COMPLIMENTARY
Volume 6, Issue 4 November 2015
A Community Effort
SUSTAINING THE FUTURE OF ARTS
LUXURY EXTENDED STAY EXECUTIVE FURNISHED APARTMENTS
Luxury Extended Stay Executive Furnished Apartments: Carnegie Lofts are unique, spacious 925 sq. ft. completely furfur nished luxury living apartments, boasting upscale contemporary features and amenities within a historic setting. These lofts have custom cabinetry, high end granite countertops throughout, original fireplaces, maple flooring, New Zealand wool rugs, contemporary art, 50” Smart TVʼs, luxurious bathrooms, and bedrooms with the finest linens available. All you need is your suitcase! They are ready to move in! Single occupancy, no pets, no smoking, 1 month minimum or long term lease option, subject to credit/background check.
For a list of complete amenities and pricing, visit our website: www.carnegielofts.com
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Editor’s Letter
Lake Region Woman hosted a pumpkin shooting booth for kids and the Lake Region Woman Social Square where people could take fun fall themed photos and post them to their social media accounts with the hashtag “ThankYouFarmers” in appreciation of our local agriculture industry. I even got into the spirit of the event and dressed as a scarecrow to entertain the kids. We are thrilled with the turnout for this first event and can’t wait to see what next year will be like. If you would like to participate in the 2016 Downtown Devils Lake Fall Festival. Contact me to reserve your space.
Fall Festival Success! On October 10, Lake Region Woman had the honor of co-hosting the first annual Downtown Devils Lake Fall Festival with Amber Sander of Boots and Heels. The streets were packed with participants excited to pick out their fall pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, take a hayride through downtown Devils Lake, and get their faces painted to help raise funds for a good cause. The event was sponsored by Boots and Heels, Lake Region Woman, Ritter-Huesgen Jewelry, Slumberland Furniture, Creative Impressions, Thrivent Financial, Remmick Family Dentistry, Stitchin’ Sisters, LaMotte’s Paint and Glass, The Master’s Tools, Snapdragon Floral, and Quilt Essential. A few highlights from the day included a face painting booth sponsored by Slumberland Furniture that raised money for The Little Cottage Animal Rescue. “I would say the Fall Festival and Ag Appreciation Day was a huge success,” said Nancy Conkins, Slumberland Furniture. “Our amazing face painting girls raised $300 for the organization!” Creative Impressions hosted a duck pond to raise money for Filling the Gap, a local organization that provides funds for gas money to local cancer patience that have to travel for treatment. “Creative Impressions was able to raise over $225 for Filling the Gap during the Fall Festival,” said Brynna Estenson, Creative Impressions.
Thank you from myself and all the sponsors for coming out to the Downtown Devils Lake Fall Festival!
Autumn Graber Lake Region Woman
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Distributed by Girl on Fire Publishing at the following locations:
If you would like to provide Lake Region Woman to your clients or customers, please contact us by phone at 701261-2692 or by email at lakeregionwoman@live.com.
Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce Devils Lake Regional Airport Fireside Inn and Suites Hasse Plumbing
Publisher Girl on Fire Publishing Managing Editor/Ad Sales Autumn Graber
Horizon Financial Bank
(701) 261-2692 lakeregionwoman@live.com
Lake Region State College Bookstore
(701) 330-3150 gcwmagazine@gmail.com
Leevers Foods in Devils Lake Leevers Foods in Langdon Leevers Foods in Rugby Melissa’s Grocery in Tolna Miller’s Fresh Foods in New Rockford Mr. & Mrs. J’s in Devils Lake Munich Grocery Store Nettiques Old Main in Devils Lake One Stop in Devils Lake Oxton’s Supervalu in McVille PLC Photography Ramsey National Bank Rock Lake Cafe Rolette Supervalu Spirit Lake Casino & Resort Supermarket Foods in Cando The Liquid Bean in Devils Lake Michigan Home Foods Wimer’s Grocery in Lakota
COMPLIMENTARY
Volume 6, Issue 4 November 2015
A Community Effort
SUSTAINING THE FUTURE OF ARTS
Deb Belquist
On the Cover Photographed by Autumn Graber
Read a Lake Region Woman feature about Deb Belquist, current Managing Director of the Dakota Prairie Regional Center for the Arts.
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Advertising Sales Mary Glessner
Copy Editor MariLou Harveland Design/Layout Autumn Graber CFO Kelly Graber Business Development Kaelyn Teigen Mail correspondence to: Lake Region Woman PO Box 705 Devils Lake, ND 58301 Connect with us! lakeregionwoman@live.com www.girlonfireonline.com www.facebook.com/lakeregionwoman www.twitter.com/lakeregionwoman Messages sent to us by email, Twitter, or Facebook might be used in future issues of Lake Region Woman.
Printed in North Dakota. © 2015 Girl on Fire Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Lake Region Woman Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Lake Region Woman Magazine does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented. This magazine is printed on an environmentally certified paper that contains a 10% post-consumer waste. FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) is an international, non-profit association that promotes wellmanaged forests by ensuring forestry practices that are environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable. If you would like to become a contributor to Lake Region Woman, please contact us via email at lakeregionwoman@live.com or call us at 701-261-2692. We are currently searching for experts in their industry to submit articles relevant to women in our area.
It Takes a Team...
If you would like to become a writer for Lake Region Woman, please contact us via email at lakeregionwoman@live.com or call us at 701-261-2692. We are currently searching for experts in their industry to submit articles relevant to women in our area.
MariLou Harveland | Copy Editor MariLou is a freelance editor since 2001, when she began editing technical manuals, collaborating on a style guide for writers, and training new writers for Microsoft. During this time, she also earned a Master of Arts in English from NDSU, where she also taught College Composition I and II. In 2011, MariLou published her first novel, “The Seventh Soul,” which won the 2012 Indie Reader Award in Paranormal Fiction at the International Book Expo in New York, NY. Currently, she’s working on her second novel, which should be published in 2015. Though born and raised in North Dakota, MariLou now lives in Woodinville, WA with her husband Dan, a spoiled Golden Retriever, two domineering cats, and a loquacious parakeet.
Mary Glessner | Advertising Sales Mary Glessner grew up in North Dakota and graduated from Mayville State University. She has been with Girl on Fire Publishing since March of 2012 and employed with the North Dakota University System for twenty-four years. After relocating to Grand Forks and accepting a job at UND, she decided to start Cheerful Givers, ND because of her passion for helping others. Mary is a board member and volunteer for the Sunshine Memorial Foundation. She enjoys the community in which she lives and is currently volunteering on the Sunshine Hospitality House Executive Committee to bring the proposed Sunshine Hospitality Home to fruition in Grand Forks. Christy Remmick | Writer Christy is a stay-at-home mom with three children: Hunter and twin daughters Riley and Emersyn. Christy also runs a blog and online shop called Rilos & MiMi (rilosandmimi.com), which are the nicknames that her son Hunter gave her twins daughters when they were babies. Christy graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She grew up in Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada and first came to Devils Lake to play volleyball at Lake Region State College. Christy married Robert, who grew up in Devils Lake, and 11 years after meeting each other, they moved back to Devils Lake to raise their family. Christy keeps busy by thinking of fun, creative ways to spend time with the kids and with sewing and writing for her online shop and blog. To keep sane, she also enjoys gardening, running, and travelling.
Sheri Hatten, Licensed, Registered Dietitian and Certified Lactation Counselor | Writer Sheri graduated from NDSU with a BS in Food and Nutrition and a BS in Corporate/Community Fitness. Sheri has been a Licensed Registered Dietitian for 20 years. She is married to Bob Hatten and has two children: Stephanie and Kendall. Sheri loves to be outdoors walking, biking, and fishing. She also enjoys baking, cooking, and scrapbooking.
Macine Lukach | Writer Macine is the coordinator for the Region 3 Parent Resource Center and the Family and Consumer Sciences extension agent for the NDSU Extension Service, Cavalier County office. To stay updated on events hosted by Region 3 Parent Resource Center, “like” them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ParentResourceCenterRegion3.
Betsy Waldo | Writer Betsey Waldo is all about home décor, interior redesign, and furniture repurposing. She specializes in refurbishing furniture, repurposing vintage-found items, taking on do-it-yourself projects, and interior decorating on a budget. Betsey owns Truly Yours, a home-based business in Devils Lake.
Shannon Teigen | Writer Shannon writes from her rural Devils Lake hobby ranch that is nestled in the peace and quiet of the North Dakota countryside. Her family, consisting of her husband, two daughters, and one son, is the farthest thing from being peaceful and quiet, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything. After graduating from UND, Shannon established her career with foundation blocks of marketing, sales, customer service, human relations, and communications. When Shannon’s not focusing on family or roasting coffee for Little Coyote Coffee—a hobby turned small business—she is passionate about sharing her life’s experiences and motivating others. Whether writing an article for Lake Region Woman or conducting a training session on marketing, Shannon truly believes that you should do what you love and love what you do. You can reach Shannon at thisdaylrw@yahoo.com. girlonfireonline.com
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Event Calendar
Save the Date
Please call ahead to confirm events. Promote your February, March, and April community events by sending information to lakeregionwoman@live.com or by calling Autumn at 701-261-2692 by January 15, 2016. Listing events in our calendar is free for community event organizers and current advertisers.
Open All Year
November 14 through December 19
November 27
The quilt trail is a series of 40+ barn quilts that are hung along a highway or country road. A barn quilt is an 8 X 8 or 4X 4 foot section of quality plywood painted with a quilt block pattern. These quilts are then hung on barns and other buildings for people to view. A map for this self-guided, 40-mile driving tour can be found and printed from www.michigannd.com.
Devils Lake Go to www.chamber.devilslakend.com for more information about this promotion.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College Wolves Basketball, 214 1st Avenue, Fort Totten Join the men and ladies Wolves at the Paul Yankton Wellness Center on the CCCC Campus for the Delvin Greywater Classic! Times to be announced. Watch for updates at www.littlehoop.edu or the CCCC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cankdeska.cikana.3.
Nelson County Barn Quilt Trail
Santa Bag Promotion
November 16
Holiday Showcase
Memorial Building Devils Lake Area businesses showcase their products and services. This event is free to the public.
November 12 through December 24
November 18
Devils Lake Go to www.chamber.devilslakend.com for more information about this promotion.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College and NDSU Extension Offices, 214 1st Avenue, Fort Totten 12:00 p.m. CCCC Extension Office hosts monthly Nutrition Workshops in conjunction with the NDSU Extension Office. Join us for lunch and learn about a different nutrition topic each month. Contact the CCCC Natural Resource Department for more details by calling 701766-1330.
Christmas City Cash Promotion
Nutrition Workshop
November 19
Christmas Ornament Workshop
Cankdeska Cikana Community College Natural Resource Department, 214 1st Avenue, Fort Totten 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CCCC Natural Resource Department is holding a workshop to make Christmas Ornaments. Contact the CCCC Natural Resource Department for more details by calling 701-766-1330.
November 20
Exploring Non-Traditional Roles Workshop
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cankdeska Cikana Community College, 214 1st Avenue, Fort Totten CCCC Career and Technical Education invite women and men to explore non-traditional employment roles. This full-day workshop will include a track for women to explore Professional Driving and the Construction Trades (Construction Management, HVAC/R, and Carpentry / Finish Carpentry). The track for male attendees will include Early Childhood Education and Graphic Design. For registration and details, contact the CCCC Outreach Coordinator at 701-766-1109. 6 girlonfireonline.com november 2015
Delvin Greywater Classic
December 3
Lake Region State College Royal Social
The Royal Social is a delightful opportunity for Lake Region area women to gather, chat, have a chance to win a purse, and support projects at Lake Region State College. The social is usually held in homes on the first Thursday of each month (excluding January and July). Volunteer hostesses gather a team of helpers and provide hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Invitations are handled by email and public notice. Admission fee is $10. For more information, call 701-662-1520.
December 5
Langdon Area Christmas Tour of Homes
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 the day of tour. Call Farmers & Merchants State Bank at 701-256-5431 to purchase tickets for this event. Register at Farmers & Merchants State Bank the day of the tour.
December 10
Christmas Cookie Crawl
Downtown Devils Lake The Christmas Cookie Crawl will be a fun family event in downtown Devils Lake. Crawl business-to-business to sample delicious Christmas cookies, and to see Santa and a few elves. You never know the wonderful magic that can happen in beautiful downtown Devils Lake. Tickets will soon be available for purchase for $5 each. Proceeds go to local charity.
December 20
Devils Lake Just For Kix Winter Show
3:00 p.m. Devils Lake High School Sports Center
Ritter Huesgen Jewelry
“Where Craftsmanship is a Family Tradition” Since 1886
313 4th Street NE | Devils Lake
701-662-3412
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Stop iifnt ittoemsese! our g
Shop online at www.devilslakequiltshop.com
206 5th St NE Devils Lake
701-662-3634
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Boots and Heels
Career Clothes See their ad on page 23
Slumberland Furniture of Devils Lake
Snapdragon Floral and Gift Red Infinity Scarf See their ad on page 17
Keepsake Collection See their ad on page 21
Hot Spots to Shop
GIFTS, WINTER FASHION, AND HOME DÉCOR
Find these items and more through local retailers. When purchasing an item that you’ve seen in our shopping guide, make sure you tell them that you saw it in Lake Region Woman. Claims that products make in the Lake Region Woman Shopping Guide are of product manufactures’ and not of Lake Region Woman or Girl on Fire Publishing.
Wildtree
Grapeseed Oil and Gluten Free Bread See their ad on page 26
Ritter Huesgens Jewelry
Sterling Silver Diamond Pendant and Earrings See their ad on page 7
Rilos and MiMi
North Dakota Home Bag See their website at www.rilos-mimi.myshopify.com
LaMotte’s Paint and Glass Musical Dog for your Garden See their ad on page 13
Quilt Essential
Blue Q Novelty Socks See their ad page 7
Snapdragon Floral and Gift Blank Scarf See their ad on page 17
Truyu
BB Prime Time Primer See their ad on page 11 8 girlonfireonline.com november 2015
Rilos and MiMi Truyu
Mint Arrow Bag See their website at www.rilos-mimi.myshopify.com
Bio Serum See their ad on page 11
Creative Impressions Novelty T-Shirt See their ad on page 7
Boots and Heels
Career Clothes See their ad on page 23
Creative Impressions Winter Hats See their ad on page 7
Quilt Essential
Novelty Sewing T-Shirt See their ad page 7
LaMotte’s Paint and Glass Pallet Wall Art See their ad on page 13
Slumberland Furniture of Devils Lake Lodge Park Collection Group See their ad on page 21
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LaMotte’s Paint and Glass Christmas DÊcor See their ad on page 13
Wildtree
Gluten Free Brownies and Vegetarian Black Bean Soup See their ad on page 26
Slumberland Furniture of Devils Lake Novella Collection See their ad on page 21
Rilos and MiMi
Hockey Snack and Travel Bag See their website at www.rilos-mimi.myshopify.com
Quilt Essential
Baby Blanket Material See their ad page 7
Creative Impressions School Gear See their ad on page 7
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Boots and Heels
Red/White Shrug See their ad on page 23
Ritter Huesgens Jewelry
White Gold and Diamond Rhythm of Love Ring See their ad on page 7
Ritter Huesgens Jewelry Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings See their ad on page 7
Snapdragon Floral and Gift Christmas Décor See their ad on page 17
Snapdragon Floral and Gift Christmas Décor See their ad on page 17
Quilt Essential
Blue Q Novelty Socks See their ad page 7
Boots and Heels
Red Infinity Scarf See their ad on page 23
LaMotte’s Paint and Glass Lake Time Clock See their ad on page 13
Slumberland Furniture of Devils Lake La-Z-Boy Rowan Rocker Recliner See their ad on page 21
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november 2015 11
Create Holiday Gifts That Keep on Giving Make this holiday season one that is filled with creating memories and gifts that keep giving throughout the year. Terrariums have made a comeback and make wonderful do-it-yourself projects and gifts for beginning and experienced gardeners. Terrariums enable gardeners to continue growing plants, regardless of the weather outdoors, and they can be used as decorations throughout the year with simple updates for holidays and other special occasions. Adding a few ceramic items like Christmas tree ornaments, a ceramic bunny, or other adornments can be used to represent the season.
Written by
Melinda Myers
Don’t know where to start? No problem. Create your own terrarium from an old glass jar or vase; or, purchase an elegant terrarium with a copper bottom, guaranteed to create the perfect stage for your tabletop garden. You can also purchase a terrarium kit that includes the plants, container, and everything you need. For the artist and avid birder—young or old—consider a green birdhouse. These biodegradable birdhouses are made from 100 percent recycled paper and are designed to last through one nesting season. You will have fun decorating it with stickers, markers, or paint, making this a gift you and the birds will enjoy. Plus, once the season is over, there’s no need for cleaning; the birdhouse can simply be added to the compost pile.
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Not feeling artistic? No worries. Give a decorative treat for the birds. Those with live Christmas trees can extend their enjoyment by decorating the tree with colorful birdseed ornaments once it is moved outdoors. Make your own ornaments from suet, peanut butter, and birdseed; or, you can purchase ready-made birdseed ornaments. You don’t need a green thumb to create this DIY holiday beauty. Easy care, waxed amaryllis bulbs are self-contained and easy to grow. The bulb is sealed in gold or silver wax, making it both decorative and low maintenance. No watering or container needed; just set it in a bright location and wait for the floral display to appear before your eyes. You will enjoy big blooms for several weeks. Stay on your diet as the holiday approaches with a sugarfree advent calendar. You can make your own from felt and fabric glue. Alternatively, you can start a family tradition by purchasing a handcrafted advent calendar like the wooden bird cottage advent calendar (found at www. gardeners.com) that celebrates nature and the holiday. Each day leading to Christmas, you’ll remove a bird from its cubby in the cottage. Peg it to the birdhouse and watch the flock grow. Your friends and family will know Christmas is coming each year when you break out the calendar. It’s sure to provide years of memories and could soon become a family heirloom. Make this the year for creating memorable gifts, trying something new, or packaging DIY projects that are sure to provide seasons of fun and beauty. [LRW]
Holiday Open House Join us as we celebrate the holiday season.
Munich - December 1, 1:00 to 4:00 Devils Lake - December 1, 1:00 to 4:00 Bismarck - December 1, 1:00 to 4:00 Osnabrock - December 2, 1:00 to 4:00
Munich (701) 682-5331
Osnabrock (701) 496-3482
Devils Lake (701) 665-2020
Bismarck (701) 751-7274
www.HorizonFinancialBank.com
Flooring Benjamin Moore Paints Wallcoverings Window Treatments Gifts & Collectibles 301 4th St. NE Devils Lake ND 58301-2411 701-662-4976 or 800-726-8014 Fax 701-662-6752 Follow us on Facebook
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Regaining Self-Esteem After Breast Cancer Surgery Submitted by Altru Health System
About 1 in 8 women in America will develop breast cancer in their lifetime according to the American Cancer Society. Of these women, many will require a mastectomy, an operation that removes the breast. This surgery is often a necessary and life-saving option for women battling breast cancer. However, it can leave many survivors feeling like they’ve lost a piece of their femininity and self-confidence. To help, Truyu Aesthetic Center offers breast reconstruction surgery. Performed following a mastectomy, this procedure offers breast cancer survivors an option to regain a more natural-looking breast. The road to breast reconstruction begins after the diagnosis of breast cancer, often identified after mammogram imaging, a type of X-ray that looks at breast tissue. If a subsequent biopsy tests positive for cancer, the battle to fight it begins. A team of experts at Altru Cancer Center work to identify the proper course of action for each individual. If it’s determined that a mastectomy is the best solution, a general surgeon will perform this surgery. The surgeon might bring up the possibility of breast reconstruction. If this option isn’t presented, the patient can initiate the conversation with her surgeon or other provider. In Grand Forks, Truyu offers a variety of plastic surgery procedures, one of which is breast reconstruction surgery. Truyu plastic surgeon, Dr. Jaron McMullin, is one of two practicing breast reconstruction surgeons in the Grand Forks area, along with his
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colleague Dr. Kevin Muiderman. Originally from Alberta, Canada, Dr. McMullin attended school and practiced medicine in Utah for three years before coming to Grand Forks. Dr. McMullin wants more women in the area to become familiar with the option of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. “I hope that women become more informed about this process so that they know it is an option for themselves, their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and friends.”
Dr. Jaron McMullin
Breast reconstruction surgery can be performed two different ways. The first uses existing tissue from other locations in the body (abdomen, buttocks, thigh, and so on). The tissue is transplanted to the breast and restructured into a breast shape. This option, according to Dr. McMullin, is more extensive with a longer recovery time. It is typically done if the patient has been through radiation treatments, which leaves the skin with decreased ability to heal. The second method, more commonly performed by plastic surgeons nation-
wide, including Dr. McMullin, is done by using an expander followed by a silicone or saline implant. After the mastectomy is performed, an expander is put in under the tissue remaining after removal of the breast. There is a port within the expander to allow it to be filled slowly. This allows the skin of the breast to be stretched carefully after a mastectomy, which takes a large amount of the breasts’ skin. After the expander has reached the size needed, surgery is done to replace it with the implant. Dr. McMullin says that this method requires less intensive surgery and recovery time. The road to reconstruction is often filled with doubt and uncertainty. Many women diagnosed with breast cancer are hesitant to undergo another surgery and are worried the results won’t be what they hoped for. This doubt can be lessened by viewing images of past successful operations performed. There are also improvements being made every day due to advancements in technology. One such technique involves injecting fat into the hollowing left behind after a partial mastectomy. Reconstruction not only improves outward appearance after mastectomy, but also can help women regain self-confidence. Self-esteem in many women after breast cancer can be diminished. The removal of one or both of the breasts may feel a bit like a loss of femininity. Receiving breast reconstruction surgery can give women a self-esteem boost; this is something Dr. McMullin has seen firsthand. “One recent patient rarely smiled. After the mastectomy, she seemed to have lost her happiness and confidence. When she came back for her appointment following her implant surgery, I finally saw her smile. Her selfesteem and confidence were back.” Some women might think that they are not eligible to receive breast reconstruction surgery because their mastectomy took place 10, 15, or even 30 years ago. Some women might think that their insurance won’t help pay for reconstruction. Dr. McMullin said that usually isn’t the case. “I’ve had women who come to me years after their surgery and have breast reconstruction done. Many women think they may not be able to afford the surgery, but reconstruction following a mastectomy due to breast cancer is, by the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, covered by group health plans, health insurance companies, and HMOs, as long as the plan covers medical and surgical costs for mastectomy.” [LRW]
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Enjoy the Holiday Season More
Written by Macine Lukach
The holidays are here, and what a busy time of the year! Three major holidays—Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s—all within a relatively short period of time, can be emotionally taxing for people of all ages.
While this time of year is meant for celebration and togetherness, the holiday season brings a wide range of emotions. For some, the holidays bring feelings of excitement, joy, companionship, and wonder. For others, the holidays mean feelings of frustration, exhaustion, depression, and economic hardship. The following are tips to can help you handle the holidays and enjoy them more. Simplify your holiday plans. You can’t do it all; therefore, do fewer tasks more effectively. Write down all the activities you typically participate in during the holiday season. Rank the items, starting with the most important. Scratch off the bottom five activities on the list, and then vow to simplify the remaining items. Have others in your family do the same. Decide what’s really important to you and your family. Examples are eliminate advance holiday baking (bake only a small amount just before the holiday), cut down on shopping trips, or stay home instead of traveling. Remember that people are more important than things.
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Spend your valuable time with family and friends. The holidays have become so commercialized that people feel they can’t fully enjoy them without lots of presents and food. Ignore the media and focus on quality time with loved ones. Spend an evening sharing favorite holiday memories with family or friends, visit a nursing home, read Christmas stories to your children, or go sledding. Enlist family members to help with holiday preparations. Too often, and in many families, one person is stuck doing most of the holiday preparations. That’s not fair. Everyone should be involved. Remember, others will not do tasks exactly as you would do them. It is all right if all the Christmas ornaments are on the bottom of the tree. What matters is the fun you have decorating the tree together. One year, I came home from a meeting, and our sons had decorated a corner of our home in a way I hadn’t planned. I was upset to begin with, but then I looked at the amazing North Pole scene they created. They were so proud. Eliminate traditions that create pressure, busyness, or guilt. Reexamine your family traditions; perhaps your family has outgrown some of them. Making ten different types of Christmas goodies is unnecessary; three or four of the favorites are enough. Looking at outdoor Christmas lights was a favorite of mine, but it’s an activity our family outgrew (even though I still miss doing so). Be sure to make time for relaxing family traditions. Playing board or card games is a family tradition we continue today. We always
had a game under the tree for our sons. Remember that each year presents opportunities for reliving old and adding new traditions to your family’s celebrations. Consider lower-key celebrations that don’t take a lot of time and preparation. A holiday breakfast or dessert rather than a huge meal might be the answer. Instead of spending days in the kitchen preparing for a gathering, host a potluck where each brings a dish to share. Plan a special event for you and your family in the New Year when it’s not so busy. Set a budget and stick to it. The holidays can be stressful often, especially with all of the shopping, entertaining, traveling, and planning. The main way to avoid overspending is to plan ahead. Spend within your budget and avoid paying for this year’s Christmas throughout the following year. Evaluate your priorities. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to activities or unreasonable demands. Forget the “shoulds” and make commitments to do only those things you and your family really want to do. A holiday calendar can help. Along with events and activities, be sure to write in your holiday preparations (including shopping, baking, wrapping gifts, writing a holiday letter, volunteering). If you don’t plan these events on the calendar, it’s easy to overestimate how much you can get done within a short amount of time. The holiday season is a time of joy. Don’t schedule it so full that there’s no time left to simply enjoy. Keep your sense of humor. Humor can help lighten the load and get us through a busy day. Humor reduces stress, relieves tension, and helps us cope. Practice seeing the humor in all your holiday challenges. My sons have always been super about providing that humor; they say and do the funniest things. One year, I was so busy making a number of desserts simultaneously that I forgot to add sugar in the pumpkin pie. It wasn’t very tasty, and my family won’t let me forget. Even to this day, it incites laughter. Pace your indulgence in holiday activities and treats. Holidays have a tendency to distract people from normal routines of healthy eating, exercise, and relaxation. With a little effort and planning, healthy eating can be a realistic goal during the holiday season. Physical activity and adequate sleep are two key factors in handling stress. Be realistic. How much can you and your family handle? Don’t overdo—be aware of your limitations. Do what you need to do to celebrate the holiday season in the richest possible way. Embrace a positive attitude of gratitude for all your blessings. Holidays are a time when families and friends share gifts, memories, and appreciation for each other. Holiday preparations are both exhilarating and exhausting. For parents, holiday preparations add another layer to their already busy lives. Do more of what you like, less of what you don’t. Too many families try to do it all. Instead, focus on what you enjoy doing. Holidays mean more when you’re doing activities you really enjoy. [LRW] [Insert] Four things children really want for Christmas from Jo Robinson & Jean Coppock Staeheli’s book, Unplug the Christmas Machine: 1. A relaxed and loving time with the family. 2. Realistic expectations about gifts. 3. An evenly paced holiday season. 4. Reliable family traditions. girlonfireonline.com
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Nikii Pix Photography & Studio Now Offering
Christmas Sessions
Jennifer Zachmeier Photography The Loft Photography Studio
Maternity + Newborn + Children + Families Indoor studio located at 211 4th St NE, Devils Lake Book online at nikiipix.zenfolio.com then "Like" us on Facebook
Studio: 701-662-4737 Cell: 701-361-4737 nikii.pix.photography@gmail.com
Parenting is the most important job you'll ever have!
Nikii Pix Photography & Studio
Region 3 Parent Resource Center offers: Parenting Classes Lending Library Newsletter
NDSU Extension Service 901 3rd St. Ste. 7 Langdon, ND 58249 701-256-2560 macine.lukach@ndsu.edu http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pen/region-3
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The Loft Photography Studio
Jennifer Zachmeier Photography
Nikii Pix Photography & Studio PLC Photography
PLC Photography
Over the River and through the Woods...
Area Child Photography Gallery Professional photographers in the Lake Region can submit photos for galleries by contacting Lake Region Woman by phone at 701-261-2692 or by sending an email to lakeregionwoman@live.com.
Mini Mentorship
Leading with Emotional Intelligence
Emotions affect every facet of our lives, personally and professionally. Our ability to understand our own emotions and the emotions of the people around us, along with our ability to consciously manage the potential affects those emotions have on our lives, is a concept known as Emotional Intelligence (EI). Written by Ashley Rae
Emotional Intelligence (EI) requires an ongoing commitment of practice throughout the course of our lives. Additionally, EI is a fundamental part of our life experiences that directly affects the success we experience in our relationships and careers. Those who possess EI tend to experience more success in life. The reason is because they’re not only capable of understanding the emotions they’re feeling and what those emotions mean, but also understand the potential affects those emotions have on their lives and the lives of those around them. Therefore, they tend to be more engaged and intentional about their actions and behaviors that result from their emotions. The following are 5 Steps to Leading with Emotional Intelligence. Whatever stage of life we’re in, we can apply these steps to our own lives To Improve Our Relationships and Boost our Productivity, personally and professionally. 1. Be Engaged. The first step to leading with EI is to be more engaged in life. Many of us often find ourselves rushing from one commitment to the next, day after day. In the process, we become less engaged with life and lose touch with our emotions. We begin
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to behave and make decisions unconsciously, and miss out on valuable information that our emotions actually contain. To prevent this, we need to make a deliberate effort to periodically take a step back during the day and notice how we’re feeling emotionally about any given situation. We then need to pay attention to how those emotions are affecting our daily life, including overall thoughts, behaviors, actions, and even reactions to that situation. Only when we’re able to be consciously aware of our emotions and the affects they have on our lives, can we become better at managing them, which will help us become more engaged and intentional about life in general. 2. Take Responsibility. Being in control of our emotions is a basic element of personal responsibility. Though it can be the most challenging step, it can also be the most helpful. Our emotions and behaviors come from us and no one else; therefore it’s our responsibility to control and manage them. Oftentimes, we might find ourselves making comments such as, “I did/said that because you made me feel _____.” Regardless of what someone else does or says, we are ultimately in control of how we allow ourselves to feel and the way we react as a result of those feelings. 3. Respond Don’t React. There’s a significant difference between responding and reacting to our emotions. Responding is a conscious process that involves
noticing how we feel, deciding how to behave as a result, and then intentionally responding in a productive manner. Reacting is an unconscious process where we’re not often aware of our emotions and react on impulse through an emotional trigger, which often results in bad decision making in the heat of the moment. This leads to unintentionally expressing or relieving that emotion in an unproductive manner. Learning how to respond to our emotions rather than react to them will have a significant impact on the interactions we have with those around us and the relationships we develop. Our ability to respond appropriately and productively to whatever life brings creates a positive environment where we lead by example and motivate others to do the same. 4. Empathize and Be Respectful. Those who possess a strong sense of EI are typically empathetic and respectful of others. Remember, everyone we meet is dealing with a circumstance we might know nothing about. Therefore, it’s imperative to be empathetic and to try to understand why someone feels or behaves the way they do. More importantly, we should be respectful and at least help them feel comfortable and secure in their current environment.
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5. Get Perspective. With increasingly busy and demanding schedules, it can be easy to allow emotions get the best of us. However, when that happens, we need to learn to put our lives and the emotions we’re feeling into perspective. To gain perspective, we can follow these two simple steps. First, take a step back and observe the current situation or circumstance and recognize the emotions we’re experiencing at that moment. Second, remember that there is always someone who is dealing with a situation worse than ours. Although we have every right to feel the way we do, it’s important to be grateful for the larger picture, because it will help us develop a stronger sense of EI. This will not only change our lives, but also will change the lives of those around us. Emotional Intelligence is a fundamental part of our life experiences, which requires an ongoing commitment of practice throughout the course of our lives. It isn’t something we develop once and then drop. Even when we feel like we’ve mastered EI, there’s always room for improvement. If we can at least challenge ourselves to practice improving our EI daily, we will ultimately experience more success in our own lives, personally and professionally. [LRW]
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Recipe
Fresh Walleye Cakes Many of you have told me that you look forward to reading this article for new recipes to try, and I really appreciate the feedback. My goal in teaching nutrition and cooking has always been to keep it simple, quick, and delicious. I Written by Sheri Hatten try many recipes each month and add my own spin at times to make them healthier or better tasting. I hope that many of you will try some of the recipes I share and feel confident in trying other recipes that you see in print or on the web. This summer, we enjoyed many days on the lake fishing. It was also when I found some good fish recipes that I hope you will try. If you don’t fish, ask a friend or family member that fishes, or buy fish from your local store. Often, I have pre-mixed the walleye cake recipe and put it in a container in the fridge; that way, I can form it into patties and quickly make them later in the week when we are camping or at home and in a hurry. You can eat the walleye cakes as-is or dip into the sauce (recipe included). We have even put the cooked walleye cake in a bun; smear some of the sauce on top, and it’s one of the best fish sandwiches I have tasted.
Walleye Cakes 1 pound walleye fillets (fresh or frozen; thawed) ¼ cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard ½ tsp. Sriracha sauce 1 egg 1/3 cup diced red pepper 1/3 cup diced red onion Juice of half a lemon (this is about 2 Tbsp.) ½ tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning ¾ -1 cup Panko breadcrumbs (start with ¾ cup; add more if needed once all ingredients are mixed together)
Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. 2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; spritz the foil with cooking spray. Place the walleye fillets on the foil; bake at 350° F for 30 minutes. 3. Cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes (or overnight). When cool, place the walleye into a medium-sized bowl, and then flake the fillets into small pieces with a wooden spoon or a fork. 4. In a separate bowl, whisk together all ingredients except the walleye and breadcrumbs. Add the walleye and ¾ cup breadcrumbs. Mix until well-combined. 5. Test the mixture by squeezing with your hands. If the mixture seems too wet with liquid leaking out, add more breadcrumbs. If it seems too dry, add a teaspoon or so of mayonnaise. The mixture is just right when it can hold the shape of a patty. 6. Heat ¾ cup of oil in a large pan over medium heat. To test for readiness, toss in a few breadcrumbs. The oil is ready if the breadcrumbs sizzle. While the oil is heating, form the mixture into desired size cakes; 3-4 inches is recommended. 7. Place the walleye cakes in the pan to fry, making sure to leave some space between each one. Cook on each side until golden brown (about 3-4 minutes on each side). If you make many cakes and want to keep them warm after frying, put them in the oven at 200° F.
Walleye Cake Sauce
1 Tbsp. ketchup ½ cup mayonnaise 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 Tbsp. Sriracha sauce (if you don’t like spicy foods, cut back on this) Dash of salt and pepper
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D.I.Y.
Christmas Scrap Fabric Banner
Take us
g n i p p o h S
Written by Betsy Waldo
Supplies: Three Christmas fabrics of
choice (fat quarters, a piece of cotton measuring 18 inches to 22 inches, are a good amount to start), twine, fabric scissors.
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ore!
So much more than a shoe st
For a shorter fabric length than most, cut your fabric into strips of 7 inches to 8 inches in length and about 1/2 inch in width. For a three-foot banner, you’ll use approximately 75-80 strips of fabric. Cut the twine to the length you want and tie the ribbon onto the twine in the pattern you desire; I didn’t knot or loop my fabric, I just tied it around the twine. [LRW] girlonfireonline.com
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NOW BOOKING 2016 Weddings!
Jennifer Zachmeier Photography
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PLC Photography
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Professional photographers in the Lake Region can submit photos for galleries by contacting Lake Region Woman by phone at 701-261-2692 or by sending an email to lakeregionwoman@live.com.
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with this ring
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Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce would like to...
l! thank you for buying loca JOIN US FOR
Holiday Showcase November 16 Memorial Building 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Christmas City Cash November 12 - December 24
Santa Bag Promotion November 14 - December 19
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Freezer Meal Workshop
10 Meals in 2 Hours!
Ask me how!
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This Day
The Rollercoaster Written by Shannon Teigen
High points and low points—life is full of them! We all ride life’s rollercoaster of ups and downs. Some days, we are on top of the world, where the wind swirls through our hair, the exhilaration tickles our tummies, and everything seems to gracefully glide into place. Then, there are the other days, where we have no break pedal and, no matter how hard our foot presses down Shannon Teigen to the floorboard, we white-knuckle grip the handles because this ride won’t slow down. It’s out of our control. It seems as if this rollercoaster ride of life intentionally flies into a hairpin sharp turn, dumping us into a vat of quicksand, which is surrounded by mountains that stubbornly reach miles high. During those low points is when we question ourselves, when we begin to doubt and wonder if we are good enough. These are the moments when we question if we are good enough at our job, at being a friend, a wife, a daughter, and a mother. My husband and I have raised three children; our youngest just entered high school and his two sisters are in college. Believe me, I often wondered that I wasn’t messing it all up for these kids. I’ve had occasions at work when I was certain anyone else could do my job better than I could.
My to-do lists were oftentimes so long that I felt like I was sinking. These moments, when I felt as if sinking in quicksand, were times I had to remember to take a breath and just do my best, to ask for help when I needed, and to be there to help another who struggled as I have. When we help each other, two things happen. First, we take focus off of ourselves, giving us the freedom to just be and do without the scrutiny we place on ourselves. Second, another human being in need is given a reprieve or a moment to know that they are thought of by someone else and that they matter. “At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished…It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” —Denzel Washington So, when you strap yourself in for this day’s rollercoaster ride, remember that it isn’t solely about what you cross off your list or whether you’ve had a high or a low day. It’s about lifting someone else up by holding a hand, telling someone special that you love them, or listening to a frazzled friend as her rollercoaster screeches around the bend. And while you’re listening, remind her that she IS good enough. [LRW]
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“We haven’t been afraid to try new things; there is so much talent in North Dakota.” -Deb Belquist 28 girlonfireonline.com november 2015
A Community Effort SUSTAINING THE FUTURE OF ARTS IN NEW ROCKFORD Written by Christy Remmick
When thinking of the downtown infrastructure of a small North Dakota town, some might think of a bank, bar, and maybe a gas station. But, visiting the city of New Rockford offers a different feel. The Dakota Prairie Regional Center for the Arts (DPRCA) has transformed a block of vacant buildings in downtown New Rockford into a center of cultural activity. The city has created an entire district of arts, including a coffee shop, wine bar, gift store filled with great finds from local artists, a summer arts program for kids, a dance studio, art classes, and a renowned stage theater. The community of New Rockford has always been a theatrical town, where volunteers have been involved in a community theater that held performances and events like an annual Fourth of July pageant. In 1991, Deb Belquist, Jodi Carlson, Kevin Catright, and Jim and Mary Everson decided to form a non-profit organization for the DPRCA. Their vision was to inspire, educate, and entertain audiences by providing a wide range of artistic presentations and to serve as a resource and a gathering place for the community by providing art-related education and programming opportunities. Deb Belquist, current Managing Director of the DPRCA, grew up in New Rockford. As far back as she can recall, the community has always been involved in the theater. Deb remembers being in the Fourth of July pageant, performing in several community shows, and singing in concerts. After living in Minneapolis while her husband attended dental school, the couple moved back to New Rockford in 1979, where Deb became involved in community arts again by singing and performing in community shows. When she decided to become seriously involved
Pictured: Sarah Smith Warren, Associate Managing Director; Elliott Schwab, Artistic Director; Deb Belquist, Managing Director; Jared Kolles, Tech Director; and Erin Griener, Lobby/Marketing Manager.
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Pictured: Elliot Schwab and Erin Griener rehearse for their performance in “Gifts of the Magi” starting on November 13.
with the arts council, she went back to school. Deb obtained her degree in theater/music from North Dakota State University in 2004 at the age of 40. This gave her the background, knowledge, and credibility for the council and helped with writing grants for the arts council. She has had many professions and passions, which have all helped with her role at DPRCA. Deb owned a salon in New Rockford, so she still styles hair for the performers in the show, in addition to helping sew costumes and serving in the dinner component of the programs prior to the performances. Deb does this in addition to being the producer for the current shows. The arts council has been able to provide a permanent home for their cultural activity center. The center includes a bistro coffee shop called the “Latte Lobby,” which serves coffee and food; Jack’s Tavern, serving wine and beer; and a gift shop called Upstage Gallery and Gifts, which sells unique products and gifts from local North Dakota artists. The cultural activity center also features The Old Opera House and The Old Church Theater. North Dakota’s only black box theater, The Old Opera House is the location for viewing film screenings and taking classes in dance and art. Donated in 2011 by the Methodist Church after its congregation dwindled, The Old Church Theater is a renowned stage theater where live performances are held. Prior to performances, dinner and beverages are served in the basement. All the buildings were donated to the council,
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one through a private donor, one through Forth Corp, and one from the city. With the growing cost of maintaining some of New Rockford’s vacant historic buildings, the arts council was able to keep them updated with the help of volunteers who helped restore the city’s downtown. Twenty-five years after the initial formation, the DPRCA is run by a board that currently has seven members. Five years ago, the group decided to shift the arts council to run more like a business than a non-profit. “We decided to do this for sustainability of the group to keep it going long past my being around,” said managing director Deb Belquist. The council also decided to make the managing director a paid position. They then hired an artistic director, Elliot Schwab, and a technical director, Jared Kolles, to help with the transformation to a profitable business. In addition to Elliot and Jared, Sarah Smith Warren was hired as associate managing director, Erin Griener as the lobby/marketing manager, and Josh Starke as the manager of Jack’s Tavern. With the shift, they also started paying their actors. “This provides a sense of pride and responsibility for the actors, especially with long-run programs in the summer,” adds Deb. The arts council now employs anywhere from 15-20 employees, from actors, to kitchen helpers for performance dinners, to bistro workers, and other responsibilities.
The talent for performances comes from residents, in addition to high school and college students from New Rockford and the surrounding area. The DPRCA is a repertory theater, which means they draw from a pool of actors and also hold auditions, mostly for summer performances. Being that New Rockford is a small town, it’s not uncommon for a high school student to go from football or basketball practice to stage rehearsal. The long-run summer programs bring college students from surrounding areas to New Rockford and give them an opportunity to work in a theatrical setting in North Dakota. The arts council has also been able to focus on other aspects of art rather than just live theater performances. The council holds a summer arts program for kids that includes art classes, photography classes, and theater camp. They hosted “The Worldwide Manhattan Short Film Festival” at The Opera House’s black box theater for two years in a row, showing short films from across six continents and serving food and beverages. Several other events, such as “Uncapped and Uncorked” and a mosaic arts class, are also hosted by the DPRCA. “We haven’t been afraid to try new things; there is so much talent in North Dakota,” replied Deb, when asked about the variety of artistic opportunities the DPRCA has hosted. The theater keeps thriving by grants, sponsorships, ticket and food sales, and charity campaigns. Their last campaign was to purchase new seating in the Old Church Theater,
where donors purchased plaques with their names on them to help purchase the new seats. Because the DPRCA is focused on maintaining the arts and performances in New Rockford, their next steps for the theater involve focusing on advertising and drawing more of an audience to their shows. Currently, their audience comes from all over the state, but guests mostly find out about the theaters through word of mouth. Their next big project will be to work on advertising and working with North Dakota tourism and other companies to increase the number of bus trips involved in attending theater performances. The holiday show and dinner schedule for the DPRCA includes a performance of “Gifts of the Magi,” a heartwarming Christmas musical with a cast of six. The first performance is on November 13, 2015. They will run 12 shows until December 13. The spring show will be “Church Basement Ladies,” which is the first performance of the play that is being allowed in theaters. This summer will feature the performance “GodSpell.” To find out more about DPRCA, in addition to performance and class schedules, or to purchase tickets, go to www. dprca.com. [LRW]
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Lake Region Woman has *Hard Copy and Digital Issue Readers
Lisa Swenson & Katie Escobar, Owners The Loft Photography Studio Photo by The Loft Photography Studio
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