Ehlis Strube - City Magazine

MAY 2009 BISMARCK • MANDAN
DICKINSON
Inside:
• Age Proof Your Brain
• Bright Ideas
• Travel: Las Vegas
Beth
Ehlis Strube
Owner/President, FunShine Express

2 thecitymag.com

COVER STORY 6 Beth Ehlis Strube 22
CM/KFYR SALUTES...
10 Mayor's Community Crisis Coalition 26
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO
14 Orly Knutson? 28
CROSSWORD 16 SOUND OFF 30
WINE NOTES 18
32
19 34
KILEE’S TAKE |
Graduates, Be Ready to
Make Your Mark
May is here, and it’s time for graduation. This year, I
know two very special women who are graduating;
one from high school and one from college. Thinking
about their new beginnings reminds me of how I felt when
I was just starting– excited, scared and nervous–but, most of
all, ready to make my mark.
It seems like during this time of year everyone has a commencement
speech and/or bit of advice to give new graduates.
So why should I be any different?
For all new graduates, I’m not saying I know everything
(nobody does because nobody is perfect), however, I have noticed
some valuable trends throughout my journey that could
be of use to you.
• Most opportunities don’t just come your way by some
stroke of fate. You need to create them.
• When an opportunity presents itself make sure your eyes,
ears and mind are open to it.
• Like Teddy Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what
you have, where you are.”
• Don’t discredit the value of hard work.
• Network, network, network.
• Remember the story of the frog and the prince. Your
“Frog” might be someone else’s Prince, so treat everyone
like royalty.
• Remember what Sister Thomas Welder of the University
of Mary taught us, in words and actions–become a servant
leader.
• Most of all, believe in yourself.
Congratulations & good luck!
HOME SWEET HOME
A Pillar of Value & Service
CITY WORKS
Most Versatile Venue
HEALTH
Age Proof Your Brain
HISTORY
Chief Looking's Village
FEATURE
Dan's Celebrates 60 Years
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GENERAL MANAGER
Kilee Dobogai
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Cathy A. Langemo
Mandy Thomas
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kilee Dobogai
Wes Engbrecht
Candace Gerhardt
Joel Gilbertson
Nicole D. Greason
James Hauer
Renae Hoffmann Walker
Ross Horner
Ellen Huber
Ed Klecker
Mike LaLonde
Marilyn Mitzel
Nicole Morrison-Mathern
Tom Regan
Katherine Satrom
Kayla Shafer
Stan Stelter
Mandy Thomas
Deanna Vontsas
Chelsea Watterud
Mike Wetsch
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ashley Lynn Harris
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Suzie Baisch
DISTRIBUTION
Ron Lechner
John Metzger
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SAFETY TIP
When You're Away, Crooks Will Play
BRIGHT IDEAS
Have U Rocked Lately?
WE DRIVE
Henry Ford's Model A
YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY?
Three Young Docs
WESTERN ND SECTION
Upin Thai Restaurant
MANDAN ON THE MOVE
TRAVEL
YESS AWARD
Buggies–n–Blues
May 2009
Encore Las Vegas
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3

| PUBLISHER'S NOTE
Engaging Behavior Leads to Happiness
By James A. Hauer & Nicole D. Greason
Sharpen your emotional IQ quotient with opportunistic
behavior. What? Yeah, that’s right, next time you reach
out to someone, anyone, you’ll feel different the whole
day. And, in time, you will begin to feel differently about
yourself and the important role you can play in your community
each and every day.
Preoccupation is a behavior that is part of the human condition.
As people, we are conflicted and struggle with the dayto-day
challenges of life that are inevitable and will come. And
it does or can indeed prevent us from living in the moment and
enjoying a meaningful exchange with another human being.
So? Consider this, life has gotten so fast, so fragmented,
that we are missing many opportunities each and every day to
connect with fellow man.
A recent Allstate commercial was on the money. The
message was simple, “Tough times make people focus on the
basics.” And the basics were good! They were good then, and
they are, in my opinion, even more precious and valuable
during these conflicted times.
Missing an opportunity to experience a meaningful
exchange with another person, whether it be a neighbor,
acquaintance or, most impressively, a perfect stranger, denies us
as individuals the opportunity to bond and feel connected.
Next time you’re out and about, don’t pass up the opportunity
to engage in friendly banter. Comment to someone
about something of common interest and see where it takes
you. Before long you’ll be agreeing with a perfect stranger on
a shared belief or understanding about a topic or issue that
confirms we are alike.
That, in our struggle to maintain equilibrium, which can be
difficult to do, we see something exactly the same as a perfect
stranger who has shared your experience in a similar way.
For those of you who enjoy this behavior, keep doing it. You
already enjoy and know the benefits of your positive behavior.
Congratulations on making the world a better place each
and every day by making the choice to make a difference!
“An act of goodness perhaps.” It doesn’t have to be a behavior
seeking a reward, rather I like to think of it as a simple act of
happiness.
This guest editorial is by my son and his friend Nicole in Scottsdale,
Ariz., where Jim has a business in financial planning, and
Nicole is a journalist and works for a law firm in downtown Phoenix.
I welcome guests in this space to share views. Write to me
with your views, and I will get back to you.
4 thecitymag.com

WITH WINGS LIKE
EAGLES
by Michael Korda
GOOD READS |
By Ed Klecker
Everyone has their favorite
types of books. One merely
has to walk into any book
store where it becomes evident
there are legions of fans who consume
everything written about
World War II, be it fact or fiction.
Michael Korda, New York Times
best-selling author, has crafted a
compelling history of perhaps the
most critical event of WWII, the
Battle of Britain. Prime Minister
Winston Churchill wrote “Never in
the field of human conflict was so
much owed by so many to so few.”
Beginning in 1939, Hitler’s
Army and Luftwaffe rolled with
comparative ease across Europe, flattening Holland and Belgium
along the way to France. To Hitler’s surprise, France proved to
be no match for the Nazi juggernaut.
The German forces now found themselves to be logistically
poised to cross the English Channel and occupy Great Britain.
Hitler ordered the implementation of Operation Sea Lion. A
massive armada of sea going barges was assembled to transport
the German army across the Channel.
The plan was to lay down a corridor of sea mines across the
Channel to protect the barges from the Royal Navy. However,
the barges were vulnerable to air attack. The last remaining
obstacle to Operation Sea Lion called for the elimination of the
Royal Air Force, and so began the Battle of Britain.
There were those in Britain who would appease the Germans
and allow them to occupy their country without a fight. Others,
like Air Marshal Hugh Dowding, believed otherwise. He convinced
Parliament that German bombers would come in force,
and many squadrons of Spitfire and Hurricane fighters were
needed.
Dowding was a believer in technology and built rudimentary
radar stations to alert fighter squadrons. He set up Command
Control Centers to vector fighters to where they were needed.
For three short months in the summer of 1940, 2,000 valiant
young men fought countless battles over the skies of England
until that fateful day in early September when they were almost
out of pilots and aircraft when Hitler decided that an invasion of
Great Britain was too costly and scrubbed Operation Sea Lion,
instead focusing on the invasion of Russia.
Good Reads is sponsored by:
May 2009 5

| COVER STORY
Beth Ehlis Strube
entrepreneur & early childhood
education advocate
By all accounts,
Beth Ehlis Strube,
president and owner of
Dickinson’s FunShine
Express, a company
that designs and
distributes pre-school
curriculum materials to
child-care providers,
is a successful
businesswoman.
In business since 1995,
FunShine and its 30
employees service 6,500
customers per month
spread across all 50 states,
touching the lives of approximately
45,000 children per
day. FunShine’s customers
range from the smallest homebased,
child-care providers to
large day-care centers (a client
in Texas orders 600 units at a
time).
By Tom Regan
With the nation’s educators,
state government child-care
licensing bodies and the federal
government paying increasing
attention to early childhood
education, triggered in part by
new research on brain development
in infants and toddlers,
the pre-school education business
is positioned for growth,
according to Ehlis Strube.
While Ehlis Strube may be a
savvy entrepreneur, as an edu-
cator and mother, she is also a
passionate children’s advocate.
She says, “Ethically, I feel a
responsibility that whatever
we do in our curriculum properly
advocates developing that
quality relationship between
a child-care provider and the
child, where the child is treated
with respect.”
–Staff
6 thecitymag.com

Your company is
CM: proof that one can
successfully run a national
business from rural North
Dakota.
EHLIS STRUBE: Yes, it’s
possible, especially with the
Internet. We have a website
customers can go to, and they
can pick up the phone, call us
and talk to us.
Early on, when I knew I
wanted to get out of day care
(she ran her own day care)
and I thought about starting
my own business, one of the
first things I recognized is
that I didn’t want
the potential of
that business to be
tied to Dickinson’s
economy. Being in
a small rural area,
I really felt that I
needed to have a
product that had
unlimited potential.
Our biggest
struggle is finding
talent as we grow—
finding people with
the backgrounds
in the areas needed
to fill openings.
The last time we
searched for a curriculum
writer, we
went nationwide.
We ended up going
with someone local,
but we were lucky.
You are definitely
CM: an entrepreneur.
What’s your definition of an
entrepreneur?
EHLIS STRUBE: Someone
who is willing to take some
risks; someone who is open to
change, being flexible. I think
you have to be tough-skinned;
you have to be willing to “put
it all out there” and fail.
You go into it knowing
that you’re probably going
to make some mistakes. You
have to analyze that; you have
to consider all the options.
You have to ask yourself what
you need to do to pull it off.
You have to be a pretty good
scrambler.
I also think that you need
to be honest about what your
strengths are and are not
and use that insight to seek
support in areas where you
may not be as experienced.
BETH EHLIS STRUBE
Title: President/Owner, FunShine Express,
Inc., Dickinson
DOB: June 24, 1964
High School: St. Mary’s High School, New
England, Class of ‘82
College: Bachelor’s in business, NDSU;
Master’s in education, Univ. of Wisconsin-
Platteville
Family: Three daughters, ages 13, 16 and 18
Favorite Children's Author: Dr. Seuss
Hobbies: Horses, gardening
Favorite Quote: “Courage is being scared
to death, but saddling up anyway.” – John
Wayne
What are the
CM: advantages of
being a small company in a
small community?
EHLIS STRUBE: One of the
biggest advantages to us is that
Dickinson has a strong business
community with some
very gifted people who have
been willing to step up and be
mentors to me and provide
some really practical business
support, especially as I was
getting started.
With this being a small
community, we all know each
other, and that makes it easier
to put together such things as
economic development proposals.
The individuals who
are going to help you have
seen you operate your business
from day one.
What makes for
CM: a good child-care
situation where children
can learn and
grow?
EHLIS STRUBE: All
the research shows
that the most important
thing that can
happen in child-care
centers is for the
child-care provider
to form a “connection”
with the child.
Our curriculum
enables that to happen
when you have a
willing provider and
an interested child.
We do a lot of
“preaching” to the
teachers in our curriculum.
One of
the things we constantly
encourage
them to do is to be involved
themselves—to get down on
the floor with the children, to
sing with the children, play
with the children, to “dress up”
themselves!
When that interaction can
be happening between the
caregiver and the child, the
child feels secure—the child’s
May 2009 7

self-esteem, confidence and
interest in what is going on
around them grows. What
we’re encouraging providers
to do is not to just sit them
down and teach children, but
provide a supportive environment
in which they can learn.
Children are innate learners.
“School readiness”
CM: is the main goal
of early childhood education.
What does that mean?
EHLIS STRUBE: Educators
have differing definitions. The
people I work with would say
that a child ready for school
is a child who has self-confidence,
is ready to be away
from his/her parents, is able to
be comfortable in that type of
setting and is ready and able
to sit.
In kindergarten and first
grade, the students need to be
able to focus and concentrate
on a task for a certain amount
of time. They need to have
certain basic skills—a lot of
those skills are social skills. It’s
not necessarily ABCs, spelling,
rote-memory types of things—
it’s more intangible skills.
Sometimes we struggle with
our customers because they
have a different view of what
school readiness is than what
the research shows.
When did you
CM: know you were a
success?
EHLIS STRUBE: That
depends on how you define
success. This is just one spot
on the road. To me, being an
entrepreneur means you’re
never finished with the job.
You’re always changing, always
improving, learning more, and
making your product better.
Up to now, I’m most proud
of the fact that we’ve enriched
the lives of children and early
childhood professionals. A
bonus is that we have established
a viable business in
southwest N.D. that provides
good jobs, opportunities and a
family-friendly working environment.
See Beth Ehlis Strube’s answers to the “City Mag 10” questionnaire by
signing up for City Magazine’s Online Magazine at www.thecitymag.com.
8 thecitymag.com

YP UPDATE
Are You Attracting Young Professionals?
By Kayla Shafer
There is a constant buzz about attracting Generation X
and Y to the workforce and preparing them to replace
retiring Baby Boomers. Companies are thinking ahead,
but most are not prepared to modify their current business
structure to attract and retain this new wave of employees
that don’t necessarily believe in the 9-5 model.
It may be difficult for employers to accurately feel the pulse of
these two generations. Employers may feel frustrated that these
generations do not seem completely engaged in their work or
they “expect” to move up the company ladder before they paid
their dues. Sometimes employers may see these groups as narcissistic,
impatient and having a sense of entitlement.
The reality is that Generation Y and X are tuned into their
careers and are among the most diverse and globally-connected
generations. These age groups want to make a difference in the
community.
They also strongly value time with their families and a worklife
balance. Additionally, they are optimistic, hard working
(when they feel the project is worth it) and engaged.
According to the book Plugged In by Tamara Erickson,
Generation Y has had more protective parents than previous
generations and was raised on the importance of high self-esteem
and that “You can be whatever you want to be.”
Because of unstable events occurring within their youth (9/11,
war in Iraq, etc.), many members of Generation Y want to live
life to the fullest, which the author believes relates to both their
perceived impatience and social activism.
They are also the first generation to grow up using computers
and other forms of technology, which influences how fast they
expect to receive information and produce results in the workplace.
In a 2008 survey conducted by the Young Professionals
Network, where 100 of the approximately 300 paid members
between the ages of 21 and 39 responded, here is a list of our priorities
that are most important to us:
1. Life/Work Balance: having a sustainable balance 47%
2. Meaning: matching company and personal values 13%
3. Enrichment: having opportunities to learn and grow 12%
4. Appreciation: being rewarded/recognized for success 7%
5. Voice: having a say in the company’s strategy 6%
*A complete copy of the YP survey is available at www.ypnetwork.org
What does this mean to local employers? Offering Flex-time,
flexible scheduling or telecommuting, will be a major retention
tool. If flexibility is not an option, companies should provide
ways for employees to become active in local charity and nonprofit
organizations to give them a sense of meaning and enhance
company loyalty.
The bottom line is companies with flexibility and charitable con-
It’s Here!
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“BSN’ in the Morning”
(Brady, Stacy & Nicole)
“Man Power Hour”
“Girl Power Hour”
“Child’s Play”
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www.urlradio.net
• Click the On-Air Icon
• Your Player will pop up
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nections will have an easier time retaining young professionals.
May 2009 Kirkwood Mall.
9

| CITY MAGAZINE & KFYR
Salutes
Mayor's Community Crisis Coalition
Have you ever been at a loss for
words when a struggling friend
or family member says something,
albeit ambiguous, about
ending their life? It’s a tough situation, but
feel helpless no more.
The Mayor’s Community Crisis Coalition
(MCCC) of Mandan is teaching a constructive
method of talking to people of all ages
who may be contemplating suicide. It’s called
“QPR,” and it’s designed to save lives. The
MCCC is teaching QPR community-wide,
and you can learn it, too, just by asking.
The coalition got its start in Mandan in
2006 when a group of concerned citizens
began meeting after a cluster of teenage suicides
shook the community to its core.
At the time, several coalition members
knew that Rev. Bob Edwards of Minot was
teaching QPR there and that it was effective.
Suicide Facts
By Tom Regan
Mark Andresen, principal of Mandan High
School, invited Edwards to the school to
deliver a QPR presentation to students and
community members.
“Bob Edwards was brought to Mandan
after losing our seventh student, four of them
by suicide, in my first two years as principal,”
said Andresen. Shortly after Edwards’
appearance, the MCCC arranged to teach
QPR in Bismarck-Mandan.
QPR was developed by Dr. Paul G.
Quinnett, a clinical psychologist based in
the Spokane, Wash., area, who has worked
in the field of suicide prevention for over 30
years. Quinett and others founded the QPR
Institute in 1999.
An institute publication explains that
“QPR is designed to help you help someone
who may be considering suicide.” The Q
in QPR refers to questioning the person;
• One N.D. resident dies by suicide every four days.
• N.D. suicide rate ranks the state 12th in the nation—higher than the national rate.
• Burleigh County ranks second for the highest rate of suicide in the state; Morton County ranks
seventh.
• N.D.’s highest 10-year average death rate is for ages 20 to 29; the second highest is for ages 40 to 49.
• 32,637 people in the U.S. die by suicide each year.
• Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adults, the third leading cause of death among
15 to 24 year olds, and the second leading cause of death in college students.
Source: Div. of Injury Prevention & Control, ND Dept. of Health; National Center for Health Statistics
10 thecitymag.com

the P represents
ing to recognize
persuading the
warning signs,
individual to get
learn how to offer
help; and the R
hope and how
stands for refer-
to get help for
ring the person
someone at risk of
to the appropri-
suicide.”
ate resource.
Training ses-
“Much
sions, which last
like CPR or
about an hour,
the Heimlich
include national
Maneuver, the
and state suicide
application of
QPR may save a
Heidi Schuchard and Kim Rickel.
statistics, as well
as a review of
life,” says the publication.
risk factors for people in crisis situations. “I
The MCCC secured United Way funds to want to see individuals trained to recognize
train and certify through the QPR Institute the signs that a person may be suicidal or
two “Gatekeeper Instructors” to teach QPR depressed,” said Shuchard. “Many of the
to area citizens. Heidi Schuchard, a Mandan completed suicides could have been prevent-
police department youth worker, and Kim ed if the individuals surrounding the person
Rickel, a teacher at Mandan High, were certi- had the correct tools to help him/her.”
fied in August 2007.
Kim Rickel and Heidi Schuchard are
“The long-term goal is to train one per- available to present to your group or orgason
per household in the Bismarck-Mandan nization. To contact Kim, call Mandan High
community,” said Rickel. “During a QPR School at 663-9532; to contact Heidi, call the
training session, a person will receive train- Mandan Police Dept. at 667-3250.
May 2009 11

12 thecitymag.com

A TASTE OF NORTH DAKOTA
MAPLE-CINNAMON-PECAN
PULL-APARTS
Ingredients
8 Cinnamon Sweet Roll Dough
White Dip Icing
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon maple flavor or vanilla
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 8x4-inch loaf pan with cooking
spray. In large bowl, mix all ingredients except cinnamon rolls.
Cut each roll into quarters; add to pecan mixture, tossing to
coat. Spoon roll mixture into pan. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or
until deep golden brown. Turn upside down onto serving plate
or platter. Spread with icing.
COOKIE CHEESECAKES
Ingredients
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
2 lbs. softened cream cheese
1 lb. Sweetened condensed milk
4 large eggs
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cherry filling
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line muffin pan with muffin liners.
Place one cookie in each liner. Bake cookie 10 to 12 minutes,
or until cookie has spread to the sides of the cup.
In a bowl beat cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk,
eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour 1 1/4 oz. of mixture
into each cup.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until mixture has set. Cool
completely, and top with cherry filling.
Recipes & photos provided by
Baker Boy. bakerboy.com
A Taste of North Dakota
is sponsored by:
For more great recipes visit the “Extra Content” section at
May 2009
www.thecitymag.com
13

Whatever happened to
Orly Knutson?
Robert Duvall, Donny Osmond,
Kathy Lee, Mary Tyler Moore,
Mariah Carey, Barry Manilow,
Cindi Lauper, David Cassidy,
Faith Hill, Doris Roberts, Vince Gill, Tony
Orlando, John Tesh, Amy Grant, Kenny G.,
etc.
What do these stars have in common?
They’ve had their picture taken with Orly
Knutson, or maybe it’s the other way around!
Orly was a legend in radio when I grew
up here. I even recall the jingle: Orly
By Renae Hoffmann Walker
Knutson, the happy Norwegian, cruisin’ on
the lively one.
Knutson says he had a “normal” childhood
in Bismarck. When he wasn’t working
at the Dario & Drumstick or cruisin’ Main,
he’d go to the Teen Canteen, Big Boy, The
Hut, A&W, Jack Lyon’s, the Sweet Shop, and
both Bismarck and Dakota movie theatres.
He graduated from BHS in 1957 and
attended BJC, where he says he “got a degree
in partying”, while helping Dick Karlgaard as
student manager of the football team.
14 thecitymag.com

After that, Orly went to the N.D. School of Broadcasting
and helped out at KBOM radio until he graduated in 1960
and got his first “real” job in Benson, Minn. He came back
to Bismarck twice in his career to work at KFYR-AM.
“Everyone listened to KFYR; it was a powerhouse: five
states and two Canadian provinces; the largest day-time
coverage of any station in the country, and we had fun!”
Orly’s longest stint was 20 years at CBS 102.9 in
Minneapolis. He’s “retired” now and lives in Noblesville,
Ind., though he has a regular gig on B105.7 in Indianapolis
every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and fills in part time.
That voice is as strong as ever! “I’m most proud of the
fact that I’m still in the business after nearly 50 years. I’ll
be 70 in October, and most of the disc jockeys I know have
gotten out of radio.”
While Orly considers Bismarck his home and still has
friends (Dan Brannan, John Sullivan) and relatives (Donna
Knutson) here, he lives near Indy because it’s more central
to his four daughters and four granddaughters.
“Bismarck is a great town with a good quality of life. It’s
the only place I know where you can come back and go
to the same place and order the same thing you did as a
teenager—pizza burgers flying style!”
Orly Knutson, signing off with “and the beat goes on!”
NEW NEIGHBOR WELCOME SERVICE
Welcomes you to Bismarck-Mandan
For Free Gifts Contact:
Verdeen at 391-0094 or Ileen at 400-2919
or email us at newneighbors@bis.midco.net
Renae
Hoffmann
Walker, a
life-long
Bismarck
resident,
is the
director of
community
relations for
Bismarck
Public
Schools.
May 2009 15

| CROSSWORD
City Magazine 5/09 Crossword PuzzleJunction.com
Across
1 Hyphen
5 Cheese
9 Failure
13 S shaped molding
14 Cloak
15 Riyadh native
16 Theatrical role
18 Inert gas
19 Solitary
20 Speak haltingly
22 Insect egg
23 Small drink
24 Gangways
27 Camel relatives
32 European sea
eagle
33 Burst
36 Run off
37 Tear
39 Regions
41 Comedian Johnson
of Laugh-In
42 Express contempt
44 Alters paperwork
46 Antiquated
47 Garnered
49 Prayer
51 Double-decker
53 Devotee
54 Crush
58 Search
61 Culpability
62 Accord
65 SA mountain
range
66 Debt
67 Waterless
68 Football play
69 Cobras
70 Allows
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15
16 17 18
19 20 21
22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
32 33 34 35 36
37 38 39 40 41
42 43 44 45 46
47 48 49 50
51 52 53
54 55 56 57 58 59 60
61 62 63 64
65 66 67
68 69 70
Down
1 Elmer Fudd to
Bugs Bunny
2 Turk. title
3 Secure
4 Wading birds
5 And so forth
6 Period
7 Develops
8 Retail stores
9 Grange
10 Toboggan
11 Smell
12 Peg
Copyright ©2009 PuzzleJunction.com
15 Try out
17 See 46 Across
21 Suffer
24 Playing field
25 Central
26 Certain
28 ___ mode
29 Imbecile
30 Competently
31 Lawn starter
32 Gaelic
34 Foot (Prefix)
35 Caudal appendage
38 Lair
40 Tightens up
43 Contradicts
45 Gaze
48 Bug for payment
50 Brute
52 Opera’s La ___
54 Bluefin
55 Frees
56 Bullfight cheers
57 Selves
59 Withered
60 Stitch
61 Breach
63 Knock
64 Football scores
(Abbr.)
For results of the crossword puzzle from the last issue of City Magazine, please see page 17.
The answers for the puzzle above will be printed in the next issue of City Magazine.
16 thecitymag.com

Answers for the April 2009 crossword puzzle.
with Candace Gerhardt
Q: What do you think about President Obama’s first few months in office?
Sheila Hlibichuk: I’m a
Republican at heart, but I know
our country was in much need
of a change. I admire President
Obama’s willingness to take on
such formidable tasks as are before him.
Is he making the right choices and doing
the right things? It may be too soon to tell.
I’m concerned about the sudden involvement
in government. Today, the government keeps
giving chances, many times to businesses that
have shown an inability to be successful. That’s
not the American Dream and demeans those
who have made the attempt and succeeded by
playing the rules.
Beau Backman: President
Obama’s really energized a lot of
people with his coming into office.
It seems as if many peoples’ hope
Solution
and interest was re-ignited. He’s
gotten some people interested in politics.
Beyond that, I’m not much of a supporter of
his stimulus package, additional government
positions or reversal of stem cell research, but
do think his picking North Carolina to win the
NCAA tourney was a good call.
Scott Wild: President Obama has
kept his head and is holding firm
to the fact that change takes time.
He’s willing to bring the message
to where people are (talk shows,
online, etc.). He’s a great communicator. If our
nation takes at least one step, regardless of size,
each day towards our goals, we will be successful.
Any amount of success feels better than a
step backward.
ord PuzzleJunction.com
P O P A H E M B A C K
H A L O N O T E A V O I D
A D D S N T H S R E P L Y
T R I E S R A S H R E N E
S E E I C O N U P S
P L O D E L I F A R
S A F E T Y R A K E A L E
H O R N J O T I D O L
O N E S T A B J E R S E Y
W E T T O W F A K E
G Y M S I R E C B S
D E A R S A N G S N A I L
O R B I T L O A N O R C A
C R E M E A U R A S E E M
S L E D S T O P E S P
Jennifer Birst: He’s sure likable.
I’d love for his economic policies
to work, but I’m very concerned.
Also, I’m afraid of restrictions he
lifted on stem cell research. I hope
we can protect the unborn.
May 2009 17

|
"Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, Sunshine
on my eyes can make me cry, Sunshine on the water
looks so lovely, Sunshine almost always makes me high."
Snoopy in the musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
John Denver’s great song brings us images
of some warm Spring afternoons (finally)
arriving soon. Time
to sit on the patio
(or the porch) sipping
on a nice glass of crisp,
fruity, fresh wine.
It can be when you
are catching up with
friends on the events of
the past week and telling
stories of surviving a
very long winter. It also
can simply be a private,
peaceful time when just
you can contemplate the
meaning of life or take a deep breath, smile, say
hi to the family cat and relax.
O.K., I’ve set the table, let’s figure out what
we are going to serve. It is important to point
out in this scenario that although we are figuratively
“setting the table,” we are not serving
food. I am not going to launch into a long dissertation
on food and wine pairing. We simply
are talking about a cold, crisp, refreshing glass
of wine.
I also should make it clear we are talking
about white wines on this patio tasting. Cold,
fresh and fruity. On the subject of whites, I
am going to eliminate Chardonnays (I love
Chardonnay, but let’s look at some other whites
for a change of pace).
Several varietals qualify. One that I think is
underappreciated (and will get more and more
popular) is Viognier. Try the Cline Viognier.
It is loaded with peaches, apricots and citrus
notes.
How about Riesling? More of an almond
By Joel Gilbertson
flavor here, but a very popular semi-sweet
wine. My recommendation is easy—Columbia
Winemakers Reserve.
My wife, Jan, loves New
Esta
A Unique & Innovative
Band from Israel!
Welcome Reception:
Monday, May 11 5 - 7 pm
BAGA, 422 East Front Ave.
Free & open to the public
Public Performance: Belle Mehus
Monday, May 11 at 7:30 pm
Adults: $10 • Students: $5
Tickets: BAGA, Dan’s (north & south) & at the door
Zealand Sauvignon
Blanc more than any
other wine. She loves
Nobilo, and it has some
incredible grapefruit
flavors that are great on
a warm afternoon.
Next is Pinot
Grigio, that wonderful
Italian white wine.
It is a light wine with
several different fruit
flavors, including some pear and even a touch
of lemon. Try the Santa Margherita Pinot
Grigio for some refreshing, soft flavors.
OK, I’m going to finish with a surprise—
White Zinfandel. It is not a good wine to have
with food because its strawberry flavors just
don’t complement many foods.
But, you know, if you are sitting on the
patio, and it is served fresh and very cold, that
strawberry may incorporate some other great
fruit and be a great sipper to go with that smile.
Try the Barefoot White Zin for a nice, pleasant
shot of strawberry and even a bit of watermelon
on the finish.
So taste away, sit on the patio, enjoy the sun
and remember Gale Garnett (oh, you know,
“We’ll sing in the sunshine; we’ll laugh every
day. We’ll sing in the sunshine, and I’ll be on
my way.”) Vintage 1964 music goes with a
refreshing glass of wine, and always accompanied
by a smile.
18 thecitymag.com

| MANDAN ON THE Move
Drive and Dance
to Buggies-n-Blues
on june 6-7
Buggies and Blues rolls into Mandan the
weekend of June 6-7 with classic cars
and live music. Saturday’s activities
include a stereo crank-up competition
sponsored by Eggers Audio, the Classtiques car
club “show and shine” and car-related events
around the community.
A block party begins Saturday at 4 p.m. in
Dykshoorn Park on West Main Street with the
“Ravens,” featuring music from the 60s, 70s
and 80s, plus a food court and beer garden.
The classic car parade down Main Street at 8
p.m. will take you back to years gone by, and
the great show band “Hitz” takes the stage with
country rock and oodles of 60s and 70s greats.
Sunday’s activities open at the Mandan
Municipal Airport with a vintage fly-in from
By Ellen Huber, business development director
8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast, plane rides, aerial
displays and vintage aircraft will provide you
with a fun-filled morning. The airport is located
a few miles south on Highway 6.
The Buggies-n-Blues Car Show kicks off at
11 a.m. on Main Street. More than 500 vintage
models from 1985 and older will line 12 city
blocks. You’ll also find 20-plus auto-related
vendors, a huge swap meet and more than 100
antique tractors. Browse at your leisure while
enjoying ice cream, snow cones, a variety of
refreshments and food. Music fills the park
again from noon to 5 p.m. Children will have a
blast at the mini carnival and inflatable games.
For information on special features and a detailed
schedule, visit www.buggies-n-blues.org.
May 2009 19

| DINING GUIDE
MR. DELICIOUS
CHEESECAkE CAfE
& BAKERY
307 N. 3rd St.
Bismarck, ND
701-258-2598
In the former Kathleen’s building, you will now find
Mr. Delicious Cheesecake with a twist! Now serving
lunch from 10am-4pm (Mon-Sat) followed by our
NEW dinner menu. Pair your meal with different
wines or beers, and top it all off with our 140+ delicious
cheesecake flavors! Enjoy your sweet experience
inside or on our great patio seating up to 50.
BRUNO'S PIZZA
910 E. Front Ave.
Bismarck, ND
701-751-3700
Bruno’s Pizza, Bismarck’s newest family owned
and operated pizza restaurant, is offering several
quick ideas for lunch. Whether you want to have
delivery, dine-in or carryout, Bruno’s pizza is the
quick choice for lunch. We have several great pasta’s
to choose from, or try our flavor of the day for
pizza by the slice. Call ahead for faster service at
751-3700.
Dinner & Entertainment
Under the Stars at
Mysterial Theater
By Mandy Thomas
Beneath a sparkling night sky, lies a mysterious
theater and restaurant reminiscent
of earlier times, with rows of tables and
a retro stage beneath the subdued light
of glistening chandeliers. At Mysteria Theater, a
non-smoking restaurant, bar and live entertainment
venue on 210 West Main Street, Mandan, the
atmosphere is truly breathtaking.
“Mysteria Theater is meant to be a throwback
to when movies and live entertainment were more
popular,” said Scott McFall who owns the theater
with his wife, Sandi McFall. “We’re trying to create
a renaissance of live entertainment where people
can get together and have fun.”
Every Friday and Saturday, the theater hosts
MYSTERIA THEATER
210 West Main
Mandan, ND
701-663-2900
A Historic Mandan location is home to Mysteria
Theater: a wonderful eatery with great food and
entertainment for all! Come enjoy a deliciously
quick lunch or fantastic romantic dinner with
menus that offer casual or fine dining. Take in our
entertainment such as bands and stage shows. Then
on Sundays bring the family in for a filling brunch.
www.mysteriatheater.com
ROBY’S SUPPER CLUB
I-94 & Exit 147
Mandan, ND
701-663-2288
Roby’s Supper Club is fine dining at its best. Roby’s
features nothing but the highest quality cuts of
Certified Angus Beef, the sweetest seafood and their
famous applewood-smoked, dry-rubbed loin baby
back ribs. Enjoy a delicious dinner, 5 miles west
of Mandan on I-94 exit 147. Open Tuesday thru
Saturday, serving 4:30pm-10pm with an elegant
lounge open until 1am.
20 thecitymag.com

live entertainment ranging
from ear-pleasing jazz and
rock shows to mesmerizing
hypnotists, illusion shows and
comedic performances. Visit
www.mysteriatheater.com to
see a complete listing of events
or call 701-663-2900 to make a
reservation.
This June, don’t miss
Mysteria Theater’s premier
illusion show, which includes
the renowned water torture
cell and life-threatening
Pendragon’s impalement, one
of the world’s most dangerous
magic tricks.
Although Mysteria Theater
is a great venue for live entertainment,
it’s also a great place
to have lunch or dinner. The
smoke-free restaurant and
bar are open Tuesday through
PIROGUE GRILLE
121 N. 4 th St.
Bismarck, ND
701-223-3770
The arrival of spring is reflected in the passion of
the culinary professionals at Pirogue Grille. The
seasonal approaches to the core menu and specials
have received accolades both locally and nationally.
Gourmet magazine named Pirogue Grille “One
of the 100 best farm-to-table restaurants in
America”. You need to experience it for yourself.
Open Monday-Saturday at 5:00 pm. 701-223-3770
www.piroguegrille.com
PEACOCK ALLEY
422 E. Main Ave.
Bismarck, ND
701-255-7917
Absorb historic elegance at Peacock Alley as you
enjoy fine cuisine. Much of the elegance and tradition
of the old Patterson Hotel has been preserved,
showcasing the Hotel's glory days. The majestic
lobby and palatial dining room were transformed
into the New Peacock Alley where you can savor
our wide variety of entrees individually prepared to
perfection. www.peacock-alley.com
Saturday from 11 a.m. until the
last customer leaves in the evening,
and on Sundays between
10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
“Right now, our evening
menu is fine dining, although
there’s a bar menu and a
children’s menu with simpler
food,” said McFall. “We have
everything from high-end
salmon all the way down to
burgers.”
For first-time guests, McFall
recommends trying the baby
fleischkeukle (served with
sauerkraut, fries, ketchup and
German horseradish mustard)
for an appetizer, tequila lime
chicken penne (sautéed chicken,
red onion, red peppers and
garlic tossed with penne in
a creamy tequila lime sauce)
for dinner, and triple choco-
late threat cake (luscious rich
chocolate cake) for dessert.
Families can also enjoy
Mysteria Theater’s Sunday
brunch between 10 a.m. and
1:30 p.m., which includes an
omelet station, bacon, sausage,
potatoes, prime rib, ham and
lunch items like chicken fried
steak and more.
This year, don’t forget to
visit Mysteria Theater for
a truly magical experience.
“Everything is unique, all the
time, whether it’s the entertainment,
food or staff,” said
McFall. “People can drop in,
have a bite to eat, order a cocktail
or just hang out.”
To book the theater for a
conference, wedding reception
or other special event, call 701-
663-2900.
EAST 40 CHOPHOUSE
& TAVERN
1401 Interchange Ave.
Bismarck, ND
701-258-7222
East 40 delivers big-city flavors with small-town attitude.
Premium Sterling Silver Steaks, Dakota buffalo
and succulent seafood straight from the coast
are served in the charming surroundings of our
turn-of-the-century dining rooms and Old World
tavern. Don't miss Sake, Sushi & Live Music Night
every Monday or Tavern Jam with live music on
Thursdays. www.east40chophouse.com
BISTRO “AN AMERICAN CAFé”
1103 E. Front Ave.
Bismarck, ND
701-224-8800
Thursday is The Bistro Night with Rib Night
and Sushi Night. Enjoy delicious St. Louis Style
Southwestern Dry Rub or Jack Daniels BBQ Baby
Back ribs, or freshly rolled Sushi! All with live
music by Shawn Oban starting at 7pm. With spring
coming, The Bistro patio wll open soon. Check www.
bistro1100.com for our live entertainment schedule
and GREAT specials.
May 2009 21

| HOME SWEET HOME
There are local businesses whose commitment
to value and personal service
results in steady growth in our
community. House of Color fits that
description very well. For them, putting the
customer’s needs first has been a winning formula
for many years.
In the 1950s, the store first opened in
By Wes Engbrecht
A Pillar of
VALUE & sERVICE
By Wes Engbrecht
Bismarck, with a focus of selling house paint.
Current owner Gary Hanson purchased the
business in 1976 and expanded it to offer flooring,
wall and window coverings, as well as
installation. Because of its continued growth,
Gary moved the store several times to add
more space.
This month marks the 10 th anniversary of
22 thecitymag.com

A vacation in
your own backyard
Now the area’s only premiere
full-service hardscaping
company.
Taking you from design and product
selection to certifi ed professional
installation.
• Retaining Walls
• Patios
• Concrete Paving Stones
• Walkways/Driveways
• Ponds/Waterfalls
• Landscaping Accessories
• Premiere Natural Stone Products
• Dirt, Sand, Gravel, Decorative Rock
• Design Consultation
One mile east of Bismarck
on Main Avenue.
New indoor showroom
to be completed SOON!
rocksandblocksnd.com
701-258-2417
May 2009 23

their current location at 2100 East Broadway.
The 25,000-square-foot retail facility allows
them plenty of room to display their products,
including flooring, wall and window coverings,
counters, paints, cabinets, rugs, furniture, home
décor and much more.
According to General Manager Les Colen,
“The trends in home design are definitely
changing. There has been a steady movement
away from carpet to hard surface flooring.
Wood and laminate flooring is still a top seller,
as is ceramic tile.” Colen manages a staff of
around 30 employees at House of Color.
The House of Color design team can make
any of your dreams a reality. If it’s an exciting
new kitchen you want, they can put it together
for you with stunning granite counter tops
or beautiful wood cabinets. If you want glass
blocks in your shower, you can have them
design a wall that fits your needs.
It’s the expertise that you’ll find in every
department that makes the difference. From
the paint application experts to the window
treatment pros, you will get the assistance you
need to help you decide on the perfect look for
your home. The friendly staff will work hard to
keep your business the next time you update or
remodel.
Visit their website at www.houseofcolorinc.
com for more information on what there is to
see in their expansive showroom. You will find
everything you need to turn your house into
the home you want it to be!
24 thecitymag.com

green tip
Want an easy way to save time, money and the planet, not to
mention earn major brownie points with your kids? Next play
time, round up the rugrats and make your own non-toxic play
dough using natural ingredients with the recipe below.
1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon oil
1/4 cup salt
Food coloring
Mix all ingredients, adding food
coloring last. Stir over medium
heat until smooth. Remove from
pan and knead until blended
smooth. Place in plastic bag or
airtight container when cooled.
May 2009 25

| CITY WORKS
The Midwest's Most
Versatile Venue
By Ross Horner, marketing director at the Bismarck Civic Center
When
most
people
think
about the Bismarck
Civic Center, they
think basketball.
There is a rich history
of high school tournaments
at the Civic
Center and almost
15 years of Dakota
Wizards professional basketball. The facilities
definitely stand out as the premier basketball
venue in the region.
But most do not realize that the Civic
Center is more than a basketball arena.
The Bismarck Civic Center is one of the
region’s most versatile venues. As part of the
Civic Center complex, the City of Bismarck
owns and operates
the Belle Mehus
Auditorium, Exhibit
Hall, Arena and
more than 15 meeting
rooms.
This past year,
the Civic Center
held more than 480
events in these facilities,
with a combined
attendance of over
359,000. In addition, the venues paid more
than $180,000 in sales taxes as part of their
operations and reported ticketed events.
Originally built in 1969 for $1.5 million,
the complex started as an Arena so that
Bismarck could host larger events in the
community. Since then, the City has added
some new facilities–Exhibit Hall, meeting
26 thecitymag.com

ooms–and refined others.
There have been numerous changes
to these buildings over the years. Whether
it was the renovation of the Belle Mehus
Auditorium, adding the Broadway Theatre
set or the Video Scoreboard, the changes
have allowed for greater versatility in programming
the events that the community
wants.
The City and the Bismarck Civic Center
continue to expand the Center’s approach
to booking the facilities by defining what is
important for the community as a whole.
The facilities have an ability to drive community
economic factors and also to fill quality-
of-life needs to many through the presentations
the facility hosts.
As the City of Bismarck and Civic Center
discuss possible expansion once again, we
are reminded that meeting community needs
ensures our continued success. Remaining
one of the Midwest’s most versatile and
unique complexes requires a continued com-
mitment to look at the future needs of our
community and the facility’s users.
From craft fairs to Broadway shows in
Bismarck to basketball and concerts, the
Bismarck Civic Center continues to be a
versatile events complex that the community
can be proud to own and operate. We hope
to see you soon!
May 2009 27

| HEALTH
Age Proof Your Brain
"Use it or Lose it"
Ever walk into a room
and can’t remember
why? Often forget
where you put your
keys or glasses?
Like most Americans,
Louis Lentini began noticing
his memory slipping as he got
older. “It started in my early 50s
and progressively got worse. It
was so bad I had to make lists
of everything and tape it to the
front door.”
Feel like your memory is slipping or afraid
it will? Mounting research proves it’s possible
By Health Specialist Marilyn Mitzel
“ Brain exercises
should become as
much a part of your
weekly routine as
physical exercise. ”
to prevent memory loss, get
back some or all of what you’ve
lost, improve concentration,
sharpen your mind and even
quicken response time by exercising
your brain.
We all know the benefits of
exercise for the body. The same
is true for the brain. Brain
exercise software programs you
buy and download into your
computer can help. The games
are specifically designed to improve memory
and cognitive function.
Scientifically proven to work is a program
28 thecitymag.com

called BrainAerobics. Dr. Susanna Goldstein, a geriatric psychiatrist
and founder of BrainAerobics says, “Brain exercise
should become as much a part of your weekly routine as physical
exercise.”
Designed by a medical team the program has decades
of research to back it up. Goldstein says it works by combining
the three crucial elements necessary for optimal brain
fitness—mental stimulation, physical exercise to pump blood
and oxygen into the brain and relaxation techniques to reduce
stress which is detrimental to memory.
The president of BrainAerobics, Rella Levinstein, says,
“When you do these three things regularly, you create the
perfect environment for restoring and preserving memory.”
As baby boomers watch their parents being diagnosed
with degenerative neurological diseases, they realize they’re
also vulnerable and are discovering the importance of
brain fitness.
Jeff Hiebert, a satisfied BrainAerobics customer, says, “The
games are a lot of fun. My father has Alzheimer’s. I’m doing it
as preventative medicine.”
Who’s a good candidate? Anyone trying to stave off
dementia, senility and other brain-robbing diseases. Anyone
noticing memory or concentration slippage. Stroke and brain
injury patients. People with Attention Deficit Disorder. It
doesn’t matter if you’re young or old.
Forty-three-year-old Caroline Volker has ADD and says,
“It’s made a huge difference. For the first time in my life, I can
stay focused
so I’m accomplishing
much
more every
day.”
For maximum
results,
it’s recommended
to
train your
brain 20 minutes
a day, 3
times a week.
Three weeks
after starting
BrainAerobics,
Lentini says,
“My memory
keeps getting
better. I don’t
make lists any
more, not even
for groceries.”
For more
information go
to www.brainaerobics.net
May 2009 29

| HISTORY
Chief Looking's Village:
A new glimpse into history
Wandering through the historic
site overlooking the Missouri
River in northwest Bismarck,
a visitor can envision the
earthlodge villages of thousands of Mandan
Indians spreading out in the valley below.
As the sun sets behind the Missouri bluffs,
it becomes even clearer why the Mandans
lived at Chief Looking’s Village. High above
what is now known as Pioneer Park, it is
beautiful and peaceful. And, fortified with
a strategically placed ditch, it is an advantageous
site for defending against enemies.
Today’s self-guided site tour gives visitors
a vast amount of information about the
life of these agricultural people. It provides a
By Stan Stelter
Aerial photo of Chief Looking’s Village.
glimpse into the culture of the people inhabiting
the Missouri River valley, growing corn,
squash and beans in the fertile soils and hunting
buffalo on the plains.
Long after the Mandans left the area following
a devastating smallpox outbreak, two
circular earthlodges were constructed at the
site following a 1930s archeological excavation
by the National Park Service. The lodges
supposedly represented the homes of the
Mandans thought to have inhabited the site
starting about 1700.
But those “facts” may soon disappear,
gone like the two round lodges that burned
in the 1960s and were never replaced. A limited
archeological excavation last summer
30 thecitymag.com

may have confirmed what some experts had suspected: the
Mandans likely had been there 200 years earlier and lived in
rectangular earthen lodges.
The archeological work in August 2008 involved a crew
of about 15, headed by Mark Mitchell of the PaleoCultural
Research Group in Boulder, Colo. Ken Kvamme of the
University of Arkansas directed the geophysical survey.
Staff members, including Fern Swenson, director of archeology
and historic preservation, and chief archaeologist Paul
Picha, from the State Historical Society of North Dakota also
were involved in the investigations.
That weeklong project involved techniques like carbon dating
and geophysical mapping that weren’t available in the
1930s. Geophysical mapping, a magnetic survey, provides a
“glimpse underground prior to digging and aids in the placement
of excavation units to maximize information gained,”
Swenson said. The magnetic equipment detects such things as
burned houses, hearths, cache pits and recent metal objects.
Interestingly, the circular earthlodges built some 70 years
ago at the Bismarck site were based on knowledge at that time,
said Picha, but aerial photos clearly show the outlines of rectangular
homes. In fact, the round lodges came slightly later in
the Mandan’s history.
Picha said the Mandan’s transition to the four-post, circular
earthen lodges might have been due to several factors: contact
with the Arikara, the increasing scarcity of wood and the efficiency
in heating a round structure.
More research and analysis will produce a final report by
the end of this year. But, for those interested in a preview,
Mitchell, the project director, will discuss the investigation
during the annual North Dakota Archaeological Association
meeting May 16 at the Heritage Center in Bismarck.
Photos courtesy of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Chris Roos excavating a pit feature at Chief Looking’s
Village.
May 2009 31

| FEATURE
Dan's supermarket
Celebrates 60 Years of success
By Mandy Thomas
It employs nearly 700 employees in
Bismarck, Mandan and Dickinson, is
characterized by a jolly, dark-haired,
cartoon shopper with a welcoming smile
and is celebrating 60 years of success in the
community. Dan’s Super Market, Inc., has truly
come a long way since its start in 1949. Here’s
how it all began.
After pooling their resources together to
buy the Piggly Wiggly store in Bismarck 60
years ago, Roy Rockstad and Eugene “Bus”
Leary founded Dan’s Super Market as we know
it today, but with a different name and vintage
interior. Named Bismarck Super Valu, the store
on Broadway and Seventh had wood floors,
overhead fans with large blades and flypaper
strips hanging from the ceiling, an image much
different than today’s.
In 1953, Rockstad and Leary opened a
second location, Dan’s Super Valu, in the
Arrowhead Plaza in Bismarck. A third location
opened in Bismarck in 1970. Then in
1974, Terrance Rockstad joined the company
after graduating college, working under the
leadership of Roy and Bus. Finally in 1975,
Roy purchased Bus’ share of the company, and
it became a family-owned business. Terry was
named president in 1977 and serves as CEO
and Chairman of the Board today.
In the mid-90s, all stores converted to the
company name Dan’s Super Market to provide
a common identity representing quality
products and excellence in customer service.
“Dan, the Value Man” is the cartoon character
that symbolizes this tradition. And, if you’ve
shopped at one of the six stores in Bismarck,
Mandan or Dickinson, it’s easy to see that Dan’s
truly is a place of excellence.
“At Dan’s, we pay attention to the details,”
said Ralph Dockter, vice-president of retail
operations. “We combine the cleanliness of our
facility with friendliness, service and quality of
our perishables to meet the needs of our customers.”
These days, Dan’s isn’t just taking care of
grocery and produce needs; they’re helping
customers save time by offering a multitude of
services. At select locations, guests can utilize
the “self checkout” to save time, order groceries
online at www.dansupermarket.com, request
catering, visit the post office or credit union,
buy lottery tickets, drop off a prescription at
the pharmacy and much more!
With all of these services under one roof,
Dan’s is the definition of convenience. What
sets them apart from competitors is their fresh
produce, clean environment, respect for the
32 thecitymag.com

Terry & Dona Rockstad, January 2009.
Dan’s Arrowhead, shortly after opening.
customer and employee longevity. “We really care about the
people here,” said Keith Mantz, vice-president of finance. “At
many stores, you just don’t find good customer service anymore.
Details make the difference; we offer carryout service
to your car and do other things that just don’t exist in many
operations.” Dan’s Super Market is also actively involved in
the community.
This January, Terrance Rockstad received the “2009
North Dakota Grocer of the Year” award, an accolade his
father, Roy, received nearly 40 years ago, for grocers who
support their community. Terrance’s involvement with the
Ronald McDonald House, Dakota Zoo, Odyssey of the Mind,
Aid Inc., Save the Children, Rotary Club International’s
Model UN Project, Business Challenge, North Dakota State
Penitentiary and the Missouri Valley United Way helped
make him a great candidate for this award.
“I think we’ve been a good community partner,” said Kay
Zander-Woock, chief financial officer. “We participate in a
variety of community events designed to help local charities.
We strive to be a good community person.”
As Dan’s Super Market celebrates its 60th anniversary
this year, watch for special ads and sales promotions to commemorate
the event including a Dan’s cookbook. “We have
everything you need,” said Dennis Bosch, president and chief
operating officer. “Dan’s Super Market has convenient locations,
fresh produce and great customer service.”
To learn more, visit www.dansupermarket.com.
May 2009 33

| TRAVEL
Win with Wynn's
Encore in Las Vegas!
Las Vegas is a favorite destination for
folks in City Magazine’s region. A
fabulous new hotel in that desert
mecca is Steve Wynn’s beautiful Encore
Hotel. A sister property to the Wynn Las
Vegas, the Encore is located right next door.
The Encore is absolutely beautiful! It is so
spectacular that it is written up in the April
issue of Architectural Digest. Wynn’s interior
design wizard Roger Thomas has outdone
himself with the beauty, creativity and
warmth of the new property.
More of a resort than a hotel, the Encore
appears to have as many people enjoying the
sun and blue skies by the pools and at the spa
as around the gaming tables. The butterfly is a
favorite motif and is seen everywhere from wall
to ceilings to tile.
Red!
The gaming areas are divided by attractive
fabric drapings and architectural features,
softening the venues. The top floor of the hotel
boasts a Sky Casino that is airy and upbeat
By Katherine Satrom
with great views.
Red must be Wynn’s favorite color as it
is lavishly displayed at the Encore. The tone
is lovely, inviting and not a bit garish. The
neighboring Wynn Hotel has a restaurant
named “Red.”
Rooms are large and lavish, yet tasteful,
with panoramic views. Techy features like
touch-button lamps and drapes are fun and
convenient. Mirrors enlarge the rooms further.
Switch!
An extremely unique restaurant is Encore’s
“Switch.” The name comes from the magical
way the ceiling and wall panels change when
dramatic music plays periodically.
The metamorphosis of the ceiling is
mesmerizing with its chandelier artwork of
flowers that blossom and leaves that fold in a
gorgeous shade of dusty rose.
The visual presentation of delicacies created
by Switch chef Mark Poidevin, a native
of France, is exceptional. Order the “tasting
menu” and sample several courses including
Kobi steak and lobster ravioli. A sommelier
will match wine with these gourmet treats.
Don’t miss the Danny Gans Show at the
Encore Theatre. Danny Gans is an incomparable,
vastly talented entertainer with more
than 200 voices in his repertoire of impressions.
Desert Broadway
A two-night package in June including
the Encore hotel and air starts at just under
$600; three nights run about $700. Of course,
hotels in many price ranges are available, as
well. One of the best things today about Las
Vegas is that it has become a “desert Broadway.”
Currently showing are “Jersey Boys”
and “Phantom of the Opera,” with “Lion King”
opening in May.
34 thecitymag.com

With the recent flooding events, did
you have an emergency plan for
your pet? Pet owners need to plan
ahead to evacuate with their pet during an
emergency. No matter where you live, the
unexpected can occur. You can (and should)
take your animals with you. The Humane
Society of the United States advises, “If it isn’t
safe for you, it isn’t safe for them.”
Follow these suggestions to reduce the risks
for your pets.
Things you can do right now:
• put a collar with visible identification on
your pets, including indoor pets
• take pictures of you with your pets for
identification purposes
• create a pet emergency kit and refresh
items every few months
• talk to your neighbors about how they can
help your pets if you aren’t home and a
disaster strikes
Pet emergency kit should include:
• a three-day or more supply of food in airtight,
waterproof containers and drinking
water
• bowls for food and water
• medications, vaccination records and firstaid
pet supplies
• comfort items such as toys and blankets
• small garbage bags
• for dogs include a leash and sturdy carrier
large enough to use as a sleeping area
• for cats include litter and a litter box and
a sturdy carrier large enough to use as a
temporary place to stay for several days
A Zogby International poll found that 61
percent of pet owners will not evacuate if
PET PAGE |
DISASTER PLANNING FOR YOUR PET
BISMARCK-MANDAN ANIMAL IMPOUND
701.223.1212 • bismarck.org
CENTRAL DAKOTA HUMANE SOCIETY
701.667.2020 • cdhs.net
they cannot bring their pets with them. In
2006, Congress addressed this issue by passing
the Pets Evacuation and Transportation
Standards (PETS) Act, which requires state
and local emergency management agencies to
make plans that take into account the needs
of individuals with pets and service animals
in the event of a major disaster or emergency.
For more tips on preparedness plans that include
your pets, visit http://humanesociety.org/prepare or
visit The HSUS Emergency Services Center.
www.petfinder.com
Upcoming Events
Bismarck-Mandan
Rub-a-Dub Doggie Wash
On Saturday, May 16, bring your dog to
Groomingdales in Mandan from 9am - 5pm
for a shampoo, rinse and dry. The cost is
$10 for small dogs and $15 for medium-large
dogs. All proceeds go to the Central Dakota
Humane Society. Groomingdales is located
at 422 West Main in Mandan.
Dog Days Deals Rummage Sale
Friday and Saturday, June 6 & 7 from 10am
- 6pm both days at the Central Dakota
Humane Society Shelter, located in Mandan.
All proceeds go the CDHS.
Dickinson
Fundraiser at DSU Art Department
The Ceramics class will be selling Ceramic
Coffee Mugs from 1pm - 6 pm on May 7th.
Proceeds will go to Oreo's Animal Rescue in
Dickinson.
For more information, visit their websites listed below.
OREO’S ANIMAL RESCUE
701.483.0240 • lovingpetsinneed.com
Please call any of the organizations listed above if you'd like to volunteer your time
to help needy animals from our communities.
May 2009 35

| SAFETY TIP
When You're Away,
the Crooks
May Play
By Mike Wetsch
With summer approaching fast, many
of us are spending less time at home,
partaking in the activities of the season.
Some activities will include vacations away
from home. Unfortunately, while many people
are enjoying their vacation, there are those who
welcome the opportunity to break into our
homes and help themselves to our possessions.
According to the FBI 2007 National Crime
Report, a burglary occurs every 14 seconds and
costs victims approximately $1,991.00 in loses.
Each year, over 2 million burglaries occur costing
society nearly $4 billion in damages.
Nine out of ten of these crimes are preventable
if certain steps are taken. Most burglars are
looking for targets that offer ease of accessibility,
positions of concealment and dwellings that
appear unoccupied.
Defending Against Ease of Accessibility
• Invest in good, brand-name, deadbolt locks.
• Ensure that all window locks are in working
order.
• Lock the garage door. Unplug automatic
garage openers.
• Lock all gates.
• Place a bar or stick of wood in the lower track
of sliding doors or windows.
• If you have a home security system, activate it.
Dealing With Positions of Concealment
• Illuminate dark areas near your home with
motion-detecting lights.
• Keep bushes and shrubbery trimmed so
neighbors can see windows and doors clearly.
• Cut lower tree branches no less then seven
feet from the ground.
Teaching Values that Last a Lifetime!
· Focus · Confidence · Respect
801 West Interstate Avenue Bismarck, ND
701-224-1663 ataonline.com
Make Your Home Look Occupied
• Make arrangements to have your newspaper
and mail stopped or picked up by a trusted
neighbor or friend.
• Set automatic timers for your TV, radio and
various lights inside and outside the house.
• Mute telephone ringers so unanswered calls
go unnoticed. Shut off the volume to the
answering machine so no one can hear a
caller leaving a message.
• If possible, leave a car in your driveway or ask
a neighbor to park there on occasion.
• If necessary, make arrangements to have your
lawn mowed. In winter months, ensure sidewalks
and driveways are shoveled.
Most importantly, enlist the assistance of
trusted friends and neighbors. Ask them to
watch for and report any suspicious activity.
Inform them of your travel plans, including
dates of travel, destinations, contact numbers
and key holder information.
The risk of being burglarized can be greatly
reduced by taking simple steps to make your
home more difficult to enter and less enticing to
would-be burglars.
Mike Wetsch is a deputy with the Burleigh
County Sheriff’s Department and is assigned to
the patrol division.
The Safety Tip
is sponsored by:
36 thecitymag.com

Have U Rocked Lately?
“Aw!
I haven’t heard that song
in forever!” These are most
likely the words you will be
exclaiming after tuning in to URL Radio. URL
(or U Rock Lately) is bringing back your favorite
classic features of radio in a whole new way, as a
brand new, locally-owned, Internet radio station.
Founded by two local women, Nicole
Morrison-Mathern and Stacy Sturm, this station
is the first of its kind in our area. URL features
original programming from local personalities
complete with advice call-ins and song dedications
and requests.
According to Sturm, when brainstorming
programming ideas, they looked to fill
the niches that were not being filled, and they
seem to have done just that. Their programming
includes a manpower hour, an hour with
Lil Miss Molly for the women, a morning show
entitled “BSN in the morning” featuring local
radio favorites Brady and Stacy (Sturm, that
is) and Nicole (Morrison-Mathern), and even
“Child’s Play” on Saturday mornings for kids
featuring kids, with music from the 70s, 80s and
90s mixed in.
In the words of Morrison-Mathern, this is
a “happy station,” so you won’t find any sappy,
sad songs here. This doesn’t mean they are only
By Chelsea Watterud
BRIGHT IDEAS |
preoccupied with having fun, however. Mathern
and Sturm are dedicated to helping the community
in any way they can, and this desire has
translated into their business as well.
Sturm said, “I’ve always wanted to be in a
position to help out non-profits in this area and
small businesses with small marketing budgets
to help them market their own businesses.” And
now she, and Morrison-Mathern, are both in
that position through URL.
Non-profits receive 50 percent off their
advertising costs for URL. The station also
adopts a different charity each month and, for
a $15 donation, anyone who wants to can be a
guest DJ for 15 minutes. These are only a few
examples of how Morrison-Mathern and Sturm
are giving back. Their giving attitudes come as
no surprise, though; they’re just living up to
their slogan, “Click, Listen and Love.”
These women have invested a lot of heart
into this project. They have faced difficulties
with floods, finances and even frantic chases
after UPS trucks and have persevered. These
women are dedicated to making a station that
can brighten your day and give back at the same
time, regardless of what it takes.
To tune in visit www.URLradio.net.
May 2009 37

| WE Drive
Henry Ford's Magnificent Model A
Alive and Well in Bismarck
Two of the most well-known
Ford Motor products are the
Ford Model T’s and A’s. Henry
Ford, considered the father of
assembly-line manufacturing, began with
the Model T, which came out in 1908 and
was produced until 1927.
Ford said at the time, “I will build a
car for the great multitude. It will be large
enough for the family, but small enough
for the individual to run and care for. It
will be constructed of the best materials,
by the best men to be hired, after the
simplest designs that modern engineering
can devise. But it will be low in price
By Mike LaLonde
Rod Reetz and his Model A. Photo by Mike LaLonde.
38 thecitymag.com

that no man making a good salary will
be unable to own one and enjoy with his
family the blessing of hours of pleasure in
God’s great open spaces.”
The T was certainly a success, with more
than 16 million produced throughout its
production life. The Model T put America
on wheels but, by the mid-1920s, the design
was being passed up by rival Chevrolet, so it
was time for change. That change came with
the Ford Model A.
Produced between 1927-1932, the Model
A was a major success and made Ford once
again the sales leader (1.5 million sold in
1929). In today’s car-collecting circles, the
Model A remains by far the most popular
single model of any make.
Bismarck car hobbyist Rod Reetz can
attest to the A’s popularity. In the past 40
years, Reetz, considered one of the area’s
most knowledgeable Model A experts, has
owned upwards of 12 Model As, and currently
has six of them in good running condition.
Reetz says, “My dad had Model As while
I was growing up Dickinson, and I took
a liking to them. My first car was a 1922
Model T, but I soon graduated to the A. My
favorite is the Roadster model.”
At the peak of popularity during the
four-year production run of As, there were
19 different models, from roadsters to pickup
trucks. Prices began at $495 and ranged
from there to $1,200 depending on the
model.
Reetz, in addition to maintaining and
restoring his own As, does restoration work
and maintenance for area Model A owners.
Rod says, “I would estimate that there
are over 1,000 Model As in various running
stages in the Bismarck-Mandan area today.”
When asked why he is attracted to the
Model A, Reetz says, “They are beautifully
simplistic and dependable. Just about every
part is still available for them. I can drive a
Model A anywhere a modern vehicle will go,
just a bit slower! We have driven our Model
As as far as Winnipeg.”
In this era of uncertainty in the auto
world, one thing seems certain—there will
always be Model A Fords!
Mike LaLonde is a Bismarck area writer/photographer
and is admittedly car crazy!
May 2009 39

| YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY!
Pictured in front: Dr. Dixie Bachmeier
Pictured in back: Dr. Eve Kostelecky
& Dr. Elizabeth Jones
“ There's a lot
to be said about
young docs who are
hungry to help their
patients get better,
but the only word
that comes to mind
is "thanks!" ”
Three
Young Docs
By Nicole Morrison-Mathern
Once upon a time there was a young woman (30ish)
who suffered from severe daily chronic headaches
and optical migraines. She saw numerous doctors
(20+) all the way from Western N.D. to Rochester,
Minn., and she tried a variety of different medications (nearly
40 including an occipital nerve block), along with various nontraditional
methods of medicine. She spent thousands of dollars
to find an answer, but to no avail. Nothing worked.
For two years and eight months, the headaches plagued her
life twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Then, within a
month’s period of time, three miraculous young doctors came
into her world and brought her back to the land of the living.
The first young doctor was Dr. Elizabeth Jones (age 26) from
40 thecitymag.com

Jones Physical Therapy, a member of the
Synergy Health Group in Bismarck. Jones
specializes in women’s physical therapy using
unique and highly effective treatment methods.
What Jones discovered was that this young
woman’s pelvic floor was totally out of whack
and spasming. This, in return, created a lack
of stability in the spine, and the problems
stemming from the pelvic floor moved their
way up the back to the shoulders, neck and
head.
This finding was the answer to why all of
the prior attempts at adjusting the neck and
shoulders didn’t work. Dr. Jones said, “Trying
to fix the neck and shoulders without first taking
care of the base of the problem is like trying
to build a house out of cards.”
The next young doc was Dr. Dixie
Bachmeier (26) of Bachmeier Chiropractic
located in Gold’s Gym, Bismarck. Bachmeier
introduced the Graston Technique, a relatively
new form of soft tissue mobilization that uses
specifically designed stainless steel instruments.
The instruments help Bachmeier identify
and break down the injured fibrotic tissue
areas and stretch the connective tissue and
muscle fibers. This technique, coupled with a
stretching and strengthening program, teams
up to be a winning combination for the patient
and can relieve years of injury build-up.
The last young doctor to enter the picture
and cap off the treatment process for the suffering
young woman was Dr. Eve Kostelecky
(27) from Eyes on Parkway, Bismarck.
During the woman’s yearly eye exam,
Kostelecky noticed she was having a hard
time adjusting her eyesight from close-up to
distance. Due to her extensive computer work
and reading habits, the strain was starting to
take a toll on her eyes. So Kostelecky recommended
she get reading glasses.
This may seem like a very minor modification,
but the results were major. Not only did
the inexpensive pair of reading glasses make
a difference on the strain relief of the young
woman’s eyes; it also reacted like a cheap shot of
BOTOX by nearly eliminating her frown lines.
There’s a lot to be said about young docs
who are hungry to help their patients get better,
but the only word that comes to mind is
“thanks!” Now the young woman can live
“headache free ever after.”
May 2009 41

| SPORTS WATCH
May 1
Women’s College Softball – DAC Tournament,
Dickinson, TBA (MT)
Boys High School Baseball – BHS vs. Beulah,
Municipal, 4:30 p.m.; Century vs. Dickinson,
Municipal, 4:30 p.m.; TMCHS at Mandan,
4:30 p.m.
Girls High School Tennis – BHS vs. Williston,
Tom O’Leary, 4:15 p.m.
May 2
Men’s College Baseball– U-Mary vs. SW
Minnesota, Municipal, 1 p.m.; DAC
Tournament, Dickinson, TBA (MT)
Boys High School Baseball – TMCHS at
Dickinson, 2 p.m. (MT)
Girls High School Tennis – CHS vs. Williston,
Sertoma, 10 a.m.; St. Mary’s at Mandan,
11 a.m.; Minot Ryan at Dickinson, 12 p.m.
(MT)
Boys Varsity Track & Field – MAR Invitational,
Mandan, 11 a.m.
May 3
Men’s College Baseball– U-Mary vs. SW
Minnesota, Municipal, 12 p.m.; BSC vs.
Williston, Mandan, 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
May 4
Boys High School Baseball – BHS vs. Minot,
Municipal, 4:30 p.m.
Girls High School Soccer –Minot vs. St. Mary’s,
Community Bowl, 8 p.m.
May 5
Girls High School Soccer –Century vs. Mandan,
Community Bowl, 8 p.m.
Girls High School Tennis – BHS vs. Jamestown,
Tom O’Leary, 4:15 p.m.; CHS at Mandan,
4:15 p.m.; Minot at Dickinson, 3 p.m. (MT)
Girls High School Softball – Bismarck vs.
Dickinson, TBA
May 7
Boys High School Baseball – Mandan at
Dickinson, 5:30 p.m. (MT)
Girls High School Soccer – St. Mary’s at
Mandan, 6:30 p.m.; BHS vs. Century,
Community Bowl, 8 p.m.
Girls High School Tennis – BHS vs. Dickinson,
Tom O’Leary, 4:15 p.m.; CHS vs. St. Mary’s,
Sertoma, 4:15 p.m.
WANT TO KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE ACTION-
PACKED WORLD OF SPORTS?
Tune in to kfYR 550AM and
ESPN Radio 710AM for play-by-play
action and updates. Just remember....
don’t throw the radio!
42 thecitymag.com

May 8
Men’s College Baseball– I JCAA Region XIII Tourney, Mandan,
TBA
May 9
Girls High School Track & Field – Mandan Kiwanis, Mandan, 11 a.m.
May 11
Boys High School Baseball – Century vs. Minot, Municipal, 4:30
p.m.; St. Mary’s at Mandan, 4:30 p.m.
Girls High School Track & Field – Last Chance, Mandan, 2 p.m.
May 12
Boys High School Baseball – BHS at Mandan, 4:30 p.m.
Girls High School Tennis – BHS vs. Century, Sertoma, 4:15 p.m.
Boys & Girls High School Track & Field – Bismarck All City,
Community Bowl, 4:15 p.m.; THS Last Chance at Dickinson,
3 p.m. (MT)
May 14
Northern Plains Dance – Alice in Wonderland, Belle Mehus
Auditorium, 7 p.m.
Boys High School Baseball – BHS at Dickinson, 5:30 p.m.
Girls High School Soccer – BHS vs. St. Mary’s, Community Bowl,
8 p.m.
Girls High School Tennis – West Region at Bismarck, TBA
Boys High School Golf – Mandan Invitational (Prairie West), 11 a.m.
May 15
Boys High School Baseball – BHS vs. St. Mary’s, Municipal, TBA
Girls High School Tennis – West Region at Bismarck, TBA
May 16
Girls High School Tennis – West Region at Bismarck, TBA
Boys & Girls High School Track & Field – Regional, Community
Bowl, 2 p.m.
May 19
Girls High School Soccer – CHS vs. St. Mary’s, Community Bowl,
8 p.m.; Jamestown at Mandan, 7 p.m.
Girls High School Softball – Bismarck vs. Dickinson, Clem
Kelley, TBA
May 21
Boys High School Baseball – West Region in Mandan, TBA
May 22
Boys High School Baseball – West Region in Mandan, TBA
Boys & Girls High School Track & Field – State, Community
Bowl, TBA
Girls High School Softball – Bismarck Fastpitch Invitational,
Clem Kelley, TBA
May 23
Boys High School Baseball – West Region in Mandan, TBA
Boys & Girls High School Track & Field – State, Community
Bowl, TBA
Girls High School Softball – Bismarck Fastpitch Invitational,
Clem Kelley, TBA
To obtain tickets to “Alice in Wonderland” by the Northern Plains
Dance Academy, call 701.530.0986, come by the studio at 1125 E
Main Ave or e-mail dance@northernplainsdance.org.
May 2009 43

Upin �ai Restaurant:
Spicing Up Dickinson, North Dakota
What do you get when you
blend sweet, sour, bitter and
spicy? Thai food of course!
Upin Thai restaurant has
been serving the Dickinson community
authentic, affordable Thai cuisine since
2007.
This charming, family-owned business
is famous among locals who are more than
willing to have their taste buds tantalized
by the unique blend of flavors that make up
Thai food.
Owner Buapin Burns, who has lived in
By Deanna Voutsas
America for over 30 years, prides herself in
preparing only the freshest Thai food. All
of the mouth-watering recipes on her menu
are prepared from scratch. She hand makes
everything from the egg rolls to her famous
hot and sweet orange sauce.
She even grows many of her own herbs,
including lemongrass, Thai basil and red
chili peppers. She uses lean meats and fresh
produce in abundance to prepare meals that
are not only delicious, but healthy, too.
Two of the best-selling items on the
menu include the beef, chicken, pork or
44 thecitymag.com

shrimp curry served with rice and the Pad Thai Noodle.
The egg rolls are a big hit with the customers, as well.
As Burns says, “Everything on my menu is popular. The
customers love everything.”
Her big success could have something to do with the
methods she uses to prepare this rich flavorful cuisine. The
owner was kind enough to share a few tips for success with
us.
First, the spices in each dish must blend in perfect
harmony if the dish is to be considered authentic. Second,
fresh is best. Quality food must be prepared with quality
ingredients.
Burns still recalls going to the market when she lived
in Thailand. “I would go to the market every morning in
order to make sure I was using only the finest ingredients
in the dishes I cooked at home.” It is important to her to
prepare the same high-quality meals for her customers
here in Dickinson.
So, next time you’re in Dickinson, make sure you stop
by Upin Thai for some food that is sure to send your taste
buds into overdrive. The intriguing sweet, sour, bitter and
spicy taste combinations will certainly bring you back for
more.
May 2009 45

Young Entrepreneur
Success Story
Award
Val and Tara Craigo
SPS Worldwide
53 East Main Street
Beach, N.D.
701-872-1100
“Packing For Home”
After spending four years in Portland pursuing
their educations, former high school sweethearts
Tara and Val Craigo were determined
to move back to their hometown of Beach,
N.D. The challenge was not only discovering
what kinds of services were needed in Beach,
but developing a business plan to meet those
needs that would also provide a sufficient
income to the young couple. Last December,
the Craigos found their answer and opened
SPS Worldwide, a shipping/packaging business
and online consignment shop.
Tell us about SPS Worldwide.
SPS stands for, “sell, package, ship.” We offer
UPS pick up, packing and shipping supplies,
and we sell items online via eBay or local
online classifieds. For the online auction items,
customers can send us photos, or we will
take the photos here. We then list the items,
answer any inquiries and, if the item sells,
package and ship it.
By City Magazine Staff
Young Entrepreneur Success Story
RECOGNIZING ENTREPRENEURS UNDER 30 WHO ARE CULTIVATING
THE SPIRIT OF INNOVATION IN NORTH DAKOTA
What is it about your business that you
are most proud of?
We hear so many positive comments that the
people in our community are happy to have us
back. We are proud that we are a part of helping
our community grow and become a better
place to live.
Did you have any early doubts or challenges
that may have stopped you?
Having doubts is always part of starting something
new. The down economy is something
of a challenge, yet we are finding that a lot of
people are still selling and buying online.
Is there an interesting story that you can
share?
Every week our customers bring in interesting
stuff for us to sell. A favorite part of our job is
when our customers tell us the story behind
the items they bring in. Recently, an 80-year-
46 thecitymag.com

old lady brought in a kerosene lamp to sell.
She told us that her mother had used the lamp
to heat up her curling iron. We are finding out
so much about the people of our community,
especially the older residents.
What keeps your company on the leading
edge?
Our experience and entrepreneurial mindset.
Val has been selling online since eBay started.
He knows classic cars very well, and he
started buying classic cars and car parts locally
and selling them online several years ago.
These parts are worth much, much more in
places like Calif. and Fla. and, really, worldwide.
For example, we just shipped some
taillights to Sweden.
What advice would you give to other
young entrepreneurs?
Make a plan and stick to it. Be responsible
with your money and your credit. If you are
moving to a small town, make certain that it
is the lifestyle that you want.
Where do you see your company in the
future?
We would like to expand our shipping options
and diversify our selling platforms. We will listen
to our customers and adapt to their needs.
About the Y.E.S.S. Awards
City Magazine and Dickinson State University’s
Strom Center for Entrepreneurship and
Innovation’s Young Entrepreneur Success Story
(Y.E.S.S.) Award winner will be announced each
issue. We will profile individuals who personify the
entrepreneurial spirit of our state and offer advice
to others facing similar challenges as our featured
entrepreneur. Experts tell us there is a strong
correlation between innovation, entrepreneurial
activity and a region’s economic vitality. Creative
young adults are key to N.D.'s economic future.
If you know of an entrepreneur under 30 who is
making a difference, we invite your nominations.
Email us at City Magazine (thecitymagazine@
unitedprinting.com), or call us at 701-223-0505.
Our Advice:
We asked Ray Ann Kilen, Small Business Development
Center regional director, to offer some advice
for young entrepreneurs wishing to stay in or return
to N.D.
Visit with community leaders to discover if there is a
known need in the community. For assistance with
general business needs, such as business registration,
business planning, marketing and identifying local
sources of funds, the Small Business Development
Centers (www.ndsbdc.org) are available to help.
There is always a risk with starting a new business
and, in this uncertain economic time, the risk appears
higher. In N.D. we are a bit stronger than the rest of
the nation, giving some confidence to our entrepreneurs.
Banks are more conservative in their lending packages;
however, loan partner guarantee programs
through the SBA are charging lower rates and fees
to stimulate business lending. The Bank of North Dakota’s
Beginning Entrepreneur’s loan program continues
to be a good start-up lending partner for N.D.’s
entrepreneurs.
May 2009 47

MAGAZINE
P.O. Box 936
Bismarck, ND 58502-0936
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