McKenzie County ND

A fable is a story made up to teach a lesson.

Once upon a time in the World of Eom, lived three special families. The family Giraffe, the family Cattle, and the family Deer.

Now it is known that the family Giraffe is native to Africa, mainly found south of the Sahara to eastern Transvaal, Natal, and northern Botswana. And since the Giraffe is a very tall animal, it feeds mostly on leaves, flowers, seed pods, and fruits. To say they feed only on the highest trees and the most delectable foods is part of our story. They choose the foliage with the highest nutritional value. They choose the food found on the tallest trees. And sometimes, although rarely, invaders from the World of Elad raid, and murder the Giraffes for their hides which, of course, are useful to make into buckets, reins, whips, straps for harnesses, and sometimes for musical instruments. Most generally, the Giraffe Family lives far away in an exotic clime, eating exotic foods, and not really contributing much to the welfare of the World of Eom’s general population.

The next character in our story is the Cow. Cattle, colloquially referred to as cows are domestic. They are raised for meat (called beef and veal), dairy products (milk), leather and as draft animals (pulling carts, plows and the like). In some countries, such as India, they are honored in religious ceremonies and revered. Their lives are spent in total deliverance of products to the population of the World of Eom.

The third and last character in our story is the Deer.

Members of this family occupy a wide range of habitats. Most species are browsers, but some include a substantial proportion of graze in their diets. From time to time the invaders from the World of Elad come and hunt the Family Deer for sport, for meat, and for their hides.

And so it came to pass (more…)

Youth suicide is a problem in McKenzie County, and we (everyone in this county) has an open opportunity to learn how to prevent it through a Gatekeeper/Sources of Strength training event to held in the Watford City Civic Center Monday, April 14.

There is no school that day, and Mark LoMurray, the contractor and trainer from the North Dakota Mental Health Association, a work record with the North Dakota State Health Department, including some 10 years of experience in suicide prevention which has won him national attention, will present his focused program to the youth from 12:30 (noon) to 4 p.m. and to adults from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

This training is free, thanks to a Youth Suicide Prevention grant award, includes a free meal, thanks to the McKenzie County Horizons program-Leadership to Reduce Poverty, and the information goes beyond recognizing the suicide warning signs.

All people should call Katie Paulson at 842-4584 in order to register and/or obtain more information.

Katie is the coordinator of the Suicide Prevention grant and also serves as the Watford City High School Students Against Destructive Decisions Chapter adviser. Registration could also be obtained through the McKenzie County NDSU Extension Service office at 444-3451. Mark is on the far left and Katie is on the far right.

The bus runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please call the day before to ensure a ride.

Monday-Friday

9:00 to 11:00.……….By appointment
11:00 to 12:00.………Pick up for meals at the Center
12:00 to 12:30.………Driver on lunch break
12:30 to 3:00.………..By appointment
3:00 to 3:30.………….Finish all pickups
3:30 to 4:00.………….Office work

Williston trip

On the 2nd Thursday and the 4th Tuesday of each month the bus will go to Williston providing there are enough riders.

Shopping day

Every Thursday is shopping day. The bus goes uptown at 1:30. It is recommended that you do your necessary shopping on this day.

There are many riders to accommodate so it is important to:

Call at least one day in advance for appointments.
Be ready 15 minutes in advance of the pickup time.
Let the driver know if you need assistance.
If you wish a regular pickup time, let the driver know.

Call Duane Johnson at 842-3760 for appointments.

If you would like more service, different hours of service, night event service, weekend event service, special event service, special events out of town service or any other transportation service please contact:

Carol Mauer
577-6751
Transportation Director
Williston Senior Citizens Program
Williston Heritage Center 18 Main Williston, ND 58801

The McKenzie County and Williams County Elder Coalitions have been advocating for more transportation services for many years. But if the folks who need and use this service do not make their wishes known, little will be attempted.

Although most presume that the bus is for the elderly only, this is not true. Anyone can use the service. Younger folks may have to pay a little more but it is presumed they can afford a little more.

Please bring this transportation information to the attention of those who need the service.

AND a great big thank you to all the folks who posted pictures on the internet for me to use. This is so incredible, so fast, and ever so much fun. Thanks and thanks. I take no credit for any info used above.