S erving the R egion S ince 1907
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Creative spirit: Bowman Co. celebrates Homecoming
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 $1.00 ◊
NEWS, 6
Community helps keep eye on new playground
USDA designates Bowman County as natural disaster area Months-long drought wreaks havoc on crops
By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor
Bowman County farmers spent the last several months staring at the skies, hoping for rain. But it would seldom come, creating this
year one of longest droughts seen in recent years for area farmers. Because of the severity of the drought conditions, which existed through planting, growing and harvest seasons, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated Bowman County as a primary natural disaster area. Losses caused by the drought were widespread throughout the area. The most crucial portion of the drought occurred during planting. “Our hearts go out to those
North Dakota farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement released this week. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling North Dakota producers that USDA stands with
you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.” The drought spread to nearby areas effecting farmers and ranchers in the adjacent counties of Adams and Slope and in Fallon County, Mont., and Harding County, S.D., which also qualified for natural disaster assistance since the counties are contiguous. The counties were designated natural disaster areas on Sep. 15,
GETTING ‘LUCKY’
Bowman couple opens new liquor store, Lucky’s Liquor
making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.
THIS WEEKEND
Big lineup slated for 14th Rural Women conference By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor
Wade and Chrissy Blankenbaker have lived in Bowman for the last 11 years, during that time becoming active members of the community. Now they plan to bring a stylish, sophisticated service to Bowman with their latest endeavor, Lucky’s Liquor.
By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor
Wade and Chrissy Blankenbaker are hoping to get lucky — that is, with the opening of their new liquor store, Lucky’s Liquor. But what they hope will set their store apart is an extra-wide selection, contemporary atmosphere and special events, all catered to those 21 and up.
“We pride ourselves on being unique,” Chrissy Blankenbaker, 34, said. As active members of the community, the Blankenbakers sought to bring something new to the area. Opening a liquor store in a place with several already, however, was going to be a challenge. One of the best ways to ensure its relevance would be to offer something different for customers. The couple didn’t shy away from that
task, as they believed they would be able to offer something beyond the norm. The biggest distinction of Lucky’s, according to Chrissy Blankenbaker, who will manage the store — while maintaining her full-time position at Southwest Heathcare Services — is the plan to offer wine tastings, something not seen in the immediate area. Those tastings will high-
LUCKY Page 7
Rural women will have much to come together for this weekend as the 14th annual Rural Women of America conference returns to Bowman, promising a strong lineup of speakers, including a popular western north Dakota folk singer and CEO of a Pennsylvania non-profit. As Founder of Back on My Feet, a Philadelphia- based nonprofit organization that uses the power of running to help those experiencing homelessness improve their lives, Anne Mahluns, an entrepreneur, leader, speaker, runner, and risk taker, knows what really prevents people from creating change in their life. As an entrepreneur, she also knows what it takes to manage change and overcome obstacles in business and in people’s personal lives. A Top 10 CNN Hero,
WOMEN Page 7
Q&A: Pastor weighs in on spirited community roof campaign ‘Through its new roof Bowman Lutheran has invested in a future for enduring relationships,’ says Nygard
By BRYCE MARTIN
project and how it reflects a united spirit of the community.
Passersby likely have taken notice of the large-scale project to reconstruct Bowman Lutheran Church’s ailing roof. What started as a mere construction project, however, turned into a chance for the community to come together for a simple goal; its greater effects, as explained by Pastor Mark Nygard, being considerable for the heart and soul of the community. The Pioneer had a chance to chat with Nygard this week about the
Bowman County Pioneer: To begin, why was the roof needing to be redone? Pastor Mark Nygard: The old roof was wooden shakes that were warped and being blown loose by the wind. We would regularly find shakes on the lawn, and it seemed only a question of time before we would find ourselves with leaks.
Pioneer Editor
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Pioneer: How did the construction affect church activities?
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Nygard: Since it was done during the summertime, there was minimal disruption of the kind of education activities that we run in the winter. A very sympathetic roofing team was willing to stop work for funerals, weddings, and worship events. One hard rainstorm before the roof was quite finished left us with considerable water in the halls around the sanctuary and some dripping within the sanctuary itself. Blowers and dehumidifiers were necessary to dry the place out again, but beyond a couple of wrinkled hymnal pages and con-
firmation pictures there was little permanent damage. Pioneer: What is the date of the roof 's completion? Nygard: The project is technically not yet completed. The first and perhaps biggest part of the project involved the reshingling of the slanted parts of the roof, and that was completed around the beginning of August. The vertical parts joining roof to roof had previously been covered with shakes as if they were part of the roof itself, but now require a different surface
SPORTS, 12
CROSS COUNTRY: Back to full stride for team
than our new shingles to withstand the wind, yet blend in with the roof. The materials for these sections have been ordered but have not yet arrived, whence the white construction material still visible around the church roofs. Pioneer: How were funds raised? Was it strictly through donations, fundraisers? Nygard: Some funds had accumulated in a Building Fund over the years in preparation for just
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