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In this Issue:
Friday, February 23, 2024
Eagles and Cardinals boys play final home basketball games.
Volume 3, Number 7
Passion for helping kids drives nonprofit program
Love One Another Now (L.O.A.N.) helps kids in Pembina County schools and all three Valley-Edinburg schools
By Sarah Hinnenkamp
The Love One Another Now (L.O.A.N.) program in Cavalier is a group of passionate volunteers who live the organization’s name each day. Made up of current and former teachers, as well as those who have a passion to see children thrive, the group outfits the kids of Pembina County to do just that.
Community: Valentine King and Queen crowned at Pembilier Nursing Center, Pg. A6
Community: Pembina County 4-H Clothing Revue winners named, Pg. A12
The purpose of the nonprofit organization is to help families that have a financial need by providing winter clothing, school clothing, and/or school supplies for their children at no cost to the families. The program is open to any student pre-K through grade 12 that attends a Pembina County school or any of the three Valley-Edinburg schools. Board members include Roxane Cameron, Paula Holen, Ann Kraft, Betty Paton, Sandy Peterson, Lorna Ratchenski, Lori Schluchter, and Macie Shane. L.O.A.N. was started because of a sign Lorna Ratchenski saw hanging in her church that said, “You’re now entering the mission field.” She read that sign but struggled to see how it translated to her life. “So then I prayed for God to show me how to help in my community,” Ratchenski said. “This was not my idea at all. I did not see it. I did not see the need, but He kept bringing me around to this.” Ratchenski put numbers out there, telling God if he brought her five kids in need of back to school help, she would help again the next year.
Views from the Borderland: North Border Pembina kids are 100 days smarter! Pg. B8
“There were 21 kids through word of mouth the first year. The second fall there were 58 kids and then another 60 some that year, and then by February of 2016 we were renting a building and helping kids year round,” she said.
Sweet partnership: Walhalla business teams up with Girl Scout to promote cookie season By Borderland Press Staff
L.O.A.N. board members are pictured left to right: Paula Holen, Betty Paton, Ann Kraft, Lorna Ratchenski, Roxane Cameron, Lori Schluchter, Sandy Peterson, and Macie Shane. Photo by Terry Hinnenkamp.
The program has grown from renting out the basement of a building to paying operating expenses only on the former First United Methodist Church near the Cavalier Public School - the old “Chocolate Church” as locals called it for years. The building is owned by Wayne and Lorna Ratchenski. The numbers of those in need have grown, too. The group usually starts with back to school appointments on Aug. 1, asking for a name, what school the child attends, and a contact phone number. L.O.A.N. is by appointment only, is confidential, and schedules only one family at a time. This year the group helped 160 kids with back to school shopping appointments. Each of those students
received school clothing, pajamas, school shoes and gym shoes, winter gear and boots, a new backpack and new school supplies, and hygiene products, which comes out to about $800 per child. “When you see parents, they’re so grateful,” said Ann Kraft, board member and volunteer. “I’ve had parents in tears - it takes a lot of financial burden off.” Since the back to school rush, there have been kids with specific needs, a coat or a pair of boots, and the program helps meet those needs as well. “We have contact with the schools, so the school will call a contact person and say, “Just wondering if we could get a size 5 pair of boots” or “we need
“What has surprised me the most is how many needs there are,” said Betty Paton, board member and volunteer. “I’ve always wanted to volunteer for a mission, but my church doesn’t sponsor anything like that, so when cont’d. on page A11
By Borderland Press Staff
In Quenna Beston’s fifth and sixth grade, STEM students in Munich recently completed a winter survival kit project. To do the project, they visited with their teachers and parents to get ideas for items to go in their kits. They also did research on the cost of the items online.
If you buy cookies from Amelia, she will give you a $1.00 off coupon to use on that week's drink special. Amelia, 11, is the daughter of Rebecca Davis and Robert Ripple of Walhalla. She belongs to Girl Scout Troop 20540. If Amelia reaches her goal of 2,000 boxes of cookies sold, she will share the rest of her sales with the other girls in her troop that have been working with her at booths so they can also reach their reward goals.
Girl Scout Amelia Ripple poses at The Crooked Halo: Coffee Shop & Bakery with signature lemon drinks made from one of the Girl Scout cookie flavors. Submitted photo.
“Each week for the next six weeks, we will be creating a signature drink and treat using a different cookie flavor,” said Desiree Kintyhtt “This week we mixed up the Lemon Ups and created a delicious Lemon Shortbread Trifle
The program also assists the social services and other agencies with needs of foster children and emergencies. It's also helped flood and fire victims with immediate needs. The group added prom offerings in 2018, making new dresses and suits available, along with accessories. Last year L.O.A.N. helped 20 girls and five boys with their prom needs.
Munich STEM students produce winter weather preparedness project
and a cool Frosted Lemonade.”
Kindred spirits for sweet treats are teaming up during Girl Scout cookie season. The Crooked Halo: Coffee Shop & Bakery in Walhalla is helping Girl Scout Amelia Ripple boost her cookie sales.
a size preschool set of socks” and then we just deliver them right to the school,” Kraft said.
Students were given a budget of $40. The Munich Area Development funded the project. “After all of the required research and planning was done, we traveled to Devils Lake to purchase the items on their shopping list,” Beston said. Students Rylen Longie, Ramsay Lindseth, Sophia Longie are pictured with their projects. Submitted photo.
The Crooked Halo has been fully up and running for just a matter of weeks. It’s located inside Blu Soul Design in Walhalla.
“It was a fun project, and students thoroughly enjoyed themselves,” Beston said.
Aside from the community involvement of helping a young entrepreneur sell Girl Scout cookies, the bakery is carving a niche in Walhalla. It is run by Lexis Kintyhtt, who whips up cupcakes, cookies, muffins, bars, cheesecakes and more for the bakery case each day. The bakery also accepts custom orders for cakes, pies, and cupcakes. Follow along on Facebook at “The Crooked Halo: Coffee Shop & Bakery.”
Students then started preparing for their showcase. Community members were invited to the school so students could explain their process and why they chose the items they did for their kits.
Weather:
Bryce Martin
Bailey Samuelson
Feb. 23
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