The 52nd annual Red River Valley Home and Garden Show will be held at the Fargodome on February 22-24. Chef Jyll Everman and personal organizer Geralin Thomas will headline a weekend full of informative and entertaining seminars, including presentations by local businesses such as Accent Kitchen and Bath, COUNTRY Financial, and H2 Design Build. In addition, the Fargodome will be packed with more than 300 exhibitors, including the largest selection of home and garden exhibits in the region.
The show is sponsored by the Home Builder’s Association of Fargo-Moorhead, a non-profit trade association of just under 800 members. In existence since 1956, the mission of the HBA is to provide quality services, benefits, and education to members and the community while representing the collective interest of the home building industry. Its public events include the Spring Parade of Homes, Fall Parade of Homes, Fall Home Show, Remodeled Home Tour, and of course, the Red River Valley Home & Garden Show. More information on the HBA of F-M can be found at www.hbafm.com.
Jyll Everman:
Jyll Everman is the owner of Jyllicious Bites, a catering company in Glendora, California that specializes in gourmet finger foods. After working as a private chef for two years, Everman decided to open her own business after realizing that most of the parties she was hired to cater were interested in mostly finger foods. A self-described “Finger Food Specialist,” Everman grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin and believes her Midwest roots play a large role in her cooking. “I grew up in cold weather and in a budget conscious household,” she said, “so I know a thing or two about comfort foods.” Jyllicious Bites specializes in foods that are universally recognizable and loved: chicken pot pie, loaded baked potatoes, po’ boys, and even fried Mac and Cheese.
Fans of television’s Food Network will recognize Everman from the “Food Network Star.” A finalist on season seven, Everman says that being on a reality show is a lot harder than it looks on TV. “You are away from your home for over two months with no phone, TV, or internet so you feel disconnected with everything,” she said. On the other hand, Everman credits the show with giving her business the type of exposure that leads to opportunities like being invited to Fargo.
Everman will be presenting three distinct seminars throughout the weekend. “Tailgating 101” will be offered on Friday from 3:30 – 4:30pm, Saturday from 12:30 – 1:30pm, and again on Sunday from 3:30 – 4:30pm. During the seminar, Everman plans to provide a different twist to everyday party recipes.
Everman will be presenting “Beautiful Brunch” on Friday from 5:30 – 6:30pm and Saturday from 9:30 – 10:30am. Jyll promises to get “a little indulgent” with Krispe Kreme bread pudding and Rock Star bacon. Brunch will never be the same.
Finally, “Jyllicious Bites Appetizers” will be held on Friday from 7:30 – 8:30pm, Saturday from 3:30 – 4:30pm, and Sunday from 1:00 – 2:00pm. Everman will present three of her company’s most requested menu items.
Everman believes that each of her seminars will show attendees how to simply elevate recipes that are probably already used at home. “My food is never pretentious or unrecognizable,” she said, “they are always simple, delicious approaches that can easily be applied to your own kitchen.” More information on Everman and Jyllicious Bites can be found at www.jylliciousbites.com.
Geralin Thomas:
Geralin Thomas is a professional organizer who offers real solutions for real people, emphasizing simplicity and excellence in her approach to organizing challenges both big and small. Thomas currently resides in Cary, North Carolina, where her company “Metropolitan Organizers” offers a variety of organizing services related to homes and home offices. In addition, Thomas has created a line of products for organizers and home owners to keep their lives and businesses more productive.
Thomas believes that she was born to organize. “Even as a young girl I believed in the ‘less is more’ mentality,” she said. She has used that mentality to become one of the most successful professional organizers in the country. In addition to work with individuals and businesses, Thomas is also a regular guest on the A&E television show “Hoarders.” Thomas believes that the most important thing to know about hoarding is that with help, the condition can be managed. She stressed, however, that therapy is a crucial part of the process. “It’s a mental health disorder,” she said, “and an organizer can’t cure or fix that part of the disorder.” She believes that the role of the organizer is to sort through the stuff with the client.
Thomas will be offering weekend seminars on three topics. “Changing the Way You Think About Clutter” will be held on Saturday from 4:45 – 5:45pm and again on Sunday from 11:30am – 12:30pm. Geralin will focus on various patterns of accumulating, saving, and storing possessions. The seminar will help attendees think differently about shopping, inheriting, and passively accumulating things.
“Wardrobe and Wisdom – Beyond the Basics” will be offered on Saturday from 2:00 – 3:00pm. During the seminar, Thomas promises to motivate the audience to get organized and become “wardrobe warriors.” Included are tips on how to build a better closet using appropriate shelving, mirrors, rods, hooks, and hangers. Anyone interested in building a better closet and wardrobe should consider attending.
Finally, Thomas will present “Chronically Disorganized, Hoarding or Collecting” on Saturday from 11:00am – 12:00pm and Sunday from 2:15 – 3:15pm. During this educational seminar, Thomas will describe the difference between chronic disorganization, hoarding, and collecting. Geralin will offer entertaining, yet helpful and informative points about each challenge.
Thomas believes her seminars will create awareness about the stuff we acquire, collect, and keep. “I’ll share insights about why we like ‘stuff’ and of course there will be plenty of practical tips for decluttering, spring cleaning, and shaping up our closets and wardrobes,” she said. Geralin believes her sessions will be educational as well as entertaining. Every session will also be family-friendly. More information about Thomas or her company can be found at www.metropolitanorganizing.com.
Accent Kitchen and Bath:
Accent Kitchen and Bath has been in business for over twenty-five year. Considered one of the top remodeling and design companies in the Red River Valley, Accent specializes in kitchen and bath design while encompassing the entire remodeling aspect of construction. The company prides itself on its belief that “no project is too small.” Accent also considers itself a one-stop shop, “offering all products and services under one roof to complete a project from start to finish.”
According to designer Kayla Benning, “Aging in Place Design” is currently one of the top trends in bathrooms. Aging in Place Design includes “barrier free/curbless showers, extra backing for future grab bars, comfort height toilets, etc.” Benning also said that custom walk-in showers with multiple water sources as well as soaking tubs are very popular. As far as kitchens, Accent has noticed a large demand to customize the kitchen space to each client’s lifestyle and function. “The kitchen is becoming the heart of the home,” Benning said. “Clients often want to open up the space by removing walls and converting the square footage of formal dining rooms into kitchen square footage.”
Accent Kitchen and Bath will be offering a variety of seminars throughout the weekend. On Friday from 6:00 – 7:00pm and again on Saturday from 3:00 – 4:00pm, Tom Spaeth and Krista Hoeg will present “Bathroom Trends, Budgets and Before & Afters.” The seminar will focus on “aging in place” design as well as the endless ways to incorporate tile throughout the bathroom.
On Saturday from 10:00 – 11:00am and on Sunday from 1:30 – 2:30pm, Mike Arnold and Krista Hoeg will present “Kitchen Trends, Budgets and Before & Afters.” The seminar will focus on the latest kitchen products of 2013, including appliances, cabinets, layout, flooring, countertops, lighting, plumbing, and more. Everything from products to installation and budgeting will be covered. More information on Accent Kitchen and Bath can be found at www.accentcontracting.com.
Other Happenings:
In addition to the previously mentioned workshops and seminars, COUNTRY Financial will be providing information on taking the first step to create a financially secure future. “What is Your Idea of Financial Security?” will be held on Friday from 4:30 – 5:30pm and will give attendees the opportunity to gain information about protecting your property and creating a financial plan. All attendees will receive a workbook to help prioritize needs and goals.
H2 Consulting & Contracting will be sponsoring a seminar titled “Not all Homes are Created Equal: Structural Insulated Panels” pm Saturday from 1:00 – 2:00pm. Anyone interested in learning more about the great energy efficient benefits of Structurally Insulated Panels should attend. Structurally Insulated Panels (SIP panels) can be used to create a unique one-of-a-kind home while reducing heating and cooling costs.
Finally, The Home Depot will be offering a kid’s workshop on Saturday from 1:00 – 5:00pm and Sunday from 12:00 – 4:00pm. In addition, the YMCA of Cass & Clay Counties and the NDSU Human Development and Family Science Club will offer a playground for potty-trained children age 3-7 during show hours.