The Woman Today - December 2023

WOMAN

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today

Kelly Schamberger’s art is going to the moon

✦ Julie Zenner wraps up 30 years of ‘Almanac North’ ✦ Former Duluthian is a chief engineer for NASA ✦ Liberian mission team helps those in need ✦ Learn to make framed driftwood Christmas trees

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contents

PROFILES

december 2023 vol. 27, no. 8

6 Heather McDonald NASA engineer’s lofty career has Duluth roots

12 Julie Zenner ‘Almanac North’ co-host reflects on 30-year career

16 Kelly Schamberger Reproduction of Duluth artist’s work to make a moon shot

22 Shelly Zupetz Nurse and home builder reenlists in military at age 49

38 Dawn Hautajarvi Duluthian named to Hall of Fame

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FEATURES 34 Called, again and again, to provide medical help in Liberia

ENTERTAINMENT/ARTS 28 Arts and Events Calendar

HEALTH/MEDICINE 26 Essentia How Essentia Health’s concussion program gets patients back on their feet

32 St. Luke’s New technology for treating sleep apneae

HOME TOUCHES 42 Hibbing home focuses on the details

34

DIY

the

50 Framed driftwood Christmas trees

WOMAN Pick up The Woman Today at a store near you.

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KIDS KORNER 52 Sloane's Suggestions/Kids Korner

FOOD/NUTRITION 54 Flavors of the holiday season

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WOMAN

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GROUP PUBLISHER

Neal Ronquist

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rick Lubbers

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ali Carlson

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kim Quinones

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Renae Ronquist

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Julie Schulz

Amy Carlson Andrea Busche Comstock Creative Dawn Hautajarvi Heather McDonald Janna Goerdt

CONTRIBUTORS

Julie Zenner Kelly Schamberger Kim Quinones Molly Milroy PBS North Rolf Fure Shelly Zupetz Shirleen Hieb Photography

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TO OUR READERS Hello, Woman Today readers!

It may be Christmastime, but this issue of The Woman Today has a decidedly astronomical feel to it.

We didn’t plan it that way, but during our planning process two separate — but equally fascinating — space-themed stories with a Northland connection entered our orbit (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

One woman, Heather McDonald, is a Duluth native who has steadily risen through NASA’s ranks and is now the chief engineer for all of NASA’s space operations. Another woman, Kelly Schamberger, doesn’t work for NASA, but one of her works of art will make a moon landing soon.

McDonald and Schamberger are two very interesting women, and we can’t wait for you to meet them in this issue of The Woman Today.

Here are some other the stories we know you will enjoy reading in this issue: • Julie Zenner is retiring after 30 years of co-hosting “Almanac North,” PBS North’s longest-running news and public affairs program. Zenner talked with The Woman Today recently and recounted her amazing career.

• Meet Shelly Zupetz — nurse, home builder, member of the 148th Fighter Wing.

• Travel with Northland women who donate their time to the Liberian medical mission team.

• Get into the holiday spirit by making framed driftwood Christmas trees.

Thanks for spending some of your valuable time reading The Woman Today.

Your loyal readership is always greatly appreciated.

Rick Lubbers Executive Editor, Duluth Media Group

Gift giving just got more fun!

ON THE COVER:

Kelly Schamberger is a Duluth artist whose oil painting, “Once Upon a Childhood,” was an ARC award-winning piece exhibited at Sotheby’s New York, used as inspiration for a fashion design, and will be replicated for the Lunar Codex moon time capsule.

Learn to knit, crochet, and felt classes through December Gift certificates available!

© 2023 Forum Communications Company All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

w w w .y ar n horbord ulut h.c om THEWOMANTODAY.COM 5

NASA engineer’s lofty career has

Duluth roots

Heather McDonald stands in front of the rocket for the Artemis 1 mission in 2022. She later got to watch it launch.

By Andrea Busche

eather McDonald has never traveled to space, but the Duluth native works hard every day for the people who do spend time away from our planet.

McDonald is a high-level NASA employee based at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas., and in 2018 she was named NASA’s chief engineer of the International Space Station (ISS) — the first woman to hold that title.

Recently, she received another promotion: chief engineer for all of NASA’s space operations.

But she’s never traveled off the Earth.

“There might have been a time when I would have,” she said, “but things changed after I had kids.”

‘Idyllic’ Duluth childhood McDonald grew up in Duluth’s Hunter’s Park neighborhood, as one of three daughters born to Ed and Gail Marsman — both local teachers.

“We lived on a dead-end street, and it was so idyllic,” she said. “Our backyard was the woods which are now the Hartley Nature Preserve.

We grew up climbing trees, running around the woods, and catching tadpoles.”

6 December 2023

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Heath McDon er ald

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF HEATHER MCDONALD

H

Heather McDonald is the ISS chief engineer at NASA.

Heather McDonald holds a moon rock in the reconstructed Apollo Mission Control room on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

McDonald always had an interest in math and science, and her parents supported her pursuits. But it was one particular teacher who sparked her passion for the field of aerospace engineering.

“Early on, I really loved math,” she explained. “And I loved the physical sides of both science and airplanes. My dad was super encouraging, and would take me to the airport where we’d park and watch planes take off and land.

“When I was in high school, I had a teacher, Frank Taillon, who was a retired Air Force officer. He started a class called ‘aerospace.’ We got to fly aircraft simulators, build model aircraft and emergency kits, and learned about air traffic control.”

Taillon recognized McDonald’s love of — and talent for — math, science and aerospace, and suggested she pursue a career in aerospace engineering. After graduating from Duluth East, she enrolled at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she pursued her general credits. She later transferred to the University of Minnesota, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and mechanics.

Joining NASA While in college, McDonald participated in the cooperative engineering program, which had partnerships with Boeing, NASA and other organizations. In 1992, NASA offered her a Continued on page 8

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Heather and her husband, Mark McDonald, have enjoyed adventures around the world: attending a launch at Kennedy Space Center (in front of the Vehicle Assembly Building); scuba diving in Cozumel, Mexico, in 2017; tuna fishing in Louisiana; visiting Stonehenge in 2015; and exploring Colorado in 2021.

8 December 2023

job, and she was hired in their engineering department under the umbrella of guidance, navigation and control.

“In this role, I specialized in relative navigation between two spacecraft, flight tests, rendezvous trajectories and rendezvous sensors,” she said. She remained in this role for 20 years.

During this time, she also got married and had three children: Mark, now 26, Jake, 24, and Emma, 20. Similar to many women, McDonald struggled to balance her multitude of responsibilities. Thankfully, NASA was very supportive.

“Once I started having kids, I struggled to go back full time,” she said. “So, I worked part time for 16 years, and volunteered as a ‘room mom,’ and for my kids’ clubs. I got divorced in 2014, and returned to work full time in 2013.”

Her next role at NASA was as an integration lead, where she led a cross-agency and international partnership team focused on the areas of rendezvous and docking. Later, she was promoted to the ISS Chief Engineer’s Office, where she was named chief engineer of visiting vehicles. In 2018, she was named ISS chief engineer, and now holds the role of chief engineer for all space operations.

McDonald explained a bit about her complex, high-level job.

“I lead a team of hundreds of engineers across the agency who work on all aspects of giant solar arrays, power, power systems, propulsion, and life support for astronauts. My days are all very different, and I switch topics at a high rate of speed.”

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Recognitions McDonald has been recognized with many awards over the years. She received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal in 2019, and an Exceptional Service Medal in 2023.

Her proudest achievement was receiving a “Silver Snoopy” award — given by NASA’s Astronaut Office — for her contributions to crew safety. The Snoopy pin that accompanied the award has even flown in space.

She also received a Space Flight Awareness award, where she was able to bring her mother along to watch a shuttle launch in Florida. As part of this trip, they enjoyed several behind-the-scenes tours.

She was proudly inducted into the Duluth East High School Foundation’s Hall of Fame in 2022. And, in 2023, McDonald was a keynote speaker at San Jose State University, where she gave an inspirational speech to 500 other female engineers.

Personal McDonald remarried in 2017. Her husband, Mark McDonald, retired as NASA’s chief architect of space technology. He now works as chief operating officer for Lunar Resources in Houston, Texas.

Together, the McDonalds have a blended family with five children and a cat named Pomegranate. In their spare time, the McDonalds enjoy attending Texas A&M football games, Continued on page 10 THEWOMANTODAY.COM 9

Before she enters the Neutral Buoyancy Lab pool for a training run, Heather McDonald poses with an astronaut.

10 December 2023

Heather McDonald and her children — Mark, Emma and Jake — celebrate when Heather won the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 2023.

Heather McDonald and her father, Ed Marsman, celebrate when Heather received the Exceptional Achievement Medal from NASA in 2019. camping, scuba diving and traveling. Heather also enjoys digital scrapbooking.

McDonald’s parents divorced many years ago, and her father has since remarried. McDonald’s step-mother is Carol Valentini, owner of Valentini’s Restaurant.

Advice McDonald knows her career path has been a bit unconventional. She generously shared a few tidbits of advice for others to consider.

“I would say don’t be afraid to reach for that next thing — even if you don’t feel ready,” she said. “Don’t let fear get in your way.

“Be confident enough to seek out other people, ask

questions, and find a mentor. I enjoy mentoring other women, and have even helped three others get part-time arrangements at work, like I did.”

Most rewarding McDonald has found great fulfillment in her career at NASA. “What NASA does in human space flight is so unique,” she said. “It’s a super special thing to be a part of; an amazing community to be a part of. We send humans to space, and keep them safe. I feel (highly) honored to be a part of that.” ✤ Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 11

Julie Zenner is retiring after 30 years of co-hosting “Almanac North,” PBS North’s longest-running news and public affairs program, which will sunset at the end of this year.

By Janna Goerdt

I

t’s been an honor and a pleasure for Julie Zenner to visit Northlanders in their homes every Friday evening.

As a co-host of the PBS North show “Almanac North” for the past 30 years, Zenner has guided hundreds of discussions and explorations into issues ranging from the local economy to local politicians and local celebrities.

There was even the time former Duluth City Councilor (and later, Mayor) Don Ness came on the show to lightheartedly talk about his decision to drop the colloquial “ny” from the end of his first name, leaving behind “Donny” to

~

become “Don.” Zenner helped people feel comfortable enough to discuss just about anything, said longtime “Almanac North” live production lead Greg Grell. “She really cared a lot about the program,” Grell said.

But now the timing feels right for Zenner to move into the next phase of her life. She and her husband, Tim Spangenberg, recently purchased an established farm with fruit trees and vines near Brule, Wisconsin, and Zenner is learning how to harvest and preserve the farm’s bounty. She is active and passionate about pursuing the art of pottery, coaxing shape, color and beauty out of clay and selling her wares through the Bayfield Arts Guild.

She still plans to continue freelance writing for various

Julie Zenne r

12 December 2023

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF JULIE ZENNER

‘Almanac North’ co-host reflects on 30-year career

PHOTO BY SHIRLEEN HIEB PHOTOGRAPHY

Julie Zenner and husband Tim Spangenberg welcomed their first grandchild, Eli, in 2020. They now have two grandchildren, Eli and Lucy. local publications. In recent years, grandchildren have joined their family, so Zenner and Spangenberg want to spend time enjoying being grandparents.

“This is wrapping up 30 years” of co-hosting the show, Zenner said. “That seemed like long enough.”

It’s also time for a new look for “Almanac North,” said PBS North Production Manager Nina Fredrickson.

The final “Almanac North” — as viewers know it now — will air on Dec. 15. Then the show will go on hiatus for a few months while producers revamp it for today’s audience, returning to PBS in February.

“Broadcast media is changing quickly,” Fredrickson said.

While the show will keep its current name, it will have a new look, a new host, and a new producer — Grell is also retiring after more than 30 years with “Almanac North.”

“Julie helped build ‘Almanac North’ as a trusted legacy program,” said PBS North General Manager Patty Mester.

“With a rebrand, and new talent, PBS North will continue with ‘Almanac North’ to serve our community with the same unwavering commitment and dedication to our treasured Northland audiences for years to come.”

Zenner is adamant about taking a deliberate step away and making room for the next generation.

“If public TV is to succeed, they need to grow a younger audience,” Zenner said. “It’s time for me to step away and let that happen organically.”

And as Zenner prepares to step away from a career in public television, she can look back on three full decades of delving into local issues during “Almanac North’s” half-hour format.

Pottery has become a passion for Julie Zenner, especially firing Raku pots at the family farm. She is a member of the Bayfield Artists’ Guild, the Lake Superior Ceramics Guild, and rents studio space at the Duluth Art Institute’s Lincoln Park Building.

Recounting 30 years of ‘Almanac North’ There were the weeks where Zenner and her co-host had to scramble to address breaking news, such as when the plane carrying U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, members of his family and Continued on page 14

Julie Zenner and husband Tim Spangenberg are enjoying farm life in northern Wisconsin.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 13

The “Almanac North” economic panel has been a staple of the show, starting each January with an assessment of the past 12 months and predictions for the year ahead.

Julie Zenner and Dennis Anderson have co-hosted “Almanac North” since August 2011.

WDIO News anchor Darren Danielson co-hosted “Almanac North” with Julie Zenner from 1997 to 2011.

Vintage photos of the early days of “Almanac North” show Julie Zenner with original host Jack Setterlund; interviewing Paul Wellstone; and with co-host Darren Danielson and producer Greg Grell.

14 December 2023

campaign staff crashed near Eveleth in October 2002.

“We’re not a breaking news show,” Zenner said, “but because we have always been live on Friday nights, we do have some flexibility to make some last-minute changes.”

Shortly after the Steve O’Neil Apartments opened in Duluth, Zenner interviewed a young family that had experienced homelessness. The husband, wife and children all spoke about what it meant to them to finally have a place to live.

“That was one of the most profound stories I remember,” Zenner said. “It hit me at a hard level.”

And Zenner recounts some great “gets” over the years, such as having ongoing conversations with Davis Helberg, the former executive director for the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth.

“He was one of the best storytellers I ever met,” Zenner said.

There have been some recent updates to “Almanac North,” such as introducing short, pre-produced video segments about fun and interesting topics that have expanded the show’s geographical reach. Producers have also invited local television reporters to come on-air to talk about a local topic. But the core of “Almanac North” has remained the hosts interviewing local people about local issues.

To mark the show’s 30th anniversary, Zenner recently set down some thoughts about the show’s purpose over the last three decades. “‘Almanac North’ helps people understand local issues and frame opinions based on what they hear from newsmakers themselves, not through a lens of bias or commentary by the hosts,” Zenner wrote. “(Longtime co-host Dennis Anderson) and I both take our jobs very seriously and try hard to remain neutral in our interviews, not shaping content based on our personal opinions and beliefs. We step aside and let people tell their own stories, guided by thoughtful questions, and trust viewers to reach their own conclusions.”

Thinking back to the show’s first episode in December 1993, Zenner recalls being “terrified.” She had recently started as an intern with a local television news show, and was used to being the one off-camera asking questions. When she started at PBS North, it was difficult for Zenner to be the focus of attention.

How long did it take for Zenner to become more comfortable in front of the camera?

“About 30 years,” she said, with the enthusiastic laugh that peppers her conversations.

But during those three decades — as she and her husband also raised three children — Zenner and her co-hosts brought thoughtful conversations to the PBS North audience.

“I’m proud of the show and what we have accomplished,” Zenner said. “In today’s world, there is dwindling space for real dialogue and fair discussions. For the past three decades ‘Almanac North’ has provided that platform in the Northland.” ✤

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REPRODUCTION OF DULUTH ARTIST’S WORK TO MAKE A

MOON SHOT

By Janna Goerdt

T

16 December 2023

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Ke Scham lly berge

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r

Kelly Schamberger at Sotheby’s New York for the Fashion Week San Diego “Art and Beauty Behind Fashion” event, wearing a couture dress by designer Dorotheaa.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KELLY SCHAMBERGER

he life of a fine art plein-air painter is unpredictable.

Just ask Kelly Schamberger.

Sometimes, when you are painting outdoors — “plein air” translates to “the open air” — bugs decide to land in your paint. Or a gust of wind knocks your canvas over. Or the car you are trying to recreate drives away.

But, then again, sometimes recognition of your work goes sky-high. Like, as high as the moon.

Literally.

Schamberger’s painting “Once Upon a Childhood” will be reproduced in extreme miniature on a disk the size of a dime and packed into a time capsule headed to the moon in the fall of 2024.

“My family jokes that I’ll be galactically famous,” Schamberger said.

But until then, Schamberger, who lives in Duluth and also works at the Marshall School, will keep up her extremely busy schedule of painting, working, mentoring, as an ambassador with the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, and family.

After learning her piece will be included in this moon shot, Schamberger would step outside on clear nights, stare up at the moon, and cry.

“It’s hard to wrap my head around,” she said. “It’s one of those things that is so much bigger than me, that it’s hard to grasp.”

The project is called the Lunar Codex, envisioned

“Once Upon a Childhood” is Kelly Schamberger’s ARC award-winning oil painting that was exhibited at Sotheby’s New York, used as inspiration for a fashion design, and will be replicated for the Lunar Codex moon time capsule. The painting was inspired by her uncle Bill, who loved model ships, and memories of childhood visits to his Indiana home, where fireflies abounded. by a semi-retired physicist named Samuel Peralta. He uses nanotechnology that can preserve images, like Schamberg’s painting, onto nickel-based film technology. This collection of disks is inscribed with thousands of reproductions of books, artworks, poems and more by artists and authors from around the world. Peralta partnered with NASA to hitch a ride to the lunar surface as part of NASA’s Artemis program.

The disks, which are designed to withstand the elements of space for centuries, will be left behind in a time capsule on the moon. The project has been described as “a message-in-abottle to the future.”

Continued on page 18

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Model Anamika Sinha displays the couture dress created by designer Dorotheaa based on Schamberger’s painting.

Her hair was a custom design

by Mariana Harari, also based on the painting, with makeup by FWSD Lead Makeup Artist Joanna Camargo.

Ten paintings from the “21st Century Realism” exhibit were translated into couture designs for the Fashion Week San Diego “Art and Beauty Behind Fashion Event.” After a runway show of each outfit, models gathered for a group photo.

18 December 2023

‘Once-in-a-lifetime event’ Schamberger was working at Marshall when she read the email alerting her that “Once Upon a Childhood” had been selected for the time capsule. “Of course I stood up and screamed,” she said. And that moment touched off a whirlwind of activity and recognition — though Schamberger at first had to keep it a secret.

“When it was announced to the public (in January 2023) it was unbelievably surreal,” Schamberger said. The painting had been purchased, and the new owner agreed to have it sent to New York City to be displayed at Sotheby’s art and luxury item auction house. Schamberger was invited to the VIP reception for the project, and her painting was one of 10 chosen to be interpreted by a couture designer.

“She designed a dress inspired by my painting, and they had a fashion show with these 10 outfits,” Schamberger said. The designer also brought a shimmery, brilliant blue dress for Schamberger to wear at the event, complete with a red carpet and plenty of photos.

It felt like a “once-in-a-lifetime event,” Schamberger said.

It was all far from her usual painting routine, when Schamberger packs up her lightweight, portable easel and heads outdoors.

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The art of plein-air painting Unlike a studio painting, where the light and other conditions can be controlled and a painting can take months to complete (“Once Upon a Childhood” took Schamberger several months to finish), plein-air painting is about capturing a moment.

“It’s incredibly challenging,” Schamberger said. “What you are seeing is constantly changing,” and you have to learn to work fast.

The method fits better into Schamberger’s busy life these days, when she simply doesn’t have months to devote to one piece of art. And it satisfies her need to paint.

“Art is a really important part of my life, and who I am,” she said. “And yet, I have all these other things going on, too. Most

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Kelly Schamberger paints the sunset behind the Outpost Motel in Grand Marais.

women are trying to balance all of these things. … I have to make art. If I am not painting, it eats at me.”

Artistic upbringing blooms into lifelong pursuit Schamberger grew up in an art-friendly household in Bloomington, Minnesota; her mother was an artist, and as a child Schamberger loved to draw and doodle “on everything,” she said.

She enrolled in art classes and even earned a bachelor’s degree in art — but she never really learned “how to make good art,” she said.

“Art is definitely like any other skill; it can be taught, it can be learned,” Schamberger said. But to make a living as an artist is another matter. Successful artists also need to learn business skills; they need to learn discipline. And they need to practice, Schamberger said.

She credits the rigorous program at the Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art in Duluth for instilling in her not only the skills an artist needs, but also the endurance to work on her art day after day after day.

“A whole lot of people have talent,”

The cover of Schamberger’s first limited-edition art book, “Immersed in the Pause.”

20 December 2023

The Schamberger family along Lake Superior: Andrew, Kelly and Shylah.

Schamberger said. “But not a whole lot of people have the discipline to become really good.”

After graduating from the academy, Schamberger worked full time as an artist for about a year and a half before joining the staff of Marshall School in Duluth as the marketing and communications manager. She does graphic and visual design for the school as well as mentoring artistically inclined students. In January, she will begin teaching a graphic design class at the school.

“I like to say I have three full-time careers,” Schamberger said.

Her work has been featured in exhibits at the Great Lakes Aquarium, and an exhibit that turned into a limited production book, “Immersed in the Pause.” That book led to a number of deeply personal encounters that Schamberger cherishes.

“Art is one of those things that surpasses all barriers,” Schamberger said. “Rich, poor, all these labels we use to divide people — none of it matters” when art helps you connect with someone.

See more of Schamberger’s work at her website, www.kellyschamberger. com. ✤ Janna Goerdt is an Iron Range farmer and freelance writer.

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Nurse and home builder reenlists in military at age 49 22 December 2023

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHELLY ZUPETZ

In December 2018, Shelly Zupetz reenlisted in the Minnesota Air National Guard at age 49.

By Andrea Busche

W

~ Shelly Zupet z ~

e’ve all heard about “women who have it all” — a phrase used to describe the balancing act involved with pursuing a career while raising kids.

Duluth resident Shelly Zupetz, however, takes “having it all” to the next level.

Zupetz is first and foremost a wife and mother. She and her husband, Mick, have been married for 25 years, and they have two adult sons, Nicholas, 25, and Matthew, 23.

Professionally, she juggles several roles. She has been a nurse for 30 years. She is a home builder and designer. And she recently reenlisted in the 148th Fighter Wing for the second time, at age 49.

When asked how, as a woman in her 50s, she finds the energy, Zupetz replied, “I used to think the busier I am, the more energy I’d have. But now I also enjoy days when I don’t have to do anything, too.”

Additionally, she credits her husband with much of her success.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without my husband,” she said.

“He has always supported me with my hair-brained ideas and has picked up the slack where I have not been the best — at things like making dinner. And, no matter what, he always tells me he is proud of me.”

Family business Zupetz, who was born and raised in Duluth, took an early interest in home building and design. Her late father, Jim Nelson, owned The Home Improvement Company. Zupetz’ mother, Becky Nelson, helped with designing homes and also worked as a nurse. Zupetz has two younger siblings, Jeff and Amanda.

“I was always on the job sites as a kid, and intrigued with what was going on,” Zupetz said. “And I had some interest in the design process, too.”

But the home building would have to wait. When she was 18, Zupetz followed the lead of her best friend, Tricia Beaudry, and enlisted in the 148th Fighter Wing.

“I had no family in the military,” she said. “But Tricia’s dad and sister were both in the 148th. It sounded interesting, and I was always up for a challenge.”

After graduating from Duluth Central and then completing basic training, Zupetz moved to the Twin Cities. There she earned a diploma in marketing/ merchandising from Lowthian College and got a job at Target headquarters. She

balanced this work with her commitment to the military, where she served one weekend a month and two weeks a year.

After about a year, however, Zupetz realized she wasn’t cut out for big city life and returned to Duluth, where she worked at Target while she considered yet another career move.

Nursing

“My aunt, who was a nurse, said I needed to go to nursing school,” Zupetz said. “She knew it was a good career.

But I thought it was the most ridiculous thing at the time.”

Eventually, though, she came around. Zupetz attended Duluth Community College, where she earned her licensed practical nurse licensure. She later earned her registered nurse degree from Hibbing Community College. She has been employed at Essentia for 30 years; mostly in the area of neurotrauma intensive care.

Zupetz enjoys mentoring other professionals in her field.

“I hope that the younger nurses look up to me the way I did when I was a young nurse,” she said.

Military After enlisting for the first time at age 18, Zupetz dedicated 12 years to the 148th before making the decision not to continue her military career.

“I was newly married with a new baby, and I was also Continued on page 24

The Zupetz family includes Shelly and her husband, Mick, flanked by her sons, Matthew and Nicholas.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 23

Shelly Zupetz has a variety of spec homes under her belt — she designed them and hired her brother, Jeff Nelson, as contractor. Zupetz purchased the land and worked with Heather Hiner Home Designs, but would “take it from there: getting bids, hiring the subcontractor and picking out all the interior and exterior finishes,” she said.

pregnant. I was working a lot, too,” she explained.

It was years later — after her adult son, Matthew, enlisted — that Zupetz began thinking seriously about reenlisting. She got in contact with Matthew’s recruiter to ask if she could reenlist to achieve the milestone of 20 years of service. The answer was yes, and she signed back up.

In both enlistments, Zupetz has worked in administration, within the civil engineering section at the base.

However, this time, her ranking is higher — she is now a master sergeant.

She even deployed for her first time in 2021 to the United Arab Emirates.

Zupetz has no regrets about reenlisting, and would recommend it to others.

“For those that have six, 12 years of service under their belt, but with a gap in service, they should consider contacting a recruiter and see if the option is possible,” she said. “So many kids join at a young age for education benefits, but coming back years later you have so many other benefits, and the timing might work better when you are older, like it did for me.”

The second time around, though, the most important things remain the same.

“I have the same ownership and pride I did the first time,” Zupetz said. “I still have a sense that we’re all there for the same reason — to serve our country.”

24 December 2023

Home building Zupetz keeps busy in the field of home building and design as well. After her father’s death, Zupetz’ brother, Jeff Nelson, took over the family business, which is now called Nelson Builders of Duluth. Zupetz helps her brother with the design work for his homes, but she also works independently.

“I’m also a project manager and home builder,” she explained. “I purchase the property, take out the loan, and then hire my brother to do the building, framing and roofing.”

To date, Zupetz has completed 11 homes, including her own.

Family Zupetz met her husband, Mick, at work; he is a pharmacist at Essentia. They live on 15 acres in rural Duluth with their black lab, Ziggy.

In her free time, Zupetz enjoys traveling, thrift shopping, snowmobiling and entertaining friends and family. The Zupetz family also enjoys time at their cabin on Lake Vermilion.

Looking ahead, Zupetz plans to stay busy and active, even into retirement.

“Maybe someday we’ll buy a motorhome. We can travel and hit all 50 states. And I’ll probably pick up various jobs for fun.”

Rewarding Zupetz receives fulfillment in all areas of her life. But for this active woman the ultimate reward lies with family.

“The most rewarding thing for me is knowing I have healthy, successful kids,” she said. “To others, I would say, ‘Enjoy the things you like to do. Life is so short. The house isn’t always going to be perfect. Enjoy your friends. Enjoy your family. The time goes by so fast — like the blink of an eye.’” ✤

Shelly Zupetz’s 1987 basic training photo.

WHEN DOING

WHAT’S RIGHT IS JUST

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

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HEALTH/MEDICINE

SPONSORED CONTENT

‘The care was exceptional’ How Essentia Health's concussion program gets patients back on their feet

Patty Downs rides her bike on the Munger Trail in West Duluth.

"A

ctive” is one way to describe 69-year-old Patty Downs of Duluth. From gardening to hiking, snowshoeing to swimming, it’s hard to find an outdoor activity she doesn’t like.

She especially enjoys riding her bicycle on the Willard Munger State Trail.

On June 30, Downs was riding on that very trail when her bike went down. She experienced trauma-induced amnesia and doesn’t remember anything about the crash or even calling her husband, George, to tell him she crashed. Fortunately, some good Samaritans rushed to her aid and were able to get her to a safe location before George brought her to Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center.

“The people that helped me were perfect angels, and I’m so grateful for them,” said Downs graciously.

At the hospital, Downs was diagnosed with a concussion.

Having had one in 2019 that took nearly two years to fully recover from, Downs knew she had a long road ahead.

“My thinking was slower. I was mixing up my words a bit and experienced some short-term memory issues,” said Downs, describing her recent symptoms. “Accomplishing day-to-day tasks was slower, too, and required extra focus. I couldn’t drive for several weeks because it was too hard on my brain. I was very tired and had light and sound sensitivities.”

Fortunately, Essentia had a robust team of caregivers eager to 26 December 2023

make sure Downs didn’t take as long to recover from this concussion. One of her first appointments was with Dr. Kimberly Keniry, a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor at Essentia.

“She was absolutely wonderful,” Downs said. “She took things seriously, got me into a therapy and recovery plan as soon as possible.”

Downs attended therapy two to three times per week, for five weeks. During that time, she met with physical, speech and occupational therapists, all working in harmony to make sure Downs would recover.

“The care was exceptional,” Downs said. “They really wanted to see me improve. They made sure each of my visits included meaningful exercises slowly building upon each other, including giving me homework to ensure that I was making progress.

Working with them helped me understand when my brain needed to rest, which helped speed up my recovery.”

“When it comes to concussion recovery, it takes a team,” Dr. Keniry said. “At the Essentia Health-Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center, our multidisciplinary approach helps patients get back to their normal routines. We establish and work toward patient-centered short- and long-term functional goals.

No two concussions and no two people are the same, so recovery goals truly are unique to the individual. Our team does a wonderful job in tailoring the rehab plan of care to that patient’s needs to best succeed in recovery.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ESSENTIA

By Anthony Matt

SPONSORED CONTENT

Downs said a helpful thing was understanding the “sweet spot” of recovery – understanding that she didn’t want to baby her brain, but she also didn’t want to overstimulate it, either, and set the recovery process back.

Downs said the early intervention was vital to recovery.

“Most of us have learned how to push through ignoring signs from our body when it’s time to take a break,” Downs said. “When you are recovering from a concussion, if you want your brain to heal, pushing through is not an option. I am so grateful to the team of therapists who helped me to learn how to listen to my body and take breaks.”

“Due to her previous experience with concussion and delayed recovery, Patty knew the resources available through Essentia,” Dr. Keniry said. “She was committed to recovering and knew the importance of her rehab. So, while Patty’s team educated her, provided her the tools and exercises to recover, and gave encouragement, she recovered because of her diligence outside her therapy sessions.

Patty credits her therapists for her recovery. I credit her team, with Patty being the most important member.”

Having experienced two concussions, Downs encourages family and friends of those who have experienced a brain injury to be patient and sympathetic during the recovery process.

“It’s really important that family members understand the dynamics of a brain injury so they, too, can be supportive in the recovery process,” Downs said. “Everybody can contribute to the recovery of the individual by being respectful of the injured person’s needs.”

Seven weeks after her fall, Downs returned to her bike and is back to living an active lifestyle. ✤ Anthony Matt is the media relations specialist at Essentia Health.

duluthedison.org

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Arts & Events Calendar The West Theatre Events Thursdays in December Dec. 6 - The Last Revel (folk); Dec. 7 Harmonious Wail (jazz); Dec. 14 - Mason Dixon Line: A Kickin’ Country Christmas: Dec. 21 - A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live Album Recreation; Dec. 28 - The Belfast Cowboys. Visit thewesttheatre/ events.com.

The Sound of Music December 1-17 The Duluth Playhouse will present the iconic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical at the NorShor Theatre.

Visit duluthplayhouse.org.

Holly Jolly Craft & Small Business Christmas Market 9 a.m. December 2 Katz Meow Shows will present this seventh annual event at the AAD Shriners Building in Hermantown, with lunch provided by Daughters of the Nile. Visit itzthekatzmeow. com.

Churchill Holiday Expo 9 a.m. December 2 The 15th annual craft and vendor fair is a fundraiser for Churchill Elementary School in Cloquet. Visit facebook.com/ churchillholidayexpo.

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.

Julebyen December 2-3 Julebyen, which means "Christmas Village,” is a centuries-old Scandinavian and German tradition celebrated with ethnic foods, crafts, holiday decorations, and music. This must-attend event in Knife River includes too many festivities to list! Visit julebyen.org.

Pops1Eight: Holiday Spectacular December 2 Enjoy your favorite holiday tunes performed by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit dsso.com.

Duluth Winter Village December 2-3 This twoday outdoor winter market features local vendors selling holiday gifts out of more than 25 wooden cabins, plus food, beer, Duluth East Choralaires, live animals, indoor open skating, fire pits and more, all on Harbor Drive behind the DECC. Visit www. duluthwintervillage.com.

Babes in Toyland December 8-10 Northern Spotlight Theater brings this classic holiday tale to OneLife Community Church, Duluth. Visit eventbrite.com.

The Nutcracker: A Duluth Tale December 8-10 Get It Local Art & Gift Fair 10 a.m. December 2 This event features Duluth and Superior resident artists, makers, authors and organizations, and will be held at Peace United Church of Christ, Duluth. Visit facebook.com/wendyupnorth.

28 December 2023

Minnesota Ballet’s annual tradition, The Nutcracker, will be performed at the DECC’s Symphony Hall.

Call 218-733-7570 for tickets, or visit minnesotaballet.org.

Arrowhead Ice Fishing and Winter Show December 8-10 This annual show at the DECC features a wide variety of new products and accessories.

Whether you need an upgrade or are new to the ice fishing scene, you will find what you are looking for at the biggest sale of the year. Visit decc.org/events-calendar.

Traders Village Mistletoe Market 9 a.m. December 9 Traders Village of Douglas County is a community of crafters, direct sale vendors and food vendors. This event will be held at the Head of the Lakes Fairgrounds in Superior. Visit facebook.com/ tradersvillageWI.

Neighbor-Made Art & Gift Fair 10 a.m. December 9 This local gift fair features artisans displaying their works of pottery, soap, artwork, jewelry and more, at Peace United Church of Christ, Duluth.

Visit facebook.com/wendyupnorth.

Christmas Through the Looking Glass 3 p.m. December 9 Join the College of St. Scholastica Concert Band, Steel Band and String Ensemble for an afternoon of festive cheer and joyful spirits at Mitchell Auditorium. Visit css.edu/about/events.

A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol December 9-18 This Minnesotainspired spoof of the Charles Dickens classic will have you laughing!

Performances are held at the Spirit of the North Theater on the third floor of Fitger’s. Visit boatclubrestaurant.com.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Tour 7 p.m. December 14 This year’s show at the DECC’s Symphony Hall will feature classic Christmas hits from the Mannheim Steamroller holiday albums along with multimedia effects in an inanimate setting.

Visit decc.org/events-calendar.

Junkin’ Market Days Holiday December 15-16 This market at The Inn on Lake Superior, features unique products such as boutique clothes, jewelry, home decor, furniture, candles, gourmet foods, and lots more. Visit www.junkinmarketdays.com.

Jerry Seinfeld 7 p.m. December 15 Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld will perform his newest stand-up routine at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. Visit decc.org/events-calendar.

Great Hall Marketplace 10 a.m. December 16 Over 60 vendors, artisans and makers will show their wares at the Duluth Depot. The event is free and includes a Duluth art Institute artist popup, traditional carols, free gift wrapping, raffles, cafe and more. Visit experiencethedepot.org.

Gloria! Holiday Traditions and Jubilations 3 p.m. December 16 Celebrate the joy of the holiday season with Arrowhead Chorale’s “Gloria!” at First Lutheran Church, Duluth. Visit arrowheadchorale.com.

Stars on Ice 6:30 p.m. December 16 North America’s preeminent figure skating show will feature host Elvis Stojko and guest appearances by Jason Brown, Alexa Knierim, Brandon Frazier, Mariah Bell, Kaitlyn Weaver, Andrew Poje, Keegan Messing, Kirsten Moore-Towers, Michael Marinaro, and Elladj Balde. Visit decc.org/ events-calendar.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 29

Arts & Events Calendar ...continued

Appointments that fit my schedule

Handel’s Messiah 1 p.m. December 17

ONGOING:

Experience the power of Handel's Messiah live, as presented by the Borealis Chamber Artists at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. Visit borealischamberartists.com.

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

Duluth Depot 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth 218-727-8025 duluthdepot.org

The Big Holiday Package 8 p.m. December 31

Douglas County Historical Society

’Tis the season to be silly! Zeitgeist will unpack all the holiday madness that can possibly fit into a single show at Teatro.

The final installment of Another Series of Unfortunate Specials is sure to be the cure for all your holiday stress. Visit zeitgeistarts. com/event.

1101 John Ave., Superior 715-392-8449 douglashistory.org

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

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

Glamour & Gold: Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve 6:30 p.m. December 31 Ring in the new year at the DECC’s Harborside Ballroom, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House-Upper Midwest at this second annual event. There will be a dance and DJ, card play, giant yard games and more. Visit glitteratievents.com.

Downtown Duluth 218-722-3679

7210 Fremont St., Duluth 218-730-4500 lszooduluth.org

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

We provide flexible hours, personalized care and 98% patient satisfaction at three convenient locations near you.

BlueStone near UMD 218-606-1040

Lake Superior Zoo

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

Hermantown 218-722-7770

Schedule online at parkdental.com

Your Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons and their team are ready to assist you in making the best decisions for a healthy mouth and lasting smile. We have a wide scope practice to offer, including:

•Dental Implants •Wisdom Teeth Extraction •Corrective Jaw Surgery •Financing Available/CareCredit •Dr. Dr.Paul PaulA.K. K.Jarnot Hodapp Dr. Scott K.Varland Varland Nathan A.Jarnot Jarnot Hodapp ••Dr. Scott K. ••Dr. Nathan Dr.•Nathan • Dr. Eric Scotland, DDS •Dr. Dr. Scott A. K. Varland 303S.E. S.E.First FirstStreet Streetand andRiver RiverRoad, Road,Grand GrandRapids, Rapids,MN MN55744 55744••218.326.0349 218.326.0349 303

30 December 2023

Serving the area since 1969

R sie 7TH ANNUAL

A W A

R

D

S

NOMINATIONS OPEN!!

T

he women of our community are a driving force and we recognize them each year for what they bring to our unique culture.

We’re looking to you, our readers, to help us celebrate those among us who drive us forward.

Nominate a special woman you know today by sending us a summary describing their contributions to our community.

Tonya Loken

2023 Leadership Award

We will honor winners in the following categories: Most Engaged Volunteer: A woman who goes above and beyond Leadership Award: A woman who demonstrates outstanding and works tirelessly in the region for the good of us all. leadership by challenging, motivating and inspiring others in their field of endeavor.

Mentor Award: A woman among us who has acted as an experienced and trusted adviser to those around her.

Silent Advocate: A woman who silently helps her communities and neighbors.

Trailblazer Award: A woman who is willing to step out and blazes a new positive path for others to follow.

Rosie Award: That woman who simply gets stuff done - she’s a volunteer, a silent advocate, a leader, a trailblazer and a mentor.

Nominate at

thewomantoday.com For questions, please contact Ali at 218-428-2929 or dearrosie@thewomantoday.com

Presented by

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 31

HEALTH/MEDICINE

SPONSORED CONTENT

New technology for treating sleep apnea How Inspire, a CPAP alternative, is helping St. Luke’s patients

St. Luke's patient Debra Wright enjoys spending time with her grandkids.

"I

t was just horrible,” said Debra Wright, thinking back to her experience trying to use a CPAP machine. “I could not handle having that thing on my face. I lasted three nights before deciding that I just couldn’t do it.”

CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a medical device used to treat sleep apnea, a condition where breathing is interrupted during sleep, often due to blocked airways. However, 50% of patients can’t tolerate it or struggle with the mask. Debra was one of these patients.

Knowing a CPAP machine wasn’t for her, Debra talked to her primary care provider, Dr. Amy Hilde-Phillips at St. Luke’s Hibbing Family Medical Clinic. Her doctor had a thought: Perhaps Debra would be a good candidate for Inspire.

Inspire is a cutting-edge medical device that serves as a CPAP alternative in combating sleep apnea. It doesn’t require any masks or heavy machinery. Instead, it works through a small device placed inside the body.

At first, Debra was hesitant.

“I was a little nervous about the idea of having something implanted,” she said. “But my sleep apnea had to be dealt with. Plus, when my grandkids slept over, they were waking me up several times a night, telling me I was snoring! I told Dr. Amy that I was 32 December 2023

willing to try anything.”

A month later, Debra met Dr. Andrew Davis at St. Luke’s Ear, Nose & Throat Associates to learn more.

How Inspire works “Sleep apnea is caused by the muscles of the back of the throat closing while a person is asleep,” Dr. Davis said. “This can cause loud snoring and pauses in breathing that sleep apnea is known for and leaves a person unable to get a good night’s sleep.”

Inspire works by sensing a patient’s normal breathing process and provides gentle stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve when a patient’s airway collapses. This is the nerve that controls the tongue, which is involved in maintaining an open airway. The result is that patients can breathe freely throughout the night, without any disruptions.

After meeting with Dr. Davis, Debra was confident.

“Dr. Davis is just an all-around great guy,” she said. “He’s smart, approachable and has a great sense of humor. He explained everything so well. After talking with him, I was ready to move forward.”

Getting used to life with Inspire Implanting an Inspire device is a simple procedure. Only two small incisions are made, one under the chin and the other just below the collarbone. Most people leave the hospital the same day.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. LUKE’S

By Claire Kiger

Debra’s surgery went smoothly and about a month afterward she saw Dr. Davis to check in and turn her device on.

“Inspire is controlled with a small remote,” Dr. Davis said. “Patients turn it on every night with a remote. You also can change the strength of the stimulation with the remote.”

Debra credits her medical team for helping her through the brief adjustment period.

“I had it turned up too high at first,” said Debra. “But I did a sleep study shortly after and found out I could use a lower level. My sleep has improved dramatically!”

FINDING THE PERFECT GIFT IS

Treating sleep apnea at St. Luke’s

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Visit our showroom or call 218.625.1427 to speak with a personal shopper.

For those with moderate to severe sleep apnea who are unable to successfully use a CPAP machine, Inspire is a great option.

“Inspire fills a huge void in sleep apnea treatment,” Dr. Davis said. “CPAP will always be the gold standard therapy for sleep apnea, but there are so many who aren’t able to use it. This means millions of patients across the country are not getting the help they need. Inspire is an effective and proven alternative.”

A year after the implantation, Debra remains elated with her decision. She praises Dr. Davis for his expertise and ongoing support.

“The result has been tremendous,” she said. “I am so grateful. And Dr. Davis has been wonderful about following up with me. I would definitely recommend him.”

However, Debra isn’t the only one enjoying more restful sleep thanks to Inspire.

“My grandkids are pretty thrilled about it, too!” she said with a chuckle. “No more sleepless nights at Grandma’s.”

If you think you’d benefit from Inspire, talk to your primary care provider. If you don’t have a primary care provider, you can establish one at St. Luke’s by calling 218249-4000. ✤

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Visit VisionProOptical.Com for a location near you.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 33

By Janna Goerdt

T

LI BERI A

he stories are all similar.

Take Candi DelVecchio of Duluth. She had just fitted a 92-year-old man in a rural area of Liberia, Africa, with his first pair of eyeglasses.

“We were having a hard time finding glasses for him,” DelVecchio remembers. But they searched and searched

34 December 2023

among the 3,000 or so pairs of prescription glasses DelVecchio and the rest of the medical mission team had brought with them from Duluth. And finally, success — DelVecchio began to tear up as she recounted what happened next.

“He looked at a piece of paper we had,” she said, “and he started shouting, ‘I can see! I can see!’ We were all crying and clapping, because he could see. It had been so many years where he couldn’t see anything.”

Jennifer Couillard has similar stories. So do Rolf and Ann

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROLF FURE

CALLED, AGAIN AND AGAIN, TO PROVIDE MEDICAL HELP IN

Opposite page: Regional members of the Liberian medical mission team periodically travel to Liberia to provide free optical and dental care to those in need. Pictured in front, from left, are Candi DelVecchio, Ann Fure, Heidi Samberg, Carol Goodman, Alexis Nordby and Kathy Blomdahl. Pictured in back, from left, are Jason Couillard, Jennifer Couillard (in sunglasses), Paul Couillard, Jose Couillard, Barb Fosse, Rolf Fure and Vicki Faegre.

Fure, and Vicki Faegre, and all the other core group of volunteers.

That kind of experience, DelVecchio said, keeps her returning again and again to Liberia. Every two years since 2011 (except when travel is disrupted by civil war, an Ebola outbreak or COVID) the volunteers raise $3,500 to cover their expenses and medical supplies, and they prepare for a twoweek medical mission to the small country on the west coast of Africa.

The group of primarily Duluth-area women began making these mission trips in part because Ann Fure had to start wearing glasses later in her life. She and her husband, Rolf, who was the pastor at Duluth Gospel Tabernacle, had been invited to visit Liberia to speak at a leadership seminar.

Ann Fure was a bit bothered by her new eyeglasses, which made taking pictures difficult. As she looked out at the audience of 500 Liberian residents, she remembers thinking, wow — everyone here must have good vision, because no one is wearing glasses.

Ann Fure later learned that the reason no one was wearing glasses was quite the opposite — many people needed glasses, but they couldn’t afford them. And even if they could afford them, optical care, as well as other kinds of health care, were almost impossible to come by.

One thing led to another, and soon the Fures were investigating ways they could help people who needed something as simple as a pair of prescription eyeglasses. In 2011, after about three years of organizing, the Fures and that first core group of volunteers arrived in Liberia with their suitcases filled with eyeglasses and dental equipment.

Jennifer Couillard of Duluth was part of that first group of volunteers. She is a retired dental hygienist, and that first year she was the lone member of the dental care team. They met a fellow missionary turned trained dentist who offered to expand Couillard’s skill set, and soon enough, Couillard was assisting with dental extractions, and then performing extractions herself. This is the primary treatment the team can perform, given the lack of lifelong dental care most local residents endure.

“The people there are wonderful,” Couillard said of her many trips to Liberia. “I have met so many long-lasting friends.

There is something about that culture that teaches us a lot. …

People are the most important thing (in Liberia), not your time Continued on page 36

Kathy Blomdahl helps provide dental care during the Liberian medical mission trips.

Children in rural Liberia show off their smiles after receiving dental care and education from mission volunteers.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 35

Jennifer Couillard examines a young child’s mouth during a medical mission trip to Liberia.

Couillard, who had a career as a dental hygienist, often treats pediatric patients during the mission trips. Assisting her is Cambria Tinsley.

schedule, and no matter how little you have, you still have enough to share, and you can be happy to do so.”

Some feel called to the work. Some go along with friends and family who are experienced volunteers. Some had wanted to join a medical missionary team for half their lives, and others were more recently inspired.

But many of the volunteers are eager to go back again and again and again.

“Once you are there for a while, you can’t wait to come back,” said Jennifer Couillard. Her stories of her experiences in Liberia caught the interest of her friend and fellow dental school graduate Vicki Faegre.

Faegre, of Duluth, has worked as a dental hygienist for more than 35 years. And on many of her vacation days, she travels with the Liberian medical mission team to volunteer her skills.

“It’s a long trip, a lot of travel, and long, hard days,” Faegre said. “But you don’t feel any of that exhaustion. You are helping people who have nothing. They are grateful you are there.”

Faegre and her fellow dental volunteers generally do a little triage with the patients, and then Faegre will administer any necessary anesthetic.

“Vicki is really good at numbing people,” Couillard said, with a laugh.

Medical mission needs

Carol Goodman, left, and Chloe Blue are pictured with a Liberian resident who was fitted with a new pair of glasses during a recent medical mission trip.

Candi DelVecchio combs through digital files of all the prescription glasses the team has available for Liberian residents who need them. The team brings 3,000 pairs of eyeglasses — as well as sunglasses and reading glasses — on their trips to Liberia.

36 December 2023

The team has some wants and wishes. After seeing so many people come in with cataracts, Ann Fure would love to connect with an eye surgeon who would volunteer to perform sight-restoring cataract surgery at one of their pop-up clinics in Liberia. Throughout the year, the team collects used eyeglasses, which are sent to a doctor in Kentucky to be reground into a variety of new prescriptions. And much of the dental supplies Couillard and Faegre tote along in their 50pound suitcases have been donated by local dental offices.

And, of course, they always need more volunteers. One of the hardest parts about these trips is knowing that, despite their continuous hard work for two weeks, there will be patients they just can’t get to, Couillard said. Rolf Fure describes himself as “the door man,” monitoring the flow of patients into the pop-up clinics. Even though some people have walked for days to get to the clinics, the need is so great that the team just can’t see everyone, Fure said.

The next Liberian medical mission trip is scheduled for January 2025. The team welcomes “anyone that would be willing to come with us, whatever their expertise,” Ann Fure said. “The Liberian people would really benefit. It’s been a joy.”

To connect with the medical mission team and learn more about opportunities to help, contact Rolf Fure at rolffure@aol. com, or reach out to the Duluth Gospel Tabernacle at www. duluthgospeltabernacle.org. ✤ Janna Goerdt is an Iron Range farmer and freelance writer.

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CFO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland receives

of AWARD P

roctor resident Dawn Hautajarvi possesses a head for numbers and a heart for people.

In her job as chief financial officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland, she has found a way to utilize both.

Hautajarvi has been employed with the organization for 15 years and is grateful for a career where the end game is helping underprivileged children. In a typical year, Boys & Girls Clubs serve 3.3 million young people — 1.6 million through membership, and 1.7 million through community outreach — in more than 5,200 club facilities nationwide.

With her nominator Todd Johnson on hand, Dawn Hautajarvi is recognized for her work with a Hall of Fame award at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Greater Midwest Area Council meeting, held in Rapid City, South Dakota, in July 2023.

Johnson is the CEO of the Northland branch.

~

Special award In July, Hautajarvi was recognized for her work by receiving a Hall of Fame award at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Greater Midwest Area Council (GMAC) meeting, held in Rapid City, South Dakota.

38 December 2023

Hautajarvi was nominated for this award by Todd Johnson, CEO of the Northland branch, and Tammy Sundbom, its chief development officer.

Hautajarvi’s entire family, including her husband, children and grandchildren, made the trip to attend the ceremony.

She was one of seven people who were enshrined into the GMAC Hall of Fame for their achievements. In a news release about the award winners, Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, said, “These are professionals or volunteers that have made significant contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs, in their city, state or region. When we think about the pinnacle of recognition at Boys &

Dawn Hauta jarv

~

i

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAWN HAUTAJARVI

By Andrea Busche

Girls Clubs, this is it.”

“It is so humbling to get an award for a job I love to do,” Hautajarvi said. “It was very sweet and I can’t believe they even thought to nominate me; especially since I work with such a great team of people.”

Work ethic Hautajarvi was raised to have a rock-solid work ethic. Her parents, Jerry Linder and Dianne “Dee” McClellan, were very hardworking people. She reminisced by sharing a few impressive stories about her folks.

“My dad was a route salesman for Taystee Bread. I remember the Duluth News Tribune did a story about him once because he was out delivering bread in a snowstorm.

“And my mom went back to school to be a hairdresser. I remember for my first-grade photos, Mom ratted my hair, and I had the same hairdo as my teacher,” she said with a chuckle.

“My parents taught my brothers and me a great work ethic.”

Hautajarvi herself began working as a teen. She babysat, and later got her first official job at A&W Restaurant.

Education and career Hautajarvi, a Denfeld High School graduate and lifelong Duluthian, studied accounting and finance at the College of St. Scholastica. She later earned a certified nonprofit accounting professional credential from Wipfli Accounting. She also received a certificate from the University of WisconsinSuperior’s human resource generalist program.

Initially, though, she thought she would be in an entirely different field altogether.

“Growing up, I wanted to be a juvenile probation officer,” she said. “I was worried about our future. But life took me a different way.”

Hautajarvi began her career working for Bresnan Communications as a customer service professional. Later, she was promoted to accounting where she handled payroll, billing

Dawn Hautajarvi and Ruth Casper enjoy the Boys & Girls Club of the Northland’s annual gala event in 2021. and purchasing. She learned that she had a strong affinity for math and numbers.

Her next job was at Fentech Windows, and she met a very influential person — her supervisor, Mary (Perrault) Koszarek, who later became a dear friend.

When Koszarek left to work for Northwoods Children’s Services, Hautajarvi followed. Her next role allowed her to blend her love of math with a heart for helping people — particularly children.

“I would see the kids getting admitted and the change in their lives when they were able to leave,” she said. “I thought, ‘There’s a reason I’m here.’ In that job, I helped fight insurance companies to ensure the kids could be admitted.”

Koszarek’s father, Jim Perrault, Sr., was one of the founders Continued on page 40

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of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland, and Koszarek served on the board. Through this affiliation, Hautajarvi learned of a new position — finance director at Boys & Girls Clubs.

She was hired in 2008, and was later promoted to her current role of chief financial officer.

Hautajarvi’s duties vary from day to day, and include payroll, income and expenses, financial reports, human resources and IT tasks.

In addition to her busy professional life, Hautajarvi does some volunteer work, too. She has served on the finance committee for One Roof Community Housing. She has traveled to Mexico to volunteer for Esperanza Children’s Home’s Day of the Child. And together with her husband, she volunteers for the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour, which raises funds to help people fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Personal

Dawn Hautajarvi serves pizza one night at a local Boys & Girls Club.

Hautajarvi and her husband, Gene, have been married for 41 years. Gene enjoys a part-time job as Skyline Social & Games’ house mechanic, but he spent the bulk of his career as a diesel mechanic and foreman for Fabco Caterpillar. In their free time, the couple love to travel and enjoy taking cruises.

The Hautajarvis have two adult children, Travis, 39, and Tyler, 35. And Hautajarvi treasures the relationship with her daughter-in-law, Corrie (Tyler’s wife), and dotes on her twin granddaughters. In 2019, during Corrie’s pregnancy, Dawn and Corrie walked the WhistleStop Half-Marathon together For now, Hautajarvi loves her career and has no plans of slowing down.

“Gene and I both love being around people and staying busy. We’ll probably fail at retirement if we go too soon,” she said with a laugh.

Rewarding Hautajarvi is grateful for a career where she can leverage her talents while also helping others.

“I love the fact that Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland are very transparent,” she said. “They are good stewards of their money, and make a dollar go a long way. And they have such quality staff who do amazing things for our kids. The Clubs are a safe place for kids to go, get help with their homework, eat a healthy meal, and receive the support they may not have at home.” ✤ Dawn Hautajarvi volunteers for Esperanza Children’s Home’s Day of the Child, in Mexico.

40 December 2023

Andrea Busche is a Duluth freelance writer.

Dawn Hautajarvi and her family celebrate son Tyler’s wedding in December 2017. Gathered are Dawn’s husband Gene, son Tyler, new daughter-in-law Corrie, and son Travis.

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It’s all in the details

Home Touches

Hibbing couple’s new home is the perfect gathering space

N

estled on seven wooded acres just outside of Hibbing is a striking new home with plenty of surprises on the inside.

The homeowners, Steven and Ingrid Jolowsky, with an astute attention to detail and the patience needed to guide the project from start to finish, have created a home that is both beautiful and functional.

Designing a modern farmhouse After raising their kids in the home next door on 14 wooded acres, Steven and Ingrid decided it was time for a change. They divided their property into two seven-acre parcels, put the parcel with their house on the market, and started planning. The couple, whose adult children are likely to remain in the area, wanted a place that was functional for just the two of them, but also welcoming to both family and friends, including their young grandkids.

42 December 2023

“We went into it wanting to downsize and have less to take care of, but it really didn’t turn out that way,” Ingrid said. “Our new home is about 200 square feet less than our old home, but definitely more efficient with our space.”

The Jolowskys worked with architectural designer Heather Hiner of Hiner Home Designs, who says she “created a unique design that meshed their floor plan wish list with the exterior look they were seeking. It’s a clean, modern feel for a traditional farmhouse style home.”

Each of the three floors are spacious and functional with a bedroom on each level, and an open living/dining/kitchen area on the main floor leading to the back patio with a beautiful outdoor kitchen. This home is clearly meant to be lived in.

Dynamic design Despite having completed a few remodeling projects, this was their first time building. Ingrid and Steven were both very

PHOTOS BY COMSTOCK CREATIVE

By Amy Carlson

Kelsey Hiner of Hiner Home Designs helped with the kitchen layout to create a space with high, vaulted ceilings, anchored at each end by a stunning custom hood over the extra large range in the kitchen and a meticulously crafted fireplace in the living room, where every single stone was precisely cut to stack perfectly all the way up. These centerpieces are beautiful and functional while not overpowering the space. “It was important that we used the centerline of the vault to accentuate the kitchen range hood while keeping the island and sink on center of the space,” Hiner said.

With Restoration Hardware light fixtures over the island and the dining room table, this main living space is open, airy and functional – all while showcasing the homeowners’ excellent eye for details.

As the cook in the family, Steven Jolowsky chose professional grade appliances and selected the custom Vent-A-Hood over the range. The black and satin brass faucet in the kitchen is Brizo smart touch, and the kitchen is laid out so guests tend to gather around the island instead of the workspace.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 43

In contrast to the rest of the home, the upper-level windows are white to coordinate with the light carpet and walls, bringing an airy, soothing feel to the space. involved throughout the entire process: “I kind of ended up just spending a little time on Pinterest. I did, I spent a lot of time on Pinterest,” Ingrid said, laughing. She certainly has an eye for materials and design on her own, but they worked with Hiner Home Designs’ interior designer Kelsey Hiner on both the exterior finishes and the kitchen layout and materials.

“Steven cooks all the time. When we have the kids home, everyone wants him to make a meal,” Ingrid said, so the kitchen was especially important to them.

“I love how this kitchen has symmetry with the hood, vault and island design,” Kelsey Hiner said, “but the overall design feels dynamic by offsetting the fridge and additional counter space.”

Together, they were able to create a functional yet gorgeous space in the kitchen, where everyone can gather around the island.

Unexpected and refreshing The contrast between dark and light materials is a theme throughout the home, and the Jolowskys used it in surprising and fun ways — both inside and out. All the windows are clad in black. However, in the upper level of the home — which includes a sitting area, guest bed and bath, and built-in office space — they used white-trimmed windows on the interior to complement the light wool carpet and walls for an almost beachy feel. The space feels warm and the texture provided by the materials keeps it interesting.

In the lower level, which also has a guest bedroom, sauna/ bath and game room, they used a black eclipse granite countertop and backsplash with incredible movement in the bar area to highlight the dark woodwork. In the adjacent guest bath, they used white eclipse granite (essentially a mirror image) to contrast with the dark tile flooring and woodwork.

By using black doors throughout the home, they look dramatic against the white oak floors, light walls and light trim. In the laundry room, the Jolowskys used a deep blue patterned tile to coordinate with deep blue cabinets for a fun pop of color. And almost all of the plumbing fixtures are black, satin brass or a combination of the two. These all coordinate with black light fixtures over the kitchen island and dining room table, which are stunning yet understated at the same time.

Kelsey Hiner said it was a challenge “incorporating enough contrast through dark materials while keeping the space warm and inviting. It was fun to work with the homeowners as they were wanting to incorporate as many dark finishes as possible.”

In the kitchen, they alternated dark cabinetry with lighter rough-sawn white oak cabinets, a playful touch.

Matthew Lepak of Bradley Interiors also helped with the material selections, specifically cabinetry, countertops and tile.

The end result, however, was truly driven by the Jolowskys.

“Impressively, Ingrid and Steve did all the final material Continued on page 46

Satin brass fixtures and hardware are a nice accent to the dramatic white herringbone floor tile shower in the upper level bathroom.

44 December 2023

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The dramatic movement in the black eclipse granite used on the countertops and backsplash in the lower-level bar area provide a striking visual in the light-filled room.

The lower level is bright and airy, thanks to egress windows and generous overhead lighting. It has plenty of space for working out or relaxing, with a combination pool and pingpong table, space to lounge adjacent to both the bar and the games area.

The primary closet is expansive and next to the laundry room, which has fun patterned tile and coordinating deep blue cabinets.

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Located in the lower level, the spacious cedar sauna has plenty of room to spread out, and controls for the stove conveniently placed just outside in the changing room, which has a simple bench and sleek towel hooks. The limestone tile is carried into the bathroom. selections on their own — generally a project of this scope would have a dedicated ID (interior designer),” Lepak said.

For the Jolowskys, however, Lepak was indispensable as the project progressed.

“He took care of a lot, was very efficient, not afraid of anything, and handled everything well … we were fortunate,” Ingrid said.

Patience and perseverance The Jolowskys clearly had a knack for the building process, taking the time and paying attention to important details to make this home exactly what they wanted, even if it meant waiting — sometimes months — for everything to be finished. They began construction at the height of the pandemic, dealing with all the delays, supply chain and quality-control issues throughout the project.

“We started building right in the middle (of the pandemic); you know it was a nightmare for us … materials, work, everything,” Steven said. From multiple dented doors on their refrigerator and some garage door panels the wrong color, to roof trusses and cabinetry that were cut to the wrong size, they saw it all.

Their contractor, Miles Winsor of Oak Construction, had the patience and work ethic to create the exact home the Jolowskys wanted, with a crew of five completing most of the work themselves. The crew precisely cut each and every stone in the living room fireplace so it would look perfectly stacked.

“That was very labor intensive,” Ingrid said.

And when the interior black doors were delivered in less-than-ideal condition, he made sure they were refinished perfectly.

Continued on page 48

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General contractor Miles Winsor and a friend built the pizza oven from the Fire Brick Company from the ground up. They also completed all the stonework for the fireplace and kitchen area. Note the vaulted wood ceilings. Winsor said this is favorite spot in the house because “no one can see it, no one knows it’s there.”

Surrounded by woods, yet very close to town, the Jolowsky home is sided in a custom dark gray smartboard with black windows and roofline, accented by stone and light solid wood beams for contrast. The back patio and outdoor kitchen area is completely hidden from the front of the house, facing the woods. The outdoor fireplace style is similar in shape to the custom hood in the kitchen.

“Not just one person can take credit for that house,” Winsor said. “There was a lot of time and effort by every single person that worked on that house.”

Miles made sure things were done right.

“Miles is a great guy, he’ll work with you on anything … he didn’t argue about things, he just listened,” Ingrid said.

Enjoying their new space Now that the home is truly finished (they moved in late 2022), the Jolowskys are more than happy with the end result.

“The blend of metal, color and wood tones in this contemporary home design offers a stunning final product, 48 December 2023

with many unique accents throughout their home,” Lepak said.

The couple has been enjoying both the indoor and outdoor spaces with friends and family. Looking back, Ingrid admits that maybe she shouldn’t have taken on so much of the selections herself, but in the end, she is glad she did.

“At the end of the day, I’m glad we went with what my gut told me to go with,” she said. “Overall it turned out great.”

“We know what we like and we know how we want it to look and what the finished product should be,” Steven said. “I love this space.” D Amy Carlson is a Duluth freelance writer.

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Framed driftwood Christmas trees

By Molly Milroy

50 December 2023

PHOTOS BY MOLLY MILROY

DIY

C

reate your own charming Christmas tree using driftwood and holiday flair. To give it that extra touch, you can opt for jewels or sea glass, with green sea glass representing the leaves and brown sea glass for the trunk.

When it comes to crafting this project, you have several options to choose from. You can either acquire vintage picture frames and give them a fresh coat of paint or purchase brandnew ones. Customization is key to this craft. The choice is yours when it comes to selecting your holiday-themed paper, deciding whether to incorporate sea glass, determining the size of your tree, and choosing your picture frame. You can also choose to affix driftwood to the frame's exterior.

Supplies needed include a picture frame, holiday- or winter-themed decorative paper, hot glue gun, clear glue sticks, scissors, driftwood and any other decorations like sea glass.

Begin by removing the glass from your picture frame and laying it on the holiday paper. Outline the glass with a pen on the paper, indicating where you'll make your cuts. Carefully cut the holiday paper according to the outline and place it within the picture frame, ensuring the paper is in front of the glass.

Next, decide whether you want to create a tree solely from driftwood or incorporate sea glass into your design.

If you choose to include sea glass, you won't need as many driftwood sticks. Carefully select driftwood sticks of varying sizes, starting with the smaller ones at the top and gradually transitioning to the larger ones at the bottom. Experiment with the sizes and quantities to achieve the desired look. If you opt for sea glass, add it to the arrangement as well.

Plug in your hot glue gun and begin securing the driftwood sticks and sea glass to the holiday paper, arranging them to achieve your desired final tree shape. You may even choose to add smaller sticks to create a star at the top of your tree.

This craft is easy to do and allows you to use your creative side. Once your driftwood and sea glass tree is complete, you can either gift it to someone special or place it in your home.

For that perfect holiday ambiance, consider displaying it next to a fragrant fir-scented candle. D Molly Milroy is a Duluth freelance writer.

THEWOMANTODAY.COM 51

kids

korner

By Ali Carlson

SLOanE’s Suggestions

Happy Holiday season!

This fall has flown by but we’ve been taking advantage of all the fun things our community has to offer. Sloane visited pumpkin patches, Boo at the Zoo, the aquarium, Adventure Zone and took her first ride on a train at the North Shore Scenic Railroad.

We are so thankful for all the family friendly activities our community offers. Please get out and support our local businesses!

Sloane is now into full Christmas mode. As Sloanie says, “Ho Ho Ho, Christmas Christmas!”

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.

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Scuba Santa

Scuba Santa is offered at 11 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 25-26 through Dec. 16-17 in the Isle Royale exhibit.

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THEWOMANTODAY.COM 53

By Kim Quinones The Woman Today

54 December 2023

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIM QUINONES

Flavors of the HOLIDAY SEASON

Sugared Cranberries and Orange Peel Simple Syrup ½ cup

Sugar

½ cup

Water

1 ½ cups

Fresh cranberries, washed & dried

1

Orange, peeled into strips

Additional sugar for coating Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and stir for 3 minutes until sugar is dissolved.

Remove from the heat and add cranberries and stir for one minute.

Remove cranberries with a slotted spoon and set onto parchment paper to let dry for one hour. Next add orange peel into hot simple syrup. Stir and remove to parchment paper to dry for approximately 1 hour. Roll each in sugar and set aside on a plate to continue drying for approximately 1 more hour.

Use as decorative garnish on cake plates or cookies. Leftover cranberries and orange peel can be refrigerated for a couple of days and used to make cranberry sauce or baked into other cakes and cookies.

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Favorite Holiday Flavors COOKIES Great Grandma’s Overnights refrigerator cookie recipe inspires variations reminiscent of favorite holiday flavors.

Quick-to-mix dough is a classic base to incorporate your favorite add-ins.

Make ahead, refrigerate overnight, then slice and bake fresh cookies the next day, or freeze the prepared dough to have on hand during the holiday season.

In a mixing bowl, cream together lard, butter and sugars. Add in eggs and vanilla, blend until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon together. Slowly incorporate flour mixture into the wet ingredients until combined.

Stir in chopped nuts. If creating one of the special holiday flavors below, add in additional ingredients at this point. Shape dough into four logs, wrap in plastic wrap or parchment paper and refrigerate overnight. Slice into ¼ inch pieces and bake for 8-10 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Once cooled, decorate with melted chocolate or icing.

Holiday flavor add-ins to classic base dough:

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Cranberry Sauce

¾ cup ½ cup

¾ cup ½ cup

Candied Cherries, chopped Semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted for dipping cookies

Walnut Tarlets (shown on pg 4) Classic Base Dough: 1 cup Sugar 1 cup Brown sugar, packed 3 Eggs ¾ cup Lard ¾ cup Butter 1 tsp.

Vanilla 2 tsps.

Baking Soda 1 tsp.

Salt 1 tsp.

Cinnamon 1 cup Walnuts, chopped 4 ½ cups All-purpose flour

56 December 2023

½ cup ½ cup

Walnuts, chopped fine for decorating Semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted for drizzling cookies

½ cup

Raisins and craisins White chocolate chips, melted for dipping cookies Sugared cranberries for decorating

Butterscotch Pudding ¾ cup ½ cup

Butterscotch chips White chocolate chips, melted for decorating

Scandinavian Almond Cake Recipe provided by Ali Carlson - The Woman Today 1 ¼ cups 1 1 ½ tsp. ⅔ cup 1 ¼ cups ½ tsp. ½ cup

Sugar Egg Almond extract Milk All-purpose flour Baking powder Butter, melted and cooled

Grease an Almond Cake specialty pan with shortening and dust with flour (Note: nonstick baking cooking spray with flour already in it is not advised for this recipe).

In a mixing bowl, beat sugar, egg, almond extract and milk just until smooth. Add in flour and baking powder. Drizzle in melted butter just until incorporated. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-50 minutes. Edges must be golden brown.

Cool completely in the pan before removing. Cake will break if removed too soon. Sprinkle it with powdered sugar. Slice and enjoy! D

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