Fergus Spotlight

In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with Valerie and Howard Rasmussen, the inspiring couple behind the creation of Vets R Us, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of veterans and first responders. Valerie and Howard share their personal backgrounds and the experiences that led them to establish this incredible organization. We dive into their passion for su...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Matt and Elizabeth Danielson, the talented duo behind The North Skies. Matt and Elizabeth share their personal backgrounds and delve into their musical journeys, discussing the various musical groups they are involved in. We explore the inspiration behind their music and the creative process of crafting their unique sound. Additionally, we...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Stacy Wendt and Nancy Valentine, the dynamic duo behind Kaddatz Galleries. Stacy and Nancy talk about their unique journeys and how they ended up in Fergus Falls at Kaddatz. We dive into their passion for supporting local artists and creating opportunities for artistic expression in the community. Stacy and Nancy discuss the various progra...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Rolando Felizola from the Visit Fergus Falls Organization. Rolando shares his unique story of transitioning from growing up in Venezuela to life in Miami and eventually discovering the charming beauty of Fergus Falls after a visit to Maplewood State Park. We delve into Rolando's experiences, from his love for the outdoors to his passio...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Jan Werkau, the owner of SoapWerks and the fearless leader behind the Fergus Falls Farmers Market. Jan takes us on a journey as she shares her personal story, from her background in the tech world to her transition into the realm of artistry. We dive into the passion that fueled her decision to start SoapWerks and the inspiring work she co...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Kris and Corey Stach, the two brothers behind Elevate Dispensary, as they share their inspiring personal stories. We dive into their childhood in Fergus Falls and explore the paths they took to become integral players in the cannabis and hemp industry. Together, we discuss the recent passing of Minnesota's HF 100 bill and the profound...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hearing from Zach Thomas, a talented country music artist hailing from west central Minnesota. Zach takes us on a journey through his personal story, from his roots in the local community to his discovery of a deep passion for music and songwriting. We delve into Zach's experiences, including his time on American Idol, and how those experiences shaped h...

In this episode, we sit down with Zack Stach, the owner and chiropractor at Dr. Zack Chiropractic, to explore his journey in the field of chiropractic care. Dr. Zach shares his personal background, the inspiration behind his practice, and the range of services he offers. We dive into the history of chiropractic adjustments and their positive impact on spinal alignment, pain reduction, and overall...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Josh Cohen, a Fergus Falls resident and the host of the Eyewitness History podcast. We explore how his passion for history and storytelling has shaped his journey and led him to the opportunity of hosting the podcast. With a unique approach, the Eyewitness History podcast brings historical events to life by presenting them through the pers...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Paul Hicks, the owner of Dandelion and Burdock, a charming boutique store located in downtown Fergus Falls. Paul takes us on a journey through his life, from growing up in England to his eventual move to the United States as a teenager. We delve into Paul's diverse roles within our community, including his involvement with the Fergus F...

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Hames, the owner of Josh Hames Handyman Service. Josh shares his personal journey and some of the challenges he has faced along the way. We explore his passion for fixing and building things, which led to the creation of his handyman business. We dive into the various services Josh offers to our community and how he strives to provide quality work at an affor...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Maya Goldstein and Imran Khan, the couple who rebranded the local Motel 8 into Hotel 8. Maya and Imran share their personal stories, from their lives prior to moving to Fergus Falls to how they fell in love and embarked on their journey of entrepreneurship. We dive into the history of the hospitality industry, discussing how it has evolved ove...

In this episode, we sit down with Amber Huschka and Johnny Walvatne to explore the story of Bell Bank. Jon and Amber share their personal experiences that led them to their careers and the impact that Bell Bank has had on their lives. We delve into the rich history of Bell Bank, tracing its humble beginnings in Fargo to its growth and expansion across the Midwest. Along the way, we also talk about...

In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Carlson, the owner of 715 Hot Heads, a local hair salon in Fergus Falls. Along with discussing the salon, we also crack open some local beers from Fergus Brewing and Outstate, and review them throughout the conversation. Lauren shares her story of how she became a salon owner and what inspired her to start her own business. We talk about the importance of c...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hearing from Greg Stumbo, the owner of Stumbeanos, a local coffee roaster in Fergus Falls. Greg shares his personal story of how he and his wife Jenny got into coffee roasting and how their passion for coffee led to the creation of Stumbeanos. We explore the history of coffee, from its origins to the different regions where coffee is grown and processed. We...

In this episode, we sit down with Rick Abrahamson, the owner of Homegrown Gardens, a local business specializing in high-quality microgreens and vegetables. Rick talks about his personal background in horticulture and gardening and how it led him to establish Homegrown Gardens. We discuss the growth of the Fergus Falls farmers market and the important role it plays in supporting local agriculture....

In this episode, we sit down with Luke Loeffler from Northern Aire Lanes. Luke discusses his life growing up at the bowling alley, from the simple task of sharpening pencils to learning about the advancements in modern bowling technology. We take a look at the rich history of bowling in Fergus Falls, and talk about the development of the sport of bowling throughout the years. Whether you're a...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt McKinney, a financial advisor for Thrivent Financial. Matt shares his journey of how he became a financial advisor and explains what led him to this career path. We dive into the history of Thrivent and explore the different tools and resources available to individuals and families. Matt also emphasizes the value of giving back to the community and shares how...

In this episode, we sit down with Christine Lawson, a talented ceramic artist and owner of Christine Lawson Ceramics. Christine shares her creative journey and how she discovered her love for working with clay. We discuss the art of ceramics and the different products and programs available in our community. Christine talks about how her passion for art has been inspired by other local artists and...

In this episode, we sit down with Johnny Thill, a leadership/mindset coach and speaker for Southwestern Consulting. Johnny shares his personal journey of how he discovered his passion for helping others optimize their mindset and the path he took to become a coach and speaker. We discuss the importance of mindset in achieving personal and professional goals and how leadership skills can be develop...

In this episode, we sit down with Colton Smith, the owner of Custom Concrete Coatings, a local business that specializes in residential and commercial concrete coatings. Colton shares his journey of how he started the business and explains how his background has contributed to his success in the field. We touch on the history of decorative concrete floors and explore the various types of coatings...

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Shol, the community outreach coordinator of Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity. We explore the amazing work they are doing in our community and talk about the history of the organization. Paul gets personal and discusses his journey and what inspired him to join Habitat for Humanity. We also take a look at the organization's mission to provide afforda...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Pat Connelly, the owner of Dairyland, an iconic local ice cream shop that is about to open for their 68th season. Pat shares a preview of his book, "If These Walls Could Talk," which chronicles the history of Dairyland from its humble beginnings in the 1950s to the present day. We delve into Pat's childhood memories of Dairyl...

In this episode, we sit down with Walter Ribeiro, the founder and visionary behind Dragonfly-e Inc., a startup aiming to establish a clean solution to producing natural gas for our region. Walter shares his personal journey from growing up in Brazil to serving in both the Brazilian and U.S. military, and how his experiences led him to create Dragonfly-e Inc. We try to explain what an anaerobic dig...

In this episode, we sit down with Wayne Hurley, the fearless leader of the Pedal Fergus Falls non-profit organization. We touch on the history of the local bike trail system, the 30 days of biking in April initiative, and discuss how Fergus Falls has become a nationally credited top-10 city for bike-friendly businesses. Wayne shares his insights into the challenges and opportunities of creating a...