The Vocella Graphic - March 7, 2024

MORNING COFFEE | PHOTO BY ERICA KINGSTON. SUBMIT YOUR ORIGINAL ART (PHOTOS, PAINTINGS, ETC) TO

About Us

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.

Publishing & Sales Team

J.C. & Susan LaBar

Karolyn Moltzan General Manager/Lead Design

McKenna Layne Design/Social Media

Erica Kingston

KARY MOLTZAN, GM & Lead Design news@vocella.com

From the Designer: This Issue

Dear Valued Readers, Have you noticed the changes to our front cover? We’re excited to announce that we’re opening up our pages to showcase your original art, whether it’s a stunning photograph, a beautiful painting or any other form of creative expression. Our aim with the Graphic is to make it YOUR paper, reflecting the beauty, talent and creativity of our readers from Williston and the surrounding communities.

We’ve already featured images of sundogs, charming backyard chickens, delicate frost on barbed wire and even a beautiful feather painted as part of a dreamcatcher. The sheer beauty we’ve seen from your submissions has inspired us to seek even more!

You don’t need to be a professional artist to contribute — everyone is welcome to share their vision with us. For a chance to have your work featured on our front cover, please ensure your submission is of high resolution for optimal printing quality. But don’t fret if your image doesn’t meet this requirement; it might still find a place on our online platforms, including our Facebook page!

So, whether you can capture the beauty of our communities visually or through words, we want to hear from you. Help us celebrate the unique charm and wonders of our area by sharing your art, stories and articles. Together, let’s showcase the things that make our communities truly wonderful! Submit your creations to news@vocella.com and let’s spread the beauty far and wide.

Artfully yours,

Kary Moltzan

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Visit us online at www.vocellagraphic.com and www.communityshopper.com

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Profiles

Library kits assist those with dementia, Alzheimer’s

SENSORY, MEMORY AND STEAM ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR CHECK-OUT IN WILLISTON

Alibrary is full of resources that expand the minds of those who use them. From books to programs, newspapers to novels and access to computers and historic documents, libraries are an essential hub in the community that promote much more than just literacy.

The Williston Community Library has researched, ordered and gathered items for kits consisting of STEAM, memory and sensory tools. From young children to those with sensory issues, dementia and Alzheimer’s, there is a kit for everyone wanting to flex their cognitive muscles.

With close to 50 of these kits — the clear plastic backpacks found around the library — cataloged and available for checkout, there is a plethora of hands-on items of puzzles, tangrams, fidgets, memory games, I Spy bottles, boomwhackers and many more ready to get into the hands of those who may benefit from them.

The memory and sensory kits, housed in the middle section of the library near the newspapers, may look like they are aimed at kids, and can definitely be used by children, but were made and intended for the elderly population who may deal with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Each bag has a theme such as farming, homemaking, veteran, dogs, cats, handyman

or different decades. To go along with each theme are activities that correlate — puzzles, memory games, photos, things to touch, word searches, restaurant menus from specific decades and more.

“Having equitable access for our community for activities like these … without having the financial burden is really amazing.”

- Andrea Placher, Williston Library Director

“Anything that correlates with something they did in the past, if they can see the pictures of the actual product of what it looked like in their generation versus what it might look like now, it can stimulate those memories,” said Library Director Andrea Placher. “And just the business of it — anytime you get all of your senses going, it promotes more activity going on in the neurons in your brain.”

MEternally, the Minnesota company that produces the memory kits, has done extensive research as to the resources they provide for their target audiences of people with dementia, Alzhimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

“We believe that connections can be made between those with dementia and those who love and care for them through

pictures of things that they love and identify with,” MEternally said on their website. “These same pictures can provide comfort and promote reminiscence. One picture in a video or a card can open a conversation and create a connection between people and the past.”

These kits can be used with memory patients in the same way a child might use them — through play. While looking at photos, touching a sensory pillow or finding an item in an I Spy bottle, the brain is at work making connections through all of the senses.

“We think they are playing, but there is so much more happening than just playing,” Placher said of those using the kits. “Get that cognitive learning going on in there.”

The STEAM kits were designed for kids, but can be used for anyone. Willis-

ton’s Children’s Librarian, Morgan Kayser, said they rarely stay on the shelf long. From homeschoolers to grade school teachers and preschool instructors, the STEAM kits have been well received. Placher and Kayser said the library was able to purchase 100 of these kits from the company Penworthy with a grant from North Dakota Public Instruction. The library is continuing to work on cataloging and labeling all of the pieces to be able to get more out on the shelves.

“These are quite spendy,” Placher said. “We only have them because we were able to get a grant for them. So that’s the other thing — having equitable access for our entire community for activities like these. Not all families are able to go out and purchase these items. So for them to be able to be exposed to them without having the financial burden is really amazing.”

STEAM bags can be found in the children’s section of the library, with the memory and sensory kits on a rack in the middle of the building near the large print books and new items. Library workers will be happy to assist or answer questions about any of these activity bags and are hoping the community — parents, kids, the elderly, caretakers, teachers — take advantage of these beneficial resources.

Williston Community Library

CHILDREN’S LIBRARIAN MORGAN KEYSER (LEFT) AND LIBRARY DIRECTOR ANDREA PLACHER (RIGHT)

AND MEMORY KITS

COM-

ERICA

First National Quilt Day Retreat hosted by First Lutheran Church and WELCA

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

WILLISTON — First Lutheran Church is proudly partnering with Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to host the inaugural National Quilt Day Retreat.

Taking place at FLC, 916 Main Street in Williston, on March 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., this event promises a day filled with stitching, friendship and giving.

Open to all area churches and their connected rural congregations, the retreat extends a warm welcome to participants of all ages and skill levels. From seasoned quilters to sewing enthusiasts, everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities. Invitations have been extended to younger children and their parents, including 4-H kids enrolled in sewing and quilting classes and their families, Youth for Christ quilters and students from Williston’s middle and high school sewing classes. Additionally, members of the Dakota Prairie Quilters Guild are eagerly encouraged to attend.

A highlight of the day’s activities will be the collaborative efforts of 4-H kids and parents, who will be piecing together a kingsized quilt destined for auction at the Upper Missouri Fair.

Attendance at the retreat is free, but pre-registration is required before March 11. To fuel participants for a day of stitching and socializing, a continental breakfast

will be provided by FLC and WELCA. For lunch, participants enjoy a luncheon spread courtesy of Thrivent Financial, FLC and WELCA, with proceeds from any free-will offerings dedicated to covering shipping costs for Lutheran World Relief quilts.

Adding an extra layer of excitement, attendees can anticipate in the chance to win prizes contributed by local establishments, including Empty Bobbin of Williston, Quilts n’ More of Sidney, M.T., Vacuum & Sewing Center of Minot, Bernina Plus of Minot, and Rip ‘n Stitches of Watford City.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own sewing machines, fabric and quilting supplies to work on personal projects or charitable endeavors. Alternatively, for those looking to contribute to the cause, FLC offers the use of their sewing machines and fabrics to create charity quilts destined for Lutheran World Relief or Upper Missouri Ministry.

Amidst the rhythmic hum of sewing machines and the rustle of fabric, the National Quilt Day Retreat promises to be a celebration of shared passions and the boundless generosity of the quilting community. So mark your calendars, gather your fabrics, and join a day of stitching with a purpose!

To register, please email flcquilters@gmail. com or scan the QR code here.

Bourbon tasting event benefits Veterans

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

WILLISTON — Join Ironhide Equipment - Bobcat of Williston for a Bourbon Tasting Class on March 14 at 5:45 p.m. Participants will get to taste various bourbons, discovering their unique flavors and aromas.

All proceeds from the event will support the American Legion Post 37 Transportation Program, providing door-todoor rides for active military and veterans in Williston. Hosted with the support of local sponsors, including Aces Energy Services and Raw Beauty Skincare, attendees can also enjoy a prime rib meal.

Tickets are $75 each, available by phone or in-store, offering a chance to indulge in bourbon while giving back to our local veterans.

From ‘Unforgettable bourbon tasting event to support Williston North Dakota Veterans’ by Mad Max found at keyzradio. com. Read the full story by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

NDSU Extension hosts Spring Tree and Garden Workshop

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

WILLISTON — Get ready for the 2024 Spring Tree and Garden Workshop happening on March 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the NDSU Williston Research Extension Center. This event, tailored for homeowners, gardeners and professionals alike, promises a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experiences.

Speakers, including Allen Bright from Greenhouse in the Snow and Jill Patterson from Twisted Carrot Farm, will discuss topics such as greenhouse gardening, orchard fruit varieties and transitioning from backyard gardens to CSA farms.

Participants can engage in interactive workshops covering essential gardening skills like seed starting and tree planting, led by Rojee Chipalu Pradhan from NDSU Williston Research Extension Center.

Lunch will be provided for pre-registered attendees. Secure a spot by scanning the QR code below to find a registration link and full schedule of events for the workshop.

An ode to women on International Women’s Day

BY ETTA JEAN | READER SUBMISSION

I am made of mothers who did hard things with soft hands

As girls, we grew and discovered and became, together

Grown, we raised babies of our own gave grace and permission for time to pass

I am every woman, an accumulation.

Every friend who reached for my sinking hand

Every sister who took my burden as her own

Every aunt who handed down tradition

I am every woman who made me. I am every woman I once was.

International Women’s Day is March 8 — a time to acknowledge and celebrate the women who have raised us, walked by our side, handed down their softness and fierce strength and have made us laugh until the tears came rolling down our face. Here’s to them.

Oil & Ag

WDEA offering energy scholarships

Aimed at students pursuing energy career

WESTERN DAKOTA ENERGY ASSOCIATION

NORTH DAKOTA — The Western Dakota Energy Association will award six $1,000 scholarships this spring to students in an energy-related field at a North Dakota college, university or technical school.

WDEA President Leslie Bieber said the association is offering the scholarships to help the industry and western communities meet the workforce challenges historically experienced with oil industry growth.

“We recognize that North Dakota will see benefits from the oil industry only if it is able to attract the workforce it needs,” said Bieber. “We want to do everything we can to encourage young people to explore the many opportunities for a rewarding career in the energy sector.”

Funding for the scholarship program is generated by sponsorships of WDEA’s annual meeting.

The application deadline is March 31.

Scholarship winners will be announced following WDEA’s executive committee meeting in late April.

From ‘WDEA Offering Energy Scholarships’ from WDEA’s March newsletter found at ndenergy.org. Read the full story by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

Seed packet storage

BY KARY MOLTZAN news@vocella.com

As we’ve been diving into different topics related to homesteading and sustainability, a big part of that is not wasting the things we have. Keeping track of unused seeds, however, can be quite a hassle — spilled seeds, entire packets lost or forgotten.

Harvest Homesteaders shared a great tip on Instagram using a three-ring binder and baseball card protector sheets for organizing all of their seed packets, and it is something I plan to implement myself!

For more from harvesthomesteaders, follow the QR code by scanning with your smartphone to view the original reel on Instagram.

Spring seed starting

BY KARY MOLTZAN news@vocella.com

While in true North Dakota fashion, the weather has gone from false spring to second (or is it third?) winter, now is still a great time to start thinking about getting your seeds ready for spring planting.

I am as guilty as anyone of wandering the aisles when the seed packets start being placed in stores, and wanting to grab one of each. What usually ends up happening then is that I either plant far too much of everything, OR I only plant a partial packet, then forget I have them and buy them again the next year. It also ends up costing more than I intend to spend, because while most seeds are fairly inexpensive, when you fill your cart those dollars add up quickly.

In researching and learning more about sustainability and homesteading, I’ve discovered some great tips and tricks for saving seeds from the produce you’ve already bought at the store, saving seeds from your own garden produce for the next year after you’ve harvested, and even engaging in online or in person seed swaps.

I’ve started plants from store produce in the past, successfully growing green peppers, squash and onions. I have celery growing in a glass of water right now, after using all the ribs I could from the stalk. I’ve also seen oth-

ers slice a tomato and plant the whole slice to start seedlings. Saving your own seeds after you’ve harvested your garden in the fall is almost as rewarding as the harvest itself. Knowing that you can continue growing plants year after year from the seeds you started with is a very satisfying feeling. Be sure you know what your original plants are, however. Heirloom seeds will yield the best results, while anything hybrid may not produce what you’re expecting after the first year.

Why I had never considered an organized seed swap — or a rather unorganized one, for that matter — is beyond me. While researching I’ve discovered there are several Facebook groups and websites for serious and amateur gardening hobbyists. Becoming a member of a seed swap means there’s something for everyone and allows everyone to save a little money. Instead of planting more seeds than you need or losing them for the following year, swap them with someone who has more than they need of something else. You both get a little of each, without wasting the seeds or your hard earned dollars. While some of these online swaps rely on shipping, there’s no reason you can’t share locally by posting in a local Facebook group (like our own Williston Connections) what you have extra, and ask for others to do the same in trade.

Another way to begin spring planting, even with the snow on the ground and no

greenhouse, is to get your seeds started inside. I have often started seeds inside in the past, using a special growing container with 36 different little wells and a special plastic cover on top. Again, one of my downfalls is thinking I need to plant an entire packet of something, thus thinking I need multiple containers like that to get started.

Instead, this year, I’ve realized I really only need one tomato plant, one pepper plant, etc. There’s also no need for store purchased windowsill greenhouses, either. Many will save toilet paper rolls, cut them in half, then cut slits on one end to allow them to fold in, to make individual starter pots that happen to also be biodegradable. If you enjoy the rotisserie chickens from the grocery store, save those containers, too. A little soil in the bottom along with the clear plastic cover makes a great greenhouse that can fit in your window or on a countertop. Sometimes all it takes is a little ingenuity to see new ways to reuse old things — which is definitely a great way to practice sustainability.

If you’d like to learn more about not breaking the bank while getting your garden growing I found a great blog post called “How to Start Seedlings for Free” on the Salt in My Coffee blog by Anna Chesley. Scan the QR code to read it!

Heirloom seeds vs. Hybrid seeds

Heirloom seeds and hybrid seeds differ significantly in their origins and characteristics. Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down through generations, maintaining their unique traits and genetic diversity. In contrast, hybrid seeds are created by cross-breeding two different parent plants to produce desired characteristics, such as disease resistance or higher yields.

One key distinction is that heirloom seeds breed true to type, meaning that if you save seeds from a particular heirloom plant, the offspring will closely resemble the parent plant. This reliability allows gardeners to save seeds from their harvest and continue growing plants with consistent traits year after year.

On the other hand, hybrid seeds do not breed true to type. When you save seeds from hybrid plants and replant them, the resulting offspring will exhibit a wide range of characteristics, often different from those of the parent plants. This unpredictability makes saving and replanting hybrid seeds unreliable for maintaining desired traits in future generations.

Therefore, saving heirloom seeds is crucial for preserving genetic diversity, maintaining traditional plant varieties, and ensuring food security. By saving and sharing heirloom seeds, gardeners contribute to the conservation of agricultural heritage and empower future generations to cultivate resilient and diverse crops.

NEW GROWTH FROM A STORE BOUGHT CELERY STALK | PHOTO BY KARY MOLTZAN

Wellness Wednesday National Living Well Month

The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences proudly celebrates Living Well Month every year in March. Living well involves all eight areas of wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, environmental, occupational, social and intellectual. You can think of these eight areas as a wellness wheel.

When we think of physical wellness we tend to limit it to feeling good, the lack of illness and physical activity, but I’m here to tell you physical wellness encompasses so much more. Physical wellness can be defined as the ability to properly care for the body; to attain and maintain optimal health and functionality by means of proper nutrition, physical activity and healthcare.

Let’s touch on specifics to physical wellness including sleep, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, medication safety, preventive medicine, nutrition and of course physical activity.

·Adequate sleep is an essential element of physical wellness. It is encouraged to get between seven to eight hours of sleep a

Wnight

· Eradicating or reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. Efforts to do so include locating support groups and identifying your triggers.

· Medicating safety can prevent harm resulting from the use of medication including allergic reactions, side effects, over medication and medication errors.

· Preventive medicine can delay or prevent the onset of diseases and premature death. Routine checkups such as blood pressure and blood sugar readings, weight monitoring and screenings can save someone’s life.

· Adequate nutrition is a critical part of

growth and development as well as reductions in diseases such as diabetes.

· Adults are recommended to get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity (walking, dancing or gardening) or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity (running, swimming or biking) per week.

We want to strive for balanced wellness wheels. If we are doing well in most areas, but not very good in a few, our wheel won’t be round and it won’t roll right. Take time this month to address any areas needing improvement in your wellness wheel.

AFCS professionals provide families with evidence and science-based programs enabling them to improve their families well-being in health, financial management, food and nutrition, food safety, healthy homes and environments and family life. To find more information about these topics and living well month checkout the NEAFCS website. Until next time, continue extending knowledge and changing lives with NDSU Extension.

The Bookshelf Book review: “Nothing More to Tell”

hen it comes to reading, I shy away from overly scary books. I firmly believe that a well-crafted scary novel can be more unsettling than a horror movie. While not all mystery novels are inherently terrifying, the depiction of plausible events in many makes them eerier than fantasy tales.

Karen M. McManus’ works, as young adult novels, strike a perfect balance — not overly scary and well-written. Despite some predictable twists, I appreciate the blend of suspense in her works. Karen’s books are rather well-known, with her “One of Us is Lying” having been adapted into a TV series. “Nothing More to Tell” is my most recent read by her. This high school mystery, featuring bold and recklessly brave young characters, centers around Brynn’s investigation into her teacher’s death while working for a true crime show.

Title: “Nothing More to Tell”

Author: Karen M. McManus

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller

Summary

Four years after her favorite teacher’s murder, Brynn returns to Saint Ambrose School, diving into an internship at a truecrime show. Focused on her teacher’s unsolved case and the mystery surrounding the

three students who found the body, Brynn investigates, aiming to unveil the truth. Her ex-best friend, Tripp Talbot, plays a crucial role in her quest, serving as her gateway to the three students. Without Tripp’s account, the others might have faced consequences for the murder. As Brynn delves into the past, secrets unravel, and Tripp’s burdensome lie adds complexity, potentially altering everything for these elite students bound by a

shared secret.

Review

Brynn’s unwavering determination drives the narrative, showcasing her adept investigative skills while exposing herself and loved ones to danger. This story keeps readers engaged as Brynn unravels secrets from everyone, with her ex-best friend, Tripp Talbot, serving as both a crucial informant and a source of frustration. Tripp’s reluctant assistance proves instrumental in uncovering the truth, aiding most characters in moving beyond the tragedy.

McManus’ use of multiple character perspectives to deepen the story and provide an understanding of the characters. While Brynn’s calculating and investigative mind leads for the majority of the book, the inclusion of Tripp’s viewpoint offers valuable insights into the guilt and confusion surrounding the tragedy. Tripp’s perspective adds a layer of realism, showcasing the complex emotions real people might experience in such situations. Throughout the book, McManus skillfully introduces misleading suspects, creating suspense. Despite a compelling red herring suspect, the true killer remains elusive, injecting danger into Brynn’s quest.

The book’s conclusion unveils a surprising killer, however with the way it’s handled the possibility for a sequel is left wide open. I

Reviewed by MCKENNA WALTER

McKenna is a graphic designer for Vocella, Inc. In her spare time she is an avid reader and crocheter.

look forward to more books from Karen M. McManus, especially as I have several on my shelves waiting to be read.

“NOTHING MORE TO TELL” BY KAREN M. MCMANUS