Munich’s Bison Nation to Deadwood

Skiing at Terry Peak Ski Area near Lead, S.D. L to R: Jason Wirth, Kimberly Wirth, Molly Mueller, Brianne Mitzel, Weston Mueller, Adam Wirth (aka Mr. Class B), The Matt Mitzel.

When you load up an RV with seven people, a lot of adult beverages, and pull a Jeep out of Munich, N.D., people start asking questions. So here is the gist, straight from the source: me. Right around halftime of the James Madison University/NDSU football game in December, four couples and friends made the decision to head to Frisco, Texas. The next 2 weeks were filled with bouncing around the Internet from site to site, seeing over-inflated prices, and canceled purchases; championship game tickets were either way over-priced or unavailable. We knew that if we just headed to Texas, odds are cheap tickets would be available, but for four couples that had already locked in babysitters, we couldn’t take that risk. So we dressed in our green and gold and took off to Deadwood.

The drive down was a blur for me from the cockpit, as I heard the occasional snippets of conversations and inappropriate phrases coming from the passengers. As we arrived at our five bedroom VRBO rental cabin, we located the hot tub, and it quickly became our paradise. Friday morning, the Jeep took us to Terry Peak Ski Area near Lead, S.D. and another adventure started.

Adam Wirth (better known in our group as Mr. Class B) led the way as the only skier with both talent and ski attire as the rest of us were in either Carhartts or had the tags from Scheels still on our clothing. My wife, Brianne, used the water skiing technique of bailing at any time that speed, traffic, or just boredom hit her on the slopes and won the ‘Falling Down Award’ of the weekend.

By the time we made it back to the cabin to soak our injuries, our friends, Evan and Karleen Estenson, were already waiting in the hot tub to add to the excitement, having driven down to Deadwood a day after we did. We have no idea how they knew which cabin and hot tub was ours, but it was magic.

Molly Mueller had the intent of buying the most unique truck stop taxidermy that North and South Dakota could provide, but since rest stops don’t bargain, she settled on a jackalope in Deadwood. We hit the town that night to scout out locations to watch the Bison game the following morning. Amarillo Slim, or his given name - Jason Wirth, cleaned up on the roulette tables that night - the only night he won - and as we headed back to home base, we had every stranger wondering how crazy we would get at 10:00 a.m. for the Bison game.

We hit Dale’s Sportsbook Bar & Grill in Deadwood to watch the championship game, and whatever Montana State fans started there with us, quickly left when they ran out of reasons to clap. We managed to attract around 25 other Bison fans, and security was glad that the Bison easily won the game. After that it was a blur until I saw Brianne and Molly dancing using the air juggling routine from the “Office,” Mr. Class B posed in the middle of the dance floor providing a human dancing pole, Jason danced with a wall like I’ve never seen before, and Weston proved to be the most loyal wingman for any single guys in the crowd.

Sunday was rough as some had to head back, but we found sanctuary in an escape room. We got hung up on a math problem that took Kimberly Wirth to maximum frustration, but after they gave us some drink tickets, she returned to vacation mode. We enjoyed every minute and inch of our rented cabin one last night before the inevitable return.

As we got up on Monday morning, we loaded up the RV, secured the sacred Jeep, and headed back home. We left at 42 degrees and arrived in Munich at a regular -8 degrees, but we made it.

The best stories are the untold ones, so I suggest next year, instead of reading the PG version of our trip in the paper, you join us, as we will be there again…in green and gold.

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.” At our monthly meeting, which I mentioned in my last article, I briefly mentioned the painting of a mural in Walhalla. Zelda Hartje, member of the Rendezvous Region Tourism Council, visited us and presented information on said mural. Funds are available for the mural to be painted on a building, yet to be selected, and the Brush Bunch has been approached to submit, select, and paint said mural. The public and present and past residents of Walhalla are being asked to draw up and submit your idea for a mural for the city of Walhalla. The picture shown contains three ideas for a mural. Suggestions of a building would also be appreciated. The mural must include the name of Walhalla and the tourism logo which we will add to your submission. Final date for submitting your suggestion is February 18, 2022. Your suggestions can be dropped of at the Gallery on Tuesday or mailed to the Walhalla Gallery, Box 917, Walhalla 58282. Any and all suggestions will be voted on by a committee chosen from the community, business leaders, and the art group. There is an old saying: "If you want something done, ask someone that is busy." That must be us at the Brush Bunch. We do get a lot of offers for different jobs. Get your idea for a mural in soon; February is just around the corner.

Meanwhile, back at the Gorge Gallery, our 51st Brush Bunch Art Show and Sale is creeping up also; we are going to select a theme soon which will dictate our colors and some paintings still to be done. Our Capsule Sermon: "It is possible to be different and still be right."

Enjoy the longer days, and God Bless!

Cavalier County Senior Menu

Provided by Cavalier County Senior Meals & Services, Langdon

Monday, Jan. 24 Hamburger Noodle Hotdish • Stewed Tomatoes • Fruit

Tuesday, Jan. 25 Chicken Cordon Bleu • Rice Pilaf • Peas • Cookie • Fruit

Wednesday, Jan. 26 Turkey/Gravy/Dressing • Mashed Potatoes • Corn • Cranberries • Cake/Ice Cream 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.

Thursday, Jan. 27 Chili • Baked Potato • Crackers • Jello/Fruit

Friday, Jan. 28 Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas • Spanish Rice • Tropical Fruit Cavalier County Senior Meals & Services is located at 211 8th Ave in Langdon.

Slow Cooker Season?

By Katie Henry, Family and Community Wellness Agent, NDSU Extension – Cavalier County

Is there really any time of year that ISN’T slow cooker season? It can be used all year round, but there isn’t much better than using a slow cooker on a cold, winter day to bring great smells to the home and delicious foods to our body. I have to admit - I have a slow cooker (actually more than one), yet I don’t utilize them nearly enough. It’s part of some of the changes that I’m (hopefully) going to implement this year.

Slow cookers bring back such great memories for me from my childhood. There wasn’t much better than a savory beef stew or roast and vegetables from the slow cooker. The smells would make my mouth water and would bring a spring to my step as soon as I would step into the house from being outside in the cold weather or coming home from school or church. Mom was (and still is!) a great cook and would use a slow cooker on a regular basis to make meals from the beef cattle dad raised on our farm. It was a great alternative and worked well both for her and the family.

Slow cookers can be purchased for that purpose alone, or a multi-function cooker can be used that has a slow cooker option. Either way, they are usually simple to use, use less electricity than an oven, are versatile, and can be used throughout the year. Make sure to read directions, follow safe food handling instructions, and plan accordingly for your slow cooker meals. Whether you are making a stew, soup, or casserole, you won’t regret it! included in the publication), it can be a great resource for people to use! I had a conversation the other day with someone that said they didn’t want to change their recipes, so they didn’t want to use a slow cooker. The great news is that recipes you already use can be converted to use in the slow cooker! The publication has some input into how you can convert those favorite recipes of yours.

Home cooking can help you reduce your fat, sugar, and sodium intake. Making things like homemade spaghetti sauce, vegetable soup, and chicken curry can help you do just that. Those recipes and more are included in the publication and are great additions to your regular meal planning. Nutrition information is included along with ideas of what to serve with the recipe to help balance your meal.

NDSU Extension has other recipes and tips to help you with your recipe and slow cooker needs on our website https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ extension/. Feel free to stop in our office, call us at 256-2560 or email katie.d.henry@ndsu.edu with questions or needs you have. If you would like a copy of the slow cooker publication, please let us know, and we will get one for you! You can also go directly to the publication by visiting https:// www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/ food-nutrition/now-serving-slow-cooker-meals/fn1511.pdf .

Here is a sample of the great recipes included. Enjoy!

Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce 1 lb. lean or extra-lean ground beef ½ c. chopped green bell pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 1 (16-oz.) can stewed tomatoes (low-sodium) 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce (low-sodium) 1 envelope spaghetti sauce seasoning ½ c. chopped onion 1 c. chopped celery 1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste (low-sodium) 2 c. water Brown meat with onion, pepper and garlic. Drain and put into slow cooker with remaining ingredients. Cover; cook on high until sauce comes to a boil, then turn to low and simmer for 6 hours. Makes 10 servings. Each has 170 calories, 6 g fat, 13 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, and 420 mg sodium.