North Dakota LIVING Sept. 11

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

North Dakota LIVING is published monthly by white type >>>

SEPTEMBER 2011 Volume 58, No. 3

Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

North Dakota LIVING is published by North Dakota’s electric and telephone cooperatives, which take pride in advancing and enriching the quality of life in North Dakota.

ON OUR COVER St. Andrews preservation celebrates German heritage ...... page 10

PHOTO COURTESY GERMANS FROM RUSSIA HERITAGE COLLECTION

Your Touchstone 3201 Nygren DriveEnergy NW Cooperative P.O. Box 727 Mandan ND 58554-0727 Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative (701) 663-6501  (800) 234-0518 Energy Cooperative NDARECYour is a Touchstone statewide association that represents North s 16 electric cooperatives.

YourDakota’ Touchstone Energy Cooperative Visit our Web site at www.ndarec.com.

Magazine Staff: Dennis Hill, CCC, editor-in-chief ................... dhill@ndarec.com Kent Brick, CCC, editor............................... kbrick@ndarec.com Edna Stoltz, center pages & publications services manager............ estoltz@ndarec.com Tammy Kear, editorial assistant ..................... tkear@ndarec.com J.C. Balcom, production & graphics services manager ............ jcbalcom@ndarec.com Carmen Devney, CCC, communications specialist............... cdevney@ndarec.com Public Relations Advisory Committee: Ron Kinzler, chairman ........... Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative Bob Huether .................................. Minnkota Power Cooperative Christine Peterson ................ North Central Electric Cooperative Bruce Carlson ............................ Verendrye Electric Cooperative Don Franklund .................................. Innovative Energy Alliance Jeanette Hoff ....................... Reservation Telephone Cooperative Joe Dunn ............................ Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Advertising Sales: Clark A. Van Horn, ............................................ (800) 234-0518 advertising manager....................... cvanhorn@ndarec.com National Country Market ................................... (512) 441-5200 The Weiss Group ............................................... (480) 860-5394 Advertisements in North Dakota LIVING are paid solicitations.

The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication. Product satisfaction and delivery lie solely with the advertiser. Questions about advertising in this publication should be directed to Clark A. Van Horn, advertising manager.

Magazine subscriptions: One year.................. $12.00 for members of subscribing co-ops One year.............................................. $14.50 for non-members Three years ......................................... $40.00 for non-members Single copy ........................................................................ $2.00 To subscribe: Call (800) 234-0518; or visit www.ndarec.com Circulation .....................................................................71,000 Corrections, clarifications: Send to: Editor, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727 Advertising: Space order by 1st of the month prior to publication month; copy due by the 5th. For advertising rates, contact Clark A. Van Horn, advertising manager, at (800) 234-0518. © Copyright 2011, by North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. No portion of the advertising or editorial content of North Dakota LIVING may be reproduced without permission. The opinions expressed in editorial and advertising content in North Dakota LIVING do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of NDAREC. North Dakota LIVING (ISSN-1539-0063) is published monthly by the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, 3201 Nygren Drive NW, Mandan ND 58554.

Change of address: Subscribing co-op members send notification of change of address to your local cooperative. Other subscribers, send mailing label with changes to: Subscription Department, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727, or e-mail tkear@ndarec.com.

Postage: Periodicals nonprofit postage paid at Mandan, N.D., and at additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727. 

Margaretha (Graf) Wentz and her daughters, outside their Streeter home in 1912, were among the many GermanRussians occupying southern North Dakota as the 20th century unfolded. Today, near Zeeland, descendents of German-Russian pioneers are preserving an important part of their sacred heritage, including the simple, tasty food of their ancestors.

N E W S A N D F E AT U R E S T O R I E S Flood assistance added to efficiency rebates ............page 6

Valuable flood assistance dollars have been added to several of the homeowner rebates still available to cooperative members from the North Dakota Utility Rebate Program.

2011 North Dakota Hunting Outlook .. page 16

Vast flooded acreages have challenged wildlife, but N.D. Game & Fish officials are encouraged by the game counts awaiting hunters this fall.

BONUS SUPPLEMENT Big Iron Farm Show XXXI Official Magazine (Rural and farm subscribers only.)

The Big Iron Farm Show — Sept. 13-15 at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo.

D E PA R T M E N T S  News Connections

2

 Editorial by Dennis Hill

4

 Country Line

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Hope, recovery surging as waters recede Bringing light and hope to Uganda

‘Save rural broadband’ becomes national campaign

 Outdoor LIVING by Bill Mitzel

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 Reader Reply

22

Walking the prairie: total freedom

How are you preparing for the high cost of college?

What can be done to make college more affordable?

 Teen-2-Teen by Bethany Weinand Sweet dreams

24

 Calendar of Events

26

 Recipe Roundup

30

‘Bless this food’ a German-Russian passion

 Healthy Hints by Julie Garden-Robinson 31 Explore world cuisine in North Dakota

 Farm Byline by Al Gustin

32

 Marketplace Forum

34

Praying for rain to stop

 Advertisers’ Index

35

 Co-op Country

36

Say goodbye to summer

Local electric cooperative Center Pages ................C1 Local electric cooperative news in the “center” of magazine. (Not in all editions.)

NORTH DAKOTA LIVING  SEPTEMBER 2011 1

NEWS CONNECTIONS

Dedication held for Basin Electric’s Dry Fork Station

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PHOTO COURTESY BASIN ELECTRIC

edication of Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s latest addition to its coal-based generation resources was held in Wyoming last month. The dedication ceremony was held for the $1.35 billion Dry Fork Station, six miles north of Gillette.

More than 1,100 people were in attendance for a program that featured Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead.

The governor said Dry Fork Station provides low-cost electricity that helps maintain a quality of life. “Coal from Wyoming has fueled American dreams. As we think about this, it’s grand to see a power plant up and running in the midst of other coal plants across the county being shut down,” Mead said. “We hope this is a sign of many more to come. Coal is part of our past, present and future.”

Sub-bituminous coal from the nearby Dry Fork Mine north of Gillette will

The Touchstone Energy hot air balloon was on hand to help greet visitors to the Dry Fork Station dedication near Gillette, Wyo.

fuel Dry Fork Station via a conveyor system. The rated capacity of the Dry Fork Station is 422 megawatts (MW), with maximum net generation estimated to be 385 MW. This is considered enough capacity to meet the power requirements of

more than 300,000 homes.

Dry Fork Station is owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck (92.9 percent), and the Wyoming Municipal Power Agency, Lusk, Wyo. (7.1 percent). Basin Electric will operate and maintain

‘Annie’s House’ push for 9/11 anniversary

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Boosters of the Annie’s House project at Bottineau Winter Park are about halfway in the efforts to amass contributions needed to start construction.

ARTIST’S RENDERING

ast May, Ann Nicole Nelson would have reached her 40th birthday. Instead, this month, North Dakotans and Americans will mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took Nelson’s and thousands of other lives.

Nelson, a Stanley native, perished Sept. 11, 2001 while working for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center, destroyed by hijacked aircraft.

Fund raising for the realization of one of Nelson’s “bucket list” of lifetime goals continues, but greater participation is needed. A collaboration among Bottineau Winter Park, Gary and Jenette Nelson (Ann’s par-

ents) and the New York Says Thank You Foundation aims to build “Annie’s House.”

The proposed structure is a replacement for the ski lodge at Bottineau Winter Park and will be North Dakota’s first adaptive facility to teach disabled children, young adults and wounded warriors how to ski. This facility is served by North Central Electric Cooperative, Bottineau.

september 2 0 1 1 n N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G

One of the items on Ann Nelson’s list, found after her death, was to build a home back in North Dakota.

Nearly $750,000 in financial contributions and in-kind donations of materials and services have been pledged since March to construct Annie’s House.

Project boosters are encouraging corporations, charitable institutions, and individual donors in North

Dry Fork Station, requiring 83 employees.

Ron Harper, Basin Electric chief executive officer and general manager, said more than $336 million has been invested for environmental controls, making Dry Fork Station one of the cleanest in the country. The emissions limits for this plant were established by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Harper said the Wyoming DEQ reviewed hundreds of documents, attended hearings, and spent countless hours analyzing technical data regarding the environmental controls for this power plant. “Wyoming has some of the strictest environmental rules in the country, and protection of the environment is a fundamental commitment.

This is an integral part of who we are at Basin Electric,” he added. n

Dakota to contribute the remaining $800,000 in order to help make Annie’s House a reality. The hope is to have the capital campaign completed this month, so that construction can proceed by May 2012.

Tax deductible contributions can be sent to: Bottineau Area Community Foundation, Attn: Annie’s House Project, 519 Main St., Bottineau, ND 58318; local project contacts: Wally Brandjord, Chairman, Bottineau Winter Park, (701) 263-1609; OR Cedric Jacobsen, Bottineau Winter Park board member, (701) 2284892. Additional information is available at www.

SkiBWP.com or www.New YorkSaysThankYou.org. n www.ndarec.com

Great River Energy makes major relief donation

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Photo courtesy Great River Energy

n response to widespread flooding across North Dakota, Great River Energy, Maple Grove, Minn., is donating $100,000 to support flood relief efforts in Bismarck and Minot and the surrounding area.

The donation will inc lude $ 50,0 0 0 to t he North Dakota Community Foundation Flood Relief Fund and $50,000 to the Minot Area Community Foundation Flood Relief Fund. The donations will help support flood relief efforts for Bismarck and Minot and the surrounding area.

“Flooding has impacted many of our employees, families, friends and neighbors in the communities in which we operate,” said David Saggau, president and chief executive officer of Great River Energy. “We want to do what we can to help those affected by the floodwaters.” Great River Energy

Great River Energy representatives Al Christianson, left, and John Weeda, right, meet with Gov. Jack Dalrymple to mark the occasion of the cooperative’s flood relief donation.

will continue to provide flood assistance in other ways, including paid time off for employees to help with flood disaster relief, preparedness and public safety efforts.

Great River Energy’s operations in North Dakota include Coal Creek Station, Underwood, Stanton Station, Stanton, and Spiritwood Station, under construction near James-

town. Great River Energy uses these assets to supply power to cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin. n

Water theme of History Conference

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n this year of water woes, the annual Governor’s Conference on North Dakota History, to be held Oct. 28 and 29, will examine the impacts of water on the history of the state. Due to the expansion construction at the North Dakota Heritage Center, the conference, entitled “Too Much or Too Little: The Story of Water in North Dakota,” will be held at the Bismarck Civic Center.

The two-day conference will examine the many challenges and opportunities water has presented over the years.

There will be presentations on surface geology, the history of water use www.ndliving.com

and its impact on settlement and people, as well as aspects of the history of water legislation and regulation in North Dakota.

Featured speakers include Gov. Jack Dalrymple; former Gov. Allen Olson, who will discuss his lifelong involvement with water impacts, issues and regulations; Michael Dwyer, executive vice president of the North Dakota Water Users Association, chairing a discussion of the history of North Dakota’s water use; and American Indian relations specialist and retired National Park Service official Gerard Baker, who will speak about the impacts

Flood waters (like these flooding Mandan in 1943), scarce water and other water challenges of all kinds will be examined at Governor’s History Conference in October.

PHOTO 00743-59 N.D. STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, FRED A. HARVEY COLLECTION

of too much and too little water on native peoples.

For information on the Governor’s Conference on North Dakota History, email SHSND Administrative Assistant Kiri Stone at kstone@nd.gov or call

at (701) 328-2799. Registration is required, and fees include lunch. Student rates are available.

Registration is available online at http://history. nd.gov/conference. n

NORTH DAKOTA LIVING n september 2011 3

EDITORIAL

by Dennis Hill

Bringing light and hope to Uganda

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t the end of July, I returned from a two-week training mission to Uganda, Africa, that was a most memorable and uplifting experience.

I was part of a four-person team sent to this East African nation to help provide board and management training to the country’s fledgling electric cooperatives.

I led the training sessions on how boards operate and on understanding director duties. This training was sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) International Foundation. This foundation has been helping third-world countries with electrification projects since 1962.

Since then, the projects have provided electricity to more than 100 million people in more than 40 countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Currently, NRECA is engaged in rural electrification projects in 13 countries, including this project in Uganda.

In the village, we met with new co-op members who told us about how electric power had dramatically improved their lives.

This gentleman, far right, owned a small copy and print shop business in the village of Bundibugyo.

About 30 persons from the two electric cooperative boards of directors, staff and REA employees attended the three days of training provided by our team on understanding utility operations, board governance and director duties and liabilities.

Gary Mbiad, far left, an electric co-op manager from Ohio, and I, second from right, visited the headquarters of Bundibugyo Energy Cooperative Society (BECS) in western Uganda and met with two representatives from Uganda’s REA, and the cooperative manager and board chairman (center).

Rural electrification in Uganda is a major need, as only a small percentage of the country’s rural population has access to electricity. To change that, the Ugandan government created a Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in 1999 to promote and provide incentives to attract private investment into rural electrification. The Ugandan government was impressed with the successful rural electrification model of America, whereby the government provided financing and technical assistance to privately held, member-owned cooperatives.

To move the model forward in their country, Uganda’s REA teamed with an international consortium of partners to establish two electric cooperatives as pilot pro-

grams. It then signed an agreement with NRECA’s International Foundation a few years ago to strengthen the cooperatives by providing training for the boards and management of the two cooperatives.

To date, the two electric cooperatives in Uganda provide service to about 2,500 members.

Prior to our training, we visited one of the cooperatives in western Uganda to see how the delivery of electric power had transformed the lives of residents. The similarities between electrifying rural America in 1935 through our own REA are striking. There was resistance among other power providers about trying to electrify hard-to-serve rural areas; there’s the challenge of building a business plan when the average member only uses about 40 kilowatt hours of electricity per month; and the power supply contract the cooperative has with its generation source is less than reliable.

Frequently, the members of the co-op are shed from the grid as there just isn’t enough power supply in the country to satisfy all needs.

But like rural residents in this country, the people’s resolve is strong. During the training sessions, the boards seemed determined to make this work. They like the idea of being in charge of their own destiny.

It was certainly an uplifting experience to see how electricity transforms lives in Uganda. It reminds me, and should remind us all, of the transformational effect rural electrification had in America. It can around the world as well — one village at a time. 

Comments may be sent to: Dennis Hill, NDAREC, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727 or by e-mail: dhill@ndarec.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

www.ndarec.com

W

by Kent Brick

ith autumn comes planning the steps to prepare homes and equipment for winter. For electric cooperative members, the North Dakota Utility Rebate Program (NDURP) continues to help pay for energy efficiency equipment they are purchasing.

PHOTO BY J,C, BALCOM

Jay Christensen, right, rural Bismarck, is one of the 1,573 co-op members who has received a utility rebate check. The Capital Electric Cooperative member worked with Josh Schaffner, Capital’s member services assistant, on a heating and cooling equipment purchase which qualified for the rebate.

Kent Brick is editor of North Dakota LIVING and can be reached at kbrick@ndarec.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

www.ndarec.com

PHOTOS BY PATRICIA STOCKDILL

The N.D. Department of Commerce (NDDOC) launched the NDURP in June 2010. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the NDDOC awarded a grant of $2.4 million to make energy efficiency rebates available to cooperative

members. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) has served as the clearinghouse for processing efficiency rebate applications and rebate payments to the members of 16 local electric cooperatives.

Recently, the NDDOC revised the grant to NDAREC to add $175,208 to fund more rebates. The department also recently authorized offering additional rebates to homeowners who have been assisted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for replacement of flood-damaged heating and cooling systems and water heaters with qualifying energy efficient units. Specifically, in addition to the regular rebates offered, residential flood victims who have a FEMA disaster assistance letter can receive an extra flat $400 rebate for qualifying central air, air-source and ground-source heat pumps. Also for these victims, there is an additional $100 available in the rebate for demand response and heat pump water heaters.

Since its June 2010 start, electric cooperative members in North Dakota have responded favorably to the NDURP. These figures, as of mid-August, illustrate how members have used the program:  $1,750,200 in total energy efficiency rebates have been paid out to 1,573 electric cooperative members;  for residential members, the most popular rebate has been for air-source heat pumps: 371 rebates paid, totaling $366,600;  for residential members, another very popular — and renewable energy — rebate has been for geothermal heat pumps: 226 rebates paid, totaling $564,460;  for commercial members, the most popular rebate has been for lighting retrofits: 191 rebates paid, totaling $439,686.

The rebate program is operated on a first-come, first-served basis, and the program ends when the funds run out or on Dec. 31, whichever comes first. To qualify for a rebate, a project must be completed no later than Dec. 31, and the rebate application must be received by NDAREC by Jan. 31, 2012.

Complete information about the NDURP for electric cooperative members is available by calling the member services representatives at your local co-op or visiting www.ndarec.com and clicking on Utility Rebate Program. 

Energy Efficiency $$ North Dakota Utility Rebate Program Go to: Touchstone Energy www.ndarec.com Cooperatives of North Dakota

Cole Strong, North Central Electric Cooperative, Bottineau, is helping members install new air source heat pumps to get great rebates.

Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of North Dakota ELECTRIC CO-OP MEMBERS: ● Talk to staff at your co-op; ● Take a look at the rebate application form (preview available at ndarec.com);

North Dakota Utility Rebate Program

● Learn from your co-op whether purchases under consideration qualify for a rebate; ● Purchase, install the equipment; ● With co-op’s help, complete and submit rebate application form; ● Check your mail - enjoy your rebate dollars - and the money saved from your energy efficiency investment!

The grant for N.D. Utility Rebate Program comes from the N.D. Department of Commerce, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Cash & savings!

Flood assistance* now available!

RESIDENTS can get up to $5,000* in rebates. These RESIDENTIAL rebates can come from: Energy efficiency technologies ● Air conditioners ● Air source heat pumps ● Attic, wall insulation ● Heat pump water heaters ● Thermal storage water heaters ● Thermal storage central furnaces And/or Renewable energy technologies ● Geothermal heat pumps ● Photovoltaics ● Wind turbines

BUSINESSES can get up to $15,000 in rebates. These COMMERCIAL rebates can come from: Energy efficiency technologies ● Efficient lighting ● Efficient motors ● Variable speed drives ● Air source heat pumps ● Thermal storage water heaters And/or Renewable energy technologies ● Geothermal heat pumps ● Photovoltaics ● Wind turbines

The Commerce department has authorized additional rebate dollars *forNOTE: FEMA-qualified homeowner flood victims. These flood victims can receive an extra flat $400 rebate for qualifying central air, air source and ground source heat pumps, and $100 for demand response and heat pump water heaters.

For eligibility rules, limitations and program details, go to www.ndarec.com.

Disclaimer: This rebate program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), administered through the N.D. Department of Commerce. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) and its participating local distribution cooperative members have a limited amount of ARRA funds to distribute to electric cooperative customers who meet the eligibility requirements for the program. In distributing rebate funds, NDAREC agrees to comply with all the applicable federal non-discrimination laws, so that no person shall be denied the benefits of this program or be otherwise subject to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or age. There is a fund available for a variety of energy efficiency and demand response rebates. There is a separate fund to promote renewable energy from wind, solar and geothermal applications. Rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis from each fund, so consumers should not depend on the availability of rebate funds in planning energy efficiency or renewable energy projects. When a fund is depleted, NDAREC and the local co-ops have no further responsibility to provide rebates under this program. This program will terminate when the funds for the program are spent, or on December 31, 2011, whichever is sooner.

COUNTRY LINE

by Kent Brick

‘Save rural broadband’ becomes national campaign

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ajor national organizations representing independent rural telecommunications businesses are joining forces to help create a workable future for broadband development nationwide. They are: the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA); the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO); the United States Telecom Association (USTA); and the Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA).

The organizations have launched a nationwide “Save Rural Broadband” campaign aimed to shape a “next generation” of public policy support tools affecting local, independently and member-owned telecommunications companies. The collaboration emerged from the recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposal for a National Broadband Plan which created serious concerns for these organizations.

The organizations share the common view that the FCC proposes new rules that place broadband network investments and operations of rural telecommunications companies at risk, to the detriment of rural consumers and small businesses. The work of this alliance is based on these basic principles and findings:  Rural telecommunications companies serve approximately 5 million rural consumers throughout the United States. These companies work hand-in-hand with government and private investors to deploy broadbandcapable networks throughout their service areas; often, these companies are the only source of broadband in their communities.  Sufficient, predictable and sustainable support is necessary not only to deploy broadband to the remaining unserved consumers, but also for ongoing network

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SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

maintenance and upgrades. This is necessary to provide faster connection speeds that can accommodate an ever-growing array of bandwidth-intensive applications and services. It is also needed to maintain reasonable rates for broadband.  Federal rules provide rural telecom companies with the Universal Service Fund (USF), which reimburses these companies a portion of the costs they incur to provide service in high-cost rural areas. Mandatory contributions to the USF are made by all companies that provide certain interstate communications service. Rural telecom companies rely on the USF to build and maintain broadband-capable networks throughout the country.  The FCC proposes to extend the success of rural telecom companies to areas served by other telephone companies. While this goal could be accomplished in ways that continue to ensure broadband for all Americans, the FCC’s proposals would reduce support for small rural companies, and redistribute those resources. This approach may reach unserved customers of other companies, but would make existing network investments of small rural companies unsustainable: Many of them would either need to charge unaffordable rates in order to cover costs, or cut spending on broadband deployment and network maintenance.

To advance the “Save Rural Broadband” effort, the alliance, along with several additional major telecommunications businesses, are promoting their own approach to reform the mechanisms supporting the affordability and availability of advanced rural telecommunications.

This approach – the linking of two complementary plans – supports the deployment and continued operation of networks by providers of all sizes. It has recently been submitted to the FCC. The approach asserts that the universal service fund (USF) and intercarrier

www.ndatc.com

PHOTO BY KENT BRICK

Former Sen. Byron Dorgan

compensation reform framework represents the country’s best chance to stabilize, modernize and expand rural networks for years to come.

The complementary proposals would promote sustainable, affordable broadband throughout rural America and make those who receive support funds accountable to invest in the delivery of such service. Other key parts of the plan include:  Balancing the dual needs to deploy broadband in hard-to-serve rural markets and sustain existing broadband assets.  For rural wireless, setting aside $300 million

annually, an amount far in excess of the FCC’s recent Mobility Fund proposal.  The objective of meeting a USF budget of $4.5 billion annually for the next six years – the same size as the current USF High Cost program.  Simplifying the troubled intercarrier compensation system, subject to a managed transition and reasonable safeguards, to promote stability in the process.

Former North Dakota U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan has brought his endorsement to the efforts of the “Save Rural Broadband” coalition. In a recent letter in support of the effort, Dorgan writes: “The benefits broadband brings to America’s rural areas are so important. Rural residents can connect to doctors and specialty physicians, purchase goods from retailers around the world, access education through courses offered in faraway schools and much more. In short, broadband service is essential for rural areas.

“If the FCC gets this wrong, it could have a devastating effect on the ability of smaller and rural telephone companies to continue to provide the most advanced telecommunication services to their customers. And, without access to the latest and best telecommunications services, rural areas will be on the wrong side of the digital divide and consigned to a future without economic opportunity or development. We can’t let that happen!”

David Crothers, general manager of the North Dakota Association of Telecommunications Cooperatives, says NDATC member company leaders are advocating these proposals with Congress and the FCC. “We are pleased these rural associations produced a plan that meets the FCC’s key reform objectives without putting at risk the substantial investments already made by our cooperatives,” Crothers says.

More information about the campaign is available at: www.saveruralbroadband.org.  Kent Brick is editor of North Dakota LIVING. He may be reached at kbrick@ndarec.com.

NORTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVES 3201 Nygren Drive N.W. Box 1144 Mandan, N.D. 58554

(701) 663-1099 www.ndatc.com

Cooperatives

BEK Communications Cooperative ..................................... Steele Consolidated Telcom Cooperative ................................. Dickinson Dakota Central Telecommunications Cooperative ........ Carrington Dickey Rural Networks ...................................................Ellendale Nemont Telephone Cooperative ............................. Scobey, Mont.

Northwest Communications Cooperative ...............................Ray Polar Communications Cooperative..............................Park River Red River Rural Telephone Association ....................Abercrombie Reservation Telephone Cooperative ................................. Parshall SRT Communications Cooperative ......................................Minot United Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation ...................... Langdon West River Telecommunications Cooperative ..................... Hazen www.ndliving.com

NDATC Officers

Leo Meier, President ................................. BEK Communications Stanley Vangsness, First Vice President ... SRT Communications Kent Klima, Second Vice President ....... Dickey Rural Telephone Brenda Volesky, Secretary/Treasurer ........ Consolidated Telcom Rodney Suko, Director .......................... Dakota Central Telecom Orvis Nelson, Director ................................... Nemont Telephone Robert Austreim, Director.............. Northwest Communications Ron Steinke, Director .............................. Polar Communications Ron German, Director ....................... Red River Rural Telephone Jeanette Hoff, Director............................ Reservation Telephone Richard Otto, Director...................................... United Telephone Randy Christmann, Director ........................ West River Telecom NORTH DAKOTA LIVING  SEPTEMBER 2011 9

COVER STORY

St. Andrew’s preservation

by Wendy Fix cattered across the prairies and rolling plains of North Dakota, the tall steeples of small country churches interrupt the horizon. These houses of worship – with doors long closed – remain to tell the story of their people’s heritage, and boast architecture influenced by the culture of their founders.

On a plot of prairie southwest of Wishek, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church stands to proclaim the strong heritage of its original 15 founding families, those who came after, and all their descendants. Founded in 1893 by Germans from Russia who immigrated to Dakota Territory, the congregation of St. Andrew’s first met in a modest sandstone building, which still remains. In 1906, the permanent church building was erected near the stone structure, and regular services continued there until just a decade ago.

For generations, St. Andrew’s was a primary meeting place for the Germans from Russia who homesteaded in rural Wishek and surrounding areas. Most were large farm families who clung to their rich German heritage. Services at St. Andrew’s were traditional, with women and children seated at the left and men on the right, and hymns were sung in their native German.

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SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

O COURTESY PHOT

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Magdalina and Frederich Walth

Larry Walth and Carol (Walth) Gerber – brother and sister – are two of eight siblings who attended St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Their grandparents, Fred and Magdalina (Retzer) Walth, arrived in Dakota Territory in 1889.

Larry Walth and his wife, Jeanne, raised a son and daughter and continued to attend St. Andrew’s until the doors closed in 2001. Larry farmed the original homestead land of Fred and Magdalina before passing the torch to his son, Troy, who is now the fourth generation of Walths to derive a living from the land.

Carol Gerber and her husband, Vernon, were married in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and have two grown sons.

Carol was the church organist, and she is an ongoing member of the St. Andrew’s Centennial Choir, which www.ndarec.com

celebrates German heritage

gathers to sing for special events. Carol and Vernon still reside on her Uncle John’s homestead and live in the house he built more than 100 years ago.

Brother and sister Larry and Carol have fond memories of their German upbringing and lifetime of involvement at St. Andrew’s. “It used to be that out here in the rural communities, Sundays might be the only day people were able to leave the farm,” Larry says. “We all looked forward to going to church, and afterwards, folks would stay and visit long after services. There were many Sundays and holidays I can remember that we spent surrounded by cousins and friends, and lots of good German food.”

To get to church and school, the Walth children rode in a wagon pulled by horses. “Some winter days, it was so cold,” Larry says, “so our dad would throw a hay bale in the wagon and cover us up with a big horse blanket, and that kept us warm. I still remember the smell of that horse blanket, mixed with the smell of hay and all the way, the sound of bells jingled.”

Today, a core group of former members of St. Andrew’s continues to pull together in true German form to attend to the restoration needs of the church. In July, the St. Andrew’s Preservation Committee hosted a fund-raising www.ndliving.com

Top row, from left: with its polished interiors, the 1908 St. Andrew’s church, with its adjacent, small 1893 original, are treasured focal points of families raised in the congregation. Last July, these families held a celebration service there, including (second from right) the St. Andrew’s Centennial Choir, and (far right, left to right) Vernon and Carol (Walth) Gerber and Larry and Jeanne Walth.

PHOTOS BY LAYN MUDDER

event and successfully raised enough money to replace the roof of the 1906 structure.

Future plans are in place for ongoing preservation. Just as many other country churches, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church went through stages prior to its inevitable closing, including merging with other area churches and sharing pastors. “It was hard to close the doors,” Carol says, “but we kept them open as long as we could. The important thing now is to preserve and pass on this part of our heritage to future generations.”  Wendy Fix is a freelance writer and owner of Prairie Ink Writing Services.

She and her husband, Mike, are raising their five children in Bismarck. more Germans from Russia continued on page 12 N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 11

Faith, work, resolve mark Germans from

E COLLECTION

S FROM RUSSIA HERITAG PHOTO COURTESY GERMAN

Prospering: Strasburg’s Valentine Keller family, about 1915.

by Emily Martwick

T

he history of Germans from Russia settling on the Great Plains is the story of faith, determination, culture preserved and new hopes realized.

The first Germans from Russia (GFR) reached the Northern

Great Plains primarily between 1872 and 1910, driven by a loss of freedoms once promised to them by the Russian government.

“They left southern Russia, now southern Ukraine, because the rights promised were taken away from them; German sons were required to serve in the Russian

army, and schools were Russian when they were promised to have German schools,” says Michael Miller, director and bibliographer of the North Dakota State University Libraries Germans from Russia Heritage Collection (GRHC).

These and additional forces combined with their loss of freedoms threatened the preservation of their true German identities, causing the Russian Germans to set their face toward the West. The Homestead Act of 1862 renewed their hope of independence and drew them to the Dakota Territory.

After reaching the shores of the United States, they traveled to this grass-laden land by train. When the railroad ended in Eureka, S.D., the Germans settled in the area.

Approximately a decade later, in 1884, some trekked north by wagon and made sod homes near what is now Zeeland. The young communities continued to spread into the areas we know today surrounding Wishek, McClusky and Rugby, painting a homesteading stripe up the center of North Dakota.

“They were the generation of very difficult times,” Miller says.

The immigrants persevered through the stiff winter months, the season when many arrived

Book to celebrate ‘original recyclers’

12

SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

Carmen Devney is a communications specialist for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative and Capital Electric Cooperative.

TO

epresenting the counties of Emmons, McIntosh and Logan, the Tri-County Tourism Alliance is planning a Germans from Russia coffee-table book. The proceeds will be used to boost the area’s tourism and encourage visitation at historical cemeteries and churches.

Sue B. Balcom, cookbook chairperson, says the book will include recipes, photos, folklore, stories and memories.

“It will give people an idea of what life was like for those who settled here,” she explains.

Balcom, who has many relatives living in the Zeeland and Wishek areas, says the last generation of

Balcom is looking for people in Emmons, McIntosh and Logan county to share their heritage and stories, or to sponsor the cookbook. To participate or to pre-order a book, contact Balcom at (701) 527-5169 or visit http:// dasguteessen.wordpress. com. 

SY PHO

R

full-blooded Germans from Russia is now in their 80s.

“If we don’t collect the information about how they survived on the prairie in adverse conditions, it will be gone forever,” she says.

In the interviews Balcom has conducted, she says self-sufficiency is the common theme.

“The settlers didn’t have a lot of money, so out of necessity they became the original recyclers. They ate every little bit of food from an animal. They wore clothes they had made or that were handed down.

They grew their own vegetables and gleaned fruit from the trees,” she describes. “They knew how to survive, and they shared a sense of community.”

COURTE

by Carmen Devney

www.ndarec.com

IA HERITAGE S FROM RUSS PHOTO COUR TESY GERMAN

in the area. The settlers also faced emotional hardships of isolation.

Unlike their settlements in Russia, which allowed the families to farm the countryside and return to their small communities at sundown, the Homestead Act forced the families out of their colonized traditions and into a wild, lonely terrain.

However, the challenges of settling did not overcome them.

They made strategic moves that enabled them to safeguard their values. “They were careful to settle when possible with their own ethnic heritage to be able to keep the German language, their religion and food traditions,” Miller says. Soon, veteran settlers were sponsoring family members and friends still in Russia to join them on the Northern Plains. The immigrants continued to spread north into Saskatchewan, Canada, and the conditions of the 1930s caused thousands of the Germans from Russia to migrate farther west to California, Washington and Oregon.

Those who stayed in the Dakotas were a unique breed. The ability to absorb trials was infused with

COLLECTION

Russia history

Life on the land: Threshing on the Grenz farm, near Hazelton, 1960.

basic survival skills tempered by a secure hope in a prosperous future that was yet unseen. Miller says, “Faith in God, their savior, was very important to their survival.”

Because of the cohesive steps the Germans took to remain true to their strong cultural traditions, many of those traditions are still alive today. You won’t need to look too long to find a cafe in central North

Dakota that will serve up a hot bowl of knoephla soup, a fresh plate of fleischkuechla with German sausage, and a sweet piece of kuchen for dessert. These delicious foods help preserve the German heritage.

Miller, a sustaining force in preserving this heritage, documents the treasured history of these unique folk in the course of his work for the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection at the North Dakota State University Library. “My lifelong dream has been to keep alive and enhance the heritage of Germans from Russia,” says Miller, a native of Strasburg, whose German family came from Russia.

The GRHC along with the Germans from Russia Heritage Society in Bismarck ensures future generations documentation of the heritage and culture of the Germans from Russia. You can visit both organizations online at www.ndsu. edu/grhc and www.grhs.org.  Emily Martwick is a senior at North Dakota State University studying management communication.

Martha (Rott) Ringering washes dishes in her kitchen on their Scappoose, Ore., farm in 1955, while her son-in-law dries. Martha’s granddaughter, Connie Dahlke, submitted some of the family’s recipes to be featured in the upcoming Germans from Russia book.

Martha was born on the Rott homestead farm located in the Richville Township of Logan County, to Joseph and Christina Rott, immigrants from Gluckstal Village near Odessa (southern Ukraine) on the Black Sea. www.ndliving.com

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 13

Cosmetic Surgery

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Join Jack and Hazel Jensen, the owners of Jensen Travel, on our annual, but once-in-a-lifetime, ALASKAN CRUISE EXPERIENCE. We will be hosting approximately 40 to 60 North Dakotans on this spectacular journey to North America’s most beautiful scenic spots. Experience all the scenery, wildlife and beauty that only Alaska can offer, while enjoying the five-star dining, entertainment and hospitality that only NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE and your host and hostess can offer.

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2011 North Dakota Hunting Outlook from N.D. Game and Fish Department

PHOTOS COURTESY OF N.D. GAME AND FISH DEPT.

M

ore than 100,000 North Dakotans will take to the field this fall in pursuit of grouse, geese, pheasants and deer. Here’s a summary of the prospects as outlined by the N.D. Game and Fish Department in its August-September 2011 issue of North Dakota Outdoors.

Ring-necked pheasants

After three difficult winters, it wasn’t a surprise that rooster crowing counts were down about 18 percent statewide this spring. In addition, removal of more Conservation Reserve Program acres, most notably in southeastern North Dakota, will surely continue to reduce the state’s pheasant population.

In the past several years, pheasant harvest has declined from more than 800,000, to about 550,000 in 2010.

While June didn’t have the best weather for nesting or brooding hens, one positive this spring was habitat quality in the state, which could help hatching success and chick survival.

Ruffed grouse

More than 40 years of census data in North Dakota shows that ruffed grouse numbers tend to cycle about every 8 to 10 years. In 2010, it seemed the population was slowly moving up from the low end of the cycle, with this spring’s statewide drumming counts indicating an almost 13 percent increase from 2010 in the Pembina Hills, but the Turtle Mountains showed a 28 percent decrease.

Sharp-tailed grouse

Three consecutive harsh winters haven’t helped the state’s sharp-tails, and a wet, cold spring this year delayed nesting across the state. Warm, dry weather is crucial to a decent hatch, and fortunately midsummer nesting conditions were optimal for late or renesting attempts. Hunters should expect to see lower grouse numbers this hunting season.

Hungarian partridge

Wild turkeys

16

For details on season dates, bag limits and other regulations, consult the appropriate annual hunting guides, available at license vendors around the state, and on the Game and Fish Department Web site at www.gf.nd.gov.

SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

www.ndarec.com

PHOTOS BY PATRICIA STOCKDILL

Though N.D. Game and Fish expects fewer birds in some western and central hunting units this fall, hunters will likely find turkey numbers in the central and eastern parts of the state comparable to 2010.

Hunters will likely see fewer Hungarian partridge than last year. The last three severe winters have cut the adult breeding population, and spring 2011 was wet and cold, likely reducing chick survival or forcing adult pairs to renest.

Ducks and geese

It looks like another banner year for waterfowl hunters. While the spring breeding duck index was down a bit from 2010, it was still well above average and the ninth highest on record. Habitat conditions are good throughout the Prairie Pothole Region so breeding birds were likely more spread out than in previous years.

North Dakota also has abundant resident Canada geese, and migrant Canada geese and snow geese are also well above population objectives.

White-tailed deer

This year, the Game and Fish Department made available 109,950 deer licenses for the regular gun season, or 6,825 fewer than 2010. While deer numbers statewide are down considerably from a few years ago, they are actually at or near management objectives in many units because of the last three severe winters, and because Game and Fish directed high hunting pressure on does for much of the last decade.

Over the past year, department staff re-evaluated management goals for each hunting unit, and set a statewide goal for the next five years at 124,800 deer licenses. In general, that will mean fewer doe licenses until the population increases to match the management goal.

Doves

North Dakota’s dove breeding population changes relatively little from year to year. That’s good since the state generally has a sizable breeding population.

Nationwide, North Dakota’s mourning dove breeding population ranked fifth in 2011, based on a call-count survey conducted in late May. Dove hunters should experience good opportunities again during the first two weeks of September.

Sandhill cranes

The 2011 spring index for mid-continent sandhill cranes will likely exceed 425,000 birds, putting the breeding population index above average levels.

Staging areas are in excellent shape statewide, with the exception of some traditional areas where water is too deep. Overall, the state should provide good sandhill crane hunting opportunities this fall.

Furbearers

Mule deer

Recent severe winters have been tough on mule deer in the badlands.

Production in 2010 was the lowest ever documented with 72 fawns per 100 does, and the 2011 spring index of six mule deer per square mile was 23 percent lower than 2010 and 38 percent below the 2007 index.

Part of the fallout is a necessary reduction in mule deer licenses, set at 4,550 this fall, 2,725 fewer than last year.

Noteworthy to this year’s furbearer seasons is the first regulated trapping season for fishers in the state.

A large member of the weasel family, this animal has recolonized its historic range in northeastern North Dakota, allowing for this new opportunity.

Similar to last year, fur harvesters will have plenty of coyotes and muskrats to pursue. Raccoon and skunk indices are up statewide compared to last year.

Additionally, fox numbers are up in the Prairie Pothole Region, beaver are up in the Red River Valley, and badgers are increasing in both of those regions.

This year’s mountain lion hunting season will allow a quota of 14 mountain lions in Zone 1, divided into an early and late season. Pursuit with hounds is limited to the late season, which starts after deer gun season closes and has a quota of five cats. The early season quota is nine. 

www.ndliving.com

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 17

Visit the Rendezvous Region

sights

and experience the and sounds of northeastern

North Dakota...

Scenic Overlooks • Pembina River Canoe Docks • Museums • State Park • City Parks Hiking/Biking Trails • Outdoor Theatre Camping • Fishing • Boating • Golfing Rodeo • Historical ABM Site • Music & Arts Festival • Christmas Parades Scenic byways • Snowmobile Trails Downhill/Cross Country Skiing

Call (701) 549-2707 www.walhalland.org 18

SEPTEMBER 2011 n NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

www.ndarec.com

OUTDOOR LIVING

by Bill Mitzel

Walking the prairie: total freedom A

PHOTO BY LAYN MUDDER

bulging point of interest each fall centers around game populations in North Dakota. The first thing hunters want to know involves how pheasants survived the winter, what kind of spring hatch they had, how many ducks are there, how many deer permits are available and everything else related to numbers. It all seems, frankly, to be based on the assumption that the more game there is, the better our chances of success. We Americans hate failure, for sure.

While I’ll admit to placing a sometimes seemingly high value on quantity over quality during my youthful years of blindness, I remember the events of just being outdoors far more readily than the end result. I believe most of us identify with that also.

A case in point: A friend who had a small child some years ago asked if his boy, age 5, could accompany us for a short time on a duck hunt. Certainly, I indicated. In fact, that would be great.

Now, why would a boy of a mere 5 years of age, who can’t shoot a gun or carry decoys, want to get up at 5 a.m., don uncountable amounts of clothing, and take a chance on getting freezing wet all just to tag along with his dad? I mean, he couldn’t participate in the hunt by anything more than observing. What’s the point, we may wonder.

Well, when you think about it, you realize that the young boy places little or no importance on the shooting part of it. Or the cold, the weariness or the wet feet. No, he well understood why he wanted to be part of this. He was old enough to understand the total impact of being outdoors, of being part of a grand ritual such as this, with his dad. While he wasn’t able to actually participate to a large degree, he wanted to grab every bit of adventure he could, and plant it into his growing mind. Shooting was secondary, if important at all.

The boy wanted to see the sun come up, the ducks buzz decoys, hold those beautiful birds in his hand and run his little fingers through the crimson colors. He wanted to hear the wind, see the rolling dark clouds above him and get dirty – just like dad.

He understood what it is to just be out there.

Over the years, male friends occasionally requested that their wives hunt with us, even though many of them didn’t shoot. I loved it. I loved watching non-shooters marvel at the adventure of discovering things new to them.

During the walk, the non-shooting ladies would stop and look at various plants, glance toward the fall sky domed over an endless prairie, even scream

Bill Mitzel

20 s e p t e mb e r 2 0 1 1 n N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G

when a tight-holding rooster exploded within inches of their next step.

Statistics are kept each year by Game and Fish Department folks on the number of licenses sold in all fishing and hunting categories. That data tells only a small part of the story, of course.

Along with those licensed shooters are often many friends and family who are merely sharing the adventure. In that process, the new adventure seekers will see deer in the wild, not at the zoo. They might spot their first porcupine or badger, join the shooter in sneaking up on some geese, or help set up decoys in the dark morning chill. And they’ll love every minute of it.

My daughter Jodi, a non-shooter, will never forget a deer flushed by pheasant walkers that nearly ran over her, literally. It bolted mere inches by her at racehorse speed, her having nowhere to go in the middle of an open field. Oh yes, her heart stopped for a micro-minute, but she recalls this event at least once a year with a smile that tells me she wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

My wife, Bobbi, also a non-shooter, would be ready to hunt with a minimum of notice. Together, we’ve gotten wet, cold, hungry, exhausted and frustrated, but I know she wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything in the world. In fact, she’s often remarked that it’s the freedom and joy of just continued next page www.ndarec.com

walking the prairie that she enjoys more than anything in life.

It is amazingly encompassing.

It’s rare that I remember the numbers of birds killed during a prairie hunt, even something recent. But as fall approaches and those hundreds of memories flood my mind, I vividly recall countless outdoor experiences of just being “out there,” sometimes alone, often sharing it with special people. The vast, endless prairie, the quietude, the space, the freedom, the joy.

It’s never an adventure if you know the outcome. n

discover

the people

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL MITZEL

Bill Mitzel is publisher and editor-inchief of Dakota Country Magazine.

For more than 30 years, Mitzel wrote a weekly column for the Bismarck Tribune and has written more than 200 feature articles for national outdoor publications. Mitzel is also a member of the N.D. Fishing Hall of Fame.

discover minot and

www.ndliving.com

the places

1-800-264-2626 www.visitminot.org

discover

DISCOVER THE MAGIC!

discover the fun N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G n S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 21

R E A D E R R E P LY

This month, we asked our readers to answer the following...

‘How are you preparing for the high cost of college?

What can be done to make college more affordable?’

EDITOR’S NOTE: Reader participation is the backbone of North Dakota LIVING. This month, not one person answered our question about preparing for the high cost of college. And we know it concerns, and affects, thousands of you.

So fire up your computers or dig out your pens, and take a few minutes to answer future questions. It’s your chance to share your thoughts and earn some easy money!

We did receive a generous amount of letters in August. The following was one of the many we did not have room to publish. In her letter, Margie Muth noted that she plans to donate the $25 she will receive for publication to the Home on the Range.

Home on the Range

Home on the Range is located between Medora and Beach. This ranch is a facility for troubled boys and girls.

The residents live in dorms and attend classes. Each resident is given a job, and they receive counseling and spiritual guidance. The residents are usually at the ranch for one year. When they leave, they either go back to their families or are placed in foster care.

Many of the residents feel the ranch has helped turn their lives around, and

they go on to finish high school or attend college. My husband and I have supported this wonderful organization for more than 20 years because we have seen what the staff has done for the many troubled young people.  Margie Muth, Mandan Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative

UPCOMING READER REPLY QUESTIONS: OCTOBER: “Tell us how this year’s historic flooding has impacted your lives, and how you are recovering. Share a photo.”

Deadline for submission: Sept. 15 NOVEMBER: “Tell us how you use social media and blogs (web logs) to sustain work, family and friendship relationships.”

Deadline for submission: Oct. 15 INSTRUCTIONS: Answers should be no more than 250 words, typewritten or in legible handwriting. Include your name, complete address, daytime phone number and the name of the rural electric or telephone cooperative to which you belong. Note: Magazine staff reserves the right to make slight editing changes and cuts; major changes will be discussed with sender. We pay $25 for each letter we print. Send to: READER REPLY, North Dakota LIVING, PO Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727. Or send responses via email to: cdevney@ndarec.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

www.ndarec.com

Naomi Rossow, Broker

701-290-3931 Email: naomi@valleytel.net Licensed in North Dakota and South Dakota

View additional listings at www.landofdakota.com OUTLAW RANCH OUTFITTERS. Dreaming about owning a

beautiful ranch under the open skies where you can enjoy ranching, wildlife and supplemental income? This 1,120 acre ranch is located in the sandhills of north central N.D., an hour east of Minot. With an excellent reputation and high dollar amount of hunts on the books for fall, Outlaw Ranch is ready for 2011 season. Tastefully remodeled country home with outbuildings and corrals. Rustic hunting lodge provides top-notch accommodations for family/guests. Lodge and high fence built new in 2010. Newly seeded alfalfa ground. Trophy bull elk herd included in sale. OUTLAW RANCH business name and Website transfer with sale. $1,400,000. Photos on Web site.

NEW LISTING—RAY, ND. Farmstead and 20 acres within minutes of town. Beautiful tree filled yard, updated ranch style home, new windows, new siding and large family room addition. Two heated shops and outbuilding storage. $600,000.

NEW LISTING--OIL FIELD PROPERTY. Acreage available north

of Williston, ND. Located along paved road Hwy 42 north of Epping.

Ideal site for company headquarters or heavy equipment parking or other development opportunities. Re-zoning in process.

NEW LISTING—RAY, ND. Acreage. Located 1.5 miles north.

Approx. 55 acres at $10,000/acre. Seller will split into smaller parcels.

Exotic Western Caribbean for Seniors Belize, Roatan Bay, Costa Maya & Cozumel January 28 - February 5, 2012

Join Jack & Hazel Jensen, the owners of Jensen Travel, on a sun-filled, fun-filled, winter fling to the Exotic Western Caribbean. entertainment venues each evening. We’ve often heard, “we’re too old for island hopping.” This is for seniors (one person over 50 in the room).

Come join us, we’re seniors, and we’ll show you just how much fun you can have! Our major reason for hosting this event is “We want to do this trip!”, so why not surround ourselves with people just like us, who we’ll love spending time with.

There is no better unspoiled corner of the Caribbean than this area. We’re excited about showing you the pristine scenery, wildlife and culture of these unique ports of call. Of course, we’ll be onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, there is no other way to cruise. No dress up, no fixed seating for dinner, 13 dining rooms to choose from, all with a different menu. 15

All flights, gratuities, meals, transfers and entertainment included.

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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G n s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1 23

TEEN-2-TEEN b y B e t h a n y We i n a n d

Sweet dreams

E

PHOTO BY TENA WEINAND

very weekday morning when I wake, my eyes flicker open. I see the clock, realize it is morning, and a wave of fatigue sweeps over me. I groggily take my time getting out of bed and spend too much time at the breakfast table, only to make a mad dash for school with a jumble of schoolbooks, toast, pencils, water bottle and shoes in-hand.

If your morning resembles my hectic lifestyle, you’re probably not getting enough sleep. Most people do not realize the importance of sleep for overall wellness. The amount we receive directly affects all the Bethany Weinand tasks we do in a day. Without rest, our body is not able to function fully and this can lead to severe repercussions. Forgetfulness and illness can plague a sleep-deprived body, and driving and problem-solving skills go down the drain. And because we are tired, we may not have the energy to exercise. This can

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lead to an increased amount of stress and unhealthy food cravings.

Teenagers are busy with extracurricular activities, homework, jobs and duties at home. It is difficult to balance a social life and downtime in addition to our school-related activities. Usually the first thing to go is sleep. Sometimes I sacrifice sleep because I want to stay up and have time to myself … watching a show, going on the computer, reading, and talking to family members or friends. But in the morning when I am overtired, I am reminded why this is not actually more fun.

My peers often say, “We are young and we can still stay up late.” In reality, our age group gets just as overtired as the adult population. So the next time the clock strikes 9 p.m., consider going to bed and see how you feel in the morning. Try it for a few weeks and see if you still feel like hitting the snooze, moping around the house and scrambling to make up for the lost time.  Bethany Weinand, 17, is a senior at Hazen High School where she is active in drama, music, cross country, Peer Youth, FBLA, National Honor Society and speech. A recent participant of the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, Bethany enjoys weightlifting, reading and working as a teller at Union State Bank in Hazen. She is the daughter of John and Tena Weinand, Hazen, who are members of Roughrider Electric Cooperative.

BRANSON OCT. 6 – 12, 2011

•R/t transportation from Bismarck, Jamestown, Valley City, Fargo •6 breakfasts; 1 lunch; 6 dinners • Baldknobbers •Showboat Branson Belle •Noah The Musical •Pierce Arrow •Shoji Tabuchi •Joey Riley •Titanic Museum •Silver Dollar City •Driver’s gratuity •Escort: Jackie Tarpinian Call or e-mail for details on our many vacation destinations

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SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

North Dakota Farmers UNioN excUrsioN toUrs! MN Vikings/Green Bay Packers at Green Bay, WI November 13-15, 2011

Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation, (depart from Jamestown and Fargo) Lodging with breakfast, shuttle to and from Lambeau Field, Game Ticket, Pregame Tailgate Party @ Farve’s Steakhouse -3 hrs prior to game - all you can eat and drink.

ICE FISHING February 6-9, 2012 Lake Of The Woods, Baudette,MN. Tour includes transportation, lodging and all meals at Sportman’s Lodge, 2 days of fishing with limited guide assistance, basic rod, jig & bait, plus fish cleaning and packaging.

Go to www.ndfu.org for details or call 800-366-8331 ext 108, Susan or ext 111, Jeff www.ndarec.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS september

24-25 n Fall Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Rheault Farm, Fargo.

(701) 499-7788.

25 n Turkey Dinner, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Medina. (701) 486-3414.

25-27 n Apple Harvest, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Maple River Winery and Distillery, Casselton.

(701) 347-5900.

27 n ArtFest, 11 a.m.4 p.m., Recreation Park, Williston. (701) 774-3601.

27-Oct. 1 n Norsk Høstfest, North Dakota State Fairgrounds, Minot.

(701) 852-2368.

COURTESY PHOTO

THROUGH Sept. 10 n Medora Musical, 8:30 p.m. MDT, Medora.

(800) 633-6721 or (701) 623-4444.

THROUGH Sept. 24 n Town Square Farmers Market, corner of DeMers Avenue and Third Street, Grand Forks.

(218) 779-1382.

8-11 n Harvest Fest, Hazen. (888) 464-2936 or (701) 748-6848.

8-11 n United Tribes International Powwow, United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck. (701) 255-3285.

9 and 16 n Friday Night Races, 7:30 p.m., River Cities Speedway, Grand Forks. (701) 780-0999.

9-10 n Common Threads Quilt Show, noon-7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 146 E. Main St., Hazen.

9-10 n Sodbuster Days Fall Harvest, 5981 Walt Hjelle Parkway, Fort Ransom. (701) 973-4331.

9-11 n Fall Festival, Medina. (701) 486-3414.

9-11 n WomanSong, concert Friday evening, 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Sunday, LaMoure County Memorial Park, Grand Rapids.

9-11 n Fine Arts Festival, First Presbyterian Church, Bismarck.

(701) 223-6091.

10 n Flea Market, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., parking lot, KTM Cycle Hutt, Mandan.

(701) 223-4888.

10 n Walk to End Alzheimer’s and 5-K Run, 7:30 a.m. 5-K registration and 8:30 a.m. 5-K; 9 a.m. walk registration and 10 a.m. walk, Dickinson Research Extension Center, Dickinson. (701) 258-4933.

10 n Yard Sales, citywide, Carrington.

(701) 652-2524.

10 n BismarckMandan Symphony Orchestra “A Place of Remembrance” Tribute Concert, Belle Mehus Auditorium, Bismarck. (701) 258-8345.

10 n USO Salute, 5 p.m. show, Dakota Territory Air Museum, Minot.

(701) 852-2787 or (701) 852-8500.

10-11 n Pioneer Machinery Show and Tractor Trek, Highway 5, Cavalier. (701) 265-4941.

10-11 n Walhalla Ridge Riders Fall Trail Ride, Pembina Gorge, Walhalla. (701) 549-3711 or (701) 549-2386.

10-11 n Threshing Bee and Antique Show, Braddock.

(701) 782-4358.

11 n Fly-In Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. with 9 a.m. 9/11 ceremony, Aero Center World War II Hangar, Bismarck Airport, Bismarck. (701) 390-9302.

11 n Grandparents Day, Red River Zoo, Fargo. (701) 277-9240.

11 n 9/11 Memorial Event, 11 a.m., International Peace Garden, Dunseith. (888) 432-6733 or (701) 263-4390.

12-Oct. 22 n Papa’s Pumpkin Patch, noon7 p.m. daily, Dacotah Centennial Park, Mandan.

(701) 222-1521.

13-15 n Big Iron Farm Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Red River Valley Fairgrounds, West Fargo.

(800) 456-6408 or (701) 282-2200.

14 n Recovery Event, 5:30-8:30 p.m., McElroy Park, Sertoma Shelter, Jamestown. (701) 253-6366.

14-18 n Sunflower Festival, Enderlin. (701) 437-3476.

15 n Family Night, 4-7 p.m., Dickinson Recreation Center, Dickinson.

(701) 225-4677.

15 n Sheyenne Valley Shuffle Half Marathon and 5-K Fun Run, 250 Main St. W., Valley City. (888) 288-1891 or (701) 845-1891.

15-16 n Water Festival, Dickinson Recreation Center, Dickinson. (701) 225-4677.

15-18 n Dakota Memories Heritage Tour, Fargo. (701) 231-6596.

16-17 n Downtowners’ Street Fair, 10 a.m.8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.6 p.m. Saturday, downtown, Bismarck.

(701) 223-1958.

16-17 n Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo, All Seasons Arena, Bowman.

(701) 523-5880.

16-18 n Indian Summer Quilt Show and Conference, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Great Hall, Holiday Inn, Fargo. (701) 293-7281.

Join the effort to raise money and awareness for Down Syndrome by participating in the annual Buddy Walk, scheduled for Sept. 17 at the Capitol grounds in Bismarck. For more information call (701) 258-7421.

16-18 n Central N.D. Stream Thresher’s Reunion, Eddy County Fairgrounds, New Rockford.

16-18 n Fall Festival, Glen Ullin. (701) 348-3683.

17 n Buddy Walk for Down syndrome, 10 a.m. registration and 11 a.m. walk, Capitol, Bismarck. (701) 258-7421.

17 n Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 8 a.m. registration and 9 a.m. walk, JC Penny wing, Dakota Square Mall, Minot. (701) 258-4933.

17 n Junkfest and Flea Market, 9 a.m.3 p.m., Foster County Fairgrounds, Carrington.

(701) 674-3281.

17 n Junk ’n Java’s Fall Sale, Carrington.

(701) 652-1595.

17 n Aber Days, Abercrombie. (701) 642-8744.

17 n Art and Wine Walk, 1-5 p.m., downtown, Grand Forks. (701) 746-0444.

17 n Kroll’s Diner Marathon, Half-Marathon, Marathon Relay and 5-K, 7:30 a.m., Sertoma Park Shelter 9, Bismarck. (701) 220-9162.

17-18 n Harvest Holidays, Edgeley. (701) 493-2208.

17-18 n Fall Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Rheault Farm, Fargo.

(701) 499-7788.

26 s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1 n N O RT H D A K O T A L I V I N G

19-24 n Potato Bowl, downtown, Alerus Center and campus of the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. (218) 773-4956.

23-24 n Stock Car Stampede, Jamestown Speedway, Stutsman County Fairgrounds, Jamestown. (701) 251-2897.

23-25 n Roughrider Rodeo Finals, Burdick Arena, Devils Lake.

(800) 233-8048 or (701) 662-4903.

24 n Walk to End Alzheimer’s, 8 a.m. registration and 9:30 a.m. walk, Municipal Country Club, Bismarck. (701) 258-4933.

24 n Giant Pumpkin Festival, Main Street, Walhalla. (701) 549-3939.

24 n September Smash, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Goodrich Public School, Goodrich. (701) 884-2788.

24 n Horses Helping Hospice Trail Ride, 9 a.m., Lahren Ranch, near Kindred. (701) 428-3471.

24 n Oktoberfest, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Hankinson.

(701) 242-7414.

24 n N.D. Firefighter’s Museum Hall of Fame Banquet, Garrison.

(800) 799-4242 or (701) 463-2345.

24-25 n Sheyenne Valley Arts and Crafts Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fort Ransom. (701) 973-4461.

october 1 n Walk to End Alzheimer’s and 5-K Run, 7:30 a.m. 5-K registration and 8:30 a.m. 5K, 9 a.m. walk registration and 10 a.m. walk, Williston State College, Williston.

(701) 258-4933.

1 n Fall in the Field Photography Workshop, Knife River Indian Villages, Stanton. (701) 745-3300.

1-2 n Threshing Show, south of the railroad tracks, Makoti. (701) 728-6740.

1-2 n Becoming an Outdoors Woman Waterfowl Hunting Workshop, 10 a.m. Saturdaynoon Sunday, Capital City Gun Club, Bismarck.

(701) 328-6312.

1-2 n Women’s Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Alerus Center, Grand Forks.

(701) 792-1200.

2 n Uffda Day, 8 a.m.

5-K walk/run, 10 a.m. crafts, 11 a.m. Norwegian dinner and 1 p.m. parade, Rutland.

7-9 n Rural Renaissance Festival, Maddock. (701) 739-5570 or (701) 351-6717.

7-9 n Duckfest, Bowdon. (701) 962-3355.

7-10 n Badlands ProRodeo Circuit Finals, North Dakota State Fair Center, Minot. (701) 852-5577.

8 n Oktoberfest, noon10:30 p.m., Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo. (701) 282-7217. PHOTO 8-9 n Fall Craft Show, COURTESY RED Buffalo Mall, James- OF RIVER ZOO town. (800) 222-4766 or (701) 251-9145.

14 n Farm and Home Show, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 1207 Fourth Ave. S., Hettinger. (701) 567-2531.

14-15 n Artfest, 7-10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.5 p.m. Saturday, 420 Third St. S.W., Minot. (701) 838-4445.

14-15 n Buffalo City Bull-a-Rama, 7 p.m. nightly, Jamestown Civic Center, Jamestown. (701) 252-8088.

15 n Art and Wine Walk, 1-5 p.m., downtown, Grand Forks. (701) 746-0444.

15-16 n The Big One Art and Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Fargo Civic Center, Fargo.

(701) 837-6059.

22 n Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra “A Place in History” Concert, Belle Mehus Auditorium, Bismarck. (701) 258-8345.

22 n Halloween Parade, Main Street, Cavalier. (701) 265-8188.

22-Nov. 21 n “Key Ingredients: America

by Food” Smithsonian Exhibit, Cavalier.

(800) 338-6543 or (701) 255-3360.

Promote your communitY Event North Dakota LIVING publishes calendar events free of charge. We only publish the date, name of the event, time, place and location, and contact telephone number. To submit an item, e-mail cdevney@ndarec.com or mail to: CALENDAR OF EVENTS, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727. North Dakota LIVING does not guarantee the publication of any event.n www.ndarec.com

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• Walking distance to downtown and Kirkwood Mall • Off Broadway Lounge and Casino • FREE parking!

• Free high-speed internet access • Terrace Restaurant • Convention center, meeting rooms • Close to Civic Center and hospitals • Kids 18 and under stay FREE with parent • Indoor pool, whirlpool, exercise room & sauna • Irons & ironing boards, hair dryers and coffee makers in room

RADISSON HOTEL BISMARCK 6th and Broadway Downtown Bismarck (701) 255-6000 Fax (701) 223-0400

www.ndliving.com

TABLEROCK RANCH. Premier Badlands ranch with 3 miles Little Missouri River frontage. 3700+ deeded acres, 400 head permit. Well-managed, great hunting. Trophy mule deer. One of SW North Dakota’s best.

BONANZA HORSE CREEK RANCH. 2900 deeded acres southwest of historic Wibaux, MT. Good grass and water development. $450/acre firm.

KILLDEER MOUNTAIN VIEWS. 100 Acres, west of Killdeer,ND. 1 mile north of HWY 200. 3-phase power, well, trees. $350,000.

40-ACRE DICKINSON RANCHETTE. Just 10 miles from Dickinson. 3-bedroom home, barn, shop, outbuildings. Beautiful homesite with privacy and trees. $350,000 5-ACRE RANCHETTE. Great property with horse privileges in Dickinson rural subdivision. 1 mile from city limits. 2 bedroom, 2 bath custom home with barn, tack shed, and pasture. $250,000 DODGE ACREAGE. 3-Acre parcel on the edge of Dodge. 2-bedroom house, garage, shop, barn, corral. Just $55,000.

HEBRON COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY. Currently ag-service business. Includes 73x54 and 48x105 buildings on 6 lots (42,000 square feet). $190,000 Doris Hoff, GRI CRS Home and Land Company 623 State Avenue, Suite D Dickinson, North Dakota 58601 Office: 701-483-6789 Cell: 701-260-0131 Fax: 701-483-6770 homeandlandcompany.com dorishoff.com dorishoff@homeandlandcompany.com

If you or someone you know are emotionally or spiritually hurting because of abortion, come experience God’s love and mercy. The weekend will help your soul find a voice and transform the pain of the past into love and hope for the future.

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat ◆ There is an upcoming retreat October 28-30 in your area. To view the brochure, see www. bismarckdiocese.com under Family Ministry ◆ To register or speak with someone who has attended a retreat, contact Carol at 605-374-5639 www.ckling@sdplains.com ◆ For more information about Rachel’s Vineyard retreats, call the toll-free hotline at 1-877-HOPE-4-ME or visit the Website at www.rachelsvineyard.org All calls and inquiries are kept strictly confidential N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G n s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1 27

Come and experience Nordic history and heritage with your Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives Sept. 27-Oct. 1 at Norsk Høstfest in Minot, ND. Visit the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ booth as well as Copenhagen Hall and Heritage Center.

Go to www.hostfest.com to find out what’s in store during the 34th annual Norsk Høstfest – North America’s largest Scandinavian Festival.

RECIPE ROUNDUP

by Kent Brick

H

eads bowed before the bountiful noon meal, our German-Russian ancestors of a century ago would offer this prayer: “Segne, Vater, diese Speise, Uns zur Kraft und dir zum Preise. Amen.” (Translation: “Father, bless this food, for our nourishment and to your glory. Amen.”)

Though the language, the communities and the customs have faded, commitment to the food those remarkable pioneers cooked and blessed has not.

Preserving the food traditions of the Germans from Russia is one of the key activities of the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Libraries’ Germans from Russia Heritage Collection (GRHC), GRHC is located in the main library on the NDSU campus.

The mission of GRHC is, “To collect, document, preserve, exhibit, translate, publish, promote and make accessible resources on the culture, history, folklore, textiles and clothing, and food ways of the Germans from Russia.” The office focuses on German-Russians who produced North Dakota and Northern Plains descendents.

GRHC Director and Bibliographer Michael Miller says he is proud the collection houses the largest German-Russian cookbook and recipe collection of its kind in the world.

Miller, whose German-Russian roots are in Strasburg, says mastery and ingenuity with basic farming staples were the keys to how people survived.

“The food of the Germans from Russia reflects that they were so limited with funds and resources,” Miller says.

He says flour, eggs and milk were the basics for the many dough-based dishes, often prepared in heaping batches for large families.

GRHC has 62 original, locally produced cookbooks for sale, along with the extensive archive of non-circulating cookbooks and massive index of German-Russian recipes. This is strong proof that German-Russian offspring of today want to preserve their culinary culture.

For this month’s Recipe Roundup, the GRHC has furnished three cookbooks from among those it sells (to browse these, go to: http://library.ndsu.edu/grhc/). Challenging as it was, North Dakota LIVING has selected and published one recipe from each cookbook.

The first cookbook is Food ‘n Customs: Recipes of the Black Sea Germans, by The Germans from Russia Heritage Society, Bismarck, 2004; cookbook committee: Josephine Eckman, Vi Schielke and Katherine Meidinger. This book’s introduction emphasizes the importance of publishing specific ingredients, measurements and techniques to preserve what had been just oral family folklore. It reads: “Grandmothers from the old country were brought up in ‘humble beginnings’ and lived close to the earth. Many had no formal education, so recipes were handed down verbally. They felt the recipes in their hands.” From this cookbook we present the Russian Borscht recipe.

The second cookbook is Sei Unser Gast: Be Our Guest,

RUSSIAN BORSCHT (vegetable soup)

PORK CHOPS WITH KRAUT

1 lb. boneless beef 2 cups cabbage, chuck, cubed chopped 1 ⁄4 lb. soup bone 1 cup grated carrots 3 qts. water 1 pt. green beans 1 qt. tomato juice 1 onion, chopped 1 T. salt 1 T. lemon juice 1 ⁄4 tsp. pepper 1 T. dill or caraway 2 cups grated beets Simmer until soft. Skim. Stir in lemon juice. Serve with sour cream and dill weed garnish. Add vinegar at table.

1 6 pork chops, cut 1 ⁄2” ⁄2 cup liquid thick (sauerkraut juice 1 T. shortening supplemented with 1 cup onion, chopped water) 1 cup coarsely 2 T. light brown sugar, chopped unpared packed 1 raw apple ⁄2 tsp. caraway seed 1 can (1 lb. 11 oz.) salt sauerkraut, drained (save juice) Brown chops in shortening on both sides in 12” skillet.

Remove chops. Add onion and apple to pan droppings, and heat. Stir in sauerkraut, liquid, brown sugar and caraway seed. Arrange chops on top. Sprinkle with salt.

Cover and cook over low heat 30 minutes or until chops are tender. Add additional water if needed, a small amount at a time, to keep sauerkraut moist. Serves 6.

Test notes: Instead of cooking on top of a stove, put the skillet containing the assembled dish in a 300-degree oven and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Taken from page 7 of the Food ‘N Customs: Recipes of the Black Sea Germans cookbook Recipe by Vi Schielke

Taken from page 60 of the Sei Unser Gast (“Be Our Guest”) cookbook 30

SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

www.ndarec.com

H E A LT H Y H I N T S Explore world cuisine in N.D.

C

Kent Brick is editor of North Dakota LIVING. Kent can be reached at kbrick@ ndarec.com

FLORENCE’S PUMPKIN BLACHINDA Dough ½ cup shortening 2 cups sweet cream 1 cup sugar ½ tsp. salt 3 eggs 3 tsp. baking powder 5 cups all-purpose flour

Filling 9 cups pumpkin 1 cup sugar 1 ⁄2 tsp. salt 11 ⁄2 tsp. cinnamon

Rolling mixture 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar Mix dough gently and set aside. Mix filling in separate bowl and set aside. Roll out a large walnut-sized piece of dough on rolling mixture into a 6- to 8-inch-round disc. Put 1 to 2 heaping tablespoons of filling mixture on one half of dough disc. Fold over the half without filling and roll the edge of a plate around the edge to seal. (Re-use the leftover dough scrap into the next walnut to be rolled.) Cut two small vent holes on top of Blachinda and place on greased cookie sheet. Back at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Taken from page 61 of the Connecting Generations cookbook.

Julie Garden-Robinson is an associate professor and food and nutrition specialist with www.ndliving.com

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 31

COURTESY PHOTO

produced by the North Star Chapter, American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Minneapolis-St.Paul, 2008. This group consists of about 100 family members in the Twin Cities, with most of the German areas in Russia represented. According to its introduction, this cookbook is presented, “… to document German-Russian cuisine and food ways so that present and future generations can enjoy their unique culinary heritage.” From this cookbook we present the Pork Chops with Kraut recipe.

The third cookbook is Connecting Generations: Fond Recollections of German-Russian Heritage, Traditional Family Recipes and Reminiscent Stories from Five Generations of Cooking with Mom,

by Donna Erbele Iszler and daughter Mya Iszler Mayer, self-published, Bismarck, 2005.

In the opening Mayer writes, “The recipes in this documentation of our family’s heritage kitchen are authentic. They are the recipes we have all come to love. Mom and I have spent hundreds of hours together writing down proportions and cooking instructions that were passed to her verbally or through experience throughout the years.”

Donna’s family roots are in the Lehr area. From this book, the recipe we present is Florence’s Pumpkin Blachinda.

The GRHC encourages present-day German-Russian family members to get familiar with and add to the collection’s resources. In addition to the Web site http://library.ndsu.edu/grhc/, contact the GRHC by telephoning Michael Miller at (701) 231-8416 or Acacia Stuckle, GRHC special collections associate, at (701) 231-6596. To learn more about the Germans from Russia Heritage Society in Bismarck, go to http:// www.grhs.org/. 

an you list a couple of typical “American” foods? If you thought of hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream, think again. Hamburgers are a German import, hot dogs are associated with Greece, and ic e c r ea m was first “made in China.”

As we recently worked on a project about North Dakota food and culture, we learned about the wide range of Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., L.R.D. foods associated with past and recent immigrants to our state. As the population of North Dakota is becoming more diverse, so is our cuisine. If someone offered you a Sambusa or some Fool, would you know what to expect when you took a bite? On the other hand, would you be familiar with Fleischkeukle and Rommegrot?

Sambusas and Fool are associated with African cuisine. Like Fleischkeukle (a German recipe), Sambusas consist of dough filled with meat stuffing and are deep-fried. Fool, a dessert, is similar in consistency to its creamy Scandinavian counterpart, Rommegrot.

Food goes beyond providing nourishment for the body. It also helps nurture family traditions and connects us with other cultures. If you are fortunate to have your great-grandma’s delicious dessert recipes, I am not going to suggest that you alter them to make them healthier. Enjoy them in moderation on special occasions. On the other hand, if your heritage recipes are for canned goods, be sure to have an extension agent evaluate them for safety based on present-day research.

As part of our project, we compiled recipes associated with several cultures in North Dakota, including Norwegian, German, Native American, Mexican, Bosnian, Somali and others. The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Service publication, North Dakota Food and Culture – A Taste of World Cuisine, is available online at www.ag.ndsu.edu/ pubs/yf/foods/fn1513.pdf.

Until next time … enjoy some old and new recipes! 

FA R M B Y L I N E

by Al Gustin

Praying for rain to stop I

PHOTO BY LAYN MUDDER

guess it was a rhetorical question: “Why is it OK to pray for rain, but it’s not all right to pray for the rain to stop?” Some people have been praying for the rain to stop, which is understandable.

But it just seems wrong to pray for “dry.” Western North Dakota’s climate is described as semi-arid, after all. This is the country that my uncles and aunts fled in the 1930s.

They were sure it was doomed to be a desert.

Sometime in the 1990s, after the wet years started, my nowdeceased Uncle Joe commented: “It rains so easy.” He, like my dad and the other farmers and ranchers of the era, had lived through the ’30s. They’d spent their lives praying for rain.

Someone suggested that when people are buried, the tombstones often face east because the farmers had spent their lives looking west, scanning the horizon for clouds, hoping for rain. Now that they had died, it was felt they should be faced to the east and finally be relieved of their anguish.

I checked cattle the other day in a pasture where the dam has been running over all summer. I hauled water every day to cows in that same pasture in 2006.

Al Gustin

Folks like to say that in this part of the country, we’re never more than two weeks away from drought.

So we’re reluctant to complain about rain. Some people probably were praying for the rain to stop during harvest in 1987. My rainfall diary recorded 10 inches of rain in July and early August that year. But then the rain did stop. There was virtually no rain in the fall of 1987, and only an inch and a quarter of rain was recorded through May 1988. That was the first of three years of drought. In 1988, we planted into wind-drifted sand, and the oats we harvested ran only eight bushels per acre.

This year – as excessive rain kept a fourth of the farmland in North Dakota unplanted, as rain drowned crops that did get planted, and as persistent moisture spread disease through our crops – we were tempted to pray for the rain to stop. But we watched, too, as the worst drought in generations gripped the southern plains. And so we prayed that the weather pattern might change.

Instead of praying for rain or praying for the rain to stop, we’ll pray, instead, for “favorable” weather and a lack of storms. And we’ll keep praying for those who are suffering because of adverse weather, be it too wet or too dry. n Al Gustin is farm news director for KBMR and KFYR Radio in Bismarck.

l a n o i t a n r e t n Agri I

w o h S e Trad • Horse Clinician • Nearly 400 Trade Show Booths • Farm Toy Show

KFYR 2012 2 BIG DAYS! February 14-15, 2012 Bismarck Civic Center Bismarck, North Dakota

Reserve your booth space today

• Living Ag Classroom • Informational Seminars • Al Gustin's Farm Forum

For booth information call 1-800-766-5267 or visit kfyr.com to download a booth contract

32 s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1 n N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G

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MARKETPLACE FOR • R E A L E S TAT E • FA R M & R A N C H • WA N T E D • F O R S A L E • GENERAL INTEREST TOWN — CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES — FAMILY & SCHOOL REUNIONS — Commemorative custom plates, spoons, bells, playing cards, pens, cups, Christmas balls, T-shirts, throws, napkins, sweatshirts, bookmarks and crocks. Liberal credit terms.

FREE literature, samples available. Serving since 1972. KLEPETKA ADV., PO Box 931, Aberdeen, SD 57402. Ph. (605) 225-0621.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE • Absolutely beautiful Little Missouri River Ranch west of Grassy Butte. 2,360 deeded acres plus 250 head national grasslands grazing permit. Very scenic Badlands cattle ranch with some of the best hunting in western North Dakota.

• Beulah sports bar/restaurant with very spacious banquet room/game room. This beautiful 7,500-square-foot facility sells with all equipment, furniture, fixtures and real estate. Listed for sale at $595,000, approximately 50 percent of replacement cost.

• 564 acres of land near Medora adjoining old Highway 10. $1,200 per acre. Seller will parcel.

• 200 acres of industrial-zoned land just three miles north of Dickinson.

• Golden Valley County ranch consisting of 3,412 deeded acres. 2,000 tillable with majority seeded to hay, running 150 to 200 cows; $1,000,000 in recent improvements; great pheasant, grouse, trophy deer and antelope hunting!

• Super business opportunity! The Woodshed is a great restaurant/steakhouse, bar/lounge in Hazen.

Turnkey sale! Includes furniture, fixtures, equipment and real estate. $295,000. Don’t procrastinate on this one!

• 26.9 acres of Badlands south of Medora on east River Road. A very scenic property for your new home, recreation, or to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Adjacent to 20,000 acres of national grasslands. $82,500 • Awesome, one-of-a-kind home with a great view of the Badlands on 15 acres near Medora.

• Beautiful Medora ranchette with 40 to 160 acres of rugged Badlands.

Contact: Don Schmeling, Continental Real Estate, Dickinson. Call (701) 260-5555 or (701) 483-4400.

View properties online at www.donschmeling.com.

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For more information or space reservations contact: Clark A. Van Horn North Dakota LIVING (800) 234-0518 or (701) 667-6436 Fax: (701) 663-3745 ee-mail: cvanhorn@ndarec.com or visit ndliving.com

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SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

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ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

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www.ndliving.com

 Acme Tools ......................... 33  Advanced Surgical Arts Center.......................... 14  Bank of North Dakota ......... 18  Basin Electric Power Cooperative ............. 28  Bowdon Duckfest ................ 22  City of Walhalla ................... 18  Dakota Carrier Network........Inside back cover  Days Inn, Bismarck ............. 24  Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort.................... 18  Globe Travel ........................ 24  Grand International Inn, Minot ............................ 22  Harbor Freight Tools ........... 19  Home and Land Company.. 27  Jensen Travel ................. 14, 23  Judy’s Leisure Tours Inc. .... 22  KFYR Radio ........................ 32  Legacy Steel Buildings........ 33  Medora CVB ....................... 14  Minot CVB ........................... 21  Mutual of Omaha ................ 25  Naomi Rossow Realty LLC .......................... 23  ND Department of Commerce .......................... 5  ND Farmers Union Tours .... 24  ND Utility Rebate Program.. 7  Norsk Høstfest .................... 29  North Dakota LIVING .......... 27  Prairie Public Radio ............ 33  Rachel’s Vinyard Retreat .... 27  Radisson Hotel, Bismarck ... 27  Sanford ............................... 15  Satrom Travel & Tour .....18, 27  Spine and Pain Center ........ 23  St. Alexius/ PrimeCare ............. Back cover  Trinity Health .......... Inside front cover

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 35

CO-OP COUNTRY

Say goodbye to summer

F

or most families, September signals the end of vacations, camps and swimming parties. But these North Dakota LIVING kids show it also triggers the start of autumn adventures. 

GOLDEN DAYS: Grandpa Kevin’s International Truck helps Jack Erickson, Krew Mathern, Keaton Erickson and Kolden Johnson (pictured l-r) envision what life was like before they were born, along with Mikey the Labrador. Keaton and Jack are the sons of John Erickson and Shannon Alexander. Krew’s parents are Jesse and Suzanne Johnson and Joel Mathern. Kolden is the son of Jesse and Suzanne Johnson. All are grandchildren of Kevin and Jane Lura. Jane submitted the photo, which was snapped by Jessie Lura.

CARVING MEMORIES: After the family finishes harvesting in the fall, Sydnee and Tanner Anderson like to pick pumpkins and roast the seeds. Their parents are Mark and Jill Anderson, who are members of Slope Electric Cooperative. Their grandparents are Lynn and Holly Dewhirst, McKenzie Electric Cooperative members, and David and Marie Anderson. Their dog is Bailey. Jill submitted the photo.

BUNDLE UP! Autumn ushers in cool temps and early snow showers. Wyatt Wisness dresses in extra layers to keep himself warm — and clean. He is the son of Brett and Amanda Wisness, who are members of McKenzie Electric Cooperative.

Amanda submitted the photo.

TUMMY TIME: While strengthening his back and neck, Brady Dillinger discovers the texture and scent of leaves, along with big sister Sophie.

The kids belong to Danny and Delanee Dillinger, who are members of Roughrider Electric Cooperative. Delanee submitted the photo.

North Dakota LIVING is seeking photos of kids and winter activities, sports or hobbies, and building/tools!

Of course, we also want other family favorites for upcoming Co-op Country pages. We’ll select and print them as space allows.

Those whose submissions appear on this page will receive a check for $10 following publication of the magazine. We prefer high-resolution digital photos e-mailed to cdevney@ndarec.com, but you may also mail entries to CO-OP COUNTRY, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727. Readers, North Dakota LIVING will not publish low-quality photos such as those taken on cell phones. When submitting photos, please include the following information: your complete name and address, your daytime phone number, and the name of your electric and/or telephone co-op. We will contact you prior to publication. NOTE: Please keep a duplicate photo, negative or file; the magazine is no longer able to return submitted photos.  36

SEPTEMBER 2011  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G n s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1 33