Local coach hits HUGE milestone
The official newspaper of Cavalier County Theborderlandpress.com
In this issue:
Friday, February 28, 2025
The Memorial Preservation Society
Langdon Area School Board is One man’s mission to preserve memorials and memories one gravestone at a time By Hilary Nowatzki planning for the This grassroots approach has been His passion for the preservation of the foundation of his work, as he con- these loved ones’ final resting places future nects with families and helps them culminated last year when he decidpreserve the final resting places of their loved ones. Fehr always finds the nearest relative to a grave he hopes to clean to be granted permission before doing so.
News: Apartment building fire decimates building in Langdon, Pg. A2
Ag: Fourth-generation Crystal farmer wins NDFB Discussion Meet, Pg. A3
Volume 4, Number 8
Most folks may recognize Tony Fehr as the friendly-faced store manager at Dollar General in Langdon, but what they may not know is the heartfelt mission he dedicates his free time to. A native of Winnipeg, Fehr came down to Langdon in 2013 to help his elderly grandfather who was sick. When his grandfather passed away in 2018, Fehr decided to stay in small town Langdon. Since then, he has made it his responsibility to honor and preserve gravestones and memorials for others who have passed on before him. For the past decade, Fehr has dedicated much of his free time to locating and restoring gravestones in surrounding cemeteries. His journey into this unique form of preservation began with his involvement on the website ‘Find a Grave,’ where users can request photographs of specific gravestones.
This dual approach, photographing gravestones and cleaning them, has allowed Fehr to make a heartfelt im-
ed to turn his passion into an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity.
By Daren Christianson, Superintendent
“The Memorial Preservation Society is something I started last year,” he said. “It’s to help fund cleaning headstones and memorials, either by request, or we'll try and get the really, really old ones that you can't really read anymore.”
The Langdon Area School District has contracted with a consulting firm (ICS, specializing in facility solutions) to help with data collection and future planning. ICS conducted on-site walk throughs of all school district properties and met with the public, teachers, staff, students, and board members. ICS brought back multiple concerns by the parties interviewed and from the building walk-throughs.
A gravestone covered in lichen and moss before being cleaned.
"My goal on there was taking requests for headstone photographs," he explained. "Because it's a virtual cemetery website, so it started with that.”
Community: Valentine’s Day royalty has been named at PNC, Pg. A5
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Fehr found peace and solstace in dedicating time to cleaning the gravestones of all of his own family members with water, small tools, and elbow grease. He explained that the cleaning process for these hallowed markers is meticulous, as power tools nor harsh chemicals can be used on them without risking the stones' integrity. For years, he wanted to revitalize other gravestones but had a dilemma. "I've always wanted to do this, but I didn't think there was a safe way to clean the headstones without damaging them," Fehr explained.
Both school buildings have original electrical services; antiquated clocks, bells and intercom systems; original interior and exterior doors that are not handicap accessible; ADA compliance issues in the restroom facilities; original plumbing; original kitchen areas; flooring that is reaching the end of its lifespan; and the casework in many of the classrooms is original and in need of replacement. Not all of the deferred maintenance is listed, but it’s enough to paint the picture. The gravestone after being cleaned by Tony Fehr from The Memorial Preservation Society.
The mission statement of The Memorial Preservation Society is, “To preserve and protect these hallowed grounds, ensuring they remain places of solace, reflection, and connection.” The nonprofit has two other board members. However, Fehr spearheads all of the restoration work himself.
That all changed when he discovered a product called D2 Biologic, a gentle cleaning solution that removes lichen, moss, and other buildup without harming the delicate stone. Armed with this discovery, Fehr set out to revitalize cemeteries across the region. During his backcountry drives, he had seen numerous markers and stones he wanted to clean, and now with D2 Biologic, he was determined to do so. "I started by cleaning my own family's headstones, and when people saw the difference, they started asking me to check out their parents' or grandparents' graves," Fehr said.
This side by side shows the outcome of the meticulous work done by Tony Fehr from The Memorial Preservation Society.
pact on cemeteries across the region. He estimates that he's traveled within a 100-mile radius of Langdon, seeking out the oldest and most neglected headstones to restore.
Fehr is meticulous in his approach, relying on D2 Biologic, small brushes, and even chopsticks to gently remove the buildup. This level of care and attention to detail is a hallmark of Fehr’s work, and it's clear that he finds a deep sense of meaning in his efforts. cont’d. on page B8
Pembina County Historical Society names 2025 Person of the Year By Rebecca Davis
Person of the year Judge William J. Kneeshaw. Photo courtesy of N.D. Courts.
For the past 14 years, the Pembina County Historical Society (PCHS) has chosen a Person of the Year—someone from Pembina County who has made a difference through their words, actions, or contributions. The 2025 Person of the Year is Judge
William James Kneeshaw. Born on May 5, 1854, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, he earned the Finian Raid Medal in 1870 at just 16 years old while serving as a bugler. He moved to Pembina, N.D., in 1873 and became a lawyer in 1879. Over the years, he took on many important roles, including State’s Attorney of Pembina County, county commissioner, county treasurer, and mayor of Pembina. In 1900, he was elected as Judge of the Seventh Judicial District and later became Judge of the Second Judicial District in 1919, a position he held until his passing in 1943. His 43 years on the bench made him the longest-serving district judge in N.D. history. “Judge Kneeshaw often said that his
Deferred maintenance is identified as a concern with the engineers who studied the district-owned buildings. Deferred maintenance are things such as the roofs on both buildings, which are coming to the end of their life expectancy. The estimated costs to replace the roofing at the elementary school is $1,326,700; the estimate on the high school/middle school building is $2,219,400. Original heating is installed in about half of the high school building, and that needs replacement, which will cost $3,392,500. These are some of the highest specific costs for deferred maintenance but do not make a dent on the list of things identified.
life’s work was to help others and make the world a better place,” said Zelda Hartje, Pembina County Museum administrator. When he passed away in 1943, the Minot Daily News described him as “sturdy, fearless, and keen,” adding that he was respected by everyone who knew him. Judge Kneeshaw was known for being fair but firm. In 1911, during the trial of James O’Brien, 16, of Neche, who was convicted of murdering his friend, the judge, who had known O’Brien all his life, spoke kindly to him for 15 minutes before sentencing him to life in prison with hard labor. Outside the courtroom, Judge Kneeshaw helped build the community. He organized N.D.’s first Masonic Lodge
and was a founding member of the Methodist Church. Past Persons of the Year include Edward Thompson of St. Thomas, Dr. George Waldren of Drayton, Norval Baptie of Bathgate, Cy Tallion of Cavalier, Vilhjalmur Stephansson of Mountain, Harold Keith Johnson of Bowesmont, Emile and Thorstina Walters of Akra, Lynn Fraizer of rural Hoople, Mel Christopher of Pembina, Thomas Whelan of St. Thomas, Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin of Pembina, Rodney Webb of Cavalier, Gunlog Bjarni Gunlogson of Akra, and Henry Gurke of Neche. Portraits of past honorees can be seen in the meeting room at the Pembina County Museum.
There were also other issues brought forward through the survey and meeting process. Safe and secure entrances came to the surface for both buildings, student safety for drop off and pick up at the elementary school was identified, parking for staff and visitors at the elementary school, and needing a dedicated lunchroom and physical education class area also came to the surface. Contact has been made with the mayor and city council, and they have indicated that if property north of the elementary school is needed to address these issues, they would be open to that idea. The Langdon Area School Board will meet in the high school study hall on March 12 at 5:00 PM where a plan will be presented. The board would like to invite interested community members and leaders to the preliminary meeting as this would be the time that the board would decide to move forward with presenting a formal proposal for public input and setting a date for moving forward with a bond initiative, which would be needed to fund most of the projects, if that is what is decided. The district's intention is to put a plan in place to address the identified issues of the school buildings. With both buildings being older, there are many issues that need to be dealt with. Officials hope to start as promptly as possible with funding through a bond initiative and then schedule some projects to be completed using the building and general funds.