West Fargo Focus November 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

westfargond.gov

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES & STORY IDEAS: advsales@forumcomm.com

701-241-5431 Patrons

Katie Spokely starring in 2022’s Stage West performance of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” Robby Njos/Contributed

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Photo courtesy of City of West Fargo

Calendar of Events

MONTHLY

City Commission

5:30 p.m. First and third Monday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Planning and Zoning Commission

5:30 p.m. Second Tuesday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Library Board

5:30 p.m. Second Thursday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Park Board

5:30 p.m. Second Wednesday of every month @ Rustad Recreation Center

School Board

6 p.m. Second and Fourth Monday of each month @ Leidal Education Center

Monday Night Readers Book Club

6 p.m. Second Monday of every month @ West Fargo Public Library

Novel Afternoons Book Club

1 p.m. Third Wednesday of every month @ West Fargo Public Library

Third Thursday Book Club

6:30 p.m. Third Thursday of every month @ West Fargo Public Library

True Crime Book Club

6 p.m. First Tuesday of every month @ Thunder Coffee

Books & Brews Community Book Club

6 p.m. Fourth Thursday of every month @ Thunder Coffee

Ready to Read Storytime

(for kids 3 to 5 and their adults)

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Wednesdays

@ West Fargo Public Library

Baby Boost Storytime

(for babies & their adults)

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Fridays @ West Fargo Public Library

English Conversation Circles

6:30-7:30 p.m. Second Tuesday of each month

@ West Fargo Public Library

Job Service ND Walk-in Help

1-3 p.m. Second Wednesday of each month

@ West Fargo Public Library

Technology Tutors Available

10 a.m. - noon, Tuesdays

6-8 p.m., Thursdays

10 a.m. - noon, Saturdays

@ West Fargo Public Library

Family History Research Specialist Available

1-4 p.m. Second Saturday of each month

@ West Fargo Public Library

Mahjong and More: Community Game Time

1:30-3:30 p.m., Tuesdays West Fargo Public Library

NOVEMBER

AARP North Dakota Livable

Communities Volunteer Workshop

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2

@ Doubletree by Hilton (825 E. Beaton Drive)

Register with North Dakota AARP

Hands-Only CPR & First Aid Training

6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2

@ Rustad Recreation Center

Register with West Fargo Park District

Pizza and Painting: Encanto

6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4

@ Rustad Recreation Center

Register with West Fargo Park District

Junkin’ Market Days

Nov. 4 & 5, 2022

@ Red River Valley Fairgrounds

Butler Building

Discovering Your Roots: Interviewing Kin and Mining Home Sources

1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

@ West Fargo Public Library

Fire Life Safety / Extinguisher Training

6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9

@ Rustad Recreation Center Register with West Fargo Park District

North Dakota Jigsaw Puzzle Qualifier

12:30-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12

@ Red River Valley Fairgrounds

Hartl Building

Crocheting 101

1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12

@ Rustad Recreation Center Register with West Fargo Park District

Acting: Fundamentals of the Craft

4:15-5:30 p.m. Nov. 14-Dec. 7

@ Rustad Recreation Center

Register with West Fargo Park District

Holiday Lights at the Fairgrounds

5-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25-Saturday, Dec. 31

@ Red River Valley Fairgrounds

DECEMBER

Light Up the Night: Holiday Tree Lighting

5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1

5:30 p.m. Tree Lighting

@ POW/MIA Plaza (400 Sheyenne St)

Holiday Junkin’ Market Days

Saturday, Dec. 3

@ Red River Valley Fairgrounds

Butler Building

Discovering Your Roots: How to Build Historical Context

1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3

@ West Fargo Public Library

Ice Rink Opening Day

2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4

@ The Lights Ice Rink at Essentia Health Plaza

CLOSINGS:

Park Christian School – No School

Monday, Nov. 7

Veteran’s Day Observance - City

Friday, Nov. 11

• All municipal buildings closed

• Friday’s garbage collection is Thursday, Nov. 10

• No changes to recycling collection

Veteran’s Day Observation – Schools

Friday, Nov. 11 – No School

• West Fargo Public Schools

• Oak Grove Lutheran School

• Grace Lutheran School

• Capstone Academy

Thanksgiving Day Observance - City

Thursday, Nov. 24 & Friday, Nov. 25

• All municipal buildings closed

• Thursday and Friday garbage collected Friday, Nov. 25

• Thursday and Friday recycling service delayed by one day

Thanksgiving Day Observance –Schools

Wednesday, Nov. 23-Friday, Nov. 25 –No School

• West Fargo Public Schools

• Park Christian School

• Oak Grove Lutheran School

• Capstone Academy

Thursday, Nov. 24 & Friday, Nov. 25 –No School

• Holy Spirit Elementary

• Nativity Elementary

• Trinity Elementary

• Sacred Heart Middle School

• Shanley High School

• Grace Lutheran School

• Dakota Montessori

Benita LeBlanc, from right, Aimee Klein and Krissy Borud rehearse “Murd-Arrr!!! Pirates of the Salty Dog” Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at the Speedway Event Center in West Fargo.

Michael Vosburg/West Fargo Pioneer

Announcing its first musical, Stage West vows, ‘We’re going to go all in next summer’

By John Lamb | West Fargo Pioneer

WEST FARGO —Stage West hasn’t even taken it’s final bow of the season yet, but those behind the West Fargo Theatre company are ready for an encore.

“We’re going to go all in with two big musicals next summer,” says Adam Pankow, artistic director of Stage West.

There’s good reason for his excitement. The theater company experienced impressive success in its first full year of productions.

“We’re just a baby,” he says with a laugh, comparing the company to longer running area troupes.

Stage West ends its first full season in December with “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

The comedy runs Dec. 9 through 11 and again 16 through 18 at Bonanzaville.

That follows sold out performances of the dinner theater show “Murd-Arr!!! Pirates of the Salty Dog” in October and a successful run of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” this summer.

Doing two musicals at Essentia Health Plaza at The

EVENT

CAST

From Page 5

Lights in West Fargo next summer will be doubling the fun for Stage West, which plans on seven productions in 2023, up from five this year.

Pankow said organizers learned something from the popularity of“Legally Blonde,” which drew about 3200 fans, nearly doubling the attendance from the previous summer’s musical, “Rock of Ages.” He says audiences really like upbeat musicals.

“It will be in that same kind of vein, like ‘Footloose’ or ‘Mama Mia,’” he says.

While he’s waiting on securing the production rights for other shows, he’s ready to announce that “Jersey Boys” will hit the stage in June.

The 2004 jukebox musical looks at the career of The Four Seasons, the popular vocal group of the 1960s and early ‘70s.

“Right now our talent pool and actors are most interested in contemporary productions,” he says.

“I was pretty blown away by by the talent he put together,” says Mike Amundson, executive director of West Fargo Events, the nonprofit organization that plans cultural and community events in West Fargo, including Stage West.

Amundson says he’s been impressed by all of the Stage West performances but admits to, “a soft spot for ‘Rock of Ages,’” particularly lead actress Katie

Spokely who returned this year for “Legally Blonde.”

“I didn’t know how good the local talent was,” Amundson says.

Part of attracting the talent is the fact that all actors, musicians and technical team members get paid, something not all local theater troupes can do.

Experiencing ithe talent first hand helped Amundson get on board with more productions, like doing “Murder on the Menu,” a dinner theater mystery last spring.

“It’s fun to enjoy the cheeky humor that comes with a murder/mystery,” Amundson says.

CAST: Page 7

The cast of Stage West’s “Rock of Ages” with fan Josh Duhamel. Robby Njos/Contributed

“West Fargo is really embracing this opportunity.

We’re doing something uniquely West Fargo.”

He’s not alone in liking the shows. “Murder on the Menu” slayed in such a good way that Stage West added 40 seats per show for this fall’s dinner theater production of “Murd-Arr!!! Pirates of the Salty Dog.”

“It’s all about expanding our events and and making West Fargo a great place and Stage West is a great part of that,” Amundson says. “Adding Stage West to what we do for our community gives everyone the opportunity to experience things West Fargo has not had much of.

“We build a lot of streets, roads and buildings here, but not a quality of life infrastructure,” says Pankow, a West Fargo native who has also taught in its high schools. “This is art for the community. It makes for rich, vibrant and diverse offerings.”

He says in addition to the two summer musicals at Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights next year, Stage West will also produce two shows each in spring and fall as well as another holiday performance, spread among a number of West Fargo venues, like Double Tree and Speedway Steakhouse & Event Center. He’s also looking to add some children’s theater, using the POW/MIA Plaza as a base but bringing productions to parks around town.

“West Fargo is really embracing this opportunity,” Pankow says. “We’re doing something uniquely West Fargo.”

Stage West artistic director Adam Pankow. Britta Trygstad/Contributed

Sarah Nelson, from left, Krissy Borud and Kellie Meehlhause rehearse “Murd-Arrr!!! Pirates of the Salty Dog” Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at the Speedway Event Center in West Fargo. Michael Vosburg/West Fargo Pioneer

Adam Pankow

CAST From Page 6

Carve out some time for fall yard waste

By City of West Fargo

With fall in full swing, residents are reminded to carve out some time to dispose of your jack-o-lanterns and seasonal yard waste. Pumpkins can be brought to any City of West Fargo yard waste drop-off site. No painted pumpkins or candles will be accepted. All leaves must be taken to a yard waste drop-off site. Leaves and other yard waste will not be collected curbside.

Yard waste collection sites are located at:

• Department of Sanitation (117 8th Street W.)

• Eagle Run Water Tower (40th Avenue W. and Sheyenne Street)

• 165 17th Street E. (between 2nd Avenue E. and Starr Avenue)

Note: The City of West Fargo’s curbside branch collection ends Oct. 31 for the winter. Branches can be disposed of year round at the Transfer Station (1620 Main Ave W.) free of charge.

City of West Fargo November holiday closures and garbage schedule changes

By City of West Fargo

The City of West Fargo would like to notify residents of upcoming municipal closures for November holidays.

Veterans Day

The City of West Fargo is closed Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in observance of Veterans Day. There is no garbage collection that day. Thursday and Friday garbage collection will take place Thursday, Nov. 10. There are no changes to the recycling schedule.

On Friday, Nov. 11, all municipal government buildings are closed to the public, including City Hall, Public Library, Sanitation, Public Works and the Transfer Station. Public safety agencies are in full operation but the West Fargo Police and Fire Department buildings are closed to the public on this day.

Thanksgiving

The City of West Fargo is closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov.

25, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. No garbage or recycling will be collected Thursday, Nov. 24. Thursday and Friday garbage collection will take place Friday, Nov. 25. Thursday and Friday recycling service will be delayed by one day.

During the closure, all municipal government buildings are closed to the public, including the Public Library and the Transfer Station. Public safety agencies are in full operation but the West Fargo Police and Fire Department buildings are closed to the public on this day.

Upcoming holidays

Residents are encouraged to keep an eye out for other upcoming schedule changes as we enter the holiday season at westfargond.gov/ SanitationChanges. For email or text message alerts regarding holiday closures and sanitation schedule changes, visit www.westfargond.gov/ List.aspx.

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Countdown to Election Day 2022

By City of West Fargo

It is less than one week until the 2022 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 8. West Fargo residents will have opportunities on the ballot to make their voices heard in races that could have big impacts in their communities.

Voters in this midterm election will be asked to make decisions in races for United States House and Senate, as well as several statewide positions such as agriculture commissioner, attorney general and secretary of state. Closer to home, candidates are vying for legislative seats in the

statehouse and local positions like county commissioner, sheriff and judge. Every vote counts where elected officials will then set policy and work on issues that impact infrastructure, taxes, education, laws and ordinances and more.

A sample ballot can be found at vote. nd.gov and several local and regional organizations, including Forum Communications Co. have created comprehensive voter guides to learn about each candidate and help you prepare for Election Day.

Photo courtesy of the City of West Fargo

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Visit

casscountynd.gov for information on Election Day voting locations and hours.

• Early, in-person voting ends at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4.

• Absentee Ballots must be postmarked or turned in to the Cass County Finance Office Drop Box no later than Nov. 7.

North Dakota voters will weigh in on two statewide initiated measures; and, West Fargo voters will need to vote yes on city measure #1 and city measure #2 to approve a one-half percent (0.5%) sales tax increase to fund public safety.

Both West Fargo’s police and fire departments have come to a tipping point. They estimate it will take a $6.45 million budget increase by 2026 to fund investments to fix these issues. There is tough competition for a limited supply of outside funding from

the state and federal governments and nongovernmental organizations.

After a financial analysis, the city identified an increase in sales tax as the best solution because it diversifies the police and fire departments’ funding sources, alleviates pressure on property taxes and shares the burden with visitors who also use the services.

To learn more about the public safety sales tax measures, visit westfargond. gov/Safety-Sales-Tax

Fire Chief Dan Fuller and Police Chief Denis Otterness meet with members of the Brooks Harbor Elementary School PTO to educate voters on the Public Safety Sales Tax measures.

Photo courtesy of the City of West Fargo

City of West Fargo hires Dustin Roberts as Information Technology Director

By City of West Fargo

The City of West Fargo recently hired Dustin Roberts as Information Technology (IT) Director. In this role, Roberts will provide management, leadership and coordination over all areas of information and communication technology for the City. The IT Director maintains the City’s core IT infrastructure, and maintains the integrity of City data through information security and access management among other duties including the

management of the IT Staff.

“We are very happy to welcome Dustin to lead our IT department” said City Administrator Tina Fisk. “We look forward to utilizing his experience with innovative technology to continue to move the operations of the City of West Fargo forward.”

Roberts has a 24-year career in which he’s been involved in all aspects of IT. Most recently he served as the Infrastructure Team Manager for Network

Center, a Fargo-based technology solutions company where he worked for four years. Prior to that he held the role as Network Administrator for Forum Communications for 10 years, and has worked as a consultant.

“I am excited to join the West Fargo team” said Roberts.

“I hope to use my skills and experience to improve and maintain the security and efficiency of the City’s IT systems and processes.”

City of West Fargo hires Judy Afdahl as Finance Director

By City of West Fargo

The City of West Fargo recently hired Judy Afdahl as Finance Director. In this role, Afdahl is responsible for the management of accounting, debt/treasury management, utility billing, budgeting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll and investments of the City. The Finance Director also provides management, leadership, and coordination over all areas of fiscal operations, forecasting and analysis for the City.

“Judy joins the City of West Fargo with extensive municipal

government experience,” said City Administrator Tina Fisk. “Her expertise in financial management and accounting make her a great fit to lead our Finance Department, and we are happy to welcome her to the team.”

Afdahl had a 21-year career with the City of Woodbury, Minnesota. She began as an accountant in 2000, spent 18 years as the Assistant Finance Director, and later led the department as the Controller. Afdahl holds a Bachelor of Science in

business administration with an accounting concentration from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls.

“Woodbury was the fastest growing city in Minnesota through most of my tenure there, and I see many similarities in the thoughtful growth and initiatives taken by the City of West Fargo,” said Afdahl. “I am excited to share my knowledge and experience and to be part of a thriving community both as a new resident of West Fargo and as an employee.”

Photo courtesy of the City of West Fargo

Photo courtesy of the City of West Fargo

City of West Fargo enrollment program for winter sump pump discharge fees

By City of West Fargo

City of West Fargo residents can only discharge sump pumps indoors into the sanitary sewer during winter months if they follow these City requirements:

• Fill out the Sump Pump Program Enrollment Form at https:// lf.westfargond.gov/Forms/SumpPump to register the sump pump and add a $5 monthly fee to their utility bill.

• Only discharge the water indoors from Oct. 15 through April 15.

The registration will automatically renew each year. The monthly fee is to cover the cost of treating the water.

New properties built after November 2020 will automatically enroll in the program. New homeowners who do not have a sump pump connection to the sewer and would like to optout of the program must complete a certification form. The form is available at https://www.westfargond.gov/ FormCenter/Public-Works-11/SumpPump-Fee-Waiver-CertificationForm-240.

Residents without a sanitary sewer connection may discharge their sump pump into their yard, as long as ice does not form on any street or public sidewalk. Sump pump hoses cannot cross or obstruct any public sidewalks or rights of way.

SHOP LOCAL

By City of West Fargo

With the calendar turning to November, our thoughts turn to the many significant holidays on the horizon, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. According to the National Retail Foundation, the average American will spend around $1,000 on these winter holidays, making it the second-largest spending event of the year.

As you begin to make your lists, search for the best deals, and plan your holiday gatherings, we encourage you to do your shopping at businesses located in West Fargo.

By shopping at small, locally owned and operated businesses, you can help to funnel your hardearned 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 the community when shopping online.

Every dollar you spend in West Fargo contributes to the wages of your fellow residents, contributes to sales tax that helps our City run smoothly, allows business owners to support local organizations, helps stores purchase merchandise from local makers, and more.

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

Whether you are planning for your Thanksgiving feast, looking for the perfect stocking stuffer, or even shopping for new furniture to accommodate guests – we have everything you need right here in West Fargo.

By BarbaraRobinson

Grateful Cratefulls in Downtown West Fargo sells products made locally.

Photo courtesy of the City of West Fargo

West Fargo Events hosts Glow Skate at The Lights Ice Rink at the Essentia Health Plaza.

Photo courtesy of the City of West Fargo

Return of The Lights Ice Rink at Essentia Health Plaza

By City of West Fargo

Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights district is closed during November while crews transform it into an NHL-sized hockey rink. The rink is open to the community to enjoy free of charge during the winter.

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. Skate rentals are available for $5. The rink can also be rented for private events by emailing info@westfargoevents.com.

What you need to know about snow in West Fargo

By City of West Fargo

Snow Emergency Routes

Snow emergency routes serve a vital purpose in any city. They consist of a network of major and arterial roadways that can connect emergency responders to calls for service and to hospitals. If emergency responders reach a local road that is impassable, they are either equipped themselves to move snow or have planned for a snow plow to meet them to clear a path.

To ensure the Street Division of the Public Works Department can property maintain these roads during a major snow event, the City of West Fargo has enacted an ordinance. This allows the City of West Fargo to declare a snow emergency as soon as 3 inches or more of snow and ice buildup on the roads.

To be consistent across the metro area, the City of West Fargo will utilize a general standard operating procedure of declaring when 4 inches of snow has built up, but has the ability to declare as early as 3 inches, if necessary. The City will share a snow emergency declaration announcement on westfargond.gov, social media and with local news.

When a snow emergency is declared,

vehicles cannot park on a snow emergency route. These routes are clearly marked with signs, or residents can visit the online snow emergency route map to check their address. Residents will have three hours after the emergency is declared to relocate their vehicles if parked on a snow emergency route.

Snowplow crews do not need to wait for a snow emergency declaration before clearing snow. However, when an emergency is declared, crews will work to clear snow emergency routes of snow and ice from curb to curb making it essential for vehicles to be removed from the road. This will not include snow removal from residential driveways or frontage roads adjacent to the route. Crews will stay focused on snow emergency routes for as long as snow is accumulating on the routes because of falling snow or blowing snow.

Snow Plow Safety

The City of West Fargo offers a Snow Plow Tracker on the website or through the West Fargo Gov app that allows residents to track the plows’ progress. Motorists on the road can

help the drivers operate more safely and efficiently by following these rules:

• When a snow emergency is declared, vehicles cannot park on a snow emergency route. These routes are clearly marked with signs.

• Don’t crowd the plows. Stay at least five car lengths behind the plow, far from the snow fog.

• Practice caution when passing a snowplow. Snowplows can move sideways by snow drifts and hard snow packs.

• Stay alert as snowplows turn or exit roadways. Snowplows may travel over centerlines or partially into traffic to further improve road conditions.

• During inclement weather conditions, keep vehicles off the road to provide snowplow crews with room to operate safely and efficiently.

• Do not attempt to drive through impassable roads. This can lead to stranded vehicles and dangerous situations for residents.

• Following major snow storms, residents are encouraged to move vehicles off the streets and utilize all off-street parking, if possible. This allows plows to efficiently clear residential areas.

• Follow the City of West Fargo social media pages for updates during major snow events.

Squad car in snowy conditions.

Photo courtesy of the City of West Fargo

Kirsten Henagin, Adult Services Manager, leads a technology class.

West Fargo Public Library offers new programs for job seekers

By City of West Fargo

The West Fargo Public Library now offers new programs and services for job seekers.

The library recently launched an online Career Readiness Program. The self-led course walks job seekers through resources and lessons to help them prepare a resume and cover letter, practice interviewing skills, and learn more about the tools and services available from the library and Job Service ND. The program is free and available to the public by signing up or logging into Beanstack at westfargolibrary. beanstack.org.

On Oct. 26, the library hosted an in-person Online Resources for Job Seekers class. Attendees learned about online resources available through the West Fargo Library, Job Service ND, and other ND state agencies.

Job Service ND will continue to offer walk-in services at the West Fargo Public Library from 1 – 3 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month.

The library will also continue to offer technology tutoring by appointment from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Book an appointment at westfargolibrary.org.

Learn more about the West Fargo Public Library online.

Photo courtesy of the City of West Fargo

‘We are small but mighty’

West Fargo rescue gives new hope to abused, abandoned horses and animals

By Tammy Swift | West Fargo Pioneer

Rainey Faulkner had been watching TV when she suddenly came out of her room to talk to her mom Connie Faulkner.

“What’s a slaughter truck?” she asked Connie.

Rainey had heard the term while watching an Animal Planet program. Connie explained to the 7 year old that these trucks brought old or badly injured animals to a place to be destroyed and slaughtered.

That answer did not sit well with Rainey. Crossing her arms across her chest, she looked Connie square in the eye and said,

“Well, then I guess you’re going to buy some property and we’re going to save animals.”

Such a statement would have been brushed aside by parents who didn’t love animals like Connie and Rob Faulkner do. The Faulkners also believed horses could be the ideal therapy for Rainey, who has several special needs which respond well to working with the deeply intuitive creatures.

Two months later, a property northwest of West Fargo went up for sale. It had barns, corrals and some grazing land for horses.

The family moved from their home in

Harwood to that 10-acre farm in 2020. Tucked into a pocket of tree-lined land bordered by the Sheyenne River, the Pride & Joy Rescue is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to rescuing horses from being exported for slaughter.

The animals have typically been surrendered, abandoned or neglected, for reasons ranging from serious injury and age to owners who are moving, financially strapped or simply no longer want them.

“We are small but mighty,” Connie says. “We started back on our horse journey for Rainey to bond and heal with the therapy of horses.”

Rainey Faulkner walks with a rescue horse named Bo at their home north of West Fargo. David Samson/ West Fargo Pioneer

But the rescue’s capacity grew as they saw the need to provide help to animals who had survived numerous acts of human abandonment, mishandling and cruelty. Like the miniature mule, miniature donkey and three goats who someone kept in a 10- by 12-foot dog kennel. Or the horse whose previous owner disciplined her by shooting her with a BB gun.

Today, Pride & Joy Rescue provides temporary and permanent homes to nearly 20 horses, 17 goats, five dogs, several ponies, many chickens, one very vocal rooster and numerous feral cats and kittens.

“Someone threw a pregnant cat out here so now we have kittens,” Connie says.

Once people figured out they were a rescue, they started sneaking into the driveway at night to drop off their unwanted cats. Now the Faulkners have installed a camera by their road so they can catch the license plates of anyone who attempts these unsolicited drop-offs and will alert the Cass County Sheriff if needed. They already provide food and shelter to feral cats from several area humane societies and only have room and resources for so many animals.

“We have our hands full,” Connie says.

The team that makes it happen

At the center of it all is Connie, a sturdy, no-nonsense woman who seems as willing to open her heart to unwanted horses as she seems exasperated by the callousness of some of their owners. “We’re about family and kids and helping people understand (horses) are not backyard ornaments,” she says.

Her own mother first introduced her to horseback riding at age 5. But when her mom could no longer afford funding the expensive hobby, Connie started selling Girl Scout cookies with a vengeance. She became the No. 1 seller of cookies in Washington state, where they lived. “So then I got to go to an allsummer camp, and I picked the horse camp.”

She returned to the camp each year, working her way up to instructor. When her mother moved them back to North Dakota, her interest in horses had to be put aside for other things.

She met Rob in 2008 while both were working at the USDA — he as a maintenance mechanic, she as a contracting officer for the government. They didn’t become a couple until 2015, when both could share their love of animals.

RESCUE: Page 20

Ashlee Faulkner (center) and Cassie Prince (right) share a laugh while Rob Faulkner looks on at the Pride and Joy Rescue north of West Fargo. David Samson/ West Fargo Pioneer

Rob Faulkner talks about the horses saved by Pride and Joy Rescue at their home north of West Fargo. David Samson/ West Fargo Pioneer

Ashlee

RESCUE From Page 19

As a teenage “Navy brat,” Rob worked at a stable, where his wards included a retired race horse.

The couple is joined by a small staff of friends and family including Connie’s daughter, Ashlee, a special-ed teacher-in-training who works as their operations coordinator, and Cassie Price, horse trainer and instructor.

Price is a seasoned horse woman who learned about Pride & Joy while working with Rob at the USDA.

Connie was impressed with the young woman, who asked “a ton of questions” about the rescue and wanted to make sure their mission aligned with her values. She helped the Faulkners set up their training program. She’s also working with Connie to develop a program that teaches firsttime horse owners the “head to hoof” basics of caring for a horse.

“She’s not just a trainer anymore, she’s family,” Connie says. “Actually, all of our board members we consider family. When you’re out here and

you’re sweating and you’re dying and you’re getting kicked … you kind of just become one.”

It started with a Miracle

The first horse to find sanctuary here was a Morgan mare named Miracle, who was pulled off a slaughter truck.

Connie belongs to a Facebook group of horse women who find homes for horses destined for “kill pens” around the Midwest.

To this day, Connie doesn’t know why Miracle was destined for slaughter. “She’s actually very well-trained,” she says. Her only “flaw” is that she has a slightly swayed back, which some horse enthusiasts find aesthetically unpleasant.

Prince says most of the horses they get can be rehabilitated. “They make wonderful kid horses or wonderful trail horses, but not all of them are going to be barrel horses or jumpers because some of them have minor injuries,” she says.

Indeed, Miracle has stayed at the farm, where she’s being leased by a little girl to use for 4-H. “That’s why she hasn’t been adopted,” Connie says.

Another horse, a Welsh pony named Spicy, was owned by a boy who shot her in the face with a BB gun whenever she did something he didn’t like. The horse is now terrified of all men.

But almost from the first day she arrived at the farm, little Rainey was the only member of the family who could approach her.

“She is very spicy,” says Rainey, leading horses around the corral with the authority of a lifelong cow hand. “She’s a red-headed mare.”

Connie hand-fed the pony for months until the horse trusted her enough to touch her face. Rainey and Cassie work with her daily, although she remains skittish. “It’s a fight or flight instinct with her,” Connie says. “She still has it extremely strong, because of that trauma. Horses hold onto their trauma quite a while.”

RESCUE: Page 21

Faulkner interacts with Bo, a 2-year-old Arabian, inside the barn, while some of their rescue goats look on at Pride and Joy Rescue near West Fargo.

David Samson/ West Fargo Pioneer

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Other horses are here for physical injuries. Willie is a quarter horse who was pulled from a kill pen. “If I were to pull his bloodlines, he’s probably paper to Secretariat,” Connie says. “He’s beautiful but technically he’s worthless.”

Willie has navicular, a type of bone degeneration in the hoof which can cause disabling lameness and pain. Today, his pain is kept at bay with special shoes, steroid shots and an antiinflammatory drug.

He’s available for adoption, but only as a “pasture pet,” Connie says. “There’s no point in putting that (riding) stress on him.”

“We want to give as many homes as we can, either full-time residence care or find suitable loving families,” she says.

Adoptions are highly vetted

Once a horse is ready for adoption, the Faulkners do all they can to make sure it goes to a good home.

Interested parties fill out an application

and undergo a background check. They must supply references from a vet and a farrier. Someone from Pride & Joy will inspect their property to make sure there is shelter, adequate hay and water, Connie says.

It’s just one way they protect the animals who come here. Upon arrival, the horses are given a 30-day quarantine and time to “decompress,” during which they will be vet-checked and seen by a farrier.

After that, they’ll be assessed and trained for “ground manners,” and checked for injuries or muscle issues. They receive regular pampering, such as magnesium oil massages to deal with any problems.

It’s expensive to run an operation like this. Connie estimates that she and Rob put $50,000 into Pride & Joy last year. Most of that came from their own pockets.

They’ve also held fundraisers like Beer for my Horses with the help of Junkyard Brewing company in Moorhead.

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Rob Faulkner nuzzles a horse at Pride and Joy Rescue north of West Fargo. David Samson/ West Fargo Pioneer

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“We put everything into these guys,” Connie says. “Donations would be nice.”

Is it worth the price?

Someone who views horses mainly as beasts of burden — animals whose existence needs to be justified by their ability to work, race or serve a practical function — are sometimes critical of their rescue work.

But Connie nearly bristles at the suggestion that a horse isn’t worth saving unless it’s useful. She sees them as beautiful, highly perceptive creatures whose very presence benefits humans. She points to the many equine therapy programs out there as well as to Rainey, who has blossomed simply by being in the presence of horses.

“They’re so in tune with every part of a human that they just calm you down,” she says. “They’re extremely sensitive animals. They can hear your heartbeat from feet away and then they try to mimic your heartbeat. They don’t judge and once you gain their trust, you have it. And once you break that trust, they don’t forget.”

Even so, Connie says she will not save an animal if

it will have a poor quality of life.

Connie tells of a very old horse named Forty who arrived at their farm 700 pounds underweight and suffering from bouts of colic.

The Pride & Joy crew worked for months to help heal the horse’s severe gastrointestinal problems, wetting his feed because he was missing so many teeth and mixing up veggie and fruit smoothies to boost his nutrition and his weight. Connie wrote his weight gains on the feed board in their tack room and they posted hopeful updates on his progress on Pride & Joy’s Facebook page.

As the horse started feeling better, his sweet personality emerged. Everyone in the family grew to love the old horse and rallied for his improvement.

In December, he had another colic episode. Connie had made it clear to the Casselton vet that if the animal would be in constant pain, they had to let her know.

The vet told her Forty wasn’t in good shape so Connie gave him consent to euthanize. She laid on the floor next to the horse on his bed of straw and

hugged him. She said the entire barn was quiet, as if the other horses and the goats and even the chickens knew something serious was happening.

After Forty passed, “it took me 2 ½ hours for my staff to get me off the barn floor,” she recalls.

Afterward, she ordered an autopsy at North Dakota State University to find the source of his stomach problems. They learned he’d probably been kept with cattle where he was fed off the ground in the sand lot. “So he actually had four to six pounds of sand in his lower intestine,” she says. “So no matter what I would have done for him, he would have passed away. So the vet said he got six great months of being spoiled rotten.”

Today, the numbers marking Forty’s weight gains remain on the feed board in the tack room; Connie can’t erase them.

She posted a Facebook tribute to the horse which captured her passion for saving other horses who are neglected or forgotten.

“What I do know is this,” she wrote. “I will not quit. I will push harder, love harder, because of the love and time I had with you. See you at the bridge.”

“What I do know is this. I will not quit. I will push harder, love harder, because of the love and time I had with you. See you at the bridge.”

Connie Faulkner

Connie Faulkner talks about the story behind Pride & Joy Rescue at their home north of West Fargo. David Samson/ West Fargo Pioneer

Matt Moxness SHEYENNE CROSSINGS