>>>CARDINAL’S ROMFO STATE TRACK MEET JAVELIN CHAMPIONPg. B1 The official newspaper of Cavalier County Theborderlandpress.com
In this issue:
Friday, May 31, 2024
Volume 3, Number 21
Post 98 American Legion honors the fallen with annual Memorial Day Program
Phase one of Langdon’s street Hiltner concluded by asking that God watch over and protect these POW project has begun and MIA soldiers’ families.
By Hilary Nowatzki
By Nick Vorlage
Post 98 Auxiliary President Paula Cunningham shared a reading with the guests, and afterwards, she and Commander Anderson placed a wreath hung next to the Board of Honor, which lists the names of all veterans from Cavalier County who had died in service or in combat, dating all the way back to the Spanish War until present.
Ag: Controlling flies on cattle requires proper timing, Pg. A3
Chaplin Hansel closed with a benediction, and all attendees filed outside for the naming and placing of flags for recently deceased Cavalier County veterans. “Let us pray that we never forget how blessed we truly are as a nation,” conThe Post 98 Color Guard opened the program (L-R) Harvey Metzger, Dennis Hansel, Larry Murie, and Leon Hiltner. Photo by Larry Stokke.
Community: Cavalier County 4-H volunteers help place flags for Memorial Day, Pg. A5
While many residents enjoyed the perks of a long weekend last week, plenty filed into the American Legion Building in Langdon on Monday to honor the true reason behind the unofficial start of summertime. At 10 a.m. Commander Scott Anderson opened up with the Call to Order, Advance of the Colors by the Post 98 Color Guard, and the National Anthem, played on the piano by Lane Lindseth. Hats were removed and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Heads were then bowed for an invocation led by Chaplin Dennis Hansel. Commander Anderson then took to the podium to grant a welcome address to attendees.
Community: It’s time for a celebration of Dakota squash, Pg. A7
Voters in the North Border School District have an important decision to make at the polls on June 11 By Rebecca Davis
Superintendent of North Border School District Seth Englestad hosted two community meetings last week concerning long term planning and a proposed building mill increase. Each school hosted their own respective meetings with the same information provided at both and the opportunity to ask questions. Approximately 25 residents attended the meeting in Pembina, and 17 were in attendance for the Walhalla meeting. Englestad prepared a slide show presentation that outlined the long term plan for 2024-2028 and the need of five additional building mills. Since 2005, the district has seen a 40% decline in enrollment that can be attributed to several factors including the closure of the ADM plant, families growing older and families deciding to homeschool, according to Englestad. A 40% reduction in enrollment equates to a $2,314,048 loss in funding for the district. Englestad explained that the district is anticipating losing six more students for the upcoming school year with an additional $66,432 loss in funding at current weighting factors. North Border receives $11,072 per pupil enrolled. The District is taking measures to reduce costs where they can, but that alone is not enough. Originally, Pembina, Neche and Walhalla were three separate districts that, throughout the years, had been reduced to one district. Currently, the district employs 28 full-time employcont’d. on page B8
“Under the quiet sod or beneath the murmuring waves, their bodies sleep in peace, but in the destinies of veterans, their souls were marching on. Because of them our lives are free, because of them our nation lives,” Anderson stated. “When perils threatened and our country called with what divine self sacrifice they left their past of peace behind to sling to arms; to make their breasts a barricade against the nation's foes. No sorrow for the loved ones left behind could dim the purpose of their souls.” Following Commander Anderson’s welcome, Adjunct Commander Leon Hilter shared a compelling speech revolving around POW (prisoners of war)
and MIA (missing in action) soldiers. A small table, neatly sat for one, sat diagonally in front of Hiltner as he spoke. Each item at the table represented the story of POW and MIA veterans.
Road repairs will be concentrated around the school and pool this summer. Photo by Hilary Nowatzki.
Phase one of the long awaited Langdon street project began on Tuesday, May 28. Although the outcome will highly improve the conditions of roads, it is going to have an impact on residents this summer, especially those who plan to visit the swimming pool, baseball fields, or the Langdon schools and day care.
“We joined together to pay tribute to them and to bear witness their continued absence. The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her suppressors,” Hiltner stated. Hiltner explained the table setting. The tablecloth was white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms. A single rose in the vase symbolized the blood they may have shed as their sacrifice. The rose also represents the family and friends of those who have not returned. The lemon slice reminds one of their bitter fate, while some sprinkles of salt grains remind one of the countless volunteers of families as they wait. There is an inverted glass, as the fallen cannot toast with loved ones at this time, and an empty chair is set for the one not there. A single candle lights the hope that lives in the hearts of loved ones to guide the way home. The neatly folded American flag reminds one that most of them paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, and they will never return home.
The Langdon Post 98 Honor Guard concluded the program with the Retiring of the Colors. The Honor Guard consists of Danny Lill, Harvey Metzger, and Larry Murie. Photo by Larry Stokke.
Langdon Mayor Jerry Nowatzki explained the reason for the timing and location of the project.
The table setting in honor of the fallen at Langdon's Post 98 Memorial Day Program. Photo by Hilary Nowatzki.
cont’d. on page B8
Oak Lawn Cemetery Memorial Day By Rebecca Davis What does one beautiful day, two buckets of water, six cans of spray paint and 24 crosses mean? For Cori and Jeff Harildstad, it means that Memorial Day is fast approaching at Oak Lawn Cemetery. Cori and Jeff took over as caretakers of the cemetery in September of 2023 after Howard and Anna Lee Olson stepped down after 30 years as caretakers. Gary Lawson is doing the mowing. The cemetery is located at the corner of Highway 32 and Highway 5.
Jeff grew up in the Concrete area, and now he and Cori live right down the road from the cemetery and saw there was a need they could help fill. “Jeff and I took over from them but really started doing trimming of trees and overgrowth this spring. We have lots of plans that will take time and money, but every little bit helps,” shared Cori. When it comes to the crosses, Jeff is a veteran and is from a family of veterans; his grandpa, two uncles and dad are all veterans and are buried at the cemetery.
“I don’t think the crosses have ever been painted before, and they were getting really rusty,” said Cori reflecting on the decision to paint. “I’m an interior painter, so I paint everything in sight.” The Harildstads have a lot of plans for the cemetery from centering the arch and having it redone, a new fence, fixing the historical marker, flag poles, large cross and landscaping. The arch has been removed and was dropped off for restoration. Once the arch and marker placement is determined, they hope to begin the landscaping. “Often people forget about the cemetery unless it’s Memorial Day. Please don’t forget about your cemetery,” shared Cori. They are working with the historical society to have the rock raised and the plaque redone telling the history of the Oak Lawn Church that used to sit by the cemetery. Those interested in following along with the progress can follow the Facebook page “Oak Lawn Cemetery” that
The multi-year project will begin with work on 7th Street between 12th to 15th Avenue and 14th Avenue between 7th and 8th Street. For those who aren’t so good with numbers, this is the stretch of road from the high school to the Langdon Day Care Center and the stretch of road between the high school and the high school parking lot.
was created. If interested in donating to the project, donations can be sent to Oak Lawn Cemetery c/o Harildstads 12684 92nd St. NE Cavalier, N.D. 58220 Photos courtesy of Cori Harildstad.
“The primary goal this year is to get everything around the schools done. That's why we waited until school was out before we started the street project,” stated Nowatzki. “So ideally, everything around the schools will be done prior to school starting in the fall.” Mayo Construction Company, the outfit in charge of the road construction, has stated they expect this segment of construction to be ongoing through the month of June. Patrons to the swimming pool or the city park can park on 8th Street or 12th Avenue. Day Care staff can also park on 12th Avenue, while the dropoff point will now be on the corner of 12th Avenue and 7th Street. People needing to access the school can try using the west or north doors. During this time, Mayo said the high school parking lot will NOT be open. Further, people are asked to NOT walk, bike, or drive through the work zones. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to speak with their children about the dangers of the construction zone and the importance of staying away from construction equipment. Residents can stay up to date with construction efforts by visiting a Facebook page dedicated to the project at https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61559735944553