Vocella Graphic - February 29, 2024

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Vocella, Inc. (pronounced vō-chellä) is a multimedia company that aims to engage, excite, and empower people through compelling and entertaining products and services with a hyperlocal focus on community, business, arts, culture, and entertainment.

We are delighted to introduce the latest chapter in our journey: the Vocella Graphic. This newly designed newspaper boasts a sleek and modern aesthetic, featuring stunning artwork and informative articles. Crafting this visually captivating paper has been a labor of love, with our dedicated team painstakingly perfecting every aspect, from its appearance and tone to its expanded coverage area.

Furthermore, nestled inside, you will still find the trusted Community Shopper, complete with all the familiar content you’ve come to rely on. This includes classified ads featuring help wanted listings, rummage sales, and more, as well as business news, events, and community updates.

So, thank you for joining us as we continue to grow and do our very best to serve our communities.

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J.C. & Susan LaBar Owners/Publishers

Karolyn Moltzan General Manager/Lead Design

McKenna Layne Design/Social Media

Erica Kingston Editorial/Copy Editor

Christian Marshall Community Ambassador/Sales

In this issue

From the Designer: This Issue

Dear Valued Readers, We’re continuing diving into some of the modern homesteading components this week, spending a little time looking at composting, which you can find on page 6.

As I delved into the methods of composting and reducing waste, I found myself wondering if there’s an emotional equivalent. And guess what? There is!

Emotional composting, I discovered, isn’t simply about burying or discarding emotional pain. It’s about acknowledging and processing those emotions, allowing them to decompose and transform into something beneficial. Often, we might try to convince ourselves that we’re over something just to move on quickly, but true resolution requires more than mere avoidance.

Emotional composting involves actively working through those feelings, understanding their roots and ultimately deriving wisdom and growth from them. Similar to how composting physical waste yields nourishment for growth, embracing our emotions can lead to personal enrichment. Instead of allowing ourselves to be consumed by negativity, we can emerge stronger, wiser and better equipped to tackle life’s challenges.

So, do yourself and the environment a favor — embrace composting in more ways than one.

May the process of tending to the compost of your mind bring you new found clarity and peace.

Kary Moltzan

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Students head to Paris for spring break

GROUPS EXPERIENCE THE WORLD THROUGH TRAVEL

Well, could you take us somewhere?

BY ERICA KINGSTON ekingmediawriter@gmail.com

With the Williston school district’s generous schedule allotting an entire week for spring break, many families in the community plan to head to warmer climates or hit the slopes the second week of March. One group is going even further with an international destination: straight east across the Atlantic ocean to Paris, France.

Lauren Stone, interim principal at Wilkinson Elementary School, is taking a group of 16 students and parents to experience French culture, architecture and art as they head to Paris next week.

Stone, longtime teacher in the Williston community and owner of Stone Travel Company, has taken students on over 20 trips over the past decade through tours provided by Education First, a program that helps students expand their knowledge of the world around them through domestic and international travel.

“It’s always been neat for me to see their reactions,” Stone said of her travels with students. “I know how I felt when I first saw these things and it’s kind of neat to see their faces when they first see the Eiffel Tower or

ride the subway in New York or even ride on an airplane. It’s been really neat to relive my experience through them.”

Stone grew up in a family that made travel a priority. Having backpacked through Europe and now having been to 44 countries, Stone is a seasoned traveler. She started planning student group trips in 2012 while teaching at Rickard Elementary School.

“I had done a bunch of traveling on my own … so I would tell my students stories about my trips because I taught social studies and ancient civilizations which is Greece, Rome, China, all of those places,” Stone said. “I would just interject my stories about going to these places and they finally just said, ‘Well, could you take us somewhere?’”

The first student trip was to Italy, Greece and Turkey in 2014. Since then, Stone has facilitated trips to Paris, Boston, New York, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Japan and Peru, among others. In 2024, plans are for

spring break in Paris, Boston and New York in May and Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii in June. For 2025, Boston and New York are on the docket as well as Japan. Stone tries to plan trips a few years in advance to allow time for fundraising, of which she assists students.

Stone takes students in fifth grade and older on these trips and always allows adults to come along, having had parents and even grandparents accompany their kids. She only goes to places that she has traveled before, taking notes on her personal travels for ideas on how to fill up “free” days on group trips. Group sizes vary with 16 going to Paris this year and Stone’s largest group of 33 that went to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii in 2017.

The upcoming Paris trip has a full itinerary, taking them to the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles and the Marche des Enfants Rouges, a 16th centu-

ry orphanage turned food market. They will also have time to explore Paris on their own, customizing their time there.

Stone has turned a passion for travel into a business and, moreso, an opportunity to open a student’s window of the world to places they might not otherwise be able to experience. Stone’s student trips can be found on her Stone Travel Company website at stonetravelco.com with a detailed itinerary, travel dates and trip costs as well as information about the Education First program. She can be reached at lauren@stonetravelco. com with questions and inquiries.

Stone also plans adult group travel through her travel company. Over Christmas, a group of 14 went to Egypt and plans are in the works for Morocco, a return to Egypt with a Nile River cruise, Greece, Turkey and Italy. Adult trip information can also be found on her website.

LAUREN STONE IN EGYPT, DECEMBER 2023. | SUBMITTED PHOTO.

Sitting Bull Auction closing

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

WILLISTON — Sitting Bull Auction, a longstanding business in Williston, has announced its closure following its livestock sale on Feb. 26 due to extensive flood damage to the building two years ago. Despite efforts to overcome the challenges, owners Kirby Krebsbach and Wes Peterson have made the difficult decision to close.

The closure leaves a void in the community, and while scheduled bull sales for March will proceed, the legacy of Sitting Bull Auction’s service and community engagement will be deeply missed. For inquiries, Kirby Krebsbach and Wes Peterson can be reached at 701-570-1420 and 701-5701085, respectively.

From ‘Sitting Bull Auction in Williston, North Dakota announces closing date’ by Scott Haugen found at keyzradio.com. Read the original article by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

Former senator opposes property tax elimination

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

NORTH DAKOTA — Former longtime Senate Majority Leader of North Dakota, Rich Wardner, opposes a ballot measure circulating to eliminate property taxes in the state, arguing that while the idea may seem appealing, it would ultimately cause significant chaos. The measure lacks a specified replacement funding source for the $1.1 billion in annual property taxes that currently support local government and schools, leaving it to the state to find the necessary funds. Wardner suggests that relying solely on oil tax revenue, which constitutes over half of the state’s tax income, could burden oil-producing counties with both the loss of property tax revenue and potential cuts to their share of oil taxes, alongside additional tax increases.

Moreover, Wardner criticizes the measure’s proponents for misrepresenting the state’s tax burden, highlighting their failure to account for the significant revenue generated from oil taxes in North Dakota’s per capita tax statistics. He warns that eliminating property taxes would disrupt the state’s envisioned uniform taxation system,

leading to a disparate array of replacement taxes and fees. Additionally, Wardner expresses concerns about the potential reduction of essential services such as police, fire, and ambulance if the measure were to pass, prompting him to launch a personal campaign against it.

To hear Rich Wardner’s comments, scan the QR code for the KFYR 550AM radio podcast “Dakota Talk” on Feb. 19, 2024

ND teen competing in Jr. Iditarod

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

NORTH DAKOTA — Eva Robinson, a 17-year-old from Cavalier, N.D., is participating in the Junior Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska for the second time. Facing challenges such as warmer weather affecting training conditions, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance and prioritizes the well-being of her sled dogs above competition results. Despite training obstacles like running on gravel roads due to lack of snow, Robinson remains focused on her goal of qualifying for the full Iditarod in the future. The race commenced on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday.

From ‘North Dakota teen competing in Junior Iditarod this weekend by Zachary Weiand found at valleynewslive. com. Read the full story by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

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Task force seeks to get new teachers past the 5-year mark

Group to make recommendations for legislation on educator recruitment, retention

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

NORTH DAKOTA — The North Dakota Teacher Retention and Recruitment Task Force convened for its inaugural meeting, focusing on enhancing support for early-career educators, particularly through mentorship programs. Discussions highlighted challenges faced by first-year teachers in finding time for mentorship amidst their workload, prompting considerations for lightening their burden to facilitate mentorship opportunities. Other topics included reevaluating student teaching commitments, exploring innovative academic calendars, and addressing

barriers to teacher mobility. Governor Doug Burgum explained the task force’s potential legislative impact, emphasizing the urgency to bolster teacher recruitment amid declining applicant pools. The task force aims to deliver a report by Sept. 30, with a key focus on improving the work environment for new teachers and shifting the narrative around teacher compensation and value.

From ‘Task force seeks to get new teachers past the 5-year mark’ by Jeff Beach found at northdakotamonitor.com. Read the story by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

SITTING BULL AUCTION | SITTINGBULLAUCTION.COM

FORMER ND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER RICH WARDNER (R) | PHOTO BY UPPER GREAT PLAINS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

USDA Partners with North Dakota to award over $4.2 million to strengthen food supply chain infrastructure

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

NORTH DAKOTA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service has announced a cooperative agreement with North Dakota under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, offering over $4.2 million in competitive grant funding aimed at bolstering resilience in the middle of the food supply chain. Applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding are being accepted by North Dakota until April 3, 2024.

Authorized by the American Rescue Plan, RFSI aims to strengthen local and regional food systems, with updates available on the AMS website. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture plans to utilize RFSI funding for projects such as upgrading dairy farm holding tanks, expanding packaging facilities, improving food handling safety equipment, and enhancing intermodal facilities.

Commissioner Doug Goehring emphasizes the program's goal of strengthening the

supply chain and benefiting rural areas and small to medium-sized communities, urging interested parties to apply through the North Dakota Department of Agriculture by the specified deadline. AMS encourages applications targeting smaller farms, new and beginning farmers, underserved producers, veterans, and underserved communities. More information is available on the AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage.

Read the full press release by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

Composting with chickens

BY KARY MOLTZAN news@vocella.com

This week, we’re sharing how to make your backyard chickens pull double duty. A big part of modern homesteading is creating less waste— and in the case of food scraps many turn to composting. Composting is a natural recycling process that turns organic matter (food scraps, leaves, etc) into a nutrient rich soil like substance that can help fertilize vegetable and flower gardens.

If you have chickens, they can make your composting almost effortless. As acres_of_adventure shares, by dumping your food scraps in an area accessible to your chickens, they will eat some of them, scratch the surface keeping the material turned, and add to it with their droppings.

For more from acres_of_adventure, follow the QR code by scanning with your smart phone to view the original reel on Instagram.

Composting at home

BY KARY MOLTZAN news@vocella.com

With the unseasonably warm weather the area has seen this winter, the feeling of “spring is just around the corner” has set in a little early. North Dakotans are reasonably worried about the lack of precipitation, but also looking forward to starting some of the outdoor activities that usually have to wait until long after our southern counterparts have begun them.

While actually getting into our gardens is still some time away, now is a great time to start planning your garden plots and even doing some prep work that will pay off in the long run. Composting is one of those long-term projects that once started, can be continued indefinitely and allow your future garden plots to flourish. Composting has more benefits than just enriching the soil, however.

“Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is one of the most powerful actions

we can take to reduce our trash, address climate change and build healthy soil,” the United States Environmental Protection Agency said. “By turning our food scraps and yard trim into compost, we transform our waste streams into a beneficial, value-added soil amendment and use it to protect the environment and create resilient communities.”

The EPA says composting has many benefits:

• Composting is a resourceful way to recycle the food scraps and yard trim you generate at home all year and manage your waste more sustainably.

• Reduces the volume of materials that might otherwise be disposed of in landfills or trash incinerators – leaves, grass clippings, yard trim and food scraps –and prevent powerful greenhouse gasses from being emitted into the atmosphere.

• Composting involves minimal effort, equipment, expense and expertise and can be fun.

• Saves money by producing a free, high-quality soil amendment – compost

– which reduces your use of fertilizer and pesticides.

• One can use compost to build healthier soil, prevent soil erosion, conserve water and improve plant growth in your garden and yard.

Luckily, there are many valuable sources for information on composting. If you’re the type who likes to have a book in hand, your local library will have a wealth of information and books you can check out. If you don’t mind hopping on the internet, a simple search will yield plenty of useful websites that can help you get started on the methods of composting that work for you. Of course, if you happen to have your smartphone on you, you can always use those moments while waiting to pick up your kiddos from school, or in the waiting room of the dentist to put your scrolling to a great use — learning! Do a quick search on Instagram or TikTok for composting and you will find numerous accounts that can deliver quick, but insightful, tips and tricks to help you on your way.

Helpful composting links:

Websites:

• USDA.gov

• EPA.gov

• NRDC.org

• Planetnatural.com

Facebook:

(search these groups names)

• Composting, just composting

• Composting 101

• Composting for Beginners

Instagram: (search these accounts)

• compostable.kate

• compostfairyy

• compost.michael

Also, be sure to check in with your local NDSU Extension office for lots of great resources for composting, gardening, and more! Check out the Dakota Gardener article, “Compost overload” by scanning the QR code here:

Health & Wellness

Wellness Wednesday Skin health

Welcome back to “Wellness Wednesday” with NDSU Extension. I am Katelyn Jespersen, the family and community wellness extension agent for Williams County. This week’s topic of skin health is our last of seven topics from the NDSU Nourish program.

Many external factors work against us and increase dry skin, wrinkles and spotting, therefore aging our skin. Do you like being outside in the sun? Do you work with chemicals, such as harsh detergents? Do you wash your hands regularly with antibacterial soap? These all can cause irritation or break down the essential barriers of our skin. Let’s look at some myths and facts about skin damage.

· Myth: Secondhand smoke does not damage skin. The chemicals damage collagen and elastin as well as increase skin thickness, leading to premature wrinkles.

· Myth: Antibacterial soap is good for you. This also kills the good bacteria that

Putting one's best face forward involves being conscious of conditions that can affect the skin, which is the human body's largest organ. The skin's primary purpose is to provide protection against bacteria, chemicals, temperature, and other external factors, according to MedlinePlus. At times, however, the skin can be vulnerable to various conditions, including acne, that can produce a number of different symptoms.

Acne can affect both the face and body. Learning more about it, which can entail dispelling some notable myths about the condition, can help individuals get the treatment that is right for their particular situation.

• Myth: Acne is the same thing as having pimples.

• Fact: The terms acne and pimples are not interchangeable. Acne is a disease and pimples are one of its complications, according to Healthline.

• Myth: Acne is caused by poor hygiene.

• Fact: Acne occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. This causes whiteheads, blackheads and other lesions. Everyone produces sebum, an oil that keeps skin from drying out. Acne is actually an inflammatory disorder that hap-

help your skin.

· Fact: Increased stress can cause skin problems. Stress hormones can affect your immune system and wound healing.

· Myth: Tanning beds are a good source of Vitamin D. Tanning has little or no benefit in producing Vitamin D. Self-tanning lotions or Vitamin D supplements are a better alternative.

· Myth: North Dakotans are not at risk for skin cancer, we don’t get enough sun. North Dakota has a higher incidence of skin cancer than the National Average. Skin damage occurs in every season.

· Fact: Regular self-skin checks are the best way to spot skin cancer. Doctors do not

routinely check skin, but you are more likely to see irregular growths or changes.

If you want to keep your skin healthy, here are some skin care tidbits: Always wear sunscreen with SPF 15+ and wear protective clothing to prevent UV ray damage. Keep skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water and use moisturizers on your skin. Eat a “healthy skin diet” that is rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, collagen peptides and polyphenols. Our skin cells are renewed every 28 days, so to replenish these cells, we need a continuous supply of the nutrients needed to maintain healthy skin production.

If you want to learn more about skin health, visit the American Academy of Dermatology or Skin Cancer Foundation websites. Skin health was the last of our seven topics from the NDSU Nourish program. If you are interested in learning more, the Nourish program is available online and can be done at your own pace and on your own time or contact me if you would like to set up an in-person class.

Myths and facts about acne

pens when the oil glands that connect to the hair follicles gum up and do not shed properly, states the Mayo Clinic. Lack of cleanliness is not necessarily a cause.

• Myth: Acne only occurs in teenagers.

• Fact: While for most people acne tends to go away by the time they reach their thirties, some people experience acne into their forties and fifties, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

• Myth: Men get acne more often.

• Fact: Adolescent males experience acne at higher rates than adolescent females. However, acne cases that persist into adulthood are more common among women, indicates NIAMS.

• Myth: Eating chocolate causes acne to form.

• Fact: Hormonal changes related to puberty, menstrual periods, stress, or pregnancy; greasy or oily cosmetic products; certain drugs; heavy sweating; and excessively touching or rubbing the skin can cause acne.

Research does not indicate that eating chocolate, nuts and greasy foods contributes to acne, although there is some evidence that diets high in refined sugars may be related to acne, advises Penn Medicine.

• Myth: There is only one type of acne.

• Fact: According to the Cleveland Clinic, doctors may diagnose fungal acne, cystic acne, hormonal acne, or nodular acne. Cystic and nodular acne can lead to permanent skin damage in the form of scarring, so it's best to seek help from a health provider early on to determine the best treatments.

• Myth: Scrubbing one's face clears up acne.

• Fact: Aggressive scrubbing or popping pimples can exacerbate acne. Mount Sinai recommends gentle washing twice a day. Doctors may prescribe oral or topical medications to help reduce inflammation and treat the yeast or bacteria that is leading to the acne. Salicylic acid also may be advised as it helps remove the top layer of skin and dissolves dead skin cells to prevent hair follicles from clogging.

Acne can affect anyone, but it is more common in teenagers and young adults.

Culture

What’s the purpose behind a leap year?

February is known for many things, one of which is being the shortest month of the year.

Many people do not give much thought to whether or not February has 28 or 29 days. But February bears the unique distinction of being the only month on the calendar that does not always have the same number of days.

Known as a “leap day,” the 29th day of February helps to synchronize the calendar to Earth’s orbit. According to EarthSky, which reports on astronomy and other cosmos-related information, Earth’s orbit around the sun takes approximately 365.25 days. That extra .25 creates a need for a leap year every four years; otherwise, the calendar, which is faster than the actual solar year), would drift from what is actually occurring with the orbit. After four years, it would be off by one day, or 25 days after 100 years. If no corrections were made to the calendar, the seasons might become misaligned. After 300 years, January 1 would arrive in autumn.

Julius Caesar, at the advice of Sosigenes, an Alexandrian astronomer, was responsible for adding a leap day to February to com-

“Animal Farm” by George Orwell is a commonly required book in English classes across the United States. I read it my junior year for my Classics Literature class. Out of all the books I read for that class, this one is by far my favorite and it comes as no surprise that it is so often a requirement in school. It eloquently covers the topics of oppression and freedom in a way that is easy for readers to grasp. When “Animal Farm” was originally published in 1945, its message was written as criticism of the events that lead up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the following Stalinist Russia. However, the book’s message is timeless, forever resonating with the challenges societies face when their freedom is threatened.

Title: “Animal Farm”

Author: George Orwell

Genre: Fable, Satire, Political Satire, Dystopian Fiction, Allegory

Summary

The animals on Mr. Jones’ farm, weary of their mistreatment, rise against their human oppressor. They establish a society founded on principles of equality, freedom and joy under the leadership of the farm’s pigs. However, the temptation of power corrupts one of the pigs, Napoleon, leading

pensate for Earth’s rotation after the original Roman calendar kept slipping out of alignment. During his reign, Caesar first implemented a 445-day calendar year in 46 BCE to bring the calendar back into alignment. Roman officials called it annus confusionis. To limit future headaches, the work-around was to simply add a leap day to February once every four years. The Julian calendar wasn’t exact to the solar year, but it was much

closer than the previous Roman calendar.

The Gregorian calendar, revised by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, further adapted the calendar and the leap days. All leap years are divisible by four. That is why 2024 includes a leap day on February 29.

People can utilize the extra day in 2024 in various fun ways. In addition to learning more about leap years and astronomy, try these entertaining ideas.

The Bookshelf Book review: Animal Farm

to a betrayal of the animals. Under the dictatorship of Napoleon and his pig officers, the farm descends into chaos. This leaves the animals wrestling with a harsh reality — who was the greater oppressor, Mr. Jones or the once revolutionary pigs.

Review

“Animal Farm” masterfully mirrors the trajectory of societies striving for equality and freedom, only to witness the corruption of those in power. The pigs are initially entrusted to guide the animals to a brighter future but eventually succumb to the allure of authority. As the story goes on, they grow to resemble the humans they overthrew. The symbolism, originally crafted for the context of Russia, seamlessly transcends time, resonating in the landscape of any modern society.

What sets “Animal Farm” apart is its clever intertwining of allegory and fable-like storytelling. Orwell’s use of animals as characters and the farm setting creates a seemingly innocent facade. This draws readers into the fairy tale before unleashing a powerful political commentary. It makes for both an entertaining and thought-provoking book. The writing style is compelling, evoking a range of emotions. Orwell’s ability to compel his readers to feel anger at the injustices faced by the animals is just one reflection on his masterful writing. The simplicity of language serves the dual purpose of accessibility and depth, making the book suitable for both casual readers and those inclined towards literary analysis.

“Animal Farm” is not merely a story; it’s a lesson wrapped in a fable. It urges readers

• Take a day off of work and spend it relaxing or engaging in a favorite hobby, or even leaping into community service by volunteering.

• Be reminded that leap years also coincide with U.S. Presidential elections, and it will soon be time to vote. Utilize some time today to research candidates and their policies.

• Check out the celebrities who were born on February 29 and only get a true birthday every four years. Rapper Ja Rule, motivational speaker Tony Robbins, actor Antonio Sabato, Jr., swimmer Jessica Long, and football player Eric Kendricks are some of the notable people born on February 29.

• Learn something new! Use the “bonus” day to learn a skill you’ve been wanting to try or master.

• Buy a gift for yourself or others on leap day and make it a tradition of going the extra mile to love and pamper.

• Realign your life like the calendar is being realigned by focusing on organization or personal finances.

Leap year has arrived, and that extra day can be put to good use in various ways.

Reviewed by

MCKENNA WALTER

to reflect on the dynamics of power and the fragility of freedom. While this story may have been written to represent the dynamics of the Stalinist Era in Russia, it resonates across time and societies. I wholeheartedly believe that it’s a must-read for all and am giving it five stars.

“ANIMAL FARM” BY GEORGE ORWELL.