The Oracle - June 28, 2023

WILLISTON RESEARCH EXTENSION CENTER FIELD DAYS

PRESS RELEASE

Field days at North Dakota State University’s (NDSU) Williston Research Extension Center (WREC) are set for July 12 and 13.

Page 3

EVEN GOOD CHANGE IS HARD

From Crosby Counsling

It is important to talk about transitions in life. Change is hard and we cannot do anything to stop it., but there are ways to cope.

Page 7

DAKOTA CARRIER NETWORK RECEIVES

$19.7M GRANT TO HELP FILL BROADBAND GAPS IN NORTH DAKOTA

ND Governor’s PRESS RELEASE

Bismarck-based Dakota Carrier Network (DCN) LLC has been awarded a $19.7 million “Middle Mile” grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to help extend broadband internet service to communities across North Dakota.

Page 8

Wildrose Summer Fest Full of Fun for the Whole Family

By Michelle Svangstu

If you’re looking for another day of summer fun, pack up your family, gather your friends and head over to Wildrose for their 4th annual SummerFest, held June 30th-July 2nd!

Natalie Cain, one of the organizers for the event, says SummerFest started off as just an idea to better the community and bring

CRAFTS-4-U

people to town. “Sevre’s and Watterud’s were really the ones who had the original idea – they took it to the city and the city backed them up. Had it not been for the pandemic in 2020, this would be the 5th year of SummerFest for the small, tight-knit community.

This year, notes Cain, SummerFest is full of fun (Story Continues on Page 6)

MAIN STREET MANIA

Large

Kids toss out candy from the Wildrose Fire Truck during the 2022 parade.

Brooks Berntson living his best life on Main Street in Medicine Lake, MT. Story on page 5.

LOCAL EVENTS SPONSORED BY

To

FORTUNA

Every Tuesday- Range Night at Northwest Sportsman Club

RAY

Wednesday June 28th - Boys Basket-

ball Summer Workouts 6:30am at Ray High School Gym

Wednesday June 28th - Girls Basketball Summer Workouts 9:30am at Ray High School Gym

Thursday June 29th - Boys Basketball Summer Workouts 6:30am at Ray High School Gym

CROSBY

Saturday July 1st - Wildrose Summerfest 2023 at Wildrose ND

Monday July 3rd - City of Ambrose

Council Meeting 5:00-6:00pm

Monday July 3rd - Crosby City Council

Meeting 7:00-9:00pm at Crosby City Hall

Monday July 3rd - Dakota Star Quilt Guild 7:00-8:00pm at Pleasant Pheasants Fabrics

Wednesday July 5th - Crosby Area Chamber Meeting 8:00-9:00am Divide County Courthouse

Wednesday July 5th - Divide County Commission Meeting

Wednesdays: Storytime at the Divide County Library 10:00am - 10:45am

Fridays: Cards & Games at Divide County

Senior Citizens Center 1:30-2:30pm Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

Saturdays: Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

Sundays:

Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

WILLISTON

Thursday June 29th - Week 1 Summer

Nights On Main 2023 5-9p at Williston

Main St.

June 30th - July 2nd - 2023 Williston

Tattoo Expo The Grand Williston Hotel & Conference Center

Saturday July 1st - 2023 Williams

County Parks Summer Concert Series

presents “The Blue Stems” 7-9p at Little Egypt

Monday July 3rd - Basin Kruzers Main Street Block Party-July 6-8:30p at 4th St to Broadway

Monday July 3rd - Williston Basin

Speedway Dirt Track Racing WBRA

Summer Series & Kids Night Grandstand gates open at 6p at Upper Missouri Valley Fairgrounds

Tuesday July 4th - 2023 Williams

County Parks Summer Concert Series

presents “Josey & the Whalers” at Blacktail Dam 6983 141st Ave NW, Williston, ND 58801

Thursday July 6th -Week 2 Summer Nights On Main 2023 featuring Dan Brekke 5-9p at downtown Williston

TIOGA

Wednesday June 28th - Slow Flow

Yoga 7:00-8:00pm at the Tioga Community Center

Thursday June 29th - Hatfield Handmade Class 6:00-8:00pm at the Tioga Community Center

Friday June 30th - Freedom Fest Flea Market 3:00-7:00pm Tioga Community Center Gym

Saturday July 1st - Freedom Fest Flea Market 10:00am-7:00pm Tioga

Community Center Gym

Sunday July 2nd - Freedom Fest Flea Market 10:00am-3:00pm Tioga Community Center Gym

June 30th - July 2nd - Freedom Festival Main Street Tioga

Wednesday July 5th - Marketing Class: HOW TO CREATE A CONTENT CALENDAR THAT WORKS 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at City Hall- use Welo St Door

Tioga Community Center Schedule

Mondays: Yoga Flow 9:30am-10:30am

Learn English Class 10:00am-11:00am

Tuesdays: Pickleball 5:00pm-8:00pm

Wednesdays: Storytime 10:30am11:00am

Thursdays: Slow Flow 6:00pm-7:00pm

2023 NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR’S PHOTO CONTEST OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS

June 21, 2023.

PRESS RELEASE

Gov. Doug Burgum and the North Dakota Department of Commerce Tourism and Marketing Division, in partnership with AAA of North Dakota and the North Dakota Council on the Arts, are kicking off the 2023 North Dakota Governor’s Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism. The contest celebrates the talents of North Dakotans and showcases our state as a year-round destination. The contest is open now through Jan. 31, 2024.

This year’s competition highlights the unique characteristics of the four seasons, with photo entry categories Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. New submission methods available this

year include photo entry via Instagram and a direct online upload. One winner will be selected in each category and a $200 cash prize will be awarded to the photographer of each selected photo. Additional honorable mentions may be selected in each category, with photographers receiving $50 and North Dakota merchandise. A Best of Show photo will be selected from the winning photographs, and the photographer will receive an additional $300 cash prize and a free, one-year basic membership to AAA.

In addition to the prize money, winning photographs may be used in North Dakota Tourism’s newsletters, promotional materials and social channels as well as AAA publications and

social media channels. Winning photographs will be displayed on the 18th, or observatory floor, of the State Capitol mid-April through May of 2024, through a partnership with the North Dakota Council on the Arts. Launched in 2004, the annual Governor’s Photo Contest has grown significantly since its beginnings. In its first year, the contest attracted more than 300 submissions. More than 17,300 photos have been submitted in the years since.

To view the contest rules and submission guidelines, and to upload your photos directly, visit https://belegendary.link/2023GovPhoto

VIEW WINNERS FROM 2022: https://belegendary.link/2022PhotoContestWinners

Sunrise Pintails, at the McKenzie Slough Wildlife Management Area, by Greg Kolden. Honorable Mention in the Wildlife Category as part of the 2022 Governor's Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism. Source: https://www.ndtourism.com/2022-north-dakota-governors-photo-contest-winners

Williston Research Extension Center Field Days Set for July 12 and 13

NDSU Extension & Ag Research News: NEWS RELEASE

Field days at North Dakota State University’s (NDSU) Williston Research Extension Center (WREC) are set for July 12 and 13. NDSU research scientists will highlight their work. Greg Lardy, NDSU vice president for agricultural affairs, will attend the field day.

The annual dryland agronomy and horticulture field day will be held Wednesday, July 12, at the WREC, 4.5 miles west of Williston on U.S. Highway 2. The event begins with registration at 3 p.m. Central time.

The dryland crops tour starts at 4 p.m. Topics include:

• Pulse breeding, upcoming releases

• WREC Foundation Seedstocks pulse varieties

Bar Hours: 11AM

7 days a week

7 days a week.

• Kernza perennial grain

• Climate Smart Approaches in Agriculture

• Durum wheat varieties, acreages and performance

• Scab update

Stop By While You’re in

• Weed control update

• Livestock update

• Guar and Black Gram trial results

A concurrent horticulture program starts at 4 p.m. in the Ernie French Center for those interested in flowers, gardening and fruit/vegetable production. Program topics include:

• Weed identification and pesticides

• Conifer trees

• Raspberries and strawberries

• All America Selections flowers and pollinator garden

A free steak and lamb dinner for attendees will follow the completion of the tours.

The irrigation field day will be held on Thursday, July 13, at the WREC Nesson Valley Irrigation Research and Development Farm, 23 miles east of Williston on North Dakota Highway 1804. Topics include:

• Plant disease in corn and

small grains

• Weed control update and managing resistant weeds

• Variety trial update

• Soil moisture monitoring

• Market outlook for fall 2023

• Managing soil moisture in soybeans and its impact on growth and yield

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the irrigated crop tour will begin at 9 a.m. The day will conclude with a noon luncheon sponsored by Agri-Industries.

For more information, visit the WREC events webpage at ndsu.ag/wrecevents or contact Violeta Hobbs at 701-774-4315 or violeta. hobbs@ndsu.edu.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – June 22, 2023. Source: Violeta Hobbs, 701774,4315, violeta.hobbs@ ndsu.edu, Editor: Kelli Anderson, 701231-7881, kelli.c.anderson@ ndsu.edu

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ news/newsreleases/2023/ june/williston-research-extension-center-field-daysset-for-july-12-and-13

The WREC field days will offer opportunities to learn about the latest research in dryland agronomy, horticulture and irrigation topics. (NDSU photo)

THE WESTBY WATCH

Volunteers needed

The Westby Development Corporation needs your help!

We are searching for volunteers to help sell 50/50 and raffle tickets, bring desserts, and help with set-up at our annual Cornhole Tournament and BBQ on Sunday July 7.

The WDC is also looking for cornhole boards to

borrow for the afternoon.

If you would like to volunteer, donate dessert, or lend boards, please contact Heidi Whitney at 406-6725696, Brenda Ryals at 406385-7973, or talk to Kim Rust at Westby Grocery.

If history is any predictor of success, things are set for a great time at Onstad Memorial Park!

By Heidi Whitney

HOT DISH!

Please contact Heidi Whitney at 406-672-5696 to add an event!

ALL TIMES ARE MOUNTAIN

Fri June 30: Memorial services for Bazil Anderson will be held at 2:00 pm. Reverend Josh Parris will officiate the service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Westby, MT. Burial will be in Westby Cemetery with a luncheon to follow.

Sat July 1: Second annual Honoring Heroes Golf Tournament at Plentywood Golf Course. To register contact the VFW in Plentywood at 406-765-1188. If you or any member of your team is a veteran, please contact tournament founder, Seth Wiseman, at 701-651-8344.

Sun July 2: Services at Assembly of God, 10:30 am. Coffee hour at Immanuel, 10:30 am. Services at 11:30 am.

Sun July 9: Annual WDC Cornhole Tournament and free will offering BBQ at Onstad Memorial Park. Register your team through the Westby Development Corporation Facebook page or contact Heidi Whitney at 406-672-5696. The tournament will start at 2 pm. Food will be served at 5 pm.

Community Garage Sale

There will be a community garage sale in Westby Saturday August 5 from 8 am until 3 pm.

Contact Heidi Whitney at 406-672-5696 to be added to the treasure hunting map.

Don't have a spot to sell your wares? Community members are welcome to set up shop on Main Street or at Onstad Memorial Park on a first come, first serve basis. Stay tuned for updates!

2022 defending champs, Ester Geib (left) and Katie Geib (right).

MAIN STREET MANIA

By Alyssa Stromberg

If you want to truly take in small town hospitality and fun, mark your calendar for the third weekend of June. You can guarantee a rain shower will pass over, but that won’t deter the fun or the crowd. It’s become a tradition to get the festivities started, we need to wait out a shower. This year was no exception! When the clouds came over, a heavy downpour was released. There was no shortage of puddles or wet littles who took advantage of the warm weather and a small river down main St. Cornhole boards were dried off, instructions given, and the competition began.

The annual event in Medicine Lake originated in 1976, it is one of the community club’s big events. There is a meal, music and carnival games on main

street and conversation, the pool offers free swim during the afternoon. The Honker Foundation has put on the cornhole tournament for the last three years, and it has grown in teams. This event draws teams near and far for friendly competition.

Through the years the volunteers have changed, some activities have gone by the wayside and others have replaced them. What never changes are the coming to-

gether of friends, neighbors, and visitors. Main street mania is a time when graduating classes plan their reunions, those that grew up here plan their family visit home during this time.

The laughter, smiles, and pure joy of the littles as they win prizes, see friends, and are carefree is contagious. Main street is the lifeblood and main stay of all towns, but especially our small towns across the map.

Cornhole boards waiting for the comeptition.

Hopie’s Honker Pit

Getting the rules of the game.

Oracle •June 21, 2023 for everyone, from kids to adults. “Most of the activities are free or very low cost, thanks to our fantastic sponsors,” says Natalie. “Our goal is to make this the most fun, free family-friendly event possible, and we couldn’t do it without the help of our sponsors and community.”

Summer Fest will kick off on Friday, June 30th at 9:00 pm with a free showing of the movie Super Mario Bros. at the Wildrose City Park. Popcorn and snacks will be available for sale starting at 8:30 pm, and everyone is encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for comfortable seating.

On Saturday, July 1st, vendors will be set up from 11:00 am-4:00 pm at the Tennis Court on Main Street, along with the annual Chalk Contest. “The chalk contest is open to all ages, even adults,” says Cain. “Judging takes place at 4:00 pm and the top three entries chosen will win a prize.”

The event revs up with a parade down Main Street at 11:30 am, followed by the Main Street car show. “There is no entry fee for the parade or car show,” shares Natalie. “Entries for the parade will line up at the Fire Hall starting at 10:30 am, and following the parade cars can get set up on Main for the show. We’ve had a great turnout in the past and are hoping to again this year.”

The action-packed fun continues throughout the day. Let the kids burn off that extra energy on the inflatables, and take them over for some creative face painting by Natalie’s Canvas. Rocky Top Petting Zoo will also be in town for all the animal-lovers to check out. “The kid’s activities are all free,” says Cain. “It’s a great opportunity for adults to have some time to

visit while their kid’s take in all the exciting activities.”

Adults who enjoy hitting the greens will have an opportunity to pay to play in a 9-hole tournament at the Wildrose Golf Course. Competition kicks off at high-noon on Saturday, and anyone with questions should contact Shari Cvancara at 701-570-2503.

Music fills the air from 3:00-4:00 pm with toe-tapping tunes from the Alliance Band, and everyone can enjoy some friendly competition at 5pm when the community comes together for a free neighborhood block party, complete with yard games and a watermelon seed spitting contest. Supper will be available in the park, hosted by and benefiting the Wildrose Fire Department.

A SummerFest can’t be complete without the best foods to feed your cravings, and don’t worry – this year’s festival has plenty of delicious options for everyone! In addition to the Fire Department supper, the Wildrose Mixer and Golf Course will both be open and serving all day, in addition to the five food trucks that will be stationed on Main Street – from burgers and BBQ to snow cones and smoothies, everyone’s tastebuds will be satisfied!

Starting at 9:00 pm, you can show off your best moves and dance the night away to ‘8th Hour.’ “The dance is free and will be held on Main Street. The Mixer also plans to be open late for anyone who needs a drink or a late night snack,” says Cain.

The park will again be the center of activity on Sunday morning with a community church service, hosted by the Alliance Gospel Chapel and Grace Lutheran Church. “Praise in the Park starts at 9:00 am - feel free to bring a chair or blanket to sit on,” shares Natalie.

Following the community service, the Wildrose Lions will be serving a freewill donation brunch, and friends and family alike can say goodbye to each other and another year of smalltown fun.

“We’re so thankful for all the sponsors and volunteers that make this event happen,” shares Cain. From dollars, to mowing lawns, cleaning up the park…the entire town really comes together to make this happen. That’s one of the many reasons I love living here.”

Parade and car show questions and entries can

contact Sarah Herland at 701-641-6799, and vendors can reach out to Ashley Sevre at 701-641-1354. A

full schedule of events can be found on the Wildrose Summer Fest Facebook page.

Brooklyn Bender was one of the 2022 Chalk Contest winners with this colorful entry.

Even Good Change is Hard

From Crosby Counseling

It is graduation season for many families! The preparation this last year and particularly the last few months has been a lot! There have been so many emotions for parents but more so for the graduate. As we move closer to adult children moving on to college or into the workforce, it is important to talk about transitions in life. Change is hard and we cannot do anything to stop it. Even good change is hard. Pay attention to what comes up for you, what you need to nurture, deal with, and accept. There will be mixed emotions, changing emotions minute to minute, and different emotions for each person. When we sense a lack of control during change it increases our stress level. We tend to believe having control in life will give us peace but it only fuels deeper emotion. When we get to a place of

HERE? OR HERE?

acceptance and find beauty in even difficult moments, we can enjoy them. If we don’t, we will miss some amazing milestones and moments with our graduate. It is important to pay attention to what is coming up for you and your child. Notice how your graduate is behaving, pay attention to what they are saying. They are still young and don’t have the life experience parents do. Ask them what is the hardest part and what do they need from you? Talk about it. Naming what is going on and talking it through with someone they can trust can make all the difference. Take it slow. Life does not need to be figured out or done perfectly. That is what makes us human. Life is imperfect, messy, emotional. Embrace the moment. Allow yourself to feel it. Allow the process to happen.

Burgum: Dakota Carrier Network receives $19.7M grant to help fill broadband gaps in North Dakota

PRESS RELEASE: BISMARCK, N.D. – Bismarck-based Dakota Carrier Network (DCN) LLC has been awarded a $19.7 million “Middle Mile” grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to help extend broadband internet service to communities across North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum wrote a letter last September to the NTIA in support of DCN’s grant application, noting the project will provide much-needed expansion and sustainability of the broadband backbone that serves North Dakota’s rural communities, schools, health institutions and businesses, while reducing the costs of the upgrades to customers.

“Having reliable, highspeed connectivity is critical in a rural state like North Dakota with long distances between communities and population centers,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful to the NTIA for awarding Dakota Carrier Network this

Middle Mile grant, which will make North Dakota’s already robust broadband network even stronger to support telehealth, online education options, remote work, expanded market access for businesses and more. North Dakota continues to prove itself as a national leader in emerging technologies, and this grant will help ensure the resiliency of our internet as technology demands continue to grow.”

The NTIA’s Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program was created and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provides $1 billion in federal funding for the construction, improvement or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure. The purpose of the grant program is

to expand and extend middle mile infrastructure to reduce the cost of connecting areas that are unserved or underserved to the internet backbone.

The DCN project will add middle mile fiber routes to facilitate additional redundancy, resiliency and survivability of the network, while also upgrading electronics to support increased network demand.

By expanding DCN’s fiber optic backbone and increasing the network capacity, all North Dakotans benefit,” said Seth Arndorfer, CEO of DCN. “According to a recent FCC report, North Dakota leads the nation in access to gigabit internet access. This network upgrade will ensure North Dakota continues to lead the nation, giving our citizens access to the most advanced terabit connectivity, and will further North Dakota’s position in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, precision ag and autonomy.”

Did You Know?

Large groups of dragonflies will congregate to hunt in places with abundant insects. Different species of dragonflies swarm together, working to eat their fill. Some species migrate, and they will create swarms to move together as well

Fiber optic cable roll for broadband internet. (Adobe Stock)

The number of roosters heard crowing during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2023 spring pheasant crowing count survey was up 30% statewide from last year.

“We documented increased production for most of the state during 2022 brood routes compared to the last couple years, and we also confirmed high reproduction rates while aging hunter-submitted pheasant wings,” said R.J. Gross, department upland game management biologist. “So, the increase in pheasant density

comes as no surprise despite the high snowfall this past winter.”

The primary regions holding pheasants showed 19.5 crows per stop in the southwest, up from 14.1 in 2022; 16.6 crows per stop in the northwest, up from 13.7; and 12.8 crows per stop in the southeast, up from 9.7. The count in the northeast, which is not a primary region for pheasants, was 3.3 crows per stop, up from 3.0 last year.

“Current conditions are excellent across the state with adequate moisture this spring and early summer. These conditions

should foster insect hatches, which would provide forage to chicks for brood rearing,” Gross said. “Pheasant chicks hatch from early June through late July. Much of nesting success will depend on the weather, and we will more accurately assess pheasant production during our late summer roadside counts, which begin at the end of July.”

Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. Observers drive specified 20-mile routes, stopping at predetermined intervals, and counting the number of pheasant roosters heard crowing over a 2-minute period.

The number of pheasant crows heard are compared to previous years’ data, providing a trend summary. Watch the spring pheasant crowing count webcast with R.J. Gross by clicking here!

Dakota Gardener: The science of mowing your lawn

fine fescue lawns is 3 to 3.5 inches. For a lot of lawn mowers, this is the highest setting. You can check this by measuring from the ground to your mower blade using a ruler.

By Esther E. McGinnis, Horticulturist, NDSU Extension

My husband and I were invited to a housewarming party. The young couple had purchased their first home. As a horticulturist, I immediately noticed their unhealthy-looking lawn as we pulled up to their house. They were cutting their lawn too short and it was turning brown.

As a trained professional, I wanted to give them simple advice to improve their lawn’s health. Fortunately, my husband cautioned me about giving unsolicited advice and potentially ruining our friendship. Instead, I am providing this advice to our Dakota Gardener readers.

Don’t mow your lawn too short! A direct correlation exists between the length of the turfgrass blade and the length of the root system. If you want to have a deep root system that can tolerate drought, mow on the higher side. Conversely, mowing short results in a shallow root system that requires more irrigation.

The optimum length for Kentucky bluegrass and

A second rule of thumb is to mow frequently enough to avoid cutting off more than one-third of the turf blade. Turfgrass is composed of thousands and thousands of individual plants that need to photosynthesize to produce carbohydrates that fuel plant growth and development. If you remove too much green tissue, the plant is less able to produce its own food and will experience stress.

Did you know that you can go longer in between mowings if you follow the above two rules? It is a simple matter of math. If you are maintaining a 3-inch tall lawn and not removing more than one-third of the turfgrass blade, you would mow when the lawn reaches 4.5 inches and cut off 1.5 inches. In contrast, if you are maintaining a 2-inch lawn, you would mow at a 3-inch height and remove 1 inch. In the above example, the homeowner maintaining a 3-inch tall lawn would be able to let the grass grow an extra ½ inch before mowing.

When you mow, don’t collect and remove your lawn clippings. Instead, allow the clippings to fall back to the ground. Many people mistakenly assume that they will cause a thatch problem. This is a myth. Lawn clippings are primarily water and will decompose quite readily. Furthermore, they contain nitrogen. If you col-

lect your clippings, you are removing nitrogen from the lawn and will need to do an extra fertilizer application to make up for it.

To prevent ruts in your

lawn, don’t take the same path across the lawn every time. Next time, consider mowing in a perpendicular direction.

The final mowing tip is

to keep your lawn mower blade sharp. A dull mower blade tears the grass blade and results in a jagged edge on the turf blade. This jagged edge is more likely to cause water loss.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – June 20, 2023

Source: Esther McGinnis, 701-231-7406, esther.mcginnis@ndsu.edu

Editor: Kelli Anderson, 701-231-7881, kelli.c.anderson@ndsu.edu

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ news/columns/dakota-gardener/dakota-gardener-thescience-of-mowing-yourlawn

To improve your lawn’s health, resist mowing your grass too short.

Mowing the lawn too short is stressful for the turfgrass and makes the lawn less drought-tolerant. (NDSU photo)

Prairie Fare: July is National Grilling Month Consider

food safety when cooking and eating outdoors.

and vegetables to my resident grill master to cook.

When food preparation and eating move outdoors, we have some safety considerations. For example, be especially careful when cleaning your grill prior to adding food. A wire brush can leave bristles behind, which could find its way into your food.

More than 1,700 emergency room visits occurred in the U.S. due to grill brush bristle injuries between 2002 and 2014. About onefourth of those affected were admitted to the hospital.

and seafood contain harmful bacteria.

Consider these tips to include a variety of foods on your grilling menu:

• Rinse produce and prepare for grilling. Remove the stems, seeds and cores from fruits and vegetables before grilling.

• When preparing whole fruits or vegetables, cut them into slices unless otherwise specified.

s’mores, cut a ¾-inchdeep slit down the length of an unpeeled banana. Pry the slit open and stuff with 2 tablespoons of chopped dark chocolate or your favorite candy bar. Wrap the banana in foil and grill for about five minutes on each side.

husks and twist shut before placing the corn on the grill. If using a charcoal grill, turn the corn every 10 to 15 minutes. For gas grills, keep the heat on medium-high and turn every five minutes.

The aroma of food on a grill and the scent of freshly mowed lawns signal summertime to me.

Even if mowing lawn is not part of your regular summertime routine, enjoying grilled food probably is.

July is National Grilling Month, so we have plenty of time to celebrate the great outdoors with delicious food, well into colder months.

Do you have an outdoor grill in your household? If so, what are your favorite foods to prepare?

About 100 million grills are present in U.S. households according to a major grill manufacturer. That adds up to 60% of households. In fact, one third of households with grills have multiple grills.

Further, if you live in Midwestern or Southern states, you are very likely to grill foods in the summer. According to survey research, we love to grill hamburgers in the Midwest, but steak is another favorite.

Are you the grill master or assistant grill master in your household? I am content bringing trays of meats

Many tools are available to clean your grill from wooden grill scrapers to bristle-free brushes. Crumpled aluminum foil can be used to remove burned-on food after the grill cools.

Almost any food can be grilled. Depending on the grill, you can add a smoky flavor to pizza, vegetables and fruits, besides all types of protein foods such as beef, pork, chicken, lamb and fish.

Be sure to bring your food thermometer to the grill. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we should cook ground beef burgers to 160 F, chicken to 165 F and fish until it flakes with a fork and/or reaches 145 F. Steaks and chops should reach 145 F, with a three-minute rest time away from the heat source.

A clean serving plate to retrieve the cooked food from the grill helps prevent cross-contamination and maintains food safety. If you marinate foods, keep out a separate bowl of marinade to serve with the food. Marinades that have touched raw meat, poultry

• Prepare bell peppers by cutting off the top and bottom of the pepper. Remove the core and then cut the pepper in half from top to bottom. (This way, you end up with two flat rectangles that are grilled skin side down.)

• When using skewers, choose vegetables and fruits of like thickness and water content. Cut them the same size to ensure even cooking.

• Use separate plates and utensils for raw meats and fruits or vegetables to prevent cross-contamination.

• Take your time and be patient. You may think you are burning something and remove it before it is done.

• Sprinkle wedges of apple or pear with cinnamon and a touch of brown sugar. Grill for about five minutes per side.

• Brush peeled, whole bananas with canola or sunflower oil and add to the grill just until the fruit turns golden and has grill marks, or about five minutes per side.

• For a fun alternative to the summer classic

• Grill peaches and nectarines for a side dish to go with steak or pork tenderloin. After cooking, the fruit can be diced and made into a salsa or relish by adding fresh herbs, chili peppers, and lime juice or vinegar.

For more tips, see the recipes and food safety resources at NDSU Extension (www.ag.ndsu.edu/ food) under “food preparation” and “grilling.” The North Dakota Beef Commission at ndbeef.org has delicious recipes, including “Grilled Steak Tacos with Poblano-Mango Salsa” and “Smoky Strip Steaks with Mexican-style Grilled Corn.”

One of my favorite side items for a grilled menu is corn on the cob. Although many techniques exist, this is one that we use.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Peel back the husk, but don’t remove. Remove the silk and close the husk back up. Submerge the corn in water for about 15 minutes. While the corn is soaking, fire up the grill. Remove the corn from the water and shake out any excess water.

Note: If you wish to season the corn before cooking, you can pull back the husk and add your favorite seasonings. Be sure to close the

The husks will turn brown and even may start on fire. Let them cook, turning the corn often. The water that they soaked in is steaming the corn from inside the husk. Corn usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes; after grilling a few times, you will get a feel for how long they need.

When done, use a tong to remove the corn from the grill (they are very hot!). Peel back the husks. You may want to run the corn under hot water to remove any ash. Some people eat their corn plain; others use a little butter with some salt and pepper. Others like Sriracha (hot) sauce. For a new twist, try mixing some olive oil with your favorite seasonings and brush it onto the hot corn.

(Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. Follow her on Twitter @jgardenrobinson)

NDSU Agriculture Communication – June 22, 2023

Source: Julie Garden-Robinson, 701-231-7187, julie. garden-robinson@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7881, elizabeth. cronin@ndsu.edu

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ news/columns/prairie-fare/ prairie-fare-july-is-national-grilling-month

Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist

FLOORS, TILE AND MORE!

Ask about our Carpet Remnants Sale! Many sizes and Colors available.

NATIONAL & WORLD HEADLINES

SHORT-LIVED RUSSIAN COUP

Did You Know?

No one knows where cornhole actually originated, but could be as early as 1800s Germany.

Russia’s top paramilitary group, known as the Wagner Group, launched a very shortlived challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authority over the weekend. Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, and former confidant of Putin, captured the southern city of Rostov and headed for Moscow Saturday. Within just a few hours, Prigozhin announced he would go instead to Belarus after a deal had been brokered for amnesty there as the Kremlin dropped charges of treason. The Wagner Group has been active in Russia’s war with Ukraine, so the world is following closely to see what effect this will have.

MASSIVE STORMS HIT THE U.S.

Large storms ravaged the Southeast and Ohio valley, slamming the areas with dangerous winds and destructive tornadoes. The extreme weather is responsible for at least two deaths, and hundreds of thousands are without power. The storm system produced nearly 400 reports across a dozen states on Sunday, with more bad weather threatening on Monday.

TRAIN DERAILS OVER YELLOWSTONE RIVER

A train derailment in Montana caused a bridge over the Yellowstone River to collapse over the weekend. No injuries reported and water testing is being conducted regularly to ensure there are no issues with the drinking water. Interestingly, the number of train derailments has not increased, and instead

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK:

This week’s quote (under The Oracle page 1) from Pink includes, “Kindness today is an act of rebellion.” Read it again. That is the kind of rebellion this world needs. Dare to reach across party lines. Dare to not hate those who are different. Dare to empathize, to take action to help, to defend someone who has hate spewed at them each day.

In a world filled with violence and hatred, Just Be Kind.

remains at an average of 3 per day. Most of them are not major disasters.

BELGIAN SHOT-PUTTER SWITCHES GEARS AND RUNS HURDLES

Shot-putter Jolien Boumkwo answered the call of her Belgian teammates in the European Athletics Team Championships after Anne Zagre, the Belgian national record-holder for 100-meter hurdles, had to step out with injury. After placing seventh in shot-put, Boumkwo’s teammates asked her to step in and run hurdles. Though out of her normal element, Boumkwo said she was glad to step in to try to help Belgium stay in the top division, and proved it doing the hurdles with a smile on her face.

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