Grand Cities Woman V1I1

Michaela Schell

Volume 1, Issue 1March | April 2012Complimentary

Free!Greater Grand Forks YP Presidentand Stay-at-Home Mom

Room at BothTables

www.grandcitieswoman.com Grand Cities Woman 3

Welcome to Grand Cities Woman! Our goal is simple: inspire our readers with stories about real women. When I hear of a great story or see proof of overcoming adver-sity, I in turn feel like I can change the world. We want to cre-ate a magazine that tells of inspiring local women and that you will look forward to pick-ing up at the local grocery store, hotel, or restaurant. We hope it’s a maga-zine that you carry with you and share with your friends. This is your mag-azine—we are just putting it together for you.

Women are a big part of what makes this com-munity tick. They are the teachers, political lead-ers, activists, law enforce-ment, and stay-at-home moms raising our future. No matter who they are, they care about the Greater Grand Forks area and about the people in it. Let’s celebrate them.

Here is our call to action. We will rely on you to tell us about who has inspired you in your life. We also want to know about events that we can help promote, recipes we can share, and top-ics that affect you. Our hope is to grow into a larger publication with the help of local writers, photographers, and advertisers.

We challenge you to join us in supporting these women that help make our lives a little easier and our community a little brighter. Grand Cities Woman is dedicated to promoting the success, triumph, and inspiration of women in our area. Who knows? You may be on the cover some day.

Autumn GraberManaging Editor

Our MessagePublisher InformationPublisher – Graber Media, LLCManaging Editor/Ad Sales – Autumn Graber, (701) 261-2692Copy Editor – MariLou HarvelandDesign/Layout – Autumn Graber

Mail correspondence to:Grand Cities WomanPO Box 5503Grand Forks, ND 58206

Connect with us!grandcitieswoman@live.comwww.grandcitieswoman.comwww.facebook.com/grandcitieswomanMessages sent to us by email or Facebook may be used in future issues of Grand Cities Woman.

Printed in North Dakota. © 2012 Graber Media, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Grand Cities Woman Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Grand Cities Woman Magazine does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented.

Go green and share this magazine with a friend.

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 well-managed forests by ensuring forestry practices that are environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable.

If you would like to become a contributor for Grand Cities Woman, please contact us via email at [email protected] 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.

Michaela Schell

Volume 1, Issue 1March | April 2012Complimentary

Free!Greater Grand Forks YP Presidentand Stay-at-Home Mom

Room at BothTables

Visit us atwww.grandcitieswoman.com to download an electronic ver-sion of this and future issues of Grand Cities Woman.

4 Grand Cities Woman www.grandcitieswoman.com

Save the Date

Now through March 20“Living Through Violence: The Once-bay Textile Family” Photography and Textile ExhibitionNorth Dakota Museum of ArtWeekdays: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Weekends: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.This Peruvian textile family comes from Ayachuco, the birthplace of the Shining Path, a Maoist guerrilla organization. Dur-ing the most dangerous period, Saturnino gathered his family of textile workers and they taught themselves to make the pre-Columbian textiles of Paracas, the place where the textile arts reached heights unattained anywhere or during any time period. For more information, contact Rebecca Grandstrand at (701) 777-4195 or send an email to [email protected].

March 6UND Wind Ensemble & University Band8:00 p.m.Chester Fritz AuditoriumPhone: (701) 777-4090Talented University of North Dakota stu-dents play a variety of classical music.

March 6 & everyTuesday through December 25Tuesday Wine Club5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.‘l Bistro in Canad Inns’ Destination Center Join the club and sample wines every Tuesday.

Now through December 19Northern Ink - Writers Group6:00 p.m.Grand Forks Public LibraryOpen to anyone 18 years of age and over, the Writers Group will meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Join Fancee Long-Gorski in discussing many parts of the writing process includ-ing characterization, dialogue, point of view, and pacing. Please bring your own writing tools (pen, paper, and laptop), and be prepared to share and discuss. Walk-ins are welcome.

March 8Break the Silence Tour11:00 a.m.Community Violence Intervention CenterYou are invited to a free, one-hour tour at CVIC to find out more about local violence and see firsthand how we’re working to make our community safe for all. Contact Kathleen at 746-0405 or [email protected]. Space is limited, so sign up early! No solicitations will be made.

March 102012 Healthy Living Expo9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Alerus CenterThis premier health event allows attend-ees to consult for free with doctors, chiro-practors, dentists, skin care specialists, and more. In addition, get the latest options in Greater Grand Forks for fitness, hearing, vision, and vitamin retailers. For more in-formation, go to www.aleruscenter.com.

Now through December 11This & That Book Club7:00 p.m.Grand Forks Public LibraryAre you a mystery buff, sci-fi fan, or horror aficionado? If so, This & That Book Club is for you. Each month, we will read a book from a different fiction genre and get together for a lively discussion. Don’t like a particular genre? Give it a try, or skip the meeting that month. The goal is to have fun! We meet on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m., in the meeting room at the Grand Forks Public Library. Multiple copies of the book club selections will be available at the Grand Forks Public Library and can be requested online or in person.

Please call ahead to confirm events. Promote your event by sending information to [email protected] or calling Autumn at (701) 261-2692.


March 18Shamrock Shuffle 5k run/walk4:00 p.m.Red River Runners-Grand Forks are pleased to announce a great way to work off all that great Irish food and, um, liquid from St. Patty’s Day: Run 3.18 miles on 3-18-2012! Race fees are only $5, and all proceeds will benefit the Amachi Lunch Buddies School Mentoring Program. Send an email to [email protected] with any questions.

March 23 - 252012 Home Design & Garden ShowFriday: 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.Alerus CenterCheck out the latest in home design, remodeling, and landscaping. For more in-formation, go to www.aleruscenter.com.

March 24Greater Grand Forks Symphony pres-ents: Hot Sounds from France, Spain, and the American Southwest7:30 p.m.Empire Arts CenterFor more information or to purchase tick-ets, go to www.ggfso.org.

March 25Dawn Avery & Steven Alvarez Concert2:00 p.m.North Dakota Museum of ArtDawn Avery & Steven Alvarez are the last of five performances in the North Dakota Museum of Art’s Winter Concert Series. Contact Brian Lofthus at (701) 777-4195 for more information.

Every Thursday through December 27Live Jazz Thursday7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.‘l Bistro at Canad Inns’ Destination Center Enjoy some great jazz music provided by talented local artists while indulging in some delicious ‘l Bistro culinary creations.

April 1Damn Yankees7:30 p.m.Chester Fritz AuditoriumFor more information, call (701) 777-4090.

April 13Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show7:30 p.m.Chester Fritz AuditoriumThey were style with substance, swing with swagger, and a non-stop party that everyone wanted access to. Call (701) 777-4090 for more information.

April 14Trans-Siberian Orchestra7:00 p.m.Ralph Engelstad ArenaTrans-Siberian Orchestra and their type of rock theater will be at The Ralph perform-ing Beethoven’s “Last Night.” For ticket information, go to www.theralph.com.

April 14Harlem Globetrotters7:00 p.m.Alerus CenterThe new Globetrotters feature the top three finishers from the 2011 College Slam Dunk Contest, including three seven-foot-ers! For more information, including how to purchase tickets, go to www.aleruscen-ter.com.

April 15Charlotte’s Web2:00 p.m.Chester Fritz AuditoriumTheatreworks USA’s production of Char-lotte’s Web, a play by Joseph Robinette with incidental music by Jeffrey Lunden, is based on E.B.White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte.

April 16 through August 4UND Summer Educational CampsUniversity of North DakotaLooking for an activity or camp for your-self or your child this summer? Check out the University of North Dakota’s Summer Programs and Events Camps and enrich your life through learning. Various camps and programs are run by employees and volunteers from UND. Contact Brenda at (701) 777-0841 or send an email to [email protected] for more information.

Now through December 18Great Reads Book Club7:00 p.m.Grand Forks Public LibraryThe Great Reads Book Club has some-thing for everyone, from suspenseful tales to knee-slapping humor. Multiple copies of the book club selections are available at the Grand Forks Public Library and can be requested online and in person. We meet every third Tuesday of each month.

April 20 and 21A Knight for a Princess: 8th Annual Daddy Daughter DanceAlerus CenterExperience a night of joy and memories to last a lifetime! This treasured event is for every girl, ages 11 and under, and her escort (for example, daddy, grandpa, or favorite uncle). Cost is $50 per couple. Register after January 2 at www.gfparks.org.

April 2121st Hands-On Learning Fair9:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Purpur ArenaThis FREE annual learning fair offers activities for kids from birth to age 7, along with informational displays for their parents. Children engage in play-based learning experiences, including art, music, language, science, and health. For more information, contact Judy Milavetz at [email protected].

April 26UND Wind EnsembleChester Fritz AuditoriumTalented University of North Dakota musi-cians play a variety of classical pieces. For more information, call (701) 777-4090.

April 28March for Babies9:00 a.m.Grand Cities MallCome join us in the Walk for Babies and help raise money for stronger, healthier babies! Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. and the walk starts at 10:00 a.m. Send an email to Ashley Gerner at [email protected].


These Pampered Chef Bamboo Mixing Bowls are made from Mother Nature’s amazing renewable resource—bamboo! Natural bamboo fibers show their earthy beauty. They’re durable too; they won’t warp or distort and can stand up to just about any mixing you can think of. Available through Pampered Chef Director and Trainer, Julie Haakenson at www.pamperedchef.biz/juliehaak.$39.00

Rachael Ray Porcelain Enamel 1.5 and 2 qt. Curve TeakettleColorful and fun, this porcelain teakettle will add some spunk to your stovetop and brighten your day. Who knew boiling water could be so fun? This item is available at Elaine’s House of Dreams.$30.00 1.5 qt.$40.00 2 qt.

Whether you choose to display these in your home, serve your favorite dessert on, or divide and make four fun gifts with a batch of yummy cookies and a bit of raffia, the message on these plates will share the beauty of nature and the wonders of God’s love for us. These plates are available through Kimberly Miller, Blessings Unlimited Team Leader. Visit her website at www.myblessingsunlimited.net/kim or call her at 701-330-3329. $45.00

Find these items and more through local retailers. When purchasing an item you’ve seen from our shopping guide, make sure you tell them you saw it in Grand Cities Woman!


Jazz up your backyard BBQ with this Grasslands Road San-gria Pitcher and Lime Spoon. This two-piece set is available at Home of Economy.$29.99

Calling all shoe lovers! Grasslands Road “Shoe Shaker” salt and pepper shakers are a must-have for any aficionado. These shakers are available in different styles and colors at Home of Economy.$7.99

The Cure for Cold Feet! Ninety-eight percent of women suffer from cold feet due to the way their bodies react to colder temperatures, channeling heat away from their fingers and toes. Snoozies!® put an end to freezing feet! These cozy little foot coverings are avail-able at Elaine’s House of Dreams.$10.00 to $12.00

Perfect for the refrigerator or any metal surface—your child or grandchild will love these 28 magnets. Each has a letter and cor-responding faith-building word and quote to help you creatively remind them what God wants them to be. These magnets are available through Kimberly Miller, Blessings Unlimited Team Leader. Visit her website at www.myblessingsunlimited.net/kim or call her at 701-330-3329.$18.00

This Pampered Chef Rectangular Baker has a rich cranberry exterior to let you debut family-size cakes, casseroles, and entrées on your table with style! Lasagna looks especially elegant in this glazed baker. Available through Pampered Chef Director and Trainer, Julie Haakenson at www.pam-peredchef.biz/juliehaak.$48.00

2012: The Year of Clearing the Clutter

It’s a new year! With the turning of the calendar, many of us think about what we can do better in the next twelve months. The busy holidays are behind us and it’s now time to focus on “me.” Typi-cally, we set resolutions to eat healthy and exercise more. Another way to start the year right is to take control of the clutter that sur-rounds our lives. According to Peter Walsh, a professional orga-nizer and author, “a more organized life is a happier, less-stressed life.” Who doesn’t want that?

In Walsh’s book, It’s All Too Much, he lays out a plan for living a richer life with less stuff. Being surrounded by a surplus of stuff, whether it is packed into a closet or crammed into a drawer, is typical for many of us because we are living a fast-paced, hectic life. Clutter can cause us emotional drain, stress, and fatigue. This isn’t to claim that we all must have a clutter-free house, office, or car. It’s merely a suggestion that clearing some of the clutter will make us feel better, reduce stress, and produce more energy.

Clutter monopolizes our time in sneaky little ways, such as mak-ing us hunt for our keys, the permission slip for our child’s field trip, or our shoes. When we spend all of our energy coping with the mess rather than tending to what matters to us, we shut down.

How many times have you thought, “I should clean out the __________”? And, how often does the mere thought of the clut-ter make you so tired that all you want to do is escape by sitting down and watching television or logging on to Facebook? We often find ourselves dreading the clutter clearing because it has grown to an enormous job. Tackling it one piece at a time can help us feel a little jolt of energy over the accomplishment, which will have a snowball effect. As the clutter diminishes, we will see extra space and order. The new and improved conditions in our apartment, garage, or any room in the house will fuel us with en-ergy to see more of the same.

In her book The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin claims that our physical surrounding influences our spiritual happiness. On a quest to clear clutter from her apartment, she categorized clutter in many ways: nostalgic clutter, conservation clutter, bargain clut-ter, freebie clutter, crutch clutter, aspirational clutter, outgrown clutter, and buyer’s remorse clutter. Regardless of what name you give it, the point is to just get rid of it. The investment of time that you put into clearing the clutter will come back to you, and Walsh claims that it will come back to you with interest!

By Shannon Teigen

Shannon writes from her rural hobby ranch that is nestled in the peace and quiet of the North Dakota country-side. Her family, consisting of her husband, two teenage daughters, and a 10-year-old 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 com-munications.

Shannon Teigen | Writer


Pick a room, closet, or drawer and start there. When you are clearing the clutter, avoid tak-ing trips down memory lane. The key is to start with a rapid-fire approach and sort through the space as quickly as you can. Sort the items into three categories:

1. The stuff you use and need. These items obviously stay with you and should be kept in the space as neatly as possible.

2. Things you don’t need any longer, haven’t used in over 12 months, or are taking up more space than necessary. These items go in a box or bag. If the items are in good condition, they can be donated to a charity, or if you have the time, sell them on eBay®. Note: if the items pile up and you do not have them sold within a few weeks, it is time to donate them!

3. The broken items that no longer function, but have found their way into a “safe” place just by negligence. Take these items and—without a backwards glance—toss them in a trash bag.

Once you have completed the sorting, take a minute to step back and admire your work. Enjoy the feeling that you have created. You may have produced enough energy to tackle one more closet, drawer, or room. If you have the energy, maybe one more space can be done in just a few minutes. Jump at the chance! On the days when you don’t have much time or en-ergy, focus on a smaller space and still feel the rewards.

Take it one step at a time and one space at a time. Don’t expect to have all the clutter cleared in the first month of the year. Just vividly imag-ine what your house, car, or office look and feel like when they are clutter-free. Set aside some time to focus on that particular space, and then start sorting. Before you know it, your space will match your imagination. [GCW]

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By Mary Lundy, PT

Computer Related PainAre You Sitting Correctly at Your Computer?

Did you know that extended poor positioning at your computer can cause significant pain issues over time? Headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck, shoulder, elbow, and lower back pain can all be related to poor positioning. In my practice, I have seen a rise in computer-related issues in the last 10 years. The rise has not only been to people who work with computers all day but with teens and people who spend time at the computer for social and recreation purposes.

Desktop computer setup:

• Head Straight ahead, chin tucked. The screen should be directly in front so you are not turning your head. When typing from a document, use a document holder to keep your work at eye level.

• Eyes The top of the monitor should be level with your eyes, except if you wear bifocals or trifocals, then the screen should be lowered to a height where you are not tipping your head to view the screen.

• Upper Back Supported by the chair. Be sure to sit up straight and avoid twist-ing.

• Shoulders Relaxed, with frequently-used items nearby to decrease how far you have to reach for them.

• Elbows Bent near 90 degrees and relaxed at sides.

• Wrists The keyboard and mouse should be at elbow height. Maintain a neutral wrist position by not bending up, down, or sideways, and do not type with your wrist resting atop the wrist rest.

• Fingers Allow your fingers to float across keys while typing. While using the mouse, be sure to let fingers relax, do not hold fingers in the “ready to click” position.

• Lower Back Supported by the chair’s lumbar support, lumbar cushion, or tow-el roll. Sit all the way back in the chair.

• Hips/knees Bent around 90 degrees with legs uncrossed. There should be two finger widths between the back of your knees and the front of the chair.

• Feet Flat on the floor or supported on a footrest.

Laptop setup:

The positions that people put themselves in while using a laptop as it was meant to be used—in the lap—are hard on the body. My best advice for setup is to apply the above rules fre-quently. One best practice is to purchase an external keyboard and mouse, which will enable you to set up the entire computer as described above. Although proper setup is important, there are other tasks that you need to do if you are on the computer frequently. What follows are some additional tips to help prevent or decrease pain at your computer. Keep moving. Even if your positioning is perfect, you need to move every 15 minutes to prevent muscles from tighten-ing. Move the head side to side, sit up straight, roll the shoulders back and down, and stretch the wrists. Take hourly breaks—or at least every 2 to 3 hours—get up, and do the stretches listed below and/or walk around your of-fice, down the hall, or take a quick trip outside. Stretch throughout the day. Do the stretches correctly; otherwise, you can actually make things worse. Stretch slowly, keep it comfortable, and hold for 20 seconds to one minute. The following are four basic stretches that you can per-form:

Mary’s professional career started at Mayville State, where she attained a BS in Biology and Physical Education—one inorganic class away from a minor in chemistry—her emphasis is in Exercise Physi-ology. She worked as a trainer with Sports Acceleration, taught many different aerobic and weight training classes, and did aide work at a physical therapy department. During this time, Mary returned to school, attained a Masters in Physical Therapy, and found her professional passion.

Mary Lundy, PT | Writer


[It’s a competitive world. Train for it.] Upcoming Training Series:Microsoft Word 2007 Beginning-IntermediateMarch 12 and March 21 from 1:00 to 4 p.m.Tips and tricks to work efficiently, mail merge, format to getattention, automate Table of Contents.

Productive Work HabitsApril 24 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.April 24 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.Identify priorities, proactively plan, manage your time,overcome procrastination.

Computing in the Cloud: An IntroductionMay 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.What is Cloud Computing? What valuable opportunitesdoes Cloud Computing offer your business?

1). Doorway chest stretch: Face the doorway standing almost inside of it. Place hands, forearms, and elbows on the door frame, step into the doorway with one leg and move the body forward, keeping abdominals in and buttocks tucked (don’t arch the lower back), and keeping the shoulders back and down. Keep head up straight and tucked back as if you’re trying to keep the back of your head against a wall while making a double chin at the same time.

2). Neck stretches: Keep head up straight, chin tucked, turn/rotate head to either the right or left then side bend your head in the opposite direction. Use a hand to gently assist the stretch. You should feel the stretch at the front and side of your neck.

3). Wrist stretch: With your opposite hand pull hand/fingers back; pull hand/fingers down.

4). Posture stretch: Depending on your ability, there are three variations to try. Lay flat on your back with your knees bent, chin tucked, roll shoulders back and down, and then get entire back as flat as possible. While on your back, to take this a step further, roll a hand towel the long way and run it down your spine from the base of your neck down. You can also lie backwards over an exercise ball to stretch the upper back.Stretching is not enough; every day, or at least every other day, you need to perform some sort of soft tissue work. Use a vibrating massager on muscles of the upper shoulders and neck. Do not massage the front of your neck. Use the massager for five minutes on each side. Another tool that works well for those who like deep-tis-sue massage is the shiatsu massage pillow: prop it up on a pillow, have another pillow/towel to support your head, and make sure it is placed comfortably around the soft tissue for a deeper massage.As with any exercise or suggestions, if you have pre-existing con-ditions that contradict your ability to perform these stretches or you get worse, do not continue. [GCW]

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Professional photographers can submit photos to future gallery sections by sending photos by email to [email protected]. Please submit high resolution jpegs at 300 dpi and include the first name of the subjects in the photos.

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Documenting Life

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This Day


By Shannon Teigen

I want to personally welcome you to “This Day,” a col-umn for the new Grand Cities Woman magazine! It is a true honor to work with a group of people who have created a beauti-ful magazine. I especially like that their creation is done so with a goal in mind: to inspire women to greatness. I find two words in that sentence powerful: inspire and greatness.

Inspire Certain things inspire us throughout our lives, and just as we are unique individuals, we find our inspiration in unique ways. Some of us are inspired when we watch a favorite movie or listen to a song that triggers special memories. Others find inspi-ration in their gardens surrounded by nature’s color pallet. Still, others find inspiration in a conference/board room, exhilarated with the anticipation of success on the next company project. We can draw inspiration from many resources. Sur-rounding ourselves with those positive influences is what makes us better mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, employees, and bosses. What do you surround yourself with every day? If nothing comes to mind, take a few minutes right now and simply think about what makes you happy. When you know what brings you pleasure and influences you in a positive way, you can surround yourself with inspiration every day. It might take a little thought, but it’s worth it. You are worth it! Studies have shown that surrounding yourself with things that positively inspire you can reduce stress, energize you, and help to express your values. Isn’t that great? Who among us doesn’t want less stress, more energy, and self-confidence? So, in-clude a little positive inspiration in your life every day.

Greatness Just as our inspiration is unique to each and every one of us, so are our attributes—our greatness. Some are great at re-membering to send special notes to celebrate birthdays and anni-versaries. Others excel at creating an environment that motivates employees to work together for the betterment of a business or organization, while others find their greatness in the kitchen with finely-honed culinary skills. Your greatness is just that–it’s yours! So, celebrate what makes you great and know your greatness is possibly inspiring someone else without you even realizing it. Personally, I am a planner. You can ask my husband, my kids, and friends, and they would probably confirm my claim. At times, my planning attribute can drive my family crazy, be-cause, I will admit, sometimes I tend to be overzealous with my “well-thought-out” plans. My life experiences have taught me that sometimes plans need to be adjusted, so it is also typical that I’m ready with backup plans B and C, just in case. Another, more im-portant, lesson I have learned is that no matter what the plan is, all I really need to do is just live for today–this day. I hope on this day I have left you with some sort of golden nugget of information—something that encourages you to surround yourself with things that influence you, things that are positive, and things that will inspire you to your own greatness. Also, remember that your greatness is just as unique as you are and others are using you for inspiration. Until tomorrow, enjoy this day. [GCW]


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Child Hunger in Our BackyardJoAnn Brundin & the Summer Lunch ProgramWritten by Autumn Graber

In a perfect world, our children would never miss a meal. They would be welcomed home after school with a refrigerator full of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with a well-balanced meal that they would share with their family around the table at dinner time. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Even in the Greater Grand Forks area, there is a need to help feed our kids. JoAnn Brundin, Executive Director of St. Joseph’s Social Care and Thrift Store, recognized the need right away. “Our food pantry needs increase over the summer so we knew there was a need out there but we didn’t know what we could do,” Brundin said. With limited space at their facility, JoAnn knew they may have a difficult time providing a service to feed children in the area during their summer break from school. After a number of brainstorming sessions, JoAnn decided a sack lunch program would be the best service to provide. “Then we found out that we could go through the USDA for reimbursement.” For Brundin to get assistance from the USDA, she needed to find sites within school districts with 50 percent or more free and reduced lunches or, by census, were considered to be lower income. These sites are considered “open sites,” and clients don’t need to show proof of income or give their names. The USDA also requires that everyone must eat on site. This eliminates the possibility of a child leaving food in the park while they play for two or three hours and then eating unsafe food when they return home. Taking on such a large project meant adding to JoAnn’s staff at St. Joseph’s Social Care. A pit grant was written the first year to acquire enough funds to hire a social work student from the University of North Dakota as a full-time intern. Under JoAnn’s supervi-sion, the full-time student intern runs the program each summer, with the assistance of a part-time intern. The Summer Lunch Program isn’t only available for children. “The children eat first, and if there is any food left, then towards the end, the parents can eat,” she said. During the months of June and July, the program serves lunch from Monday through Friday. Volunteers served an amazing 11,913 meals last summer, a 26 percent increase from the year before. The impact that this program has made on our community is extensive. Not only does it provide a nutritious meal to a child who otherwise might not even get a meal, it gets the kids out of the house and away from the television.


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The Summer Lunch Program just celebrated its fifth year and has evolved since its in-ception. JoAnn enjoys the time she gets to spend in the park with the kids who come to lunch every day. “It’s so rewarding when they thank you for having the lunch,” she said. “Some of them you have to be concerned about because they want to save their food for another meal.” Witnessing this, JoAnn decided to add to the services that the Summer Lunch Program was providing. “We started a new program, called the Backpack Program, in July.” Now, kids who come for lunch in the park on Friday will leave with enough food to have lunch on Saturday and Sunday. St. Joseph’s Social Care doesn’t get a reimbursement from the USDA for these sack lunches because the kids are allowed to take them off-site. However, the items that they are allowed to take are safe to leave in their bags. These “backpacks” contain items such as fruit cups, juice boxes, and the dried macaroni and cheese meals. “We have so much hidden homelessness in Grand Forks and dou-bled up families; I don’t think we get the true picture,” she said. Brundin attri-butes this to the hard-working agencies in the area that partner with each other to assist these individuals and families in need. “Grand Forks has a wonderful networking system through their agen-cies. We meet on a regular basis.” JoAnn beams when she talks about the work that she is allowed to do for the Greater Grand Forks area. “I feel blessed to do the job I’ve been giv-en,” she said. Brundin also wants others to follow their instincts when needed. “Follow your heart and go with your gut instinct, and if you feel there is a need out there or you see something that bothers you, then you should act upon it.” For more information about the Summer Lunch Program or other services that are provided by St. Joseph’s Social Care and Thrift Store, visit www.stjosephssocialcaregf.org or call them at 701-795-8614. [GCW]

Pictured: JoAnn Brundin, Executive Director of St. Joseph’s Social Care and Thrift Store

“We have so much hidden homelessness in Grand Forks. I don’t think we get the true picture,” - Brundin

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Michaela Schell20 Grand Cities Woman www.grandcitieswoman.com

Greater Grand Forks YP President and Stay-at-Home Mom


Room at Both Tables There is something unexplain-able that happens to women who wake on the fifty-seventh day after giving birth to a child. These overwhelming feelings of sadness may begin a few days prior, when these women realize that they must return back to work after taking the usual eight-week maternity leave. Not only are hor-mones still raging inside your body, but you continue to have this internal argu-ment with yourself about why you should or should not return to work. Who should raise your children, you or a stranger? Granted, if you can find a daycare provider that shares your parenting style, it makes your decision much easier. The truth of the matter is, after sharing your body with your child for nine months, bonding for two months, and not leaving your child’s side for a minute, it’s extremely emotional to just hand your baby off to someone else. I’m willing to bet that there isn’t a mother out there that hasn’t sat down at the kitchen table during her pregnancy and worked the numbers to see if she could afford to become a stay-at-home mom. I did it, my sister did it, and my friends have done it. Even if you aren’t a mom, but in-tend to have a family someday, this article may shed some light on the common bond that mothers hold. Becoming a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean you’ve given up on your ca-reer. It just means that you need to rear-range a few things. There are so many op-tions to altering your career once you have children. Some families must rely on a two-income household, while others are able to hold off on the moms returning to work until the kids reach school-age. Whatever your situation, the options are truly end-less. You can make arrangements to work from home for your current company, freelance in the same type of position on a contract basis, start your own business, or sign on with a direct sales company to make ends meet. For Michaela Schell, the decision to stay home was difficult. “It was a strug-gle and still is,” Michaela said. “I think

people were very shocked when I said I was going to stay home.” Michaela and her husband Jerrod knew that she would eventually become a stay-at-home mom because they have hopes of a large fam-ily. “My husband is so supportive. He says, ‘whatever you want to do, we will make it work.’” When Evelyn was born, Michaela was fairly new to her career. She graduated from the University of North Da-kota with a B.A. in communica-tion in 2006 and completed her master’s degree in communica-tion in 2009, also from UND. She got her feet wet in her industry by working for Leighton Broad-casting in promotions, and then moved to the Grand Forks Re-gional Economic Development Corporation (GFREDC). Once the decision was made to stay home with Evelyn, Michaela said she felt relieved. “I was initially relieved, but as I stayed home, I found myself missing the drive for success in my career. I like the success, I like doing something and accomplishing it and feeling a sense of pride.” While Michaela admits that there is great pride in being a mother, she also felt a sense of loss for her career. Luckily, during Mi-chaela’s time at the GFREDC, she began working with a fairly new group in town. “The EDC had just started partnering with YPs,” she said. Research found that the population of twenty to forty year olds in the Grand Forks area was below the national average. “That is a huge problem for busi-nesses looking for entry level po-sitions or middle management positions.” The GFREDC began partnering with the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals to develop a project that would eventually create programs and events designed spe-cifically for that dwindling population. Be-fore this, the GGFYPs group was more of a

social organization. It was a forum for peo-ple to come together to meet and network. The YPs wanted to be more than that. “We started a giant project,” she said. “We got a grant from the Knight Foundation and started Launch Grand Forks.” Next Gen-eration Consulting conducted surveys and research to determine what was needed to bring in a new population of young people

and maintain the current population. The first recommendation was for the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals to hire an executive director. “We made it our mission,” she said. Hiring an executive di-rector meant that the organization would need funds to afford a salary.

Written and photographed by Autumn Graber


Michaela took on the challenge and wrote a grant to the Bremer Founda-tion and the YPs were awarded a $50,000 grant that they were able to add to the funds from the Knight Foundation, in addition to the funds donated by local corporate spon-sors. “We got really passionate about it,” she said. “How can we change our community and make it not just a great place for young people, but get young people more involved in the community, instead of just a group of people hanging out and socializing?” One of the events that evolved from the Launch Grand Forks project is the IceMan Triathlon. YPs wanted to create an event that generated a positive attitude for all four seasons. The event includes running, biking, and cross country skiing. Last year, nearly 130 local, novice, and die hard com-petitors, in addition to athletes from Minne-apolis and Canada, came to brave the cold. Being involved with the GGFYPs has afforded Michaela the ability to en-joy the time at home raising her daughter while keeping her professional contacts. “I left a lot behind, especially being so young and not [having] that chance to work my way up,” she said. “When I go back into the workforce, it will be 10 or 15 years from now. That’s why it’s so good to be involved in YP because all of the connections I’ve made in the community—I still get to keep them.” In addition to her time spent with YP, Michaela sits on the board of directors for the Empire Arts Council. Their nomina-tion committee was made aware of Michae-la’s passion for the arts in the community and called on her to join the board in 2010. “They wanted some young voices on their board,” she said. Michaela is also active in her church by teaching religious education classes to seventh graders. The Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals succeeded in finding an ex-ecutive director and hired Stacey Heggen, a former NDSU Extension Agent for Benson County, in September. Heggen feels that Michaela played a vital role in making her position as the YP Executive Director a real-ity through countless hours of grant writing and speaking with area businesses for sup-port. “Michaela is a seriously dedicated and inspirational leader,” Heggen said. Michaela admits that she gets her leadership skills from her mother who is a farm wife. When it comes to work, “you just do it, you don’t complain about it, and you get it done. That is my dad’s attitude too,” she said. “A lot of that is just North Dakota val-

ues. I’m glad my parents passed that on to me.” Another attribute Michaela has ac-quired over the years is patience. “If anyone has taught me patience, it’s been this girl,” she said as Evelyn sat on her lap and fed her Cheerios. While Evelyn is napping, Michaela fills her time with freelance writing and edit-ing services for Ad Monkeys, a local adver-tising and marketing company. “They pub-lish some newsletters for local healthcare facilities, so they usually send me their info and I will put together the articles,” she said. But for her future, Michaela’s goal is to cre-ate her own company to provide consulting and contract work. “I love editing and I love to write too, but I love getting a raw piece and making it better.” Michaela is very excited about the niche that the YPs are carving out of the professional industries in the Greater Grand Forks area. “Everybody is so well spoken and knowledgeable. They care about our com-munity and they have ideas that are getting a lot of attention, and people are asking us to come to the table.” GGFYP gives its mem-bers an outlet to be young leaders. They are making a huge impact in our community by expressing young ideas and initiatives. “We appreciate the chance to share our thoughts and ideas.” “I’m so proud to be leading this organization,” she said. GGFYP just held its first annual launch with 150 members in at-tendance. The event was held at the Alerus Center and as the current GGFYP President, Michaela was able to address the group. “I stood up there and looked out in the crowd and saw all these young, talented people who are motivated to make our community better and they want to be invested in Grand Forks.” Balancing her day can be a strug-gle. “It’s a challenge to get five seconds on a computer to answer an email,” she said. Mi-chaela’s fellow YPs have been supportive and even agreed to attend committee meetings in her home when needed. “I’m staying cur-rent and I’m keeping my skills in marketing fresh. I still struggle with the decision every day. It’s that internal balance. It’s been great to have a husband that is so supportive. That has been fantastic. I’m excited to see where it all goes.” For more information about the Great Grand Forks Young Professionals Network, visit www.ggfyp.com.[GCW]

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