The Vocella Graphic - March 28, 2024

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 Owners/Publishers

Karolyn Moltzan General Manager/Lead Design

McKenna Layne Design/Social Media

Erica Kingston Editorial/Copy Editor

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

From the Designer: This Issue

Dear

Readers, Navigating the balance between speaking up and biting your tongue is a universal struggle. If you’re like me and try to avoid confrontation as much as possible, you may be seeking to avoid the uncomfortable feeling that often comes with it. In striving to maintain peace, however, we may be compromising our own needs and values. Other times, though, speaking up may be absolutely necessary, whether it’s addressing injustices or setting boundaries for ourselves. Finding the balance requires understanding when silence serves us, or holds us back.

This balancing act also requires a fair amount of introspection and practice. Recognizing that confrontation doesn’t have to be combative and that silence is not the same as peace is a huge first step to finding that balance for yourself. Embracing the discomfort of confrontation when necessary actually encourages deeper connections, while embracing the wisdom of silence can bring harmony to relationships.

I’m reminded of the Serenity Prayer: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

May we all find the courage to speak our truth and the wisdom to know when silence speaks louder.

Kary Moltzan

Socials

Find us on Facebook and Instagram: @thevocellagraphic and @thecommunityshopper

Web

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

by appt. only.

Profiles Garden prep with Williams County NDSU Extension

LOCAL RESOURCES EDUCATE ON SOIL HEALTH

AIt really helps tell folks what is going on in their garden setting… so that they are doing right by their soils.

-Kelly Leo, Williams County Extension

Agent

lthough the first weekend of 2024’s spring brought snowstorms and frigid temperatures, inching closer are the days of long-lasting sunlight and warmth. Soon, the time will come to break ground on gardens that have laid dormant during the cold months, tilling up dirt and redying rows for new life and another season of growth.

In this western region of North Dakota, gardening can be a tricky thing; with varying soil types and water quality, it can be hard to know what to plant, where and how to nourish a garden to its potential. While not everyone has the knowledge of a horticulturist or a plant biologist, there are local resources that are ready and available to help with everything from lawns and trees, to gardens and everything in between.

The Williams County NDSU Extension has staff, resources and programs that are dedicated to improving lives and communities through science-based education. Kelly Leo, agriculture and natural resources extension agent for Williams County, is passionate about educating through hands-on, interactive ways of making science come to life. Through her duties at the extension office, Leo works in horticulture, lawn and garden settings and throughout all other agricultural aspects to educate the community.

“We try to know a little bit about a lot of things to be as helpful as we can and extend that research from (NDSU) out to the public,” Leo said.

The Williams Coun-

ty Extension has materials ready for those seeking help with their spring gardens. Events like the annual Spring Tree and Garden workshop and the Spring Fever Garden forums, hosted weekly in April, and soil testing, new and seasoned gardeners can learn more about their hardiness zones, soils and water.

Soil testing is a service offered through the extension office that allows people to take samples of their garden or lawn to be sent in to the NDSU Soil Testing Laboratory. The lab looks at how much nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is in the soil as well as its pH level and amounts of soluble salts and organic matter. In a garden struggling to produce, in most instances, throwing on some Miracle Grow and hoping for the best is not the greatest option. Leo explained that because of the geology of the soil, all minerals are not readily available. Testing the soils can help make sure it isn’t high in one mineral that may inhibit the uptake of another mineral.

“Testing ahead of time to really know what is in our soils helps us to determine what we can do to maybe mitigate those things,” Leo said. “If we have too much or not enough (minerals) in our soils so that the plants are getting adequate nutrition and growing and producing as we would expect.”

Soil testing is quick and easy. For a small fee, soil sample bags and a forum can be picked up from the Williams County Exten-

sion office. From there, samples of soil from around a yard or garden can be collected into the bags and mailed to the NDSU lab. Results can take weeks to process, so getting samples sent in early in the season is encouraged.

“It really helps tell folks what is going on in their garden setting so when they do provide nutrients or compost, that they are doing right by their soils,” Leo said. “Our best bet is to know that that soil contains what we think it contains and that we are fertilizing for what’s not there and what’s needed.”

Leo said that soil in Williams County usually lacks nitrogen. Legumes have nitrogen-fixing bacteria as part of their biology and if not a lot are grown, there is often a lack of the mineral. Nitrogen can also be added to soil through compost, but adding too much can result in hot spots that will cause plants to wilt and die when it gets hot. Compost material can also be sent into the lab to be tested as to what exactly it contains.

“If we get a soil test back and see very low organic matter, then we know we need some living roots in that soil to start to build that organic matter and get those good bacterial and mycorrhizal relationships in the soil,” Leo said. “They help our plants absorb water, they also provide nutrients to our plants, thus our plants provide nutrients to them. Soil science is super complex. There

Erica is a freelance writer and copy editor. She is a wife and mother of four and loves road trips and being out on the prairies of North Dakota.

isn’t just one size fits all. Everyone’s best bet is to do the soil testing.”

The NDSU Extension website has an abundance of publications to help grow horticulture and agricultural knowledge. Leo suggests “Evaluating, Preparing and Amending Lawn and Garden Soil” which explains how to read a fertilizer bag, how to determine what’s going on with a soil test, what salts in soil do, visual assessments, soil temperatures and more.

Spring Fever Garden Forums, hosted out of Bismarck, are coming up in April and can be viewed online from home or at the extension office. These forums feature speakers on varying topics; April 1 will focus on trees, the forum on April 8 will be on fruits and vegetables and the final forum on April 15 will have speakers on crabgrass, fungi and bees. Registration for these free forums can be found on the NDSU extension website.

Leo and the Williams County Extension office are available to help whenever they can through their resources on lawn and garden topics. Upcoming events through Williams County Extension can be found online at www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/ county-extension-offices/williams-county or their Facebook page “NDSU Extension - Williams County.” Leo can be personally reached through email at kelly.leo@ndsu. edu.

Williams County NDSU Extension

JON MOLTZAN HELPS WEED HIS FAMILY’S GARDEN NORTH OF RAY, ND IN 2021 | PHOTO BY KAROLYN MOLTZAN

ERICA KINGSTON ekingmediawriter@gmail.com

Fall 2024 course registration now open at Williston State College

BY BRITTNY MAYO Director of Marketing & Communications, Williston State College

WILLISTON — Williston State College is excited to announce the opening of the Fall 2024 Course Schedules, featuring an array of new and innovative classes designed to inspire and engage students. Among the new offerings is COMM299: Special Topics in Communication - Anime, a captivating course that explores animated performance, fan culture, and representations of identity and intersectionality. Students will dive into the vibrant world of anime, gaining valuable insights into its artistic and cultural significance.

Another exciting addition to the Fall Course Schedule is ENG299: Special topics in English - Writing About Video Games, where students will embark on a journey through the immersive realm of video games. From analyzing gameplay mechanics to examining the evolution of gaming technology, this course covers a wide range of topics. Through various writing genres such as personal essays, reviews, and research papers, students will gain a deeper under-

standing of gaming culture and its impact on society.

At Williston State College, we believe in the importance of continuing education and are committed to providing opportunities for lifelong learning. Whether you are a recent high school graduate, a working professional seeking new skills, or someone looking to explore your passions, WSC is here for you at any stage in life. Join us this fall to expand your horizons, develop new talents, and chart a path towards a brighter future.

“We are thrilled to introduce these dynamic courses that reflect the evolving interests and passions of our students,” said Dr. Zahi Atallah, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Williston State College. “These new offerings not only provide valuable knowledge and skills but also foster creativity and critical thinking.”

For more information and to explore the complete Fall 2024 Course Catalog and Class Schedule, visit Williston State College Catalog and Class Schedules by scanning the QR code.

Tree planting assistance

First Lutheran Church presents

“The Lamb of God”

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

NORTH DAKOTA — North Dakota’s soil conservation districts have secured funds from the North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund to aid landowners in tree planting endeavors. Eligible landowners can receive a substantial 75% cost share for both machine planting and weed barrier installation.

To determine eligibility and apply for assistance, individuals are encouraged to

contact the Williams County Soil Conservation District at the USDA Service Center in Williston or call 701-572-6729 Ext. 3. For further details on the agreement’s requirements, visit the district’s website at wmscoscd.com or scan the QR code with your smartphone.

1st Concert | 9:30 AM

Salad Bar Lunch | 11:30 AM

2nd Concert | 3:00 PM This

Dakotas among states still weighing controversial pipeline plan

BY MIKE MOEN Prairie News Service

NORTH DAKOTA — New public hearings and legal decisions are expected in the coming weeks and months about a controversial pipeline project in the upper Midwest. The company behind the effort appears ready for the long haul, but so are its opponents.

Summit Carbon Solutions has been seeking permits and trying to acquire land in multiple states, including North Dakota, for a maze of pipelines it wants to build. The pipes would carry ethanol plant emissions and store them underground.

Brian Jorde, an attorney representing property owners challenging the project, said despite some regulatory setbacks, it is clear the company is still forging ahead.

“Every state is still in play,” Jorde pointed out. “There’s nothing different from a year ago than right now.”

This week, Jorde made arguments before the South Dakota Supreme Court in a complex element of the case tied to landowners’ rights. And North Dakota regulators are formalizing plans for public hearings for

Summit’s new permit application, after saying “no” last year. Summit said the initiative has environmental and economic benefits. However, opponents worry about safety issues and are skeptical of the carbon sequestration claims.

Like North Dakota, South Dakota regulators last year rejected Summit’s initial permit application and the actions have pushed back the project’s timeline. Jorde hopes the public does not lose interest, especially residents concerned about pipelines running through their property.

“If you don’t speak up, the assumption is you don’t mind and you won’t have a voice,” Jorde emphasized.

The latest North Dakota public hearings could begin as early this spring. Jorde noted it could take several months for a decision on the South Dakota legal case. And Summit is expected to try again for permit approval there. Other states connected to the project include Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska.

Waterglassing Eggs

BY KARY MOLTZAN news@vocella.com

Afew weeks ago, I shared an Instagram post that gave tips and tricks for getting your hens to lay throughout the winter months. However, even with those efforts it’s likely that your laying hens will produce more eggs in the spring and summer. While some may get enough to sell the eggs, for others it may be more than can be used immediately, but not enough to sell.

Waterglassing eggs is a method of preservation that can keep eggs fresh for up to 18 months while sitting in your pantry — no refrigeration required! Slow Living Homestead explains exactly how to do it in this Instagram post.

For more from Slow Living Homestead, follow the QR code by scanning with your smartphone and view the original reel on Instagram.

Food preservation

BY KARY MOLTZAN news@vocella.com

Alarge part of the modern homesteading movement we see emerging in the younger generations now is very much an echo of the past, whether it be our parents, grandparents or maybe even great grandparents.

My grandmother wrote down recollections of her life that she called “Bits and Pieces” that gives a glimpse into the times and lifestyle she grew up in and as a young adult herself. My memories may have been of her as my grandma helping my mom can in the fall with the help of my sister and I, but with her narrative, I can clearly envision her as a young woman tending the garden, milking the cows and preserving the harvest.

Perhaps that is part of why so many of us in my generation and younger are drawn to the idea of homesteading — to feel that connection to our relatives that came before us and the lives they lived. Their generation strived for that connection as well, as they continued the traditions and holidays that their parents and grandparents may have brought with them when they immigrated to this country, or clung to as the world around them changed so drastically. Many of our grandparents and great grandparents also lived through hard times, when it was important to be able to provide for themselves and make every cent stretch. While the situation we’re in today seems a far cry from that, pinching pennies and self-sustainability is definitely something that many today are bringing to the forefront of their daily lives. You don’t have to have an extensive garden with the ability to feed a small army or raise livestock in your backyard to benefit from the money-saving knowledge and skills of food preservation. Being able to buy

in bulk at big box stores or taking advantage of super sales and coupons can save a ton of money, but only if the food doesn’t go bad before you can eat it. Knowing what to do with the surplus and how, whether it be freezing, dehydrating or canning, can make all the difference.

Freezing is probably the simplest method and doesn’t require any special equipment other than your freezer. It’s important to know the methods for freezing different items, however. Some foods can just be packaged into smaller portions and frozen. Certain vegetables may need to be blanched (dipped in boiling water briefly, then into an ice bath), or you may want to further process them to have a different end product such as making creamed corn instead of freezing regular corn.

Dehydrating can be done with a dehydrator but can also be achieved by using your oven on a very low temperature. Dehydrating definitely changes the texture of the food you’re processing, so you won’t want to use this for every food, but it can allow you to turn even some of your food scraps into usable products. For example, saving the dry outer skins of onion or garlic, which can be washed, dehydrated and then pulverized results in your own homemade onion powder and garlic powder. Even paprika can be made simply by dehydrating red bell peppers. Even better, if you own a pellet grill/smoker, you can make smoked paprika!

Canning is most likely what we think of when we picture the things our grandparents did. It is the most involved method of food preservation but the hard work definitely pays off in the end. There are two methods of canning: water bath canning and pressure canning. Which method you use depends on the food you are canning. Water bath canning can be done without any special equip-

ment, though if you are wanting to process large quantities of jars, a large water bath canning pot may be a worthwhile investment. Water bath canning can be used to process high acid foods. Low acid foods must be processed in a pressure canner. These foods include any vegetables that are not pickled, soup stocks and all animal products. This is one area where the motto, “know better, do better,” applies. Science has come a long way, and we now know that processing low acid foods in a water bath canner can lead to botulism. So even though great-grandma’s recipe book may say it’s okay, this is certainly a time to listen to the modern experts.

This is just a brief look at what types of preservation are possible at home, but the information on specific methods and foods are abundant. The National Center for Home for Food Preservation website from the University of Georgia is an amazing new resource with information on canning, pickling, fermenting, freezing, drying, smoking, and more! Scan the QR code below with your smartphone to visit the site. The local extension office is also a great resource that has lots of pertinent information on various methods of food preservation as well as specific recipes and more. They even have knowledgeable experts you can speak to personally and get your questions answered. Again, when it comes to food you always want to use the best practices to ensure safety and avoid food-borne illnesses.

Are you enjoying this content? Let us know! Drop us a line and let us know how we’re doing, or what kind of articles you’d like to see! Have an area of expertise you’d like to share - we’d love to print it! Email news@vocella.com today!

CANNING GARDEN OR STORE BOUGHT PRODUCE IS A COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO STORE VEGGIES WITHOUT TAKING UP SPACE IN A FREEZER

CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Employees Donate Complete Easter Dinners to 42 Families

CHI ST. ALEXIUS HEALTH PRESS RELEASE marcia.benway@commonspirit.org

CHI St. Alexius Health Williston’s hospital and clinic employees started their Easter Food Drive again this March with hopes to exceed last year’s number of 37 families who were provided with complete Easter Dinners. They exceeded their goal and were able to collect enough food for 42 families to receive complete Easter meals.

“What a wonderful way to celebrate Easter, by helping families in need,” said Voni Halvorson, CHI St. Alexius Health’s volunteer coordinator. “This is such a wonderful place to work.”

The Bookshelf Book review: “The Crown of Embers”

“The Crown of Embers,” which is a sequel of “The Girl of Fire and Thorns,” faces the challenge of living up to the rich character development and growth portrayed in the first book. While I can’t say I enjoy this book as much as the first, it undeniably adds value to the series. It shows a lot of how Elisa leverages the growth she experienced. Despite not surpassing the first book in my personal preferences, Rae Carson’s skill shines through, making the series a compelling annual read for me.

Title: “The Crown of Embers”

Author: Rae Carson

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Summary

After leading a clandestine rebellion, Elisa assumes the role of queen, embarking on a journey filled with both trials and triumphs. Yet, her newfound position is fraught with challenges. Assassination attempts and court intrigues threaten to undermine her ability to rule effectively. Faced with these obstacles, she decides to set out on a quest — a journey in pursuit of the most potent source of power in order to become a truly great queen.

As she ventures forth, danger looms with her relentless assassin in pursuit. Elisa grapples with the powers bestowed upon her as the bearer of the Godstone, navigating through its mysteries and confronting the associated challenges. Despite these trials, her loyal companions stand by her side, ready to

face whatever adversities arise.

Review A key characteristic of well-written literature is the ability to evoke strong emotions in readers, allowing them to experience the characters’ feelings as if they were their own.

Reading about Elisa’s conniving court, which is often marked by belittling and betrayals, is genuinely infuriating. Lord-Conde Eduardo, in particular, stands out as a meticulously crafted character who embodies vileness. Due to the significant growth Elisa un-

derwent in the previous book, I anticipated her confidently leading her new kingdom. However, she grapples with a loss of confidence that is, in a way, understandable. Elisa was born a princess and never meant to become a queen. As she assumes the role, Elisa doesn’t have training or knowledge to fall back on, and finds herself almost entirely alone. With her husband and first love dead and her companions from the first book taking on new roles in their country, she faces the challenges of her new position.

Yet, she is not entirely without support. Her loyal nursemaid, Ximena, and the commander of her guard, Lord Hector, are with her. While both are unwaveringly loyal to Elisa, the differing opinions and tension between the two make it hard at times for Elisa to work with them. Ximena, in her role as guardian, often underestimates her, hindering her ability to fully embrace her role as queen. Hector and Elisa face lots of tension in this book due to unexpected closeness. Hector, in particular, really struggles with the emotions he feels towards Elisa.

Elisa’s adventure to find more power takes her through a lot of perilous situations. However she is resilient and doesn’t back down from the challenge, placing her faith in the God she loves dearly and knows has a plan for her. She learns a lot on her voyage that makes her stronger. In the end, she comes to the realization that to be a great queen, she doesn’t need more power; she needs to overcome self-doubt.

Despite not enjoying this book as much

Reviewed by

MCKENNA WALTER mckenna@vocella.com

McKenna is a graphic designer for Vocella, Inc.

In her spare time she is an avid reader and crocheter.

as the first, “The Crown of Embers” is still a wonderful story. Even though Elisa takes a blow to her confidence in the beginning, Rae Carson takes her on another journey of self-discovery that leaves her all the better for it. I’m excited to see how this growth plays out in the next book, “The Bitter Kingdom.”

“THE CROWN OF EMBERS” BY RAE CARSON

Pictured at right are members of the CHI St. Alexius Health Christian Awareness Committee with Camey Tubman from the Salvation Army.

LEFT TO RIGHT: PASTOR STEVE ANDERSON, SALVATION ARMY REPRESENTATIVE, CAMEY TUBMAN, JOHN ODERMANN, VONI HALVORSON, AND TANIA KLEIN

Wellness Wednesday

National Living Well Month: Intellectual and environmental wellness

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. 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. The last two areas left to cover this month include Intellectual Wellness and Environmental Wellness.

Intellectual Wellness includes the pursuit of lifelong learning, improving skills and learning new concepts. The ability to open our mind to new ideas and experiences can be applied to personal decisions, group interactions and community betterment. There are several ways in which to

improve intellectual wellness, here are a few ideas:

• Read for fun

• Debate an issue

• Learn a language

• Play a game

• Play a musical instrument

• Pick up a new hobby

• Do crossword or sudoku puzzles

• Be active! Exercise increases brain health

Environmental wellness involves occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that promote learning, contemplation and relaxation. This also means preserving the environments in which we live, learn and work. The essentials of environmental wellness include having access to clean air, adequate water and healthy food. All of these things contribute to a good, healthy mind and body. There are many different types of environments in which we interact. Places where we build community, learn from others and simply grow together and enjoy life.

Do these areas promote your environmental well-being?

• Home, neighborhood, and work

• School, library, and community centers

• Gym or recreation facilities

• Faith communities

• Natural environments, such as parks, recreation, hiking, biking, gardens, and lakes/rivers

I hope you are able to find time this month to reflect on the eight areas of wellness and discover how well balanced your wellness wheel is. This week, I challenge you to learn something new and take time to have fun or relax in nature. Stay tuned for next week’s highlight on Prevent Child Abuse Awareness Month.

Until next time, continue extending knowledge and changing lives with NDSU Extension.

KATELYN JESPERSEN WILLIAMS COUNTY FAMILY & COMMUNITY WELLNESS EXTENSION AGENT

INTELLECTUAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS ARE IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE WELLNESS WHEEL | ADOBE STOCK