The Good Life – May-June 2023

DAD LIFE 

I Love You, 

but You’re Grounded 

WRITTEN BY: PAUL HANKEL 

As a parent, especially a dad, one of your most important 

duties is to properly ground your children when they 

misbehave. I am definitely from the, “spare the rod, spoil 

the child,” era. However, with the many advances within 

the realm of parenting during the last few decades, I 

think it’s important to constantly seek input and have an 

open mind. Especially when confronted with the topic of 

discipline. 

Grounding can be a tricky business, and if you're not 

careful, you could end up causing more harm than good. 

So, to help you out, here are some humorous (I hope) tips 

on how to properly ground your children, from the world’s 

okayest dad. 

Explain Why. 

First and foremost, make sure your child knows exactly 

why they're being grounded. Don't just say "because I said 

so." Early on, I was guilty of this. I call it, the “I wear the 

pants,” syndrome. Instead, you owe them an explanation 

of what they did wrong and why it's not okay. If they still 

2 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com 

don't get it. Will it drive you nuts when they keep asking, 

“but why”? Absolutely. But you owe it to the mini version 

of yourself to explain what they did wrong so that they 

have the opportunity to grow and correct their behavior. 

Grounding is Temporary. Parenting is Forever. 

When it comes to choosing the duration of the grounding, 

think carefully. You don't want to make it too short, 

because then it won't have much of an impact. But you 

also don't want to make it too long, because then your 

child might start to think they're actually in prison. A good 

rule of thumb is to base the length of the grounding on the 

severity of the offense. For example: backtalk me once - I 

appreciate your spirit! You’ll make a great lawyer one day! 

But, continuing to backtalk me is a sign of disrespect and 

necessitates an appropriate consequence. 

Explain the Rules. 

Make sure your child understands the rules of their 

grounding. Can they still use electronics? Can they go 

outside? Can they have friends over? If you're not clear

about the boundaries, your child might try to push the 

limits. And if they do, it's important to stick to your guns. 

If you say they can't watch TV, don't let them watch 

TV. And, yes, no tv includes watching YouTube on your 

tablet, phone, or computer too! If you say they can't leave 

the house, don't let them leave the house. It's all about 

consistency. 

I know I’m not the only one who has laid down the lay 

and grounded my kid from screentime, only to realize 

we have a three-hour road trip ahead of us and that the 

road trip is now going to be….interesting. It sucks, but 

you must remain consistent. 

Teachable Moments. 

Remember that grounding doesn't have to be all bad. 

For example: If they are grounded from technology 

or screentime, use the time to teach your child some 

valuable life skills, like how to do laundry, cook a meal, 

or *GASP* clean their own room! This way, they'll 

come out of the grounding with some new skills and a 

renewed sense of responsibility. Hopefully... 

Have a Heart. 

Don't forget to show some empathy. Your child is 

probably feeling pretty lousy about being grounded, so 

try to be understanding. Offer them some comfort and 

let them know that you still love them even though they 

messed up. And if all else fails, remember that one day 

they'll be grown up and out of the house, and you'll miss 

these days, even the ones when you had to ground them. 

Consistency is Key. 

Follow through: along with consistency, it's important to 

follow through with your punishment. If your children 

break the rules or try to argue/wiggle/finagle their 

way out of punishment, you need to extend the time. 

If you let them get away with it, they'll know you're a 

pushover and will start acting up more. We’ve all seen 

the stereotypical sitcom dad that the kids run to when 

they’re in trouble, while the sitcom mom glares in the 

background. Do NOT be that guy. 

It’s not Forever but may Feel Like It. 

Finally, remember that parenting is a marathon, not 

a sprint. There will be ups and downs, successes and 

failures, and plenty of grounding along the way. But in 

the end, if you've done your job right, you'll have raised 

a responsible, well-adjusted, and hopefully, slightly less 

rebellious adult. And if all else fails, you can always tell 

yourself that one day, they'll be grounding their own 

kids, and then they'll understand just how hard it is to be 

a parent. And then you get to visit and be a grandparent 

and exact sweet revenge on them! 

So there you have it, some humorous tips on how to 

properly ground your children. Remember, grounding is 

a serious business, but that doesn't mean you can't have 

a little fun with it. Good luck! • 

urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 3

CONTENTS 

MAY-JUNE 

2023 

VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 6 

02 

DAD LIFE - I LOVE YOU, BUT YOU'RE 

GROUNDED 

18 

ON THE COVER - 

JUDGE JOHNATHAN JUDD 

We live in a world of parenting blogs and 

murky advice. Especially on the topic of 

discipline. 

An exceptional leader and man: His name is 

Johnathan Judd, but his friends call him JJ 

06 

10 

HIP-HOP AND HOPE 

Former police officer launches nonprofit to 

connect with incarcerated kids and adults. 

STALKING EDIBLE FUNGI 

Foraging, identifying and harvesting safe 

wild fungi is both fun and delicious! 

24 

26 

HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER 

Find your new best friend! 

HAVING A BEER WITH - MAX MUELLER 

Once terrified of thunderstorms, KVRR’s 

Chief Meteorologist discovered a love of 

photography that forced a reckoning with 

his weather nemesis. 

14 

DREKKER'S SUPER MEGA EXPANSION! 

Drekker's newest expansion, Brewhalla, is a 

guaranteed good time. 

30 

LOCAL HERO - CURT CANNON 

Whether it’s housing, medical or financial, 

the Clay County Veterans Service Office 

knows it takes a village. 

4 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

The 

GOODLIFE 

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Paul Hankel 

Ben Hanson 

Jeffrey Miller 

Krissy Ness 

Hillary Sorenson 

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Emma Vatnsdal 

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policies of The Good Life Men’s Magazine. 


Former police officer launches nonprofit to 

connect with incarcerated kids and adults 

WRITTEN BY: AMY WIESER WILLSON 

PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA 

“I feel like I’m home when I’m with these people who are 

locked up,” Michael Bloom told his wife in 2021. 

It marked a turning point for the Fargo Police Department 

officer who had found his calling over the course of his 

career. 

“During my time as a police officer, I was really passionate 

about reaching kids in need in our community, whether 

they were fatherless, in poverty, or struggling in school,” 

Bloom said. “We just wanted to be a voice and a resource 

for them.” 

A BRIGHT SPARK 

At that time, it was Bloom and his Fargo PD partner, Matt 

Niemeyer, who obtained a grant that allowed them to 

begin going into juvenile hall and local treatment centers. 

“It just started to spark with us,” Bloom said. 

They began hosting live events for the kids that included 

faith-based hip-hop artists and community leaders. At 

Christmastime, they partnered with local churches for 

an outreach event at the juvenile detention center that 

included gift bags and a spread of pulled pork, brisket, 

beans and more. 

It wasn’t just a feel-good endeavor. The positive changes in 

the youths’ lives became obvious. 

“It really worked and helped them connect with their 

purpose and who they really are,” Bloom said. 

The officers were accomplishing great things, but they 

also saw the opportunity to do more. They expanded into 

adult outreach and began hosting events focused on faith, 

hope and leadership. 

FUELING THE FIRE 

Not wanting to stop there, Bloom decided to turn that 

outreach into more than part of his job. He wanted to give 

it his full focus. So, in June 2022, he left the Fargo Police 

Department, and in July he launched a nonprofit, Hip-Hop 

and Hope Tours. 


“WE JUST REALLY TRY TO 

MEET THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF 

THEIR MESS, WHICH IS REALLY 

WHERE THEY’RE AT WHEN 

THEY’RE INCARCERATED.” 

– MICHAEL BLOOM 

He hosted his first event that month, 

connecting with 55 kids over two days in 

an event that featured a Tampa, Floridabased 

hip-hop artist named Longboi. He 

witnessed the strong connections made 

and continued to grow his reach. 

Hip-Hop and Hope Tours has since hosted 

events as close as Clay County, Minnesota, 

and as far as Valley State Prison, a Level 

2 prison in California. In December, they 

hosted two Christmas events, and this 

spring, they hosted events at the Moorhead 

Area Learning Center, West Regional Juvenile 

Center and Cass County Jail. Altogether, the 

outreaches touched the lives of 90 kids and 

82 adults. At the end of April, the team headed 


HIP-HOP & 

west to the Youth Correctional Center and Teen Challenge 

in Mandan and the Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot. 

Partnerships throughout the community contribute to the 

program’s success. Support comes from local churches 

and connections come from the F5 Project, Youth for 

Christ and Jail Chaplains. Isai Rojas, better known as “E,” 

at Skill Cutz comes in monthly to provide free haircuts for 

kids in the detention center. 

“We just really try to meet them in the middle of their 

mess, which is really where they’re at when they’re 

incarcerated,” Bloom said. 

Although they hosted an event in California, which is 

where Bloom grew up, the nonprofit’s goal is to “stay 

local and pollinate across the whole state.” Bloom wants 

to hit key locations two to three times each year across 

North Dakota in addition to the regular work he’s doing in 

Cass County and Clay County. He feels they can “sow the 

greatest harvest locally.” 

While the programming started with kids, its expansion to 

reach adults has been met with a positive reception. 

“This is not me at all. I believe it’s totally God,” Bloom 

said. “Men and women feel refreshed when we visit them. 

They remember they’re human again. They start talking 

about their kids and their goals.” 

BLAZE OF GLORY 

Many want to maintain the connections that they make 

during the programs, which are offered in a variety of 


formats. Beyond the regular workshops and 

visitations at local jails and detention centers, 

Hip-Hop and Hope Tours offers regular monthly, 

quarterly and annual events. 

“Night of Hope” events take place each month for 

men and women who are incarcerated as well as 

those in juvenile detention. 

Bloom hosts a Family Unite event every quarter 

that helps incarcerated people spend quality time 

with family and loved ones. 

Hip-Hop and Hope Tours also provides two-day 

workshops throughout the year. These include 

hip-hop performances, Gospel presentations and 

breakout sessions tailored to the group, whether 

adults or youths. 

Hip-Hop and Hope Tours relies on donations 

to make all of this happen. They don’t charge 

the detention centers or other partners but 

instead solicit contributions on their website, 

hiphopandhopetours.com. Those donations help 

bring some hope — a taste of the good life, you 

could say — to those who need it most. 

“To me, the good life means just following God 

and loving people and helping people get where 

they’re trying to go,” Bloom said. “For us, it’s 

helping people in prison stay out of prison, connect 

with their kids, get a job, and let them know they’re 

not done.” • 



Foraging, identifying 

and harvesting 

safe wild fungi is both 

fun and delicious! 

I slammed on the brakes, startling my daughter 

Maia in the passenger seat. Before she was able 

to question me on the sudden stop. I pointed, 

through the rain splattered windshield, to a tree 

along the boulevard. Smack dab in the middle 

of the trunk of a green ash, seven feet above 

the ground, a chicken of the woods mushroom 

glowed like a lantern. Maia just shook her head 

as I jumped out of the car, intent on getting 

permission from a bewildered homeowner to 

harvest the delicious fungi. 

Safe Mushrooming 

Before ever leaving the house to stalk wild fungi, 

a word on safety is imperative. Unlike toxic 

wild fruits, which usually require ingesting a 

substantial amount of fruit to become sick, toxic 

fungi can cause death in even small amounts. 

Unless the forager is 100 percent sure of the 

identification of a mushroom, do not eat them. 

Toxic fungi don’t allow for second chances. 

Edible Species 

There are a variety of edible species in 

Minnesota and North Dakota, but I’ve 

found there are three species that are 

easy to identify and delicious on the 

table. 

Morel 

I grew up hunting morel mushrooms 

in the spring around my home farm 

in southcentral Minnesota. Similar 

to deer hunting, nearly everyone 

participated in the hunt and honey 

holes were closely guarded secrets. 

Morels have a distinctive honeycomb 

appearance, with a deeply pitted and 

ridged cap. The interior of both the cap 

and stem are hollow. Morels have no 

gills and range in color from pale brown 

or black to nearly blonde. 

morel mushroom 


A look-alike, the false morel, has a stem filled with a 

cotton-like substance, and a reddish-brown cap that is 

folded. False morels are toxic. 

Morels are found in a variety of locations and are most 

often found in disturbed forests or recently burned areas. 

They will often appear in the same location year after year, 

once a single mushroom is found, you can count on more. 

Searching for morels consists of walking slowly, focusing 

on the ground in disturbed areas. Quite like the “magic 

eye” posters of the 1990s, the mushrooms are nearly 

invisible until one is found. With “morel eyes,” they seem 

to be everywhere! When harvesting, cut the morel off an 

inch or so above the ground. Never pull them out of the 

ground, as it may damage the underlying mycelium. 

The best way to enjoy morels is when they are fresh from 

the forest. Wash them to remove dirt, debris, and insects 

then pat dry. Heat butter in a pan, slice the fungi into 

strips, and flash fry. The earthy taste pairs pleasantly with 

game meat and fried fish. 

Chicken of the Woods 

Chicken of the woods, also known as Sulphur shelf, are 

bright orange to yellow shelf clusters that are found on 

trees. Some of the species feed on dead or dying trees 

while others feed on live trees which causes localized 

rotting of the wood. They can be found from late spring 

through early fall in forested areas. 

I’ve had the most success finding them directly on oak and 

green ash trees. Despite finding a large one over seven 

feet above the ground, most often they are found near the 

base of the tree. The bright color fades as the mushroom 

matures and loses edibility, turning pale and crumbly. 

Chicken of the woods grow from a few pounds to double 

or triple that size! 

Remove the mushroom with a knife, leaving a few inches 

attached to the tree. The inner portion of the fungi is dense 

and stiff, while the outer edges are softer. I cut each shelf 

into layers, starting from the outside working inward, until 

the mushroom starts to become dense. The softer portion 

is the best eating. 

Rinse the slices to remove debris and fry in a pan of butter. 

Chicken of the woods smells and tastes much like chicken, 

with a lemony undercurrent. When we are fortunate 

enough to find a chicken of the woods, we eat it as our 

main course. If you are trying it for the first time, don’t 

indulge too much. Some people have gastrointestinal 

distress the next day when consuming too much of it. 

Chicken of the woods are rich, so enjoy in moderation. 

Shaggy Mane 

Unlike morels and chicken of the 

woods, which usually require 

searching in wooded areas, shaggy 

manes often pop up in mowed 

lawns. In late summer into early 

fall, after a rainy event, shaggy 

manes can be found in lawns 

and areas of compacted land 

along driveways or walking 

paths. 

Shaggy manes have a scaly, 

conical cap that are whitish in 

color. The stems are fibrous and 

shaggy mane 


chicken of the woods 

hollow. They are only edible when 

young, because as they mature, they 

excrete a black, inky substance. 

Soon after, they collapse into a 

puddle of goo. There is a short 

window of time to harvest the fungi. 

After harvest, shaggy manes 

degrade quickly. In a matter of 

hours, a harvested mushroom will 

degrade into a black puddle, so 

eating them soon after harvest is 

essential. 

Unlike the morel and chicken of the 

woods, shaggy manes have a much 

more subtle flavor. Frying them 

simply in butter, they are best used 

in pasta or chicken dishes. Heavier, 

more intensely flavored dishes will 

overwhelm the flavor. 

Stalking Edible Fungi 

Hunting wild fungi is a great way 

to spend time outdoors and bring 

home a delicious meal. The wild 

fungi found in our area are not 

grown on a commercial level, 

making them a rare feast for a 

mushroom stalker wise enough to 

find them! 


DREKKER'S 

SUPER MEGA 

EXPANSION! 

WRITTEN BY: KRISSY NESS 


The wheels on the machine that is Drekker Brewing 

Company have been turning since the fall of 2014, 

with the opening of their first brewery in downtown 

Fargo. Then, in the fall of 2018, they moved to their 

current location, just west of downtown Fargo, in an 

old railroad repair shop from the early 1880s that 

transformed into the beautiful space it is today. The 

most recent cog in this machine began turning in 

March of 2023, which is flawlessly named, Brewhalla. 

Bringing new and exciting events to the community 

is what Drekker is all about. People from all over the 

country have poured into their taprooms to not only 

experience their wide variety of beer and alcoholic 

treats but also to be a part of the magic. 

"We're just excited to be a part of a community that 

wants to add to that experience and have a life that 

is fun, strange, cool, and fulfilling," exclaimed Mark 

Bjornstad, co-owner of Drekker Brewing Company. 

Drekker is known for throwing some off-the-wall events 

where you will find – onsite flash tattoo artists, tarot 

readings, an entire carnival taking over their parking 

lot, live music, and so much more. That energy has 

transferred soundly into Brewhalla. 

With an impressive four stories, this space holds shops 

of all varieties, including but not limited to - a craft 

store, a plant shop, various types of food and drink, 

including two additional bars exclusively serving 

Drekker's fun and inventive tap beers and tasty frozen 

treats, and two event spaces. Not to mention ample 

space to lounge on the second floor, and two additional 

levels of hotel rooms, which will be available to book 

soon. 

While Brewhalla has only been open for a month, they 

wasted no time bringing it to life with, Fooler's Ball. 

"On our third weekend being open, we threw a giant 

beer festival; it was unlike a festival anyone had ever 

been to before, full of cool experiences and cool 

activations," said Bjornstad. "By being recognized 

nationally and making those connections, other 

breweries are coming to Fargo." 

"We're just excited to be a part of a community that 

wants to add to that experience and having a life that is 

fun, strange, cool, and fulfilling." – Mark Bjornstad 



This event welcomed breweries and guests from all over 

the country to sample beer, partake in the festivities, and 

enjoy Fargo. 

With all the growth Drekker has seen, and the connections 

they have made, it was very clear from the beginning they 

were going to keep pushing in the brewery by creating 

new and unique beer while simultaneously creating 

their next big project. By attending festivals worldwide, 

distributing beer nationwide and into other countries, 

and hosting their events, they have made a name for 

themselves that speaks volumes. 

Bjornstad often acknowledged the "team" as he spoke 

about the ongoing projects at Drekker and Brewhalla, 

saying that this machine wouldn't be what it is today 

without each team member. 

"What Drekker has become in the community and what 

Drekker has been nationally, we were able to keep true 

to our beliefs and our way of doing things on both of 

those seemingly different paths," said Bjornstad. "We are 

both an inward-looking company and an outward-looking 

company … I am super happy that we are doing what 

we said we were going do, living out the dream for the 

community but also for the team." 

I spoke with Bjornstad about what he wants Brewhalla to 

mean to the community and what he hopes to see come 

of it, and the answer was simple. 

"A life happens in moments lived; we believe in creating 

a space where that can happen," exclaimed Bjornstad. 

"If we keep pushing the boundary of what Fargo can be 

and what it means to be living a really good life in Fargo, 

Fargo is going to change." 

With the expansion of Drekker throughout the years, how 

can they top this? What could be next? 


"We have been very clear that we are not done; we 

are not satisfied with opening Brewahalla. What 

we're building here, this is a machine, this is a 

good time factory; it is going to run and spin, and 

we're always going to be churning out something 

new," said Bjornstad. 

The realization that this is just the beginning for 

Drekker is incredible, and I cannot wait to see 

what crazy idea they come up with next! It has 

been amazing to watch this company grow into the 

animal it is and bring the community together with 

people from all over the country to step into their 

world and enjoy it, if even for a moment. 

Many subjects came up when discussing the good 

life, but one quote stood out more to me than any 

other. 

"We believe in catalyzing moments where people 

come together and share something weird and 

extraordinary, and that experience becomes an 

experience of their lives," said Bjornstad. “There is 

always a new experience to be had at Brewhalla.” • 


ON THE COVER | JOHNATHAN JUDD 

Who is Judge Johnathan Judd? 


WRITTEN BY: HILLARY SORENSON 


An exceptional leader and man: 

His name is Johnathan Judd, but his friends call him JJ 

Judge Johnathan Judd is more than a 

District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Seventh 

Judicial District located in Fergus Falls. 

Johnathan is a father, spouse, and a walking, 

talking, breathing example of what society 

needs as a model and leader of the community. 

Who Is Johnathan Judd? 

From humble beginnings in Raleigh, North 

Carolina, Johnathan has called Minnesota 

“home” for nearly three decades. “What 

was meant to be only a one-year stay ended 

up being a thirty-year stay. The people up 

here were just so welcoming and people 

embraced me, and they didn’t have to,” 

he said. “I was the only African American 

student in about 900 people at Fargo North, 

and it continued to remain such an impression 

on me. I met so many good people up here and 

thirty years later, I’m still here.” 

After graduating from the University of North 

Dakota law school, Johnathan was working as a 

law clerk in Morris, Minnesota when his passion 

for community, inclusion, and multicultural affairs 

flourished. “I started looking at a possible career 

path,” he said. “Primarily because I see that this 

region offers a lot to everybody regardless of what 

your background is, and I believe in this region, and 

I believe in the people.” 

Johnathan said that his love for people and his home 

has always had a major influence on the things that 

he does. Whether he is working with his team at the 

courthouse or with a community member, he strives 

to keep a sense of togetherness at the forefront. 

A Full Docket 

Judge Judd has worn many hats during his extensive 

career, including but not limited to director of equity 

and inclusion at Minnesota State Community and 



Technical College (MSCTC), adjunct instructor 

of criminal justice at Minnesota State University 

Moorhead (MSUM), director of multicultural affairs 

at Concordia, volunteer football coach for FM 

athletics, and board member 

of Moorhead youth hockey 

association. As a judge he 

can no longer serve on these 

boards, and they are a mere 

snapshot of everything Judge 

Judd has done to serve and 

give back to the community. 

Judge Judd was also the 

mayor of Moorhead from 

2018 to 2021 before being 

appointed as judge by Governor Tim Walz. In a 

2021 press release, Governor Walz stated, “Mr. Judd 

has championed fairness, justice and equality while 

working tirelessly to create an open dialogue among 

community members throughout his impressive 

career in public service.” 

“Mr. Judd has championed fairness, 

justice and equality while working 

tirelessly to create an open dialogue 

among community members 

throughout his impressive career in 

public service.” – Tim Walz 

Judge Judd said he was honored and humbled by the 

statement because he felt it accurately epitomized the 

type of work he has tried to do and what has been 

ingrained in him since childhood. 

Judge Judd said that his 

friends would probably say 

he has worn too many hats 

in his career, but he has 

no regrets. “The sum of 

the whole has allowed me 

to see the community and 

individuals through a variety 

of lenses,” he said. “I have no 

regrets about the hats I have 

worn, and life experience and 

knowledge I have gained from it.” 

Remaining Positive In Divisive Times 

As brothers and sisters of this community, each of us 

has a different story to tell on how the year of 2020 

impacted our personal and professional lives. For 


“I’ve really tried to put what I have 

learned into practice. Not just talking 

the talk but being able to put those 

words into action. Anyone can talk 

about what they are going to do.” 

– Johnathan Judd 

Johnathan, whether he was discussing race relations 

or the pandemic, as a leader, it was challenging and 

impossible to be everything for everyone. During the 

tough conversations, Johnathan led with authenticity 

and an overarching theme of hope, and no matter 

what, our community would get through it together. 

“My message of building inclusivity and togetherness 

was very organic. It was from the heart. I didn’t script 

any of these things that I spoke about. I spoke 

from my heart, knowledge, belief, and support 

of the community,” he said. “I thought we 

should just see people in their humanity. 

There’s humanity here, and we are 

not the same community as other 

communities are. We can have 

conversations with each other and 

build understanding.” 

Johnathan said it didn’t matter 

what type of platform he was 

speaking on, he held true to 

himself and what he believed the 

community represented. “I honestly 

believe we were in a better situation to have 

these conversations,” he said. “That was the best 

that I could do.” 

As a father of three, the conversations at home were 

just as tough, but he said he tried not to show signs of 

stress with his kids. “I think it's safe to say, they knew, 

but I tried to tell them we were going to be okay. As 

much as we told them to stay off of social media, you 

know, they saw it. I always just tried to keep a positive 

mindset,” he said. “With my spouse, she was definitely 

my rock (put up with a lot of emails and phone calls). 

Honestly, I put the needs of the community ahead 

during that time because there was so much going on, 

so when we had that quality time and conversations, 

we were able to process a lot of what was going on in 

the moment.”


“I want to be remembered for (besides 

being a good father) building a positive 

community. A man who really tried 

to bring people together and build an 

inclusive, supportive community for 

everyone.” – Johnathan Judd 

Going forward, Johnathan said that we need to 

become better listeners and open ourselves up to 

being candid and vulnerable. He said it's important 

to remember that we are all human beings who 

make mistakes, so allowing for grace is important. 

“Communication is talking and listening. We are 

not going to develop understanding if we don’t allow 

people to ask questions and say their piece,” he said. 

“People are going to make mistakes especially when 

they are learning and talking about race. If we don't 

allow someone to speak their truth or their vulnerable 

side, then we aren’t going to get anywhere.” 

At Home With JJ, Harlie, And The Family 

Johnathan Judd’s friends call him “JJ.” 

JJ and his wife Tammi Fortney, a school psychologist 

for Moorhead Public School District, met through 

mutual friends during college, and they have three 

children. When asked how his family would describe 

him, he said one of his children said “strong-willed”, 

and the other two said “loyal” and “humble.” His wife 

who was close by during the conversation nodded 

in approval. “I'm sure she would have more choice 

words to describe me,” he said, laughing. JJ also has 

one fur-baby whose name is Harlie, and they adopted 

her from 4 Luv of Dog Rescue. 

On the weekends, JJ is the typical dad shuttling and 

following his kids around from one activity to the 

next. “My weekends are spoken for. I have two sons 

who play football and hockey, my middle child is in 

speech and debate, and they are also a part of the 

Moorhead theater program, so on any given weekend, 

I am supporting one or two or three of them in their 

endeavors.” He also mentioned he coaches his kid’s 

football team and, during the spring, all three of his 

children play lacrosse. He and his wife also find time 

for each other and make date nights a priority. 

JJ says he juggles his personal and professional time 

through compartmentalization, and he’s very selective 

about the things he takes on. “In my career, I worked 

so hard to get to where I’m at and also worked to build 

the community, that now, I’ve really tried to put the 

primary focus on my family, physical health, mental 

health and overall well-being.” JJ, who previously 

lost 115 pounds, is an avid crossfitter, cyclist, and 


loves participating in the Fargo 

Marathon. He said, although judges 

work very long days, he strives to 

take an hour a day to stay active. 

An Even Better Future 

To the outsider looking in, Judge 

Judd is at the top of his game with 

a full personal and professional life 

that he has worked hard to achieve, 

but for him, he said there is always 

room to be “better.” 

“I am an individual who really 

tries to work on my blind spots. 

I embrace them, and I work on 

them,” he said. Judge Judd went on 

to say that the only way someone 

gets better is to continually be 

working on oneself, and he doesn’t 

think he will ever stop striving to 

be better. He also stated that he 

doesn’t have a lot of material goals 

because the legacy he wants to 

leave behind isn’t one that can be 

bought. “I want to be supportive of 

people, that's the legacy I want to 

leave.” 

When asked how he would like to 

spend retirement (many years from 

now), he said he wants to referee 

high school football and take an 

extended vacation overseas. He 

joked that he would always have 

a footprint in the upper Midwest, 

but would probably forgo the harsh 

winters for somewhere warmer in 

the South. 

As a man who has worn many 

hats, accomplished things both 

small and large, and left a longlasting 

impression on community 

members, the Good Life for Judge 

Judd is one that means being 

surrounded by family and friends. 

“The good life to me is being around 

family, close friends who support 

you in your life journey, and they 

too really appreciate your presence 

around them. At the end of the day, 

that's what it comes down to.” • 


FIND YOUR NEW 

BEST FRIEND! 

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER 

These are just a few of the many faces in our care 

that are patiently waiting for their forever families 

to find them. We know there’s a match out there 

for all of them. And for all the rest of their friends 

at the shelter and in foster homes that aren’t 

pictured here on these pages. Maybe one has 

been waiting all this time to rescue YOU... Adopt 

a shelter pet today! 

At Homeward Animal Shelter, our mission is: 

“Rescue. Shelter. Protect. Rehome.” We provide a 

second chance at happiness to lost, abandoned, 

and owner-surrendered animals; and educate 

the community on the proper, loving, and kind 

treatment of animals. 

Homeward Animal Shelter is committed to 

preventing animal overpopulation and spays/ 

neuters all animals 6 months or older before 

adoption. Since its inception in 1966, Homeward 

Animal Shelter has placed nearly 41,000 animals 

in lifelong homes. • 

MARSHALL 

Male | 13 years old 

Buff & White DSH 

Diabetic 

“I’m not just a cat, I’m a 

master cuddler. Seeking 

a human who’s ready to 

unwind and snuggle up with 

me after a long day.” 

LEO 

Male 

1 year old 

Husky Mix 

“I’m a playful pup with a lot 

to say. Seeking a human 

who’s ready to engage in 

endless conversations and 

adventures with me.” 

CONCRETE 


Grey & White DSH 

FIV+ 


connoisseur of the finer 

things in life: sunlight, 

soft blankets, and a good 

chin scratch.” 

ELANA 

Female 

8 ½ years old 

Torbie & White DSH 

Diabetic 


queen. Looking for a human 

who’s ready to bow down 

and serve me (or at least 

give me a good belly rub).” 


MIRA RALPH AKA RALPHIE MOON 

Female | 4 years old 

Rhodesian Ridgeback & 

Lab Mix 

“I may not have the best 

manners, but I can learn. 

And in the meantime, 

I promise to make up for it 

with lots of love, loyalty, 

and snuggles.” 


Tabby & White DSH 


professional lap warmer. 

Seeking a human with a 

cozy spot on the couch 

(and an endless supply of 

chin scratches).” 

Male | 3 ½ years old 

Great Dane 

“Looking for a human 

who can appreciate my 

unique blend of energy and 

laziness. Bonus points if 

you have a big backyard for 

me to run around in.” 

ROSA 

AKA RUE 

Female | 2 years old 

Cinnamon Tabby & 

White DSH 

“I may look like a lap-cat, 

but I’m actually a worldclass 

athlete when it comes 

to chasing laser pointers.” 

“I’m not just a dog, I’m a 

walking sunshine machine. 

Seeking a human who’s ready 

to bask in the glow of my 

endless love and tail wags.” 

ARYA 

Female 

4 years old 

Pit Bull Terrier 

For information on adopting, 

volunteering or to make a donation, visit: 

homewardonline.org 

SAVING A LIFE, WILL CHANGE YOURS! 


HAVING A BEER WITH | MAX MUELLER 

WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON 


Did you hear about the meteorologist marathon? The 

losers got precipitation trophies. 

Crickets. Zero response from Max Mueller, KVRR’s Chief 

Meteorologist. Not even a single eyebrow raise. And that’s 

fine. It wasn’t even my joke. But the lack of chuckles led 

me to think ol’ Maxy Mu (coworkers: you’re welcome) had 

yet to master the Midwestern art form of self-deprecation. 

How wrong I was. As you’ll see in a minute, Mueller 

delivered the best, most self-aware one-liner I’ve ever 

heard during an interview. Yeah, I did not see it coming. 

See if you can spot it. 

Back to the beginning... Walking into Drekker’s newlyopened 

Brewhalla — Fargo’s best answer to “Hey, what 

should we do tonight?” — Mueller looked to be the 

Goldilocks of local meteorology. Shorter than Too Tall. 

Higher than Wheeler. Not too Green. Working Sundays 

through Thursday, it was his Saturday and to throw 

people off, he wore a Nikon backpack and pretended to 

be a cameraman. 

As it turns out, meteorologists have other interests, and 

Mueller’s is photography. It’s actually the reason he got 

into the weather business in the first place. After showing 

off his outrageously nice camera to the Urban Toad crew, 

it was time to answer some questions. 

Where did your weather passion come from? 

It’s kind of funny. When I was a kid, I was terrified of 

storms. I was always freaking out when the sirens were 

going off. But I always had a love of cameras when I was 

growing up, so I got into capturing lightning and storms 

and started teaching myself about thunderstorms... 

basically turned into a storm chaser. 



HAVING A BEER WITH | MAX MUELLER 

How long have you been at KVRR? 

I started interning there in 2018… went on air in April 

2018. Left in 2020 for Idaho and came back in October 

of 2022. 

What in the world made you think living in Idaho was a 

good idea? 

The real answer was they were the only place to offer me 

a job! If I knew we were in for this kind of winter coming 

back, I might have put it off a little bit. The scenery out 

there, the mountains, there was no shortage of things to 

look at out there. In the end, I kind of missed Fargo and 

wanted to come back. 

Teach me something surprising about the weather. 

So there is a type of cloud mammatus. If you see cloud 

cover with little bumps underneath, pillow-looking things, 

those are mammatus. They were named after breasts. 

The guy who named them looked up there and saw boobs. 

And so… mammatus. 

How hard is it not to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day? 

It is unfortunate, because I do have a plethora of green 

stuff from UND. I will usually take a kelly green UND 

hoodie on air with me and say this is why I can’t wear 

green on air. 

Why no props? No pizzazz? 

I’m not Carrot Top! I am a big movie nerd, so what I’ve 

done before is if it’s kind of a boring forecast, especially in 

28 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com 

summer, I try to incorporate movie titles to describe the 

weather. You know… Some Like It Hot. Eternal Sunshine. 

Hot Fuzz. Any time I can get a Twister reference there I 

go for it. 

Do you have a meteorological hero? Is it Phil Connors? 

It is not Phil Connors. I remember watching that as a kid, 

and I didn’t realize that he was even a weatherman! As a 

kid, I was obsessed with learning about how everything 

worked at a news station, so I would know all the names 

of the anchors and meteorologists. 

What’s the ultimate achievement for a meteorologist? 

I got interested in weather through thunderstorms and 

tornadoes, and those are one of the more dangerous 

things that people can deal with. If there’s a dangerous 

tornado heading for a populated area when I’m on air, I 

want to do so in a way that people will listen and follow 

the directions and hopefully save lives. That’s definitely 

one of the most important things. 

What is the hardest part of your job? 

Predicting the weather. 

[Mic drop! Dead.] 

Do you think it’s somewhat disqualifying for a 

meteorologist to choose to live in a place like Fargo? 

You still get four seasons every year. You still get spring, 

summer, fall and… yeah, winter. So I love the seasonality

here. I always tell people if you can get through 

winters, the summers are so great. You still deal 

with mosquitos, but I think the summers around 

here are perfect. 

What’s the most interesting part of your job 

people would be surprised by? 

When you’re doing the weather on air, there is no 

script. You’re just given an amount of time. When 

you’re organizing the graphics you’re going to use, 

you’re formulating in your head what you’re going 

to say about this and how it’ll transition into the 

next one. But no actual script. 

What’s the worst on-air gaffe you’ve ever made? 

A couple of years ago, right before I came back 

from a commercial, some saliva went down the 

wrong pipe. So we came back on air and I just 

started coughing. During commercial breaks, 

anchors will be talking back and forth nonstop, so 

one time an anchor turned to me and said, “Don’t 

laugh!” right before we went back on air… I made 

it a few words before I broke. 

What does the Good Life mean to you? 

For me, the good life is pretty simple. When I'm at 

some ridiculously beautiful location for a sunrise 

or sunset, or watching a thunderstorm start to 

develop in the middle of nowhere, or under the 

stars at night and hopefully getting some good 

pictures along the way. • 


LOCAL HERO | CURT CANNON 

Turning Down the Heat 

A PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS MAKES THE 

JOB EXTRA REWARDING 

WRITTEN BY: EMMA VATNSDAL 


Curt Cannon’s life can be summed up in one word: 

compassion. 

And when you’re working to help change the lives of your 

brothers and sisters, compassion can be your biggest 

strength. 

There are many challenges veterans face 

after they leave the military. Unemployment, 

homelessness, physical handicaps and poor 

mental health barely scratch the surface. 

Then the added stress of figuring out how 

their country is going to serve them after they 

risk their lives to serve their country. 

“My whole life has been helping people,” he said. “You 

don’t go into nursing if you’re not compassionate and want 

to help people. I have a business and a nursing degree, so 

I put the two together and went the healthcare route.” 

He served as the CEO of an assisted living facility in 

Minnesota before he retired from the Army in 2014. 

Cannon took the Clay County Veteran Service Officer 

position in September 2015 and he hasn’t looked back. 

For Cannon, navigating the maze of the ever-changing 

military benefits, and all the complex issues veterans face 

after their service, is all in a day’s work.

“IT’S BEEN ONE OF THE MOST 

REWARDING JOBS IN MY 

CAREER.” 

Every veteran that walks through the doors of 

the Clay County Veterans Service Office in North 

Moorhead has a story. And with each story comes 

a unique set of obstacles they must get through in 

order to survive and thrive in civilian life. 

“It’s been one of the most rewarding jobs in my 

career,” he said. “You’ve got a veteran sitting across 

from you crying because they don’t know what to 

do, they don’t have health care, they’re going to lose 

their job or their house, and you have resources to 

help. And you get them into the VA and now they 

have a lifetime of health care, or you provide a 

resource that helps them pay their rent, mortgage 

or utilities. There’s nothing better than that.” 

Transitioning back into civilian life is a drastic shift 

for many, and that little bit of magic can make it a 

little easier. 

“(While you’re stationed) you take orders, you 

deliver orders, you do a mission and hope everyone 

is safe. You were fed, your laundry is done for 

you, and you have no bills. There is daily stress of 

missing your family and hoping your soldiers stay 

alive, but you execute the mission to best of your 

abilities, serve your time and come home to your 

family,” said Cannon. 

“Back here, you have the home fight. — I mean, how 

do you cope with that? That’s the biggest question. 

Can you cope when you return to civilian life? That’s 

where we come into play. We’re dealing with way 

more than just taking orders. You have housing, 

kids, spousal, social, financial, employment… 

Those compound and it can make or break you. 

Some can handle the heat of the daily stressors, 

and some can’t, but our job is to try to turn the heat 

down.” 

From housing allowances and retirement benefits, 

to medical care and disability with everything in 

between, Cannon and his colleagues wear multiple 

“hats” to make the process as smooth and easy as 

possible. 



“We’re advocates for our county veterans that deal with 

state or federal benefits, and we offer the resources to 

try to direct (the veterans) in the right path,” he said. “In 

my opinion, you just have to find the person or the people 

that have the answers. And in Clay County, that’s us. We’re 

a one-stop shop, and we know and have access to the 

resources available to them. We have the answers, and if 

we don’t know (the answer), we know people that we can 

call and get it.” 

Cannon and his team Jennifer and Bonnie create a support 

network for veterans who need it. 

But they don’t do it alone. In this area, finding help is 

sometimes a short drive or phone call across the river. 

“We work closely with Chris Deery, the VSO in Cass 

County, and his team,” he said. “We flip-flop answers 

and we take care of each other, and we take care of each 

other’s vets. We couldn’t be a better team.” 

LIFE IN THE FORCES 

Cannon’s life with the military started before he was even 

born. His father served in the Air Force. 

It was while he was attending Valley City State University 

in 1989 that he got his chance to join the military. 

“I wanted to join the Air Force, but that was in Fargo and 

I didn't have a good car to make it,” he said with a laugh. 

“So I had to walk up the hill to the Army National Guard 

Armory.” 

Cannon enlisted as a combat medic for the field artillery 

company as a Private First Class. He went through 

basic and advanced individual training and eventually 

became a specialist. In 1992 he attended the Minnesota 

Military Academy (OCS Class 37) to become an officer. 

He graduated in 1993 as a second lieutenant, and stayed 

in the medical field as a platoon leader where he was in 

charge of 40 to 50 soldiers. He worked his way up the 

ranks to executive officer and company commander of 

the medical unit, Charlie Med. He also served as the rear 

Battalion Commander at the end of his 26-year military 

career. 


He was deployed to Iraq in 2005, where he commanded 133 

soldiers spread throughout the country. 

“In Iraq, we were the third medical unit on the ground so our 

mission was changed to providing in-hospital level two-plus trauma 

care and convoy escort teams. My doctors, my nurses, my dentist 

and a few specialized medics remained in the hospital on base to 

provide care,” Cannon said. “The remainder of the medics with 

our supply section had to retrain and refit to, quite frankly, do the 

toughest job: run gun trucks from southern Iraq to Baghdad every 

three to five days. We were also assigned a patrol section of our 

perimeter ‘outside the wire.’” 

The escorts and patrols were very difficult missions for trained 

personnel. We had two to three weeks to retrain, refit and execute 

missions.” 

Cannon’s unit spent 16 months in Iraq. 

“WE DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB WITH OUR MISSIONS. WE BROUGHT 

EVERYBODY HOME. A FEW GOT HURT, BUT EVERYBODY CAME HOME ALIVE.” 



“We did an outstanding job with our missions,” he 

said. “We brought everybody home. A few got hurt, but 

everybody came home alive.” 

HOME LIFE 

Cannon does a lot for his community, but he would argue 

his family does even more. 

“You can’t do a career like this without family,” he said. 

His wife and children have been with him for the whole 

ride. 

“I think the biggest thing for children of a service 

member is coping with them being gone so long and so 

often,” Cannon said. “For the National Guard, you have 

one weekend a month and then two weeks (of training) 

so that’s up to many active duty days a year. Then add in 

the multiple state active duty days and deployments, it 

accumulates to years of time gone from your family and 

having no dad around to contribute to day-to-day life. 

“It definitely made Yvonne more independent,” he said. 

“She bought a house, took care of the bills, took care of 

the kids when they were sick, coordinated daycare and 

after school events while working a full time job. She 

deserves the recognition and medals. She’s a saint to put 

up with me and I can’t tell her enough how much she 

means to our family. The kids have been great and have 

supported me throughout my military career.” 

“It definitely takes a village,” he said. 

And to Cannon, that, he says, is the good life. 

“It’s taking care of fellow veterans and taking care of 

family,” he said. “Spending time with family and friends 

because life is too short. The good life also extends to the 

work and what our local and state team members do to 

help veterans and their families. After my 26 year career 

in the army, I’m taking care of veterans, my brothers and 

sisters to make sure they have direction and the proper 

resources to succeed — not just in Clay County, but all 

over the world.” • 

And while dad is deployed, it’s mom who holds down the 

most important fort.

The Good Life – May-June 2023

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