Worked Out, Out Worked

November 6th, 2009

I can barely move.

2 days ago I started a new workout program – and it is the most intense workout program I’ve ever done (and that’s coming from a guy who has run a marathon).  My muscles are so sore!  And did I mention that we work out at 5:30am?  The world should all be sleeping until at least 9am in my opinion.

Now to see maximum results from this program I have totally modified my diet as well.  No more fast food – no more delicious French onion dip – no more pizza (gasp!).  Instead, here’s what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast: scrambled egg whites, cottage cheese, strawberries
Snack: a protein shake and a protein bar
Lunch: A chef’s salad – no dressing/no cheese
Snack: turkey jerky and a few nuts
Dinner: baked salmon, asparagus, and wild rice

Now you can take a look at that and agree that it’s not bad food.  I am actually pretty impressed with the options I get.  But the bottom line is this: it’s different.  It takes a lot of prep-work.  It doesn’t taste ‘great.’ And my body is struggling without carbs, sugar, or onion rings.

So both the workout and the diet take big commitments – but if you want big results you have to make big sacrifices.  I am just so tired of feeling ‘blah’ with life – with the way I look and the way I feel.  I need change.

Is this you?  Is this the way you feel physically?

How about this – is this how you feel spiritually/mentally?  Have you gotten to a point where the healthy things in your life are so unfamiliar that it’s uncomfortable?

I always have these ‘plans’ to make changes.  I had always ‘planned’ on dieting and exercising more.  So I would change my habits…for like a couple of days…and then find myself making excuses and I end up right back where I started.

Are you making excuses in your relationship with Christ?  Are you ‘too busy?’  Do you have other things that are seemingly more important?  What’s your excuse?  If we’re honest, most of us struggle with this daily.

So here’s my decree (because I’ve always wanted to issue a decree): No more excuses.  No more easy outs.  No more brief passion followed by a stumble back to our routines.  Instead, let’s work on getting healthy.

If you are out of shape physically, then change it.  No more excuses.  Just put in the work.  Your body is a temple, after all.

If you are out of shape mentally/spiritually, then change it.  No more excuses.  Just put in the work. Get to church more often.  Get involved.  Read your bible.  Pray fervently.  Talk to others about Christ.  Make Christianity not just a thing you do on Sundays…but rather a lifestyle.

God has so much waiting for us – we just have to go and take it!  So let’s get to sweatin’!

<><
Erik Hatch is a Youth Director at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND.  Hatch is a graduate of North Dakota State University and sells real estate in his spare time for the Jim Lund Team, Keller Williams.  Hatch also is founder and director of Homeless & Hungry.  To contact Hatch,  email him at ehatch@flcfargo.org.

Posted in Faith in the Valley, KFGO | 1 Comment »

Fantasy Football Week 8 Thoughts

November 5th, 2009

Fantasy football Week 8: Eli’s falling off the charts

This was quite a week for football games: the Broncos are no longer unbeaten; the once 5-0 Giants are suddenly third in the NFC East; the Titans and Rams are no longer winless; and no one could stop talking about Brett Favre beating the Packers at Lambeau. The story lines were compelling this weekend, and the fantasy lines were just as irritating as usual. Here are your starting lineup’s shining stars and biggest mistakes, and what to look for moving forward.

STEVE SLATON - OK, I remained confident on Slaton this year. The problems with fumbling (seven times after Sunday) were unfortunate, but I stuck with him. This week, Houston benched him against the league’s worst rush defense after he lost yet another fumble, and backup Ryan Moats ran wild for 126 yards and three scores. THOSE POINTS BELONGED TO SLATON! If he hadn’t fumbled AGAIN we’d all be happy campers. Now, not only did we get stuck with one lousy fantasy performance, we have a guy that was sure to be the main ball carrier on a high-octane offense that is now subject to an extremely unpredictable time-share situation. It’s definitely time to panic.

JONATHAN STEWART – So I dropped him a couple weeks ago; so what? Oh great, he’s run wild in three of the past four games for double-digit fantasy points after having little output through the first three weeks. But take this with a grain of salt; two of his strong games came against Washington and Tampa Bay. Even if Stewart gets a few more carries than he has been getting, he won’t be a consistent source of points in the immediate future while DeAngelo dominates for the Panthers.

RAY RICE - Every week, this guy produces. He had over a hundred yards from scrimmage yet again and notched another touchdown against a very stout Denver defense. He’s got some soft matchups left (Cleveland, Detroit, Oakland) and some tough ones (Pittsburgh twice, Indy, Cincinnati, Chicago), but Rice should produce in some way in almost every matchup he sees. Right now, he’s playing like an elite fantasy back, and he should be of that status for the remainder of the season.

MARSHAWN LYNCH and FRED JACKSON – Owners were concerned about how many carries Jackson would steal from Lynch, but it doesn’t really matter – both of them are putting up horrendous stats right now. I’d blame the Buffalo play-calling and other severe offensive struggles before I’d fault Lynch and Jackson – they’re both phenomenal running backs. But you have to park Lynch on your bench until things perk up and you probably have to drop Jackson at this point.

ELI MANNING – After the 5-0 start, Manning has been extremely mediocre through three consecutive losses: just one touchdown in each game, and six total interceptions, compared with two through the first five games. Manning faded fast, and you have to wonder whether he’ll get back on track this year.

RICKY WILLIAMS – Miami’s running game didn’t shine against the tough Jets’ D, but who can ignore Williams’s three scores against the Saints in Week 7? He’s got six total scores and some decent yardage totals, and he’s the 12th-ranked running back in terms of points in ESPN leagues. You can’t overlook that.

BRENT CELEK – Celek is a frustrating tight end because usually, when he has a soft matchup, he doesn’t get points, and when it seems like a tough matchup, he lights it up. After the first three weeks, many made Celek their starting TE, given the lack of tight end talent in the fantasy world. It’s tough to stick with that inconsistency, but almost any tight end, including Jason Witten, Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez this year (who were the only three tight ends I trusted for reliability in the preseason, go figure) is going to be inconsistent.

JOHN CARLSON – Speaking of inconsistent tight ends, it’s time to give up on Carlson, if you haven’t already. His monstrous Week 1 (95 yards, two scores) has been followed by zero touchdowns since and no yardage total higher than 55.

DONALD DRIVER – After he underachieved last year, he’s turned in quite respectable numbers this year, accumulating three touchdowns and four games with 80-plus yards receiving. He’s not a stud by any means, but he’s a decent source of points in a shallow pool of productive wide receivers this year.

MICHAEL CRABTREE – So everyone who drafted him, then dropped him: go grab him again! If you’re in deep leagues and he’s still available, you could do worse. He had a decent debut, and then had six catches for 81 yards against the Colts. The Niners are a competitive football team, and that alone warrants a look at Crabtree.

FRANK GORE – Guess who’s back? Crabtree’s teammate ran for 91 yards and a score as well as catching five passes for 43 yards in his best receiving output of the season. Unlike many running backs that come back from injury and falter (see Clinton Portis, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook), Gore seems to be showing no ill effects of recovery thus far and appears to be at 100 percent.

WILLIS MCGAHEE – I would only say “I told you so” about a guy that I really dislike. After his early-season explosion, I said on Sept. 20, “I wouldn’t expect too many more days like this from McGahee.” Since Week 3, McGahee has exactly 11 rushing yards, and no touchdowns, of course. Now that Ray Rice is the main man, McGahee didn’t even get a timeshare out of the situation like most backs in the NFL would. Time to drop it like it’s cold, cause McGahee definitely is.

VINCENT JACKSON – Talk about a stud. Flying mostly under the radar in the talks about this year’s elite wide receivers, V-Jack has posted double-digit fantasy points in all but one game so far this season, including four 100-yard games and five total touchdowns. He is money; you’re lucky to have him if you do, because he’s as consistent as they come thus far.

JAMAL LEWIS – I don’t care that he gets the most offense on a horrible team, because that translates to absolute mediocrity. Not in all cases (see Steven Jackson), but this running back is so far past his prime that he doesn’t have a productive bone left in his body.

For more information, listen to 790AM or visit www.kfgo.com

Source: bupipedream.com, KFGO News Center

Posted in Entertainment, Jason Spiess, KFGO, Sports & Recreation | No Comments »

You Meet the Nicest People on a…….

November 3rd, 2009
1924 (we think) couple on a motorcycle

1924 (we think) couple on a motorcycle

Going though old stuff is fun, fun, fun. I found an old negative of this photograph that belonged to my Grandpa Engen of Holt Minnesota. KFGO’s Terry Spies assures me that this is a Harley circa. mid 1920’s. Who are they? Well it’s not Grandpa, I have no idea who the man is but we are certain that the woman in my Grandfathers Sister. Gladys Engen Brown. Who was married to Sam Brown and lived in Mayville for many years.

Posted in Bob Harris, Country Life, Entertainment, Sports & Recreation | 1 Comment »

What gives with Fargo this week?

November 3rd, 2009

JACK IN TWINS SHIRT

  • Look at these stories:  Here’s the alleged stuff:  A popular Fargo dentist is slain by the hired hand of the father-in-law of Dr. Phillip Gatusso.  The father of the now deceased daughter that was married to the doctor hired a redneck yahoo to come to Fargo, kill, steal and bring it home.  All because they didn’t like the loving, kind manner in which Dr. Gatusso was raising 3-year old little Kennedy.   I wonder if they were planning to kidnap the child.  This would be laughable if it weren’t so tragic.  Who’s going to raise that poor  little girl that still cries for her daddy?  Click here for article
  • Then, there’s this one:  A 64 year old Fargo woman is assaulted and rape is attempted by a “young, white male”  wearing a hoodie…In her garage, in broad daylight!  An alert, caring passerby shooed the creep away and the woman is uninjured…except, maybe in her confidence of a safe neighborhood, which is the 900 block of Page Drive.   Click here for article
  • But, wait!  There’s more!  A drunken male, left babysitting a 2-month old baby, fell asleep, rolled over onto the child, and smothered her to death!  The parents, who’d been out boozing until 2am, returned home and attempted CPR.  (Yeah.  Right.)  Click here for article
  • And, finally:  A 43-year old father of three, and former starched shirt for BCBS, has pleaded guilty to having more than 640,000 pictures of child pornography and 2000 videos on his computer hard drive.   Robert Scheiring could go to prison for ONLY 30-years.  What a slime.  It’s been suggested that maybe he should share a cell with Alfonso Rodriguez for the duration…or until A-Rod is gone.  And, again, who’s going to raise those girls?  Click here for article

But, on the BRIGHT side….I’ll get back to you on that.

Posted in Jack Sunday, KFGO | No Comments »

Jack Sunday on Tuesday!

November 2nd, 2009

jack at bras 2009

CBS News reported today that among those at the Vikings defeat of the Green Bay Packers, many cheered Brett as he left the field.   One guy said, “I booed him when he came in and cheered him when he left.”  That’s very cool.  I mean, it is just a game, right?  I didn’t have any money on it, so, “it’s just a game.”

Another thing.  I managed to watch some of the NDSU vs WIU football game Saturday.  NDSU Won!  Glad about that.  However, did you see that the members of the WIU Marching Band outnumbered fans in the stands?

My favorite costumes in downtown Fargo Saturday belonged to a group calling themselves, “the march of the clowns.”   Great fun!

march of the clowns

Finally, did you see that all the Cass County H1N1 vaccines were given out Saturday?  2,150 children immunized!  Across the river, earlier in the week only half of the 1,500 vaccines were given.  Do parents on the North Dakota side care more about their kids than those “over there?”  Was Collin Peterson right when he inferred that 75% of his constituents were “over the edge?”  If they believe our government bombed the World Trade Center, maybe they also believe the vaccine is a commie plot to bring us to our knees.  Or, perhaps they believe it’s an alien plot from Mars…Maybe we’ll ask the Congressman…

Posted in Jack Sunday, KFGO | 1 Comment »

Needle Found in Halloween Candy in Grand Forks

November 2nd, 2009

The Grand Forks, ND, Police Department took a complaint from a citizen who stated he was stuck by a sewing needle when eating his child’s Halloween candy.

While the victim attempted to eat part of a “Crunch” candy bar he received a small puncture wound to the top of his mouth.

The Grand Forks police department is encouraging the public to take time examining your child’s candy for any signs of tampering to the outside wrapping.

This currently looks like an isolated incident but caution should be used when eating candy from residences unknown to your family.

Anyone with information regarding this crime are asked to contact the Grand Forks Police Department at 701-787-8000.

Police will continue the investigation.

For more information listen to KFGO 790AM or email studio@kfgo.com

Posted in Business & Professional Life, Health & Fitness, KFGO, Politics & Government | No Comments »

Halloween, My Favorite Time of the Year

November 2nd, 2009

Erik Hatch Halloween 2009

YES!  Saturday is Halloween – one of my favorite days of the year.  I have always had a ton of fun with Halloween.  As a kid, it was perfect – I got to dress up and get free candy.  I don’t know of many things that are better for a chubby kid than free candy…

Since I became an adult, I have found a new fascination with Halloween.  I just love seeing what I can do to win costume contests.  I’ve had my fair share of luck in my life.

I once went as Waldo (from Where’s Waldo) – I donned the red and white stripes, the horn rimmed glasses, and randomly stood amongst people and just waved until I was spotted.

The next year I went as a Christmas tree with one of my best friends – and we weren’t just any type of Christmas trees.  Picture those white cylindrical tree-shaped ropes of lights that people put in their yards.  Well we climbed into those, then added an additional 600 Christmas lights, tied presents to the bottom, wore tree skirts and green shirts, and had the star on top.  To finish it all off, we each had a 100 ft extension cord.  I have never sweated so much in my life!

The year after that I wore a giant wrapped gift box (with a bow on top) that had a large tag reading, “To: Women.  From: God”  (God’s gift to women).  Geez my wife thought that was ridiculous (and it was).

For the crème’ de la crème’, we went as Pee Wee’s Playhouse.  My good friend was Pee Wee and I went as a life-size replica of Chairry, a large blue talking chair that Pee Wee sat on in his playhouse.  This actually managed to win us $300 and a trip to Mexico!

So why in the world do I love Halloween so much?  I think it is because I am given the chance to put on a mask.  I get to be someone behind that mask that is different than who I am.

I have worn all different types of costumes over the years.  I have put on masks.  And I’m not just talking about Halloween; I’m talking about everyday life.  I wear costumes and masks to hide.  I wear masks so that nobody can know who’s hiding behind it and they don’t really know all my insecurities.

Know and trust that God sees past the masks, and sees us for what and who we really are.  We are people desperate for His salvation, grace, and love.  We are lost without Him.  The mask I wear for this world gets in the way of God.

THE MASK I WEAR

Don’t be fooled by me.
Don’t be fooled by the face I wear
For I wear a mask. I wear a thousand masks-
masks that I’m afraid to take off
and none of them are me.
Pretending is an art that’s second nature with me
But don’t be fooled, for God’s sake, don’t be fooled.
I give you the impression that I’m secure
That all is sunny and unruffled with me
within as well as without,
that confidence is my name
and coolness my game,
that the water’s calm
and I’m in command,
and that I need no one.
But don’t believe me. Please!

My surface may be smooth but my surface is my mask,
My ever-varying and ever-concealing mask.
Beneath lies no smugness, no complacence.
Beneath dwells the real me in confusion, in fear, in aloneness.
But I hide this.
I don’t want anybody to know it.
I panic at the thought of my weaknesses
and fear exposing them.
That’s why I frantically create my masks to hide behind.

But I don’t tell you this.
I don’t dare.
I’m afraid to.
I’m afraid you’ll think less of me, that you’ll laugh
and your laugh would kill me.
I’m afraid that deep-down I’m nothing, that I’m just no good
and you will see this
and reject me.

I idly chatter to you in suave tones of surface talk.
I tell you everything that’s nothing
and nothing of what’s everything, of what’s crying within me.
So when I’m going through my routine
do not be fooled by what I’m saying
Please listen carefully and try to hear
what I’m not saying
Hear what I’d like to say
but what I cannot say.

It will not be easy for you,
long felt inadequacies make my defenses strong.
The nearer you approach me
the blinder I may strike back.
Despite what books say of men, I am irrational;
I fight against the very thing that I cry out for.
you wonder who I am
you shouldn’t
for I am everyman
and everywoman
who wears a mask.
Don’t be fooled by me.
At least not by the face I wear.
—–Author unknown

<><
Erik Hatch is a Youth Director at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND.  Hatch is a graduate of North Dakota State University and sells real estate in his spare time for the Jim Lund Team, Keller Williams.  Hatch also is founder and director of Homeless & Hungry.  To contact Hatch,  email him at ehatch@flcfargo.org.

For more information listen to KFGO 790AM or email studio@kfgo.com

Posted in Faith in the Valley, Jason Spiess, KFGO | No Comments »

Wanderlust Travel Blog

October 28th, 2009

Day of the Dead

By Alicia Underlee Nelson

 Since I have a penchant for skull motifs, sugar and slightly spooky holidays, it should come as no surprise that I’m fascinated with The Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos).

If you’re not familiar with the Mexican and Central American observance, here’s the Cliffs Notes version. First, it’s actually not as creepy as it sounds – it’s meant to be both respectful and fun.  Day of the Dead started with the native people of Mexico and the surrounding region– especially the Aztec people– and their practice of giving honor and respect to the dead, whom they considered to still be very much part of this world. When the European Church arrived, it recognized a powerful ritual when it saw one and wove its own symbolism into the festivities, eventually moving the date to a more auspicious time on the Christian calendar. So now Day of the Dead is observed every November 1st and 2nd, in conjunction with All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

Modern Mexican families celebrate with a colorful hodgepodge of traditions, including the creation of elaborate altars for the dead and the preparation of special foods, like pan de muerto – “bread of the dead” – and these really fabulous looking sugar skulls like the ones above. (I admit, this sugar fixation is what initially caught my eye – I’m a person who likes her frosting to crunch when she bites into her cake.) Then they head to the cemetery to clean and maintain the family plot, shower the graves with flowers, tell stories about the people interred there, eat and drink things their loved ones enjoyed when they were alive and just generally hang out and have a good time with the family – both living and dead. Can you imagine Americans celebrating and honoring death with so much…well, life?

If you want to celebrate the holiday in Mexico (as much as a tourist can, anyway), you’re in luck: Mexico is one of the easiest international destinations to reach from the Red River Valley, with a variety of quick, efficient routes and competing airlines adding up to good deals for local travelers. Both farecompare.com and the Fare Tracker feature on bing.com project that fares to Mexico will stay relatively low until midway through November, with even better deals for people with a little flexibility on their departure and arrival dates. Just remember your passport!

If your budget doesn’t stretch quite that far, check out these community celebrations closer to home.

Day of the Dead Cultural Traditions – A Community Celebration

Sunday, November 1 , 1pm-4pm

Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County, at the Hjemkomst Center

202 First Ave. S. in Moorhead

hjemkomst-center.com

Bring the family for free food and kid-friendly activities at this community celebration sponsored by Mujeres Unidas (Women United).

 

Also at the Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County…..

 “A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico”

Now through December 30

 This exhibit of 26 photographs – developed by The Field Museum in Chicago – provides an up-close look into traditional Day of the Dead festivities – altars and sugar skulls and all.

 

Day of the Dead Reception

Saturday,  November 7, Noon-3pm

The Plains Art Museum

704 1st Ave. N. in Fargo

plainsart.org

DJ Chris Molina of Suficiente Sound presides over the turntables at another rollicking reception at the Plains- free admission, punch and hors d’oeuvres for everybody.

 

Also at the Plains Art Museum

 “Latino Artists Create Steamroller Prints”

Now through January 3

 Earlier this month, artists drove a full-sized steam roller over metal plates so big they had to block off a city street. Now the mural sized prints the pressure created are on display. This is a good exhibit to bring “non-arty” people to –  there are a lot of non art-related variables to discuss. And who isn’t curious to see the artistic output of a streamroller? 

What About You?

-Are you going to Mexico or planning on checking out any of these events and exhibits? Let us know what you”re planning and how you liked the Day of the Dead Festivities! (You get extra credit if you send me a sugar skull recipe!)

Want to learn more? Want to talk about it? Listen to 790AM or visit www.kfgo.com.

To Alicia Underlee Nelson is a freelance writer and blogger for kfgo.com, y94.com and bob95fm.com. If you’d like to see your trip or travel ideas in an upcoming Wanderlust post, please comment or e-mail alicianelson@radiofargomoorhead.com
 

Posted in KFGO | No Comments »

Hat Tips with Dean Meyer

October 28th, 2009

Hello,

I’ve told you before, “My heroes have always been cowboys”. But I’ve got a new hero. Aaron, the yardman at the sales ring.

Now, I suppose I had better start at the beginning. With the cow. The wild cow.

I think the cow is about twelve years old. We’ve been trying to sell her for a couple years. Her calves are getting smaller. And she is getting harder to handle. She used to just be wild. You know, stand in the middle of the herd with her head up. Jump in the air and blow by you in the sorting alley. Maybe try and kick you. But you had to kind of enjoy her. Kept you on your toes. Trouble is, I was getting old faster than the wild cow. And getting nervous that she would jump on the grandkids when we’re working cows.

So, last year, we made a serious effort to sell the cow. Since she was wild, she was the first cow down the alley and through the chute when we were preg checking. Into the sell pen she went. Trouble is she was the only cow in the sell pen. One trip around there and she could see this wasn’t good. She came back to us, knocked over all of our vet supplies, crashed through the gate, and headed for the mountain. We decided to sell her next year.

Well, we couldn’t get her out of the timber last spring, so mama and baby stayed at the mountain alone. You wouldn’t see her often. Just a shadow passing through a clearing and disappearing into the fog high on the mountain. She became known as the “ghost cow”.

Eventually, she went over to the neighbors to spend the summer with his cows. Now, the neighbor is an understanding guy, so he didn’t mind. Whenever he mentioned the ghost cow, we would try to sell her to him. We discussed selling a bow hunt on the cow. I thought about putting on camouflage clothes, taking a hunting knife, and going after her alone. I thought about just having Shirley put a mad on, and go after her. But then I felt sorry for the cow.

Finally this weekend, the neighbor said he was moving cows. Daryl, went to get her, because I was scared. They rigged up a trap leading into the trailer, and the ghost cow was looking for a way out and jumped in. Smoother than snot on a doorknob. I was proud of the cowboys.

The ghost cow spent the night in the trailer. Kicked the side, bellering and slamming into the side if you walked by. She was madder than Shirley has ever been! It even scared me!

On Sunday morning I took her over to the sales ring. I stole the newspaper from the yard’s mailbox and patiently read the paper while I waited for the Aaron. The ghost cow was rocking the trailer so it was a little hard to read.

When he came, I warned him about the cow. I knew it was a couple days till the sale, but I dang sure didn’t want this cow at home. He shrugged and let me know he had handled a wild bull the day before, and this cow couldn’t be that bad. How could I argue? I never saw the bull.

I advised him to get the gates set, because when that old cow came out of that trailer she was going to be looking for some fresh meat to eat. He went down and set the gates and hollered to let her come.

And boy, did I. She came out of that trailer looking for the timber. When she saw she was in hell, she turned around and came back for me. I was safe on the fence. Down the alley at a lope, around the corner, and sliding into a pen. Sparks flying off the concrete. Trapped! Almost.

The yardman started to shut the gate. Now the gates in the sales yard are seven feet tall and made of channel iron. That old cow was quick. She bounced off the far side of that pen, did a 360, and hit that gate going nine oh. The gate crashed the yardman in the head and down he went. The cow bellered and camped on him for a second. I was quite a ways away, so I crawled up higher to watch. I’m not real brave, but I am pretty smart.

The cow mauled him around a little, and then I’m not sure if it was his screams or mine that made her leave and come down the alley for me. Anyway, it gave him time to get up on the fence.

I got the cow locked up and I think the smell of the fresh blood made her even madder. Aaron was leaking a little where that gate had smacked him in the temple. He was a little groggy, and staggering a little, but I will tell you one thing. He darn sure knew how to swear at a cow.

When he got done cussing that cow, I suggested, “He go in that pen and teach that cow a lesson”! I’m sure glad he wasn’t carrying a gun, cause I think the ghost cow and I would have been in trouble.

If you eat a burger in the next couple weeks, I’d cook it real good, just in case it’s the “ghost cow”. We don’t want to take any chances on her getting away.

Later, Dean

Dean Meyer is a rancher from western North Dakota. His column, Hat Tips, which usually deals with the lighter side of ranch life, has appeared across North and South Dakota for twenty years. When not planting hay, putting up hay, or feeding hay, Dean enjoys teaching his grandkids bad habits. To read past Hit Tips with Dean Meyer Click Here

To comment, email studio@kfgo.com

Posted in Country Life, Dean Meyer, KFGO | No Comments »

Gunkelman Named 2009 Builder of the Year

October 28th, 2009

John Gunkelman

John Gunkelman, Dakota Construction of Fargo, Inc., is the recipient of its 2009 Builder of the Year award presented by the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead (HBA).

This award is presented each fall to recognize one builder member for their effort and work expended in the interest of his or her fellow members, association and community.

According to the HBA, Gunkelman has demonstrated the highest standards of an HBA member by building both the image and strength of the association through service and dedication. He has been a member of the HBA since 1992.

Gunkelman is current president of the North Dakota Association of Builders. He was awarded the local and state Builder of the Year award in 2001, the same year he was HBA of F-M president. He has also led the HBA of F-M’s charity, Home Builders Care of Fargo-Moorhead Foundation, as president and served as chairman on the F-M Home Builders Health Plan & Trust. This year and last year, Gunkelman gave countless hours of his own time and his crew’s time, to the RENEW House, a renovation project funded by Home Builders Care and organized by the HBA’s Remodelers Council.

In his presidency with NDAB this year, Gunkelman worked on behalf of the building industry to further legislation and mentor growth across the state through the six local associations. Under his guidance, NDAB was successful in introducing and passing major legislation that increased property tax incentives for new home construction and prohibits cities from mandating fire sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings.

HBA Executive Vice President Bryce Johnson says, “These laws that John and NDAB helped pass are huge for homeowners, builders and our entire industry. Our members and home buyers will save thousands of dollars that will help keep housing affordable, which is exactly what we, as home builders associations, are here for.”

Gunkelman’s community involvement includes involvement with YMCA Camp Cormorant; Freedom By Design, an architectural student group at NDSU; Habitat for Humanity; Special Olympics; Saints Anne and Joachim Church; Red River Soccer; Construction Specifications Institute; F-M Chamber of Commerce; North Dakota Chamber of Commerce; National Federation of Independent Businesses; and the Better Business Bureau.

Gunkelman and his wife, Judy, live in Fargo and have four children: Sarah (married to B.J. Knutson); Andrew, Molly and Jeff.

For more information listen to KFGO 790AM or email studio@kfgo.com


Posted in Business & Professional Life, KFGO, Profiles | No Comments »

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