The Good Life – January-February 2025

DAD LIFE
A DAD’S MUSINGS ON MOVING
WRITTEN BY: PAUL HANKEL
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: PAUL HANKEL
Moving is often ranked as one of life’s most stressful
experiences. It can feel downright overwhelming. I noticed
a few things recently as we were packing up and moving.
Besides the anticipated aches, pains, and sore back
that resulted from our recent move, I also noticed some
“nostalgia” moments that struck me as I was arguing with
my teenager about having to fold his clothes instead of
just throwing them into boxes.
Here’s a glimpse into our experience moving to a house in
south Fargo and some practical tips to make the process
smoother.
Communicate Early and Often
Start talking about the move as soon as the decision is
made. Be honest about why it’s happening and emphasize
the positives, whether it’s a bigger backyard, living closer
to family, or a new adventure. Let your child express their
fears and questions – validating those emotions goes a
long way.
Buying Furniture Online is a Gamble
(I’m a terrible gambler)
In short, I took a gamble on an early Black Friday deal
on a modular sectional online. Needless to say, what I
ordered is not exactly what I received and I did not receive
my order within the promised timeline.
If Possible, Hire Movers
If you’re in my age range (the almost 40 club), then I can
100% assure you that your buddies do NOT want to help
you move. They do in spirit, but pizza and a few beers
doesn’t cover the cost of being sore for three days and the
resulting chiropractic bills. They are also almost 40 and
share the same high probability of knee, back, and joint
issues that you’ve recently started noticing when doing
things like bending down to put on socks or shoveling
snow.
Moving is a young man’s game. That’s why God gave us
moving companies, many of which hire in-shape youth,
capable of carrying a modular sectional down three flights
2 | THE GOOD LIFE

of stairs without needing to visit the emergency room
afterward.
If you can afford it, HIRE HELP!
Logistics and Letting Go
I’d always considered myself fairly organized, but moving
tested that assumption. Decluttering became my greatest
ally. With every box I packed, I faced decisions: Do I need
this? More importantly – does this even fit me anymore
(I’m winter bulking)? Will it fit in the new place? My
teenager, surprisingly, became a ruthless editor, quick to
donate toys, games, and other items he’s outgrown.
Before packing, create three piles: keep, donate, and
toss. For items you’re unsure about, box them separately
and revisit them after the move. Chances are, if you didn’t
miss it during the transition, you don’t need it.
Letting go of excess wasn’t just practical; it was liberating.
Moving represents a fresh start, and we wanted it to feel
that way.
Settling In
When moving day arrived, I was equal parts exhausted
and exhilarated. We unpacked slowly, making the new
house our home one room at a time. I found that this
allowed him to be more involved in the process and let
him feel empowered by setting up his own spaces within
our house.
Exploring our new neighborhood became an adventure.
We found a local park a few blocks away, scoped out
the closest grocery store, and introduced ourselves to a
few neighbors. It didn’t happen overnight, but we slowly
found our rhythm in the new environment.
Looking back, moving taught me more than I anticipated.
It reinforced the importance of flexibility, patience,
and a good sense of humor. It reminded me that kids
are resilient, often handling transitions better than we
expect.
If you’re facing a move, know this: it’s not just a logistical
challenge; it’s an opportunity to grow, to redefine, and to
embrace a new chapter. Take it one box at a time, and
don’t forget to stretch!
As my son and I settled into our new place one night, he
looked around and said, “It feels like home now.” He was
probably just happy that the move resulted in better Wi-
Fi speeds, but it was still a very reassuring compliment.
Moving is never easy, but it can be transformative. Keep
these tips in mind, lean on your support network, and
remember: a new address is just the beginning of a new
adventure.
Cheers to 2025! •
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2025 | VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 4
contents
02
06
10
14
18
24
28
30
DAD LIFE
A Dad’s Musings on Moving
Cold Winds, Warm Hearts
Veterans Ask That You Put Your Money
Where Your Heart Is
A Beginners Guide to Ice Fishing
HAVING A BEER WITH - Russ Thomas
KVLY’s Chief Meteorologist
ON THE COVER
The Audacity of Dreaming
Patrick Kirby Talks About Big, Bold Risks
The End Line by Lee Block
… it’s Only the Beginning
Homeward Animal Shelter
Every Heart Deserves A Home
LOCAL HERO - Vern Baardson
Walking Alongside Those Who Serve
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
Jeffrey Miller
Krissy Ness
Emma Rieke
Danielle Teigen
Amy Weiser Willson
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
Dawn Siewert
dawn@urbantoadmedia.com
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4 | THE GOOD LIFE
The Good Life Men’s Magazine is distributed six
times a year by Urban Toad Media LLP. Material
may not be reproduced without permission. The
Good Life Men’s Magazine accepts no liability for
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The Good Life Men’s Magazine.

urbantoadmedia.com | 5

FARGO NATIONAL CEMETERY
WRITTEN BY: AMY WEISER WILLSON
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Cold Winds, Warm Hearts
Just north of Fargo lies a field unlike any other in the
nation. Thirty-five acres of former farmland shifted over
the past handful of years from being tilled and planted to
being a solemn resting place for men and women who
have served in the U.S. military, along with their spouses
and dependents.
What started as the five-acre Fargo National Cemetery in
2019 has grown in scale and amenities. It now includes a
columbarium for cremated remains and a memorial wall
for remains that are unrecoverable, unidentified, donated
to science, cremated with the remains scattered, or buried
at sea. An additional 30 acres were added in 2024, but a
key piece for military families has been missing: a building
for shelter, restrooms, and grieving together outside of the
elements.
“We look at this as the Arlington National Cemetery of
North Dakota. This is ours, and we want to make it as
positive as possible,” said Jason Hicks, Fargo Memorial
Honor Guard commander.
The Honor Guard is a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization
and the only group authorized by the Veterans
Administration to conduct ceremonies at the Fargo
National Cemetery. Every member of the Honor Guard
6 | THE GOOD LIFE

VETERANS ASK THAT YOU PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HEART IS
has served in the military. Since the first burial in October
2019, they’ve presented folded flags to families of nearly
900 veterans. When dependent burials are accounted for,
the number of people laid to rest or memorialized at the
cemetery exceeds 1,100. In 2024, there was an average of
four burials each week.
“We started as a complete grassroots start-up organization.
We literally bought our own uniforms and built it up to
what it is now,” Hicks said. “One thing that really makes
us stand out as one of the [honor guard] groups is we have
an actual ordained minister who can provide services,
and I’m not aware of any other organization that has that.”
Russ Stabler, a Vietnam veteran and ordained chaplain,
provides ministerial support, and Tom Linnertz plays
TAPS on a bugle following each three-gun volley. Marvin
Nicklay, the group’s sergeant of the guard, presents the
shells to the families in a keepsake bag. The 83-year-old
veteran has only missed a few funerals in the five years
that the Honor Guard has been providing services. For all
of them, this mission is incredibly personal and important.
It’s about giving fallen service members the sendoff they
deserve. If a veteran has no living family, the Honor Guard
ensures they have a family of veterans there for the burial.
“Right now, if you go out there, it’s North Dakota farmland
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at its finest,” Hicks said. “It’s very barren and open, so
it gets incredibly cold out there. We want to be able to
provide for the families in their time of need, to provide
them with a shelter – a place for the families to get out
of the elements and also where they can have fellowship
before or after.”
Some of the families of the fallen drive several hours one
way to attend the 20-minute service for their loved one
only to have to turn around and leave due to the weather
or to make room for the next family arriving for a burial.
The Honor Guard’s ambition to provide military families
with a chance to connect as well as warm up during
North Dakota’s long winters led them to launch efforts
to construct a building on site.
“This will be the first of its kind in the nation as far as
a rural veterans’ cemetery to have a building out there,”
Hicks said.
The Veterans Memorial Center will include a chapel,
gathering space, office, parking lot, bathrooms, and
a hearse garage as well as locker rooms for Honor
Guard members. A mural and memorial gallery also
will be installed. Cost estimates are about $4.3 million.
8 | THE GOOD LIFE

Through hard work, the Honor
Guard has raised nearly $2 million
of that, but they still have a way
to go before they can make their
dream for military families a reality.
This Giving Hearts Day, they’re
hoping to get $75,000 closer to
their fundraising goal so that
ground can be broken in 2026.
Donors at the $500 level and above
will be honored with their names
on a plaque that will hang in the
finished building. More than that
monetary recognition, a donation
reflects a pledge to support those
who protected our freedoms and a
show of thanks for their service and
sacrifices. •
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donate
Go to GivingHeartsDay.org and
search for the Fargo Memorial
Honor Guard to contribute before
February 14, 2024.
Volunteer
Military members with an
honorable discharge can join the
Fargo Memorial Honor Guard.
Visit
The Fargo National Cemetery is
at 8709 40th Ave. N., off of County
Road 20, in Harwood, North
Dakota.
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10 | THE GOOD LIFE

Beginners Guide to
WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY MILLER
It’s hard to remember the warm sun and dancing
water of a lake during the depths of winter. A thick
mantle of snow and ice covers the water, and the
barren landscape feels like the plains of the moon.
However, down in the cold water, the fish are
hungry and ready to be caught!
Gear and Safety
Before ever stepping on the ice, remember that
ice is dangerous. Lakes don’t freeze uniformly, with
warm pockets, springs and currents affecting the
thickness of the ice. A thin shell of ice can look safe,
only to shatter and plunge the fisherman into the
cold water. Inexperienced fishermen should wait
until seasoned fishermen are on the ice before
venturing out. Even then, wearing a coat and
bibs with flotation capabilities is a great idea.
Always carry a charged cell phone and let
friends or family know when you are going,
where you are going and when you expect
to be back.
Ice fishing gear can be
tremendously expensive, but
starting small is the key. A
new, professionally built
icehouse on wheels can range from the price of a used
car on up to the price of a new pickup truck. Though
they are supremely comfortable, they are far from a
requirement to get on the ice.
Something as simple as a 5-gallon pail works when the
weather is warmish, but to be comfortable and warm a
portable shelter is needed. Pop-up shelters, using hubs
to open and hold the sides, are popular, as are the popover
sled shelters. Either way, for less than $500 an
angler can be protected from the vicious winter cold.
A heat source will maintain a constant temperature
inside the shelter, and portable propane heaters fit
the bill. A steady flow of heat makes it easy to stay out
longer on the ice.
Of course, in order to ice fish, there needs to be a
hole in the ice. Gone are the days of struggling with
mixing gas and engines that don’t start. Today’s electric
augers are much easier and more dependable. Lithium
battery powered augers are available from a variety of
manufacturers, and, if you own a high enough voltage
cordless power drill, you can even purchase an auger
to attach to it. As with all things battery powered, make
sure to bring extra batteries.
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PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: JEFFREY MILLER / TONY’S SON FISHING IN SHELTER
Sonar electronics have come a long way from the “green
boxes” of yesterday. The more powerful and intricate, the
more they are to purchase. Again, spending a lot of hardearned
money is required, and a dependable and reliable
sonar package can be had for less than $500. Finding fish
is the difference between a fish fry and buying frozen fish
from the grocery store.
Fish and Cold Water
Unlike mammals, fish are cold blooded creatures. As
the water temperature declines in the winter, there is a
corresponding decline in a fish’s metabolism. The same
northern pike that may have savagely chased and attacked
a bait during the dog days of August will demurely nip at
a small minnow in January. Understanding the biology of
winter fish is essential before ever hitting the ice.
Tackle
Large, gaudy lures have no place in the ice fishing world,
with most jig heads and lures weighing tiny fractions of an
ounce. In order to fish with that light of gear, the rod and
reel setups are appropriately downsized.
Rods, with light to medium action, generally are 36” or
shorter. The smaller gear is more sensitive, to detect light
bites. Spinning reels, sized to the small rods, are spooled
with two-to-six-pound monofilament or fluorocarbon line.
Ice fishing is a game of delicate touches and gear.
12 | THE GOOD LIFE

Species
A variety of gamefish can be caught
through the ice, but the most
common are panfish such as bluegill,
crappie and yellow perch as well as
northern pike and walleye.
Proven live baits for panfish are wax
worms, wigglers, maggots or tiny
crappie minnows. When targeting
larger fish, larger minnows or smelt
can be used. Artificial plastic baits,
infused with fishy odors, also have
their place in the tackle box.
Lures, though more expensive than
a jig and live bait, last longer and can
produce better when fish are hungry.
Fishing with lures like a Jigging Rap,
Buckshot, and spoons produce flash
and vibration that attract fish.
When to Fish
My friend Tony Peterson is an avid
fisherman that very rarely comes
off the ice without fish. When asked
how to ensure a great day on the ice,
he pointed out a few factors.
In an ideal world, he wants there to
be at least three consecutive days of
a stable barometer. Fish feed more
consistently when the conditions are
stable.
When targeting walleye or northern
pike, Tony likes to use two separate
rods, which is legal in Minnesota
during the ice fishing season. One
rod, tipped with a jig and minnow
and using a bobber, is a technique
known as “dead sticking.” The other
rod is actively fished with a lure,
targeting cruising fish.
In Tony’s vast experience, he catches
walleye and northern during the
morning and evening hours, sunfish
during the midday, and crappie
during the evening. When spending
a full day on the ice, he will change
his tactics throughout the day.
Adaptability is the key to fishing
success.
Get Out on the Ice
This winter, gear up and get out on
the ice. It sure beats watching TV on
a beautiful winter’s day! •
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HAVING A BEER WITH | RUSS THOMAS
Having a Beer with
KVLY’s Chief Meteorologist Russ Thomas
WRITTEN BY: DAWN SIEWERT AND DARREN LOSEE
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
When it comes to forecasting the weather, Russ
Thomas is no stranger to the unpredictable – both on
and off the screen. After 25 years in the biz, Russ has
seen it all: from blizzards that could freeze your breath
to hurricane winds that could blow your hat off. But
one thing you can always count on is his down-toearth
humor and refreshing candor.
Russ sits down with The Good Life at Brewhalla
– where, unlike his weather reports, the only thing
getting forecasted was the soda he’d be sipping
(no beer for this guy!). We chatted about everything
from his dream of replacing Al Roker in the Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade to being the best thirdbaseman
in the world.
Russ takes the weather seriously – but himself, not
so much. Here’s what the weatherman who prefers
running in a hurricane (over a blizzard) has to say
about chasing both forecasts and the good life.
Have you ever made a weather prediction that was
so wildly wrong that you wanted to delete all your
social media and move to the mountains?
Russ: Absolutely. [laughs] And ironically, I was
living in the mountains. When I first got to Missoula
there was a big rain. It was covering the entirety of
Washington. It was moving east, heading right for
us. This is easy. It’s gonna rain… and nothing. I knew
about this phenomenon… It hits the mountains, does
that updraft thing, and it takes all the moisture out of
the system. Like, literally nothing. I’m calling for a big
rain and there is a 100% chance, no doubt. I’m the new
chief meteorologist at this station. I’ve been there for
a month. I’m thinking, ‘These people aren’t going to
trust me anymore. I’ve lost everyone in a month. Good
hire guys.’
Have you ever wanted to throw in a random
“surprise” forecast just to see if anyone notices?
Like, “Expect a light drizzle... of glitter.”
Russ: I don’t know that I’ve done that specifically. At
one point, a guy came up to me after a forecast, and
he said, ‘Hey, remember the time you said either bring
your umbrella or your sunglasses? Because it’s either
gonna rain or something. I don’t know what the heck
14 | THE GOOD LIFE

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HAVING A BEER WITH | RUSS THOMAS
it’s gonna do.” I do remember, it was one of those
things where it’s very hit-and-miss, depending on
where you lived. Some areas got rain. 10 miles south,
sunshine.
The Good Life: So, it’s either gonna rain or not rain?
Russ: Right, exactly. Is it gonna rain or be sunny? Bring
whatever you want to I don’t know what’s gonna
happen here. And occasionally you get people
who are like, this guy’s an idiot. Just tell us what the
weather is.
What was your biggest flub up on air?
Russ: It was my first on-air weathercast. My first
job after I graduated from Florida State. I landed in
the tiny town of Alexandria, Louisiana. Least viewed
station in the market...nobody. I was just so nervous.
Even though it’s Alexandria, Louisiana, nobody lives
there. But somebody’s watching.
The Good Life: Grandma’s watching.
Russ: Exactly, exactly. I can feel myself shaking as I’m
doing this weather cast, and I’m trying to get through
it. I don’t know what I’m saying. I’m sitting there
thinking to myself, ‘I don’t know what’s coming out of
my mouth.’ About two minutes in, the camera guy is
standing there, and all I see is him holding something
up. I’m like, “What’s he doing?” I finally looked down.
My microphone had fallen off. So the whole time I was
talking, I wasn’t miked.
Russ: So I walk over while I’m on camera, grab it, try
to put it back in my tie with my hands shaking. So, the
rest of the time, I’m just holding my microphone by my
mouth, and at that point, I’m stumbling even more.
Because it’s my first weather cast ever. I recorded it.
This is back when you had VCRs. I immediately went
home and the first thing I did was go over to the VCR,
rewound it, and recorded over it. I never wanted to
see that again. So, I have no proof that it happened.
If you were forced to leave your home and move to
a country you’ve never been before, what are three
things you would take with you?
Russ: My wife?
The Good Life: She’ll be happy with that.
Russ: My running shoes. Wife, dog and running shoes.
The Good Life: Are the running shoes to run away
from your wife and dog?
Russ: Depends on what I’ve done. To be honest, it’s
usually if Russ Thomas has made a poor decision.
Would you rather run a marathon in a blizzard or in
a hurricane?
Russ: Hurricane. I love the idea of just running in this
crazy, rainy, wind. Sure, there’s a chance of a sign
hitting your head. I ran a half marathon in
Bozeman, Montana when there was snow
on the ground. It was super cold. To
me, it was a miserable experience. So
cold, for so long, and I remember
thinking I was going to freeze.
I finished with a good time
because I was so cold.
16 | THE GOOD LIFE

Is Al Roker, a legitimate weatherman or just a
showman?
Russ: Yes. [laughs] He’s probably more showman,
but I say he’s a meteorologist. He knows what he’s
talking about. I love that guy.
My dream would be to one day be Al Roker at the
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Because he
does a little weather, but he’s a showman. It’s a
little bit of both, right?
Is having a hairless head the secret to predicting
the perfect weather?
Russ: Absolutely, I can. I can feel things that others
with hair can’t. You got a head of hair, right?
You’re missing out on a golden opportunity to do
this, [Licks finger and holds it in the air] right? I
can tell you so many things.
Do you have a secret talent that would shock
your viewers?
Russ: I grew up playing baseball. For a 53-yearold,
I think I’m the best third baseman no matter
where I am. Any ball field, any location, any person
in a baseball stadium. I still feel like I’m the best
third baseman.
The Good Life: Even in today’s current MLB
standards? You are still the best?
Russ: I feel like I’m a little better than Machado,
but not.
Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or
100 duck-sized horses?
Russ: I think just by sheer volume, just one horsesized
duck. I mean, I wouldn’t be thrilled either
way. But 100 of anything feels like it’d be tough. I
wouldn’t want to fight 100 babies. [laugh]
The Good Life: One horse-sized duck. I mean, you
have a chance against one, right?
Russ: That’s what I’m thinking.
The Good Life: But if they’re only duck-sized. You
could maybe outrun them.
Russ: Horses!?
The Good Life: But horses are fast. I don’t think
you’re gonna outrun a horse.
Russ: I’m thinking, first of all, could I fight one
pony? And I don’t even know how well I would do
with that.
What does “The Good Life” mean to you?
Russ: The Good Life to me is simple. I don’t have
a lot of needs. So the good life to me is just being
in a place I love, with the people I love. I’m living
my best life. I’ve wound up in this amazing place.
I love my job… It’s the only thing I know how to
do well. And I have an amazing wife that just
came into my life a couple of years ago. I have
everything I want. •
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ON THE COVER | PATRICK KIRBY
The Audacity
of Dreaming
Patrick Kirby Talks
About Big, Bold Risks
WRITTEN BY: DANIELLE TEIGEN
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Audacity.
That’s not a word you throw
around lightly. It carries weight,
gravitas, impact.
A willingness to take bold risks.
You’re really saying something
when you use the word “audacity.”
And it’s a word that comes up
repeatedly when talking about
Patrick Kirby, because he has
always been willing to take bold
risks, especially the one he took
back in 2017. That’s when he
left a comfortable job – where he
had health insurance and all the
other adult accouterments that
accompany formalized benefits
– to start his own company
helping nonprofits fundraise, and
fundraise well.
His organization – Do Good Better
– is built upon a foundation of
audacity. Patrick knows firsthand
how hard it is to raise money. But
he also knows that raising money
for an important cause takes
boldness, risks, and a willingness
to push discomfort by the wayside
in the pursuit of something bigger,
something greater.
That’s audacity.
And Patrick has it in spades.
‘Well, that was fun’
Patrick was always going to be a
fundraiser. He didn’t always know
he’d be helping nonprofits, but
when he decided in high school
that he wanted to pursue a career
as an elected official – no joke –
he recognized the importance of
raising money.
A native of Minneapolis, Patrick
looked for a higher educational
institution that gave him a degree
of separation without being too
far away “in case I needed to do
laundry or something like that,”
he remembers.
In Dubuque, Iowa, Patrick found
Loras College, a private Catholic
college with a student population
of around 1,800 at the time.
Patrick fell in love.
18 | THE GOOD LIFE

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ON THE COVER | PATRICK KIRBY
“It’s a wonderful small town that
was divided into the Irish half and
the German Catholic half, and I
realized that it was small enough
to allow me to be a big fish in a
small pond,” Patrick said.
(Get this: the school’s mascot
– a Duhawk –is a built-in Dad
joke. “What’s a Duhawk?” “The
opposite of a Don’t Hawk,” Patrick
laughed.)
All jokes aside, Patrick graduated
from Loras College in 2002 with a
bachelor’s degree in politics, and
he took that shiny new diploma
straight back to Minneapolis to
run for office. (Because he needed
to start his career as an elected
official, remember?)
A fresh-faced college graduate,
Patrick had the audacity to take on
the incumbent in District 63B and
… lost. (He did garner nearly 38
percent of the vote to the winner’s
nearly 62 percent.) At the election
party in his parent’s basement,
Patrick said as the election results
rolled in, more and more people
left until no one was there at the
end.
“My dad looked at me and said,
‘Well, that was fun,’ and we went
to bed,” Patrick laughed.
The biggest lesson Patrick
took from the experience was
not necessarily about grace or
perseverance or grit … it was about
the fact that he’d successfully
raised a respectable chunk of
money as an unknown political
candidate, and maybe he could
translate those skills somewhere
else.
His professional experiences led
him to his former high school
20 | THE GOOD LIFE

“I love this profession that gives them a sense of empathy and giving back.
I like the fact that they are seeing an adult go out and do something
that is hard but important. As a dad, I can give them the gift of being
audacious enough to believe in a dream.” – Patrick Kirby
in the alumni office, (which
hilariously also involved being a
wedding planner...) and a short
stint as a sales rep for kitchen
appliances where he didn’t last
long because he “got tired of being
yelled at in English and Chinese.”
He considers his first “big-kid job”
the gig he landed in 2007 as the
senior director of development for
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
That’s where his fundraising
and organizational skills kicked
into high gear and he gained
incredible insight into helping
others do good, but better.
‘It was addicting’
Patrick eventually left the Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation for the Anne
Carlsen Center to become their
chief development officer in 2013.
“That was the most eye-opening
and humbling job,” he said. “I was
working with kids who on paper
and medically aren’t supposed to
be alive, but by the grace of God
or science, they are. Any BS in
my life is zero, comparatively
speaking.”
Patrick quickly became a
champion of the young adults he
describes as “the coolest, most
awesome human beings” and still
says that he had the “best job in
the world.” But when a change
in leadership at the organization
happened, Patrick took that as a
sign that maybe he could apply
his skills in a new setting: his
own business.
“I’d been asked over the years to
mentor other smaller nonprofits,
and I’d loved doing that,” he said.
“What was so naturally easy for
me to understand when it came to
fundraising was mind-blowing to
them, and I loved seeing that first
light bulb go off. It was addicting.”
Patrick had the audacity to believe
he could help other nonprofits.
Thus, Do Good Better was born.
‘I could do this’
“I started thinking, ‘I could do
this’,” Patrick said. “No one
teaches you how to fundraise;
there’s no degree for how to do
this, and I had the skill set to
teach people this.”
Patrick noted that when it comes
to fundraising, most people
are just trying to make their
community better. Often, people
with smaller nonprofits are
randomly told to raise money, he
noted, and fundraising is one of
those things that you don’t know
what you don’t know.
“That’s how I started – just trying
to make fundraising as easy as
possible,” he said.
As he got started and began
sharing his knowledge, Patrick
developed a very simple
framework for how nonprofits
could approach their work week
in important time blocks: at
least 20 minutes each day, focus
on these tasks:
- Mondays: planning
- Tuesdays: doing
- Wednesdays: documenting
- Thursdays: celebrating
- Fridays: appreciating
He shared this concept over and
over until a CEO commented
that it would make a really good
book. “Me, an author?” Patrick
quipped. “That seemed crazy.”
So he started first with an outline
for a presentation in 2018 and
pitched it to an organization. It
was accepted and his session
was the best-rated among
attendees. He finished the
manuscript for a book on New
Year’s Eve sitting in the West
Fargo Public Library, and in
2019, his book “Fundraise
Awesomer!: A Practical Guide
to Staying Sane While Doing
Good” was published.
Patrick took his book, his
concept, and all his experience
and began speaking to various
organizations – and not just
nonprofits. The more he spoke,
the faster Patrick realized that
his concept translated to more
than just nonprofits.
urbantoadmedia.com | 21

ON THE COVER | PATRICK KIRBY
“I think the good life is finding your talents,
honing those skills as obsessively as you can, and giving it
your all until they are all used up. – Patrick Kirby
“Making an ask is the same as
making a sale; the format is
the same,” Patrick shared. “It’s
about building a relationship and
making connections.”
‘Being audacious enough to believe
in a dream’
When Patrick isn’t enthusiastically
sharing his knowledge or
exuberantly hosting or presenting
at events, he’s a family man.
Always has been, in fact. He
learned about entrepreneurship
at a young age watching his father
run his own business with three
kids in private Catholic school.
“I saw the blueprint and had this
idea that I wanted to start my own
business by the age of 40,” Patrick
shared. “And I did it by 37.”
Thanks to his brother, who was
in a band in Minneapolis, Patrick
met his wife Shannon, whom he
married in 2009. His wife, who
is from Gardner, is the reason
Patrick ended up in Fargo, and he
said he fell in love with the Fargo
community immediately upon
arrival.
“I got the same feeling here that I
got from Dubuque – that it was a
place where I could make my way
in the world,” he said.
Like his father, Patrick is a dad to
three kids: Spencer, 13; Preston,
10; and Willow, 7. His kids helped
inspire the idea for his second
book, which will be released
in March. A few years ago
Patrick shared a blog post about
fundraising like a fifth grader,
inspired by his son who was
selling candy bars for his school.
That idea percolated in his brain
for a number of years until this
past August when Patrick tore his
Achilles heel and decided to use
his recovery time to “frenetically
write” the manuscript for another
book.
“When you’re a kid, you’re fearless,
you’re a team player,” he said.
“The book is about being more
childlike in how you approach
relationships.”
Always enthusiastic, Patrick
said he and his boys frequently
bond over video games, and on
Sundays, the Kirby family can be
found cheering on their favorite
NFL teams: the Packers and
Vikings.
“We’re a split household,” Patrick
shared in mock seriousness. “My
wife is a Packers fan, and I’m a
Vikings fan.”
His oldest is firmly in the Packers
camp, while his younger son
stands with him as a Vikings fan.
“And we’re fighting over my
daughter, who just wants to do
cartwheels in the living room,” he
laughed. He also joked about the
misery of his fandom. “Being a
Vikings fan is a lived experience
in dealing with challenges,
unrealistic expectations, constant
disappointments; it’s helpful for
raising a child with some grit,” he
said.
Again, all jokes aside, Patrick
recognizes that his chosen
profession is also offering his kids
a wonderful life lesson.
“I love this profession that gives
them a sense of empathy and
giving back,” he said. “I like the
fact that they are seeing an adult
go out and do something that is
hard but important. As a dad,
I can give them the gift of being
audacious enough to believe in
a dream … I always thought I
could do this if I just stayed the
course, stuck with it. It helps that
I’m irrationally
positive.”
22 | THE GOOD LIFE

What does the good life mean to you?
I have been reading and re-reading
this quote from George Bernard
Shaw nearly every day for the last 6
months, and can’t help but want to
echo it as my mantra for how I want
to lead a good life:
“This is the true joy in life, being
used for a purpose recognized by
yourself as a mighty one. Being a
force of nature instead of a feverish,
selfish little clod of ailments and
grievances, complaining that
the world will not devote itself
to making you happy. I am of the
opinion that my life belongs to the
whole community and as long as
I live, it is my privilege to do for it
what I can. I want to be thoroughly
used up when I die, for the harder
I work, the more I live. I rejoice in
life for its own sake. Life is no brief
candle to me. It is a sort of splendid
torch which I have got hold of for
the moment and I want to make it
burn as brightly as possible before
handing it on to future generations.”
At the end of the day, in as many
ways as possible, I want to find
places and people to give joy and
awesomeness to through my
work and my general curiosity
about how others move
through the world. I think
the good life is finding
your talents, honing those
skills as obsessively as
you can, and giving it
your all until they are
all used up. •
urbantoadmedia.com | 23

24 | THE GOOD LIFE

… IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING
Take a deep breath. The holidays are over, and you
can return to hibernating in your home without all
the chaos. If you’re like me, you will be snuggled
up in front of the fireplace, watching true crime
documentaries and drinking hot chocolate (or
wine, depending on the night).
If you’re like Lee Block, you are up to your eyes in a
wild fantasy narrative and working feverishly to get
all your ideas out on paper. Even though he had no
formal training, it did not stop this dedicated and
determined author from writing and publishing his
first book.
“I had come up with the ideas way before I started
writing,” laughed Lee. “I had a little notebook that
I would carry around and write down crazy fun
ideas, or interesting characters or scenarios,
and had no idea what I would do with it.”
Lee released his first book, “The End
Line,” in August 2024 through
Kindle Direct Publishing, the first in a trilogy
series. Talk about ambition!
Now, I’ve been a copywriter for over a decade,
and the thought of writing a book is daunting.
The detail, focus, and organization that go into
writing a book are enormous. ‘How do I know
what it takes to write a book if I have never taken
on the challenge of writing it myself?’ Well, Lee
is my husband, so I’ve seen the late-night writing
sessions, the numerous drafts and rewrites, and
his passion for the world he has created. His
determination and skill are admirable, and his
imagination is unmatched.
We have known each other for 8 years, and there
is no time in our relationship when I didn’t hear
about “the book.” From reading early drafts to
conversations that go into the wee hours of the
morning, it has been such a joy to see the final
product.
WRITTEN BY: KRISSY NESS
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
urbantoadmedia.com | 25

“I had a little notebook that I would
carry around and write down crazy
fun ideas, or interesting characters
or scenarios, and had no idea what I
would do with it.” – Lee Block
Okay, okay. I’ll stop gushing over Lee and get down to
business. First things first, ‘What is this book even about?’
The story begins in the near future when Captain and his
ragtag crew mysteriously crash into an unknown planet.
They have no recollection of the event, and even stranger,
with their technological advancements, the idea of an
unknown planet is unheard of. Getting off this planet is now
their focus, but they quickly find that the inhabitants of this
planet are more complex than they could have imagined.
As you have probably guessed, the trilogy is science
fiction, with each detail carefully curated to fit
the narrative. “I’ve always been a geek, as far
as my interests go; in all of the entertainment
I consume, if there is no fantasy or scifi
element, I find myself bored almost
immediately,” explained Lee.
The words are only part of the
story regarding “The End Line”
because the hardcopy and digital
copy layouts are unique. Take,
for instance, the first page.
Not only is there no prologue,
but it starts in chapter five. It
looks like someone tore out
the first four chapters, or
the file is corrupt if you are
reading digitally. The payoff
is huge, but you must get the
second and third books to discover
why. I asked Lee how he created the torn
page look. His answer was to rip out pages
from a book in our home library and scan
the little torn bits left in the book into his
computer (only to realize weeks later it
was one of my books, but I digress.)
Another aspect of this book is the cover.
Lee designed it to look like a leather-
26 | THE GOOD LIFE

bound book, with no title
or author name on the front
cover and no summary on the
back. Instead, you find what
Lee called “the mascot” of
the trilogy: a skull adorning
a helmet or something a
helicopter pilot would wear,
goggles, a prominent goatee,
a mustache, and a leather
jacket. Finished with gold
accents throughout, it piques
interest and curiosity. It’s
like another book/movie we
millennials grew up with,
“The Never Ending Story.”
You can find “The End Line”
right now on Amazon or
Kindle. The second book will
be released in the spring of
2025. A release date has not
been set for the third book,
but you can bet it won’t be far
behind.
As a self-identified geek and
lover of all things sci-fi, you
can feel that passion in his
writing and the execution of
this book. It is such a wild
ride you won’t want to put it
down.
It was an absolute privilege
to cover my husband’s story
and hear him talk about the
trilogy he has been working
on for many years.
As always, I asked Lee what
the good life means to him.
“I am writing this book for
my younger self and people
like me,” he smiled. “I want
to inspire others to do the
same.” •
urbantoadmedia.com | 27

Every Heart Deserves A Home
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER
Every face you see here represents one of the
many pets in our care, patiently waiting for
their perfect match. Each of them has a story, a
heart full of hope, and a forever family out there
somewhere. And for every pet featured on these
pages, countless more are waiting in our shelter
and foster homes, dreaming of the day their lives
will change forever.
Our Mission: Rescue. Shelter. Protect. Rehome.
This Giving Hearts Day, please remember the
shelter pets of Homeward. Your support makes
a difference! To donate or learn more about
adopting, volunteering, fostering, or other ways
you can help, visit: homewardonline.org
Perhaps one of them has been waiting all this
time… to rescue YOU. Adopt a shelter pet today
and give them the second chance they deserve!
ireland
Male | 4 years old | Shepherd Mix
Hi there! I’m Ireland, a happy-go-lucky guy with a heart full
of love for my people. If you’re looking for a buddy who’s
always up for fun and adventure, I’m your boy! I’ve got lots
of energy to burn, so I’m all about playing and frolicking
around in the yard. Fetch is my absolute favorite game!
But don’t worry, I’m also a total cuddle bug who can’t wait
to snuggle up on the couch with you. I’ll cozy in close to
show you just how much you mean to me.
I’m a strong, handsome Shepherd Mix with a sweet spirit,
and I’m ready to find a forever family who adores me as
much as I’ll adore them.
Stu
Male | 4 years old | Golden Retriever
Hi, I’m Stu, a 4-year-old Golden Retriever with a heart as
golden as my fur! I’m a playful, joyful guy who loves fetch,
belly rubs, and all the attention I can get. My dazzling grin
lights up a room, and I’ve got endless love to share.
I get along well with other dogs, though I can be a bit
overexcited at first. Confident doggy friends are my best
match, but cats? Not my thing.
I’m heartworm positive and currently undergoing
treatment. During this time, I’ll need a calm, quiet home to
recover with lots of cuddles and TLC — no wild adventures
for a little while. With your love and care, I’ll bounce back
stronger than ever.
If you’re ready to give me my second chance, I promise to
fill your life with loyalty, love, and happiness!
28 | THE GOOD LIFE

Vernon
Bowie
Male | 3 years old | Grey Tabby DSH
Eleanor
Mateo
Hi there! I’m Vernon, a happy, laidback guy with a big heart
and an even bigger purr. I adore people of all ages and
love pets, snuggles, and spreading joy wherever I go. I get
along well with other cats and would likely be fine with a
dog too!
In my spare time, I enjoy climbing, exploring, and, of course,
napping. Catnip and yummy treats? Count me in! I’m FIV+,
which means my immune system’s a bit weaker, but it
doesn’t slow me down — I’m as spry and loving as ever. I’m
ready to pack my bags and find my forever home. Could
it be with you?
Male | 2 years old | White & Tabby DSH
Hi, I’m Bowie, the most paws-on, loving little boy in the
shelter. I love to be held, and if I’m not all up in your lap
looking for head kisses, then I’m climbing up on your
shoulders, or giving you hugs with my soft warm arms. I
promise if you adopt me, I will not just be the new cat in
your life, I will be your playful new toddler with all the perks
and none of the diaper changes. So please come and find
me right away. I can’t stand to be apart from you another
minute.
Female | 2 years old | Buff Tabby DSH
Hello! I’m Eleanor, a buff tabby girl with a big personality.
I’m sweet, vocal, and absolutely love perching in high
places where I can keep an eye on everything. I especially
love birdwatching from the window and making funny
little chatter sounds as I watch. Don’t worry though, I’m not
plotting anything too devious. I have a curious streak and
enjoy exploring new places, or I’ll follow you around just to
see what you’re up to. Please come and meet me soon!
Male | 2 years old | Mastiff
Hi, I’m Mateo, a big, goofy guy bursting with love and
energy! I love wrestling, chewing on bones, and chasing
snowballs in the fluffy white stuff — it’s my favorite! I’m
food-motivated and eager to learn. I’ve already mastered
“sit,” “lay down,” and “shake,” and I’m so close to “roll over.”
I’m fully potty-trained, crate-friendly, and will let you know
when I need to go outside. Snuggling is my specialty,
especially on the couch or at bedtime with my foster
sibling, Harley.
I’m great with other dogs and would love a playmate,
though I can be a bit selective with cats. I’ve been through
tough times, so loud voices make me nervous, but with
kindness and patience, I’ll be your most affectionate and
playful companion. Apply to meet me today!
urbantoadmedia.com | 29

LOCAL HERO | VERN BAARDSON
WALKING ALONGSIDE
THOSE WHO SERVE
WRITTEN BY: EMMA RIEKE
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
Police officers face huge amounts of stress in their daily
lives. Mental health crises are on the rise among police
officers, including but not limited to higher levels of
officer depression, substance use and even suicide. Many
departments are looking for ways to combat these crises
through support, time off, or other ways.
In addition to a peer support group, the West Fargo Police
Department has a group of volunteer chaplains who work
to meet the needs of both the officers and the members of
the public.
Since 2007, Vern Baardson has been available 24/7 to
answer the call for the men and women in blue.
His journey to this role, however, came from planting a
church.
“When you’re planting a church, you’re really trying to
come in and love a community,” Baardson said. “And so
as we talked about that as a leadership team, we thought
that it was really just natural to be able to connect with
our community in a meaningful way.”
Leadership was on board. But there was a catch.
“(Chief Rasmussen) said ‘OK, I’ve got one more request,’”
recounts Baardson. “I said well what’s that? And he said
‘Well, we have a citizens police academy. It’s 12 weeks
long and you meet every Monday night. Plus, we’d like
your wife to come along and be part of it.’”
Baardson said that their reasoning was simple: If he was
going to work as their chaplain, they wanted to get to
know him. But perhaps more importantly, the West Fargo
30 | THE GOOD LIFE

WEST FARGO POLICE CHAPLAIN SPEAKS ON HIS TIME
WORKING WITH THE MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE.
Police Department wanted Baardson to get to know them
and for Baardson’s wife, Casey, to learn exactly what her
husband would be working with.
“So I went home and asked Casey ‘How do you feel about
spending about two hours at a citizens police academy for
the next 12 Monday nights?’ and she went ‘Are you crazy?!
That’s your only day off!’” he said. “But to cut to the chase,
it was an absolute blast, and Casey probably had more fun
than I did.”
Upon completing the academy, Chief Rasmussen invited
Baardson to the team, stating that he thought they would
work well together.
The Call That Changed it All
Because they enjoyed the citizens academy so much, both
Vern and Casey completed the training provided by the
West Fargo Police Department.
However, it wasn’t until about a year into Vern’s service
as Police Chaplain that things changed a bit for the
Baardsons.
“We were having lunch one day at West Acres,” said
Baardson, recalling that day. “A phone call came from one
of our officers on a scene and he asked where we were.
I told him we were at West Acres and he said that they
needed me quick. I didn’t have time to take Casey home.”
The officer had clued Baardson in on the nature of the
response – a death notification for a person who had died
by suicide. However, this case was a bit more atypical, as
the family had already experienced this once before.
“As Casey and I are driving across town, we’re just praying
‘Lord, please guide us and help us to bring comfort to this
lady,’” said Baardson. “And as we’re getting closer, I said
‘Casey, I think you’re supposed to come in with me.’ She
had never gone out to a chaplain call with me, but she had
been to some of the training.
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LOCAL HERO | VERN BAARDSON
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: VERN BAARDSON
Safe Ears and Taking a Lap
Baardson says he sees their roles as chaplains as two
parts: primary care for officers, support staff and families
and laps.
“We try to do a lot of ride-alongs with our officers,”
Baardson said. “After 17 years, trust is a real big deal
when you’re a police chaplain. Our officers see the hardest
stuff of life.”
In a May 2024 article for Police Chief Online, reporters
William Mazur and Joseph Collins noted the average
person encounters two to three critical incidents in their
life, while police officers can be exposed to two to five per
month.
So Casey came in (to the house) and was able to care for
that woman in a way that I never could have.”
Unbeknownst to the Baardsons, the officers on the scene
were observing them. When the call was finished, the
Baardsons left and the officers returned to the department
and told Chief Rasmussen how Casey had helped on the
call and that they needed her on their staff as well.
That was around 17 years ago, and Casey has been serving
as police chaplain alongside her husband ever since.
“Trust becomes a big deal. One of the things I’ll actually
talk to our officers and our other chaplains about is how
important it is that we have safe ears,” Baardson said.
“And what I mean by safe ears is that our officers and staff
know that if they talk to us about something it’s not going
anywhere else. As a pastor confidentiality is important, but
it’s equally as important when you’re a police chaplain.”
Baardson says he’s worked hard to build trust with officers.
His ride-alongs have turned into more of a listening time
than talking time, but he doesn’t mind. It’s just another
indication of the officers’ trust in him.
32 | THE GOOD LIFE

“It’s a safe space,” he said. “There’s nobody else
around, it’s just the officer, myself or one of our other
chaplains, and we can talk about the important stuff
that’s mattering in their lives right now. It might be a
call, it might be a situation at work or a family situation,
and after 17 years, we’ve just seen that become more
of an open door.”
The other facet of his role as police chaplain is
something he calls “Taking a Lap.” And it truly means
just that – they’ll go to the department and walk around,
praying for opportunities to present themselves.
“It’s uncanny how often it comes together,” Baardson
said. “I’ve walked into the PD and sometimes they’ll go
‘We were just about to call you, why are you here?’ And
I’ll tell them that I thought I was supposed to come,
and boom off we go. It’s just been wild.”
Baardson says he thinks he sometimes spends more
time taking laps than doing anything else. But it’s
gotten him into some pretty unique situations.
“I’ve done weddings for some of our officers, which
means I get to do some premarital (counseling) with
them,” he said. “So I really get to know them and that’s
super important. I’ve seen statistics of 75 to 80% where
marriages just struggle or fail in law enforcement and
a huge part of it is just what cops deal with on a dayto-day
basis.”
This has led him and his team to focus on officer
wellness in an effort to build healthy relationships at
home or at work, and to help officers tend to things
that need to be tended to.
“When you experience so much trauma, it’s going to
take its toll,” he said. “We have a peer support team
at West Fargo PD, like many departments around the
country do, that we’ve been invited to be part of and
we’re really grateful for that. It’s another way we can
come alongside our officers doing work – especially
during critical incidents.”
He and the other chaplains are working to bring
together a peer support team for non-sworn or civilian
staff too, to help those who are affected with secondary
trauma.
Beyond all their work with officers directly, Baardson
and his team are also present for the community
during difficult times.
“Community care can sometimes be the hardest,” he
said. “Because typically that usually happens when
I get a phone call that something bad has happened.
Sometimes those calls come through in the morning,
so you’re waking up out of a dead sleep and get a call
for anything from an unattended death to anything.”
urbantoadmedia.com | 33

LOCAL HERO | VERN BAARDSON
“TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMITTED THEIR LIVES
TO PROTECTING AND SERVING IS PRETTY AMAZING.” - VERN BAARDSON
The Baardsons have a unique situation though. Because
they’re both in the chaplain program with West Fargo
Police, they are able to rely on each other for support for
the tougher calls.
“It takes some time to work through the situations,” he
said. “But that’s been a huge blessing to be able to support
each other in this.”
Serving Those Who Serve
Baardson says his favorite part of his role is caring for the
officers.
“Hands down,” he said. “Men and women in law
enforcement are a really special group of people. I’m a
Christian, and so God’s word is really important to me.
When you read from Romans, chapter 13, it talks about
people God has placed in positions of authority. Law
enforcement falls into that category, and God uses law
enforcement to be a stabilizing factor in society.
He says he tells the officers their roles are a calling from
God.
“That’s been really cool,” Baardson said. “To come
alongside men and women who have committed their
lives, The calling of law enforcement is to protect and to
serve. That’s a high calling. As a pastor, it’s so similar to
the calling I have to come alongside people, care for them,
serve them, be a protecting force in their lives. So the
similarities to me are pretty cool. But to be able to care for
people who have committed their lives to protecting and
serving is pretty amazing.”
Living His Good Life
Baardson has been retired from the church for about
three years now, but he and his wife don’t plan on leaving
their roles as chaplains any time soon.
As long as there’s no snow on the ground. “I wanted to
experience some kind of retirement,” he said. “So we
snowbird. We’ll be gone for about three months.”
34 | THE GOOD LIFE

On top of that, he stays on the up and up in the tennis
world. He served as the head tennis coach for Shanley-
Oak Grove-Park Christian for five years, and teaches
tennis part-time at Courts Plus.
“My favorite student right now is a 10-year-old who
happens to be my grandson,” he said, smirking. “Casey
and I went out with our grandson and hit with him and
when we left there I thought, ‘What a gift.’ It’s a gift from
God that we live close enough to where he lives and we
can go out and watch him learn. It was a blast.”
They also do some traveling, as well as speaking
engagements across the country. It’s a busy life, but it’s
a Good Life. But if you ask Baardson his idea of a Good
Life…
“You’d expect this from a pastor-slash-chaplain,” he said.
“Jesus said, ‘I have come that you might have life, and
that abundantly.’ To me, that’s what the Good Life is all
about. We look for the good life in lots of stuff and lots of
accomplishments. We can get them all and find ourselves
empty. But there’s only one who is going to truly give us
that good life. And his name is Jesus, and he came forth
that we might have, and not just kind of, abundantly.
That’s the word he uses.” •
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