inMagazine Summer 2014

Life

Community

in Family

Summer 2014

Summertime in Bemidji!

What to do, where to go to get the most out of the season

A true ‘Leap of Faith’ The Character Challenge Course in Park Rapids pushes your limits

Up in the air

Learn about the growing sport of kiteboarding

E E R F

Summer 2014

in magazine | 3

Life

Community

in

A BEMIDJI PIONEER PUBLICATION

1320 Neilson Ave. SE Bemidji, MN 56601 218-333-9200

Family

Staff Editor Bethany Wesley Creative Director Abby Randall Design Lead Deborah Bradseth Consulting Committee Designer Reporter Designer Business Reporter Advertising

Mollie Burlingame Jillian Gandsey Chris Johnson Larisa Severson Maggi Stivers Sarah Winkle

Administration Publisher Editor Advertising Director Business Manager Circulation Manager Customer Service Supervisor

Dennis Doeden Matt Cory John Svingen Tammie Brooks Tim Webb Eve Rongstad

To Advertise 218-333-9200 inmagazine@bemidjipioneer.com Questions and Feedback Email in magazine at inmagazine@bemidjipioneer.com Volume 1, Issue 3

Life

Family

Life

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Winter 2014

Meet the family behind Bemidji’s popular ski destination

inmagazine.areavoices.com

The lure of ice fishing Learn what draws people to local lakes in the wintertime

Conflicting priorities?

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Tips for improving your work-life balance

Family

Spring 2014 | Complimentary

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Buena Vista?

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Cover photo by Misty Moments Photography Above photo by Jillian Gandsey

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All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained.

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Copyright © 2014 Bemidji Pioneer in magazine

Family

An Axe-kicking good time The Bemidji Axemen bring energy and fans into the Sanford Center

Take it outside!

Lake Bemidji State Park is the tness perfect venue for outdoor fitn ess

Hair today, gone tomorrow The ins and outs of hair donation

Summer 2014

facebook.com/inMagBemidji

Summertime in Bemidji!

What to do, where to go to get the most out of the season

A true ‘Leap of Faith’ The Character Challenge Course in Park Rapids pushes your limits

Up in the air

Learn about the growing sport of kiteboarding

twitter.com/inMagBemidji 4 | in magazine

Summer 2014

E FR

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Read the in magazine online!

Visit www.bemidjipioneer.com, then click on in magazine near the bottom of the page.

or use your smartphone to scan the QR code.

14 24

inside Summer 2014

Features 10 Old-style ice cream

30

Step into Big River Scoop and visit Bemidij’s ice cream shop.

20

Challenge Course

24

Kiteboarding

26

Disc golf

30

Honeyberries

Come along with John Andringa as he shares his experiences on the Character Challenge Course near Park Rapids.

Max Kelsey discusses how he went from sailing to “kiting” and what you should know about the growing sport.

A look at Bemidji’s 18-hole disc golf course from the view of one of its most dedicated players.

Jim and Bernis Ingvaldson discuss their honeyberry farm, located out near Bagley.

36 12

In this issue

06 08 12 14 17 18 32 34 36 38

DIY ideas Fish stories Itasca in style Summer reading Summer festivals in shape Grilling tips Fresh foods Chattin’ with Dennis

Summer 2014

in magazine | 5

DIY

clothespin p h o t o f r a m e

Summer is the perfect time to break out the paint and tools, and try a few do-it-yourself projects at home.

Here, we share a project idea from Nicole Kanani, owner/ designer of Shabby to Chic Plus Antiques.

You will need: an old frame or window paint of your color choice wire (medium weight) needle nose pliers wire-cutter

1

Directions:

small screws (if frame is old and there are no metal tabs that hold backing) a small clothespin measuring tape or ruler pencil fine-grit sandpaper

“I love all things ordinary, broken and old,” she tells in. “They have such character and with a little creativity it can become refreshed, renewed or somet h ing a lto get her d i f fe re nt .”

1. Take your frame/old window and remove the backing and glass.

2. Paint it the color that you wish or leave it the way it is. For a rustic look, lightly sand the edges.

4

3. On the backside of the frame: If your frame has the little metal tabs that hold the backing, bend them out. If you don’t have the little metal tabs, then measure out how many wires you will run and add the screws on the back of the frame accordingly.

4. Wrap the wire around the metal tab or screw once you have the wire wrapped around a couple times, bend the tab down. Needle nose pliers come in handy here as the end of the wire is sharp.

7

5. Now hold the wire taut. You don’t want a wimpy wire!

Run the wire to the other side of the frame. Repeat step 4.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as many times as your frame allows.

7. Final step! You can either leave your frame as you painted it or add crafty details like a flower in the corner. Grab those pics and clothespins and display those memories!

AUTHENTIC GIFTS HAND PAINTED BY YOU! $5.00 OFF

Purchase of $25.00 or more Expires Aug. 31, 2014

Glazed & Amused 218-333-6880 www.myglazedandamused.com

6 | in magazine

Summer 2014

001018956r1

Paint Your Own Pottery Studio

311 3rd Street NW Downtown Bemidji

For more ideas from Nicole, visit www.facebook.com/ shabby2chicplusantiques

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Fishing funnies

by Maggi

Stivers staff writer

It was just another day on the lake fishing with my dad.

The sun was shining but it was cooler outside, shorts and sweatshirt weather. My dad is typically the one who reels in the bigger fish while I tend to catch the small ones.

This day would be different.

I cast my line in and started off just like normal, pulling in a few sunfish. I put my line in the water and something instantly pulled the bobber under the surface level and was pulling hard. I tried to reel my line in as fast as I could while keeping it under control. I couldn’t tell what was on the end of my line but I expected it was just another sunny who wanted to fight. However, at one point the fish managed to get itself to the surface, and the splash indicated this was much more than a sunny.

At this point, my dad had set down his pole and grabbed a net. With his help, I was able to get the fish into the boat.

It was a largemouth bass, for which the season started the next day.

After snapping a photo of the fish, I returned him to the lake. The same day I caught three more bass, but had to let those go too.

I spent the rest of the summer hoping to catch another, but Maggi, with the fabled it never happened. largemouth bass.

Used with permission. Nature’s Calling comics — “inspired by nature and the artist’s own ill-fated attempts to match wits with it” — are drawn by Aaron Anderson of Bemidji. You can view more of Anderson’s comics at www.facebook.com/NaturesCallingComics.

8 | in magazine

Summer 2014

All Tangled Up, Waiting for a Bite

by Shelly (Newell) Willison

We’d just stopped the boat at a good little spot, one I knew well, where bass could be caught.

My young nephew Matt, then just 6, was ready to cast, his wheels were turning, as he smiled and asked, “Papa taught me to use his bait caster, didn’t you hear?” eyeing my bait caster, lying so near.

I smiled to myself, thinking that must have taken time, “I suppose now you think, you should use mine?”

He smiled hugely, and traded me rods, he threw out the line, with a confident nod.

I wasn’t surprised when he got a backlash, he smirked at me and said, “Huh, it must just be Papa’s, that I can cast.”

Ten years after I untangled that knot, I was fishing with Matt’s little sister, a lot.

Sunnies, crappies, and bass we would chase, Haley used whatever rod would fit the case.

She preferred panfish most often, but one day she said, “Hey Shell, I can use a bait caster.” I just shook my head.

“I’ve heard that before Sis, your brother thought so too.”

I looked for a setup that she would be able to use.

Haley held that ol’ bait caster just like a bat, the northern she hooked didn’t care about that.

As her casts became smoother, her confidence it grew, she had me watch the casts that she knew.

There was a serious cast and a fun cast that got the job done, one of them was normal, the other could hurt someone.

The “fun cast” looked like roping a calf, as she whipped the lure around I couldn’t help but laugh.

When she reeled in that popper, I heard a small splash, Haley shocked even herself, as she caught a nice bass.

While summer wound down, coming on to September there was a day many years ago, I couldn’t help but remember.

The morning sun lazed off to the east, I wasn’t quite awake to say the least.

I watched my dad demonstrate a different technique, one he wanted me to use, to help us compete.

I picked up my bait caster, and let the lure fly it didn’t travel far, so I gave it another try.

I reeled the lure back, and it walked across the water, it didn’t quite move as it had for my father.

I stared intently, waiting for the strike, finally it came, and I jerked with all my might.

I’d set the hook too soon, and true to my luck, the lure came at me, too quickly to duck.

Thank goodness for the glasses and hats we would wear, or the scar on my forehead might still be there.

Good things come

by Pat

to

those who bait

For a successful summer of fishing, follow these tips from in magazine resident fishing guru, Pat Miller.

Miller staff writer

• For early-season walleyes you can’t beat a jig tipped with a minnow, and on many area lakes the minnow of choice is the spot tail shiner. A slow presentation usually works best in cold water. Experiment with the angle of the line. Sometimes vertical jigging near or under the boat is best. Sometimes a longer line fished at a steeper angle works better. The key is to let the walleyes tell you what they want and how they want it.

• As the season extends into June other natural walleye baits, including the leech and the nightcrawler, can be very effective. They can be fished on a jig, on a plain hook under a bobber, combined with a spinner or on a live-bait rig. Walleyes can still be found shallow along the shoreline breaks but they also will migrate to the lake structure areas which can be rock, humps, flats and weeds.

• Some days walleyes can be very finicky and almost impossible to coax into biting, especially during the daytime hours. On those occasions anglers may consider switching tactics and targets. Panfish, perch, northern pike and rock bass often can be much more cooperative to the angler and can provide hours of fun and fillets for the table when the walleyes are tough to find. Inexperienced anglers and youngsters can become bored and lose interest if the fish are not biting so never hesitate to head to the weedlines and target the pike or panfish.

• To catch large panfish, don’t be afraid to use jigs as large as 1/32nd or 1/16th an ounce. A bull sunfish will

have no trouble inhaling a piece of nightcrawler or a panfish leech slowly worked on a jig. Depending upon the day, the conditions, the structure and the mood of the fish, the jig can be slowly trolled, vertically worked under the boat or suspended under a bobber. Use light line for the best action and be prepared for a workout because a bull sunfish or slab crappie will put up a fight on light tackle.

• For a change of pace, grab the waders and head to one of the area’s trout streams. Bemidji Area DNR Fisheries officials, with help from volunteers (including members of the area Trout Unlimited chapter), have improved habitat in the area streams and many of them now boast self-sustaining brook trout water. That list includes the Necktie River, Bungashing Creek and Kabekona River in Hubbard County a few miles south of Bemidji. Rainbow and brown trout are stocked each spring in the Clearwater River west of Bemidji near Pinewood and those fish provide excellent action and tablefare for the angler who can read the Pat Miller is the water. The Battle River north outdoor editor of of Bemidji near Kelliher also the Bemidji Pioneer and has been toting a pole is stocked with rainbow to likely fishing spots in trout while Sucker Brook Minnesota for 50 years, near Itasca Park contains including the past 33 in both stocked and naturally the Bemidji area. reproducing brook trout.

Summer 2014

in magazine | 9

If you’re visiting Paul and Babe this summer, a sweet treat is just across the street.

The new Big River Scoop offers hand-scooped premium ice cream products, including non-dairy items. It also has handmade New York-style pizza with large “Paul’s Pepperonis” and other baked items for customers.

Big River Scoop opened in March and is located right across the street from the Lake Bemidji waterfront. It is owned and operated by Dan Rice and his wife, Mayana. Through the Big River Scoop Facebook fan page, they promote daily sales and reach out to the community with polls for possible new flavors.

Dan Rice said he personally tried a lot of the flavors to see what he would be interested in offering.

There is an assortment of toppings, including Oreos, peanuts, almonds, pineapple, strawberry, sprinkles, Snickers, hot fudge, chocolate chips, and others.

The store makes its own cones that can be dipped in chocolate as well.

Outside of the treats, Big River Scoop also showcases works from local artists and books by Minnesotan authors. There also is a philosophy room where students can study. Dan Rice, an author himself, said he wants the shop to be a presence on the local arts scene. ter w ri f f a g st

! m a e r coemmin e c i Fr h p e or Jos f m a e r c s l l a e W by

&

July 19th & 20th, 2014 Find original handmade fine art & craft, food and fun in Library Park, Downtown Bemidji

Watermark Art Center & Shop 426 - features exhibits and fine art and craft for sale by local & regional artists www.watermarkartcenter.org 218-444-7570 10 | in magazine

Summer 2014

426 Bemidji Ave N. Downtown Bemidji Open Tue-Fri: 12 Noon - 5 pm | Sat: 10 am - 2 pm

001077126r1

Present the 47th Annual Art in the Park Fine Art & Craft Fair

THE FLAVORS!

•Birthday Cake •Blueberry Cheesecake •Cookie Dough •Kitty Kitty Bang Bang •Mint Avalanche •Salted Caramel •Scotch Ale Caramel Crunch •Zanzibar Chocolate* •Black Cherry •Blue Moon

•Strawberry •Butter Pecan Soy •Espresso Oreo Soy •Vanilla Chocolate Chip Soy •Carrot Mango •Italian Ice •Raspberry Lemon Twist •Fat Elvis •Heaps of Love •Maple Nut

•Pistachio Nut •Rocky Road •Snickers and Fudge •This $&@! Just Got Serious •Yippee Skippee •Iced Latte-Da Bang!!

Caffeinated Ice Cream •Old Fashioned Vanilla* •Vanilla Bean*

*All natural

Chill out at Big River Scoop, and try their hot-menu items like New York-Style Pizza.

Summer 2014

in magazine | 11

Explore

Itasca

What to do, what to see while spending a day, weekend or longer at Minnesota’s first state park.

Photography by Monte Draper

T

here is something special about Itasca State Park.

Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota’s oldest state park.

Today, the park totals more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes, including Lake Itasca, from which the mighty Mississippi River begins its 2,552-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico.

The park, covering 33,235 acres, beckons more than 107,000 overnight guests a year and hosts more than 550,000 annual visits.

Coborn’s Lake Itasca Tours welcomes visitors for tours on the Chester Charles II on Lake Itasca.

Itasca State Park itself is a National Register Historic District and has many historic sites within the park.

Itasca boasts 16 miles of paved cycling trails and 49 miles of hiking trails.

(Note: The 6-mile bike trail is under construction. It is expected to reopen in July.)

12 | in magazine

Summer 2014

W

hile visitors rarely forget to skip across the rocks or walk across the log bridge indicating the source of the Mississippi River, there are plenty of other attractions to entertain the whole family.

Visit historic sites such as the Itasca American Indian Cemetery and Wegmann’s Cabin, climb the fire tower, explore Wilderness Drive and the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, walk among the tall pines in Preachers Grove, or just find a quiet spot of earth, lay out a towel and take in the peaceful serenity.

From fishing to swimming to kayaking to exploring, Itasca offers a variety of activities to appeal to all ages.

Itasca has been named among the America’s best 10 state parks by Fodor’s Travel!

Summer 2014

in magazine | 13

in style Accessorizing

your look

by Maggi

Stivers staff writer

Jeans and a white T-shirt: a simple classic look that will never go out of style. But this outfit can also be a blank slate, a chance to add a necklace, throw on a cardigan and have a completely new and different look. Summer is a great time to consider adding accessories to complete an outfit.

Alex Gerchy, a nursing major at Northwest Technical College, agreed to let us take her to visit a handful of area retailers and use their accessories and products to achieve very distinct looks, all based off the same classic template.

Our ďŹ rst stop was at Morellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chippewa Trading Post in downtown Bemidji.

Here, we focused on jewelry all in the same color family. We added a chunky brown necklace and several bracelets with a pair of short fringe moccasin boots to make a more earthy look.

To add more color, we started over, focusing on teal with a two-strand necklace paired with a caramel feather necklace with a teal accent bead on a leather strap. We also added several rings, teal and brown colored to complete the outfit, and a pair of regular moccasins.

14 | in magazine

Summer 2014

Our second stop was at Barbwire Clothing Company in Blackduck for a country look, where it was all about the bling.

Our last stop was at Trendy Chics Boutique in Wilton for a casual, clean look.

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Summer 2014

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in magazine | 15

Morellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chippewa Trading Post We added several accessories: a necklace, bracelets and moccasin boots, all in a similar color field. Each piece is a different shade of brown but they complement one other. This outfit is simple and can be worn to any summer event.

16 | in magazine

Summer 2014

Barbwire Clothing Company This outfit was based on a teal and pink necklace with a sparkly pink bag. We included a belt that would be sure to catch someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye, along with a classic pair of cowboy boots. We also included a teal ring and bracelet to bring it all together. The tan hat with a little sparkle on the side topped off the look.

Trendy Chics Boutique We were inspired by an adorable blue patterned top and a red purse to create a Fourth of July outfit. We added a red watch with a necklace and sandals that also included red.

SUMMER READING IDEAS! Helping to usher in summer for the fifth year in the row is the Bemidji Public Library Book Festival, an event that celebrates literature and brings to town a range of accomplished writers to speak about their work and share their talents with local audiences.

While the event itself only lasts one week — this year from June 16-21 — we offer the following recommendations from this year’s Book Festival authors to keep the spirit of the festival going all summer long.

lts

du ea h t For

the r o F

y mil a f / s kid

My Heart is Like a Zoo

Turn Left at the Cow

by Michael Hall

by Lisa Bullard (a one-time Bemidjian)

a picture book

a mystery novel

Capitol Hell

a humorous novel about life as a Capitol Hill staffer

by Jayne Jones and Alicia Long

Soup Stone

an established favorite

by Ann McGovern

Vacationland

a collection of linked stories about a fictional northern Minnesota fishing resort

by Sarah Sontich

The Devil May Care

a new mystery about a missing man

by David Housewright

Don’t forget!

The Summer Reading Program at the library kicks off in early June and will last all summer, encouraging children to continue reading while on break from school. Also, storytimes will continue all summer long, inviting young children to come hear books and create crafts. Storytimes are held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Summer 2014

in magazine | 17

SUMMERFESTIVALS

JUNE

Bemidji Area • Park Rapids Area • Walker Area

6-7

Paul Bunyan Downtown Days Kraus-Anderson Walleye Classic | Bemidji

8

Bark for Life | Bemidji Enjoy the K-9 unit demo, doggie games and a walk with your dog.

13

16-21

Bemidji Book Festival

20-21

Moondance Jammin Country Fest | Walker

20-22

Waa Wiye Gaa Maag (Round Lake) 9th Annual Traditional Pow Wow | Squaw Lake

21

Hubbard County Relay for Life | Park Rapids

Bike Bemidji Loop the Lake Festival

14

27-29

• Lot 6 Art Fair | Bemidji • Emmaville Annual Centennial Celebration | Games for kids,

Paul Bunyan Days | Akeley

28

rhubarb pie contest and live music

Bemidji Jaycees Water Carnival

6

6th Annual Nevis Pig Races

Food, rides and games

4

Fourth of July events - Bemidji - Debs - Hackensack - Park Rapids - Walker

4-6

Fourth of July traditional Pow Wow Cass Lake

5

Fourth of July | Laporte 18 | in magazine

Summer 2014

JULY

2-6

Northern Cass County Relay for Life | Walker

8

Sweetheart Days | Hackensack

11-14

Deer River Wild Rice Festival Rides and games

12

• Relay for Life of Beltrami County | Bemidji • Art in the Park | Bagley

13

4th Annual Bite of Park Rapids

JULY

17-19

Moondance Jam | Walker

18-20

Mii Gwitch Mahnomen Days 521st Annual Traditional Pow Wow

Art in the Park | Bemidji

Lake George Blueberry Festival

22nd Annual Field Days Park Rapids Tractor parade, tractor pull, music, sawmill activities and more

3

Taste of Dorset

Bagley

Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival

9

• Depot Day | Bemidji • Laporte Days

14-16

Cajun Fest at Northern Lights Casino | Walker

16-17

Forestedge Winery Art Fair Weekend | Laporte

22-24

Cha Cha Bah Ning Annual Traditional Pow Wow Deer River

7-9

Legends & Logging Days Park Rapids Water wars, lumberjack show, kids events and more

29-31

Wee Gitchie Ne Me I Dim Contest Pow Wow | Cass Lake

AUG

2-3

• Clearwater County Fair

31-Aug 2

25-27

• Bemidji Crazy Daze • Walker Bay Days

30-Aug 3 Bemidji

Cass Lake Rib Fest

2

26

• Beltrami County Fair

24-26

Lake Itasca Family Music Festival

• Onigum Annual Traditional Pow Wow • 64th Annual Muskie Days Festival | Nevis

Blackduck Woodcarvers Festival

19-20

1-3

25-27

Summer 2014

in magazine | 19

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

What happened over the next few hours was a swirling concoction of laughter, fear, relief, and thrills.

â&#x20AC;?

MY ‘LEAP OF FAITH’ AT THE CHARACTER CHALLENGE COURSE

by John Andringa special to in Photography by Jillian Gandsey My day at the Character Challenge Course in Park Rapids was one of the best experiences I’ve had living in the Northwoods. I sort of agreed to this adventure blindly. I knew the Character Challenge Course had a zip line and a rope swing, but didn’t really know to what scale. When convincing my roommate to come with, I described it as a bunch of toys in the woods. I also knew it was a character-building camp, but what comes to my mind when hearing that is falling backwards blindly into someone’s arms. It’s hard to draw a parallel from my preconception of what the Character Challenge Course was to what it actually is.

Without realizing it, you’ll be asking your friends for help and encouragement, all while overcoming your own fears. What happened over the next few hours was a swirling concoction of laughter, fear, relief, and thrills.

I’ve done a few high-adrenaline stunts before: skydiving, snorkeling, surfing, wakeboarding, a few snowboarding trips and a decade worth of skateboarding. This is different.

Travis Guida, director of operations, welcomed us to the course. We fitted ourselves into safety harnesses and helmets and learned how to use the self smart belay, a self-harnessing system that uses a series of pin-like keys to ensure you’re always harnessed without the need of instructors. We then headed to the High Ropes Course.

After volunteering my roommate to go first and watching him climb up to the first platform and make his way across the Burma Bridge, I was all gung ho to start the

The Character Challenge Course Co. is known as C4, a metaphor of sorts as that is the acronym also used to describe an explosive that can change the shape of rock or structures. The elements found within the Character Challenge Course offer participants the chance to do that themselves, to push themselves beyond what they think they are capable of and learn to trust their teammates.

The Character Challenge Course, located just outside of Park Rapids, offers a range of elements, from low-ropes to high-ropes, to encourage and foster team-building.

The course, which most recently added an obstacle course, also for the first time will be open daily for any thrill-seekers who want to test their limits.

Learn more at characterchallengecourse.com Summer 2014

in magazine | 21

High Ropes Course It starts with climbing 35 feet up a red pine tree. This is the main course of the high ropes challenge, combining four obstacles and a zip line.

The first obstacle, the Burma Bridge, involves walking across a cable with nothing but some loose ropes for support, lots of shaking involved.

The next element, Postman’s Walk, forces you to lean in and get lateral. A rope sits a few feet away from the cable for balance, inevitably you’ll end up staring down at the ground as you stride your way across.

The Jungle Line Walk again forces you to walk across a cable, but this time the only thing supplied for balance are a series of hanging ropes, so hold on tight.

The last obstacle resembles that of the bridge from Indiana Jones, a series of wooden planks that stretch between two platforms with no railings or rope for support.

Finally you get to the 370-foot zip line, the icing on the cake.

After overcoming the previous elements the zip line is like a reward, a long wind-in-your-face celebratory reward.

3G Swing The 3G Swing is a big test in courage and commitment.

First, you climb up to the platform using staples driven into a tree.

Then, you attach your harness to the swing, a series of cables that run out to two freestanding trees. Below the platform is a clearing in the woods, providing you a narrow path to swing through. It’s not a physically demanding challenge, but plucking up the nerve to step off the platform requires all of one’s bravery.

After committing, you may briefly regret it, the first swing back and forth is scary. So let out a few screams. The relief will swell over you quickly as you flashback to your favorite childhood swingset.

challenge myself.

Climbing the tree was easy, but I was quick to ask for advice on how he made it across the Burma Bridge so gracefully. The first few steps weren’t so bad, but as I reached the midway point things became shaky.

Keeping a nervously tight grip on the ropes helped, and I eventually made it to the next platform. At this point it was decidedly fun. I knew the obstacles would be challenging, but my mindset was on enjoying them, not fearing them. The next few obstacles, the Jungle Line Walk and Postman’s Walk, were easy enough to overcome.

While standing on the platform before the Indiana Jones bridge, watching my roommate fly down the zip

line, I thought about how no one in our group had failed.

We were obviously all scared at some point, but all of us had made it across the obstacles without falling. It was at this point I decided I would challenge myself to make my way across the Indiana Jones bridge without the help of my hands. It was a slow process, carefully making one step at a time from plank to plank. The bridge was about twice the length of the earlier obstacles, and by the time I reached the middle it was indeed shaky, the whole bridge would shift as I stepped. I did eventually reach the end, and I’m happy that I challenged myself and succeeded.

The zip line to me was like the reward for completing the course. The Character Challenge Course sits in a pine tree growth between Potato Lake and Eagle Lake, and

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Summer 2014

001077435r1

Leap of Faith The Leap of Faith is a solo act consisting of climbing a 25-foot telephone pole, perching yourself on its peak, and jumping out to a trapeze bar. It’s surprisingly challenging to get yourself perched on top. With nothing around to reach to for support, you’re left in an odd squatting stance while working your way to standing on the top.

The trapeze bar sits far enough away that without fully committing to the jump you won’t make it, but not so far that you really have to stress yourself leaping out for it.

The leap is a metaphor for a life goal, and completing the leap is seen as a commitment to achieving that goal.

the zip line provides a nice overlook of the property. The zip down was exhilarating and almost relaxing compared to the other obstacles.

After completing the High Ropes Course and arriving back on the ground we set our sights on the 3G Swing.

After watching my girlfriend climb up to the platform and climb back down without swinging, I knew it would be a challenge to commit. I made my way to the platform.

Our instructor, Guida, was waiting to strap me in and give me instructions on where to stand. It was hard to comprehend what he was saying, as I was busy staring down at what was my impending doom. All of a sudden everyone is counting down “3, 2, 1,” and I perform this little scoot off from the platform, and here I am falling to the ground, scared for my life. Finally, the swing comes into effect and it felt like all the fear has been lifted. I’m flashed back to the swingset across the street from my parents’ house, although on a much larger scale.

We then moved on to the Leap of Faith. At this point in the day I was getting exhausted, but this seemed like the easiest obstacle of the day. Guida told us that the Leap of Faith is meant to represent a life goal, one that we proclaim to our group as we stand at the top, and that jumping to the trapeze bar signifies our commitment to that goal. As I started to climb, I was more worried about what to say than about the leap itself. In the end I made some generic point about how I wanted to exercise more.

I made the jump and as I hung there I was overcome with relief that I made it through all of the day’s obstacles.

·

To view a video montage of John’s experience at C4, visit inmagazine.areavoices.com.

Summer 2014

in magazine | 23

RIDING TH E WIND

by Crystal

Dey staff writer

You don’t need gnarly waves to surf Lake “I did it backwards,” Kelsey confessed.

Kiting Tips Bemidji, just a gnarly wind.

“I started with a huge kite. It’s best to start Max Kelsey has been surfing across Lake small and grow with experience.”

In big winds a Bemidji for the past three years — ­ with He said there are a lot of how-to videos smaller kite is best. a kite. Kiteboarding and kitesurfing have on YouTube and articles online with A larger kite can be been gaining momentum on bodies of advice on kiting. used in light winds. water across the nation.

Kelsey uses a 4-line 14-foot kite in “It’s kite anything,” Kelsey explained. “It’s which a person is attached to two middle adaptable to anything you can wear or put lines and two outer lines are used to steer.

Water kiting should be on your feet or ride.”

The outside lines are connected to a bar started from shore and Kelsey, 31, grew up sailing Lake Bemidji that slides up and down the two middle always with a rescue with his father, Michael. He now keeps his lines. boat on scene. own 15-foot sailboat on the lake. Three “This is such a new sport, in the early years ago, Kelsey broadened his love of 2000s the technology wasn’t there,” Kelsey wind sports to include kiting. said. “Since about 2008, 100 percent deKite with a partner “The core of kiting is sailing, harnessing powering is happening.” for safety. the wind,” Kelsey said. “The mindset is De-powering is needed for a safe riding and being one.” landing and new technology is preventing Research and plan Kelsey describes kiting as a silent, cable tangling which allows for relaunch, meditative, “green” sport. He said after Kelsey explained. before you launch. researching kiting for a few years he taught Kelsey kites with a partner on Lake himself how to glide across water and ice. He, however, Bemidji and Leech Lake most often. He said Lake Bemidji advises learning from a certified instructor. has ideal “gnarly” west winds, but lacks big beaches and

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Summer 2014

green space around the edge of the lake. Space is needed to set up safely.

“I’ve been doing this for three years but I’m still novice, I’m still learning,” Kelsey said. “Every time you go out and set up, it’s a learning experience and it’s always new.

You always gain experience that you take to the next launch.”

Kiters need to understand the wind, be strong swimmers and know how to de-power and steer their kite. Kiting is a sport anybody can do and can be done year-round. Kelsey has seen children as young as 6 kiting safely next to shore.

Kelsey’s most memorable launch was in the winter.

“One winter day I could have gone forever. It was so windy and I had an oversized kite,” Kelsey said. He added that kiting isn’t about catching air for him, it’s about the ride.

“I’m not a freestyler. I’m a free rider,” Kelsey said.

Ice skates, skis, snowboards, rollerblades and wakeboards are some things Kelsey said will work for kiting. He buys most of his equipment on eBay and said a person can get started for around $1,000.

Separate equipment for winter and summer can be bought, but the same gear can be used also. Summerspecific kites are inflatable to maintain rigidity. In winter, danger of elements and cold can cause equipment to break. He said in the last decade a lot of technical advancements have been made with equipment as far as materials.

“You don’t want to sacrifice on equipment. You have got to be responsible in what you buy,” Kelsey said. “You have to be careful and plan. People have lost fingers, it can really be dangerous.”

He cautions to beware of “kitecidents.” A lot of his gear was used once by inexperienced people and sold after a bad experience.

“Mother Nature is so powerful, she can pick you up and slam you down,” Kelsey said.

But, once a kiter gets acclimated to the sport, it can be enjoyed in the Bemidji area anytime.

“As soon as the ice goes out, if you’ve got a dry suit, you’re out there,” Kelsey said. “I’ve seen people in Minnesota on YouTube go from water to ice with a metal blade on their wakeboard.”

·

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Summer 2014

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in magazine | 25

A walk in the woods

by Maggi

Stivers staff writer |

Above: Wade VanKempen aims at a target.

“

I’m here every day after work.

26 | in magazine

”

Summer 2014

A

Photography by Monte Draper

s soon as all the snow melts, sometimes even before, you can find Wade VanKempen playing a round on the Bemidji disc golf course, which opens each spring as soon as the trails are dry.

The Bemidji disc golf course shares its home with the Montebello Ski Area, tucked behind the Bemidji Curling Club and Neilson Reise Arena at Bemidji City Park.

VanKempen was driving past the course toward the end of April, itching to get back on it.

“I saw them putting up the targets, so I just pulled in and waited for them to finish,” he said.

The disc golf course was expanded from nine holes to 18 holes in 2010, when City Park as a whole underwent extensive renovations. Tee pads, signage and a small parking lot were added for disc-golfers at that time. The City of Bemidji also added a sign at the entrance to the parking lot and course this year.

There is no fee to play; the only cost is that to purchase a disc.

A

lthough he has only largest disc golf tournament been playing for three in the state, last year and years, VanKempen has plans to do so again this found a love for the game. year.

“In the summer, I’m out “The first couple of days, I here every day after work,” was impressed with myself, he said.

I was in the top 20, and VanKempen started then the last day, it was playing casually with a few raining and horrible, and I friends but independently didn’t do well,” he recalled. he took his game to the His final placement was next level. in the top 50 in the amateur “I did go online and division.

Above: VanKempen keeps 15 discs in his bag watch a lot of videos of and uses about 12 each round. the pros and learning how to anKempen’s favorite part throw,” he said. “It takes a lot of playing the game is of work to get the throws down.” being able to spend time outdoors.

The best piece of advice he can offer to a beginner is to “It’s very calming to walk around,” he said. throw across the center of your body, resulting in a more Yet, he admits there is a difference between playing a straight throw. round by himself and playing with friends, “I see a lot of people throwing at waist level, with “If I by play by myself, I’m pretty relaxed, but if I play their wrist like a regular Frisbee, so that’s where they go with somebody else, it gets pretty competitive.” wrong,” VanKempen said.

In Bemidji, where he plays often on the disc golf VanKempen uses several course, VanKempen has inevitably come to know others different types of disc golf who share his enthusiasm for the game, often developing If I play by discs, including a fairway friendships with them. driver and a putter.

“When you’re out here every day, you meet other myself, I’m “I have 15 (discs) in my people that are out here every day too,” he said. pretty relaxed, bag and I use probably 12 but if I play with of those, every round,” he somebody else, said, adding that those who play at the professional level it gets pretty often carry 50 to 100 discs. competitive.

The type of disc used is important, especially on the Bemidji course as it is filled with trees. A disc made from star plastic is the best, he said, in terms of the durability while still having a high performance level including a high speed and longevity.

“You can hit all those trees, and bang up a disc pretty easily,” he explained. A disc that has been thrown against a tree can cause trouble later as it will fly differently.

VanKempen participated in the Minnesota Majestic, the

V

“

·

”

Summer 2014

in magazine | 27

ALL ABOUT

A Frisbee will only fly about 175 feet, but a disc golf disc can fly 400 feet.

DISC GOLF Here are the different types of discs:

1

Driver:

2

Mid-range:

The most common and longestflying, with a sharp edge. The driver has the style and shape more like a discus than that of a Frisbee.

Used for fairway shots, has added control and edges that are bevelled yet slightly blunt. They are used for shorter approach shots, those that need to be more accurate than a driver and land near the basket.

3

Putter: The slowest and shortestflying. They usually have a good glide and are very easy to control and finesse.

They, generally, are the most accurate discs and closest to a traditional Frisbee shape, in order to slow the disc down and catch hold of the chains to fall into the basket.

The jargon:

• Ace: a hole-in-one.

• Tee pad: where play begins for each hole.

• Lie: the spot where the player’s throw has landed.

Players can mark a lie with a mini disc or turn over the thrown disc. The player’s subsequent throw is made from directly behind the marked lie.

Course courtesy: The target: A disc golf basket, also referred to as baskets, where the player aims. Disc must drop into the basket to end play.

28 | in magazine

Summer 2014

• Remain quiet and avoid movements while others are throwing.

• Stand behind the player who is throwing.

• Allow faster groups to play through when possible.

• Pick up trash and put in proper receptacles.

• Do not alter the course in any way.

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in SUMMER

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Men’s, Women’s, Children’s and Infant’s available!

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Custom indoor and outdoor decor What better way to welcome summer than with a lovely lush terrarium! Many in store ready-to-go or be creative and build your own. Moss, rocks, baby plants and more. Stop in and smell the dirt!

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196 Anne Street NW, Bemidji Summer 2014

in magazine | 29

The

by Zach

Kayser staff writer

berry business For Jim and Bernis Ingvaldson, the American dream consists of purple berry majesties.

Since 2010, the pair has grown fruit on their 7-acre farm near Bagley, and selling plants from their nursery to customers across the United States as “Honeyberry USA.” The product that attracted all the attention is the one the Ingvaldsons named their company after: the honeyberry, a shrub that can survive temperatures of up to 55 degrees below zero.

Bernis described the oblong fruit’s taste as a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry.

“There’s a special ‘zing’ to it,” she said. “They’re wonderful for … fresh eating as well as jams, jellies, syrups, ice cream topping, pies, anything you’d use a blueberry for.”

This year the farm plans for the first time to have “U-pick” days where visitors can harvest berries to take home with them. Although the shrubs can live for 50 years, it There’s a special takes about five years for them zing to it. They’re to mature into optimal berry wonderful for ... production, and only now is the orchard productive enough to fresh eating as well as support U-pick customers. jams, jellies, syrups, Their task now is to protect come to the orchard, the Invaldsons have ice cream topping, pies, their plants from birds, deer and ordered bumble bees to be shipped to the quackgrass until harvest season anything you’d use a farm since the larger bees are active earlier through natural practices, meaning in the year. blueberry for. no chemical pesticides or weed “They actually ship a hive of buzzing bees to killers. Chemicals are lethal to the you,” Bernis said of the process. bees that the farm relies on to pollinate The most challenging part of raising the plants, Bernis said. honeyberries, according to the Ingvaldsons, is that the Instead, they attach special tillers to their tractor or product is still novel and there aren’t many farms to pull weeds by hand and put up netting to keep birds from model theirs after. However, the farm has been supported the plants. by the University of Saskatchewan in Bernis’ native “They’re resistant to insects and disease, but birds will Canada, and North Dakota State University’s extension devour them if they discover them,” Bernis said. center at Carrington, which both hold open houses on To supplement the wild honey bees that naturally growing honeyberries.

“

”

30 | in magazine

Summer 2014

“

They’re resistant to insects and disease, but birds will devour them if they discover them.

As to advice for aspiring honeyberry growers, they said you should have, at a minimum, two plants of different varieties so pollination can occur. The plants don’t have to be adjacent to each other but should be in the same yard.

Hummingbirds can help pollinate the shrubs, but once plants bear fruit, growers should put up netting to keep larger birds from stealing the berries.

New honeyberry growers can find more tips and order plants at Jim and Bernis’ website, honeyberryusa.com.

”

·

For more information, recipes, and tips for growing your own honeyberries, visit honeyberryusa.com

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Summer 2014

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in magazine | 31

in

love running

shape

for the

of

In anticipation of the Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon weekend, to be held Oct. 10-11, we spoke with Kay White, a reporter/photojournalist for FOX 21 News Duluth-Superior, who plans to run her first halfmarathon at the Blue Ox. in: Why did you choose the Blue Ox Half Marathon as your first Half?

in: Why did you start running?

Kay: I started running for a couple reasons. One, I wanted to improve my lifestyle. I have asthma and sitting around doing nothing wasn’t making my lungs any stronger. Ever since I’ve been running I’ve noticed a drastic change in how much my asthma has improved. I also gained weight in my last couple years of college and I wasn’t happy with how I felt. So, I decided to get myself into shape and I haven’t had a problem since!

I also started running because my boyfriend (who graduated from Bemidji State University) and a lot of my friends are runners. I always saw how happy they were after accomplishing a goal like a half or a full marathon and I decided I didn’t want to be just the cheerleader on the sidelines anymore.

I wanted to be a part of the race. Now I just have to hope I can keep up with them!

“

”

If you stop r�nning ... it’ll get harder to move for�ard.

32 | in magazine

Summer 2014

Kay: I chose the Blue Ox as my first half because I’ve been told by experienced runners it’s a great first half to run because of the area. It’s not too hilly and it’s a good level for a beginning runner like myself. I love the area of Bemidji as well, with the lake and the trees all over the place, just seems like a great place to run!

I also chose the Blue Ox as my first half because my dad has recently decided he wanted to run a half marathon as well and after talking with him we decided we were going to run our first half together. He’s coming all the way from where I grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan, so I’m very excited for him to see Bemidji in the fall and I’m honored to have the opportunity to run a race with my dad. in: What other races have you ran?

Kay: I’ve only ran two other races.

I ran the “Ugly Sweater 5k” in the

Twin Cities this past November and I’ve ran the “Turkey Trot 10K” two Thanksgivings ago in Detroit, Michigan. in: What is your current training schedule like?

Kay: Currently my training schedule is to run between 3.5 and 5 miles, at least five days a week. My actual training will begin the first week of June when my mileage will go up. (Hopefully I’m ready!) And I am also doing arm, leg and ab workouts to keep building muscle. in: Do you run to music? If so, what’s on the top of your playlist?

Kay: I can’t live without running to music! As of right now Ariana Grande and Pitbull are taking over my running playlist. Along with a band called All Time Low. Their song “The Beach” ALWAYS makes me run so fast! And being

a country music lover, I have to add some Eric Church and Miranda Lambert to the playlist, too! in: What’s your best advice for people who want to start running?

Kay: My best advice would be DON’T STOP RUNNING. It’s hard to get going, but if you stop after a couple days it won’t get any easier to keep running consistently. My hip always hurts after I run but I always tell myself to not give up because if I do I won’t achieve my goals. If you stop running you’re just setting yourself back and it’ll only get harder to move forward. Keep those legs moving! in: When you’ve hit the wall, what gets you out of it?

Kay: Those days when I hit a wall running I always tell myself to keep going because if I give up I know I’m just going to be disappointed for not reaching my goal for that day and I’m going to feel like I failed. And who wants to feel like a failure? So I go

“

”

My best advice would be DON’T STOP RUNNING.

to my favorite songs on my playlist and just keep going so I can feel accomplished at the end. Plus, if I accomplish my goal for the day I allow myself to have something sweet after dinner, like a brownie or ice cream.

And a girl can’t say no to that! in: What is your ultimate goal for running?

Kay: My ultimate goal for running would be to eventually run a full marathon in my lifetime. I’d love to

be able to run a marathon with my boyfriend (who got me into running in the first place). Sharing and accomplishing something like that with him would be amazing.

But if that doesn’t happen I’d love to concentrate on half marathons and improving my KAY WHITE times with those.

·

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Summer 2014

in magazine | 33

Summertime Grillinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a barbecue, barbeque, Bar-B-Que or even BBQ, summer is the ideal the time to move your cooking outdoors and get the grill going for the season.

This time of year, while driving along the north side of Bemidji, you will often find the crew of Stittsworth Meats gathered around the grill, preparing an assortment of meats for the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consumption.

We asked Mychal Stittsworth, second-generation owner of Stittsworth Meats, to share a few tips and recipes with readers as the summer grilling season comes into full force.

Mychalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top tip: Cook by temp, not time!

You definitely need to use a cooking thermometer or meat thermometer.

Cooking thermometers and meat thermometers take the guesswork out of cooking, as they measure the internal temperature of your cooked meat and poultry, or any casseroles, to assure that a safe temperature has been reached, harmful bacteria have been destroyed, and your food is cook perfectly. A cooking thermometer or meat thermometer should not be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;sometime thing.â&#x20AC;? Use it every time you prepare foods like poultry, roasts, hams, casseroles, meat loaves and egg dishes.

Also, consider your grill Stittsworth Meats has become known for its brightpink pig grill. Mychal, though, says that it is its insides

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Order online for pickup or delivery | www.stittsworthmeats.com 34 | in magazine

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or what the grill runs on â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that truly should get the attention.

He has become a major advocate for wood-pellet grills, first introduced more than 20 years ago by Traeger Pellet Grills, which are all-electric: no fluids, no lighters, and no gas.

They are powered by pellets of wood shaped much like a large pill capsule.

Unlike charcoal grills, which take up to 30 minutes or more to heat up, wood pellet grills can give off an even heat quite quickly. And, unlike propane grills, which heat up quickly but lack flavor, foods cooked on pellet grills are rich in smokiness and succulence.

Some pellet grills even come with a thermostat so that you can actually set the instrument on the exact temperature you desire. You can also "smoke" your food at a very low temperature to create fall-of-the bone tender items like ribs or ham.

Pellet grills are also special because they give you the option of playing with different types of wood, all of which give off a unique smoke and flavor. There is a variety of woods available â&#x20AC;&#x201D; think oak, hickory, apple, maple, cherry, mesquite, and peach. Each wood will give your food a different smoke and bite, and it's really fun to be creative and play with different combinations. (One suggestion: Most people advise against using conifer wood such as pine and the like.)

Summer 2014

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Ingredients

• 1 to 3 racks of baby back ribs • 1 jar of BBQ sauce • 1 jar pork and poultry shake

Directions

Lightly sprinkle your rib rub on the ribs: top, bottom and sides.

Refrigerate overnight.

Start your pellet grill on smoke with lid open for 5 minutes to get started.

Turn grill on high for 10 minutes, then place ribs uncovered on the grill.

Cook ribs on high for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to medium for 2 hours.

At 2 hours, look at the ribs and check that the meat has pulled back from the end of the bones ¼ to ½ inch; the rib color should look awesome.

Mix up about 1 cup of BBQ sauce into a bowl. Apply liberally to the top of the ribs. Cook 15 minutes more.

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Place ribs in foil and place back on grill for 15 minutes.

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Ingredients

• 6 to 8 pound brisket • Your choice of rub

Directions 8 a.m.

Turn on the grill to smoke with the lid open for 10 minutes.

Rinse brisket and pat dry with paper towels. Trim any excess fat, but leave a fourth-inch or so.

Apply your choice of rub generously all over the brisket.

Place directly on the grill, fat side up and close lid. Cook on “smoke” from approximately 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Turn every 2 hours.

3 p.m.

Take the brisket off grill and place on a disposable foil roasting pan.

Cut up a whole onion and cover the top of the brisket. Fill bottom of roasting pan with a half-inch of your favorite beer.

Turn grill up to medium (350 degrees). Cover pan with foil.

Cook on medium from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Take foil off brisket (optional: cover with your favorite BBQ sauce) and cook until approximately 5 p.m.

Summer 2014

in magazine | 35

FA R M ER S

by Jillian

Gandsey staff writer

MARKETS One of my favorite summer snacks is homemade chips and salsa, and one of the best places to find the ingredients is your local farmers market.

I am lucky enough to live a block from one of Bemidji’s, but beyond convenience, shopping at a farmers market has a number of perks.

I sat down with Duane Hayes, president of Bemidji’s Natural Choice Farmers Market and owner of Paradise Valley Buffalo Ranch in Bagley, to learn why it’s so important to shop at local farmers markets.

CONTACT WITH GROWERS Hayes said one of the greatest benefits for those shopping at a farmers market is the direct contact they get with the people growing their food.

“A lot of people do come and ask a lot of questions and they’re really concerned about how their produce is raised,” Hayes said. “They get a better handle on the quality that goes into the food.”

Another reason that is nearly as important is the freshness. Hayes said a lot of the produce brought to the farmers market has likely been picked that morning or the night before.

“It’s a lot like having your own garden and going down and getting it,” Hayes said. “It’s the next best thing to raising them yourself.”

Farmers Market’s frequently have a lot more to offer than just produce. Hayes said that Natural Choice Farmers Market has live music on Saturdays with a great family-friendly atmosphere.

The market also serves freshly brewed coffee with beans straight from Columbia roasted right on site, jams and jellies, handmade lotions and soaps, woodwork, fresh bread, meats, honey and fresh eggs.

Visit your local farmers market!

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Summer 2014

Buying from a local farmers market stimulates the local economy.

Hayes said the objective is to make a little money and growers do try and keep the prices fairly competitive with area grocery stores.

“Some prices will be a little higher,” Hayes said. “But the quality makes up for it.”

AND MORE!

FRESHNESS

36 | in magazine

LOCAL ECONOMY

Bemidji’s Natural Choice Farmers Market In the Union Square parking lot 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays Walker Farmers Market 617 Michigan Ave. in Walker 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day

Bagley Farmers Market One block south of the stoplight in Bagley 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays Blackduck Farmers Market Blackduck Wayside Rest 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays starting July 19 Park Rapids Farmers Market Corner of Main Avenue South and Fourth Avenue 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays

HOMEM ADE SALSA

by Jillian Gandsey staff writer Photography by Jillian Gandsey

I prefer to chop all of my vegetables by hand as opposed to using an electric chopper.

Personally I enjoy a drier, chunkier salsa, but it is way more time-consuming. I also like fewer tomatoes than those called for in typical salsa recipes that is part of what’s great about making your own: You’re in charge!

Usually, I’ll use four tomatoes, two green peppers, a cucumber and a red onion.

Once I’ve chopped all my vegetables and have them mixed together, I add kosher salt and dried cilantro. I don’t add an exact amount, but I usually give it a few taste tests as I go.

My favorite part of homemade salsa actually isn’t the salsa at all, but the homemade chips.

I rip apart tortillas and make a mixture of extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt and dried cilantro in a bowl.

Once the tortilla is in small pieces and covering a baking sheet, I spread the extra virgin olive oil over them and put them in the oven, baking them at 350 degrees until they’re crispy and golden brown.

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Summer 2014

in magazine | 37

Chattin’ with Dennis “Golf is a difficult game, but that’s what makes it so great.”

Mitchell Mackedanz says he grew up about 100 yards from the second green at Koronis Hills Golf Club in Paynesville, Minn. It’s no coincidence that he uses golf measurements to tell that story.

Mackedanz is the assistant golf professional at Bemidji Town & Country Club. He fell in love with the game at an early age and qualified for the state tournament as a high school golfer. He went on to play collegiate golf at Bemidji State University under former coach Don Niskanen. Now his job is to help others enjoy the game.

Mitchell Mackedanz, the assistant golf professional at the Bemidji Town & Country Club, helps equip a guest for his his next round at the Club.

in: To the outsider, golf appears to be such a difficult game. What advice would you have for an adult who is thinking about taking up the game for the first time?

MM: Golf is a difficult game, but that’s what makes it so great.

There are simple things that can be done to make the game easier.

Having beginners start from the forward tee, regardless of gender, instead of using the “men’s tee” that many men think they have to play from. Teeing the ball up no matter where you are on the golf course can make it easier for a beginner to make consistent contact. Forget about keeping score in the traditional way. Don’t count how many shots it took you on the hole, rather reflect on the hole according to your ability, and was it a good hole or a bad hole. At the end of the round count how many good holes you had compared to bad holes. in: Is that advice any different for children just getting started in golf?

MM: Junior golfers must have fun or they will find something else to do very quickly.

Most kids love to be competitive, so finding little games to play with Photos by juniors not only on Monte Draper the course but on the practice facilities can help them improve rapidly. There are companies making oversize, lightweight clubs and balls that make it much easier for the youngest of kids to get started in the game.

38 | in magazine

Summer 2014

in: Golf is a lifetime sport. Which golfers have been an inspiration for you personally?

MM: I have always admired the big three of golf -- Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

I love watching those three compete each year in the par 3 contest at Augusta National. It’s great to see the competitive juices flowing in those guys this many years past their prime.

Don’t count how many shots it took you on the hole, rather reflect on the hole according to your ability, and was it a good hole or a bad hole.

Mitchell’s advice for new golfers Growing up I was always around the golf course in Paynesville. I’m not sure whether it was the small-town atmosphere or just the character of people around there, but it was almost as if I had multiple grandparents at the golf course who were looking out for me. As a kid all I had to do was show up at the course and there was always someone there who was willing to let me tag along and play with them. Many of those people had been playing the game for years and loved passing on things that they had learned in the game to a young junior golfer. There are not many sports in which a kid not old enough to drive himself to the course can compete against someone who has decades of experience.

Dennis Doeden, a news reporter at heart, is the publisher of The Bemidji Pioneer.

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