Session 1 Workshops ~ 11:10 am - 12:00 pm
11:10 am CHILDCARE SESSION 1 (optional) & Adult Workshop, "Zumba For All Ages" - Amber Miller (First Presbyterian Church of Grand Forks)
​Psalms 149:3 “Let them praise His name with dancing” Christian Zumba is a fun-filled workout that burns calories and encourages your spiritual growth with Jesus.  Workouts are designed for all ages and choreographed to contemporary Christian music​.
 
Amber Miller has been a certified Zumba Instructor since 2012. She incorporated her two passions together, Jesus Christ and Zumba, to bring a fun-filled workout designed to not only burn calories, but also encourage spiritual growth. Her routines are choreographed to contemporary Christian praise/worship music.
11:10 am "Challenges of Today's Teen" - Chris Douthit & Cpl. Beth Skari (Red River High School)
Chris Douthit, an associate principal at Red River High School
and School Resource Officer, Corporal Beth Skari will provide information on current trends, positive and negative, among today's teens.  The workshop will include open dialogue with those in attendance.

Chris Douthit is the Associate Principal at Red River High School.  This summer, he will be transitioning to the Grand Forks CVIC (Community Violence Intervention Center) as their school liaison. 
11:10 am "Grand Forks Senior Center: Opportunities Abound" - Jami Schumacher (Grand Forks Senior Center)
People are always surprised when they learn about all the Grand Forks Senior Center has to offer: from activities to meals to trips to services. Come learn how you can live on the Brighter Side of Sixty!
 
Living on the "Brighter Side of Sixty" is living life to the fullest. It is meeting new people. It is going new places. It is trying new things. It is helping others. And, sometimes, it is receiving services that help you remain independent at home. The mission of the Grand Forks Senior Center is to provide opportunities for older adults to live to their full potential. 

Jami Schumacher is the Public Relations Manager at the Grand Forks Senior Center. The Grand Forks Senior Center has been serving area seniors for over sixty years. We are committed to providing quality and cost efficient activities, programs, and services for older adults. Our staff is professional, caring, and trustworthy. Consider us your area reference for anything you may need to lead an independent, meaningful, and dignified life in your own home and community.
11:10 am "Mood and Food" - Margaret Landry L.Ac. (Margaret Landry Acupuncture)
Food is medicine--food and herbs have properties that influence our health.  We'll explore how food affects mood according to Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern science. 
 
Margaret Landry L.Ac. is a Licensed Acupuncturist (Minnesota Board of Medical Practice).  She holds a Master of Acupuncture degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University.  She is Diplomate of Acupuncture (National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine).  She has her certification in Health Coaching (Institute of Integrative Nutrition).  She has certification in Chinese Tuina Massage Therapy (American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) and certification in Fascial Movement Taping "Rock Doc" (Rocktape). 

Her practice is general but she has particular interest and additional training in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, rehabilitation, diabetes/metabolic disorders and chronic disease.  
11:10 am "Suicide Prevention: A Community Response" - Marilyn Ripplinger and Sandy Kovar (T.E.A.R.S.)
From a mental health perspective, our community is in crisis! This presentation will identify some of the mental health problems that exist, share what is currently being done in both the schools and the community to address mental health problems and ultimately prevent suicide. Discover what you can do to help and be part of the solution to a healthier community. 
 
Marilyn Ripplinger is in her 25th year as a Red River High School counselor.  Sandy Kovar is currently the Manager of Cardiology Services and Interventional Radiology at Altru Health System.  Their paths crossed 14 years ago after Sandy lost her son, Michael, to suicide. It was at this time that two of them co-founded the TEARS organization (Together we Educate About the Realities of Suicide).  The mission of TEARS is to stop suicide through prevention education and support for survivors.  Marilyn and Sandy will speak about the myths/facts, risk factors and warning signs surrounding suicide. They will also share what is happening in the Grand Forks schools and community regarding suicide prevention and education.
11:10 am "Learn to Knit with Ginger and Karen" - Karen George and Ginger Smith (Fiber Arts Guild of the Red River Valley)
Have you always wanted to learn to knit?  Now is your opportunity.  Learn knitting skills by joining us for this free workshop that includes everything you need to get started.  Knitting is a wonderful way to relax and a rewarding way to spend your time.  Enrollment is limited and  materials are free so register early.

Ginger and Karen are consummate knitters, who have taught classes, published patterns, and earned certifications in their craft.  Let them show you how knitting can add another dimension to your life.
 11:10 am "The Eden Alternative" - Gwenn Bazajou (Valley Memorial Homes) 
The Eden Alternative is an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to transforming care environments into habitats for human beings that promote quality of life for all involved. Their philosophy is a powerful tool for creating well-being for Elders, wherever they live, and those who collaborate with them as care partners. Gwenn Bazajou, as chaplain of Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks, will share what it means to truly change the culture of a long term care facility into a “habitat for human beings”. She will share the joy of working at an Eden Alternative approved community.
 
Gwenn Bazajou is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She has been in the ministry for 40 years on May 27, 2018, beginning her service as a Lutheran Deaconess. She presently serves as Chaplain at Valley Memorial Homes in Grand Forks, ND. She is passionate about the Eden Alternative philosophy of care at Valley Memorial Homes and also about Advanced Care Planning. Her hobbies include reading, needlework, and working with animals. She lives alone with her 14 year old, whipper-snapper cat, Hope.
11:10 pm "Memory Loss, Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease" - Tammy Bryant (Alzheimer's Association)
This workshop is for anyone who would like to know more about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Through "The Basics" workshop, discover the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia; how Alzheimer's affects the brain, risk factors, diagnosis, stages of the disease, treatment, and hope for the future.

The Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota has been providing services, information, and advocacy for more than 30 years to people with dementia, their families and health care providers.   Learn about resources that are available and how we can help.
11:10 pm "Samurai Soldier Obstacle Course" - First Pres Buildings and Grounds
A new addition for the conference in 2018 is our Samurai Soldier Obstacle Course!  Children and adults alike will find this course fun and somewhat challenging.  It will be a fun and interactive way for you to get active and get moving through some fun challenges.  The course will include an agility ladder, and army crawl, a tire course, a log challenge, and a spy laser maze obstacle.
11:10 am "Love the Skin You're In" - Dr. Alyssa Hoverson M.D. (Sandford Health)
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.  Please join me and learn more about skin cancer prevention, skin care, and anti-aging.

Dr. Hoverson is currently a provider at Sanford Dermatology in East Grand Forks, MN.  Areas of expertise include: Medical and Surgical Dermatology, Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery, Vein and Laser Specialist, Cosmetic Dermatology, Botox.  Dr. Hoverson went to the University of North Dakota Medical School and completed her Dermatology Residency at the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education.  She is Board Certified with the American Board of Dermatology.