The Woman Today Oct/Nov 2022

WOMANthe today

Breast cancer survivor

• Adopt, don’t shop: Save the Brays

• Spooktacular Halloween Decor

• Queen of the Fair: The Woman Yesterday

• Diabetic says ‘It’s OK to not be OK’

Julie Lucas

PROFILES

6 Julie Lucas Scientist, educator, cancer survivor treasures every day

10 Kerry Larsen

Finding joy despite struggle with diabetes

14 Kym Garvey

Striving to 'save the brays'

FEATURES

18 October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

22 Cathy Cato honors the departed through poetry

24 How to keep fitness going during winter

30 Halloween trends for 2022

ENTERTAINMENT/ARTS

33 Arts and Events Calendar

FASHION

26 Fashions by Sam

HEALTH/MEDICINE

28 St. Luke’s

The secret life of laundry

36 Essentia

How routine mammograms catch breast cancer early

KIDS KORNER

55 Sloane's Suggestions/Kids Korner

HOME TOUCHES

38 Homeowners return to designer for new-home build

FOOD/NUTRITION

48 Fall Harvest Desserts

Brought to you by Mount Royal Market

DIY

56 Make easy Halloween decor using Mason jars

THE WOMAN YESTERDAY

58 Virginia Wickstrom

WOMAN the today

GROUP PUBLISHER

Neal Ronquist

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Rick Lubbers

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Megan Keller

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Ali Carlson

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Kim Quinones

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Renae Ronquist

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Julie Schulz

CONTRIBUTORS

Abigail Blonigen

Andrea Busche

Animal Allies

Julie Lucas

Kerry Larsen

TO OUR READERS

The fall season has officially begun. Cozy blankets have made their way from the closet to the couch, fireplaces are prepped for future use and crock pots filled with delicious food become a weekly staple.

At least that is how it is in our house. I can’t say enough how much I love the fall. The smell of the leaves, the crisp, cool air and how fantastic it is to have a bonfire with no bugs to torment you. This is the time of year to put your boots on, find a hiking trail and embrace what fall has to offer.

We recently moved our farm to a more remote location this year, a place that many consider living out in the boondocks. I have never had the opportunity to hit the trails with our horses, and now that I do, getting out in the woods is absolutely magical. The Northland is full of beautiful trails for the new and experienced hikers. I encourage you to head outside, and enjoy it before the inevitable snow arrives.

Kym Garvey

Molly Milroy

Samantha Roffers

Shawn Stigsell

Tony Bennett

EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE TO:

magazines@duluthnews.com

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

In this issue of The Woman Today, we have a splendid blend of beautiful stories to share. I am grateful to each woman who steps forward to share a journey they have been on.

On our cover, a strong woman by the name Julie Lucas is pictured. She is a breast cancer survivor, a scientist and an advocate for the Angel Fund where she biked 128 miles from Ely to Grand Rapids to raise money to help cancer patients.

We then meet with Kerry Larsen from Grand Rapids, who was diagnosed with diabetes. Larsen says that “I got mine for my 50th birthday; happy birthday to me!” She turns the fear and negativity into positivity by mentoring and inspiring women all around the Grand Rapids area.

You will also learn about Save the Brays and a Milaca, Minnesota woman with a passion to rescue donkeys and mules. The backbreaking work she does is not for the faint of heart, but it means the world to the brays she saves.

On another adventure, Samantha Roffers (Fashions By Sam) and I went to meet with the folks at Goodwill on Garfield Avenue in Duluth. We were warmly welcomed by the Goodwill team as we toured the facility. We learned so much about what Goodwill is doing for our community and our work force. It is truly amazing to see what really goes on behind the scenes and in their efforts to recycle, reuse and provide employment to those in need.

In conclusion, before I give away all that we have in store, we have some great tips for new recipes, decor and Halloween fun.

ON THE COVER:

Julie Lucas, after completing chemotherapy in the fall of 2020, was pleased to have enough hair for a faux hawk.

Photo courtesy of Julie Lucas

Thank you for picking up this issue of The Woman Today. And special thanks to all our advertisers who help us make this magazine a reality for every issue we produce. If you have a story to suggest or would like to advertise, please email magazines@duluthnews.com.

Megan Keller Advertising Director

Northern Lakes Rescue

Scientist, educator, breast cancer survivor treasures every day

By Andrea Busche

Alife-threatening health scare often has a way of changing one’s perspective.

After processing the pain and fear that accompany an illness, many people emerge on the other side with a profound sense of empathy and compassion.

This is true for Julie Lucas of Side Like, Minnesota.

Lucas, a well-educated woman with a booming career and a very full life, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2019.

“I was very angry about getting breast cancer at 42,” she said. “After all, I was healthy and even teaching fitness classes at the time. I was determined to prove to myself that I was still me.”

Since then, Lucas has taken this declaration to heart, while continuing to honor and assist others. After shaving her head, she donated her long, thick, copper-colored hair to Children with Hair Loss. In 2021, Lucas partnered with The Angel Fund, a nonprofit organization, to raise money for others fighting cancer.

She even got a promotion. Lucas was recently

named the executive director of MiningMinnesota, after the retirement of Frank Ongaro, who served in that role for 15 years.

For Lucas, each day of her post-cancer life is like receiving an unopened gift.

“I would tell other survivors, ‘Be grateful for each day,’” she said. “To wake up normal is a gift. Don’t take normal for granted.”

Early life

Lucas was born in Duluth. After her parents divorced when she was 8, she and her brother were raised in Barnum and Moose Lake. Her father sold pole barns for Lester Buildings and operated a hobby farm. Her mother was a supervisor at Ttek Assemblies in Barnum.

After graduating from Barnum High School, Lucas attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology.

“I have always loved animals and the environment,” she

said. “My goal going into college was to learn how the environment affects human health.”

Later, she earned a master’s degree in water resources science, also from UMD.

During college, Lucas became involved with UMD’s Large Lakes Observatory, where she studied ancient lake sediment. A later opportunity, through UMD’s Water Resources Science Program, is what brought her to the Iron Range.

Career

In addition to a passion for science, Lucas has also always loved to teach.

“My mom told me, ‘Other little girls would play with dolls; you had your stuffed animals lined up and you would teach them and read to them,’” Lucas said with a laugh.

For a time, she taught biology and chemistry at Mesabi Range Community College in Virginia. She later picked up an environmental consulting job at Northeast Technical Services. Much of the consulting work she did was for mining companies.

Lucas later worked in environmental management at Hibbing Taconite for 13 years – from 2008-2021. She became the director of Water Resources at Twin Metals in Ely in 2021.

Julie Lucas speaks at the “Better In Our Back Yard” event at the Greysolon Ballroom in January 2021.

And, she was recently named executive director at MiningMinnesota, and started this job Aug. 1, 2022.

She explained a bit about her new role.

“I was recruited for this role, which deals with copper nickel exploration. It goes back to my love of teaching. I work with the public, teaching people what copper nickel is all about.

“There is a lot of science involved,” she added. “I really like taking complicated scientific concepts and helping people understand them.”

As executive director, Lucas will educate a variety of groups, including schools, chambers of commerce, Rotary and other clubs.

In addition to her full-time career, Lucas is the elected supervisor for French Township. She serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota. She is also on the board for a nonprofit organization called RAMS – Range Association of Municipalities and Schools.

Shocking diagnosis

In 2019, Lucas went in for a routine mammogram.

“I had no reason to think anything would be weird,” she said. “But afterwards, they called me and said, ‘We

need you to come back in. It might just be an imaging issue.”

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Her subsequent ultrasound and needle biopsy came back inconclusive. The next step was an excisional biopsy with a lumpectomy.

“My mom, Jane, and my husband, Matt, came with me,” she said. “When I woke up from surgery, I asked them, ‘It was cancer wasn’t it?’”

The entire tumor was removed with clean margins. And her lymph nodes were clear. But it was determined that Lucas had triple negative breast cancer, a pretty aggressive subtype.

“I had to have chemo – a total of 16 rounds,” she explained. “Four rounds of Doxorubicin, or what they call ‘Red Devil,’ because of its red color. It’s made out of naturally red bacteria. And then I had 12 rounds of Taxol.”

Once her long red hair started to fall out from the chemo, a group of supportive girlfriends surrounded Lucas when she shaved her head. As noted, her beautiful hair was donated to Children with Hair Loss. Throughout her treatments, Lucas suffered with mouth sores, exhaustion, heartburn, and sore, tired legs. She continued working full time at Hibbing Taconite, however, throughout her illness and treatments.

The next step for Lucas involved being given a choice: radiation or a

double-mastectomy. Due to what she described as having “broken BRCA genes,” Lucas opted for the doublemastectomy.

At this point, Lucas’ prognosis looks good. She visits her doctor regularly for checkups and blood work. She is currently described as having “no evidence of disease” until she can officially be considered in remission, which occurs at the five-year mark.

Giving back

The experience of breast cancer was understandably very frightening for Lucas.

“It was such a scary, lonesome time, but it’s made me a lot more empathetic towards other people,” she noted.

Unfortunately, cancer does run in Lucas’ family. Her maternal grandmother had breast cancer, and her dad is currently fighting pancreatic cancer. Her uncle recently passed away from the disease. So the cause is deeply personal.

In 2021, Lucas decided to raise money for others fighting cancer, and partnered with the Angel Fund of Northeastern Minnesota. She biked 128 miles, from Ely to Grand Rapids in just two days, in an event called Ride Across the Range. This helped raise over $2,500 to help cancer patients. The event occurred in October, coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Julie Lucas enjoy some fall fishing on Lake Vermilion.

Julie Lucas celebrates after completing the Ely Marathon in 2018.

Deeper connections

Lucas found that the bonds she shares with her friends, husband and parents deepened during her experience.

“It’s incredible to me how women in particular will rally the troops to provide support,” she noted. “Whether through greeting cards, texts or calls – anything helps. It’s OK to say, ‘I don’t know what to say, but I love you and I’m here for you.’”

Hobbies and interests

When she isn’t working, Lucas enjoys gardening, with a particular affinity for creating pollinator gardens. She also enjoys snowshoeing, kayaking and reading.

She and her husband, Matt, who is a steelworker at Hibbing Taconite, have a cat named Rocky.

Advice

When asked, Lucas offered some advice for others who may be in a similar situation.

“Don’t procrastinate in life,” she said. “I always remind myself to stop thinking I will get a tomorrow.”

Another important thing to keep in mind is that we only get one body.

“One of the things that helped me get through it was to be healthy beforehand,” Lucas shared. “Our bodies are relying on us to take care of them. So, take care of the body you have.” D

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

Julie Lucas takes a breather in Nashwauk on the second day of the Ride Across the Range 2021.

Grand Rapids woman finds joy despite struggle with diabetes

By Abigail Blonigen

Kerry Larsen was diagnosed with diabetes on her 50th birthday, but both she and her doctors were relatively shocked. She had been healthy and active all of her life.

“Diabetes does not discriminate, but I just didn’t fit the criteria of having diabetes,” said Larsen, now 55 and living in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

In fact, Larsen had a physical about six months before her diagnosis, and everything checked out. It was actually her eye doctor who encouraged her to get tested, as her eyes were changing constantly.

The only other symptoms Larsen recalled were frequent unexplained urinary tract infections, being overtired, and overall feeling “not quite right.”

Of the diagnosis, Larsen said, “I was surprised, but I was also thankful that it was something that I could manage. But, boy, I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into.”

At first Larsen tried to manage the disease without medication through lifestyle changes, as she was initially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

“I did everything I was supposed to do,” she said. “I even lost more weight, exercised more … I was going to try to do

this without medicine, and it was not working for me.”

Larsen’s diagnosis was changed to Type 1 diabetes, which tends to be more genetic than lifestyle related, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Larsen now manages her condition with medicine in addition to a healthy diet and exercise. She gives herself multiple shots throughout the day to help her body compensate for her pancreas’ inability to produce insulin.

In terms of diet, Larsen has to carefully track her blood sugar and watch her sugar intake. She said the diet piece is frustrating because the same foods can affect her body differently on different days. Stress and other factors can also cause her numbers to swing up and down.

“It is like a 24-hour job that you have to constantly,

Kerry Larsen and her husband Jason enjoy a beautiful sunset while on a beach vacation. Larsen describes her husband as "her rock."

constantly work on and to try to stay healthy,” Larsen said. “I am a human and there are days I say I’m tired, I can’t do this, and you have to just pick yourself up and do it again.”

Larsen’s positivity and openness in discussing her diabetes led her to launch her own business called Kerry’s All Around Motivation. Through this side

hustle, Larsen gives motivational speeches and meets with folks one on one to talk about their struggles.

“I believe in talking about my diabetes,” she said. “I’m very open about it, and anybody that knows me knows that I want to encourage people to live

Continued on page 12

Part of living with diabetes is daily shots. These are the shots Larsen gives herself several times a day.

life the best they can.”

Larsen finds strength by giving back to her community. She is proud to have worked at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce for 21 years, currently serving as their membership and tourism coordinator.

She also helped launch the Grand Rapids mother-son dance.

“There’s always been a father-daughter dance, but never a mother-son dance,” Larsen said. “When I started out in the community people were so excited. It’s such a fun night, and I always give back in anything

that I do.”

The proceeds for the mother-son dance go to the Itasca County search and rescue team.

Larsen also fundraises for the American Diabetes Association through the handmade lotion she makes and sells around Christmas and Mother’s Day.

Larsen said her family, friends and coworkers have been crucial in her struggle with her disease.

“I love my community,” she said. “My coworkers are always checking on me. My sister’s always checking when we go to

family events. My family’s always checking on me. My husband’s always checking on me. My kids are always checking. I mean, everybody’s always like, have you eaten? Are you OK? How’s your numbers? I have such a great support group. I can only hope that other people have that.”

For other folks struggling with diabetes and other chronic illnesses, Larsen stressed that it’s OK to not be OK, that it is OK to be mad or sad, but to make a point of finding things that make them feel good.

“Find something else that makes you feel good inside,” she said. “Don’t let the disease define you — I mean that sounds corny, but you are loved and you are still a person and you are human.”

Those interested in reaching out to Larsen about speaking opportunities can find her on Facebook at Kerry’s All Around Motivation or email her at kerrysmotivation@outlook.com. D

Abigail Blonigen is a Minnesota freelance writer.

Kerry Larsen's family — daughters Taylor and Sara, and husband Jason — have been supportive throughout her journey with diabetes.

Kerry Larsen enjoys a bike ride with her granddaughter Sofia who lives in California.

Kerry Larsen and her sister Mary Litchke wear matching shirts that say "Be Kind."

Kerry Larsen uses a silly filter with her nephew's son, Logan.

Milaca woman strives to ‘save the brays’

By Abigail Blonigen

Many have heard the phrase “adopt, don’t shop” when adding a pet to the family. However, cats and dogs aren’t the only furry friends who deserve a second chance.

That is where Kym Garvey decided to step in. Garvey is the founder of Save the Brays Donkey Rescue, the first and only organization of its kind in Minnesota. Save the Brays aims to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome surrendered donkeys as well as educate the public on these misunderstood creatures.

Garvey grew up in Cromwell, Minnesota, later moving to Barnum. She grew up with horses and around 2003 acquired her first rescue donkey, a miniature breed. She loved the mini so much that she went on to purchase two mammoth donkeys.

“Then I decided that I got along so much better with donkeys than I did with horses,” said Garvey, and she became almost exclusively dedicated to them after that.

At the same time, Garvey was volunteering for the Minnesota Federated Humane Society doing animal welfare investigations. As she learned more about donkeys’ management and mannerisms, she also saw a need for these animals to have specialized care in rescue.

In 2007, Garvey began making strides toward Save the Brays becoming a nonprofit, but that was interrupted by changing life circumstances. In 2015 she tried again, and Save the Brays officially became a

Kym Garvey stands with Melissa, a rescue donkey that came in with a group of six others.

Kym Garvey poses with mammoth donkey Louisiana.

501(c)3 nonprofit in 2016.

Now located in Milaca, Minnesota, Garvey has an average of 55 donkeys at a time at her rescue. Most cases are owner surrenders, though a few come from neglect cases and from auctions.

Before a donkey is adopted out, it goes through a veterinary exam and treatment as well as some training. Their feet often need to be tended to, as donkey feet are much different than horses. Garvey makes sure they can safely pick up all four feet before they are rehomed.

Most donkeys can be rehomed, but there are some exceptions.

“Sometimes we have ones that have pretty severe emotional needs that I don’t think would make them safe to adopt out, or some have pretty severe health needs,” she said. “Those stay with us until we can’t keep them comfortable anymore.”

Garvey sees donkeys becoming a more popular pet on hobby farms and horse farms.

“With the increase in popularity comes an increase in population, which sadly follows an increase in unwanted animals,” Save the Brays states on its Facebook page.

Another issue is that folks will treat their donkeys like horses, when donkeys actually have very different needs, from diet and training to hoof care.

“Horses have a really high flight mentality and donkeys have the higher fight mentality,” Garvey explained. “We’ll kind of force a horse to do what we want, but a donkey can’t do that. They’ll put on the brakes, and that’s where you get that stubborn image because the donkey is not going to do anything that’s going to endanger itself. If it’s unsure of what we’re asking, or if it doesn’t trust us, you pretty much can’t make them do it. Training wise, there’s a lot of differences, and it takes a lot of patience. Usually, you learn lots of patience when you work with a donkey.”

Though donkeys are often seen as stubborn and sometimes mean, Garvey maintains they are friendly and loving animals

when handled correctly.

“Donkeys are kind of like a big dog. They naturally are drawn to people. … They kind of helped my anxiety and everything cuz they’re a lot calmer (than horses).”

Most of the donkeys Garvey adopts out are to hobby farms, though some are adopted out as show donkeys, riding donkeys, a companion to a horse or even for therapy programs.

Continued on page 16

Fabio Charlie

Fabio came into Save the Brays Rescue several months ago. Here he is pictured before he was surrendered, signed over by the owner to the authorities.

Fabio had extremely overgrown hooves when he was checked into rescue. Pictured is the hoof cut off with a Sawzall.

Kym Garvey and Woody are pictured right after he was taken off the trailer at Save the Brays Donkey Rescue. His halter had to be cut off and his hooves were in terrible condition.

Woody, with overgrown hooves, was surrendered to Save the Brays. Donkey hoof care is different than horses.

Fabio looks much healthier and happier after several months at Save the Brays.

Orphan baby BJ taking a nap with Kym Garvey.

Before someone can adopt, they go through a screening process to ensure a good match and a safe home. Donkeys can live up to 40 years, so it really is a forever home.

Garvey left her previous job as a veterinary technician about two years ago to care for the animals full time. Save the Brays has no paid staff; all of the work is done by volunteers. About 10 people volunteer regularly in addition to Garvey, and she is always looking for more support.

Volunteers help with cleaning up after the donkeys, socializing with them and assisting with occasional events. Part of the reason Garvey moved the brays from Barnum to Milaca was to be in a more populated area for volunteer recruitment.

In addition to caring for and rehoming the donkeys, Garvey also works to educate the public and current donkey owners.

“Our main goal is to educate people on the proper way to take care of them,” she said. “I get lots of local people that will contact me, and I’ll go out to their property at no charge and try and help them work with their donkey, or talk to them on the phone and try and give them pointers of different things they can do, so they can keep their animal and have a good relationship with them.”

Garvey has two of her own mammoth donkeys that are not associated with the rescue.

To learn more about Save the Brays Donkey Rescue, visit savethebrays.org or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. D

Abigail Blonigen is a Minnesota freelance writer.

Research needed before committing to animal adoption

OCTOBER IS ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH

By Tony Bennett

Junior is one of the dogs available at Northern Lakes Rescue, which uses a foster-to-adopt method, meaning people can take their time getting to know the animal they’ve taken time to select. “It allows an adopter to be able to bring that (pet) into their home and make sure they are ready to commit,” said Shannon Steele, operations manager.

If you’re thinking about adopting an animal and maybe don’t have a ton of experience with the process of adoption, it’s wise to talk to professionals who can walk you through the process and help you to make decisions that set you up for success.

There are a few different regional agencies that can help with this, so that you feel supported and able to be the best pet owner you can be, both for you and your new animal friend.

Shannon Steele is the operations manager of Northern Lakes Rescue, and she pointed out that her organization is one that focuses on the act of fostering an animal, something that ensures the match between pet and owner is a good one before the official adoption takes place.

“We're a foster-based rescue,” Steele said. “We’re not a shelter. People can’t just come to a certain location and look at all the dogs. Our process starts with (a potential pet adopter) seeing our dogs on either Petfinder or Facebook.”

Once interest in an animal has taken root, Steele said certain questions should be considered.

“Are you truly ready?” she said. “This is a lifelong commitment. We have an initial phone conversation, making sure that this is what they’re looking for. Is it the right match? Before they even meet the dog, we’re already contacting them.”

Northern Lakes saves animals locally

from shelters and owner-surrenders and also has a transport that comes from Texas on a regular basis. Steele said this means the perfect pet for a particular home might not currently be available, but it might be very soon.

“It’s a great way to be able to find that right pet,” Steele said.

The Northern Lakes foster-to-adopt

method also means people can take their time getting to know the animal they’ve taken time to select.

“It allows an adopter to be able to bring that (pet) into their home and make sure they are ready to commit,” Steele said, adding that Northern Lakes

assists by providing supplies during the fostering process.

Emily Spurgeon is the program manager for Animal Allies in Duluth, who facilitates up to 1,500 or so adoptions a year. She also feels that petadoption isn’t just a one-step process.

“We always applaud people who do a little bit of research,” she said. “Do you want a longhaired cat or a short-haired cat? Do you know if you’d prefer a kitten or an older cat? On the dog side, do you have a specific breed in mind, or specific personality types that you like? Do you want a laidback dog, or a really highenergy runner?”

Animal Allies has adoption counselors who can help people decide what kind of animal might be a good fit, Spurgeon said.

“We try to counsel and not decide for people, because, obviously, we don’t live with them, and we don’t know what’s going to work in their house. But we do like to advocate for what we think is best for the pet. We always kind of try to talk about it from the pet’s perspective.”

Once an adoption happens, the real work begins.

“Everybody in the household has an adjustment period,” Spurgeon said. “It’s

kind of like bringing home a new baby. It changes your life for the rest of your life, truly. We have a lot of great resources that we give adopters on how to introduce them to new family members and other pets in the home.”

Lareasha Conners, shelter director at Humane Society of Douglas County in Superior, said her job “fills my heart.” She’s had animals her whole life, and she concurred that being prepared when adopting is paramount.

“This is a life we’re talking about,” Connors said. “Be prepared for a life commitment. This isn’t a trial-and-error. Really study and find out exactly what you want — if that animal is going to fit

your lifestyle. Maybe you think you’re a dog person, but really, you might be a cat person.”

Connors, too, said education is important, and the Humane Society can provide materials to assist in this.

“We have pamphlets and informational guidelines we can send home with them,” she noted. “We also have resources for dog training and that sort of thing. We can guide them. It’s just gonna make everybody happier, all around.”

At the end of the day, it's about just that — adding a bit of happiness to a life. Connors recalled one good example of this.

“We had a cat that was here for a long time — our shelter usually has a very quick turnaround,” she said. “He kept being overlooked because he had a medical condition and a very dog-like personality. But this person that adopted him ended up being the most perfect fit, and he is living his best life. We have quite a few of those stories that are just very heartwarming.”

Pet adoption is all about time, consideration, and care, and local shelters and adoption agencies are ready to help. D

Tony Bennett is a Duluth freelance writer.

Shari Carlson is a volunteer dog walker with Animal Allies in Duluth, which facilitates nearly 1,500 adoptions a year. Animal Allies has adoption counselors who can help people decide what kind of animal might be a good fit.

This screenshot from the Humane Society of Douglas County shows a variety of cats and dogs available for adoption. “Really study and find out exactly what you want — if that animal is going to fit your lifestyle,” said Lareasha Connors, shelter director.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANIMAL ALLIES

CARING FO RW OM EN AT EVERYA GE

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Women’shealthcarelikenowhereelse.

Cathy Cato

honors the departed through poetry

By Abigail Blonigen

Losing a loved one is difficult, and finding the right words to honor the departed can be just as hard.

Cathy Cato is a writer specializing in remembrance poetry. A remembrance poem can come in many forms, but its purpose is “to pay homage, promote healing and provide solace,” according to her website.

Cato began writing poetry in about eighth grade. She remembers taking a class trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center where the students were assigned to sit out in the snow and write haiku.

As Cato grew up, her career took more of the science route. She completed her schooling to become a registered nurse in Duluth and then moved to the Twin Cities, working there for about 30 years.

While in the Cities, Cato went back to school for a master’s in public health focusing on occupational health.

“After that I did a lot of corporate jobs, some health and safety medical review work. So, I actually did quite a bit of writing in my career,” she said.

It wasn’t until about 2003 that Cato got more serious about her poetry, inspired by a weeklong workshop led by Joyce Sutphen, Minnesota’s poet laureate at the time.

Cato moved back to Duluth about 10 years ago, working with injured workers in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 2020, she retired and launched Honor and Comfort.

Her unique experiences as a caretaker, advocate and writer led Cato to the unique art of remembrance poetry. While she was in nursing school, Cato helped provide hospice-type care for her best friend’s mother who was dying.

“I think that gave me compassion and a comfort with death and grieving and that whole process,” she said.

Cato’s own mother passed away at age 70, with her father following just four years later. A difficult time in Cato’s life, she discovered that writing helped her process their death and her grief.

Then she started writing these difficult poems for others, including a friend whose daughter passed away at just 4 years old.

“It seemed to be something that came pretty naturally to me as I got more serious about it … I started getting feedback

about how healing it was for my friends, and I started doing it with acquaintances and it kind of grew from there,” she said.

In Cato’s work with Honor and Comfort, she aims to honor the departed and comfort the loved one. The type of poem depends on what the person is looking for, whether it be a tribute to a loved one or a short reading for a service.

“It might be a tribute poem, it might be a comfort poem. It might be a letter that the person who’s grieving wishes they would have told their loved ones. It’s really based on whatever the need is,” said Cato.

The poems can be written at any time after losing a loved one, whether it was recent, 20 years ago, or even if the person is still alive but is “lost” due to a disease like dementia. She also writes poems to honor deceased pets.

Cato offers a free no-obligation consultation to those interested in using her services to get a sense for what the person is looking for. After writing a poem agreement together, Cato gathers information about the departed — photos, stories, memories. She will sometimes give her clients writing prompts as a way to gather information.

“I had one woman I was working with, and I said write down some things that you really appreciated about your father because she wanted a very personal poem about their relationship.” Cato said. “She sent it back to me and I’m like, ‘You just wrote the poem.’”

Cato then sits with the material she has collected and eventually works into a free write. The free write often reveals patterns and ideas that work their way into the first draft, which is reviewed by the client. Cato then goes back and forth with the client until they have a piece that they are happy with.

“Cathy has the innate gift of authentically capturing the tender moments and spirit of a loved one through her words,” reads one of Cato’s testimonials by Rachel O. “Having this memorialized to revisit and remember is a true treasure.”

Cato also works with a local artist Clare Cooley to provide artwork along with the poem if the client so chooses.

Though working so intimately with people in times of immense grief is very emotional, Cato finds it just as rewarding as it is difficult, and her clients feel the same.

“In the end, every person I’ve written for has indicated that it’s been such a healing experience for them,” said Cato. “Not necessarily an easy experience, but definitely a healing experience.”

Cato has been published in the St. Croix Writers Stories and Poems, the Linden Hills Southwest Journal Newspaper and Seasons-Poems from the Southwest Journal Poetry Project.

If one is interested in working with Cato or learning more about her work, they can visit honorandcomfort.com. D

Abigail Blonigen is a Minnesota freelance writer.

Through her Honor and Comfort remembrance poetry business, Cathy Cato provides personalized poetry, such as a memorial tribute or a short reading for a service.

How to keep your fitness going during the winter months

By Tony Bennett

In the Northland, it's easy to get outside and enjoy all manner of activities that can contribute positively to one's fitness. It doesn't even really cost anything to go for a swim or a hike, and then there's bike riding and outdoor sports and running and everything else.

And then there's the wintertime. Those who are able will find things to do outdoors, even in the cold. There are options — hockey, skiing, curling — but those options aren't easily accessed by all. And it just gets tough when it gets really cold and dark to stay motivated, or to find the time for an outdoor trudge. Around here, the winter blahs can set in without warning. Before you know it, it's been weeks since you broke a sweat, and your mental and physical health are bottoming out.

What to do, then? How does one stay active and focus on their fitness when it's not as easy to just march out the door and into an adventure?

"I think the biggest thing is finding something active that you're interested in," said Emily Ranta, executive director of the downtown branch of the Duluth Area Family YMCA, “whether that's an outdoor activity in the winter or something at an inside location, like the Y.

"The nice thing about the Y is that there's a lot to choose from," Ranta continued. "We have more than just treadmills and heavy weights. We like to say that the Y is more than a gym-and-swim. We have the basic amenities that you expect — ellipticals, bikes, weights. On top of that, we have basketball gyms at all our facilities. A lot of members will come and shoot hoops for 30 minutes to get in their cardio."

Then there are the class offerings at the YMCA — about 75 a week.

"They range from plyometric classes to gentle yoga," Ranta said. "We have aqua aerobics. We have a traditional

Duluth Yoga offers many class options, from simple introductory classes to highlevel, and will work with you to determine the best route to achieve your goals.

muscle-pump class. A wide variety of group-exercise classes. Raquetball. Adult volleyball leagues. Both facilities have indoor tracks for walking and running on, and then there's a lot of opportunities to just be active in our pool areas."

Keeping moving through the winter months, then, is easy with a YMCA membership. No matter what one might be interested in, as Ranta puts it: "The Y has something for everyone, from ages four months — when they can start playing in the kids' club, up through, you know, 100 years old. We have members that come in at age 92 on a daily basis to continue their active lifestyle."

"The nice part," Ranta said, "is that there is seasonality with who we see, but the activities remain constant, year-round, so for people that like that routine and a set schedule, the Y can offer that."

This means people who might favor shooting hoops outside in the spring, summer, and fall can keep their habits intact even when the courts outside are covered with a foot of snow.

Kristin Hill, founder and owner of Duluth Yoga, has many different kinds of classes to offer her clients. But she encourages people to not be afraid to go out in the cold for exercise, as well.

"I really believe that," Hill continued, "at Duluth Yoga, it's an experience — and that's really what we strive to do, to create an atmosphere or community that gives people a holistic experience. It's a beautiful space. It's calm. It's soothing. Music plays a big part. We use a lot of essential oils. And then you have the movement with the yoga, as well, so a lot of the senses are intentionally covered when you come to that space."

Hill has many options for her students, from simple introductory classes to high-level ones. Duluth Yoga works with people to determine the best route to whatever their individual goals might be.

"It might be stress management," Hill said. "Some might be more strength-related."

There are private options, as well, for those who might be nervous about being in a room and practicing yoga with others.

The Duluth Area Family YMCA offers a variety of classes, such as plyometrics, gentle yoga, aqua aerobics, traditional “musclepump” and group-exercise classes.

"I'm a huge advocate of being outside," she said, "and finding a sport or activity that you love to do in the wintertime. It's extremely healthy to be out in nature and get fresh air."

When the elements are too much, though, Hill has options.

"At the studio, we use infrared heating panels for our classes," she said. "That has lots of therapeutic benefits. It increases the circulation in your body. It allows your tissues to heat up sooner, so you can stretch easier, with less chance of injury. And that overlaps into what people do on a daily basis — even getting out of bed.

"All our teachers do private classes," Hill said. "We've had many people do that. They [might] want to to a couple private sessions, just one-on-one, to learn what it's about and how to do it best for themselves before they join a group. I think a lot of people do get intimidated going to a new space.

"It's really important to emphasize that it's not about being good at it," Hill said. "You just get to show up and move your body and you will simply benefit. It's not about being good or bad at it."

That's the key, and there are many local options for those looking to stay in motion during the sometimes-difficult winters in this region, even when climbing out from under a blanket seems like the last thing you might want to do. D

Tony Bennett is a Duluth freelance writer.

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

Hello, dear readers!

Fall is here.

I certainly felt the bittersweet end of summer, when school supplies appear, the days get shorter, pumpkin spice lattes make a comeback (yum) and summer clothes go on clearance. While I love cozy sweaters, warm drinks, comfort food and fall leaves, it is always hard to say goodbye to another sweet but short summer.

One thing I love about fall, however, is fall fashion. Warm earth tones, thick sweaters, scarves and boots all make their way to the front of my closet. For this issue of The Woman Today, we traveled over the bridge to Goodwill.

I was so excited about the challenge of thrifting for this issue. Becoming a mom and managing finances for a household of four has taught me to be frugal. It has also opened my eyes to the amount of waste my family creates. We have closets and drawers full of clothes. Sometimes I swear they only wear something once or twice before it becomes too small and ends up being donated.

Every time we purchase something new, even if we dispose of it responsibly, there is always a chance of it ending up in a landfill. By buying used clothing, you are helping to break the cycle of over-consumption and waste.

I think there is an unfortunate misconception about shopping at thrift stores that you have to be within a lower economic class to participate. That could not be further from the truth. Thrifting is not only great for the environment, but it also puts money back in your pocket, keeps people employed and gives you a chance to score some incredible deals.

I had a chance to sit down with Dodie Brown, president and CEO of Goodwill in Duluth, and Scott Vezina, director of communications and marketing, before I began shopping. I was able to learn about the true mission that lies within Goodwill and I was completely inspired. As Dodie said so beautifully, “You change lives when you shop here,” which is so very true.

Due to the nature of the article, I was able to try clothes on while I shopped, but at this time Goodwill’s dressing rooms are closed. Watch their website, www.goodwillduluth.org, for updates.

I encourage you to all go do some thrifting this fall. I was blown away by my fall finds and had a great time scoring some incredible deals.

Now, let's get into the adorable outfits I found. D

by Sam

This first look just screams fall. This mustard colored sweater, cozy scarf, leggings and adorable leather boots make me want to go play in the leaves with my kiddos and sip a hot apple cider. You could easily pair this sweater with jeans and a vest for a perfect casual look as well.

Look No. 2 uses the same awesome sweater and boots from the first outfit, paired with this gorgeous black-and-mustard shawl. The buttons and fringe add an adorable and unique touch. This is the right thickness for warmth and could easily be paired with other colors, and it’s perfect to keep on hand for chilly nights.

Look No. 5 is another great office outfit, featuring a floral top with beautiful subtle earth tones which would make it easy to pair with many sweaters, cardigans and jackets. This cardigan is so cozy and the beautiful sand color is a great neutral piece. This look could be paired with jeans or slacks, whether you want to dress it up or down.

4 6

Look No. 3 is a show stopper! This look is giving me all the sassy vibes in the best way. You could substitute skinny jeans for leggings for a more casual look or add some slacks and heels to dress it up and make it more sophisticated. I paired this gorgeous red suede blazer and cheetah top with leggings and black booties.

3 5 7

Finally, this gorgeous green sweater has such a great fit and length and it pairs perfectly with leggings. This is the ultimate holiday sweater, in my opinion, perfect for a Christmas or Thanksgiving get-together. It’s ultra forgiving along the midsection so you can indulge in all your favorite fall treats without having to worry about a bloated tummy stealing your gorgeous thunder.

Look No. 4 is one of my favorites — it’s the perfect casual outfit, in my opinion. I paired this super soft “dog mom” tee with an oversized flannel shirt and leggings. I would definitely pair this with some sneakers or hiking boots. This is a great option for lazy days at home and casual errand running.

This outfit features the same awesome cheetah top from look No. 3. The shirt is so adorable that it definitely deserves its own recognition. It also shows the versatility of this top to easily go from business to casual.

The secret life of Laundry

Conserving water and energy

By Claire Kiger

In1978, disco was all the rage, Grease had just hit theaters and Julie Shober was starting her career at St. Luke’s. For the past 43 years, she’s been a linen attendant, faithfully folding and ironing laundry for patients who don’t even know she’s there. It’s not a glamorous position, but Julie loves her job.

“If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t still be here,” she said with a smile as she folded fresh hospital gowns from a large bin. Julie knows that what she does matters, and she’s happy to be part of a team that makes a difference. Committed employees like Julie are one of the reasons St. Luke’s still has an in-house laundry service.

Choosing to keep laundry in-house

“Doing our own laundry is pretty unique,” said Mike Boeselager, St. Luke’s vice president of support services. “In fact, we’re one of only four healthcare systems in the state who’ve kept this service in-house.”

A few years ago, St. Luke’s considered following suit.

“But after really looking into it, we realized we have two really great reasons to keep our laundry in house: our people and our planet.”

Some of Duluth’s downtown area, including St. Luke’s Hospital, is heated by a centralized steam plant. Several years ago, St. Luke’s began capturing the used steam.

“Normally, that wasted steam would just go down the sewer,” said Julie Spangenberg, St. Luke’s hospitality director. “But we found a way to collect it and use it in our laundry processes.”

By doing this, St. Luke’s conserves a lot of water.

“In the laundry industry, water conservation is a big focus,” Julie explained. “So, this was a really exciting thing for us. Especially in the winter, we’re pulling almost 100% of our water for laundry from this reclaimed steam.”

Since the water that comes from the steam is already hot, St. Luke’s is also conserving energy and saving the environment. Every year, 26 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are avoided using this method. That’s equivalent to CO2 emissions of an average passenger car driving 64,000 miles or the charging of 3.1 million smartphones.

Keeping jobs local

Keeping laundry in-house also creates local jobs.

“Instead of having people in Pine City or the Twin Cities doing the work, it stays in our community,” Boeselager said. “This sustains jobs that stimulate our economy.”

There are currently 17 people responsible for St. Luke’s

The team of employees responsible for St. Luke’s Laundry.

How keeping laundry in-house at St. Luke’s benefits economy and the environment

laundry. Six are on the wash team, sorting and loading the washers; nine are linen attendants, folding and ironing; and two are linen porters, delivering the fresh laundry wherever it’s needed. On average, they process about 6,000 pounds of laundry every day.

“We are so fortunate to have great people like Julie. The whole group is so engaged,” Spangenberg said. “They always want to know the patient census and how many pounds we’ve washed. I just can’t say enough about them. They’re fantastic.”

However, this group of people is more than just an efficient team of

workers. They’re a strong community.

“They’re like a family,” said Jessica Schroeder, St. Luke’s hospitality supervisor. “Many of them have known each other for decades. They care about each other and are always ready to help one another out. It’s a great culture to be a part of.”

To learn more about St. Luke’s is building a culture of sustainability, visit slhduluth.com/sustainability. D

Ourc ap ti va ting spaces, no table amenit ies, anddedic at ed banque tk it chen meansweexecu te exquisit ee vent s—f romweddings grandormicro,to reunions, re tirement part iesand beyond.Our fr iendl yand ex pert event st af fare more thanhappy to handleall thedet ails.Which meansy ou can enjoyt he event alongside your guest s.

Make your next ga thering unforget table at Cl ydeEvent Cent er, wher eget -t oget her sget going.

Linen Attendant Julie Shober will celebrate 44 years with St. Luke’s in December.

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

Halloween trends for 2022: Velvet, superhero costumes and mushrooms galore!

By Andrea Busche

Halloween 2022 is almost here, and it’s ushering in plenty of exciting trends. Among them: floral centerpieces constructed of dried pods and moody flowers. Decorating with soft, velvet fabrics and luscious jewel tones. Costumes featuring superheroes and animals. And, mushrooms — plenty of mushrooms.

This season, consider incorporating some fresh decor or a new costume into your Halloween repertoire. Best of all? Many of the items listed here can be purchased locally, helping to support our hardworking small business owners and artisans.

Stacey LaCoursiere is the owner of Duluth Studio Market, a sweet little shop that specializes in “a mix of local art and goods that matter.” Located at 512 N. 45th Ave. E. in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood, the store sells items sourced from over 30 local vendors from around the Twin Ports.

LaCoursiere shared some of what’s trending for the upcoming Halloween season.

“We’re seeing lots of mushrooms and velvet,” she noted. “Anything mushroom, from a glass mushroom that is like a vase, to a velvet-topped mushroom where the bottom or base is made of wood.”

Home décor

Duluth Studio Market also carries an array of adorable velvet pumpkins, which, together with the mushrooms, would make a gorgeous Halloween centerpiece.

“I would group them together using an odd number (three or five), and use them to decorate a table, porch, or landing,” LaCoursiere said.

And, when it comes to color, “jeweltoned colors are really popular,” she shared. “Colors like avocado green, gold and crimson reds.”

Costumes

Whether you have a little one who is excited to trick-ortreat, or are a fullygrown adult heading to a Halloween party, there are plenty of fun ideas for dressing up this year. Emily Austin is the owner of Once Upon a Child, located at 5115 Burning Tree Road, a shop that buys and sells gently used kids’ items, including clothing, toys, books, equipment and more.

Halloween is an exciting time for Austin and her team. Hundreds of gentlyused kids’ Halloween costumes hit the shelves in September.

“This year, we are expecting a wide array of Marvel, Avengers and Star Wars costumes,” Austin said. “We always have tons of animal costumes, like unicorns, too. And, Disney princesses and superheroes are really trending.”

Once Upon a Child also sells brand-new Halloween bows and hair accessories. The costumes are sold at up to 70% off retail prices; each costume is typically priced between $3.50 and $12.

And, if you don’t find what you’re looking for right away, try to come back soon.

“Be sure to shop often,” Austin said. “Our inventory changes every day.”

Another option for Halloween costume shopping is Spirit

Halloween. Featuring two pop-up locations in Duluth: in the Miller Hill Mall and in the former Bed, Bath & Beyond space at 1303 Miller Trunk Highway. Spirit Halloween sells a wide variety of Halloween decor, masks, accessories and costumes for all ages. A quick conversation with a very busy Spirit Halloween clerk uncovered the most popular costume being sold that particular day: a cow. Florals

For florals, we expanded our search to solicit advice from the arguable queen of domesticity: Martha Stewart. A recent article written by Roxanna Coldiron and posted on marthastewart.com, “12 Halloween Flower Ideas That Would Make Eerily Beautiful Additions to Your Spooky Décor,” revealed several floral décor trends for Halloween 2022.

“Anything in season works,” suggested Clover Chadwick, owner and lead designer of Dandelion Ranch. “And dried pods of flowers from the end of summer are also great because they are kind of creepy and interesting.”

The fall harvest season provides a bounty of inspiration: heirloom pumpkins, gourds, flowers and edible crops. For floral arrangements, focus on dark, moody colors and textures that play into the spooky season. This includes black calla lilies, dried lotus pods, black baccara roses, American bittersweet, rose hips, spider mums and quicksand roses.

Katherine Anderson, floral designer and co-owner of The London Plane, advised against using strong oranges in your flower palette. “Do off-tones,” she said, “like soft gray-greens instead of trying to go black.”

Continued on page 32

Mushrooms are a popular fall decoration this year, including these velvet and wood designs found at Duluth Studio Market, which also offers a glass vase in the shape of a mushroom, as well as velvet pumpkins.

For Halloween tabletop arrangements and centerpieces, try pairing your flowers with sculptural vases and decorated pumpkins. You can also include other parts of plants to set the mood.

Chadwick recommends adding a “branchy” element to your centerpiece.

“Shaping the centerpiece with branches will give it that spookiness,” she said. And your creepiest pumpkin could be the focal point in your arrangement. Plants that have unsettling features like spider mums and “Love Lies Bleeding” heirloom amaranth are also great for setting the spooky atmosphere.

Locally, LaCoursiere is seeing a lot of requests for real, dried floral bouquets.

“They still have color and scent. Sunflowers have been a big request this year.” D

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

Spirit Halloween, with two locations in Duluth, offers all things Halloween, from wigs, masks and makeup, to accessories and costumes for all ages, to home and yard decor.

Arts & Events Calendar

The West Theatre Events

Thursdays in October and November

Oct. 6 - Church of Cash (Johnny Cash tribute band); Oct. 20 - Paula Poundstone (comedian). Visit thewesttheatre/events.com.

Menopause The Musical

7:30 p.m. October 4

Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra AND memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more! This hilarious musical parody will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. Visit www.decc.org/event/menopause-themusical-2022.

Bayfield Apple Festival

October 7-9

This 60th annual event will feature more than 60 orchard and food booths, nearly 100 arts and crafts booths, a kids carnival with games and rides and, of course, all things apple! Visit www.bayfield.org/bayfieldapple-festival.

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.

Nunsense

October 7-16

This hilarious spoof about the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser features catchy songs and irreverent comedy.

Performances are in The Spirit of the North Theatre (3rd floor Fitger’s Building. Visit www.boatclubrestaurant.com/ productions.

St. Louis County Out Loud

5:30 p.m. Oct. 13

The St. Louis County Depot invites you to experience the inspiring, insightful stories of some of the county’s finest innovative and inventive thinkers, including Hailey Eidenschink, Michael Fox and David Fink. Event is free. Visit www. experiencethedepot.org/event/st-louiscounty-out-loud.

Colores Flamencos

7 p.m. October 13

2017 McKnight Dancer Fellow Sachiko “La Chayí” invites audiences to join her Southern Spanish tablaostyle Flamenco in which music, voice and movement harmonize and create vibrant and nuanced colors of emotions, at Zeitgeist’s Teatro. Visit www.zeitgeistarts.com.

DSSO: Masterworks II

7 p.m. October 15

Featuring Price and Mozart at the DECC’s Symphony Hall, an encore performance will also be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Superior Cathedral. Visit www.dsso.com/concert/ price-mozart.

Senior GO Show

9 a.m. October 18

Find all the important information you need as you get older – estate planning, healthcare, etc. –but now the GO Show will focus not just on what you have to do, but what they WANT to do! This means more fun – with exhibitors featuring travel, beer, food, outdoor gear, hobbies, and afternoon entertainment that will rock. Visit www.goshowexpo.com.

Nate Bargatze: The Raincheck Tour

7 p.m. October 20

Comedian

Nate Bargatze has two Netflix specials, “The Tennessee Kid” and “The Greatest

Average American,” but will bring all new material to Duluth’s show at Symphony Hall. Visit www.decc.org/event/nate-bargatze.

The SpongeBob Musical

October 21-23

As SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face unexpected chaos in their under sea world, the most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. With his friends Patrick Star and Sandy by his side, SpongeBob is out to save the day while proving that he isn’t just a simple sponge. Visit www.duluthplayhouse.org.

DAI Masquerade Gala

6:30 p.m. October 27

The Duluth Art Institute’s Masquerade Gala celebrates contemporary art, artists and the community. The fundraiser offers a silent auction, fund-a-need campaign, and general donations. Attendees should bring cash for games and busker tips. Visit www. duluthartinstitute.org/gala.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

October 27-30

Zenith City Horror returns to the Underground Theatre to work their magic to bring this classic cult film to life. Come dressed as your favorite Rocky character and enjoy the hysterical live performers and audience participation! Visit www.duluthplayhouse. org/underground-theatre.

Duluth Junk Hunt

November 3-5

This three-day indoor market is filled with rusty, chippy, vintage goodness — the coolest antique finds and repurposed pieces, all in the DECC’s South Pioneer Hall. Visit www.duluthjunkhunt.com.

Project Joy

5-9 p.m. November 4

This fundraiser at the Duluth Curling Club will feature live music, silent auction, appetizers, cash bar and more! All proceeds help to fund programs that deal with food insecurity for kids.

DSSO: Masterworks III

7 p.m. November 5

This concert features Vaughan Williams and Tippett at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit www.dsso.com/ concert/vaughan-williams-tippett.

The Thanksgiving Play

November 11-20

At the Underground Theatre, good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in Larissa FastHorse’s wickedly funny satire, as a troupe of terminally “woke” teaching artists scramble to create a pageant that somehow manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month. Visit www. duluthplayhouse.org/underground-theatre.

Bert Kreischer: The Berty Boy Relapse Tour

November 15

Renowned stand-up comedian, podcast host, and author Bert Kreischer is known for his unique brand of comedy, which interweaves party-boy antics with humorous anecdotes about family and fatherhood. Visit www.decc.org/event/ berty-boy.

Christmas City of the North Parade

6:30 p.m. November 18

This annual holiday tradition that spans six decades features marching bands, dance performances, colorful floats and an appearance by Santa Claus. The parade begins in front of Fitger's Brewing Complex at Sixth Avenue East and marches on Superior Street to Fourth Avenue

West. Email agreen @ kbjr6.com for more information.

Duluth Fiber Guild Annual Fiber Fair and Sale

10 a.m. November 19

This free event, at First United Methodist Church (Coppertop) in Duluth, features high quality, finely crafted textile art items created by local textile artists, demonstrations of weaving, spinning and more, plus hands-on activities for children. Visit www.duluthfiberguild.org/fiber-fairsale.

Bentleyville Tour of Lights Opening Night

5 p.m. November 19

Duluth's mega Christmaslight spectacular is the largest walk-through display of lights in America. Guests can stroll under the glow of more than 4 million lights in a 20-acre park on the shores of Lake Superior. Mr. and Mrs. Claus, along with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, will be on hand for photos and handing out candy canes. Visit www.bentleyvilleusa.org.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

7 p.m. November 27

Enjoy a Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus arts. As lights dim and the music swells, audiences will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads

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A close call: How routine mammograms catch breast cancer early

By Anthony Matt

If you ever needed a reason to schedule your annual mammogram, look no further than 49-year-old Hermantown resident Heather Gould. Since she turned 40, Gould has made the yearly visit to Essentia Health for this routine procedure, despite the fact that she is considered low risk and has minimal family history of cancer.

“Routine mammograms save lives, and that was definitely the case in my situation,” Gould said.

In October 2020, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the wife and mom of three got the news after her annual mammogram. A 3D scan at Essentia showed she had invasive ductal carcinoma, a breast cancer that happens when abnormal cells growing in the lining of the ductal cells change and invade the adjacent breast tissue.

“The word ‘cancer’ is scary, but I never asked myself, ‘Why me?’ I asked myself, ‘Why not me?’” she said. “I wanted to know as much as I could about my breast cancer so I could share with others in the future.”

Fortunately, it was a fairly common breast cancer that is curable and treatable, especially when caught in its early stages like it was for Gould. She said her care team established a quick action plan and got to work right away to ensure the best possible outcome.

“Every doctor, nurse, therapist, reception staff, everyone on Essentia’s staff was amazing to me during this time,” Gould said. “They genuinely cared about my life, my family and how I was doing.”

Over the next six months, her care would include two lumpectomies and 20 radiation treatments.

“Fortunately, the tools for treatment are much more advanced now and we were able to determine that she did not need chemotherapy to treat this cancer,” said Dr. Dan Nikcevich, an oncologist and hematologist at the Essentia Health Cancer Center. “Because of predictive technology, we know if she continues with her treatment there is a 97% chance her cancer will never return.”

“It felt like a really long time, but looking back it was relatively quick and I’m so grateful Essentia was diligent in

Heather Gould (in pink), a breast cancer survivor, at her Esko home with her family, Nash, Brooklyn, Pete, Kendall and son-in-law Jesse. “Genetic testing for me was all negative and I wasn’t considered high risk. You don’t need to have a family history to get breast cancer.”

every aspect of my care,” Gould said. “I really appreciate how thorough they were.”

Gould said her journey wasn’t easy, but she’s thankful the cancer was detected early and that Essentia staff were so respectful of her questions and concerns.

“I had a really hard time with some of the decisions that needed to be made, but doctors and staff were so helpful and informative and helped me make decisions that were best for me,” Gould said.

In March 2021, roughly six months after her diagnosis, she was declared cancer-free.

“It’s really emotional to hear you are cancer-free,” Gould said. “I just felt pure joy and so fortunate and blessed to hear those words.”

“We can help 100% of the people we see,” Nikcevich said. “It’s important for patients to know they can be helped. We have a good plan and the right plan to support them every step of the way by using all care options available, whether that’s established standards of care or in the context of our clinical trials program where we investigate new and innovative options to treat our patients.”

Guided by her faith in God and strong support from family and friends, Gould said those around her made a big difference during those six months of cancer treatment.

“People were always praying for me, sending me messages, dropping off meals, doing whatever they could to help me,” Gould said. “The support from family, friends, my church and everyone was so incredible and I’m so grateful for that.”

While uncertain and nervous at times, Gould said Essentia staff soothed her and helped her feel positive.

“The whole breast center makes you feel like you’re their only patient,” she said.

Now, Gould advocates for women to take their breast health seriously, even if they don’t feel like they’re at risk.

“You just never know. Genetic testing for me was all negative and I wasn’t considered high risk,” Gould said. “You don’t need to have a family history to get breast cancer.”

More importantly, she said if something feels off, schedule an appointment to get it looked at.

“Don’t be afraid; have hope and faith and trust in your care teams and take that leap of faith because it could save your life,” Gould said.

Essentia is known for its high-quality, evidence-based breast care. Our breast health programs in Brainerd, Duluth and Fargo are accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. This accreditation is granted to programs that are committed to providing the best possible care to patients with breast diseases.

You can make an appointment by calling 844-663-1068 — 218-786-1019 if you are in the Duluth area — or schedule a virtual visit online at essentiahealth.org/services/breast-health. D

Anthony Matt is the media relations specialist at Essentia Health.

Homeowners return to designer for new-home build

By Tony Bennett

The decision to build a home is often one where people attempt to build the home of their dreams and then do their best to make it their "forever" home.

It's such a huge task, many only have the energy to go through the process but once. For Kari and Matthew Lewis, their recent build project was only their most recent.

"Originally," Kari said, "we were living in Hermantown, in a development. We had built a home in 2013. And we decided that living in the development was not for us. By 2016 or 2017, we were ready to move. The development started to fill in, and the neighbors got closer and closer. And so we started looking for land out in the country and stumbled upon this property.

We purchased it in 2020."

The land on the outskirts of the city was perfect for what they were looking for: isolated and private, but not too much so. Removed, but not too far removed. Woodsy, but close to town.

They started construction in October 2020, right in the heart of the pandemic, on a 12.5-acre piece of land that never had anything on it. It was a plan that hadn't been hatched that much earlier, but the couple had a clear idea of what they wanted. And an existing property wouldn't fit the bill.

"I like a certain style," Kari said. "We wanted to be able to custom-design exactly what we wanted."

Continued on page 40

The homeowners made sure to build a patio that featured an outdoor-grilling station with a smoker and a gas grill built into an outdoor kitchen with appliances supplied by Johnson-Merz. They requested a rear covered patio with outdoor kitchen and fireplace that connects to the main living area to create an indoor/outdoor space, which is the hub and center of the home.

Part of the plan was getting enough land to stretch out on.

"We thought we would want at least 5 to 10 acres." A friend recommended the area they landed in, saying it was ideal. "We're in the country, but not too far out," Kari said. "There's a trout stream. It's really wooded. It's quiet."

Heather Hiner of Hiner Home Designs LLC was the Lewis' first call, once they decided to build.

"We knew what we wanted, as far as how many bedrooms

and a living space and what kind of laundry and office area we wanted," Kari said. "Because we had built, before, we knew what we wanted in this house. We were going to downsize a little bit."

"Kari had a real vision," Matthew said, "of lots of big windows. We have a heated slab. There were things that we liked about our other house that we just wanted to incorporate into the new design. (Heather) knew our style from doing our

The white board and batten cabinets brighten the open kitchen floor plan, provided by Arrowhead Supply. The countertops throughout the home are Quartz. The Black & Gold faucets throughout the home are all Moen purchased from Arrowhead Supply. The sleek appliances are a Frigidaire Professional Series Stainless.

previous home, so we just kind of told her what we wanted in this one."

"We knew we wanted a master suite with a big walk-in closet," Kari said. "Two bedrooms. We had a bunch of built-in, custom cabinets."

A big garage was also part of the plan.

"Heather designed it extra deep," Kari said. "It's nice to have the extra room. It's three-and-a-half stalls, and we also have a dog shower and kennels in there for our (five) dogs. We didn't really realize when we put it in how much we would use it."

The garage also features a room above for extra living space and exercise equipment.

Interior designer Heidi Heller also played a big part.

"After Heather drew up what we wanted, we got in contact with (Heidi)," Kari said. "She really ran our whole project for us. She made a lot of the decisions. She guided us to make sure we were getting what we wanted."

"We kinda talked over time and decided on things, together," Matthew said. "I wanted a more comfortable living area. The main living room in our other house was not as comfortable. It was more formal, where this is all kind of functional."

This meant the living room, dining room and kitchen were more integrated.

The whole process of building was integrated, too.

"You start when they're pouring the slab," Kari said. "Our designer was like, 'OK, we need to pick out the fireplaces. We need to get the lighting figured out. When they're running wires, you have to know where you want your fixtures. A lot of that starts really early — picking out your faucets. You need parts of that, as they're starting to frame."

The couple made sure to build a patio that featured an outdoor-grilling station with a smoker and a gas grill built in. Their appliances came from Johnson-Mertz. Closet work was by Northland Custom Closet and Garage. Fixtures came from Circa, Shades of Light, and plumbing was by Moen and purchased at Arrowhead Supply.

Sam Heiken of Northland Custom Closet and Garage had done work for one of Kari's friends.

"(Kari) had a really good idea of what she wanted, and we came up with a design that everybody liked," he said. "We have 3D computer software — I could draw everything up and show her exactly what it would look like."

Continued on page 42

‘There is no harm in repeating a good thing’ ~ Plato

The couple were interested in capturing a modern farmhouse style. This modern openfloor plan provides lots of natural light, with the combination of bright white walls and the warmth of the wood beams. The couple wanted this to be a functional space. All the lighting is from Fixtures-Circa, Shades of Light and Pottery Barn.

"My specialty is custom closet organizers — pantries, garage cabinets, home offices, and things like that," Heiken said. “I did the master closet. All the shelving and hanging, and their island."

The list goes on — racks for pants, laundry hampers, shoe shelving.

Designer Heather Hiner said the project was one marked by a sense of clarity.

"I designed a house for the homeowner several years ago," she said, "so when they opted to move and build again, I was happy to work with them a second time. For this home, they were interested in capturing a modern farmhouse style and gathered images to reflect the look they wanted, which featured a clean symmetrical exterior. The floor plan that I created has the garage on one end, with a similar-sized bedroom wing on the opposite end and living space in the middle, with symmetrical windows and rooflines. In addition,

The on-suite bathroom has a private shower, and a deep soaker tub to overlook the beautiful views.

The large custom closet, with a center island with granite tops, was supplied by Northland Custom Closet. Shelving has racks for pants, laundry hampers, and shoe shelving.

The master bedroom is filled with crisp, clean lines and linens, with a cozy fireplace in the corner and access to the patio.

they requested a rear covered patio with outdoor kitchen and fireplace that connects to the main living area to create an indoor/outdoor space, which is the hub and center of the home.

"Similar to their last home, I was impressed with how the homeowner had a clear vision for their style and the interior selections they wanted," Hiner continued. "The end result is stunning, with every room perfectly finished and furnished, and (it) takes the design I created for them to a higher level than the ordinary. For me, the end result is a team effort that combines my design with their vision and unique style.

"What was interesting about this project," Hiner explained, "is that the design start coincided with the start of the pandemic, so all our communication was phone and video calls. Not once during the design process did we meet face to face, which was quite different than the last time we worked together. Even though the style of this house varied from the previous, the remotedesign process worked well, because I had worked on their previous home and knew what room sizes and features were important to them."

It all amounted to a home the couple is very happy with.

"We love it," Kari said. "It actually turned out better than we could've imagined. All the design stuff is just absolutely perfect." D

BRINGING GREAT DESIGN HOME

218-391-7466

Kelsey Hiner Heather Hiner ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN INTERIOR DESIGN

The second bedroom also has a large one suite bathroom. The soft lighting, and clean white linens give this room a comfortable bright space to spend time in.

The wooded, quiet location with a trout stream running through it sits on 12.5 acres of land. The exterior of the home has LP Smart Siding.

The large three-and-a-half-stall garage also provides space for a dog bath and dog kennels. The large private laundry is designed for functional use and space for all their needs. The entryway has a space to store jackets, hats and necessities.

The garage also features a living space that sits atop the garage on the opposite end of the living space, with symmetrical windows and rooflines to the home.

HARVEST DESSERTSFall

SAVORY ICE CREAMS TO ACCOMPANY FAVORITE SWEET DESSERTS

Recipes prepared by Chef Teal - Mount Royal Market Deli

ICE CREAM BASE

YIELD 1 ½ PINTS

2 cups Heavy cream

1 cup Whole milk

1 cup Sugar

1 tsp Kosher salt

6 Egg yolks

1 tsp. Nielsen-Massey Madagascar

Bourbon vanilla bean paste (Chef’s preferred vanilla)

In a small pot, simmer heavy cream, milk, vanilla, sugar and salt until sugar completely dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat.

In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks. Whisking constantly, slowly whisk about a third of the hot cream into the yolks, then whisk the yolk mixture back into the pot with the cream. Return pot to medium-low heat and gently cook until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

If yolks or mixture was slightly overcooked, strain through fine mesh. Place in the refrigerator for 4 hours or until completely cool.

Depending on the ice cream machine used, add mixture to the machine’s chilled bowl and let churn until the mixture has become a thick soft-serve-

like consistency. Times vary depending on the machine.

Continued on page 50

TOP TO BOTTOM, L-R: CUCUMBER, PUMPKIN, SWEET POTATO, JALAPENO, ROASTED TOMATO, AND HONEY CRISP APPLE

ROASTED JALAPENO ICE CREAM

1 batch Ice cream base

2 Jalapenos

Roast jalapenos over open flame or by using a torch until skin has been charred. Peel off outer skin and remove stem and seeds. Place in a blender until completely pureed. Can be chunky, if desired. Add to ice cream base after the yolks have been added to the base recipe.

CUCUMBER ICE CREAM

1 batch Ice cream base

1 Small peeled and deseeded cucumber

1 Tbsp. Raspberry or other special infused vinegar

Place peeled and deseeded cucumber in a blender with vinegar and blend until completely smooth (a couple of mint leaves can be added for additional flavor but not necessary). Strain in a fine mesh or cheese cloth. Add strained mixture to ice cream base during the simmering process. Garnish with a mint leaf.

ROSEMARY ICE CREAM

1 batch Ice cream base

2 Rosemary sprigs

Finely chop rosemary and add to ice cream base during the simmering process. Garnish with rosemary sprigs.

ROASTED TOMATO WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES GLAZE ICE CREAM

4 Vine-ripened tomatoes cut into quarters

As needed Olive oil

Sprinkle Kosher salt

Sprinkle Crushed black pepper

As needed Pomegranate Molasses Glaze (store bought)

Coat tomatoes in olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a cooking sheet and roast in the oven set to 300 degrees for 45 minutes or until tomatoes look slightly shriveled up and golden brown. Place in a blender until smooth and strain. Depending on the amount of the puree remaining, reduce mixture in pan until ½ cup is remaining. Let cool. Add to ice cream base during the simmering process.

Garnish with pomegranate molasses glaze.

JALAPENO ROSEMARY CUCUMBER

SWEET POTATO AND COCONUT ICE CREAM

1 batch Ice cream base

1 Sweet potato

1 cup Coconut milk

1 tsp. Cinnamon

½ tsp. Ginger powder

Roast sweet potato in the oven until completely cooked and caramelized. Remove skin and place in the blender with coconut milk, cinnamon, and ginger. Strain mixture through a fine mesh (should be the consistency of a milk shake) and let cool. Add to ice cream base, but this time the whole milk will be omitted or removed. Garnish with coconut flakes and caramel.

PUMPKIN & ROASTED PUMPKIN SEED ICE CREAM

1 batch Ice cream base

1 Pumpkin deseeded and quartered

As needed Olive oil

Coat pumpkin in olive oil and place on a baking sheet and place into an oven set at 300 degrees. Cook until the pumpkin is soft and caramelized. Place mixture into a blender and puree until completely smooth.

Optional: Add brown sugar to mixture and place on stove and simmer until mixture is thick and rich in color (some

pumpkins can taste very bland compared to canned product). Place finished mixture into ice cream base during the simmering process. Depending on sugar content, you may want to reduce the amount of sugar from the ice cream base recipe.

To roast pumpkin seeds, rinse until completely clean and dry off. Coat with olive oil or butter, salt and pepper and, if looking for a kick, a pinch of cayenne or paprika. Toast in the oven set to 320 degrees for 25 minutes or until seeds have become golden brown. Let cool and serve over ice cream.

CARAMELIZED HONEYCRISP APPLE ICE CREAM

1 batch Ice cream base

1 Honeycrisp apple, sliced thin

2 Tbsp. Butter

1 tsp. Cinnamon

¼ cup Brown Sugar

Pinch Salt

Saute apple slices in butter, cinnamon and sugar mixture until golden brown and apples have caramelized. Let cool and fold into the finished base ice cream mixture.

ROASTED TOMATO SWEET POTOATO PUMPKIN

ZUCCHINI BREAD From Simply Recipes

Chef’s Note: I use this website because of its base recipe and have substituted out other ingredients. I have always enjoyed using this recipe as a reference for other breads.

Prep time: 20 min

Cook time: 50 min

Total time: 70 minutes

Servings: 18

Yield: 2 loaves

Ingredients

3 to 4 cups Grated fresh zucchini

3/4 cups Unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the pans

3 cups All purpose flour

1 tsp. Baking soda

1 tsp. Baking powder

2 tsps. Cinnamon

½ tsp. Ground ginger

¼ tsp. Ground nutmeg

1 ⅓ cups Sugar

2 large Eggs, beaten

2 tsps. Vanilla extract

¼ tsp. Kosher salt (omit if using salted butter)

1 cup Chopped pecans or walnuts, optional

1 cup Dried cranberries or raisins, optional

Chef’s Note: You can use anywhere from 3 to 4 cups of freshly grated zucchini for this recipe. 4 cups will yield a slightly more dense, moist zucchini bread. Don’t pack flour into the cup when

you’re measuring or your bread will be too dense. Fluff up the flour, scoop into it with a measuring cup, then level it off with a flat knife.

Directions

Place the grated zucchini in a sieve or colander over a bowl to drain any excess moisture while you prep the other ingredients. If the grated zucchini seems to be on the dry side, sprinkle water over it while it’s in the colander, then let drain.

Chef’s note: Not all zucchini contains the same amount of moisture. Fresh homegrown zucchini tend to be wetter than store bought zucchini.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and ground nutmeg and set aside.

In another large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt (omit the salt if using salted butter). Stir in the drained, grated zucchini and then the melted butter. Add the flour mixture, a third at a time, to the sugar-eggzucchini mixture. Stir after each incorporation. Fold in the nuts and dried cranberries or raisins, if desired. Simple tip for the zucchini bread batter: How do you know how much moisture is ‘’right’’ for this recipe? Ideally, the batter will be thick but not pasty, pourable but not thin. If it’s too thick, mix in enough water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the batter is looser.

Divide the batter equally between two loaf pans. Bake for 50 minutes at 350°F (175°C) or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks to cool thoroughly.

CARROT CAKE

Cake Ingredients

2 cups All purpose flour (King Arthur recommended)

2 tsps. Baking powder

2 tsps. Baking soda

2 tsps. Ground cinnamon

1 tsp. Salt

1 Tbsp. Vanilla paste

3 cups Carrots, grated (can use a food processor fitted with a shredding blade)

1 cup Pecans (or walnuts), coarsely chopped

1 cup Coconut, shredded, sweetened or unsweetened

½ cup Plump raisins (moist, dark or golden) or dried

cranberries

2 cups Sugar

1 cup Olive oil

4 Large eggs

Frosting Ingredients

8 ounces Cream cheese, at room temperature

8 Tbsp. Unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 pound Confectioners’ sugar

1 Tbsp. Fresh lemon juice

½ cup Coconut, shredded (optional)

Optional Toasted coconut (or toasted finely chopped nuts) for topping

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease and flour a baking pan, square or round, keeping in mind that size will slightly change cooking time.

In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar, and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in carrots, pecans, and raisins. Pour into the prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes (this will allow the cake to release), remove from the pan, and cool completely.

To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans or coconut for a crunchy consistency.

Two options, for finished product: Depending on the size of baking pans used, this can be served as one big cake and frosted on top. Option two is to use less batter per pan and make layers. Start with a cake layer on bottom, then frosting, cake layer, frosting…… repeat to your heart’s desire. Preferably 3 layers looks great, just finish with more frosting on top and sides. Garnish with more pecans and coconut.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY MOUNT ROYAL MARKET

k i d skorner

By Ali Carlson

Sponsored by:

Hi everyone!

I am sure, like everyone else, we are holding on to the last few warm days of the season! Sloane has had a super eventful end of summer. We have spent HOURS at the Lake Superior Zoo visiting every single animal possible! Our next planned adventure is to visit the fishies at the Great Lakes Aquarium. We had our first run-in with a little sunny fish at the lake and Sloane bid it farewell with a little kiss — so I think the aquarium is a must this month for her :)

SLOanE’s Suggestions

Please try to make it out to visit some of the amazing spots the Northland has to offer — we want to ensure they are here for generations to come!

At the Depot

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

At the Zoo

The Zoo Train!

The Lake Superior Zoo Train is brand new and ADA accessible! Tours are available at the Train Depot every few minutes, so hop aboard and see the zoo in a very special way!

Visit https://lszooduluth.org/animals/zoo-train/ for availability and tickets.

Let’s Skate

FRIDAY

5:00-8:00 pm*

Super Glow Skate Party!

*Free light stick with each paid admission!!

Fun For All Ages!

8:30-11:00 pm

Adult Night Ages 18+ Only!

College Rate With ID

$8.99 + Rental $9.95 + Rental $8.95 + Rental

At the Aquarium

Scarium at the Aquarium

Explore a spookilydecorated Aquarium from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 25-27. Presale tickets only. Wear a costume and visit eight treat stations throughout the exhibit floor (no edible treats) plus special holiday programming.

Costumed children are free with paid adult. Register at www.glaquarium.org/events/experiences/ scarium-at-the-aquarium/.

brought to you by...

WOMAN the today

Make easy Halloween décor using Mason jars

By Molly Milroy

If you’re looking for a fun and effortless way to decorate for Halloween this year, look no further than utilizing those Mason jars you have stacked in your cupboard. These jars are easy to decorate and can provide a variety of looks. A plus side, you won’t break the bank for these decorations, as they can all be found at the local discount store.

Here are four easy and inexpensive ways to create your own Halloween décor, all using Mason jars. From spooky skeletons to mischievous bats, ghosts, and goblins, you can make them as cute or as scary as you’d like. Decorate your front door, table, mantel, or drop off a surprise Halloween gift to a friend.

Materials needed: Mason jars (variety of sizes), gauze, googly eyes, battery-operated tea light candles, Halloween stickers, decorated balls, small pumpkins, ribbon, cotton balls, scissors, tape, glue.

Mummy jar

Take an empty Mason jar and wrap gauze tightly around it, starting from the top of the jar and making your way down. As you wrap, make sure the gauze is pressed firmly against the jar. Once the jar is completely covered, wrap the end by tucking it into the already positioned gauze. Depending on how much gauze is left over, you might need to cut it first. If the end doesn’t stay tucked in, you can always tape or glue it down. Then tape

Inexpensive materials were found at Dollar Tree.

or glue the googly eyes on the front and voila, you have a mummy jar. Make different sizes with a variety of jars and create a mummy family.

Spider web jar

Take an empty Mason jar and wrap gauze tightly around it, except this time, do not cover the entire jar. Make sure to leave some open spaces so the light from the battery-operated tea light candle can shine through. Decorate the jar with either Halloween stickers or fake spiders. Place the tea light candle inside the jar. Don’t forget to turn the tea light candle on at night to give that spooky aura.

Decorated ball jar

Kids will have fun decorating this jar with Halloween stickers.

Take an empty Mason jar and fill it with Halloween brightly colored balls. Glue a strip of orange or Halloween ribbon around the lid of the jar. Add other Halloween décor around the jar, including pumpkins and crawling spiders. Position the spiders so they look like they are

crawling on top of and around the base of the jar.

Decorated sticker jar

Younger children will enjoy decorating a Mason jar with Halloween stickers. Either wrap the jar in gauze or try stretching out cotton balls to create more of a web-like effect. If using cotton balls, you will need to either glue or use double sided tape to keep it in place. Next add Halloween stickers attaching them directly to the gauze or jar. Halloween pop-up stickers and felt stickers bring dimension and are easy to use.

Halloween is a fun time to create your own décor and Mason jars are where it’s at. Place your decorated jars on your front stoop or around the house. These four Mason jar crafts are inexpensive, simple to create, and will give your home that spooktacular Halloween feel.

This ghost decoration couldn’t be more easy: wrap a Mason jar with gauze and to make it a mummy, apply googly eyes.

These creepy crawly spider jars will send shivers down your spine.

The Woman Yesterday

Virginia Wickstrom ‘Queen of the Fair’ (1940- )

By Abigail Blonigen

Virginia (Olesiak) Wickstrom was born on April 20, 1940, the oldest of 10 children. One of the children passed away in infancy, but the nine others are still living. The Olesiaks also fostered many children in their home.

Virginia’s parents, Ray and Lydia Olesiak, owned a dairy farm in Sawyer, Minnesota, so she grew up around animals of all species. As the oldest child, Wickstrom was her father’s right-hand helper.

“She worked hard on the farm, milking cows, raising young stock, breaking and training horses Ray had picked up to resell, and also helped her mother with the younger children,” said Wickstrom’s daughter, Julie Klejeski.

The family was very involved in 4-H, and Wickstrom started racing horses in her teens. Her sister Gloria also raced, and the rest of the siblings showed cattle and other animals at the fair.

In the late 1950s, Wickstrom was named “Queen of the Fair” in Carlton County, placing third in the horse races with her favorite pony, “Wild Glory.”

Wickstrom married her husband Darrel in 1962, and then they started a dairy farm operation in Barnum. The couple became livestock haulers, buyers and sellers for many years

and fostered children in their early years of marriage, just like Wickstrom’s parents.

Together they had four children who were also actively involved on the farm, school sports, 4-H, Western Saddle Clubs of America, FFA, Junior Holstein Association and more, according to Klejeski.

Her kids and grandkids have carried on the tradition, both with horse racing and with their involvement at the Carlton County Fair.

“Farming and horses run deep in the Olesiak bloodlines, along with the passion in 4-H. All of Virginia’s children and grandchildren were and are members of 4-H, and some are becoming adult leaders and volunteers,” said Klejeski.

This year, the Wickstroms were selected as grand marshals at Spring Fever Days in Barnum, which was an honor for the couple.

When asked why she keeps coming back to the fair year after year, Wickstrom said, “Well, because we were a part of this fair forever, since childhood and throughout raising our children, and it’s something everybody waits for all year long.” D

The back of this photo from the late 1950s, from the Carlton County Historical Society, says, "Queen of the fair is Virginia Olesiak, Sawyer, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Olesiak. She is shown with Wild Glory, the pony she rode to 3rd place in the second race in the grandstand."

Virginia Wickstrom and her husband, Darrel, ride as the grand marshals for this year's Spring Fever Days in Barnum.