West Fargo Focus December 2022

EDITOR

Wendy Reuer wreuer@forumcomm.com

701-241-5530

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Lisa Tillotson ltillotson@forumcomm.com

701-241-5524

MULTIMEDIA SALES CONSULTANTS

Jessie Andren jandren@forumcomm.com

701-241-5451

Tim Couchman tcouchman@forumcomm.com

701-241-5490

Jamie Dettling jdettling@forumcomm.com

701-241-5493

Keith Harriger kharriger@forumcomm.com

701-241-5435

DESIGNERS

Sara Slaby & Mollie Burlingame

ADVERTISING

advsales@forumcomm.com

701-241-5431

West Fargo Sheyenne team members celebrate match point in the win over Bismarck Century in the North Dakota Class A state volleyball tournament championship game at the Bismarck Event Center on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022.

David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

Calendar of Events

MONTHLY

West Fargo Cribbage Club

6:30–8 p.m. Every Tuesday

@ West Fargo Public Library (except Dec. 27), All Ages

Mahjong & More Game Time

1:30–3:30 p.m., Every Wednesday @ West Fargo Public Library, All Ages

Ready to Read Storytime

10:30–11:30 a.m., Wednesdays

@ West Fargo Public Library (except Dec. 21 & 28)

Pre-K + their adults

Technology Tutoring

10 a.m. – noon Every Tuesday and Saturday, Adults

Baby Boost Storytime

10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Fridays

@ West Fargo Public Library (except Dec. 23 & 30)

Children ages 0 – 2 + their adults

DECEMBER

West Fargo Public Library Teen Advisory Board Meeting

7–8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1

@ West Fargo Public Library Teens (Grades 6 – 12)

Light Up the Night Holiday Tree

Lighting

5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 @ POW/MIA Plaza

Pizza and Painting: The Grinch

6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2

@ Rustad Recreation Center

Registration required

Discovering Your Roots: How to Build Historical Context

1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3

@ West Fargo Public Library, Adults

Home Alone Safety (ages 9-14)

10-11:45 a.m. or 1-2:45 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3

@ Rustad Recreation Center Registration required

First Skate 2022 at The Lights Ice Rink

2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 @ Essentia Health Plaza

Monday Matinee: Free Movie

Screening of “Little Women” Rated PG

1:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5 @ West Fargo Public Library

Library Board Meeting

5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, @ City Hall, Public

Holiday Baking (ages 6-12)

6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 @ Rustad Recreation Center Registration required

Christmas at The Lights Shopping Event

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 @ The Lights

Family History Specialist Available

1–4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 @ West Fargo Public Library, Adults

“Memories that Fuel a War: What’s Behind the Russo-Ukrainian War?” with Merne Manor

2–3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 @ West Fargo Public Library, Adults

Monday Matinee: Free Movie

Screening of “Nomadland” Rated R

1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12 @ West Fargo Public Library

Monday Night Readers Book Club

6–7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, @ West Fargo Public Library, Adults

English Conversation Circle

6:30–7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13 @ West Fargo Public Library, Adults

Job Service ND available at Library

1–3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14 @ West Fargo Public Library, Adults

Third Thursday Book Club

6:30–7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15 @ West Fargo Public Library, Adults

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Stages West

Dec. 9-11 & Dec. 16-18

@ Dawson Hall, Bonanzaville

Skate with Santa

1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18

@ Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights

Monday Matinee: Free Movie

Screening of “Death on the Nile”

Rated PG-13

1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19

@ West Fargo Public Library

Novel Afternoons Book Club

1–2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21

@ West Fargo Public Library, Adults

Books & Brews Book Club at Caribou Coffee

6–7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22

@ Caribou Coffee (inside WF Hornbacher’s), Adults

West Fargo Public Library Closed Dec. 23 – 26

Transfer Station Closed Dec. 24

Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

Tuesday, Dec. 27 - Thursday, Dec. 29

@ West Fargo Conference Center at the DoubleTree by Hilton

New Year’s Eve Glow Skate

9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31

@ The Lights Ice Rink at Essentia Health Plaza

West Fargo Winter Classic

Hockey Tournament

Tuesday, Dec. 27-Sunday, Jan. 1

@ The Lights & West Fargo Sports Arena

Winter Tie Dye for Teens

2:30–3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27

@ West Fargo Public Library

Teens (Grades 6 – 12)

Winter STEM for Kids

2:30–3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29

@ West Fargo Public Library

Kids (Grades K – 5)

More Winter Activites on page 7

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE CHANGES

Friday, Dec. 23

• All municipal buildings closed

• Friday’s garbage collection is Thursday, Dec. 22

• No changes to recycling collection

Monday, Dec. 26

• All municipal buildings closed

• Monday’s garbage collection is Tuesday, Dec. 27

• No changes to recycling collection

Sunday, Jan. 1

• West Fargo Public Library closed

Monday, Jan. 2

• All municipal buildings closed

• Monday’s garbage collection is

Tuesday, Jan. 3

• No changes to recycling collection

School Holiday Schedule Changes

West Fargo Public Schools

• No school Thursday, Dec. 22 –

Monday, Jan. 2

Park Christian School

• No school Thursday, Dec. 22 –Monday, Jan. 2

Oak Grove Lutheran School

• Early release Wednesday, Dec. 21

• No school Thursday, Dec. 22 –

Tuesday, Jan. 3

Grace Lutheran School

• No school Thursday, Dec. 22 –Monday, Jan. 2

Capstone Classical Academy

• No school Friday, Dec. 23 – Friday, Dec. 30

Trinity Elementary School

Holy Spirit Elementary School

Sacred Heart Middle School

Nativity Elementary School

Shanley High School

• No school Thursday, Dec. 22 –

Monday, Jan. 2

Dakota Montessori School

• Early release Friday, Dec. 16

• No school Monday, Dec. 19 –Sunday, Jan. 1

West Fargo taking steps to help with child care crisis

By Wendy Reuer | West Fargo Pioneer

WEST FARGO — West Fargo is not immune to the national shortage of daycare providers, but some members of the City Commission are hoping to help the workforce issue that has affected many families and they need help from residents to figure out how to do that.

Commissioner Mandy George said the limited daycare options for families in West Fargo and around the metro area has been a concern of hers since she was elected. She’s heard from many

residents requesting some sort of help to help address the issue.

Statewide the supply of child care meets 88% of the demand, according to a report by North Dakota KIDS COUNT, a statewide resource for data on the well-being of children. Child care is especially limited during non-traditional hours across the state, with only 3% of licensed facilities open on weekends, 4% open during evening hours and 25% open during early morning hours.

The cost of child care is also an issue for many parents. About 5,000 children received financial assistance in 2020, but 21,000 children live below the poverty line in North Dakota.

So, George took the initiative of bringing forward an exploratory group to the City Commission as a whole. With the commission’s approval, she and Commissioner Mark Simmons along with city staff including the new Economic Development Director Casey Sanders-Berglund, Assistant

CHILD

A local child care center. File photo/West Fargo Pioneer

City Administrator Dustin Scott, Administrator Tina Fisk, Planning Director Aaron Nelson and Malachi Peterson, met recently to brainstorm ideas on how the city might help alleviate the problem.

“I see stories in the paper, it was a big issue that candidates are talking about,” George said. “There just isn’t any childcare, It’s not they’re asking for free childcare, they’re asking for help in finding some. I know we’re not going to solve the issue but the good news is that we can at least help.”

Included in this month’s utility bills is a link to a survey that George and other community members are hoping residents will fill out to help the group gauge what the needs might be in West Fargo. The survey will remain online and residents are asked to add their input so that the committee can begin focusing on potential ways to help.

Statistics taken from North Dakota KIDS COUNT, show that the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the problems associated with child care, said Zach Packineau, director of outreach and programming for North Dakota Voices Network, a nonprofit civil rights group.

The main issues include the affordability of child care, the worker shortage with low pay of about $11 an hour and the lack of availability for child care centers, Packineau said.

In the meantime, George said the city is believed to have about 10 daycares and the committee hopes to reach out to each and find the most pressing needs for the existing centers.

From there, the city may be able to help with such things as CPR and health certifications, something Fire Chief Dan Fuller is already working on.

Fuller and the West Fargo Fire

Department is upping its game when it comes to offering free CPR, HeartSaver and AED training, which will help daycare organizations which require staff to be trained in CPR.

Fuller said the fire station has offered CPR and HeartSaver classes. In an effort to help child care providers reach certification requirements as quickly as possible when new staff hired, the department will not only waive the class fees for childcare providers, but if an organization has a group of six, for example, who need to attend a class, the fire department will actually work with the group and come to them for classes.

“Those are small things maybe we can help with to make a difference,” George said.

George said from there, the city may look at if it’s possible to use economic development funds to provide a sort of grant program or tax credit to facilitate additional childcare openings in West Fargo. In the meantime, it will continue to gather as much information and ideas from residents as possible.

“Let’s continue to gather information and address the problem any way we can,” George said. “Maybe we can collaborate with Fargo, the county or maybe even on the state level. We’ll be looking at the bigger picture as well.”

Visit the URL to complete a survey on access to child care in West Fargo: https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/NSV8QV2

For those interested in receiving CPR training through the West Fargo Fire Department, contact the community risk reduction officer, Travis Olson at the fire station at (701) 515-5600.

Readers can reach West Fargo editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm.com or 701-241-5530.

“ I know we’re not going to solve the issue but the good news is that we can at least help.”

Commissioner Mandy George

New West Fargo Shopping and Dining online map available in time for the holidays Winter Activities

By City of West Fargo Staff

The holiday season is in full swing, which means it is time for giving gifts, hosting parties, dining out, and inviting friends and family into your home. According to the National Retail Foundation, the winter holidays are collectively the second-largest spending event of the year.

There are opportunities to find everything you need this season in West Fargo. To help you discover these options, visit the West Fargo Shopping & Dining Guide map, available at www.westfargond.gov/1213/ Shop-West-Fargo. The map allows you to view our community’s options for retail, restaurants, home and grocery needs, and other services you may be looking for.

By shopping in West Fargo, you funnel

your hard-earned dollars back into your local community and support your friends and neighbors. Research conducted by the American Independent Business Alliance found that shopping at a local business returns up to 50% of your dollar back into your community, compared to only 1% of your dollar benefiting your local community when shopping online.

In addition to these economic impacts, shopping at small businesses help enhance our community’s quality of life, character and vibrancy. They provide experiences and create natural gathering places for the community.

The map is available to save in Google Maps for easy access throughout the holiday season. A request form is also available to add a West Fargo business that may be missing from the map.

ESSENTIA HEALTH PLAZA The Lights Ice Rink

The Lights Ice Rink officially opens at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, during the special First Skate 2022 event. The rink located in the Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights is an NHL-size outdoor rink that is free and open to the public 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. SundaySaturday, unless there is a special event. Updated schedules will be available at westfargoevents.com. A warming house, public restrooms and $5 skate rentals are available on-site.

WEST FARGO PARK DISTRICT

Outdoor Rinks

All West Fargo Park District outdoor rinks are free and open for public use. Hours may change due to weather, activities or other reasons. Rinks are typically flooded in early December, or when the ground has frozen and the temperature is cold enough to sustain ice. Visit wfparks. org for locations and updated hours of operation of these facilities.

All warming houses are open for public use Monday-Friday from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12-8 p.m. Please check the information line (701-551-7139) for updates on weather-related closures.

Outdoor Rink Locations

Dakota Park – 5600 9th St W

Herb Tintes Park – 131 6th Ave E

Maplewood Park – 1504 17th Ave E

Rendezvous Park – 1055 32nd Ave W

Herb Tintes Park – 131 6th Ave E

Maplewood Park – 1504 17th Ave E

Sledding Hills

West Fargo Park District has three sledding hills with warming houses that are free for public use. Visit wfparks.org for updated hours of operation of these facilities. Please use common sense and courtesy while using these facilities, keeping the safety of yourself and others always in mind.

Sledding Hill Locations

Maplewood Park – 1504 17th Ave E

Rendezvous Park – 1055 32nd Ave W

Rivers Bend Park – 2548 1st E

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

MIDNIGHT MADNESS:

West Fargo Sheyenne earns first state volleyball title with wild win over Bismarck Century

By Ryan Spitza | West Fargo Pioneer

BISMARCK — When the North Dakota Class A volleyball state tournament championship match between West Fargo Sheyenne and Bismarck Century kicked off on Saturday night, the approximate time at first serve was 10:02 p.m.

Originally slated for an 8 p.m. start, the contest between the East Region top seed Mustangs and the West Region top seed and two-time defending state champion Patriots was pushed back due to consolation matches and the Class B title match running long.

Nonetheless, the highly-anticipated championship bout between Sheyenne and Century started eventually and as the old saying goes, things tend to get wild after dark.

Sure enough, those in attendance at the Bismarck

Event Center were in for a doozy. In front of an electric crowd kept energized by tunes such as “Cotton Eyed Joe,” “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Shout” blasting over the public address system, the Mustangs and Patriots slugged it out in a five-set showdown that stretched into Sunday morning.

At approximately 12:04 a.m., the Mustangs made it to the promised land. Senior outside hitter Reagan Bogenreif slammed down the final kill and Sheyenne won the fifth set 15-8 and the match 3-2 to earn its firstever state volleyball title.

“It was crazy but we got it. We got it done,” an emotional Bogenreif said.

The Mustangs won the opening set 25-21. Century

punched back with a 25-22 victory in set two. Sheyenne responded in set three 25-18. The Patriots countered again to win set four 25-23 and force a decisive fifth set. From that point on, it came down to who wanted it more.

“We just said, ‘This is our game. We want this more than them,’ “ Bogenreif said.

Sure enough, the Mustangs prevailed. Tied 4-4 early, Sheyenne tallied the next two points on an antenna violation and a kill from senior outside hitter Kailee Waasdorp.

A four-hit violation made it 10-6 a few rallies later and prompted Century to call timeout. Out of the break, the Mustangs outscored the Patriots 5-2, clinching the match on Bogenreif’s kill to win it.

West Fargo Sheyenne head coach Leah Newton and her team members celebrate their win over Bismarck Century in the North Dakota Class A state volleyball tournament championship game at the Bismarck Event Center on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

For Bogenreif, notching that final point also served as a bittersweet personal moment she’ll never forget.

“It was amazing,” a tear-filled Bogenreif said. “I had a grandfather pass away during the season, so it was amazing and it was for him.”

Some were oblivious to the fact that it was Sunday morning when the final point was recorded — including Sheyenne head coach Leah Newton.

“I asked some of our coaches, I’m like, ‘What time of the night is it anyway?’ And I think someone said 12:15 (a.m.),” Newton said. “And I was like, ‘At this point, it’s OK.’ We don’t care, it was worth it. Any time is worth it.”

The late-night chaos was just the icing on the cake to taking down a Century dynasty that previously won eight state titles in the last 12 years. Both teams entered the contest with records of 34-2 — setting up for a highly-anticipated championship bout between the top seeds.

MIDNIGHT: Page 10

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If you’re looking for an independent provider, we believe you’ll find that Jamie’s level of care and experience is exactly what you’ve been looking for as he is thorough, attentive, and able to take the time you need to ensure a personalized care experience. His practice is accepting new patients on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday between the hours of 8:00am- 8:00pm with intermittent availability on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment only.

We’re

West Fargo Sheyenne’s Kallie Dodds celebrates a point with her teammates against Bismarck Century’s during the North Dakota Class A state volleyball tournament championship game at the Bismarck Event Center on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

West Fargo Sheyenne’s Kailee Waasdorp leaps for a shot against Bismarck Century’s Claire Bauman and Atrianna Backman during the North Dakota Class A state volleyball tournament championship game at the Bismarck Event Center on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

MIDNIGHT

From Page 9

Given those facts, Newton said it was the greatest match she’s ever had the privilege of being apart of.

“To be in a state championship, that’s the first time I’ve experience that at Sheyenne or ever,” Newton said. “And then to be able to pull off the win, I don’t think anything can beat that.”

Newton said she and her players knew that despite going up a set twice, the Patriots would refuse to go away quietly.

“We knew that they would do that,” Newton said. “They’re a great program. They’re tough, they’re gritty and so I just told the girls that every point matters. Every piece of a play matters and we just have to keep working together as a team and play really hard together as a team and staying aggressive, I thought, was a huge key for us as we’ve got to keep attacking at them and try to get them scrambling a little bit.”

Waasdorp led the way with 27 kills while recording 28 digs, five blocks and one assist. Bogenreif finished with 16 kills, 29 digs and one ace. Setter Kennedy Colter finished with 10 digs and 40 assists.

Setter Brooke Johnson added 27 assists, nine digs and four aces. Sophomore middle hitter Mya Bloedow led the blocks department with six while junior middle hitter Isabelle Albrecht and senior right side hitter Lexus Terhark added five blocks.

“It was honestly amazing,” Terhark said.

“This team has been working so hard for this and I can’t believe we’ve finally done it. It’s been my dream since freshman year.”

Senior outside hitter Logan Nissley led Century with 20 kills, 23 digs, one ace and 3 1/2 blocks. Junior setter Quinn Kost recorded 21 assists and 18 digs for the Patriots while sophomore setter Geneva Ding had 21 assists, 12 digs and one ace. Senior middle hitter Claire Bauman and junior outside hitter Eden Fridley each finished with eight kills and 26 digs.

Bauman, Nissley and senior defensive specialist Haven Fitterer were named to the Class A All-Tournament Team. Waasdorp, Bogenreif and Johnson were named to the All-Tournament team for Sheyenne.

MIDNIGHT: Page 12

“We knew that they would do that. They’re a great program. They’re tough, they’re gritty and so I just told the girls that every point matters.”

Sheyenne head coach Leah Newton

West Fargo Sheyenne senior Khloe Brown is introduced before play against Bismarck Century in the North Dakota Class A state volleyball tournament championship game at the Bismarck Event Center on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

MIDNIGHT

From Page 10

Nissley — who recorded her 1,000th career kill in the match — was voted the North Dakota High School Coaches Association Class A Volleyball Senior Athlete of the Year.

Newton was voted NDHSCA Class A Volleyball Coach of the Year.

Newton said it’s the fun demeanor the players bring to the table on a daily basis that most appeals to her in her coaching role.

“Because these girls are awesome,” Newton said. “They’re awesome, they’re goofy, they’re fun. They’re competitors. They’re just great people. We have eight seniors and so I’ve been lucky to coach them pretty close for the last few years and really get to know them. They’re just awesome young ladies and it couldn’t have happened to a better group of girls.”

The Mustangs capped a historic season during which it won its first-ever Eastern Dakota Conference tournament championship ahead of its first state crown. For the team as well as the Sheyenne students, parents and other supporters who made the trip, they returned to West Fargo a little later than anticipated, but with a trophy in tow.

“I think we’re all OK with a long drive home at this point in the night,” Newton said. “It means the world to us. First state championship in volleyball — to bring that home is just amazing and we’re really proud of it. Our fans were awesome. Their cheering and their support following us everywhere this year has been great, so I think they feel the same.”

“I love that people showed up and rode the bus here and made the long drive,” Terhark added. “It’s just amazing. Our student body really came out tonight.”

West Fargo Sheyenne’s Reagan Bogenreif shoots against Bismarck Century’s Erika Lee and Mylie Trahan during the North Dakota Class A state volleyball tournament championship game at the Bismarck Event Center on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022.

David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

West Fargo Events hosts December outings

By City of West Fargo Staff

Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights is transformed into an NHLsized hockey rink for the community to enjoy free of charge. An opening day celebration for The Lights Ice Rink is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Open skating schedules are available on westfargoevents.com during the skating season.

The annual holiday light display will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the POW/MIA Plaza in The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne. The event will feature carolers, hot cocoa, and a reveal of the new display in the early evening.

Christmas at The Lights is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10. The event will be a holiday open house brought to you by The Lights retailers, plus a few special guests. Participants include Jade & Jasper Boutique, Essentia Health, The Lights Nutrition, Amy Rose Salon, Moxie Java, Bell Bank, Tati’s Mediterranean, West Fargo Events open skating, and special guests Krebs Kandy Co. and Fyre & Co.

The Essentia Health West Fargo Winter Classic will feature teams from five different states converging on West Fargo Dec. 27-Jan. 1. Midco will televise select high school games Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 on the Midco Sports Network for any fans unable to attend. Visit westfargoevents.com for the tournament details.

The Lights at Essentia Health Plaza. Photo courtesy of West Fargo Events

Horace High School’s Student Congress returned from the North Dakota High School Activities Association’s State Student Congress with the school’s first state championship. Special to the West Fargo Pioneer

HORACE HIGH SCHOOL EARNS FIRST STATE TITLE

By West Fargo Pioneer Staff

WEST FARGO — Horace High School’s Student Congress returned from the North Dakota High School Activities Association’s State Student Congress with the school’s first state championship.

It is only the third year of competition for Horace

High School with second and fifth place finishes in 2021 and 2020 respectively.

At the individual level, Griffin Terras was named the House I Champion. Maggie Dick was voted by her peers to serve as the Presiding Officer in House II. Jayla Ridout was voted by her peers to

serve as the Presiding Officer in House IV. Ezra Powell was named the House VI Champion. Lucy Scherbenske was voted by her peers to serve as the Presiding Officer in House VI.

By BarbaraRobinson

The Horace High School team is coached by Nathan Amberg and Cassidy Hughes.

West Fargo Library collecting donations of winter gear for area children

By West Fargo Public Library Staff

The West Fargo Public Library is hosting its fourteenth annual Mitten Tree Drive this holiday season to collect winter gear for West Fargo children.

From Dec. 1 through Jan. 6, donors can drop off new or likenew child-sized mittens, gloves, sweatpants, boots or coats at the library. Handmade mittens and gloves are welcome. The items will be donated to West Fargo Public School District learners in need.

The Mitten Tree can be found on the main floor of the West Fargo Public Library near the selfcheckout machine. Donors can hang their items on the tree or drop them off at the library service desk.

Over 360 items were dontated to the West Fargo Public Library

Mitten Tree in 2021.

“We love hosting this program each winter and seeing the hundreds of donated items fill up our tree,” said Lauren Nephew, youth services manager. “With West Fargo’s population and the number of learners in our district continuing to grow year after year, we surely have more learners in need of these items than ever before.”

Photo courtesy of West Fargo Public Library

Riding high

West Fargo Sheyenne’s Piper Anderson commits to Oklahoma State

By Ryan Spitza | West Fargo Pioneer

WEST FARGO — Attending a school where the mascot is a Mustang, it was only fitting for Piper Anderson to make equestrian her passion.

Of course, Anderson fell in love with the sport long before she was in high school — 4 years old to be exact — and now the West Fargo Sheyenne junior will soon be competing among the best of the best at the collegiate level.

Last week, Anderson announced that she will continue her academic and athletic careers at Oklahoma State University. The Cowgirls compete at the Division I level and are the defending National Collegiate Equestrian Association national champions.

Anderson said she knew she wanted to compete at the college level after attending some camps at various schools and getting into contact with coaches. After making an official visit to OSU — located in Stillwater, Okla. — she immediately felt at home.

Piper Anderson and her horse Woody compete in a trail class at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Contributed / Shane Rux Photography

“It just felt right,” Anderson said. “I loved the coaches, I loved the atmosphere, the girls on the team — with the college horses, they’re all donated and in the past, I donated one of my horses to Oklahoma State. So I kind of knew a little bit about the program and sometimes I think having known so much about it for so long, it felt even more right — like the right place for me.”

Anderson competes in American Quarter Horse Association All-Arounds, which is a mix of Western and English disciplines and combines overall horsemanship skills such as basic riding skills, dressage and more.

“It’s a lot about presentation and your ability to control and perform on the horse,” Anderson said.

She picked up the sport at age 4 before beginning to ride competitively at about 7 years old.

“My mom rode horses as a kid on the East Coast and showed interest in horses, so she kind of got us into it on a small scale,” Anderson said. “I started showing when I was 5 (years old) and then when I was about 7 or 8, I started doing the more wide-scale, competitive horseback riding.”

It was after her freshman year of high school that Anderson truly wanted to commit to equestrian athletically.

“I play volleyball right now — just kind of like travel volleyball for fun,” Anderson said. “I don’t do school volleyball anymore. After freshman year volleyball, I kind of realized that I wanted to put all of my time and effort into the horses, so volleyball is kind of just a hobby now. It’s still enjoyable but less competitive at this point.”

Piper’s mom, Amy Anderson, was also a horse enthusiast growing up. That’s why she’s proud to witness her daughter carrying on the family tradition and turning it into a passion of her own.

“I’m so proud of her,” Amy said. “It’s one of those things you hear about a little bit in the horse world when you start. And then as you get older, you see kids you know that she’s competed against and going to

these schools to ride. You start to wonder if that’s a possibility and when (Piper) decided she wanted to do it, we investigated a little bit more and here we are.

“A lot of people think of horses as just a hobby, but of course we went into it full force and it’s really bringing a lot back to us now. Most Division I sports are football, volleyball, basketball and that sort of thing, and so

“I loved the campus,” Anderson said. “It felt like a huge college. These big, red brick buildings that felt classical but big. Yet, it’s not like a Texas A&M or Alabama size. It’s a little smaller so it’s a little more like a community (feel). The class sizes are smaller and the team, they felt so connected. The night I was there, I got to meet a lot of the team. Everyone showed up on both the Western and English (disciplines) side. Everyone was communicating and friendly with each other.

“The campus and the barn were so close to each other. They ride four to five times per week and here at home, I ride four to five times a week. So just the similarity between home and school, it felt like it would be an easy transition.”

Oklahoma State’s equestrian program started in 1999 and competes in the Big 12 conference. The Cowgirls, guided by longtime head coach Larry Sanchez, have won eight conference championships and seven NCEA national championships, with 2022 being the program’s first national title in the overall horsemanship discipline.

there’s not a lot of schools that have equestrian teams. It’s the Big 12 schools and SEC schools mostly. And it’s great to get the opportunity to be a student-athlete at a school like (OSU) with the sport that she loves.”

Anderson is guided by trainer Brett Clark, who operates a stable on his farm in Christine, N.D. just south of the Fargo metro area. She competes in roughly eight to 10 events annually, including premier events such as the Youth World Show, the National Snaffle Bit Association World Show and the All American Quarter Horse Congress. She’s a two-time Congress winner with three reserve finishes, along with many more top fives and top 10s. She finished sixth place at the NSBA World Show this past year.

Anderson said she also received a Division I offer from Auburn University, but it was OSU that stuck out to her the most in every aspect.

OSU went 15-2 during the 2021-22 championship campaign, breaking a program record for singleseason wins. The top-ranked Cowgirls defeated No. 3-ranked Texas A&M in the national championship event by a score of 11-9.

Once Anderson arrives on the OSU campus after her senior year at Sheyenne in 2024, she plans to major in engineering while earning a minor in business. She said there is pressure joining a successful program but that pressure is primarily due to adjusting to collegiate horses she’s not as familiar with.

“Yeah, definitely,” she said. “Especially the challenge of the horses not as nice and not as well-trained as the horses I’ve been lucky to show in the past. So it’s the transition between riding those more difficult horses and being able to be successful on those going in while also balancing school. But (OSU) offers so much to help that I think it’ll be an easy transition once I get into it and get a routine going.”

West Fargo Sheyenne junior Piper Anderson, second from left, poses with Oklahoma State University mascot Pistol Pete and other recruits on an official campus visit. Anderson will join the Cowgirls equestrian program in 2024.

Contributed / Piper Anderson

Ice is forming at the Essentia Health Plaza at West Fargo’s The Lights on Sheyenne.

Special to the West Fargo Pioneer

NEWS

Readying the rink

The Lights begins monthlong process to secure ice for upcoming hockey, skating

By Wendy Reuer | West Fargo Pioneer

WEST FARGO — It may still be a month away but the process of adding ice to the Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights is underway. And, soon, the cool place to meet up on West Fargo’s south side will be ready to host skating and hockey games for the winter.

West Fargo Events Executive Director Mike Amundson said the ice installation has been coming along as the boards are up, bases and anchors are in place and the manifold is connected.

Soon, thousands of gallons of glycol will be pumped into the area, which will help keep the ice cool,

followed by a tiller system and finally, weather dependent, water will be pumped in, ready to freeze over.

“From there, we play the weather game a little bit, we’ll pump water overnight to use the cold temps to help it along, and then during the day, we take a break and then repeat again the following night,” Amundson said.

Enough water will be pumped into the open air rink to create five inches of ice, which will remain throughout the winter and be ready in time to host a packed calendar of events.

“Weather does affect the building process. We can maintain the ice when we have 50 or 60 degrees, but when we are making ice, the weather does play a role depending on how cold it gets,” Amundson said.

He and West Fargo Events staff are shooting for a 2022-2023 opening on the first weekend of December.

“If we can be open earlier, we will,” he said.

After the opening will be a Dec. 3 figure skating show followed by a number of corporate events and “Skate with Santa,” a joint event to be held Dec. 18 with West Fargo Park District.

But the real draw for those out of town will be the last part of December when the rink and West Fargo Events hosts the West Fargo Winter Classic, a hockey tournament hosted by West Fargo high schools and youth teams from five states, Dec. 27 to Jan. 1.

Amundson said he hopes the rink can remain open through late spring for open skating.

“We will almost assuredly be open through February, and we will try to be open through March if we can,” he said. “If we’re in the 40s and 50s in March, it’s still very manageable.

Even if it’s 50 or 60, the top of the ice will melt and it will look like a lake during the day, but at night it will be frozen again.”

More than 56,000 skaters have visited The Lights ice rink since it opened. Amundson said the community response to West Fargo’s latest attraction has been terrific.

Instead of celebrating small business Saturday, throughout the month of November, West Fargo events will offer punch passes of skate rental for the plaza that include eight punches for $25. Regular priced punch cards allow six punches for $25.

Punch cards can be picked up from the community room at The Lights from any West Fargo staff. Punch cards are valid through the season.

Readers can reach West Fargo editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@ forumcomm.com or 701-241-5530. Follow her on Twitter @ForumWendy.

“ From there, we play the weather game a little bit, we’ll pump water overnight to use the cold temps to help it along, and then during the day, we take a break and then repeat again the following night.”

West Fargo Events Executive Director Mike Amundson

The ice is being formed over a number of weeks at West Fargo’s Essentia Health Plaza at the Lights. Photo special to West Fargo Pioneer

Ice is forming at the Essentia Health Plaza at West Fargo’s The Lights on Sheyenne.

Photo special to West Fargo Pioneer

Rick Clemenson from West Fargo speaks to WDAY News’ Kevin Wallevand about his time judging a crazy sock contest at Sanford Health.

Ryan Longnecker / West Fargo Pioneer

‘I was in a dark hole:’

Crazy socks help paralyzed West Fargo man through crisis

WEST FARGO — It’s been a roller-coaster ride for 59-year-old Rick Clemenson of West Fargo.

“Now we wheel in and put a sheet on the mat,” a Sanford physical therapist said to Clemenson on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

“How are you this morning?” another physical therapist asked.

The fact Clemenson is in physical therapy making big strides wasn’t in the cards just weeks ago.

After years of unloading trucks, his back just gave up on him, and he sustained a spinal cord injury.

“When I lost all feeling from my waist down, that really scared me. It really scared me,” Clemenson said.

The injury led to several surgeries. Clemenson underwent spinal fusions and received a prediction that nearly wrecked him.

By Kevin Wallevand | West Fargo Pioneer

“(A doctor at another hospital) told me I’d never walk again. That was devastating,” Clemenson said.

Suddenly, Clemenson was wheelchair bound and hospitalized.

“I’m laying in bed and crying,” he said.

He wasn’t sure he could even go on.

“It’s been a challenge. First two days I was here, I was in a very dark hole,” Clemenson confessed.

But out of the blue, something changed.

“Socks. I don’t know. I honestly don’t know,” Clemenson said, talking about the crazy sock phenomenon that started.

Clemenson’s family, nurses, physicians and physical and occupational therapists at Sanford Rehab all started buying and wearing crazy socks.

“It spread through here like wildfire,” Clemenson said.

It turned out to be a quiet, subtle way to get him out of his emotional bottom-ofthe-barrel state.

“It meant the world to me, that I connected with somebody,” Clemenson said.

It worked. On Tuesday, the whole staff on the rehab unit wore the crazy socks, and held a contest with Clemenson as the judge. Contestants had socks adorned in everything from ducks to tacos, Wonder Woman, Pokemon, Santa and pickles.

“It’s really been impactful, for not only him, but our patients and families and our staff people,” said Rachael Towers, Sanford director of Nursing on the Rehab unit.

Those who specialize in rehab said not to underestimate the power of simplicity.

“When you make progress, all progress is not just physical, and somethings you just also get over the mental barriers and make progress,” said Dr. Sonia Thakur, a Sanford physical and medicine rehab specialist.

If you ask Clemenson if all the hoopla around these crazy socks changed his life? “No,” he said. It saved him.

“Most days I feel that way. I’ve been reborn,” Clemenson said.

While in physical therapy Tuesday, Clemenson received a challenge.

“Hey, nice work. Nice work,” a physical therapist said to Clemenson as he stood up.

On this crazy sock contest day, he got the motivation to stand on his own.

“Just amazed I can do this again,” Clemenson said, smiling.

From that dark place weeks ago, to feeling like a superhero.

“For someone who couldn’t feel anything from my waist down, and now I can start to feel,” Clemenson said,

“That was beautiful,” Rick’s physical therapist said.

NEWS AND FEATURES

‘Cowtown’ mural highlights local history

WEST FARGO – A new mural in downtown West Fargo was inspired to highlight the history behind West Fargo and the meatpacking industry along with adding in some other elements to represent North Dakota.

The “Cowtown” mural, located at the POW/MIA Plaza,

By Tiffany Achermann | West Fargo Pioneer

400 Sheyenne St, West Fargo, was completed by Edwin Degges and Lydia Welles.

Degges, a graphic designer for EPIC Companies and art coordinator for Epic Events, worked on the mural during a 50-hour process throughout the course of a week.

With the help of Welles, a junior at North Dakota State University, they were able to complete the mural this fall.

The “Cowtown” mural was made possible through the donations from EPIC Events and Burgraff’s Ace Hardware in West Fargo.

COWTOWN: Page 22

The “Cowtown” mural is located along Sheyenne Street in West Fargo. David Samson / West Fargo Pioneer

During the process of designing and choosing the location for the mural, Degges said EPIC likes to consider whether the location has foot traffic, if it’s a public space, and if they will have an area to work on.

Degges said the point of the murals is to bring life and culture into the areas they are in.

Degges graduated from North Dakota State University in the fall of 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and visual arts, with a minor in strategic communication. His hope is to become a fulltime artist.

“When the mural is completed and the community enjoys it and sees value in it, then I did my part in bringing vibrance and meaning to the area,” Degges said.

Degges has created three other murals with EPIC Events. These include the mural located in the EPIC Companies office, in the entrance at Spicy Pie in West Fargo and a small mural at the Caravel Autism Health in Moorhead.

Degges said he has a handful of designs for other murals and hopes people will be able to see them in the future.

Art has always been a part of Degges’ life. He says that his mother is the one who introduced him to art and designs that have now influenced his work.

“I always drew and doodled as a kid and did not take it seriously until high school,” Degges said. “I found I enjoyed doing it for hours on end without getting tired of it. “

Degges met Welle at NDSU in a sculpture class they both took in the spring of 2021. Welles doesn’t work at EPIC, however she has contributed to the annual group art show the past two years.

Degges believes Welle is an amazing artist and said that they have the ability to give creative ideas and suggestions with different projects.

“Because of our ability to bounce ideas and walk through the creative process together, she was my first choice to help with this mural,” Degges said. Welles helped with the process of filling in the colors with the flowers and background on the mural while Degges was the “mastermind behind it all,” said Welles.

“I was really excited,” Welles said. “I haven’t done a mural as big as this before. I’ve done bigger paintings

for my program at NDSU. But I have never done a 42-foot mural. So, I was really excited to help.”

“It was initially a hobby turned into a passion for me,” Degges said. “I felt that I would have a better time turning that into a career rather than any other field. Because why not do something you enjoy for a living?”

EPIC Events is hoping to approve and sponsor three more murals to be done next year. They hope to create a mural similar to Minneapolis’ First Ave Star Wall. Hoping to place it at Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights, the hope is to create a wall of lightbulbs with the names and years of performers who have performed at The Lights.

For the second mural, they hope to place it on the north side of The Firm, along northern Sheyenne Street, with a West Fargo theme. Degges said this mural will be similar to “Cowtown.”

The third mural will be commissioned by the city of Moorhead based on its history. The location has yet to be determined.

Degges and Welles both work on commissions and other projects outside of their work and school life. You can see more of Degges’ work on Instagram at edwin.artstuff and Welles at lydiawelle.art.