The Good Life – November-December 2023

Saving a life,
will change
yours!
Male - 3 yrs old - Husky
Hey there, I'm Sven! The talkative and highenergy
Husky with a charismatic personality
that's hard to resist. I'm not your typical silent dog – oh
no, I've got a lot to say, and I'm not afraid to voice my thoughts!
My adorable howls and "conversations" are sure to keep you
entertained and amused. Life with me is an adventure waiting
to happen. I love a good challenge, whether it's solving puzzles
or learning new tricks. If you're looking for a lively and intelligent
Husky to brighten your days, I'm your guy!
Male - 2 ½ years old - Tabby & White DLH
Hello, I’m Otis, a lucky little boy just dreaming
of a loving home and the occasional Lion Cut!
I am a sweet happy character and have a
large desire to make my people happy, too!
I like treats, feathers, and a wand toy you
move slowly. I am a very loving snuggle
buddy, who is affectionate and yearns to
be pet. My favorite thing in the world is
to get scratches under my chin and by
my ears. Other cats and animals in the
house make me nervous, so I need
to be an only child … but make no
mistake, I adore attention and I will
make a sweet and loving companion
for you!
2 | THE GOOD LIFE

Female | 10 ½ years old | Orange Tabby DSH
Hello, I'm Monarch, and I’m on a mission to find
my forever home I've been patiently waiting
for over nine months now, so I think it's about
time I get my shot. My foster mom says I'm a
true sweetheart. I absolutely adore affection
and will reward you with the sweetest head
bumps and purrs you've ever experienced.
Though I can be a tad shy on occasion,
I've come a long way. I'd thrive in a quiet
home where my human is often around.
Despite my age, I'm ready to bring
warmth, snuggles and the unique
charm of a senior kitty into your
life. If you're looking for a loyal and
affectionate companion, I might
just be the purrfect match.
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. •
For information on adopting,
volunteering or to make a donation, visit:
homewardonline.org
Female - 1 year old - Lab/Collie Mix
Hi, my name is Ivy! I am quite shy
when I meet new people and it
takes me some time to warm up,
but when I do, I love my people
very much. I’d love to have another
dog to roughhouse with or who is, at
least, tolerant of my wild side. I like to
play with my toys and especially like to
spend lots of time outside. When my
foster parents are away, I am getting
really good at going in my kennel.
Sometimes I get rewarded with my
favorite treats – marshmallows!
Female - 8 years old - Tabby DSH
Hello, I’m Jubilee – a sweet, lovely,
and somewhat shy cat with a heart
full of love. I’m a born explorer, but
I find solace in cozy hideaways. I
adore catnip, toys, and have a special
bond with my human companions.
Birdwatching from my windowsill
and comforting fellow felines are
some of my favorite pastimes. I really
love my foster home, but I can’t
wait to find my very own forever
home. I promise to love and cherish
you, bring tons of joy, and be your
beloved companion for life.
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Contents
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023
VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 3
Homeward Animal Shelter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02
Saving a life will change yours! Adopt a shelter pet today.
Dad Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
Rinks, Reward Points and Terrible Cellphone Reception
A typical hockey dad's weekend.
Putting the Cross in CrossFit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Faith RXD Fargo combines fitness and faith in a creative and caring way.
Having A Beer With. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Amy Iler and JJ Gordon
The unlikely ‘It Takes Two’ duo goes off mic and on the record.
On the Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Dylan Henderson
U.S. Marine Corps Captain Dylan Henderson shares his motivation and his journey through serving his country.
A Wild Game Holiday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Make this year's holiday meals memorable by going wild!
Bizarre Christmas Traditions and Folklore ........................... 28
No holiday is steeped in more varied traditions than Christmas. Learn about a few of the most
bizarre customs and the folklore surrounding them.
The Garden of Healing Offers Serenity ................ 32
Fargo has its own refuge for healing in The Garden of Healing.
4 | THE GOOD LIFE

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Meghan Feir Walker
Paul Hankel
Ben Hanson
Jeffrey Miller
Hillary W. Sorenson
Emma Vatnsdal
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darren@urbantoadmedia.com
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urbantoadmedia.com | 5

DAD LIFE
Rinks, REWARD POINTS,
& TERRIBLE CELLPHONE RECEPTION
A Typical Hockey Dad's Weekend
WRITTEN BY: PAUL HANKEL
As a hockey dad, I love getting asked the question, “Hey,
what are you up to this weekend?” If funny because,
between the months of November to February, the answer
is almost always the same: “Oh, ya know, the kiddo has a
tournament in *insert a city or suburb in Minnesota*.”
Travel with me as I paint a picture of a typical traveling
sports parent’s weekend, during the season.
Saturday Morning: The Wake-Up Call
You left work early on a Friday, loaded up the family, and
headed out of town for this weekend’s big tournament.
You wake up at 9:00 a.m. in a non-descript Holiday Inn in
Northern Minnesota. Just kidding ... your son’s team lost
the round-robin play-in tournament last night, was seeded
low, and now has to play at 7:00 a.m.
In reality, you’ve been up since 5:00 a.m., pounding coffee,
looking for a missing elbow pad, and frantically charging
your son’s electronic device (for the break in between
games).
You sneak a quick shower in and then herd the entire
family down to the lobby for the free continental
breakfast (gotta save a few bucks somehow).
You show your son the offerings and he proceeds to say,
“Gross,” and, instead, makes a liquid concoction out
of sugar packets and juices from the juice bar. *Sigh*.
Guess you’ll have to settle for soft pretzels and hot
chocolate from the concessions stand at the rink.
You hurriedly shovel in some eggs, apple juice, and a
stale bagel and herd everyone to the car. On the way
out, you stop by the front desk one more time to ensure
that you’re Holiday Inn Express Platinum rewards
points are being properly credited to your account (they
aren’t).
Once everyone is loaded into your car, you shiver as you
type in the address of the rink.
You were too busy being concerned with rewards points
6 | THE GOOD LIFE

to have warmed up your car and now your wife is mad.
And to top it off, someone (you) forgot to bring all the
hockey equipment inside of the hotel to dry or stay
warm. You will hear about this all weekend.
Arrival at the Rink
The car is now just getting warm as you pull into the
parking lot of whichever hockey arena has decided to
host this weekend’s tournament.
If you thought parking was bad at concerts ... try
parking at a regional hockey tournament. There is no
such thing as, “North Dakota nice,” when it comes to
parking at these tournaments. It’s a blood sport and
it's every family for themselves. Half the spots are now
convenient dumping grounds for snow and the few
remaining spots are more valuable than gold.
You swear under your breath and wonder, “Do these
people really need to drive such big-ass SUVs? The gas
mileage has to be terrible.”
You think you’ve witnessed a miracle and have spotted an
open parking space near the front, only to pull up and see
that it's reserved parking for whoever decided to donate
the most money to the arena. UGH.
You decide to be chivalrous and drop off your hockey star
and family at the entrance and then go park the car in
whatever field you can find. Your intentions are two-fold
though: this will give you a few minutes of alone time
during which to breathe, check the finances, and set your
fantasy football lineups (because Lord knows this place
doesn’t have wifi).
Before you head in, you check your supplies: beanie, hand
warmers, chopper gloves, and insulated boots ... check.
Let’s do this.
Intermission: The Great Snack Sprint
In the brief lull between games, you execute a wellrehearsed
routine called "The Great Snack Sprint."
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DAD LIFE
This involves a quick trip to the local Dollar General or
gas station to purchase snacks because, apparently, “I
don’t like anything they sell here, Dad.” Apparently, your
superstar is too good for taco-in-a-bag, roller dogs, and
sloppy joes. You begrudgingly agree to the off-premise
trip (even though you’ll definitely lose your parking spot),
because it's either go or watch your star athlete hammer
Red Bulls and Skittles for the rest of the afternoon.
*Sigh*
Evening: Team Dinner Time
By evening, the sports and artistic endeavors were behind
us, leaving room for a team dinner. The goal was to have
a team bonding experience. The actual result was 16
unshowered 12-year-olds, hopped up on Dr. Pepper and
Takis, terrorizing a small suburban Buffalo Wild Wings.
You order $23 worth of food for your kid and he takes
three bites before returning to trying to stick his arm up
the crane game and steal prizes in the arcade. Classic
unshowered youth behavior.
You smile graciously and remember to tip the servers
really well. They don’t deserve this.
And, hey, it could’ve been worse: the team moms could’ve
chosen Dave and Buster’s, which would’ve cost you an
additional $50 for games. You count yourself lucky.
Now it's time to head back to the hotel for an early 8:00
pm bedtime because we have a championship game
tomorrow morning at 9 am. Again, kidding.
It’s pool party time!
Pool Party
Because waking up at 5:00 a.m. and three hockey games
wasn’t enough to tire out your athlete, the decision is made
by the hockey families to take over the hotel swimming
pool.
The three loudest sounds on earth:
- Fathers snoring
- Illegal fireworks
- 16 12-year-olds swimming in a Holiday Inn Express in a
suburb of Minneapolis.
End of list.
This part of the evening is actually really enjoyable for
you, though. While on your, “snack sprint,” you swung by
the local liquor store and picked up some adult beverages.
You even made sure to get your significant other her
favorite bottle of wine. She smiles and forgives you for the
tantrum you threw about parking that morning.
The head coach is a real hard-ass and sets a curfew of
8 | THE GOOD LIFE

10:00 p.m. You fist bump him and silently mouth the
words, “Thank you,” and your athlete begrudgingly
heads off to the room to sleep.
You get him all tucked in and then down to have a
couple of beers with the other hockey parents, swap
stories and money-saving tips, and eat your kid’s
leftovers from Buffalo Wild Wings.
Life is good.
Championship Sunday
Sunday dawned with promises of the possibility of
making it home in time to catch the second half of the
Vikes game. In your head, you’re thinking, “OK the
game is at nine. Should last an hour and a half. If he
doesn’t screw around too long in the locker room, we
can gas up and be on the road by 11:15. Should put us
home at 2:00, 2:30.” Wishful thinking, my friend.
The game goes into overtime, then a shootout.
The Trek Home
You’re on the road at 12:30 p.m. and, just your luck, a
blizzard rolls in from the west and you now get to drive
55 mph all the way home.
You glance in the backseat, as you white-knuckle it
down the highway, and see your superstar peacefully
sleeping in the backseat.
You make it home by 6:00 p.m. (had to stop at the outlet
mall in Albertville), and unload everything including
the equipment and children.
All sports equipment is immediately quarantined
in the entryway or laundry room to be soaked in the
tub and then washed in preparation for practice on
Tuesday. One of the hockey moms told you the recipe
for a new soaking concoction made of detergent, lye,
baking soda, caustic acid, and Dial dish soap that she
swears removes all the smells. You can’t wait to try it.
A quick meal is prepared. You’re too tired to prepare
a heart-healthy well-balanced meal, so Easy Mac with
cut-up hot dogs and a handful of Takis will have to do.
The meal is immediately followed by the inevitable
half-hour fight about showering before bed.
Once tucked in, you kiss your athlete goodnight, say a
prayer of thanks that there were no broken bones or
hockey sticks over the weekend, and then plop down
on the couch just in time to catch the last quarter of
the Sunday Night Football game.
You check your fantasy football lineup and then
promptly pass out from exhaustion five minutes later.
Was it all worth it? Absolutely. •
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want a bit of camaraderie, anyone is
welcome to join. The workouts can also
be modified for those with disabilities.
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, WITH A TWIST
PUTTING
THE CROSS
IN CROSSF T
In an effort to combine faith with fitness, Faith RXD,
a national CrossFit community, melds CrossFit and
Christianity to care for the body, mind and spirit.
Inspired by the organization’s mission, local chapters have
sprung up across the country. Since June 2023, Fargo has
seen its own chapter come to life.
For decades, Christians haven’t been
closely associated with physical
wellness. In fact, Christian churches in
America have been known to regularly
excuse one sin: gluttony.
Overindulging during church potlucks
is often joked about, expected and even
encouraged. “After all, they feasted in
the Bible,” people will say to defend
taking their third slice of pie.
Yet some Christians haven’t turned a
blind eye to this member of the “seven
deadly sins.” They firmly believe the
words of 1 Corinthians chapter 6 and
aim to take care of their earthly vessels
by regularly exercising their faith and
fitness goals.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your bodies
are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is
in you, whom you have received from
God? You are not your own; 20 you
were bought at a price.
The local chapter is led by Mark Erickson who serves
as the group’s chaplain, Amanda Boe, the director of
management, and Jake Haile, the fitness coordinator. The
group meets weekly on Sundays at 6 p.m. at CrossFit Fargo
for a fitness portion, spiritual content and discussions that
aim to ignite questions about spirituality and life.
Erickson, who also happens to be the executive pastor
of Northview Church in Fargo, N.D., wants this group to
be inclusive. Whether you’re a Christian, a seeker, or just
WRITTEN BY: MEGHAN FEIR WALKER
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
10 | THE GOOD LIFE

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“There’s also a verse in 1 Timothy that says, ‘For physical
training is of some value, but godliness has value for all
things, holding promise for both the present life and the
life to come.’ The church has historically ignored the
physical, but we of all people should understand that the
body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. We should take care
of these things,” Erickson said.
While churches should no longer hold this double
standard, Erickson said that physical fitness is only the
secondary purpose of Faith RXD Fargo.
“Yeah, we’re interested in fitness, but the main part is that
people have questions about spirituality,” Erickson said.
“I hope you can wrestle with some of those questions
here. If you don’t agree with us, we’re not kicking you out.
That’s not the heart of it. If you’re looking for a friend,
we’d love to have you there.”
SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF SPIRITUALITY
Throughout his lifetime, Erickson has loved staying
active. When he joined the CrossFit community a year
ago, he was blown away by how welcoming and relational
people were. He also noticed they were open to learning
about health beyond the physical confines of the body.
“CrossFit people are usually concerned with whole
wellness. They’re not just concerned with fitness, they’re
also concerned about their spirituality as well,” Erickson
said. “We wanted to make an area where they can talk
about that and how Jesus is the answer to a lot of their
longings in life.”
While Faith RXD Fargo has members who attend various
churches in the community, their main goal is to get to
know those who are still questioning their spiritual
direction.
“I love helping people who already believe become
stronger in their faith, but we started this for people
who have no idea who Jesus really is,” Erickson said.
“Two weeks ago, one of the gals opened up. One of the
questions the content prompted was, ‘If there is a god,
what would you ask that entity?’ She said, ‘Why don’t I
hear you like everyone else seems to hear you?’ That’s
12 | THE GOOD LIFE

the goal of this; to start scratching the surface of
spirituality. It’s to have a conversation about it.”
LIVING THE GOOD LIFE
“I really believe that if everyone could see Jesus
as he truly is, they’d actually want to follow him.
That’s something I try to live by,” Erickson said.
When asked what living the good life means to
him, Erickson answered purposefully, with a clear
goal in mind for this lifetime and beyond.
“To me, ‘living the good life’ reminds me of John
10:10. ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy; I have come that they may have life, and
have it to the full.’ To me, the good life is aligning
as much as I can with what God intends for me to
do. God is my standard of what is good. Whatever
aligns with Him is what I want to do. I want the
John 10:10 life to the full.” •
"To me, the good life is aligning as much as I
can with what God intends for me to do. God is
my standard of what is good. Whatever aligns
with Him is what I want to do. I want the John
10:10 life to the full.” – ERICKSON
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HAVING A BEER WITH | AMY AND JJ
Having A
Beer With
Amy and JJ
Even the most casual listener to KFGO knows that Amy
Iler and JJ Gordon share a unique bond. What you don’t
know is how strong that bond is when the “On Air” light
goes dark.
The two strolled into Brewhalla right on time, chatting the
entire walk from the car — they drove together — like an
old married couple discussing which appetizer to share
before dinner. It’s a comparison they freely own, as JJ
admits they’re as close to being married as
any unmarried couple you’ll
ever come to know.
WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
And that’s where the magic
comes from. You can feel it through the airwaves. How
Amy’s kids are not just friendly with, but worship JJ and
live and die by his Star Wars opinions is the appeal to
their three-hour midday show. In between breaking
news, ag reports and weather updates, Amy and JJ fill
our spaces with pure authenticity … and sometimes raw
emotion that connects with the listeners as only
a couple of true Midwesterners could.
So pour a fresh cup of coffee,
and let’s get to know Fargo’s
on-air odd couple. Feel free to keep the radio
on in the background. Amy would.
14 | THE GOOD LIFE

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HAVING A BEER WITH | AMY AND JJ
"I had a Fisher Price
microphone, so I
would record myself
pretending I was on
the radio." – Amy
Where are you two from?
Amy: I grew up in Bismarck and graduated
from Century High School.
JJ: Fargo, N.D., born and raised. I live in the
house my grandfather built in 1957, and my
great-grandfather was the Mayor of Fargo and
signed the deed on the house at the time.
Tell me about the first time you two met and/
or the first time you went on air together.
Amy: I knew they were flipping the station [JJ
was on at the time] and he would be out of a job.
So I wanted to try that guy out.
JJ: I was on a rock station that they flipped to
become an adult contemporary station … then
moved in a different direction as a DJ-less station.
I thought it was over, and I didn’t consider radio to
be my future at all. Amy said, “Hey Jack Sunday is
going to be gone, would you come in?”
When the mics are off, what happens in the
studio?
Amy: All kinds of stuff. There are a little bit of
shenanigans between us, but we try to figure out
how to get other people involved in our shenanigans.
JJ: We’re both working towards the same goal, so if
Amy is prepping for the next interview, I’m prepping
the production. The amount of creative output that
happens when she and I are running on all
cylinders is unlike anything I’ve been a part of.
What’s the hardest part of live radio?
Amy: Trying to figure out how to put your
emotions in check. When Jason Moser died
and I had to try to do live radio through that
… I learned how to do it from Jack Sunday.
We’re live, in real time, having this moment with
everyone else. I think it’s beautiful.
JJ: In 2023, the hardest part of live radio is that
everyone has Google at their fingertips, so it’s
rarer and rarer that you are actually breaking
news to them. The really hard part is … have
you ever tried to choke back a cough in the
middle of an interview?
If you could replace the
other for one week, who
would be your dream cohost?
Amy: It would be amazing
to have five different people
from different parts of my life
whose stories haven’t been
told … because everyone is
interesting.
JJ: Gary Paulson, the author
16 | THE GOOD LIFE

of “Hatchet.” As a kid, I loved it
because it was a kid who had
an adventure. As an adult during
the pandemic, it was like “HE
HAS TO SURVIVE!”
On a scale from Tommy Boy to
Guglielmo Marconi, how much
do you really know about how
radio works?
Amy: Are we talking about the
engineering of radio?
JJ: I would say I am to the
Westinghouse level. I know how
the radio beams are working
and the difference between day
signal and night signal, but I
don’t know how it gets from our
tower into our cell phone.
What’s your earliest memory
of listening to the radio?
Amy: I used to pretend I was on
the radio. I had a Fisher Price
microphone, so I would record
myself pretending I was on the
radio. I also remember listening
to the radio when I got ready in
the morning.
JJ: We would drive down to the
lake cabin, and my mom would
give my sisters a master's level
course in great music. But I
rode with my dad, who listened
to KFGO from first thing in the
morning to when he went to
bed. I remember thinking this is
the most boring thing … I was
listening to hog futures at age
six! Why can’t I ride with my
mom in the minivan? But there
would be nobody happier than
my dad, who passed away when
I was 19, that I am now on KFGO.
What does the Good Life mean
to you?
Amy: This is it. I think someday
I’ll look back and realize I didn’t
know it when it was happening
… going a million miles an hour
with work and kids, but when I
look back I think this will be it.
JJ: The good life is hanging out
with people who laugh harder
than you do, and a stranger
who just caught what you were
talking about and comes up and
says you were wrong. •
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ON THE COVER | DYLAN HENDERSON
I don’t think I would’ve
done anything else
U.S. Marine Corps Captain Dylan Henderson
shares his motivation and his journey through
serving his country
There are many reasons Americans serve in the
military. Whether it’s the innate call to serve their
country or even to help pay for college, each of the 1.3
million active-duty military personnel in the U.S., have
their own reasons.
According to the Pew Research Center, 30 percent
of new recruits have a parent in the military and 70
percent report having a family member in the armed
forces.
That 70 percent is just how Captain Dylan Henderson,
a Military Police Officer started his journey.
“My cousin, who I looked up to a lot when I was
younger, enlisted in the Marine Corps,” said Dylan
Henderson, Inspector-Instructor, Detachment Support
Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion.
“After seeing what the Marine Corps did for him in
terms of character development and just the level of
maturity and confidence he had, I wanted to be part
of that.”
Upon completing high
school in Michigan, Henderson
attended the nation’s oldest private and senior
military college in the U.S., Norwich University. He
was a collegiate athlete on the swimming and dive
team and was accepted to Officer Candidate School
as part of the Platoon Leaders Course Program.
Officer Candidate School is a 10-week training program
available to those seeking to earn a Commission
in the United States Military. After graduation and
completion of all training requirements, candidates
18 | THE GOOD LIFE

WRITTEN BY: EMMA VATNSDAL
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
urbantoadmedia.com | 19

ON THE COVER | DYLAN HENDERSON
“There’s the phrase
‘once a Marine,
always a Marine,’
and that rings the
most true when you
have loved ones at
your funeral.”
are commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and
attend training specific to their Military Occupational
Specialty.
Henderson completed all assignments and was
commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps in 2019.
“I went to a couple of other colleges for prospect trips
when I was being recruited for swimming,” he said.
“But they weren’t military colleges. I knew I wanted
to go to (a military college), which is kind of what led
me down the officer route.”
I honestly think it was destiny. It really just led me
to this moment because, in reality, I don’t think I
would’ve done anything else.”
Henderson has worked his way through the ranks
in his short career — after being commissioned as a
second lieutenant, he moved to first lieutenant and
was eventually selected as Captain.
“(Being a Marine) means everything to me,” he said. “I
always wanted to be a Marine and earning the eagle,
globe and anchor, and earning the title Marine was
definitely one of the biggest highlights and milestones
of my life. Very few Americans have attempted to earn
the title Marine and I carry a lot of pride (in it).”
Final Salute
Henderson currently serves as Captain in the
Inspector-Instructor Staff, supporting the Marine
Corps Reserve Detachment in Wahpeton, North
Dakota. Throughout the month, Henderson and his
team support the Marine Corps Reservists through
administrative and logistics actions to ensure they’re
ready for drills, annual training and mobilizations
that may come up.
Those are not his only responsibilities, however.
“We also do funeral honors,” Henderson said. “We
cover a majority of North Dakota, South Dakota and
Minnesota. Our overall area is 65,000 square miles.
Any Marine who has served honorably deserves
military honors during their funeral. We do a flag
ceremony at the funeral and present a folded flag
to a next-of-kin or a loved one for their safe-keeping,
and we properly give respect to a fellow Marine,
regardless of what time they have served in their life.”
This powerful ceremony serves as a final salute
to a fallen Marine and a final show of the country’s
gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace,
have faithfully defended our nation, according to
Headquarters Marine Corps.
20 | THE GOOD LIFE

“There’s the phrase ‘once a
Marine, always a Marine,’
and that rings the most true
when you have loved ones
at your funeral,” he said.
“They want to honor your
service, they want to make
sure that you are being paid
the respect you deserve
for your honorable service
in the Marine Corps. And
regardless of us not knowing
that fallen Marine, we’ve
never even met their families
before or worked with their
funeral home, (the families)
know there are Marines there
to do a ceremony and present
a flag in honor of (the fallen
Marine’s) faithful service.
I think that’s really what
emulates the ‘Once a Marine,
always a Marine.’ Because
even when you’re gone, there’s
still going to be Marines there
who will properly pay their
respects and let your family
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ON THE COVER | DYLAN HENDERSON
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY:
DYLAN HENDERSON
know the Marine Corps will be there and we want to
thank them for their service.”
Through this honor, however, one theme shines
through: family.
“It’s a very moving moment, very personal, very
intimate,” he said. “There have been times when I’ve
teared up, there are times where I know others have
teared up. I’ve never met this person and they’ve
never met me, but in that moment there’s a very
deep level of connection. Even though we’ve never
met them we understand what they’ve gone through
and we want them to know that we’re there.”
Always a Marine
While the Marine Corps is Henderson’s life for now,
it’s not the only thing in his life.
He enjoys spending time with his wife and their dogs
and says North Dakota is one of his favorite places.
“I’ve lived in a pretty decent amount of locations
in the few years since I left Michigan,” Henderson
said. “And this area is easily one of my favorites.
The people, the patriotism, the community support
— just everything the Fargo area emulates. It’s very
cool to be part of.”
Henderson says he enjoys doing CrossFit and even
is starting to get back into competing with CrossFit.
He says he also loves to fish, and that is one of the
big reasons he loves North Dakota.
As far as his plans for the next five years?
“I hope to still be serving my country through the
United States Marine Corps,” he said. “And at that
point, we’ll hopefully add an additional member
of our family that’s not covered in fur. But overall,
I hope to continue to better myself, inspire others
around me and continue service.”
And when it comes to continuing service, he knows
he is never in it alone.
“I’m also thankful for the community support and
for the hometown Reserve Marines who are from
the Fargo area who answer their Nation’s call,” he
said.
22 | THE GOOD LIFE

“I could say
the good life is
a good moment.
You know, fishing
line in the water
with my wife and
dogs. Being able
to come home and
go for a walk in
the neighborhood
and look at the
sunsets."
But for now, Henderson says he
is living the Good Life.
“I could say the good life is a
good moment,” he said. “You
know, fishing line in the water
with my wife and dogs. Being
able to come home and go for
a walk in the neighborhood and
look at the sunsets.
There’s a lot of factors that go
into the Good Life. But I guess
the most important thing is just
being happy with what you do
and who you are. And if there’s
something you think you need
to change to make yourself
happier and live a better Good
Life, then go for it.” •
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A
WILD GAME
HOLIDAY
fill your table from the wild!
WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY MILLER
The holiday season is a time for family, friends and food.
While many tables are filled with domestic turkey, ham
and prime rib, ours is a little bit different. The majority
of our feasts feature meat from the wild and sides from
the garden.
Each season, I hunt in multiple states for whitetail deer
with my bow and have had luck drawing a western state’s
tag for antelope. One year I even drew a buffalo tag for
an Indian Reservation. As big game feature the most in
each year’s hunting, it makes sense they also feature as
the star of the table.
Some cuts of meat, such as the loin and certain steaks,
are tender and best simply grilled. Tougher cuts, roasts
and the neck meat, are best cooked on low heat and slow.
One of my family’s favorite ways for venison to grace the
holiday table is the Mississippi Pot Roast. Our kitchen
has both a pressure cooker and an Instant Pot, and since
Melanie purchased the Instant Pot the pressure cooker
gets used sparingly. The Instant Pot simply makes
everything easier.
The roast is simple and delicious. I like to use the
sirloin, also known as the football roast. It has plenty of
connective tissue and is difficult to grill or fry.
MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST
After spraying the Instant Pot with
non-stick spray, I place the roast into
it, followed by a one-ounce packet of
au just mix and a one-ounce packet
of ranch seasoning.
Next, a 12-ounce jar of pepperoncini
peppers and half of the brine are
added.
Lastly, a stick of unsalted butter is
cut into four pieces and added to the
mix.
The Instant Pot is set to Pressure
Cook for 60 minutes.
After it’s done, allow it to naturally
cool for 10 minutes before turning
the vent to release any residual
steam.
The result is a slightly spicy, tender
and juicy roast that can be shredded
and put over Yukon Gold garden
potatoes.
The roux, left in the pot after the
roast is removed, can be thickened
with flour for a gravy that is out of
this world.
24 | THE GOOD LIFE

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PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: JEFFREY MILLER
While the roast is the star of the show,
an appetizer from the smoker helps
pique the appetite of the holiday
guests. Each spring, as soon as the
ice is off the river, I set out to trap
beavers. The plush, soft pelts make
amazing mittens, hats and hand
muffs. Beyond the fur, however, is
the delicious meat the large rodents
provide. On the Lewis and Clark
expedition, the consensus favorite
meat of the explorers wasn’t bison or
venison. It was the beaver.
The backstraps, or loin, of the beaver
are similar to those of a deer, albeit
much smaller. After removing the
pelt, I use a sharp knife to peel away
the tender meat along the back. Even
though we eat most of it before the
holiday season, I make sure to keep
a few packages of it hidden in the
freezer.
Smoking the loin is an easy
process. I first marinade the
meat, with the silver skin
removed, in a cup of soy
sauce and a few tablespoons
of oil.
After an hour in the marinade,
I move the meat and dust
it with a dry rub. There are
many different kinds of dry
rub on the market, and I
usually use some sort of
barbeque flavor.
The loins go into the smoker,
heated to 225 degrees, for an
hour and a half.
BARBEQUED BEAVER
After that, the meat is placed
on a piece of tin foil. I add a
healthy dollop of barbeque
sauce on the meat, along with
a few tablespoons of honey,
and then wrap it all tightly.
It goes back into the smoker
for another two hours.
Unwrapping the foil reveals
tender, juicy meat, perfect for
an appetizer. Even those who
profess not to like wild game
meat have a hard time not
going back for seconds.
26 | THE GOOD LIFE

The last piece to the holiday
meal puzzle is a hotdish with
either small game or pheasant.
Melanie makes a wonderful
wild rice hotdish. On my
annual archery deer camp in
northwestern Wisconsin, I
always pick up a few pounds of
wild rice, and she turns it into a
mouthwatering dish.
WILD RICE
HOTDISH
She starts out by cutting
the pheasant into chunks.
If using squirrel or rabbit,
she will first pressure
cook the quarters.
Once cooked, the meat
is easily shredded into
strips.
She makes a mixture of
half wild rice and half
jasmine rice and cooks it
in the Instant Pot.
Once both are cooked,
she will cut up green
beans, onions and green
peppers.
After adding it all
together, she puts a can of
cream of celery soup and
simmers it on the stove
for around 20 minutes.
The cold afternoons in the
deer stand, the long walks in
the sun-cured autumn cattails
and mornings around the frigid
springtime river all pay off with
a delectable holiday feast. I’ve
found that the enjoyment of
the meal is a direct result of
the difficulty of gathering the
ingredients. This year, grace
your table with a taste of the
wild! •
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WRITTEN BY: MEGHAN FEIR WALKER
F
From figurines of pooping peasants to
disturbing tales of demons that follow Santa
around door to door like an Avon lady from
Hell, traditions surrounding Christmas are
sometimes peculiar.
In order of mildest to most deranged (in my opinion,
of course), let’s review a handful of the most bizarre
Christmas traditions and the folklore surrounding
them from across the United States and Europe.
WEIHNACHTSGURKE IS A BIG DILL, BUT
NOT IN DEUTSCHLAND
You know you have a substantial sprinkle
of German heritage when your parents
hide a pickle in your Christmas tree.
Not a real pickle. That’s taking it too
far. I’m talking about the inedible, glass
pickle ornaments.
Those who follow the Weihnachtsgurke (Christmas
pickle) tradition hang the pickle ornament deep
within the branches of der Tannenbaum, and the first
person or child to locate it gets a present.
The most likely truth of the matter is that the
Weihnachtsgurke tradition started in the late 19th
century when Woolworth stores began carrying
glass ornaments imported from Germany. Some
were made to look like glossy, high-end fruit that
only the jaw and digestive system of a nutcracker
could enjoy. Others were made to look like
the fanciest vegetables this side of Heaven. A
beautiful, glossy, i-dill-ic pickle just happened
to be included in the selection.
I don’t know if Woolworth stores weren’t
meeting their glass-pickle-ornament
sales quota or what, but in America,
some mischievous storyteller decided to
claim that the Weihnachtsgurke was a centuriesold
German tradition. Pining for more old-world
charm, families in the United States ate this story
up, yet no one in Germany had even heard of the
Christmas pickle.
Another tale related to the Christmas pickle is that
Saint Nick was somehow able to resurrect the pickled
bodies of three boys who had been killed and hidden
in a barrel of equally pickled cucumbers.
28 | THE GOOD LIFE

“Lutefisk, the gelatinous king of Norsk tradition,
has been terrorizing the scent-ibilities of Scandinavian-
American homes for nearly two centuries.”
LUTEFISK: A TASTE ONLY A FATHER COULD
LOVE
What is that smell? Rank-in/Bass? No, it’s rancid cod.
Lutefisk, the gelatinous king of Norsk tradition, has
been terrorizing the scent-ibilities of Scandinavian-
American homes for nearly two centuries.
Lutefisk translates to “lye fish,” and I’d be lye-ing if I
said I like eating and smelling it.
Made of fish (usually cod) that has been sitting in a
vat of lye for an indeterminable amount of time, it
is eventually soaked in cold water for days until it’s
ready to be cooked.
In my very Scandinavian family, my father used to
buy lutefisk for our Christmas Eve supper just as his
family before him did every 24th of December.
While that is sweet and special, let’s get one thing
straight: Lutefisk is stinky before and after it’s cooked.
It stunk up the entire house as my mother prepared it,
and there would always be far too much of it left over.
This is due to family members (like myself) consuming
a much-too-large portion of an ⅛ teaspoon.
For those of you who don’t know about such things,
that’s an ⅛ teaspoon too much.
TAKING A BIG YULE LOG
In the Catalonia region
(northeastern Spain), instead
of keeping the Nativity scene
traditional, someone
along the way added
“the Caganer.” The word
essentially translates to
“the pooper.”
According to Catalonia legend, the Caganer was a man
who happened to be pooping at the same time Jesus
was born, and now his ill-timed bowel movement will
never be forgotten (in Catalonia, anyway).
Sporting a red hat with his pants hung ’round his
ankles, the Caganer peasant figurine is part of an
expansive Nativity scene that includes the entire
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“Krampus also has a basket to place children in … because
that’s the most efficient way to carry 25-90-pound children.”
town of Bethlehem. People purposely try to find the
Caganer relieving himself amidst the town’s hustle
and bustle. What a bunch of peeping Toms and
Thomasinas.
SANTA’S NOT-SO-MERRY GOAT-DEMON
While most Christmas customs in the Alpine regions
look incredible, the following practice lacks every
ounce of the Yuletide joy and light we so desperately
crave this time of year.
This tradition, practiced in Austria, Slovenia,
Croatia, and northern Italy, involves Krampus, an
anthropomorphic goat-demon that follows Saint
Nikolaus (aka, Santa) around to punish naughty
children. His gnarly appearance includes horns and
a nasty, long tongue that could slurp up a cup of hot
chocolate like a straw in 0.2 seconds.
Sure, Saint Nikolaus is okay and all, but why is he
hanging out with a demon who follows him around
kidnapping and whipping kids with a birch rod?
Maybe he’s not as jolly as we once thought. Krampus
also has a basket to place children in … because that’s
the most efficient way to carry 25-90-pound children.
To make this tale worse, Dec. 5 is Krampusnacht, a
night where hordes of men dressed up in elaborate
Krampus costumes walk through the streets of
otherwise picturesque Alpine villages. Off script,
they usually disturb the peace, committing drunken
crimes fit for a goat-demon. Properties get vandalized,
fights break out, and the season of peace and light is
darkened by none other than a demonic character in
the night.
Leave it to demons to dampen the Christmas spirit.
30 | THE GOOD LIFE

THE MOTHER OF ALL EVIL
Could something be worse than Krampus during
Christmas? Well, this mother figure in folklore is
just as evil, if not worse.
For centuries, Icelandic parents took the whole
“naughty or nice” threat to a much darker degree.
Enter Grýla. She’s large (a giant, in fact), and she’s
in charge of her 13 boys, the Yule Lads who love
to steal from people, commit mischievous crimes,
and lick dirty bowls (hey, it’s part of the lore).
Beyond birthing degenerate sons, the worst part
about Grýla is that she eats naughty children for
supper.
While this doesn’t sound any worse than Hansel
and Gretel’s plight, look up pictures of what Grýla
is said to look like and you’ll see how this is much
scarier for children of all ages.
The tale of Grýla was so terrifying that in 1746,
Icelanders were actually banned from telling
their children the horrific tales of these particular
monsters.
Now the tales of the Yule Lads and their mother
are much tamer. Instead of having one Santa
Claus, Icelandic children get 13 because the Yule
Lads give good kids candy and the naughty kids
rotten potatoes in their shoes.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
When I asked people what their bizarre family
Christmas traditions are, instead of all things
strange and creepy, I received very sweet,
endearing responses.
Whether it’s being gifted Christmas bears in lieu
of stockings, playing Christmas bingo, receiving
new stockings inside of stockings, wearing antlers
when it’s your turn to open presents, making
homemade pizzas on Christmas Day, or dancing
around the Christmas tree belting a Dutch song,
every family can create their own holiday magic
with the traditions they have created themselves.
May your Christmas season be merry and bright,
peaceful, joyful, and love-filled, and may your
children stay away from Santa’s cronies. •
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WRITTEN BY: HILLARY W. SORENSON
The longing for a place of quiet contemplation has created
an upswing in healing gardens across the United States.
Healing gardens, or therapeutic gardens, are created with
the intent of providing revitalization, rehabilitation, and
other therapeutic applications. According to the American
Society of Landscape Architects, “a plant-dominated
environment” creates passive or active interactions
between individuals and the garden’s healing elements.
Horticulture therapists encourage beautiful spaces with
wide accessible entrances and paths along with sensoryconscious
elements that invigorate the senses. Fargo’s
Garden of Healing is located East of Scheels Arena on
32nd Ave South in Urban Plains Park. With its elegantly
laid brickwork and strategically placed blooms, The
Garden of Healing Fargo hopes to become a destination
for those seeking restoration and healing.
From the Ashes
The Garden of Healing was created when two non-profits
shared the same vision and partnered together to make
an idea into a reality.
In 2018, Sarah Fisher's son, Cameron, was killed in a car
accident. Following his death, Sarah created Crosses for
Cameron, a non-profit organization that strives to spread
awareness and the importance of organ donation. Sarah
and her husband Arlin Fisher came up with the idea for
The Garden of Healing and hoped it could be a place for
life, living, and healing for all. In April 2021 the Fargo Park
Board approved the proposal, and the following month
they held a groundbreaking ceremony for Phase One. Jodi
Plecity was among a crowd of 250 in attendance.
32 | THE GOOD LIFE

This place doesn’t have a heaviness like a
cemetery or memorial ground has.
It has this peace and lightness
that instills hope.
Jodi Plecity runs Peoples Rising Academy with Dr. Myles
Brooks, a non-profit that provides medical services based
on comprehensive testing to people who “accept the
responsibility of choosing a different path towards the
initiative of being an athlete at life.”
Having experienced immense loss and tragedy herself,
Jodi heard about the Fishers’ Garden and knew she
needed to help. The three joined forces and co-founded
the idea for Phase Two of the garden.
Jodi connected with North Dakota State University
Professor of Landscape Architecture Dominic Fischer,
who assisted with design development and coordination.
The Garden of Healing is fully funded by community
donations, and the team is actively fundraising to raise
funds for both the creation and future maintenance of
the garden.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: THE GARDEN OF HEALING
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PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Brick by Brick
A unique feature of The Garden of Healing is
the legacy bricks, which can be purchased and
engraved with a name or positive message. The
bricks are laid once a year.
Robbie Daniels lost her son in 2022 and chose to
purchase a brick in lieu of a gravesite. “I wanted
something for Tyler. Both Tyler’s wife and I will go
down there and have quiet time. You get a sense
of peace, and you get a sense of okay, I’m okay. It’s
different than going to a graveyard or cemetery
because it’s something we did just to honor him.
I’m happy I did that, and to see his name, and
know that I did that for him.”
Robbie said, The Garden of Healing has been an
integral part of her grieving process over the past
year, and she’s appreciative of the founders’ work.
She said the garden is an excellent place for all.
“It’s not about just one person, it’s about a lot of
people, looking to heal,” she said. “I go there to get
a sense of healing, to honor him, and to be a part
of him. It’s a pretty neat place.”
Alex Jampsa, friend and former colleague to
Arlin, lost a baby boy, Brooks, in 2022. The
Fishers donated a brick in honor of her little
boy, which was placed along with many others
in August 2023. “I never knew I would need a
space like that,” Alex said. “This place doesn’t
have a heaviness like a cemetery or memorial
34 | THE GOOD LIFE

The healing
garden is a
place to reflect,
honor, and try to
heal. It’s not about
just one person –
it’s about a lot of
people looking to
heal.
ground has. It has this peace and lightness that
instills hope. It’s just an incredible addition to our
community and something that is so unique that
other communities don’t have.”
Alex said that when she lost her son, she turned
to Arlin for guidance. “I looked to Arlin and said,
‘How did you do it? How do the days possibly get
better?’ And, I’ll never forget, he said, ‘Not every
day is a great day, but there is greatness in every
day.’”
Through their work at Crosses for Cameron and
Peoples Rising Academy, Sarah, Arlin, and Jodi
have given the metro communities a little slice of
greatness by creating the Garden of Healing. Their
service is an unfailing demonstration of the beauty
that can be created from painful circumstances. •
To support the garden or purchase
your own brick, please visit
gardenofhealingfargo.com and be
sure to a take virtual walk-through
to to see the future vision.
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