Cavalier County
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Republican
Single Copy Volume 133
cavaliercountyextra.com
News Coverage
Copyright © Langdon, North Dakota
The Walhalla Assembly of God Church is planning on building a community center, read more on Page 7. Dennis Throndset returns with Cavalier County Sports History on Page 8.
Index OPINION CHURCH COMMUNITY SPORTS PROF DIR AG PN CLASSIFIED
PAGE 4 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 8 PAGE 9 PAGE 10 PAGE 11-12 PAGE 13
Every two years for the past 50 years, Voyageurs International, based in Colorado, gives high school musicians the opportunity of a lifetime. For Raquel Bata, Lizzie Muhs, Hannah Lundeby, and Kaydee Koistinen, the summer of 2019 will be one they will always remember. The four musicians were among the 300 high school band and choir members to travel overseas with the Northern Ambassadors of Music group this past July. Bata and Muhs will be seniors this year at LAHS, with Bata playing clarinet and Muhs, a member of the choir. Lundeby plays the baritone and Koistinen sang in the choir- both graduated this past spring. The extensive three week trip begins with a nomination made by music directors of high schools along the northern border of the U.S. From that point on, if the student wants to go, it’s up to the student musician to make the trip possible for themselves. “It’s not something you can get just going with your family. You got a little bit of everything on this trip,” Muhs said. The rehearsals leading up to the trip only lasted a few days. Over the course of four days the student musicians spend extensive hours, 8 to 10 hours a day, working on their music for the trip. “It was exhausting,” all four said together.
Those intense rehearsals were only the beginning of what would be a thrilling experience. From the red eye flights and long bus rides to new destinations, it was a grueling change of pace. The tour
years in the American Legion, and they pulled me aside and said, 'Steve, it’s time you step up.’ I said okay.” Anderson had already been thinking of trying to go further within the organization. As a younger generation of veteran
among the Legion, Anderson wanted to do more to make one issue affecting veterans more visible, suicide. “Remember the fallen. Support the living. That is my slogan, my goal, my thought, and my process. I want to bring it out. Everybody knows about it, but you don’t hear much about it,” Anderson said.
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This slogan is in reference to the 22 veterans per day that commit suicide. This is a personal campaign for Anderson as he tries to support and bring more awareness to suicide, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). “I have lost a couple of really good friends to suicide that I was in the military with. It’s near and dear to my heart, and it affects me,” Anderson shared. The need to bring more awareness to the mental and social issues that veterans deal with is a driving force for Anderson. Supporting veterans in any way that is needed is the purpose behind the American Legion as far as Anderson is concerned. Anderson wants to bring suicide awareness out there. “It’s out there. Everybody knows about it but it’s not out there. It needs to be out front and center. It’s taboo; you don’t talk about suicide; you don’t talk about PTSD, TBI,” Anderson said. “It’s taboo. That’s bull. It needs to be out in the forefront. We need to talk about it. The more we can talk about it the more we can help.” Currently, Anderson assists the Commander by traveling around the state and speaking and promoting membership. cont. on page 2
tour were given a special privilege that has not been received by anyone in almost 1,000 years. The 2019 band members of the Northern Ambassadors of Music were given special permission by Elizabeth II, Queen
Up North Oil ready to serve After nearly 20 years, Downs Oil has transferred into new hands. On June 1, 2019, Chris and Sarah Pritchard purchased the oil company from Sarah’s parents and long-time owners, Andy and Nancy Downs. With the transfer of hands came the creation of a new name for the business, Up North Oil. “Chris began working for Downs Oil in the fall of 2015
ily-owned business. Together, Chris and Sarah will seek to continue the legacy that they can take pride in. “We want to provide top quality services to our customers to grow and expand our business,” Sarah commented. Up North Oil offers bulk fuel and gas, tanker load services, and Mobil oils and grease. Also available are fuel tanks and
continuing employment through June of 2019,” Sarah said. After 19 years in the oil business the Downs’ chose to give their daughter and son-in-law the chance to have their own company. For the Pritchards, the purchase of the established company was a chance that could not be passed up. “We are grateful for the opportunity,” Pritchard said. As the new business owners look ahead, they are eager to start their chapter of the fam-
pumps as well as DEF fluid. “Chris will be around to fill up the area custom harvesters as well,” Sarah said. The Pritchards would like to wish their customers and all area farmers a safe and successful harvest season. “If we can help you in any of your fuel, oil, grease, DEF fluid needs- let us know,” Sarah shared. Up North Oil can be reached by calling Chris at 701-3702113. Up North Oil is located at 1420 9th Ave, Langdon.
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school performers from across the United States to perform on Windsor Castle’s Grass Moat as part of the Ambassadors of Music tour put on by Voyageurs International. “We had to write a letter to the Queen to ask if we could. [Then] we had to write thank you letters to the Queen herself,” Muhs and Bata said. From the quick two day stops a piece in London and Paris, the group then traveled through mainland Europe performing and sightseeing in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Greece. “Performing in Switzerland was so much fun. The people waited for us and held up banners when we came to town. They were very friendly people and made us sweatshirts,” the four shared. The group sang American songs, from a Disney tune to the patriotic. There was one song that combined the musical talents of all 300 musicians, which was performed only twice- once in Fargo for the departure performance and the Switzerland performance. “The people were so excited to hear us,” they said. They were also able to take a few side trips to important Lizzie Muhs, Hannah Lundeby, Raquel Bata and Kaydee historical areas such as BuckKoistinen traveled to Europe with the Northern Ambassadors ingham Palace, Notre Dame, Olympic sites and Dachau, the music group. first of the concentration camps brought the young musicians of England, to perform upon created by Nazi Germany. first to London, where they be- the lawn of Windsor Castle. “Dachau was really eyecame part of history. The Queen granted permission opening and really sad to see,” The band members of the for approximately 3,600 high cont. on page 2
Commander -Elect to “Remember the Fallen, Support the Living” The American Legion is important to veteran Steve Anderson for one reason, the mission of helping veterans. In his pursuit of helping fellow veterans, Anderson has reached the peak of the North Dakota American Legion. He was elected to the position of CommanderElect for the North Dakota American Legion. In 2020, Anderson will become the Commander for the state. For now, the two year responsibility is similar to that of a vice president. “It’s just one more step to help veterans. It’s that next step to have a bigger influence, hopefully more of a helping hand, helping veterans within the state," Anderson explained. Anderson has worked his way through the ranks of the American Legion, first starting at Post #98 in Langdon before slowly working his way through the district and regional positions. Anderson had been the Central Region Vice Commander where his district stretched from border to border engrossing about 60 American Legion Posts. “As you grow in the American Legion, you start to make a name for yourself, hopefully a good name,” Anderson shared. “It was our last convention in Minot, and I had a couple of guys who had been there for many
Monday, August 26, 2019
Northern Ambassadors of Music give chance of a lifetime By Melissa Anderson Republican Editor
Turn to Page 3 to read about the latest Cavalier County Commission and Langdon Area School Board meetings.
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