Women In Business

A special section profiling women in business

A supplement to the October 24, 2010 Contact

Pioneering Women of Lund BoaTSpage 2

diSTricT 549’S SuPerinTendenTpage 4

SuPer Service Sharon

page 10

Peace, Love and The LaWpage 6

The BLing Queen of neW

York miLLSpage 13

Sophie Zvonar’S pilgrimage

hennagir’S Fabric line

new and UniqUe women-owned perham bUSineSSeS, SUgar and Spice and make me wine

Plus...

By Melissa swenson

These are the kind of women you may think would only bake great cookies and crochet beautiful afghans. It’s difficult to imagine them building boats alongside men twice their size. These are the wives, mothers and grandmoth-ers you may see in the grocery store or pass on the street, never realizing the role they played in increasing the opportunities for women in the workforce.

Johnnie Olson and Jim Wallgren have known each other for years and while they are friends today, the situation couldn’t have been more different when Johnnie first met Jim 36 years ago. In fact when I asked John-nie if at that time she could have imagined ever sitting down to lunch with Jim, her response was, “I probably would have shot him!”

The year was 1974 and Jim Wallgren, for-mer plant superintendent at Lund Boats in New York Mills received word that in order to prevent a lawsuit, they may have to hire some ladies to work on the production lines. Jim, in his late 30’s at the time, had a lot of energy, a lot of stress and a completely different way of thinking about women in the work force than he does now.

“I was madder than hell that I had to hire women,” says Jim. “I didn’t think it was a good idea at all!”

“The first day I was there, he [Jim] came up to the office to get me, walked me to wher-ever I was going to be and he said to me, ‘We don’t want to have to hire women in this man’s plant, but the law says we have to.’ Welcome to Lund’s I thought,” says Johnnie.

To get the picture of how hard it was to work at Lund in those days, both Jim and Johnnie can recall many men who started their first day in the morning and never came back after their lunch break. It was back-breaking work and the men of Lund’s weren’t about to make it any easier for the new fe-male employees.

“After that first day, my hands were so cut up, I didn’t think I could make it,” says John-nie. “I went uptown, bought a box of Band-Aids, padded my hands with them, then I bought some brown cotton gloves, cut the finger-tips out of all of them.” Twenty-five years later, she was still there.

“I know when it came to lifting a boat, if a guy was going to lift a boat, usually some-one from another station would come over and help. But if it was one of us women, they would give us the attitude like, you want this job—you do it,” remembers Johnnie.

“I know this one time it was like 90 some degrees in the plant and it was so hot you were about dying. We had heard on the radio that it was so hot that the prisoners were let

out of the jail and we thought maybe if we tell Jim this he would take some pity on us.”

And what was Jim’s response? “Well go commit a crime then so you can go to jail!” Both of them laugh good-naturedly about this now.

Jim asked, “How many years did it take be-fore I started treating you humanely”? John-nie giggles with her response, “I remember the last year, and you were nice to me then!”

Unlike most of the women hired at the plant, Johnnie did have previous boat build-ing experience. Prior to moving to the area, she had worked for JEK Yachts in Mora, Minn. She was a fiberglass gunner there and later became a plumber on the “big yachts.” Married, with five children, she decided to ap-ply at Lund because she needed the job and a job at Lund paid more money then what she could get anywhere else in the area. She thinks the starting wage might have been $2.74 an hour.

Johnnie had worked all of her life and be-lieves her lifelong work ethic, the “stubborn German in her,” and the few other women who worked right along with her, gave her the courage and strength to stick with it. One of those ladies was Vonnie Perala.

Vonnie was the first woman hired at Lund in production and she too has similar feelings about how she was treated, both by Jim Wall-gren and others at the plant.

“Jim was a real jerk back then. He told us he didn’t want us women working there,” says Vonnie. “We’re friends now, but I didn’t like him back then.”

“When I went to work at Lund’s, they told me they didn’t want women there, but they had to hire them. So they hired me as a jani-tor for the first month and said if the guys don’t like having you around, you won’t have a job. So I pushed a broom around for the first month and then they gave me a ‘good’ job.” Perala says that the good job consisted of working on the seat sides. “It was horribly uncomfortable because you’re on your knees all day, working with the sharp aluminum. I used to go home and my hands would hurt so bad! My husband didn’t think I would last a month!”

Like Johnnie, Perala went to work at Lund’s for the money. She recalls that she started there at $2.10 an hour, which was 10 cents more an hour than she was making at the hospital in New York Mills.

Growing up on a farm near Richville, gave Vonnie some advantages to working at Lund. “When it came to running the forklift, my supervisor said he would only show me one time, little did he know, I grew up on a farm—running a forklift was no big deal to me.”

Most of the memories that Vonnie made in her 26 years at Lund involve hard work. But there were good times too. Like the time

she spent on the floor of the bathroom with Johnnie and some of the other gals, teaching them to crochet.

“We ladies figured that when the men went out for their smoke break, we would go into the bathroom for a crochet break,” says Johnnie. “She (Vonnie) would bring this ball of yarn and she’d say, ‘let’s go take a potty break,’ and off we’d go into the bathroom! Vonnie would show us and then we would try it. It took a while, but eventually I learned.”

Johnnie and Vonnie both still crochet and Johnnie has made afghans for each of her granddaughters and has moved on to mak-ing doilies for which she says family members line up to receive. “And that is all thanks to Vonnie!”

While Vonnie still crochets, she also loves to quill, enjoys Donna Dewberry’s One-Stroke painting method, and she is quite musical. “I love my piano and I have an accordion. I en-tertain myself and occasionally I entertain a friend or two,” she says.

Jim, who is a driver for the East Otter Tail

Focus, retired at Lund after 41 years. He en-joys spending time with family, the great out-doors, and always seems to have a funny sto-ry to share. He recalls that when you worked at Lund, you worked in a family atmosphere. “Everyone was concerned about everyone else.” But he readily admits, that he was not an easy guy to work for.

“I was different in those days than I am now. I was a real S.O.B. and not just to the la-dies, to the men too. There are still some men who hardly even talk to me now,” says Jim. “I have over the years become good friends with Jonnie and Vonnie. But I’ve always said, if I were them, I don’t know if I could forgive me so easily.”

Johnnie pipes in, “Forgiveness is the name of the game. If you can’t do that then you are in bad shape.”

One thing all three agree on is that the work was hard and the days were long but as Vonnie says, “There was a lot of pride in mak-ing those boats!”

Vonnie Perala, top left, was hired at Lund

Boats in 1974. She was the first woman to work on the production

line. She is pictured here with her 4-year old grand daughter,

McKenzie.

Jim Wallgren and Johnnie Olson, top

right, are friends today but 36 years ago she

did not care for him or his management style.

Johnnie Olson, right, learned to crochet from

Vonnie Perala on the bathroom floor of Lund Boats. She has made these afghans for her

granddaughters.

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Superintendent brings passion to educationBy Sonja KoSler

If Perham-Dent school district 549 were a non-profit business, Tamara Uselman would be the Chief Executive Operator. That business currently has about 190 employees and an annual operat-ing budget of $15 million. Per-ham-Dent has the largest budget of all small Minnesota schools and, according to Tamara, is larg-er than 2/3 of other districts in the state.

This non-profit provides a service. Tamara says, “It exists to educate kids for their own in-dependent lives and to be good citizens.” She also underscores the importance of public schools as “the cornerstone of the democ-

racy. “The school serves a greater area – society.”

The main difference between the school district and a busi-ness is that Tamara reports to an elected board of directors. She is also responsible to the students, teachers, staff, parents, commu-nity and herself. In her position as CEO of this multi-faceted busi-ness, Tamara believes that “integ-rity that is demanded in school leadership is a good thing.”

Tamara Uselman has a strong sense of the importance of her leadership role. “I hold a pretty deep value for the power of teach-ing to improve lives. Leadership

isn’t just valuable, it is critical in making that happen.” She prac-tices her belief that school leader-ship must be held deeply and pas-sionately for it to work.

She is beginning her eighth year at 549 with the same passion she brought to the position. She comments that it is unusual for a superintendent to stay with one district for that long. She was re-cently in close contention for the top job at the West Fargo, North Dakota school district. Tamara makes it clear that looking at West Fargo had nothing to do with a desire to leave Perham-Dent. She says if that were the case, there were around 75 positions in Min-nesota to choose from. There is a current shortage of school admin-

istrators and there continues to be few female superintendents, especially in rural areas. This time the West Fargo job would have been a “professional and personal” fit. She has three grown children and a granddaughter in the Fargo-Moorhead area. West Fargo was facing big challenges with growth and carrying out an investment in student achievement.

The biggest change over time for Tamara has been the fund-ing side. As administration staff has been cut, her job has become much busier and without mone-tary compensation. More work in the public sector does not trans-

late into more pay as it does in in-dustry. She speaks proudly of the entire district staff. She is “proud of their spirit.” To help with bud-get issues everyone, including teachers, has taken a salary freeze or reduction. She says, “People have been respectful.”

In an effort toward working not to grow government, 549 now shares some administrative services with other districts. The business manager is shared with three others.

For Tamara, her biggest chal-lenge has been to admit that the impact of all the necessary reduc-tions has now passed through the classroom door. That places 44 students in some classes allowing barely one minute of individual attention per student. It’s diffi-cult “keeping kids skilled enough to not fall into the adequate year-ly progress” level of No Child Left Behind and “It’s a tough place to be for staff to be responsible for every child.”

With all the challenges, the re-wards are still many. “It’s about being in it to win it for kids by im-proving student improvement.

Successful women in leadership roles are aware they stand on the shoulders of women before them. When asked who those women have been for her, Tamara speaks first of her family. Her two grand-mothers Lempi Perala and Mary Emas were “very strong and wise women.” Her mother, Audrey Perala, was salutatorian of her class. Both of her parents placed a high value on post secondary education. Tamara laughs about her father’s offer after she gradu-ated high school: if she went on to college he would give her a car;

if she didn’t, she’d get one dollar! The car was an old former police cruiser, but it was a car.

Tamara also says “sisters be-come some of your wisest female friends.” She stands on the shoul-ders of her sisters, Teresa Theisen, Tawnia Hoehne, and Tara Baune. Tamara is still close to high school friends with whom she has re-unions at least twice a year.

Two educators encouraged

young Tamara. She describes Ruth Ann Kinnunen and Kathy Dorholt as “highly principled people with good values and tenacious beliefs about kids.”

When asked who is standing on her shoulders, Tamara comments that isn’t important right now. More important is “keeping your head down and working through issues for the kids.”

School District 549 superintendent Tamara Uselman displays a framed puzzle in her office. Supervising the district is similar to putting all the pieces together and at times it becomes necessary to stop and find the right pieces.

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“Integrity that is demanded in school leadership is a good thing”

— Tamara Uselman

4

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Perham attorney serves people in work and playBy Sonja KoSler

Lori Beck’s path to the Pelo-quin and Minge law firm in Per-ham has had some interesting turns. She and her husband Don had been living in Fargo where their two sons were in second and third grade. She was an attorney with the Vogel law firm and Don was an investment counselor. The family enjoyed time spent at their Pelican Lake seasonal home. When Don approached Lori with the idea of making the lake home their permanent residence, she thought of the long commute and the activities she would need to give up. At the time Lori was very involved with her church, men-tored a Vietnamese immigrant family, and was Past President of the Cass County Bar Association. As Don pointed out that she could do anything she wanted to with her life, Lori soon redefined her commute and service by leaving her law practice and enrolling in Luther Seminary in St. Paul.

While seminary work was chal-lenging and rewarding, the com-mute had her living in St. Paul for four days of the week. She

returned home on Thursday af-ternoon to pick the boys up from school and then spend the long weekend with family. In May of 2000 she completed her two years of seminary and a one-year in-ternship at Cormorant Lutheran Church. She received a call from the same church where she served as their pastor until 2006.

Reading the Bible and theologi-cal writings have given Lori peace from the pain that has come from some medical issues. Lori ex-presses some of her personal the-ology when stating the belief that “We have been given minds and hearts to discuss and determine what best honors God and best brings love to the neighbor.”

She speaks passionately about being able to help everyday peo-ple. She is proud to be hired to represent people and not to pro-tect companies. Lori joined the Peloquin and Minge firm three years ago. She says she enjoys be-ing part of a small law firm that is more laid back and informal. Her main office is in Perham, but she does travel to the Park Rapids office occasionally. Her work in-cludes personal injury represen-

tation, child custody cases, and juvenile issues. She is also a liti-gator handling court cases.

The boys who were in grade school when Lori began her new life are now 22 and 24 year old college graduates. Don has his own Raymond James Financial Services office in Pelican Rapids. The Pelican Lake home has been replaced by one on Big MacDon-ald. There Lori enjoys sailing and loves her beach area community. The daily routine includes walk-ing dogs with the neighbors. Lori says on one day, they counted 10 dogs and 16 neighbors.

Lori also is impressed with the progressive Perham community. She observes that everyone works to make it a good place to work and play. “The people are very proactive to get things done.”

How does this busy woman relax? She enjoys a book club, movies, walking, hiking, golf; but she lights up when talking about her adventure trips. She has gone white water rafting, kayaking in the Sea of Cortez and Belize, and is inspired by the underwater views when snorkeling.

Lori comments that she loves

to be in nature. “That’s how I re-new.” She shares that nature ex-perience with others through the Wilderness Inquiry, a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the wilderness with others regard-less of ability including those with

disabilities.Although no longer involved

in church leadership. Lori Beck shows that in work and play she continues to “serve God in daily work.”

Lori Beck serves the people as an attorney with Peloquin & Minge

Our Women in Business222 Second Avenue SE, Perham

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LtoR: Diana Aker, Advertising Representative Melissa Swenson, General ManagerRachel Tumberg, Receptionist Ashley Bergen, Staff Writer Cindy Gilster, Graphics Coordinator

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218-346-6900432 3rd Avenue SEPerham, Mn 56573_______________

218-385-310015 N. Main, PO Box 277

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Lori J. Beck

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Back row: L-R, Renee Sonnenberg~Paralegal,Lori J. Beck~Attorney, Paula Williamson~Office Manager

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Thumper Pond sales and events team

By Sonja KoSler

Jean Ahlfs and Nicole Lalum are the “get it done” team for events at Thumper Pond Resort in Ottertail. Nicole, with Thumper Pond for 2 ½ years, is the sales manager responsible for corporate accounts, associations, and mar-keting. Jean handles the details for the events that Nicole books as well as weddings and waterpark events. As Nicole explains, “I get them to come; she takes care of them once they’re here.”

Nicole says the biggest chal-lenge of her job is spreading the word of the fantastic resort loca-tion – “getting people in the door to see it. “Once they’re here, they come back.”

After graduating New York Mills High School in 1994, Nicole went to Duluth to study English and communications. She then worked in radio communications for nine years. A former manager had moved to the Cayman Islands and asked her to join him there. Nicole says it didn’t take many minutes for her and her husband, Chris to head for the tropics. They lived in Cayman for almost five years. In Nov 2007, they returned home to family. That’s when she was hired at Thumper Pond as an administrative support person. Today she handles all the sales and marketing for all aspects of the resort property. In addition to a busy career, Nicole and Chris

are raising a 15 month-old son.Jean (Stoderl) is a 1985 Per-

ham High grad. She and her hus-band, Tom, married 21 years ago and have lived in Ottertail since then. They have a 20-year old daughter and a 17-year old son. Jean has been with Thumper for nine years, since the beginning. She says that she saw it being built and applied to work in the pro shop. She was soon trained to work banquets and now coor-dinates all events. The Thumper Pond property has seen growing pains, financial difficulties and an ownership change. Jean says she stayed because she “always knew it was going to get better.”

Better is seems to be. On a re-cent weekday, the parking lot was full with golfers, hotel patrons, meetings for four organizations, and a weekly bridge club. Several workers were busy sprucing up the hotel lobby area.

Events at Thumper include about 30 weddings each year. The bride and groom may come from distant (even worldwide) loca-tions, but most have ties to the area. Jean says there are now women who were once Thumper Pond brides who bring their chil-dren back to show them where their parents were married.

Nicole says their core market area is Fargo-Moorhead and lo-cations within a 150-mile radius. Corporate events attract a wider market. The usual corporate stay

is 1-3 days. Some of those orga-nizations are coming back month-ly. There are area clubs who also meet monthly or even weekly. The new Willy T’s Tavern and Grill is a popular meeting spot for local people.

The Henning High School Se-nior class of 2010 held their post

prom party at the resort’s 12,000 square foot indoor waterpark. The class of 2011 will go one step further and hold all of their prom events at the resort.

Jean is rewarded at the end of every event when she is able to see how happy the people are.

Both women of this team show

pride in their work and in the Thumper Pond property. Nicole sums it up when she observes “to see something like this is this area.” “Thumper Pond supports a lot of people.”

Nicole Lalum and Jean Ahlfs are the “go to” team for events at Thumper Pond.

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She’s the perfect part of NAPABy MeliSSa SwenSon

While the automotive industry is con-sidered a non-traditional place for a woman to work, Sharon Vogert of Perham, doesn’t see it that way. In fact, NAPA has been a part of Vogert’s livelihood for more than thirty-four years.

The first twenty-nine of those years were spent with her husband Jerry, running the NAPA Auto Parts store in downtown Per-ham. The past five, she has spent working for the new owners, John Anderson, Doug Huebsch, Wayne Mickelson and Ross Mick-elson at its current location on Jake Street, near Pamida.

“I think it’s probably a little more relax-ing working for someone else,” says Sha-ron. “You know when you have your own business its a little more responsibility. It’s not that I’m not responsible now, but how many nights, when you own your own busi-

ness; you do go home at night and worry about this and that.”

While Sharon has been in the business for a long time, her role with customers has become more active since working at the new store. When she and Jerry owned the store, she mainly did the bookwork and helped take care of the inventory—she only helped out at the counter when need-ed. Now, customer service is the primary part of her job.

On an average day, Sharon will come in to work, help a few customers and prepare her delivery run to Dent and Ottertail. “I really enjoy my delivery route. My custom-ers are such nice guys and I try to do a good job for them.”

Randy Anderson, from Pride Auto Pros in Dent, says of Sharon, “She’s a real nice gal and she’s good at her job. She’s had lots of years of experience and is very consci-entious. I’ve known her for about fifteen

years and used to buy parts from her and her husband back when they owned the store downtown.”

Whitey Schuett , General Manager could not be more impressed with Sharon. “I just think Sharon is such a great worker. She is thorough in everything she does and I’ve had many customers tell me that she is top-notch at customer service.”

Vogert feels it’s important to acknowl-edge people right away when they come in the store and she tries as hard as she can to find what they’re looking for. “Being pleas-ant is important also and I notice the guys really do everything they can to do right by the customer.”

“You know, being a woman in the auto-motive field, a lot of customers will come in and see her standing there and they’re not too sure about her,” says Schuett. “Then they find out she knows what she’s doing and they feel comfortable. Usually, the next time they come back, they go right for Sharon. They don’t want to mess with us guys!”

John Anderson includes, “Sharon is just a delight to work with. She has a vast knowledge of the NAPA parts business and a real friendly attitude with the custom-ers. In a business with a predominantly male employment base, she can hold her own with the guys at our store.”

“I love giving her a hard time,” says Paul Winterfeldt of Bauck Busing. “I’ve known Sharon for twenty years and she is the most fun parts person I’ve ever had. Start-ing around ten years ago, it seems like every Monday that I came in the store, it would be a part that would be hard for Sharon to

find. It doesn’t matter what day I come in the store now, if it’s a hard part to find, I just tell her, ‘It’s Monday Sharon!’, and she knows what I’m talking about!”

There are many things that have changed in the years that Sharon has worked in the auto parts industry. She recalls that computers have helped to create the most change. “We never went out on New Year’s Eve when we owned the store. We were too worried about inventory! Now with com-puters it’s much easier, you just hit a but-ton and it’s all taken care of!”

Sharon knows that whenever the time comes to leave Napa, she will miss two things the most. The guys she works with and the customers she has strived to pro-vide great customer service to for thirty-four years.

“I don’t know where else I could go and have a good work environment like I do here. I’m just comfortable here and I look forward to coming to work,” she says with a smile.

Photos by Melissa Swenson/FOCUSSharon Vogert has been associated with NAPA Auto Parts for 34 years.

Sharon assists a customer by phone.

“...I look forward to coming to work.” — Sharon Vogert

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Jewley Wirth-Nail Techand Cosmetic TattooingCindy Nguyen-Nail Tech

Jolene Kempenichcustomer service specialist

Cosmetologists - Rachel Wiser, Cindy Davis, Sandy Winkels, Nicole Guck. Not pictured Hope Baldwin

Julie Mursu - Pure

Rejuvenation Massage-

Certified Massge Therapist

Lottie Oehrlein- RNC, Certified

Cosmetic Injector Tiffany Grover -

CreaTIF - Electrologist, Makeup Artist

SalonOnSecondHOURS: Mon. 8-6:30 • Tues. 7:30-5

Wed. 7:30-5 • Thurs. 7:30-1 • Fri. 8-12

Conveniently located downtown Perham at 200 1st Ave. South

346-4775www.hamannfamilydentistry.com

“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”“We value our dynamic and diversi� ed women health care professionals”Hamann Family Dentistry

Now introducing...Dr. Brooke Hamann & the rest of her dental team.

Dr. Brooke Hamann

Mary Schumacher & Joani Piepkorn

Lorrie Rach, Kristie Friese & Jenny HovlandGeorgia Adamczyk, Barb Steuber & Tricia Hamann

Now accepting new patients, call 346-4775 and visit us at www.hamannfamilydentistry.com


By Sonja KoSler

If you’ve been out and about shopping or running errands and noticed a woman with price tags on her jewelry, you’ve crossed paths with Jewel Wacker. Jewel is a Se-nior Team Leader for Cookie Lee. The direct sales jewelry company began in 1992 and now has over 115,000 independent consultants. Jewel has 63 consultants in seven states working with her. Four of them are men. Jewel is often asked if her name is made up to go with her work. No, that is her given name and just happens to fit.

Jewel operates her business from her home just east of New York Mills. Her husband, Ron, also operates his RW Stucco business on the home property. Jewel’s parents (Kenyon) still live about four miles south of New York Mills.

She moved to the area from Ore. when she was three, gradu-

ated from Mills High in 1984, at-tended Technical College in Wade-na, travelled to Ariz. and Mont. but was drawn back home. She says, “Family brings you back.”

Jewel confesses to being a Price is Right addict; even scheduling appointments around the 10 to 11 morning time slot. She recalls as a child watching the program with her father. They still often watch together. Jewel has appeared on the program seven times and two years ago won a new PT Cruiser.

It was over four years ago at a car show in Wash. when she was attracted to a display of jewelry, more than attracted. She pur-chased enough of the pieces to qualify as a new consultant, but balked at the idea. Jewel is now enthusiastic and energetic when talking about her jewelry line, but says back then she had a hard time talking in front of people. As other people admired her jewelry, she ar-ranged purchases for them. That graduated to home presentations and recruiting other consultants. She has innovative methods for drawing attention to her products. The price tags? Once in a store, a woman tactfully approached Jewel to tell her that her bracelet still had the price tag on it. Jewel replied this was intentional as all of her jewelry was for sale. Jewel breaks into a big smile as she ex-plains that the woman bought ev-erything: necklaces, bracelet, and earrings! She not only wears jew-elry while out running errands, but has adapted a photo display bag to show off more pieces.

Cookie Lee is a bit different from most home sales in that ev-erything can be purchased on the spot; a bit like a portable store

– no ordering and waiting. The pieces are fashion forward and quite versatile with necklaces that can be easily adjusted to different lengths and even worn as belts. The company also has enticing in-centives for the consultants. Jew-el has won four “dream trips” to Punta Cana, Hawaii, a two-week all expense spa vacation in Ariz. and a European cruise to France, Spain and Italy is coming up. She now has her eye on a Mercedes Benz incentive.

Jewel enjoys her work with cli-

ents and consultants alike. “I love watching my team grow.” She also says she is happy to see the joy on ladies’ faces when they try on special pieces.

Jewel’s dog Ali also brings her joy. Ali rides along on motorcycle runs and was the inspiration for Jewel’s “baby books” for dogs and cats. When she was about to get Ali as a new puppy, Jewel wanted a book to record important infor-mation and keep a scrapbook for her dog. She couldn’t find one, and so wrote her own. The loose

leaf books include places for pho-tos, growth information and some original poems. The beginning pages have sections on “What to buy and do to prepare for the new arrival” and “How to choose the best dog for you.” One of the books has been autographed by none other than Bob Barker of Price is Right fame.

If you’d like to chat about The Price is Right, Cookie Lee Jewelry or cat and dog “baby books”, you may contact Jewel at 701-388-4635.


New York Mills woman has sales talent

Jewel Wacker adapted a photo bag, above, to display her jew-elry pieces. She also models some of the Cookie Lee line.Many direct jewelry sales awards, right, are displayed in Jewel Wacker’s home office near New York Mills.

This dog “baby book” has been auto-graphed by Bob Barker, former host of The Price is Right. Jewel Wacker de-signed the book when she was unable to find one to purchase.

Convenience StoreHWY. 10 N.Y. MILLS • 385-4620 • 5:30 am - 11 pm

WeekdayWarriors!

karen selander u Tina Johnson u Lori Quiram u deb Matti

Holly Gudmundson, Dental AssistantCarole Lage, Hygienist

Dr. Rachel GriegerSusan Hanson, ReceptionistLacy Ament, Dental Hygienist

We try hard to provide gentleand quality family dental care

Dr. Rachel Grieger, D.D.S.206 Walker Ave. North • 385-3130


By Sonja KoSler

Sophie Zvonar of Perham is a self-de-scribed pilgrim “traveling a distance to a sacred place.”

Twice a year Sophie makes her pilgrim-age to the Pacem in Terris Hermitage Re-treat Center in St. Francis, Minn. In 2008 a friend heard about Pacem from a priest who lives near there. Sophie and her friend traveled down Highway 10 in October that year to experience the spirituality retreat.

Sophie went back in the spring and fall of 2009 and has a goal to make the pil-grimage twice a year, every year. She now says her three-day visits at Pacem are not enough and would like to be able to stay for a week.

Sophie uses the three-hour drive to be-gin unloading the worldly cares of her daily life. She says that when she turns into the Pacem driveway, she “feels the presence of the Holy Spirit.” Vehicles are left at the parking area near the Our Lady of Pacem Community House. A staff member then delivers you, your bag and a basket of food to your hermitage house.

Sophie observes that the more often you visit the center, the less stuff you bring along. There is a Bible in each hermitage; many pilgrims bring their own. Sophie also brings a journal for writing and at least one or two other spiritual books.

Each of the one-person buildings is named to honor a saint. Sophie first stayed in St. Margaret Mary, which is the furthest from the trail and has since stayed in St. Francis of Assisi at the end of the trail. Staff members attempt to honor requests for specific hermitages. There are about two miles of trails through prairie wildflowers, grasslands, forests, a fern garden and a

boardwalk to Lake Tamarac. Sophie says it’s easy to spend a lot of time walking.

Each of the 16 hermitage buildings has wooden floors, a screen porch, and large windows that look out to nature. The fur-nishings are simple: a bed, a table, a chair. There is no running water or electricity. An outhouse is nearby. A gas lamp supplies light; a jug of water is provided, and bas-kets of food are delivered for breakfast and lunch. Winter visitors receive heat from gas wall units.

To preserve solitude and silence, there is a mailbox for communication. Pilgrims just leave a note and put up the flag. Sophie says even at community meals there isn’t a lot of talking. Evening meals are served at the Community House Monday through Friday. The house also provides guest bath-rooms, showers, an exercise room and a private chapel.

Sophie arrives with no expectations. She believes that each experience is different because you “don’t know what God has in store for you.” She finds peace in the space “being close to God, close to nature, emp-tying out.” She does know that at Pacem there is no guilt about what you are guided to do, “idle is OK.” For Sophie, sleeping is part of healing.

On the last day, each hermitage visitor cleans the space to prepare for the next pilgrim. With the cleaning is prayer for the pilgrims who have been there and the ones who will come. Sophie has adapted this cleaning prayer to her daily life.

Sophie recommends people visit Pacem to “regroup, know your spirituality better; spend quiet time with Him.” She also cau-tions that some people “can’t do solitude!” When asked what she brings back from her retreat, Sophie quickly replies, “Peace, hap-

piness, contentment, presence of God and the Holy Spirit within.”

Sophie has lived in Perham for eight years. Previously she had been a retail consultant doing promotional sales for Karvonen’s Furniture. When most snow-birds headed south, Sophie came from New Mexico in January for the winter sales pro-motions. She says that on each of her tem-porary visits, the Perham community made her feel at home. When John Karvonen offered her a full-time position in 2002, it was easy for her to make the move.

Sophie also finds the St. Henry’s com-munity welcoming and wonderful. Sophie Zvonar is a devout Catholic who expresses her religion through words and actions. She says that for her “religion is a growing experience.” Part of that growth is evident in her passion as a pilgrim.

Perham woman makes pilgrimageSubmitted photos

At Pacem in Terris, food baskets are quietly delivered for breakfast and lunch.

Sophie Zvonar

Kelli Wegscheid, AIA architect, has joined the Hammers Construc-tion, Inc. team as a licensed archi-tect.

Her eight years of architecture and design experience includes ar-chitectural services for both com-mercial and residential projects to include master planning, retail de-velopment and lake home design. Design services include preliminary design through construction draw-ings and construction administra-tion. She has experience working with many different city and coun-ty governments, and has previous-ly served on Governor Pawlenty’s Shoreland Advisory Board.

Her previous work experience has been with both Architecture firms and design/build Construc-tion.

Kelli and her husband Michael, have two children ages 4 and 2. Kelli and her family have lived in the Perham area for three years, but have family in the Perham and Ottertail Lakes area that previously brought them to the area on a regu-lar basis.

Hammers Construction Inc. is a full service design/build firm that provides architectural design ser-vices, construction management, construction and building mainte-nance services.

Kelli Wegscheid

Wegscheid joins Hammers Construction

Front: Michele Kratzke, Jessica Melo, Samantha Brune, Maggan PirrottaBack: Samantha Lee, Cynthia Malone, Kelsey Hoff, Shannon Sondrol, Darla Wallace, Sonja Bethke, Brianna Tuman, Katy AveryNot Pictured: Nicole Thiel, Scarlet Dittman

245 West Main Perham

346-4286HourS:

Monday 11-7 • Tuesday-Thursday 9-7Friday 9-5 • Saturday 9-3

Early & late appointments available

Please join us for ourHoliday open House!Thursday, december 2, 2010

from 5 pm to 7:30 pmCome and see aveda’s new Holiday Gift sets!

Experience complimentary chair massages!**Ask about our pure privilege reward program**

As a special thank you to all our guests, receive 20% off all retail purchases* during our Open House event!

*Excluding Holiday Gift Sets.

www.perhamspa.com

‡ Please set all copy in upper and lowercase, flush left as indicated on artwork at these point sizes: Consultant name in 11-point Helvetica Neue Bold; Independent Beauty Consultant in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; Web site or e-mail address in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; phone number in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light. To the Independent Beauty Consultant: Only Company-approved Web sites obtained through the Mary Kay® Personal Web Site program may be utilized.

Gail M. LangnerFuture Executive Sr. Sales Director

www.marykay.com/glangner(218) 346-3076

Debbie Porkkonen has provided 18 years of professional service in a warm and friendly fashion to the New York Mills area. For the past 13½ years she has been broker/owner of Centennial Realty. Both Christine Lambertson and Bonnie Nelson, continue the tradition of effi-ciency & professional service offered to the customers of Centennial Realty. Homeowners… if you’re considering selling your home, entrust your success to experienced people who are not only familiar with the area, but who, also have a list of buyers searching for property in our area. Selling your home can be an emotional endeavor; Debbie, Bonnie, and Christine can guide you through the process and make the transition to “closing day” a pleasant experience.Prospective buyers… if you’re considering buying a home, give Debbie, Bonnie, or Christine the opportunity to match your needs with that perfect home. After all, it’s not just finding a house, it’s fulfilling a dream!

Come Home with Centennial Realty

Christine Lambertson, Sales Agent Bonnie Nelson, Sales Agent

Debbie Porkkonen,Broker

21 MAIN AVENUE NORTH NEW YORK MILLS, MN

P: 218.385.3562F: 218.385.3237

[email protected] www.centennial-realty.com



By Heidi KratzKe

It was considered a “retail baby shower” when Bay Window Quilt Shop manager Katie Hennagir cel-ebrated the release of her new line of fabric for babies.

In addition to featuring Hen-nagir’s line, the baby shower event included some of the new-est baby items from a handful of area merchants. The Wild Goose, Nadine’s, Place in the Country,

and The Back Porch teamed up for the unique retail event.

The shower was held during store hours at Bay Window Quilt Shop, on Saturday, March 6 and included demonstrations and door prizes.

Hennagir featured a nursery set, quilts she designed with her baby fabric, and a variety of other projects on display in the shop to showcase the versatility of her line. This past February, Perham’s Bay Window Quilt Show started selling the fabric, which is a 26-piece line of regular cotton that’s used for quilting and decorating.

Sarah Hayden, Bay Window Quilt Shop owner and Katie Hen-nagir’s mother, said that although it will primarily be sold in the United States, the fabric will be available in stores all over the world. Bay Window carries the complete line, which has been selling well so far.

Hennagir and her husband Jace have two young children, a baby girl and boy. It was when her son was born a few years ago that Hennagir found herself frustrated with the type of fabric that was available.

“About two years ago, when I was decorating my son’s nurs-ery, I was having trouble finding what I wanted in the fabric indus-try,” she explains. Although she doesn’t consider herself an art-ist, Hennagir says she just knows

what she likes and started draw-ing some design ideas on paper.

Pleased with the creations she came up with, Hennagir took the next big step and put together a proposal, contacting the Robert Kaufman Company, based out of Los Angeles, California. Knowing that they didn’t have anyone who was doing baby fabric for them yet, this was the first company Hennagir contacted in the indus-try.

In February of 2008, Hennagir got some overwhelmingly positive encouragement back from the people at Robert Kaufman. “They said, ‘Yes, we love it. We want to do it,’” Hennagir recalls.

With the initial go-ahead in place, Hennagir then went through a process of refining her ideas, sending samples back and forth from Perham to California. The entire creative design process was done through the mail, meaning Hennagir never even had to go out to Los Angeles to work on the line.

She used some printed comput-er images, markers, and colored pencils to perfect her ideas on paper. When it came time to get the color choices right, Hennagir made the easy trip next door from Bay Window to the paint store, owned by her father, Ed Hayden. She sent paint samples to Califor-nia to get the colors exact.

The 26 pieces in Hennagir’s line include some of the same pat-terns that are repeated in different colors. Within the line, Hennagir created different “color stories,” with a girl color story in pink and brown; a boy color story in blue and brown; and a neutral color sto-ry in yellow, green, and brown.

The main image on the fabric is a bird, which was inspired by a children’s wall plaque that caught Hennagir’s attention when she was flipping through a Pottery Barn catalogue. Her favorite pat-

tern is one that features trees that are made up of hearts.

“For me, it’s been interesting to see what the consumer is going to do with my fabric,” Hennagir says of one of the most reward-ing parts of her venture into the fabric designing business. She ex-

plains how when she created the fabric, she had a very clear idea of what she was going to do with it. When others look at the same ma-terial, Hennagir is fascinated by the different projects people envi-sion and bring to fruition.

“People say how fresh the col-

ors are, because it’s more contem-porary, more for a modern mom,” Hennagir says of some of the feedback she’s received so far.

To learn more about Hennagir’s baby line, or other happenings at Perham’s Bay Window Quilt shop, visit: baywindowquiltshop.com.

Hennagir’s fabric line rolled out worldwide

Surrounded by items created from Katie Hennagir’s new baby fabric line are, left to right, Katie’s mom and Bay Window Quilt Shop owner Sarah Hayden (seated), Katie’s sisters Caroline Brost and Maggy Doll (standing), and Katie (seated).

This heart tree fabric, above, is one of Katie Hennagir’s favorite pieces in her new line. Katie and Jace Hennagir’s newborn daughter Isabelle, right, is nestled into Katie’s Chirp display.

“People say how fresh the colors are, because it’s more contemporary,

more for a modern mom” — Katie Hennagir

ELEMENTARY TEACHERSKim AkerRita AskewTeri BauckLaurine BraukmannJulie EkrenCynthia GrothmannNancy HendrickxTrudy IronsRuth KoehlerAnn MyersMegan MyersJulie RudBarbara TumbergAngela TurnerBridget Weller

ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY TEACHERSDebra BlombergAlissa BormannRebecca ClarkseanChris CollinsConnie GriffithMarilyn KunzaJo Ellen RudnitskiLiz SwansonAlyce TomporowskiCheri Tumberg

LIBRARYASSISTANTSLori NewmanNancy Schik

SECONDARY TEACHERSJoy CooleyHeidi DresserHeather GoodShana HenschTrinna KinneyLiza KlettkeAmy KoskelaTammy OlsonJodi RaserKerrie Speer

OFFICESTAFFMary HendrickxLinda ImdiekeMarsha MakiJean RobertsArlene ScheideckerKay Tougas

FOOD SERVICECarina BauckJanet BlickenstaffHeidi HoffmanMary HyblBrenda PeralaMary Ann TumbergAnjanette Wiirre

BUILDING/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE & CLEANINGJudy FischerKelly Leaderbrand Sharon PeralaNicole Rogers

INTER-DISTRICT STAFFJudy FischerKelly Leaderbrand Sharon PeralaNicole RogersAmy Zamzo

CLASSROOMPARASKatrina AhoMaria BachimMelissa BalbachCindy BeckerAlice DittmannSher ElkinMary HaakanaVicky JacobsonAmy MindermannJoClaire PedersonLisa RudolphTanya ScheideckerKaren ThompsonTonya WhiteJulie Witt

TRANSPORTATIONKim AndersonKelly Lee

COMMUNITY EDUCATIONDeborah RobertsIrene Sandback

NURSINGSERVICESJeni GundersonDeb Ziegler

TENDER HEARTS HOME CAREDawn Barvels

EARLY CHILDHOOD /JR KINDERGARTENJennifer KotaskaLisa StroeingBev WittNancy Witt

FOSTER GRANDPARENTSKathryn AlbinLavonne AplandJoyce BachMary Lee Maki

EXPERIENCE WORKSKathy Anderson

Thanks

to the women of

New York Mills Schools


United StateSPoStal Service

New York Millssalutes their priceless

female employees.

Clerk Julie GerberRural Carriers:

Brandy Sanford & Barb LoeffenNOT PICTURED

RCA: Kim AndersonRCA: Brenda TebergPictured l to r: Brandy Sanford, Julie Gerber, Barb LoeffenHours: Mon.-Thurs. 6am-3pm;

Fri.-Sat. 6am-8pm; Sun. 6am-2pmDent, MN

218-758-9492

on Main

Owner Kim Byer

F Daily Lunch SpecialsF Homemade Caramel Rolls Made Daily

F Sunday Breakfast Buffet 8-12 noon


The Eighth Annual Fashion Show/Fundraiser coordinated by local Mary Kay Independent Sales Directors Gail Langner, Jennifer Koennicke, Molly Richter, Jill Unruh and Janaya Davis and their Consultants raised $1,700 in donations for the Mary Kay Foun-dation on May 4.

Women attending the event at The Cactus were treated to a sneak peek of new spring and summer fashions by Nadine’s and Indepen-dent Consultant Cim Melbye, repre-senting CAbi Fashions.

Also, the group heard heartfelt information from Victoria Creek, a Victim’s Advocate from Someplace Safe in Fergus Falls. Someplace Safe has been a past recipient of a Mary Kay Foundation grant in the amount of $20,000.

Many door prizes were given away throughout the evening, in addition to the silent auction. Thank you to the businesses involved in Lakes Area Net-working, who generously donated the main portion of the auction items.

Mary Kay Ash was an inspira-tion with her belief in success for all people, most notably women. As an experienced leader in the business world she felt it vital that all women should have the opportunity to at-tain their goals and never be limited by anything but their own imagina-tion and drive to succeed. A person is actually a product of their own thoughts; and when you think big, you achieve big things.

Consistently, donors have joined with the Mary Kay Foundation in big ways to support Mary Kay’s dream of eliminating cancers that affect women and ending domestic violence. They are

truly impressive and inspiring. Their steadfast commitment and heartfelt energies have enabled the Founda-tion to make a difference in the lives of women and their families through grants and creative initiatives. Sup-port for vital programs has surged from $500,000 in 1997 to $3.6 million in 2004 to $5.8 million in 2009, the largest amount of giving ever.

Here are highlights of what the Mary Kay Foundation and Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants ac-complished together in 2009:

n Granted 150 domestic violence shelters $20,000 each–a total of $3 million

n Awarded 13 respected doctors and medical scientists $100,000 each in cancer research grants–a to-tal of $1.3 million

n Donated $500,000 to Cancer-

Care Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free profes-sional help to people with cancer, for its Touching Hearts program

n Contributed $300,000 to the National Network to End Domestic Violence with $200,000 earmarked to support the Amy’s Courage Fund, which provides assistance to victims of domestic violence and their children

n $200,000 to the Arbor Day Foundation for Nature Explore Classrooms at five domestic violence shelters across the United States

The Mary Kay Sales Directors and Consultants would like to extend their gratitude to The Cactus, De-nise Schornack, Cim Melbye, Kristen McMartin with Thru Him Photogra-phy, the beautiful models, and to the women who attended and gave gen-erously to this cause.

Community raises $1,700 for Mary Kay Foundation

Submitted photoLocal Mary Kay Independent Sales Directors Gail Langner, Jennifer Koennicke, Molly Richter, Jill Unruh and Janaya Davis and their Consultants raised $1,700 for the Mary Kay Foundation at the Eighth Annual Fashion Show/Fundraiser in Perham.

Born and raised in Per-ham, Breanna Adams has been hired as MeritCare De-troit Lakes clinic manager.

She has a bachelor of arts degree in health care admin-istration and long-term care administration from Con-cordia College, Moorhead, and a master of science de-gree in public, human and health services administra-tion from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

For the past four years, Adams worked in the Twin Cities for HealthLink Minnesota Management Group, Inc. The company served the needs of pri-mary and specialty care practices throughout the Upper Midwest, offering a range of medical practice business services and sup-port.

As the MeritCare De-troit Lakes clinic manager, Adams will work to posi-tion the clinic to success-fully face the ever-chang-ing demands of today’s rural America health care environment and to pro-vide the best possible care to patients.

According to Adams, “It is a very exciting time for MeritCare in general, but also for MeritCare Detroit Lakes. We are breaking ground in March on a $15

million expansion and re-model project. It includes a same day surgery center, expanded imaging ser-vices, laboratory and clinic space for more providers. The expanded clinic will grow to serve as a medical hub for MeritCare patients in many communities sur-rounding Detroit Lakes. We offer many medical specialty services closer to home, with that small town feel; rather than hav-ing people drive to Fargo.”

Adams is married. She and her husband Curt have a son, Isaac, who is 18 months old. She is the daughter of Steve and Connie Richter of Perham. When she’s not working, Adams enjoys time with family and friends, golf, volleyball, basketball, and softball.

Breanna Adams

Adams hired as clinic manager at MeritCare

in Detroit Lakes

57years of

You have family with us.

Personal Care Assistant• Companionship• Homemaking• Meal Preparation• Grocery Shopping• Laundry• Mobility, Transfers • & PositioningLight Housekeeping• Custom Cares•

The owners of Lake Country Home Care have 57 combined years of home care experience right here in the lakes area. Providing a wide array of paraprofessional services: Adele Lausten,

Registered NurseLinda Moore,

Registered NurseRhonda Koehler,

Registered Nurse

Serving Central Minnesota • 218-385-3422

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Let us buy the gas!

Call us for:• Shopping & Delivery• Residence Cleaning• Business Cleaning• Courier Service

• eBay Consignment

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218.346.7700 Perham, MNfax 218.346.5230 135 Third Street NE [email protected] dentistryonline.com

40 years in the dental business and

Kathy Walz still makes going to the

dentist fun!......along with her co-workers Jean, Linda, Kris, Mary, Becky, Pam, & Dr. Smith

A sAlute toWomen in Business

Back Row: Darla Berry, Kim Hoban. Front Row: Cheri Kopveiler,

Jenny Geiser, Rosa KawlewskiNot Pictured: Wanda Wallace,

Julie Adams, Barb Baker, Sandy Carstens,Melissa Engle,

Joan Becker, Maureen Krutchen, Joyce Christiansen, Diane Vry

Gas/Water/Sewer Utilities . . . . 385-2213City Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385-2213Fax Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385-2315Police Department . . . . . . . . . . 385-2600Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385-2436Liquor Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385-2004

New York Mills M i N N e s o t a

CitY of



By Megan Wutzke

Tiffany Grover grew up in the EOT area and graduated from Perham High School in 1996. Af-ter graduating, she moved outside of New York City.

From there she traveled back to Minnesota, and then to Arizo-na, where she acquired her Esthe-tician license.

After moving again to the mountains of Colorado and then

again to Wisconsin, Grover be-came a certified Electrologist. She now lives in Perham and has opened her own business, Crea-Tiff, which is located in the Sa-lon on Second building on Main Street.

Electrolysis consists of taking a small probe and inserting it into the hair follicle while con-ducting a small amount of elec-trical current to destroy the hair follicle.

When the hair is in the right stage of growth, applying the elec-trolysis to the hair follicle will per-manently destroy the hair from growing back.

While Grover hasn’t done any advertising yet on this procedure, she is the only one that she knows of in the area that can do elec-trolysis, so she anticipates a lot of business.

“I’m already busier than I thought I’d be right now. I’m defi-

nitely having fun,” Grover said.CreaTiff offers electrolysis,

specialty waxing, airbrush make-up and tanning.

Electrolysis is for those who are looking for a treatment that will permanently result in no hair growth.

Grover also specializes in brid-al make-up and event make-up. Those wanting these services can go to Salon on Second and ask for Tiffany Grover.

All American Title Company (AATC) has opened a new office in Detroit Lakes at 803 Roosevelt Ave. Ste 303. This is the second office for the company in the area. The oth-er branch is in Perham.

AATC has been in business for 11 years and the new branch is office number 11 for the company.

“At the Perham and Detroit Lakes offic-es, we are a real estate closing office where we handle land title and lien searches and closing for buyers, sellers and borrowers who are refinancing,” said Brandi Schlaud-eraff, Executive Closer.

Their motto is: “Experience committed to customer service. It’s who we are. It’s what we do.”

“I am very excited to be working for All American Title Company. They are a great company with a great staff to lead the way.

We are also very excited to be branching out in the Detroit Lakes market and getting to work with a whole new set of prospects,” said Schlauderaff.

Hours of operation at their new Detroit Lakes location are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Perham office is located at 650 3rd Avenue SE, Ste 5.

Other locations include Hibbing, Min-neapolis and Maple Grove.

To learn more visit their website at www.allamericantitleco.com.

Tiffany Grover offers experienced care of skin and hair at CreaT-iff in Perham

All American Title opens new branch in Detroit Lakes

L to R: Jodi L. Sazama, Denise Tappe and Brandi Schlauderaff of All American Title Com-

pany in Perham and Detroit Lakes.

Submitted photo

Tiffany Grover’s, CreaTiff, is located in the Salon on Second building on Main Street. Grover offers electrolysis, specialty waxing, airbrush make-up and tanning.

“...I’m definitely having fun” — Tiffany Grover

Marilyn Bolland and Denise Kane

109 Coney Street West • Perham, MN 56573346-7290 • 1-800-582-7290

A Salute to Women in Business

Serving the community since 1992.

F Commercial & Residential Design F New Construction CoordinationF Re-design F StagingF Extreme OrganizationF Interior PaintingF Wedding/Event Design/CoordinationF Holiday DecoratingF Home Decor RetailF Lighting, Hardware,

Rugs, etc

These women mean business!

140 W Main StreetPerham, MN346-2475 • (218) 770-1970 [email protected]

Refreshing Designs

Studio & Decor by Danielle Glorvigen

Pictured above (l to r): Danielle Glorvigen, Leann Feldt &

Jennifer Moore

Proudly serving women and their families in the Perham area for 31 years.

Service is as important as having the right fashions at the right time. Nadine’s strives to give you both! Stop in and let our staff help you

with all of your family fashion needs!

145 West Main, Perham • 346-2615Monday-Saturday 9-5:30, Friday 9-8, Sunday 10-4

EmilyTobkin

LynnTobkin

AshleyBond

JenAanenson

Miriam Mattson

Ann Kostynick

Ashley Stigman

DeniseSchornack

Amanda Doll

Sarah Wacker

PaulaFischer

Michelle Bormann

Terri Enger

*ExcludES BrightoNSTORE

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Present this coupon during Business Women’s Week Monday, October 25 - Sunday, October 31, 2010

25% offANy oNE rEgulAr PricEd

itEM of your choicE

MID-STATE AUTO AUCTIONis proud of its

Women Professionals!

100 BACH AVENUE • NEW YORK MILLS, MN 56567

L to R: Penny Phegley, Jenny Aanenson, Jeanne Roggenkamp, Wendy Windels, Daidre Sullivan, Deb Rudolph, Kathy Hastings, Pat Finberg, Gina Long.


Hours: Mon. 9-5, Wed. 2-8, Thurs. 10-6, Fri. 9-4, Sat. By Appointment

Tammy Monson - 19 yrs. of serviceJoAnne Stiras - 38 yrs. of service

Thanks to all of our

customers for your support

and friendship!

DenT

Thank you ladies for all of your hard work. We appreciate it!

LtoR: Pam Gaudette, Joyce Wohlwend, Melissa Mursu, Gail Huebsch, Karie Johnson

Timothy C. Neitzke, O.D. Jeffrey L. Mackner. O.D.Randall J. Kemfer, O.D.

Member Minnesota Eyecare Network Inc.

340 Fox Street, Perham218-346-3310


Author has ties to PerhamAn author with Perham-area

connections has penned a book on relationships, “for women who have been there before.”

Author, life coach and speaker Kally Reynolds visited East Otter Tail this past September. Her sis-ter is Lynn Ruther, who has lived in the Perham area for about 30 years. In addition to visiting fam-ily, Reynolds had several speaking engagements in Minnesota.

“Of Frogs and Princes: Reflec-tions on relating, dating and mat-ing” is the title of the new book by Reynolds, who has been a frequent visitor to the area for many years.

She describes the book, which is available at Bev’s Book Nook in Perham, as a collection of wisdom–much of it from her own experi-ence, but also quotes and passages inspired by others.

“When women have bad experi-ences, so often they carry old bag-gage with them–when it is a time to let go of the old; embrace the new, and go forward,” said Reynolds, who lives in Illinois, and is a con-sultant. Her consulting business is Renaissance Journeys, LLC.

In addition to appearances and workshops with organiza-tions, Reynolds also books with businesses and corporations as a speaker and coach.

While the primary audience for her book is women, she has a growing number of men who enjoy the book and have attended work-shops.

“I’ve been surprised at how many compliments we get from men,” she noted.

For information on Reynolds and Renaissance Journeys, her web page is kallyreynolds.com.

Marilyn Oelfke, Perham Memorial Home’s Senior Director of Long-Term Care Services, was invited to speak at an aging services conference in Baton Rouge, La., this past spring.

Oelfke was part of the faculty for the Louisiana Enhancing Aging With Dignity Through Empowerment and Respect (LEADER) first annual senior services culture change summit.

The summit was an educational op-portunity specifically designed to inter-est and educate residents, family mem-bers, administrators, long-term care professionals, those working in retire-ment housing, senior centers, support-ive and assisted living communities and other health care settings throughout Louisiana. Over 500 people were in at-tendance at the conference.

Recognized nationally as a leader in nursing home culture change, Oelfke was invited to represent Perham Me-morial Home and share the journey it undertook in its culture change and im-plementation to the Household Model of care. She presented the local facil-ity’s person-centered alternatives to medication administration, the nurse’s role in changing long-term care culture, and building teams to create home.

Perham Memorial Hospital is a progressive facility that provides a comprehensive scope of services ad-dressing the physical, emotional, and educational needs of its patients. The highly-trained staff and state-of-the-art equipment ensure that each patient receives the very best in personalized care under the patient and family cen-tered care model.

Marilyn Oelfke invited to speak

in Louisiana

Author and speaker Kally Reynolds visited the area, promoting her book and making speaking appear-ances. Her sister is Lynn Ruther, longtime Perham area resident.

PeoPle you know and trust…Farmers &MerchantsState Bank

we’re here to serve you and our community!

Back row (left to right): Rhonda Rudolph, Lisa Paavola, Marlene Teberg, Bev Swanberg, Lori Quiram, KayAnn Kahilainen, Betty Sw-enson, and Cindy Delaney. Front row (left to right): Amy Wallgren, Carol Tumberg, Rosemary Becker, Ellen Olson, and Diane Nelson

www.fmbanknym.com

we’re there with you. . .every steP of the way!

A friendly face, people who know and care about you, and a business that wants to help our community succeed — traditions we’ve supported since 1916!

From our selection of many convenient debit/credit/money cards, to our NYM Eagles checks and checkbook covers, we have the products you want!

Whether you’re just starting your life’s journey or have enjoyed many years along the way, we’re here to help you meet your financial goals!

ADDRESS: 11 NORTH WALKER P O BOX 278 NEW YORK MILLS, MN 56567

BUSINESS HOURS LOBBY: 8:30am - 4:30pm M-F

PHONE NUMBERS: 218-385-2300 TELEPHONE 218-385-9303 FAX 800-469-0055 TELEBANC

WALKUP & DRIVEUP: 8am - 5pm M-F 8:30 - 11:30 am SAT

Royale Resources, Inc. is a service oriented company owned exclusively by three women of Perham and surround-ing communities. Royale Resources provides three major service lines; pay-roll processing, flex plan administration and employee leasing.

Payroll processing utilizes our expertise in timely and accurate payroll processing. This frees up your time as a business owner or office manager to perform other duties.

Flex plans offer an affordable way for small and large employers to extend their employee’s benefit packages. Our

administrative team provides knowledgeable processing of claims with checks usually reaching par-ticipants much sooner than out of town services.

Employee leasing offers an alternative to managing your own employer taxes and workers compensation insurance. We handle most aspects of employment allowing you to run your business more efficiently.

Stop in and see Connie Mort, Crystal Collins or Rhonda Olson at 154 1st Ave. S in Perham or call 346-3000 for a quote and information.

Crystal Collins, Rhonda Olson and Connie Mort

Our professional women are working to bring you excellence in health care. We appreciate their dedication and thank them and all working women in our community, for their commitment to service.

Perham MemorialHospital and Homepmhh.com


By Sonja KoSler

The intriguing sign at 139 1st Avenue South in Perham is an in-vitation to visit an equally intrigu-ing new store. Mary and DuWayne Roberts offer supplies for area vintners and brewmeisters as well as unique gifts and home décor items.

Four years ago, Mary became interested in home wine making after watching friends go through the process. She moved from ob-serving and tasting to internet research and reading. Before long, she was making her own wine.

She found it was difficult to find

local supplies. A need for yeast spe-cific to wine making required a trip to Fargo or St. Cloud.

After working for eight years at Bremer Bank in Perham, Mary listened to encouragement from family and friends and opened her own supply store. Getting the store ready has been a family affair. One of her sisters found the loca-tion and another made the sign. In just six weeks Mary, DuWayne and their three children gutted the store and put in their own finish-ing touches–from the wood floors to corrugated metal ceilings.

The space now houses not only the wine supplies, but also the ne-

cessities for home-brewed beer. Mary says although she doesn’t know about making beer, custom-ers have given their input and she has ordered the appropriate sup-plies.

Mary does know her wine mak-ing. She keeps notes on all her own wines and has a book of her reci-pes. She has typed directions for customers and offers “lots of free advice.”

To complement the beer, there is a barbeque corner in the shop. Another corner features chocolate with suggestions for appropriate wine pairings. Custom gift baskets are another a big hit. From stem-ware to aprons, each item in the store is intentionally offered for a unique gift experience. DuWayne calls it “product differentiation,” a sincere attempt not to duplicate products that are being carried by other area stores.

Mary is enthusiastic in her praise for other Perham business owners, “I can’t say enough about their welcome.” They’ve been sup-portive with advice and even send their customers over.

DuWayne is the Minnesota sales representative for PPG Industrial Coatings. The Roberts family lives north of New York Mills. Both Du-Wayne and Mary (Loerzel) grew up

on farms and even with their busy schedules, still find time to raise crops and beef cattle on their 150 acres. They both enjoy their time on the land with fishing, hunting, and outdoor activities. Mary finds gardening particularly relaxing.

Make Me Wine is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednes-

day through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

DuWayne points out that the couple “went into this with no ex-pectations except peace of mind and happiness.” Looking around the store and at this smiling fam-ily, it appears those expectations have been met.


Make Me Wine a unique and intriguing store

Photos by Sonja Kosler/FOCUSThis sign on Perham’s 1st Avenue South, above, identifies an intriguing store. A barbeque supply display, left, is just one of the surprises at Make Me Wine in Per-ham.

DuWayne and Mary Roberts and their children: Trisha, 19; Jordin, 13; and Blake, 9; have worked together to create Make Me Wine.

Area brewmeisters will find a variety of products for home-brewed beer.

Enhanced Safety and New Options

© 2010 Hunter Douglas. ® Registered trademark of Hunter Douglas.

Vignette® Modern Roman Shades — the new standard in Roman shades.

Call or stop by today to see what’s new and learn about the Vignette Advantage.









A complete line of blinds, verticals, soft shades and shutters. Priced to fit your budget.

Call Carol Myhre, 218-758-2486 (office)701-261-4939 (cell)

Visit our showroom by appointment, or I’ll bring the showroom to you.

At the WindoW650 3rd Ave SE, Perham, MN

Carol from At The Window would like to acknowledge the other women working in local area businesses.Call 218-367-7724(RRAH)

for an appointment.Located on Hwy 78

one mile north of Ottertail.44033 Hawes Beach Rd., Ottertail

Dr. Sara Krumwiede, April Carlson, Jessie Hawes

We salute our working women

105 Jake Street SE, Perham, MN 56573

(218) 346-7557

AUTO PARTS& SERVICE CENTER

Get The Good Stuff & The Good Service

The staff at

NAPA of Perham

would like to

thank

Sharon Vogert for 34 years

of service in the

NAPA Auto

parts business.

Time Communications Celebrates the Contributions of the Talented

Women Who've Helped us Become an Award-Winning Call Center.

www.TimeCommunications.biz

Women Who Make A Difference



By Megan Wutzke

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice, located at 101 Main Street West, Perham, is full of everything little girls are made of. From ice cream, to Minnesota based cook-ing items, to the Life is Good clothing line; this store has a wide variety of items that are sure to please anybody.

“We tried to make this store very di-versified,” says co-owner Bette Pitzel. Pit-zel and her daughter, Michelle Shaw, own Sugar and Spice together. All last winter, the mother-daughter duo, along with their husbands, worked to remodel the building where The Pines Gifts and Collectibles used to be.

“Our husbands were doing all of the hauling and knocking down walls, not us,” Pitzel says laughing. All of that hard work paid off, as the store is bright and open, with Christian books, children’s items, hats, Kenny’s candy, and rugs filling the store. Even though Sugar and Spice seems to have just about everything, the owners

are planning on remodeling the apartments upstairs too.

“We won’t be using them as apart-ments, but I believe we’ll be using that area as retail space. We’ll see what we put up there though, won’t know until this winter when we clean them out.

They are in pretty bad shape,” Pitzel ex-plains.

Looking at the results of their hard work now, it is probably safe to assume that the work they put into the upstairs area will pay off with an even more diver-sified store.

‘Sugar and Spice’ offers everything nicePhoto by Megan Wutzke/FOCUS

Bette Pitzel stands next to Sugar and Spice’s ice cream parlor, the “sugar” part of the business name.

Heather Cassidy has completed the necessary qualifications to be recertified through the Certified Professional program administered by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA).

Cassidy is the owner of Hor-ticulture by Heather LLC located in New York Mills. Horticulture by Heather LLC provides services throughout the Lakes Region and has been in business since 2006.

She is also employed at Lake County Gardens-Ottertail in Bat-tle Lake.

To receive the Certified Profes-sional designation, Cassidy had to pass a comprehensive examina-tion administered by the MNLA and the University of Minnesota. The examination consists of plant identification, landscape plan-ning, sales and marketing proce-dures, general knowledge of horti-culture, and practical application skills.

To fulfill requirements for re-certification, Cassidy had to at-tend a series of continuing edu-cation classes and participate in industry improvement activities. Recertification requirements en-courage green industry profes-sionals to remain informed about the latest research and trends in the nursery and landscape trades. The recertification process is re-quired every three years. The designation ensures that business patrons of MNLA Certified Pro-fessionals benefit from the best knowledge and experience in the green industry.

The Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association is a state-wide trade association with more than 1,500 members. Association members include nurseries, gar-den centers, landscape designers, landscape contractors, irrigation contractors, professional garden-ing services, tree care specialists, commercial flower growers, and turf and landscape management professionals from through-out Minnesota and neighboring states.

Cassidy earns Professional designation

642 3rd Ave. SE, Perham218-346-6886Mary Melo, owner

For all you do... a salute to

working women

Henning • 218-583-2933Ottertail • 218-367-2735Battle lake • 218-864-5275

free checkingf

free internet banking

ffree debit cards

[email protected]

NATIONALBANK1ST

Our Business WOmen“We appreciate and acknowledge the fine job our business women do at our bank. A sincere ‘thank you’ to you and all women in the business world today.”The Community Bank of Otter Tail County

Ottertail OfficeKathy Goodijohn, tina Bladow, Phyllis Greenwaldt and Kaeli DornNot pictured: Shannon lewis, Joanne Diedrich, & Marilyn Broding

We

S a l u t e

FACIALS•

CHEMICAL PEELS

•

SUGARING•

BODY WRAPS•

PERMANENT COSMETICS

— Aimee Nelson —

330 WEST MAIN • PERHAM, MN 56573

www.perhamfamilydentistry.com

(218) 346-7186918 Market Street, Perham (South of Dean’s Country Market)

A whole new experience in family dentistry

New York Mills • 385-2765Perham • 346-6750

www.deanscountrymarket.com

Dean’s would like to recognize all the working women in the area!

DEAN’SCountry Market

We salute our working women!



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Women In Business