WWelcome to our annual wedding issue, where we celebrate love and the ways people come together to support each other through one of life’s biggest transitions. From vendors, venues, friends, and family, it takes a village to pull off a wedding to remember, whether it’s a small, intimate affair or a large-scale, multi-day extravaganza. We are fortunate in this region to have a diverse array of professionals and settings available to design and execute the best “big day” imaginable!
In the following pages, you’ll meet a few select pros who are making their mark helping area couples create memories that are forever. Elegance, tradition, and cutting-edge modern takes are all presented here, including three couples and their respective photographers chosen based on their conscientious and intriguing approach to capturing the moments that matter most.
Discover new venues, a caterer, hair and makeup trends for weddings, a renowned makeup artist, and more as you dive into all things “I DO” with us! Fargo-Moorhead offers everything from the classic church wedding to funky, contemporary takes on tying the knot; Brewhalla, Island Park, The Jasper Hotel…. the list goes on and there have been epic celebrations at all.
Many of today's Gen Z couples are applying key traits of their generation to weddings. Tech-savviness, creativity, innovation, sustainability, and willingness to be a bit out of the ordinary are all coming together beautifully. Weddings are more personalized than ever! Not all brides wear white anymore and their wedding parties aren’t necessarily in identical dresses and suits; they’re paving the way creatively and we’re here for it. Also? Don't miss the pets that are now often part of the wedding festivities, from walking down the aisle as ringbearers to having signature drinks and desserts named after them at the reception. Pets today are sharing the spotlight with their beloved owners.
Whether you are currently planning your own wedding, helping a friend or family member with theirs, or you’re just curious as to what’s trending, take a look and see how the FM area continues to deliver exactly what it takes to design a stylish, fabulous event with meaning.
Here's to spring and here’s to LOVE! Enjoy! [ aw ]
Best,
Dawn Duncan Managing Editor
On Thursday, February 13, 2026, the annual Giving Hearts Day will celebrate its 19th year and includes 641 participating charities, including 44 new organizations since 2025’s event. Giving Hearts Day runs for 24 hours, from midnight-midnight (Central) and is one of the nation’s largest and longest-running 24-hour giving events.
The Dakota Medical Foundation, along with Impact Foundation, is honored to host this joyful celebration of our region’s Giving Hearts and has a goal of inspiring tens of thousands of generous donors, who, to date, have given $226M on Giving Hearts Day. Donors give to an average of two charities during the annual celebration and fundraising drive.
The “Why” Behind the Day:
Every Giving Hearts Day, people across the region show what it means to care for their neighbors. Through time, generosity, and simple acts of kindness, Giving Hearts show up for each other and the important causes around us. There is no wrong way to participate! Whether it is giving dollars, goods, and/or volunteering, all efforts are appreciated and help to further the cause, sustaining it into the future.
Giving Hearts Day opens the door for people to connect with local charities making a real difference in health and quality of life. Through giving, supporters help nonprofits across North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota do even more for the communities they serve. While the world feels quite divided right now, Giving Hearts Day provides an opportunity for us to focus on the things that unite us—rallying behind and supporting important charities throughout our region.
At a time when many people may feel disconnected, Giving Hearts Day creates a space to slow down, show up for one another, and remember the power of community. With thousands of volunteer opportunities and hundreds of participating charities, GHD provides a platform to do just that.
Knowing the incredible capacity for kindness in our region, we believe that everyone can find a cause that speaks to them. GHD opens the door to connect with charities through time, talent and giving---making it easier than ever to take that first step. We’re grateful for every Giving Heart who shows up, helping generosity reach farther and strengthening our communities in lasting ways.
How the Movement Grows:
GHD is not only a great opportunity to support a local charity yourself, but also to introduce a friend, family member, or coworker to the joy of giving back. The “ask” is that everyone who participates also invites at least one other person to be a Giving Heart alongside them.
GHD has become an annual tradition for many businesses, families, schools, and churches throughout the region. Whether through volunteering, hosting a goods drive, or sitting down together to make yearly gifts, GHD is a great reason to slow down, give thanks, and pay it forward for someone else.
By evolving how people give, we’re creating more opportunities for kindness to reach those who need it most. When generosity grows, so does the impact—across nonprofits, volunteers, and the neighbors they serve every day.
Why Purpose and Connection Matter:
Purpose grows when people feel connected. This includes their community, to each other, and to something bigger than themselves. The Dakota Medical Foundation and the Impact Foundation, through research, have found that two key areas of purpose are impacted: work and personal well-being.
At work, purpose-driven employees are six times more satisfied with their job and four times more likely to be engaged. Purpose-driven workplaces are 30% more productive, have 30% less turnover, have 62% fewer safety issues, and have 37% less absenteeism. Why? Because when people feel like they matter, they are more focused and committed to their overall performance; work has purpose beyond paychecks.
In terms of personal well-being, people involved in the community generally report higher levels of meaning and purpose in their lives. Individuals who report higher levels of purpose enjoy the following health benefits: heart attack risk is reduced by 27%, stroke risk is reduced by 22%, better sleep, and much greater success with drug/ alcohol rehabilitation (50% less likely to relapse).
GHD opens the door to connect with charities through time, talent and giving — making it easier than ever to take that first step.
Getting involved:
Encourage others to join the movement and use any of the following phrases to welcome people into the generosity and kindness of GHD:
Kindness isn’t a moment, it’s a movement.
• There is no wrong way to be a Giving Heart.
• When Giving Hearts show up together, communities grow stronger.
Giving isn’t about doing everything, it’s about doing something.
• Join your neighbors in shaping the future of our region. One donation at a time.
• Every cause you care about. One powerful day.
Find your cause. Make your impact.
See what is possible when we all show up.
• Be part of something more.
Additional information:
#GivingHeartsDay is the official hashtag of Giving Hearts Day 2026. You can find Giving Hearts Day on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
There are tens of thousands of dollars in “Golden Tickets” available throughout the Giving Hearts Day season. Golden Tickets are randomly drawn financial bonuses that people become eligible for by giving dollars, donating goods, pledging to volunteer at a local charity, or reporting an act of volunteerism.
While Giving Hearts Day is a single day to the general public, it’s more than just a day for charities. All charities selected to participate in GHD have access to year-round training via Impact Foundation on fundraising, boards, and leadership, among many other topics.
To fairly represent all sizes of charities participating in GHD, awards are presented to the top five fundraisers in three budget categories:
$250,000 and below
$250,001-$999,999
$1 million and above
First place winners receive an additional $10,000, second place receives $8,000, third place receives $6,000, fourth place receives $4,000, and fifth place receives $2,000. [ aw ]
Winnipeg, Manitoba couple Amber and Reid Penner met on Bumble and their romance blossomed from there. Desiring a destination wedding that would reflect their interests, they chose Fargo, ND and Brewhalla Odditorium for their celebration.
Photography by Traci Anderson Family & Wedding Photographer
Reid pulled off a creative proposal after he and Amber went whale watching in Mexico. “It was the most amazing experience,” Amber says. “We saw 25 humpback whales, including a full breach and I was absolutely in heaven!” From there, Reid asked her to go for a walk on a nearby beach then asked if she would take a photo with him. Confused and sensing something was strange, Amber then realized, “It was happening!”
The couple love traveling and beer and knew that if they wanted their loved ones (100+ of them) at the wedding, it would have to be kept fairly close to Manitoba. “We had seen Brewhalla being constructed during a visit to Fargo and after determining Winnipeg didn’t have a venue that was right for us, we checked out the completed Brewhalla and it felt like it offered a vibe that matched our ‘weird’,” Amber comments.
“...we checked out the completed Brewhalla and it felt like it offered a vibe that matched our 'weird'.”
Amber Penner
Working with Traci Anderson, the couple state that she was “so lovely” and that she found a way to help them take wonderful, memorable photos while making it seem fun and effortless. “This was incredible for two reasons,” says Amber. “First, she never met us prior to the wedding day! And secondly, we are awkward being photographed!” She adds Traci was able to curate an environment that brought out their best selves. [ aw ]
The Wedding Pros
venue/ The Jasper Hotel
florist/ Ortonville Flower Shop (Ortonville, MN)
rings/ Gunderson’s Jewelers
dress/ Your Day by Nicole
groom's attire/ Men’s Wearhouse
wedding party attire/
Bridesmaids: Various
Groomsmen: Men’s Wearhouse
officiant/ Father William Slattery (Sts. Anne & Joachim)
cake/ Grace Heinen (Instagram: grace.bakescake)
reception location/ The Jasper Hotel
dj or band/musicians/ Harmon Entertainment (Pete)
invitations/stationery/ Ortonville Independent (Ortonville, MN)
favors/ KLN Family Brands (Kenny’s Candy & Confections)
décor rentals/ The White House Co.
Karissa Kjos is a Williston native but has found a home in Fargo where she owns and operates Gather Event Planning. She does weddings from start to finish and corporate/nonprofit events such as fundraisers or community engagement events. Putting on these events, although they are meant to feel like parties, can be extremely stressful—weddings especially. A lot of moving parts and a lot of different opinions can make couples feel claustrophobic, sometimes finding themselves looking forward to the whole ordeal being over with. This is precisely what Karissa works to alleviate. Her main mission is to allow her clients to feel like guests at their own events: to hand off the timelines, phone calls, and appointments to a trusted friend while they celebrate a new stage of life together.
A beautiful message and idea… and Karissa has worked extremely hard to build this business from scratch.
“We had to look up what we wanted to do within our preferred city. So, I googled Minneapolis event planner because that was the big dream of mine at the time.” Karissa Kjos
In college at MSUM, she took a business and professional course in which the students were told to research possible jobs in their desired fields.
“We had to look up what we wanted to do within our preferred city. So, I googled Minneapolis event planner because that was the big dream of mine at the time.”
This was not a wild whim, either. Karissa has loved the process of event planning for a long time, being heavily involved in homecoming committee in high school and organizing other school events like Valentine’s Day candygrams.
Karissa’s Google search of “Minneapolis event planner” came up with the name Amy Zaroff. Amy is an influential figure in this realm of work with a lot of experience and a wealth of connections, and Karissa landed an internship with her. Getting this first-hand exposure and guidance helped Karissa sift out what her specific niche would be in the event planning industry.
“When we got in there, she really was like, ‘hey what do you like about events?’ So, I found out that I love the logistics of the events versus just making the space look pretty. I can look at your Pinterest board, tell you about rentals, who we can grab, and how we can get that look,” she says. “Really bringing the puzzle together, that’s where I thrive.”
After college and her internship, she moved back to Williston in 2016 for a job as the executive director for the Downtowners Association.
“It’s almost like a chamber of commerce but just directly for downtown: getting the community to come downtown, shop downtown, play downtown. We did farmer’s markets, concert series, art and wine walk, and had sidewalk sales and all of that.”
While working here and then occasionally at Williston State College in the Student Life Center, Karissa planned her first wedding. A good friend was getting married and Karissa asked her if she could give it a try and be her planner. Then, she got another client in the summer of 2017.
“And then I knew someone else in need of a planner and that’s how I slowly started building, just doing one or two in the summer and it felt great.”
She was only able to do a couple events each year in the beginning—still working full-time for the Downtowners and the college to stay afloat.
She knew she had to make a leap of faith to really get her business off the ground. To make the move to Fargo—a bigger city with more opportunities than Williston—she had to extensive analysis of her time and money; how much she was able to make in a year divided by the amount of hours she put in and how many clients she could take to calculate a salary. Eventually, it balanced out just so that she could support herself as if in a starter position job. She says her parents’ support made her comfortable enough to take this risk. They told her:
“If you happen to fail, we will be here.”
“And then I knew someone else in need of a planner and that’s how I slowly started building, just doing one or two in the summer and it felt great.” Karissa Kjos
As she got started in Fargo, she still always had side gigs to help support herself, whether they were working at the Family Wellness or donating plasma. She still only planned part-time and just did day-of coordination services when she first got established in Fargo, so building up that reputation and safety net took a while.
She started with hiring a designer to build her website and make her business cards and then she went through the process of making her business an LLC.
“And that was really the only start-up costs,” she says. “I knew I never wanted to have rentals or anything.” Some planners own their own venue or are their own internal vendor for things like flowers or table linens. That would come with more start-up costs, and she was not interested in adding that responsibility to her plate. Being in a larger city (for North Dakota, at least) means that there are enough vendors to choose from for décor and everything else, so she would not be forced to supply any of those things herself.
“I was able to get enough great connections here in our wedding industry, and our event industry here is supportive. I’m close with a lot of other event planners in town,” Karissa says. Talking with attendees at different events, those other planners would refer people to Karissa and vice versa to help each other build those connections.
“It was little steps,” she says, “but I got there eventually.”
She was able to go from planning between two to five events in a year to 20 or 30.
“It’s so funny because I love it,” she says. “What brings a lot of people stress because they have to make decisions and they’re trying to please their families, their guests, their friends…that’s where I do well. As much as wedding time is so beautiful it can also be very stressful. That’s where it’s so nice for me to work with my couples and take that stress off.”
“I’m going to get to know you throughout the planning.”
Karissa Kjos
This means that Karissa works in the business of trust. She cannot lift that stress from her clients unless they relinquish some control and decide to trust her. This is where precise interpersonal skills come into play.
“I’m going to get to know you throughout the planning,” Karissa says. “I can tell with my clients if they like an idea or not
Being able to read nonverbal communication is more important than one might think for an event planner. There are often delicate relationships that are woven into each decision and more nuance than a planner might be privy to—but she must pick up on these things and be a shrewd navigator to keep things moving forward.
“I’ve gotten to have good connections with my vendors, be able to read my clients well, and be ‘that person’. I always tell them,” says Karissa, “just throw me under the bus. If your mom really wants purple and you just do not, just say, ‘our planner says purple is not going to work with our color scheme.”
She can scapegoat and she can mediate.
“If there’s something that’s really hard, or if you want to bring your parents into the conversation, I can help explain why something costs what it does or how we’ll save money here because we want to spend money here,” she explains.
By now, after nine years as an event planner, Karissa can work for herself full-time and keep a hired assistant.
“It’s been a hard path,” she says. “In this industry, you don’t make a lot of money or it’s not guaranteed money. You’re always planning for the next year. Sometimes, financially, it’s so hard to plan around. But if you have a good support system and keep chasing and putting in the hours… that’s how I’ve gotten to be where I am.”
Something she wants to give back to the next generation of people in the industry is the oppor-
tunity to finally discover if this life is really the one they want. The only way to find out what your real dreams are is to get out there and try them on for size.
“It’s not all glamourous. And you really have to get into it to find out if you like it or not,” Karissa says, “but it’s a risk you’re willing to take. If you don’t like it, then you just go find another thing to do.”
That’s why she hires assistants who are just in college or freshly graduated, to be that wise figure that Amy Zaroff was for her and give them the opportunity to see what it’s really like in the real world.
Now that she can afford to, Karissa plans to cut back just a little bit in the coming years and work on blooming in another area of her own life.
“I’m not married,” she says. “That’s actually why I’m slowing down a little or just changing is because I would love to find a partner and plan my own wedding.”
She’s built this company and this life with her own two hands—now she’s ready to figure out another piece of the puzzle.
“We’re never too old. As much as my life isn’t where I thought it would be, I didn’t think it’d be this amazing either,” Karissa says. “So, you just never know. You just don’t know until you do it.”
Even though it may not feel like it sometimes, there is time. Time to try the career, try the relationship, time to start over if you have to.
“Until you try, you just won’t know.” [ aw ]
For Krystal Anderson, the good news is aggressive treatment for breast cancer saved her life in 2008. The bad news? That treatment — a bilateral mastectomy, the removal of 29 lymph nodes and radiation therapy — resulted in long-term side effects that negatively impacted her quality of life. Those included lymphedema, a condition causing painful swelling, and recurring cellulitis.
After contracting COVID-19 in 2020, Anderson’s symptoms worsened to the point where the swelling in her right arm didn’t subside. She was referred to Essentia Health’s Hyperbaric and Dive Medicine Department by her infectious disease physician at Essentia, Dr. Aaron Phillipps, where she began daily two-hour sessions, or “dives,” in early August 2025.
The 61-year-old Horace, North Dakota, woman was immediately impressed by Essentia’s care team.
Written by Louie St. George III
“They were just amazing — they’re very confident in what they’re doing, which made me comfortable,” she said. “They’re professional and talked through everything with me. They also quickly learned my preferences, like that I’m a two-blanket person and what channel I liked on the TV. They made me as comfortable as possible.”
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves the use of medical oxygen administered in a pressure chamber at levels higher than atmospheric pressure. This pressure helps oxygen dissolve more rapidly into the blood, advancing its absorption into damaged tissues to promote healing. Essentia uses hyperbaric oxygen therapy in both outpatient and emergency settings to treat 15 FDA-approved conditions, including non-healing wounds, infections, vision or hearing loss, frostbite and crush injuries.
Photographs supplied by Essentia Health
Dr. Olayinka David Ajayi , MD Hyperbaric Medicine Essentia Health
Dr. Aaron Phillipps , DO Travel Medicine , Infectious Disease Essentia Health
Essentia Health-Fargo opened its hyperbaric department in 2021 with two chambers. To meet growing demand, the department doubled its capacity in August 2025 with two additional chambers. Essentia Health-Fargo is the only hospital in North Dakota that offers 24/7 hyperbaric care. In October, it received accreditation with distinction from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS). Essentia is one of 51 facilities nationally, and the only hospital in North Dakota, South Dakota or Montana, that is accredited with distinction by UHMS, the highest level possible.
For Anderson, now a 17-year breast cancer survivor who co-chairs the Fargo-Moorhead Breast Friends support group, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been a breakthrough. As her treatment progressed, Anderson noticed a reduction in swelling and softening of tissue in her arm, less joint pain and improved mobility.
She finished her 40th session on Monday, Oct. 13. The timing was “impeccable” as she had been on a waiting list for lymphovenous bypass surgery (LVB) in Rochester, Minnesota, since July 2024 when she received a call.
“The hyperbaric treatment placed me in an optimal condition to enter surgery as healthy as possible,” she said.
Anderson underwent 10 additional hyperbaric sessions in November to help her body heal.
While she’d had previous experience with hyperbaric medicine, Anderson explains that she didn’t realize the differences between free-standing chambers — which are typically for groups of people — and what Essentia offers.
“The criteria Essentia follows is really strict and makes me feel a lot more comfortable,” she says. “I just felt completely safe. The staff is wonderful and they’re all so well-trained. They do everything they can to ensure you’re safe and healthy throughout the entire process.”
Dr. Olayinka David Ajayi leads the hyperbaric medicine team at Essentia Health-Fargo. Working with Anderson provided another reminder of how hyperbaric oxygen can facilitate healing for many conditions. Her commitment to doing 50 sessions total, all of them early in the morning, improved her outcome. Dr. Ajayi noted that Anderson came to his team with “severe tightness” in her right upper arm and part of her right upper chest wall, which restricted movement.
“This symptom adversely affected her quality of life,” says Dr. Ajayi. “Our hyperbaric oxygen team was pleasantly surprised that the previously tight skin became more lax before we got to the end of her hyperbaric oxygen treatments, allowing her better range of motion in her right upper arm.
“Krystal was wonderful to work with, and it’s been so gratifying to see the improvements she’s made.”
Anderson, who has spent her career as a teacher for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, is grateful for the care she received at Essentia.
“Everybody at Essentia, all the staff, was wonderful,” she says. “I certainly understood the routine very quickly, and they were very consistent.”
Anderson encourages anyone who is curious about hyperbaric treatment, and whether it might be right for them, to do some research and connect with the team at Essentia Health-Fargo, especially “if you’re looking for something to improve your life.”
“If you think you might benefit from hyperbaric medicine, I'd encourage you to reach out and discuss options with your provider," she added. “It could truly be a life-changing experience.”
Learn more about Essentia Health's Hyperbaric and Dive Medicine Department at EssentiaHealth.org.
f you’re tying the knot in 2026, your wedding style moment is all about intention, individuality, and effortless elegance. This year’s bridal trends celebrate confidence, creativity, and a fresh take on tradition—where timeless romance meets modern design.
As we move into the next decade, bridal fashion is evolving to reflect the changing tastes and attitudes of today’s brides. While some timeless elements remain, 2026 promises a refreshing new take on wedding style. From avant-garde designs to sculpted design, here’s a look at the bridal trends to expect in 2026.
Bridesmaid Trends:
Coordinated (not “cookie cutter”)
Our bridesmaids will wear dresses in a harmonious color palette, each in a unique silhouette that reflects their individual style while staying beautifully coordinated. From sleek strapless cuts to flowing A-lines and delicate lace details, the varied designs create visual interest without stepping outside the curated palette. The result is a modern, cohesive look that feels both personal and polished. You’ll see the different fabrics from velvet to satin.
Groom and groomsmen trends:
Classic black or navy, perfect for a natural yet refined look
Black and navy suits remain timeless favorites, elevated with modern tailoring and personal touches.
Monogrammed jacket linings are in, adding a subtle yet meaningful detail. And for a fun, guest-approved twist—signature cocktails inspired by the couple’s dogs are stealing the spotlight.
Final Thoughts: A Year of Personal Style & Bold Expression
Bridal trends for 2026 are all about choice, confidence, and customization. From sustainable fashion to sculpted silhouettes and playful personalization, brides are embracing what feels authentic to them.
Whether your style is minimalist, romantic, bold, or somewhere in between, 2026 is your year to make it unforgettable—because the best trend of all is celebrating love, your way.
photo by Jill Krahn
ne of the metro’s most elegant event venues is hidden in plain sight. Find Cellar 624 tucked behind the stately brick facade of the historic deLendrecie’s building at the intersection of Main Avenue and 7th Street S. in downtown Fargo. The ornate edifice is one of the city’s Grand Dames. Built in 1894 in Richardsonian Classical style, it was once vital to the women’s suffrage movement in Fargo and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
As guests descend the sweeping staircase, they crane their necks to peer up at the wooden beams and banisters and the soaring ceilings. The journey ends as they follow the sound of laughter across the threshold of Cellar 624, nestled in the lowest level of this storied building. The gracious entertaining space is a pitch perfect blend of classic and contemporary.
“It’s just beautiful,” says manager Charles Johnson. “There's a mixture of old and new. You can tell you're in an older historic building; the brick on the walls is over 120 years old. But then we have new floors, new granite countertops, and a lot of really cool lighting that make it a stellar space for events.”
The venue seats 75-100 for a sit-down dinner, depending on how the tables are arranged. Capacity increases to around 150 for cocktail parties and other gatherings where guests mix and mingle. Meals can be served banquet style or plated, with an emphasis on attentive service and exceptional food and wine no matter which option that the hosts select. This focus on quality and the room’s upscale ambiance appeal to a range of clients who book the space for a variety for different events throughout the year.
“We attract a large array of people,” says Charles. “We do many Christmas parties and business lunches that are less formal, maybe with a heavy emphasis on appetizers or a taco bar. We also do lot of four-course and five-course dinners with a very formal setting — and everything in between.”
The venue is also a popular (and charmingly unconventional) site for groom’s dinners and weddings. It’s a great fit for couples who appreciate the pleasures of excellent wine, thoughtful food, and historical architecture. The cozy atmosphere provides a warm and welcome contrast to a sprawling banquet hall. Couples who have held their weddings here also note the top-notch service and the way the space brings their guests together.
“Weddings are a huge one for us,” Charles says. “Especially intimate weddings, where a couple wants to do their reception and the dinner and dance in the same space.”
And what a special space it is. Cellar 624 (named for the building’s street address, 624 Main Avenue) has been hosting events at this spot since 2021. Diners might remember that the building once held The Fargo VIP Room restaurant. Cellar 624 expands the building’s culinary bona fides. It’s run by Ramon Sosa, who also owns and operates Maxwell’s Restaurant and Bar (one of the
region’s most consistently excellent casual fine dining establishments) and the new Smoke and Iron eatery in West Fargo.
Chris Dietz, of “The Bored Foodie” food blog fame, is the head chef at Cellar 624. The venue also partners with outside caterers like Chef’s Table Catering in Fargo upon request. But many brides, grooms, and party planners request Chef Chris specifically. Charles says Chef Chris’ repertoire offers lots of fan favorites to choose from.
Cellar
624 Manager
Charles Johnson and Head Chef
Chris Dietz
“He can do an amazing lamb steak,” Johnson says. “His beef tenderloin with chimichurri or his bearnaise and bourbon cream is amazing. He has the best buffalo wings. He uses a coffee rub and it’s a really cool flavor mixed with the buffalo sauce. He does have Hispanic heritage in his family, so his taco bars are really good. Sometimes when we have a large event, we will do Italian food like lasagna and pasta. Those are just some of the main things he’s known for.”
The two sommeliers employed at Maxwell’s are ready to step in to recommend thoughtful wine pairings for each course. A range of expertly executed appetizers are popular with guests, both as accents that complement the entree or as a meal in their own right. Handcrafted desserts
(like Chef Chris’ brownie à la mode topped with homemade caramel) are paired with an impressive selection of port. This commitment to culinary excellence extends through every bite.
Charles emphasizes that the house specialties and previous menus are just the beginning of the discussion. Cellar 624 staff members are committed to making each wedding, party, groom’s dinner, or special event as distinctive and memorable as the people hosting.
“It's a very collaborative process,” Charles explains. “Every dinner, every menu we do, is tailored to that event. Once we meet with our guests, it’s all about creating the best environment for their event.”
This personal touch and attention to detail keep clients coming back. Cellar 624 also hosts special dining experiences (like a recent New Year’s Eve fete and a fall Wine Tasting Dinner), as well as regular events to welcome wine aficionados who want to try new food and wine pairings and experience the venue’s welcoming atmosphere. Held on Wednesdays, these gatherings also introduce potential new customers to the Chef and the staff in an organic, laidback manner. (The fact that they get to see how the venue comes alive when people are eating and drinking and laughing together is a bonus.)
CHARLES JOHNSON
“Almost every Wednesday, we’ll have a Wine Wednesday,” explains Charles. “It's really a good time to meet with Chef Chris and myself and plan future events. Usually, we're open from five until eight for the public, but if someone is planning an event with us, then we'll have the people come early, maybe at four o'clock and do a free tasting. That's what we really use that time for — to meet with people and showcase the food.”
Charles says there will soon be even more food options available for Cellar 624 guests. The facility is welcoming chefs and kitchen staff from Teddy’s Eatery and Parlor as an additional catering option, filling the hole in local foodies’ hearts that the downtown Fargo restaurant left when it closed this fall.
But that’s only the beginning. Employees are already buzzing about a highly anticipated menu and staff expansion which will go into effect at Cellar 624 in early 2026. Charles is excited to share the details.
“We recently just got our own Tier One Food License, so that means we can hire our own kitchen staff,” he says. “We're going to start bringing people over from Maxwell's and doing some of that same Maxwell's menu over at Cellar 624.”
The process is just beginning and Charles says they’re still systematically moving through the seemingly endless red tape of health inspector’s visits and piles of paperwork, so he reminds folks to keep an eye on the website (cellar624.com), Facebook page (search for Cellar 624, The Venue on Main), and Instagram (@cellar624) for updates. He hints there may be some additional projects pending, so look for even more news in January and February.
It’s a heady moment for Cellar 624, which will celebrate five years in business in 2026. This is the year they’re doubling down and betting on themselves.
As staff members work toward making the expansion happen, Fargo-Moorhead foodies and discerning brides and grooms can start dreaming about which Maxwell’s menu items they’d like to see at their upcoming wedding or event. There are so many options.
“Maxwell’s changes their menu often during different seasons of the year, so I think all those different seasonal options are going to be awesome for our guests to try going forward,” says Charles, who enjoys sampling new menu items as much as his guests. “Maxwell's also has amazing steak options. They have a good 60-day bone-in aged Wagyu ribeye. They have a really good Black Angus beef tenderloin and Black Angus beef ribeye consistently on the menu. I got to try a lamb meatloaf with a raspberry jam and mint profile that I really liked.”
Even the hypothetical menu is mouthwatering. Expect to see a few favorite dishes (and beloved bottles) popping in Wine Wednesday pairings as the shift toward the expanded menu draws nearer. In the meantime, Cellar 624 is accepting reservations for weddings, parties, and special events throughout 2026. But the calendar fills quickly, so booking sooner just makes sense. There’s plenty of time to start the delicious process of determining the menu as the date approaches.
This immersive, creative, culinary collaboration is a huge part of what makes Cellar 624 special. The historic touches, romantic atmosphere and the ability to connect directly with the chef only amplify the venue’s already ample charm. For food and wine lovers who want an intimate celebration that’s far beyond the ordinary, that’s a perfect pairing. [ aw ]
Executive chefs are at the top of the kitchen hierarchy. Head chefs, sous chefs, line cooks, and all other back-of-house staff are under the direction of their executive chef, who essentially runs the kitchen like a business. Making important menu decisions, keeping staff on track, and acting as trusted and respected leader are the responsibilities that rest on the executive chef’s shoulders.
Urban Foods Catering is a venue partner with the Armory Event Center and the preferred caterers for the Plains Art Museum, Cellar 624, Riverhaven Event Center, the 44 Venue, and several more locations. They cater weddings and corporate events, doing either individual plates or buffet style, and they also provide more intimate services for baby showers or graduations—even for family holidays they can cook out of their client’s kitchen for a private chef experience. As you may imagine, the kitchen at Urban Foods is always hot and busy; sometimes pumping out food for 1,000 people for a single evening. At the helm of all of this is Jessica Herr, the executive chef. She works alongside the owner, Jeff Reitz, to design custom menus, manage the staff, and execute all their big catering events.
10 years ago, she was bartending at The Dirty Gun in Amenia, North Dakota--the local bar that she and her then-husband had bought together and that she ran for eight years. Her first cooking experience came from the small kitchenette in the back of that bar.
During this time, Jessica discovered something valuable about herself. "I had to learn how to cook real quick, and it turns out I just loved it," she says.
The next step was purchasing a food trailer, which the couple ran together for one season. But, after working together in the bar then food business for years, the couple began splitting up and eventually divorced. "We just moved on," Jessica adds.
After that first season, Jessica was on her own, flying solo and running her food trailer. She was determined to keep cooking.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Jessica parked her trailer in front of the Casselton meat locker and served pulled turkey sandwiches, brisket, smoked beets, and a weekly special.
“I had my menu posted the day before I would go out and then I took orders all night long. So basically, when I opened the truck I’d have a minimum of 50 orders ready to roll out the door, and then I’d take walk-up traffic, too.”
Back before The Dirty Gun and the food trailer, Jessica’s first ever job was at the meat locker.
“That’s why they let me park my food trailer there,” she smiles. “I was a little meat wrapper, a deli girl for a couple years.” After that, she spent the next part of her life trying out different jobs and trying to find little parts of herself along the way.
“Then I went and tried to be florist. I loved that, but the money wasn’t there.”
A little later: “I had found a good job working for Fox Systems—it’s like government insurance. But it’s not for me. I don’t sit well.”
Then, her hangout at the time, Club 94 in Casselton, offered her a job and she took it, serving and bartending there for several years.
“I watched those—they were older ladies in the kitchen cooking, and I watched them cook for a lot of years. I kind of wanted to do that.” Then came the Amenia Bar and Grill, to be renamed The Dirty Gun.
The food trailer kept Jessica occupied for three summers but she grew a little stir-crazy in the winters, so she picked up her things and met another change on the horizon.
“I started working for Urban Foods because I wanted a job during the wintertime and I wanted to learn more of the technical things about catering. And then I fell in love with it.”
She remembers that starting in the Urban Foods kitchen was terrifying.
“I’m a burger flipper. That’s where I come from.”
Jessica had no culinary school or formal training. She remembers looking at the prep board, which was really an entire wall, written in dryerase marker where the menu items and monthly events were outlined.
“There were a bunch of words in there that weren’t in English and I was just terrified the entire time.”
But she still showed up to work each day and chose to be vulnerable enough to learn something new every time she stepped into the kitchen. Jessica has never said she’s fearless, but the risks she takes and her willingness to start over time and time again prove that she is extremely brave. She is also relentless. She credits her ascension to executive chef despite her lack of formal training to her work ethic:
“I just don’t stop.”
Today, Jessica usually walks into the Urban Foods kitchen sometime between 7 and 8 a.m. and just gets started on things while the rest of the staff begin to arrive at 9 a.m. She says they work on the day’s tasks until the work is done. Each day can look different however, depending on the type of event they are preparing for. Sometimes they will need to provide for hundreds of wedding guests or a huge fundraiser, or a small gathering that has asked for a private chef experience.
“A lot of times it’s a husband wanting to surprise his wife or something like an anniversary and there will be a group of 8-10 people.” For these private chef services, Jessica and Jeff will bring over some supplies and then use the client’s own kitchen to prepare the meal right there among the guests.
“My favorite event,” Jessica says, “is actually our Easter buffet at the Armory because we put out quite the spread—and I make like 2,000 desserts.”
She was never a pastry chef either… but she’s managed to put herself in high demand since she decided to give it a try about two years ago.
“I noticed most restaurants and catering companies don’t make their own desserts in-house; they order it off the trucks.”
“Now, all three companies come to me for desserts,” she says, referring to Brew Catering and Chef’s Table, which are under the same Urban Foods umbrella. “I kind of made myself important.”
Incredibly, there is even more conquering taking place within Jessica every day; she has been winning battles inside and out for a long time. After her divorce, Jessica made the courageous decision to get sober.
“The hardest part, especially at first, is the loneliness and losing friendships,” she says. “After that, it’s that you don’t really know who you are after so many years of that lifestyle.”
Starting points, supposed to be full of hope and invigoration, can sometimes be the emptiest and most defeating times in life. There you sit, on the ground, empty-handed, with nothing to latch onto but what you’re leaving behind. The strength it takes to stand up and choose a direction to go is hard to find, but it’s what saves you. It’s what has saved Jessica again and again.
“Just keep going, always keep going,” she says, “always. No matter how bad that day is, get up the next day and pretend it’s brand new. Try not to take anything with you from the previous day.”
She’s learned that there’s no use in regretting things or worrying about being good enough. Just start again.
“You always learn something everywhere you stop, no matter how trivial it might be,” she says.
Overcoming fear has been another life lesson she’s well accustomed to. Even though it can be so paralyzing, fear is just a feeling and it can’t stop you if you don’t let it. Jessica is still terrified to speak publicly at events or dessert competitions, but she does it anyway.
“It’s not going to kill me so I might as well do it until it doesn’t scare me anymore.”
That’s the mentality that allowed her to get sober and stay sober for the past six years.
“The moment I put down the bottle, my life took off like a rocket. I cannot see myself having another drink for that reason. For my career, I was able to find passion again, I was excited to go to work every day—mornings are now something I love.”
Jessica plans to stay at Urban Foods indefinitely but she still retains that resilience and adaptability that has gotten her through all the tough things that came before.
“Otherwise,” she says, if Urban doesn’t last forever, “I’d probably go back into business for myself again. I wasn’t sure what that was going to look like, but I always have four or five business plans ready to roll. You never know how life is going to change.” [ aw ]
GUNDERSON'S
5601 28th Ave S, Fargo, ND
Cultured Pearl Stud Earrings
Classic pearls, modern attitude. Three luminous cultured pearls graduate in size on 14K yellow gold for a look that’s timeless yet striking.
$425
JAYMES + BELLE
918 Washington Ave. Detroit Lakes, MN
Photos
Facebook: Jaymes + Belle
By
Carissa Markuson Photography
Primavera Couture’s black A-line sequin dress modeled by Isabelle features a ruffled hem and slit, lending to the gown’s personality and high impact. The styling of this gown plus the classic black fabric creates an intriguing, timeless look.
$619
Isabelle models Ladivine by Cinderella Divine's dusty rose strapless layered tulle ball gown. The gown combines the right amount of ultrafeminine sophistication with plenty of sparkle for a memorable, on-trend effect.
$140
Primavera Couture’s jade gown modeled by Ashlyn is a scoop neck, sequined option that features an open lace-up back and slit. It is a formfitting, glamourous gown that makes a strong statement!
$335
SIGN GUYS
126 S. Vine Street | Fergus Falls, MN 56537 | 218.531.1799
We craft custom wedding signs and banners that bring your vision to life and welcome guests with intention. Discover more ideas and options online or by calling our shop. Visit www.signguysmn.com
This stunning royal blue gown by Juliet, modeled by Ashlyn, features hot stone satin,
The music swells. The bride appears and the whole room turns to look. All eyes are on her face as she makes her way down the aisle, family and friends all captivated by the magic of this moment.
Months — or years — of planning precede a bride’s grand entrance. One of the last things she does before donning her wedding gown is settle into the make-up chair for a rare moment of rest in a highly choreographed day. Maybe she smooths her robe or sips her water or tosses advice to her
bridesmaids over her shoulder as Laura Evavold welcomes her with a smile. The make-up artist keeps up a soothing stream of conversation as she begins to transform the woman in the chair into the bride she’s always dreamed of being: herself, only more so, her own distinct beauty distilled down to its essence.
You may have seen Laura’s work. Discerning brides, commercial clients, photographers, magazines and celebrities (including Food Network television host Molly Yeh) choose Laura and her
company, Facewell Artistry, when they want a particular style of soft, natural glamour that allows the woman (not the make-up) to shine.
But because Laura does her job so skillfully, you don’t notice the make-up at all. Instead, you notice and appreciate new sides of the woman herself: the sharp planes of her cheek bones, her expressive eyes, that lit-from-within glow.
Laura is used to working behind the scenes.
It’s her job to make her clients feel seen — and camera-ready — while she disappears from public view almost completely. But now this highly skilled artist is stepping into the spotlight, sharing how she stays inspired, what it takes to run her business, and how she stays connected with her clients throughout the US.
This warm and friendly mother of three brings years of hands-on experience in the makeup industry to her work. But although her sister identified makeup as Laura’s true calling back when she was still a teenager, the road to her current occupation took a few intriguing twists and turns.
“I grew up in Southern California and I really wanted to go to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco,” Laura explains. “My great uncle was a well-known window display artist in Chicago, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I met my former husband while attending the school and when I graduated from FIDM, we got married shortly after. In getting married, I kind of ended up going down a different path.”
The next steps on that path included a design degree and planning her wedding. One vendor Laura hired wound up changing the entire trajectory of her life.
“When I was getting married, I hired a makeup artist from MAC Cosmetics and we became friendly,” Laura explains. “It was kind of a down-turning economy, and the type of jobs that I was searching for in the design world were few and far between. So I just asked her, ‘Hey, could you help me get my foot in the door at MAC?’ She said, ‘Absolutely.’ I got hired, and I just didn't leave. I loved it so much.”
Laura didn’t just adore MAC’s products. She also appreciated the company’s deep, detail-oriented training and certification process. It allowed her to sharpen her skills and learn how to work on a tight schedule — a real plus in the wedding industry, where even the most meticulously scheduled nuptials rarely go exactly as planned.
“They really set you up to be successful on your own,” she says, explaining how MAC’s methods produce top-notch makeup artists. “In order to work there you needed to pass these certifications where you had to do a full face of makeup with lashes in 30 minutes. You had to pass fashion show and photoshoot makeup certifications. They gave you a photo of a makeup look, and you had to recreate it without knowing what products were used or how they applied it. It was intense training and that really created a lot of successful makeup artists. One of Rihanna's earliest makeup artists started out as a MAC artist. Several others went on to create their own brands after being with MAC. There are many stories like that.”
Laura’s life, family, and address would change a lot in the coming years. But MAC was a constant grounding presence throughout the first phase of her career.
“I worked with them in Southern California, and then we moved to Baltimore and I worked with them there and in New York,” Laura explains. “In New York, I started getting more into freelance work, then had a baby and took a little sabbatical. I ended up separating from my then-husband and found myself in Denver — and worked with MAC again.”
After the divorce came a period of working and healing. Laura met Adam (a native of East Grand Forks) in the Midwest. The couple nurtured a long-distance relationship for two years before
they decided to get married in Minneapolis. Laura started freelancing there after noticing a hole in the market that her unique skill set could fill.
She built Facewell Artistry in Minnesota and still works with brides and commercial clients in the Twin Cities metro and beyond through a network of referrals, collaborations, and word-of-mouth recommendations. That network held even after the birth of the couple’s premature baby prompted a move to the Red River Valley to be closer to a strong support system of family and friends.
Now both Laura’s family and her business are thriving. Son Zeke and daughter Lottie are still at home and busy with school and activities. Her oldest son, Kai, is in the Marine Corps. Laura took an “impactful” trip to visit him in Japan, where he is currently stationed. A trio of cats — Coco (a Christmas gift), an orange cat named Cheddar, and his sister, a black kitty called Betty — complete the household.
Adam is also an entrepreneur. He purchased a wood flooring business called Adams Hardwood Flooring — a symbolic coincidence that Laura says was kismet. The pair frequently use each other as sounding boards, discussing plans, projects, and goals for both of their businesses.
“Our industries are very different, but we both work with people,” she says. “My husband's a
very optimistic, positive person, so he is always very encouraging. And then I'm a little more grounded, so I try to be a little more realistic with him. We’re always coming up with ideas and trying to help each other and exchange advice.”
A dual-entrepreneur household can be challenging. The couple has settled into a rhythm that helps both their family and their respective businesses flourish.
“Thankfully for us, our schedules are opposite, so we've never needed childcare. On the occasion when I'll have work during the week, we just kind of manage, because we both have the freedom to make our own schedules to an extent,” Laura explains. “It can be challenging when you're both entrepreneurs, because your work can be inconsistent, and so just really planning ahead, saving, and preparing for the unknown is my best advice.”
The network of contacts that Laura built in Minneapolis and at Midwest trade shows continues to bear fruit. She has traveled extensively to help brides look their best, booking makeup sessions across the Midwest and further afield, including Colorado, Oregon and Louisiana. She has a website (facewellartistry.com) and an Instagram page (@facewellartistry), but she doesn’t really advertise her services. She doesn’t need to; the fresh faces featured in her portfolio say it all.
“My brides and other clients find me,” Laura says simply. “They see my more natural style and they are drawn to that. We make a great match.” That natural look is different for each bride, tailored to her own aesthetic preferences and dis-
tinct features. But closer look at Laura’s brides’ wedding photos reveals a few common themes.
“It’s how they just naturally look, but in a slightly more flawless way,” Laura explains. “Skin that’s really giving that glow, but not too much highlight. Very natural looking brows, nothing too intense. Just a soft blush, a softer eyeliner, maybe not even too much eye shadow. It's a little bit of a challenge to really make someone look more natural. It takes more skill; the detail really has to blend in and be more subtle.”
Laura has a few favorite tools to help her create her own brand of pared down glam. She reaches for individual lashes to give her clients that
wide-eyed look and uses a fan brush “for a really wispy, softer mascara look, versus the heavy, dark lashes. But my hands are my best tools.”
Blending by hand is an intimate exercise, one rooted in trust. So are the conversations in Laura’s makeup chair.
“It almost is like a therapy session,” Laura says, her smile so genuine that it’s audible in her voice. “I'm not a big fan of small talk. I love going deep.”
The early conversations between Laura and her clients start with the basics: the bride’s style, her makeup goals, the wedding colors and themes. Laura looks at mood boards and inspiration photos, then filters the bride’s ideas through her own years of expertise to suggest a look that will wow in person on the wedding day and also photograph beautifully.
Many brides book sessions for the bridal party too. Others try out their wedding looks for their rehearsal dinners or treat their mothers and mothers-in-law to their own custom makeup sessions.
Makeup trends come and go. Laura says the current love for dewy, effortless looking “clean girl makeup” complements her own style and her brides’ preferences. But she cautions brides, commercial clients, and anyone on social media to make sure that their reference photos are of actual people, not a computer-generated fantasy.
“It has become more challenging because of Instagram and AI,” she says. “AI has really started to play a role in these flawless, almost unachievable makeup looks. I get a lot of inspo pictures from clients that are AI and you do your best to recreate that. But having unrealistic expectations can be tough when you’ve planned an entire event in your head, so I think that's been the biggest challenge.”
Laura says she draws inspiration from other make-up artists. She appreciates Nina Park (on TikTok and Instagram @ninapark) for her “fine details and really soft makeup that is almost unrecognizable as makeup.” She also likes The KJH Brand by Katie Jane Hughes (kjhbrand.com/) both because it offers quality, makeup artist-approved
products and tools and also because the founder teaches people how to effectively use them.
“She does a lot of education online, in social media,” Laura explains. “I appreciate the artists that create brands for makeup artists because they know firsthand what we need. Those artists are really special because they understand and they give back.”
But Laura’s main source of inspiration is her clients. She says that listening to and learning from
the women in her chair has guided her work from the very beginning. It sometimes takes her artistry in a different direction, but the results (because they’re grounded in her clients’ own experiences) take the look to a whole new level.
“When I worked in Baltimore, I predominantly worked with women of color, and that was just such a cool experience. My customers at the store taught me: ‘This is what works best for me,’” she says. “Experience is the best teacher: trying new things and learning from your clients. I had a wedding this past summer, and the bride didn't want any false lashes, and she didn't want her entire bridal party to have lashes either, for cohesiveness. That was really refreshing. And they all looked gorgeous. I think just adapting to what your client wants and really leaning into that is important.”
This sense of mutual respect and trust keeps Laura engaged in her work and keeps her clients coming back. It also prompts them to refer friends, family and clients to Facewell Artistry.
The network that Laura Evavold has built is still going strong. It all started when she felt seen and appreciated as the bride in the makeup chair. Now it’s come full circle, as she extends that same care and professionalism to clients all over the country.
Laura’s sister was right all those years ago when she told Laura that makeup was her calling. She’s crisscrossed the country living, learning, and listening to women with very different styles and perspectives. Now this California girl has put down deep roots on the prairie and her family and her business are prospering, thanks to a mutually supportive circle of family, friends, and clients that Laura holds close to her heart.
“I am really passionate about my work and I'm really passionate about treating others — my brides, my clients — with care.” says Laura. “I think that I've been given this gift and I'm hoping that I'm using it to my best potential.” [ aw ]
FEB 12
SOUP & PIE DINNER
SOUP AND PIE DINNER: The annual Catholic Daughter Soup and Pie Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, February 12 from 4:30 -6:30 p.m. in The Gathering Place at St. Joe's (door #7) - 218 10th St S, Moorhead, MN 56560. Homemade soup and pie served with fresh baked popovers lovingly made by members of the Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Mary. It’s a fast and friendly dinner—perfect for a Thursday evening! Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children 5-10, and can be purchased at the door during the event.
TIME: 4:30 p.m.
LOCATION: St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1005 2nd Ave S, Moorhead MN CONTACT: www.facebook.com/events/1410677497235652
FEB 21 / MAR 21
FARGO MASONIC VENDOR & CRAFT SHOW
Come to the vendor & craft show and support small businesses. The show will be from 11-3 and lunch will be served from 11-1. It all takes place at the Fargo Masonic Center, 1405 3rd St N Fargo. If you want to be a vendor, send an email to fargomasoniccenter@gmail.com
TIME: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Fargo Masonic Center, 1405 3rd St N Fargo
CONTACT: www.fargomasoniccenter.org, fargomasoniccenter@gmail.com
APR 20 YWCA WOMEN OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY SANFORD HEALTH
For more than 50 years, YWCA Women of the Year has highlighted inspiring leaders, mentors, and visionaries. This signature event, attended by over 800 people, carries a legacy of celebrating women whose passion, service, and achievements help shape the FargoMoorhead community. Join YWCA for an evening of empowerment and inspiration at YWCA Women of the Year 2026 presented by Sanford Health on Monday, April 20, 2026 at the Delta by Marriott in Fargo.
TIME: 5:30 p.m. Social, 6:30 p.m. Dinner and Program
LOCATION: Delta Hotels by Marriott Fargo, 1635
42nd Street South Fargo, ND 58103
CONTACT: ywcacassclay.org/womenoftheyear; woty@ywcacassclay.org; (701) 478-2243
APR 25-26
GASPER'S SCHOOL OF DANCE SNOW WHITE, THE BALLET
FMBallet is thrilled to present a brand-new production of Snow White! Join Snow White on her enchanting journey as she escapes the Evil Queen, finds friendship with the Seven Dwarfs, and discovers the true power of courage, kindness, and love. With beautiful choreography, magical storytelling, and captivating performances, this family-friendly ballet brings the beloved fairy tale to life on stage. Perfect for audiences of all ages, Snow White is a sparkling addition to FMBallet’s season that promises to delight and inspire.
TIME: 2:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: The Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway Fargo, North Dakota 58102
CONTACT: app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=fmbnd
FEB 2 / MAR 2
COMMUNITY GAME NIGHT AT NORTHPORT LIBRARY
A variety of tabletop games will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring their favorite game to share. For adults, teens and families.
TIME: 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Northport Library, 2714 Broadway N., Fargo
CONTACT: Dani at 701.476.4026
FEB 3 / MAR 3
JIGSAW SOCIAL AT CARLSON
Calling all puzzle lovers! Do you have lots of puzzles just taking up space in your closet? Want to meet other jigsaw enthusiasts? Let's work on a puzzle together while chatting and making friends! We will have puzzles available or bring some to swap. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
TIME: 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave. S. CONTACT: 701.241.1492
FEB 5&19 / MAR 5&19
BABY
RHYME TIME AT CARLSON
Share songs, fingerplays, short books, rhythms, and rhymes with your baby while introducing them to books and the library! Babies ages birth to 24 months are invited to join us for baby storytimes. One lap per child, please!
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave. S.
CONTACT: Children's 701.241.1495
FEB 18 / MAR 18
COMMUNITY GAME NIGHT AT CARLSON
A variety of tabletop games will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring their favorite game to share. For adults, teens, and families.
TIME: 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave. S.
CONTACT: Dani at 701.476.5980
FEB
21 / MAR 21
TEA TASTING
Explore some of the many unique teas available. Samples of 4 different teas from around the globe will be provided each month, along with brewing tips and relevant information on the background of that month’s selection. Bring a friend so you can sip tea and socialize to the Dr. James Carlson Library. This program is recommended for adults. Preregistration is required.
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Dr. James Carlson Library, 2801 32nd Ave. S., Fargo
CONTACT: Katrina at 701.241.1492
MAR 21
EASTER EGG FUN! OPEN HOUSE
Hop on down to the Main Library on March 21 for some Easter egg fun! We'll be playing games, making crafts and experimenting with plastic Easter eggs between 10 a.m. and noon at this open house event. This program is geared towards kids ages 5 - 12.
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Main Library, 101 4th St N
CONTACT: Children's 701.241.1495
Fargo Public Library events are free and open to the public. A complete schedule of upcoming events is available at all Fargo Public Library locations and on our website at : fargolibrary.org
We notice the people experiencing homelessness in Fargo-Moorhead. We glance at the “everything helps, God bless” sign, hesitate before passing someone asleep on a bench, and quietly think, “someone should do something about this” as we move along a little faster.
“I often find myself thinking,” Taylor Syvertson says, “How would I describe this to my son? How do I tell him about homelessness?”
As the Director of Community Impact for United Way of Cass-Clay, it is Taylor and her team’s job to be the enigmatic “they” who work on solving our local societal issues—the “they” with the courage to address homelessness, lift families out of poverty directly, and develop concrete solutions. United Way is a global organization that has over 1,100 locations worldwide with each individual
“Collective Impact is this way of working that says these big community issues like poverty, like hunger, like homelessness, cannot be solved by one organization alone. We absolutely have to work together.”
Taylor Syvertson
United Way operating autonomously to address the unique needs of their local community. Food banks, afterschool programs, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals can all look to their local United Way as a leading voice and as proof that they all are working toward a common goal.
“We do that through a model called Collective Impact,” Taylor explains. “Collective Impact is this way of working that says these big community issues like poverty, like hunger, like homelessness, cannot be solved by one organization alone. We absolutely have to work together.”
Her job, Director of Community Impact, means that Taylor or one of her Community Impact team members, are the ones attending the meetings and forums, the ones gathering data, the ones presenting the data to donors, and the ones proposing possible solutions to the community.
“I get to be a trusted partner. Whether that’s a trusted partner in thought leadership or strategy or identifying the right people who need to be part of our solutioning,” she says. “I work hard to know what the issues are in our community and who the people are that are working hard to solve them.”
She has recently taken a key role in launching a bold, innovative approach to tackling homelessness, bringing together partners in ways that haven’t been done locally before.
It takes a lot of bravery to choose this work— bridging the gaps among community members and community leaders is not for the faint of heart. Taylor is on the Leadership Team at United Way and at only 36, is shouldering issues like poverty, education gaps, and homelessness. She didn’t hit the ground running in this path, either. She started college at NDSU right after high school but decided it was not her time to choose her life-long career yet. So, she made the decision to pause her formal education and to learn about herself instead.
“What is the name for the thing that gives me so much fire?” she asked herself for a while. “I’m really thankful I figured that out. But I figured it out a little bit later than 18 years old. I went back to NDSU right after I turned 25, and I was so incredibly grateful that I had taken the time to figure that journey out instead of rushing into a career that may have been unfulfilling.
And Taylor is still learning: a six-year-old who calls her “Mom” teaches her more every day. She describes her son as precocious, too smart for his own good, and just beginning to find himself as an individual.
“I feel very honored to get to be a mother,” Taylor says.
“Being a parent and being someone who also has professional aspirations and is very committed to her education and her professional career,” she says, however, “that’s hard. There are moments where it’s challenging to find a way to be both all the time.”
Her son is getting old enough now to be able to come along with her to important work events so she brings him with whenever she can. Recently,
he had his first visit to City Hall during which he wore a name tag and worked civically on a Pokémon coloring book near the back while Taylor attended the meeting.
The work-life equation seems like it should have a right answer that’s always just out of reach for one reason or another, and successful young women like Taylor don’t have it mastered either—even though it might look like they do.
“I’d say this idea of balance is pretty cliché because there is never equilibrium between those two parts of your identity,” she says. “I don’t walk into work and set aside being a parent.”
The experience of raising a human has intensified those gifts that already make Taylor so valuable to United Way and to the Fargo-Moorhead area; her empathy, determination, devotion, creativity, and reliability take on a new meaning when she is able to understand the community through the eyes of a parent. But that’s a lot of heavy work, and it isn’t always easy.
While balancing the many perspectives and opinions she encounters in her line of work, there is a phrase Taylor has come to lean on: “When there are challenges we’re facing, it’s important that we take them seriously but not personally.” It’s this special combination of vulnerability and inner fortitude that makes Taylor such a compassionate and unstoppable force in her career.
One of Taylor’s recent big wins as a professional was the launch of a new collaborative campaign to end homelessness. Applying the United Way Collective Impact strategy in a way that has never been done before, Taylor has co-spearheaded the Cass Clay Interagency Council on Homelessness. This Council is the first of its kind because it is cross-border. Interagency councils exist throughout the United States, but until now, there has never been one that involves multiple states working together.
“I’d say this idea of balance is pretty cliché because there is never equilibrium between those two parts of your identity, I don’t walk into work and set aside being a parent.”
Taylor Syvertson
The first meeting was held in July of 2025.
“Well, it’s just like your birthday party,” Taylor says. “You don’t know who exactly is going to show up.”
But people did show up—a lot of them.
“I still remember standing at the front of the room, welcoming people. We had 75 people in the room, and these were folks who certainly have big jobs, big priorities, their own agendas, things they’re working on in their own organizations that are parts of the community.”
Mayors, business leaders, education department leaders, and healthcare sector representatives all sat down together to participate in a collaborative discussion, facilitated by Taylor, focused on solving homelessness collectively. They came together again in October for the second meeting, and they will have met for a third time on January 21st, 2026, with each quarterly meeting building momentum and creating tangible results.
“That group,” Taylor says, “will put together the very first comprehensive regional plan to end homelessness. So, more to come.” [ aw ]
