The Oracle - August 2, 2023

Upper Missouri District Health Encourages Families to Prepare for Back-To-School

By Michelle Svangstu

Upper Missouri District Health Unit (UMDHU) has been serving Divide County since its inception in 1947. Over the past 76 years, the role of public health has adapted and changed to meet needs in the community, but one thing remains steadfast: preventing disease and promoting health in Northwest North Dakota.

Juliet Artman has been the Divide County Public Health Nurse for

8.5 years, and says that while public health is always striving to promote wellness, this time of year is especially important as students prepare to go backto-school. “Fall is probably our busiest season,” notes Juliet. “As students get ready for school, we are working with local clinics, including Tioga and Ray, to be on-site and offer vaccinations when students come in for their yearly sports physicals, in addition to

holding clinics at our office. And of course, we’re also preparing for the upcoming

flu season.”

Juliet says that she works directly with the

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Empowering Economic Development: Reflections on the EDND Conference

By Chelsy Weisz, Economic Development Director, City of Tioga, ND

Tioga, ND - Last month, economic development professionals from across North Dakota gathered at the annual Economic Development North Dakota (EDND) conference held in Bismarck, ND. As the newly appointed Economic Development Director for the City of Tioga, attending this event was a tremen-

dous opportunity to expand my knowledge, network with industry experts, and gain insights into the latest trends and strategies in economic development.

The EDND conference proved to be an invaluable experience for both seasoned professionals and newcomers like myself. The diverse sessions and workshops covered critical topics such as community revitalization, workforce

development, strategic planning, and innovative approaches to economic growth. With each session, I found myself inspired by the expertise and passion of the presenters, who shared practical insights and success stories that will undoubtedly shape the future of economic development in Tioga.

One aspect that stood out during the conference was the emphasis on col-

(Continues on Page 3)

PRAIRIE FARE: ENJOY SEASONAL CORN AT ITS PEAK FRESHNESS

By Julie Garden-Rob-

inson, NDSU Extension food and nutrion specialist

Shop locally for the freshes corn, and enjoy right away or preserve by freezing.

Page 2

SMALL BUSINESS: THE LIFE BLOOD OF RURAL COMMUNITIES

By Alyssa Stromberg

When you drive into a small rural area, you won’t find large retailers or fancy restaurants.

Page 5

SLIME COMMUNITY

By Falon Justice

For some parents, slime is a worst nightmare. But one family has made it a business and a passion.

Page 10

LOCAL EVENTS SPONSORED BY

FORTUNA

Every Tuesday- Range Night at Northwest Sportsman Club

RAY

Thursday August 3rd - Varsity Football

Starts

Friday August 4th - Blackhawk in Concert with Thomas Mac Gate opens 5p Event starts 6p Glen Severson Memorial Field, Hwy 2 in Ray, ND

Friday August 4th - Street Dance 10:00pm - 12:00am

Saturday August 5th - Parade 10:00am

Saturday August 5th - Firemans feed and Williston Cowboys Bugles & Drums 11:00am - 1:00pm at the fire hall.

Saturday August 5th - NPL Homeade pie & icecream social 11:30am3:00pm at the Ray Mall!

Saturday August 5th - Party in the park 12:00-7:0pm at the North Park.

Saturday August 5th - Bulls & Broncs

6:00-8:00pm

Saturday August 5th - Vendor Show at the Ray Mall 10:00am - 3:00pm

Saturday August 5th - Street Dance with Kat Perkins 8:00-11:00pm

Sunday August 6th - Pancake Feed 8:00am - 12:00pm at the Ray Golf Course

Sunday August 6th - Church in the Park 10:00am

Sunday August 6th - Sunday Funday 1:00-5:00pm at Ray Golf Clubhouse

Wednesdays: Ladies Night at the Ray Golf Course

2:00pm

Thursdays: Mens Stag Night at the Ray Golf Course 2:00pm

CROSBY

Monday August 7th - City of Ambrose

Council Meeting 5:00-6:00pm

Monday August 7th - Crosby City

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

Monday August 7th - Dakota Star Quilt Guild 7:00-8:00pm at Pleasant

Pheasant Fabrics

Wednesday August 9th - Divide County

Jobs Development Authority Meeting 8:00-9:00am Divide County Courthouse Conference Room

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 August 3rd - Week 6 Summer

Nights On Main 2023 featuring Chloe

Marie 5-9p in downtown Williston

August 4th - August 6th - Family Fun

Weekend Lewis & Clark State Park

August 5th - August 6th - Fort Union

Trading Post Indian Arts Weekend

Saturday August 5th - Opportunity

Foundation 40 Year Celebration 5-9p

downtown Williston

Thursday August 10th - Week 7 Sum-

mer Nights On Main 2023 featuring Raynes 5-9p downtown Williston

TIOGA

Saturday August 5th - Community

Center Closed for Private Event

Tuesday August 8th - Marketing Class:

SEO FOR BEGINNERS 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM City Hall- use Welo St Door

Tuesday August 8th - Tioga Fund Meeting 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM City Hall - 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852

Wednesday August 9th - Company Safety Meeting 6:00am-9:00am Tioga

Community Center

Thursday August 10th - Visitor Promotion Meeting 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM City Hall - 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852

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 10:30am-11:00 am

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

Prairie Fare: Enjoy seasonal corn at its peak freshness

quite a compelling story, to a child anyway.

I learned that sneaky masked animals were the culprits. I probably missed a couple letters in the word “raccoon.”

When we returned home after picking bushels of corn, we always had some corn on the cob to celebrate the harvest.

I especially enjoyed capping my teeth with the shiny yellow kernels at the dinner table. Although playing with our food was not advised, my family laughed at my golden smile.

starch, and it is used mainly for animal feed. It can be used to make chips and corn flour for humans, though.

Sweet corn is naturally high in sugar. We enjoy the sweetness and juiciness of sweet corn, which is picked at the “milk stage.” Kernels are yellow, cream or a mixture of yellow and cream colors.

Flint corn is used to make corn meal or flour, hominy and grits. Popcorn is a kind of flint corn. Some types of multicolored flint corn (known as “Indian corn”) are used for decorative items in the fall.

nutrients.

If you want to preserve whole-kernel or cream-style corn, water blanch husked cobs for four minutes. Cool promptly, drain and cut the corn from the cob to about two-thirds of the depth of the kernels. Fill pint or quart plastic freezer containers or freezer bags. Leave about ½ inch of head space to allow for expansion during freezing. Squeeze the air from the bags and seal. Label with the date.

food and nutrition specialist

I remember writing one of my first food stories when I was quite young. I had just learned how to print.

As I picked corn in a friend’s corn field, I noted that many of the corn cobs had a couple bites missing. My story was titled “The Mystery in the Cornfield.”

Who or what had taken bites from the corn? This was

What could our friend have done to evade the intruding animals? Interestingly, raccoons do not like squash. Some gardeners plant a perimeter of squash as a natural raccoon repellent. Raccoons do not like the prickly hairs on squash.

Corn plays a major role in the economy, and many types of corn are grown. “Dent” corn also is called “field corn.” It is low in sugar and high in

We eat more than 4 pounds of sweet corn per person per year in the U.S. Corn is used to make sweeteners (high fructose corn syrup), fuel for vehicles (ethanol), alcoholic beverages and various ingredients such as corn starch.

One 6-inch ear of corn (about ½ cup of kernels) has 60 calories, 0.5 gram (g) fat, 2 g protein, 14 g carbohydrate, 1.5 g fiber and 2 milligrams sodium. Sweet corn also has some vitamin C, iron and other

To freeze corn on the cob, water blanch small ears (1¼ inches or less in diameter) seven minutes, medium ears (1¼ to 1½ inches in diameter) nine minutes, and large ears (more than 1½ inches in diameter) 11 minutes. Cool promptly and completely in ice water. Drain and package; press out air from the bag. Seal and freeze.

You can learn more about freezing a variety of vegetables in the NDSU Extension publication “Freezing Vegetables.”

Corn can be canned using a pressure canner following

current guidelines. Do not use a boiling water-bath canner, because corn is among the low-acid vegetables that requires pressure canning. See the NDSU Extension publication “Home Canning Low-acid Vegetables” for details.

Corn also can be dried. Select tender, mature sweet corn. Husk the ears, then cut the kernels from the cob. Dehydrate for six to eight hours.

Enjoy some corn this summer. Shop locally for the freshest corn. For a flavor change, try this recipe.

Grilled Corn-on-the-Cob

1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, seeded and diced (optional or can substitute purchased red peppers)

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup fresh cilantro (optional)

2 tablespoons chopped green onions

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon hot sauce (op(Continues on Page 8)

Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU

Extension

Empowering Economic Development: Reflections on the EDND Conference

laboration and partnerships. The sessions highlighted the importance of fostering strong relationships with stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, community organizations, and businesses. The power of collaboration was evident in the success stories shared by fellow attendees, where joint efforts led to transformative projects and sustainable economic growth.

Networking was a key component of the conference, providing opportunities to connect with professionals from various backgrounds and regions. Engaging in conversations and sharing experiences with colleagues from different cities and organizations broadened my perspective

and offered fresh insights into overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities. The connections made at the conference have already proven to be invaluable as we continue to exchange ideas and support one another in our economic development endeavors.

As the Economic Development Director for the

City of Tioga, I am excited to implement the knowledge and strategies gained from the EDND conference. One key area of focus will be the advancement of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, inspired by the enlightening sessions on this topic. Recognizing the potential of CTE programs to bridge the skills gap and

drive economic prosperity, we will work diligently to strengthen Tioga's workforce and provide our residents with greater opportunities for success.

Looking ahead, I am eager to leverage the insights from the conference to shape Tioga's economic future. We will focus on strategic planning, nurturing local entrepreneurship, enhancing community infrastructure, and leveraging partnerships to attract investments and support sustainable growth.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers, presenters, and fellow attendees of the EDND conference for creating such a valuable platform. This event has undoubtedly empowered

economic development professionals throughout the state and will have a lasting impact on our respective communities.

In conclusion, the EDND conference has energized and equipped me with the tools and knowledge needed to drive economic development in Tioga. With a renewed sense of purpose and a network of passionate professionals by my side, I am confident that our community will thrive and achieve its full potential. Together, let us shape a vibrant and prosperous future for Tioga and North Dakota.

Chelsy Weisz City of Tioga Economic Development Director

Chelsy Weisz, Economic Development Director for the City of Tioga

THE WESTBY WATCH

By Heidi Whitney

Westby MT Saturday August 5

HOT DISH!

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

ALL TIMES ARE MOUNTAIN

Sat Aug 5: Westby Community Garage Sale 8 am - 3 pm.

Sun Aug 6: Services at Assembly of God, 10:30 am. Coffee hour at Immanual, 10:30 am. Services at 11:30 am Mon Aug 14: First day of school

To have your sale added to the map, contact Heidi Whitney at 406-672-5696

Westby’s Latest Addition! Food for Thought...

The class of 2024 will mark a significant milestone next spring when they become the 100th class to receive diplomas from Westby High School. And there has definitely been some buzz around town regarding how the event should be celebrated.

As many readers know from past experience, a celebration of this magnitude will require many hands on deck.

It is in this spirit of celebration and anticipation that The Westby Watch challenges readers to take a moment to think about what WHS has meant to them and how they might assist in making this graduation party of the century happen!

Stay tuned and keep the buzz going!

Jory John Hellegaard was born to Colton and Hannah Hellegaard on July 5. Beaming grandparents are Clyde and Deanna Hellegaard of Westby and Bill and Shelly Zahradka of Wolf Point.

Small business: the life blood of rural communities

By Alyssa Stromberg

When you drive into a small rural area, you won’t find large retailers or fancy restaurants. What you find are businesses that are family owned/operated and they have been part of the community for years.

Medicine Lake is a very small rural town, with two bars/restaurants, a homestyle restaurant, a floral/gift shop, ag business and two churches. So, imagine the excitement and anticipation when a local began the process of opening a Mexican restaurant.

Corey and Tricia Jensen and their two children moved into Medicine Lake in 2018. They quickly became ingrained in the community. While Tricia was working at another local business, the café which had closed became available. The reality of a Mexi-

can restaurant began taking shape, a vision was becoming a reality. Saturday, July 22, 2023, Sweetheart Café officially opened its doors; from what I have heard from all those that were there for the opening day, it was a success. I certainly enjoyed my lunch today.

When I asked Tricia why a Mexican restaurant she replied, “it’s in my heritage, it’s what I love.” From the start of the vision to the doors opening was approximately a year and half, a labor of love no doubt. Any speed bumps Tricia and Corey encountered, they tackled them together and with an optimistic outlook and a smile on their faces. Whether it was inspections not going their way or a roofing redo, Corey feels like he will never be able to completely part ways with the dang roof.

Owning a business is not for the faint of heart, it is a labor of love and a leap of faith. Next time you are needing your Mexican food fix, stop in and say hello to Tricia and her staff. You will leave full and with a few more friends.

You

Thank you to New Century Ag for buying my 2023 market hog at the Sheridan County 4-H Youth Livestock Auction. I appreciate you buying my hog and supporting 4H!

Gavin Jensen

Hopie’s Honker Pit

Employees working with Tricia.

ThankTricia and Cory, proud owners of Sweetheart Cafe.

Upper Missouri District Health Encourages Families to Prepare for Back-To-School

schools to ensure vaccine records are up-to-date, and is hoping to do some “inschool” clinics again to help get students up-to-date before the October 1st deadline. “Vaccination rates declined, even here in ND, during COVID, since people just weren’t going out as much. While it has picked up again, there is still an overall decline in standard childhood vaccination rates, which has resulted in some outbreaks of diseases like measles and polio in various cities across the US. We know it can often be hard for parents and guardians to take off work during clinic hours, so we’re working on providing some more convenient opportunities to get students up-to-date.”

Anyone who has received vaccinations in North Dakota is able to call

public health, who can look up their vaccination record in the state database and determine whether or not the individual is in need of updates. “People who have had vaccinations outside of North Dakota should request their records from the state or facility they received previous vaccines in. When they bring in their records, we input them into our database and can then evaluate which vaccinations, if any, they are due to receive,” says Artman. “If anyone has trouble getting their records, or isn’t sure where to start, they can call our office and we can offer

direction, or they can fill out an authorization to release records that we can fax to the appropriate entity to obtain them.”

In addition to the vaccine series that children receive over the course of their first two years of life, standard childhood vaccinations include updates prior to a child entering kindergarten, 7th and 11th grade. While it isn’t a required school vaccination, UMDHU recommends that parents strongly consider vaccinating their children with the HPV vaccine. “Research data shows that children produce the most antibodies to HPV when the vaccine is given between ages 9 and 14. It can be given after that, between ages 15-26, but requires 3 doses instead of 2 to ensure the body produces the antibodies necessary to prevent an HPV related cancer,” shares Juliet. “We also recommend vaccination for Meningitis B when students are preparing to go to college in addition to the required Meningitis A vaccine.” Meningitis, a bacterial infection that affects the brain and spinal cord, is spread by airborne respiratory droplets and can result in serious illness, sepsis and

even death. “College students are a higher-risk population for it,” notes Artman,” because of their close proximity to each other.”

Currently, Juliet and her administrative assistant Lisa Bertossi are planning to be at the Ray Family Medical Clinic August 17th and at Tioga Medical Center August 18th to provide vaccinations. They also host vaccine clinics the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays and the 3rd Monday of each month at their office in Crosby. “Appointments are filling up for our fall clinics, so we encourage the public to call as soon as possible to get on the schedule,” she notes. Callers should also inquire about insurance coverage when they call to schedule. “We are able to bill several insurances,” shares Artman, “but some insurances require the person to pay up front and then they will reimburse them accordingly. We also participate in the Vaccines for Children program, so if someone doesn’t have insurance, or if their insurance doesn’t cover vaccines, we are able to provide those vaccines for a free or reduced rate.”

If anyone is unsure whether a vaccination is

right for them, Juliet welcomes them to call and discuss concerns they might have. “We can review the vaccine pros and side effects, and I’m happy to provide them with the most-recent research and data so they can make the best informed decision for themselves or their child.”

In addition to vaccination, UMDHU provides additional health services for the general public, such as family planning, including various birth control options, STD Testing, free (donation-based) foot-care for adults over 60, car seat check-ups and the WIC program. They also operate a program called “Cribs for Kids,” where pregnant women or those with a newborn under six months of age can obtain a free crib or pack-n-play. “We want every infant to have a safe place to sleep,” notes Juliet.

UMDHU also offers low-cost online pregnancy and birth courses, and a new mental health site, CredibleMind, that brings together both online and local resources to help those struggling with their mental health. “It can be difficult to find resources in our area of the state,” says Artman. “This website was designed to put all those resources in one spot, so someone can find the help they need.”

Anyone with questions or needing to schedule an appointment can contact the Divide County office at 701-965-6813. More information and resources can be found on the District’s website at umdhu.org, and mental health resources can be found on the CredibleMind website, umdhu.crediblemind.com.

The basics of ADHD

September marks the beginning of a new school year for millions of children. A new school year contains a host of challenges for every student, but some, particularly those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may face steeper challenges than others.

ADHD is common in both the United States and Canada. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that ADHD affects between 4 and 12 percent of school-aged children, while the Center for ADHD

Awareness, Canada indicates between 5 and 7 percent of Canadian youngsters have the condition. Such figures are disconcerting, particularly when considering the adverse effects of ADHD on academic performance. In fact, a 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that ADHD was associated with substantially lower performance in school independent of socioeconomic background factors.

The stakes are high re-

garding ADHD and academics, so as a new school year begins, students and their families can familiarize themselves with the condition to ensure it does not interfere with their efforts to do their best in the classroom in the year ahead.

What is ADHD?

The AAP describes ADHD as "a chronic condition of the brain that makes it difficult for children to control their behavior." Such characterization explains why the link between

(Continues on Page 8

A condition like ADHD can compromise a child's ability to excel in the classroom.

The basics of ADHD

ADHD and poor academic performance is so strong. The AAP notes that children with ADHD often have trouble getting along with other children and, if they have issues with attention, they can have difficulty learning.

Behavioral symptoms of ADHD

The AAP notes that ADHD includes three distinct groups of symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children with inattention may daydream and have a hard time paying attention, often do not seem to listen, may be easily distracted from work or play, and may not follow through on instructions or finish tasks. Children with hyperactivity may be in constant motion, exhib-

it difficulty staying seated, frequently squirm or fidget, talk too much, and be incapable of playing quietly. Children with impulsivity may frequently act and speak without thinking, run into a street without first looking for oncoming traffic, be incapable of waiting, and frequently interrupt others.

It's important for parents to recognize that children with ADHD will not necessarily have all the symptoms. Symptoms are classified by the type of ADHD a child has, and a physician will indicate that upon diagnosis. ADHD cases are usually determined to be inattentive only, hyperactive/impulsive or combined ADHD, which includes symptoms of inattention,

MARK YOU CALENDARS!

Saturday, Aug. 19th

Karaoke with musicworx DJ

hyperactivity and impulsivity.

When should I alert a physician?

The AAP notes that all children exhibit the symptoms noted above from time to time. However, a physician should be alerted when children exhibit those symptoms on a regular basis for more than six months. ADHD can affect children both academically and socially. More information can be found at healthychildren.org.

“Vocella, Inc Classified Advertising”

For

Prairie Fare: Enjoy seasonal corn at its peak freshness

tional)

4 ears fresh sweet corn, husked

To roast bell pepper, place on baking sheet; broil in oven until blistered and charred. Put in heavy plastic or paper bag and seal; let set for 20 minutes. Peel skin; don’t worry about removing all the charred parts. To make pepper seasoning in a blender or food processor, combine the red pepper, butter, green onions and cilantro, if desired, and add salt, pepper and hot sauce. Place each ear of corn in the center of a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up. Coat each ear with a quarter of the pepper seasoning mixture. Wrap the foil around the corn, making sure the ear is well-sealed by the foil. Refrigerate until ready to grill. Preheat grill. Place corn on grill near the edges or cooler areas. Grill until tender, turning frequently, about 10 to 15

minutes. Carefully unwrap the corn and serve. Makes four servings. Each serving has 130 calories, 5 grams (g) fat, 4 g protein, 21 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber and 170 milligrams sodium.

(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 – July 27, 2023

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

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701231-7881, elizabeth.cronin@ ndsu.edu

Saturday, Sept. 23rd 9:00pm - 12:30am

LIVE MUSIC WITH Chloe Marie https://www.facebook.com/chloemariemusicnd/

Bingo

Every Saturday Night

Steaks,

Cash Eddie Johnson | April 9, 2019 - July 23, 2023 | Obituary

Cash Eddie Johnson, age 4, of Froid, MT passed away on July 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City, UT as the result of a ranching accident.

Cash was born on April 9, 2019, in Sidney, MT the son of AJ and Kayla Johnson. Cash started walking when he was 10 months old, he knew he didn’t have time to waste. Although young, Cash brought so much joy to those that were around him, he had a way of making others feel special.

Cash loved being outdoors and helping his dad with ranch chores but would also remember to stop and pick his mom and sister’s flowers when he had the chance too. He was naturally talented at most everything he did shooting, throwing, roping, fishing and hunting. Cash was a lover of all animals especially his

dogs, he was often heard saying “Awe, how cute” when he saw any baby animals, something he may have learned from his sisters.

Cash looked forward to the days when he got older so he could hunt bigger animals. He was

a good shot, the first time he shot his .22 he hit the target,much to his dad’s surprise. (It wasn’t luck, he didn’t waste many bullets) He could fish all day, even if the fish weren’t biting. But when they were Oh boy! He enjoyed

checking cows, tagging calves, brandings, riding horse, swathing, baling and fencing. He did it all and always found a way to have fun doing it.

Cash was sharp as a tack as well. One time he and dad were driving around checking on crops when dad spotted a moose in the field, so dad pointed it out to Cash which instantly excited him and he wanted dad to stop and shoot the moose (maybe one to many hunting shows) dad tried to explain to him that you need a tag to hunt something. Without missing a beat Cash reached down to the floor of the pickup and grabbed a bag of cattle tags and said, “We’ve got tags right here!”.

Although Cash’s life was too short, the time he was with us he lived to the fullest. Our lives are forever changed, and the road ahead

will be difficult, but we thank God for the short time we had with our beloved Cash.

Cash is survived by his parents, A.J. and Kayla Johnson; three sisters, Lilly, Ally and Eva of Froid, MT. His grandparents, Ron and Lucy Luff of Taylor, ND. Floyd and Tana Johnson of Froid, MT. Aunts and Uncles; Chad and Tanya (Luff) Skager of Taylor, ND, Brenda Reems (Luff) of Bismarck, ND, Ben and Melissa Johnson of Tioga, ND, Andrew and McKenzie Johnson of Froid, MT and Layne and Amanda Johnson of Sidney, MT. His cousins Megan, Madison, Rilynn, Clayton, Lucus, Brennan, Kambree, Madden, Joslynn, Jett and Jayna. He had numerous Great Aunts and Uncles including Ray Johnson of Froid MT and Tara and Mike Madsen of Froid, with whom Cash shared a special bond with.

Slime Community

By Falon Justice

As a parent, my hatred of the slime trend is vast. Like, really, really, vast. The sticky, icky goo that hardens and stains ALL THE THINGS. My littles know that it doesn't even come into my house. Imagine my reaction when my good friend told me about her new job at Slime Community; I was initially very apprehensive until she sent me the link to their TikTok and Instagram. H-O-L-Y L-I-C-K! It was NOTHING like I'd expected! How did I not know THIS was in Williston?! I immediately texted her to see if the owner would be interested in letting me write an article on her business, and lucky me, she said yes!!

Summer Ames came strolling into my office with a box of slime goodness and a sunny disposition, and I can't even begin to describe how excited I am! We chatted for a moment and then dove into my burning question: Why slime? Her response was Ruby, her now 17-year-old daughter. Summer and her husband Kyle (a Williston Native), along with her two daughters, Ruby and Isabelle, moved to Williston a few years ago, and coming from Hawaii, it was a bit of a shock! In 2014, Ruby would make and sell her rainbow slime in a lemonade-style stand, and the multicolored goodness put the wheels in motion!

I spent a ridiculous amount of time on the Slime Community Tik Tok and website - I fell way down the rabbit hole. Summer has worked hard to grow her social media pages and it is paying off! With over 6 million likes, the videos show-

casing the different slimes, themes, charms, sprinkles, clay figures, and patented Slime Baking Kit are a huge hit, and their weekly restocks sell out within minutes! You're asking what a Slime Baking Kit is? Honestly, it's the coolest slime

anything I've ever seen. The individual "ingredients" are packaged to mimic butter, sugar, flour, and eggs (YES, EVEN THE EGGS ARE SLIME) to make a crust; the pie filling comes in its container, and the rolling pin and flour help to "roll" out

your crust for the cute pie tin! When I asked how she came up with the Baking Kit, she said it started with wanting to film something Thanksgiving-themed, and a pumpkin pie is absolutely that. Once posted, it went crazy and racked up millions of views! Summer said that they are constantly refining their kits, from the

product to the packaging, and they are always looking to improve!

Slime Community is a family business, with Summer making the website, managing the daily operations, and making a ton of the product. Ruby is learning all the ins and outs of packaging and shipping

(Continues on Page 11

orders, currently makes the clay add-ons to the themed slimes, and is learning the ropes of customer service!

Now my last question: HOW?! There are so many different types of slime. I always assumed there were three types: the 1980s Slimer Slime, Nickelodeon Slime, and the horror of the DIY ziplock slime my children adore. The

deep dive into the Slime Community's social media shows the Icee slime, Butter slime, Bingsu Bead, and Jelly Slime, to name just a few. Summer recommends the Butter Slime, "it has a good consistency, makes fun noises and is soothing to play with."Some of the ingredients used to make the different types of Slime are: PVA glue, vegetable glycer-

in, skin-safe fragrance oil, artificial snow, plastic snow, food dye, pigment powder, diluted Borax, contact solution, corn starch, air-dry clay, shaving cream, lotion, and foaming hand soap. Slime can become sticky with heat or simply over time. This is an easily solved problem. Every order comes with an activator pen: a mixture of Borax, and warm water! Summer graciously brought my littles (and me) a Slime Baking Kit and a Slime Pizza Kit, and we will be going live on our Facebook page Thursday afternoon to show you how great these kits are! If you'd like to learn more about the Slime Community (and place an order), please check out their website: www.slimecommunity.com. They give all local customers 10% off with the code: WHS and offer the local pickup option to allow customers to pick up at their shop instead of paying for shipping!

FLOORS, TILE AND MORE!

NATIONAL & WORLD HEADLINES

SHOULD THERE BE AGE LIMITS?

by the

Biden Administration.

Did

The combine harvester was invented

Hiram Moore in 1834.

Should there be age limits for someone holding office in the government is a question on a lot of people’s minds. President Biden, at 80, is the oldest president elected to office and he plans to stay there until 86. However, with two recent episodes last week from the oldest members of the U.S. Senate, age limits are once again a large concern for those in office. On Wednesday, July 26th, Senator Mitch McConnell, who is 81, froze for 30 seconds during his weekly press conference. Just a day later, Senator Dianne Feinstein, 90, had to be reminded about how to vote by a colleague when casting her vote on the military budget.

CHINESE MALWARE HUNT

Malware believed to have been secretly installed by China is being searched for

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK:

Does judgement feel good? Not when you’re being judged - but when you are judging others? We all do it, and it takes a conscious effort not to. But does it feel good to think you’re better than someone else? Do you feel happy as you pass judgement? What would happen instead, if when we notice ourselves judging, we stop and make a real effort to replace it with something else?

Understanding. Acceptance. Empathy. Even love? Try it. Maybe you’ll feel better.

The malware is believed to have been installed in systems that control the US’s power grids, water infrastructure, and more. China having the ability to cybersabotage critical US infrastructure isn’t a new concern. The director of national intelligence confirmed that China “almost certainly” has the capability to disrupt key US systems during the 2023 Annual Threat Assessment.

BOMBING IN PAKISTAN LEAVES 54 DEAD

A suicide bomb exploded during a pro-Taliban cleric political rally in Northwest Pakistan on Sunday July 30, 2023. The detonation left at least 54 people killed and almost 200 more injured. This act of violence comes ahead of the general elections scheduled for November in the country and appears to have been targeting supporters of

Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl. Part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s governing coalitions, this religious-political faction champions hardline Islamist views. However, some jihadist groups view it as not strict enough.

NURSE AND HER CHILD KIDNAPPED IN HAITI

Late last week, Alix Dorsainvil and her child were kidnapped from the El Roi Haiti campus near Port-au-Prince. A Christian organization, El Roi Haiti operates a K-12 school for Haitian children. They also offer a variety of other programs such as adult education, vocational instruction, and discipleship training. Alix, originally from New Hampshire, works as a community health nurse and is married to the group’s founder and director, Sandro Dorsainvil, who grew up in Port-au-Prince.

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