There is courage in community citizenship, and then there is courage in military service. Both deserve honor, especially those who have given their lives in service.

Faith and family usually team up to formally remember ‘the fallen.’

Over 101 flags will wave from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Alexander’s Park to honor the dead who have served our country. Their names are listed in the Memorial Day Service folder and their surviving family members care for their flag throughout the day, and especially following the 11 a.m. service Monday, May 26 in the Alexander City Hall. After the service, folks follow leadership out to the park for the laying of the wreath, the bugle tone of Taps and a volley of gun fire salute.

The Memorial Day program is then followed by a community potluck, supported and organized by the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, named in memory of World War I veteran Forrest E. Williams. The new memorial wreath to be ceremonially laid in the park, comes as gift from the Tim Dwyer Trust.

Caring to remember these veterans is important work and everyone is welcome to attend program and potluck. It is likewise important to provide care for the service members and families still living.

Therefore, the 10 members meeting as the Forrest E. Williams American Legion unit #94 planned a Yellow Ribbon and Bake Sale to be held Saturday, June 7 in Alexander’s Park during the Lion’s Club Burger’s in the Park event. Yellow Ribbon will be available for a donation, in addition to the usual baked goods. The community is welcome to also donate baked goods to the effort. Proceeds will support an emergency fund for soldiers and their families.
Poppies are available by donation at the local cafe.
New officers for the auxiliary unit will be installed at 5 p.m., June 18 in the Alexander Senior Citizen Center during the regular meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Dale A. Swenson, Auxiliary president

On Wednesday April 23, Raynette Samuelson, Activities Director at the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City was hostess to a Volunteer Appreciation Tea.

Raynette planned an afternoon of delicious foods, Hawaiian coffee, music, a meaningful message from Paster Lane and fashion show provided by Meyers Clothing Store for those who donate their time and talents to the residents and staff of the nursing home. Without these people’s generosity the residents would lead a quiet life. The volunteers offer music, spiritual, card playing, bingo calling, one on one time, ethnic foods, and to many stimulating activities to name.

A big thank you to all of those who brighten the lives of others.

If you are interested in sharing your time contact Raynette at the Good Shepherd Home, 701-444-2331.

Do you like to fish? Do you like to listen to music? Do you have a hobby that you could share with others? Do like to hear stories of days gone by? Do you like to listen when others talk and share about their day? Do you like to put puzzles together? Do you like to cook? Do you have an extra 30 minutes in your  week that  you could share with some one else?

 If you do, then perhaps being a mentor to a young person or some one of the grandparent generation may be just the opening you have been waiting for.  

Take a look around your community and see who would benefit from just 30 minutes of your time. YOU will be surprised at what you see. Those 30 minutes can make a difference.

If you are interested or know of someone who would like to be a mentor have them contact Peggy at 701-570-9398 to learn more about this great opportunity.

Do you have time?

On Friday March 28, Alexander ladies gathered at the Trinity Lutheran Church basement to give a hand to the Lewis and Clark Trail Museum. Some ladies created greeting cards to sell at the museum, others added printed museum pictures and slogan stickers to 3 x 5 notebooks. The notebooks will be used to promote the museum and some will also be available at the gift shop for a nominal fee.

Other folks took a look at a large box of photos and identified what they could. Shelly Haugen, an avid scrap booker, has taken on the task of creating scrapbooks for museum visitors to enjoy.

Holly Helling spearheaded the day and designed the stickers for the notebooks. Dorothy Reil and Teresa Forthun also assisted with card making.

The Teacher Learning Center of Williston loaned a die cut machine and various dies to the group.

Coffee and cookies were provided courtesy of the First International Bank and Trust of Watford City with a branch office in Alexander.

Photos courtesy of Holly Helling.

Have you heard of the Sons of Norway? I didn’t know much about them until this past weekend. I was asked if 4-H could serve food at a meeting for them on March 29.

Nine of us served Sons of Norway dancers and other members a banquet meal in Watford City. It was a special district gathering of over 100 people from across North Dakota, Rapid City, South Dakota and Kalispel, MT. In addition, Heritage Dance Instructor Bob Holman and his daughter traveled here from Red Lodge, MT. This special evening featured a Grand March of Scandinavian Folk Dancing, which was the highlight of our evening.

Our group served these gracious folks a special meal, catered by Mike’s Super Valu in Watford City. We followed orders given by Jeanette Anderson of the grocery store. It was a sit down meal, so we were meal servers and also completed dish washing afterwards.

This was an excellent activity intergenerational activity for our youth. We were able to visit with dancers afterwards and found out that they have learned 72 different Folk Dances. The workshop introduced them to new dances and also gave them the opportunity to continue with their more traditional steps.

It was an enjoyable and inspiring evening!

The McKenzie County Archery Club hosted their 3-D Indoor Tournament on March 8 and 9. My son and I have been shooting with the group for three years now, and this year helped with setup and running of the tournament.

We assembled old Christmas trees, dry weeds, tree stumps, tree limbs, antlers, bones, tree bark and even bones around 25 targets, simulating natural surroundings. Tools like saws, drills, hammars and nails are used in the setup process. President Wayne Foreman says, “It’s a long process but we have fun doing it.”

Kids could shoot at 10 targets in a cub division, as well as all targets in the adult category.

This is a wonderful skill building event that allows plenty of interaction between all ages (our two-year old neighbor shoots as well as senior citizens.)

The tournament attracted 140 archers from across North Dakota and Montana and including all ability levels from state champion shooters to people who picked up their first bow this season.

The event also serves as a fund raiser for the group, as many participants shoot throughout the day.

It is exciting to see the numbers of archers, especially children, grow each year. Our club’s goal is to construct a new facility in the coming years.

(Resource: McKenzie County Farmer March 12, 2008 edition “Archery Club Hosts Indoor 3-D Tournament” story by staff writer Tina Foreman)

Wow, folks, here is some great news from Deeann Long at Community Action!

Individuals can get an extra $300 and married couples filing jointly double that to $600. Tell your friends and make sure everyone gets the good news.

This is what Deeann has written:

The tax stimulus package is available to retired individuals who normally do not have to file an income tax return. This includes individuals who receive: Social Security, Veterans Disability, Rail Road Benefits and SSDI. Anyone receiving over $3000 in these benefits will receive:

$300 for Single Individuals and

$600 for Married Filing Joint Returns

To receive the benefit individuals must:

Complete Form 1040A

Write on top of form 1040A ”Stimulus Package” in red Ink

Complete Name – Address – Social Security Numbers

Check Filing Status – Single or Married filing jointly

Insert Social Security benefits in Line 14A

If Married Filing Jointly, the total of both would be input in 14A

For faster refunds complete line 44a – bank and routing numbers (not required)

Sign the return and mail to:

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service Center

Fresno, CA 93888-0015

And more good news from Deeann is that the Watford City area will have access to these forms locally.

Form 1040A – with the above required information hi-lighted will be available at the McKenzie County Senior Center after March 10.

Deeann said, “The forms and envelopes will be provided locally.”

She didn’t say anything about a stamp, but I bet you can come up with that stamp in return for such a nice check! Many of you will be able to do your Christmas Shopping early this year!

And even better, if you need some help with all of this paper work check out your local McKenzie County, Outreach worker, Nadine.

Nadine Sovig will be available at the Senior Center in Watford City on March 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to help anyone who might need assistance.

If you know of anyone who doesn’t know about this incentive, please help them get the information. Our country needs your help both to receive and spend the money!

With all the publicity the McKenzie County Community Blog has been receiving: announced in the Farmer, presented at several meetings, and dozens and dozens of personal cards and invitations handed out, it’s HIGH TIME we have some subscribers!

I know you’ve stopped by to read and look at the head lines, NOW take the next step!

SIGN UP!

All you have to do is ask.  (more…)

Blog. Take pictures. Transfer photos to files. Download. Relocate and upload. Want a slide show? Here’s where and how.

Mike Miller taught a blogging update session to seven bloggers from around New Town early Friday afternoon, Feb. 15, 2008. Two bloggers from New Town and three from Stanley worked with us from McKenzie County.

Dorothy Reil of Alexander and I, Dale A. Swenson from Arnegard, learned much and practiced well in the computer lab. Doro planned on practicing Saturday. Everyone has something to do!

Readers! Please register on our blog site to become subscribers and leave comments for us, especially about Poverty reduction and Leadership development in McKenzie County, and how the topic of our blog works toward those goals. Thanks!

Anyone going to Bismarck with a pickup or a van?

update: the treadmill is repaired as of 3/28/08

Kathy from the Wellness Center is in need of someone to take a treadmill to Bismarck for repair under warrantee. We only need transportation to Bismarck for the treadmill-Scheel’s will unload it & order the parts after they inspect it.
If you know of anyone that plans to go to Bismarck in the near future, please let Kathy know. #842-6307

This would be a great way to lend a hand in keeping the people of our county healthy!