Design & Living August 2019 by Spotlight Media

AUGUST 2019

COMPLIMENTARY

Hgrown OME A look at breathtaking gardens and outdoor spaces in the area Art by Brandi Malarkey

DESIGN & LIVING

TEAM

At Design & Living Magazine, our goal is to create a publication that is just as much fun to read as it is to view. Here are the writers, designers, photographers and contributors who so affably use their time and talents to tell a story and give our pages purpose.

HILLARY EHLEN PHOTOGRAPHER

Ehlen is an editorial photographer for Spotlight Media and owner of Hillary Ehlen Photography. She is a native of Fargo and attended North Dakota State University for visual arts with an emphasis in photography.

JESSE HOORELBEKE PHOTOGRAPHER

Hoorelbeke is a former professional baseball player turned photographer. He is the owner of J. Alan Paul Photography in Fargo and veteran, lead editorial photographer for Spotlight Media. Hoorelbeke specializes in editorial, commercial, architectural and landscape photography.

SARAH GEIGER ART DIRECTOR

Geiger is a MSUM graduate with a BFA with an emphasis in Graphic Design. She is the lead publication designer for Bison Illustrated, Fargo Monthly and Fargo INC! magazines at Spotlight Media.

SARAH STAUNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Originally from central Wisconsin, Stauner relocated to the FargoMoorhead area in 2017. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she recieved her BFA in Graphic Design and Marketing.

PAUL H. GLEYE CONTRIBUTOR

Gleye is a professor of architecture at North Dakota State University. His fields of expertise include historic preservation and urban design, and he leads the architecture schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s term abroad program in Europe each spring semester.

JOHN GUNKLEMAN CONTRIBUTOR

Gunkelman is current Home Builders Association of F-M president. He owns Dakota Construction of Fargo, Inc., specializing in custom homes, commercial remodeling and residential remodeling.

CHRISTEN ANDERSON CONTRIBUTOR

Anderson is a Minnesota native with an eye for decor and design. She is the owner of Christen Joy Homes and is known for her exceptional remodels, expert staging and accessorizing high-end living spaces. Anderson is also a passionate art collector, world traveler and home cook who frequently entertains friends.

KAYLA COTE VAN RENSBURG CONTRIBUTOR

Cote van Rensburg is originally from Willow City, N.D., and has made her home in Fargo with her husband, Piet van Rensburg. In 2017, the two founded the local lifestyle brand, Dak & Co.

bloom

IN FULL

Dear Readers, It was December when my fiance and I closed on our north Fargo home and became first-time homeowners. One of the many reasons we made the move from a townhouse to a home was so that we could have a backyard to enjoy and room for our dogs to play in. However, when moving into a home in the winter, the ground is a few feet beneath snow accumulation. While withstanding this prolonged winter, we anticipated the thawing of the snow and to see our new yard for the first time. As spring turned into summer, we enjoyed discovering what plants sprouted from the flower beds. We took photos and texted them to my fiance's mother, who is a Master Gardener, and she helped us identify what was about to blossom. White peonies, ferns and cannas were among some of our discoveries. I always love having fresh flowers in my home, so being economical, I've enjoyed making my own fresh bouquets of flowers and greenery from the beds. This discovery of the greens that were hiding under snow when we first purchased the house has made our first sunny season an exciting one. While we personally were in a season of discovery, many in the Fargo-Moorhead area anticipate what they know will pop back up in their backyard oases each summer. In this issue, we discovered some botanical treasures and learned so much about how Fargo residents make their outdoor spaces their own. From ecological-minded pollinator gardens to patios perfect for enjoying a glass of iced tea (I'm from the south, iced tea is a patio staple!), it was refreshing to see the outdoor spaces that we often don't get to celebrate enough. We hope you'll enjoy these colorful gardens and eclectic spaces we've showcased this month. Sit back, relax and soak in the sun while you digest this issue...and maybe keep it around to reflect on once the snow turns everything white in a few months.

Until next month,

ALEXANDRA MARTIN Editor

2019

Design & Living Magazine

Becky Muller Social Media Coordinator North Dakota Interior Designers

Melissa Rademacher President & CEO Downtown Community Partnership

downtownfargo.com

We at Design & Living Magazine want to make sure that our content is accurate, unbiased and reflects the local home industry. That is why we meet with our Editorial Advisory Board, which is made up of representatives from local, statewide and national organizations. Each month, we listen to their feedback and discuss innovations in local art, architecture, home decor, interior design and landscaping.

Photos by Hillary Ehlen and J. Alan Paul Photography

ndid.org

Editorial Advisory Board

Rich Lahren Hardscape Committee Member, Past Board Member & Past President North Dakota Nursery, Greenhouse & Landscape Association

Chris Hawley Licensed Architect/Member American Institute of Architects

Krista Mund Executive Vice President Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead

Dayna Del Val President & CEO The Arts Partnership

theartspartnership.net aia.org hbafm.com ndnga.com 12

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2019

contents

AUGUST

FEATURE STORY

Home Grown

Designing with Joy

A Bold and Eclectic Interior

We only get a certain number of months of sunshine and 80-degree weather here in the Red River Valley. To use this time wisely, we want to take you outdoors with us. While we here at Design & Living love to celebrate our area's stunning interiors, this month we are stepping out the backdoor and into the yard. From beautiful gardens to patios to curb appeal, if it's alfresco, we are showcasing it!

In each issue of Design & Living Magazine, residential and commercial designer Christen Anderson of Live Christen Joy will answer a home design or lifestyle question. This month she gives us a tour of Dynamic Communities' new office.

Raeann and Tim Landis custombuilt their home with the intention of creating something unique to the area while combining both their tastes and styles. The result is something spectacular.

Green Thumb: The Master Gardener Program

Meet North Dakota's Master Gardener Program. This program puts its heart and soul into beautifying our state and researching just how to do that. Read all about them and how you can turn your own garden into a work of art.

DESIGN & LIVING | A U G U S T 2 01 9

A Home in the Tradition of Frank Lloyd Wright

Artist Feature: Brandi Malarkey

Spaces the Work: Hebron Brick Company

Join contributor Paul H. Gleye as he provides insight into some of our area's most interesting architectural feats. This month, he discusses John and Sherri Stern's home, designed by Frank Lloyd Wrightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s granddaughter, Elizabeth Wright Ingraham, in 1958.

Artist Brandi Malarkey has a portfolio of work in a catalog of different styles, mediums and subject matters. Join us as we learned about her most recent series, a scientific and botanical collection inspired by nature.

Gorgeous offices need love too! See how Hebron Brick Company teamed with the team at BlueStone Interiors to turn their brand new office into a productive space that reflects the work they do.

ON THE COVER Zantedeschia aethiopica, Calla Lilies Watercolor Brandi Malarkey Bring the outdoors in with artist Brandi Malarkey's botanical watercolor collection. Read more about how Malarkey is painting her own garden on page 66.

NEXT MONTH Our September issue is our historic homes issue! We will be looking at area homes that have been around for quite some time and seeing how their current owners have embraced and updated them. Do you have an old home bursting with character that you think would look good on our pages? Let us know! Email our editor at alexandra@ spotlightmediafargo.com.

For more exclusive, original content,

@designandlivingmagazine

AUGUST 2019 Design & Living Magazine is a free publication distributed 12 times a year. Our mission is to showcase all that the Red River Valley has to offer in terms of interior design, architecture and landscaping, profiling the people that make these possible. We also strive to provide a quality and fun reading experience and improve the way of life in our community. The publication is mailed to homes across the US and has stand distribution throughout North Dakota and Minnesota.

Publisher

Mike Dragosavich Drago@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Chief Operations Officer

EDITORIAL

Editorial Director

Editor Art Director Graphic Designer Director of Photography

Matt Bruns

Andrew Jason Andrew@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Alexandra Martin Sarah Geiger Sarah Stauner Hillary Ehlen Photography@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Photography

J. Alan Paul Photography jesse@jalanpaul.com

Contributors Editorial Assistant

INTERACTIVE

Business Development Manager

Creative Director Digital Marketing Strategist Videographer Executive Sales Assistant

ADVERTISING

Christen Anderson, John Gunkelman, Paul H. Gleye, Kayla Cote van Rensburg Dan Slaubaugh Nick Schommer nickschommer@spotlightmediafargo.com

Simon Andrys Tommy Uhlir Patrick Thompson Kellen Feeney

Associate Sales Director

Neil Keltgen

Senior Sales Executive

Paul Hoefer Paul@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Sales Executives

Zach Olson Zach@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

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Client Relations

ADMINISTRATION VP of Human Resources

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Colleen Dreyer Wendy Kalbrener

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Design & Living Magazine is published by Spotlight Media, LLC. Copyright 2019 Design & Living Magazine & designandlivingmagazine.com. All rights reserved. No parts of this magazine may be reproduced or distributed without written permission of Design & Living Magazine and Spotlight Media, LLC is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. Spotlight Media, LLC accepts no liability for the accuracy of statements made by the advertisers.

ADVERTISING: 701-478-SPOT (7768) spotlightmediafargo.com Send change of address information and other correspondence to: Spotlight Media, LLC 15 Broadway N. Suite 500, Fargo, ND 58102 or info@spotlightmediafargo.com

TAKE A LOOK AT

Spotlight Media's Other Magazines

As North Dakota experiences unprecedented growth, we look at what that means for your business. Whether you're looking to buy, build or lease your next space, we'll have all the content you need to know. From conversations with architects about the perfect office layout to how to finance your new space to going green with your construction project, we have you covered for everything you need to know.

We all have our own pet stories. Whether we adopt our furry (or notso-furry) friends or otherwise, each pet in Fargo-Moorhead has a story to tell us. In our annual pets issue, we bring you some of the best pet stories within our own community. Come along with us and celebrate everything our pets have to offer us.

As we return from our summer away, we want to dedicate this issue to you, Bison Nation! With the help of our friends from SCHEELS, we put together the NDSU gear you must have this season. Also, elevate your tailgate with NDSU's BBQ Bootcamp and get prepared for the Bison takeover of Minneapolis. This one is for you, Bison fans!

LEARN MORE ABOUT US spotlightmediafargo.com

MEET THE TEAM

ANDREW

SARAH

JESSE

BRUCE

ALEXANDRA

SARAH

HILLARY

NICK

CRAIG

JENNY

PATRICK

NEIL

MIKE

NOLAN

JENNY

COLLEEN

JOHN

SIMON

JENNIFER

PAUL

TOMMY

KELLEN

ZACH

WENDY

ELLA

MATT

H E RE' S YO U R FA L L home work t is back-to-school time and not just for the kids. Homeowners should do a little “homework” themselves. Focusing on a few maintenance projects now will help prepare your home when the cold temperatures hit. Not only will these projects help you manage your energy bills, but they also enhance and protect one of your biggest investments: your home. Minimize the Amount of Escaping Air Heated air can escape from gaps that develop where building materials meet. Some of the most common areas include where exterior siding meets windows and doors, around roof and foundation lines, adjacent to chimneys and where pipes protrude through walls or roofs. Check all of those locations to see if any gaps have formed and if so, apply the appropriate caulk or sealant. Heat rises, which means heat from your home also can escape through any vulnerable areas of the roof. The most efficient way to stop heat loss is by installing ceiling and roof insulation with a minimum R-value of R-50 (R-value refers to the ability of any material to resist the passage of heat).

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Strengthen Your Windows and Doors Your windows and doors are another area to ensure that the warm air stays in and cold air remains out. Look for any cracks in glass and near sashes and window frames. Apply adhesive foam weather strips to the top and bottom window rails, or nail felt weatherstripping where window sashes and frames make contact. Newer homes are much more likely to have double or triple-paned windows, which can dramatically improve energy efficiency. Don’t Neglect Your Gutters Gutters and downspouts can easily become clogged over time, even if they have guards intended to keep out debris. Regularly inspect and clean gutters thoroughly, paying special attention to elbows and bends in the downspouts. Keep hangers fastened securely and plug any holes or cracks. You can also touch up any sections showing signs of rust with rustproof paint. Performing routine home maintenance projects like these will help you manage your energy bills during the cooler months and help to prolong the life of your home and enhance its value.

by John Gunkelman Dakota Construction of Fargo, Inc. Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead

John Gunkelman is current Home Builders Association of F-M president. He owns Dakota Construction of Fargo, Inc., specializing in custom homes, commercial remodeling and residential remodeling.

Home Builders Association of Fargo Moorhead Nurture a thriving, innovative and diverse housing industry in our community

For more information, contact: hbafm.com info@hbafm.com facebook.com/ HBAFargoMoorhead twitter.com/hbafm

DESIGNING

with joy

WHERE BEAUTIFUL DESIGN AND PRODUCTIVITY COLLIDE

INSPIRED INTERIORS AND EVENTS WITH CHRISTEN JOY

BY Christen Anderson | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen

oday, more companies are empowering employees to choose where they work – in the office, at home or in a coffee shop. Shifting workplace culture is prompting companies to create unique work environments where employees can thrive, feel energized, enjoy an enhanced sense of community and be more productive. New workplace design features private areas for focused productivity and common areas to spark collaboration. Dynamic Communities, a membership and events-based company, knew that’s what it wanted in its new office space. Great States Construction and Christen Joy Inspired Interiors and Events partnered to create its dream environment. Located on the second floor of The Suites in south Fargo, the space was large enough for the growing Dynamic Communities team and it had no internal walls, making it a blank canvas for a new design to come to life. Because the company respects each person’s work style, it carried its culture into the space design with only a few musthaves: · · · ·

Provide a mix of private and open offices Construct three conference rooms Furnish common flex areas Design options that empower team members to configure the space.

With construction plans finalized, the Dynamic Communities team turned to Christen Joy Inspired Interiors and Events to design the space to feel welcoming and chic. This direction drove the selection of office space units and choice of furniture vendor, Hannaher’s. Christen Joy Inspired Interiors and Events worked to find the perfect accessories and ensure success. 22

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Following conversations with Great States Construction and Dynamic Communities, the Christen Joy team designed a fresh and light new space to fit the company’s vision and brand. The look is vibrant and energetic, anchored with global and community pieces to represent the core of the business. With all Christen Joy Inspired Interiors and Events projects, we provide a neutral color palette to allow for easy updates if and when a client’s design tastes change in the future.

ENTER DYNAMIC COMMUNITIES

You’re greeted by a modern rustic wall covered with a product called "Timberwall."89889 The textured surface provides a rustic casual feel to balance the strong professional vibe. The relaxed, homey feel is the perfect backdrop for the company sign.

JOIN ME ON THE COUCH

You’ll gravitate to this inviting flex space for individual work or to meet with others. The seating provides longevity and durability for the commercial space. Its style is modern and fresh. Adding comfy throw pillows and pops of greenery propel it from neutral industrial, to warm and inviting.

“OUR APPROACH TO DESIGNING AND BUILDING THIS SPACE WAS CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT INSPIRES PEOPLE TO ‘WANT’ TO COME TO THE OFFICE. THE BREAK ROOM FUNCTIONS AND FEELS LIKE A COFFEE SHOP. A GLASS GARAGE DOOR BREATHES LIFE INTO THE TYPICAL, SPARSELY-USED CONFERENCE ROOM. TEAM MEMBERS CAN CONFIGURE THE MULTIPURPOSE ROOM AND THE BREAK ROOM TO WHATEVER THEY NEED. THE OVERALL ENVIRONMENT PROVIDES WORK OPTIONS FOR QUIET PRODUCTIVITY OR OPEN COLLABORATION." - Michael Casper, President of Great States Construction

MEET ME IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM Your eye is drawn to the large herringbone floor in high-performing luxury vinyl tile. Framed by single plank, the room is already sophisticated and artistic before any artwork is hung. The focal point is another Timberwall framing the video monitor. Timberwall can be used for cohesive design throughout a space.

“‘WITH THE FLEXIBLE LAYOUT AND DESIGN, WE SEE PEOPLE MOVE AROUND THE SPACE THROUGHOUT THE DAY INSTEAD OF STAYING AT THEIR DESKS. THE MIX OF PRIVATE AND OPEN SPACES ACCOMMODATES THE TYPE OF WORK OUR TEAM NEEDS TO FOCUS ON, WHETHER IT’S A QUIET ROOM FOR WORK THAT REQUIRES DEEPER FOCUS, OR THE COFFEE SHOP STYLE BREAKROOM FOR A MORE COLLABORATIVE MEETING OR CONVERSATION. OUR NEW SPACE IS ONE THE TEAM ENJOYS COMING TO WORK IN, AND WE’RE THRILLED WITH OUR NEW WORK HOME.” – Shera Nelson, Dynamic Communities

WORK WITH ME

Additional workspaces of open-air seating and private offices provide ample workspace for today’s "paperless" world. Black doors frame the offices to ground the space and harmonize with warm walnut furniture featuring modern brushed nickel legs.

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TAKE A BREAK WITH ME IN THE COFFEE SHOP

Enjoy the star of the show by lounging in high-top chairs and enjoying a view of the common area. An upholstered booth is perfect for a small meeting. Or, enjoy the natural light from oversized black-trimmed windows framing various nooks and crannies for impromptu conversations near the large conference room. For employees’ work comfort, flexibility is key. The space also has fun, subtle and sophisticated selections to wow prospective employees at interviews, and make current team members think twice about working from home. You’ll notice the herringbone floor breaks at the garage door and extends into the break room – creating a consistent flow when the garage door is open, or

creates interest when closed. Matte black light fixtures and brackets echo the window trim. A daring selection, it’s used throughout the space (notice it also on the office doors) however, it delivers a high-end feeling balanced with light upholstered furniture, neutral paint colors and natural sunlight. Brass was used purposefully as oversized hardware on the navy cabinetry. The gold brings light to the dark cabinetry and keeps it from feeling heavy. The intentional use of brass was echoed in the globe bundled light fixtures for style and personality. Tabletops, high-top counter and cabinets sport the same faux mesh textured product. In small spaces, it’s best to keep competing selections to a minimum to look designed, not busy.

COLLABORATE WITH ME

You’ll appreciate the flexibility of the garage doors, mobile tables and chairs to configure the large conference room space and break room for any meeting size. The Christen Joy Inspired Interiors and Events team added the finishing touches and handed the keys over to the Dynamic Communities team to enjoy.

Meet Christen Anderson of Christen Joy: Inspired Interiors & Events Anderson is a Minnesota native with an eye for decor and design. Christen Joy specializes in new-construction commercial projects, exceptional remodels, furnishing high-end living spaces and creating memorable special events. Anderson is also a passionate art collector, world traveler and home cook who frequently entertains for friends.

Join me on Instagram and Facebook to see my latest projects and email me your design questions at christen@livechristenjoy.com

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Hgrown OME

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buzzing

WITH LIFE

Dwight Mickelson's backyard micro-prairie celebrates our region's native plants and provides a home to essential pollinators.

BY Alexandra Martin | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen

he front of sculptor Dwight Mickelson's house in Moorhead is traditional and warm. A sidewalk leads up to a welcoming porch where a Norwegian flag waves, honoring much of our region's heritage. However, a walk around the corner reveals a different nod to our region's narrative, a micro-prairie.

The imagery of tallgrass prairies on rolling hills has been long associated with our region. As many of us are proud of this ecology, these prairies are disappearing. Newly minted as a 501c3, The Longspur Prairie Fund exists to conserve our local natural heritage, something we can do right here in our backyards. In Longspur Prairie Fund's efforts to preserve an educate, they've begun helping the community establish micro-prairies in town. A micro-prairie is a fully articulated prairie ecosystem existing on a small scale. Plants and insects that you find in a natural prairie can grow and thrive in urban micro-prairies, creating a habitat where it is most sparse. No plot of land is too small for this ecosystem to be installed, even a few square feet of native planting can create a corridor where pollinators can come and flourish. Dwight Mickelson has been maintaining his side-yard microprairie for about three years now. He was one of the first to create a micro-prairie in the Fargo-Moorhead area and is helping show the beauty of this ecological necessity. He began his garden with prairie remnant from his family's farm in Hawley, Minn. Every year, he takes more native seeds and inter-seeds the plot to come up

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even more whole and lush each season. Mickelson currently serves at the president of the board of directors of the Longspur Prairie Fund, where his intermixed admiration of arts and the earth come together. As an artist, Mickelson is a metal-worker, furniture-maker and sculptor. Since 2005, he's operated as Mickelson Metal Studio and creates sustainably-made pieces of art. Sprouting up between tall grasses and budding flowers you can see metal sculptures of his standing in contrast to the soft, natural grasses. The hard and softness play with each other, complimenting the art that is within nature. Once established, micro-prairies are maintenance-free and beautiful. The fully articulated prairie seed mix used produces plants of all heights, textures and colors. In one small plot, you can find a rainbow of colors like fuchsia, yellow, violet, white and, of course, lots and lots of greens. Flirting around are pollinators, happy to find a refuge to play in. In the region (and across the United States) bee species have been declining in numbers due to the loss of their natural habitats. This decrease in pollinators affects our food supply, as bees are integral in the insect pollination of many crops. However, official Pollinator Habitats like Mickelson's provide valuable settings for bees and other pollinators. The more pollinator habitats we can rebuild or create, the better our native pollinators will do. "We're trying to create as many [micro-prairies] in businesses and residential homes and yards to try and create as much habitat as possible, "said Longspur Prairie Fund's assistant director Cady Ann Rutter. Rutter also noted that our area lends itself to be ecominded and ready to help serve as stewards, making the growth of these preservational efforts more successful. Compared to standard lawns, these micro-prairies like Mickelson's provide a source of food and life that, comparatively, is much more active and buzzing. When a life source is this beautiful and nontraditional, we expect to see much more of these popping up around town. Want to house a micro-prairie in your yard or business? Visit longspurprairie.org and reach out to their team. The Longspur Prairie Fund can walk you through the steps of what it takes to use native plants to create a beneficial pollinator habitat.

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AN ARTIST'S

backyard palette For over two decades, George and Pauline Economon have created a masterpiece of their backyard.

BY Alexandra Martin | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen

eorge and Pauline Economon bought their north Fargo home in 1997 and, year by year, have turned the backyard into an outdoor oasis. Each season is an experiment, adding and taking away elements to see what works best. From the 22 years the couple has been working on this masterpiece, they've enjoyed the thoughtful and creative process along the way. One step into their backyard and you feel transported to a place that surely cannot be in residential Fargo. Sounds from cars passing through disappear and the only noises you pick up are the trickling of the man-made creek and the songs of birds passing through. A natural hill sets the scene for the bridge passing over flowing water. A statue of Saint Francis, the patron saint of ecology, watches over a bird feeder and welcomes birds coming in from the Red River. The scene is serene and quiet, yet full of life. Birds, rabbits, raccoons, deer and pollinators all enjoy coming by for a visit, invited or not. Strategic additions, like pergolas creating a wall to the east, were installed to keep hungry deer away. The pergolas are decorated with clematis now, but the Economons previously experimented with growing grapes and hops. "Everything is an experiment, we add and delete every year," said Pauline. For the Economons, gardening is more than tending to plants. "Gardening is a form of art, it is a different way of painting. You have to have patience and you don't really know what the outcome will be," said Pauline. The peacefulness and thoughtfulness of the practice is something Pauline enjoys the most. George remarked, "Pauline is really an artist and this is her palette."

The couple began on the south side in 1997 and worked their way around the yard. George laughed, saying, "The only original thing in the yard is a little piece of a hedge. Everything else we have added over 22 years." Pauline shared that when the weather is nice, she enjoys spending several hours a day working on the garden, weeding and primping her plants. When it comes to gardening, Pauline is encouraging of people starting small and taking baby steps, "It's just amazing what can happen." To enjoy the space they've carefully created even more, in 2013 they added on a conversation and grill area. They worked with Land Elements to design and built a stone fireplace feature. Having a fireplace allows them to enjoy their backyard into the fall and winter.

Besides Land Elements, the Economons have enjoyed working with other local businesses to beautify their space. Hoglund Landscape recently helped create a distinct space for their Japanese Maple and native pollinator plants from Prairie Moon Nursery completed this new section. "I try to use local nurseries. Holland's is wonderful, Sheyenne Gardens, It's About Thyme popup on 10th Street. To find those unusual plants, you have to go to smaller and local nurseries sometimes," Pauline said. Pauline became a certified Master Gardener two years ago. Beyond the aesthetics and art of gardening, she understands a scientific and environmental side to it. Their yard is a Certified NDSU Extension Master Gardener Pollinator Garden, meaning it contains an assortment of plants that provide a consistent source of nectar and pollen from early spring to late fall, contains a water source for the pollinators and provides space for pollinators to nest over winter.

This year, Pauline discovered an interest in plant color wheels. A plant color wheel helps to design gardens based on what you want the outcome to envoke, whether that be harmonious colors, contrasting colors or leading the eye to focal points. "There's a lot of science to color and I'm learning and trying to incorporate it more," said Pauline. Rather than a vegetable garden, pollinator garden and flower garden all in designated areas, the Econonmons intermix them. Among locally purchased plants, some of the vegetables they harvest are yellow squash, zucchini, garlic, onion, cherry tomatoes, basil, parsley and cucumbers. With this amount and variety of vegetables, the Economons enjoy offering up the extra bounties to neighbors or the food pantry. Not thinking of it as a job or work, gardening has become a focus in the couple's post-retirement life. Even before they retired, they enjoyed coming home from work and digging into this hobby. George shared a story, saying, "I remember about a month or so ago and Pauline came in just all sweaty and she goes, 'I just really love doing this.'" "People say, 'Oh it must be so much work,' but it's not work when you love it," said Pauline, later adding, "To hear the birds and just the beauty of nature. The world is beautiful and life is beautiful and there's so much goodness and you need to enjoy it when you can."

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A BOLD and eclectic EXTERIOR The Landis family plays with contrasts with the exterior and lawns of their south Fargo home.

BY Alexandra Martin | PHOTOS BY Elisabeth Eden

he large lots and quiet scenery in south Fargo set the stage for some incredible interiors and exteriors. Raeann and Tim Landis share their home with their four children and dog, Wally. Having spent two years custom building their dream home, the Landis family needed an equally as custom and beautiful outdoor space to match. From the textural and tonal contrast on the exterior walls to the playful greens and seating areas, they've achieved an outdoor experience just as striking and welcoming as their interior. Coming around the corner and into their neighborhood, three black garage doors framed by metal siding introduce you to the house. A bold statement, with more contrast from pillars of cream stone siding and a geometric grid, this enticing scene isn't even the main entrance. Following a path of beds with a variety of shapes, sizes and heights of greenery, around the corner stands the front door. Six steps lead up to the modern black front door. Framed on either side with planters of lush greens in a variety of different pots, the sleek, dark door is welcoming. Rectangular glass panels on the front door give a peek into the complimentary interior within, a space with similar touches of playful patterns and smart textures. Stepping back and looking at it all, blowing branches of a willow tree and rounded shrubs add strategic softness to contrast with the angular shapes of the exterior walls.

Around the back carries the same look and feel of the front and side yard, but with more of a "come sit for a spell" tone. Stone planters overflowing with florals create boundaries and lead the eye into seating areas designed for multiple uses. In the fall, cozy up around the stone fire table with some hot chocolate. In the summer, claim a seat in the chairs with a view of the grill as you await some fresh-grilled foods. What's most impressive is that these spaces were all customdesigned, constructed and decorated by the Landis family. Raeann credits this ability to learn how to do things herself to her mother. "My mom is phenomenal with woodwork and tile, and I mean, she can do it all. She just always knew how to do it and kind of taught me everything she knew," she said. She shared that she grew up on a farm and was used to seeing her mom create such things. Even though they were on a farm, she remembers her mother having flowers and landscaping throughout.

While they did most of the landscaping work themselves, Tim and some of his crew from his company, L2 Contracting, came in and did the hardscaping. This included the custom-made planters that help divide the spacious backyard up and add a variety of heights. In these planters come spurts of color through bright flowers and along the side, some taller grasses to add some privacy, even though they do not currently have neighbors.

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Raeann notes, "You appreciate the time that goes into it. I'm out here every morning and every night." She shared that her oldest son got involved in planting this season and that when it was all completed, he was proud to see the outcome. "You just look at it and you appreciate it for what it is when you put your hard work into it," she added. In their previous home, their back patio was 10 feet by 10 feet, a stark difference to the expanse they have now. With this blank canvas, they knew they had many more options of what they could do than with their last home. One must-have that they made sure of was that the backyard was north-facing so that they could enjoy the space at all times of day, not having to worry about the sun coming in too strong. Their previous home had a south-facing yard, which Raeann noted was often too hot. Although the backyard space is still unfinished, it doesn't look it. Raeann shared that they are waiting to install some more awnings and a pergola. She joked that in a project like this, the work is never done and that she is always adding and changing things around. With young children, this openness to adaptability is as essential as it is fun. Raeann tells that outdoor planning and decorating don't come as easily to her as indoor design, but you wouldn't be able to tell that by looking out at the yard. Appropriate pops of color â&#x20AC;&#x201D; like the robin's egg blue umbrellaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; to add fun to this family-home, but don't overwhelm the sophistication of the black and white base. Wicker hanging basket chairs are fun and on-trend and unique planters and lanterns tie the space altogether. The Landis family has perfected the combinations of hard and soft, dark and light, organic and geometric, and the result is nothing short of remarkable.

A BOLD

AND ECLECTIC INTERIOR

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BY Alexandra Martin | PHOTOS BY Elisabeth Eden

Raeann and Tim Landis custom-built their home over a span of two years and have been happily living in it for three with their four children. The Landis' set out to create something unique to the area while combining both their tastes and styles. Tim owns L2 Contracting, so his background and connections in the building industry allowed them to be their own general contractors on this project, adding an even more custom-made feel. Raeann has an eye for design and enjoys

a good DIY project, this being the ultimate project for her to flex her creative muscle on. Raeann and Tim have different design tastes, so melding together both their preferences throughout the house was an ongoing process. Raeann said, "When we were building, we didn't really know what we wanted to do in all of the rooms, so we built a blank slate and moved into it and started doing things to it slowly." You

could say that they designed and adapted as they went along. While exact design styles weren't set in stone from the start, the couple agreed that they wanted their home to be unlike anything they'd seen in Fargo. "We just always wanted to be different. You can tell from the outside, it’s not really like any other house in the Fargo-Moorhead area. We like things that are different— that no one else has," said Raeann.

A particularly eye-catching feature is their custom staircase, seen upon entry through the front door. The railings and steps of this grand staircase are a piece of art. Made and remade a few times to get it perfect, the stairs feature different finishes and insets. In the landings between stair flights are custom-designed wood patterns — inspired by Goyard handbags. Atop the stairs is another focal point, a display of Tim's vintage Harley Davidson

motorcycle. A red, vintage gas pump is posed next to it, both backed by a blown-up black and white photograph of an old gas station. Tim is very into motorcycles, so this display is a tribute to a big part of him and what he loves to do. To complement this display, Raeann handcrafted a chandelier made of chains and sprockets to tie his motorcycle style in with a feminine twist.

Transitioning from the grand entryway is the open-concept living area. A black accent wall anchors the room and showcases a glass fireplace, mounted television and a cascade of plants soaking up sunlight from 24 feet of windows. "I always grew up around my mom who liked plants, so I knew I wanted to have something like this somewhere in our house. This seemed the perfect spot with

all the light coming in," said Raeann. The inviting and spacious sectional has ample room for the family of six, plus extended family when they are hosting holiday get-togethers. When building, while many details were not finite, one non-negotiable was to have plenty of space. "We have four kids, so we wanted the space so we are not on top of each

other," said Raeann. She remarks that right now, they admittedly have an excess of open space, but she knows that as the children grow into their teenage years, the space can adapt and accommodate changing needs. The kitchen provides a sizable island, complete with barstools for each member of the family â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ideal for on-the-go or

relaxed meals. Continuing with the theme of special elements, instead of opting for a tile backsplash, the couple left the walls white and added a custom reclaimed barn wood pattern up to the ceiling. From the communal spaces, we venture into the more personal spaces, bedrooms for each child and a master suite. The master suite was designed to be a getaway for the parents, but its comfort has turned it into a space where the

kids love ending their days in. Off the master bedroom is the master bathroom, featuring a glass walk-in shower, separate washroom, a heavily-enjoyed freestanding tub and the focal point of the room: a custom geometric-meets-organic wall. Raeann worked with their craftsman to draw up this accent wall, made of wood and sheets of moss. Again, combining a geometric grid with soft, natural mossy textures. "It seemed really minimal in here and I wanted to add something different

that wasn't just paint or wallpaper," said Raeann about the decision to create this unique accent wall. The children's bedrooms are each unique to the individual kid but have interchangeable accessories. The color palettes remain neutral enough to switch up over time, yet bold and fun enough to be enjoyed by a child.

With help from the L2 Contracting team and friends along the way, the Landis' created a space that's both masculine, feminine and oh so unique. With room to grow and opportunities to change styles, this home is sure to be enjoyed for all stages of this family's life.

Green Thumb BY Alexandra Martin | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen

Make your garden grow with help from North Dakota's Master Gardener program.

n the corner of 12 Avenue N and 18 Street N is an extensive assemblage of colorful flora, regional plants and cultivars.

This impressive garden on NDSU's campus is just one of the many projects upkept by The North Dakota Extension Master Gardener Program. Master Gardner programs are organizations that provide intensive horticulture training to those interested in gardening. This program trains its students to be volunteers in the community; giving lectures, creating and upkeeping gardens, conducting research and more. Heading the program at NDSU is Esther McGinnis, NDSU Extension Specialist and Associate Professor. She is encouraging of people of all ages and interests to reach out and learn more about gardening in this region of the country. The Master Gardener program periodically holds events and gardening workshops that the public can attend to learn more. To enjoy their work in person, a number of their projects are open to the public, such as the sensory garden at the Red River Zoo or the NDSU Horticulture Research and Demonstration Gardens on campus. This program is involved in a number of different initiatives. A new and exciting program they have been working with is about therapeutic horticulture. McGinnis shared, "I don't think people understand the health benefits of working with plants. Studies show that gardeners score higher in all major health indicators." The research community has just begun to understand how plants help our health and are planning ways to implement these studies to help people, whether that be gardening or just surrounding yourself with plants at home. This program is incredible for the community and for those involved. Their research and beautification of the community is something we can all benefit from. If you're not ready to become a Master Gardener, but you still want to be involved, we've compiled some information from their research to help you create the brightest garden on the block.

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Plan your Garden

Perennials What are perennials? A perennial plant is one that lives for more than two years. Perennials are often are used in troublesome spots in the yard, like areas that are too wet, dry, shady or have infertile soil. These types of plants are great for naturalizing a space or defining a planting bed. Note this North Dakota season's of bloom schedule to plan your garden to be in full bloom no matter what month it is.

Seasons of Bloom May to June

June to July

July to August

Bleeding heart Bugleweed Cranesbill Fleabane Gas plant Iris Peony Snow-in-Summer Violet

Alumroot Bellflower Delphinium Goatsbeard Sage

Achillea "Angels Breath" Bee Balm Bigleaf Goldenray Cardinal Flower Flase dragonhead Prairie coneflower

August to September Aster Boltonia Stonecrop

Extended Season of Bloom Black-eyed Susan Blanket Flower Blazing Star Common Yarrow Columbine Daylily False sunflower, Oxeye Garden Pink Golden Flax

Goldenrod Hosta / Plantain lily Prairie Phlox Purple coneflower Speedwell Stonecrop Sundrops/ Primrose Tickseed

Annuals What are annuals? An annual plant is one that completes its life cycle within one growing season and then dies. This means that they must be replanted each season you desire them. Often known as bedding plants, annuals supply beautiful pops of color and can be less expensive than perennials. Below is a guide to annuals for your North Dakota garden.

Plants for Shade Begonia Coleus Dahlberg Daisy (light shade) Garden Balsam Lobelia (light shade) Forget-Me-Not Nemesia (light shade)

Nemophila (light shade) Flowering Tabacco Nigella Pansy Poppy (light shade or east shade) Torenia (light shade)

Plants for Full Sun/Dry Locations

Plants for a Striking Flower Show

Blanket Flower Calendula California Poppy Coneflower Creeping Zinnia Dusty Miller Lisianthus

Alyssum Cannas Dianthus Dahlberg Daisy Geranium Marigold

Mexican Sunflower Moss Rose Spider Flower Statice Verbena Vinca

Good for Cut Flowers Dahlias Dianthus Fountain Grass Gladiolus Gomphrena Lisianthus Snapdragons Statice Sunflower Zinnia

Moss Rose Petunia Salvia Snapdragon Verbena Zinnia

Plants that Attract Pollinators Alyssum Cosmos Lantana Pentas Spider Flower Sunflower Verbena Zinnia *Information from Annual and Perennial Flowers for North Dakota, revised by Barb Laschkewitsch and Esther McGinnis. Visit ag.ndsu.edu/mastergardener to learn more.

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A Home in the Tradition OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT Sixty years after his death, Frank Lloyd Wright undoubtedly remains the most famous American architect. Eight buildings he designed during his long career were recently designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Not only was he a prolific designer himself, but several generations of his family followed him into prominence. His son John Lloyd Wright also became an architect (and invented Lincoln Logs toys), and Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter Elizabeth subsequently followed into the profession. BY Paul H. Gleye | PHOTOGRAPHY BY Hillary Ehlen 56

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In 1958 Elizabeth Wright Ingraham, Frank Lloyd Wrightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s granddaughter, designed a beautiful home along the Red River in Fargo for George Anderson, who was president of the Lincoln Mutual Life Insurance Company. Now owned by John and Sherri Stern, the home exemplifies the Usonian ideal pursued by Frank Lloyd Wright from the 1930s to the mid-20th century. The Usonian home responded to changes in domestic living that began to emerge after the First World War. Gone were spaces for domestic servants, as well as attics. Rooflines were simple, the plan was a grid for efficient construction,

and ornamentation was minimized in favor of emphasizing the natural color and texture of wood and brick. The Stern homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low-slung profile nestles gently into the landscape at the top of the flood plain, while the L-shaped plan allows beautiful views from the living room to the riverscape below. Natural light is integral to the plan, as clerestory windows below the ceiling surround the house, except in the living room where tall windows give the expansive view to the river. Inside the home, wood dominates. Walls are of cherry and mahogany, with built-in closets and cabinetry in each room. Other walls are of long, narrow

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red brick separated by crisply raked mortar joints. Inside the front entrance, ceilings have the low seven-foot height characteristic of the Wright tradition, but then the space rises four steps to a living room open wide with tall ceilings and those large windows looking out upon the river. The home is small by current standards, about 1,800 square feet, though its airy feeling makes it seem much bigger, partly due to the wide overhangs and wood baffles

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surrounding the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exterior, offering shade and protection to the front entrance and the rear patio. Changes made over the years to accommodate modern living have carefully respected the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design. In fact, the owners still retain the original plans and specifications from when the home was built in 1958. Elizabeth Wright Ingraham said that architecture is a message a civilization leaves about itself to the future, and the home she designed in Fargo is a testament to the enduring value of beautiful design. In 2017 it received the honor of being included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Paul H. Gleye is a professor of architecture at North Dakota State University. His fields of expertise include historic preservation and urban design, and he leads the architecture schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s term abroad program in Europe each spring semester.

PROPERTIES, PODCASTS AND PARENTING, OH MY! "Thanks for tuning in to the Realtor Moms Podcast. We are Tasha and Jamie, fulltime Realtors in the F-M and surrounding areas, and admittedly average moms. This is how we sell homes and try to keep our kids alive." This opening introduction is what a listener is greeted with upon starting an episode of one of Fargo's newest podcasts: Realtor Moms Podcast. Meet The Realtor Moms Tasha Barrett and Jamie R. Swenson are Realtors at Park Co. Realtors, "work wives," mothers and podcast hosts. Together, they've created the "Realtor Moms Podcast," a locally-made podcast discussing all things being a Realtor and being a mom. From realty topics like "How to Host an Open House" and "How to Love the House You're In" to parenting subjects like "Mom Fail Fridays" and "FMarea Summer Events your Family Can't Miss," this duo answers frequently asked questions while also sharing humorous personal anecdotes. As entrepreneurs with a shared 13-years of experience as Realtors, they strive to be a library of information for local buyers and sellers. Tasha Barrett is a mother to three daughtersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; ages 16, 10 and 6â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and has been a Realtor with Park Co. for five years. She came into this profession after falling in love with the real estate industry while in the process of selling her and her husband's old home and building a new one. Three months after setting in their new home, Barrett found herself still browsing real estate listings and properties. She shared that her husband, Mike, remarked that with all the time she was spending looking at homes online, she should consider looking into becoming a Realtor.

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Jamie R. Swenson has eight years of realty experience under her belt with Park Co. and is a mother to a four-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter. She has a history in real estate, having worked as a Realtor in Minneapolis, switching to a different career and then returning to real estate after missing the industry. "I got back into it and just jumped into it two feet first. It’s like a freefall because there’s no safety net when you go to a full-time, fully commissioned based real estate job," she said, adding, "It’s been really great, it's the best and one of the hardest jobs in the world." Getting Started The road to pushing "publish" on their first podcast episode was filled with research, planning and more research. Swenson said, "We were in the planning phase for nine months. We just wanted to do it right." This planning phase involved researching recording equipment, learning about hosting platforms and compiling a list of over 75 potential episode topics.

times in their whole life, not five times in five months like we do." Content The duo jokes that one thing they do not struggle with is coming up with content. They keep a shared digital list of episode content ideas that they are adding to almost faster than they can put episodes out. Some episodes they have produced or are in the pipeline include: Real Estate Lingo, How To Flip A House (Without Flipping Out), What Your Realtor Wishes You Knew and How to Invest in Real Estate.

"WE WERE IN THE PLANNING PHASE FOR NINE MONTHS. WE JUST WANTED TO DO IT R I G H T."

Originally, Swenson had an idea to make a podcast recapping all the new listings in the area, before admitting that that content would not necessarily appeal to a wide audience week after week. This desire to have a realty-based podcast morphed into one that shared Swenson and Barrett's two passions: being Realtors and being mothers. "The details of the podcast are about real estate, but I think that being moms makes us the Realtors we are," said Barrett, "[Being moms] gives some perspective to the whole process. Sometimes we forget that our clients don't do this every day and we’re using lingo that they maybe don't understand. Being moms teaches us to slow down and know we have to explain things. Because home-buying is something the typical person does five

While they always have a determined topic they want to touch on, they also strive to keep the episodes authentic and enjoyable to both themselves and the listeners.

"We don’t try and force what we are talking about. When we sit down to record, it has to be what we are feeling and what we want to talk about. If we don’t have the energy and the excitement, why would anyone want to listen to us?" said Barrett. If all goes according to plan, they record a new episode every week, even adding a bonus episode if time allows. Short and Sweet Swenson and Barrett were strategic with not only the content of their episodes but the length of them too. Each episode length ranges from 10 to 20 minutes long. They noted that typically, FargoMoorhead area commutes are not as long as some other cities across the nation. Many enjoy listening to podcasts in the car, making hour-long episodes much too long for a standard Fargo commute.

Barrett said, "We wanted quick episodes that people can listen to and finish by the time they park their car and go into work." These brief episodes get straight to the point and make the content digestible to both a casual listener and someone invested in the industry. Personal and Educational As Realtors, Barrett and Swenson get to meet and work very closely with many members of the community. The process of buying a home is time-intensive and very personal, so being a Realtor often means getting the opportunity to learn a lot about the clients and become a huge part of their lives for that moment in time. However, time, distance and schedules can sometimes get in the way of having these more-involved relationships with clients. Through the podcast, Barrett and Swenson solve this problem by sharing their personalities and life experiences with listeners, offering an insight into who they are. Barrett said, "Now, they get to know me so that they can feel comfortable with me. No one wants to work with someone if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re uncomfortable with them. Now, they can trust that I will do the very best job I can to walk them through the process." Publically sharing both their expertise and their hearts, this podcast is now part of their business and will no doubt bring new clients their way.

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A Creative Outlet It's healthy to have a creative outlet and this podcast serves as such for this duo. The women work well together and enjoy using this time to catch up, share successes and challenges and help be each other's cheerleaders. These moms work hard in both their professional lives and their home lives. They enjoy getting to know their clients on a personal level, often sharing stories from home. In this podcast format, they get to combine both of these core aspects of who they are. "I enjoy the process of being able to take real estate and my family and being able to morph them together in a way that I can just be me and not to have to compartmentalize. I don't want to do that, I want to be one person, and in this setting, I can and it's just beautiful," Barrett said. Episode by episode, these Realtor moms are educating the community while sharing relateable stories and always providing a laugh. To follow along with Barrett and Swenson, visit them online at realtormomspodcast.com, on Instagram at @realtormomspodcast and on Facebook at "Realtor Moms Podcast." On these social media channels, they share PDF downloadables of information, quips about motherhood, giveaways and updates on episodes as they are published. Interested in real estate or not, these two sparkle behind the microphone and are sure to inspire even the most casual listener.

ARTIST FEATURE

PAINTING HER OWN GARDEN Featuring Artist Brandi Malarkey BY Alexandra Martin | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen

Artist Brandi Malarkey shares her most recent series, a scientific and botanical collection inspired by nature.

Artist Brandi Malarkey's vibrant personality is as contagious as her passion for her craft. This Fargo-based artist follows a multidisciplinary approach and is self-admittedly addicted to purchasing new and exciting art supplies.

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As of late, Malarkey has been focused on nature-inspired art, but she has played with a wide variety of styles, mediums and subject matters over her artistic career. For some time, she worked in producing commission work, including medieval recreation work of items like bibles and books of days. With a portfolio of work ranging from gouache paintings to mixed media works to glass beads, she dove into botanical art when she discovered there was a Minnesota School of Botanical Art where she could learn more. About two years ago, she enrolled in their classes in Minneapolis and learned everything she could about this craft. "I'm drawn to nature art because I don't know anything about it whatsoever," says Malarkey. She says that she is a city girl who grew up without a surrounding of flora and fauna and admittedly doesn't have much of a green thumb. She adds with a grin, "I can't grow anything, so I paint it instead." Introducing her recent work, Malarkey laughs and says, "My botanical art is my newest art, so I'm the least good at it and it takes me the longest to do. But I'm going to be fabulous at it in just a few years!" Regardless of what she says, you'd never be able to tell that botanical art is something new to her.

To push herself to transition out of the classroom setting from her time at the Minnesota School of Botanical Art, she signed up for The Art's Partnership's Community Supported Art (CSA) program. This program has 50 shares available per season, which include access to three parties throughout the year (in May, July and September) where members and one guest each enjoy different visual, performance and culinary art and get to take home a piece of original artwork. The social nature of this program allows members to meet other artists, learn about their craft, and to truly celebrate the art that lives within our community. For this July's CSA event, Malarkey created 46 unique mini botanicals to include as take-homes for the members. She shared that doing this was a lot of work, but that she learned so much. They say that learning by doing is the best way to hone your craft, and Malarkey discovered this to be very true. Botanicals she painted for this include to-scale renditions of mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, tulips, daffodils, cherries and more.

While she has been creating art for some time, her recent immersion into the arts community of Fargo has been an encouragement to her. Besides her involvement with The Arts Partnership, she currently has her work on display at Nichole's Fine Pastry and at Gallery 4 (which she recently became a member of) and will have a new series on display at Salon 3:5 in September. Keep your eye on Malarkey as she blooms around Fargo and continues to share her passion for learning and creating. See more from Brandi Malarkey: Gallery4 115 Roberts St, Fargo gallery4fargo.net It's All Malarkey itsallmalarkey.com

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Drinks

FROM THE GARDEN WITH Conner Collins, 46 North Pints & Provisions | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen

IT'S LEMON THYME 1.5 oz Nectarine Vodka Âž - 1 oz Brazilian Passionfruit Liqueur 1.5 oz Lemon Thyme Simple Syrup 1 oz Lemon Juice Dash of Soda Mix vodka, passionfruit liqueur, lemon thyme simple syrup and freshsqueezed lemon juice together in a shaker with a sprig of lemon thyme. Adding this extra sprig of lemon thyme aids in creating an herbaceous flavor to the end result. Strain and pour over crushed ice and top it off with just a splash of soda to add some carbonation. Garnish with lemon thyme and lemon and orange twists.

Our gardens are ripe with the herbs we've planted with care and now it's time to put those greens to good use! When the sun is shining and our patios are begging to host parties, what better way to use your hand-grown herbs than in fresh, summery cocktails? Join us as 46 North mixologist Conner Collins shows how to make some refreshing and fun cocktails with unique strains of herbs.

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Simple Syrup Tip: Making your own infused simple syrup is of low difficulty and high reward. Making a simple syrup is as easy as mixing equal parts (1:1) water and sugar. First, heat your water on a stovetop. Once the water is heated, mix the equivalent amount of sugar to the water and let it dissolve, turning into a thicker, cloudy mixture. Once the sugar is dissolved, turn off the heat and add a bunch of your desired herb (or fruit) and let sit until the mixture is cooled. In a glass container, this can last up to three weeks refrigerated â&#x20AC;&#x201D; imagine all the cocktails!

CINNAMON BASIL SMASH Lemon Slice 1.5 oz Basil Simple Syrup A Bunch of Cinnamon Basil 1.5 oz Basil Haydenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bourbon In a glass, add a lemon slice, basil simple syrup and one bunch of cinnamon basil. Use a muddler to muddle these ingredients together, releasing oils and combining the lemon and cinnamon basil. Once muddled, add the bourbon, fill with ice and stir to chill. Serve strained over crushed ice in a rocks glass and garnish with candied lemons and cinnamon basil. Bourbon Tip: Since minimal ingredients are being used, use a lower proof bourbon so that the bourbon flavor doesn't overpower the other ingredients. In this example, we used Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon, because with "Basil" in the name, we just had to!

CHOCOLATE MINT TEQUILA MOJITO 6-7 leaves Chocolate Mint 1.5 oz Honeydew Simple Syrup 1 oz Lemon Juice Orange Peel 2 oz Blanco Tequila Dash of Soda Add six to seven chocolate mint leaves, honeydew simple syrup, freshsqueezed lemon juice and an orange peel into a glass. Use a muddler to muddle these ingredients together to release their oils. Then add the tequila and stir into crushed ice. Top off with a dash of soda to finish it off. Tequila Tip: When it comes to tequila, generally the higher the age and the darker the color, the sweeter it is. With this Mojito-inspired cocktail, there's already quite a bit of sweetness, thanks to the honeydew simple syrup. To make sure the drink isn't too overwhelming, we opted for a blanco tequila to create the perfect combination of flavor.

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MEET THE MIXOLOGIST Conner Collins is the bar manager at 46 North Pints & Provisions, located at 635 2nd Ave North in downtown Fargo. He handcrafts the 46 North drink menu and always has a new specialty drink up his sleeve. To see more of his work, follow along at @ bartenderofthenorth.