Fargo Monthly February 2023

YOURSPORT?

WHAT'S YOUR SPORT?

F-M Curling Club

Skateboarding

Academy of Combat Arts

Fargo Climbing

Roller Derby

FM Pickleball Club

Swim Team

FM Aerial & Movement Arts

Sponsored Content: Beverage Insider: Knowledge You Can Drink

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Five Hot Upcoming Events

Whose Line, Minus The Deadweight

HEALTH SPORTS & REC

TRENDSETTERS: Reyna Asheim (Bergstrom)

February Health, Sports, & Rec Events

HOME & DESIGN

Exclusive Preview: Red River Valley Home Garden Show

FOOD & DRINK (FIKA)

5 Things to Eat & Drink

PARENTS & KIDS

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free

February Parents & Kids Events

Indoor & Outdoor Ice Rinks in Fargo-Moorhead

A Look Inside: SCHEELS Arena

BUSINESS

Meet the Maker: Sparkl + Dot

SHOPPING

Keep A Good Thing Going

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MIRANDA

JESSICA

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BEN TOMMY KELLAN

JONATHAN

RYNE JOHN

Fargo Monthly Magazine is published 12 times a year and is free. Copies are available at more than 500 Fargo-Moorhead locations and digitally at fargomonthly.com.

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(HOW) TO (NOT)

BE SO LONELY

With the extra chilly and snowy last month we've had, and coming off the holidays full of socializing and celebrating, it's easy to get into the habit of staying in during winter. And you should—it's okay to stay inside where it's cozy and dedicate some 'me time' in front of the TV or a good book. Just make sure you listen when your body tells you it's time for some fresh air and movement.

For some, you may notice you're a bit stiff getting out of bed in the morning, or you've been wearing the same pajama pants for a few too many nights. Maybe you're seeking motivation to get you excited about something again or you might just be craving some human interaction during the desolate winters of the

north. There are ways to get active, both physically and socially, even on the coldest of days; and in doing so, you are taking care of your mind and body.

We explored a variety of different sports clubs for adults and children, all of which are accessible to any ability—meaning you don't need to have any previous experience or athletic ability to participate. Getting active doesn't mean you need to go to the gym, and socializing doesn't mean you have to go out; organizations and clubs are a fantastic way to meet new people, get moving and challenge yourself! You'll find in this issue that most of the people who are part of these clubs are in it for the community.

Finding your community is something that I think is detrimental to your wellbeing. To have a space and group of people who make you feel welcome and able to connect with is one of the most special things about, simply, being human.

I hope that everyone finds that space, Happy Reading!

Geneva Nodland Editor

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WHAT'S YOUR SPORT?

By Geneva Nodland

In Fargo Monthly, we often talk about community, whether as a whole or all of the smaller sub-communities that make the whole. This month we explored some of the most active and close-knit sub-communities in the area... sports! With so many different club sports and activities for both youth and adults in the FM area, we are introducing you to some of the toughest, most unique, up-andcoming, simply cool, clubs to get involved with. Whether you decide to join something as a family (yes, there is a club that the entire family can try out), for a fun way to stay active, or to meet other people, we hope you find something you can get involved with!

F-M CURLING CLUB

1938

The club began as the Fargo Curling Club on outdoor ice on the Red River, eventually renting a sheet of natural ice at what was called the Fargo Arena, where the Island Park Pool is today.

1940s

If you’re from the area, odds are you have at least heard of the sport, especially considering Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota produce some of the top players in it, but you may not realize just how large the sport of curling really is. Since 1938, the F-M Curling Club has been supporting the steady growth of the sport, and they have the records to show their success.

ur local curling club currently has around 400 to 500 hundred members, including both youth programs and leagues, as well as adult leagues. The majority of these numbers are made up of people from the Fargo-Moorhead area, and a few from outside the community come to town to participate. Virtually any night of the week you will find leagues on the ice inside the facility. Adult leagues are held Sunday through Thursday nights, and the youth leagues are held on Sunday afternoons.

After being part of the community for almost 90 years, The F-M Curling Club has made some impressive moves in its history.

The club held multiple locations in the downtown area on natural ice sheets.

1959

After years of unpredictable winters, the club avoided dependency on natural ice and built a new space with two sheets of artificial ice, located where North High School is today.

1960

The club hosted its first bonspiel.

1967

The club moved west a block to the corner of 10th St and 17th Ave N in a new, much-improved building with four sheets of artificial ice.

1967-2007

For 40 years, the club navigated membership and team organizing, board decisions, tournament hosting and attending, building maintenance, club growth and much more.

2007

The decision was made to start funding and scouting for a location to build a new home for the club.

2013

In time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the club, the new facility opened its doors after great fundraising efforts. The club’s building is currently located on 23rd Ave S, between the Cornerstone Bank Arena and the Tharaldson Baseball Park (south of the Red River Zoo).

And those are just the physical moves the club has made. The club has had the chance to host national championships right in Fargo. In order to accommodate the size of the audience the tournaments would bring in, they partnered with Scheels Arena and set up there for the 2011 and 2018 Men’s and Women’s National Championships and the 2013 Olympic Trials.

The club’s facility hosted the 2015 Men’s and Women’s Club Nationals, 2017 Men’s and Women’s Junior Nationals and 2022 College Nationals. They also host many local and regional tournaments there throughout the season.

Its members have proven themselves and the teams throughout the years at local, regional, national and international showings.

The F-M Curling Club National Championship teams include:

• 1966 Men’s National Champion and World Bronze Medalists – Team Roberts

• 2017 Women’s Club National Champion – Team Podoll

• 2018 Mixed National Champion –Team Workin

• 2019 College National Champion –NDSU

• 2022 U18 Women’s National Champion – Team Scheel

• 2022 Junior Women’s National Champion – Team Scheel

Whether a team heads overseas or attends league every weekday night, they are a part of the history of the club. Frank Podoll was first introduced to curling right out of college and joined the club in 1974. He curls every Monday night.

“The biggest memory is the people you meet and then get to know quite a bit…” Podoll said. “I actually met my wife through curling. We curled many years together. I have two daughters and a son who all curled. My two daughters still curl quite a bit competitively.”

The things that you see sliding on the ice are called rocks, and the tools the team members use to guide the rocks are called brooms!

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

A curling team is made up of four people, each with a role:

• Skip (or captain); the person who calls the strategy and usually shoots the last rock.

• Third (or vice-captain)

• Second

• Lead

The team will send the rocks down the ice, aiming for the target at the other end. But the strategy is a bit more complicated than just sliding the rocks. The skip (since they are calling the strategy) will stand at the end with the target to direct the other team members' throws, as well as the sweepers.

Each member throws two rocks. The lead will throw the first, followed by the second, then the third (or vice-captain) and finally, the skip (or captain). The two teams curling against each other will alternate after each two throws.

While each member is throwing, there are two members sweeping the brooms on the ice to lessen the friction on the ice, in hopes to allow the rock to travel farther.

As you can see, there is a lot going on in the sport of curling. But one thing is certain, try it, and you’ll probably get hooked.

Al Hemstad moved with his family to the area about eight years ago. He had always wanted to try curling but didn’t do so until they moved here. About two months after he signed up his son for the youth league, Hemstad decided to try it for himself.

“This'll be my seventh year curling. I kind of fell in love with it and jumped in with both feet, and now this is my second home,” he said.

Hemstad works with youth programming, as well as leagues for himself twice a week. He watched his son’s first experience, along with his own first-time experience,

and now his son is competing in tournaments.

Hemstad and his team represented the club at the Five-And-Under National Championships (five years or less of experience in curling) in 2022.

“It's a tight-knit community, but it's not one of those exclusive clubs. We welcome anybody and encourage people to do it. The more people can get involved, the better,” he said.

At the beginning of every season, the club hosts an open house for anyone who wants to come and try the sport out. From there they can sign up for leagues and youth programming.

They have a specific kids curling program for children ages 5-years-old to 9-yearsold, that runs for six weeks. It's held one day a week, for one hour, teaching the kids the basics of curling. Moving up, they would join the youth program for ages 10-years-old to 18-years-old. This runs from November through March!

Last year, Team Scheel won the 2022 U18 and the 2022 Junior (U21) National Championships. Two of the players from the U18 team were from the F-M Curling Club—Miranda Scheel and Tessa Thurlow, the other two, Ella Fleming and Rilee Kraft, were from Bismarck.

The Junior (U21) Team, consisting of Miranda Scheel, Tessa Thurlow and Jordan Hein (who curl in the F-M Curling Club), and Amelia Hintz from Wisconsin, will be going to the Junior Worlds Championship. They have been practicing together the past year and will be in Germany at the end of February this year (Feb 25th - March 4th) for that competition!

Head to worldcurling.org/ events/wjcc2023 for more information on the event, live score updates and broadcasting news!

In addition to this team, Team Fitzgerald took the Silver at the 2023 U18 National Championship in January. All four players are from the F-M Curling Club, being Aiden Fitzgerald, Jackson Askew, Carter Mitchell, Jake Rin and Coach Evan Workin!

The Dakota Territory Curling Association, which encompasses North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana, has had lots of representation among various youth and adult competitions around the nation.

Whether you’re looking for a sport that brings competition or one that just keeps you active, you can find it at the F-M Curling club.

While the F-M Curling Club has been rooted in the community for some time, there are communities in the region that are itching to grow their own.

Cameron Rittenour is a part of a few curling clubs, including the F-M Curling Club—where he is active in leagues and practices. He commutes about an hour and a half from Fergus Fall, MN to do so. Rittenour has been to eight national competitions as well as the 2021 Olympic trials.

The various competitions that the members of the F-M Curling Club have been to are nothing short of amazing, but Rittenour has something else to add to his stats sheet: founding a new club.

He has been working to help start Fergus Falls’ new curling club for youth and adults. Having just started, the club is not quite yet established, but they are on their way. Currently, the club plays on the hockey ice in town and has about 28 members. They had their first league night in January after weeks of learning to curl practice.

Rittenour also works with the company, Curling Stadium, a new broadcasting company that supports curling clubs from local, regional and national events. They help clubs get set up with packages that allow broadcasting of all of their events, so anyone can watch the tournaments at any time and players can go back and

review their curls for improvement. Curling Stadium Corporate is based out of Canada, and Curling Stadium USA is based out of Fergus Falls. The goal is to have coverage for all curling clubs, and they’re on their way to reaching that goal.

The F-M Curling Club has had a tremendous journey over the last 85 years. To be a part of it, head to fmcurling.org and keep an eye out for their Learn to Curl events to get started!

4300 23rd Ave S, Fargo (701) 232-0341

what's your sport?

SKATEBOARDING

When you think of fun activities to keep you moving that have a great sense of community, you may not initially think of skateboarding. Whether it's because you’ve never tried skating before, you don’t know where to start or maybe you never thought that someone like you would have the chance to try, it's time to rethink that.

Later in her life, Tayler would get back into skating, but not until she saw organizations like SKATE LIKE A GIRL not only encourage women and transgender people to skate but create safe spaces for them to do so— something rarely found in any given community’s skatepark.

meetups at the Dike West Park & Skate Park by the Red River in Fargo. She also brought in skate ramps and invited local bands to play around the back entrance of the Red Raven Espresso Parlor to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere.

hile the skateboarding scene never really left, it seems it may be growing in popularity again today, and people like Tayler Krabbenhoft are making sure there is room for everyone in this growth.

“I started skating when I was a young girl, but there really wasn't a community for me as an eight-year-old girl skateboarding,” she said. “I’d go to the skate park and it was a bunch of teenage boys and adult men, and I just really didn't have a place to make friends or have anyone to encourage me to keep up with it. So, I gave it up pretty early on.”

SKATE LIKE A GIRL is an organization whose mission is to “create an inclusive community by promoting confidence, leadership and social justice through skateboarding.” They aim to “empower skaters, especially young women and/or trans people, to grow into strong, confident leaders who promote and implement social equity.”

Through various programming and organized events, SKATE LIKE A GIRL provides opportunities for their community to live out the mission and vision of the non-profit.

Seeing an influx of girls skating online, Tayler was inspired to not only skate again but to kick-start something similar to the FM community.

“I started skating again because I would see stuff like that on Instagram. I [would think], ‘I would really love to attend something like that here,’ when it didn't exist. I was just trying to make it exist anyway I could,” she said. She began with one-off skateboarding

The Hawks Nest is a privately owned indoor skateboarding park located in Fargo. They have two skate nights available, the Monday night meetups for women and members of the LBGTQ+ community, hosted by Tayler, and Wednesday nights, open to the public!

One night, she brought up the idea of hosting a Girls and LGBTQ+ Skate Night to Tom Kemmer, the owner of the Hawks Nest. Tayler began hosting those nights every month last May, which turned into every other week. Eventually, Tayler received a key to the indoor skate park so she could open the space up herself to host the event, and since August, the meet-ups have been happening every Monday night.

Monday nights are filled with support. While the evening is not specifically for beginner skateboarders, it just so happened that a lot of its attendees are. Partly due to the nature of the inclusivity surrounding the meetups, people stay conscious of that, making sure to make room, both physically and metaphorically, for everyone to skate comfortably.

“We have a lot of young girls, between 8 and 13, who show up. We have a lot of teen girls show up. There are some moms who sometimes come with their kids,” Tayler said. “It's just a chance for people to learn. Generally, women and trans people didn't have the same opportunities skateboarding that cisgender men did, but the culture is changing every day, not just here.”

The Girls & LGBTQ+ Monday Night Meetups are from 6 to 9 p.m. They are open to women and anyone in that community of any age. There is a $10 entry fee (cash or Venmo), but if you cannot meet that fee you can talk to Tayler to work something out.

has to sign.

There is a wide variety of attendance on Monday nights and an equal variety of what people do when they come. There is a dartboard, chess, checkers and video games in the upstairs loft, as well as a room to hang out and watch others skate. Those who come are welcome to participate in anything, not just expected to skateboard.

Since the Hawks Nest is the only indoor skate park in the city, and the only one in the state to Tayler’s knowledge, a night like this was in high demand. There are only two open skate nights at the Hawks Nest, the other being on Wednesday nights, three hours each.

There is a safety waiver that you or, if you’re under 18 years old, your guardian

Tayler (left) and Katey (right)

Meaning there are only six hours available at the only indoor skatepark open for the public, in a state where outdoor skating isn’t always possible due to weather for many months of the year.

“If you come to the Wednesday open skates, they’re super busy. This is a small space, and it's hard to learn in that kind of environment,” Tayler said. “So, even though it's not necessarily for beginners only on Monday nights, it's a more chill space to learn. We all kind of remember what it feels like coming into the skatepark for the first time.”

On Instagram, Tayler has posted a further explanation of how they are trying to keep Monday nights inclusive, by being exclusive to the girls and LGBTQ+ communities.

“There have been some people that take advantage of the fact that it's a place to skateboard when there are not many places to skateboard at the time. So, I have to say something about that,” Tayler explained. “No, it’s not my place to question anyone's identity, it's completely run on an honor system. But I think everyone, not just cis men, needs to acknowledge the space they take up and look around for others and give beginners time to learn.”

While there are no organized lessons on Monday nights, there are people willing to teach you if you attend. They all bring extra skateboards for anyone who needs it!

SLEEP TALK SKATE

Around the same time that Tayler started organizing the meetups, she also started looking into the programs offered by SKATE LIKE A GIRL. She would eventually apply for the Skateboard Inclusivity Cooperative (SIC) and start her own skate group called Sleep Talk Skate.

SIC is a leadership program for those who identify as queer, trans and/ or women who are spearheading local skateboarding communities around the country. The program offers an abundance of resources to take their skateboarding group or project to the next level, learn team building and teaching skills to create sustainable skating environments, gain skill in and experience networking opportunities with peers and ultimately grow and continue to serve their community’s project/ organization.

Before SIC, Tayler wanted to put a name and an entity behind the meetups at the Dike, Red Raven and eventually the Hawks Nest, and with that, Sleep Talk Skate was born. Eventually, she brought on a friend, Katey, to run ideas by and help with some of the creative processes, like designing posters and any special events they would host.

Tayler first got involved with SKATE LIKE A GIRL last year, joining the organization’s Slack group, where she found resources like Zoom workshops. Joining that group and utilizing those resources inspired her to do more. After a variety of scholarship wins taking her to California for the YMCA Skate Camp Sequoia Lake last August and to Seattle for Wheels of Fortune in September, Tayler and her skate group applied for the SIC program.

This month, Tayler is hosting a Women &/or Trans Group Skate Lesson. Keep an eye out on Instagram @sleeptalkskate for more events in the future!

Sleep Talk Skate was chosen to be one of six skate groups from across the country to be part of the SIC program. For the next seven months, this program will support the chosen skate groups by providing funding, mentorship and more to get their community-based project off the ground. That program just began this January.

One of the unique things about the SIC program is that it supports the skate groups by making them independent. As said, skate groups in the SIC program know what their communities need and what the best way to deliver that is.

“I'm still my own individual. They are seeing people doing things in their own

Because of Tayler and the Sleep Talk Skate group's work, the group will have opportunities to grow and create a sustainable community for queer, trans and/ or women skaters.

How SIC Works to Help Achieve

That:

• Program runs Nov - May

• Five 90-minute virtual workshops

• Bi-weekly organization checkins with SIC Program Manager

• Monthly one-on-one check-ins with Mentor

• Access to digital community of peers & other leaders

• Receive up to $4,000 stipend to support personnel, activities and gear

• In-person orientation in Portland, OR to start off program!

(Information from skatelikeagirl.com)

communities and want to give them the tools to help them do more,” Tayler said. “So, they're giving me access to their legal people and their accountant, they're teaching me how [I] should budget out for [my] year, how many boards [I’m] going to need. If [I’m] doing a group lesson, [what] kind of programming for kids camp or adults camp… whatever I want to do, they're just there to help me.”

For orientation into the SIC program, the group gets flown out to Seattle to participate in workshops, meet other group leaders, meet with their personal mentors and more. Through planning this trip, Tayler asked Amara to join on the SIC orientation trip, a dedicated Monday night attendee who also helps hand out waivers, guides new people through the facility, helps to teach beginner skaters, captures photos and videos for the group's social media and more.

With the three of them working together, along with the guidance of the SKATE LIKE A GIRL SIC program, the Sleep Talk Skate group has a bright future ahead for the local women and trans skateboarding community. They have still yet to determine their status as either a registered nonprofit or

LLC business, both of which are good options to operate. Tayler will continue to look to her resources and her personal mentor from the SIC program to work out those details.

“We're in the ‘figuring things out’ stage right now, like the starting of the mentorship. Lots of things are getting worked out because I really wasn't even planning on doing any of this, [but] opportunities just keep presenting themselves so I'm taking them and seeing what happens,” Tayler said.

The Sleep Talk Skate group is planning more community events for all ages and abilities for the upcoming months and will continue to host Monday night meetups at the Hawks Nest. Tayler hopes to mesh music, art, food and skating into some fun events this summer, and a women’s and trans group lesson this month.

To follow along on Tayler and the group’s journey and to keep an eye on what’s to come, follow the Sleep Talk Skate Instagram page @sleeptalkskate

You can attend the Girls & LGBTQ+ Monday Night Meetups at the Hawks Nest on Monday nights, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 302 39th St NW, Unit B, Fargo!

's your sport?

ACADEMY OF COMBAT ARTS

There are many places around the community that offer different subcategories of Mixed Martial Arts, and the Academy of Combat Arts Fargo (ACA) offers a handful of them, as well as a pro-MMA team. Fighting with technique is an allencompassing way to describe this type of sport, while still only touching the surface of what it entails. Let's learn about the academy and break them down!

ounded in 2009 by MMA fighter and coach Dylan Spicer, ACA has grown to have around 150+ members from all walks of life, according to Dylan.

“Really, it's a melting pot around here, which is really great to have in today's day and age. We have worldclass instruction—we've proven ourselves on the world stage, [to] those who are familiar with professional fighting and fighting locally,” he said.

Dylan Spicer is an undefeated MMA veteran with an 8-0 record in the octagon. He is an experienced trainer, with former UFC fighter Pablo Garza as a former student. He coaches those invited to the Academy of Combat Arts MMA program!

The academy has received quite a bit of recognition for producing both professional fighters, as well as individual success stories for those who joined the programming for other reasons.

“People come here for a lot of different reasons, and we try to accommodate everybody's needs,” Dylan said. “Some people want to come here for stress relief, other people come because they want to learn how to be a professional fighter and other people [have] various rhymes and reasons to be in here. But like I said, we're trying to help everybody reach their goal.”

The ACA gym is open seven days a week and open to members to come in and train at all open times, in addition to their program’s classes!

With a wide variety of members at the gym, Dylan said that making sure that those who join are adding to the positivity of the academy is a priority.

“We literally have soccer moms, doctors and lots of college students. We've got a little bit of everybody, but it's a really great community because everybody knows how to get along here,” Dylan said. “...We're big on the culture of this gym. That's really important to us. You know, the accolades—those are really cool— but they wouldn't really be significant if everybody else in the gym wasn't buying into that.”

Whether you’re looking to go professional, sweat out some of the day’s stress or want to try a new way of exercise, you can find a variety of classes to fit your lifestyle and goals.

HERE’S WHAT THEY OFFER:

Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Program

• The majority of the academy members take up this program.

• Program for men and women of all ages and skill levels

Muay Thai (kickboxing)

• High-intensity workout

• Working with fists, elbows, shins and feet as offensive and defensive weapons

• Designed for beginners, with advancement opportunities

• Program for men and women of all ages and skill levels

Women’s Kickboxing

• High-energy workout

• Woman-only atmosphere

• Program for women of all ages and skill levels

Boxing

• Structured for all levels (beginners and experts)

• Learn to punch, block and move on your feet with proper technique

• Gym features full-size boxing ring (for sparring) and spacious mats for drilling

• Program for men and women of all ages and skill levels

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

• A small number of academy members take up this program

• Structured for serious fighters

• Training for the highest level of competition (cage fighting)

• By invitation only

No matter what program is chosen, or for whatever reason, there are great benefits:

• Exercise - Burn calories and tone muscles

• Safety - Develop formidable selfdefense skills

• Community - Meet new people and make new friends

• Education - Gain fitness knowledge from reputable instructors

• Tenacity - Build confidence and discipline

In addition to the adult programs, the ACA also has a youth program.

Youth Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Program

• Kids will learn how to grapple and learn and practice real fighting techniques

• Now, the youngest age in the program is 6 years old, and usually, at age 12 or 13 years old they will be moved up programs

Dylan Spicer, ACA MMA Coach & ACA Founder

In January, Captain’s Fight Club hosted an MMA fight at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds. Fighters came from all over the region, and farther, to get the chance to add a victory to their stats. Not only did the ACA bring a handful of experienced fighters to the event, but a few rookie fighters from the academy also debuted as well!

The ACA fighters at this event have gone through the ACA’s foundations program. As the name implies, they would have worked with coaches to slowly and strongly build their foundation in basic technique. From there, after being patient in the slower but important training and proving that they were in it for the long run, they moved up to the more advanced classes. After expressing to their coach that they do have a goal of

The term mixed martial arts applies to many different styles of fighting. At the ACA, a combination of several elements of martial arts that are similar are taught and practiced. Technical definitions would categorize a handful of martial arts not included in the ACA’s lineup. Those include Taekwondo, karate, Aikido or Tai Chi.

‘“[Those have] different applications than what we're using,” Dylan said. “They still have their place in martial arts, but it's not like something we’re specifically teaching.”

PRO MMA

participating in a fight, they start to hone in on skills, knowledge and practice that they’ll need to do so, and do as safely as they can.

A student needs to prove their commitment and dedication and put in the extra time and effort before being invited to be on the pro-MMA team under Dylan’s coaching. They have to test out the waters at a local grappling tournament or amateur boxing bout, and eventually, make their way to a fight like the Captain’s Fight Club event in January.

If you’re interested in joining any of the programs offered at the ACA, head to their website at fmaca.com to learn more. If you’re not quite sure, but your interest is piqued, sign up for their 30-day free trial, where

you’ll be able to check out the gym and experience the class to see if it’s the right fit for you!

Academy of Combat Arts Fargo 3332 4th Ave S Unit D, Fargo (701) 478-2242

Facebook: theAcademyFargo

Instagram: @acafargo

Check out one of the fights at the Captain's Fight Club, held at the Red River Fair Grounds last month!

FARGO CLIMBING

Fargo Climbing is approaching its first full year of opening in March, having built not only walls for exploring but a community as well. While there is no organized club for adults, it's evident that the Fargo Climbing gym is home to people who love what they do.

he gym is open daily and offers organized events, as well as youth programming. Its founders, Chris Deal and Ben Williams, were active participants in the NDSU climbing club during their college years. They brought that sense of community and social interaction to the gym and its now loyal climbers when they opened Fargo Climbing.

There are a variety of opportunities for kids to get involved at the gym, check it out!

Climbing 101

Offered every month, kids can join this four-week intro class held Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 7:45 p.m. For ages 4-years-old to 13-years-old.

Kid’s Club

On Monday or Wednesday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m., children of all ages can head to the gym for an hour of instruction, followed by an optional open gym to continue practicing those skills gained. This club is open to kids of all abilities and gives the children the opportunity to take part in competitions!

Kid’s Intro Climbing Series

This class is held Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.!

Youth Team

Held every month on Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m., kids of all ages can participate in the youth team. Working with children of all abilities, this beginner-focused class will have in-depth instruction for kids to learn and grow in their skills.

And more! Make sure you keep an eye on their website and social media to see what youth programs will be coming up. Learn more at fargoclimbing.com/youth

Local youth take part in classes and competitions through Fargo Climbing’s organized club, but adults can also participate in climbing competitions.

There are climbing competitions held throughout the year locally and regionally, like in Grand Forks and the Twin Cities areas, as well as at NDSU and at Fargo Climbing. They hosted a competition at their gym last October and they plan on hosting another competition this year, so watch for updates on their Facebook and Instagram!

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

Competitive climbing is a lot like competitive swimming, an individual sport in terms of scoring and “races” or “problems,” but with an added sense of team.

At a competition, there are a series of “problems” that climbers can solve (or, a series of different climbs on the walls). As the number grows, so does the difficulty. For example, climb number 1 will be easier than climb number 30.

In a dedicated chunk of time, you will try to get your best score for the climbs that you do. There are a variety of different things that make climbs more difficult, but there are divisions for climbers who have never climbed before as well as divisions for the most experienced.

Your score is dependent on which climbs you do, how long it takes you to do them and how many “moves” you made during the climb. A move is when you go from each handhold/foothold to the other.

You do not have to be part of an organized team to participate in a competition! Oftentimes, people who go to the same gym will attend competitions together. From local competitions all the way to Nebraska, you can find a series of climbers sporting the classic Fargo Climbing shirts.

Right now, there are around 100 members in a Snapchat group for the Fargo Climbing gym, started by the owners' good friend who has been with the gym (and climbing with them) since the beginning. They use that group chat to communicate meet-ups at not just Fargo Climbing, but all around town like at the NDSU climbing wall and even some home walls.

Because the Snapchat group has grown exponentially, and because there is a limit on how many users can be in one group on the app, Chris said they are looking to move the club to a different platform. This will allow

easy access to anyone interested in the opportunity to join the community, learn more about climbing or just meet people.

Chris said that they are looking at starting the page on Facebook or possibly Discord. What truly makes the “club” is the friendly socialization within it. Outside of organizing times to climb together, the members have talked about wanting to plan board game nights, movie nights and even snowshoeing or cross-country skiing meet-ups.

Although it will be one year open in March, the unofficial climbing club of the FM area is just beginning its journey of turning a growing sport into an adventurous community. If you’re interested in anything climbing, head to fargoclimbing.com or on Facebook and Instagram at @FargoClimbing!

2325 46th St S, Fargo

Mon-Fri 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

ROLLER DERBY

A sport that began almost a century ago is staying modern and current right here in Fargo. The Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls (FMDG) bring the classic sport to life, made up of and run by a close-knit and hardworking community.

oller Derby is a tough sport, there’s no denying that. But with that tenacious play on the track comes the same in character, and that’s exactly what the organization is going for. According to their website, the FMDG, “challenges social stereotypes and strives to provide positive role models for young and old alike. Through the league’s bouts, events and outreach, we aspire to new levels of athleticism, competition and creativity.”

A roller derby game is called a “bout,” comprising twominute “jams.” According to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) website, “the terminology ‘bout’ comes from boxing, because a derby match is a fight to the end.”

Through training, the members of the FMDG practice and perform like any other athletic organization or club, but they also take care of every bit of the operation for the nonprofit as well. Everything from running the bout to graphic design to filing taxes and anything else is volunteer work. The coaching staff, referees and nonskating officials are all volunteers.

FMDG welcomes individuals from all walks of life and identities: transgender, cisgender and nonbinary, and every body type, experience and level of athleticism. New skaters, whether they have a

lifetime of experience in athletics or none at all, will work with the coaches and peers to understand and grow skills in roller derby.

“We work together to unlock our inner athletes by pushing and supporting each other both physically and mentally. We give to the league in the hopes that we can create a great life-changing experience that will affect our members and the larger community for the better.”

- Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls website

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

A jam starts with a combination of blocker (defensive) skaters and jammer (offensive) skaters on the track. Starting behind the “pack” of blockers, two jammers from each team (sporting a star on their helmet) must make it past the pack and make a legal lap around the track to begin scoring points.

If they make it through the pack of blockers and around the track, jammers then start gaining points for each blocker who they pass. The first jammer to make it past the pack is considered the lead jammer, and can stop the jam at any point before the two minutes are up.

What makes the sport’s players so impressive (besides the fact that they are on rollerblades for all of this), is that roller derby is a very contactheavy sport. Blockers are blocking the jammers out and jammers are jamming through the blockers. Of course, there are rules, skaters cannot hit opponents with their hands, head or feet, or hit them in the head, back or feet.

As intense as the sport is, as is the love for it that the players have.

The FMDG “Fresh Meat” training sessions last for three to five months, and are held twice a year. The program will teach new players the basic skills to bring them to a beginner level—but many of the current FMDG league members had no experience prior to joining! For overall safety, skaters will have to pass the WFTDA minimum skills and rules test at the end of training before being allowed to play.

The Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls will begin this year's Fresh Meat training at the end of February and host another training session in the fall. Follow their Facebook, @fmderbygirls and Instagram, @fm_derbygirls to learn more and to reach out if you're interested!

You can also reach out to fmdgrecruit@ gmail.com for more information.

what's your sport?

FM PICKLEBALL CLUB

Pickleball is a growing sport and community in the FM area, and the FM Pickleball Club has been at the forefront of creating space and providing resources and guidance to foster that growth. While there are many theories as to why the sport has taken off, ultimately you’ll hear the same response from most of its participants—it’s just fun.

The Rustad

• Different flooring, similar to a basketball court floor

• More casual & less competitive environment

• Possibility of sharing courts with those outside of the Club

• Pay to play (facility entry free)

Kathy Kirkeby and Twyla Anderson are two local pickleball players, as well as current and previous board members of the FM Pickleball Club.

Even though it seems like pickleball is still in its infancy compared to other sports, the FM Pickleball Club has been paving the path for its membership to grow exponentially, which consists of various ages, genders and abilities. The club, organized by a board, utilizes two main gyms in the area, Courts Plus Community Fitness and the Rustad Recreation Center, and both serve the group differently.

Courts Plus

• Flooring for pickleball

• More competitive environment

• Dedicated space since courts are reserved for the Club

• Pay to rent (facility court fee)

You’ll find players at either gym throughout the year, and in the summertime, members will utilize a variety of outdoor spaces. Sometimes, players will even get creative on where to set up, especially if they have their own net. But still, there is a barrier to the club’s growth: space to play.

“It's interesting, for as many people who have become interested in this, we need more courts in this town,” Twyla said.

Pickleball was invented in 1965. There are a few stories as to how the game got its name, but one of the most interesting ones is that the game’s founders, the Pritchards, had a dog named Pickles!

The dream is to have a dedicated facility for pickleball, but for now, the board is focusing on new members. In January, the club had a clinic for beginners, to open up, encourage and engage the community. Attendees had a chance to learn some skills and receive some intermediate teaching. The board is hoping to have a more regularly scheduled calendar in the near future.

The focus may be on new members now, but it's saying something that in the about four years since the FM Pickleball Club and board have been established, they haven’t had to put much effort into recruitment; people usually join the club organically.

As you play more, you develop better skills and move up in “levels.”

Last summer the club hosted its first league, and it's something they’d like to see more of. When they’ve opened up registration for leagues and tournaments, they find that they fill up almost right away.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

Pickleball is similar to if you were to combine tennis, badminton and ping pong. It is played on a smaller court than tennis, so the game itself is very compact. Most of the time, it’s played with doubles (two players per side of the net), but it can be played with singles.

While the game is similar to other sports, the paddle and ball used are unique to Pickleball. It is a quick game, where the ball is sent across the net fast by the paddle. It does involve quick movements and reflexes, players are not running long distances since the court space is relatively small.

There is plenty to come of the FM Pickleball Club, for anyone who’s interested in playing or learning more, head to fmpickleball.com

The more players practice, the faster they can play, and in turn, the more competitive they can play as well.

Skill is broken down into numbers, starting with the beginner:

• 2.5 (beginner)

• 3

• 3.5

• 4+

As you play more, you develop better skills and move up in "levels."

You can also reach out to the staff at Courts Plus Community Fitness or the Rustad Recreation Center for more information!

what's your sport?

SWIM TEAM

A sport that has quite the legacy in town, especially within the local high schools, local swim teams offer year-round training and competitions for all ages and abilities.

utside of the high school teams, Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead all have their own youth club for swimming, and Fargo has two options for adult swim teams and training. Let's check them out!

West Fargo Flyers (Youth)

• Club is a nonprofit 501(c)3, competitive swim and dive club

• Formed in 1977

• Member of North Dakota Swimming, the local chapter of USA Swimming

• Six different training groups offered, differentiated by ability (up to High School Senior age)

• Year-round training and competition offered

• Short course - Fall/Winter

• Long course - Spring/Summer

• Swimming and diving training offered

• In order to get started, swimmers must attend Future Flyers event

• Coaches and staff will assess children’s swimming level over two days for 45 minutes each day.

• They will recommend 1) What training group they should sign up for or 2) Return or try local swimming lessons.

• Learn more at teamunify.com/ team/ndwffs/page/home

FM Gator Swim Team (Youth)

• YMCA affiliated team

• Formed in 1959

• Swimmers of all ages and levels are welcome (starting at age five)

• Five different training groups offered, differentiated by ability (up to High School Senior age)

• Year-round training and competition offered

• Short course - Fall/Winter

• Long course - Spring/Summer

• Swimming and diving training offered

• Stroke Clinics and Special Events are also offered by YMCA coaching staff

• Learn more at teamunify.com/ team/ymca-4646/page/home

Northern Lights Swim Association (Youth & Adults)

• Formed in 1972

• Competes in both North Dakota and Minnesota Swimming

• Swimmers of all ages and levels are welcome

• Year-round training and competition offered

• Short course - Fall/Winter

• Long course - Spring/Summer

• Seven different training groups offered, differentiated by ability, and include the following:

• College Swimmers - those “wanting to swim during their school year or summer break. Our College Swimmers can practice with either our Senior Team or Masters Swimmers” (no practice fee, competitions fees)

• Masters Swimmers - those “swimmers wanting to continue swimming after college. Morning and evening practice options available during both short course and long course seasons” (no practice fee, competitions fees) Learn more at teamunify.com/ team/ndmms/page/home

YMCA Aquatics (Adult)

Three aquatics options:

1. Lap Swim Foundations

• Learn the basics and fundamentals of lap swimming from YMCA staff

• No workout provided

• Intended for swimmer with little experience

• Mondays, 12 - 12:45 p.m.

2. Adult Swimming Lessons

• Work with trained instructors on specifics

• Ability to customize lessons in order to work on whatever skills swimmer wants

• Sign up for swimming lesson sessions at ymcacassclay.org/ swim-school

3. Adult Swim Training

• Designed for swimmers who desire a workout or are training for a triathlon

• Includes in-water, dry-land and body exercises to improve technique and reach goals

• Lead by coach

• No competition participation

• Offered Wednesdays, 6 - 7:00 a.m., Labor Day through Memorial Day Learn more at ymcacassclay.org/ adult-aquatics

Family Wellness (Youth & Adults)

Two aquatics options:

1. Adult Swim Training

• Designed to give swimmers training and a workout

• Provides technique feedback in a team in environment

• Swimmers should be able to “swim multiple lengths of the pool using a combination of front crawl, backstroke or breaststroke”

• Free for members, $5/class for non-members

• Intended for adults or children ages 14 and up (who have also passed Family Wellness’ “Shark” level class or have competitive experience)

2. Private Swim Coaching

• Design for adults wanting to improve swimming strokes or training for triathlon

• Work one-on-one with trained coach, addressing specific needs and areas of improvement

• Additional advice on swimming conditioning, workouts and racing and open water swimming

• Swimmers should be able to swim 100 yards front crawl

• Scheduled by prior arrangement

• $40/30-minute lessons for members, $80/30-minute lesson for nonmembers

Learn more at familywellnessfargo. org/youth-family/swim-school

There are so many opportunities for children and adults to get involved with a swim club for safety, technique, exercise or competition-based training.

Learn more about each of these options by visiting their corresponding websites.

FM AERIAL & MOVEMENT ARTS

Since April 2019, FM Aerial & Movement Arts has offered aerial classes for the community to take part in. As the studio and variety of classes have evolved over the years, Owner Yvette Reyes has pushed through various challenges to continue her goal of offering a space for people to come and have support, community and fun.

worked the second shift, working from 4 p.m. until 3 a.m. I didn't know anybody in Fargo… so, trying to find friends was something that was, as an adult, hard. There [were] no women as my coworkers,” Yvette said. “So, I ended up doing a Google search.”

After a few searches, Yvette found a local, four-week pole dancing class. She went to the class and met peers who would go on to be friends and even continued students as she transitioned to owning the studio. With community found, Yvette soon found an opportunity present itself—the owner of what was at the time called, Total Woman, was going to close the doors.

M Aerial & Movement Arts has and continues to grow in the community under Yvette’s leadership, but she accounts a lot of that to different mentors and friends along the way. The first time she visited the studio (that she now owns), she was a 20-yearold, fresh graduate from welding school, attending a pole class in 2016.

“I had first moved to Fargo right after I finished welding school. Being a welder and a woman is really isolating, especially because I

Each of FM Aerial’s apparatuses (pole, lyra and silk) has a four-week introductory class series in addition to the regular class levels. This is a great series to sign up for to learn the basics of the apparatus and explore something new! Sign up at fmaerial.com

Yvette Reyes, Owner

Yvette's experiences from her childhood and teen years of moving into small communities and wanting to find a place she belonged, along with a desire to not lose the space she’d grown to love as a student, inspired her to make the decision to purchase the studio and keep the business open.

She rebranded to FM Aerial & Movement Arts because she wanted to move away from just solely offering pole classes to more of the aerial arts. With the help from a few experienced friends over the years, she now is able to offer adult pole, lyra and silk classes, as well as youth silk classes. The organization performs locally at different events like galas, as well as at community events hosted by Folkways in Fargo frequently.

There are a variety of adult classes offered for pole, lyra and silk. But there are also youth classes! Youth classes are separated into two classes by age (6 to 9 years old, and 10 to 14 years old) and dive into the skill of aerial silk arts. Sign up at fmaerial.com/ schedule--sign-up

There are two studios, one that houses the pole classes and one that has a structure built to withstand the silk and lyra classes. The different aerial arts, or apparatuses as Yvette refers to them, offered at the studio differ in skill, how they are performed and practiced and what aerial tools they use.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

Aerial Silk uses two panels of fabric, raised to the ceiling from one point. Yvette describes it as a “flowy apparatus” where the aerialist uses gravity and strength to maneuver and wrap themselves up in the silks and climb into various points in them.

“There is an opportunity for adrenaline if you're looking for that,” Yvette laughed.

Lyra uses an aerial hoop, which is a metal circle that spins while the aerialist moves within it. Lyra tends to be something that those new to aerial arts can catch on to a little bit quicker than some of the other apparatuses.

“If you're not scared of spinning, [Lyra] is a great option. It's also a lot more beginner friendly because we can have it at varying heights,” Yvette said. “If you're a person who thrives on wins and feeling successful, which I think is a lot of people, I would say that Lyra is a good option.”

Pole uses either a chrome or stainless steel pole, and it can move or it can be stationary. Aerialists use dance elements with the pole, and start with and can keep one foot on the ground—so again, it can be a great class to start with for those who have never tried aerial arts.

“I call it the gateway into the circus arts because it's the most accessible out of all of them,” she said. “...It is a fun way for people to build their upper body strength without feeling like exercise.”

Yvette said most of the people who take classes at FM Aerial & Movement Arts are newer to the community and are simply looking for a new hobby to get them around people, just as she was when she began at the studio.

If you’re new or interested in something regarding the aerial arts, you might find comfort in knowing that building a welcoming and safe space to learn is a constant goal for Yvette in all of her classes.

“Growing up in a really small town [and switching] schools when I was really small, everybody already had their friend groups, so coming in it was really hard to break into that. It was something that carried with me all these years,” she said.

Yvette always checks in with students and classes, asking how they’re doing and how she can make this the most comfortable experience for them.

Check out FM Aerial & Movement Arts website at fmaerial.com to learn more about each class and sign up!

FM Aerial & Movement Arts is located at 508 Oak St N, Fargo, ND 58102.

Follow on Facebook @fmaerial and on Instagram @fmaerial and @ fmaerial_pole

ARTS ENTER TAINMENT

The Annual Craft Fest is Back!

The Annual Craft Fest is celebrating 13 years in 2023 with over 70 artists over two days. Support your local crafters on Friday, March 10 from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free!

Get Ready to (Sham)Rock and Roll

Bring the whole family downtown to celebrate Irish culture for St. Patrick's Day. This parade wouldn't be complete without Irish dancers, bagpipes and more in the streets of Fargo!

Jasper Hotel's February InResidence Musician

Singer-songwriter Dave Walther can be seen and supported at Jasper Hotel on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in February, as he performs music ranging from soul to folk and blues!

The Red River Valley is constantly blooming with new architecture, trend-setting designs and industryleading artists to help bring your home and living spaces to life. From the hottest new design trends to the newest spaces in town, consider this your local beat for all things home and living.

Fun Pianos! Dueling Pianos

When: Friday, February 24 at 8 p.m.

Where: Sanctuary Events Center

"I've seen dueling pianos before online, but I'm thrilled to get the chance to see it live and requestdriven!"

Comedy in the Cellar – Pride Show w/ Maggie Faris

When: Thursday, February 16 from 8 to 10 p.m. Where: The Cellar Comedy Club

Come out for a night of endless laughs, as Maggie Faris and other local guests put on a Pride Show comedy set. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to FM Pride!

RRV Sportsmen’s Show

When: Thursday, March 2 through Thursday, March 5 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Where: FARGODOME

"As I prepare for outdoor adventures this summer, I'm looking forward to checking out the latest in pontoons, campers and more!"

FMCT’s First Date: The Musical

When: February 10-11, 14 and 16-18 Where: Hjemkomst Center

Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre is putting on a show that you'll fall in love with. For those attending on February 14, FMCT will host a Valentine’s Day Dinner before the performance!

Coffee & Cocoa Crawl

When: Saturday, February 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Downtown Fargo

As one of the most beloved parts of Fargo's annual Frostival, the Coffee & Cocoa Crawl is returning for another year. Head out with family or friends and support over 20 local caffeine dealers!

Fargo Clothing Swap with Gatherings Collective and Carmine & Hayworth

When: Thursday, February 23 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Where: Front Street Taproom

"As I do my annual spring cleaning, I'm looking forward to seeing what new pieces I can find shopping locally!"

Polo G & Lil Xan: Spring Fest Kick-Off Concert

When: Friday, March 10 at 8 p.m. Where: SCHEELS Arena

Peace Corps Speaker Series

When: Every Tuesday in February from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Where: Moorhead Public Library

The Peace Corps has always been an opportunity to make a difference. Come and listen to a wide variety of speakers as they share their stories and experiences from all across the globe!

"I've heard great things about Polo G's live shows, so I'm sure he will put on a memorable Spring Fest performance!"

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

When: Saturday, March 11 at 11 a.m.

Where: Downtown Fargo

Bring the whole family downtown to celebrate Irish culture for St. Patrick's Day. This parade wouldn't be complete without Irish dancers, bagpipes and more in the streets of Fargo!

WWE Road to WrestleMania

When: Saturday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: FARGODOME

"I've loved WWE since I was a kid. The Road to Wrestlemania is what I'm looking forward to most this spring!"

Sam

“Whose Line, Minus the Deadweight”

By Whose Line Is It Anyway Superfan Sam Kise Mills Entertainment

A Preview of Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood’s Show, Scared Scriptless

Since I was a child, I’ve been a huge fan of “Whose Line Is It Anyway”—an improv comedy TV show more colloquially known as “Whose Line” that originated in the United Kingdom. My younger sister and I used to stay up until 2 or 3 a.m. just to watch the re-runs on ABC Family, and I’m pretty sure 99% of our senses of humor came from that show. I even found out recently that the US version of the show premiered on my second birthday, and I took that as a sign that it was meant to be a huge part of my life. So when I heard that two of the cast members, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, were bringing their show to the Fargo Theater in March, I was thrilled. Just to see them perform live will be a treat, but I was lucky enough to talk with Colin before he and Brad come to Fargo. I chatted with him about his time on “Whose Line,” his draw to improv, and the two-man show “Scared Scriptless.”

Below is my interview, edited for clarity.

My Interview with Colin Mochrie

I wanted to cover the show that you’re doing with Brad [Sherwood] in March at the Fargo Theater. I have some questions for you, the first being: have you ever been to Fargo?

C: No, and oddly, Fargo is the only place in the 20 years we’ve been doing this show that we had to cancel the

show because we couldn’t get to it. We were trapped in Minneapolis. That was like… maybe ten years ago?

Oh no! Was it a snow storm?

C: Yeah. So we’re due!

And Fargo’s not too far away from Canada, too, so I’m surprised you guys haven’t been here before.

C: Yeah, I’m kind of shocked myself. I don’t know what’s happened.

Do you have anything that you’re looking forward to in Fargo?

C: I don’t really know much about it, so I’m looking forward to everything. All I know is the movie. Unless there’s constantly people in woodchippers. I don't know what to expect.

Yeah, the woodchipper is here, though, in Fargo. So you can go visit that at the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor’s Center.

C: Excellent.

Yeah! There’s a replica of it outside the Center, and then there’s also the actual one inside. But it’s funny because Fargo wasn’t actually even filmed [in Fargo], it doesn’t even take place in Fargo for the most part.

C: Oh, dear. Hollywood just constantly lies to you.

Speaking of being in Fargo, I want to know about the show you’ll be doing here, Scared Scriptless. What does the typical show consist of? I know it’s improv, but is it “Whose Line”-style games, or what is it all about?

C: Yeah, we like to say it’s like a live version of “Whose Line” without, you know, the cast members we consider “dead weight.”

Every scene starts with a suggestion from the audience. We have audience members on stage with us at various times. We have some games that will be very familiar to “Whose Line” fans, like sound effects. And then there’s games we’ve had to adapt because it’s just the two of us. We don’t have a host. And it’s all totally improvised, it’s all goofy, it’s a lot of fun.

It looks like a lot of fun, and I’m super excited to see it! I’ve been a fan of “Whose Line” for as long as I can remember. It’s actually—this might make you feel a little sad about how old it is, the US version of it premiered on my second birthday.

C: Wow. I started doing the show in Britain, and my first show, my daughter was two months old. We’re about to film our next season, and she just turned 32. So I already felt old, Sam, I didn’t need you to tell me.

That’s fair. I’m super excited to see you guys live. I have been waiting for you guys to come to Fargo. I saw the clip on your website—it was a game. I think, was it called 'New Choice?' Did that originate on Drew Carey’s Improv-aGanza? That’s one of my favorites.

C: I think it started [with] Drew Carey— when he was hosting “Whose Line.” I think that’s when it first came up. I think Brad was actually the one who came up with that game. It’s one of his inventions.

That’s awesome. Speaking of Brad, I wanted to know what your favorite part of working with Brad is.

there by yourself against the audience. This way, I’m working with someone. I’ve always been more of an ensemble guy. And it’s just fun! I love that, you know, unlike rock bands, we don’t have to do our greatest hits every show. Every show is a totally different show. That audience will be the only audience who sees it. So it’s kind of cool in that way.

Do you have any pre-show rituals or any way that you prepare for a show before you go on stage, or do you just kind of wing it?

C: Yeah, we just kind of wing it. Especially at this point, you know. There’s really nothing… It’s not like you can rehearse anything. You know, we basically talk about anything except the show and kind of just get to a point where we’re totally relaxed and we’re confident that we can walk out on stage with absolutely blank brains. Brad’s much [better] at doing that because he’s not really smart.

But, yeah, it’s a good job for lazy people. You just show up and get the audience to do most of the work.

What made you want to do improv versus stand-up? Was there any thought in your mind that you’d ever do standup, or was it always improv for you?

Colin Mochrie announced in November 2022 that season 19 would be the last season of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

C: Well, I mean, we’ve known each other for a long time. I would say—well, yes, thirty years. I think this is like our twenty-first year touring. So, obviously we get along. Otherwise we would not still be touring after [all] this time. What is great about him is, he’s a little OCD. So, he’s very detailed-oriented, which is something I am not even close to. So, you know, little things that I would never think about, he obsesses about and deals with it. And basically, I’m there to make sure he doesn’t get a stroke. He makes the tour better, and I just keep him alive. It’s a simple recipe for success.

That’s great. What’s your favorite part about doing improv in general?

C: It’s the most death-defying thing I’ll do where there’s actually no death being defied. It’s walking in front of an audience with no show—[a show] that [the audience is] expecting—and somehow, after two and a half hours, having done a show. I love that I’m working with someone. You know, unlike stand-up, [where] you’re

C: I mean, stand-up was never a thing for me. Just from the aspect that there’s a lot of work that goes into it. You have to write your material. And then there’s also sort of an adversarial relationship you have with the audience. They’re sitting back saying, “all right, funny boy, you think you’re funny? Prove it to us.”

Whereas with improv, you know, we’re getting suggestions from the audience. So they have a little more vested interest in us doing well because we’re using their suggestions. And when I was growing up, improv wasn’t really a choice because, there was improv, but nobody really knew what it was.

Robin Williams had come along at that point. People had more of an idea, but it really wasn’t until “Whose Line” that it was in the public consciousness. So, I was doing improv, but it was something that I thought of as a fun thing to do on the weekends. It was still a fairly new art form. I never thought it would be my career. So, [I’m] very grateful that “Whose Line” changed all that and gave me a job.

Speaking of “Whose Line,” I was just curious, what’s it like for you working on the show? I’m a little heartbroken that I heard that next season’s the last one because I’ve been watching it for most of my 26 years of life. How are you feeling about that?

C: Well, I never say never, because once we finished the Drew show, I thought “well, that’s it,” then [the show] came back. But, you know, it’s also time to let younger people do it. New faces.

I mean, the great thing about “Whose Line” is it’s such a small part of our work schedule. We have four tapings.

And each taping is like twenty-two to twenty-five games. So from that, they can get four to five shows. So it’s quick and easy. I think part of the reason it’s gone on so long and why we still like each other is because we don’t spend a lot of time with each other. It’s always fun. We shoot and then we don’t see each other for like a year or two years. And so, when we see each other, it’s always like “Oh, we’re all friends!” And then we goof around for four tapings and it’s done. We’re off again.

Yeah, sounds like when my family gets together for holidays.

C: Exactly. But there’s probably less tension on the “Whose Line” set than with families.

Probably! Continuing on that “Whose Line” train of thought, what’s your favorite “Whose Line” memory? It can be from the last twenty-some years—if you can remember it.

C: There’s so many. I mean, when Robin Williams did the show, that was an amazing memory because he was someone who we all idolized, and then to see what a generous and open and lovely guy

he was, made it even better. The Richard Simmons scene, that is a scene that people always show someone if they don’t know what “Whose Line” is.

Did you know?

Colin and Brad have been touring together on and off since 2002!

The original “Whose Line Is It Anyway” was a British show, and it premiered in 1988 and ran until 1999.

But this is what the show is. Part of the curse and part of the pleasure of improv is once you’ve done something, it’s gone. You don’t really remember it. With that

scene, I’ll remember—because people send it to me all the time, like I sit in the dark and watch all my old scenes from television or something—but, I still remember… there’s usually no editing at all in any scenes, and in that scene they had to cut down the laughter, because when Richard’s head was bobbing at my crotch, the audience was laughing for an uncomfortably long time, [longer] than the rest of us. I was just standing there with Richard Simmons’s head on my crotch for an extremely long time. And the audience was just losing their minds. Nobody could say anything until they sort of slowed down. So in the final product we see on the TV show, they actually chopped out a large part of the audience reaction.

That’s crazy. I mean, I can imagine that being there live and seeing that would make me laugh really hard, too.

C: Yeah, it was, I have to say—in all due modesty—I think that was one of the funniest scenes that’s been on television. In the history of television. Because, god bless Richard Simmons, giving his all, being really committed, and yeah. It was very funny.

Did you know? Richard Simmons appeared on the fifth season of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” in 2003—a whole 20 years ago!

That kind of leads into my next question—have you had any favorite guest stars on the show aside from Richard Simmons and Robin Williams?

C: When Sid Caesar was on. You’re way too young to remember Sid Caesar, but he was big in the fifties. He would do a live show—an hour and a half show of comedy, and it had some of the top people who went on to become incredible comedy writers. Mel Brooks was part of the writing staff, Woody Allen, the creators of “M*A*S*H” and “All in the Family.” So, I remember him as a big influence and he came on the show and was great. Again, was lovely. We were very lucky. Whoopie Goldberg was on the show, she also was lovely. We’ve been very fortunate with our guest stars.

What’s your favorite game to play on “Whose Line?”

C: My favorite game has always been “Greatest Hits.” First of all, I got to sit down, which was cool. And I loved that it gave Ryan and I a chance to sort of banter and fool around, then we hand it over to the incredible musical improvisers— you know, Wayne [Brady], Brad [Sherwood], Chip Esten, Jeff Davis—and then watch what they did with what we gave them. So, it was a scene where I got to be a participant and also a viewer and I enjoyed both parts of it.

I would have to say “Scenes from a Hat” is my favorite, but I think the way that I was introduced to “Whose Line” was just watching big YouTube compilations of “Scenes from a Hat” non-stop for like four hours straight.

C: Wow.

Yeah.

C: Sam, I’m worried about you.

Yeah, I’m worried about myself, too, don’t worry. [laughs] The last question I had was, do you

have any advice for budding improv comedians out there? If I were to—and I’m not saying that I want to—but if I were to do improv, what advice would you have for me?

C: I’d say, if you’re wanting to do it to become famous or anything, find something else that you like better. But if you want to do it just as like a life skill, or just to perform, do it as much as you can. It really is a muscle that has to be exercised, you find out quickly. Unfortunately, it’s not something you can really learn from a book. You have to succeed and fail in front of an audience and find out where your strengths and weaknesses are. I always say watch people who you admire who are improvisers and see what it is that they’re doing that sort of attracts you to them. Always work with people better than you because you learn so much by doing that. And again, just do it wherever and whenever you can.

Reflection:

It was a childhood dream come true to interview Colin Mochrie, and it made me even more excited to see him and Brad live. I never would have imagined getting to talk to someone who was so formative for my childhood. They say to never meet your idols, but Colin was an exception! He was so kind, and I am glad I got to get to know more about him and his show.

Check out their show, Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Scared Scriptless, at 8 p.m. at the Fargo Theater on Friday, March 3!

Tickets at tickets300.com

Whether you are a local sports fanatic or an everyday Joe looking for a little fun or fitness, here are a couple of the things happening in the community.

HEALTH, SPORTS, REC

More Former Bison Players

Headed to the Pros Soon OL Cody Mauch is looking like a day-two draft pick at this point while a number of other players, including TE Noah Gindorff and DE Spencer Waege are looking like they have legitimate chances to make it at the next level.

NDSU Football Rounds Out Recruiting Class

With a mix of high school recruits and four transfers, there is plenty of new talent coming into the program, including Iowa State transfer and former Barnseville Trojan Hunter Zenzen.

Congragulations to Vuciri Hakim

The Fargo Shanley wide receiver recently committed to the University of North Dakota. Watch out for him in his senior season.

THIS IS JUST A SNIPPET OF AN ARTICLE WE DID WITH REYNA BERGSTROM IN OUR NEWEST PUBLICATION, TRENDSETTERS ! LOOK OUT FOR IT IN MAGAZINE STANDS AROUND TOWN SOON!

Reyna Asheim (Bergstrom)

HEALTH & WELLNESS TRENDSETTER

RESUME

Reyna has been a part of The Miss America Organization for over seven years, holding titles including Miss HolllyDazzle, Miss Badlands and Miss State Capitol.

Reyna gives back to the community through consistent volunteering and giving support to the community's arts scene. Read further to learn more!

After graduating with a degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Reyna is now a Senior Marketing Specialist for Sanford Health, continuing to impact those in the local community!

5 HEALTH HACKS: TIPS TO MINIMIZE SCREEN TIME

Especially in the cold months, it’s easy to get lost in our screens; however, it’s important to balance our time with real-life activities. During my year as Miss North Dakota, I spoke on the importance of prioritizing in-person connection, and shared these tips for decreasing screen time!

1. FACE DOWN TO FACE FORWARD

Hide your phone so it’s not visible, look up! A 2012 study from the University of Essex demonstrated that merely having a cell phone visible in the room—even if no one checked it—made people less likely to develop a sense of intimacy and empathetic understanding during meaningful conversations. Initiate faceto-face conversation! Work towards choosing people over the device.

2.

LIMIT SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE - PRACTICAL TIPS

Set a time limit on apps (or, for your device in general!) and keep yourself accountable. When the timer goes off, engage in another activity and commit to not getting sucked into your device. Turn off the notifications so you’re not tempted to click into the app every time there’s a new number hovering above the icon. Move your social apps to the last screen on your phone so it’s not as convenient to click into the apps when you’re on your phone.

3. BLACK & WHITE

Turn your display to black & white under Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters. Believe it or not, even color is addictive!

4. 30-MINUTE RULE

For the first thirty minutes and final thirty minutes of your day, make it a goal to not be on your phone or any device. Instead, try doing something that will quiet and center your mind and soul. Journaling, meditating, praying or reading a devotional are all great practices!

5. DIGITAL DETOX

Believe it or not, it's OKAY to take a break from social media! Sure, you might not be the first to know of Kim Kardashian’s newest product, but could that in fact be all right? I don’t know about you, but there are many times when social media overwhelms me, and the hours that I spent on these apps displace the time that should be used for other activities. I encourage you to try deleting your socials and any addictive apps for a day, week, month or however long you feel is a healthy break and worthwhile reset for you. Instead of letting technology control your life, use it for its intended purpose: as a tool. You are the one with the responsibility to take charge of how you use it, and it’s important to remember that “real world” interactions are always going to be more fulfilling at the end of the day.

Places to Go

1 4 5 2

While this Medi-Spa offers a variety of medical and cosmetic services, my favorite treatment is their Oxygeneo Superfacial, mainly because it feels GOOD—I describe the feeling as “buzzy.” Follow their Instagram and Facebook to learn more about their services and promotions!

While having a gym that you enjoy isn’t essential for improving your physical fitness, it certainly makes it easier to turn that goal into a reality! I began going to Family Wellness when it first opened its doors over a decade ago, and I’ve always loved the gym for its natural light, variety of class offerings at multiple hours throughout the day, and the people who are now friends.

During my year as Miss North Dakota, I started getting eyelash extensions to save me time while getting ready for the many appearances where I needed to look “photo ready.” Although these lashes are both a monetary and time investment, they cut the time of my morning makeup routine in half. Not to mention, I always looked forward to my monthly appointment with Tanya at BBB; she always took great care of me and made me feel beautiful not only on the outside but on the inside, too.

One of my favorite Fargo winter outings is to go cross-country skiing at Edgewood. For $15, you can rent a pair of skis at the chalet and explore the trail system that is maintained by Fargo Parks.

This locally owned restaurant is currently one of my husband and I’s goto dinner spots. Healthy, delicious, quick and the service is always excellent!

BERGSTROM AESTHETICS

NINJA RAMEN POKE BOWL

BLUSHED BEAUTY BAR

FAMILY WELLNESS

EDGEWOOD SKI CHALET

1. CREATIVE PROJECTS

Watercolor painting, scrapbooking, making movies, writing poetry, composing or playing music… tap into your creative side instead of scrolling TikTok! (Or, use TikTok to first get inspired in researching an idea.)

4. THE ARTS

7

TIPS FOR WINNING A FARGO WINTER

Being someone who strives to stay active and loves being outdoors as much as possible (when the weather permits), I’ve experienced my fair share of wrestling through Fargo’s long frigid winters. Yes, living much of my life in one of the coldest climates in the world, I’ve come to view these winter months as a time to embrace my introverted creative side; however, aside from having time for personal projects, I realize that there continues to be a lot happening throughout the FM community to become involved with—if we so choose to brave venturing out into the cold to show up!

2. COOKING NEW CUISINES

Something I’ve been challenging myself with lately is stepping outside of my comfort zone in cooking new cuisines. Greek, Indian and Peruvian cuisines are a few that I currently have on my radar!

3. PLAN SOMETHING

A weekend getaway to Detroit Lakes, staycation, brunch or hosting a party… in the middle of winter, I think it’s important to have something fun to look forward to in getting us through the darkness. Take initiative and make something happen!

The arts are vibrant and alive throughout our community! The FM Symphony, Fargo-Moorhead Opera Company, FM-Choral Artists, Plains Art Museum, NDSU, Concordia, MSUM, MState and local high school performances… there are productions and events happening weekly that you can attend. Or, if you want to become involved more directly and audition or volunteer, that’s an option too! Check out the Arts Partnership’s event calendar to see more.

5. VOLUNTEER

There are countless opportunities to get involved with local businesses, nonprofits and organizations throughout the FM community. Just because a business doesn’t outwardly advertise an opportunity doesn’t mean that they aren’t open to welcoming volunteers. If you’re looking to give your time, try connecting with your church, local shelters, schools, food pantries or any organization that you feel drawn to. There are volunteer opportunities everywhere if you choose to seek them.

6. WRITE A LETTER

It saddens me to think that the art of writing letters could be dying. I have friends who have told me that they just don’t know what to write; well, you won’t know until you put the pen down onto the paper! It could be as simple as a postcard. Find your favorite landscape photos from the past year and turn them into postcards and write an inspirational quote or a few words of encouragement.

7. READ

It seems like every year I have a new year resolution to read more books. I start my list and… I never quite seem to finish it. Well, it’s a new year and I have an even bigger stack!

Approved REYNA

Jabra Elite 7 Active Headphones

In my humble opinion, these are more comfortable than AirPods and have a better price point (while functioning very similarly).

MagBak Phone Wallet

I received this magnetic phone wallet for Christmas and it’s honestly the best thing ever because my phone and wallet are now one and the same! If I lose my phone and wallet, I can easily ping them with my Apple Watch—a dream come true for those of us who mindlessly set down our phones in random places.

Lole Lilly Bag

The best everything bag! I use this as my gym bag but it can be used for so much more.

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1

For when you want to intentionally document happy moments while being away from your screen!

A Q

What are health, wellness and beauty to you?

In some form or another, I think all of us want to feel beautiful and crave validation for being so; however, that kind of fulfillment can’t last forever. All too often, we forget that beauty is a subjective construct and that the opinions of those around us do not ultimately hold value over our worth and perception of self-beauty; what matters is that each of us are loved and deserves to be reminded of that fact daily.

I believe that the formula for true beauty, and ultimately optimal health and wellness, is actually quite simple: genuinely and confidently love others (along with yourself!) and you’ll be amazed at the result. When you care for others along with yourself, people take notice not only because it’s externally attractive but because it’s refreshingly pure. And when we care for ourselves, we simultaneously begin to feel connected to and realigned with our truest selves—which I believe are all key characteristics of optimal mental health and wellness.

What are your next steps with your social impact initiative, “The Influencer Era: Impact Beyond the Screen”?

My “why” behind wanting to be Miss North Dakota was always my desire to be a positive role model, especially for young people. Over the course of this past year, I’ve spread the message to students across North Dakota about the importance of relationships and how our true impact happens beyond the screen. Face-to-face interactions are crucial because bonds are strengthened when reinforced by the physical. Things like looking another person in the eyes, giving them a hug or simply nodding and smiling while you listen emphasize the fact that you are there for them.

While encouraging young people to get off of their devices, I’ve had conversations with them about the importance of healthy social media usage and reminded them that it’s each of our responsibilities to choose how we use technology proactively.

After my year as Miss North Dakota wrapped in June 2022, my speaking engagements took to the backburner

(as I planned a wedding and began a new job); however, although I may no longer be Miss North Dakota, I hope to continue speaking and scaling my message to encompass mental health initiatives throughout North Dakota and beyond.

How has competing in Miss North Dakota impacted/benefited your initiative, as well as your other ventures?

I didn’t win the first time I competed for Miss North Dakota, nor the second or even the third. It wasn’t until my fourth time competing and final year of eligibility that I finally won the crown. And even then, although I knew I had a good chance, I didn’t expect to win. Frankly, I don’t think any of us should necessarily expect anything in life but instead, we should approach everything we do with humble confidence, a willingness to work hard (if we intend to be competitive) and a spirit of respect for others—of their perspectives, opinions and goals.

My pursuit of becoming Miss North Dakota was years in the making. Throughout the process, I learned the importance of perseverance, resilience, and leaning on my community. Although it might sound cliche, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the friends and family who helped me throughout my journey. Becoming Miss North Dakota was undoubtedly a springboard for opportunities and relationships, including gaining a new family member—my soon-to-be sisterin-law who was my Miss Oregon! But that’s a story for another time.

What do you love about the local community?

I absolutely love this city. Having grown up in Fargo-Moorhead and spent the majority of my young adult years here, it’s been inspiring to watch this community evolve and transform into a midwest cultural hub with strong Scandinavian roots. I remember when I graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in 2014, I was so excited to leave and live elsewhere. However, the more I travel and see the world, I realize how grateful I am to be from Fargo and to call this city my home.

Support

From hearing entrepreneurs speak weekly at StartUp Brew to seeing farmers and makers share their products and creations at the Red River Market, these are just a few of the events that display how this city’s identity is strong and our desire for connection is growing. FargoMoorhead is an incubator for creative minds and collective imagining, and I am so proud to be from North Dakota, specifically Fargo—a community that breathes such life and connection.

What is your primary venture/focus for 2023?

In 2022, I got engaged, passed on the Miss North Dakota title, started a new job at Sanford Health, planned a wedding and became a wife. It was a year full of many big moments and lots of change, and consequently not a lot of routine. In 2023, I’m looking forward to finding my stride— specifically by prioritizing both my physical and mental health by being active and making time for creative projects. I genuinely enjoy exercise but throughout the past year, it took a place on the back burner. And as for creative projects, those weren’t prioritized this past year because like working out, it was rarely at the

HOW TO REYNA

Instagram: @reynabergy

TikTok: @reynabergy

YouTube: @reynabergy

Web: reynakristine.com

LinkedIn: @ReynaAsheim

top of my to-do list. In the coming year, I’m looking forward to having more freedom to explore and try new things again. I want to continue leaping out of my comfort zone— specifically with my creative projects and opportunities. I’m hoping to make more art (specifically, watercolor and acrylic painting), contribute to my writing to publications, and perhaps my biggest project, I want to dive more intentionally into my photography and transition it from being purely a hobby to a business pursuit. I have nearly $20,000 in cash scholarships that I’ve earned from competing in Miss North Dakota and I intend to use those dollars for business, marketing and photography education.

As I alluded to earlier, my brother is getting married this summer to my Miss Oregon, so it will be fun to support them throughout these months of engagement and then of course their marriage. Ultimately, I’m a believer that it’s our relationships in this life that are the most important thing. So, I hope to love bigger, deeper and fuller. To be brave and bold. And, to always take risks and try new things.

BISON MEN’S BASKETBALL

When: Thursday, February 23rd, 7 p.m.

Where: Scheels Center, North Dakota State University, 1600 N University Dr, Fargo

Cost: $6 Youth/$16 Adult

BISON MEN’S BASKETBALL vs Western

Illinois

When: Saturday, February 25th, 1 p.m.

Where: Scheels Center, North Dakota State University, 1600 N University Dr, Fargo

Cost: $6 Youth/$16 Adult

CANDLELIGHT YOGA

vs St. Thomas at the YMCA

When: Friday, March 3, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Fercho YMCA, 400 1st Ave S, Fargo

Cost: Free will donation

FARGO FORCE vs Omaha Lancers

When: Friday, March 3, 7:05 p.m.

Where: Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo

Cost: $3

$3 Everything Night - $3 tickets, draft beer, pop, hotdogs and popcorn!

FARGO FORCE vs Waterloo

Black Hawks

When: Saturday, March 18, 6:05 p.m.

Where: Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo

Cost: $9.75-$50

Teddy Bear Toss - Bring a teddy bear with you to the game and toss it onto the ice when the Force score their first goal!

WWE ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA

When: Saturday, March 18, 2023, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Fargodome, 1800 N University Dr, Fargo

Cost: $17-$107

YOUTH ICE FISHING DERBY open to ages 15

& under

When: Saturday, February 25, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: South Woodhaven Pond, 4802 Woodhaven St S, Fargo

Cost: Free

FARGO FORCE vs Omaha Lancers

When: Saturday, March 4, 6:05 p.m.

Where: Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo

Cost: $9.75-$50

Men’s Night- Men can purchase a mug for bottomless draft beer for just $10 until the start of the third period.

NCAA WEST REGIONAL HOCKEY

When: Friday-Saturday, March 23-March 25

Where: Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo

Cost: $59-$119

BIG BAND DANCE

When: Tuesday, February 28, 7 p.m.

Where: MSUM, Comstock Memorial Union Ballroom (615 14th St S, Moorhead, MN)

Cost: Free will donations accepted

RRV SPORTSMEN’S SHOW

When: Thursday, March 2 - Sunday, March 5

Where: Fargodome, 1800 N University Dr, Fargo

Cost: $2.50-$12

FARGO FORCE vs Waterloo Black Hawks

When: Thursday, March 16, 7:05 p.m.

Where: Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo

Cost: $9.75-$50

Minecraft Night - Minecraft themed night featuring specialty jerseys sponsored by Microsoft!

PRCA CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO

When: Friday & Saturday, March 24-25, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Fargodome, 1800 North University Dr, Fargo

Cost: $20-$45

FARGO FORCE vs Waterloo Black Hawks

When: Friday, March 17, 7:05 p.m.

Where: Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo

Cost: $9.75-$50

St. Patrick’s Day - Celebrate St. Patrick’s day with green beer and an arena-wide scavenger hunt.

FARGO FORCE vs Sioux City Musketeers

When: Friday, March 31, 7:05 p.m.

Where: Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo

Cost: $9.75-$50

701 Day - A night featuring local vendors and artists, with a $7.01 ticket for all North Dakota residents!

The Red River Valley is constantly blooming with new architecture, trend-setting designs and industryleading artists to help bring your home and living spaces to life. From the hottest new design trends to the newest spaces in town, consider this your local beat for all things home and living.

HOME DESIGN

Home & Garden Show - Get

your tickets!

Grab your tickets for the 2023 Spring Home & Garden Show, hosted by HBAFM. Admission is $8 for adults and free for children 17 and under. Grab your tickets at the gate or online at fargodome. com or scan the QR code on the last page of the Home & Design article!

neo Interior Design Studio is Moving!

The interior design firm, run by Michael Betlock and Haley Kaspari, is moving into a larger space near its current location in the 25th Street Market complex. The move is to provide more space to serve their clients even better. The neo team has barely been in their current studio a year, which means their rapid growth, along with their "Best of 2022" award for Interior Design means great things to come! The team plans to open the new studio in early February.

Brew Bird Building Taking Flight

Earlier in January, Brew Bird put up a for sale sign on their lot as well as online. But for those who love the restaurant, fear not! They promise their customers they aren't going anywhere. The 2,000-square-foot building, located on the corner of University Dr and First Ave N, is listed for $650,000.

SEE WHAT THE FM HOME & DESIGN INDUSTRY HAS IN STORE FOR 2023

The Red River Valley Home & Garden Show, organized by the Home Builders Association of F-M (HBAFM), celebrates its 61st annual event Feb. 24-26, offering the largest selection of home and garden exhibits in the region.

It was created to connect the home building industry with the public and had humble beginnings at the Fargo Civic Center in the early 1960s. Early shows featured hourly door prizes, 40 to 50 exhibitors and a homeowners’ clinic covering building, electrical, landscaping, interior decorating, plumbing, heating and air conditioning and financial topics. First known as simply The Home Show, the event moved to West Acres Mall in the 1970s, then back to the Civic Center, and found its current home at the Fargodome in 1993.

Today, the Home & Garden Show hosts hundreds of exhibitors. Sharing information has remained an integral part as organizers work with local experts to offer workshops on design trends, financial topics and yard/ gardening topics. Having it in February is significant because everyone is ready to look forward to warmer weather and make plans for their home, yard or lake properties!

"Design is constantly changing and our show gets the residents in our area in front of our exhibitors who offer today's best products and services in the area," the HBAFM team said. "For example, Accent Kitchen & Bath’s workshop (more info on them below) will bring the latest designs, products and trends that their staff experienced at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas at the beginning of February.”

By Josiah Kopp | Photos submitted by HBAFM

NEW FEATURES THIS YEAR

HBAFM is looking to make the Home & Garden Show a new and exciting experience for consumers. They wanted to offer something for everyone, so this year they have new features that include:

A Spring Market that will be located on the north and west sides of the concourse where you will find local artists, makers and vendors. Unique products will include gourmet food, jewelry, home decor, apparel, children’s and pet-related items and much more!

A partnership between HBAFM, Broadway Square and the Fargo Park District has created something truly spectacular—they will recreate Broadway Square inside the Fargodome on the southwest corner of the field (read more on the next page).

Lake Home Avenue is for those dreaming about lake life. Find the very best companies specializing in lake country living along with cabin products and services.

DESIGN IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING AND OUR SHOW GETS THE RESIDENTS IN OUR AREA IN FRONT OF OUR EXHIBITORS WHO OFFER TODAY'S BEST PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN THE AREA."

- HBAFM TEAM

WORKSHOPS

This year’s workshop menu covers everything from financial topics, plants and home design. Learn about the latest home design techniques from the experts at Accent Kitchen & Bath and brush up on gardening and greenery from Baker Garden & Gift.

THE FULL LIST OF WORKSHOPS

HOW TO FINANCE YOUR HOME DREAMS BY BELL BANK

The team of experts at Bell Bank will walk you through the toolbox of different options to refinance, remodel or purchase a new home.

PLANTS MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY AND MIDWESTERN HOUSEPLANT GARDENING BY BAKER NURSERY GARDEN & GIFT

Audrey Dawn Gilbraith is the workshop coordinator and groundskeeper for Baker Nursery Garden & Gift. She has an associate’s degree in floral design and greenhouse technology and is a Master Gardener. She considers herself a lifelong gardener despite only being 23!

CHECK IT OUT:

This year, the Home & Garden Show has been given a fresh new look with a new logo and colors!

Over 130 Exhibitors in over 25 categories of services will be present! Everything from lawn and gardening service, flooring providers, fence, roofing, interior design, decks, security systems and much more.

FRESH KITCHEN & BATH TRENDS FOR 2023 BY ACCENT KITCHEN & BATH

Jessica Holen is a Fargo native and has a bachelor’s degree in interior design from North Dakota State University. She enjoys customer interaction to formulate the best designs for functional homes while upgrading materials and adding each homeowner’s personality. Jessica manages flooring sales at Accent and is one of their lead designers.

Tim Liebl is a designer and sales manager at Accent. His expertise includes floor coverings, wall coverings, cabinets, countertops, framing, sheetrocking, tape, texture, electrical and plumbing. He has bid, consulted and designed over 1,300 different projects, ranging from simple to whopping $1.6 million home remodels.

“We wanted to inspire consumers with one of the most awesome outdoor spaces that Fargo has to offer: Broadway Square.”

BRINGING OUTSIDE INSIDE: BROADWAY SQUARE

HBAFM is incredibly excited to bring the iconic Broadway Square space indoors! “We wanted to bring something new and fun to the show,” said The Home & Garden Show event coordinator Janna Koble. “We wanted to inspire consumers with one of the most awesome outdoor spaces that Fargo has to offer: Broadway Square.” Their vision is to bring the outside inside and give families something really exciting to do during the cold winter months by recreating the 3,000-square-foot space inside the Fargodome—it's the perfect gathering place to give you a taste of spring! Families can take part in entertaining daily features like Music at The Square, Movies at The Square, Gaming Day, Wellness at The Square, Chalk Fest, PiKadilly Face Painting and more. Be sure to grab a treat or popcorn at the Dippin’ Dots stand!

Broadway Square is a partnership between the Home Builders Association of F-M, Broadway Square and the Fargo Park District.

This is going to be recreated inside the Fargodome!

THINGS YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS EXPERIENCE CONNECTION WITH THE EXHIBITORS.

There is nothing like oneon-one interaction.

A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR FRIENDS.

We are striving to bring the sights, scents and feeling of summer: Stroll through the Spring Market, take in Lake Home Avenue and everything else the exhibitors have to offer.

Hebron Brick Supply’s Beer Garden will offer a backyard patio feel complete with fresh flowers, greenery and even trees!

A REASON TO KEEP COMING BACK EACH YEAR FOR MORE.

IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY & COMMUNITY

"Shopping and buying locally is always a great way to support the community," the HBAFM team said. "We think, now more than ever, people are wanting to feel connected again; the last few years have been tough for everyone. That is why attending community events is more important than ever; gathering and connecting with each other makes people feel good. Connecting the Fargo-Moorhead community with these exhibitors face-to-face can be so much more meaningful than a phone conversation or visiting a website, and you can actually get a taste of what products and services they have to offer in real-time. Plus, other features like Broadway Square presented by the Fargo Park District and Hebron Brick Supply’s Beer Garden will offer a ‘summer’ experience inside the Fargodome while it’s still winter outside!”

BOOK YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Admission is $8 for adults and free for children 17 and under.

Grab your tickets at the gate or online at fargodome.com or scan the QR code below:

Since there are many different features for different types of people, we want to bring you back year after year, whatever your “homestage” of life is! HBAFM.COM

In Sweden, the word fika translates to a coffee and cake break, but in Swedish culture, some consider it to be more of an essential concept: a time to take a break and share a little something with friends. So take a break with us friends, and read up on all of the latest food and drink buzz in the Fargo-Moorhead area. You might just find a new favorite fika spot.

FOOD DRINK (FIKA)

Become a Marge Member! Marge's Diner, one of the new brunch, lunch and more spots in downtown Fargo, launched their Mug Club! For $17/month, members will receive these benefits:

• 1 free cup of coffee/day

• 25% off retail

• 10% off 1 salad bar/day

• 10% off weekend bloody mary bar, 1/member

• VIP access to reservations

• 2-4-1 drinks, 1/member

A New Kind of Iced Coffee

If you missed our preview of all this Frostival in the last issue, we're giving you another headsup for this year's Coffee & Cocoa Crawl! On February 25, at 10 am, enjoy warm drinks in your Frostival mug from businesses all around downtown Fargo! Learn more at frostival.com/schedule (and check out our preview at fargomonthly. com!)

A Multicultural Market

The new Asian & American Super Market on Main Street near downtown Fargo is now open! The largest international market between North and South Dakota features wide aisles spanning a huge inside area. Everything from building size to parking is two to three times larger in this market! You can find foods from about different 20 countries and can spot flags hung above the market. Stop by the new market Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

EAT 5 5 EAT & DRINK & DRINK

By Geneva Nodland

Maybe it's a weekday bite out with your coworkers, or a quick weekend meal between errands—no matter your lunch plans, you can’t go wrong with a sandwich! There are plenty of ways to do them, and we’ve got the perfect lineup to show you that. Next time you’re heading somewhere for lunch, try any one of these great ‘wiches! Not a sandwich person? Try this fully-loaded salad bar instead!

Salad

Bar

The newest brunch and lunch spot in town is officially open, Marge’s Diner! If you love Marge’s Bar or Boiler Room, you’ll love this! With a full-fledged salad bar, including a vast variety of fresh and colorful vegetables and fruit, noodle and side salads, a mix of toppings, an array of dressings, and complete with soup and cookies—change up your next brunch with this spot!

fargomarge.com

Marge’s Diner

Crispy clucker

In this delicious sandwich from Lucky’s 13 Pub, you’ll be in fried chicken heaven… or at least close! The Lucky’s 13 take on this classic crispy sandwich, the Crispy Clucker includes a deep-fried chicken base topped with chipotle mayo for the perfect bit of zing, along with lettuce, tomato and a burger bun to round out this meal.

Lucky’s 13 Pub

luckys13pub.com

Jalapeño

Turkey Crunch

Now we get it. Now we get why this is one of the local fan favorites at McAlister’s Deli. The Jalapeño Turkey Crunch sandwich is perfection in each bite, with smoked turkey, jalapeño chips, bacon, pepper jack cheese, avocado and mayo, all served on a jalapeño roll! Make sure you try their fully loaded spud max on the side. Plus, McAlister’s has an easy order online and drivethrough pick-up option for on the go meals!

’

McAlister

s Deli

mcalistersdeli.com

pulled pork

sandwich

This sandwich from Boulder Tap House in Moorhead will remind you of warm summer nights to come. The Pulled Pork Sandwich is a classic turned legendary at this local restaurant, and features pulled pork, BBQ sauce, fried onions, fried jalapeños and mayo inside a hoagie bun toasted to perfection!

bouldertaphouse.com

Smørbrød

Food is undeniably a large part of culture, and the Sons of Norway Kringen Lodge doesn’t shy away from that fact. Pronounced “s’more - bred,” the Norwegian dish is defined as an openface sandwich. Order it with roast beef, ham, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad, meatloaf or liverwurst—we tried the egg salad! Enjoy a side of jello, salad or fruit, and make sure to grab a piece of pie or a Norwegian cookie like the one pictured here!

Sons of Norway Kringen Lodge

sonsofnorwayfargo.com/menu

The Boulder Tap House (Moorhead)

We know at Fargo Monthly that raising a family is no easy task. That's why we keep our eyes peeled for useful information and resources to help you in your day to day.

PARENTS KIDS

Jasper's Hearth & Frost Package

The Jasper & Vanna Adventure Vans have partnered to offer an exciting package for Fargoans to fully experience all that our winter season has to offer! You'll enjoy:

• 10% off 2-day Vanna Adventure Van, (packed with goodies from Jasper Hotel like a Faribault blanket, coffee mugs and locally brewed Stumbeano coffee)

• Custom itinerary created by the Jasper Hotel & Vanna teams to guide van excursion in Fargo (including sledding, Broadway square ice skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling & more)

• 15% discounted stay at Jasper Hotel following van excursion (including access to Nordic-inspired sauna, early check-in & late checkout)

• A hearth-prepared Chef’s Choice dinner for 2 at Rosewild (with 2 signature beverages/person)

• Vanna swag to remember your winter excursion in one of the Northernmost cities in America! End your Vanna adventure with a relaxing stay at the Jasper, complete with lots of goodies! Learn more at jasperfargo.com/offers

A New Way to Play

The FM area is preparing for a new kid's museum! The only one of its kind in the area, KidCo. Children's Museum, is set to open at the beginning of March. There will be a TON of interactive activities for children inside, and even spots for parents to relax. Check out a full preview of the new museum in the debut issue of our sister magazine, Trendsetters, out later this month!

If your kids love breakfast for dinner (or breakfast for breakfast), these restaurants are sure to make their day. Whether your kids like chocolate and banana pancakes, omelets, bacon or just a good slice of toast, these restaurants have everyone’s favorite breakfast items on their menus. Not feeling breakfast food when your kids are? There are lunch and dinner options, too!

Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

10 & under - one free kid’s meal per adult meal

4437 13th Ave SW, Fargo

Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 310 Main Ave Suite 170, Fargo 2920 US-10, Moorhead

Tuesdays all day

One free kid’s meal per adult meal

1220 36th St S, Fargo

Mondays & Tuesdays all day

One free kid’s meal per adult meal

940 Holiday Dr, Moorhead

Sometimes all you want is a nice, juicy burger and fries. But it’s a lot of work to make them at home and fast food is just not the same. These grills are perfect for a night out with your family—you can have a hearty meal and you can feed your kids without having to pay for it. Most of these restaurants even have chicken strips or mac and cheese for your picky kids!

Mondays all day

One free kid’s meal per adult meal 635 32nd Ave E #108, West Fargo

Tuesdays all day

One free kid’s meal per adult meal

3902 13th Ave S Suite 3643, Fargo

Wednesdays all day

12 & under - one free kid’s meal per adult meal

509 32nd Ave W, West Fargo

Wednesdays all day

12 & under - one free kid’s meal with purchase of adult grill meal 1801 45th St S, Fargo

Saturdays & Sundays all day

With purchase of an adult entree 2510 S University Dr, Fargo

Fridays all day

With purchase of an adult meal 2535 23rd Ave S, Fargo

Mondays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Two free kid’s meals per adult meal 2551 45th St S Suite 101, Fargo 3431 Fiechtner Dr S, Fargo

Sundays all day

With purchase of an adult meal 314 15th St N NE, Dilworth

Wednesdays all day

12 & under - one kid’s meal with purchase of an adult entree, side, and drink 1801 45th St SW, Fargo

Need somewhere to go for family pizza night? These restaurants have pizza toppings the whole family will love and smaller kid’s meals for the ones who don’t like the toppings the rest of the family chose. These are the perfect places to grab a bite after your kids’ sporting events!

Mondays all day

With purchase of adult meal

1640 13th Ave E, West Fargo

Wednesdays all day

Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult meal

819 24th Ave E, West Fargo

Tuesdays all day

For families that love a bit of spice, Mexican restaurants are a great place for a meal. Take your family out to dinner at one of these restaurants and you’ll probably get something free for yourself, too! These restaurants offer free chips and salsa before your meal, so you and the kids have something to snack on while waiting for your food.

Sundays all day

4900 13th Ave S Suite 1, Fargo 2511 Kirsten Ln S, Fargo

Sundays all day

One kid per adult

3005 US-10, Moorhead

Looking for a healthier choice for the kids? Some of Fargo-Moorhead’s sandwich shops also offer free kid’s sandwiches and meals. Whether you want a cold meal on a hot day or a hot meal on a cold day, these restaurants have something for you. There are even plenty of vegetarian options!

One child 12 & under free with a paying adult

4480 23rd Ave S A, Fargo

Sundays all day

10 & under

2901 Main Ave, Fargo

Sundays all day

Two free kid’s meal per adult meal order

3155 45th St S, Fargo

Sundays all day

8 & under - one free item from the children’s menu with purchase of an adult entree

801 38th St S, Fargo

Sundays all day

With adult meal purchase - mention it to cashier to get deal

3060 25th St S, Fargo

3402 13th Ave S, Fargo

300 Broadway N, Fargo

212 8th St S, Moorhead

Thursdays all day

With adult meal purchase

2877 45th St S, Fargo 102 Broadway N, Fargo

Winter Storytime

Fargo Public Library’s storytime for kids birth through 5 years to help foster early literacy skills.

Main Library

When: Mondays at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. through April 10

Where: Main Library, 101 4th St N, Fargo

Cost: Free (registration required)

Northport Library

When: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. through April 11

Where: Northport Library, 2714 N Broadway, Fargo

Cost: Free (registration required)

Carlson Library

When: Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. through April 12

Where: Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave S, Fargo

Cost: Free (registration required)

Winter Trails Day

When: Saturday, February 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: MB Johnson Park

Cost: Free

Boys Night Out

A night for boys ages 4-12 and an important female role model in their life (mom, grandma, etc.).There will be inflatable games & a superhero-themed movie. Food will be served.

When: Saturday, February 25, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Rustad Recreation Center, 601 26th Ave E, West Fargo

Cost: $30 per adult & child pair, $15 for each additional child

March Madness in Wonderland Party

The West Fargo Public Library will be turned into a library Wonderland inspired by Alice in Wonderland. They will have refreshments, a scavenger hunt, games, crafts and more.

When: Saturday, March 4 at 1:30 p.m. Where: West Fargo Public Library, 215 Third St E, West Fargo Cost: Free

Great Chemistry for Teens

A night of hands-on science experiments with help from Dr. Graeme Wyllie of Concordia College.

When: Thursday, March 9 at 6 p.m. Where: Main Library, 101 4th St N, Fargo Cost: Free (registration required)

Free Movie Friday

Top Gun: Maverick

When: Friday, March 10 at 1 p.m Where: Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave S, Fargo

Cost: Free

Paws for Reading (K-6)

Reading Therapy pets are brought in to listen to children practice their reading

in a relaxed setting. 15-minute sessions are available with one of the Reading Therapy pets.

When: Saturday, March 11 at 10 a.m

Where: Main Library, 101 4th St N, Fargo

Cost: Free (registration required)

Lego Challenge Day (K-5)

Try your hand at Lego building!

When: Thursday, March 16 at 2:30 p.m.

Where: West Fargo Public Library, 215 Third St E, West Fargo Cost: Free

Family Movie

Minions: The Rise of Gru

When: Friday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m.

Where: West Fargo Public Library, 215 Third St E, West Fargo

Cost: Free

St. Patrick's Day Parade

When: Saturday, March 18, 11 a.m.

Where: Downtown Fargo

Cost: Free

Teen Craft: Polymer Clay

Keychain

Teens can learn how to make a keychain from polymer clay (ages 11-18).

When: Tuesday, March 21 at 4:30 p.m.

Where: Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave S, Fargo

Cost: Free (registration required)

Skates for rent

The Lights - Essentia Health

The ice rink at The Lights, located in the Essentia Health Plaza, is an outdoor rink treated with the care of an indoor rink. Located right next to the West Fargo Sports Arena, high school hockey players occasionally play on the outdoor rink instead of the indoor rink next door. The Lights also offers $5 skate rentals during open skate hours from the community room located in the Southeast corner of the

300 32nd Ave W, West

Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday

Skate rental $5

1300 Elm St S, Moorhead

through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Clara Barton Park Ice Rink

Location: 1451 6th St S, Fargo

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Hansmann Park Ice Rink

Location: 1320 12th Ave N, Moorhead

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Horace Mann Park Ice Rink

Location: 1025 3rd St N, Fargo

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Kennedy Park Ice Rink

Location: 4501 42nd St S, Fargo

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Lamb Park Ice Rink

Location: 1324 14th Ave S, Moorhead

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Lemke Park Ice Rink

Location: 1000 32nd Ave S, Fargo

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Lincoln Park Ice Rink

Location: 2120 9th St S, Fargo

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Longfellow Park Ice Rink

Location: 20 29th Ave N, Fargo

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Madison Park & Bicycle

Playground Ice Rink

Location: 3010 11th Ave N, Fargo

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

McKinley Park Ice Rink

Location: 2931 10th St N, Fargo

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Morningside Park Ice Rink

Location: 455 Oakway, Moorhead

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ridgewood Park Ice Rink

Location: 1818 31st St S, Moorhead

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Riverview Estates Park Ice Rink

Location: 3801 5th St S, Moorhead

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Roosevelt Park Ice Rink

Location: 1220 9th St N, Fargo

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

South Park Ice Rink

Location: 2101 14th St S, Moorhead

Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Trails at Stonemill Park

Location: 4449 Bluestem Way, Moorhead *No warming house on site.

Village Green Park Ice Rink

Location: 2601 Village Green Blvd, Moorhead Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Voll Park

Location: 2600 Fairway Dr, Moorhead *No warming house on site.

Washington Park Ice Rink

Location: 1725 Broadway N, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

SCHEELS Arena A Look Inside

The SCHEELS Arena is the home of many local events that support community, family, sports, entertainment and, most of all, fun! The arena hosts the Pride of Dakota show, charity events and even concerts! However, what takes up a lot of the event time at the SCHEELS Arena are the sporting events, one of those being the Fargo Force games. Let's take a look inside the SCHEELS Arena and see what you'll find on the night of a Fargo Force game!

For Everyone

Athletic games are an amazing way for the entire family to spend time together and have fun! Everyone will enjoy cheering on the Force during the game, but that's just the start. There are a TON of activities, games, entertainment, snacks and more for kids and adults at the games.

Arena History

Scheels Arena (formerly called The Urban Plains Center, or UPC) is a multipurpose venue located in Fargo as part of the Sanford Health Athletic Park. The arena was constructed and opened in 200, and renamed in 2010 after SCHEELS All Sports purchased the naming rights. The arena seats up to 6,000 for concerts and over 5,000 for ice hockey and holds 40 suites and 300 club seats. During the season, you'll find an NHLsized ice sheet—the main tenant being the Fargo Force!

By Geneva Nodland

Photos by Geneva Nodland

Celebrations!

Did you know you can host a birthday party at the SCHEELS Arena? There are great opportunities for kids to cheer on the game and celebrate with the team on their birthday! Get tickets, food and beverage, cake, free chuck-a-pucks, an autographed card, a team store coupon, an announcement on the video board and a Zamboni ride! You can add even more to this already chockfull package to make the birthday experience the best one yet. Reach out to samij@fargoforce.com to learn more!

SCHEELS

Arena is a 5,000seat hockey arena located in South Fargo, ND.

SCHEELS

Arena brings world-class entertainers to our hometown stage, making every point of view memorable for fans!

Arena Facts!

Home to the 2017-18 USHL Clark Cup Championship hockey team the Fargo Force & Force Academy, along with many other local hockey tournaments.

The Fargo Force also offers great opportunities for businesses and large groups to rent and celebrate during a game! Reach out to Kyle Ebach at 701-356-4350 or at kylee@ FargoForce.com to learn more.

Upper-Level Excitement!

From when the doors open to the final buzzer, the upper level of the arena is buzzing with energy. There are immersive games like ain't Jenga, Tic-tac-toe and Connect 4 and classic entertainment like Skee-Ball and air hockey. Kids can get a balloon animal to take home or a colorful face painting to show off for the crowd cam between the game's periods. Kids can burn off the cotton candy-fueled energy by playing mini hockey, visiting the indoor playground or taking a swing at the climbing wall. You can even spot some mascots wandering around, they love high-fives!

Tickets

You can purchase tickets at scheelsarena.com, at ticketmaster.com or stop in and visit the box office team Tuesday-Thursday from 10 am-2 pm, or on event dates starting at noon.

Home Game Occasion

Each home game comes with a special way to celebrate the Force and its fans, all with their own twists to offer deals, costumes, games and more. From nights that honor certain individuals to kids takeovers to fundraising efforts, there are countless ways that SCHEELS warms up the arena during these chilly months. Check out the upcoming games and their themes!

Upcoming events

2/17

Teacher Appreciation

Honor local teachers, and a few chosen teachers will win funds to buy supplies for their classrooms courtesy of MIDCO. Apply for Teacher Appreciation Night by emailing samij@ fargoforce.com

2/15

Winter

Storm Special

Head to this rescheduled game from a December snowstorm, with tickets for just $5. Beat the hump day blues at the Fargo Force game!

2/18

Star Wars Night

Star Wars Night is back ft. specialty jerseys, character appearances and more!

3/3

$3 Everything

Celebrate 3/3 with $3

EVERYTHING Night! Hotdogs/ popcorn/fountain pop/draft beer/well drinks and even tickets are just $3!

3/18

Teddy Bear

Toss

3/16

Minecraft Night

Celebrate the first Minecraft NIght, with a special kids ticket/meal package and specialty jerseys!

3/4

Men's Night

Men can purchase an All You Can Drink Draft Beer Mug for $10! (AYCD Draft Beer ends at the start of the third period) sponsored by Bud Light.

3/17

St. Patrick's Day

3/31

701 Night

Celebrate the state of North Dakota with a 7:01 pm puck drop, local vendors and a $7.01 ticket if you live in ND!

Take part in the St. Patty's Scavenger Hunt, find the pot of GOAL'D, Green Beer and a $9.75 ticket if you wear green.

4/15

Bring a teddy bear and toss it on the ice when the Force scores their first goal, the bears will then be donated to local kids in need. Plus, stick around after the game and Skate with the Force!

4/14

Family Fun Night

Enjoy a Family 4-Pack from Buffalo Wild Wings and stop by all the games and activities around the concourse with the whole family.

4/21

Fan Appreciation

To celebrate the Force fans, find specialty jerseys designed by a Force Fan themself and an 11x17 poster giveaway. Plus, fans are invited to paint the ice after the game!

Game of Thrones

Visit the first-ever Fargo Force x American Red Cross Game of Thrones Night, stay tuned for more details!

Scheels Arena

(701) 356-7656

5225 31st Ave S, Fargo scheelsarena.com

Facebook: ScheelsArena

Instagram: scheelsarena

Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Business is always booming in our region. Here are just a few of the happening that you should know about.

BUSINESS

A New Fargo to Minneapolis Connection

Are you planning a business trip with a connecting flight? Passengers heading to any connecting Sun Country Airlines flights can take a bus between Fargo and Minneapolis for only $15 each way. Passengers without a Sun Country flight pay $29 per way.

A Local Business Boost

Congratulations to local companies Be More Colorful and Uncle Charlie's Gourmet Snacks, both of which were chosen to receive a total of $870,000 between the companies! The funding will be used to expand and grow the businesses to even greater heights.

YWCA's Women of the Year

The landmark 50th year's annual YWCA event will be held on April 24, 2023! Hurry to apply, as nominations close on Monday, February 20.

U.S. Bank is Moving

The company has sold its landmark downtown Fargo location to Kilbourne Group, with U.S. Bank moving its operations to the Mercantile building. While exact details are yet to come, Kilbourne Group will be looking for another organization as a tenant for the U.S. Bank building.

EPIC Companies Expanding its Reach

The West Fargo-based company has recently acquired the Fargo Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels for $28 million.

$38.5 million Hotel and Apartments Project Canceled

Developers from Sioux Falls have backed away from the downtown Fargo project, stating that plans are "no longer feasible." Only time will tell what's to come from the former Fargo Cass Public Health building.

MAKER MAKER Meet The Sparkl + DOT

Nothing like the month of February love to meet a crazy talented local jewelry designer! We met Stephanie of Sparkl + DOT through the Drekker Craft Market and immediately fell in love, like the rest of the attendees, with her whimsical, beautiful jewelry and design. Learn more about the maker and her background—including being an attorney by day—below!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

By Ashley Morken, Unglued

My name is Stephanie Arniel; I am the owner and maker behind Sparkl + DOT. I grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I moved to North Dakota to attend law school in 2017, and I have lived in North Dakota since. I moved to the Fargo area in August of 2022 from Bismarck, ND. By day I am an attorney in town, and by night I am creating handmade accessories in my home studio for Sparkl + DOT. I received my Bachelor of Science in Textile Sciences, so I have always been interested in all things related to fashion and creativity. I love spending time outdoors with my fiancé and our chocolate lab, Boone. I am excited to get married in August of 2023 and settle into our new home in Fargo. I am excited to get to know all the talented

Photos Provided By Ashley Morken

makers in the FM area and continue to grow my business here.

Describe what type of products you make under Sparkl + DOT.

Sparkl + DOT creates handcrafted accessories, specifically earrings, hair barrettes, necklaces and bracelets made with polymer clay and polymer clay components. All our products are carefully sourced and made with quality hypoallergenic materials.

Tell us how you got started with a handmade business?

I have always been creative since a young age. My mother and I do craft projects together and try to recreate items we saw in the store or at a craft market. Being creative was a therapeutic outlet for me. I would always turn to create when I needed to think about something, de-stress or relax. I began making jewelry at a young age using all kinds of mediums, such as thread, metals, beads and clay. I would make unique items and give them to family members and friends as gifts. In 2016, I decided to begin my own small business, Sparkl + DOT. I was making beaded bracelets, necklaces and earrings using semi-precious stones. I incorporated chains, stamped metal components and tassels into many of my products to make them unique and colorful. Before moving to North Dakota, I attended numerous vendor shows and markets back home. Since then, my business has evolved to online sales and wholesale. I always like challenging myself to try new mediums and techniques. In 2020, during the pandemic, I began working with polymer clay, a medium I had incorporated into my products in the past, but I started making the entire product out of polymer clay. Now my business has grown substantially, and I sold over 650 pairs of earrings in 2022.

Where do you get your inspiration for what you create?

I often get my inspiration from the world around me. I will choose color palettes based on patterns on fabrics and clothes and take inspiration from current fashion and color trends. Additionally, I often get inspired by new components I source to

make a design fit nicely within a unique charm or a new cutter shape.

What is your personal favorite item you’ve crafted so far?

It is difficult to narrow it down to one since I create what I love! But if I had to choose, I would choose one of the most recent pairs; I made a colorful botanical drop earring with a light coral pink and soft green. I incorporated a floral transfer paper and topped it with a dangling pink gem. My favorite product launch was in the Summer of 2021. I incorporated real dried flowers into the clay components and sealed them with an epoxy resin.

What is something people might find surprising about working with polymer clay for jewelry?

Polymer clay is exceptionally durable. If adequately conditioned and baked, each piece will come out of the oven extremely malleable. Additionally, when made of polymer clay, the finished product is generally lighter than a quarter, making it easier to make large statement earrings without worrying about the weight.

What is one craft you haven't dabbled in yet that you want to try someday?

I would love to learn how to do macrame and even attempt to incorporate macrame pieces with my clay pieces. For example, I would love to make a clay earring with macrame tassels woven and knitted in the piece.

What advice would you have given yourself 5 years ago?

I would tell myself not to worry about what other people are doing and that every person and, in turn, their business has its own pace. I would stay true to my brand and not stray just because something is a hot trend.

Website/social you'd want us to share:

Online Store: sparklanddot.com

Instagram: @sparkl.and.dot

Facebook: @sparkldot

Pinterest: @sparklandot

SHOPPING

Get Swapping!

Get started on your spring closet clean out early with Gatherings

Collective and Carmine & Hayworth joint Clothing Swap! Bring 10 items from your closet that need a new home, and take 10 new-to-you items home with you! This a great and sustainable way to update your wardrobe, while making sure your pieces go somewhere they'll be loved. Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 23 at Front Street Taproom!

Winter Market Mania

Head to SheyWest Gardens on February 18 from 12 to 5 p.m. for their Winter Market! All of your favorite vendors in one spot, keep an eye on Facebook @ sheywestnd for the vendor list to be announced!

Junk-tastic

Mark your calendars for March 25, because the Fargo Junk Market is back for its spring gathering! This seasonal event hosts vendors who bring in vintage, antiques, clothing, furniture, jewelry, original art and handmade items to the juried show. Head to the Red River Valley Fairgrounds for this one-of-a-kind shopping experience!

Maybe you're looking to burn some cash or do some retail therapy. Either way, you're in the right spot to find new places to shop and news on what's going on in our local retail world. Know of a shop opening up or one we missed? Let us know

@FargoMonthly on Facebook and Twitter!

By Geneva Nodland

Keep a Good

Thing Going

Lynn Motteberg began a new adventure last fall, both personally and professionally, when she took over the local boutique, Laurie’s!

Around 40 years ago, Laurie’s boutique opened inside the West Acres mall. Today, you’d never guess that the up-to-date store located in one of the new developments along 45th Street would have such a long history in the FM area. The reopening of Laurie’s this fall was just as much a win for the community as it was a perfectly timed opportunity for the new owner, Lynn.

The story of Laurie’s does begin with a founder named—you guessed it— Laurie. Since then, the other owners have decided to stick with the same name, as has the current owner,

Lynn Motteberg. Lynn’s story of becoming the owner of the boutique is supported by the desire to grow an already established and loved community, but largely sprung from her own personal success story.

Lynn has always had a connection to fashion—during her childhood, she was drawn to beauty and clothing. Later on in her life, she gained experience working at Dayton’s (now Macy’s) in Grand Forks and selling cabi clothing to her community. Now, she is taking over Laurie’s.

Between the fashion-focused endeavors, though, Lynn had plenty of other personal and professional opportunities.

Lynn grew up in a small town north of Grand Forks. She was originally brought to Fargo for her position as co-manager at Bath & Body Works. She said she has a special place for retail in her heart because at its core, it’s about helping people. She didn’t realize it then, but that passion would

Brighton Jewelry is some of Laurie's most popular inventory. Laurie's is the only store in the Fargo area that sells it!

Lynn's favorite quote is one by Maya Angelou, so much so that she a framed print of it centered in the store!

Laurie's selection of items is unique. When you find something inside, the odds that you find it elsewhere are very low. For example, Lynn chose a selection of high-quality scarves that have exclusive designs like artwork of animals or vintage concert tickets printed on them!

Laurie's has a wide selection of denim to catch the eye of anyone!

propel her into her current position at Laurie’s years later.

Within years after starting at Bath & Body Works, she became the store manager which eventually led to her specifically working on developing leaders within the company.

“Any opportunity I had to be able to help somebody into [their role], whether it be a co-manager, a sales lead or to run their own store, it just filled my bucket,” Lynn said.

She worked at Bath & Body Works for 10 years before she made the decision to leave, as working night and weekend shifts were becoming increasingly difficult due to having her fourth child. To fulfill the daytime hours schedule that worked better for herself and her family, she looked to real estate, but it wasn’t an easy leave from retail.

With an eye for fashion, Lynn is always on the lookout for especially unique items to bring to Laurie’s for the community. Her recent one-of-a-kind finds are the Josie Bruno jackets (pictured to the right), made from upcycled army clothing material and a mix of new fabrics to create beautiful and detailed designs. Even the trim and detail are made from the scraps left over from the jacket. With no two alike, head to Laurie’s to grab a sustainable and beautiful piece for yourself!

“After many, many interviews, and hard decisions, I made the move into real estate. I wasn't going into real estate to technically sell real estate, I was going there to run a real estate team,” Lynn said. “While there, Keller Williams was so amazing with mindset and helping you [understand that] who you become is much more important than what you get—it's not about that, it's about who you become in the process. I had some amazing mentors and coaches while I was at Keller Williams who I will probably know for the rest of my life because they have had such a huge impact on me and my kids.”

Lynn’s role at Keller Williams was mainly leadership and recruiting agents, although she did end up getting her real estate license. She did that for the last nine years until she had a conversation with one of the coaches at Keller Williams.

“One day he asked me if we could take off all the hats and he just

personally coached me, and this is pretty much when things really just started to click with me,” Lynn said. “He asked me some really tough questions, and then he asked, ‘When was the last time you did something for yourself?’”

This coach encouraged Lynn to leave that day and do something truly for herself. She found herself at Laurie’s having a conversation with Kristi Larkin, the owner at the time and a good friend. Prior to this conversation, late last summer, Lynn and her husband had gotten mail informing them of the closing of the store. Quickly, one thing led to another, and by September 15, 2022, Lynn said a bittersweet goodbye to her position at Keller Williams and reopened Laurie’s store doors.

The time frame between Lynn purchasing the boutique, closing for the transition and reopening again was only 15 days—an extremely fast changeover—but

Lynn Motteberg, Owner of Laurie's

(after knocking on wood), Lynn had nothing but encouraging and hopeful things to say about her last few months of taking on this project.

She worked closely with the previous owner to prep the store’s inventory for reopening. Being a tight-knit group, most of the staff stayed through Lynn’s transition to continue working at the store as well. She has only had to bring on one other employee, as well as her daughter to run the store’s social media.

“The staff has just made it so seamless for me. The first few months, they were introducing me to everybody that would come in and it's been really awesome. I came into it in September when things were great, we were busy and people were excited. Everybody loves fall and winter here—they love their sweaters and jackets,” Lynn said. “I think [the challenge is] the unknown... did I order enough? Did I order too little? Do I have enough variety? Did I pick the right colors? Going to the market is probably my biggest stressor, but I had a great friend that accompanied Kristi when she'd go and that friend came with me to my first Dallas market.”

There has been a surplus of support, encouragement and guidance that Lynn has received in her new position, but there are decisions that as a business owner, especially of a boutique, she just has to take a risk on.

Markets are where boutiques order their inventory, and they can be huge. Owners set up appointments with the many vendors attending, and have to choose what clothing and items they want in the store for the following season. There are a lot of things to consider when buying items:

• Do I like it, and will my customers like it as well?

• How many different colors do I need?

• How will it work with the rest of the inventory in the store?

• Does it fit the region that we live in?

• How many different sizes do I offer, without risking two customers showing up wearing the same thing?

There are a ton of questions Lynn had to ask herself at the market, and while she did utilize that generous help, she had to trust her own eye as well.

One of the most exciting aspects of boutiques is that the items are unique. Unless someone bought a different size than you from the same store, you will most likely never see the item again. Vendors at the market create quality specialty items with their own unique flair, so they don’t create many of the same items, and sometimes there are no two items alike at all! After ordering, the market vendors will mark where the boutiques are located so they don’t sell products to stores that are close to each other.

This uniqueness is what Lynn enjoys so much about curating her store now and what has helped her vision of keeping the store filled with the same brands and styles that her loyal customers know while also trying to branch out to a wider audience.

“My neighborhood is made up of 30 to 40-somethings and I don't know why, but so many people associate this store with either super dressy or older clothing. [I want to] change that narrative so I have something for everyone. Kristi has always had great denim, so [I want to have] a bigger presence with the denim or some of that a bit younger clothing but

Some of Laurie’s most popular brands that they carry include Joseph Ribkoff, Elliot Lauren and Brighton Jewelry. They also sell Minneapolisbased artist Helen Wang Jewelry. Her pieces, which are beautifully and uniquely crafted, are quite popular among Laurie’s variety of accessories. Head in to see them sparkle for yourself!

not getting it mixed up with some of the other younger clothing in town,” Lynn said.

To keep true to what they have stocked in store while branching out to reach more peoples’ styles, Lynn has worked closely with her reps to communicate what has been doing well in the test markets, to then plan ahead to try to get that product in the store.

Laurie’s has built a very loyal customer base, to the point where staff has become close with the store’s visitors when they come in—and sometimes they don’t even come to shop, but to have a cup of coffee and catch up. Laurie’s has dressed the community for some of the most important events in people’s lives. Whether for a wedding, graduation, funeral, awards ceremony or whatever else they might need, when you come in to shop, the staff wants to get to know you so that they best dress you and make you feel good in what you’re wearing.

While it’s not always possible due to low stock, Lynn said if the store runs out of your size in a product you love, she will

sometimes go online to check if the vendor can send her another. It’s really about the relationships between Laurie’s staff and the community that matters, so she will try to cater to it! She said she even sent some items out of state to customers who live there now!

Whether it be in her personal development or in her newest adventure of operating Laurie’s, Lynn says she often refers to the quote by Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”

“I think that completely sums up me and how I want people to feel. Because it's not about the purchase, it's not about taking a bag out of here. It’s how you felt leaving because that's what people will remember,” she said.

Visit Lynn and the rest of the staff at Laurie’s for a personal-style experience or just a nice chat at 3265 45th St S, Fargo.

Facebook: /lauriesfargo

Instagram: @lauriesfargo

3265 45th St S Fargo, ND (701) 282-8180

meet justin