The Good Life – September-October 2014

3

BY: CANTRELL
As early as the 1600’s the pocket watch was a common
accessory for gentlemen around the world. A classy time
piece that was adorned by a small chain could be found
in the vest pocket of men everywhere.
A must have for men working on the railroad
during the 19th century the pocket watch has
declined in popularity. The more practical and
once considered feminine wrist watch has
taken over. During WWI the pocket watch was
slowly being replaced by the wrist watch.
Military men found the wrist watch far more
convenient. Although still being used by the
railroad, the pocket watch began to decline
in popularity after WWI and by the 40’s the
pocket watch was all but extinct.
The pocket watch staged a small comeback
in the 70’s and early 80’s primarily due
to men’s fashion and trendy three-piece
suit. Today some steampunk and Victorian
fashion cultures still sport the occasional
pocket watch. Although there are a few
companies that still make pocket watches,
and newer modern versions are available, the
original classic pocket watch is a rare find today.
Types:
Open-face; Lacks a metal cover
Hunter-case; Metal spring hinge cover

www.GENTLEMANSEMPORIUM.com
Premium Silver Pocket Window Watch w/Chain
Made by Charles Hubert of Paris | $94.95
www.AMAZON.com
Premium Collection Stainless Steel
Charles Hubert of Paris | $181.08
www.GENTLEMANSEMPORIUM.com
Gold Shield Premium Mechanical w/Chain
Made by Charles Hubert of Paris | $94.95

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014
VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 2
Contents
Cover
22
06
30
02
08
NOT JUST ANOTHER SK8ER BOI
MEN’S ROLLER DERBY SKATES PAST
THE COMPETITION
In Every Issue
FATHERS
5 THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS WHEN
THEY DON’T WANT TO BE WITH YOU
LOCAL HEROES
WATER RESCUE: DEFYING THE RED
contents
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO
THE POCKET WATCH?
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
FARGO AIR MUSEUM EXPANDS EDUCATION,
RESTORATION, PRESERVATION
OPPORTUNITIES
22
14
30
4

CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Dawn Siewert
dawn@urbantoadmedia.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Darren Losee
darren@urbantoadmedia.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Soo Asheim
Jessica Ballou
Cantrell
Meghan Feir
Jessica Jasperson
Alicia Underlee Nelson
12
14
18
28
TRICKS, TREATS, AND THE BEST
COSTUMES IN TOWN
THE DOWNTOWN BEER CONNECTION
DREKKER BREWING COMPANY BUILDS A
BREWERY AND A COMMUNITY BY HAND
FOR THE THRILL OF THE HAUNT
A LOOK INSIDE THE CRYPT AT JACOBS MANOR
10 GREAT FALL DATE IDEAS
18
PUBLISHED BY
Urban Toad Media LLP
www.urbantoadmedia.com
/urbantoadmedia
READ AN ISSUE ONLINE:
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Urban Toad Media LLP
624 Main Avenue, Suite 7
Fargo, ND 58103
701-388-4506 | 701-261-9139
The Good Life Men’s Magazine is distributed six
times a year by Urban Toad Media LLP. Material
may not be reproduced without permission. The
Good Life Men’s Magazine accepts no liability for
reader dissatisfaction arising from content in this
publication. The opinions expressed, or advice given,
are the views of individual writers or advertisers and
do not necessarily represent the views or policies of
The Good Life Men’s Magazine.
5

FATHERS
5 Things to Do with Kids When They
Don’t Want to Be with You
ALLPRODAD.COM
It seems like just yesterday you couldn’t pry your
children off you with a crowbar. Everywhere you
went, anything you were doing, they wanted to be
along for the ride. Now they’re hitting their teen
years and, suddenly, hanging out with mom and dad
ranks on the fun scale somewhere between typing a term
paper on e-coli bacteria and cleaning out the rain gutters.
It’s tough not to feel hurt when little Johnny or Suzie
now sigh and roll their eyes at the very idea of engaging
in a game of monopoly when, just two years ago, they
would’ve sold their interest in Park Place just to keep the
match going for another hour. Here are five parenting
things you can do to cope and maybe even reclaim some
lost real estate with your kids when it seems they don’t
want to be with you.
6
1. Don’t take it personally. Easier said than
done but still, this is one of those “try and remember
yourself at 13” moments. Looking back, the teen years
are typically marked by a certain level of first time
self-awareness and consequently, selfishness. While
you shouldn’t put up with insensitivity and rudeness,
neither should you take it too hard when a trip to the
mall with friends sounds better to your child than a day
at the ballgame.
2. Don’t live on their level emotionally. This
relates back to number one on our list, “Don’t take it
personally.” When our children brush off our attention
or seem disinterested in our company, it’s easy to feel
rejected and to lash out with loud pronouncements
about “the way it’s going to be in our house.” Or even

more raw, “Well fine then, why don’t you just go waste
more time on Facebook! It’s obviously more important
than me!” Even if you feel that way, don’t blurt that
out to your child. That kind of anger isn’t likely to lead
to anything productive in your relationship and most
certainly will cause the divide between you to widen.
3. Stick to common ground experiences that
can bridge the gap. One of the great quotes from
the classic comedy, “City Slickers” comes when Daniel
Stern’s character, Phil, reminisces, “When I was about
18 and my dad and I couldn’t communicate about
anything at all, we could still talk about baseball.” What
pleasures, hobbies, or passions have you and your child
shared that might constitute common ground? Pursue
them with your child and while you may not have deep,
soulful, conversations about all that’s going on in their
lives during the teen years, those shared experiences
will provide a bridge of communication both now and
later.
4. Try taking on the Galactic Overlord for once.
Right? Seriously though, if your teen has a passion for
video games or something else squarely outside of
your experience, give it a try with them. Sometimes,
connecting with your kids means entering their
world. From a faith perspective, this DOESN’T include
becoming the permissive parent who tacitly endorses
that which is immoral for the sake of appearing
“cool”. You never want to secure your child’s friendship
at the cost of their respect for you as their parent.
5. Plan regular opportunities that take you
both away from familiar distractions and allow you
to be one-on-one. This can be touchy when it comes
to insisting that your teen participates. But, when you
put together a weekend in the mountains or at the
beach, or anywhere but where you live, that doesn’t
include anyone but family, you open up opportunities
to connect with your child that aren’t usually available
in everyday life. Removing peer pressure and the need
to fit in allows your teen to breathe a little easier and let
down long enough to let you in.
Huddle up with your older children tonight and
say: “Let’s go have some fun and next month.”
Copyright 2012 All Pro Dad. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted
with permission. For more fatherhood resources, visit
AllProDad.com.”
7

BY: JESSICA JASPERSON | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
The Fargo Air Museum
started as a concept in the
minds of Gerry Beck and
Robert Odegaard. Both
men were crop sprayers in North
Dakota, but also aircraft aficionados.
Beck and Odegaard owned shops for
aircraft maintenance, and fell in love
with warbird restoration and making
parts. Naturally, opening a museum
came next for these two pilots.
In order to showcase the various
aircraft and restoration projects,
Beck and Odegaard along with other
people interested in aviation, started
looking into the viability of the
Fargo community supporting an air
museum. In 2001, the air museum
opened as a non-profit organization
with the help of hard working
volunteers.
“A lot of sweat equity went into
the building when it started,” Fargo
Air Museum director of operations
Helen O’Connor said. “The museum
has grown considerably since that
time and has really become a vital
asset in our community.”
8
Before the Fargo Air Museum’s doors first opened, founding board
members envisioned what the museum would give to those who visited.
The vision sprouted from a mission to provide aviation education through
restoration and preservation.
“It was an exciting time with a lot of volunteer hours going into the
museum and in-kind donations into getting it built,” O’Connor said. “It was
very exciting and I think emotional, especially the Beck-Odegaard aspect of

Fargo Air Museum expands education, restoration, preservation opportunities
it. They were thrilled to be able to have
a place to display the aircraft they did
have.”
After thirteen years of living out the
museum’s mission and displaying rare
aircraft, excitement brews as the “Beck-
Odegaard Wing” prepares to open.
Since the museum opening, Beck and
Odegaard have both passed away. The
wing will honor aviation preservation
and education, as well as both men’s
dedication to the Fargo Air Museum.
The new 100-foot-by-150-foot
building will provide more space and
opportunity to showcase different
sections, including different themes
from history, much like the Museum
of Flight in Seattle. Fargo Air Museum
CEO, Scott Fletcher, said themes
focused on World War I, World War
II, the Korean War, Beck-Odegaard,
Indian tribes, women in aviation and
NASA will be incorporated into the
buildings depending on donations.
The museum has high hopes of being a
worldly attraction, but still wants those
who visit to experience North Dakota
specifically through aviation history.
“We really want to ensure North Dakota is the main focus of the museum,”
Fletcher said. “We have great depth and richness in our culture in the state
of North Dakota that needs to be highlighted in our museum artifacts. Our
people are our greatest asset of the state.”
Since the Fargo Air Museum planning began before 2001, three building
phases made up the grand picture. After the second phase, the “Beck-
9

Odegaard Wing,” is completed, phase three consists of
building the grand entrance that will house the library,
offices, multi-media center and interactive exhibits. Phase
three’s completion also depends on money raised from
donations, memberships and events in the future.
There’s plenty of aircraft and history to discover even
before all three phases are completed. The aircraft range
from warbirds to people’s personal restoration projects.
A lot of people may think of the Fargo Air Museum as a
military museum, but it’s not solely focused on military
aircraft.
“The museum has always paid high regard and respect
to the military,” O’Connor said. “As an aviation museum,
they recognize a lot of development in industry came
because of the military.”
A look inside the museum presents aircraft donated
and owned by board members. Some aircraft are leased
to the museum. The aircraft on display often change, so
visiting more than once is a must.
“We get several different aircraft donation offers
monthly, and we have to pick and choose to make sure
the collection matches our future intent and mission,”
10

Fletcher said. “The variety makes it nice and appealing.”
The Fargo Air Museum provides the perfect
atmosphere for families, school field trips and tours.
The large space with aircraft hanging in the background
provides a beautiful scene for weddings or corporate
events.
What sets the Fargo Air Museum apart from other
air museums is the fact that most of the aircraft are
airworthy. Several times in the summer you may catch
an aircraft doing pre-flights before flying. The museum
does do an email blast to active members giving them
notice in case they would like to be there.
Since the museum is a non-profit organization,
board members and staff rely on fundraising, donations,
memberships and renting out facilities for events in
order to gift the Fargo-Moorhead community with a
variety of aircraft.
Currently the museum is raffling off five prizes to
raise funds, including the grand prize of a 2014 F150
truck. Tickets cost $50, and all the potential winner
needs to do is fill out a contact form and wait. The
winning names will be pulled on October 25, and the
person does not need to be present to receive the prize.
Visit www.fargoairmuseum.org to learn more
about memberships, facility rentals and educational
opportunities at the Fargo Air Museum.
“The museum has always paid high regard and
respect to the military,” — Helen O’Connor
11

Tricks, treats and
the best costumes in town
BY: MEGHAN FEIR
Even if you think tricks are for kids, wearing fantastic Halloween costumes shouldn’t end
at age 12. To impress yourself and others with your getup this year, my best advice
for you is this: Don’t be predictable. Wearing a mullet wig (business in the front, party
in the back) with cut-off jean shorts is a costume that never even begins to amaze
anyone. The next time I get asked “Why so serious?” by someone dressed up as the
Joker, the evening could end in disaster – their own tragedy.
If scary costumes aren’t quite your
thing, consider going as a native Fargoan –
a different role than you’re used to playing,
that is. Are you a businessman? Try going as
a Fargo biker. I’m talking about bicycles, by
the way. Do you hang around Island Park
with a skateboard glued to your foot? Dress
up as your favorite jock from one of the
surrounding high schools or colleges. If you
want to get really crazy, try a combination
of Fargoan roles.
12
Fargo biker guy
(bicyclist)
Mustache? Check. Full beard?
Even better. Be sure to wear
spandex as you ride down Broadway
on your Bianchi bike. Stop at Babb’s,
Atomic or the like to visit with all
the baristas, and be sure to grab a
gluten-free cookie on your way out.
Upon leaving this caffeinated facility,
forget that you’re staying away from gluten and go
get a locally brewed beer. Keep it local.
Turtlenecked Wino
Whether you’re still in college or nearly past
retirement, you can dress up as a wino this
Halloween. Make sure to act as pretentious as
possible to really fit the role. Memorize a list of
all the surrounding states’ wineries, research
their reviews and fake an opinion about the
quality of their fruit. Wine a little more, why don’t you? Pun intended.
Wear black or grey so as not to startle anyone. Turtlenecks and
ponchos are always acceptable.
Sleazy, yet successful, Fargo
businessman
Here’s your storyline: You are proud
of your successes – your home in West

“To impress yourself
and others with your
getup this year , my best
advice for you is this:
Don’t be predictable.”
Fargo, the business you started
from the ground up with your
best bud from high school,
and the fact that you have a
week’s supply of beer in the
office fridge for your clients.
The main thing to remember
with this character is that
you think you’re classy, even
though you visit less than
respectable joints, laugh about
it, and tell perverted jokes
every 10 seconds around your
employees. Hey, you have
money, which equates class,
right?
Manly Crafty McCrafter
This character also requires a mustache
or a beard, if you’re able to grow facial hair.
Choose some sort of art to master, whether
that entails making bow ties out of recycled
trash, selling your grandmother’s recipe
for homemade sauerkraut in a mason jar
or creating furniture out of concrete. Wear
glasses, even if they don’t have a prescription.
Slip on suspenders whenever possible. If
you want to go the extra mile, dress up as
Mr. Rogers, but show off your sleeves – your
tattoos. It’s all about balancing how you
project your inner scrapbooking mom and
rebel child.
What other stereotypical Fargoan
characters could you dress up as for
Halloween? If you say a snarky journalist
who needs a filter and a larger dose of
written manners, well, that would be a
winning costume, as well. There are plenty
of those in this town.
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BY: ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
T
he men of Drekker Brewing Company believe in getting their hands dirty. In a world where beer nerds worship
exotic yeast strains and ever more potent hops and automated systems have mechanized the brewing process,
the owners of Fargo’s newest microbrewery (which takes its name from the Old Norse words for “to drink”, “a
draft drink” and “Viking ship) are going back to the basics. Jesse Feigum, Mark Bjornstad and cousins Darin and
Mason Montplaisir are digging deep into the science, artistry and backbreaking work of craft brewing to create a wide
range of satisfying and drinkable handcrafted beers.
14

“We really believe in the craft side
of craft brewing,” said co-founder
Bjornstad. “Brewing is a science.
But if you do it with creativity
and passion, it’s an art too. The
combination of science and art —
that’s craftsmanship. We want our
thumbprint on our beer. We do it all
by hand.“
Brewing by hand means the
group has to be especially vigilant
about consistency. But they wouldn’t
have it any other way. “I don’t mean
that automated brewing is bad,” said
Bjornstad. “But if I wanted to work at
a computer, I’d work at a computer.
So much of the time (brewing) is
just all this stainless steel in a factory
and a guy who sits at what looks like
a NASA control board. We’ve really
lost connection to the beer.”
Drekker Brewing Company is
different by design “We wanted to do
the type of brewing where we turn
every valve by hand, where we’re
moving the beer between tanks,”
said Bjornstad. “It’s hands-on, labor
intensive. It’s hard work. And I
think you can see that passion come
through in the product.”
15

“
Beer is our craft, but Drekker is about much more
than the content of the glass. It’s about what happens
when a few of those glasses get raised together. We
really think that when people connect around beer,
some really cool things can happen.
”
— Co-Founder Mark Bjornstad
16
Their fingerprints are all over their
new downtown Fargo production
brewery and taproom as well. Located
in the Cityscapes Plaza building at 630
1st Avenue North, Drekker Brewing
Company will open to the public in
early October. The four owners worked
alongside their contractors through the
dog days of summer, re-finishing and
painting walls and prepping the space
for electrical and plumbing updates.
They chose and designed furniture
and artwork to create the casual,
comfortably industrial atmosphere
they wanted. They custom-designed
their 10 barrel brewing system. And
they integrated their taproom and
production brewery, taking customers
even closer to the product in their glass.
“The bar kind of wraps around
the cold room and then continues to
wrap around the brewery, so you’ll
see the brewhouse in the back, you’ll
see the fermenters near the bar,” said
Bjornstad. We really want people to see
how their beer is made, see the people
making it and talk about what they like
in it. We want people to get as close to
their beer as possible.”
And there’s plenty of beer to try.
Drekker Brewing Company offers a
rotating selection of year-round and
seasonal beers, some of which will
only be available at the taproom. The
company’s six year-round beers (a
porter, Black IPA, American IPA, Irish
Red, American Wheat and a Pale Ale)
will be always available in the taproom.
Drekker Brewing Company will also
offer three to five seasonal or occasional
beers, starting with a fall-friendly
Oktoberfest brew when the weather
cools and pumpkin ales and stouts for
winter. Summer beers will experiment
with various refreshing wheat beer
combinations, including some inspired
by desserts and cocktails. The brewery
aims to offer a beer for everyone, not
just craft beer enthusiasts.
“We wanted a variety of beer,”
explained Bjornstad. “They’re true to
style, but people will be surprised at
how drinkable and approachable they
really are. Our beers are really mild
bodied and full flavored.”

Brewery tours are also available and growlers are for sale so customers can bring their favorite beers home. Once
the taproom is established, Drekker Brewing Company plans to continue its expansion into local restaurants and bars
and schedule community events like tap takeovers and beer dinners.
The men of Drekker Brewing Company want to bring people closer to their beer and closer to each other. This sense
of connection infiltrates every aspect of their business and defines their vision of the good life.
“You don’t want to drink beer alone and you certainly don’t want to brew beer alone either,” said Bjornstad. “We
had a dream. And I think that, for us, The Good Life is getting up every morning and chasing that dream. It’s not going
to be easy, but it’s going to be worth it.”
“
We really believe in the craft side of craft brewing.
Brewing is a science. But if you do it with creativity and passion,
it’s an art too. The combination of science and art — that’s craftsmanship.
”
17

18

Name: Dave Jacobs
Occupation: Morning show host on Robbie and
Dave in the Morning – FM 107.9 The Fox
Favorite Halloween song: Thurl Ravenscroft’s
“Grim, Grinning Ghosts
BY: MEGHAN FEIR | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
ince the mid-1990s, Dave Jacobs and
his wife, Margie, have been freaking
out their neighbors – on purpose. The
couple built a permanent structure
on their property in Leonard, N.D.,
that is specifically designed for their
haunted Halloween set up.
“I change it up every year. It keeps my
creativity at a level that I like to have it,” Jacobs
said.
Living in upstate New York before moving
to New Jersey as a college student, Jacobs
experienced the strong tradition of New
England’s fascination with the autumn holiday
and all things spooky.
“In one of the old houses we lived in when
I was a kid, my brother fell through the wall in
the basement, and there was a hidden room,”
Jacobs said. “There was an old cot and a wooden
wheelchair.”
Behind the mystifying 200-year-old house
was an antiquated cemetery surrounded by a
stone wall, complete with sunken graves and bat
head iron ornaments that rested atop handles of
an equally ominous gate.
“It was right out of a Stephen King movie,”
Jacobs said. “We would play around it as kids, so
I guess I grew up with a macabre sense of humor.
Maybe that just stuck. I just love Halloween.”
Jacobs hopes to scare and not scar his
audience, which is why there are three levels
to his set up. The first level is for the little ones
where he leaves the lights on and plays nonthreatening
Scooby Doo tunes. However, as you
go deeper into the structure, the terrors multiply.
“If you can get people to achieve suspension
of disbelief, meaning, they’re not sure if it’s real
or not, then as haunter, you’ve done your job.”
The Jacobs own hundreds of costumes,
outfitting each of their yearly volunteers in the
creepiest of getups. Jacobs is also a handyman,
building his own prosthetics and props in an
effort to create a more affordable destination for
families to enjoy the holiday together.
19

They charge nothing for the 20-minute walk-through,
but ask that visitors bring a non-perishable food item to be
donated.
“Donate something other than canned corn and peas
for the food bank, please. It wouldn’t kill you to throw in
a can of Chef Boyardee,” Jacobs said with a laugh. “This is
a great country, and there are kids going to bed hungry. There
are more problems with hungry kids and the homeless in this area than
we think.”
For Jacobs, The Good Life is comprised of giving back and making
a difference in others’ lives, whether that’s in the form of entertainment
or donating.
“If I can take from McCartney, all I need is a pint a day, to provide for
my family and do what I can to make the world better than I found it,”
Jacobs said. “There’s a big difference between a hand up and a handout.
And trust in God. It seems too many people are afraid to say that out
loud nowadays.”
If you’d like to pay the Crypt at Jacobs Manor a visit around
Halloween, it will be open from 7-11 p.m. Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31.
You can also find them on Facebook by searching for “Crypt at Jacobs
Manor.”
Address:
307 Railroad Ave.
Leonard, N.D.
20

The coating Jacobs uses when he wants something to look like stone or brick is appropriately called Monster
Mud. Use it to cover foam or other substances to create brick or stone facades, tombstones or statues.
What you’ll need:
• 5 gallon bucket of joint compound
• 1-2 gallons of paint (any color, but black will turn it
into a nice grey)
• 1 gallon of glue
• 1 gallon of dry lock (to waterproof your structure)
• Water
Directions/notes:
Mix all the ingredients together. In order to easily
paint or spray the mud on surfaces with a hopper, make
sure your mud has the consistency of pancake batter. If
you’re carving something out of foam, like cobblestone
bricks, cover them with the Monster Mud. You can add
an aged quality to the look by using a wire brush to
distress some of the bricks.
21

22

BY: JESSICA BALLOU
PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
S
hawn Aker first heard about men’s
roller derby from a coworker who
skated with the Fargo Moorhead
Derby Girls. She said they were
going to start a men’s league in Fargo, and
since he used to skate a bit when growing
up, he figured he’d give derby a shot. Now
he’s been involved with the Fargo-Moorhead
Men’s Roller Derby league since its inception
in April 2010 as president.
“It’s not new, but it’s making a
comeback,” Aker said about the sport. “Not
a lot of people play. It’s fun, and there’s a lot
of endurance and conditioning involved. It’s
very physical.”
History and Rules
Recently the league has started offering
“fresh meat” classes for people who haven’t
really skated before or want to improve their
skating skills. The class meets twice a week
for two-hour sessions for three months, and
participants learn the basics and how to
move together as a team.
Some people aren’t quite prepared for
the physicality of the sport when they first
sign up. It can take a while for your legs to be
properly conditioned, and there are a lot of
weird ways you can fall when skating around
the track. Some guys have broken legs,
23

24
“It doesn’t
matter what build
you have, whether
you’re tall, short,
skinny, chunky,”
Eric Harris said.
“There’s a spot for
everyone.”

dislocated kneecaps, broken fingers
and more, but Aker said it’s no more
dangerous than hockey, although in
hockey, players have more, thick pads
to cover their bodies.
The Rock City Riot league has both
home and travel teams. The travel
team skates under the Rock City Riot
name in the national Men’s Roller
Derby Association, and the two home
teams are the Hipcheck Murphys and
the Quad Brawlers. The home teams
compete in bouts against each other.
Two teams of five members
skate counterclockwise on a
track in each bout. One team
member is the jammer, or
scoring player, who wears
a helmet with two stars on
it and the other four are
blockers.
A bout is played in two
periods of 30 minutes, and
players score points during
jams, which are plays that last
up to two minutes. Jammers
earn points for their team
by skating around the track
and lapping members of the
opposing team. Blockers try
to help their team’s jammer
get ahead while deterring
the other team’s jammer
from advancing on the track.
It’s Not RollerJam Anymore
Most movies that depict roller
derby aren’t completely accurate in
their portrayals of the actual sport. In
the movie Whip It, for example, the
roller derby members skate on a bank
track, which curves up and down.
Aker said most roller derby leagues
opt for a flat track instead since more
teams currently compete on that type
of tracks.
The movie also isn’t accurate
when it comes to the physicality of
the game. As opposed to using their
25

elbows and body checking a lot, Aker said you
can only use your hips and shoulders.
Many people think roller derby is still fake
because of the popularity of RollerJam, a show
that was on TV in the late 90s. Aker insists that
was all scripted, but this sport in real life isn’t.
There are rules, and you can definitely get hurt
if you’re not being careful.
“Some people are surprised it has rules,
but we can’t just do whatever,” he said with a
laugh.
Chris York, secretary and co-captain, said a
lot of people think derby players get to punch
and elbow people like crazy, but he insists
there are rules and strategy to the game.
“It’s like organized chaos,” Harris added.
‘Everyone’s a teacher and a
learner’
York got started in the league when
it first formed in 2010. He didn’t know
how to skate at all, but he thought it
sounded like fun.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he
said. “But I’m still here!”
He said the competition and
camaraderie are what keep him skating
and participating in the league.
“It’s a hobby I found that took over,”
he said.
He even loved the sport so much, he
coached in the girls’ league until retiring
at the end of last season.
Eric Harris, treasurer of the Fargo
league and vice president of the national
Men’s Roller Derby Association, said
he enjoys the entrepreneurial spirit
of the sport. He said all leagues figure
everything out from scratch, and that
helps bond them together. Bismarck
started a men’s league about a year and
a half after Fargo did, and York said the
team feels almost like a big brother now.
26

He was also quick to bring up all the camaraderie
found in this sport, even between competing teams.
“Everyone came up together with a low skill level,”
he said. “We were helping each other. Everyone’s a
teacher and a learner. Even after what looks like a
brutal match, people on both teams will be hugging
each other and saying ‘good job on that block’ or
something like that.”
Harris’ derby name is Biff Quick because he
thought he’d be a clumsy skater and he likes pancakes.
Aker’s derby name is The Wretched, or W for short,
because it’s from one of his favorite Nine Inch Nails
songs. York just uses his regular name for bouts.
‘There’s a spot for everyone’
York said they’re always looking for new people
to join the team or be volunteers or fans.
“Don’t be scared!” Harris said. “We teach them
everything. If you’ve skated in hockey, you’ll be fine.
You just have to get used to it.”
Aker said because of all the training and
conditioning you do in the beginning, you lost about
15 pounds right away.
“It doesn’t matter what build you have, whether
you’re tall, short, skinny, chunky,” Harris said.
“There’s a spot for everyone.”
He said in addition to physical differences, the
players comprise a wide variety of professions as well,
ranging from food service, construction, IT and more.
“Everyone always gets along, both in the
community and worldwide,” York said.
27

10
GREAT
FALL DATE IDEAS
T
he spring has always been associated with
romance – the blossoming flowers supposedly
mirroring the spate of budding new loves.
But in my opinion, the holidays and the fall
are the most romantic times of year.
Maybe it’s because the fall is my favorite season,
maybe it’s because I love donning sweaters again and
all things pumpkin-spiced, but I think autumn’s one
of the best times to plan an outing with your gal. The
chill in the air is conducive to cuddling, the changing
leaves provide an inspiring backdrop, and there’s just
this ineffable, stirring feeling this time of year that
lends itself to romance…far more than the humming
of bees in my opinion!
Whether you’re trying to win the heart of a new
crush or are looking for something fun to do with
your spouse, here are 10 great fall date ideas that will
have you rustling up some romance along with the
leaves.
FOOTBALL GAME
Pageantry, excitement, and yes, even romance.
Football games make great dates, particularly first
dates. They give you the comfortable side-by-side
position offered on a movie date, but with the
opportunity to stop and chat whenever you like. And
with things constantly happening on the field, there’s
always something to talk about if conversation lags.
Kate’s and my first date was to an Oklahoma/
Tulsa football game. And we’re still together ten years
later, so it worked out pretty well for me. Touchdown!
PUMPKIN CARVING
The fun of carving pumpkins is something you
never outgrow. Scooping out the pumpkin goo,
getting creative with a knife, and experiencing the
little thrill of seeing your pumpkin lit from within.
Begin your date by taking your girl to a proper
pumpkin patch, picking out your gourds together,
and springing for both pumpkins. Then go back to
your place to gut and carve up some jack-o-lanterns.
After going all Norman Bates on your pumpkins, you
and your date can roast the seeds and sit on the porch
to admire your work.
HAUNTED ATTRACTION
Doing something a little scary makes your brain
release dopamine, and researchers have found that
BY: BRETT & KATE MCKAY | ARTOFMANLINESS.COM
this neurochemical can make you feel more attracted
and attached to the person you’re with; first dates that
include a pulse-pounding activity more often lead to
second and third dates because of this. So if you’re
looking to win the heart of your new gal pal, bring
her to a haunted house or other spooky attraction.
By the time the last zombie jumps out at you with his
blade-less chainsaw, you’ ll be going steady for sure.
28
STATE FAIR
Cattle, carnival rides, midway games, sideshow
attractions, hot tub displays, and deep-fried butter.
Where else can you find this winning combination
of things except the state fair? If you’re worried about
making conversation, you’ll never want for things

to talk about — if you can’t have fun on a date at the fair, you might
consider applying for the job of the aforementioned zombie. And now
that you know how win your gal a giant stuffed bear and show off
your he-man strength on the High Striker, you’ve got this date in the
bag.
HALLOWEEN PARADE
If you think parades are only for holidays like the Fourth
of July, then you’re really missing out. Halloween parades
— devoid as they are of ties to history, war, or death — are
parades that can let it all hang out. People go just to be
kooky and have fun. There’s music, dancing, costumes,
and just a whole lot of people having a good time. If you
want to get dressed up, but costume parties aren’t your
thing, here’s your opportunity.
HAYRIDE
Hayrides abound this time of year, but if you’re
making a date out of it, be sure to pick a good one.
They’re frequently found at pumpkin patches, but these
are often tailored for the wee kiddies, and the ride
doesn’t last very long or go very far. Look for hayrides
that are offered by real ranches or farms, follow a nice,
scenic route, (if it’s under the moonlight, all the better),
and provide a little something extra like cider and hot chocolate,
traditional horse-drawn (as opposed to motorized) propulsion,
or a history tour along the way.
FOLIAGE DRIVE
Watching the green leaves transform into beautiful displays
of vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds is one of the best parts of
autumn. But driving through your neighborhood or walking
across campus just doesn’t give you a sweeping view of the
unfolding majesty. So hop in your car, pack a couple of
sandwiches for a picnic, and take a scenic drive through
mountain passes where you and your date can get an aweinspiring
look at the seasons’ changing of the guard.
This can be a stand-alone date, or something you
make time for en route to another one of these suggested
activities.
APPLE CIDER MILL
If you’re lucky enough to have an apple cider mill
where you live, take advantage of it for a casual afternoon
date. You can watch how the cider is made, sip on samples,
browse the kitschy products in the country store, and sit
down to eat some delicious donuts. Fall-tastic.
GHOST HUNT
It’s hard to imagine ghosts showing their pallid faces
when it’s 102 in the middle of July (even humans go into
hiding). But when the sun starts to set earlier and the
chilly air returns, the world seems considerably spookier.
Which makes fall the prime time for ghost hunting.
If she’s up for it, grab your lady friend and a couple of
flashlights and go explore an abandoned building where
specters have supposedly been spotted. If you’re looking
for a more low-key (and definitely legal) option, many
tours of reportedly haunted parts of town are offered this
time of year.
WEENIE ROAST
Let’s face it: there’s never a bad time for a weenie roast.
But the fall is peak weenie roast season. It’s chilly but not
freezing — the perfect time for cuddling by the campfire,
munching on hot dogs and s’mores, and engaging in
some good old fashioned fireside smooching.
29

BY: SOO ASHEIM | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
30

LOCAL HEROES
VOLUNTEERS RISKING THEIR LIVES
Put on your ‘thinking cap’ and try to imagine what
a baker, a scuba instructor, fire fighters, and an ittybitty
middle aged woman all have in common. What
could bring them together once a month for a few
hours of no nonsense training exercises that could
one day save your life, or the life of someone you care
about? Give up? They are all certified members of
local river and lake water rescue teams.
WHO, WHY AND WHEN
Founded in 1993, the original team members were
Mike Knorr, a well-known diving expert in Moorhead
as the one-time owner of Mick’s Scuba, and probably
the only one with a natural knack for jumping into
unknown, large bodies of water at the drop of a hat.
Mike’s co-founding members were Charlie Van Raden,
Marty Soeth, Joe Upton, and Pete Fendt. Today Mike
Knorr and Pete Fendt are still with the VWR team
providing guidance and the coordination for the
once a month mandatory training sessions required
for certification. A once a month mandatory training
session is required for certification for each of the 26
member VWR team members.
The why for each member is as varied as they are
as a group, yet when asked individually one answer
is always the same, “because it’s vitally needed and
not just any one can do this.” After having watched
a training session with both the Moorhead Fire
Department members, as well as the Valley Water
Rescue team, I am here to assure anyone with any
illusion about jumping into the Red River to “rescue”
a person, cat, or dog — for heaven’s sake do not try
it. The current alone would prevent many from even
reaching a drowning victim, never mind hitting an
area that could suck down an elephant. The best thing
anyone without proper training and a dry suit should
do if happening upon a Red River (or any other river)
drowning victim is to call 911 immediately and hope
the trained members of either Fargo or Moorhead’s
Fire team or Valley Water Rescue team reach the scene
as soon as possible. Staying on shore while watching
where the person is drifting will be a major plus in
aiding the water rescue team when they arrive, and is
the safest and best way anyone could help.
THE UNDERSTATED VALUE OF CONTINUOUS
TRAINING
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “that which we persist
in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has
become easier, but that our ability to perform it has
improved.” There is no quote that fits the Valley Water
Rescue team more appropriately than this one, as this
group of on-call, 24/7, volunteer heroes practices
31

their skills once a month, each and
every month of the year. It matters
not how cold or how hot the last
Monday of each month may be,
if one wants to remain an active
member on the team, he/she must
attend at least 66 percent of all their
training exercises. This requirement
is a mandate in order to keep every
member of their rescue team safe.
The men, and three women, who
belong to the Valley Water Rescue
team don thermal underwear and
dry suits, full face masks, air tanks,
air hoses plus at least 30 pounds of
extra leaded weights for balancing
the buoyancy of their dry suits, and
fins. They are also connected to
communication pieces in order to
let their team members know what
they are finding. The time of year it
may be has no bearing on when or
if the team practices. It might be in
90 degrees or in frigid temperatures
as low as 30 below. The VWR
members do all this in the pursuit
and belief that “practice makes
perfect,” or at least will aid in their
survival while they are rescuing or
recovering someone who took a
nasty spill into a very dark place.
DIVERS AND TENDERS
My question “is everyone a
diver” was answered with a definite
“no.” There are members of the
VWR who indeed do a lot of the
diving for rescue/recovery. However, none of them would be able to
do so without their trusted partners: “Diver number 2,” and especially
their “Tender,” an apt description for the team member who will make
absolutely certain the diver preparing to enter the water is geared up and
down with everything they need and that all instruments are a ten-four to
go.
Sherry Johnson from West Fargo, a tiny woman weighing in at about
90 pounds soaking wet from head to toe, has been a member of the Valley
Water Rescue crew for 13 years and one of Valley Water Rescue’s longest
serving Tenders. Johnson, easily three times smaller than most of the very
athletic and robust men she serves with commands with an attitude no
one dares to challenge. Sherry explains how she views what her job as
Tender means, “they do it the right way or they don’t go in.”
As we all gathered under the First Avenue North Bridge, a couple of
divers were busy scoping out where to enter the water. It was decided not
to try the dive here due to finding too much glass that might wind up
32

cutting one of the divers. The entire
group, including Bud Meyers,
VWR’s official Canine handler,
arrived with his scent dogs,
Barnaby and Laura, headed further
down, under the Center Avenue
Bridge. Before long, it looked as
if a small band of frogmen were
setting up an encampment on the
Red’s river bank. Several minutes
passed and as it is now past five
o’clock, the heat index has peaked,
with the humidity feeling about 75
percent. I felt an instant empathy
for the three divers who already
had their divers’ suits on, waiting
for the green light to start putting
their tanks and gear into place on
their bodies.
During this time, Johnson
explained more about the critical
importance of a Tender’s job.
Essentially, Tenders are who make
the difference whether or not a
diver could lose their life or not.
A Tender makes doubly certain the
divers have everything they may
need, above or under the water,
by going through each and every
aspect of what they have on them −
their tanks, their hoses, their pony
tank, their communication ear and
voice pieces. The the Tender will
attach a tether line with which a
diver can communicate or let them
know if they have a problem, or get
into unforeseen trouble. While the
33

divers’ all have ear and mouthpieces
to communicate, technology is not
100 percent fool proof, and the
tether line is their back up in case
the first method fails.
The lightheartedness and
bantering of the group takes a
more serious tone as everyone gets
into place. Anyone having anything
to do with VWR’s rescue team must
have an inflatable life jacket on. No
life jacket, no passing through.
I watched as one diver who has
been checked out thoroughly by
his Tender, and has his tether line
hooked up, is now sitting patiently
on a bolder. It is above 85 degrees
outside and I can only imagine
how horribly uncomfortable this
man wearing thermal underwear,
a dry suit and about 65 pounds of
gear must feel. This is the back-up
diver for the two who are already in
the water scouring around for the
pieces of rebar they are challenged
to find. There are always three
divers prepared to hit the water at
all times. In the event one diver
runs into a tangled line, or any
one of a hundred things that could
possibly mess up a diver, there will
always be another on land to help
pull him out. Imagine diving five
or ten feet in the dark — yes, in the
dark, because while it is light above
the water, the Red River is filled
with clay silt and is anything but
transparent. Contrary to popular
lore, the Red River really is not
filthy or even polluted; it just has
tons of clay in it. Duane Kashmark,
a long-time member of the VWR
team and current owner of Mick’s
Scuba, described diving in the Red
River to me, “diving in the Red
34

is like having blinders on. I’ve
actually gone in, and after a few
minutes, I have to remind myself if
my eyes are really closed or not.”
Often the team has to go into rivers
and other bodies of water in the
nighttime or wee early morning
hours. They always have a light on
their suits, but knowing what to do
and how to handle nighttime dives
is as tricky as it gets in these types
of water retrievals. Diving the Red
is similar. A diver has found a piece
of the rebar! This practice session
was a success.
FIRE DEPARTMENTS DO
MORE THAN FIGHT FIRES
Our local fire fighter should be
acknowledged for what they do in
water rescue as well. VWR works
in conjunction with all local fire
departments who are in control
of rescue operations and will use
VWR’s expertise when needed.
I was invited to watch as
Captain Dave Allen of Moorhead’s
Southside Fire Station led his Fire Fighters at the Oakgrove Bridge for
their monthly training session the week before the VWR team had their
practice session. The Moorhead guys were training how to read the current
in order to know where their diver should enter the water and where best
to place the bright orange fences they use in helping to rescue animals
and people.
We in the FM area are indeed very fortunate to have so
many dedicated people and teams in place should any
one of us ever need a water rescue.

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