EAGLES STAY UNBEATEN, RANKED SECOND IN THE STATE,
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The official newspaper of Cavalier County Theborderlandpress.com
Friday, February 21, 2025
Volume 4, Number 7
In this issue:
Pembina County Historical Society reflects on a record-breaking year at annual meeting By Rebecca Davis
News: Cavalier County hosts 2025 Vocabulary Contest and Spelling Bee, Pg. A2
Ag: Custom Grain and Seed gears up for 2025 growing season, Pg. A3
The Pembina County Historical Society (PCHS) held its annual meeting on Feb. 15 to review the successes of 2024, celebrating a year of growth, engagement, and exciting new additions to the Pembina County Museum grounds. PCHS President Scot Becker shared highlights from the past season, noting that the Valley Cruisers Car Club visit, featuring hamburgers and live music by Jordan Thornberg, brought in 125 visitors. Museum administrator Zelda Hartje reported that the museum welcomed a record number of visitors from across the globe. The annual Pioneer Machinery Show also set a new attendance record, drawing over 1,000 visitors in a single day. Meanwhile, the Thresherman’s Breakfast served more than 550 guests, continuing the museum’s tradition of honoring the region’s agricultural heritage. In total, the museum grounds hosted approximately 3,000 visitors in less than three months. Becker and Hartje emphasized the importance of educational opportunities at the museum, sharing firsthand experiences from touring school groups and visiting families.
Lifestyle: What questions should you be asking yourself during heart health months? Pg. A7
Langdon Prairie Health recognized by Chartis as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital
The Pembina County Orchard, led by Elisa Ratcliffe and Lilian Stegman, hosted educational events throughout the growing season. Under the watchful eye of Thor, the orchard’s totem pole, participants engaged in hands-on learning, including raising broomcorn and crafting traditional handmade brooms, just as early settlers did. The museum’s collection also saw sig-
It’s been 10 years exactly on Feb. 28 since Mauri Roy opened the doors of her quaint Main Street business, The Perfect Blend. With a combination of chic retail, snacks, and delicious drinks Roy has offered an ever-evolving amenity for shoppers in the Langdon area.
“We are pleased to be recognized yet again as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital,” said Wayne Reid, CEO, Langdon Prairie Health. “This confirms our commitment to excellence, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team who works so hard to improve the health of the communities we serve.”
The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is utilized nationwide by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.
nificant expansion in 2024 thanks to generous donations from community members. New acquisitions include: •A John Deere “L” tractor from Con Omack •A Case tractor with woodsaw from Dwayne Indridason •A 1942 Chevrolet from the Hubert Strong Estate •A wagon chassis from Ernie Olson •A horse-drawn road grader from St. Thomas Township •Various pieces of farm equipment from Wade Jewries •A corn chopper from Loren and Lynette Winters •A W4 International tractor from Les Puppe •A “B” John Deere from the Vern Benjaminson estate •A collection of carpentry tools from Shirley Olgeirson, used by her grandfather G.B. Olgeirson in constructing homes in the Gardar and Mountain areas
Engagement with younger generations remains a priority, as evidenced by the addition of Emily Carpenter as board secretary and Kristian Myrdal as a director. “Looking ahead to 2025, the museum is excited to collaborate with architect Steve Restemayer on plans for the upcoming Winters’ Education Building,” Becker shared. “This new facility will serve as a community gathering space, highlighting the connection between civilization’s growth and advancements in agriculture.” Hartje also provided updates on the Veterans Memorial and the planned Bell Garden. “The Veterans Memorial now has 680 pavers, each representing a different veteran from Pembina County,” she said.
PCHS President Scot Becker sharing highlights from the past season. Photo by Rebecca Davis.
Additionally, the North Dakota Council on the Arts has awarded a grant for Lillian Stegman to develop a curriculum based on the orchard, further expanding the museum’s educational outreach. The meeting also featured a presentation by Henry Durray, who recounted the history of how the Pioneer Machinery Association Site was founded with the help of Richard “Dick” Mitchell and Chuck Thacker. As the PCHS continues its mission to “preserve the past for future generations,” it invites history enthusiasts to support and celebrate Pembina County’s rich heritage. Annual memberships are available for just $10 and can be mailed to Box 473, Cavalier, N.D., 58220.
Main Street business thrives for a decade in Langdon By Hilary Nowatzki
Langdon Prairie Health last week announced it has been named among the 2025 Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Chartis’ annual Top 100 award program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®.
“The Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals award program elevates the very best performers and helps create a roadmap for those seeking to improve financial and operational performance while continuing to care for the communities they serve,” said Michael Topchik, Executive Director, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “This is our 15th year recognizing the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone with this year’s winners.”
Museum Administrator Zelda Hartje reported that the museum welcomed a record number of visitors from across the globe. Photo by Rebecca Davis.
When she first started her business a decade ago, Roy wasn’t sure where her journey would lead her, but she
is pleased to reach this recent milestone. “I didn't actually know what was going to happen. So it's fun to see the success, and it's fun to still be here,” Roy stated. Over the years, the business has weathered changes and challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. But they’ve always kept their chin up and continued to roll with the punches, and changing fashion trends, of course. "We've lived through COVID and a ton of trend changes, and we've tried to
just evolve with that," Roy explained. A dedicated customer base has been key to the business's longevity and success, said Roy.
"A loyal community of customers, for sure, is a big part of it," the owner explained. As Roy and her team celebrate the business’s milestone, she is grateful for the support that has allowed it to thrive on Main Street for the past decade.
"It's fun to still be here," Roy said with a smile.
BILL AIMS TO ALLEVIATE “FOOD DESERTS” IN RURAL NORTH DAKOTA Ann Estvold, NDNA Legislative Intern
Many North Dakotans live in “food deserts,” and Senate Bill 2228 seeks to help curb this problem by giving one-time sustainability grants to preserve or reopen rural grocery stores. Food deserts are defined as areas where a resident must travel 10 or more miles for fresh or perishable foods. Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, said the legislation is similar to a bill the Legislature approved two years ago as a rural grocery assistance pilot program. It needs to continue, she said. “In small towns across the state, losing a grocery store doesn’t just mean driving a little further for food. It means losing a gathering place, an anchor business and a major economic driver,” said Laura Lacher, di-
rector of the Economic Development Association of N.D. “Rural grocery stores are the backbone of small communities in providing access to fresh and nutritious food and supporting local economies,” said Perrell Grossman, a spokesman for the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association. When communities have grocery stores it allows people to remain in the communities they love, he said. Ellen Huber, rural development director of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives said the most common challenge the association faces is keeping grocery stores open. “Since 2014, North Dakota has lost
47 rural grocery stores, leaving only 90. This trend, coupled with a shrinking grocery supply puts many communities at risk of becoming food deserts,” said Huber. “Local stores are vital lifelines.”
“In response to Casselton having no grocery store, local gas stations have expanded their food section, but at a higher cost than a grocery store could offer,” said Angela Kolden, editor of the Cass County Reporter.
When rural grocery stores close, residents must travel to a larger city for food. Many N.D. communities have raised funds to keep their local grocery store open, and gas stations have begun selling produce and other food items.
After the only grocery store in Michigan closed in 2008, the Red River Regional Council, which is based in Grafton and serves northeastern North Dakota, developed a private-public partnership business model that allowed the local Job Development Authority to buy the store and lease it to a private owner. Using community funds and grants, the organization replaced coolers and other equipment. The council continues to repeat this business model in other small towns,
The community of Casselton has been working with grocers for years to try to build a grocery store. Casselton is about 23 miles west of Fargo on Interstate 94, and many developers believe it is too close to Fargo to justify a local store.
cont’d. on page A2