The Good Life – March-April 2023
On the cover – West Fargo Fire Department's K-9 Mika. Beginning Birding, Trains, Valley Vintage Car Club, Dad Life and more!
On the cover – West Fargo Fire Department's K-9 Mika. Beginning Birding, Trains, Valley Vintage Car Club, Dad Life and more!
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DAD LIFE<br />
WRITTEN BY: PAUL HANKEL<br />
A<br />
As a father, there are many important lessons<br />
I want to teach my son. From how to safely handle<br />
a firearm to the importance of honesty, the list is<br />
endless. But perhaps one of the most important<br />
lessons I want to impart to my growing offspring is<br />
how to be a true gentleman.<br />
Now, I know what you might be thinking. "But wait,"<br />
you say, "isn't being a gentleman just about holding<br />
doors open and saying 'please' and 'thank you'? And<br />
isn't that something that kids learn in kindergarten?”<br />
Well, my son, you would be wrong. Being a gentleman<br />
is so much more than that. It's about respect, empathy,<br />
and kindness. It's about being the kind of person that<br />
others want to be around. But where to begin?<br />
Look smart, act smart.<br />
Well, first things first: Look and act the part. Does<br />
this mean you have to wear a three-piece suit every<br />
day and speak with a British accent? No. But it means<br />
being presentable in the correct circumstances and<br />
taking pride in not only your appearance but also in<br />
how the world will view you.<br />
Making the correct choices is a life-long struggle<br />
for every man. It’s best to start learning how to do it<br />
early on. I hope to instill a moral compass within you<br />
that will help you to make decisions that are wellthought-out,<br />
don’t harm others, and are beneficial to<br />
your growth as a young man.<br />
Manners make the (young) man.<br />
Next up: manners. Yes, I know that "please" and<br />
"thank you" are basic words that you've been saying<br />
since you were old enough to speak. But they're also<br />
incredibly important.<br />
Eye contact is also super important. When friends<br />
or adults are speaking to you, it’s important that you<br />
let them know you’re listening by engaging in eye<br />
contact.<br />
R-e-s-p-e-c-t.<br />
Now, let's talk about respect. I know that you're only<br />
eleven, but it's never too early to start treating others<br />
the way you want to be treated. That means not<br />
bullying others and remaining humble in victory and<br />
resilient in defeat.<br />
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Also, one of the key characteristics of a gentleman<br />
is the way he treats women. I hope to teach you<br />
to respect and value women, and to always treat<br />
them with kindness and consideration.<br />
Sportsmanship.<br />
Being a good sport is a crucial part of being a<br />
gentleman. It's important that I teach you that it's<br />
not about always winning or losing, a lot of times<br />
it’s about having fun and being a good sport. This is<br />
especially true during your younger years.<br />
You can play a game where you make up your own<br />
rules and see who can follow them the best, or you<br />
can make a competition out of it and see who can<br />
be the best sport.<br />
Self-confidence is key.<br />
As I mentioned above, it’s not always about<br />
winning. However, I do expect you to try your<br />
hardest and to have a winning attitude. That effort<br />
begins with having the self-confidence that you can<br />
achieve most of the things you put your mind to.<br />
A gentleman is comfortable in his own skin and<br />
is confident in his abilities. I plan to help you<br />
develop a healthy sense of self-esteem by praising<br />
accomplishments and encouraging you to try new<br />
things.<br />
Kindness goes a long way.<br />
And finally, let's talk about kindness. Being a<br />
gentleman is not just about being polite and<br />
respectful. It's also about being there for others.<br />
So, if you see someone who's sad or lonely, take<br />
the time to talk to them. It costs exactly ZERO<br />
dollars to be kind to someone. Offer a smile or<br />
a kind word. It might not seem like much, but it<br />
can make all the difference in the world. Empathy<br />
and the ability to see thing’s from another person’s<br />
perspective are important life skills that will help<br />
you in your personal and professional life.<br />
Now, I know that these lessons might seem like a<br />
lot to take in. But trust me, it's worth it. Because<br />
when you're a true gentleman, it will radiate to<br />
those around you, and draw people to you.<br />
So, my son, I challenge you to take these lessons to<br />
heart. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be the<br />
one teaching your own son how to be a gentleman.<br />
But for now, let's just focus on bathing regularly<br />
and limiting the backtalk. Deal? •<br />
urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 3
CONTENTS<br />
MARCH-APRIL <strong>2023</strong><br />
VOLUME 10 ★ ISSUE 5<br />
2<br />
6<br />
10<br />
DAD LIFE<br />
RAISING A GENTLEMAN...<br />
OR MY ATTEMPTS TO, AT LEAST<br />
One of the most important lessons I want<br />
to impart to my growing offspring is how<br />
to be a true gentleman.<br />
BEGINNING BIRDING<br />
Getting started in birding, and where to<br />
see birds <strong>–</strong> especially during the spring<br />
migration.<br />
HAVING A BEER WITH<br />
TYLER AXNESS<br />
Politician turned radio host, Tyler Axness<br />
opens up about Looney Tunes, Tucker<br />
Carlson vs. Sean Hannity, his best on-air<br />
gaffe and PBS’ most famous pot smoker.<br />
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14<br />
18<br />
24<br />
28<br />
30<br />
YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD<br />
TRAIN GUY<br />
Jerry Lenssen is a local treasure deserving<br />
of his 15 minutes.<br />
ON THE COVER - K9 MIKA<br />
West Fargo’s finest firefighter has four<br />
paws, a tail, and a crime-fighting snout.<br />
VALLEY VINTAGE CAR CLUB<br />
Whether you collect classic cars or admire<br />
them, this club will welcome you with<br />
open arms.<br />
HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER<br />
Find your new best friend! <strong>The</strong>se cats and<br />
dogs are waiting for their forever homes.<br />
LOCAL HERO - CHRIS DEERY<br />
Fighting the war at home. Local veteran<br />
advocates for those in need.
<strong>The</strong><br />
GOODLIFE<br />
MEN’S MAGAZINE<br />
PUBLISHED BY<br />
Urban Toad Media LLP<br />
www.urbantoadmedia.com<br />
OWNER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER<br />
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dawn@urbantoadmedia.com<br />
OWNER / PHOTOGRAPHER<br />
Darren Losee<br />
darren@urbantoadmedia.com<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS<br />
Paul Hankel<br />
Ben Hanson<br />
Jeffrey Miller<br />
Krissy Ness<br />
Hillary Sorenson<br />
Emma Vatnsdal<br />
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES<br />
Darren Losee<br />
darren@urbantoadmedia.com<br />
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urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 5
Beginning<br />
Birding<br />
WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY MILLER<br />
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<strong>The</strong> afternoon sun slanted through the autumn foliage,<br />
dappling the forest floor. With nary a breath of wind,<br />
I caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of my<br />
eye. Focusing my binoculars in the general area, I was<br />
shocked to see a pair of pileated woodpeckers. While I<br />
have often seen individuals of the duck-sized bird, it was<br />
my first encounter with a male and female pair. <strong>The</strong> next<br />
ten minutes were spent observing the pair, bowhunting<br />
deer forgotten.<br />
Birding, or the act of going into habitats and looking for<br />
bird species, is incredibly popular across the country.<br />
While numbers are difficult to estimate, as unlike hunting<br />
or fishing, birding doesn’t require a state-issued license.,<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are no doubt millions of Americans that head afield<br />
each year to participate in the activity.<br />
Gear:<br />
Happily, birding requires very little gear. My good friend,<br />
Dr. Mike Bush, is a lifelong birder. When I asked him what<br />
he recommends for a birding first timer, he said, “No<br />
question, the most important piece of the birder’s kit is<br />
a pair of quality binoculars.” <strong>The</strong> best way to purchase<br />
binoculars is to visit local sporting goods stores and<br />
trying out various models. Binoculars vary widely in price,<br />
and what works great for one person may not appear as<br />
clear or user friendly to another. Look through many in<br />
the price range decided upon before making a purchase.<br />
Binoculars are a tool that will last a lifetime.<br />
After obtaining binoculars, the next item to obtain is bird<br />
identification guides. Bush recommends either the Sibley<br />
or National Geographic guides as well as the Audubon<br />
urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 7
and Merlin apps. “<strong>The</strong> apps are pretty incredible; they can<br />
identify birds by photos or sounds.” I’ve used the Merlin<br />
app many times in the field when I hear a bird but can’t<br />
see it. Like any app or computer program, they aren’t<br />
infallible but are of value to beginning birders or birders<br />
in unfamiliar areas. I used mine extensively last summer<br />
on a trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota.<br />
Clothing is important when trying to view undisturbed<br />
birds. While camouflage isn’t necessary, drab Earth tones<br />
are helpful. Birds can see color, and bright clothing will<br />
spook many species. Comfortable, quiet clothing, matched<br />
to the season, is important.<br />
Many birders combine photography with watching. While<br />
I dabble in photography, I don’t have the skill or knowledge<br />
to recommend camera gear. Internet birding forums are a<br />
great place to learn about the art of photography.<br />
One interesting twist on photography is using camera<br />
traps, also known as game cameras. Attached to a tree or<br />
post, the camera is triggered by movement that occurs in<br />
front of it. Placed on suet, bird feeders or animal remains,<br />
camera traps can catch some truly remarkable bird<br />
images. When using camera traps, however, landowner<br />
permission must be obtained, and using them on public<br />
lands is not recommended.<br />
Seasons and Locations:<br />
Our beginning birder is now outfitted in the right clothes<br />
and carrying a high-quality pair of binoculars. All is for<br />
naught, however, if they don’t know where to find birds.<br />
<strong>The</strong> timing of the season is of great importance to bird<br />
species. Many of them migrate through our area, appearing<br />
during the spring and fall on their way to summering and<br />
wintering grounds. Some species stay all year, adapted<br />
to our hot summers and cold winters. <strong>The</strong> birder should<br />
understand the seasonal shifts, as that knowledge will<br />
help to find birds.<br />
Spring and fall migration are peak times to see the widest<br />
assortment of birds. A myriad of ducks, geese and swans,<br />
collectively known as waterfowl, are winging north to their<br />
8 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
nesting grounds. <strong>The</strong> migration is a grand spectacle,<br />
filling the air with the calls and cries of avian creatures.<br />
Songbirds like Lapland Longspurs and Horned Larks<br />
come through early in the spring, with sparrows,<br />
warblers, vireos, thrushes, and flycatchers appearing<br />
later in the spring. <strong>The</strong>re is also a large uptick in raptors<br />
such as hawks, falcons, and owls.<br />
Summertime birds include a variety of sparrows, pipits,<br />
buntings, and phoebes. Around water, ducks and geese<br />
are raising young along with shorebirds like Common<br />
Snipe, Grebes, and Coots. One of my favorite species,<br />
the Belted Kingfisher, can be seen hunting for fish along<br />
rivers and lakes.<br />
During the fall the cycle repeats, with many of the same<br />
birds heading south. Winter is a sparse time for local<br />
birds. Around bird feeders Black Capped Chickadees,<br />
Dark-Eyed Juncos, Cardinals and Blue Jays flit and fight,<br />
and in open country Snow Buntings, American Crows,<br />
Bald Eagles, and the occasional Snowy Owl patrol the<br />
land.<br />
Species adapted to woodland habitats can be found<br />
in riparian areas along rivers and lakes, while prairie<br />
species seek out wide-open spaces to make their home.<br />
Where to Start:<br />
Fargo/Moorhead has many acres of public lands to spot<br />
birds. Any of Fargo or Moorhead’s less developed parks<br />
hold a tremendous abundance of birds, as well as the<br />
area south of Fargo in the Orchard Glen and Forest River<br />
area. Native grasses and forests swarm with beautiful<br />
creatures all over the metro area.<br />
Local Organizations:<br />
Joining Audubon Dakota is a great first step to learning<br />
the nuances of birding. A local chapter of the Audubon<br />
Society, Audubon Dakota works to preserve and improve<br />
habitats for birds and other wildlife. Many members<br />
are hard-core birders and are happy to share their<br />
knowledge. Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited,<br />
while thought of as only a hunter’s organization, are<br />
also committed to wildlife habitat preservation, and<br />
include those interested in birding as well. All across the<br />
globe, habitat is the key to maintaining healthy wildlife<br />
populations for now and for the future. •<br />
urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 9
HAVING A BEER WITH | TYLER AXNESS<br />
WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON<br />
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA<br />
Thanks to the stomach flu running rampant throughout my house, I needed to postpone my date with<br />
KFGO’s Tyler Axness. I had a lot of bleaching to do, for one, and I figured emergency sprints to the<br />
bathroom might hamper his on-air routine. Axness was graciously accommodating to my last-minute<br />
schedule change, which I suppose comes with the territory — he just crossed the five-year mark of<br />
hosting his daily radio show, Afternoons Live.<br />
A week after recovering from the plague, I met Tyler at Drekker’s Brewhalla, which by the time this story<br />
goes to print will likely have celebrated its post-remodel/expansion grand reopening. After exchanging<br />
typical introductions and handshakes (yes, we still shake hands in the Midwest, covid be damned),<br />
Axness immediately went to the bar to order a beer… and I immediately knew this would be a fine<br />
interview. And so it was.<br />
How’d you end up on the radio?<br />
I was out in the state senate doing my thing there, and once the first session got done, Mike McFeely<br />
— who had the afternoon spot back then — asked if I would guest host. I filled in and that day the<br />
Casselton train derailment disaster happened. It was my first day ever hosting, and I guess I showed I<br />
could do the job. So I guest-hosted a few more times over the years, and when Mike moved back to the<br />
Forum, they [KFGO] called and asked if I'd consider doing the job full time.<br />
What’s a typical day look like for you now that you’ve been on air for five years?<br />
Now I’m full time 8-5. I do prep work during the day, talking to people who know what’s going on to get<br />
the pulse of what people are talking about. <strong>The</strong> unwritten rule is one hour on air takes two hours of prep,<br />
so beyond office work, I’m also out at events, meeting people… it’s kind of like an ongoing campaign.<br />
10 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 11
HAVING A BEER WITH | TYLER AXNESS<br />
Any interest in getting back into politics one day?<br />
A lot of things would have to change. Politicians today<br />
seem more interested in wanting to become a celebrity.<br />
We need to get back to priorities like funding things and<br />
making things better for people. <strong>The</strong> mentality now is “I<br />
want my team to win at all costs,” and until you get away<br />
from that, you won't see good people run again. And that’s<br />
a bad spot for all of us to be in.<br />
What was the strangest political interaction you’ve ever<br />
had?<br />
Door knocking led to interesting moments! <strong>The</strong>re was one<br />
time this couple came together to the door wearing just<br />
bathrobes, and I think they were able to put together what<br />
was going through my mind. It was a brief conversation!<br />
Who would win in a celebrity death match, Tucker Carlson<br />
or Sean Hannity? Importantly, the ghost of Rush Limbaugh<br />
is the referee…<br />
Well, there’s always bias there if you got Rush involved.<br />
Tucker may be more nimble, easier to get around, but<br />
Sean is going to be one of those immovable objects and<br />
come off that turnbuckle with a nasty clothesline. I think<br />
Hannity has the advantage in this one.<br />
What’s something you got in trouble for as a kid that you<br />
would totally get away with now that you’re an adult?<br />
This… what we're doing right now. Sitting in a dimly lit place<br />
and consuming a cold beverage just shooting the breeze.<br />
Also, indoor water gun fights. My parents weren't fans. I<br />
also grew up less than an hour away from Canada, so we<br />
made a few trips up there. I once went through the border<br />
and the security guy asked if I planned to leave anything<br />
behind… I said, “maybe a few golf balls.”He immediately<br />
said, “OK, pull ahead to the left, get out of your car.” Don’t<br />
joke around at the border!<br />
How long does it take you to pack for vacation compared<br />
to your significant other?<br />
Oh God, it’s a whole day for her! We both over pack, but<br />
I’m of the throw stuff in and I’ll make it work mantra. If<br />
it’s an event for work, you gotta have brand new clothes in<br />
her opinion, which means shopping…. It’s a whole day-plus<br />
affair for her to pack.<br />
What was your favorite cartoon growing up, and what<br />
cereal were you eating when you watched it?<br />
Fruity Pebbles for sure. I grew up with two older brothers,<br />
so I got into watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,<br />
Transformers, and of course good old fashioned Looney<br />
12 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
Tunes. Tom and Jerry is classic.<br />
Pinky and Brain was a great<br />
show. Same with Animaniacs.<br />
What’s the dumbest thing you’ve<br />
ever said on air?<br />
Well I don’t enunciate all that<br />
well sometimes, so just listen<br />
daily 2-5 and you can pick. But<br />
one time I was at the Legion up<br />
in Harwood, and they had music<br />
videos playing, which you’re<br />
going to watch if you’re there.<br />
So Ronnie Milsap is on and<br />
playing, and I said he looked like<br />
a cross between Elton John and<br />
Ray Charles, as he was doing<br />
the sway, with the sunglasses<br />
and whatnot. And people had to<br />
tell me that Ronnie Milsap was<br />
blind. I got roasted by listeners.<br />
If you hosted a radio show when<br />
you were 12, what would the<br />
show be about?<br />
<strong>Life</strong> was so much more simple<br />
back then. Again, small town<br />
life, you’re out hunting, driving<br />
around, all the ins and outs of<br />
how to get away with stuff. And<br />
of course WWF wrestling! <strong>The</strong><br />
Tuesday shows would be lit<br />
with what happened Monday<br />
night. That would've been the<br />
cornerstone of the show at 12.<br />
Were you stunned to learn that<br />
PBS’ favorite travel guide Rick<br />
Steves is a total pothead?<br />
Yes, absolutely! This is the travel<br />
guy who's advocating legalizing it<br />
everywhere. He was a pretty good<br />
spokesman for why legalization<br />
should be everywhere. His<br />
travels really showed him where<br />
legalization really is beneficial to<br />
society. He was so educational, it<br />
made you want to donate to PBS.<br />
What does the good life mean to<br />
you?<br />
<strong>The</strong> good life to me is being able<br />
to find your passion and do it for<br />
a living. Doesn't feel like work<br />
then. Being able to celebrate and<br />
spend time with family and close<br />
friends. And being comfortable<br />
and able to do what we want<br />
when we want, together. •<br />
urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 13
14 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
Your Friendly<br />
Neighborhood<br />
Train Guy<br />
Jerry Lenssen is a local treasure<br />
deserving of his 15 minutes<br />
WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON<br />
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA<br />
In a quiet corner of south Moorhead, a lifelong<br />
devotion hides in a modest two-story with a<br />
single stall garage, the locomotive-shaped<br />
mailbox the only clue to the historic fun inside.<br />
I ended up at Jerry Lenssen’s house because<br />
tucked away in storage for nearly half a century,<br />
a dusty box of mismatched model trains that<br />
belonged to my father-in-law waited for a second<br />
life. <strong>The</strong> problem was nobody in my family had<br />
the first clue what to do. So off my wife went<br />
with her father’s toys to the now-closed Hobby<br />
Hut for a consultation.<br />
“Oh, you’re going to want to go see Jerry,” the<br />
owner told her, a referral he’d repeated going<br />
on thirty years.<br />
Three hours later my wife returned emptyhanded,<br />
but with a story to share. “It’s a<br />
museum,” she recalled, as she went into details<br />
about Jerry “<strong>The</strong> Train Guy.” I heard a tale of<br />
wall-to-wall model trains, an office stocked with<br />
parts, and of a man devoted to his passion.<br />
Sounds like a story, I thought to myself,<br />
imagining a Wonka-esque character barricaded<br />
inside a funhouse of his own making.<br />
A Family Tradition<br />
I missed it at first. <strong>The</strong> train mailbox didn’t<br />
catch my eye until I walked back to my truck in<br />
a daze of childhood wonder at what I had just<br />
seen.<br />
urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 15
Jerry was excited to welcome me in, opening the side<br />
garage door before I even had the chance to knock. He<br />
was dressed in a plain red sweatshirt outlining his Kris<br />
Kringle figure…and jolly, kind-hearted demeanor. I was<br />
about to enter his workshop, but not before a quick tour of<br />
the garage that housed his vintage cars… which he drives.<br />
<strong>The</strong> past is everywhere you look at Jerry’s. It’s alive. It’s<br />
being used, tinkered with, restored and enjoyed.<br />
Growing up on a farm near Litchville, N.D., trains were<br />
always a part of his life — the Northern Pacific passenger<br />
train rumbled through the family land up until the mid<br />
sixties. Before the line was decommissioned, his father<br />
bought tickets for a single ride to the next town over just<br />
to give his kids the thrill.<br />
His first model train, an American Flyer given to him<br />
by his father, still sits in his collection. He recalled days<br />
playing up in the top floor of the farmhouse, piecing<br />
together different displays, each with its own story. In the<br />
winter, the trains would sit idle until the weather turned<br />
warm enough to go back up.<br />
For Jerry, it’s the hands-on piece that is the most valuable.<br />
He returned to a familiar mantra throughout our visit,<br />
explaining how model trains get kids into a real craft that<br />
involves working with their hands and minds.<br />
“It’s a good hobby for the kids,” Jerry said calmly. “All<br />
they do is look at their screens these days, but this gets<br />
their hands on something… something that isn’t quite as<br />
stressful.”<br />
Always a Bucket List Item<br />
With his affable personality, constant smile and gentle<br />
confidence, Jerry’s longtime career as a traveling<br />
salesman came as no surprise. He worked for <strong>Good</strong>year<br />
for seventeen years, driving across the region selling tires.<br />
For another seventeen years, he “ran tow truck” for Bud’s<br />
Amoco.<br />
“As soon as our son graduated from high school,” Jerry<br />
recalled, “my wife and I started a business cleaning office<br />
buildings in the evenings to help pay for college.”<br />
Still a doting father, Jerry speaks of his son more glowingly<br />
than any of his passions. But he does give credit to model<br />
trains for teaching his son focus and discipline.<br />
“It’s a very good hobby for kids,” Jerry reiterated, “as it<br />
keeps them out of trouble. My son always had something<br />
to do. Run trains for a little bit, go study, come back to the<br />
trains. <strong>The</strong>y also learn the value of money when you go to<br />
shows. <strong>The</strong>y learn to scout and decide what’s worth what.”<br />
As Jerry dug out a box of photographs to show off the<br />
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trains he and his son worked on together, I wondered<br />
what, if anything, he felt was missing from his collection,<br />
which dates back to 1926.<br />
“Oh yeah, there’s always something left on my bucket list,”<br />
Jerry chuckled. “<strong>The</strong>re’s always an American Flyer car,<br />
some that are very expensive.”<br />
He paused to pull out his phone from his shirt pocket.<br />
“This is an American Flyer Northwestern Reefer car going<br />
for $3,200,” he said, handing me his phone. “I could've<br />
bought that car in Kansas City for $1,200 and I didn’t,<br />
even though I had the money in my pocket.”<br />
Yet during two hours I didn’t see a hint of regret in Jerry’s<br />
eyes. He maintains the enthusiasm of a toddler, especially<br />
when it comes to introducing his favorite hobby to the<br />
next generation.<br />
“Every kid that comes to my booth,” Jerry said, “I send<br />
them home with a free car. And I let them pick. <strong>The</strong> last<br />
show I probably handed out 100 cars. I like to send them<br />
home with a start, ya know?”<br />
A drop in the bucket for Jerry “<strong>The</strong> Train Guy,” and his<br />
answer to what the good life means to him: sharing his<br />
passion.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> passion is still pretty strong,” he said. “It’s always<br />
something to do. With model trains, you can display them,<br />
you can fix them and you can run them. You’ve got three<br />
things to always do…it’s a great hobby.” •<br />
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ON THE COVER | K-9 MIKA<br />
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West Fargo’s finest firefighter has four paws,<br />
a tail, and a crime-fighting snout<br />
WRITTEN BY: HILLARY SORENSON<br />
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA<br />
Mika’s coffee-colored eyes looked lovingly at John Neeb,<br />
her K-9 handler of three years. <strong>The</strong> day had started like<br />
any other typical Monday. Eva, a German shepherd and<br />
Mika’s best friend, initiated a game of tag while John and<br />
his family completed the monotonous morning duties that<br />
plague most American families. Mika had been looking<br />
forward to easing into her Monday; maybe she would play<br />
a game of catch, or she and John would do some training,<br />
then John got the call. And Mika knew it was time to put<br />
her snout to work.<br />
From the outside, Mika is like any other black lab. Her<br />
energetic and playful demeanor brightens the darkest<br />
rooms, and her mere presence lights up the faces within<br />
the community of West Fargo. But Mika isn’t just a black<br />
lab who lazes around the firehouse hoping to catch<br />
glimpses from West Fargo’s finest. Mika is an arson pup,<br />
and she has a huge responsibility and purpose for the<br />
West Fargo Fire department.<br />
Who Are Mika and John Neeb?<br />
At the beginning of 2015, John was working in business<br />
administration but desired something more fulfilling than<br />
the typical nine-to-five, so he started volunteering at the<br />
West Fargo Fire Department. <strong>The</strong> end of 2017 into the<br />
beginning of 2018 marks a historical time for the West<br />
Fargo Fire Department as the department switched from<br />
a volunteer basis to a full-time entity. John is the first in the<br />
history of West Fargo Fire to be a full-time Fire Inspector<br />
and K-9 handler.<br />
urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 19
ON THE COVER | K-9 MIKA<br />
Mika, the five-year-old Labrador retriever hails from<br />
Michigan. Mika’s pawsome journey toward becoming<br />
an arson K-9, or Accelerant Detection Canine (ADC),<br />
began when the State Farm Arson Dog Program<br />
picked her up following a short stint as a seeingeye<br />
dog. Mika’s fun-loving and energetic personality<br />
didn’t quite fit the responsibilities of working with the<br />
disabled, and as with all canines in the program, she<br />
went from a disability assistant to a crime-fighting<br />
dog-O.<br />
“We were looking at ways to expand the department<br />
and have more options,” John said. “My boss, Dell<br />
Sprecher, started looking into programs that we could<br />
get involved in. We researched and talked to other<br />
departments and chose the State Farm Arson Dog<br />
Program. And we were put on a two-year waiting list.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> anticipation of Mika’s addition to the fire<br />
department concluded in August of 2020 when she<br />
finished and passed her 200-hour training that Maine<br />
Specialty Dogs developed and teaches. <strong>The</strong> fourweek<br />
training course is put on by the Maine Criminal<br />
Justice Academy in Gray, Maine. State Farm has been<br />
a sponsor of the program since 1993, and as of <strong>2023</strong>,<br />
the program has successfully trained 425 canines<br />
including Mika.<br />
A Day in <strong>The</strong> <strong>Life</strong> of Mika<br />
Just like most first responders, Mika and John don’t<br />
have a set schedule and are on-call 24 hours a day,<br />
seven days a week. “But if I could make a typical day,”<br />
John said. “We’d get up, and I’d let her outside to play<br />
with Eva. <strong>The</strong>n we’d go to work and do basics at the<br />
first opportunity, which is the easiest way for her to<br />
get fed.”<br />
“Basics” is where Mika seeks<br />
out a fuel-soaked cotton swab<br />
placed in an aluminum paint<br />
can among other empty cans.<br />
“I’d do one exercise maybe in<br />
the morning and then multiple<br />
exercises in the afternoon.”<br />
<strong>–</strong> John Neeb<br />
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<strong>The</strong> average dog’s nose is tens<br />
of thousands of times stronger<br />
than that of a human.<br />
Arson pups are food-reward canines, which means<br />
they have to perform an accelerant exercise in order<br />
to eat. “Basics” is where Mika seeks out a fuel-soaked<br />
cotton swab placed in an aluminum paint can among<br />
other empty cans. “I’d do one exercise maybe in the<br />
morning and then multiple exercises in the afternoon,”<br />
John said.<br />
Due to the type of activities and training Mika is<br />
required to achieve in order to consume her meals,<br />
she only eats from John’s hand and never a bowl. John<br />
said that some days Mika eats upwards of five cups<br />
of food a day depending on the number of exercises<br />
they’ve performed. “It keeps her mind and stomach<br />
out of sync so she is always prepared and willing to<br />
work because she doesn’t know how much food she’s<br />
going to get.”<br />
John also keeps Mika on a diligent exercise regime, and<br />
they typically go out walking four or five times a day.<br />
“And thanks to the West Fargo Police Department,” he<br />
said. “I have been able to put her on a K-9 treadmill as<br />
well.”<br />
When a working fire is called out, this is when Mika’s<br />
inherent abilities and learned skill set are put to the<br />
test. <strong>The</strong> average dog’s nose is tens of thousands of<br />
times stronger than that of a human. An ADC, like<br />
Mika, is trained to confirm or eliminate the possibility<br />
that an accelerant was located at the fire. If Mika sniffs<br />
out an accelerant, she will sit at the location, and John<br />
will mark it. Once Mika’s job is complete, it is up to the<br />
local jurisdiction’s fire investigator to pull the evidence<br />
and send it to a lab for testing. “<strong>The</strong>re are a lot of<br />
different variables when it comes to saying whether<br />
something is positive or not for an accelerant,” John<br />
said. “Mika is a very good arson K-9.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are just 100 ADCs in the US and Canada. Which<br />
means, John and Mika stay pretty busy, and they aren’t<br />
restricted to the West Fargo area. “We could get called<br />
out in the eastern half of North Dakota to the western<br />
half of Minnesota, and we have responded to 123 fires<br />
and 40 demonstrations,” John said. As part of Mika’s<br />
continuing education, she must respond to 50 fires<br />
and recertify annually.<br />
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ON THE COVER | K-9 MIKA<br />
Mika is also a great public educator and when she isn’t fighting<br />
crime or sniffing her way to snacks, she’s hanging out with the<br />
locals to teach about fire prevention. “October is fire prevention<br />
month, and every year we teach kindergarten through thirdgrade<br />
fire prevention,” John said. “She loves being the center of<br />
attention and being around kids.”<br />
At Home with <strong>The</strong> Dynamic Duo<br />
In spite of Mika’s incredible capabilities, when at home, Mika<br />
is an ordinary family pet who plays with the family’s other dog,<br />
protects John’s kids, and cuddles with his wife. “Anyone we are<br />
with loves her and she loves them back,” John said. “She does<br />
keep me pretty busy, but other than the amount of extra work at<br />
night or training, she hasn’t changed our family. But I do want to<br />
thank my wife for always supporting me.”<br />
As a working dog, Mika has a minimum working life of five years<br />
and a maximum of ten, and when she retires, she will either<br />
become a station dog or stay with John and his family furever.<br />
John said that once she retires he would love the opportunity<br />
to handle another K-9 because the experience has been an<br />
extremely positive one, and he credits that to the support of the<br />
community, city commissioner, fire marshal, fire chief, and his<br />
family.<br />
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“Mika and I are together 24/7,” John said. “She<br />
works with me, she comes home with me <strong>–</strong> we<br />
make a really good team.”<br />
“<strong>The</strong> <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Life</strong> for Mika means getting enough food<br />
and working enough fires. And also… her favorite<br />
thing of all is just playing with other dogs,” John<br />
said. “And for me, it means watching my kids grow<br />
up, maintaining the K-9 program, and just having<br />
a great family. And potentially getting another K-9<br />
when Mika retires. It’s really something special to<br />
have a K-9 with me 24/7.” •<br />
“<strong>The</strong> city and commission, fire<br />
chief, fire marshal <strong>–</strong> they’ve been<br />
wonderful supporting the K-9<br />
program. And they love having Mika<br />
around. When people walk through<br />
the door, they just immediately smile<br />
because of her.” <strong>–</strong> John Neeb<br />
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24 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com<br />
50 Years!
Vintage to Modern - Just Like <strong>The</strong>ir Members<br />
WRITTEN BY: KRISSY NESS<br />
Collecting has always been a beloved pastime; from vinyl<br />
records to baseball cards, there is something out there for<br />
everyone. However, one thing that the members of Valley<br />
Vintage Car Club have in common is collecting cars,<br />
motorized vehicles, and memorabilia, so much so that<br />
they have been a club for 50 years.<br />
"Fargo-Moorhead has had many car clubs over the years,<br />
they come, and they go, and generally, one of the problems<br />
is money," stated Stan Krogh, founding member.<br />
Another founding member, who has since passed away,<br />
Richard Dick (R.D.) Olsen came up with an idea. "We'll<br />
pay local dues, enjoy the fruits of our work, and we won't<br />
send money out of state to national clubs," shared Krogh.<br />
"We needed a name, so that night, we talked about it and<br />
decided to name it Valley Vintage Car Club; that name<br />
was chosen 50 years ago, and we're still going."<br />
While they aren’t the only car club in town, they have<br />
drawn in a lot of members over the years.<br />
Valley Vintage currently has 203 memberships, though<br />
not all reside in the Fargo-Moorhead area. What is great<br />
about a group this size is you get the opportunity to<br />
associate with people <strong>–</strong> young and old.<br />
"I joined the club 20 years ago; I found myself not mingling<br />
with anybody, just working all the time," said Roger<br />
Gunderson. "Now, my friends are all car guys, we're all<br />
different ages, and it is a lot of fun."<br />
<strong>The</strong> thing about Valley Vintage that grabbed my attention<br />
is how close everyone is to each other. "It's really a family<br />
club; children are welcome; we are a loose operating club<br />
on purpose," explained Krogh. "If we want to be miserable,<br />
we'll go back to work."<br />
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PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: JASON GEIR<br />
Jason Geir is the perfect example of one family joining the<br />
club and never leaving.<br />
"Technically, I have been a part of the club since I was<br />
a kid; my dad became a member back in the early 80s,"<br />
stated Geir, who has been a member for 20 years. "A few<br />
of us grew up together, going to these events, and some of<br />
us are still involved."<br />
When you join a club like Valley Vintage, you are in it for<br />
the long haul; lifelong friends have been made and kept<br />
through simply enjoying cars.<br />
"My biggest regret in life is that I didn't join earlier<br />
because I've met so many good people in the club. We all<br />
get along for the most part, even though we have different<br />
car choices," exclaimed Steve Lattimore. "We give each<br />
other a bad time sometimes, but that's half the fun."<br />
<strong>The</strong> car club is more than cruising around town or posting<br />
up at a car show for a weekend, although I must admit<br />
that sounds like a great time! Valley Vintage is about<br />
community, and the members make it a point to stay in<br />
contact. Every week they find a new activity to do together.<br />
Whether that is to take a garage tour of a fellow member<br />
looking at their cars and the memorabilia they have<br />
collected, monthly meetings, or even going on supper<br />
runs with their families.<br />
You may think, wow, this sounds great, but I don't own a<br />
classic car. Well, you're in luck; owning a collector car is<br />
not required to join this club. "Back when I joined the club,<br />
I did not have a collector car," said Lattimore. "People<br />
were so helpful trying to sell me theirs that I ended up<br />
getting a car like I had right after high school, in the 70s,"<br />
explained Lattimore.<br />
As long as you are interested in motors, you're in the club.<br />
Within the club, you will find classic cars, motorcycles,<br />
and even adult go-karts.<br />
Being their 50th anniversary, they plan to do something<br />
special to celebrate.<br />
"We usually have our banquet in the spring, but a lot of the<br />
guys are old and retired; they are snowbirds," said Geir.<br />
"So instead of doing a picnic this year, I proposed the idea<br />
of a 50th-anniversary party so the snowbirds can join us,<br />
and we can eat and visit and maybe tell some stories and,<br />
of course, have a car show."<br />
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One of the events they all enjoyed<br />
sharing with me was the award<br />
section. It is more of a roast than<br />
actual awards.<br />
"A lot of people would get awards<br />
for ridiculous things like the Rusty<br />
Wrench award, for those who<br />
haven't done any work on their car<br />
for a year," laughed Geir.<br />
"Sometimes we behave like a bunch<br />
of 12-year-olds," added Lattimore.<br />
I enjoyed talking with these<br />
guys, hearing stories about their<br />
friendship and the jokes they have<br />
played on one another, their most<br />
cherished cars, and what the club<br />
means to each one of them.<br />
<strong>The</strong> name Valley Vintage gives off<br />
a vibe that they are only interested<br />
in vintage cars, but that couldn't be<br />
further from the truth. "We have<br />
cars ranging from a 1904 Schacht<br />
to Stan's 2019 Corvette," explained<br />
Geir.<br />
As you can see, this club enjoys<br />
vintage cars and modern ones, too,<br />
by members young and old; age<br />
doesn't matter. What matters is the<br />
enjoyment you get from your hobby<br />
and those you can share it with.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> good life is having what you<br />
need and enjoying what you have.<br />
<strong>Good</strong> friends, family, a sense of<br />
adventure and a fondness for fun.<br />
In the case of us car collectors, it is<br />
the ability to relive our youth while<br />
celebrating the past,” exclaims<br />
Geir. •<br />
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FIND YOUR NEW<br />
BEST FRIEND<br />
!<br />
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: HOMEWARD ANIMAL SHELTER<br />
<strong>The</strong>se are just a few of the many faces in our care that are<br />
patiently waiting for their forever families to find them.<br />
We know there’s a match out there for all of them. And<br />
for all the rest of their friends at the shelter and in foster<br />
homes that aren’t pictured here on these pages. Maybe<br />
one has been waiting all this time to rescue YOU... Adopt<br />
a shelter pet today!<br />
At Homeward Animal Shelter, our mission is: “Rescue.<br />
Shelter. Protect. Rehome.”. We provide a second chance<br />
at happiness to lost, abandoned, and owner-surrendered<br />
animals; and educate the community on the proper, loving,<br />
and kind treatment of animals.<br />
Homeward Animal Shelter is committed to preventing<br />
animal overpopulation and spays/neuters all animals<br />
6 months or older before adoption. Since its inception<br />
in 1966, Homeward Animal Shelter has placed nearly<br />
41,000 animals in lifelong homes. •<br />
GIZMO<br />
Male<br />
Nearly 2 years old<br />
DONALD<br />
Terrier Mix<br />
Female<br />
2 ½ years old White & Grey DSH<br />
Hello, I’m Gizmo, an independent and playful highenergy<br />
girl. Because I’m so smart I enjoy lots of activities<br />
and things to do. My intelligence also makes me a little<br />
careful and cautious of new folks, at least until I get<br />
to know you and can fully relax. I love to pounce, and<br />
I consider myself a master hunter. If you adopt me, I<br />
promise to keep your home insect and critter free! And if<br />
your home is ALREADY insect and critter-free, a few cat<br />
toys will suit me just as well. I am great at stalking my<br />
prey, and I do an adorable butt-wiggle before I pounce<br />
that I know you will appreciate. I hope to meet you soon!<br />
Love, Gizmo<br />
28 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com<br />
Hi, my name is Donald and I'm a goofy and lovable pup.<br />
I'm always up for playtime, whether it's fetch, hunting<br />
for treasure with my nose, or tossing treats around for<br />
myself to catch. I'm happiest when I'm cuddled up with<br />
my human on the couch, and I love when they scratch my<br />
chest. I was in a difficult situation when I was younger<br />
and didn't get to experience the world as much as other<br />
dogs, so I'm sometimes a bit hesitant when meeting new<br />
people and places. But once I get to know you, I'm your<br />
best friend. My foster parents can't get enough of me and<br />
my cute sleeping habits, but I'm looking for a permanent<br />
home to give my love to. Give me a chance and I promise<br />
I won't let you down!<br />
Love, Donald<br />
P.S. My adoption fee is fully sponsored, so you<br />
can adopt me for FREE! *<strong>The</strong> normal adoption<br />
application process still applies.
CLASSY<br />
Female<br />
2 years old<br />
Tabby & White DSH<br />
CLARA<br />
Female<br />
5 ½ years old Pit Bull Terrier Mix<br />
Hi, I’m Classy! I’m a young tabby girl with a cute white<br />
snout and bib. My coat is beautiful, shiny, and soft, perfect<br />
for petting. I’m sweet and playful, but also independent<br />
and smart. I like to explore and can be quite happy<br />
entertaining myself, but I also really enjoy people-time<br />
and hope that you will play with me and let me be your<br />
best pal. I am dog-curious, love a soft blanket, and am all<br />
around very well-socialized and ready for a family to call<br />
my own. Please fill out an application to meet me!<br />
Love, Classy<br />
FRED & FROST<br />
Hi everyone, my name is Clara. I am a super sweet lady<br />
looking for my perfect home! I am a little bit older than<br />
most of the dogs here, I'm almost 6! But don't let that<br />
deter you, I love going on long walks and playing outside<br />
with my favorite human friends. Because I am slightly<br />
older, I do tend to prefer extended cuddles at the end of<br />
my walks. I really enjoy head and neck scratches, and<br />
if you give me head massages, I'll love you forever. I do<br />
great in my kennel, I usually just take a nap until I see<br />
someone coming to get me out, and then I get really<br />
excited! I'm also fully housetrained and am very good at<br />
waiting to use the bathroom until someone lets me out - I<br />
am a lady after all! I am a little too strong for kids under 5<br />
but if you have older kids, I would be great! If I sound like<br />
the perfect match, set up a time to come meet me soon!<br />
Love, Clara<br />
Males<br />
3 and 4 years old<br />
White & Tabby DSH<br />
Feline Leukemia Positive<br />
For information on adopting,<br />
volunteering or to make a<br />
donation, visit:<br />
homewardonline.org<br />
SAVING A LIFE, WILL CHANGE YOURS!<br />
urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 29
LOCAL HERO | CHRIS DEERY<br />
FIGHTING THE WAR AT HOME<br />
Local Veteran Advocates for Those in Need<br />
WRITTEN BY: EMMA VATNSDAL<br />
PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA<br />
In January 2022, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<br />
(VA) listed more than 33,100 veterans experiencing<br />
homelessness.<br />
“But then something happens<br />
and it snaps you back to<br />
reality. You want to be on<br />
guard because you never know<br />
what’s going to happen. I knew<br />
firsthand I had PTSD.”<br />
While this was an 11 percent decrease over January 2020,<br />
the last year a full Pont-In-Time Count was conducted,<br />
the men and women who risked their lives in the name of<br />
American security deserve better,<br />
And that’s just what fuels Cass County Veterans Services<br />
Director Chris Deery.<br />
“Unfortunately, in Fargo-Moorhead, we do have a lot of<br />
homeless veterans,” said Deery.<br />
Over the last three years, Deery and his team at Cass<br />
County Veterans Services have worked hard to help local<br />
veterans get their benefits.<br />
While people have many reasons to make a difference in<br />
the lives of others, for Deery it’s personal.<br />
“I graduated from Fargo South (High School) in ‘99,”<br />
Deery said. “I joined (the military) prior to 9/11. Just a<br />
couple of days. I was sitting in MEPS, it’s called, or Military<br />
Entrance Processing Station. It’s like a processing center<br />
where you get a physical and do some battery testing and<br />
all that stuff. But while I was there, 9/11 was going on.<br />
So all of a sudden you’re just like ‘Oh, now this got real.’”<br />
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PHOTOS SUBMITTEDBY: CHRIS DEERY<br />
Deery was sent to Fort Jackson, the<br />
U.S. Army’s main production center for<br />
basic combat training. <strong>The</strong>n, in 2003,<br />
Deery went to Fort Lee in Virginia and<br />
was assigned a job.<br />
“I was a supply specialist,” he said.<br />
“Anything anybody needed — from<br />
underwear to bullets, or boots to socks,<br />
anything like that. My mission was to<br />
have everyone prepared for battle.<br />
(Fort Lee) is a lot of running meals<br />
and learning your job, and it prepares<br />
you for war. But you never think you’re<br />
going to go.”<br />
While in the Minnesota National<br />
Guard, Deery worked at a detox facility<br />
in Moorhead, Minn., and soon moved<br />
on to a tech role.<br />
“We got the call from the Moorhead<br />
National Guard,” Deery said. “And we<br />
got a letter in the mail. So then all that<br />
training and everything you do, and<br />
all the long weekends and two weeks<br />
a year, all that came to fruition. <strong>The</strong>n<br />
I was on an airplane going to Camp<br />
Shelby, Mississippi. We had to learn<br />
real fast.”<br />
Deery and his squad spent roughly six<br />
months in Mississippi before heading<br />
to Louisiana for a month and ultimately<br />
Kuwait.<br />
“It was definitely a ride,” he said.<br />
Once in Kuwait, their mission was to<br />
support the base they were on and the<br />
men and women they were with.<br />
“A lot of it was road clearing IEDs,”<br />
Deery said. “I remember we got there<br />
in, I think it was, <strong>March</strong>. <strong>The</strong> first time<br />
we ever got attacked was Easter. We<br />
were playing basketball and the siren<br />
went off and you’re wondering what’s<br />
going on. You hear thuds and kind of<br />
feel a heat come over you and you’re like<br />
‘Oh yeah, that’s probably dangerous.’”<br />
Deery spent 16 months overseas, and<br />
says by the last month the sirens were<br />
just part of everyday life.<br />
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LOCAL HERO | CHRIS DEERY<br />
“You’re not thinking ‘oh, that’s just the siren, they can’t<br />
hurt us,’” he said, “You’re not as jumpy, you kind of just<br />
get used to it. That’s your way of life.”<br />
But for every 100 veterans who served in Operations<br />
Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, between 11<br />
and 20 experienced a whole new battle once their<br />
boots hit American soil.<br />
“I wrote in my journal that (life on the base) is so<br />
monotonous, every day is the same,” he said. “But then<br />
something happens and it snaps you back to reality.<br />
You want to be on guard because you never know<br />
what’s going to happen. I knew firsthand I had PTSD.”<br />
Deery recalls being in an office in Iraq and feeling like<br />
a bomb was coming in as something flew over him.<br />
“I hid under my desk,” he said. “(When I got home) I<br />
lived by the airport and when I heard a plane fly by I<br />
hid. It was just instinct. That’s when I knew something<br />
was up.”<br />
Advocating<br />
Deery’s work with helping veterans started before he<br />
was even a veteran himself — he worked at the Moorhead<br />
detox center before he was deployed.<br />
“I started noticing a lot of veterans were using (the detox)<br />
services,” he said. “I just thought I could try to help.”<br />
Not only does he help area veterans with accessing their<br />
benefits, he also has a personal connection too.<br />
“When I first got back (from Iraq) I sat in my backyard<br />
and drank a lot for like three weeks and I contemplated<br />
not going back to school,” he said. “And unfortunately,<br />
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One aspect Deery focuses on, both in<br />
his professional and his personal life,<br />
is mental health.<br />
someone stole my lawn chair. So when I couldn’t sit<br />
down and drink anymore, I had to start standing up for<br />
myself.”<br />
Deery says he was lucky enough to have colleagues<br />
from the VA to help him out, and it set up a whole new<br />
future for him.<br />
“That’s how I got into supportive employment,” Deery<br />
said. “(My colleagues) said I would be good at it, so I<br />
applied and I got the job. And it kind of jump-started<br />
everything else.”<br />
One aspect Deery focuses on, both in his professional<br />
and his personal life, is mental health.<br />
“I use the VA counseling services once a week,” he<br />
said. “I take medications for depression and anxiety,<br />
and I try to tell my story and hopefully help somebody<br />
else or point them in the right direction. It’s not a<br />
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LOCAL HERO | CHRIS DEERY<br />
“If I can show them I’m asking<br />
for help, maybe it’ll lighten<br />
the load.”<br />
stereotype and it’s not a weakness. It’s<br />
actually a strength for a 41-year-old guy to<br />
ask for help.<br />
If I can show them I’m asking for help, maybe<br />
it’ll lighten the load.”<br />
From housing and transportation, to mental<br />
and physical health services, and everything in<br />
between, the work Deery and his colleagues do<br />
has helped dozens of local veterans.<br />
And they’re still not done.<br />
But when it comes to living the good life, Deery<br />
has that figured out.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Life</strong> is working my job from eight<br />
to five, then going home and being a dad and<br />
being a family man and just being a good<br />
friend,” he said. “I just like to help people, I was<br />
raised right.” •<br />
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If you’re a veteran looking for resources,<br />
or if you want to get involved with the Veterans Service<br />
program in Cass county, visit:<br />
casscountynd.gov/our-county/veterans-services<br />
★ ★ ★<br />
If you’re a veteran or concerned about one,<br />
find support anytime, day or night.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential<br />
support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<br />
Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.<br />
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