Area Woman Magazine June/July '26

june july

36

2026

50

features 10

On The Cover Carly Pritchard

cont by Kooper Shagena

[ aw ]

Well Preserved

Fargo Theatre Celebrates 100 Years by Kooper Shagena

30 Dreambuilding

North Dakota Women's Business Center by Devin Joubert

36 Debbie Carriveau

Traveling The World on the Pink Bus Mystery Trips by Alicia Underlee Nelson

26

life 16

Five Outings in Fargo-Moorhead by Alicia Underlee Nelson

26 Five Regional

Summer Hikes to Explore by Devin Joubert

44 5 Global Eateries in Fargo-Moorhead

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

60 Area Calendar

16

30

20

style 50 Area Style

health 42 Why Every Woman Needs a Primary Care Provider

At Essentia Health by Essentia Health Primary Care Team

10

42

dining 20 Forged in Smoke

Smoke and Iron in West Fargo by Kooper Shagena

[AW] June / July 26 ::

5

See more of our feature article on page 50

publisher / art director

read it online

KIP JOHNSON

issuu.com/compmedia

managing editor

find us

DAWN DUNCAN

areawomanmagazine.com

advertising

Area Woman is published bimonthly by Kip Johnson Design, LTD (dba Compass Media) and printed in the U.S.A. ©2026 Kip Johnson Design, LTD All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from AW. Area Woman is a trademark registered at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Kip Johnson Design, LTD assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs and does not necessarily agree with content or advertising presented.

JERRY SHEA | 218.205.7454 REBECCA HAARSTAD | 262.994.8744 TERRI JO PEERY | 320.491.5618

design AARON BURGENER

photography JUSTIN EILER PHOTOGRAPHY

celebrating 42 years

6

:: areawomanmagazine.com

Explore!

The theme of this issue is EXPLORE and that’s exactly what we’re going to do as we bring you an array of experiences that are waiting right here in Fargo-Moorhead and nearby. Our area is rich in culture, including historic and new establishments, and even if you’re a born-and-raised resident of the community, there may be nooks and crannies you have yet to venture into. Now is your opportunity to go on an adventure and see what awaits you within the city and just a few hours away. Have you been to the 100-year-old Fargo Theatre? If not, it’s one to put on your must-see list! Preserved beautifully, the Theatre has hosted countless stars as well as been the venue for movies since its inception. The area boasts ongoing entertainment throughout the year, both local and national. We visit with Carly Pritchard who served as VP and Senior Talent Buyer of the now-closed Jade Presents, the main promoter in the region, as she shares insights on her career and what's next. And speaking of music, our On the Rise star is Chloe Raye, a lifelong musician whose North Dakota roots are the foundation of her career that has taken her to Nashville, The Voice, American Idol, and on tours through several states. From outings within the borders of FM to five incredible hikes outside the city, international restaurants to check out, the NDWBC, Pink Bus Mystery Trips, and culinary standout Smoke and Iron, this issue is packed with intriguing options to spark ideas and outings! There is no shortage of things to do here, it’s a matter of being open to new places and experiences and there is no better time than our warmer months to get out and explore. Here’s to a season of fun and adventure! [aw] Best,

Dawn Duncan Managing Editor

8

:: areawomanmagazine.com

t he

[ aw ]

area

THEATRE

Historic downtown Fargo is magical—a layered expression of generations who’ve lived, loved, worked, and died here in this special spot of the Red River Valley. There are real remnants of history everywhere you look if you take the time to notice. Converted warehouses like the Bristol Building (preserved paint on the stately brick still reads “Shoe Findings & Leathers” and “Eagle Brand Harness & Collars”) and the Fairmont Creamery just across the river, or the towering DeLendrecie’s building on Main Street; little ghosts everywhere of how we’ve changed over all these decades.

10 :: areawomanmagazine.com

At a sprightly 100 years old, the Fargo Theatre is not the oldest architecture in the area, but its predecessors only have it beat by 20 years or so, such as the Kopelman Building (1906, formerly the Red River Women’s Clinic) and the Dakota Business College complex (1884, now home to Violet Vintage and Dakota Fine Art) to name just a few. But, unlike nearly all this other historic architecture, the Fargo Theatre is not a dead husk with its story hidden in fading paint or empty rooms… it is alive and breathing, still performing its original function.

After graduating from MSUM with an English education degree, Nicole was working as a teacher when, on a serendipitous day off, she volunteered at the Theatre to help sell tickets for Paranormal Activity. The movie had just been released and had turned into something of a phenomenon, requiring some extra hands at the Theatre to handle the crowds. Nicole says this one day turned into a weekend, and before she knew it, she ended up on the schedule; “All of a sudden I had a t-shirt and a badge and they were showing me how to do the popper,” she says.

The very first film screened was The Man on The Box starring Syd Chaplin on the Theatre’s opening day: March 15th, 1926. To paint a picture of the time, the first movies with sound began to come out in the next year, 1927, and automobiles had just recently become more available to middle-class families thanks to the introduction of credit. Today, the Theatre is managed by Emily Beck and Nicole Larson, the Executive Director and Operations Manager respectively. Emily has been in her position for 15 years, starting full-time at the Theatre in 2008 after volunteering at the film festival there while she was in college at MSUM, studying film history. Her long-time friend and coworker Nicole has been the Operations Manager alongside her since 2012; Nicole had a slightly more unorthodox trajectory to her position.

"ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD A T-SHIRT AND A BADGE AND THEY WERE SHOWING ME HOW TO DO THE POPPER."

Nicole Larson [AW] June / July 26 :: 11

Theatre staff and board recently worked together to present the community with a centennial celebration for the Theatre’s 100th anniversary. The weekend of March 15th, they threw two parties: “A roaring 20’s themed soiree at the Synclaire Events Venue where everybody dressed up,” Emily gushes, “and then we had a multidisciplinary event with singing, dancing and a short silent film with a live score on the organ.” The event also included the premiere of “Fargo Theatre: The First 100 Years” a short documentary directed by Minnesota-based filmmaker Mike Scholtz. In sifting through piles and piles of documents, articles and photos for their documentary, they were once again presented with a fact that has frustrated them for years: there are no surviving photos of the original interior of the Theatre before its complete remodel in 1937. This phase of the Theatre’s life has been lost to history. “It’s so sad,” Emily says. “Nicole and so many others searched and searched but they just don’t exist.” Nicole says that the Red River Theatre Organ Society, the entity that owns and maintains the Mighty Wurlitzer beneath the stage (more on that grand instrument later) went to the state archives in Bismarck and requested every document that had to do with the Theatre to try to find photos, but there was nothing. “It was described as Italian Renaissance,” Emily says, “hand-painted murals, lots of gold leaf on everything and a crystal chandelier. And all we have left is a small fragment of one of the murals.” The ’37 facelift saw an art deco reformation, trading the intricate, classical style for sleek lines and curves—creating a look that was more cinema style and less opera house. As the years continued, holes were patched and repairs were made hodge-podge style as it was a running business with no time to slow down or consider how posterity may feel about historical preservation.

12 :: areawomanmagazine.com

The lobby has been touched up here and there over the years and then was fully redone in the 1980’s, but the Theatre’s last total renovation came in 1998 and 1999. This stretch of years saw the Theatre’s transition from a commercial business to a non-profit, and its historical status worked in as a priority. Before its non-profit status in 1983, the Theatre was very nearly torn down in a strategic purchase by the Cinema Entertainment Corps, or CEC, to push business into the cineplexes—what are now known as West Acres, Century and Safari Theatres. “The industry in general was really shifting toward multiplexes, whereas, for many decades, little one or two-screen theatres were all you would have, even in big cities,” Emily says. This coincides with the explosion of mall culture in the 1980’s. “They just wanted everybody to go to south Fargo; they didn’t want any downtown competition,” says Nicole. “That’s something we learned from a newspaper article when we were looking at things for the centennial.”

" The industry in general was really shifting toward multiplexes, whereas, for many decades, little one or two-screen theatres were all you would have, even in big cities"

Emily Beck

Before any demolition could take place, the Red River Theatre Organ Society made a pitch to these buyers, imploring them to donate the Theatre to them. This was successful, and the Theatre very quickly became its own independent, non-profit entity. The organ however, standing quietly beneath the stage in Theatre 1, is still owned and maintained by the Organ Society. It’s a 4/27 Wurlitzer and it has been with the Theatre since opening day—accompanying those first silent films and playing alongside pit orchestras for live performances. Once “talkies” became commonplace, the organ eventually lowered for the last time in 1948 and sat dormant for nearly 25 years; its grand pipes ceased to vibrate and the ivory keyboards yellowed as the films rolled on the screen above it, using recorded sound played through speakers. The old instrument was no longer profitable and seemed more of a headache than anything to the owners and managers of the Theatre over the years, until 1973. Two local organists, Lance Johnson and Dave Knudson, convinced the current managers to let them restore the organ—as long as the Theatre didn’t have to pay for anything. The RRTOS says, “There were many dead notes, out of tune pipes, and a dead three-phase blower motor,” but the two men and the Society had the organ fully functional again in four months, when its great pipes sang out for the first time in decades, playing the prologue for a screening of Walt Disney’s Robin Hood in December of 1973. Lately, the great instrument rises above the stage every now and then to boom out the score to a silent film or special performance. Upstairs in the mezzanine at the Theatre, there are portraits of several of the organists who’ve sat upon the bench over all the years, way back to 1926. Today, the Mighty Wurlitzer is operated by a few talented players of the Red River Organ Society. With all this history and authenticity, paranormal enthusiasts are regularly requesting to explore the old Theatre.

“We’ve had two official ghost hunting groups, but they’ve never really found anything,” Nicole says. “They stayed overnight, they had a lot of equipment, they searched the basement—they did the whole thing.” Although they didn’t come away with any concrete evidence, Nicole and Emily did recently discover that there was a death inside the Theatre back in the thirties. “When we were doing a deep history dive for the centennial,” Emily says, “we did discover that one worker, a projectionist, did pass away while here on shift—the article describes it as ‘in the arms of another worker.’” “He had a massive heart attack,” says Nicole. “His name was Claude.” Hardly material for a haunting ghost story, Claude’s death was likely just a tragic, random misfortune that didn’t garner much speculation back then, or now. However, “We do have a cleaning lady who very firmly believes in ghosts,” reports Nicole.

“—and very specifically, ghosts in this building,” Emily adds, placing another layer of intrigue on the Theatre, if you’re inclined to the supernatural. Most of all though, the Fargo Theatre is alive and well time capsule that preserves the beauty of film, the arts and community. Walking under that iconic marquee and seeing the flashing bulbs alight in the eyes of the strangers around you is a cinematic experience impossible to find at modern cineplexes. Emily and Nicole’s commitment to uplifting independent filmmakers, screening brand-new releases, reviving classic movies on the big screen and hosting live performances makes the Theatre a gem of Fargo-Moorhead. “We’re the only one of us left down here,” Nicole says. “There used to be a zillion little one-screens and now we’re the only ones left. We’re different, we’re unique,” she continues, “the building is just not something you’re going to see at Marcus; you’re not going to walk in and see curtains and a pipe organ and neon lights.” A theatre like this also helps bridge the gap between generations.

"The sheer number of people who say, ‘I used to come here!’” or, she says, “how many times a week we hear people say that they remember coming to the movies in 1962, you know? You can go all the way back."

Emily Beck

Nicole says she is always in awe of “The sheer number of people who say, ‘I used to come here!’” or, she says, “how many times a week we hear people say that they remember coming to the movies in 1962, you know? You can go all the way back.” For Emily as well, the community that has accumulated around the Theatre is what keeps her loving her job every day. “I suppose the arts and film in general is what first drew me here, but the community has been the thing that’s kept me here: it’s the thing that really has my whole heart,” she says. Even though the exact anniversary date has passed, the Theatre’s 100th year celebration will run until the end of the year, with several more surprises in store. They will be running a centennial film series where, each month, the Theatre will feature a film from every decade of its operation. They kicked the series off in April with the ‘90’s—showing Fargo with a live appearance of Peter Stormare, or “Gaear Grismrud”.

Being a non-profit and now 100 years old, the Theatre is always in need of repairs. Emily and Nicole are trying to raise $5.5 million to continue restorations, fix things and increase programming. “We completed phase one on Valentine’s Day,” Emily happily reports, “and that was the new carpet, the fresh paint and the new seats.” Next, they have their sights on several miles of water pipe replacements and new projectors. They are supported by the movie goers and are also grateful for donations at fargotheatre.org. Whether you are a veteran patron of the Theatre or have yet to experience this precious piece of Fargo’s rich history, head to the Theatre throughout the year for everything from movies to music and everything in between. [aw]

Contact: emily@fargotheatre.org or nicole@ fargotheatre.org 314 Broadway Dr. N. , Fargo, ND 58102 701-239-8385

area

RECREATION

The Woodchipper One of the most famous (and macabre) movie props in cinema history is on display inside The Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau just off 45th Street. Folks come from all over the country (and the world) to pose with the woodchipper from the Coen brothers’ film Fargo, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2026. Even Swedish-American actor Peter Stormare, (who portrayed Gaear Grimsrud in the movie), smiled for the camera when he was in town for the film’s birthday bash. Fargo native Kristin Rudrud played Jean Ludegaard, the kidnapped wife in the 1996 film classic, who met the infamous woodchipper in her untimely demise. Speaking of famous folks, make time to check out the Celebrity Walk of Fame outside the building, near a second woodchipper that’s on display for

16 :: areawomanmagazine.com

visitors who arrive after hours. (The one outdoors is a replica.) This odd mini attraction preserves the cement handprints and footprints of over 100 celebs who have passed through town, from Garth Brooks to Bert and Ernie. This is one of those attractions that locals don’t know about (or only visit when friends or family are in town) so it can be a novel way to spend a little time. Don’t forget to stock up on local and regional travel planning information while you’re there — this place is great at inspiring new adventures close to home.

2001 44th St. S., Fargo, ND 701-282-3653 fargomoorhead.org

Bluestem Amphitheater This graceful, 3,000-seat amphitheater is one of the prettiest places in the region to watch a play or hear a concert. Find it tucked into a curve of the Red River on the outskirts of Moorhead. Bluestem (named for a type of prairie grass native to the grasslands where the facility now stands) hosts national touring acts (from David Lee Roth to Alison Krauss & Union Station) and comedians like John Mulaney during the warm weather months. And there’s not a bad seat in the house. Reserved tickets include an actual seat, but views from the general admission sections — bench seats and grassy sections on either side of the stage — are also excellent. Folks can bring blankets or low stadium chairs into the grass, but no umbrellas or lawn chairs are allowed, since they

Hjemkomst Center Midwesterners are an eccentric lot. But Robert Asp was a true original. He built his own Viking ship replica (with help from a small army of volunteers) and took it out for a pleasure cruise across Lake Superior. After he passed away, his friends and family sailed “The Hjemkomst” (which means “homecoming” in Norwegian) all the way to Norway. Now the ship anchors this Moorhead museum, which rises high above its mast. Rotating exhibits highlight more dreamers and doers who call the region home. Recent standouts include photos of Kurdish immigrants, stories from Indigenous boarding school survivors, and a deep dive into the county’s foodways, from church cookbooks to local breweries. The region’s diverse heritage is woven throughout the facility. Hopperstad Stave Church, a replica of

a wooden Norwegian church from the Medieval era, stands tall on the shady grounds. Signage in Dakota, Ojibwe, and Michif (the languages of the region’s first residents and their modem descendants) guides guests throughout the space. The building also hosts several festivals that celebrate the food, art, and culture of the many nationalities that call Fargo-Moorhead home. Don’t miss the Scandinavian Festival and Midwest Viking Festival in June and Pangea-Cultivate Our Cultures every November.

202 First Ave. N., Moorhead, MN 218-299-5511 hcscconline.org

block the view. Food and drinks (including adult beverages) are available. Most vendors have local ties. Bluestem also partners with local performing arts groups. Trollwood Performing Arts School offers top-quality musical theatre productions. like this year’s production of "Frozen.” (It’s on stage from July 20-25 and July 28-August 1.) Grab tickets to “Symphony Rocks” on August 13, a summertime classic where the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra plays high-energy rock favorites in the open air.

801 50th Ave. S., Moorhead, MN 218-477-6500 bluestemampitheater.com

Brewhalla There are numerous great food halls across the country, but this $20 million dollar beer, food, and entertainment emporium is one of the best. Brewhalla is a spot where you can happily spend hours or days, thanks to the on-site boutique hotel. A rotating selection of tastebud-expanding brews (including hard seltzers and beer that looks like ice cream) are available in Drekker Brewing Company taproom at the east end and at bars throughout the complex. Shop for handmade gifts, quirky miniatures, refillable cleaning products and toiletries, and dog treats that are almost too pretty for your pup to eat. Take a break to play one of the many pinball machines or try an Unglued craft class.

The food is a major draw. Start with morning matcha or espresso from Thunder Coffee, followed by something sweet from Nichole’s Fine Pastry. Weekday lunch specials feature woodfired pizza at The Bird, Unicorn Park Fine Foodery burger baskets, a Luna Market grilled cheese/soup combo, and bao buns from House of Noods + Buns. Score half price Drekker beer and discounted wine and oysters from Mångata Wine and Raw Bar during the Monday-Friday Happy Hour. Duchessa Gelato is a treat any day, any time, as are delectables from Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café, which has been a Fargo staple for 23 years.

1702 1st Ave. N., Fargo, ND 701-532-0506 brewhalla.co

Moorhead Antique Mall The region’s oldest antique mall is also its largest. More than 80 vendors artfully arrange their treasures, crafting eye-catching tableaus and cozy little nooks within the expansive, 11,000-square foot building just off I-94. It’s a great spot to go to treasure hunting, rain or shine. (Just check the calendar before heading out— Moorhead Antique Mall is only open Wednesday through Sunday.) There’s a lot to see here, so allow plenty of time for browsing. Looking for primitives and pottery? Done. How about farmhouse decor, coastal accents, or homey, cottage-y pieces for home and garden? No problem. Some vendors specialize in midcentury modern furniture or toys and collectibles or domestic

statement pieces like eerie uranium glass, which glows a spooky neon green under UV lights. There’s lots of unique wall art on display too, including macrame, paintings, prints, and the occasional tapestry or latch hook wall hanging. The textile selection is especially (and consistently) strong. Stop in to search for small, colorful pillows and cushions, vintage linens, and crocheted throws, as well as blankets, rugs, and embroidered piecework. Vintage clothing and accessories span several decades, making it easy to find the perfect little something to stand out from the crowd.

2811 Main Ave., Moorhead, MN 218-287-1313

area

DINING

Usually, it’s accepted that most of the unique, fine dining experiences in the city will bring you downtown or, at the very least, north of I-94. West Fargo, “a city on the grow”, is younger; largely, the “new” has not worn off and things are still popping up everywhere you look. While this is fresh and exciting, the stately charm that emanates from the older parts of town can be hard to compete with when it comes to classical dinners and rich, warm atmosphere. Smoke and Iron has brought this exact kind of dining experience farther south than ever before. Just south of The Lights event center off Sheyenne Street and 32nd Avenue, Smoke and Iron (formerly Mas Tequila and then Rebecco’s Taco Bar) has been open for just over a year, serving the area with upscale Latin American fusion cuisine and cocktails. They use a signature smoking technique that gives all their dishes a flavor impossible to find anywhere else.

20 :: areawomanmagazine.com

“Every dish we serve,” they say, “is built on a foundation of technique and intention, infused with the timeless essence of smoke and modern culinary creativity.” Jaime Vazquez has been the general manager at Smoke and Iron since its opening day in May of 2025. Jaime has worked at this location for five years, in almost every capacity; he was first a chef for Mas Tequila, then he moved to front-of-house positions, bartending and serving, before the rebrand into Rebecco’s after which he remained, working as a server and assistant manager. He was the clear choice for general manager for the opening of Smoke and Iron after all this experience. [AW] June / July 26 :: 21

“I think that’s why they chose me as manager— because I’ve been in almost all the positions,” he says. “We have fusion here;” Jaime describes, “it’s American and Latin flavors from Mexico, Colombia and Spain.” Taking inspiration from all over the world, the menu at Smoke and Iron undoubtedly has something for every palate. For appetizers, one can stay simple and order the truffle fries (they come dusted with fresh grated parmesan and house-made garlic and chive aioli); or try a twist on an American classic, the Buffalo Cauliflower “wings”; or go Italian with the Burrata Platter or Caprese Flatbread.

They also have an intermediate “Chef’s Casual” section of their menu, consisting of burgers, chicken sandwiches, fish and chips and other handheld classics, all accented with house-made ranches and aioli. They even offer a Cuban sandwich made with special marinated pork loin and shaved ham. Waiting in the entrée list is a world of adventure: Rainbow Trout Almondine, Aged Duroc Pork Chop and New York Strip Oscar, just to name a few. Even the mac and cheese is expertly upgraded with smoked gouda and cherrywood bacon, topped with garlic-herb panko crumbs. They also run regular specials that last for a few weeks at a time. Recently, it was a champagne chicken dish bespoke to the Mother’s Day brunch buffet. “Right now, the Brisket Ramen is one of the most popular,” Jaime says. “People love that one.” An unorthodox marriage of smoked beef and a traditionally Asian noodle dish, the Brisket Ramen came about when the executive chef, Octavio, had brisket leftover from the (also extremely popular) Brisket Sandwich and wanted to transform it. The Brisket Ramen is served with a side of salsa macha to subtly include that Mexican influence that Octavio brings with him—he’s from Oaxaca, Mexico which is a city renown for unique and distinct flavors that have spread all across the globe; it’s considered the culinary capital of Mexico.

The head bartender, Collin, is also an expert at his craft, designing and mixing all the custom cocktails served at the restaurant. Collin creates all the syrups by hand in-house with fresh ingredients; “We don’t buy syrups from stores,” Jaime says. As for the spirits themselves, the impressive liquor shelves behind the bar boast everything from well liquor all the way to luxury bottles like El Tesoro 85th Anniversary Extra Anejo Tequila, which goes for about $75 per ounce. This generous price range extends to the food, too. Smoke and Iron offers a wide range of dishes and hearty appetizers that maintain a low barrier to enjoyment for all budgets. “We want to make this place accessible for all kinds of people to be able to have e a good meal with their whole family, with their wife or husband or just with friends,” Jaime says. Even if you just want to come by for a drink and an appetizer, the ambiance fully transports you to a warm and inviting experience. Each aspect of the customer’s environment is designed with intention, from the spacious wood interior, leather accents and classy light fixtures to the ambient music and experienced servers. The whole picture comes together to perfectly complement the hand-crafted menu and cocktails. Smoke and Iron is owned by Ramon Sosa—also the man who co-owns Maxwell’s and Cellar 624. Ramon worked at Maxwell’s until he and another longtime employee, Mike Wald, the executive chef, bought it in 2016. Maxwell’s has been a West Fargo staple since 2008, a reputation that Ramon and Mike have successfully upheld now for nearly 10 years.

Cellar 624 is an event venue rather than a traditional restaurant, used for private events, fundraisers and parties, so Ramon is clearly adept at being a professional host. “He loves to serve people,” Jaime says of his boss, “it’s what he lives for. I haven’t seen him take a full day off—if he’s not here one day he’s probably at Maxwell’s or Cellar 624.

“One day I asked him: don’t you get tired, or want to do something outside of the restaurant? And he told me, ‘It’s my passion; I love to serve people, to make them happy.’”

Clearly, Jaime is passionate about life in the service industry too, staying by the location even after all its metamorphosis. Jaime is originally from Jalisco, Mexico, and moved to the States to attend college in Oklahoma before moving up to Fargo. “It was a big change for me,” he says of his move to North Dakota. In Oklahoma, he says, “It’s cold, but not this cold for months. Sometimes it snowed, but it lasted less than a week.” But he’s grown used to it. “Every time I go to Mexico to visit my parents or sisters, it’s funny because I’m too used to here; 75 degrees can seem hot sometimes. In my hometown, at 70 or 75 degrees,” he says, “they are using jackets.” Now, Jaime lives with his wife and their one-yearold twins in West Fargo while he manages Smoke and Iron. “We’re waiting for them to get bigger,” he says, “so we can take them to see Mexico.” [aw] [AW] June / July 26 :: 25

area

OUTDOORS

There’s something peaceful about a North Dakota summer. You’re finally able to get out and enjoy the warmer, longer days, the softer air, the quiet hum of everything coming back to life. And when the days are so nice and enjoyable, you may to want to get outside with your family and friends on a hike or in a state park. Just a few hours from the FM area, there are hidden pockets of forest, prairie, and river valley waiting to be explored. They are places where the trails are quieter, the views feel like your own, and the pace naturally slows. If you’re looking to trade the crowds for something a little more personal this season, these five hikes are well worth the drive, plus most of these areas have great camping options as well.

Fort Ransom State Park

Approximately one hour from Fargo Tucked in the beautiful Sheyenne River Valley, Fort Ransom State Park offers a quieter alternative to some of the region’s more crowded destinations. The trails wind through rolling hills, open prairie, and shaded forest riverbank paths, giving you a little bit of everything in one visit. It’s an especially peaceful place for a slow afternoon hike where you can take in all the senses and spot wildlife. For those looking to explore a bit more, the North Country National Scenic Trail (which runs through North Dakota into other Northern States for 460 miles) runs through Fort Ransom State Park and offers longer, more immersive hiking options. The Little Twig Trail is a great one-mile loop hike which is perfect for the entire family, with a mix of prairie and wooded areas. Sections of the park’s trail system along the Sheyenne River provide scenic, easygoing walks with plenty of quiet views.

Pembina Gorge

Approximately three hours from Fargo Just under three hours from Fargo, the Pembina Gorge is one of the state’s most surprising gems with its steep, forested hills, winding rivers, and miles of trails. It offers a more rugged hiking experience than much of the surrounding prairie land. The elevation and dense tree cover make it feel almost out of place in North Dakota, but only in the best way possible. The Pembina Gorge offers scenic trails and overlooks that are unique to North Dakota. It’s almost hard to believe it’s in North Dakota. If you’re looking for something that shows off the terrain, exploring trails in The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area is a great choice.

Icelandic State Park Three hours from Fargo

Set along the shores of Lake Renwick, Icelandic State Park is a scenic, easygoing destination that’s perfect for a relaxed day outdoors. The trails here weave through a mix of open prairie and wooded areas, with occasional views of the water that make it feel calm and expansive. It’s a great option for families or anyone looking for a more approachable hike without sacrificing the scenery. Icelandic State Park Loop is a favorite 5.2-mile loop. It’s considered a moderate hike when it comes to difficulty but takes a little less than two hours to complete it. It’s a beautiful wilderness hike that you’ll definitely want to try. [AW] June / July 26 :: 27

Medora & Theodore Roosevelt National Park About 4.5–5 hours from Fargo

A trip to Medora and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit brings a completely different landscape into view. Here, trails wind through rugged badlands, colorful rock formations, and wide-open vistas that stretch for miles. While it’s one of the more well-known destinations in the state, there are still plenty of ways to find solitude in the park, especially if you venture beyond the main overlooks and into quieter trail systems. For a couple of standout options, Buck Hill offers sweeping panoramic views, while Wind Canyon Trail is a short, scenic hike that’s especially beautiful at sunset. Plus, the views of the Little Missouri are stunning. You’ll also notice the park’s striking sandhills—simple, natural features that add to the beauty of the landscape—and it’s worth leaving them just as you found them (some have been ruined by visitors who scratched their names into the sand) so others can experience the same sense of wonder. One of the most memorable parts of hiking in this area is the chance to see the park’s famous wild horses. These herds are part of the region’s living history, with roots tracing back to Native American and ranching eras, adding a deeper cultural layer to the landscape. In recent years, North Dakotans have been pushing for their long-term protection, reflecting how much they mean to the heritage of North Dakota. For those who feel connected to preserving that legacy, please reach out to local and state officials and let them know how much you love the horses. It’s one way to help ensure these herds remain part of the landscape for generations to come.

Turtle River State Park About 1.5 hours from Fargo

While Turtle River State Park is familiar to many, its trails are often overlooked and that’s where the experience really changes. It’s one of the few places nearby where you can piece together a longer hike that feels immersive, offering just enough distance and quiet to make it feel like a true escape. For a fun hike in the Turtle River State Park area, you can go on the Turtle River Nature Trail where you’ll get to see woodlands, the prairie, and the river. And if you’re lucky, you will also some local wildlife. Hiker Note: Some good things to keep in mind while hiking in any wooded area is to use bug spray to help protect yourself against mosquitoes and ticks, especially since this year is supposed to be a heavy tick year. Also, be sure to watch out for poison ivy. A helpful rule to remember is: “Leaves of three, let it be.” Poison ivy typically grows in clusters of three-pointed leaves and can appear as a low plant or climbing vine along trails, trees, and wooded edges. Wearing long pants and staying on marked paths can greatly help reduce the chance of brushing against it. By the time summer slips into fall, it’s often the quieter, lesser-known places we remember most. These hikes may not always make the top of every list, but that’s part of what makes them special. (Be sure to check out these places in other seasons, too, especially autumn when the fall leaves offer a splendid, stunning display.) [aw]

Information: ndtourism.com [AW] June / July 26 :: 29

area

BUSINESS

30 :: areawomanmagazine.com

Christy Dauer, executive director of the North Dakota Women’s Business Center, doesn’t define herself by her title. “I’m just an average mom trying to hold it together and checking off the things on my calendar,” she said. That statement captures the many roles she balances every day being a wife, daughter, mother, friend, and a director leading a team—while also remaining a passionate champion for her community, her state, and local small businesses. “I also like to say I'm a serial volunteer, since I've been volunteering since I was six. Ever since I was little, my mom has been my biggest champion. She got me involved in an organization through the VFW at the VA Hospital where I played bingo with veterans. I really found a love for the community and saw the importance of giving back.” In 2015, Christy began volunteering at various Fargo events that the North Dakota Women's Business Center was putting on from Bismarck. “I fell in love with their mission. Then in 2018, both of my grandparents passed away a month apart. When I lost both of them and watched all the things that happen after you lose two important people in your family that close together, I decided to take a step out of the corporate world. That’s when I jumped into the non-profit world and officially joined the North Dakota Women’s Business Center as a program manager in January 2019.” She became the executive director in 2022.

Ever since Christy was young she’s had an entrepreneurial streak from growing up watching her grandpa working in his construction company. “I learned through watching him. I actually paid for college partially through running the hot dog and concessions at the fairgrounds. Then I managed contracts and negotiated some of the catering for the performers. I was hyper-aware of margins and profit numbers because I knew that

would help me pay for college without student loan debt.” All of that has helped her build the experience needed for what she does with the North Dakota Women’s Business Center.

THE MISSION of the NDWBC The North Dakota Women’s Business Center’s mission is to amplify the economic voice of small business owners in North Dakota. “And what does that mean, right? Like that can just seem like a word salad. Every day we help small businesses across Main Street. We're really focused on the economic mobility for everyone,” Because all entrepreneurs face similar challenges. “Our team really tries to provide a tailored approach through free and confidential business coaching, through networking events, or at our summit in Medora.”

[AW] June / July 26 :: 31

The networking events are nothing like your typical “let’s exchange business cards” networking event. They really try to put intentionality behind each of their events. “We provide tailored content, training, and resources for small business owners to be successful. We try to do that as low cost as we can for the entrepreneur.” The North Dakota Women’s Business Center covers the entire state since there are teams scattered throughout the state. “As you know, North Dakota is a very rural geography. So, it's very expensive to send staff members across the state. But every community kept asking how soon we could come back. We decided, let's quit saying that and let's launch community chapters.” As a result, they opened five community chapters across the state, including Fargo. The Fargo chapter meets the first Friday of every month at 11 am and it’s free. For each community, the chapter’s meeting time varies based on what works for them. “It's a bunch of other rad women all in entrepreneurship or who are aspiring entrepreneurs who talk about cash flow, marketing and branding, and many other things.”

32 :: areawomanmagazine.com

THE MEDORA SUMMIT This year, the Medora Summit is on May fifth through the seventh and this year for the first time ever they have completely booked out their event. “We have over a hundred small business owners from across North Dakota coming to Medora. Last year, we also gave away over $18,500 in scholarships to make sure money wasn't a barrier for small businesses to come to the event.” At the event, there are two different tracks that are offered: Foundational and Next Level. They talk about everything. Whether entrepreneurs will sit down and talk about their financials together. We have a 17-year-old entrepreneur, Ava Hauck from Dickinson, North Dakota, speaking about her business called Clinivue DX, which is an AI blood prototyping machine that she received Innovate ND dollars for. We even have multi-preneurs like Tracy Jordre, who is talking about workplace culture. And so, the event is really tailored to the feedback that we got from last year of what people wanted more information about. It's really hands on.” It’s not the kind of conference where you just go and sit there the whole time until your day is over, eat, and go back to your hotel room. “We find people bring their computers, they sit next to someone, and they say, hey, look at my website, please, and what can I do to improve it? And that's really the kind of space we want to create for some intentionality behind the business.”

"It's a bunch of other rad women all in entrepreneurship or who are aspiring entrepreneurs who talk about cash flow, marketing and branding, and many other things.” Christy Dauer

[AW] June / July 26 :: 33

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Having and building community is so important for entrepreneurs, so if that’s something you’ve been wanting to add to your life and business, the North Dakota Women’s Business Center is a great opportunity to get involved with, for the friendships, the connections, and how everyone grows in their businesses. “It’s always important to go back to your foundation. Part of our programming at the North Dakota Women's Business Center is helping people start businesses. But it's more about the impact for us. And what I mean by that, is if we teach somebody that maybe not yet is the best approach to business, we do take that because we don't believe that everybody is ready to be an entrepreneur or just because someone wants to get rid of their nine to five, what we say is, make sure you have a well-defined target audience. Because if at some point your idea is to scale this, start with your why.” Also, you’ll want to ask yourself a ton of questions such as: why you are doing this? Or wanting to do this? Are you wanting to leave a legacy for your family? “If that’s the case, you're going to probably want to sell beyond your friends and family at some point. Or offer your services to someone besides your friends and family. Because what we don't want to see is two years in and you can't pay your rent or you’re making hard decisions about whether you can put milk in your fridge to feed your two-year-old or putting inventory into your business.”

Some other things to ask yourself: What does that foundation look like? Then what's your “why” for doing this? “And sometimes your why is just, I want some extra income to take my family on a vacation once a year. That's a very different business model than, I'm taking a leap from my nine to five. But some ways we can help entrepreneurs are different for everyone. We love sitting down and walking through it with you. And we believe that entrepreneurs, when they have the right tools and the informed business decision-making skills they can set that business up for success.”

" And sometimes your why is just, I want some extra income to take my family on a vacation once a year. That's a very different business model than, I'm taking a leap from my nine to five. But some ways we can help entrepreneurs are different for everyone.” Christy Dauer

In a world where being an entrepreneur can often feel isolating, the North Dakota Women’s Business Center is creating something far deeper than business advice or networking opportunities. It’s creating community. Whether someone is sketching out a first idea at their kitchen table, trying to grow beyond friends-and-family sales, or taking the leap into full-time business ownership, the organization exists to remind entrepreneurs that they don’t have to figure it all out alone. For Christy Dauer, the work always comes back to people, their stories, their dreams, and the lives they’re trying to build. And maybe that’s what makes the organization resonate so strongly across North Dakota. Beneath the workshops, summits, and strategy sessions is a simple but powerful belief: when people are given the right support, encouragement, and tools, small ideas can grow into something that changes families, communities, and even entire towns for the better. [aw]

For more information and how to get involved: ndwbc.com/get-involved [AW] June / July 26 :: 35

area

TRAVEL

Close your eyes. Now imagine the perfect vacation.

Some of us imagine the white sand and aqua blue waters of the Caribbean. Others dream of a high-energy European city break or strolling through the sleepy villages of Cape Cod. Your vision of the perfect holiday might include witnessing the roar of a mighty waterfall, smelling the roses in a beautifully tended garden, or learning a new skill like crafting or archery with friends, both old and new. The perfect vacation could mean a jaunt over the border into Canada or taking a deep dive into a nearby state, stopping at attractions and eateries that locals love and most tourists completely miss.

No matter what kind of vacation you’re imagining, your vision of the perfect getaway probably doesn’t include one thing — the trials and tribulations of travel planning. There are just so many variables to consider. Should you drive or fly? Which hotel suits your needs? How much should you budget for meals and activities? Where do you even start?!

A smart solution That’s where Debbie Carriveau comes into the scenario. As the owner and operator of The Pink Bus Mystery Trips in Fargo, she’s made all of the aforementioned getaways a reality for her customers — and guided them on even more travel adventures they couldn’t even begin to imagine. Debbie handles all of the travel planning so the women who book her trips can set down the heavy mental load of decision making, organization, and minute-by-minute trip management and actually relax on vacation.

I think sometimes women — who are used to making so many decisions — enjoy having someone else take care of the details. Debbie Carriveau

“I think sometimes women — who are used to making so many decisions — enjoy having someone else take care of the details,” says Debbie. “My trips are for everyone. Having said that, I would say that most of the women are recently retired and have always wanted to travel and are now finding the time. I work really hard to accommodate anyone who wants to travel with us.”

Every Pink Bus Mystery trip is all inclusive. Your payment covers hotel, luxury motorcoach transportation, and all your meals and activities. You’ll just need to cover any applicable baggage fees (if you’re flying) and any shopping you want to do along the way. Bring cash for tipping the bus driver and the bartender if you’re consuming alcoholic drinks. The details of many trips are — as the name of the company suggests — a complete mystery to participants. They simply show up and the trip unfolds, full of surprises along the way. (More on that in a moment.) Others allow guests to choose the destination, then sit back and enjoy the ride. No matter which option they choose, women can rest assured that The Pink Bus Mystery Trips will be a safe space for them to prioritize their own health and wellbeing.

“Women tend to be the caregivers, household organizers, and hard workers both in and outside the home,” says The Pink Bus Mystery Trips website. “It is important for women to take time out for themselves to reconnect with friends and family and, at the same time, have fun and relax.” That’s a very countercultural message in an era where women are encouraged to do more, to be more, to give endlessly to their families and their communities, even to their own detriment. On Pink Bus Mystery Trips, women are encouraged to just be.

A bond of sisterhood That philosophy resonates deeply with many participants. This sense of ease and the bonds they develop during Pink Bus Mystery Trips keep many women coming back. “I have so many repeat customers,” Debbie says. “I think it’s because of the fun they have on the trip and the relationships they develop with the other travelers.”

It is important for women to take time out for themselves to reconnect with friends and family and, at the same time, have fun and relax. Debbie Carriveau

Erica Bjornstad and her sister Bridgette are two of Debbie’s repeat customers. “Bridgette and I keep coming back,” she says. “It's our sister time! I don't have to think about where we are going, what we are eating, or an agenda. I just get to relax. As women we are always the planners; and this way it's done for us.” Feelings of support and camaraderie thrive during the trips because Debbie herself surrounds herself with a tight circle of women. Together, they plan and execute the trips, building a community of support, adventure, and self-care that is activated through these unique travel experiences. ”A couple of my friends — Holly Pohlman and Tara Whitmore — both help with planning and hosting trips,” Debbie says, explaining her network. “My sister, Karen Erdmann, helps plan and will be hosting a couple of trips.” Adventures — and connections — born of loss Debbie wasn’t always a travel planner. But her previous career did give her the skills she needed to succeed in her current business.

“I was an accountant/controller for years,” she explains. “My organization skills really help with all of the details.” Although Debbie lives in Fargo now, “West Fargo will always be home. I love that the community still has a small-time feel but there are plenty of things to do.” Debbie needed a community of support around her when she lost her husband, Jeff Carriveau, to ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2003. Helping others suffering from the fatal motor neuron disease and their loved ones is an important part of Debbie’s life and a key cornerstone of The Pink Bus Mystery Trips’ business model. “I think the origin of the trips is probably one of the most important parts,” says Holly Pohlman, Debbie’s friend and travel co-planner. “Every domestic trip is basically a fund raiser for ALS. The business was started to raise funds and awareness for ALS in 2007. Debbie continues to donate a portion from the trips every year. We tell the ladies, ‘Not only are you having fun, but you are also supporting a great cause.’” [AW] June / July 26 :: 39

Choosing a trip

Domestic trips

Travel planning can be challenging. But Debbie and the ladies of The Pink Bus Mystery Trips make it as easy and empowering as possible.

And travel they do, whether they came with people they knew or met new pals along the way. The Pink Bus has rolled across the Midwest, through festive Christmas celebrations, and all over the country. Excursions to Charleston, Boston, Orlando, Chicago and Branson, Missouri — plus the gorgeous scenery of the Smoky Mountains, eastern Colorado, Niagara Falls, and The Finger Lakes Region demonstrate the diversity of options that are available.

“Many people do not like the stress of planning a trip,” Debbie’s sister, Karen Erdmann, reminds us. “It can be overwhelming, especially if there are airline flights involved. Pink Bus Mystery Trips takes the stress out of a trip. All the planning is done by us — the customer just has to decide which trip she is going to take.” So how does a woman decide? First, figure out if you want to select your destination in advance or enjoy one of the signature mystery trips. If you crave a surprise, but you’re nervous about the unknown, don’t stress — the ladies make it simple for nervous and first-time travelers. “Debbie tells us the area and if we need anything special and we go from there,” says Erica. They even include packing tips. “We say our trips are casual,” Holly adds. “If they would need something dressier or an item to go with a theme, we will let our ladies know in advance. They may need a certain kind of shoe, a special hat, an apron. We also encourage them to plan for any type of weather — you just never know what the day will bring.” Many guests come along with friends or family. But that’s definitely not required. “Our groups are longtime friends, college friends, work friends,” says Holly. “Family groups are grandmother, mother, daughter, aunts, nieces, sisters. We encourage singles to sign up. They are always welcomed in and find new friends to travel with.”

40 :: areawomanmagazine.com

Favorite trips abound, so “it is hard to pick just one,” says Erica. “Maine, Kentucky, Michigan — the list goes on and on!” Some of these excursions are weekend mystery trips where the destination is a surprise. Others are fly-aways where travelers know the destination in advance, but the details are revealed later. The destinations rotate and trips sell out quickly, so check the website (thepinkbus.net) or the Facebook page often — book early to snag a spot. “I really enjoy all the trips, but New York City at Christmas was fantastic,” says Karen. “We stayed right in the heart of Times Square and had the most amazing eleventh row seats at the Rockettes! What a treat. But I also went as a guest last November with my friends to the Minneapolis area and loved that trip also. We played at the Game Show Studio and went drumming — such a fun time.”

Family groups are grandmother, mother, daughter, aunts, nieces, sisters. We encourage singles to sign up. Debbie Carriveau

International Trips The international trips offer even more variety. Debbie brought travelers to Portugal this spring, guiding them through the hilly capital city of Lisbon and before exploring the islands of St. Michael and Madeira. Many of the women said that the breathtaking beauty of Norway still lingers. “I recently added a trip to Curaçao,” Debbie says. “And that has been great.” (Especially for those craving a little Caribbean sunshine.) “The overseas trips have a little less ‘mystery’ because there are simply a lot of unknowns there anyway,” Debbie explains. Having Debbie and her helpers on hand to handle all those unknowns

and to guide guests through an international trip (whether it’s their first or their fiftieth) is a real help. “The difference with our international (trips) is that men are welcome to come,” adds Holly. But even when men are present, every excursion planned by The Pink Bus Mystery Trips is firmly centered on the experience of women. “A rejuvenated woman is a healthier woman,” the website reminds us. “Don’t miss the bus!” [aw]

For information: thepinkbus.net Debbie Carriveau: 701-866-7319 [AW] June / July 26 :: 41

area

HEALTH

Photographs Supplied By Essentia Health Written By Essentia Health Primary Care Team

Dr. Tanya Diegel, DO Family Medicine Physician When life gets busy, it’s easy to think of doctor visits as something you schedule only when you’re sick. But a primary care provider, or PCP, does much more than treat a sore throat or sinus infection. Think of a PCP as your long-term health partner—someone who helps you stay well and catch problems early. “Finding and building a relationship with a PCP is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy,” says Tanya Diegel, DO, a family medicine physician at Essentia Health.

What a PCP really does

A primary care provider helps prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of health concerns. That can include: • Annual checkups and preventive screenings • Vaccinations and immunizations • Prescriptions and medication management • Help managing chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure • Tracking your personal and family health history • Referrals to specialists when needed

42 :: areawomanmagazine.com

In other words, a PCP looks at the big picture, which is especially valuable for women, who often juggle work, family, caregiving, and their own health needs all at once.

Who can be your primary care provider?

A PCP isn’t always a physician. Depending on the clinic, your provider may be a: • Family medicine doctor: Cares for patients of all ages • Internal medicine physician: Specializes in adult primary care and complex conditions • Pediatrician: Cares for children and teens • Family medicine physician with OB care: Provides comprehensive care for people of all ages and also provides pregnancy care and delivery from the same doctor who provides their primary care • Nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA): Can provide routine exams, diagnoses, prescriptions, and ongoing care for people of all ages. The right choice depends on your age, health concerns, and personal preferences

Why preventive care matters

One of the biggest benefits of having a PCP is preventive care. Regular visits can catch health issues before they become more serious. During a routine appointment, your provider may check your blood pressure, listen to your heart and lungs, review your medical history, talk through any new symptoms, and make sure you’re up to date on recommended screenings and vaccines. These simple visits can make a major difference. For example, if your provider notices elevated blood pressure during a routine visit, they can help you take action early—through lifestyle changes, medication, or both—before it leads to bigger problems like heart disease or stroke. For women, this kind of whole-person care can be especially important during major life transitions, from pregnancy and postpartum recovery to the stress of midlife and the long-term health changes that come with aging.

The power of a lasting relationship

The longer you see the same provider, the more helpful those visits can become. “When you have a long-term relationship with your primary care provider, they understand your health history, current lifestyle choices, and your family health history to make an informed treatment plan,” says Diegel. That kind of continuity matters. If heart disease runs in your family, for instance, your PCP may recommend earlier or more frequent screenings. If you’re dealing with a chronic condition, they can monitor changes, adjust medications, and help you stay on track before complications develop.

How to choose the right PCP

Finding the right provider is personal. As you search, consider: • Location: Is the office convenient to home or work? • Specialty: Do you want family medicine, internal medicine, or a provider with OB care? • Approach to care: Do you want someone collaborative, direct, prevention-focused, or especially experienced with chronic conditions? • Comfort level: Do you feel heard, respected, and comfortable asking questions? It’s okay if finding the right fit takes time. The goal is to choose someone you trust—someone who sees your health as a longterm partnership, not just a series of appointments.

The bottom line

Even if you feel perfectly healthy, regular checkups are one of the smartest things you can do for your future self. “Finding the right PCP is an investment into your long-term well-being and one of the first steps toward taking charge of your health,” says Taylor Mertz, MD, a family medicine physician at Essentia Health. So if finding a primary care provider has been sitting on your to-do list, consider this your reminder: Your health deserves a home base.

Looking for a primary care provider?

We’re here to partner with you on your health journey. Find a PCP today by visiting EssentiaHealth.org and choosing a provider in family medicine, family medicine with OB, internal medicine, or pediatrics. [aw]

area

DINING

Onee Korean Fried Chicken & Bar Onee Korean Fried Chicken & Bar (pronounced “oh-nee”) just opened in September, but it’s already making waves. Striking circular lights and a gleaming bar glow against the dark walls and floor of the sleek storefront restaurant just off Veterans Boulevard in West Fargo. The dining room buzzes as couples trade bites of tender dumplings with glass noodles and potato corn dogs while friends sip a rainbow of fruit teas flavored with kumquat, lychee, and butterfly pea flower. Entrees include Korean favorites like savory grilled beef bulgogi and bibimbap — egg and sauteed vegetables over rice served in a piping hot stone bowl so it’s perfectly crispy on the bottom. But you’ll also find new favorites like cheese tonkatsu, a tempura pork cutlet stuffed with gooey mozzarella for the most epic cheese pull ever.

44 :: areawomanmagazine.com

The fried chicken absolutely deserves star status. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and served with house made sauces, it’s a revelation. Try wings, drummies, the chicken sandwich, or splurge on a whole chicken. Onee means ‘older sister” in Korean. An additional word in the signage tells Korean speakers that this is “older sister’s house,” hinting at the welcome they’ll find inside. But local diners have already made themselves right at home.

16 24th Avenue E., Suite 116, West Fargo

Sons of Norway Kringen Lodge The Sons of Norway Kringen Lodge has offered fast and affordable breakfast and lunch options, homemade pie on Thursdays, an army of trolls, and the trippiest carpet in the state for 50 years and counting. You don’t need to be a member (or even Norwegian) to enter; Downtown Fargo’s quirkiest dining destination is open to all. The busy dining room is a testament to the eatery’s enduring popularity. A typical crowd contains a mix of downtown workers, students on a budget from nearby NDSU, and retirees chatting with friends. Only the cooks, dishwashers, bartenders, and a bookkeeper draw a wage; the servers and cashiers are volunteers. Stop in for homemade caramel rolls and rotating lunch specials, soups, sandwiches, and burgers every Tuesday-Friday. Thursday is pie day, so you can work your way through flavors like rhubarb, butterscotch, pumpkin cheesecake, and rømmegrøt (a Norwegian custard).

On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, enjoy heartshaped cultural cuisine like heart-shaped Norwegian waffles and lefse-wrapped hot dogs, hearty meat and potatoes dinners or an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord. As the sun sets, the action shifts to live music in the Troll Lounge, where folks savor aquavit during bluegrass jams and open mic nights in the shadow of a bevy of Nordic folk creatures carved out of wood.

722 2nd Avenue N., Fargo [AW] June / July 26 :: 45

Leela Thai Cuisine Leela Thai Cuisine is named for the dainty plumeria (or frangipani) flower. So it’s appropriate that the restaurant’s food is just as beautiful. Every dish is delicately balanced, perfectly plated, and lushly fragrant. The intimate Fargo restaurant is tucked away in the 25th Street Marketplace. The menu is a masterclass in complex flavors working in perfect harmony. From spicy green coconut curries and rich panang curries to delicious noodle dishes (like pad Thai topped with peanuts and sprouts and pad see ew with sweet soy sauce and egg), everything is crafted using traditional techniques and recipes

Artful lunch specials feature favorites like Thai fried rice and pad cashew with sweet chili sauce, and include your choice of soup, salad or egg rolls. Several gluten free options and a children’s menu are available all day. But the food’s elegance and restraint are hardly boring. Dishes like Crazy Basil bring a little drama, appearing tableside on a sizzling plate. Leela Thai’s special E-San Menu features the bold and spicy flavors of northeastern Thailand’s Isan region, which is influenced by the food of Laos and Cambodia. Dishes feature sticky rice, pungent fish sauce, and the sweet and sour punch of tamarind.

1450 25th Street S., Fargo

Start the day with egg dishes like huevos rancheros or chilaquiles — steak and eggs served with red or green salsa and Monterey Jack cheese over tortilla chips--- for a super satisfying crunch. The kids’ menu is available all day. The lunch specials are a particularly good deal. Everything on the lunch menu costs between $7.00 and $10.95, includes rice and beans, and arrives fast. Add in the free, house made tortilla chips and salsa and you’ve got a full meal (or possibly two) for less than you’d pay for fast food.

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant The next time you’re cruising along I-29, take the 13th Avenue exit and pull up to Acapulco Mexican Restaurant on the east side of the interstate. This long-time favorite serves up hearty, authentic Mexican food at a great price.

The dinner portions are generous and the menu is expansive. Try street tacos, comforting arroz con pollo (tender chicken in a creamy sauce served over rice and cheese) or carne asada (skirt steak grilled up with onions and a deep-fried jalapeno). For date night, split a molcajete: various combinations of pork, steak, chicken, chorizo, shrimp and other seafood served up inside a sizzling hot volcanic bowl with tender yellow squash, zucchini, mushrooms, and even nutritious nopales — prickly pear cactus.

1150 36th Street S., Fargo

Würst Bier Hall German-inspired comfort food, a malty brew, and the camaraderie of a classic bier hall atmosphere are festive in any season. But that feeling of warmth is especially welcome in winter. And since there are two Würst Bier Hal locations to choose from (one in downtown Fargo and one across from Scheels Arena in West Fargo), you never have to go far to find it. Hearty German classics like knoephla soup, sauerkraut, jägerschnitzel with braised red cabbage, Bavarian pretzels, currywurst, and spaetzle dumplings with mushroom gravy stick to your ribs. Save room for creamy kuchen (cake) for dessert. The sausage (or würst) menu is a standout. Many familiar but compelling sausage flavors, including bratwurst, jalapeno cheddar, and buffalo bleu cheese, are made right down the road in West Fargo, Barnesville, and Casselton. More exotic varieties (pheasant, antelope, alligator – even rattlesnake) appeal to adventurous eaters. Splitting a sausage platter is a great way to feed a crowd. Pair your platter with beer in Das Boot, a large communal glass shaped like (you guessed it) a boot. There are lots of local, regional, national and international brews to choose from. Despite the beer obsession, kids are allowed until 9 p.m. at the West Fargo location and all day downtown. [aw]

630 1st Avenue N. #8, Fargo 3179 Bluestem Drive, West Fargo

[AW] June / July 26 :: 47

area

STYLE

GUNDERSON'S 5601 28th Ave S, Fargo, ND This elegant tennis bracelet showcases 1.53 carats of precisely cut baguette diamonds set in lustrous 14K yellow gold. $

5,990

NEST

Perham, MN

MARK'S FLEET SUPPLY TRUE VALUE Perham, MN

YETI Camino Carryall: $129 YETI Rambler 26 oz Bottle: $39.98 YETI Rambler Slim Can: $24.98

BAY WINDOW QUILT SHOP

NORTH PINES MARKET

Perham, MN Lip Sips Hydrating Lip Balm Set (SpaLife): $14 Pout Perfection Hydrate Repair Lip Oil Trio (SpaLife): $13 Watermelon Mango Exfoliating Body Wash: $18 Bright Eyed Undereye Mask (SpaLife): $8

Perham, MN Floral fabrics by Deb Strain $

9.50

Legend tumbler $

29.99

MN TRU NORTH

Perham, MN Goodr sunglasses: $30 - $40 Mirmaru hats (variety of sayings): $30

NORTH THREADS PRAIRIE Perham, MN

Grass Home décor

DOT & MINNIE'S Perham, MN Indigo denim jumper by Luukaa $

214

LAKES COUNTRY LANDSCAPING Perham, MN

Butterfly décor

PERIWINKLE

Ottertail & Alexandria, MN Honey mustard dipping sauce (Minnesota’s Best): $6.50 Dill pickle mustard (Otter’s Best): $7.50 Red pepper jelly (Otter’s Best): $5.95 Cranberry Bourbon Jalapeno Jam: $6.50 Ginger Thai Sauce (Otter’s Best): $8.50

cover

STORY

50 :: areawomanmagazine.com

[AW] June / July 26 :: 51

L

ive entertainment has become an increasingly visible part of life in Fargo-Moorhead over the past decade, from club shows and theater performances to large outdoor concerts and community festivals. Behind many of those experiences are people working quietly behind the scenes to build relationships, navigate logistics, and create moments that bring people together. Carly Pritchard has spent much of her career doing just that. The arts are not just superfluous luxuries reserved for whimsical children or privileged individuals with extra time—art is sustenance and community… the “why” behind the work. The idea that ‘there’s nothing to do in Fargo’ is fading, and Carly Pritchard is one woman who has contributed to the shift as the former VP and Senior Talent Buyer at Jade Presents, which closed this spring after nearly 40 years.

52 :: areawomanmagazine.com

Having attended Fargo South High and then NDSU, Carly is a Fargoan through and through. Carly's former position had her working with artists' agents, strategizing and scheduling acts, and representing the company behind the scenes during events. Carly is an example of a woman who built a solid career in a heavily male-dominated field. Currently, women make up 21% of music artists, 12% of songwriters, and just 2% of producers in the industry. It's estimated that women in positions such as Carly's former role are just 5% of the field. Doing talent buying and concert promotion as a younger professional and being in the minority taught Carly strong business acumen early in her career. Over time, she learned the value of leading with preparation, consistency, and relationship-building rather than trying to fit a particular mold.

"I have experienced challenging situations such as when agents said to send my best offer, but that was difficult when I needed to manage expectations for four distinct groups: the tours, fans, venues, and vendors, and the company's bottom line. I had to be aggressive to attract top talent while making sure I wasn't offering more than the market would support." If a show underperformed, the financial risk ultimately fell on the organization producing the event, so Carly was on the front lines to read the market, gut-check her instincts, and know when to take a chance.

Carly's work has sat at the intersection of art, logistics, relationships, and risk---balancing what artists need, what audiences hope for, and what a community can sustainably support. Today she is taking this foundation and expertise forward as she navigates her next endeavor. The music industry is a brutal one that is full of momentum, surprises, and rejection; Carly has learned to maneuver through the warp speed and quick changes of a volatile industry, becoming equipped to take on challenges in other industries.

[AW] June / July 26 :: 53

THAT EMAIL CHANGED EVERYTHING. So how did Carly get into being a talent buyer in the first place, taking on negotiating terms and deals, putting together enticing offers, and honoring artists' experience and craft? For her, it started with an education major at NDSU. Halfway through her freshman year, not set on a path yet, she received a listserv email from the university asking, "Have you ever thought about hosting your own radio show?"

She jumped at the chance to DJ for one hour each week at KNDS 96.3FM, the university’s radio station, and she began to discover her calling. “I would review albums and eventually get on the phone with reps from record labels to talk about what I thought of new releases and how much airtime they were getting. I was hooked and started thinking about the work long-term. On those calls I would ask: what did you study in school to get where you are? Almost all of them said they started in communications and journalism.” Hearing that shook her up and she changed her major to communications.

54 :: areawomanmagazine.com

“I realized there are people who are music adjacent; people who maybe aren’t performing but are working behind the scenes to lift up artists who they feel are worthy,” she says, “and that was so inspiring to me.” Carly had already been a lifelong music fan, but getting exposed to these underlayers of the music and entertainment industry showed her that there could be a place for her in this world she loved so much—and that she could be good at it. She became the music director of the radio station her sophomore year, earning a small stipend as a student worker for the university. In less than a year she was the general manager for KNDS and held that position until graduation.

“It changed my whole life,” she says. She even met her husband, Ty Pritchard, as a fellow student DJ showing him the ropes of the studio for his own show. Jade Presents was started in 1990 by Jade Nielsen and welcomed Carly to the team in 2012. She considered it a steppingstone for industry experience close to home at a time when she had dreams of moving to a bigger city. At first, she used her degree directly, working in marketing and public relations while Jade handled all booking. Over time, she learned the opportunity for career growth was impossible to deny. “When Sanctuary Events Center opened in 2016,” Carly says, “Jade had said, ‘I can’t do all of this myself—I need more help.’” Carly took up the challenge and became the first talent buyer for Jade Presents that was not Jade himself.

[AW] June / July 26 :: 55

“I remember sitting with Jade when we were talking about this talent buying role and I said, ‘I don’t have any experience; I don’t know how I’m going to do this.’ He just said, ‘that’s fine, I’ll show you.’” "They were big shoes to fill, but Jade has always been a great teacher and mentor." The first act she booked on her own was a polka band for an Oktoberfest celebration. The band wasn’t the main attraction, but more of a musical supplement to a larger ticketed event with many different things to do inside. “I think that was a good way to dip my toe in the water,” she remembers fondly. “I was reaching out to every polka band within 300 miles. I made a list and I’d note how many followers they each had and what their financial needs would be. Then when I had the list ready, I brought it to Jade and the client, and we narrowed it down.”

56 :: areawomanmagazine.com

2015 and 2016 were big years for the company, with big names like Jack White, Weezer, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and Sturgill Simpson coming through town and the opening of the Sanctuary; the creation of Carly’s position was also a clear indicator of the company’s growth. That’s a lot of pressure, but she has the stuff to meet challenges head on. “Failure is part of the process,” she says, “but we learn and we stay resilient.” The network of moving parts needed to make a single event successful is extremely complicated. First, there’s securing the deal, which can take a lot of phone calls, research and running the numbers, and then there is building the show with the venue ahead of announcement, ticket sales to monitor and onsite staff and volunteers to rally. All these mechanisms make occasional failure inevitable. For Carly in her previous role, this may have looked like misjudging the amount of tickets a show would sell and not making a profit, or a weather event rendering a show impossible— “that can be a big loss,” she says.

“That’s what COVID was a lot of… setting shows up to win only to have to take them down. That was discouraging, but it was a good lesson in resilience.” Promoting for a city like Fargo can present its own unique challenges, too. Like Carly said, Fargo-Moorhead is no Minneapolis, but it’s become large enough that small-town county fair shows can no longer satisfy a city this size. “It’s a tri-state college community—lots of young people.” When pitching to agents, she says, “I would talk about the venues that we represent, which well-known headliners have performed there in the past, and how we can scale from small clubs all the way up to the arenas and amphitheaters.” She also tried to maintain low barriers to entry in at least one section at every show. If it was a big name that required high ticket prices, she would try to create some options by offering an upscale ticket nearest to the stage, as well as a general admission ticket or a certain section for those who still wanted to be a part of the experience but couldn't afford top-dollar prices.

“I think the fans here are very genuine,” she adds. “People in the crowds around here are very warm and welcoming. Maybe they aren’t overserved to the point of having too many things to choose from; although, we are getting there thankfully. I have been happy to be part of that." Carly truly believes in this city, which has equipped her well in her career roles, especially in promotion. “All you need is one yes, and then you can use that to keep building. And if it’s not now, then maybe sometime in the future—it’s about being persistent and gracious but not taking no for an answer.” Live music is such a privilege, and Carly has been consistently delivering it to our community for 10 years now. She feels lucky to have worked alongside businesses she grew up around, like the Fargo Theatre, and is committed to giving back and encouraging all parts of the community to participate in these special events. Carly's work has brought her into the community with many summer series events, getting to participate with

58 :: areawomanmagazine.com

Make-A-Wish ND, Homeward Animal Shelter, Sollera (formerly RACC), The Arts Partnership, YWCA Cass Clay, and CHI Friendship, among others. She has also been involved with company donations to Vet Tix and partnerships with Fargo Lions Club and management of event parking at Bluestem Amphitheater. Carly also recently participated in the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program, an experience that deepened her connection to other women leaders in the region. “Our community is full of people who are eager for and receptive to unique experiences, and that’s what makes us stronger,” she says. “I like to say never say never, even if a snarky email makes me second guess. Because Fargo deserves it.” In a time when music is playing almost every second of the day—in the grocery store, on the radio, on our phones, on TV—it can be easy to lose sight of the value of a real, live event. No, it’s not as convenient as pressing a button and watching a video, but it means so much more.

Carly has spent years contributing to the local live entertainment community through booking, relationship-building, and event production. Prioritizing the arts is often a marker of a thriving community, and Carly has been one of many people working hard behind the scenes to help create and support those experiences locally.

“You start to recognize faces and see your neighbors and friends out at live events,” Carly says. “You can easily get swept away experiencing it all together, and that’s the sweetest reward to me.” “I get this feeling,” she says, “listening to music— especially live music—that just makes me want to dance and makes the worries of the day go away. You’re present and experiencing this novel thing that’s never going to be repeated; it’s a special thing, and the work I have done feels important."

Today, Carly is taking time to ponder the next chapter of her career while remaining grateful for the relationships, experiences, and community connections built through live entertainment. Though the industry continues to evolve, her belief in the value of shared cultural experiences remains unchanged. [aw]

[AW] June / July 26 :: 59

JUN 12

FIFA WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY | GAME 1 USA VS PAR Come watch Game 1 of the FIFA World Cup livestream in downtown Fargo! Folkways and American Outlaws Fargo are bringing the community together for the USA vs Paraguay match. It's free

JUN 20/JUL 18 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

60 :: areawomanmagazine.com

and family friendly. Event Details: 7 p.m. – Kickoff party (beverages available for purchase from Rosewild) 8 p.m. – Livestream begins. Bring your own chair or a blanket for seating. Weather Plan: If needed, we’ll move indoors to Sidestreet Grille and Pub. This is just the start! More World Cup watch parties (including USA matches, semifinals, and the final) are coming soon. Learn more at aofargo.com. Discover more free, family-friendly events this summer at folkways.org

TIME: 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m LOCATION: Broadway Square 201 Broadway, Fargo, ND 58102

JUN 25

FIFA WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY | GAME 3 USA VS TUR

JUL 14

FIFA WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY | SEMIFINAL Come watch the Semifinal Game of the FIFA World Cup livestream in downtown Fargo! Folkways and American Outlaws Fargo are bringing the community together for the first Semifinal match. It's free and family friendly. Event Details: 1 p.m. – Kickoff party (beverages available for purchase from Rosewild) 2 p.m. – Livestream begins. Bring your own chair or a blanket for seating. Weather Plan If needed, we’ll move indoors to Sidestreet Grille and Pub. This is just the start! More World Cup watch parties (including USA matches, semifinals, and the final) are coming soon. Learn more at aofargo. com. Discover more free, family-friendly events this summer at folkways.org

TIME: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. LOCATION: Broadway Square 201 Broadway, Fargo, ND 58102

JUL 19

FIFA WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY | FINAL

Come watch Game 3 of the FIFA World Cup livestream in downtown Fargo at Sidestreet Grille and Pub. Folkways and American Outlaws Fargo are bringing the community together for the USA vs Turkey match. It's free and family friendly. Event Details: 8 p.m. – Kickoff party (beverages and food available for purchase from Sidestreet Grille and Pub) 9 p.m. – Livestream begins. This is just the start! More World Cup watch parties (including USA matches, semifinals, and the final) are coming soon. Learn more at aofargo.com. Discover more free, family-friendly events this summer at folkways.org

Come watch the Final Game of the FIFA World Cup livestream in downtown Fargo! Folkways and American Outlaws Fargo are bringing the community together for the Final FIFA Game. It's free and family friendly. Event Details: 1 p.m. – Kickoff party (beverages available for purchase from Rosewild) 2 p.m. – Livestream begins. Bring your own chair or a blanket for seating. Weather Plan: If needed, we’ll move indoors to Sidestreet Grille and Pub. Discover more free, family-friendly events this summer at folkways.org

TIME: 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m

LOCATION: Broadway Square

LOCATION: Sidestreet Grille & Pub 404 4th Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102

201 Broadway, Fargo, ND 58102

TIME: 1:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

JUL 15

JUL 19

FIFA WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY | GAME 2 USA VS AUS Come watch Game 2 of the FIFA World Cup livestream in downtown Fargo! Folkways and American Outlaws Fargo are bringing the community together for the USA vs Australia match. It's free and family friendly. Event Details: 1 p.m. – Kickoff party (beverages available for purchase from Rosewild) 2 p.m. – Livestream begins. Bring your own chair or a blanket for seating. Weather Plan If needed, we’ll move indoors to Sidestreet Grille and Pub. This is just the start! More World Cup watch parties (including USA matches, semifinals, and the final) are coming soon. Learn more at aofargo.com. Discover more free, familyfriendly events this summer at folkways. org

TIME: 1:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. LOCATION: Broadway Square 201 Broadway, Fargo, ND, United States, North Dakota 58102 CONTACT: www.folkways.org

FIFA WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY | SEMIFINAL Come watch the second Semifinal Game of the FIFA World Cup livestream in downtown Fargo! Folkways and American Outlaws Fargo are bringing the community together for the second Semifinal match. It's free and family friendly. Event Details: 7 p.m. – Kickoff party (beverages available for purchase

JUN 25

NIGHT BAZAAR: RENAISSANCE Immerse yourself in an enchanting night filled with food, music, art, and performances. Shop local artists, makers, and vintage shops. Enjoy Renaissance-themed entertainment and activities. Dress up and join the fun! Entertainment : 5:00pm-5:10: Trumpet Ensemble. 5:30pm. 7:00pm: Gus the Bardic Troubadour. 7:30pm-8:00pm: Chinese Heritage of Recreation and Dance (CHORD). 8:00pm-10:00pm: Poitin Band. Other Activities: Renaissance Etiquette Tips. Comet the Unicorn. Roaming Stilters.

from Rosewild) 8 p.m. – Livestream begins. Bring your own chair or a blanket for seating. Weather Plan If needed, we’ll move indoors to Sidestreet Grille and Pub. This is just the start! More World Cup watch parties (including USA matches, semifinals, and the final) are coming soon. Learn more at aofargo. com. Discover more free, family-friendly events this summer at folkways.org

TIME: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00p.m. LOCATION: Broadway Square 201 Broadway, Fargo, ND 58102 CONTACT: www.folkways.org

Roaming Performers. This event is free and family friendly. More info at www. folkways.org/nightbazaar. Next Events: Night Bazaar Renaissance July 25th, Night Bazaar Circus July 30th, Night Bazaar Galactic Rodeo August 20th, Night Bazaar Spook October 15th. Volunteer with us https://airtable.com/app3jeLPMazyN.../ pag8qbMg2t8U2O8u7/form TIME: 5:00p.m.-10:00p.m. LOCATION: Broadway Square 201 Broadway, Fargo, ND, United States, North Dakota 58102 CONTACT: www.folkways.org

June 13 and July 11

June 26

SUMMER CASUAL CRAFTERS AT CARLSON 1 to 4 p.m.

MIXED NUTS COMEDY SHOW 1:00 p.m.

Dr. James Carlson Library 2801 32nd Ave. S. Lori at 701.476.5977

June 4

PLANTING DAY AT THE CARLSON LEARNING GARDEN 10 a.m. - Noon

Dr. James Carlson Library 2801 32nd Ave. S. Nancy at 701.476.4040

June 4 & 18; July 2 & 16

BABY RHYME TIME AT CARLSON 10 a.m. Dr. James Carlson Library 2801 32nd Ave. S. 701.241.1495 June 8

UNEARTH A STORY KICKOFF PARTY! 10 a.m. to Noon Main Library Civic Center Plaza Fargo Public Library 701.241.1495

July 17

June 15 and July 20 June 8

TEA TIME BOOK CLUB 6:30 p.m.

CASUAL CRAFTERS AT NORTHPORT LIBRARY 5 p.m.

Dr. James Carlson Library 2801 32nd Ave. S. 701.476.5980

Northport Library 2714 N. Broadway Christina at 701.241.172

June 8, 15, 22, 29, and July 6, 13, 20, and 27

June 25

MARIO KART CLUB 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. Main Library Fargo Public Library 701.241.1472 June 11

DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES BOOK CLUB 6:30 p.m. Main Library Fargo Public Library Megan at 701.241.1492

CAN YOU DIG IT?: UNEARTHING STORIES FROM THE PAST 2:00 p.m. Main Library Fargo Public Library 701.241.1495

June 26, July 10, July 24, and Aug. 14

SUMMER FRIDAY MOVIES AT CARLSON 1 p.m.

Dr. James Carlson Library 2801 32nd Ave. S. 701.476.4040

Main Library Fargo Public Library 701.241.1495

PREHISTORIC BEATS WITH CONDUCTOR JACK NORTON 11:30 a.m. Dr. James Carlson Library 2801 32nd Ave. 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

area

MUSIC

At 15 years old, Chloe Watterud played her first paid gig. Alongside her older sister, she stood in front of a crowd in the Bismarck Civic Center and sang into the microphone. She was no stranger to performing at this point, but the idea of doing it in a professional capacity was just beginning to burgeon; maybe she really could take this dream and make a life out of it. “I’ve always loved music, ever since I was little,” Chloe says. “When I was eight years old, I started writing songs in my bedroom and singing into my karaoke machine.” Chloe was born in Fargo and went to Horace Elementary School up until the fifth grade, when she and her family moved northwest to Minot. In her grade school years, she was somewhat of a reserved girl; not the loudest voice in the class, not a troublemaker or the most outspoken, but when it came to music, she was the star. She took center stage at just seven years old for a Horace Elementary kids’ concert.

62 :: areawomanmagazine.com

“That was pretty formative for me,” she remembers. “In first grade, Mrs. Schultz started crying and I just remember thinking: maybe this is something.” This compulsion to perform took no breaks at home either, with Chloe starting to write original songs and constantly convincing her friends to put on performances with her in the backyard for an audience (her parents). Chloe’s passion for music and performing was also nurtured by her older sister. “I grew up watching her in musicals at school, and she was also in a Christian rock band for a year,” Chloe says. “I remember her band made this medal, and it said #1 singer and dancer.” This struck her: a goal that made sense, that she wanted to earn for herself. “When we moved to Minot,” says Chloe, “I told my parents, ‘Alright, whatever house we move into, it has to have a stage; I need to start recording songs now.’” They soon found a producer who worked in Minot and Chloe started recording her own music at 14 years old.

She eventually created an Instagram account for her music and had been posting videos, singing covers while she grew through middle school and early high school, which is how the North Dakota Women’s Business Summit found her and reached out. “They asked if I wanted to be the guest musician for their summit in Bismarck at the Civic Center—of course I said yes.” Although she had written many songs at this point and had just released her first single, it was a pivotal opportunity: “I didn’t know you could do anything like that and get paid for it.” She and her sister performed a two-hour set for the women at the Civic Center. “I was very unprepared,” Chloe says. “They had Jumbotrons and it was like 200 women, all older than me. I didn’t care, though. I was just like, ‘I’m singing, this is awesome.’”

Over the rest of her high school years and into the beginning of college, Chloe released around 10 original songs. The doors began to open from there, Chloe taking her first trip to Nashville in 2019 at 17 years old for the second round of auditions for The Voice. In 2020, she started college in pursuit of a vocal education degree but ended up switching to business administration and entrepreneurship fully online; making the leap to truly pursue music as a job. Shortly afterwards she started working with a Nashville based artist development team, propelling her fully into this lifestyle. And it is not easy. “Starting the journey of working with a professional team, building from the ground up”, she says, “there’s a lot of things that, if you were to let them affect you, you would quit and give up.” But she hasn’t, even in a brutal industry. It takes a special level of courage to market yourself, your heart, your mind, and your face as a full-time job—rejection and failure are guaranteed. “I’ve failed at a lot of things,” Chloe laughs. “I failed The Voice, I failed American Idol twice, and I was on a TV show that never aired due to COVID.” But, she says, “That’s the only way to get anywhere in life; you have to keep failing.” Now at 24, she has been to Nashville seven times and played on Broadway; she has sat on the same couch as Lainey Wilson and written songs with her co-writers. In her most recent trip down there, Chloe had coffee meetings with brand new people, networking and talking about the music industry. She stays connected with her artist agency in Nashville while she works mainly in the Midwest; she has a booking agent in Fargo that helps her organize gigs, including her 2025 debut performance at WE Fest in Detroit Lakes, MN.

64 :: areawomanmagazine.com

Chloe Raye is her official artist’s name, which was a recent rebrand from her younger persona—she needed a more mature and developed image to present as a grown woman in the country music industry. “I had to come up with a bunch of names that I’d like to be called, and Chloe Raye is a combination of all the women in my family,” she says. “We wanted a fresh look, an older look; I didn’t want to be seen as a high schooler anymore.” Right now, Chloe Raye has three singles out: “Better Than I Do”, “Blame it on Where I Grew Up” and “Normal in a Country Song”. In early 2026, “Normal in a Country Song” was nominated for Song of the Year by the Midwest Country Music Organization. It is also her highest-streamed song— “That’s opened a lot of doors for me,” she says, “and people give me more credibility now.” Chloe Raye was also nominated as Female Vocalist of the Year by the Midwest CMO.

She’s begun to use this credibility in other ways too, speaking at schools and leading songwriting clinics for young girls. Chloe has owned her own business now for over a year, having autonomy over her brand, her money and her appearances as a musician—she’s been playing 100 shows in a year for five years, but it has just recently turned into a true career, post-grad. “It has been really big,” she says, “especially now, being done with school. I never knew if I could do this full time, to be honest, but last year proved to me that I could.” It’s a hard road, and still unpredictable at times despite the hours of planning that go into building a schedule, but that’s what you do for what you love.

"I try to surround myself with good people,” she says, “but there have been many times where even I’ve said, ‘okay, this is impossible. This is hard—so hard."

Chloe Raye

“I try to surround myself with good people,” she says, “but there have been many times where even I’ve said, ‘okay, this is impossible. This is hard—so hard.’ But it’s also so rewarding, and those people around me really encourage me to keep going.” “They tell me it’s just a bump in the road,” she says, “you’re still figuring it out—it’s not supposed to be easy.” She has shows booked all over North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin for her 2026 touring season, including sets in Medora and at the Clay County fair. Visit thechloeraye. com to find out where she plays next, where to stream her music and to read her blogs about life as a touring musician in the Midwest. [aw]

Website: thechloeraye.com [AW] June / July 26 :: 65