly severe episode, like Amy experienced, may not correct itself. In these cases, the heart rhythm can be fixed with a low-energy electric shock called a cardioversion.

Amy arrived at the emergency department and they confirmed that she was having a severe A-fib episode. However, she was unable to have a cardioversion. For this procedure to be an option, the person needs to have taken a blood thinner for at least four weeks. Because Amy had been experiencing minor episodes, she was not on a blood thinner. All she could do was return home and wait for the episode to end.

Considering an ablation

“I stayed in A-fib for 10 days straight,” Amy said. “It was the longest one I had been through.”

Shortly after, she met with St. Luke’s electrophysiologist Dr. Yan Dong.

“Taking medications for A-fib isn’t for everyone,” Dr. Dong said. “If someone is experiencing side effects or the medications aren’t working, having an ablation is another option.”

An ablation is a minimally invasive procedure where small scars are created in the heart. These block the abnormal electrical signals that cause A-fib.

Even though Amy had been through surgeries before, she was unsure and worried about having an ablation.

“Dr. Dong told me that there was an 80% success rate,” Amy said. “I was scared we would go through the whole process and it wouldn’t work.”

Minimally invasive heart surgery

A few days after seeing Dr. Dong, Amy had a second major A-fib episode.

“It lasted 10 days again,” Amy said. “That really settled it for me. After that, I knew I needed to have an ablation.”

Amy talked to Dr. Dong again and scheduled her procedure.

After her ablation, Amy Addy engages in one of her favorite hobbies: reuniting families with their lost dogs.

How St. Luke’s helped one woman treat her atrial fibrillation with an ablation

St. Luke’s electrophysiologist Dr. Yan Dong loves taking the time to connect with her patients by explaining everything carefully and encouraging them to ask questions.

Workforce training to meet your needs on your schedule.

“The way Dr. Dong handles herself really put me at ease,” Amy said. “She’s so calm and concise. She made me feel heard and answered all my questions.”

On the day of Amy’s procedure, she went to St. Luke’s at 5:30 am.

“An ablation can last anywhere from two to six hours. A particularly complicated case can take longer,” Dr. Dong said. “But, because it’s minimally invasive, it’s very low-risk and many people are able to go home the same day.”

Amy woke up over five hours later to the news that everything had gone according to plan. Her ablation had been a success.

“I was in tears,” Amy said. “It gave me so much hope.”

Heart Care at St. Luke’s

Since Amy’s procedure, she’s been able to lead a normal life again. She now has the stamina she needs to keep up with her two small children and enjoy her hobbies. While Amy is still taking a few medications as she heals, she hopes she will eventually be medication-free.

After her experience, Amy is grateful for how Dr. Dong cared for her.

“She’s a huge asset to our community – especially as a woman caring for other women,” Amy said. “I feel like she gave me my life back.”

Dr. Dong believes that the care she gives wouldn’t be possible without the support of her team at St. Luke’s.

“My team goes out of their way to put patients at ease,” she said. “It makes all the difference.”

To learn more about heart and vascular care at St. Luke’s, visit slhduluth.com/heart. D

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

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

By Samantha Roffers

Hellodear readers! I hope this issue finds you well. Hooray, you made it through the holidays! Maybe you’re like me and absolutely love every holiday and all the corny traditions that come with them… Maybe you’re like my husband, happy they are over and thankful that over 300 days separate you from the next turkey or ham dinner! No matter what side of the fence you stand on we can agree it's time to buckle up, because we are rolling on into 2022!

There's something so exciting about a new year, filled with resolutions, hope and promises. If you’re like me, I like to set goals for the upcoming year. I keep them in a note on my phone so I can check them off as I achieve them. Alright, enough rambling from me, let's dive into the goods.

The boutique we visited for this month's issue is absolutely amazing. This may have been one of my favorites (though I think I say that every time). This place is bursting with love and positive vibes. It is very clear to see that from the front desk, to the stylists and professionals working all throughout the building that this place was founded on a passion for fashion and making people feel good. Posh Affair Boutique is perfectly nestled within Serenity Spa and Salon in Superior. From the moment you walk in you are warmly greeted and immediately notice a beautiful salon to your left and the front portion of the boutique to your right. The front area of the boutique showcases outfits that are well thought out, accessories, unique gifts, skin care, hair care, makeup and more. While that may sound like a lot of things to look at, it's laid out with such care and precision it is truly enjoyable to shop through it all. Behind the front room is another large room full of tops, bottoms and more accessories as well as a large dressing room. I found so many awesome looks here and, as per usual, went home with a bag full of goodies! D

by Sam

When I tell you this first look was effortless, I mean it. I wore yoga pants, tall boots and a grey long sleeve to the store… All I did was throw this gorgeous shawl over that. It took the outfit from plain to gorgeous in two seconds. This shawl was so soft and beautiful, perfect for any winter or fall function. The mock turtleneck is so stylish and warm, I definitely wanted to leave this top on all day. You could pair this cozy top with many different bottoms and accessories to make this look all your own.

2

This second look was so fun! I instantly felt sassy and confident when I slipped this graphic tee dress on. With a long slit up the sides and an adorable graphic across the chest, it totally spoke to my western-loving heart. This dress could be worn in any season. I paired it with yoga pants, tall boots and a flannel around the waist for some shape. I would love to throw a soft maxi cardigan or jean jacket over it, too. You could easily wear this dress with sandals, flats or boots. This dress looks great alone, but I am dreaming of pairing it with a large belt, turquoise jewelry, big hair and some sassy red cowboy boots!

3 4& 5

This third look is totally timeless and adorable. I paired this butter-soft sweater with a pair of super stretchy flares and nude boots. The sweater was a winner in the details. With a mock turtleneck, flattering cut and oversized sleeves, it takes it a step up from your everyday sweater. It’s perfect for winter or to break out next fall for family photos! I would love to dress up this look with some gold jewelry or dress it down with some cute flats and a cozy puffer vest.

Continued on page 33

Quitting for a better future

By Anthony Matt

Nearly one in three adults with a history of heart attack, heart failure, stroke or other cardiovascular disease report ongoing use of cigarettes or other tobacco products. While cigarettes are the most common tobacco product currently being used, cigars, e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco also contribute to nicotine addiction.

“Tobacco use is the single greatest preventable cause of death in the world today,” said Dr. Catherine Benziger, a cardiologist at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Vaping, often marketed as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes, contains harmful substances. Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol (or vapor) produced from an e-cigarette or similar device, like smoking a cigarette. Women are more likely than men to use e-cigarettes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaping and the use of e-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women or adults who do not currently use tobacco. There is limited data about the impact of these aerosols from e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and coil-less, ultrasonic vaping devices on long-term health and heart function.

According to Dr. Benziger: “We know from research that inhalation of particles, whether from tobacco or marijuana, from combustible cigarettes or vaping, can cause negative effects on the lungs and blood vessels.”

Dr. Benziger says the use of both cigarettes and e-cigarettes has been found to be more common than using e-cigarettes alone. “Nicotine concentrations in e-cigarettes can be quite high, worsening nicotine addiction,” she said.

Tobacco companies also have been targeting flavored tobacco to minority communities as well as youths, which has fueled a surge in nicotine addiction. Millions of kids are at risk of a lifetime of tobacco use and addition because of vaping. In 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 20% of high school students used e-cigarettes.

“We must teach our youth to live a heart-healthy lifestyle and don’t start using tobacco,” Dr. Benziger said. “Talking to children and adolescents about these products can help protect them. Tell them that you care and that vaping is not safe.”

The American Heart Association, a leading force for a world

of longer, healthier lives, also advocates for Life’s Simple 7. These three factors (normal blood pressure, normal cholesterol, normal blood sugar) and four behaviors (normal body mass index, at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, a hearthealthy diet and not smoking) have been shown to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

What can we do to help women quit? Jill Doberstein, program manager of the tobacco treatment services at Essentia, says: “We are here to help. It’s never too late to take the first step. Our comprehensive, evidenced-based cessation program works. This interdisciplinary team, including a trained tobacco treatment specialist, works closely with the primary care provider, social worker, psychologist and cardiologist to provide smokingcessation therapies and counseling to women with cardiovascular disease.”

Regarding long-term impacts, Dr. Benziger said: “Globally, there are over 1.1 billion smokers and one in five deaths is due to tobacco.”

Dr. Benziger advocates for swift action to end tobacco use and nicotine addiction in our communities. Public health policies, such as the statewide Minnesota Tobacco 21 law that went into effect on Aug. 1, 2021, and raised the age of tobacco sales from 18 to 21; stronger regulation of the tobacco industry; removal of non-tobacco flavored products from the market; raising the price of tobacco products via taxes; effective youthtargeted counter-marketing campaigns to reduce tobacco use among youth; and improved funding and availability of tobaccocessation programs and tools for high-risk populations is urgently needed. D

Anthony Matt is the media relations specialist at Essentia Health.

6,7& 8

These last three looks are all about the graphic tees. I absolutely adore graphic tees and was thrilled to see how many they had in stock Posh Affair. Graphic tees are so fun and comfortable. They can easily be dressed up or down and they are effortlessly adorable. They give you the opportunity to showcase your personality as well, which I love. Whether it's your favorite band, a place you love to visit or some longhorns, it shows a little piece of who you are. We all feel better when we’re being our true and authentic selves! I paired all three of these tops with those awesome flared jeans and a pair of sneakers that I purchased from another boutique we visited in a past issue! The cozy scarf paired well with the crew-neck sweatshirt, which is the perfect weight to layer up for winter or pack along for those cool summer nights.

Before

to from

After

baby bluemodern chic

By Megan Keller

Welcome to 2022! This month’s home feature will catch your eye. Troy and Dani Schultz have their home settled just up the hill from Duluth’s downtown. As I pulled into the driveway, this house immediately had a calming, welcoming feel. I stepped out of my car and was greeted with music; the homeowners have a

pleasant sound system outside. At this point, I was even more eager to step inside and see their home.

Homeowners Troy and Dani Schultz purchased the house in November 2013. Troy had heard a neighbor was potentially selling — which was just down the road from the home he had previously built. Wanting to stay in the same neighborhood,

Troy visited with the homeowner and a deal was made. Having a large family which brought big gatherings, Troy knew they were going to need more space.

“When we went for the remodel, what we had in mind was for more openness for a big family. I have two children and Dani has three,” Troy said.

The project first began with the exterior garage, which has an apartment settled on the second floor, that gave them a great location to host gatherings and give guests a comfortable private place to stay.

“Originally we had built the garage — which was three years ago in April — as an accessory dwelling, an inlaw dwelling,” Troy said.

Soon enough, the homeowners decided it was time to start on the home in March 2020. This was just at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which inspired them to work on their remodel, like many homeowners were doing. The homeowners chose Kevin Vegar with Vegar Construction and Heather Hiner with Hiner Home Designs LLC. Troy and Kevin have some history together as Kevin had built Troy's previous home located in the same neighborhood.

“Kevin Vegar is a true master carpenter,” Troy said. “He and his son, Mike, are truly gifted carpenters with imaginative

ideas and attitudes that make you believe that anything is possible. Their attention to the finest of details is priceless. Kevin is such a good guy, good character, there was no question that I wanted to work with him.”

Their remodeling process took five months to complete.

As you walk into the Schultz’s home, you experience a great openness, very spacious and full of natural light. This 3,500-square-foot home was built in 1997 and sits on a 1-acre lot. To the homeowners it felt very compartmentalized and needed to be opened up.

What was it like when they first moved in?

“Baby blue,” Dani said. “The outside was baby blue — the carpet, the curtains, the deck, the rocks — and I asked if we could get new flooring and new walls.”

Troy thought a change was needed as well.

“Well, if we are going to do it … let’s just gut this thing out and start over,” he said.

Envisioning what to do was a challenge, which is where designer Heather Hiner entered the picture. Hiner walked into their home and envisioned a plan with the homeowners to give them the wish list they wanted and allow them more gathering space.

Continued on page 36

The wine cellar features rich African mahogany (Sapele) walls, ornate copper tiles on the ceiling, and iron racks to hold individual bottles of wine, which are sorted by flavor. Lighting is remote controlled and customized, so the color can change to suit the mood.

The wine cellar was probably my favorite part. I've done wine cellars before, but nothing like this.

~Kevin Vegar, Vegar Construction, General Contractor

Before After

If I were to give advice to homeowners planning to take on a build such as this, I would say, plan ahead, think about the various pieces and be flexible.

The main living space was heavy on honey wood and carpeting, but became light and bright with the remodel. The ceiling was painted white, the carpeting was replaced with dark wood flooring, and the light color scheme is the perfect backdrop for rich blue and metallic accents to create the modern, clean look. The open space is flooded with natural light from the large floor-to-ceiling windows.

~Kevin Vegar, Vegar Construction, General Contractor

“We were very fortunate to work with Heather and get some amazingly creative ideas on how to remodel our house to best fit our lifestyle and family needs,” Troy said.

As you walk into their kitchen, you are greeted with a beautiful 10-foot kitchen island from Granite Works. All of the cabinets were designed by Gemini Designs — they are smooth, classy cherry wood dressed with sleek copper handles, and all are soft close cabinets.

“Nichole and Patty (of Gemini Designs) are experts at designing kitchens and bathrooms,” Troy said. “They are very considerate and present many options, which allows the customer to feel like they are getting a custom-built kitchen with the greatest of details and quality craftsmanship at very good prices.

“We are very grateful for everyone who contributed to the success of our home-remodeling project. Not only were they all skilled professionals with talent, they are kind, considerate and hardworking people who take pride in their work.”

The homeowners ordered their Thermador appliances from Johnson Mertz. The refrigerator is 48 inches wide and 7 feet tall, and next to that is a 48-inch, 6-burner Thermador gas stove with electric ovens.

As we moved through the home, Dani said, “Troy has a geology background, which really inspired the stone theme in all of the bathrooms.”

The sinks are poured concrete and were dyed to go with the theme of each bathroom. As you walk in, you see a combination of concrete blended with the warmth of rough-sawn wood, all created and installed by contractor Kevin Vegar.

We then walked into the master bedroom, which was very spacious and allowed lots of natural light. The furniture all came from HOM and blended well with the white and dark natural-wood theme. The window coverings were provided by Budget

Before After

The U-shaped kitchen was transformed by removing a partial wall of cabinets and peninsula to open up the space completely to the living room. An impressive 10-foot island from Granite Works anchors the space, along with new cherry cabinets with copper handles from Gemini Designs, and all new appliances from Johnson Mertz.

Under-cabinet and under-counter lighting provides a cool vibe.

Kitchen Island by Granite Works

Cabinets designed by Gemini Designs

Thermador appliances from Johnson Mertz

Blinds, where one side was black and the other was white. This provided full blackout in their room at night, which was the homeowners’ preference.

We then moved into their master bathroom, which was quite the project in itself. The bathroom at one point had a pocket door where the toilet was located, and there used to be a spa tub located in there as well.

“I am not a tub person, let's rip it out,” Dani said.

Nichole with Gemini Designs and Dani met to discuss more options for the bathroom and came up with a design well-suited for the homeowners.

[The homeowners] wanted the kitchen opened up with a large feature island, but struggled with how to accomplish this. After a site visit, it was apparent a doorway between the mud room and kitchen as well as a corner breakfast nook were limiting layout. So my design solution was to remove the wall separating the kitchen from the living and dining room, relocate the mud room door to enter into the adjacent foyer, and raise the window sills at the breakfast nook so the perimeter cabinets could be continuous. In doing so, a large center island was designed as the focal point. What I love about renovation projects like this is seeing the transformation, which in this case is almost unrecognizable from the old layout. I enjoyed working with the homeowners because they were willing to totally change things up, including painting the existing wood ceiling which brought a freshness and brightness to the existing home.

~ Heather Hiner, Hiner Home Designs LLC

Our next stop was the lower-level family room. As you walk down the stairs, the metal railings give this space a very open feel. The steps are also made of beautiful rough-sawn wood and I noticed a theme with this same wood throughout the house. They were not rough to walk on, but were smooth and well-built.

As we got around the corner in the lower level, the homeowners opened two industrial glass doors where they unveiled a spectacular feature to the home — a gorgeous wine cellar, which was a closet previously. This custom cellar has a

1970s vibe.

All laid out with Sapele wood, which is an African mahogany, Dani said, “It smells amazing!”

The ceiling has copper tiles and the walls have iron wine racks.

“I told Kevin this is what I wanted for the design, and he made it,” Dani said.

Kevin then suggested remotecontrolled classy lighting that’s able to change color to whatever mood the homeowners are feeling. Troy and Dani put a lot of thought into the wine cellar; all the wines are organized by flavor to accompany their guests’ palates.

The lower level, too, has a very open, comfortable feel to it. Additionally, two bedrooms are located in the lower level for their boys. Both rooms are very spacious and each has the signature trait that can be found throughout the entire home — custom lighting controlled by their phones and remotes. One project Troy has left to work on is making some shelves for one of the boys out of his broken skateboards … continuing to customize their home to their personalities.

Before After

Advice I would give to homeowners is to hire an experienced designer. In any remodel, especially when you are taking down walls, you can run into surprises, so keeping lines of communications with the contractor and home owner are essential to a positive outcome to the project.

The master bath features a beautiful walk-in shower, plenty of storage space, and a wide counter that accommodates dual sinks and mirrors for plenty of elbow room. The sinks are dyed-and-poured concrete.

Top: In the entryway, new flooring, lighting, doors, and a metal-and-cable railing give a modern feel to the space.

~ Nicole Krisak, Gemini Designs

After touring the main home, we took a walk to the other building on their property, which I refer to as the garage suite. This is where they lived during their renovation. Walking into the main entrance of the second building, I looked around and immediately thought to myself, “This is a sexy space!” Turns out, aside from her day job, Dani does boudoir photography and owns a business called Red Stiletto Boudoir by Dani Schultz Photography. The space is customized to her needs for her photography studio. Dani drew up the design and Heather drew up the plans.

In this garage suite there is another level which is where the homeowners lived during the construction. The 800-squarefoot space consists of one large bedroom fitted with a bed and three bunks, kitchen, bath and living room. The ceiling has dark, rough wood, provided by the Tongue and Groove store.

I was curious to know what were some of the must-haves and wishes they had for this home and how did they work out?

“The wine cellar,” Dani said. “That was a side project that wasn’t talked about until one day Troy came to me with a bottle labeled No. 1, which was the first wine we bought. Troy said, ‘So this is your first bottle for your wine cellar.’ And I said, ‘So we can do it?!’ But really, I would say it was the kitchen, the appliances and everything really was our must-have.”

I then asked for their tips and advice for homeowners considering their own remodeling projects.

“Oh boy — appliances are a big tip and to plan ahead of time,” Troy said.

Dani agreed.

“You could sit here for weeks and no one was coming to the house, sometimes we were the ones lining up the schedule. And to really plan ahead,” she said.

“They are so busy, contractors are human, too,” Troy said. “They are so busy and overworked half the time, and if you can think ahead to help build that gameplan, they appreciate when homeowners stay on top of things.”

Would they ever consider building again?

“I’ve built a couple homes prior,” Dani said. “The process is frustrating but rewarding as well. You see it all come together, but I don’t see us needing to do it again.”

“I am not ready for a few years, I will tell you that,” Troy said with a laugh. “But now we have a wine cellar and I have somewhere I can go relax!”

Great answer. D

Continued on page 42

Mood lighting controlled by remote and the family's smartphones is found throughout the home, including the boys' bedrooms in the lower level.

The large windows and door provide natural light in the basement family room.

The stairway leading to the lower level features rough-sawn wood, and the low profile of the metal-and-cable railing keeps the space open and airy.

Window coverings by Budget Blinds

Bottom: In addition to the photography studio and garage, the building also contains an 800-foot living space the homeowners used while they were remodeling the home. It has a kitchen, bathroom, large bedroom, and living room, which features stained barnwood from The Tongue and Groove Store on the ceiling.

Thank you, Troy and Dani Schultz, for welcoming The Woman Today into your beautiful home. I was truly honored to have the opportunity for this tour. Being there for an hour, I felt I could have stayed longer. And let's be honest, that wine cellar was spectacular. Congratulations on your finished project.

If you have a home you want us to consider for a feature, please email magazines@duluthnews.com.

Homeowner Dani creates boudoir photography out of her home-based studio, Red Stiletto Boudoir by Dani Schultz Photography. The space is attached to the garage on the one-acre property and is customized for Dani’s needs.

Ceiling wood provided by Tongue and Groove Store

Remodel a coffee table into a bench

By Megan Keller The Woman Today

I’vehad this coffee table since the early 2000s when I moved into my very first home. I purchased it from Target and it has moved to a lot of places with me.

About eight years ago, my sweet dog Sasha decided the table would make a great chew toy. Yet, I still kept the table around and am unwilling to let it go.

Recently, as we’ve been purging things to donate from our home, I rediscovered this table in a dark corner of the basement, full of dust. Again, I’m not willing to let it go.

I thought there had to be a way to repurpose it, and that's when it came to me — it's a great height, still very sturdy, this could become a bench! I have wanted one in my entryway for some time, so this was a great project to take on.

I have never repurposed anything before and was nervous, considering this was planned to go into this issue of The Woman Today. I decided the theme for this project was to “make something out of what you have in your home and purchase nothing!” I think most of us tend to have a lot of things lying around, and we can make something out of those items.

I created this bench in about two afternoons. It was so fun, my husband helped me with the tools and my mother and I worked on the cushion together. We all had a great time watching this old coffee table turn into something so darn cute.

Step one: Remove top

First, I needed to remove the top of the coffee table.

Step two: Prepare the surface

The coffee table had a heavy glossy finish on it. To ensure the paint would adhere, I sanded it down to remove all that finish. Next, I wanted to beat up the table to make it look even more worn, since I was going for a vintage look. I used a hammer, a screw and chains, hitting them all over the table to really give it some dents and remove that smooth look. (If you are having a bad day, this is a great stress reliever!)

Step three: Paint the table

I had some leftover orange/autumn paint I used for my base, let it dry, and then painted a layer of serenity-blue chalk paint over the orange. Once dried, I used sandpaper to gently sand the blue down, until I got the orange to come through. I recommend testing this on another piece of wood prior to starting your project so you can get a feel for how to sand the paint and see the results.

Step four: Fix the edges

Since my sweet dog Sasha chewed the top of this when she was a puppy, I needed to router the edges to smooth them out. This is where my husband came in to help and make sure I did it correctly. We initially used a jigsaw, but the router tool worked better. It was easy to use, and it was pretty fun, too!

Step five: Create the cushion

To create the bench cushion, I used some old pleather

material I had on hand for the cover. The next challenge was to figure out what to use for stuffing, since I didn’t want to buy anything. I had some old pillows that weren’t being used (pretty sure they belonged to my parents over 30 years ago). Since they were so old, they were very compressed and the material was easy to work with. We removed the covers, and cut the cotton to fit the table top. We then took the fabric and stapled one side of the seat. We had to keep positioning the fill to make sure we could get it somewhat even. This took two people to do — I was grateful my mom was there to help. We tugged, stapled and cut the fabric to fit until it was completed all the way around the bench seat. This was the hardest task of the whole project.

Step one: Remove top

Step three: Paint the table

Conclusion

I have to say, I just love how this old, abandoned table of mine was turned into something super cute. Was it perfectly done? No. However, I love how vintage it looks and the cushion is very comfy to sit on. For my first time repurposing something out of things I had lying around my home, I’d say it was a success! We live in a world where things tend to be disposed of quickly. Take a peek at what you have, challenge yourself to your own DIY project made from things you have lying around in your home.

Feel free to send those projects to us, we would love to see your master creations. D

Step two: Prepare the surface

Step four: Fix the edges

Step five: Create the cushion

Finished bench

I'm sorry!

EATING FRESH IN THE NEW YEAR

Pan Seared Salmon for Two

topped with heirloom tomatoes and beurre blanc sauce, served over wild mushroom wild rice and oven roasted vegetables

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Recipes, preparation and photos provided by Chef Teal of the Mount Royal Market Deli

Pan Seared Salmon

(2) 6 oz fillets Wild sockeye salmon

As needed Kosher salt & black pepper

As needed Grape seed oil*

Heat saute pan over medium-high heat. Add oil & wait a few seconds for oil to get to a high temperature. Place seasoned

Beurre Blanc Sauce (Butter Sauce)

1 Shallot, fine dice

1 cup Champagne vinegar

1 cup Heavy cream

1 oz Soft butter

½ tsp Kosher salt

¼ tsp Cayenne pepper, optional

Add shallot and vinegar to saute pan; heat to reduce to “Au Sec” (nearly dry). Add heavy cream and reduce to ”Au Sec’’ again. Slowly whisk in softened butter on very low heat.

Continued on page 48

Wild Mushroom Wild Rice

1 cup Wild rice, well rinsed

5 cups Chicken stock

Place rice and chicken stock in a large pot and bring rice to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes or until rice becomes tender.

1 White onion, diced small

2 Carrots, diced small

3 Celery, diced small

4 oz Crimini mushrooms, diced small

1 tbsp Butter

2 cloves Garlic, diced fine Saute vegetables on medium heat until translucent and slightly caramelized.

Stir vegetable mixture and wild rice together and serve under salmon.

Heirloom Tomatoes

12 Heirloom or multi-colored cherry tomatoes, cut in half

3 Basil leaves, sliced fine

½ Serrano pepper, slice thinly

1 oz Extra virgin olive oil

1-2 oz Pineapple juice

½ tsp Kosher salt

Mix all ingredients together and let marinade for at least 1 hour. Serve over salmon.

Oven Roasted Vegetables

1 Red onion, diced into ¾’’ chunks

1 Red bell pepper, diced into 1’’ chunks

1 Green bell pepper, diced into 1’’ chunks

1 Yellow bell pepper, diced into 1’’ chunks

1 Orange bell pepper, diced into 1’’ chunks

¼ bunch Asparagus, cut into 1½’’ slices

1 Zucchini, diced into ½’’ chunks

1 Yellow squash, diced ½’’ chunks

As needed Extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp Kosher salt

1 tsp Black pepper

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to coat. Spread out on a sheet tray and bake for 10 minutes in a 350-degree oven.

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