Minot Daily News SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018
Tourism
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Helpful hosts at ND State Parks Campground hosts are on duty throughout the busy camping season at North Dakota State Parks. Kim Fundingsland/MDN
By KIM FUNDINGSLAND Staff Writer kfundingsland @minot dailynews.com
They are a great help. No arguing that. Just ask a member of the staff at any of North Dakota’s State Parks. You’ll quickly learn that campground hosts are a wonderful addition to every camping season.
“We really like them,” said Chad Trautman, manager, Fort Stevenson State Park. “They are invaluable with the service they provide us.” Campground hosts come from virtually anywhere in the United States. At Fort Stevenson State Park the volunteer hosts this summer are from Florida, South Carolina and North Dakota. Hosts normally volunteer for 30 day periods. “Some take two of those. Often they are retirees,” said Trautman. “They help with special events, greeting campers, helping with parking and such. We use them in many capacities.” See HOSTS — Page 3
CAMPGROUND HOST DUTIES MAY INCLUDE: ®Welcoming campers into the park ®Providing information on park facilities and services ®Assisting campers in setting up when necessary ®Assisting in the promotion of park activities and
events ®Relaying visitor comments and concerns to park staff members ®Policing campground for litter
®Selling firewood ®Notifying a park ranger of a violation of park regulations or a safety hazard Source: NDSP
Park improvements create more county recreational opportunities Submitted Photo
A new pedestrian bridge crosses the pond in Old Settlers Park at Burlington.
By JILL SCHRAMM Senior Staff Writer jschramm @minot dailynews.com
Recreational opportunities have been increasing in the Minot area with recent improvements to the Ward County Parks system. Even more improvements are planned this year.
Visitors who have taken advantage of Old Settlers Park in Burlington will have noticed the new walking bridge over the pond. This year a lighted, floating fountain will be placed nearby in the pond. The pond also has a new inlet to help maintain the water level. The county park board will be adding more wood chips this summer around the playground at Old Settlers. Children have been able to enjoy two new sandbox diggers and a new swingset. The swings include a handicapped-accessible swing and a parent-infant dual swing. Old Settlers’ nine-hole No Man’s Land Disc Golf course also is open on land acquired with federal hazard mitigation dollars. Travis Schmit, assistant county engineer, said the course was built with removable equipment to be eligible for construction on the river greenway. The park’s other improvements include a new shelter added two years ago and a new roadway to serve the new layout
for camping. Gravel pads for campers replaced the former grass pads. “The new layout and new pads promote easy access,” Schmit said. A couple of years ago, two shelters with benches and trash receptacles were erected along the Minot to Burlington fitness trail. This summer, the park board will be installing a grouping of three pieces of outdoor fitness equipment. Two shelters with benches and trash receptacles were added along the Freedom Trail running north of Minot, too. Rows of trees were planted to act as wind break and shade for the future along the trail. Rice Lake property owners are planning about a half-mile walking trail that begins near a parking area and the Rice Lake welcome sign, around which residents recently did some landscaping. The new trail will complement county park-related improvements that have been ongoing. See COUNTY — Page 3
A new public fishing pier enhances recreational activity at Rice Lake. Submitted Photo
NelsonCarlson Lake provides camping, boating and swimming opportunities. Submitted Photo
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Saturday, April 28, 2018
Cleaning up Powers Lake POWERS LAKE – It is a many years. Those nutrients long process, a very long were the fuel that triggered process, but progress contin- algae outbreaks that deues to be made on one of the graded water quality. The first phase of the most innovative clean-up clean-up project endeavors in the began with the state. As soon as By cooperation of practicable landowners after ice is KIM to off the FUNDINGSLAND adjacent the lake. water, a Staff Writer The Waterdredge shed Projwill again kfundingsland e c t be remov@minot approached ing silt them with from the dailynews.com both a helping bottom of hand and a rePowers Lake. The dredging is enquest for help in retering its third year. configuring drainage into A lake with the same Powers Lake. It worked. name as this northwest North The Watershed Project Dakota community was once built small earthen dams, a show-piece and asset to the planted grass buffers and town. It was a recreational otherwise improved the spot unmatched in the region drainage into Powers Lake for boating, swimming and so that runoff, and the heavy fishing. In time though, the nutrient load it carried, once beautiful lake began to would be naturally filtered experience a dramatic rather than run unchecked into the lake. Landowners change in water quality. No longer was the water benefited too. Not only did clear and inviting. Instead, they show they were very algae outbreaks became so interested in improving extensive and frequent that water quality but, in some the water quality in the lake instances, benefited by havregressed to the point where ing some stored water on there was little public use. their land available for liveVisibility in the water had stock. With the inflow of nutrinoticeably diminished and was progressively getting ents reduced, phase two worse each year. The lake commenced with the purthat once was the pride of the chase of a dredge to remove community had become so years and years of sediment laden with chemicals, prima- from the lake floor. “If the lake can come alive rily due to runoff, that it had lost its earlier appeal. Some- it will mean something to the thing had to be done to re- town again,” said Kenny Mcverse a disturbing and Donald, Powers Lake Watershed Project. disgusting trend. McDonald, who holds a A group of concerned residents vowed to restore the degree in Wildlife and Fishlake to its former glory as a eries from the University of welcoming recreational facil- South Dakota, has been operity that enticed extensive ating the dredge on Powers public use. It was a huge un- Lake since 2016. The eightdertaking without any prece- foot wide dredge is meticudent in North Dakota. lously driven on the lake, Nevertheless, the Powers removing about eight inches Lake Watershed Project was of silt in its path. The silt, or “slurry”, is pumped through born. Committee members rec- a 900-foot-long, 8-inchognized that the first step to diameter hose to a collection improving water quality in pit. Last year the silt removed Powers Lake was to curtail by the dredge contained the way runoff from melting nearly 700 pounds of phossnows and rainfall entered phorus. the lake. Studies showed that “The silt was super high runoff into Powers Lake car- rich in phosphorus,” said ried with it a very high level McDonald. “It tested as 33 of nutrients, nutrients that parts per million, twice the had been settling onto the range of normal farmland. bottom of the lake for many, Ours is double what average
Photos by Kim Fundingsland/MDN
TOP RIGHT: This dredge will soon begin its third year of operation, removing sediment from the bottom of Powers Lake. MAIN: The goal of the Powers Lake Watershed Project is to improve water quality in what was once a popular recreation spot. While the project will take years to complete, early indications are that efforts already underway are proving successful. LEFT: Phase I of the effort to rejuvinate Powers Lake involved building control structures and other means to limit nutrient runoff into the lake. cropland is. Phosphorus causes algae blooms.” Algae blooms were very limited on Powers Lake last year. That was a positive development but cannot be completely attributed to work done by the Watershed Project. Nevertheless, it was encouraging. “There’s no way to tell,” explained McDonald when asked if watershed improvements and dredging was responsible for a relatively algae-free year on Powers Lake. “We’re trying to get as much done as we can. There’s no way you can do the whole lake. Maybe that’s for the next generation.” Over time, as the dredge continues its work, it is expected to yield noticeable improvements in water quality. “It’s a slow process, a very
slow process,” remarked McDonald. Last year the dredge was operating on Powers Lake for about 220 hours. McDonald had hoped for more than that but mechanical problems and an abundance of windy days that kept the dredge off the water limited the amount of work that could be done. Among the younger generation that may some day continue the Watershed Project are participants in the Powers Lake Fishing Derby. The event was revived two years ago after an absence of many years. “We’ve had pretty good success the last two years with our fishing derby,” said McDonald. Northern pike are the dominant fish in Powers Lake, a challenging and en-
joyable species for young fishermen. As water quality improves so too will the fishing, providing a source of recreation for both youth and adults in northwest North Dakota. Funding for the Powers Lake Watershed Project received a boost from the state’s Outdoor Heritage Fund, insuring that the one-of-a-kind endeavor will not soon fade away from a lack financial support. “We’re okay right now, doing pretty good,” said McDonald. “We’ll be in business the next two years for sure.” In addition to removing tons of nutrient-laden sediment from the bottom of Powers Lake, the dredge is also responsible for the removal of an assortment of items that have been dumped
in the lake, intentionally or otherwise, for decades. “It’s quite a collection,” laughed McDonald. “It’s amazing how much you find.” The most common item collected by the dredge is fishing line, miles of it. Other items include a decoy bag, buckets, fishing rods and reels and an assortment of bottles and cans from days gone by. What unexpected items turn up in the dredge this summer remains to be seen but, barring wind and mechanical issues, the removal of tons of silt will continue with visible results. “Hopefully it all comes together and we get past that breaking point with a lot less nutrients in the lake in the long run,” said McDonald.
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Hosts Continued from Page 1
“They stay and enjoy our parks for four weeks,” added Nina Pettys, campground host program coordinator, Lake Metigoshe State Park. “We have a family that makes it kind of their family adventure. They are here at Lake Metigoshe for their 10th year this summer.” Of course, as volunteers, there’s not too much demand put on campground hosts. Some apply for the positions as an opportunity to see a different part of the country than they might otherwise visit or just to meet new people. Sometimes they are first-timers to North Dakota who come scratch the state off their bucket lists. “For some North Dakota is their last state to visit of all 50 states,” said Pettys. “They are surprised at what we have here in North Dakota. “We are so appreciative of them. When we are not in the campground a camper can almost always catch up with a campground host,” said Trautman. “They are our eyes and ears in the campground.” In exchange for volunteering their time campground hosts receive free, full-service camping for the time they are in the park. The campground host program has proven to be a great way for volunteers to spend some summer days with wonderful scenery and people with similar interests – enjoying the outdoors. “My goodness! They are wonderful volunteers who love to help out the park staff and help our campers,” exclaimed Pettys. “The majority are retired but not all of them. Most have volunteered in
County Continued from Page 1
This year, the park board will construct a switch-back trail from the parking area down the hillside to the boat ramp at Rice Lake. Last year, the park board purchased a lot at the lake, near the campground, to install a fishing pier donated by North Dakota Game & Fish. At Nelson-Carlson Lake, the county added asphalt millings to improve the parking area. The former swingset from Old Settlers was installed at Nelson-Carlson. Schmit said grant funds are being sought to move forward with
Kim Fundingsland/MDN
A tenter enjoys some time in the shade at Fort Stevenson State Park. other states.” Pettys said she usually receives a “lot of applications” for campground host duties every year. This year was no exception. However, said Pettys, she has had some cancellations which has resulted a few openings remaining at State Parks this summer. plans for swim beaches at both Rice Lake and Nelson-Carlson. Rice Lake has a designated swim area now, but it will be improved with beach buoy delineators and an anchored raft. Nelson-Carlson will gain a designated swim area, also with buoys and a raft. At Eastside Estates, Ward County has been working with Friends of the Souris River to develop a launch site for canoes at the end of 33rd Avenue Southeast. Schmit said the county bought land on the west side of future flood control for green space, and it has been left in its natural terrain. Shannon Straight with Friends of the Souris River said the area
Volunteers in Parks (V.I.P.) program Don’t have time to volunteer as a Campground Host? There are plenty of other volunteer opportunities available. Whether you are interested in visitor services, photography, interpretation, research, history, maintenance work, art or office work, the VIP program can provide you with a meaningful volunteer experience. If you would like to volunteer your special skills, don’t hesitate to contact your nearest state park. Request information from the park you are interested in working. Source: NDSP could become a natural picnic stop for river enthusiasts. The goal of the group is to develop canoeing and biking opportunities throughout the area from east Minot and downstream, he said. A couple of natural launching points have been located, and an island just below Gold Nugget Mobile Home Park provides a great stopping point and wildlife viewing area, Straight said. Land to the east is owned by the county, which has given the Friends group access to clear debris and dead trees. Future plans for the county park board include new picnic tables at Old Settlers and Eastside Estates and three replacement barbecue
pits at Old Settlers for the large older pits that came through the flood and are deteriorating. Future projects hinge on grant funds. Schmit said the county has been able to fund as much as half the cost of projects through grants. The local county property-tax levy received by the parks program goes for any local match and for park maintenance. The park board has been planning on a yearly basis for improvements but hopes to do more long-range planning. “We hope to get to a five-year plan for our parks and be able to write grants further out to better accomplish our mission and goals,”
Schmit said. The Ward County Parks Visioning Committee has been in place for two years to provide input into the types of future improvements for the parks. The committee and park board are both open to ideas from the public, Schmit said. One way to submit input is through Ward County Parks’ Facebook site, either through commenting or messaging. Information about county parks is available on Facebook or at wardnd.com. The website includes a link to county parks under the Community tab. The link provides information on the county park sites and the amenities available at each.
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Saturday, April 28, 2018 Signage is evident on the recreational trails system throughout Minot. The long-term plan is to connect several segments of the trail to make it even more inviting for user. Kim Fundingsland/MDN
Minot’s recreational trail system By KIM FUNDINGSLAND Staff Writer kfundingsland @minot dailynews.com
Minot’s recreational trail system has not been forgotten in the midst of extensive flood protection construction. Interrupted a bit, but not enough to significantly disrupt usage by hikers and bikers. And, looking down the path, there are some pretty nifty improvements in the works too. The trail system throughout the city, even some segments beyond the city limits, has long been a work in progress. As more and more connecting routes are completed the public enjoys longer options and more variety when choosing to utilize the trails. One trail system that has become increasingly popular is the Bison Plant Trail. It is 3.1 miles of winding trail through riverine habitat along the Souris River east of Minot. “The mountain bike club helps maintain the trail there,” said Rory Schell, Minot. “There’s the Bison Trail and a Challenge Trail. It’s a dirt trail. We ride fat tire bikes there all winter.”
Kim Fundingsland/MDN
ABOVE: A billboard on U.S. Highway 52 east of Minot directs people to the trailhead of the Bison Plant Trail. The trail is used by hikers, bikers and cross country skiers. LEFT: The Minot Park District helps maintain the 3.1 miles of the Bison Plant Recreational Trail. The number of people using the trail continues to increase.
The trail is also groomed for cross-county skiing during the winter months, another activity that adds considerable usage to the trail. However, it is in the summer months that the Bison Plant Trail is most heavily used. “Oh gosh! You wouldn’t
believe it!” remarked Schell. “Our Thursday night rides have 20 to 25 people. Really, it’s used all day long during the week. It’s unreal.” Schell operates Val’s Cyclery of Minot and, as such, is heavily involved with the biking community
and is an active promoter of the trail system. He envisions Minot’s trail system being improved as part of the flood protection project underway in the city and elsewhere, but knows any new sections of trail system where future dike work is scheduled may not be developed as quickly as some trail users would like. “There’s so much going on right now with the trail system and the flood project,” said Schell. “We’re trying to work with the Corps to get a trail along the new dike. I just don’t know for sure. Some things are still in the works.” Shannon Straight, Minot alderman, is enthusiastic about future recreational opportunities within the city, both on the Souris River and with the recreational trails system. “As flood protection comes through town we can develop a trail system from Burlington to the Bison Plant,” said Straight. “It would be a unique and dynamic network from west to east. A greenway trail system would add a new and intriguing quality of life” Straight is exploring the possibility of a “bike sharing” program in the city in conjunction with an improved trail system. Bike sharing involves having a central hub where bikes are available for rent to anyone who wishes to use them. At the completion of their ride a user would simply park the bike at one of several specialized bike
Submitted Photo
Future plans for biking in Minot includes the possibility of renting a bicycle at one location and dropping it off at another, all with the use of an app on a smart phone. racks in the city. “It is an exciting development,” said Straight. A bike sharing program is used in Fargo, primarily for North Dakota State University students to have access to a bicycle to get from the campus of NDSU to downtown Fargo. In Minot the program would likely involve the partnering of several organizations. “There are those in town who have a desire that want to see a bike share program developed,” said Straight. “We are looking at a similar program at Minot State. A single ride might cost $4 and the bikes could be dropped at many different spots. Maybe we’d start small with downtown, Oak Park and some other dreams down the road.” Bikes that are “shared” would be available through a smart phone app. A user could reserve a bike for a certain time period, use a code to release the bike
from a specialized rack, then ride the bike for a specified period of time and return it. Initial costs for the program could be lessened by the sale of advertising on bicycles or through sponsorships, such as by service clubs or other organizations. While bike sharing may be several months away, another project involving recreational opportunities for cyclists is close to becoming a reality. A mountain bike trail is a possibility for the old landfill area immediately east of the Maysa arena. The property covers approximately 50 acres. A portion of the cost of certain segments of Minot’s trail system, said Straight, could potentially come from organizations such as the Audubon Society. The Audubon Society has assisted with costs of similar trails elsewhere in the state.
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Submitted Photos
LEFT: The Imagination Playground is a popular exhibit. Children could use their imagination to build whatever they would like. RIGHT: Children stand in front of the popular Whoosh exhibit. The Whoosh is an interactive exhibit that children can put scarves and balls into and then move levers which change the path and where they exit the apparatus.
A center of activity and learning Hands-on learning with a lot of fun is what the Magic City Discovery Center is all about. The children’s museum has been temporarily operating out of the Dakota Territory Air Museum for the past four winters, with a growing amount of attendees every year. Unfortunately, the museum will not be reopening in 2018-19, and will possibly remain closed until the permanent museum is open, according to interim executive director Wendy Keller. However, very exciting exhibits and experiences are on the horizon for the children’s museum once they open their permanent location on North Hill. In the meantime, it’s fair to discuss the impact the children’s museum has had and will have on the community. It is an asset that the children of Minot, the surrounding areas, and North Dakota, deserve. According to the Association of Children’s Museums, only two states are without a children’s museum or discovery center: Idaho and North Dakota. The idea of a children’s museum in Minot was born out of a brainstorming session to fill gaps in Minot.
Magic City Discovery Center open the past four winters cially in the winter. “Give360 was having a By To start raising money, brainstorming session ASHTON Magic City Discovery Center about ‘What does Minot GERARD volunteers, with help from need? What would Staff Writer Give360, hosted a Color Dash make it a better place than it is now,’” Keller fundraiser to get the ball agerard explained. “It came up rolling. Keller then attended @minot there and it also came the first Association of Childailynews.com dren’s Museums conference up in the Minot Area and said it really opened her eyes Community Foundation to what a children’s museum was. listening session.” “I didn’t have any idea that there’s 300 Keller said these sessions were happening at the height of the oil boom as children’s museums out there and there’s a Minot began expanding to attract potential whole bunch of industries that are supworkers and their families to the state. The porting (the museums) and it’s just a huge community spoke up and said there wasn’t world,” she said. After attending the ACM conference, a enough for children to do in Minot, espe-
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consultant came to help Keller and a board of members begin planning for a children’s museum. That November, in 2014, the Magic City Discovery Center opened for the first time. “We just closed our fourth successful season (in 2018),” Keller said. “We’ve had about 20,000 people go through (the museum), so we feel like we really reached a good level.” The children’s museum began with a temporary setup because they wanted to be able to reach the community as soon as possible. Keller said from idea to planning to opening a permanent location takes five to seven years. “We just thought ‘That’s crazy. We’re not going to wait that long, we don’t have the time to wait,’” Keller said. She went on to say they also opened temporarily to educate the community about what a children’s museum really is. “When you say ‘Museum,’ they think of things behind glass. Well, that’s part of the reason we decided to stay with ‘Discovery Center,’ because it seems like it explains it See MCDC — Page 8
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Magic City Discovery Center Information
MCDC
Unfortunately, MCDC will be closed for the 2018-19 season and possibly closed until a permanent location is built. To stay up-to-date with the latest MCDC news, visit their website magiccitydiscoverycenter.com, or their Facebook page at Magic City Discovery Center.
Continued from Page 6
a little bit more for people who don’t know all about touching and interacting with things,” she said. The Magic City Discovery Center uses STEAM ideals and concepts to provide children with an exciting, hands-on learning experience. STEAM is an educational approach that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking. The museum gets children engaged and learning in ways that are outside the typical norm. Everything is very hands-on and encour-
Submitted Photo
A drawing of the proposed Magic City Discovery Center’s Build Exhibit portrays children learning as they play. ages critical thinking to help children develop a curiosity and excitement for learning. Keller said it’s been really great to see the commu-
nity support for the children’s museum. Many of the exhibits in the temporary operation has been provided by local
craftsmanship, and that’s something Keller wants to see continue in the permanent museum. “I think we’ve got plenty of talented tradesmen here so there isn’t any reason that we couldn’t have some of the fabrication of things done locally,” she said. With the design itself, many North Dakota, Midwest and North American themes are planned for the exhibits inside the museum. A trestle bridge is featured in one of the designs, as well as the Northern
Lights and other landmarks that Keller thinks will resonate with people from the area. “It’s just been such excitement,” Keller said. “The kids walk in and they’re like, ‘Wow, this is so cool, this is so fun,’ and they just get so excited about (the museum).” Keller also explained that many young families view children’s museums as a destination. Not only is this going to benefit the city of Minot, but it will also bring families from around
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the region to enjoy an attraction that isn’t available anywhere else in the state. “Not only is it fun, it’s healthy, it’s getting kids moving more,” Keller said. “But we’ve also heard from the oil companies and others that they would love to hire North Dakota people, but we don’t have the skillset sometimes that they’re looking for.” According to Keller, part of the lack of skill set is due to the fact that the state is not sparking the interest in the STEAM ideals early enough. She explained that the museum can work with schools and supplement STEAM learning and get children started earlier. “It’s to encourage that love of learning,” Keller said. “I absolutely think it’s so important.” She also said the museum is meant to be multigenerational. Parents, grandparents, siblings and relatives are all encouraged to get down and play with the children and be excited about learning along with them. In early April, the Magic City Discovery Center entered a lease agreement with the Minot Parks District for land on North Hill, paying $1 a year for the next 50 years. With the land acquired for the permanent museum, MCDC president Mark Lyman said fundraising can officially begin for the project and is aiming for construction to begin in 2019. He said the building could potentially be fully constructed by the end of 2020. “We’re wanting to build it so that it’s sustainable,” Keller said. “It’s a big enough level that draws people but yet it’s sustainable because even during good times or bad, our children deserve this.”
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Saturday, April 28, 2018
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HUB OF LOCAL HISTORY Prairie Village Museum important asset to the area By
ASHTON have a tractor collection RUGBY — A leisurely trip featuring many early back in time might be someGERARD thing to consider when in models and two-cylinStaff Writer the Rugby area. The Prairie ders. agerard Village Museum was organThe village is an at@minot ized in 1959 and opened in traction itself, each build1965 to the public and is curing boasting rich history dailynews.com rently a summer destination for open for visitors to walk fun and history. through and browse. Steinke The museum was constantly says the buildings help visitors growing throughout the 1970s and 1980s to get a sense of what it was like to live on the the size it is today — seven exhibition halls prairie 100 years ago. and 22 historical buildings from around the The different buildings they have to region. view include: a working blacksmith shop, The museum is open from May 15 to a dress shop, two homes, an original teleSept. 30, weather permitting. The goal is to phone office from Bottineau, a one room have their Old Main building open year- schoolhouse, a general store, a train depot and train car. “It’s a great experience for kids and adults alike,� Steinke said. In 2018, the programming focus of the museum will be World War I. They have a new exhibit that will be opening May 20 at their annual Spring Kick-Off Event. The exhibit, From Ploughboys to Doughboys: WWI in Central North Dakota, will showcase what living in North Dakota was like during the first world war. Annual summer classics include the Rhubarb Festival, Kids Camps, and the Village Fair. Steinke said the kids camps typically sells out within the first hour of opening registration. The museum is offering three different kids camps this summer: Aviation Camp, Kids Art Camp, and their normal kids camp with a ‘Farming and Ranching on the Prairie’ theme. Registration for all three camps opens in May. The Aviation Camp is new, as PVM is teaming up with the Minot Dakota Territory Submitted Photo Air Museum to offer a fun and educational This dress worn by Queen Victoria trip through time about aviation in North of England during the 1880s is a Dakota. For Rhubarb enthusiasts, the Rhubarb “must see� at the Prairie Village MuFestival at PVM would be the perfect sumseum, according to executive direcmer treat. The festival takes place on the tor Stephanie Steinke. last Sunday in June and features costumed round in the next few years. The museum is historical reenactors in the Village along conveniently located just off of U.S. High- with games and everything rhubarb. Along with the daily, history-soaked fun, way 2 in Rugby. Being rich in history would be an un- the Prairie Village Museum is also available derstatement for the city of Rugby, famous for private events that can be rented by for being the geographical center of North America and currently housing a dress worn by Queen Victoria. The dress was worn by Queen Victoria of England during the 1880s and is a new acquisition for the museum. According to their website, few if any dresses worn by Queen Victoria or other royalty are hardly ever displayed outside of England. “Victoria’s private dressing girl (Marie Downing Williams) eventually decided to marry and move to North Dakota with her husband to homestead,� explained Stephanie Steinke, executive director of PVM. “Victoria gave numerous trunks of royal items as wedding gifts and they all made their way to the prairie of North Dakota, and some of these items are now with us at PVM.� The dress and its story was originally Submitted Photo held at the Rolla Public Library for 40 years. In June 2017, the library board transferred Buildings of the village transport visownership of the dress and other items to itors back in time to what life on the the Geographical Center Historical Society, prairie was like 100 years ago. which operates the Prairie Village Museum. Steinke says Marie Downing Williams’ phone, 776-6414, or email, prairievillagestory is a fascinating tale of love and leaving museum@gmail.com. They are open to rethe royal service to seek land and fulfill- unions, photograph sessions, weddings and ment elsewhere. She says the dress is in birthday parties. To stay connected or for more informapristine condition for being 140-years-old. In addition to the Queen Victoria dress, tion, visit PVM on Facebook at Prairie Vilthe museum has a vast car collection dat- lage Museum or their website at ing from the early 1900s to 1950s. They also prairievillagemuseum.com.
PRAIRIE VILLAGE MUSEUM open May 15-Sept. 30
Hours Monday-Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays: Noon-5 p.m. Admission Adults: $7 Seniors: $6 College Students: $6 Children age 7-17: $3 Children age 6 & under: FREE Specials for families and groups available
ABOVE: The Prairie Village Museum offers events that bring the village to life with historical reenactors like the Rhubarb Festival in late June. Submitted Photo
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Northwest North Dakota is home to interesting statues Bottineau’s Tommy the Turtle is a big tourism draw for the community in the Turtle MounBy tains, said Brian Knudson, director of the ANDREA Bottineau Park District. JOHNSON The 30-foot-tall statue of a turtle riding a 34-foot-long snowmobile has been on Staff Writer display in the city for 40 years. The statue ajohnson is one of several North Dakota statues that @minot are mentioned on RoadsideAmerica.com as places that tourists might want to stop. dailynews.com “Throughout the spring, summer, and fall months, we have a lot of visitors that stop and take a break and stop to look at our turtle,” said Knudson, who was still in high school when Tommy was installed. “That was the intention of the statue to be put there, was to get people to stop and take a look,” said Knudson. The statue of Tommy the Turtle is maintained by the Bottineau Chamber of Commerce. Other statues of note in the area include Garrison’s Wally Walleye. The statue of the giant fish celebrates Garrison’s claim to be “Walleye Capital of the World.” According to Roadside America.com, Wally Walleye is a 26-foot-long fiberglass sculpture in the town park on Main Street. Garrison also has Big Gene, a 15-foot-tall statue of a man made out of sheet metal, according to Roadside America.com The statue is located at the Garrison Golf Club entrance. Rugby, which recently regained its title as the Geographical Center of North America, has a rock cairn celebrating its status that has always been a prime spot for tourists to stop and have their photographs taken. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn has a 6-foot-tall statue of Lewis and Clark’s dog, Seaman, at Fort Mandan. Other statues of members of the expedition are in front of the museum in Washburn and often draw the eyes of people traveling through. In Minot, the Scandinavian Heritage Park, which has huge statue of the 30-foot-tall red, green and yellow Swedish Dala horse, was installed in the park in 2000 by the Swedish Heritage Association. A statue of Theodore Roosevelt graces Roosevelt Park in Minot. And near the North Dakota State Fairgrounds is Gravel Products Inc.’s statue of a giant truck suspended in the air. Businesses and small towns alike can say “made you look” this summer for tourists out exploring.
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Submitted Photos
MAIN: Dala Horse at Scandinavian Heritage Center in Minot, ABOVE: Tommy the Turtle in Bottineau. LEFT: Statues at Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.
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Street dance celebration in Towner By
said Eriksmoen. While street dances might SHYANNE not be as popular in bigger The dance has been going on cities, you can count on a for years. Eriksmoen believes it BELZER small town like Towner to started around the time the Staff Writer keep the fun, music, and Towner Rodeo Association sbelzer dancing going each year. was incorporated, making the On July 3 every year, joke “I wonder which came @minot Towner hosts its annual first, the rodeo or the dance?” dailynews.com street dance alongside its Towner has always worked rodeo for those of the commuhard to put on the fun event, nity, surrounding area, and any which is seen as a fun for all family other interested guests. People come event. Either one or both of the bars in from all around for what is always expected town have helped out with funding the dance and finding the band. to be a good time. While Towner has done the dance for so According to Billi Jo Eriksmoen, who used to be involved in the street dance and now long, they haven’t had a smooth event every works for the Mouse River Journal, the event year. Weather can always put a stop to events kicks off its festivities with the rodeo with and in 2011 when the flood hit, the dance didsome slack riding. From there, most years, a n’t quite turn out. With Towner ready to celepig roast is done by the motorcycle club, brate it’s 125th anniversary, the flood of 2011 though Eriksmoen said she wasn’t sure if it occurred and caused a kink in the plans. The still occurred or what specifically would be town had three days of dances and festivities planned for this summer’s street dance event. planned to celebrate, but sadly the flood had Then as the night takes over, the dance will other ideas and made it so no one was able get begin. A stage is set up on Main Street for the to town. chosen band of the year. The entire block is Most years, though, the street dance fills closed off from one bar to the other to allow the town with music and fun. dancers and guests to safely wander and have For many, street dances, at least for fun. Towner, are a fun social event for all ages. No “A lot of people wander back and forth be- one is excluded and Eriksmoen said that tween the two bars, visiting with friends, everyone loves the dance whether they are sometimes stopping for a dance as they pass,” partaking or just sitting and listening to it all.
Submitted Photo
Towner is proud of their annual street dance where they are able to get a live band for all to enjoy.
Good Sam, great fun By KIM FUNDINGSLAND
Faye and Ernest Arlt of It’s all about fun and felMinot head up the Northern lowship. What else could Staff Writer Lights Chapter of Good be expected from an orkfundingsland Sam. As such, they have atganization named Good tended many “Samborees,” Sam? @minot large and small gatherings of Good Sam Clubs can be dailynews.com Good Sam members. found throughout North “It’s a wonderful club. We Dakota and all across the have made a lot of good friends. So United States. In a nutshell, Good many, many good friends,” said Faye Sam Club consists of campers of all types. Some have motorhomes. Others mini- Arlt. “You don’t have to have a camper to behomes, but 5th wheelers, pull-type campers, long. You can stay in a hotel if you want. It’s even tents will do. The idea is to enjoy each just a great bunch of people.” Arlt says anywhere from “60 to 100 rigs” other’s company in a comfortable, outdoor come to a Samboree. Of course, there are setting. “I wouldn’t be without it. There’s a lot of smaller gatherings too. Not all Good Sam entertainment there,” said Wilbert Harsch, outings are held in conjunction with other events. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Pick City. “We used to go to Donnybrook, to that litHarsch is the director of the Good Sam 2nd Chance Chapter and a member of the tle camp,” said Faye Arlt. “We had bonfires and sing around the campfire.” Southwest Trailblazers. A typical Good Sam outing for the North“We travel around to different areas and set up different games,” said Harsch. “We’ve ern Lights Chapter, where ever they choose had demonstrations from Dogs for the Deaf to go, includes a soup and sandwich affair and had the Luther League Ladies come and on Friday evening. entertain. We play a lot of cards too.” “Everybody brings a can of soup and we
pour it into a bucket,” said Faye Arlt. “They bring sandwiches and bowls. There’s usually 18 to 20 of us.” Saturday is usually reserved for pot luck dinner where everyone contributes something to the meal. However, the main idea is for people to gather in a friendly atmosphere where friendships can be formed or renewed. “It gets in your blood,” said Harsch. “There’s been times when we’ve camped in the snow.” Good Sam chapters sometimes get involved in volunteer work, such as — Wilbert Harsch, cleaning up road ditches or director of Good donating to local food banks. Sam 2nd Chance The 2nd Chance chapter has its own unique qualifications. “It’s people who have had heart attacks, strokes or been close to death,” said Harsch. “Many of us are the same age, all retired.”
“I wouldn’t be without it. There’s a lot of entertainment there.”
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