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Theborderlandpress.com
In this Issue:
News: BIO Girls program in Langdon searching for new volunteer leader, Pg. A2
Community: Cavalier County 4-H members win awards at state competition, Pg. A6
Region: Meet Drayton’s pigeon ambassador, Pg. B1
Friday, April 7, 2023
Volume 2, Number 13
U.S. AND CANADA ANNOUNCE ADJUSTMENTS TO PORT OF ENTRY HOURS U.S. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced on Friday, March 31 that it would be temporarily expanding hours at four northern border Ports of Entry, starting April 1. Those include the Maida port of entry in Cavalier County, as well as Northgate and Sherwood ports in Burke and Renville counties respectively, which expanded their operation hours until 7 p.m. The fourth port of entry is Porthill, Idaho; all four U.S. ports are located geographically within CBP’s Seattle Field Office. These expanded hours will last for 120 days. In a news release, CBP said for several years, it has documented a reduction in privately-owned vehicle and pedestrian traffic at some ports of entry along its northern border with some ports having permanently reduced operational hours prior to 2019. The news release stated, “As part of CBP’s obligation to use its resources responsibly and most efficiently, continual evaluations of workload, staffing, operating costs, and traffic volumes were performed to align operating hours that reflect traffic patterns and place employees where they can be most useful.” The expansion will temporarily add two additional operational hours at the end of the current workday at all locations. The Porthill Port of Entry in Idaho will be operational from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the three locations in
North Dakota will be operational from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. CBP officials said traffic flow has been remaining about 39% below pre-pandemic levels and will be reanalyzing numbers after the 120 day window. At the conclusion of the temporary expansion of hours, CBP will conduct an analysis on traffic flow including an hourly breakdown, overall volume, and types of conveyances that crossed the border. CBP will also identify potential alternate POEs, review community impacts, and consider similar expanded hours at these locations. U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) both released statements approving the change but also said they hope to see more permanent changes be implemented. Canada Announced Friday, March 31 by Marco Mendicino, Canadian Minister of Public Safety, 39 land ports of entry and three airports across Canada will be returning to pre-pandemic operational hours. For Manitoba, that includes 13 land ports of entry and the airport located at Piney. The land ports of entry include: Cartwright, Coulter, Crystal City, Goodlands, Gretna, Lena, Lyleton, Piney, Snowflake, South Junction, Tolstoi, Windygates, and Winkler.
Cavalier County plans new shops for Langdon, Vang By Sarah Hinnenkamp The Cavalier County Commission is working on obtaining land in the city of Langdon for a new county shop. It is eyeing city-owned land west of the trailer park on the city’s southside. The city is looking into details of how to gift the land to the county for the purpose of building a new county shop. Commissioners have also identified the county shop in Vang as needing to be rebuilt. “If we could get them both bid at the same time, maybe we could get a bet-
“It’s super cramped for space,” said Nick Moser, Cavalier County commissioner. “Equipment has to be stored outside or at other shop sites.” Commissioners have been moving the project forward at each of its regular meetings for weeks, talking about surveying the city land and figuring out the appropriate timeline in which to bid the projects. The new shop will be about 80x100’ with an office for the road superintendent, a meeting room, and bathrooms. Moser hopes to give county
Munich Fire Department hosts annual fundraising event
planning for overhead doors on the new shop to be 14’ in height because equipment isn’t being manufactured any smaller.
Rylan Wirth learns the fine art of flipping pancakes during the Munich Fire Department’s pancake and sausage fundraiser held on Sunday, April 2. Photo by Terry Hinnenkamp. More photos on Page A10.
Spring snowstorm brings blizzard conditions to the Borderland Photo by Melanie Thornberg.
County road supervisor Terry Johnston said current road graders in Langdon had to be purchased with low profile cabs, that was around 2012. They aren’t able to have larger, upgraded tires because that height wouldn’t clear the ceiling height in the current shop. Of the new shop, Moser calls it a need, not a want.
Mitch Lee clears a driveway in Walhalla on Wednesday afternoon. Lee estimates Walhalla received at least a foot of new snow from the blizzard.
ter deal. I don’t know if that’s true or not. Obviously, there’s a need here,” said Stanley Dick, chairman of the commission. The county also has shops in Munich, Hannah, and Osnabrock. The current Langdon-based shop is located on 4th Avenue just west of 3rd Street. The building, which workers estimate was built in the 1940s, is approximately 36’x80’.
INDEX:
News Page A2 Agriculture Page A3 Opinion Pages A4 - A5 Community Pages A6 - A7 Church/Obituaries Pages A8 - A9
workers space to work on equipment, store equipment, and have designated space for tools and supplies. The two road graders that are stored in the current Langdon shop are a tight fit in the space due to the height of ceiling and the 10’ garage doors. One of them has to have its blade removed daily and stored outside, which Moser said isn’t ideal when preparing for snow clean up. Commissioners are Region Sports Legislative Classifieds Public Notices
Pages B1 - B2 Pages B3 - B4 Page B7 Page B8 Pages B9 - B10
The current state of the project has the city’s attorney working on logistics from the city’s side and the state’s attorney working on logistics from the county’s side. The next Cavalier County Commission meeting is scheduled for 8:30 on Tuesday, April 18 at the commission chambers in the courthouse in Langdon.
WEATHER: 4/7
4/8
4/9
high 29 low 21
high 35 low 29
high 38 low 25
The Borderland was left at a standstill mid-week due to a spring snowstorm, blizzard warning, and no travel advisories. These photos were taken Wednesday afternoon in Walhalla.
News
Page A2 - Friday, April 7, 2023
BIO Girls program in Langdon searching for new volunteer leader Based out of Fargo, N.D., the BIO (Beautiful Inside and Out) Girls program combines life-skills lessons, mentorship and non-competitive physical activity and has been proven to increase self-esteem in girls and decrease anxiety. The 12-session program is focused on both prevention and intervention to help participants before problems arise as well as during the crux of problem behaviors. The BIO Girls program is also 100% volunteer-led by members of the community the program serves. “We are so inspired by the passion and generosity of former volunteer site director, Andrea Jacobson, who led the BIO Girls program in Langdon for two years. To reach these girls at
Pembilier Nursing Center hires new activity director support for many residents and families. She was instrumental during the COVID-19 emergency by helping residents keep in touch with their loved ones. She is a strong support system for them all and now will be using her talents to bring daily enrichment to their days.
such a pivotal point in their adolescent years is so important. Because of Andrea, 40 girls got to experience the BIO Girls program over the course of two years in the Langdon community learning leadership skills, tips on handling their emotions, tools to build healthy friends and so, so much more. For that we are grateful,” said Laura Scott, BIO Girls director of program operations BIO Girls is in search of a new site director to continue the impact in Langdon. To learn more about leading the program, visit the BIO Girls website www.biogirls.org/lead or contact Laura at laura@biogirls.org.
The Borderland Press
Pembilier Nursing Center in Walhalla announced the recent hiring of Heather Duerre, who recently took on the new role of PNC activity director. Heather has served as the facilities spiritual coordinator for the past five years and assumed her new position April 3. Heather has been a vital source of
The residents and staff are excited to have her in the building full-time and the many fun events and activities she will bring. We are certain she will be calling on community members to volunteer and share their time and talents. PNC staff and board of directors are very grateful and pleased Heather is taking on this new challenge and filling a crucial role for PNC as well as our community. PNC leaders say if you happen to run into her, please take time to congratulate her.
Walhalla Area Chamber of Commerce plans annual banquet Walhalla Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual banquet at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 13 at Chizzy's. Dinner will be served buffet style and will include: meatballs, ham, fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy with a salad bar. There will also be a cash bar. The event will include remarks by board chairman Pat Chaput and recognition of local businesses and their accomplishments with a recap of 2022 and our hope for the future. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased through Rebecca at the Chamber office, call 701-549-3939, email chamber@walhalland.biz or go through LaRae at Choice Bank. All members are invited.
Tower blocks Highway 1 south of Langdon On Tuesday, April 4 at around 10:30 a.m., the Cavalier County Dispatch Center received multiple 911 calls regarding a tower that had collapsed on Highway 1 at mile marker 204, a quarter mile south of the Hwy. 66 intersection. Cavalier County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene a short time later. It was determined that a 300 ft. tall radio communications tower had collapsed. When the tower collapsed, it tore down several rural electric power lines and fell across Highway 1. The tower completely blocked Highway 1, making it impassable. Cavalier Rural Electric arrived on scene and shut the electrical power down. They also assisted in removing the tower from the roadway. At approximately 11:45 a.m., Highway 1 was cleared of the debris and was reopened.
update for Langdon area, Munich Cavalier County Commissioners nullify proposed summer Sanitation Due to weather condition there are changes in the sanitation schedule. blading contract By Sarah Hinnenkamp At its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 4, the Cavalier County Commission decided to scrap proposed contracts for township summer blading work. After discussion, commissioner Greg Goodman made a motion to nullify the proposed contract. The motion included a request that townships provide a map to road foreman Evan Estenson of requested roads and how often they request blading. Summer blading will be offered to townships at $140 an hour, and it will be billed as the work is completed during the season. “That’s the cheapest bid in the bid book that we’ve got from contractors. I don’t want to set a precedent of undercutting contractors,” Goodman said. The motion passed unanimously. The county put forth the proposed
contract earlier this year as a way to become more efficient with summer blading work and hours. Commissioners and township representatives discussed the proposed contracts for the first time in person at the Cavalier County Township Officers meeting on Tuesday, March 14 and continued the discussion with a smaller group of township officers at the regular commission meeting on Tuesday, March 21. “We have to pay for fuel, equipment, manpower - that has to get covered,” said Stanley Dick, county commissioner. Commissioner David Zeis suggested a contract can wait a year in order to give new road foreman Evan Estenson time to address what he needs to address with process and being efficient. “I haven’t been here for summer blad-
ing,” said Estenson, who started his position of road foreman on Jan. 1. “We don’t know if I could have helped anything if we had just gone straight to a contract.” Goodman said Estenson needs time to go through a full season, saying Estenson will handle the communication and thinks that will make things more efficient. “It has to be told to every township, we have to be efficient. If we don’t have work, we can’t keep the equipment we have,” said Nick Moser, county commissioner. “One thing I heard a lot, and this is a lot from the western part of the county, is that ‘you’re trying completely to get rid of the townships 100%’ and that’s not my feeling. We can provide them a service and I think we continue to do that. If we lose townships and they’re back the next year, we need to know where we’re going to be sitting to justify having this much equipment and manpower.”
The City of Munich will have pick up on Friday instead of its usual Wednesday. Wednesday Rural pick-up will happen Friday. Waste Management pick up for Langdon will be Saturday instead of Friday. If questions, feel free to call City Hall 256-2155 or Tom at 370-1421.
Agriculture
The Borderland Press
Friday, April 7, 2023 - Page - A3
Youth farm safety camps set
Three dates and locations are available for North Dakota youth. By NDSU Extension
Late spring spurs spring wheat concerns - Spring wheat acres will be a question mark, as cold weather limits the spring snowmelt. North Dakota Wheat Commission Policy and Marketing Director Jim Peterson is concerned about a late start. “A lot of guys like to get their spring wheat in early just to get it flowering and heading out before the heat of summer. It’s a cool season crop, so the earlier you can get it in the better.” Lower prices have also been moving against spring wheat acres. A million more acres - USDA says farmers intend to plant 92 million acres of corn this spring, about one million more than the February Ag Outlook Forum estimate and the average trade estimate. Soybean acreage is slightly less than the average trade estimate but equal to the Outlook Forum number at 87.5 million acres. The all-wheat acres are slightly above the average trade estimate at 946 million acres. USDA estimates spring wheat acres at 10.8 million. WOTUS “stomps” on landowners rights - The Senate passed a resolution to rescind the Biden Administration’s Waters of the United States rule Wednesday. The Senate passed the Congressional Review Act resolution on a 53 to 43 vote. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven says the EPA’s rule goes far beyond the scope of con-
gressional intent. “WOTUS is a bigtime regulatory overreach that hurts our energy industry and violates private property rights. We worked hard to repeal it once, and we’re not going to stop until we get it repealed again.” North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer says the Biden Administration seems eager to stomp on the rights of North Dakota’s landowners as they develop resolutions ahead of the Sackett vs. EPA case. “Instead, what they do is circumvent the courts and subject their farmers, ranchers, landlords, business owners to this constant regulatory ping-pong that we’ve been seeing for decades if not years.” H2A rule change concerns - Changes that impact H2A labor programs in the U.S. are now in effect. The method used to calculate the Adverse Effect Wage Rate is now calculated differently. National Council of Farmer Co-ops Vice President of Communications Justin Darisse says this new model will cost producers utilizing the program a lot more than it had previously. “It becomes something that’s just economically unsustainable,” says Darisse. He expects action to be taken to change the ruling. This rule would not impact employers currently enrolled in the H2A program until next year, but those entering the program will be under the new rule as of March 30, 2023.
DAKOTA DATEBOOK: Freida Bohnsack, Rancher April 10, 2023 — Today is the birthday of rancher Freida Bohnsack. She came home to Sheldon in 1935, during the Great Depression, to take over a large, rundown – and heavily mortgaged – ranch that she inherited from her father. Freida was smart and ambitious, with a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. Soon, she was repairing buildings, mending fences, stacking hay and doctoring livestock. Starting with six calves, Freida built up a nice herd of Angus by taking in up to 600 cattle for summer grazing. To ward of rustlers, she slept in her truck with her .22 caliber rifle beside her. She also became a single mother when she adopted a baby girl named Bonita in 1941. During her spare time, Freida also taught school, started a saddle club, produced rodeos and
organized a 4-H club. In 1954, Freida went to Texas and brought back two purebred Blue Brahman calves to start a herd of Brangus cattle. Freida was inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2002, more than 40 years after her death. Dakota Datebook written by Merry Helm “Dakota Datebook” is a radio series from Prairie Public in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota and with funding from Humanities North Dakota. See all the Dakota Datebooks at prairiepublic. org, subscribe to the “Dakota Datebook” podcast, or buy the Dakota Datebook book at shopprairiepublic. org.
Youth will be able to learn about safe farm and ranch practices during three statewide farm safety camps that North Dakota State University Extension is hosting this year. Camping dates and location are: •May 23-25, Williston State College Campus, Williston •May 30- June 1, NDSU Campus, Fargo •June 26-28, Bismarck State College Campus, Bismarck The camps will cover the basics of safe tractor and machinery operation, general farm hazards, livestock handling, use of personal protective equipment, and basic first-aid and first-response procedures. “These camps are designed to help teens become familiar with the most serious hazards associated with operating tractors and agricultural machinery, along with the fundamentals of safe operation and maintenance,” says Angie Johnson, NDSU Extension farm and ranch safety coordinator, who is collaborating with NDSU Extension agents to conduct these camps. Participants will receive handson experience and learning opportunities, including: •Safe tractor operation, including a tractor driving obstacle course •Livestock handling •All-terrain vehicle safety, including an ATV driving course •Skid steer safety •Roadway safety using rules of the road •Farm first-aid and emergency preparedness •Laws related to youth working in agriculture •Equipment operation and maintenance •Farm stress management skills •Farm hazard identification
Youth will have opportunities for hands-on learning, including utilizing farm equipment on obstacle courses to simulate actual farm situations. Livestock handling sessions will allow participants to interact with animals and learn more about animal behaviors and safety when working with animals. ATV certification and Stop the Bleed certification are also included. Federal law, under the Hazardous Occupations Order for Agriculture, requires that youth under the age of 16 receive certification of training prior to employment on farms operated by anyone other than a parent or guardian. The program is for youth 14 and 15 years old. Youth who are 13 can participate, and the license they receive will become valid when they reach their 14th birthday. By successfully passing this program, participants will receive official certification to operate tractors over 20 horsepower and some pieces of farm machinery when working for a farmer or rancher outside the family.
“While this certification is not required for youth to work on their own family farm, we encourage all teens who plan to work on a farm to participate in this program,” says Johnson. “These camps are designed to strengthen communication skills between parents, employers and teen workers on the farm. Farm safety training prepares the next generation of the workforce with the safety skills needed to prevent injuries and fatalities on the job.” Camps are open to youth from all counties in North Dakota. Youth do not need to be enrolled in 4-H to participate. Registration opens April 1. The deadline to register is April 30. The cost of each camp is $275. Registration for both camps can be found online at ndsu.ag/youthfarmsafety. For more information regarding farm safety camp, please contact your local county Extension agent.
Youth will learn the basics of safe tractor and machinery operation at the NDSU Extension Youth Farm Safety Camps. NDSU photo.
North Dakota cropland values up double digits again in 2023 By NDSU Extension
Despite high production costs to start 2022, net farm incomes remained high, helping facilitate a sharp rise in land prices for 2023, according to Bryon Parman, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension agricultural finance specialist. The statewide average land price increase from 2022 to 2023 was 13.46%, which is higher than last year’s increase of 10.9%. Rents were also up considerably, rising 6.82% statewide. This marked the largest increase in 10 years. The data for the rental rate and land value changes comes from the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands County Rents and Prices Annual Survey found online at https://www. land.nd.gov/resources/north-dakota-county-rents-prices-annual-survey. The data is then combined into NDSU Extension regions using a weighted average based on the number of county acres. The largest increase in land values occurred in the east-central and southern Red River Valley regions with both increasing over 20%. The north-central and northeastern regions saw the next largest increase at
15.5% and 14.1%, respectively. The south-central and southeastern regions increased between 11.5% and 13.5% for the two regions. Smaller increases occurred in the southwestern region at 9.4% and the northern Red River Valley, which increased 6%. The northwestern region, which tends to fluctuate a bit more due to a lower number of observations, showed the only decline at -0.84%. “Overall, the statewide average cropland value moving into 2023 was $2,863 per acre,” Parman said. “The most expensive farmland in North Dakota remains in the southern Red River Valley region at an average of $5,494 per acre, while the least costly is in the northwestern region at $1,399 per acre.” Over the last five years, the southeastern region cropland values have surpassed the northern Red River Valley with the southeastern region increasing faster. In the most recent survey, the southeastern regional land values were $3,886 per acre, while the northern Red River Valley values were $3,605 per acre.
The east-central region was also over $3,000 per acre for the first time, coming in at $3,029. The other three regions including the north-central, northeastern and south-central all came in between $2,100 per acre and just over $2,300 per acre. The southwestern region came in just above the northwestern region at $1,653 per acre. “Cropland rents were up across the board with the largest increase occurring in the east-central region at 11.88%,” says Parman. “The south-central and southeastern regions were both up between 8.7% and 9.7%. The north-central and northern Red River Valley regions were up between 5.6% and 6.8% while the northwestern, northeastern and southern Red River Valley regions were all up slightly less than 5%.” The smallest increase in cropland rent occurred in the southwestern region with an increase of 3.25%. The statewide average cash rent on cropland was $79.90 per acre. “Overall, 2023 marks the second largest increase in land prices in North Dakota in a row,” says Parman. “However, despite the increase in rents accompanying land price increases, the disparity between cash rents and land prices continues to grow wider. The capitalization rates (cap rate) with respect to farmland in North Dakota has been declining for decades. The cap rate, which is the cash rent divided by the market value of farmland, in North Dakota in 2023 is around 2.65%. In 2012, the cap rate on cropland was closer to 3.8%, and in the 1990s, cap rates were mostly between 6% and 9%. The simple cap rate reflects the income generated, relative to the value of land not accounting for capital gains and at 2.65%, is the lowest it has been in more than 40 years.”
Opinion
Page A4 - Friday, April 7, 2023
The Borderland Press
Letter from the Publisher there are still many vulnerable areas in its path. Flood forecasters are making early predictions, and none of them are good. Let’s hope and pray they’re mistaken and the Red River behaves itself! Sunshine and dry weather are on our wishlist…fingers are crossed.
This week’s forecast reminds me of 1997, and I don’t think any of us want a repeat of that spring. The mighty Red had its way with everything and everyone it came in contact with. Although many flood protection plans have been put into place since then,
While we’re waiting to get busy outdoors, now is a great time to work on packing up your donations for the Cavalier County Cancer Crusaders rummage sale, or ‘the cancer sale’ as I call it. This is a great fundraiser that enables the Crusaders to give money directly to cancer patients in our area, immediately upon diagnosis. I’ve been on the receiving end of their success, and it’s an amazing thing. If your donations are clean and in good working condition, the hard working
crew will best be able to accomplish their goal and all will benefit. The sale is coming up at the end of this month, and you’ll see more details in The Borderland Press soon. We trekked to Fargo last weekend to celebrate the first birthday of our granddaughter, Rosie. She’s adorable and enjoyed her party, even though she most likely was wondering what the celebration was all about. As usual, there was a discussion about how fast the last year has gone and how could she already be one? We all agreed we’d be fine with time slowing down a bit. Right now, I’m looking out the window at the snow coming down in big flakes, and I can’t help but wish the next few days were behind us. Mother Nature is testing our patience, again.
While in Fargo we made a stop downtown at the new Brewhalla. Don’t let the name confuse you. While you most certainly can grab a brew, there’s much more to it than that. Lots of food choices to eat there or take home as well as vendors selling pottery, gifts, homemade dog treats and other fun stuff. You can play some pinball or sit down with friends for a classic board game. I liked it there, and Violette liked her pistachio gelato.
Diane Simmons
Publisher publisher@theborderlandpress.com
The construction in our lower level continues. Scott and Marla measured for carpet last week, and in my mind, that’s a sure sign the end is in sight. Enjoy whatever season you’re having at your house, it may change tomorrow. Thanks for reading, take care.
Letter from the Editor Around the office, I heard phrases of “buckle up” and “brace yourselves” when talking about what this week might hold. I think it caused extra stress because everyone was looking forward to Easter weekend and the plans made for that. It’s the uncertainty of what would happen and the “here we go again” ideas that got people down. As Larry Stokke likes to tell us, summer will be a lovely week in June. Then he laughs and excitedly says, “We’ll get a whole week this year!” How was your week? Did you keep it together? Was the train on the tracks? I ask because I struggled.
I admit, I didn’t have the best attitude going into the week. It all started Sunday night when I wondered, as everyone did, how the incoming storm
predicted for the week would affect every area of our lives. It probably didn’t help my attitude that Sunday started out sunny then moved onto clouds with pouring rain and giant pelting snowflakes. I applaud the Munich Fire Department for putting on a fantastic pancake and sausage breakfast in the midst of the crazy April weather on Sunday, April 2. They had a full house and served up a great meal. It was fun to hear first responders from Langdon and Wales say they wanted to come out to support other local departments. I’m sure there were other towns included; those are just the folks I ended up chatting with. Kudos to Jason Wirth
for teaching the next generation the fine art of making pancakes. Rylan did a great job (see him pictured on the front page this week). I know many groups and individuals worked behind the scenes while the storm was either on its way or already raging to get done what needed to be done, whether that was packing Easter food baskets at the Cavalier County Emergency Food Pantry, getting this newspaper off to the press, caring for livestock, or tackling the clean up after the storm. Everyone had something on their plate and had to work to make it through this week.
holiday, which will involve a ham feast at the McCurdy farm. Grandma Deb has fun things planned, including an indoor egg hunt and whipping up extra mashed potatoes because that’s what my husband usually wants for dessert. I’m a kid at heart, so I’m looking forward to the frosted bunny cookies, a tradition from my Grandma Helen’s Easter holidays. Happy Easter to you and your family,
Sarah Hinnenkamp Editor
editor@theborderlandpress.com
We are preparing for our Easter
THE MORNING RUN: The silence of subbing and lunch count. I wanted to have an exciting discussion about…something, anything!…after the students completed their assignments.
by Sara Goodman “Hello, students, my name is Sara Goodman, and today I’m subbing for Mr. Martz!” This early morning declaration was met with wide-eyed looks of “duh” (who else would I be subbing for in Mr. Martz’s classroom) accompanied by the sound of a pin dropping on my first day of subbing at the high school. I was disappointed. The silence was deafening. I’m not good with silence. I was expecting ear shattering teenage noise and subsequent disciplinary action needing to be taken. I wanted to call Marnie to report on something other than attendance
I attempted to engage in conversation with the first class of the morning – 7th grade life science. I told them I wrote for the paper; they looked confused. I asked if any of them read the paper. One student boldly said “yes,” as she nervously giggled. I could smell the lie a mile away. I asked them what I should write about in my next article; they looked even more confused. I was getting nowhere fast. I wondered if I should have brought candy to bribe them or worn something other than a monochromatic sweater and jacket combo. I wish that I had brought snacks. This was not going well, and I had all day to think about it. It was so quiet I was worried that my stomach would growl loudly and startle them, and they’d faint like those weird goats. I counted down the minutes until lunch. I wrote “BRING SNACKS” on a sticky note to remind myself not to forget this essential item for next time. I quietly slurped my lukewarm coffee, noisily setting my
cup back down to see if any of them paid attention (they didn’t). I typed away on my laptop, glancing up occasionally with a serious half-frown on my face to stop any funny business (there wasn’t any). Throughout the day I had two sections each of 7th grade, 8th grade, and freshman. Every class was the same. I’d introduce myself, take attendance, give the assignment, hand out pencils and textbooks to anyone who had forgotten theirs, then quietly keep myself busy as the students completed their assignments. After 15 agonizing minutes of listening to pages turning and pencils scratching, the kids started turning in their assignments. Now, I thought, it would get exciting…but it didn’t. I had students occasionally ask to use the restroom, get a drink, fill their water bottle, get a book from their locker, talk to another teacher, or go to the library. They were well behaved, quiet, and polite. I couldn’t believe it. These were teenagers. What was going on? Where were the cut-up frog legs from anatomy class lurking under my pa-
pers, whoopie cushions and tape on my seat, spitballs, rubber band guns and other contraband? I remember in school being equally annoyed and excited if I walked into a classroom and realized there was a sub in the room instead of the teacher. Depending on the sub, you could get away with everything or nothing. There’s a meme that circulates occasionally on Facebook showing a substitute teacher pushing a cart with a large, outdated TV into a classroom, which meant you were going to watch a movie, take a nap and pass notes to your bestie about your current crush. You were going to quietly chew bits of notebook paper and launch spitballs across the room and snicker when your immature neighbor made fart sounds with his hands. You played M.A.S.H., hangman, tic-tac-toe and other games that required you to discuss details with your buddies and groan loudly when you lost. When I came home after school, I asked my kids where I went wrong. They launched into a Generation X versus Generation Z explanation that caused my eyes to glass over and my brain synapses to disconnect momentarily. They sighed, shook their heads
and walked away, clearly disgusted by my lack of understanding. Their final solution? “Just don’t try to talk to them Mom, they’re middle schoolers. You’ll have better luck with high school.” Stay tuned!
Musings from Munich: I’m on my phone so I don’t know the words it’s been pretty hectic just getting to Texas, but Sarah Hinnenkamp called and wanted to see if I had my article ready to go. With no access to a computer and just my phone, I had a choice to make: hit each letter individually and knock out a so-so article or let Sara Goodman take my space…so I hope you enjoy your semi good read. In fact, I’m already sick of typing on my phone so I’m just gonna send three pictures. America. By Matt Mitzel If you haven’t heard, this week Brianne and I are chaperones for the senior trip over in Munich, which is headed to Texas. With the weather,
Matt Mitzel is the unofficial events coordinator for the City of Munich, a supporter of Langdon Area Edmore Munich athletics, football coach, and all-around Munich mega fan, earning him the nickname “Mr. Munich.”
Opinion
The Borderland Press
Friday, April 7, 2023 - Page - A5
Bob’s big adventure - Part 11
By Bob Simmons In our last exciting installment, I was finally heading back to Langdon. The weather, which had been predicted to be cold and dry, was instead cold and wet. In fact it was getting colder as the heavy rain changed over to heavy snow by the time I got to Wisconsin Dells. I pulled into the Dells shortly before 10:00 p.m., and the only restaurant that had its lights on was a Burger King. Now, I’ve always preferred BK over Mickie D’s and the others. I think this dates back to my youth. My first job in radio was at the tender age of 14. Mom or Dad would wake up early (5:00 a.m.) and drive me to the radio
station on Sunday morning where I would ‘push tapes’. Nobody ever wanted to work on Sunday morning because the shift was long and boring. The large reel to reel tapes that I wound onto the playback decks were public service type programs and some pre-recorded church services. Once each hour I would get to crack the microphone and announce the station identification. “W-S-P-R Springfield!” I thought I was the coolest guy on the planet. I was on the radio, and I’ll have you know I was paid $1.65 cents an hour. Here I am 50 years later, and I can tell you financially for me that not much has changed. Anyway, the closest restaurant to the station was a nearby Burger King. Back in 1973, I could get a Whopper, large fries, and a coke for around three bucks - this is about the same price my friend, DQ Pete, would sell you a salt packet today. As I pulled into the parking lot, it was obvious I wouldn’t be using the drive through window due to the clearance of the truck, so I parked and made my way inside. This was a gorgeous new restaurant. Everything was shiny and new, but where was everybody? I stood at the counter for what felt like two minutes, and I didn’t hear or see anyone. This was real Twilight Zone stuff. Maybe the staff had been abducted? Maybe they quit? Maybe they went home and forgot to turn off
the lights and lock the door? NOPE. Just before I was about to jump over the counter and make my own hamburger, I heard a door slam shut and voices coming from the back. Turns out they had been outside playing in the snow. These two guys that were running the store were great. I had my meal and freshly brewed coffee within seconds. I scarfed it down, thanked the boys behind the counter and was on my way. Next, I stopped for gas; picked up a couple of Gatorades, trail mix, and an orange; and in short order was back on the road. By now the snow wasn’t only coming down heavily, it was also blowing and drifting. I was driving in a full scale blizzard, but I wasn’t alone. Traffic speeds were reduced. I stayed in the right hand lane with the other trucks. By the time I hit Eau Claire, I had been witness to four vehicles going into the center ditch. Note: all but one of these vehicles was a minivan. Why is that? Are minivans mechanically just more susceptible to skidding off the road? Maybe it’s the driver. Had they been driving with their cruise control on? Maybe they had been distracted from playing with their phones? This was getting intense. Now, it was time for me to get off the road, so I pulled into a rest area just outside of Menomonie.
Semis lined the entrance to the rest area and filled most of the available spaces, but I managed to squeeze my rental truck in. The snow was still coming down heavily, and I had visions of being snowed in and stranded for days in this truck. I convinced myself that it would be okay to try and sleep and that there was no way anyone would steal the truck’s catalytic converter tonight. Have you ever tried to sleep in the cab of an Isuzu NPR HD box truck? Although the seats are adjustable, there isn’t a great deal of room to work with. Maybe that seat can move back and forth a foot or so, but that’s it. You want to stretch out? Good luck! The width of the Isuzu Hexapod cab is maybe 5.5 feet, and with an elevated center console, the seat belt female buckle-ends will jab you in the back like a dull sword. It’s impossible. As I sat there looking at the semis parked all around me, I could only imagine the high degree of comfort those other drivers were all enjoying. Many of those cabs have bunk beds, refrigerators, satellite TV, etc. etc. In my head, I now heard Diane laughing at me hysterically. I did manage to actually fall asleep for about 45 minutes but was awakened by the sounds of snow plows out on the highway. It was time to get back on the road! By now,
it was nearly 1:00 a.m. That 45 minute nap recharged my internal battery, and I never felt more awake. I passed the Twin Cities. I passed St. Cloud. The snow continued. I pulled into Albany, Minn. for gas. Upon exiting the vehicle, I found the pavement to be sheer ice. I skated into the store for a cup of coffee, and to my surprise, the young guy behind the counter refused to accept payment. He wished me safe travels, I thanked him, and I was back on my way. Like many of you, I have driven lots of miles in terrible conditions, but this section of the Interstate was beyond bad. I decided to pull over in the rest area just east of Fergus Falls. Every available space was taken. I managed to pull off on the shoulder of the exit ramp. It was about 5:00 a.m., and I managed to sleep for about a half an hour before deciding to make my final push for home. I made one final stop for fuel at the Stamart outside of Fargo. As I came along I-29, the roads had improved. By 10:30, I was pulling into the radio station parking lot on Third Street. I made it! I was home. The transmitter, the truck, and I were all in one piece! After 2200 miles (give or take), the trip was without an incident that I caused! That is until... Well, you’ll find out next week.
Pet Corner The Australian Cattle Dog By Rosemary Ames
long distance and terrain. They are classed as a medium breed dog with both the male and female weighing 35-45 pounds. The male is 19 inches in height with the female slightly shorter at 18 inches. Their lifespan is an average of 10-13 years.
What breed of dog do you have? Most people, in general, probably have a dog or had a dog as a kid growing up. This is especially true if you grew up on a farm and, more particularly, if you had livestock. One breed of dog in particular, the Australian Cattle Dog, which is also known as the Australian Shepherd or Blue Heeler, is a very popular dog to help keep order of cattle during herding. This breed of dog was started in Australia to help with herding of cattle of
The “Aussie” dog, as some owners call them for short, tend to bark very low. They are a compact dog that is sturdy and solid on its feet! The color of their coat is blue gray with some sort of speckles. I have also seen some that are brown and white in color. They are intelligent dogs that are high-strung, need to keep busy, and are very loyal to their owners. They are not big fans of strangers! Basically, if you are not part of the family or one of the family, they most likely will bite and go straight for the ankles! Before coming to that, they will give a “warning” growl and showing of their teeth. I have a female dog named Daisy, who just happens to be half Blue Heeler and half Border Collie. She definitely has the attitude of a Blue Heeler-Aus-
tralian Shepherd-Australian Cattle Dog! She definitely does not like strangers, and when we get company, she has to be restrained to a dog chain or put in the garage. Whichever option we choose depends on the weather and if they have to come through our garage. Daisy is very loyal and friendly to our family and really very sweet in general. Now, if we had cattle, she would be quite busy and possibly not worry about strangers so much, as she would be too busy. Most likely, that wouldn’t make a whole lot of difference! Daisy is now 11 and is getting stiffer and has cataracts. Even so, this has not completely slowed her down from chasing cars and other animals.
shedding. Unfortunately, I have to admit, since my dog Daisy is a farm dog, I don’t do this like I should. She also is only allowed to come as far as the garage and not in the main part of the house. If she were not a farm dog and allowed in the main part of the house, this would be done several times per week. Pet hair can be a challenge to pick up with a vacuum cleaner on furniture in general, so this would make things a little more doable!
The “Aussie” dog has a two-layered coat, and at certain times of the year, especially the spring, will shed. Their hair is coarse and a little harder to pick up in a vacuum cleaner, so having a good vacuum cleaner to do so is a good idea! If you’re able to brush or run a rake through their fur, that will help minimize and maintain the
Staying Hip
Snowy spring celebrations
with Halle
By Halle Sanders
don. I’m a certified trendsetter and officially declare snow as untrendy. It’s no surprise that we have snow on Easter, but as North Dakotans, we’ve earned the right to complain. My mom told me there were many a year where I wore an adorable easter dress and sandals while still surrounded by snow. I was a fashionista even then, thanks to my mom.
If April showers bring May flowers, what does April snow bring? Suffering? I’m writing this article Tuesday morning while awaiting snow-mege-
While reminiscing about old Easter memories, I realized I have quite the plethora of odd Easter stories. One spring, at my daycare, all the kids were surprised when the Easter bunny showed up - a person in a bunny costume. I was less than pleased and bawled my eyes out. I refused to go
anywhere near the bunny. Eventually, the adults talked me into taking a group picture, but my mom had to hold me. My dad likes to say that when I got home, I looked him in the eye and said, “the Easter bunny was very scary.” Another year, when I was in kindergarten, I had to have eye surgery. What was supposed to be a simple procedure became less so. I had a wiggly tooth so the doctors had to pull the tooth to make sure it didn’t fall out while I was under anesthesia. Before the surgery they gave me some loopy juice to calm me down, which ended up making me very sick. I still remember how the hallway spinned. When Easter came, I had two bloodshot
Health Tip
Provided by Cavalier County Health District
Happy Easter
Like me, I am sure you can relate to how your particular breed of dog behaves and maybe you have or had an Australian Cattle Dog-Blue Heeler-Australian Shepherd mix or a full-blooded breed of this type. One thing I do know for sure, Daisy is the best watch dog in the neighborhood, and nothing gets by her! Maybe not so good for strangers, but she is doing her job by keeping her family safe!
It’s Public Health Week! Did you know that Cavalier County Health District offers FREE and LOW-COST preventative screening services? Call 701.256.2402 or stop in to learn more.
eyes, a missing tooth, and looked like I was in the movie Rocky. I covered up my eyes with these huge pink diva sunglasses, it was quite the look. There are plenty of good Easter memories, too, like coloring eggs and searching for Easter baskets that the bunny had hidden. I was much less scared of the bunny when I was getting something in return. Easter also has one of the best holiday can-
dies, Cadbury mini eggs. Those hard shelled chocolate morsels are impeccable. Despite the snow, I’m sure everyone will endure. Maybe go outside and instead of a snowman, build a snow bunny. Happy Easter and may your holiday be snowy and bright with all of us walking in a winter wonderland.
Community
Page A6 - Friday, April 7, 2023
The Borderland Press
Cavalier County 4-H members win awards at state competition Cavalier County 4-H members Maggie Iverson and Becca Morstad are part of the Pierce County hippology team. They found great success in March at the state 4-H hippology contest in both group and individual awards. The North Dakota 4-H hippology contest provides an opportunity for youth enrolled in 4-H equine projects to demonstrate their knowledge of equine science-related subject matter in a competitive setting. Iverson also won 2nd place in horse illustrated speech. In this speech, she used a slide show, and it had to be 9-12 minutes in length. The senior team can go to Nationals in January 2024 for their 1st place in horse judging and hippology. Nationals will be in Denver, Colorado, and the event is called the Western Roundup.
Individual rewards for Maggie Iverson 2023 2nd Overall 4-H State Hippology Illustrated Talk 4th overall 4-H State Performance Horse Judging 5th overall 4-H State Horse Judging 5th overall 4-H State Hippology Quiz Bowl 7th overall 4-H State Hippology Contest
North Lights Arts Council March Art Student of the Month
Individual rewards for Becca Morstad 2023 2nd overall 4-H State Hippology Exam 6th overall 4-H Hippology Contest 10th overall 4-H Hippology Quiz bowl The team is coached by Barb Rice and Sandra Scherr.
Senior 4-H Team 2023 Maggie Iverson Becca Morstad Kami Guty Katelyn Mattern 1st State 4-H Hippology 1st State 4-H Horse Judging 2nd State 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl
Kendra Romfo, March Art Student of the Month. Kendra is the daughter of Tanner and Alyssa Romfo and is a 4th grader at St. Alphonsus School. Kendra’s artwork was made with acrylic paint and q-tips. Kendra’s art teacher, Jenny Schrader, says that she always comes to art class excited and happy.
Frost Fire announces two summer camp offerings
Frost Fire Park announced it will split its annual Encore! arts camp into two different camps starting this summer. Registration just opened for the Art Camp and the Drama Camp. The Art Camp will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. daily, June 5-9. It is for grades 3 to 12. The Drama camp will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. daily, Aug. 7-11. It is for grades 3 to 12. Registration forms can be downloaded at FrostFirePark.org/encore-camp.
DAKOTA DATEBOOK: Andy Hampsten, Cyclist Easter egg hunt April 7, 2023 — Today is the birthday to ever do it. His next major race took Followed by a long line of cars that planned for Saturday of cycling great, Andy Hampsten, who place that same year... the Tour de were also struggling to make it The 12th Annual Langdon Community Easter Egg Hunt is planned for Saturday, April 8. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 301 15th Avenue, Langdon. Anyone ages 2-12 years old is welcome to attend. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The Langdon Ladies Eagles Auxiliary coordinated this event, and many businesses and community members donated to make this event possible. There are more than 2,500 eggs stuffed with treats and numerous baskets to give away.
was born in 1962. Andy grew up in Grand Forks, where his parents taught English at UND. They gave him his first road bike when he turned 12, and he was smitten for life.
In 1977, he started competing and was soon discovered by the American Cycling Federation. In 1985, Andy turned pro, signing his first contract with the newly founded American team, 7-Eleven. When they went to the Tour de Italia that year, the Europeans didn’t take them seriously. But Andy and his team silenced them with wins in two stages of the race, one of which was a solo victory by Andy at a mountaintop finish. The following year, Andy won the Tour de Suisse; he was the first American
France. He walked away with the Best Rookie Jersey and shared a 1st place team award for his role in helping teammate Greg LeMond win the race. The following year, Andy won the Tour of Switzerland once more – the only American to ever win it twice.
Hampsten’s career highlight came in 1988 during the Tour de Italia “on a day,” as one cyclist put it, “when strong men cry.” During a legendary stage over the Passo de Gavia in the Dolomite Mountains, Hampsten got caught in a blizzard. Later, he said, “I gave up on asking God for any help; I was blessed already having the privilege of racing. Instead, I speculated on what I would bargain for if the devil showed up.”
through the mountain pass, Andy wouldn’t give up. With bare legs and arms, he pushed on in what has now become one of the most legendary cycling stages of all time. Overcoming all odds, Hampsten persevered and took home the coveted prize, the Maglia Rosa. Although he was the first cyclist from the North American continent to ever win the Tour of Italy, U.S. television still wasn’t interested. Hampsten’s next goal was to go back and win the Tour de France. By then, he had twice placed in the top-four. Now, he wanted a lead jersey – for you non-cyclists, lead jersey means first place. Hampsten’s great strength was climbing, but in time trials, he didn’t do as
well, so he tried to improve this weakness by changing his training-program. Unfortunately, the change caused him to lose some of his climbing ability, and the Tour de France victory never materialized. The disappointment was partially overcome when he retrained himself for climbing and won many other victories before finally retiring in 1996. When asked by an interviewer what his worst moment in cycling was, Andy replied, “eight years old and hitting that parked car in front of my house at five mph that I KNEW was there.” Now that’s a true champion. Happy birthday, Andy. Dakota Datebook written by Merry Helm
Community
The Borderland Press
Eggcellent Decision
Students pack Easter food baskets for families
NDSU Extension – Cavalier County Katie Henry, Family and Community Wellness Agent
Spring is coming. I promise. This weather and snow can’t stay forever…right? One thing that gets me so excited this time of year is the baby chicks and dying of eggs. Baby chicks have been delivered to some homes of friends already, and it makes me want to go see them and snuggle the fluffy soft little babies! It’s also fun to dye eggs and is a tradition for many families in Cavalier County. Those eggs can be used in so many different ways to get a nutritionally sound meal. They are full of protein and are high in minerals and vitamins like Vitamin D (which we could use more of this dreary time of year). Even with the higher prices of eggs in the last year, they are a relatively inexpensive, nutritionally-packed form of protein and are very versatile in how we can use them. They can be eaten alone in hard-cooked or scrambled form, as a binder in baked items, or with several vegetables to have a delicious omelet or egg bake. The possibilities are endless. To help you plan some eggcellent meals, you will find a few recipes below from NDSU Extension. Cinnamon French Toast 2 eggs 4 egg whites* 1 c. milk c tsp. cinnamon 8 pieces toast, wheat or white
Toppings (vanilla yogurt, strawberries, blueberries) In a bowl, beat together the eggs, egg whites, milk and cinnamon. Dip each piece of bread into the egg mixture and coat thoroughly. Place on a greased, preheated skillet and cook for about two minutes per side. Top with berries and serve with lean meat and low-fat milk. Makes four servings. Without added toppings, each serving has 230 calories, 5 g fat, 17 g protein, 29 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber and 410 mg sodium. Recipe source: 3 a Day of Dairy: www.3aday.org *Quick Tip: Refrigerate the leftover yolks and use in scrambled eggs the following day or the following egg bake recipe. Add three whole eggs and a cup of milk, mix thoroughly and cook in a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray. Top with salsa and cheese for a skillet meal for four. Sausage, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Bake 16 ounces hash browns, fresh or frozen (thawed) Salt (optional) 12 ounces breakfast sausage links, cut into chunks (or chopped ham) 1/2 cups onion, chopped 1/2 cups red bell pepper, chopped 2 cups colby-jack or cheddar cheese (low-fat or fat-free), shredded 6 eggs 1/2 cup milk, fat-free or low-fat 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Preheat oven to 350 F. Thaw hash browns in a microwave oven if needed. Cut links into small pieces, then brown sausage in a frying pan. Add onion and pepper to the pan and sauté until softened. Set aside. Spray a 9- by 9-inch casserole dish. Spread half of the hash browns in the pan. If desired, sprinkle potatoes lightly with salt. Top the potatoes with half of the sausage, onion and pepper mixture.
Top with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat layers. Sprinkle the top with remaining cheese. Whisk together eggs, milk and seasonings. Pour egg mixture over the layers and swirl gently to penetrate layers. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until eggs are set and temperature reaches 160 F. Makes six servings. Each serving has 340 calories, 16 grams (g) fat, 30 g protein, 18 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber and 720 milligrams sodium. Egg Salad Sandwiches 4 hard-cooked eggs 1 stalk celery, chopped 1/4 c. mayonnaise* 8 slices whole-wheat bread Tomato slices and lettuce leaves, if desired Prepare eggs as indicated. Peel, cut and place in a bowl. Wash and chop the celery and add to the eggs. Add mayonnaise and mix well. Place four slices of bread on a cutting board. Put one-quarter of egg mix on each slice. Spread egg mix over bread, top with tomato slices and lettuce, and put another slice on top. Cut sandwiches in half and serve. Try some of the new types of mayonnaise made with canola oil or olive oil, which are high in monounsaturated fats. Makes four servings. Each serving has 230 calories, 26 grams (g) of carbohydrate, 8 g of fat, 4 g of fiber and 410 milligrams of sodium You can visit NDSU Extension website at https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension for more information on eggs or even bird management, if you would like to raise your own chickens and gather your own eggs. As always, you can also call our office at 256-2560 or email katie.d.henry@ ndsu.edu if you have any questions or would like to discuss ideas with me. No matter what, including eggs in your diet is an eggcellent decision.
DAKOTA DATEBOOK: DAKOTA DATEBOOK: NASA Moonbuggy Titanic Impact Race April 13, 2023 — In 1912, on this
face of the water. The ship cut its engines until they drifted clear of the hazard. They heard no more about the icebergs or the famous ship until April 15, when they read about the tragedy in the newspapers.
April 11, 2023 — In April 2003, NDSU took first place in the college division of NASA’s 10th annual “Great Moonbuggy Race” in Huntsville, Alabama. The challenge was for high school and college students to design and build human-powered vehicles that could overcome engineering problems faced by NASA’s actual lunar rover team.
For years afterward, Dr. McCannel wondered if the fatal iceberg that sank the Titanic, described as having a “spire like a cathedral,” was the same one he had taken a picture of, which hung thereafter on his office wall.
The victorious team designed and built their vehicle as a class project, and included Sebastian Ertelt and Justin Pavlish, as well as Troy Redlinger and Danielle Baumann, who sat side by side to pedal the moonbuggy over a simulated lunar surface. “It was way, way harder than I expected,” said Redlinger. “I knew it would be hard, but not this bad.” NASA’s press release stated, “It was a grueling, obstacle-strewn course at the U.S Space & Rocket Center... but Team No. 1 from North Dakota State... conquered it and rode to victory.” Dakota Datebook written by Merry Helm
DAKOTA DATEBOOK: Three Men on a Raft April 12, 2023 — An odd story came from Fort Buford, Dakota Territory, on this date in 1879. The Missouri was breaking up, and as people watched ice floes rushing down the river, they spied something curious coming toward them. As reported in The Bismarck Tribune, “A black speck was seen floating with the ice near the middle of the river, and as it came nearer it was recognized as a raft bearing a load of human freight. Three unknown men were seen sitting closely together without a thread of clothing upon them, and apparently frozen to death.” The story explained it was impossible for anybody to retrieve the frozen men, because traveling on the river was too dangerous. As the raft disappeared downstream, some speculated the three men were Army deserters from Glendive, but nobody would ever know for sure. Dakota Datebook written by Merry Helm
date, passengers aboard the doomed ship Titanic were unaware of what fate waited for them. One day more, and the ship would sink, taking with it approximately 1,500 lives. The disaster impacted people the world over. Even North Dakota, far removed from the perils of the ocean, was deeply affected. E.W. Chaffee, a businessman and farmer of Aneta, was returning from a European vacation with his wife, Carrie, onboard the Titanic. Although his wife survived, he did not, and his body was never found or identified. Oskar Hedman, from Beach, had third-class passage aboard the ship, and managed to survive. There were other stories, thoughsuch as the near miss case of Dr. and Mrs. McCannel from Minot. They had been away from home for a long time, visiting Vienna and other parts of Europe in 1911 and 1912, so when it was finally time to depart, they made arrangements to hurry their voyage home. They planned to travel on the Titanic, but the ship’s schedule changed, and they were forced to book passage on the Carmenia, instead. They were disappointed to miss traveling aboard the ship they had heard so much about, but they were anxious to get home. Onboard their ship, the McCannels ran into the field of icebergs that would later sink the Titanic. Dr. McCannel took a photo of one of the larger ones—it was tall, with a point rising some 200 feet above the sur-
Friday, April 7, 2023 - Page - A7
The stories and the feelings survive, evident in the scholarship, the history and the memories. Even today, we can understand the relief the McCannels must have felt when, after they arrived at home, a Scottish friend said to them, “Your time had na come.” Dakota Datebook written by Sarah Walker
DAKOTA DATEBOOK: Lost at Sea April 14, 2023 — It was a calm, clear evening in the middle of the north Atlantic on this date in 1912. The drop in temperature signaled an approaching region of ice, but danger was far from anyone’s mind. But suddenly lookouts noticed the black spot of an iceberg. With orders to turn, the ship slowly veered left. But it was too late. The glancing blow along the starboard bow proved fatal. Twenty-two hundred passengers and crew were abroad the RMS Titanic on the night of April 14, 1912. Only 700 souls survived to tell the tragic story. As word of the sinking traveled around the world, families on both sides of
Amy Kram’s class from Langdon Area High School helped pack Easter food baskets at the Cavalier County Emergency Food Pantry on Monday. Food pantry volunteers were on hand Tuesday morning to distribute the baskets.
the Atlantic anxiously awaited news of the fate of their loved ones. North Dakota was no exception. There were some happy endings for Dakota families. Oskar Hedman, Olaus Abelseth and Carrie Chaffee survived the ordeal. Others, like Johan Nysveen, weren’t so lucky. Born in Norway, Johan Nysveen immigrated to North Dakota settling near Hillsboro as a young man. For 27 years he and his wife farmed the Dakota prairie and raised four children. But after the death of his wife, he moved back to Norway. Returning to the old country, Johan remarried and celebrated the birth of twins in 1911. Having established a new life in Norway, he decided it was time to wind up his business in North Dakota and transfer ownership of the farm to his son. At the age of 61, Johan set out for North Dakota one last time. He purchased a 3rd Class ticket for the Titanic, embarking at Southampton on April 10. Having made travel arrangements along the way, his wife was unaware he was onboard the fated ship. Quartered near the bow, Johan became friends with a fellow traveler, Karl Albert Midtsjø, a 21-year-old Norwegian immigrating to America. The two had much in common, but the friendship had little time to develop. Four days later, disaster struck. Feeling the impact of the iceberg,
Karl and Johan made their way to the deck. Assessing the situation, Johan sensed he would not survive. But he suspected a younger man like Karl stood a better chance. So Johan stripped off his coat and watch and handed them to Karl. Johan did in fact go down with the ship; his body was never recovered. Since his wife was unaware Johan was onboard the Titanic, it took several weeks before she discovered her husband’s fate. But fortunately, the story doesn’t end there. Miraculously, Karl survived the ship’s sinking when First Officer Murdoch offered him a seat in Lifeboat 15. And Karl didn’t forget his friend. Shortly after the Titanic disaster, he travelled to North Dakota to return Johan’s coat and watch to his relatives. He stayed with them for several weeks telling them about Johan’s final days on the Titanic; an act no doubt appreciated by the grieving family. Dakota Datebook written by Christina Sunwall “Dakota Datebook” is a radio series from Prairie Public in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota and with funding from Humanities North Dakota. See all the Dakota Datebooks at prairiepublic. org, subscribe to the “Dakota Datebook” podcast, or buy the Dakota Datebook book at shopprairiepublic. org.
Church
Page A8 - Friday, April 7, 2023
The Borderland Press
From the Pastor's Desk: Seeing Easter through the eyes of Good Friday by Pastor Jodi Myrvik
As I write this, I can’t help but think that it seems we must experience the frustration of another winter storm before we find the joy of spring time. In a way, I guess, it is like needing
to experience the agony of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday before we fully understand the true meaning of the triumphant Alleluia of Easter. As we wait for our long North Dakota winter to end and dream of the warmth of spring, we become impatient. Our impatience, however, reaches beyond waiting for spring. Throughout life, in general, we become impatient to make sense of what seems senseless; whether it be long winters, war, injustice, suffering or death. We long for answers, for the unbearable and incomprehensible to be explained. One might say it is all a part of the cycle that God has created: life, death; suffering, new life; pain, forgiveness; mortality and eternal life. For the new
to come, the old must die. For hope to blossom, we must give up our grasp of what is, so that something better can be born. There is a moment of letting go, of accepting an ending, before the promise can become reality. We must accept what appears to be defeat before a greater victory can emerge. GOOD FRIDAY... Early in the morning, Jesus is brought before Pilate who transfers his case to Herod. Herod sends him back to Pilate, who, sometime in the mid-morning, bows to the pressure of the Temple leadership and the crowds and condemns Jesus to a horrible death by crucifixion. In the late morning, Jesus is taken by
the soldiers through the city and up the hillside of Golgotha. By noon he is nailed to the cross where he hangs in agony for some three hours. He dies around three in the afternoon. He is taken down from the cross and placed in the tomb hastily before sundown. This is a day to ponder the power of the cross in our lives today. Consider, too, how the disciples might have gathered together in fear and prayer reflecting on all that happened. Jesus’ body is in the tomb. The disciples are heartbroken at the death of Jesus, their teacher and friend. They have forgotten the promise of Jesus... that he would rise. We cannot forget his promise. We cannot forget! Jesus is the light that will shine through all darkness. He is the light of the world. EASTER SUNDAY... The women come to the tomb. The tomb is empty! He Lives! As a Church we sing Alleluia for the first time in forty days! The church lights are lit, and the Alleluia is sung as we celebrate the moment of Christ’s resurrection. In the joy of the resurrection, we celebrate the hope we have for a future. Easter is a joyful celebration that never ends! To experience the total impact... journey first to the cross, and you, too, will be filled with Easter joy! Think of the many times you have been burdened with dark and guilty secrets from the past, words you wish you’d never said, things you wish you’d never done, promises broken, relationships messed up. The story of Holy Week;
the movement from betrayal, denial, injustice and abandonment to forgiveness; from death to life; from the grave to the resurrection; helps us see that in Christ, a new start is possible no matter the situations we face in our own lives. The cross is about Jesus taking the pain and punishment from us and gifting us with forgiveness and healing, giving us an opportunity to release our heavy loads of guilt and fear as we lay them all before the cross and receive a fresh start. That is the promise of hope that Easter brings! Our lives echo the parable of the seasons no matter where we celebrate Easter. We believe that with God, despite our anxiety and often our doubt, all things are possible... that even in fear and death, life is possible. For on Easter we will joyously proclaim... Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! May our faith be blessed with growth throughout the 50 days of Easter! Happy Easter! Pastor Jodi has served at United Lutheran Church in Langdon since December 2021. Jodi is a North Dakota born and raised farm girl. She is married to husband, Paul, and they have a daughter, Sophie. Along with serving in ministry for the past 18 years, they farm near Edmore. Jodi is also a registered nurse. They enjoy gardening, yard work, camping and doing things together as a family.
Cavalier County Senior Menu Cavalier County Senior Meals & Services, Langdon Monday, April 10 Chili/Baked Potato/Bars/Fruit Tuesday, April 11 Fishburger/Fries/Broccoli Salad/ Fruit Wednesday, April 12 Open Face Hot Roast Beef Sandwich with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy/Green Beans/Cake & Fruit Thursday, April 13 Breaded Pork Chop/Parslied Potatoes/Beets/Fruit Friday, April 14 Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap/Macaroni Salad/Chips/Carrot Sticks/ Fruit
EBT/SNAP accepted. Full cost of a meal: $8.00. Suggested Donation: $5.50 for those over 60 years of age. Please contribute what you can. Those under 60 are required to pay the full cost of the meal. Menus are subject to change. Due to COVID-19 we have been experiencing shipping issues and food shortages. Cavalier County Senior Meals & Services is located at 211 8th Ave. in Langdon and can be reached by phone at 256-2828.
Obituaries
The Borderland Press
until the Covid period as well as her recent fight with cancer. Her faith was very important to her which included her daily devotions. She also enjoyed playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, and listening to music.
near Hensel and Mountain until December 1956 when they purchased the Mobil Service Station in Walhalla. Later, he opened several businesses there, joined many of the civic organizations and was especially active in Knights of Columbus. Some of his favorite things to do were hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, gardening, golf, bowling, playing pinochle, spending time with his grandchildren, and he was an avid fan of football.
Leonard E. Urlaub
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla, N.D., for Leonard E. Urlaub, 91, of Walhalla, who passed away December 22, 2022, at the Pembilier Nursing Center in Walhalla. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery at a later date. Leonard E. Urlaub was born in the Langdon-Osnabrock area at the farm home of his parents, George & Blanche (Beauchamp) Urlaub. The family moved to Leyden and later near Svold. He attended several rural schools, including the Svold school. He went to Cavalier High School one year then continued at Park River Agricultural School, after which he was employed by local farmers. On December 22, 1953, he was united in marriage to Jessie Belanus. They lived
Leonard is survived by his wife, Jessie; sons: Martin (Laurie) Urlaub of West Fargo, Joel (Sandy) Urlaub of Walhalla; grandchildren: Samantha (Thomas) Johnson of Walhalla, Marcus (Malissa) Urlaub, Christopher (Nikki) Urlaub - both in Bloomington, Minn., Nicholas (Marissa) Urlaub of Grand Forks; great-grandchildren: Jaxon Suedel & Mckenna Johnson, Camille & Jack Urlaub, and twin boys soon to arrive; siblings: Leona Bielinski and Wayne (Kris) Urlaub of Washington state, Delores Kenny of Chicago, Mercedes Hayward of Florida and Karen Cavallaro of Arizona; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sisters Lorraine Vivatson, Elaine Cook, Anna Mae Saunders and brother George Urlaub. Online guestbook available at www. askewfuneralhome.com. and Loma and then entered the US Army, where he served as a medic. After being honorably discharged in 1966, Bob did cement work in Tempe, Ariz., before returning to Langdon. He did ag jobs and cement masonry for various employers. Bob’s favorite activity was visiting with family and friends.
Bradford “Bob” Doescher
Bradford “Bob” Doescher, 77, of Langdon, N.D., passed away March 28, 2023, at Bethany on University in Fargo, N.D. Bradford Carl Doescher was born November 11, 1945, in Langdon, N.D., to George and Alice (Lundquist) Doescher. He went to school in Alsen
Surviving Bob are his sister, Linda (Merle “Pinky”) Padden, of Hawley, Minn.; brother Steve Doescher of Canton, OH; sister-in-law Virginia Doescher; one niece; five nephews; three great-nieces; two great-nephews; and two great-great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Doug and Jim, and nephew Eric Padden. No services will be held at this time. Online condolences are available at www.brooksfuneralhomelangdon. com .
Friday, April 7, 2023 - Page - A9
Shirley Christian
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Sharon Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, N.D., for Shirley Christian, 88, formally of Walhalla, N.D. and Grand Forks, N.D., who joined her heavenly Father March 25, 2023, at her home at Touchmark Retirement Community in Bismarck, where she had lived since August, 2022. Shirley Marlene Christian was born on July 7, 1934, in Langdon, N.D., to Mabel (Johnson) and Arthur Amundson. She grew up in a Scandinavian community in Hope Township of Cavalier County, west of Walhalla. As an only child, she grew up with numerous cousins living in that area. Shirley only spoke Norwegian prior to attending a one room country school. After completing 8 years there, she transferred to Walhalla High School and graduated in 1952. She continued her education at Augsburg College and was later employed as a bookkeeper. Shirley met her husband of 37 years, Roy Christian, at a fundraising event. Roy later joined the Air Force, and they wrote letters for 3 years while he was stationed in Japan. Shortly before his discharge, they were married on October 16, 1954, in Walhalla. Shirley and Roy spent their married life farming in the area where she grew up. They raised their 3 children on the family farm where Shirley worked alongside Roy driving tractors, combines and milking cows. She was affectionately known in the area by her CB handle of “Mother Massey”. Shirley also enjoyed cutting hair for the family and her neighbors. In 2001, ten years following Roy’s death, she moved to Grand Forks where she became friends with numerous ladies who enjoyed going to events together and playing a variety of card and board games. Throughout her life she was very active in the churches she attended in Vang, Walhalla, and Grand Forks. She sang in the church choirs and at funerals and other events. She was very involved with the fall lefse making at Sharon Lutheran and the spring lefse making at Sons of Norway. Shirley remained very active in her church
She was an avid supporter of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, where she encouraged them in their education. She attended their recitals, concerts, and theater performances as well as many, many sporting events. All of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember her for singing and teaching them the songs “Jesus Loves Me” and “I Love You A Bushel And A Peck”. She also enjoyed watching the Sioux and Bison games on TV. While being a very humble individual, Shirley had her opinion and offered her advice to her daughters telling them never to learn how to milk a cow (something she did not enjoy), and if you ever marry a farmer, have supper sent out to the field rather than have them coming in after dark and then having to feed and clean up after them. For many, her greatest skill was
her lefse, flatbread, and cinnamon rolls, known as Grandma rolls. She is survived by her 3 children: Jann Belanus, Kathy (Doug) Tehven, Tim (Sandy) Christian; 8 grandchildren: Sara (Chris) Mees, Jennie Belanus, Greta (Micheal) LeDoyen, Danica (Steven) Allard, Brent (Dianna) Tehven, Greg (Christy) Tehven, Mandy (Seth) Klostreich and Matthew Christian; 14 great-grandchildren and one on the way; sisters-in-law: Nancy Christian and Helen Dahle; and brother-in-law and sister-in- law, Gene and Kathy Johnson. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Mable and Arthur Amundson; husband Roy Christian; father and mother-in-law Ed and Martha Christian; son-in-law Robert Belanus; great-granddaughter Ella Jo Tehven; grandson-in-law Cody Holte; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law. Memorials may be directed to the family and will be given to: Vang Cemetery, Park River Bible Camp, Sharon Lutheran Church or Walhalla Lutheran Church.
Page A10 - Friday, April 7, 2023
The Borderland Press
Views from the Borderland-Munich The Munich Fire Department held its annual fundraising breakfast, serving pancakes, blueberry pancakes, their famous potato pancakes, Langdon Locker Sausage, eggs, and all the pancake toppings you could want. Photos by Terry Hinnenkamp.
Friday, April 7, 2023 - Page - B1
The Borderland Press
REGION SPORTS Delilah, THE ROCK DOVE OF DRAYTON , an ambassador for pigeons of the world
Delilah and her dad, Larry Passa. Photo by Brigita Passa
Delilah spending time with Virginia Pokrzywinski. Photo by Tammy Larson.
Delilah visits with Danny Pokrzywinski. Photo by Tammy Larson
By Hilary Nowatzki
on the handle bars until she’s off. He also likes to visit Denise Knatterud’s office window, and once, when Knatterud stepped outside, he immediately perched on her head. If he isn’t riding the dirt bike, Delilah will happily catch a ride on top of cars as well or, sometimes, will fly right beside it!
Everyone in Drayton seems to know Delilah the pigeon, and Delilah has quite the origin story. On Oct. 3, 2020, while visiting their “Chicken Camp” on the family farm, Brigita and Larry Passa had no idea they would be coming home with a feathered friend of a different sort, much less how big of an impact this little floof would have on an entire community. “I kept hearing this like chirp, chirp, chirp; it was just very urgent. So I was looking everywhere for it, and it just continued, and the next day it was still going on. I finally found, up on one of the rafters on this old rolled up carpet, this pigeon had made her nest and had her babies there,” Brigita said. “It was a really bad location for a nest, though.” She had noticed the year before that a dead baby chick was on the ground below this exact same rafter. Once she got down, after finding where the mystery noise was coming from, she realized the chick had a sibling that was on the ground dead in the exact same spot. She waited patiently for the parents to return and even searched nearby trees for them. “They [the parents] were nowhere. He was in danger of falling out onto the cement below just like the sibling did, so I got him out of the nest and thought, well, what do I do with this little bird?” She proceeded to call numerous other individuals who had raised pigeons but found no help as none of these folks had raised an orphaned one. Luckily, in the day and age of the world wide web, the internet was able to offer some help. She learned that pigeons actually do not eat worms but only seeds. She quickly prepared a mash consisting of whole oats, bird seed, and finch food but then made her next discovery - pigeons do not eat like normal hatchlings with their heads straight up and mouths wide open. “I learned that when they eat, they
Delilah hanging out with Tammy Larson. Photo courtesy of Tammy Larson.
Delilah perched atop Andrea Passa's head. Photo by Andrea Passa.
suck up their food like a straw,” she stated. By using a shot glass, the little bird was able to suck up his meals. “It was so much fun. I would take this little thing with his food, and I was working at the Grafton school in the kitchen. So every two hours, I’d go out to my car and feed him because he was in my car.”
the family farm, and the bird actually didn’t want to go home with them. Thinking that perhaps it had found its wild side, they left. Forty-five minutes later, Delilah had flown to their house two miles away.
After 20 days, the little one was eating on his own, but winter had arrived. He had no flock to help keep him warm and company. Brigita and Larry decided to continue raising him in their home where he learned to fly and continued to form a deep bond with the couple - one that would rival that of dogs. In the spring they decided they would let the bird, which they had lovingly named Delilah, go free. “I took him outside, and he flew for like 45 minutes, and then he came back then he wouldn’t leave. So it was like, oh, okay, I guess he’s not going anywhere,” Brigita explained. Brigita and Larry were soon married and moved from Lankin to Drayton. Thinking the new area would pique Delilah’s curiosity and that the bird would fly away, they let it loose once again. “But, no, everywhere I go, he goes, and we even took him back out to where he was hatched and let him loose out there. He flew around for a few minutes, came back and landed on the truck and was like, okay, I’m ready to go home now,” said Brigita. One time the couple took Delilah to
“He’s totally bonded to me,” Brigita said. “It’s like I am his mother, his wife, his sister. I am the whole deal to him.”
Others aren’t as excited when a pigeon lands on their head by surprise, but Brigita promises that Delilah is as healthy as can be and never means any harm at all. Brigita knows that the pigeons have caught a bad rap over the years, but she thinks of Delilah as “an ambassador for the pigeons of the world.”
Delilah with Amelia Stellon who nicknamed her feathered friend 'Agape.' Photo by Tarri Keena Stellon.
Brigita explained that pigeons and doves are very, very similar animals. Pigeons actually used to be called ‘rock doves’ back in the day. She was really hoping the chick was a girl when she found it and wanted to call it Delilah the Dove. One day, Brigita was chatting with a friend from out of state. The friend could hear Delilah’s cooing, strutting, and the sound of dragging its tail on the ground in the background of the conversation. “I hate to tell you, but only boy pigeons make that noise,” the friend said to Brigita. By this time, though, Delilah had already started learning HIS name, so Brigita and Larry decided not to change it. Their neighbors, the Mavis family - one of Delilah’s first friends, nicknamed him Agape, which means ‘God’s love’, which is certainly fitting for Mr. Delilah because he now spends his days exploring Drayton, visiting his human friends, landing on stranger’s heads, peering inquisitively through windows, and riding on cars. The bird seems to bring a giggle or a
Delilah with one of his best friends, Jessica Woinarowicz. Photo courtesy of Jessica Woinarowicz.
smile everywhere he goes, and most of the town already knows exactly who he is. Delilah likes to frequent Drayton School where his mom works. Sometimes, he even rides on her head while she drives her dirt bike to work in the morning and then hangs out
“He’s not some rabid, you know, sick bird. So I think the more people know who he is and what the deal is, the less likely they are to be petrified of him. They’ll be like, oh, okay, that’s just Birdie’s bird,” Brigita explained. (Between hanging out with her chickens and Delilah, Brigita has earned the very fitting nickname ‘Birdie’ around town.) Delilah has become such a hit in the area that Brigita and Larry aren’t the only ones keeping an eye out for his safety. Brigita shared several stories of local folks who have run into injured pigeons and immediately reached out to her. One of those stories includes the time Jessica Woinarowicz found a hurt pigeon on her own doorstep. Delilah loves Woinarowicz and visits her frequently. Thinking this bird laying on her door must have been Delilah, she rushed to line up medical care and notified Brigita, who was out of town that day. The bird sadly passed before it made it to the vet, and Brigita and Larry were devastated. Brigita’s sister, Tanya Bovaird, met up with Jessica to pick up the bird and give it a proper burial, but while she was standing in Brigita’s driveway, a pigeon landed on her head! Knowing Delilah was the only one that would do such a thing, all parties involved were relieved to know Drayton’s winged mascot and pigeon ambassador was safe and sound. If readers would like to see more of how Delilah is always brightening residents’ days, follow the bird’s Facebook at “Friends of Delilah the pigeon, Drayton.”
Region
Page B2 - Friday, April 7, 2023
The Borderland Press
‘Hat Days’ fundraiser held for Tollefson Opinion family in Cavalier A Tale of Two States By Hunter L. Heck
Normally we wouldn’t want a rivalry between two states unless it's all friendly and competitive in a fun way. Monday in the North Dakota Senate, however, showed a stark contrast to our neighbor across the river, Minnesota. By just one vote, HB 1491 was defeated despite having passed the House back on February 17th by a vote of 80 to 11. The bill would’ve provided $6 million in state funding to help feed school children. Originally, it was $89.5 million in order to be similar to what Minnesota just now passed into law, universal school meals. Despite being a watered-down version, it was bipartisan for sure and was a signature bill of Rep. Zac Ista of
Jamie, Brian, Samantha, and Chad Tollefson pictured with Jeff Manley, Cavalier Public Schools superintendent. Photo courtesy Cavalier Public Schools.
On March 16 and 17, Cavalier Public School held a ‘Hat Days’ fundraiser to benefit the Tollefson family. Students gave a free will donation in order to wear a hat to school. The Chad and Jamie Tollefson family is rebuilding after a fire destroyed their home at the end of February. “We just wanted something for the family. They have students in school. They had one student, Allison, who graduated last year – class of 2022,” said Jeff Manley, superintendent of Cavalier Public School. “We just wanted to do something to help them out, you know. They’re a great family, and
going through something like that, losing your house in a fire, and all of your belongings, this was just something easy that would be fun, and kids always love hat days.” The school presented a fundraising check of $1,852.52 to the Tollefson family plus an additional $1200 donated by the Class of 2022. The class decided to donate what was left in the class treasury account. “It’s just a real fun thing and definitely a worthwhile cause to be able to do that,” Manley said.
Grand Forks as part of a series of bills dealing with school lunches in our state. But now it appears to be dead for now. Meanwhile, that neighbor of ours will provide every child that attends public school the benefit of a good, free meal. Families over there won’t have to worry so much, but how about those here in North Dakota? Nothing. Not a penny more according to lawmakers. This was a good piece of legislation that would help families all over the state.
pass? Why should we force taxpayers to fit the bill for that? And for those that voted against HB 1491, why? Should we not be able to feed our children that attend our public schools? Is it not our responsibility to make sure our children are not only well-educated, but well fed? Ask any kid if they enjoy eating a PB & J sandwich rather than a hot, healthy meal that can make a difference in their day. I would guess hardly any of them would say “yes.”
Here's a question to ponder, we can’t afford $6 million for feeding our students at our public schools but will gladly hand over $24 million to those at private schools should HB 1532
Please, North Dakota Legislative Assembly, reconsider this bill and pass it into law while there is still time.
First United Bank earns ranking First United Bank has been included in the 2022 Best Performing Community Banks report which was released by S&P Global Market Intelligence, according to Steve Rehovsky, CEO of First United Bank. S&P Global Market Intelligence launched these rankings in 2011 to assess the performance of community banks and credit unions. The division ranks institutions based on returns, growth and efficiency but places a premium on the strength and risk profile of balance sheets. In the Midwest Region category of Best Performing Community Banks with assets under $10 Billion, First United Bank was ranked 16th out of 1,848 banks. Nationally, in the category of Best Performing Community Banks with under $3 Billion in assets, First United Bank ranked 85th out of 3,782 banks. “We are extremely pleased with these reports. As a community bank, we strive not only to provide the best service possible but to operate efficiently as well. Our customers can feel confident knowing they are banking with a company that is performing at a high level,” stated Rehovsky. “These reports are also a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the great employees that work at First United Bank.” First United Bank, founded in 1885, has assets totaling over $675 million and offers full-service banking along with trust and insurance services. The bank has a long history in northeast North Dakota, including locations in Park River, Adams, Michigan, Petersburg, Grafton, Hoople, Crystal, Aneta, Sharon, Cooperstown, Devils Lake, Cando, Cavalier, Fargo, Maddock, and Rugby.
‘Cook and Book’ fundraiser planned in Cavalier Friends of the Cavalier City Library will host a ‘Cook and Book’ fundraiser from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 15 at the Cavalier United Lutheran Fellowship Hall. Gently used and new cookbooks and kitchenware necessities will be the featured items. Some items will be priced; others will be for a suggested personal donation. For relaxation, a cup of coffee and a cookie will be available also for a personal donation. All proceeds will be used for the Library's Summer Reading Program. "All Together Now" is the 2023 Summer Reading Program slogan. It is centered around kindness, friendship, and unity. It is a perfect slogan to bring us all together no matter the age, socioeconomic status, political affiliation or our location. Encouraging summer reading is a fantastic opportunity to keep minds active. It's an activity that can be done anywhere and at any time. We can all find a book to satisfy our interests and perhaps make some new friends in the process. "Friends of the Cavalier Library " was recently organized as a volunteer service for the Cavalier City Library to promote functions, resources, services and user's needs, assist the library staff and library board and to support, enhance and enrich the opportunities available to the community.
Sports
The Borderland Press
Friday, April 7, 2023 - Page - B3
Jake’s Take on Sports territory (Blizzard Hannah, Hello!), as we went through this around the same time just last year with a snow dumping blizzard happening on Easter weekend 2022. From an activities and spring planting standpoint, this will most likely push things back yet again. We are expected to warm up in the week ahead, but a best guess for some outdoor baseball, softball and track looks to be the last week of April. That may be wishful thinking. As always, there’s nothing anyone can do about the weather, and hopefully this, too, shall pass. By Jake Kulland, Sports Editor An April blizzard for the second year in a row As we are coming to you this week, another blizzard in April is just about to hit on the fourth day of the month. This, of course, is not unfamiliar
Two indoor track events added While outdoor things are still on hold for a while, there have been a couple of indoor track meets added to the schedule. Belcourt will host a meet on April 13, and Drayton-Valley-Edinburg is planning on a meet in Grand Forks at UND on April 14. The Pembina County Indoor Meet that was to be on
Langdon-Edmore-Munich Junior High Track Results
April 3 was postponed due to tough roads, and there is no word yet on if it will be rescheduled. So, at least there are a couple events that some athletes can look forward to. Let’s warm up by talking about some boys high school golf The last spring sport to get started this year is boys golf, and the first practices can begin on April 10. Langdon-Edmore-Munich will actually have their first practice on April 11, and the Cards will be coached once again by Jenny Romfo and Connie Kjos. They tell us that the team has 20 golfers out in grades 7-12. North Border has two new coaches this season. John Schiltz, the science teacher in Pembina, will take over the program from Phil Leitner, who is now the superintendent of schools in Montpelier. Schiltz will be assisted by the capable Tim Hartje. The Eagles are expecting 30 boys out for the
team. The first meet is scheduled for April 18 in Grafton, but that, of course, is seriously in doubt. The Langdon Country Club is scheduled to host a Region 3 meet on May 1 and the Walhalla Country Club on May 22, which leads us into our next topic.
Langdon will, once again, have their Tuesday men’s golf league starting in the last half of May with shifts again at 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. To get your 2-Man team signed up, please call or text league secretary Randy Hill at 701-370-1118.
Walhalla Country Club spring meeting April 12, Langdon Country Club April 25 Again, even though the weather outside has been frightful, we’re hoping for some delightful times to come at both the Walhalla and Langdon Country Clubs. Walhalla will have their spring meeting at Chizzy’s on April 12 at 6:30 p.m. Langdon must wait a bit, so to make sure they can get out to the clubhouse. Their meeting is planned for April 25 at 6:30 p.m. At both meetings you can find out about upcoming events for both courses and whatever is needed to make everything go.
Hey, the Twins are 4-0! We will leave you this week by talking up the Minnesota Twins, who have started the season with a 4-0 record at the time of this writing. Of course, they’re not going to go 162-0, but a good start is a good start. A big debate before the season was if the Twins would win 90 games or lose 90 games. Thankfully, they are four wins on the winning side so far. “See ya!” next week!
Pembina County North competes at meet on March 31
Turtle Mountain Jr. High Meet held on March 28 Girls: 1st Place Performer of the Meet: Taya Feist 1st Place - Olivia Lorenz, 1600m, 6:11 - personal best 1st Place - Olivia Lorenz, 800m, 2:57 1st Place -Meggy Hetletved, 55H, 10.50 1st Place - 4x400 Relay, 5:07 Erika Bakke Taya Feist Kemi Morstad Meggy Hetletved 2nd Place - Taya Feist - 400m, 1:10 2nd Place - Taya Feist - 55H, 11:55 2nd Place - 4x200 Relay, 2:20 Erika Bakke Meggy Hetletved Kemi Morstad Emma Hall 3rd Place - Erika Bakke, 400m, 1:10 3rd Place - Erika Bakke, 55m, 7.8 3rd Place - Kemi Morstad, 200m, 32.09 3rd Place - Emma Hall, shot put, 25’6” 4th Place - Taya Feist, 200m, 32.46 5th Place - Kemi Morstad, 55m, 8.60 6th Place - Meggy Hetletved, 55m, 8.65 8th Place - Ava Carlson, 400m, 1:35 8th Place - Maci Gage, shot put, 19’1”
In the 600 Meter Run R-L # 3 Preston Emerson finished 9th, #4 Mason Heller placed 10th, and #5 Nash Fitzsimonds placed 11th. Photo by Larry Stokke.
Marlie Stremick, with a time of 49:42, placed 6th in the 300 Meter Dash in GF March 31st Photo by Larry Stokke.
Boys: 1st Place Performer of the Meet: Noah Foster 1st Place - Noah Foster, 1600m, 5:46 - personal best 1st Place - Noah Foster, 800m, 2:38 - personal best 2nd Place - Maddux Stremick, 400m, 1:03 5th Place - Karson Hansen, 400m, 1:11 5th Place - 4x200 Relay, 2:28 Maddux Stremick Karson Hansen Caleb McDonald Oliver Lill 6th Place - Maddux Stremick, 55m, 7.72 8th Place - Caleb McDonald, 200m, 30.5
Dannika Bennett- Leah Dearinger- Faith Ratajczak and Tisha Patel finished 7th in the 4 X 300 Relay. Photo by Larry Stokke. Jaelyn Johnson placed 4th in the 600 meter run with a time of 1:53 in GF 3-31. Photo by Larry Stokke.
Sadie Snyder, with a throw of 26' 1", placed 12th in shotput in GF 3-31. Photo by Larry Stokke.
Page B4 - Friday, April 7, 2023
Sports
The Borderland Press
Askvig honored at NDIAAA Awards and Amateur Men's Basketball Tournament held in Langdon April 1 Hall of Fame Banquet Here are pictures from the 2023 Men's Amateur Basketball Tournament, held April 1 at the Langdon High School gym. Eight teams competed for the title, with a team from Cando, featuring several former college athletes, winning the championship game over a squad from Edinburg. Cando won every game they played by 20 points or more.
Pictured is Langdon High School Principal and Athletic Director Ethen Askvig, who was honored on being named Region 4 Athletic Director of the Year at the North Dakota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association banquet held April 2 in Fargo. Dr. Craig Perry from Grand Forks Public Schools and Bob Wheeling from Killdeer were inducted into the NDIAAA Hall of Fame, and Dave Karlsud, former assistant director of the North Dakota High School Activities Association, was given the NDIAAA Distinguished Service Award. Congratulations to all.
A team from Grand Forks featuring Langdon grads Jacob and Jackson Delvo took third place, beating one of two Langdon teams, captained by Justin Overby and Zack Schaefer. Hats off to all the organizers and volunteers for making it a great day of hoops, and the tourney will be back again next year.
L-R Daniel Grande-Jake Hagler-Jayden Komrosky-Christian Kvilvang-Alex Weston-Matt SwensonTanner Komrosky. Photo by Larry Stokke
Levi Hinkle, Pembina County North wrestling. Photo by Larry Stokke.
Hinkle receives character and leadership award
Levi Hinkle, Pembina County North, was named a 2023 Character and Leadership All-American by the U.S. Marine Corp and National Wrestling Coaches Association. The award goes to individuals who show dependability, judgment, endurance, initiative, tact, integrity, unselfishness, loyalty, and courage. The award is given to wrestlers all over the country. Levi is one of seven wrestlers from North Dakota to receive this award in 2023. Congratulations to Levi!
Legislative
The Borderland Press
Friday, April 7, 2023 - Page - B5
Private schools in North Dakota see the importance but also difficulties of providing digital literacy education By Isabelle Ballalatak | ND Newspaper Association 21st Century skills,” Lefor told the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 14. Lefor continued, “To ensure North Dakota remains competitive in national markets, we need every adult worker, jobseeker, and student graduating with at least basic knowledge of computers and how modern systems communicate.” Before its passage, more than 50 people, groups and offices across North Dakota submitted testimony in support of HB 1398. BISMARCK – Computer science and cybersecurity have become frequent and widespread topics among educators since Gov. Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1398, a bill requiring K-12 public and non-public schools to provide both.
Among them was Michael Heilman, executive director for North Dakota Small Organized Schools, who advised the Senate Education Committee that digital literacy education offers many benefits but also drawbacks.
HB 1398 was introduced by Rep. Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson. Burgum signed it on March 24 in a Capitol ceremony attended by Kirsten Baesler, superintendent of public instruction, and several legislators.
“There is no question that the availability of computer science and specifically cybersecurity education is important,” Heilman wrote to the committee. “What we struggle with, especially our small schools, is finding the staff and the time to add another requirement.”
“The 21st Century workforce needs
In general, private schools are significantly smaller than public schools in student population, staff, and funding, making it more difficult for those schools to meet increased state educational requirements. Todd Benson, superintendent of Shiloh Christian School, a K-12 private school in Bismarck, echoed this sentiment in an interview.
The resolution, which would put the issue on the November 2024 general election ballot, was introduced by Rep. Greg Stemen, R-Fargo. “It is important to note, passage of this resolution does not legalize sports betting,” Stemen told the House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 9. “A constitutional change is required in order to legalize sports betting, thus the rationale for a concurrent resolution to allow the people to have their say.” HCR 3002 passed the House with a vote of 49-44, but the Senate Judiciary Committee has recommended that it do not pass. A final vote by the full Senate awaits.
“HCR 3002 does not discuss licenses or tax rates or any of the specific details this body will eventually consider with regard to sports betting,” Gibbs told the committee. “Instead, HCR 3002 simply starts the conversation by asking the people of North Dakota, ‘Should the state legislature authorize, license, and regulate sports betting?’” Opponents suggested the legislation would devalue sports and enable compulsive gambling. Mark Jorritsma, the executive director of North Dakota Family Alliance Legislative Action, voiced these concerns to the committee. “The first issue our organization has with legalized sports betting is devaluation of sports for its
“We want to teach them the language
Denise Wolfgram, principal of Martin Luther School, a private elementary school in Bismarck, said in an interview that the importance of digital literacy education is “comparable to learning how to use a pencil.”
In an effort to lessen the financial burden, HB 1398 provides that the state superintendent of public instruction shall provide grants of up to $300,000 to non-profit entities, including private schools. The grants could be used for stipends and training for teachers of computer operations and cybersecurity until the year 2025. In interviews, officials at other private schools across the state agreed that digital literacy education is becoming
By Isabelle Ballalatak | N.D. Newspaper Association
Patrick Gibbs, attorney for the Sports Betting Alliance, supported the resolution with written testimony submitted to the Senate committee.
Jeff Trumbauer, principal of St. John’s Academy, a K-8 private school in Jamestown, said the academy emphasizes moral and ethical instruction in younger students as a foundation for digital literacy.
of technology,” Trumbauer said. “But we also want the students to understand the power that’s there, and how to utilize it properly.”
“I’m probably in the majority here, on the education side, when I say less regulation is best,” Benson said. “When they try to drill down (by adding requirements), that does create a hardship on the school because then we have to provide the resources.”
Sports betting in North Dakota? Lawmakers are divided but may put the question to voters next year BISMARCK – If passed, House Concurrent Resolution 3002 would allow North Dakotans to vote next year on whether they’d like to see sports betting legalized.
increasingly important for their students.
own sake. In other words, fundamentally changing the meaning of American sports.” In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 1992 federal law that banned commercial sports betting in most states. Since then, 35 states have legalized sports betting. For updates on HCR 3002, visit ndlegis.gov.
On March 24, Gov. Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1398, requiring K-12 public and non-public schools to provide instruction in computer science and cybersecurity. Kirsten Baesler, state superintendent of public instruction, is to Burgum’s right. Photo: N.D.Governor’s Office
Page B6 - Friday, April 7, 2023
Langdon Curling Club Memories
The Borderland Press
Langdon Curling Club history
Langdon Curling Club Memories
The Langdon Curling Club was organized in 1954. The first meeting was held Jan.19, 1956. Membership was $25. In 1959 there were 385 members. Curling happened in the Langdon building for the first time in 1960.
1991 - ND State Senior Ladies’ Curling Champs Esther Flaten - Skip Edna Bata - Vice-Skip Gail Pearson - Second Lucy Ludwig - Lead
There are many great memories of the curling club and the people who curled at the club. From the bonspiels, socializing, good food, pie, and milkshakes from the kitchen, volunteers, negative ice, straw brooms, and life-long friends. It was sad to hear the club had collapsed and it was also sad and understandable to hear years ago that the club had closed due to equipment failure.
“A memorable time for a bunch of us curling fans was our trip to Switzerland. We were very proud of our team of Craig Disher, Kevin Kakela, Joel Jacobson, Paul Peterson, and Randy Darling. They won the Nationals and played in the World competition in Switzerland. Again, this year, they played for the championship at the Nationals and lost in a heartbreaker of 3 to 4.”
The book stated, “Many curlers that have originated in Langdon have gone on to represent other clubs and states and have accomplished many honors. They have gone on as winners of state, national, and world competitions. We are very proud of all our champions.”
1984 - ND State Senior Men’s Curling Champs Dewey Witzel - Skip Carlton Flaten - Vice-Skip Dale Magnus - Second Bert Saxlund - Lead
The Langdon Lassies organized their first year at the Langdon Curling Club in 1956 with Lenore Bergman as President. The women have always had a very active part in the club. Wednesday afternoon and evenings were the time the ladies curled. One thing that kept the Langdon Lassies very busy was making many prizes for their bonspiels. Myrna Devine even remembers making quilts. Pillows were made, counted cross stitch items… all which made beautiful prizes. One quilt was made by some members, and it was hand stitched at the club. Chances were sold on that quilt, but no one remembers who won it. Not too many years ago, Lisa Jacobson made a beautiful quilt, and it was machine quilted. Chances were sold on this quilt, also.
Courtesy Langdon Curling Club 50th Anniversary book, 1956-2006, which was put together by Edna Bata, Lenore Olson, Tootie Hall, Mary Ann Welsh, and Mary Bisenius In the beginning…1956 was the start Esther Flaten - Skip came to go to State, she didn’t have of the Curling Club in Langdon, and Marge Sturlaugson - Vice-Skip anyone to care for her kids. She still the slogan was “Be a Curler: Own Your Edna Bata - Second regrets not having the chance to show Own Recreation!” Lucy Ludwig - Lead her skills there.
1987 - ND State Senior Men’s Curling Champs Dewey Witzel - Skip Kenneth Deitz - Vice-Skip Carlton Flaten - Second Bert Saxlund - Lead 1990 - ND State Senior Men’s Curling Champs Dewey Witzel - Skip Carlton Flaten - Vice-Skip Bert Saxlund - Second Joe Bata -Lead 1994 - ND State Senior Men’s Curling Champs Wayne Rutledge - Skip Larry Geller - Vice-Skip Dave Crockett - Second Pete Hell - Lead 1990 - ND State Senior Ladies’ Curling Champs
Excerpts of “Women’s Curling” by Lenore Olson
In 1962, the Langdon Lassies won the North Dakota State Women’s Playdowns. Members of the team were Lenore Bergman, Ruby Gellner, Betty Darling, and Aggie Powers. Tootie Hall remembers curling with Lenore Bergman to go to State. She remembers curling so well, but when the time
Again in 1972, Langdon Lassies won the North Dakota State Women’s Playdown. Team members were Anne Cheatley, Lenore Olson, Grace Symons, and Edna Bata. Enroute to the title, Langdon posted six straight victories without a defeat. 1975 was also a championship year for Langdon Lassies at the North Dakota State Women’s Playdowns. Team members were Anne Cheatley, Dorraine Witzel, Lenora Olson, and Edna Bata. Many strong teams from Langdon participated in the Women’s State Playdowns from year to year. A resolution was passed by the State Playdown Commission that there was to be a National Championship Playdown to follow State competition, so in 1984, the Langdon Lassies were again state champs and got to follow up at Nationals. Team members were Anne Cheatley, Esther Flaten, Lisa Cheatley Jacobson, and Lori Cheatley Kreklau. Charter Members of the Langdon Curling Club Gordon Amoth Dr. Paul Adams John Bergman Horace Biby James Brady Con Beiers George Carlson Gene Christie Jim Cummings Roland Downs Manley Darling John Dietz Oscar DeVold Ed Evans Ted Eide Ted Eickenbrock Dick Forkner Russell Irwin O.S. Johnson Miles Johnnson Nick Kruk Hank Kane W.M. Bisenius Ernest Cheatley R.C. Crockett Mike Gellner Floyd Howatt Dr. N.J. Kaluzniak Jake Krohn Wilfred Kakela Al Lundquist Mel Moilanen Mel Novotny Charles Olmanson Ozzie Pung Leonard Pederson Ernest Peterson Dan Power Tom Ridley Roy Rutledge John Robertson, Sr. Sig Sturlaugson R.D. Stalker Frank Solberg Ralph Stremick R.D. Schroeder Royal King John Murie Chuck Skabo Adam Symons Norris Nelson John Ramage Frank Shablow George Symons The Langdon Curling Club 50th Anniversary book, 1956-2006, is available to read in the North Dakota Room of the Cavalier County Library in Langdon.
By Joey Bata
I was fortunate to have been introduced to curling in 1967 during a high school physical education class and later joined a high school league. I am still curling 55 years later thanks to the Langdon Curling Club. We remember the great curlers that our club produced. Members of the
Langdon Curling Club won the following prestigious curling championship competitions • High School State Boys • High School State Girls • Junior State Championships • Men’s and Women’s State championships where many went to on to USA National Playdowns and World Championships • Mixed State • North Dakota Senior Men’s • North Dakota Senior Women’s • And two members of the club who went on to win gold at the USA Junior Men’s Nationals and World Junior Men’s Championship Good curling to all and have a good game!
Memories of the Langdon Curling Club Edna Bata has many great memories from the height of the Langdon Curling Club.
“We curled a lot, sometimes two or three nights a week”. Her entire family curled. “Three of my kids were state champions in curling in high school, and Joe was a state senior champion, also. He was my husband.” She even won a huge competition herself at one point - a state women's champion. Bata is thankful for the times the curling club brought her when it was open.
“I just loved curling. It was a good thing to do in the winter months; it shortened the winters. We all enjoyed curling very much." "It was such a big part of the community and everyone was curling.” - Jay DuBois “Being there a lot of the time, curling a lot, just being there. I’d say it was to go there to sit and have the wonderful food by Jack and Mary Bisenius (Jack's Kitchen), especially the spud burgers!” - David Zeis “We use to go for PE to learn how to curl.” - Kenneth Thiede
Club building used for youth ministry
Over 10 years ago, Garrett Freier, former youth pastor at New Hope Fellowship, approached Jay DuBois about purchasing the property. Freier envisioned using the curling club as a center for the youth ministry of which he was pastor, as well as hosting weekend activities for youth and birthday/ graduation parties. It originally was going to be sold for $1, but then DuBois wasn’t sure what to do with the dollar, so the property was ceded to New Hope Fellowship at no cost. Freier then moved the church’s youth group, Ignite, into the curling club. Freier breathed new life into the building, turning it into a community youth center. Many students from the community came through its doors as part of the youth group ministry, which was later taken over by Jordan Braunberger when the Freier family left Langdon in 2015. Braunberger continued to use the curling club for youth ministry until May 2021, when the last Ignite youth service was held. - Jordan Braunberger
Classifieds
The Borderland Press
HELP WANTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT. NDSCS has a FT, 12-month, position available in Wahpeton. Responsible for strategically providing direction, oversight and coordination for Admission, Financial Aid, Registrar/Veterans Affairs, and new student recruitment. Benefits include: Fully paid single or family Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement, Tuition Waivers etc. Screening begins immediately, applications accepted until filled. Interested candidates must complete the online application. EOE. For more information go to: www.ndscs.edu/ join-our-team HARVEY EAGLES CLUB, ASSISTANT MANAGER wanted. Above average pay, bar, dining and gaming activities. Full benefit package. Contact Brandt Jenner to apply @ 701-324-2131. HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR/RISK MANAGER. Williston State College – Williston, ND. This is a 12-month position with full benefits. The Human Resources Director/Risk Manager serves the President, faculty, and staff by developing, planning, implementing, and administering all aspects of the human resource function. Go to https://willistonstate.edu/about/Employment/ for more information. POWER SKILLS COORDINATOR / INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR. Lake Region State College – Devils Lake, ND. This is a 12-month benefitted position, including paid family health insurance. Responsible The Power Skills Coordinator/International Advisor position is responsible to provide student support services to promote academic success, assists international students with the student visa process, student retention, and student completion. Go to www. lrsc.edu/jobopportunities for more information. May-Port CG School is hiring: UPPER ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM TEACHER; starting salary $44,550; benefits included. Apply with Supt. Michael Bradner, 900 Main Street West, Mayville, ND 58257 or Michael.bradner@ may-portcg.com; (701)788-2281. EXPERIENCED CATTLE BARN MANAGER POSITION IN BEAUTIFUL SOUTHWEST MONTANA: Competitive pay and benefits. Must be knowledgeable of cattle breeds * market values * business minded * able to build relationships. Contact 406-586-0231, info@
careersinmontana.com WECKERLY FARMS IS looking for a key employee to join our team. This position requires experience in planting, spraying and harvesting crops as well as maintaining and refurbishing agricultural equipment. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated, reliable individual looking for a longterm, year-round position. Pay and benefits are dependent upon experience. If you are interested in working for a progressive operation with a low turnover rate, contact Chad at 701793-7382 for more information or to apply. CUSTODIAN. LAKE REGION STATE COLLEGE – Devils Lake. This is a flexible position working Monday through Friday, 8 consecutive hours between 6:00am-7:00pm, including rotating weekends. Fully paid family or single health insurance, life insurance, annual leave, sick leave, employee tuition waiver, spouse/dependent tuition discount, retirement, etc. Responsibilities include vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, dusting, removal of trash, cleaning restrooms, classrooms, and offices. Go to www.lrsc.edu/jobopportunities for more information. YOU CAN PLACE a 25-word classified ad—like this one—in every North Dakota newspaper for only $160. It’s easy. Contact this newspaper for details. Looking to Hire: Mt. Carmel Rec Area Manager. Seasonal position. Also hiring a summer groundskeeper. Applications can be picked up at the Water Board office.
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Friday, April 7, 2023 - Page - B7
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Public Notices
Page B8 - Friday, April 7, 2023
The Borderland Press
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Robertson Field Airport | Langdon, North Dakota | AIP Project No. 3-38-0031-018-2023 Project Name: Partial Parallel Taxway Construction Bid Date Friday, April 14, 2023 at 11:00 AM Local Time Sealed bids, subject to the conditions contained herein, for improvements to the Robertson Field Airport, Langdon, North Dakota, AIP Project No. 3-38-0031-018-2023 will be received by the Langdon Airport Authority at the Mead & Hunt Fargo office, 2505 N. University Drive, Suite 100, Fargo, ND 58102, until 11:00 AM local time on April 14, 2023, and then publicly opened and read aloud. Project work consists of but is not limited to the following: Partial Parallel Taxiway Construction will consist of excavation, embankment, demolition, grading, aggregate base, bituminous paving, storm drainage, pavement marking, seeding, and electrical work. Construction for this project shall be completed by October 27, 2023 for all bid schedules. Contract Documents. The complete set of Plans, Specifications, and Contract Documents can be obtained for a non-refundable fee of $200.00 at the office of Mead & Hunt, Inc. located at 2505 N. University Drive, Suite 100, Fargo, ND 58102 or may be downloaded for a fee of $25 at www. questcdn.com #8429228. Those wishing to download the bidding documents electronically, do so at their own risk for completeness of the bidding documents. Bidding. Each bid must be accompanied by a separate envelope containing the contractor's license and bid security. The bid security must be in a sum equal to five percent of the full amount of the bid and must be in the form of a bidder's bond. A bidder's bond must be executed by the bidder as principal and by a surety, conditioned that if the principal's bid is accepted and the contract awarded to the principal, the principal, within ten days after notice of the award, shall execute a contract in accordance with the terms of the bid and the bid bond and any condition of the governing body. If a successful bidder does not execute a contract within the ten days allowed, the bidder's bond must be forfeited to the governing body and the project awarded to the next lowest responsible bidder. The airport reserves the right to reject any and all bids and rebid the project. No bid will be read or considered if the bid does not fully comply with the bidding requirements. Deficient bids will be resealed and returned to the bidder. Federal Requirements for Federally Funded Projects. This Project is being partially funded under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Contractors must comply with specific federally required provisions as listed herein and contained in the contract documents. The following federal provisions are incorporated in this solicitation by reference:
Affirmative Action (41 CRF Part 60-4; Executive Order 11246) Buy American Preference (49 USC § 50101; Executive Order 14005; Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Pub. L No. 117-58); Build America; Buy America (BABA)) Civil Rights – Title VI Assurance (49 USC § 47123; FAA Order 1400.11) Davis-Bacon Act (2 CFR Part 200, Appendix II (D); 29 CFR Part 5; 49 USC § 47112 (b); 40 USC § 3141-3144, 3146, and 3147) Debarment and Suspension (2 CFR Part 180 (Subpart B); 2 CFR Part 200, Appendix II(H); 2 CFR Part 1200; DOT Order 4200.5; Executive Orders 12549 and 12689) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (49 CFR Part 26) Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (29 USC § 201, et seq; 2 CFR § 200.430) Foreign Trade Restriction (49 CFR Part 30; 49 USC § 50104) Lobbying and Influencing Federal Employees (49 CFR Part 20, Appendix A; 31 USC § 1352 – Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment; 2 CFR part 200- Appendix II(I)) Procurement of Recovered Materials (2 CFR § 200.323; 2 CFR Part 200, Appendix II (J); 40 CFR Part 247; 42 USC § 6901, et seq (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA))) Government-wide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (49 CFR Part 32; Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988(41 USC § 8101-8106, as amended) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. The requirements of 49 CFR Part 26 apply to this contract. It is the policy of the Langdon Airport Authority to practice nondiscrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin in the award or performance of this contract. The Owner encourages participation by all firms qualifying under this solicitation regardless of business size or ownership. Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. All contracts and subcontracts that result from this solicitation incorporate by reference the provisions of 29 CFR part 201, et seq, the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), with the same force and effect as if given in full text. The FLSA sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards for full and part-time workers. The Contractor has full responsibility to monitor compliance to the referenced statute or regulation. The Contractor must address any claims or disputes that arise from this requirement directly with the U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division. Trade Restriction Certification. By submission of an offer, the Offeror certifies that with respect to this solicitation and any resultant contract, the Offeror 1) is not owned or controlled by one or more citizens of a foreign country included in the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. firms as published by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (U.S.T.R.); 2) has not knowingly entered
into any contract or subcontract for this project with a person that is a citizen or national of a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. firms as published by the USTR; and 3) has not entered into any subcontract for any product to be used on the Federal project that is produced in a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. firms published by the USTR. This certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States of America and the making of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to prosecution under Title 18 USC § 1001. The Offeror/Contractor must provide immediate written notice to the Owner if the Offeror/Contractor learns that its certification or that of a subcontractor was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances. The Contractor must require subcontractors provide immediate written notice to the Contractor if at any time it learns that its certification was erroneous by reason of changed circumstances. Unless the restrictions of this clause are waived by the Secretary of Transportation in accordance with 49 CFR § 30.17, no contract shall be awarded to an Offeror or subcontractor: 1) who is owned or controlled by one or more citizens or nationals of a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. firms published by the U.S.T.R. or 2) whose subcontractors are owned or controlled by one or more citizens or nationals of a foreign country on such U.S.T.R. list; or 3) who incorporates in the public works project any product of a foreign country on such U.S.T.R. list. Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in good faith, the certification required by this provision. The knowledge and information of a contractor is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings. The Offeror agrees that, if awarded a contract resulting from this solicitation, it will incorporate this provision for certification without modification in all lower tier subcontracts. The Contractor may rely on the certification of a prospective subcontractor that it is not a firm from a foreign country included on the list of countries that discriminate against U.S. firms as published by USTR, unless the Offeror has knowledge that the certification is erroneous. This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when making an award. If it is later determined that the Contractor or subcontractor knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may direct through the Owner cancellation of the contract or subcontract
for default at no cost to the Owner or the FAA. Civil Rights - Title VI Assurances. The Langdon Airport Authority, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 USC. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders or offerors that it will affirmatively ensure that for any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and no business will be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency), creed, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, or disability in consideration for an award. Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity The Offeror's or Bidder’s attention is called to the "Equal Opportunity Clause" and the "Standard Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Construction Contract Specifications" set forth herein. The goals and timetables for minority and female participation, expressed in percentage terms for the contractor's aggregate workforce in each trade on all construction work in the covered area, are as follows: Timetables Goals for minority participation for each trade: 0.7% Goals for female participation in each trade: 6.9% These goals are applicable to all of the contractor's construction work (whether or not it is Federal or federally-assisted) performed in the covered area. If the contractor performs construction work in a geographical area located outside of the covered area, it shall apply the goals established for such geographical area where the work is actually performed. With regard to this second area, the contractor also is subject to the goals for both its federally involved and non-federally involved construction. The Contractor's compliance with the Executive Order and the regulations in 41 CFR Part 60-4 shall be based on its implementation of the Equal Opportunity Clause, specific affirmative action obligations required by the specifications set forth in 41 CFR 60-4.3(a), and its efforts to meet the goals. The hours of minority and female employment and training must be substantially uniform throughout the length of the contract, and in each trade, and the contractor shall make a good faith effort to employ minorities and women evenly on each of its projects. The transfer of minority or female employees or trainees from Contractor to Contractor or from project to project for the sole purpose of meeting the Contractor's goals shall be a violation of the contract, the Executive Order and the regulations in 41 CFR Part 60-4. Compliance with the goals will be measured against the total work
hours performed. The Contractor shall provide written notification to the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) within 10 working days of award of any construction subcontract in excess of $10,000 at any tier for construction work under the contract resulting from this solicitation. The notification shall list the name, address, and telephone number of the subcontractor; employer identification number of the subcontractor; estimated dollar amount of the subcontract; estimated starting and completion dates of the subcontract; and the geographical area in which the subcontract is to be performed. As used in this notice and in the contract resulting from this solicitation, the "covered area" is Cavalier County, Langdon, North Dakota. Federal Funding. The award of the contract is subject to approval of the Federal Aviation Administration and availability of federal funding. See instruction to bidders for additional information. Any questions regarding bids are to be directed to: Mead & Hunt, Inc. Address: 2505 N. University Drive, Suite 100, Fargo, ND 58102 Phone: 1-701-566-6450 Advertised on: March 24, 2023, March 31,2023, April 7, 2023, and April 14, 2023
Notice of Annual Meetings and Election Notice is hereby given that the annual meetings of the Munich Rural fire Protection District and the Munich Ambulance Service will be held Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Munich Ambulance Center. Purpose of the fire meeting is to elect directors from the townships of Henderson, Moscow, Huron, Bruce, and Sievert and the City of Munich. Action will be taken on any other business. Munich Ambulance annual meeting will immediately follow the fire meeting with election of officers and directors. Action will be taken on any other business. Rita Wirth, Sec./Treas Munich Rural Fire Protection District and Munich Ambulance Service
NOTICE OF EQUALIZATION AND ANNUAL MEETING
Equalization and Annual Meeting for city of Alsen Thursday April 6, 3 p.m. at the Alsen Elevator.
Public Notices
The Borderland Press
Friday, April 7, 2023 - Page - B9
Cavalier County Commission Proceedings On March 21, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. the Board of Commissioners of Cavalier County, North Dakota, met at the Cavalier County Courthouse in regular session, with all members present. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Stanley Dick called the meeting to order and proceeded as follows: Dick asked if there were any changes to the agenda. Nick Moser made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Greg Goodman; motion carried. Austin Lafrenz made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by David Zeis; motion carried. Stephanie Bata, Tax Director, as well as members of the Soils Committee met with the commissioners to discuss the new soils that were implemented by NRCS in the western portion of the county and the large number of value increase notices it created in taxation. Bata recommended, on behalf of the Soils Committee, that the PI on two of the soil types be lowered until another NRCS update is completed for the remainder of the county. Bata stated the Soils Committee would document a plan for the new NRCS soil type implementation once the entire county is updated, and Sidwell would have to make GIS updates with the updated soil valuations and re-upload it to the taxation program. The cost for Sidwell to do the update would be $120/ hour, estimated to take 4-6 hours. Greg Goodman made a motion to incur the additional cost for Sidwell to implement the changes summarized above, seconded by David Zeis, motion carried. There was brief discussion regarding the possibility of doing some of the GIS work in-house in the future, but still have Sidwell host the GIS soils information once the valuation schedule is established each year. There was discussion on the proposed Langdon City property for the new shop. Moser stated that Angelo Mondragon, State’s Attorney, and Quentin Wenzel, Langdon City Attorney, are working on getting an abstract put together and that Langdon City is willing to gift the property to Cavalier County. It was decided to wait until the property is acquired and surveyed before making the final decision on the shop design and advertising for building bids, hopefully by July or August. Greg Goodman stated he would work with Dan Fischer to get the property around the Vang shop surveyed. Terry Johnston, Road Supervisor, Evan Estenson, Road Foreman, and Jeff Daley, KLJ, met with the commissioners and reviewed the bids on the following projects: Mt. Carmel Dam Access Road gravel project received one bid in the amount of $252,174.80 with PI included from Gowan Construction, Inc. The bid came in below the engineer’s estimate. Nick Moser made a motion to accept the bid from Gowan Construction, Inc., seconded by David Zeis, motion carried. County 55 Chip Seal received three bids, with the lowest bid from Morris Sealcoat & Trucking, Inc. in the amount of $402,924.49. This bid was also below the engineer’s estimate. David Zeis made a motion to accept the bid from Morris Sealcoat & Trucking, Inc., seconded by Greg Goodman, motion carried. There was discussion on the possibility of purchasing a payloader with snowblower to help with the snow push backs. Karen Kempert, Emergency Manager/911 Coordinator, met with the commissioners to get approval of the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan that must be updated every five years to be eligible for various grants throughout the county. Nick Moser made a motion to approve the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, seconded by Austin Lafrenz, motion carried. Following Sheriff Fetsch’s announcement that he will retiring the end of June during the last commission meeting, the commissioners discussed appointing an interim Sheriff until the 2024 election. Nick Moser made a motion to appoint Shane Gallagher as interim Sheriff effective July 1, 2023, with his salary the same as the current Sheriff, seconded by Greg Goodman, motion carried. Gallagher accepted the appointment and thank the Commissioners for their support. The commissioners gave Gallagher the discre-
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
Our Saviors Cemetery Association Annual Meeting. 7 p.m., Monday, April 10 at Wales Fire Hall
tion to decide when he will hire to fill the open officer position. Gallagher was hopeful to fill the position and get training done before July 1st. Nick Moser made a motion to approve the seasonal Beer & Liquor Licenses for the Langdon Country Club, seconded by David Zeis, motion carried. Nick Moser informed the commission that NDACo is working on a salary comparison and that it will be provided to the salary committee for review once it is received. Moser stated they will not propose what any employee’s salary should be, but would give salary ranges to work with. Austin Lafrenz made a motion to transfer $20,416.27 from Road & Bridge Fund to Cities, seconded by Greg Goodman, motion carried. David Zeis made a motion, seconded by Nick Moser to review and approve the following audit of claims; motion carried: CAVALIER COUNTY AUDITOR $142,647.06 | FEMA CAVALIER COUNTY WATER BOARD $5,166.81 | FEMA BILLINGS TOWNSHIP CLERK/TEASURER $41,807.68 | FEMA EAST ALMA TOWNSHIP CLERK/ TREASURER $53,970.92 | FEMA MT CARMEL TOWNSHIP CLERK/ TREASURER $83,503.15 | FEMA MONTROSE TOWNSHIP CLERK/ TREASURER $40,830.68 | FEMA NEKOMA TOWNSHIP TREASURER $47,259.83 | FEMA OSFORD TOWNSHIP CLERK/TREASURER $42,165.34 | FEMA PERRY TOWNSHIP TREASURER $48,516.09 | FEMA SEIVERT TOWNSHIP CLERK/TREASURER $36,191.12 | FEMA SOUTH DRESDEN TWP. TREASURER $40,274.05 | FEMA WATERLOO TOWNSHIP CLERK/ TREASURER $20,547.14 | FEMA WEST HOPE TOWNSHIP CLERK/ TREASURER $5,741.54 | FEMA GLOBAL SAFETY NETWORK $232.00 | MISC MOSCOW TOWNSHIP CLERK/ TREASURER $16,919.68 | FEMA INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE $69,268.79 | PAYROLL MID AMERICAN RESEARCH CHEMICAL $1,234.17 | MAINT MARK SCHNEIDER $75.00 | TX DIR CHAD HENDERSON $75.00 | TX DIR LISA BUCHWEITZ $75.00 | TX DIR LISA JACOBSON $75.00 | TX DIR ECOLAB PEST $129.00 | MAINT DAKOTA BUSINESS SOLUTION $110.99 | MISC LANGDON FIRE EQUIPMENT $35.00 | MAINT SIDWELL $452.30 | TX DIR PREMIUM WATERS, INC. $27.98 | CLERK FRANKIE STREMICK $352.88 | AUD LA QUINTA INN BY WYNDHAM BISMARCK $176.40 | COMM MORGAN PRINTING, INC. $239.68 | COMM MORGAN PRINTING, INC. $1,717.35 | GEN/R&B STANLEY DICK $147.37 | COMM NICK MOSER $596.05 | COMM PREMIUM WATERS, INC. $108.89 | MISC
QUADIENT LEASING USA, INC. $977.10 | MISC BUSINESS ESSENTIALS $190.45 | TX DIR COMPUTER EXPRESS $3,063.00 | GEN EXPRESSWAY SUITES $88.20 | AUD GLOBAL SAFETY NETWORK $734.94 | SS/GEN OTTER TAIL POWER CO $2,846.70 | GEN/R&B UNITED COMMUNICATIONS $1,454.19 | GEN/R&B/VSO UNDERGROUND VAULTS & STORAGE $201.60 | RECORDER DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES $234.85 | SHERIFF LORRETTA BARTLEY $43.65 | SHERIFF JP MORGAN CHASE BANK $260.83 | SHERIFF MID-CONTINENT CABLE CO. $110.83 | DISP PREMIUM WATERS, INC. $74.92 | DISP AT&T MOBILITY $886.96 | SHERIFF CODE 4 SERVICES, INC. $1,573.65 | SHERIFF HACTC $2,380.00 | SHERIFF DALGLIESH ENTERPRISES $2,200.00 | R&B BUTLER MACHINERY CO. $5,221.97 | R&B WALHALLA BUILDING CENTER $59.88 | R&B PLUMMER CONSTRUCTION $3,525.00 | R&B NICHOLAS LILL $120.00 | R&B ERIC RODER $150.00 | R&B STEVE AMES $180.00 | R&B SHAWN AMUNDSON $150.00 | R&B JAMES RADEMACHER $120.00 | R&B POMPS TIRE SERVICE INC $3,269.44 | R&B ERLING'S OIL, INC. $320.05 | R&B ERLING'S OIL, INC. $7,161.88 | R&B JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL $304.90 | R&B NEWMAN SIGNS $349.00 | R&B FARMERS UNION OIL OF DEVILS LAKE $4,064.99 | R&B FARMERS UNION OIL OF DEVILS LAKE $5,539.04 | R&B KAREN KEMPERT $570.72 | EMG MGR VERIZON WIRELESS $47.40 | EMG MGR QUALITY INN $176.40 | EMG MGR BAILEY REISER $290.82 | NDSU EXT. KATIE HENRY $37.99 | NDSU EXT. COMPUTER EXPRESS $519.99 | WEED LANGDON CITY $113.95 | SS RORY JOHNSON $600.00 | SS OTTER TAIL POWER CO $143.06 | SS PREMIUM WATERS, INC. $33.97 | SS BUSINESS ESSENTIALS $399.33 | SS DACOTAH PAPER CO. $176.39 | SS QUILL CORPORATION $111.30 | SS ARAMARK $94.54 | SS CARL HOFFARTH $210.00 | SS VERIZON WIRELESS $1,418.93 | SS/NVHSZ RISE AND SHINE RESIDENTIAL
CARE $40,740.00 | NVHSZ HP INC $12,877.76 | NVHSZ SUSAN K. (FETSCH) CROCKETT $50.89 | NVHSZ MOUNTAIN PLAINS YOUTH SERVICES $5,544.00 | NVHSZ BEST WESTERN HARVEST INN & SUITES $2,028.85 | NVHSZ S&A, INC. $240.00 | NVHSZ BJORNSON OIL CO $60.00 | NVHSZ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPT. $135.95 | SS/NVHSZ SUSAN K. (FETSCH) CROCKETT $62.00 | NVHSZ JAYNE BROWN $206.73 | NVHSZ VISA $4,827.11 | SS/NVHSZ
Following the Cavalier County Township Officer’s Annual Meeting, a number of township officers were in attendance to discuss the Blading Contract that was approved prior and sent out to the townships and cities. After much discussion and various ideas brought forward, Nick Moser made a motion to modify the Blading Contract, seconded by Greg Goodman, motion carried. Evan Estenson, Road Foreman, was instructed to modify the contact and bring a revised version to the next commission meeting for review. At 12:25 p.m., Greg Goodman made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Nick Moser; motion carried. Board of Commissioners Cavalier County, North Dakota Stanley Dick – Chairman Attest: Lisa Gellner - Auditor Received by The Borderland Press on Tuesday, April 4.
Page B10 - Friday, April 7, 2023
The Borderland Press
Opportunities to Explore Expand for North Dakota Students Focus on exposure, professional skills, and mentoring to navigate varied pathways By Michael Standaert | North Dakota News Cooperative
“We’ve realized the professional side of things is probably a bigger challenge,” Simonsen said. “A lot of these students just don’t know how to be in a professional workplace or how to communicate in person because of the technology barrier, I would call it.” The Griggs initiative is one piece of a larger puzzle to fill in the blanks in a statewide worker shortage. More focus in work-based learning programs is forthcoming. “We’re trying to create the mindset that there are alternative paths, rather than just going to the four-year degree,” said Dawn Ulmer, strategic partnerships manager at the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education. College or bust is far from the only option for North Dakota’s high school students. Across the state, students are finding career pathways in trades and technical fields, opportunities that pay surprisingly well and aren’t bogged down with school loan debt. The idea is that enhancing vocational and technical programs in high schools will fill the local workforce, provide paths forward for students, and retain younger people in their local communities. Derek Simonsen, superintendent of Griggs County Central Public School District in Cooperstown, spearheads an effort to retool the school’s vocational curriculum into a Career Pathways program for students from seventh grade through senior year. “We’re kind of building the plane as we fly,” Simonsen said. Instead of starting with middle schoolers and building up from the foundation, Simonsen said the school rolled in the upper grades from the get-go due to the intense community needs. “We thought these kids need skills, they need to be introduced to some of these jobs and career paths, and our employers are begging for people right now,” Simonsen said. The program would funnel students into area businesses to gain experience and potentially take up positions. Examples are welders for companies like Sheyenne Tooling & Manufacturing, automotive repair techs at Cooper Collision, and a pipeline of nursing assistants and nurses for the soon-to-open Cooperstown Medical Center facility. Besides classes to prepare them, upper students get work experience at these businesses, along with professional skills like communication, interviewing and resume building. Younger students primarily work on skills like showing respect, positivity, critical-thinking, effective listening and communications.
“They can actually get job experience and sometimes choose a path that they want to take for a career,” Ulmer said. “There’s so many opportunities within North Dakota right now.” Over the past year, 30 certified workbased learning coordinators were trained to help develop the programs in communities around the state. “I think the businesses in town really appreciate the opportunity to get kids in that will be part of the future workforce and kind of get a chance to see what they can do,” said Richard Danielson, one of two certified work-based learning coordinators at Griggs. “Especially the ones who are really short on employees.” Opportunities abound North Dakota isn’t the lonely Maytag repairman in this situation. Nationally, there are as many as 500,000 jobs in construction that need to be filled, a number expected to grow as infrastructure funds flow in the next few years. A recent study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) found that 30 million jobs in the U.S. pay an average of $55,000 per year without a four-year degree. At the same time, application rates for trade and technical jobs dropped by 49 percent last year compared to 2020 levels, according to data provided by recruiting platform Handshake. “The fact is that there are more choices, and that really opens up a variety and myriad of opportunities for a young person today to decide on what their pathway is,” said Nicole Smith, chief economist at CEW. “The challenge, and the thing we haven’t done well, is to really let people know exactly what that pathway is.” She said what’s needed is a greater focus on helping students navigate the entire career system, including trades, technical education, two- to four-year degrees and beyond.
This would be a “more inclusive and well rounded” system of mentoring and counseling that taps into individual desires and interests, to help lead students down their desired paths, she said. At the Bismarck Career Academy and Technical Center, program administrators are trying to do just that. Currently the focus is on student career development grades nine through senior year, with plans to expand down to the sixth through eighth grade levels. “You’ve got to start them out at that age,” said Dale Hoerauf, program director. “Now, that doesn’t mean we stamp them on the head as a carpenter and that’s what they do. What we’re doing is giving them an opportunity to explore.” Programs include applied agriculture, graphic design, cybersecurity, energy and power production, aviation, coding and carpentry and everything between. The academy partners with the Central Region Area Career and Technical Center (CRACTC) which offers virtual and hybrid courses so that those further away from Bismarck can also access programs.
Students on a cooperative work experience tour get a look a precision tooling technology at Sheyenne Tooling and Manufacturing in conjunction with an AgIII class they were enrolled in. After the tour, students completed an interview and skill weld test performed by staff at the business. Photo courtesy of Richard Danielson, Griggs County Central.
“I tell students, part of what they are doing right now is exploring different opportunities, so that they know, when they’re in high school, before they get $10,000 or $20,000 in debt [from college tuition], that it wasn’t for them,” Lyle Krueger, assistant director at CRACTC, said. As an example, Krueger said the program recently brought in students from 14 regional schools for an “Aviation Day” at the Bismarck Municipal Airport. “They got drone exposure, they got to go to the hangar, they went to the weather service, they went to mechanical, they went to all these different areas within the aviation field, not just pilots,” Krueger said. “Just giving kids that exposure is huge to get them down the right path.” Daniel Blend, 17, a home-schooled senior from New Salem, is a prime example of that exposure through CRACTC. Freshman year he focused on IT studies, sophomore year coding, junior year computer networking as well as mechanics, and now in his senior year he’s working through STEM courses. “I can’t really fathom the ability of a student such as myself to have these courses and classes to take in this day and age,” Daniel said. For Blend, the work side of the schoolto-work experience has mainly been about exposure than actual work. These are mainly experiences gained at “hands-on days” where students ei-
Students experience a welding shop at one of CRACTC’s recent hands-on days. Photo courtesy of CRACTC.
View from outside the soon-opening Cooperstown Medical Center and Griggs County Care Center. Photo by Michael Standaert.
ther visit a business or have representatives come to them to speak about the intricacies of their profession.
$65 million in funding for career and technical education if passed as it currently stands.
“Businesses want to take people who have more of the hands-on training, rather than people that went to a college or university and just have the piece of paper,” Blend said. “People with that hands on experience are way faster to train.”
House Bill 1383, which has already passed both the House and Senate, allows for apprenticeship tax credits covering 10 percent of stipends or salaries for qualified apprentices up to five per entity.
Legislative developments The first bill Gov. Doug Burgum signed in the current 2023 legislative session provides a $68 million line of credit for the construction of 13 new career academies around the state. Lawmakers had approved $88 million of funding for career academies in November 2021, with $68 million of that coming from the U.S. Treasury’s Coronavirus Capital Project Fund, and $20 million from the state. Disagreement over use of those federal funds has stalled their release, as well as construction of those academies, so the credit line is an attempt to push that forward. House Bill 1019 appropriates nearly
Senate Bill 2170, which has passed the Senate, is also an important one to watch. It calls for a legislative study to examine federal labor laws to see if exemptions can be made to allow minors to work in construction. The current age is set at 18 and above, but some would like to see if it is possible to lower that to age 16 in some cases. The North Dakota News Cooperative is a new non-profit providing reliable and relevant in-depth coverage about North Dakota for North Dakotans. To support local journalism, make your charitable contribution at https:// www.newscoopnd.org/. Comments, suggestions, tips? E-mail : michael@newscoopnd.org Follow us on Twitter @ https://twitter. com/NDNewsCoop