The Good Life – January-February 2024

A once-in-a-lifetime trip!
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Honored Veterans always travel free of charge, thanks to generous donations to our organization.
• All expense paid trip to Washington DC
for Veterans to see the memorials built
in their honor
• 3 days, 2 nights chartered 186 passenger
plane, 4 tour buses, 120 hotel rooms
• 3 trips in 2024 – 1 in the spring, and 2
flights in the fall
• Veterans from any branch of service who
served prior to May 7, 1975 can apply
• Cost is $267,000 per trip
DONATE TODAY
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2 | THE GOOD LIFE
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urbantoadmedia.com | 3

CONTENTS
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024
VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 4
06
DAD LIFE / DAD-ISMS
TIME-HONORED ATTEMPTS AT HUMOR,
WITH UNDERLYING LIFE LESSONS
08
HAVING A BEER WITH
THUNDER COFFEE'S SKYLER DUTTON
12
STRANGE THINGS YOU
BELIEVED AS A CHILD
14
FROM FOREST TO FUR
TRAPPING IN THE MODERN WORLD
18
ON THE COVER / PUNCHGUT
THE BEAUTIFUL ART OF SELF -DOUBT
24
HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER
26
PATRIOTIC PLAYERS
RED, WHITE AND DA-DOO-DO!
COVER IMAGE:
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: DARREN LOSEE
DESIGN BY: DAWN SIEWERT
ART BY: PUNCHGUT
30
LOCAL HERO
HUMBLE HERO: CAPTAIN ANDREW FROBIG
CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
4 | THE GOOD LIFE

PUBLISHED BY
Urban Toad Media LLP
www.urbantoadmedia.com
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Dawn Siewert
dawn@urbantoadmedia.com
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darren@urbantoadmedia.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Meghan Feir Walker • Paul Hankel
Ben Hanson • Jeffrey Miller
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urbantoadmedia.com | 5

DAD LIFE
Dad-isms
Time-honored attempts at humor,
with underlying life lessons
"When I was your age…"
WRITTEN BY: PAUL HANKEL
I had the blessed opportunity to
spend lots of time with family
during the holidays, with my family
and extended family. There were
rooms full of children of all ages,
food, laughs, and, of course, uncles,
dads, and grandfathers doling out
(allegedly) witty and sound advice in
the form of dad-isms to nieces and
nephews.
"Dad-isms" are the linguistic gems
that we fathers have been dropping
for generations; a unique blend
of wisdom, wit, and a dash of eyerolling
humor. Like fine wine, they
only seem to get better with time,
leaving our spouses, significant
others, and offspring simultaneously
groaning and knowing that we care
at the same time.
Picture this: your teenager is about
to head out for a night on the town,
and just as they’re about to leave,
you hit them with the classic,
"Remember to drive
safely and have fun, but
not too much fun."
"Remember to drive safely and have
fun, but not too much fun." It's the
kind of advice that makes them roll
their eyes but also lets them know
you care. A dad's version of a preparty
pep talk is as timeless as it is
endearing.
"I'm not sleeping, I'm
just resting my eyes."
Or how about the classic dad-ism:
"I'm not sleeping, I'm just resting my
eyes." Every dad has claimed this at
some point, mine included, usually
while reclining in a comfortable
chair with a magazine (or, in more
modern times, a smartphone)
dangerously close to falling out
of their hands. We are especially
prone to using this quip during the
afternoons/early evenings, especially
when on vacation, during weekends,
or at large family gatherings. It's
the universal signal that a nap is
imminent, but don't you dare call
it a nap – it's just a well-positioned
strategic rest. That honey-do list isn’t
getting any shorter… better rest up.
Dad-isms are also the ultimate life
hacks, disguised as simple, everyday
advice. Take the classic, "Measure
twice, cut once." Sure, it might be a
carpentry tip, but it's also an excellent
metaphor for decision-making.
We dads are basically telling our
offspring to think before they act, in
order to avoid unnecessary mishaps
in life. It also brings to mind another,
“life lesson,” dad-ism I heard from
my dad, teachers, coaches, and
other male mentors throughout my
life: “Life is hard. But it’s a lot harder
if you’re stupid.”
6 | THE GOOD LIFE

"Money doesn't grow on trees."
Then there's the infamous, "Money doesn't grow on
trees." I heard this one a lot growing up. It's a gentle
reminder that budgeting and responsibility are essential,
but delivered in a way that makes you imagine an
enchanted forest where currency miraculously sprouts
from the branches, and sports equipment and braces
grow from the earth.
Dad-isms also serve as a linguistic time capsule,
preserving the essence of a bygone era. "When I was
your age…" is always a prelude to a sermon on how life
was cheaper, slower, more intentional…etc. It’s often
said when we are frustrated with the everyday demands
of being the head of the household.
"I don’t need a GPS,
I know where we’re going."
Of course, the humor in dad-isms often lies in their
predictability. Who among us has uttered, "I don’t need
a GPS, I know where we’re going" when taking a road
trip? Suddenly, getting lost becomes a family bonding
experience, and a hypocritical sermon about the
dangers of relying on “electronic gadgets and do-dads,”
all thanks to our quick wit and refusal to admit when we
are wrong in some situations.
One of the endearing qualities of dad-isms is their
adaptability to any situation. Whether you're fixing a
furnace in order to save some repair costs, facing a tough
decision, or simply trying to navigate the intricacies of
adulting, there's a dad-ism for every occasion. It's like
having a personal arsenal of dad-approved (hopefully
humorous) mantras ready to deploy at a moment's
notice.
As we embark on another year as a member of the
Fraternity of Paternity, remember: our dad-isms may be
groan-worthy and occasionally corny, but they're also a
testament to the enduring bond between fathers and
their families. Cheers! •
urbantoadmedia.com | 7

HAVING A BEER WITH | SKYLER DUTTON
Thunder
Coffee
owner sticks
to caffeine,
while
percolating
on the
significance
of specialty
coffee.
HAVING A BEER WITH
Three
years into
what is now an
impressive 10-year run
of sobriety, Skyler Dutton
was slogging through a year
he describes simply as “rough.”
No, it wasn’t the year of
Covid. It was 2016. He
had left a career in
law enforcement —
slightly disillusioned
— and proceeded
to bounce around
from oil field jobs
to logistics and
transportation jobs,
losing each one in
quick succession.
8 | THE GOOD LIFE
i n
specialty
coffee down in
Oklahoma and opened
my eyes to how good
coffee could really taste,”
Dutton explained. “That got me
into brewing my own coffee
at home and eventually
sourcing my own
beans. My wheels
were spinning, so I
asked my brother
to move up here
and start a coffee
business together.”
Thunder Coffee
officially opened
in 2017, selling
their first cup of
handcrafted coffee
in July out of a popup
cart that continues
to make regular
appearances at events
around the Fargo-Moorhead
area. Six years later, Dutton
and his crew sling coffee out
of two physical locations,
including the spacious
spread inside
Brewhalla,
SKYLER DUTTON
With a threepeat
of job losses
draining his
optimism, he turned
to family. Specifically,
his brother, who had
introduced Dutton to the world
of specialty coffee earlier that
same year.
“He [brother Dexter]
had gotten
involved
WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA

where we sat down to jive over
java and the past six years of
caffeinated success.
Where did you grow up?
I’m from northeastern Montana in
the literal middle of nowhere. Yes,
literally. Oxford University did a
study to find out where the middle
of nowhere is and they landed on
Glasgow, MT. If you Google it, that
study is what comes up. I actually
went to high school in a small
town east of Glasgow, and my
graduating class was 12.
What’s the difference between
a great cup of coffee and gas
station coffee?
Quite a bit. I think the quality of
coffee and the care and attention
matters most. Your barista cares
what the coffee tastes like. The gas
station attendant probably doesn't.
We put our baristas through a
pretty intense training program,
so they understand how good
coffee should taste. We hold a high
standard for our coffee.
If you had to pick: Folgers or
Maxwell House?
Ooh, I think Folgers probably has a
more special place in my heart from
my days going to AA meetings.
Tomorrow actually marks ten years
sober.
What’s the bigger plague on
humanity: Keurigs or the actual
plague?
Keurigs. I mean they serve a purpose
for a lot of people, but I think even
the inventor of Keurig wishes he
could take it back because of all
the waste. Keurig was a part of my
coffee journey, along with copious
French vanilla creamer. I do think
they’ve done a good job of making
coffee more accessible.
Can you think of a situation where
a single cup of good coffee could
change the world?
Choosing to use good coffee has
a global impact. Coffee is grown
in mostly third-world countries,
where farmers spend a lot of time
cultivating their products. Importers
work with the farmers to get
their beans to roasters, and then
eventually into the community. So
when you choose specialty coffee,
in a sense you are impacting the
world and all those people who are
urbantoadmedia.com | 9

HAVING A BEER WITH | SKYLER DUTTON
working hard to deliver that cup of
coffee.
What’s the most interesting
experience you’ve had thanks to
coffee?
On a serious note, I like how coffee
can be a vehicle for good. The
amount of nonprofit people in the
world that I’ve met and learned
about and helped uplift in some
way… that’s been really great. On
a more fun note, we used to do
Bluestem and cater backstage for
concerts. I had a nice conversation
with Jason Mraz about coffee.
Which city has the best customers:
Fargo or West Fargo?
That’s the hardest question.
They’re all great. I think Thunder
Coffee has the best customers. We
say that all the time. You see all
10 | THE GOOD LIFE
the viral videos about outlandish
behavior at the corporate coffee
chains. We don’t see that behavior
from our customers. Customers
always ask to chip in for whatever
charitable cause we’re working
on at the moment. Regulars get
to become friends… had a regular
yesterday brought me a pie for
Thanksgiving.
What’s your weirdest coffeerelated
talent?
For sure being able to pour latte
art. Latte art is required for our
baristas, but given my background
in law enforcement, construction,
and oil fields… it just seems
ridiculous for me to know how to
make a tulip in your cup.
What’s the most interesting fact
about coffee?
I think a lot of people don’t know
that coffee is grown as a cherry.
The coffee bean is actually a seed
in the middle. So when you hear
us talk about different processing
methods, those are just different
methods of separating the bean
from the rest of the fruit.
How far away can you spot a
non-coffee drinker?
This is actually a game we play.
Haha! We have a lot of windows
in West Fargo, and you can often
tell if people are coming in to see
us or one of the other businesses.
If you were going to sponsor
a sporting event, which
sport would be the perfect
pairing for coffee?
Anywhere where there’s tired
parents. Youth sports. Hockey

parents need coffee. We get a lot of
people from the Hulbert Aquatics
Center coming over when swim
meets are in town.
How many coffee mugs have you
broken in your lifetime?
I’ve got an answer that can’t
be printed, but I’ve shattered a
couple. It’s the sink! You drop one
on the divider and they shatter
everywhere. I mean nothing sets
your day off on a worse track than
burning your mouth on the first
sip of espresso, but then you start
dropping mugs!
If you weren’t running a coffee
shop, what would you be doing?
My favorite thing is community
engagement stuff that we do. I
would probably be in the nonprofit
world in some aspect. I’ve met so
many people who see a need or a
gap in some sort of social service,
and they say “Welp, I’m going to
be the one who fills that gap.” I’d
like to be a part of something like
that.
What does the good life mean to
you?
The good life means having a job
where you get to do good things for
other people, having the freedom
to spend time with loved ones,
and doing your best to elevate the
people around you. •
urbantoadmedia.com | 11

Strange Things You Believed As A Child
WRITTEN BY: MEGHAN FEIR
Deep within the confines of my
mind, odd beliefs I held as a wee
bairn occasionally resurface.
Many memories are kept deep
within the recesses of our brains
until something, out of nowhere,
brings them to the forefront
and sheds light on these vivid
recollections.
Take, for example, the following
thoughts many of us had as
children. I’ll start with a few of my
own misconceptions.
Step on a crack and you’ll ruin
your mother’s mobility
Throughout history, people have
been known to hold superstitious
fears and beliefs. Take, for example,
the following children’s rhyme:
“Step on a crack and you’ll break
your mother’s back…”
How many of us poor urchins were
told by our parents that this rhyme
was merely a fable, only to continue
the superstition? How many of us
nervously avoided cracks on the
sidewalk so as not to break our
mothers’ backs? And how many of
us felt pits in our stomachs after
stepping on cracked concrete!?
In an attempt to combat this
superstition, obsession and fear,
I would often force myself to
purposely step on the cracks to
prove ye olde rhyme held no real,
serious consequences. However,
the fear that my efforts would ruin
my mother’s mobility could still be
seen betwixt my furrowed brows.
Indeed, I’ll admit that in especially
anxious phases, the torturesome
second-guessing will come back to
me for a moment.
My mom still hasn’t broken her back,
by the way (knock on wood and pray
to the Lord), but her sciatica is a
doozy. Could it be my fault?!
Choose your stuffed animals
wisely
Thus far in life, I may only be an
aunt, but one thing is certain about
child-raising: Don’t come between
a child and their favorite stuffed
animals.
As inanimate as they were,
throughout elementary school, if my
stuffed animals fell off my bed, I was
worried they would think I didn’t
care about them. I also had to tuck
them in and kiss them goodnight.
I also had to make sure I rotated
which stuffed animals I featured on
my bed for fear one of them would
feel unloved. I refused to be like a
mother playing obvious favorites.
I also worried that the rapture
would happen and Jesus would only
allow me to bring as many stuffed
animals as I could carry in my arms.
I often anxiously pondered on which
animals I would be able to save.
Who knew the love of stuffed
animals could cause such despair?
Turns out, the anxiety doesn’t fall
far from the tree because my mom
did the same thing with her dolls as
12 | THE GOOD LIFE

a youngster. She barely had any room for herself on the
bed because of her doll lineup.
What you believed as a child
Since every child has irrational beliefs, I had to ask what
yours were. Here are a few of the answers I received.
The quotes are from real people, but their identities
will remain anonymous.
Premature pregnancy fears
“My mom said babies came from people who loved each
other very much, so I was scared if I loved someone too
much they were going to get pregnant.”
Whistle while you eat
“My parents told me at a very young age that if I ate
the crust of my bread/sandwich I’d be able to whistle
better. I hated the crust, but, apparently, I really wanted
to whistle because it worked and I eat my crust to this
day. I believed the crust/whistle correlation was real
until longer than I’m comfortable admitting to.”
The wind FROM the willows
“This was more of a misunderstanding that my husband
had, but I think it is hilarious. He thought trees MADE
the wind because whenever the trees were moving, it
was windy.”
Double-sided TV
“I was on my best behavior for Sesame Street; I thought
they could see me through the screen.”
Bad guys drive tall vans
“I thought power lines were there to clothesline the tall
vans of bad guys (because bad guys always drove tall
vans).”
Baa-ram-ewe, sheep be true
“There used to be that sheep farm on Highway 59
going towards Detroit Lakes, and I never saw the sheep
moving/walking, so I thought the farmer just had fake
sheep and moved his sheep statues around for fun
sometimes. It wasn’t until I was in late high school or
college that I finally saw a sheep walking and realized
how dumb I really was.”
Tag, you’re guilty
“I thought I would be arrested for tearing the tag off of
my pillow.”
Release Mama Duck, please
“I thought that the song ‘Feliz Navidad’ was called
‘Release Mama Duck.’ I was so confused. I could not
figure out why it was a Christmas song.”
What were some of the strange beliefs you had as
a child? Let us know by tagging us on Facebook or
Instagram @urbantoadmedia. •
urbantoadmedia.com | 13

From Forest to Fur
Trapping in the Modern World
WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY MILLER
In the not-too-distant past, humans that ventured beyond
the settled areas lived a difficult life. Wild animals, frigid
cold, heat and lack of food were all factors that shortened
or ended lives. When the mercury bottomed out and the
cold wind howled, keeping warm became a matter of life
or death. Fortunately, there was a renewable resource
readily available. That resource was wild furbearing
animals.
It can be argued, that in the year 2023, fur trapping
and fur utilization are not needed. To that end, I
ask simply that attention is paid to the highways
and roads during the fall. A myriad of squashed
raccoon, skunks, beaver and muskrats line the roads.
Population management is critical in wildlife biology, and
the safe, ethical take of furbearing animals is necessary to
reduce disease and roadside accidents.
Faux fur is made from petroleum products, a nonrenewable
resource. Wild caught fur is both renewable
and sustainable, as well as being some of the warmest
material on Earth. Today fur is often seen as a luxury item,
worn by the wealthy. However, the use of fur should be
embraced by all.
My fur harvesting season begins in the spring as soon as
the ice is off the rivers. Beaver, North America’s largest
rodent, begin staking out their territories. They will
14 | THE GOOD LIFE

“Walking in the footsteps of the fur trapper of
the past, I feel connected to the land
and water.” – Jeffrey Miller
battle each other, sometimes resulting in injury, as well
as gnawing on fresh tree growth. Trapping in the cold
water and air temperatures is hard work, but it results
in the best pelts of the season. Westward expansion
was built on the backs of the beaver, fueling trade and
exploration. It wasn’t gold or timber that beckoned the
rugged individuals of the time, it was beaver plews.
While North Dakota does not have a limit on the number
of beavers a trapper can harvest, I am happy with 10 to
15 animals during the spring. The meat is turned into
sausage and the pelts are shipped off to a commercial
tannery in Iowa. Come fall, a box will arrive at the
doorstep of Cottonwood Bend filled to the brim with
tanned pelts.
I switch gears in autumn, targeting striped skunks,
raccoon and fisher. The skunk gets a bad rap, as most
people only see them smashed on the road, the air heavy
with the eye watering odor of the skunk’s oil sack. Once
they are descented and tanned, however, the fur is lovely
and dense. Few animals on earth have a pelt as beautiful
as the skunk.
Raccoons have a reputation as being garbage eaters and
dirty animals, but the truth is they are highly intelligent,
clean mammals. Their biggest downside is that they are
insatiably curious, getting into all sorts of mischief. I love
utilizing raccoons as their fur is of a uniform density and
heaviness, with each pelt displaying a unique color pattern
or variation, much like a snowflake.
urbantoadmedia.com | 15

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: JEFFREY MILLER
The image of a small animal gripped by a large, viscous
trap is one that the anti-trapping campaigners loved to
show in the 1980’s. Trapping is heavily regulated by
each state, with trap styles and methods allowed that are
both safe and humane. Modern trapping uses devices
that either immediately dispatch the target animal, like
snares or body grip traps, or hold the animal until the
trapper arrives, like a foothold trap. There is little to no
discomfort to the animal, and the dispatch is quick and
clean. Lethal traps are set in areas with little chance
of encounters with non-target animals. The trapper
will only make a set where they feel comfortable with
it being safe.
What happens with the pelts once they are ready for
the market? In the modern fur trade, most of the longhaired
pelts, like raccoon, coyote and fox, go overseas
to markets in Europe and Asia. Beaver pelts mostly
stay stateside and are used in the “hatter” market. If
you have ever purchased a high-end Stetson hat, you
are wearing beaver fur. The underwool of the pelt is
pressed into felt and made into hats.
I take a different tact toward fur utilization. I tan
raccoon, muskrat, fox, coyote and skunk at home, and
once I receive my beavers back from the tannery it’s
time to get to work. With much experience in garment
making, I turn the pelts into bespoke mittens, hats and
scarves.
When a customer orders a pair of mittens, the first
thing I do is select matching pelts. The fur thickness,
color and weight must be similar or else the garment
will look uneven.
I trace a pattern on the leather side of the fur, and then
carefully cut through the leather, taking pains not to
chop the fur into a bad haircut look. The palm of each
mitten is cut from tanned and dyed buckskin. I send the
hide of each deer I harvest each fall to a tannery that
turns them into plush leather. After tracing the pattern
on the backside of the leather, I cut the palm out.
I sew all my fur by hand, using razor sharp glovers’
needles and heavyweight braided fishing line. The
fishing line is slick and strong, ensuring the mitten
will hold up to extreme use. Sitting on the couch in my
warm living room, I turn the abstract pieces of fur into
a wearable product.
16 | THE GOOD LIFE

Lastly, I repeat the process, but with anti-pill
fleece this time rather than fur and leather.
I sew the seam on the outside of the mitten,
ensuring that the user doesn’t feel the seam
when wearing the piece. After connecting the
liner to the outer, I sew a simple leather loop
for a potential braided cord or clip to hold
them together.
Every purchaser of fur remarks on how soft,
plush and warm the product is. I wear both a
fur bomber hat and mittens when I’m pushing
snow each winter with my ATV, and I can
honestly say that my head and hands are as
warm as if I was in front of the fireplace. Fur
must simply be seen to be believed.
As a modern fur trapper, I take great pains to
ethically and sustainably harvest our natural
resources and utilize them in age-old methods.
Walking in the steps of the fur trapper from
the past, I feel connected to the land and
water. When I finish a product, I know that it
will last a lifetime and be an heirloom for the
future. •
For inquiries, visit:
www.facebook.com/cottonwoodbendfarm
urbantoadmedia.com | 17

ON THE COVER | PUNCHGUT
18 | THE GOOD LIFE

WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Though few of you would recognize him standing in line
behind you at the Northport Hornbacher’s, everyone in
town knows Matt Mastrud, also known as Punchgut. From
murals to concert posters, business logos to beer labels, it’s
impossible to avoid his work. He’s one of the most in-demand
local artists, his style woven into the fabric of Fargo.
Mastrud’s art has graced the pages of The Art of Modern
Rock, The Art of Electric Frankenstein, Rockin’ Down the
Highway and High Times, among a slew of other publications,
magazines and international art shows. Drekker’s expansive
Brewhalla is a gallery of Punchgut artwork. He’s even got a
Disney film credit on his resume.
“Your parents thought you
were just going two blocks,
but really you were going
to The Bowler trying to
steal cigarettes out of the
vending machine.”
– PUNCHGUT
And yet, despite decades of success, Mastrud longs
for a sense of legitimacy. He’s no tortured artist, but
the unshakeable voice in his head remains
unconvinced, constantly asking, “Am I good
enough?”
GROWING UP AN INTROVERT
Born, raised and still living on
the sleepy north side of town,
Mastrud’s childhood memories
sound eerily identical to every
elder Millennial’s. He grew up
before cell phones. Before the
internet. Certainly before the
era of helicopter parenting.
Bikes equaled freedom, your
permission slip to explore the
world beyond the block.
“What I remember most is
running around recklessly,”
Mastrud said while lighting the
Marlboro cigarette dangling
with experience from his
lips. “We didn’t have a checkin
system, so you could just
disappear on your bike, be back
by dinner and then bolt out again.
Your parents thought you were
just going two blocks, but really you
were going to The Bowler trying to steal
cigarettes out of the vending machine.”
urbantoadmedia.com | 19

ON THE COVER | PUNCHGUT
A LOOK INSIDE THE MIND OF PUNCHGUT.
In school, Mastrud admits
he struggled. Introverted by
nature, his brain was busy. The
pragmatism of public school left
little wiggle room for his need to
create.
“I am very introverted,” he said,
pausing for another drag before
continuing, “and I struggled a
lot in school with that. I would
have my head down, drawing and
doodling just to try to escape. I
still do that.”
Today, Mastrud finds that escape
by navigating the streets of his
youth on his longboard. While he
knows the routes by heart, the
balance required allows his busy
brain time to rest.
“I started longboarding about
four years ago,” he said. “It’s nice,
my brain kind of just shuts off…
those busy bees in my head that
only think about worries go away.
You really have to stay focused
on what you’re doing — at least
I do — and not be distracted by
the little thought bubbles in your
brain.”
BECOMING PUNCHGUT
The idea of becoming an artist
seemed as unrealistic to young
Mastrud as growing up to be a
firetruck – not a fireman, but a
firetruck. It was scary back then.
Twenty-some-odd years later, it’s
still scary for the busy-minded
Mastrud, but he’s not ready to let
go of that fear just yet.
“Art is what I really wanted to
try,” he recalled. “But I still have
doubts about it. I’m always waiting
for the bottom to fall out. That can
turn into drive sometimes, but it
can also manifest as fear, too. I
don't know if I want it to go away…
fear is a good motivator.”
He gathered the courage to enroll
at what was then called Northwest
Tech in Moorhead, Minn. He
earned a degree in commercial
art, learning how to use computers
to illustrate – the method he uses
most often to this day.
The Punchgut moniker didn’t
come along until after Mastrud
was into his early years of
professional creating. He and
some cohorts opened up a group
studio, where each did their own
thing, commissioning work from
different clients.
“Some of them flaked, but I just
kept grinding on my own,” he
said. “Originally, I was going to
call it Jerkface Creations. My
brother Nate, who’s a tattoo
20 | THE GOOD LIFE

ART SUBMITTED BY: PUNCHGUT
artist at Addictions, said I should
call it Gut Punch. But you know, I
didn’t want to do exactly what my
younger brother said, so I switched
it around. People don’t always
remember some dickhead named
Matt, but they remember Punchgut.
I didn’t really care as long as they
remembered my work, and I found
a little freedom in hiding behind the
veil.”
After Drekker came calling for
artwork on their beer labels, the
Punchgut style found its way into
the hands and garage fridges of
local craft beer devotees. Name
recognition was no longer a
problem, and Mastrud’s inbox
quickly filled with new inquiries…
one of which will forever stand out
in his memories.
“A church was hosting a sausage
fest, where they had brats and
all that stuff,” Mastrud explained.
“They were open to the idea of
being a little suggestive with the
logo, but accidentally so… kind of
like if you were looking at it from
afar, it might look like something
[sausage shaped]. They loved it.”
BENEFITS OF BEING SCARED
A year past his 50th birthday,
Mastrud has learned to cohabitate
with that nagging voice in his head.
Motivating as it may be, it is also
relentless. The trick – rather, the
art – is finding a place where that
fear can be transformed.
“I think the part that I struggle
with most is that you’re alone a lot
as an artist,” he said with a sense
“Sometimes
the worst company
I can have is the
person in my head.”
– PUNCHGUT
urbantoadmedia.com | 21

ON THE COVER | PUNCHGUT
of acceptance. “Sometimes the
worst company I can have is the
person in my head… just the cycle
of where you’re second guessing
yourself on a loop. Some days I
really struggle with it, some days I
can get by it. When I do something
physical to get out of my head, like
longboarding or yoga, and just get
exhausted, I’ve found that’s a good
reset for me.”
The link between physical
exertion and mental health is well
established, but the benefit for
Mastrud is rooted in the fear of
trying something new… and failing.
“I just learned this within the last
four years… I figured it out at 47,”
he chuckled. “I’ve noticed a lot
more benefits mentally by forcing
myself to get scared again. With
longboarding you don’t have to
figure out any tricks, you just have
to stay on the board, which was
super scary at first. It feels nice
to kind of get scared again. When
you get to a certain age, you don’t
experience those kinds of fears
anymore unless you force it.”
In his garage, Mastrud forces
himself to get out of his own head
with a ritual of his own creation.
With the simple addition of an
alarm clock, he invites a different
kind of fear, one that gives birth to
new ideas and fresh creativity.
“The last couple of years, I’ve
done some stuff where I didn’t
overthink,” he said. ”I’d just sit
down with a canvas and set an
alarm on my phone then draw line
work and abstract work. After 15
minutes, I’d turn the canvas and
continue without overthinking. A
lot of times in my career where
I overthink things and when
something accidental happens, it's
categorized as a mistake. In the
garage studio, those mistakes are
part of the piece and I’ve learned
to really embrace those accidental
blurbs.”
THE GOOD, ARTFUL LIFE
It’s not easy for Mastrud to allow
himself the grace to acknowledge
his success. He still sometimes
struggles with the whole idea of
being an artist. It’s still a bit of a
firetruck.
“The world really doesn’t need
art,” he said, “and I think about
that sometimes. When I get really
down, I think about the fact that
I’m doing something that nobody
needs… that’s just me being a bully
to myself. But then I’ve been to
places where there is no art, just
concrete and gray and that doesn’t
feel very good. So to me, art is
a good escape where my brain
settles down a little bit… like visual
meditation.”
22 | THE GOOD LIFE

Being able to count his kids as
his primary source of inspiration
is perhaps Mastrud’s leastknown
triumph. He finds in them
glimpses of their own unique
brilliance, which he’s come to rely
on as a source of creative energy.
“I have a son named Levi and a
daughter named Ivy,” he said,
“and they’re both super creative,
which inspires me to keep
cranking out fresh work. When
you’re around those types of
people, you get fired up to create
more stuff. Just a ten or fifteen
minute hangout with them and
I feel charged up, and it snaps
me out of any dark doldrums I’ve
been in.”
And so, he did it. Matt “Punchgut”
Mastrud grew up to be the
firetruck he’s still often scared
to drive. He’s found contentment
in his craft and learned to live
peacefully with that all-toofamiliar
voice in his head. Try as
he may to demur, his continued
success proves the world does,
indeed, need art.
“For me, the good life is
contentment,” he said. “To quiet
that anxious brain and find
peace, whatever that means for
you, that’s the good life.” •
urbantoadmedia.com | 23

MAKE A FRIEND FOR LIFE!
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!
I LOVE ALL
THE SNACKS!
At Homeward Animal Shelter, our mission is: “Rescue.
Shelter. Protect. Rehome.” We provide a second
chance at happiness to lost, abandoned, and ownersurrendered
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:
ADOPT ME!
homewardonline.org
SWEETIE - Female
5 ½ years old - Tuxedo DSH
I’m Sweetie, a name that fits me to a "T." I am a soft
little munchkin, very friendly and affectionate,
who just can’t wait to be free from my kennel and
into the arms of my loving new family. I could use
a little TLC to plump me back up to size. I have
the softest black fur and the longest (really long!)
white whiskers. My favorite is when you gently
stroke my ears – oh boy, do I love that; watch me
melt into a puddle of floof! I hope to meet you
soon so that I can figure out what kind of cuddling
you like in return.
BRUNO - Male
6 years old - Pit Bull Terrier Mix
Hi! I am Bruno, the bestest boy! Some things about me, I love my
walks especially when I get to sniff all the new smells, and I love
all the snacks. Don’t let my age fool you, I may be a bit of an old
man, but man do I love tug of war and I get the zoomies just like
those young pups. And not to brag or anything but I’m a bit of a
fan favorite around the shelter. Because they all know I love my
friends sooo much! And I make them wherever I go. I know I said
I can run just like those young pups, but don’t get me wrong, my
favorite thing in the whole wide world is to cuddle up with you and
take the biggest snuggliest naps.
24 | THE GOOD LIFE

I'M SMART!
JIGSAW PUZZLE - Female
1 year old - Buff and White DSH
Hello, I’m Jigsaw Puzzle, a beautiful young cat who is pining for a loving home.
My fur is buff and white and is so velvety that it changes shade when I’m pet
in a new direction. I’m a smart girl who will come when you make kissy noises
and will happily climb into your warm lap for some love and affection. I just
love to stretch out my little arms and claim your lap for my own. And I love ear
rubs. A lot. Bring on the ear rubs! My goal is to be a great companion for anyone
who needs me. Please come and find me soon.
PURE JOY!
CHOPPER - Male
2 years old - Shepherd Mix
EMERY - Female
4 years old - Pit Bull Terrier Mix
Hello, I'm Emery, a charming four-yearold
gal in search of my forever home. With
a heartwarming smile, I may take a little
time to warm up to new faces, but once
you've earned my trust, expect a tidal
wave of unconditional love. I am especially
playful when hanging out with big dogs,
radiating pure joy during playtime. Hoping
to find my perfect person, I'm ready to be
the loyal companion who smothers you
with kisses, shares adventures, and warms
your heart with a beautiful smile. If you're
seeking a furry friend, adopt me, and let's
create forever memories together!
I KNOW LOTS
OF TRICKS!
Hi there, I'm Chopper! Despite my tough-sounding name, I'm a big noodle,
especially when you call me and I respond with one floppy ear, just like in
my photo. I'm an energetic pup who loves chasing balls, frisbees, and tug-ofwar,
which happens to be my one true love. I'm super smart and already know
commands like Sit, Down, Off, Paw, Touch, Leave It, Drop It, Take It, Get It,
Crate, and Free. I'm working on building confidence and learning to discern
wants from unwanted events. Despite being a bit shy initially, I'll be super
affectionate once we get to know each other. Let's be friends!
PURRRRTY BOY
PERRY - Male, 2 years old
Gray and White DSH
They call me Perry, but “purrrry”
is a bit more accurate. ;) I am a
handsome gray-and-white boy
with a gorgeous gray smudge on
the tip of my snout. I love to talk,
play, and, of course, purr, and if
you talk to me while we are playing
together, I might just jump for
joy. I am confident and calm and
would be a great fit for any family.
So, if you are on the lookout for a
dashing, chatty companion who
can turn playtime into a festive
occasion, look no further than me.
I'M A REGAL BOY!
KUZCO - Male
2 years old - Tabby DSH
Hi there, I’m Kuzco, an intense
and regal boy with bright golden
eyes and a bright demeanor to
match. I can be a bit cautious at
first, which shows up in the way
I am hyper-vigilant about my
surroundings, but once I relax and
trust you, you’ll never meet a more
grateful and gracious companion.
I am searching for some kind and
loving folks who will show me the
TLC and kindness that I miss so
much. Once I bond with you, I will
be your loving devoted friend and
loyal protector. Please come and
meet me soon!
urbantoadmedia.com | 25

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: RED RIVER VALLEY CONCERT BAND
Red, White and Da-Doo-Do!
WRITTEN BY: AMY WEISER WILLSON
Name a local band that plays roughly 40 concerts in a
nine-month period each year and – here’s the catch –
has members whose ages span seven decades.
Odds are there’s only one answer: the Red River Valley
Veterans Concert Band.
The band traces its roots to the post-WWII era, when it
began with the Fargo American Legion as the Gilbert
C. Grafton American Legion Post 2 Band. In 1997,
it expanded to include more musicians and veterans
and adopted its current name.
One of the 17 veterans in the 66-member band has
been a mainstay through much of that time. Bernie
McKigney served in the U.S. Army and was wounded
in the Vietnam War. After two years of active duty, he
spent another 30 years in the North Dakota Army
National Guard’s 188th Army Band. He joined the
Legion band nearly 50 years ago and served as its
director for four decades.
“I stayed committed to playing and/or directing first
because it was my gift back to veterans,” he said.
“Somewhere after being in the active Army bands, I
realized that music was indeed an important part of
my life and that I should continue doing it.”
He also directed the 9th District Minnesota American
Legion Band for about 30 years. All told, he figures
26 | THE GOOD LIFE

Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band
Promotes Patriotism Through Music
he’s directed more than 1,200 performances and
rehearsals.
Despite his experience, he’s not the oldest. Em Laskey,
93, plays the piccolo. Her fingers move deftly across
the tiny instrument in concert after concert, sometimes
playing several in the same day.
Laskey often gets the attention she deserves by playing
a solo piece during concerts, but she’s not the only one.
Jeff Puhalla, an engineer for John Deere by day,
regularly entertains audiences with a solo of the lively
“Yakety-Sax,” also known as “The Benny Hill Theme”
song. His fingers flash across the keys as he keeps up
with the lively beat.
Fellow saxophone player Cathy Keogh, a retired soldier
who served in the Guard with McKigney, spends
concerts moving seamlessly between emceeing and
playing the saxophone. Besides introducing the songs
and soloists, she shares the background on each song
with the audience.
During the popular “U.S. Armed Forces Service Song
Medley,” she reminds veterans to stand when they
hear the song for their branch, whether U.S. Army,
Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard. Flags
for each branch get passed around and many join in
singing along.
The medley is one of Brad Schmidt’s favorites to
perform. The retired engineer has been with the band
for a decade now and handles scheduling the many
concerts each year. There are a lot of factors that keep
him motivated for the volunteer job.
urbantoadmedia.com | 27

PHOTO BY: TEN LITTLE CHICKENS PHOTOGRAPHY
“We are a family of musicians that somehow manages to pull off quite a feat every week by
setting our lives aside to do what we love and love to do.” – Brad Schmidt
“My love of music and the joy in sharing whatever
talents I might have with music; my love of veterans
and the freedoms they've given and continue to give us;
the family of the band ... We are a family of musicians
that somehow manages to pull off quite a feat every
week by setting our lives aside to do what we love and
love to do,” he said. “We are stuck together at the hip
through thick and thin. We are a family. The look of joy
on someone's face, especially a veteran, when we play
our music is simply priceless and breathtaking.”
Although he’s not a veteran himself, Schmidt has
family and friends who have served. Retired Brig. Gen.
Lawrence Woodbury, who served in the North Dakota
Air National Guard and also happens to be a retired
engineer, invited him to join. Woodbury plays clarinet
and saxophone and often speaks of the rewarding
experience playing in the band brings him.
Despite chair after chair of talent, there’s one voice
that can bring a noisy bar at the end of Veterans
Day to silence. Gene Okerlund, a regular in eight
local musical ensembles, often brings his idol to life
in solo performances. From the early notes to the
deep, guttural, drawn out, “oh, yeah” ending to “It’s a
Wonderful World,” fans feel ushered back in time to the
days of Louis Armstrong.
Beyond Veterans Day and Memorial Day, when the
band performs at multiple locations from morning
28 | THE GOOD LIFE

through evening, they also have
welcomed home every Honor
Flight at Hector International
Airport. They travel as far west
as Jamestown, North Dakota,
and as far east as Wadena,
Minnesota, often playing for
nursing homes and senior
centers as well as at community
venues.
All band members of the
nonprofit group are unpaid
volunteers, and the band’s
concerts are always free and
open to the public. The band
operates solely through the
generosity of donations and
sponsorships. Occasionally
they make longer trips,
bringing music to St. Cloud
and Minneapolis in 2019 and
to Bismarck and Linton, North
Dakota, in 2023. They have a
trip planned to Duluth in the
fall.
Music, band members agree, is
what the good life is all about,
and they’re happy to donate
their time to bring a bit of
that good life to others in the
community. •
Want to hear the Red River
Valley Veterans Concert Band
for yourself? Their performance
schedule – as well as the ability to
request a concert, join the band,
and donate - is at:
www.rrvvcb.org
urbantoadmedia.com | 29

LOCAL HERO | ANDREW FROBIG
30 | THE GOOD LIFE

HUMBLE HERO:
CAPTAIN ANDREW FROBIG
WRITTEN BY: HILLARY W. SORENSON
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Captain Andrew Frobig, Jail Administrator
with Cass County Jail, had no plans of entering
law enforcement. A career that started with a
humble beginning and the hope for steady pay
became one of lifelong service to his community
and leadership within the Cass County Sheriff’s
Office.
For those within and close to the police
community, the phrase The Thin Blue Line is
one of sentimental effusion that bonds those
who protect the innocent and go to war against
lawlessness. Captain Frobig and the correctional
officers he oversees are a part of this band of
brothers and sisters, but too often, the critical
nature of their profession is overlooked.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan said,
“Historically, correctional officers have been
viewed as “guards,” occupying isolated and
misunderstood positions in prisons and jails.
In recent years, the duties of these officers have
become increasingly complex and demanding.
They are called upon to fill, simultaneously,
custodial, supervisory, and counseling roles.
The professionalism, dedication, and courage
exhibited by these officers throughout the
performance of these demanding and often
conflicting roles deserve our utmost respect.”
In 2024, four decades post President Reagan’s
discourse, his words hold more weight (now
more than ever) as the world battles mental
health and addiction problems in a way it never
has before. The fearless souls who protect us in
the dark within the concrete walls of the Cass
County Jail are known as correctional officers,
and their leader is Captain Frobig.
urbantoadmedia.com | 31

LOCAL HERO | ANDREW FROBIG
WHAT’S IN A TITLE: JAIL ADMINISTRATOR
Captain Frobig has been the Jail Administrator at the
Cass County Jail since April 2014, however, he has
been working his way through the ranks since he began
his career at the Cass County Jail in 2004. As a Jail
Administrator, Captain Frobig’s primary responsibility is
overall leadership, coordination, and planning. However,
disentangling and honoring the immense role he serves is
challenging, as his duties are substantial.
“I’ve been learning new tasks and roles since I started,”
Captain Frobig joked. “It’s no secret that the Sheriff and
Chief Deputy are tied up with a lot of other things. They
spend most of their time dealing with things outside of the
jail absent of needing to get them involved.”
Captain Frobig said he meets with the rest of the command
staff once a week to connect regarding larger issues and
to make sure things are running according to plan.
His day-to-day responsibilities don’t change, however, he
said he often throws his daily plans out the window within
an hour of the day beginning. “You just never know what’s
going to come up on any day,” Captain Frobig said.
“There’s always deadlines, and then there's things that
come up that you could never have anticipated. When
you’re dealing with 340 people in custody, any number
of things can go wrong. That’s mostly what the job is –
gathering my team together and making sure we fully
understand the scope of the problem, so we can figure out
the solution and get back to routine as quickly as possible.”
FROM CORRECTIONAL OFFICER TO JAIL
ADMINISTRATOR
Captain Frobig humbly described the beginning of his law
enforcement career as “no different from other people.”
He said he was looking for a position that would provide
decent benefits and stability right out of college when he
found himself working at the Minnesota Department of
Corrections.
“I did it for five years, and I loved it. I didn’t have any
visions of doing anything else,” Captain Frobig said.
He and his wife then relocated to Fargo when his wife was
given a career opportunity she couldn’t refuse. He knew
he could do his job anywhere, and that’s how he landed at
the Cass County Jail.
32 | THE GOOD LIFE

”It’s far different than how it is
portrayed in the media.
In television and movies …
it's nothing like that in reality –
at least not in our facility.”
– Andrew Frobig
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
“I never saw myself as being the leader of the whole
facility,” Captain Frobig said. “But it was Sheriff Laney
who saw something in me, which as any good leader
does, they look for opportunities and identify traits
(within people) – I’ve tried to emulate that. It was the
first promotion he ever did, and it was just a squad of
four people that I supervised. I was just a shift leader that
grew into a shift commander of twelve – back when we
only had twelve.”
Captain Frobig expressed that he did what he needed to
do to keep working up the ranks and continued mentoring
others.
A CRITICAL EXPANSION
The idea to expand the Cass County Jail became critical
four years ago when Captain Frobig began studying the
population trends and upcoming city plans. He became
concerned that there was a need for additional law
enforcement and jail capacity. “They hired a private
consultant to come in and do the same thing I’d been
talking about, and they confirmed it. Just looking at the
population growth alone, it showed that we were going to
have these needs,” Captain Frobig said.
“On top of that, you really can’t take into account what's
going to change. Five years ago, could we have projected
the Fentanyl problems we’d have, or the lack of progress
on mental health resources, and the severity, and increase
in need? So, we had to build this with flexibility in mind.”
Fentanyl is the most potent opioid pain reliever available
for use during medical treatment. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Fentanyl is 50 times
more potent than Heroin and 100 more than Morphine.
In Fargo alone, the uptick in Fentanyl overdoses rose 18
percent between 2021 and 2022. In the United States,
drug arrests make up a quarter of all arrests.
Captain Frobig explained that the jail currently groups
inmates based on behavior classification, but it lacks
structure and doesn’t allow the inmates to make progress
during their stay. “It used to be that people would only be
with us an average of 12 days – that’s not enough time to
make progress. Now, it’s up to 72,” Captain Frobig said.
“With 72 days we can do a lot more with somebody. We
stabilize them for the first week or two, and then we can
start directing them – maybe, we can triple the number of
urbantoadmedia.com | 33

LOCAL HERO | ANDREW FROBIG
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: CASS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
people who get their GED, or if someone needs treatment,
we can get some of that done while they are in jail rather
than waiting and directing them someplace after. There’s
a lot of opportunity to do more with the people.”
Captain Frobig stated he doesn’t want the jail to become a
default referral source for people who wouldn’t otherwise
be in jail because this occasionally occurs within the
prison system. “I don’t want someone sent to jail just
because they can’t get something in the community, but
if we get someone who has to be in jail because they’re a
public safety risk – let’s reduce the risk that they’re going
to come back.”
The expanded Cass County Jail will have 192 additional
beds on top of the existing 348, three classrooms, and
expanded medical capabilities.
“This one was designed to give us flexibility, and it’s also
going to give us an opportunity to reevaluate how we are
using the rest of the jail to better meet the reality of what
we are dealing with,” Captain Frobig said.
WHAT YOU DO MATTERS
Research has shown that Correctional Officers experience
high stress levels, burnout, and a variety of other mental
health-related consequences as a result of their jobs,
and according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics have
the highest average annual victimization rate of nonfatal
workplace violence. Yet, Captain Frobig said one of the
hardest things he faces is getting his staff to recognize
their overall importance.
“They’re the ones who are doing the heavy lifting on
everything, and I want them to be able to acknowledge
that,” Captain Frobig said.
“We are so often dealing with things that don't go right. It’s
really easy for people to lose sight of how much they are
doing that went well – it's rare when there isn't any sort of
complication.”
“I want people to come and say, ‘You know I did my job,
the job is hard, and it sucks sometimes, but we met our
mission.’ It’s so easy to dwell on the things that were
challenging and emotionally draining. It's hard to get them
to give themselves enough credit to get them to realize
how critical a role they play. If they’re not doing it – who’s
going to?”
As Jail Administrator, Captain Frobig “tries to stay out of
the way” and allows his staff to rely on their training, but
he’s always open to them running ideas by him. However,
most of the time, they’re already doing everything right.
THE GOOD LIFE
For Captain Frobig the Good Life is one of optimistic
simplicity. “I try to keep things as simple and conflict-free
as possible,” he said. “It’s so easy to focus on the negative
things rather than all the good that goes unrecognized.
And, the Good Life is trying to make sure you are making
the world better a little bit at a time. I try to make sure I
learn something every week. I do what the right thing is
rather than the easy thing. And, first, do no harm.” •
34 | THE GOOD LIFE

urbantoadmedia.com | 35