McKenzie County ND

Reversing the direction of teaching, Mark LoMurray, a nationally known trainer in suicide prevention, is setting the youth trained as Gatekeepers to approach the two adults they trust the most and lead them to become well-versed Sources of Strength.

“Suicide prevention is really about getting a large part of the community involved, breaking codes of silence and having teens and adults partnering together,” LoMurray insists.

“During the Watford City training, April 14, I think we made a great start on teens, adults, and faith-based groups willing to come together and get out messages of hope, help, and strength. That help is available in the mental health and medical systems, but also on the village side through family, friends, mentoring, healthy activities and spirituality. Also messages that there really is hope, despite feelings of being stuck, alone, and hopeless - By sharing stories of strength and resiliency, we can shine some light on some ways people have made it through emotionally hard and difficult times to a better, more healing place in their life,” states LoMurray.

The following provides insight into the Gatekeeper/Sources of Strength Training. (more…)

More and younger youth in Watford City are “stepping up” to the mission of choosing to build a better future through abstinence from drugs, including nicotine and alcohol.

“We have six, and as many as 12 interested, Junior High students at Watford City High School who are active in the new Junior High Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Chapter we have just started in Watford City Public School,” announced SADD adviser Katie Paulson during the April 23 meeting of the Watford City Community Coalition. “The Junior High SADD Chapter is going!”

Katie also informed the group of the assigned tasks of the Gatekeeper students. Reader: REFER TO THE PREVIOUS STORY, in addition to the following story about Gatekeepers expanding into more sources of strength.

Map Successes before May:Take time for supper and mapping Monday, April 28, 2008 in the courthouse at 5 p.m.

Eat, then map for successes with facilitator Anita Rohde, retired NDSU Extension agent from New Town. The mapping will begin at 5:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour, with conclusion by 7 p.m.

Eat, then map, so the action-phase of our previous meeting, Mapping for Our Children’s Successes, may be completed.

We recognize your time is precious. Please provide an hour and a half to make this happen!

Who will be there? Horizons Steering Committee, panel presenters from Mapping Successes for Our Children, Community Coalition and Gatekeepers.

You are invited to take a free supper break and an hour or so to Map for Our Children’s Successes.

Looking forward to recruiting your ideas,

the McKenzie County Horizons Steering Committee

the Community Coalition~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phone 444-3451 if you plan to attend!

Community Coalition offers scholarships to McKenzie County residents.

Kids need to hear the “N” word and parents need to say it, according to Dr. David Walsh’s new book.

With the promise to…”give tools to make the most of online use for the family, while minimizing the risks of cyberhood,” Michael Mann will also advocate the use of the word, “No,” for adults to help children develop skills such as self-discipline, respect, integrity and the ability to delay gratification.

Register for the 8:30 to 4 p.m. Partners in Prevention conference to be held Tuesday, May 6 in Williston’s Research Extension Center (aka the Ernie French Center) and co-sponsor of the event, the Watford City Community Coalition, will pay for your $35 registration fee—provided you reside in McKenzie County!

Contact Region 1 Prevention Program Director Karen McDaniel at 701-572-8191 for registration and also so CEU’s will be considered for Social Workers, Nurses and possible Law Enforcement (as training hours) personnel.

Michael Mann, as featured presenter, is an award-winning storyteller, author, training consultant and speaker. He is an active advocate for the mission of the National Institute on Media and the Family since 1997.

Call soon to reserve your spot at the May 6th event. Tell them you are from McKenzie County and wish to use the fee provided by the Community Coalition, please.

Mud Volleyball, anyone?

About 14 people met in Arnegard’s City Hall to plan events for the annual 4th of July parade, meal and afternoon/evening activities. New ideas converged upon novices and traditional volunteers. President Ardith Mosby thanked one and all: CJ for stepping up as vendor of fluids for the big day; Brent Arnegard for seeking sponsors for large games for children and even more vendors; Kevin Leiseth for orchestrating a Golf Scramble for the after-6 p.m. crowd on Thursday preceding the Independence Day; Lowaine Gudmunsen and the Arnegard Spuds Relay For Life bringing games and goodies for the small-fry crowd in the afternoon; someone for organizing card tournaments; Lynn and Patti Leiseth for representing the family group of 100 that sponsors the beef for the big noon meal in addition to the music of Ordean Tweden for early afternoon entertainment; others for seeking to organize a Classic Cars display (across from the DPQ?)

Anxious for the great parade organized by Bryan Bjornstad 586-3023? And how about that marvelous Independence Day fireworks show run by Mr. Ninneman?

The Boosters take aim and bigger and better each year to celebrate an Independence Day led by the Color Guard from Watford City’s American Legion Club.

And yes, Becki Larson is organizing a volley ball area over the old skating rink, and considers ‘Mud Volleyball’ a very real possibility for fun and entertainment!!