The Good Life – November-December 2024

DAD LIFE
WRITTEN BY: PAUL HANKEL
Presents and Presence
HOW TO BE AN INVOLVED DAD DURING THE BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON
The holiday season can be a
whirlwind of activities, obligations,
and distractions. As dads, we’re
often tasked with everything from
decorating the house to finding the
perfect gifts, all while balancing
work and family life. Getting
caught up in the hustle and bustle
is easy, but the most meaningful
gift we can give our kids during the
holidays is our presence – genuine,
undivided attention that creates
lasting memories.
If you’re like me, the holidays are
beyond busy. End-of-year deadlines,
travel, sports tournaments, and
family get-togethers add up!
As a dad, I’ve noticed how busy
the holidays have become for our
family and everyone else’s. I’ve
made it a priority to learn how
to make the holidays not just a
checklist of to-dos, but a time to
truly (attempt to) connect with my
teenager.
2 | THE GOOD LIFE
Here are a few ways to stay present
and involved during this season of
togetherness.
Prioritize Family Rituals Over
Perfection
Holiday traditions don’t need to
be Pinterest-perfect. Whether
it’s decorating the tree, baking
cookies, or watching a favorite
holiday movie together, it’s the
experience that counts. Let your
kids take the lead, even if the
ornaments are all clumped on one
side of the tree, or the hanging
lights look a little wonky. These
imperfect moments are what make
the holidays memorable.
For me, our favorite traditions
include attending several local
Christmas concerts, snowboarding
and skiing, and ensuring that there
are several “nothing,” weekends
on the calendar during the winter
months.
Involve Your Kids in Giving Back
The holiday season is a perfect
opportunity to teach kids about
generosity and community. Get
them involved in charitable activities
like volunteering, shopping for toys
for a local drive, or baking cookies
for neighbors or elderly friends.
Fargo-Moorhead has countless
opportunities to volunteer your
time! There are a multitude of
organizations that would gladly take
volunteer help … even if the help is
a grumbling teenager who would
rather be at home playing Fortnite.
Create “Nothing” Weekends
Amid the flurry of parties, shopping,
and school events, make sure to
carve out a weekend or two to
schedule nothing!
Stay home, nest, make food, read,
listen to podcasts, and enjoy a few
days of quiet at-home time with your

family. These little moments offer a break from the
rush and a chance to connect on a deeper level.
Limit Screen Time (For Both You and the Kids)
We’re all guilty of reaching for our phones when
things get stressful, but the holiday season is a
chance to unplug and be fully present. It’s so easy to
mindlessly pick up our phones and scroll for hours.
Especially during the holidays. Online shopping,
holiday recipes, fantasy football, and a host of other
distractions are easily accessible with a few simple
clicks.
Establish some screen-free family times during
the holidays, whether that’s while decorating
the tree, during meals, or on a road trip to visit
family. I promise you, the initial complaints and
annoyed sighs from your child will soon morph into
discussions and conversations!
Don’t Forget to Appreciate your Spouse
I think we can all admit that there is the potential
for increased spousal stress during the holidays due
to budgets, calendars, commitments, and not always
having enough time to meaningfully connect with
your partner.
My advice is simple: make time. Skip the holiday
networking event and take her to dinner or a holiday
wine and paint class. Turn Christmas gift shopping
into a date night – just you and her. Take her to look
at holiday lights, just the two of you.
While it may feel like there isn’t a lot of time for these
activities, I promise you there is!
Teach Gratitude
Amid all the holiday excitement, it’s easy for kids
to focus on what they want rather than what they
have. My son promptly hands me his Christmas list
every year … during September. As he’s grown, I’ve
noticed a sharp increase in the cost of the requested
presents. This has led to discussions about quality,
not quantity, and that a $150.00 bottle of cologne,
while small, is expensive!
These are teachable moments that can lead to true
growth of understanding and connection with your
child.
As a fellow dad in the trenches of holiday chaos, I
hope these tips help you find meaningful ways to
connect with your kids this season. The best part,
these tips can be applied year-round in perpetuity!
Lastly, from our family to yours, I hope you have
a very merry Christmas and an excellent start to
2025. Thanks for continuing to read my musings on
this crazy adventure called Dad Life. •
urbantoadmedia.com | 3

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2024 | VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 3
Contents
02
DAD LIFE
Presents and Presence
How to Be an Involved Dad During
the Busy Holiday Season
06
From the Ground to the Sky
The Life of a Lineman
10
HAVING A BEER WITH
Emily Welker and Alex Bertsch
Get to Know the People Behind
the Screen!
14
Floating on Snow
Embrace Winter by Exploring
Snowshoeing!
18
ON THE COVER
Jesse Jahner and Mark Empting
FM’s Sheriff Showdown
24
Homeward Animal Shelter
Paw-La-La-La-La!
26
Furniture Mission
Furnishing You in Your Next Phase
30
LOCAL HEROES
Humble Heroes
Reflections on Veterans Day
From Area Vets
4 | THE GOOD LIFE

PUBLISHED BY
Urban Toad Media LLP
www.urbantoadmedia.com
OWNER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Dawn Siewert
dawn@urbantoadmedia.com
OWNER / PHOTOGRAPHER
Darren Losee
darren@urbantoadmedia.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Paul Hankel
Ben Hanson
Jeffrey Miller
Krissy Ness
Emma Rieke
Amy Weiser Willson
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
Dawn Siewert
dawn@urbantoadmedia.com
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The Good Life Men’s Magazine is distributed six
times a year by Urban Toad Media LLP. Material
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Good Life Men’s Magazine accepts no liability for
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are the views of individual writers or advertisers and
do not necessarily represent the views or policies of
The Good Life Men’s Magazine.
urbantoadmedia.com | 5

From the Ground to the Sky
The Life of a Lineman
WRITTEN BY: EMMA RIEKE
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
It’s one of the most demanding professions in the world. Work
is done in wild temperature fluctuations, intense environments
and at all hours of the day or night. And if dealing with thousands
of volts of electricity wasn’t enough, imagine dealing with
thousands of volts of electricity while hundreds of feet above the
ground with the wind whipping around you from the blades of a
helicopter.
This is the reality for a select group of individuals, and those
individuals are essential to keeping the lights on for millions of
people all across the country.
They’ve got the power
First, though, we have to start with the basics. What do you
imagine when you hear the term “lineman”? If you immediately
thought, ‘‘that one guy who works on the light poles,’ you wouldn’t
be alone.
You also wouldn’t be wrong. Well, not totally. Some linemen
do work on the poles that lights hang from, but they’re called
power lines, and these power lines can range anywhere from a
few dozen feet in the air to a few hundred feet. And just as there
are different power lines, there are different linemen. But their
jobs essentially boil down to a couple of categories: building the
power lines, repairing the power lines or maintaining the power
lines.
“When (the power line) falls over, everybody loses their power,”
said Landon Powell, a transmission lineman for a company
contracted in the Fargo-Moorhead area. “You want to keep it
on so everybody can still plug in their phone, or now their car.
So we’re responsible for building it, fixing it, maintaining it, and
when the weather is bad, working in the weather to make sure
the power can go back up.”
6 | THE GOOD LIFE

these power lines can
range anywhere from a
few dozen feet in the air
to a few hundred feet.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: LANDON POWELL
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PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: LANDON POWELL
Powell knows a thing or two about
this line of work — no pun intended
— he’s been in the industry since
he was just out of high school, but
the electrical industry has been in
his family for far longer.
“My dad (was a lineman) for
about 36 years,” Powell said. “And
then when I turned 19 I went to
Lineman School and I’ve been
doing it ever since.”
Following his schooling, Powell
worked for small contractors,
eventually moving into working
for bigger line contractors, which
brought him to job sites across 44
states.
Taking that power to
new heights
Typically, you’ll find linemen
climbing poles alongside the road
to tend to power lines. However,
there is that certain group that
prefers to fly over these poles than
to climb them.
Sounds terrifying, right?
“It’s actually the coolest thing
ever,” Powell said. “Everybody
kind of assumes that there’s a
special list that’s like ‘Oh, you’re
only a helicopter lineman.’
That’s not true. Anybody can
be a lineman, anybody can be
a helicopter lineman. There’s
many times where one day I was
building towers, then the next day
I was flying under the helicopter
or standing on the side of that
helicopter. It’s not just one specific
job. I mean, there are companies
out there that only do helicopter
work and there’s companies that
do both, but as long as you’re high
in your apprenticeship, then you
can work on or around helicopters
and things like that.”
Sometimes the need for overhead
distribution over long rural passes
or rugged mountain landscape
makes it impossible for traditional
trucks to complete the rigging
effectively, allowing these linemen
to safely work on live conductors
without causing costly outages for
the communities below. Rather
than having to find road or ground
access on hills or uneven ground,
they can be dropped into their
location, complete their job from
the helicopter and be on their way.
Powell says one of the coolest
jobs he’s worked was building
lines for a 10-mile stretch through
mountain passes in Colorado.
“The helicopter would fly the pole
in and we’d have others digging
the holes by hand,” he said. “The
(helicopter) would fly you in and
either land you on the pole or next
to it, depending on the wind that
day, and then you’d do your work. It
was awesome because you would
show up and go to work and you’d
get a pretty cool helicopter ride.”
A day on the job
In many lines of work, there is no
“typical” day in life, and lineman
workers are no exception.
Linemen often have unpredictable
schedules. Their work is not
the usual 9-to-5. They may work
8 | THE GOOD LIFE

long hours during
emergency repairs
and shifts can vary. The weather,
more than anything, is the
lineman’s boss and can change
their schedule at a moment’s
notice.
A typical day for a lineman,
when they aren’t responding to
emergency calls, can involve
changing out poles that have
been damaged or have rotted.
Other duties for line crews
include installing connections
for new construction, substation
work, reconnecting lines to
larger conductors, underground
installation and more, depending
on the type of line work they do.
Working as a transmission
lineman, Powell’s days are filled
with 100 to 500-foot towers.
“I’ve only ever really worked
on transmission (power lines),
which are the big towers, so
that’s what I know,” he said.
“Transmission is a lot cooler
because you get way bigger
equipment, but because the
equipment is bigger, you always
have that risk factor that if
something goes wrong, it can go
wrong really fast to the point that
it could kill you. So it’s always
gratifying to see something I’ve
worked on and be like ‘Yeah, I
built that.’”
They’re always looking for
workers too, Powell says. With
programs lasting a few months
to a year in colleges across the
country, as he says, “Anyone can
do it.”
“It’s a very high-paying career,”
Powell said. “And it’s a fun career
too. You get to see new places all
the time.” •
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HAVING A BEER WITH | EMILY WELKER AND ALEX BERTSCH
HAVING A BEER WITH
Emily Welker
and Alex Bertsch
WRITTEN BY: DAWN SIEWERT AND DARREN LOSEE
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
As you sip your coffee and tune in to KVRR, you’re greeted by
the familiar faces of our morning news team, bringing you the
latest headlines with a dash of warmth and personality. Today,
we’re switching things up a bit — putting the anchors in the
spotlight!
With some classic ‘80s tunes setting the mood and cold
Drekker brews in hand, we’re excited to dive into the lives of
our morning show stars. The dynamic Morning Show Anchor
and Producer, Emily Welker, who not only keeps us informed
but has a flair for the unique, with experiences ranging from
haunted houses to goat yoga.
Joining her is Multimedia Journalist and Weekend Anchor,
Alex Bertsch. You might know him as Randy the barista,
but this Celtics football fanatic has stories to share that go
beyond the headlines.
Have you ever had the tables turned and had someone
interview you?
Emily: Yes, but not very often.
Alex: No, first time for me.
The Good Life: Are you nervous?
Alex: Oh no, no… I mean a little, but not that bad. (Nervous
laughter.)
Emily: This beer is helping a little.
What jobs did you have prior to TV?
Emily: I worked as a reporter for a minority biomedical
sciences newsletter.
The Good Life: Sounds fancy.
Emily: It’s not really. It was a college job. It was fun
talking to all the scientists. Biologists are really, really
cool. My favorite job that I ever had other than TV, was
working in a haunted house.
10 | THE GOOD LIFE

The Good Life: Ooooooh! What was your character, a spooky
person?
Emily: Well, you got to change characters if you wanted to. I got
to be a crying girl in a haunted graveyard. I got to have my guts
sucked out by a giant spider. Sometimes I got to be a victim in an
operating room. I could be one of the murderous doctors. There is
a lot of screaming involved.
Alex: I worked in TV production for a while and freelance
photography. My last regular job was as a barista at Starbucks.
They made us wear name tags. I wrote, “Randy” and I did a voice
that was a mix of Tom Petty and Bob Dylan.
Emily: Did people know that you were putting them on?
Alex: Some did, some didn’t. Some regulars knew because I had
started it after they had already met me. But a few people were
just like, “This is weird. I just want my coffee.”
The Good Life: It sounds like Randy should be performing in the
haunted house.
What’s the funniest mishap that’s happened to you while on air?
Alex: Oh, I know what mine is. I laughed about it on air. It was just a
couple of weeks ago. I forgot how to say, meteorologist.
The Good Life: Oh no...
Alex: I said, (mumbling meteorologist) and I’m just like, that was not
even close to being right.
Emily: I think the funniest thing that happened to me was… you
can make this PG-rated right? It was a very early, early day. I had
written a script for me and my then co-anchor about hail damage
on cars. What I wrote was, “You don’t want to go out to your car
and find “nicks and dings” and that’s not how it came out.
The Good Life: Uh-oh!
Emily: The best part, my husband still believes – is not that part. It was
the very poorly concealed smirk on my co-anchors face. He was trying
so hard to hold it together.
How do you recover from laughing, or if you are about to cry?
Emily: I go back and forth on that. Sometimes, in a really tragic story, I
don’t want to let the viewers see me bawling all over it because whatever
I feel is nothing compared to what the victims and their families feel. I
don’t need to be taking the focus off of them. That’s why we’re there.
The Good Life: How do you control your emotions? It has to be tough.
Emily: It can be. Some mornings are tougher than others for sure.
Have you ever had an outburst of laughter?
Emily: Continually. The animals in particular. They are just crazy. The other
day we had goat yoga on and he was sneezing violently. And I’m like, I
can’t watch him on air with a runny nose. So I’m wiping his little nose.
Alex: I remember Dylan having a misstep on the air accidentally saying
b*tch or something. It was just a word slip. I had to collect myself because
he was not going to recover and I was over on the desk crying-laughing.
Emily: You totally set each other off and that’s when it’s dangerous. I can’t
even look at him.
What would you could choose a walk-out or theme song to play before
airing, what would it be? Or do you already have one?
Emily: I don’t have one. Probably something ridiculous like Toccata and Fugue
in D Minor.
Alex: Oh… Disco 2000 by Pulp.
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HAVING A BEER WITH | EMILY WELKER AND ALEX BERTSCH
Has your phone ever rang during a live broadcast?
(Alex laughing hysterically.)
The Good Life: This must have just happened.
Alex: It didn’t ring, but I had set an alarm (when I
was not on the morning show) for around 8:15 in the
morning and it had gone off a couple of times during
commercial breaks. I thought, I need to turn that off,
and finally it hit on air.
Emily: Of course, he was so freaked out by it. He was
fumbling with it and so it took unnecessarily long to
shut it off.
Alex: My first thought is, “Can anyone hear that?”I was
trying to click the buttons through my pocket and it’s
not turning it off. And trying to pull it out from under the
table without really looking at it.
Emily: I have a reason that doesn’t happen to me. It’s
because I have a husband, who up until fairly recently,
would send me [text messages] while I was in the
middle of reading the show. “Have you seen my keys?
Where’s my wallet? My shoe is missing. Have you
noticed the dog is starting to smell bad?”
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a show?
Emily: What is unwind? It’s been so busy lately, but I
really like gardening. It’s a great refresh.
Alex: Depending on the time of the day, I will grab a
cider out of the fridge. Sitting on the balcony watching
people walking by. Although, I did see a guy eat a stick.
It fell from a tree. He looked at it and started eating it. I
thought, “That’s downtown Fargo for ya.”
If you could anchor a news segment from anywhere
in the world, where would it be?
Emily: It’s a toss-up between San Francisco, Portland
and Los Angeles. Not just because I am from the West
Coast, but also because they’re such baroquely weird,
cool spaces. You would never get bored with the news.
Their cities are full of characters and art, all kinds of
great stuff.
Alex: I would like to do a live hit on a match day at Celtic
Park in Glasgow, Scotland. They sing “You’ll Never
Walk Alone” from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel.
So you have 60,000 people singing in unison.
If you could have any fictional character as a co-host
who would it be and what would your first segment
be about?
Alex: I would love to talk about the history of the social
liberation movement with “The Dude.”
Emily: I would be co-anchor with Jimmy Stewart from
the Philadelphia Story. Which would be a problem for
my marriage.
12 | THE GOOD LIFE

What does the good life mean
to both of you?
Emily: I feel like a lot of what I
consider to be key to having “the
good life” I have so much of right
now. It would be better if I lived
closer to my family of origin, or if
they lived closer to us. But I have
an amazing husband and a kid
that if I had dreamed her up, she
couldn’t be better. I have a job I
love and I have fabulous friends.
I am healthy and strong. That’s
really important.
Alex: I think what idealizes
“the good life” to me is those
times like a few weeks ago.
My girlfriend and I both have
Mondays and Tuesdays off. So
we went on a day trip to Fergus
Falls. Or a few weeks before
when we took a trip down to
go to a concert with her sister
and her fiance in Sioux Falls.
It’s those times when I can take
time with the people I love and
go out and have fun and enjoy
trips. Knowing there are breaks
from a job you love – makes
those moments almost more
important to you. ❄
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Floating on
Snow
Embrace Winter by Exploring Snowshoeing!
WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY MILLER
The beginning of winter can be a quiet time for outdoor
activities. Gone are the sun-drenched cool days of autumn.
As the snow covers the land, it’s easy to burrow into the
living room couch and watch TV. Rather than wasting the
season waiting for spring, get a pair of snowshoes and get
outside!
What are Snowshoes?
Animals that have evolved in snowy climates, like the
snowshoe hare and the lynx, have oversized paws that
allow them to seemingly float over the snow. The lynx’s
foot looks ridiculous on the cat’s frame, but when feet of
snow cover the northern boreal forest, the animal can
glide on top and keep its belly full of rabbit.
As a kid on the farm, I remember struggling through deep
snow trying to hunt winter rabbits. “Post holing,” where
each step creates a deep hole in the snow and requires the
person to lift their foot high for the next step, is exhausting.
Native Americans discovered this as well and began
devising wood and leather snowshoes. Tribes in different
areas made shoes of varying designs, but every tribe that
14 | THE GOOD LIFE

lived in snowy climates wore them. No matter the shape,
the snowshoes were made with thin, pliable wood with
rawhide for the lacing and webbing.
Even though some modern enthusiasts still use wooden
shoes, the majority use aluminum shoes. A lightweight
metal frame is covered with lightweight plastic decking.
There are even some models made from foam!
Every type of snowshoe requires a binding that attaches
the user’s foot to the deck. Wooden snowshoes use leather
bindings while modern snowshoes are generally rubber.
They should slip off the user’s foot rather easily, in case
the wearer falls and has difficulty getting up. Believe me,
falling face down in a snowdrift will happen, and being
able to extricate yourself from the snowshoe is important.
Trekking poles can help the user balance, especially in
hilly terrain.
Most modern shoes have crampons on the bottom,
jagged cleats that bite into the snow. While they offer little
advantage on flat ground, when hiking up or down a hill
urbantoadmedia.com | 15

Nothing is hidden
once there is snow
on the ground.
We enjoy following
mouse tracks, deer
tracks and fox
tracks in the snow.
they are lifesavers. Descending a hill without crampons
is like driving a car with no brakes. Snowshoes aren’t
skies, and it’s no fun to tumble down a hill!
Purchasing Snowshoes
Snowshoes are sold based on the user’s weight. My
young daughters wear shoes that vary from 16” to
21”. My shoes, built to float my 250 pound 6’4” frame,
are a full 37” long. When buying a pair, always err on
the heavy side. Snowshoes that aren’t big enough will
cause more issues than they are worth.
Though there are a multitude of websites that sell
snowshoes, trying a pair on before purchasing is a good
idea. Just like running shoes, snowshoes feel different
on each person, and wearing a pair that doesn’t feel
right can guarantee they will gather dust in the closet.
There are even places in Fargo that rent snowshoes.
Rentals are a great way to get a feel for the sport before
spending money on a pair.
Floating on the Snow
You’ve found the perfect pair of snowshoes. What now?
Fargo/Moorhead is full of opportunities to break
the new shoes in. Many of the parks in Fargo are
groomed for cross-country skiing, and the trails offer
a wonderful place to gain experience and observe
nature. Snowshoeing is not a race, and maintaining a
comfortable pace will not only offer a great workout but
also allow for full nature immersion.
Getting off the trails, of course, requires a different set
of skills. When I’m with my kids, I’m always the one
to break trail. Breaking trail is physically difficult, as
the snow collects on the decking, adding weight. If
possible, breaking trail should be switched off. Once
the trail is broken, the follower has a much easier time.
Spreading out the difficulty makes sure no one gets too
tired.
What to Wear?
Sweat and winter temperatures do not mix well, and
dressing too warmly ensures the snowshoer will be
freezing cold each time they stop. I prefer to wear bibs
and a light jacket with base layers underneath. I can
open the sides of the bibs and the jacket when moving,
allowing the cold air to prevent sweating. When
catching a breather, it’s easy to zip up and stay warm.
A Day in the Snow
A few years ago, I had a trapline for fox a mile from the
nearest road. Heavy snow covered the farm country, and
the only way back into the woods to check traps was
with snowshoes. My oldest daughter tagged along with
each check and was rewarded with a unique adventure.
16 | THE GOOD LIFE

Nothing is hidden once there is snow on the
ground, and we enjoyed following mouse tracks,
deer tracks and fox tracks in the snow. We found
where a fox had dived into the deep snow and
caught a mouse, where deer had pawed the snow
away to find food and where a flock of turkeys had
passed. After breaking the initial trail, the hike
was easy and relaxing. Pulling a small sled, full
of trapping supplies, required little effort. Even
though the trapline didn’t catch much, we enjoyed
every day.
Hit the Snow!
Don’t let winter get you down this year. Equip
yourself and your family with high-quality
snowshoes and see the world in a completely
different way! •
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: JEFFREY MILLER / THE AUTHOR’S
DAUGHTER WITH A TRAPPING SLED ON SNOWSHOES.
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ON THE COVER | JESSE JAHNER AND MARK EMPTING
18 | THE GOOD LIFE

FM’S SHERIFF SHOWDOWN
WITH BRAGGING RIGHTS ON THE LINE,
JAHNER AND EMPTING FACE OFF IN A SERIES OF
SHERIFF SHENANIGANS
WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Ever hear about the bad blood spilling across the Red River? The ongoing feud between the two lead law
enforcement officials from Cass and Clay Counties? Of course not. Sheriff Jesse Jahner and Sheriff Mark
Empting actually like each other, work well together and answer the call of duty with a shared passion for
community service.
But duty called us, too, and it’s time to rile up this neighborly relationship. Let the battle of the badges begin!
THE TALE OF THE TAPE
SHERIFF JESSE JAHNER
SHERIFF MARK EMPTING
“FIGHTING” out of … the white corner,
from the west, representing Cass County
… Sheriff Jesse Jahner.
“FIGHTING” out of ... the other white
corner, from the east, representing
Clay County … Sheriff Mark Empting.
Age: 51
Years in Law Enforcement: 26
Years as Sheriff: 6th year
Favorite donut/pastry: Whatever doughnut goes
well with a protein shake.
Your undercover character: So undercover it can’t
be printed here.
Most impressive feat of strength: The relationships
I have formed with our Cass County businesses.
When it comes to partnering on Active Threat and
Personal Safety Training, I love working with our
community and bringing safety training to them.
Why did you take on this challenge? I always
appreciate a good competition. In the law
enforcement business, sometimes we just need
to show others that we are human and that we
like to have fun, joke and connect with others in a
positive light.
Age: 51
Years in Law Enforcement: 27
Years as Sheriff: 6th year
Favorite donut/pastry: Well, contrary to what
many might think about cops and donuts, I really
don’t eat a lot of donuts, but a good chocolatecovered
donut would be my go-to.
Your undercover character: “The Brother’s
Keeper” because someone has to keep watch
over Sheriff Jahner and make sure he is doing ok
after being beaten so badly in this competition.
Most impressive feat of strength: Something that
Sheriff Jahner struggles with … I can open a jar of
pickles pretty easily. Sheriff Jahner struggles with
this, as it seems like his workout program doesn’t
focus on lifting weights. He is obviously more of a
cardio guy!
Why did you take on this challenge? I accepted
this challenge to show Sheriff Jahner that I am
definitely the best Sheriff in the metro area, and
he is taking a backseat to me!
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ON THE COVER | JESSE JAHNER AND MARK EMPTING
RESULTS
THUMB WRESTLING - EMPTING 2/3
Our competition begins with a schoolyard classic, a mix of strategy, patience and brute thumb strength. It
was obvious from the get-go … Empting had clearly practiced, and Jahner needs to hit the gym. When asked
about his favorite opening move, Empting said simply, “Rock, of course.” An unorthodox strategy for Thumb
Wrestling? Yes, but he clearly had his head in the game … albeit the wrong game.
BALLOON BLOWING UP RACE - JAHNER BY A BREATH
High off his first win, Empting got a little cocky with his balloons … and may or may not
have cheated. Karma caught up quickly, sending his second (failed) balloon sailing around
the room. It was ruled ‘no contest’ by both judges, tying things up at one win a piece.
20 | THE GOOD LIFE

FOLDING A FITTED SHEET FOR TIME - JAHNER BY A MILE
Asked if he was nervous going into challenge #3, Jahner said “Only if this is a baking
contest … I’m sure Sheriff Empting will have the advantage over me.” After deftly (daintily?)
squaring up his sheet like a seasoned hotel chambermaid, Jahner reluctantly took the win.
“I didn’t really want to win this one,” he admitted.
DRAWING PORTRAITS - A DRAW. (GET IT?)
With Jahner in the lead, all eyes were on Empting. Could he capture the strong Jahner
jawline? Or could Jahner deliver a finishing stroke, proving the west is best? With
all jurisprudence, this one wasn’t even close. Be thankful none of you voted for these
gentlemen because of their artistic inclinations.
21

ON THE COVER | JESSE JAHNER AND MARK EMPTING
RESULTS
PAPER SNOWFLAKES - EMPTING MAKES THE CUT
With the title on the line, our two sheriffs headed into the final challenge … another callback from
elementary school. After the drawing disaster, expectations were low for this final contest requiring
dexterity and artistry. “I got this,” said a confident Empting, before cutting out an impressive morethan-one
snowflake. Jahner’s singular flake failed to elicit any feelings of holiday cheer.
“I just hope that Sheriff Jahner takes the loss in good faith,” Empting chided. “I hope he can focus on
training over the next few years to see if he can come back and try and win the title.”
POSTGAME ANALYSIS - 2/2 TIE
Even the best oddsmakers in Vegas
were stumped. They’d never
seen such a competition, such
a mix of guts and grace and
gratuitous violence against
the arts. With Empting’s
last-minute win, the
competition ended in a
2-2 tie, a result nobody
knew was possible.
22 | THE GOOD LIFE

Let’s head into the locker
room for the post game press
conference, where questions
turned quickly to matters of
greater importance.
Sheriff Jahner, what does it
mean to you to get to represent
your community every day …
maybe not including today?
I wake up every day believing
that I have the best job in
the world. I grew up in this
community, and to have the
opportunity to serve and give
back in an elected position
where I work directly for the
people I serve is a great honor.
This community is so supportive
of law enforcement. I can’t
imagine serving in this capacity
anywhere else in the country.
Same question to you, Sheriff
Empting.
It is an honor to represent
the community. Representing
Clay County in general is a
great honor. Our community is
supportive of the Sheriff’s Office,
and we have great people that
live in Clay County who make
my job easy. I have always said
that we are very lucky to live and
work in Clay County, because of
the awesome people that we
get to serve.
And Sheriff Empting, as you
look ahead to a possible
rematch, do you have anything
to say to Sheriff Jahner? Any
final trash talk?
Since he is months older than
me, I like to remind him that I
am the younger, more agile guy.
Because of this, I might have
to let him win a couple more
rounds next year just to make
him feel young again!
Sheriff Jahner, your response?
Yeah, well… we have Airboats. •
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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
LEELA
Female | 8 years old | Mastiff
Hi there! I’m Leela, a sweet, laid-back senior gal ready to settle
down and find my forever home. I thrive on affection and will happily
snuggle up with you whenever you’re ready for some love.
I’m great with other dogs, cats, and even kids, so I’d fit in perfectly
with any family that has room for a big-hearted pup like me. Plus, I’ve
got excellent manners and am fully house trained, so you won’t have
to worry about a thing.
When I’m not napping or cuddling, you might catch me chasing a
laser pointer – I know it’s more of a cat game, but I’m determined to
catch it one day!
I can’t wait to meet you and show you just how lovable I am. I’ll be
here, patiently waiting for my forever family.
VINTAGE
Female | 9 years old | Tuxedo DSH | Declawed
Hi there! My name is Vintage. I’m a sweet, relaxed senior gal who
loves nothing more than sitting on a windowsill, watching the birds
and squirrels as they pass by. I rarely pass up the opportunity to sit
on a lap for a bit, enjoying the warmth and companionship. Cuddling
is one of my favorite pastimes, and I’m always ready for a snuggle
session.
Though I love to relax, I also enjoy some occasional catnip toy action!
When it comes to eating, I tend to graze on my food throughout the
day, taking my time to savor every bite. Despite my laid-back nature,
I’m quite outgoing and very affectionate.
Overall, I’m a calm and loving kitty who’s looking for a cozy home
where I can enjoy the simple pleasures of life. If you’re looking for a
gentle and affectionate companion, I’m your girl!
24 | THE GOOD LIFE

DARYL
Male | 10 years old | Grey Tabby DSH | Declawed
Hi there! My name is Daryl, and I’m a wonderful senior cat always
looking for a lap to curl up in. I’ve got a really soft purr that will run
all day long if you’re around. Gentle headbutts are kinda my way of
reminding you that I need all the attention you can give! I’m fairly
talkative and I’m ready to greet you by the door most days. One of
my favorite hobbies is looking out of all the windows. And even at
10 years old, I could go for the occasional zoomies, laser pointer run,
strings, or wand toy!
A couple of rare things about me: I’m totally indifferent about
houseplants (believe me, my foster mom only has like a hundred of
them). I’m also incredibly smart and seemed to pick up on the rules of
the house in only a few days. I now sit politely at the dinner table too!
I’m obsessed with where my people are and like to be within eyesight
most of the time. If you’re looking for a sweet senior fella with a whole
lot of love to give, I could be the guy for you!
PANDA BEAR
Female | 1 year old | Shepherd Mix
Hi there! I’m Panda Bear, and if there’s one thing I’m known for, it’s
being the ultimate cuddle bug! My absolute favorite thing in the
world? Playing with balls! Whether it’s a game of fetch or just chasing
them around, I’m always up for some fun.
I’ve got the energy of a puppy and love goofing around. One of my
favorite pastimes is going for car rides. I can’t get enough of the wind
in my fur and watching the world go by.
I’ll admit, I can be a little nervous when I first meet new people, but
once I warm up, my playful, affectionate personality really starts to
shine.If we become best friends, you can count on me to stick by your
side. I’ll be your loyal companion through thick and thin!
AUTUMN
Female | 2 years old | Tabby DSH
I’m Autumn, a gentle girl with a cute face and an insistent meow. I’m
looking for a family where cuddles, rubs, and playing will become
the center of my world! I adore attention and am most comfortable
curling up in a nice warm lap. Do you enjoy lap time as much as me?
If so, let’s make this happen!
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FURNISHING YOU
IN YOUR NEXT PHASE
WRITTEN BY: KRISSY NESS
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Suppose you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where
you had to start your life over completely. In that case, you
know how important it is to make your new space safe
and comfortable. But what if you didn’t have the means
to do so?
That is where the Furniture Mission comes in. Since
its beginning in 2020, they have served over 2,600 local
families and given away over 32,000 pieces of furniture.
I had the privilege of chatting with Jordan McCormick,
the Executive Director, to get a better idea of how they
execute this mission.
“I started in 2022, and when I met them, I didn’t think this
was going to turn into anything, but I was blown away!”
exclaimed McCormick. Furniture Mission is a non-profit
charity founded and run by Evert Van Engelenhoven and
other volunteers. After retirement, he knew he wanted to
give back to the community in a big way, and boy is he!
“We started with how we get decent furniture to give to
people in crisis, first and foremost,” explained McCormick.
“And then, along the way, people started to recognize the
value of [repurposing furniture], and if we can pour into
this, we can keep stuff out of the landfill.”
Not only is Furniture Mission helping give families a new
start, but it is also reducing waste, giving new life to gently
used furniture, and helping those in need.
“We can have people be incredibly proud of this because it
26 | THE GOOD LIFE

“
“One of the things
we are proud of, is
serving people from a
variety of situations.”
– Jordan McCormick
looks amazing and functions great, and it’s just supporting
someone in the next season of their lives,” boasted
McCormick. “Whether they are coming out of crisis or a
critical transition.”
If you are like me, you wonder, ‘Who is eligible to receive
this furniture?
“One of the things we are proud of is serving people from
a variety of situations,” said McCormick. “So, we’ll have
people transitioning out of homelessness; we’ll have
people who are undergoing treatment for addiction, and
places like the YWCA, people escaping from a dangerous
situation and having to leave in the night.”
I, myself, have been a victim of a natural disaster; during
the flood of ‘97, my family and I had to be airlifted out of our
home, leaving everything behind except a small backpack
of our most cherished possessions. It is devastating to see
your home and everything you’ve collected over the years
disappear.
McCormick explains that many families benefiting from
Furniture Mission currently are families from Ukraine,
escaping war in their homeland. I cannot imagine running
from death and despair, showing up in a new country with
nothing. What a truly unique gift that Furniture Mission
can provide for people in need.
“I’ve always been of the attitude if you’ve been blessed, you
have the obligation to help people. I try to live that. If you
have, you need to share,” boasted Engelenhoven.
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“I’ve always been of the attitude
if you’ve been blessed, you have
the obligation to help people.”
– Evert Van Engelenhoven
28 | THE GOOD LIFE

Furniture Mission has seen growth each
year it operates, from just 130 families in
2020 to a whopping 731 families in 2023.
This year, they will surpass 850 families!
“We know it’s not just furniture; we are
setting you up for your next season in
the most tangible way possible,” said
McCormick.
After crunching the numbers, McCormick
found that 40 percent of the individuals
they support are children. This is why
they do what they do: to help those in our
community, especially children.
“When I say local, I mean these are our
people,” exclaimed McCormick. “We go to
the same grocery store; our kids go to the
same school, and this is one way we can
show up for our neighbor.”
I cannot begin to express how impressed
I am with Furniture Mission and how it
impacts the community.
“We are a faith-based organization,” said
McCormick. “We are not here to preach to
you; we are here to pour into you and say we
believe in you, we love you, and we want the
best for you.”
Furniture Mission has one employee, and
the rest are volunteers, so the message is
clear: the money they raise goes where it is
most needed, and that is to furnish homes
for those in dire need. There is no charge to
the families served, or agencies who refer
them, so every dollar donated helps support
their operation.
“I get fired up about a couple of things, and
one of those things is when people take
their beliefs and their faith and make them
tangible,” expressed McCormick. “I believe
in this because that is what I do.”
I had the absolute pleasure of learning
about Furniture Mission’s operations. I look
forward to seeing them grow and continue
to help those who deserve it.
Finally, as we always do, I asked McCormick
what the good life means to him, “A good life
to me is being in a community where people
know how to support people, and people
who need support know how to get it, to
contribute to society in a way they want to,”
said McCormick. •
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Humble Heroes
Reflections on Veterans Day
from Area Vets
30 | THE GOOD LIFE

WRITTEN BY: AMY WIESER WILLSON
It’s almost always a challenge to ask a veteran to speak
about themselves and their military experiences, even
at a high level. It took significant arm twisting and
bribery to get just a handful to share a glimpse of
their military service. Many other deserving Soldiers,
Airmen, Marines, Sailors and Coasties insisted their
service wasn’t notable enough to be shared here. We
wholeheartedly disagree, but we will always respect
their wishes.
Unlike Memorial Day, when fallen service members are
honored, Veterans Day is a time of celebration for those
who have served. In VFWs, American Legion clubs, and
other area veteran-focused places, veterans and their
families will gather to share stories, toast one another,
and listen to music from the Red River Valley Veterans
Concert Band this November 11. Here’s what that day
means to some of them. If you have a chance, stop by a
vets’ club to thank some for their service and sacrifices. •
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LOCAL HERO | AREA VETERANS
DEL HOFER
Airman 2nd Class
Fargo, ND
“I think Veterans Day is a special day. I think all veterans should take that day off and be recognized for what
we accomplished to protect America. Veterans Day is a special day to me. Unless you’ve been there, you
don’t understand it. But, when you live it, you remember it every day.” – Del Hofer
Hofer enlisted in the Air Force in February 1955, knowing that his enlistment would lead to a deployment for the Korean
War. He worked in communications, serving as an Airborne radio operator for 13 months between 1957 and 1958. Per
the requirements at that time, he served four years on active duty with the following four years in the Reserves. When he
was discharged in 1962, he had earned his Air Crew Member Wings, an Outstanding Unit Award, the National Defense
Service Medal and a Sharpshooter Medal.
TED WIESER
Sgt. 1st Class
Valley City, ND
“It’s been an honor and a privilege
to serve.” – Ted Wieser
Wieser holds the rather rare distinction of being a combat veteran of wars in both Vietnam and Iraq. He enlisted in the
Navy in 1968 and served in Vietnam as a Seabee from 1968-69. After a break in service, he enlisted in the North Dakota
Army National Guard in 1977. In late 2003, he began a 15-month deployment to Iraq. In all, he served 38 years and was
awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal
and Meritorious Unit Accommodation, among many other awards.
32 | THE GOOD LIFE

LARRY FONTAINE
Sgt. 1st Class • Casselton, ND
“Veterans Day is a time to reflect with friends, family, and fellow veterans.
To remember the sacrifices that former veterans, current veterans, and
their families made, and are making, to keep America free.” – Larry Fontaine
Fontaine, who teaches at Hope-Page Public School, served more than 31 years in the military. He deployed during
Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He’s now retired from the Army after having earned an Army Achievement
Medal and an Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, among other honors.
JACK WILLSON JR.
Sgt. 1st Class • Moorhead, MN
“Veterans Day is a day for me to interact with other veterans and thank them for their service and sacrifice.
It’s also a time for me to reflect on my time in the service and the great men and women that I served with.
We’ve seen that life is short; we should enjoy the time we have together.” – Jack Willson Jr.
Willson served 30 years in the Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq on a 15-month mission beginning late in
2003. While there, he received a Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action after an improvised explosive device
detonated alongside his unarmored vehicle. During his extensive military career, he also received a Combat Action Badge,
Army Commendation Medal, and a number of other awards. He will retire from his work for the State of North Dakota in
April 2025.
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LOCAL HERO | AREA VETERANS
GLENN MANOR
Spc. • West Fargo, ND
“To us, it means recognizing the service and sacrifices made by the men and women who swore an oath to
uphold and protect our nation and our Constitution. My wife and I have multiple veterans of multiple wars in
our family, so we know the costs associated with military service.” – Glenn Manor
Manor served in the North Dakota Army National Guard and deployed to Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, from 2008-09. He
earned an Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal before being
medically retired from the military after six years of service.
KYLE VOLK
Maj. • Fargo, ND
“Veterans day is a day of heavy, heavy-hearted pride as we reflect on the
achievements and challenges that our families and brothers and sisters in the
Armed Services have honorably endured.” – Kyle Volk
After 16 years, Volk continues to serve in the U.S. Army. He deployed to Afghanistan three times and once to Iraq, earning
a Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Joint Service Commendation Medal, among other awards. His
current assignment is with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he’s responsible for overseeing some of the Fargo-
Moorhead Area Diversion project construction.
34 | THE GOOD LIFE

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