The Borderland Press, Friday, Jan. 2, V4, N52

The official newspaper of Cavalier County Theborderlandpress.com

In this issue:

Friday, January 2, 2026

Volume 4, Number 52

PEMBINA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, COMMUNITY ORCHARD AWARDED GRANTS FOR COLONIAL-STYLE CIDER PRESS

By Rebecca Davis

News: Icelandic State Park has announced the return of their night hike series, Pg. A2

The Pembina County Historical Society and the Pembina County Community Orchard have been awarded two major state grants that will fund the creation of a working colonial-style cider press - an interactive project that blends history, agriculture, art, and community engagement.

The project received $10,000 through the North Dakota 250 Grant and approximately $35,000 through a Strengthen ND Grant for a total investment of about $45,000. The cider press will be designed and built by master woodworker Talon Stammen of Grand Forks.

Lillian Stegman, an NDSU Extension master gardener and chair of the Pembina County Community Orchard committee, said excitement surrounding the project has been widespread.

Lifestyle: We talk about food allergens and staying safe in this week’s Prairie Fare, Pg. A7

Although North Dakota isn't known for it's fruit, this is a unique opportunity for North Dakota. Submitted photo.

“There’s something really special about fresh-pressed cider,” Stegman said. “This isn’t store-bought. It’s made right here from apples grown in our region.”

Stegman noted that while North Dakota is not typically associated with fruit production, the orchard highlights something unique about the region.

“North Dakota isn’t necessarily known for its fruit,” she said. “But there are apple varieties that grow really well in the upper Midwest. What we produce here will be completely unique to our area. It’s a celebration of where we are that can’t be replicated somewhere else.”

Region: Rural Health Providers could be collateral damage from $100,000 Trump visa fee, Pg. A9

The idea for the cider press originated with Troyd Geist of the North Dakota Council on the Arts, who encouraged orchard leaders to apply for the ND 250 Grant, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. Geist

Wohletz Charitable Trust awards grants, continues legacy of family

By Hilary Nowatzki The Louie and Anna Mae Wohletz Charitable Trust is a philanthropic organization which will keep the legacy of one family alive for generations to come.

“She liked to give,” said Bonnie Hell, one of the board’s trustees.

Anna Mae, or ‘Annie’ as Hell affectionately called her, passed away in 2021, with a large sum of money and was sure to leave the trust, as well as specific instructions as to how it is to be cared for.

"We meet every year, and so far, we've just been giving away the interest. We keep the principal, try to keep the principal so it keeps growing," Hell explained.

According to Anna Mae, funds were to be distributed for relief of poverty, religious purposes, educational purposes, local amateur sports competitions, or prevention of cruelty to children. The board of trustees said that most nonprofits are eligible for the grants.

The Louie and Anna Mae Wohletz Charitable Trust trustees recently awarded $21,000.00 in fourteen $1,500.00 grants to the following organizations: St. Alphonsus School St. Alphonsus Church Langdon Area Baseball Quilts of Valor Quilters Langdon Presbyterian Church United Lutheran Church Osnabrock Community Living Center Langdon Area Hockey Boosters Cavalier County Gun Club Redeemer Lutheran Church Langdon Area School District Foundation Cavalier County Senior Meals & Services Langdon Area School District Langdon United Methodist Church The Louie and Anna Mae Wohletz Charitable trustees are Father Kurtis Gunwall, Bonnie Hell, Ken Heck, Robert Wilhelmi, Zack Schaefer, Pastor Jodi Myrvik, and Charles Jordan.

The Community Orchard has become a gathering spot, especially during the Pioneer Machinery Shows each fall. Submitted photo.

suggested a permanent, historically meaningful installation connected to the orchard and museum grounds.

From there, Stegman reached out to Stammen, a longtime collaborator with the Historical Society and an art-

ist known for his historically informed woodworking. cont’d. on page B2

Neche charity donates 2,000+ meals during holiday season

By Hilary Nowatzki In the small town of Neche, around 40 community members are making a big impact on a regular basis. Just recently, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) of Neche provided 80 boxes of food - more than 2,000 meals - to organizations such as United Way of Grand Forks and Faith in Action in Cavalier.

mas,” Symington explained. “We set up events to serve hot meals and have a signature burger meal that’s become popular at fire departments and with feeder crew organizations.

We focus on a hands-on approach, ensuring our support really makes a difference.”

This most recent round of donations is part of the global organization’s larger “Season of Giving Campaign," an initiative helping ensure that food insecurity has less of an impact on families around the holiday season.

The RRT team is especially important in the current economic climate. Food prices have skyrocketed, and organizations to relieve food insecurity are becoming depleted quicker than ever, according to Symington.

RRT is a global volunteer charity founded by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and has a strong presence in Neche thanks to local leader Calvin Symington and a group of about 40 registered volunteers.

“It does seem like it’s a growing need,” Symington observed, describing his experience visiting United Way and being struck by how many people were benefiting from sustained support programs. “It makes a difference when you know there is a need that can be met.”

“We’re a small community, but we have around 100 members in the church, and nearly half volunteer with RRT,” said Symington.

The group stays busy outside of the holiday season as well, ensuring families and individuals have access to nutritious, warm meals. They also make sure that their fire departments and other local organizations are provided with coffee, snacks, or meals to show their appreciation for their services.

“We do our best to support local charities all year, not just during Christ-

Each RRT food box contains a full day’s worth of nutritious meals for a family, and through collaborations with pantries, shelters, and schools, the charity ensures aid is distributed where it’s needed most.

“We try and spread our donations throughout the year without a set schedule and always encourage pantries to reach out [to us] if they have specific needs,” Symington said.

The team’s support doesn’t end with

food donations. RRT is embedded in the local network of emergency services, offering help to firefighters, quick responders, and police whenever needed.

“Whether it’s bringing out a hot coffee stand during a fire or helping out with volunteer appreciation events, we want first responders to know they can always reach out to us,” Symington emphasized. “Sometimes, it’s just those simple gestures that show our appreciation for their service.”

If anyone would like to get involved with the Neche RRT team, they are encouraged to email action.na@rrtglobal.org. If an individual or family is interested in services, please email neche.na@rrtglobal.org.

Looking ahead, the team is preparing for further food box assemblies and welcomes new volunteers or donations. Simonton encourages anyone interested in learning more or getting involved with RRT’s initiatives to reach out. “We’re always glad for extra help or support—whether that’s volunteering, donating, or even just spreading the word about what we do.”

For more information about the Rapid Relief Team, or to share in their mission of giving, community members are invited to contact the local team directly.

News

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page A2

Icelandic State Park announces return of night hike series

By Rebecca Davis

The Borderland Press

Poll: North Dakota pride, satisfaction sky high Sentiment rooted in safety, community and faith

By Michael Standaert | North Dakota News Cooperative North Dakotans are overwhelmingly proud of their state and satisfied with their lives, with pride rooted in safety, community and faith, the latest North Dakota Poll commissioned by the North Dakota News Cooperative shows.

Asked if they were proud to be a North Dakotan, a total of 91% said they were.

Questioned about what they were most proud of, 32% said it was because the state is a safe place to live, 29% said it was because of the people in their communities, and 27% said it was due to values centered around faith and family.

No special equipment is required to take part in the hikes; however, cross-country skis, snowshoes, and poles will be available to borrow.

Icelandic State Park, located just outside of Cavalier, has announced the return of its highly anticipated Full Moon Hike Series. While winters in North Dakota can be long and challenging, the series offers a unique outdoor experience for participants of all ages and skill levels.

No special equipment is required to take part in the hikes; however, cross-country skis, snowshoes, and poles will be available to borrow. Each hike will begin at 7 p.m. at the park’s maintenance shop. The first hike is scheduled for Jan. 10 and will continue on the Saturday closest to each full moon on Jan. 31, Feb. 28, and March 28.

Participants will follow groomed na-

ture trails and campground loops, taking in the winter landscape under the light of the full moon. After returning to the maintenance shop, hikers will be welcomed with hot cocoa.

Last year’s hikes attracted a wide range of participants, including individuals, families, couples, and groups of friends looking to enjoy a winter activity together.

The hikes are free to attend; however, a valid park pass is required for entry.

2026 Full Moon Hike Schedule: •Jan. 10 – Wolf Moon Hike •Jan. 31 – Snow Moon Hike •Feb. 28 – Worm Moon Hike •March 28 – Pink Moon Hike

“It’s just nice to see that,” Gov. Kelly Armstrong said. “When 91% of North The North Dakota News Cooperative is a non-profit news organization providing reliable and indeDakotans are proud to be from North pendent reporting on issues and events that impact the lives of North Dakotans. The organization Dakota, it makes me even more proud increases the public’s access to quality journalism and advances news literacy across the state. For more information about NDNC or to make a charitable contribution, please visit newscoopnd.org. to be the governor.” their values, and only 3% said it was Hogan said she was surprised at how As an example of something that because of the quality education in high optimism figures were, but was gives him pride, Gov. Armstrong said schools. not surprised people were so proud of that when SNAP benefits went away being from North Dakota. and the state worked with the Great A total of 84% indicated they were eiPlains Food Bank and directed $1.5 ther very or somewhat satisfied with “I love the fact that people feel it’s a million in state funds to support food their lives at the moment, according safe place to live, they like the people assistance programs, one of the re- to the poll. they’re around, and the values,” Homarkable things he saw was how reggan said. ular people donated time, money and While 22% said they were less happy goods to the effort. now than a year ago, a sizable major- Gov. Armstrong said figures like this ity at 66% said they remain optimistic could help attract more people to “(It highlights) the capacity of North about the year ahead. move to the state and part of that is Dakotans to step up and help out,” microtargeting toward the right peoArmstrong said.

Arik Spencer, CEO and president of ple. the Greater North Dakota Chamber, Armstrong said he’s proud the state said the optimism is grounded in “I think we can do a better job of leads in long-term gross domestic strong fundamentals. that,” Armstrong said. “If we think product growth and economic output about things a little differently, and and is a top oil producer with low un- “North Dakota’s economy continues do things the same way we’re doing employment. to outperform much of the nation, them, I think we’ll have success.” with strong employment, continued “As tough as the ag numbers have growth, and a comparatively low The North Dakota Poll was conducted been, it’s really nice to see those risk of recession,” he said. “Those by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, numbers,” Armstrong said. strengths help families and business- Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida from Dec. es better weather inflation than in 10-13 2025. A total of 625 North DaArmstrong also remarked on the many other states.” kota adult residents were interviewed strong pride younger people have in statewide by telephone. The poll has the state, which was steady with over- Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, an error margin of + or - 4%. all numbers.

D-Fargo, said she felt the high pride and optimism reflected on the culture The North Dakota Poll is the only reg“That gives you a better shot of keep- of respect and decorum in the state. ular, non-partisan statewide survey of ing them here,” he said. eligible North Dakota voters and con“Things are still functioning in routine sumers.

Only 4% said their main reason for ways that in many of the places in the being proud to be a North Dakotan nation we don’t see, particularly in was because elected leaders hold Washington, D.C.,” Hogan said.

Meet the author event coming to Lake Region State College Lake Region State College and the Devils Lake Public Library are bringing a North Dakota author to give a book talk on Jan. 14 at 6:00 pm in Chautauqua Gallery at LRSC. A retired Minot State University writing professor, Barb Solberg has published with Harcourt College Publishers and North Dakota Horizon Magazine.

The event is free and open to the public.

Solberg’s book ‘What We Leave Behind' has been chosen by the North Dakota Center for the Book to be included in the “Great Reads from

Great Places” list for the 2025 National Book Festival of the Library of Congress. Every year, each of the Affiliate Centers for the Book chooses a book that in some way represents its state’s or territory’s literary heritage: Perhaps the author was born or lives there, the book is set in a particular state or territory, or there is some other connection.

What We Leave Behind is a bittersweet, iconic story of a family with allegiance to two flags – a family who never forgot how to stay connected in the midst of challenging times. It is a story of immigration, separation, and the realization that some things get

left behind – children, family, friends, homelands, hopes, and dreams.

Intending to improve their lives, Martin and Asta Aadnes came to America from Norway in 1913 and obtained homestead land in Mountrail County. Nineteen years later during the Great Plains Dust Bowl, they intended to improve the lives of three of their nine children by sending their eighteen-year-old daughter with her fouryear-old and eight- year-old sisters to Norway to live with relatives. The girls intended to come home to America in two years. Then the eighteen-yearold fell in love and married. The two younger girls were left without a way

to get home. When Germany invaded Norway during WWII, the two younger girls were living with a Quisling (a member of the Nasjonal Samling- the Norwegian Nazi Party). Soon the middle girl ended up in Grini, a German concentration camp north of Oslo.

And the story unfolds from there . . .

Will this family stay connected in spite of all the separations? Will the girls ever see their parents again? Will the whole family ever reconnect?

A retired Minot State University writing

professor, Barb Solberg has published with Harcourt College Publishers and North Dakota Horizon Magazine.

She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Dakota and currently serves on the North Dakota Humanities Board of Directors. Through writing she began to know and love the grandparents she never knew.

Agriculture

The Borderland Press

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page A3

NDSU to collaborate with Anova Biosciences to test for disease resiliency in small ruminants NDSU Extension

North Dakota State University researchers are working to identify a tool that producers can use to identify sheep or goats that are genetically more resilient to disease.

Grain market recovery depends on exports – Ample global grain supplies continue to pressure commodity prices with exports seen as the key path toward a recovery. NDSU Extension Crops Economist Frayne Olson says the big crop kept inventories elevated, limiting upside potential.

“Number one, we had a fantastic corn crop in the U.S. We had a very solid soybean crop and a pretty good wheat crop, so we got plenty of supplies, not only domestically but also internationally.” Large crop supplies in South America and Russia are seen as additional factors weighing on markets.

Exports, particularly for corn, have provided some momentum, while soybeans remain a concern, and recent farm assistance payments are unlikely to influence planting decisions. “From my perspective, I do not think so, because a lot of the bridge payments are going to be used to try and clean up 2025 bills,” Olson said.

“I do not think the bridge payments will have a direct impact on planted acreage.”

A large number of USDA employees left the department in ’25 – According to a report from the USDA inspector general, more than 20,000 employees left the Agriculture Department during the first five months of the Trump presidency. That’s roughly 20 percent of the USDA staff. Most of those employees left through the DOGE financial incentive program.

More than 30 percent of the staff left the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Twenty-four percent of the Farm Service Agency employees and

22 percent of the NRCS staff left the Ag Department.

U.S. bans Chinese drones, raising concerns for farmers – U.S. officials have moved to block Chinese-made drones from the American market, citing national security concerns. The Federal Communications Commission has banned new imports and sales of drones and key components from major Chinese manufacturers. The decision does not affect drones already purchased. Ag service providers warn the ban could raise costs and limit access to technology at a time when margins are already tight, especially if comparable U.S.-made alternatives are not readily available. According to the American Spray Drone Coalition, more than 10.3 million acres were treated via spray drones in 2024, generating $215 million in rural revenue - not from selling drones but from operators providing custom applications and related services.

Food companies adapt to GLP-1 trend – Approximately 12 percent of American adults are taking a GLP-1.

That will likely increase next month with the new federal approval for the appetite-suppressing medication in pill form. A consumer foods analyst at Rabobank said more food companies and restaurants will be making changes to cater to this audience.

Chipotle, Olive Garden and Noodles & Company have added menu options with smaller portions that are higher in protein. Frozen food companies are also labeling meals with higher protein and fiber as ‘GLP-1 friendly.’

Free farm succession planning workshops set (JAMESTOWN, N.D.) – Establishing a long-range plan for the ownership of a family’s farm or ranch is the focus of two separate one-day workshops on succession planning being held Wednesday, Jan. 21, in Dickinson at the Stark/Billings County Extension Office and another on Friday, Feb. 27, in Devils Lake at Lake Region State College’s Hofstad Ag Center.

The free educational workshops are being hosted by North Dakota Farmers Union in partnership with NDSU Extension.

Participants in “Design Your Succes-

sion Plan” workshops will learn how to start and sustain discussions with family members about future ownership and start the process of developing a succession plan. They also will learn how to choose and prepare to work with legal and financial professionals to implement a viable plan.

Workshops run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch provided. Space is limited.

To participate, register at ndfu.org or through the NDFU app. For more information, call 800-366-6338 or email amcclean@ndfu.org.

Rachel Gibbs, NDSU Extension ruminant systems management specialist at NDSU’s Hettinger Research Extension Center, is exploring the potential of immune scoring to quantify individual immunocompetence and assess the heritability of disease resiliency in sheep and goats using Promogen.

Promogen is an immune scoring test developed by Anova Biosciences. This immune system evaluator is designed to forecast an animal’s immune system capacity to fight off disease or illness by scoring animals based on the presence of defensins, or immune biomarkers found in saliva and other mucosal fluids.

Although Promogen was initially developed and commercialized to assess immune status in beef and dairy cattle, scientists at Anova believe it has the potential to predict immunocompetence in other species as well.

With this in mind, Anova plans to collaborate with NDSU’s Hettinger Research and Extension Center to evaluate and optimize Promogen immune scoring in sheep and goats.

With producer support, Gibbs will integrate Promogen into the Dakota Sire Testing Programs, which are ram and buck tests focused on advancing genetic progress through technology-assisted, performance-based selection. To do this, saliva samples will be collected from animals consigned to performance tests and sent to Anova Biosciences for analysis and optimization of Promogen for sheep and goats. Participating producers will receive individual immune scores for each animal they consign.

HREC staff collect ram carcass ultrasound data, including ribeye area, back fat thickness and ribeye depth. (NDSU photo)

“I am really excited about the potential impact that Promogen could have on enhancing our understanding of disease resiliency and the subsequent impact on sheep and goat production,” said Gibbs.

Gibbs’ academic career has been focused on identifying biomarkers for stress resistance in ruminant livestock and developing strategies to minimize the impact of stress on production systems. She believes that by optimizing immunocompetence testing, producers will have the opportunity to begin incorporating immunity into genetic selection decisions to advance flock and herd health and improve overall productivity.

2026 NDSU Feedlot School set for Jan. Bill Julien, CEO of Anova and the developer of Promogen technology, wel21-22

comed the opportunity to collaborate with Gibbs.

“We believe Dr. Gibbs’ work is cutting-edge science and sorely needed to address the needs of modern ruminant agriculture management,” said Julien.

There are about 64,000 head of sheep and 9,000 head of goats in North Dakota. Both sheep and goat industries are active in the state and

A ram has his daily feed intake tracked, as it is an important metric to calculate individual ram feed efficiency, or the amount of feed needed to gain one pound of body weight. (NDSU photo)

lead national research efforts.

Testing will begin in December 2025 and involves rams from four breeds that have been consigned to the 2025-2026 Dakota Ram Test.

In 2026, this collaboration will be expanded to study the impact sire immunocompetence has on feeder lamb health and performance. This collaboration was made possible through the

Columbia Sheep Breeders Association and Dakota Sire Testing Program consignors.

Gibbs urges anyone interested to submit their livestock to the Dakota Sire Testing Program.

For additional information about the research or how to get involved, contact Gibbs at 701-567-4323 or Julien at 402-677-2083.

Buy-up option for prevented planting insurance eliminated The NDSU Feedlot School will include a commercial feedlot tour and a tour of the Carrington Research Extension Center’s livestock facilities. (NDSU photo)

North Dakota State University’s Carrington Research Extension Center will hold its annual NDSU Feedlot School on Jan. 21-22, 2026.

This intensive course is designed for cattle producers, feeders, backgrounders, feed industry personnel, animal health care suppliers and anyone interested in learning more about feedlot production, nutrition, waste management and marketing.

“Cattle feeding is a very competitive business,” said Karl Hoppe, NDSU Extension livestock systems specialist at the Carrington Research Extension Center. “Making cattle feeding profitable is usually a result of doing many things right, not just one thing better."

The feedlot school helps identify areas for improvement, ranging from feed bunk management to health to business planning to marketing.

“The regional cattle experts who teach at the school provide a good overview of management for North Dakota feeders," added Hoppe. "Their interaction with the participants continues for years after the school.”

Feedlot school topics will include the following: •Why feed cattle in North Dakota •Facility design and equipment •Budgets for different cattle feeding scenarios •Cattle requirements and feeding •Beef Quality Assurance •Implants •Cattle financing •Feed additives •Ration formulation •Feed nutrient analysis and feed testing •Feedlot diseases and treatments •Facility management •Bunk reading and feed delivery cont’d. on page B5

(JAMESTOWN, N.D.) – A new federal crop insurance rule that drops buy-up option coverage for prevented planting insurance will be “bad news for North Dakota farmers,” according to North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne.

“Preventive Plant and the buy-up for North Dakota farmers is an essential tool for us,” said Watne. “It is where farmers can purchase additional coverage to minimize weather impacts.

It seems we are getting kicked in the gut again when our markets are impacted by tariffs and profitability is nearly impossible.”

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation rule that eliminates the buy-up option is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The rule is set to take effect for the 2026 crop year and succeeding years for crops with a contract change date on or after Nov. 30, 2025.

“While we appreciate the improvements OBBBA made to farm programs and crop insurance to improve the farm safety net, this rule does the opposite for North Dakota farmers. It creates a hole in the net. It will definitely hurt farmers’ bottom lines, creating uncertainty and continued need for ad hoc disaster aid,” said Watne.

Opinion

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page A4

The Borderland Press

Letter from the Publisher: least all except the Christmas tree.

For me, the tree is the most fun to put up and decorate. However, it’s my least favorite to put away. It sits waiting while I do almost anything else I can think of until only the tree is left. Oh, it’ll get done later today I suppose. Maybe I’ll wait for Bob or a grandkid to show up looking for something to do.

I’m taking my time enjoying my coffee and writing to you, and here’s why. I undecorated the house, at

We hosted 17 hungry people for Christmas Eve. My menu did come together on the previous Sunday and worked out quite nicely. The best part of course being the leftovers…or may-

be the apple pie, or maybe the chocolate kahlua cake, or the sweet potatoes or baked corn pudding. Nothing will go to waste; no bun will be left behind.

Opening gifts was next, a project that always gets rushed no matter how much we try to slow it down. The two grandsons played Santa, delivering gifts one at a time, making sure no one was neglected. The joy that comes from watching the grandkids open their gifts is immeasurable, especially the two squealing threeyear-old girlies. Their fun was off the

charts all night long. Rosie accidentally received three baby dolls – a set of twins and another little girl.

We quickly referred to them as the triplets. She’s going to be very busy watching over them!

Christmas Day brought on the food and excitement then the coma. I didn’t have to cook, so I rather enjoyed my own personal coma. Others were off to their next Christmas home and enjoyed another round of food or two and more gifts. Most importantly was that all the families came together to celebrate the birth of Christ, the

reason for the season. How blessed we are.

On to the new year we go! We wish all of you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2026. Take care, and thanks for reading!

Diane Simmons

Publisher publisher@theborderlandpress.com

Letter from the Editor: or do you not mind changing it up from day to day?

With the nice weather will come the dreaded bathtime for the three doggos, but at least they will be clean and floofy for when they get back home. We’ve been at my in-laws for a week, and I already see little dog fluff bunnies hiding in the corners.

This week surrounded by family has been nice, and soon we will be ringing in a new year. Christmas has passed, and we are in the weird vortex time between Christmas and New Years where you rarely come out of your PJ’s and you eat leftovers nonstop. At least, that’s how mine has gone.

I hope your holiday season was just as amazing! Our three dogs have been enjoying the temps here in Tennessee for the last week, but I’m looking forward to coming home and getting back into my routine. Are you a routine person

The day after Christmas we took a trip down to Atlanta, which was about four hours. Phil’s grandmother, who is almost 99 years old, had a little party at her assisted living place. There were so many treats and goodies, and the conversation was nice as well.

Well, I’m going to get back to eating leftovers and slip into my onesie pajamas (photo included of the family in their sets from Phil).

Hilary Nowatski Editor

editor@theborderlandpress.com

The Morning Stroll and Cuppa Joe: Skiing family, minus one

By Sara Goodman I’m writing my weekly article from an undisclosed location in the mountains. My family is skiing, and I, unfortunately, am not. I can ski; I’m just not a good skier. My first foray into the world of skiing was around my freshman or sophomore year of high school when my mom, for reasons still unknown, packed us up to

head to Huff Hills by Bismarck. It was a new ski resort in 1993, so maybe my mom felt it was time to see if we were a skiing family. Turns out we were not a skiing family, and that was our one and only time skiing.

Many, many years later when I was in my late 20’s, Greg and I, along with my brother and his then fiancée, Kayla, decided to give Frost Fire a whirl. I remember, very distinctly, my patient and very good skier hubby showing me two things. One was how to pizza to slow down and stop and two - how to “kinda” turn. He said, and I quote, “just go really slow from side to side and not straight down, and you’ll be fine.” These wise words came from the guy who took skiing lessons in Vail when he was 3. He had his own ski boots and skis (some of you may remember my article extolling the 1992 DynaStars) and could ski in Big Sky just as comfortably and effortlessly

as Frost Fire.

Over the years, I have given skiing the old college try on several occasions.

Our family has gone to Frost Fire, Big Sky and Whitefish. I have put on ill-fitting rentals, stuffed my pockets with snacks and hand warmers and braved the winter conditions from thick fog and rain to icy runs full of much, much better skiers. Typically, my little ducklings follow their dad up the lift to blue, and occasionally an easy black run, while I whittle away my time on greens and easy blues by myself. I take twice as many breaks in the lodge to either suck down some liquid courage or warm my frozen toes by the fire. Skiing has not exactly been an enjoyable winter hobby for me.

As the kids have gotten older, we have done less present giving for Christ-

mas and birthdays and more traveling instead. This year, with two kids in college with long winter breaks and the youngest deciding not to play basketball, we realized we’d have extra free time over the holidays. Greg decided it was time to invest in new skis for everyone and book a trip. I hemmed and hawed and debated the pros and cons, but in the end, I opted to not invest in new skis for myself. I would sit this one out and book a massage or two instead. I recently had two MRIs on my back and shoulder that showed some tears (shoulder) and arthritis (back), and it scared me into realizing my ski bunny days are probably over.

I might still give it a go at Frost Fire, Bottineau or other smaller, safer resorts, but I think Big Sky and the other big dogs might be out of my league. It remains to be seen, though, as I sit in my cozy little AirBnB with terrible FOMO on a perfect bluebird day with

fresh “pow” as all the cool kids say.

And yes, Greg is in head-to-toe black Carharts with new Le Bent ski socks.

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year’s! See ya in 2026!

Some sources suggest younger generations will be changing it up 10 to 15 times overall. WOW! Blame lots of this on computers and AI. As a cynical old white guy, I think parents and counselors would be wise to temper soon-to-be graduates’ expectations and discuss potential career paths that include the trades. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, linemen, and diesel mechanics etc. aren’t likely to be replaced by the robots anytime soon, and these are great paying in-demand jobs.

that they take some of the risk. Me thinks when they start losing their asses, they’ll be forced to axe worthless or marginal programs. Here’s the other angle - stay with me here - say little Johnny or Sally wants to major in gender studies; we set up those type programs at a much higher interest rate. Conversely, should a student want to pursue a degree in something ‘useful,’ be it science, math, engineering, etc., the loan rate would be set significantly lower.

Sara Goodman is an avid walker who says her best ideas come to her after a morning pot of coffee. She grew up on a cattle ranch in Watford City, N.D. After many years working in healthcare, she now writes, is a substitute teacher and occasionally lends a hand to her hard-working hubby on the farm.

She volunteers on several boards and committees in the Langdon community and attends social outings as much as possible. The Goodman house has two kids at home, one in college and two spoiled cats.

My plan to fix higher education

By Bob Simmons, CEO, Simmons Multimedia So, welcome to 2026. I’m reading where the Feds will soon be coming after borrowers who have been delinquent in repaying their student loans. Right or wrong, you’ll remember the last administration was all for forgiving a lot of that debt. According to the US Depart-

ment of Education, the first batch of about one thousand notices will hit the mail this week. How does it work?

The Federal government can seize up to 15% of a borrower’s disposable income if he/she has defaulted on a student loan. The way the rules are written, the first 30 times of the Federal minimum wage is protected. So if the Federal minimum is $7.50 per hour (much less than most state’s minimum wage), that calculates to $217.50 a week that a student loan borrower in default gets to keep before garnishment. Fun fact – no court order is required for the Feds to garnish a borrower’s wages.

How I see it – this isn’t about politics.

No, it’s not so much a blue or red issue as it is about using common sense and doing the right thing. For most of us, it’s rooted in our upbringing. It’s about being responsible, con-

tributing members of society. If you borrow money for a student loan and you sign an agreement to pay it back, you pay it back. In my simple mind - if Tim or Jane spends 200 grand on a four-year, liberal arts education with a major in philosophy and can only find employment working as a sandwich artist at Subway, they still need to pay it back. They are not entitled. They signed an agreement. They made a promise - they pay their bills. End of story.

The next few months will be crunch time for high school seniors as they formulate plans on furthering their education in hopes of chasing those sought after career ambitions. Think about yourself, family and friends while letting this next bit of trivia sink in. The average person changes careers on an average of three to seven times over the course of his or her life.

So now I’m circling back to student loan debt. Here’s a thought – why not make the tuition interest rate based on the usefulness of the degree, and while we’re at it -how about making the school co-sign the loan? The schools can afford it! Many are sitting on millions, if not billions, in endowments. In my mind, it’s only fair

You’re welcome.

Let the hate emails flow - bobs@getsimmonsmedia.com

Community

The Borderland Press

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page A5

Pembilier Nursing Center: Merry Christmas!

By Heather Duerre, Life Enrichment Director

The Christmas tree at PNC with gifts underneath.

Dave and Sharon.

North Dakota Dollars for Scholars accepting scholarship applications North Dakota Dollars for Scholars is accepting scholarship applications from North Dakota high school seniors and current college students starting Jan. 1, 2026. Approximately $290,000 in scholarships will be awarded, ranging from $600 to $2,500 each for the 2026-27 academic year. Every student who graduated from or will graduate this year from a North Dakota high school or home education program can apply, even if their high school doesn’t have a local chapter.

Bonnie.

Gerry.

Darlene.

Steven and Lynette.

Floyd and Betty.

PSC Schedules three public hearings for proposed transmission line in Eastern North Dakota BISMARCK, ND – The North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold three public hearings in January regarding a proposal to construct a transmission line in Dickey, LaMoure and Stutsman Counties. The project is known as the JETx Transmission Line.

Otter Tail Power Company (OTP) and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. (MDU) are requesting a siting permit for ap-

substation in Dickey County. (Note to the media: A map showing the proposed location of the project has been provided to you for use with any announcements/stories you print.)

Details for the public hearings are as follows: • Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 – 10 a.m.

Central

County* • Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 – 9 a.m.

Central Baymont by Wyndham Jamestown Conference Center & Water Park 507 25th St. SW, Jamestown, ND 58401 *This hearing will focus primarily on portions of the project in Stutsman County* The hearings provide an opportunity for members of the public to contribute to the PSC’s official record. Any comments from members of the public must be received at a hearing to be part of the record. People with concerns or support/opposition for the project are encouraged to attend one of the hearings and present their information. Information received after the hearings will not be part of the official record and cannot be used as a basis for the Commission’s decision unless certain additional procedures are followed.

Students from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship offerings cover a variety of categories including vocational and technical schools, military family, community service and continuing college students. Schools with local chapters also offer scholarships for their specific schools.

Technical hearings for the project will also be held in Bismarck, which will

The application deadline for all North Dakota Dollars for Scholars scholarships is April 1, 2026. Scholarship details and the online application are available at northdakota.dollarsforscholars.org.

To apply, students must establish a login and create or update a student profile This profile allows students to be matched to scholarships based on their personal information. Students will also be able to use this profile to find future opportunities from their local chapter, if the high school they graduated from has one, North Dakota Dollars for Scholars, and the national organization.

Clair.

proximately 92 miles of double circuit capable 345-kV transmission line. Initial construction would include one line with the ability to add a second line when needed. The companies are proposing the project to enhance reliability in local areas, including the city of Jamestown. The estimated cost of the project is $406 million.

The project would run from OTP’s existing Jamestown 345-kV substation to MDU’s existing Ellendale 345-kV

American Legion Post #137 82 Main Street, Ellendale, ND 58436 *This hearing will focus primarily on portions of the project in Dickey County* • Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 – 9:30 a.m. Central Edgeley Armory 508 1st Ave. West, Edgeley, ND 58433 *This hearing will focus primarily on portions of the project in LaMoure

Health Tip

Provided by Cavalier County Health District Jan 2: Four out of five car seats are used incorrectly; don’t take that risk. Join us for a free indoor Car Seat Safety Check on Jan. 14 at the Munich Ambulance Center or on Feb. 11 at D&B Motors in Langdon, both from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Certified technicians will make sure your child’s seat is safe, secure, and the right fit.

allow parties to present evidence, examine witnesses, and cross-examine witnesses. These hearings are open to the public, but there will likely be no opportunity for public input during these hearings. Members of the public wishing to testify should attend one of the three public hearings. The hearings will also be available for viewing using the web stream link available at the PSC’s website at www.psc.nd.gov.

Technical hearings will be held on Jan. 8 and 9, starting at 8:30 a.m. each day in the Pioneer Room in the State Capitol Building.

The North Dakota Public Service Commission is a constitutionally created state agency with authority to permit, cite and regulate certain business activities in the state including electric and gas utilities, telecommunications companies, power plants, electric transmission lines, pipelines, railroads, commercial weighing devices, pipeline safety and coal mine reclamation. For more information, contact the Public Service Commission at (701) 328-2400 or www.psc.nd.gov.

Community

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page A6

Homemade chicken soup is ideal for cold and flu season

DAKOTA DATEBOOK: Jens Dixen’s School January 7, 2026 – Danish settlements were founded across North Dakota, but the largest and best-known were in the northwest portion of the state. By 1910, this region held 25% of all Danes in North Dakota.

Their presence remains highly visible even today. Names like Denmark Township leave little doubt as to its original occupants, and the Danish windmill in Kenmare continues to draw tourists. However, a small stone monument north of Kenmare may be less familiar. This monument was erected in 1952 to honor Brorson, a Danish folk school, and its principal, Jens Dixen.

Born in Denmark in 1858, Jens Dixen immigrated to Wisconsin and eventually North Dakota, establishing a homestead north of Kenmare in 1901. With an interest in evangelism and missions, Dixen became active in the Trinity Danish Evangelical Lutheran congregation.

Cold and flu season arrives each year.

Though there might be little people can do to avoid catching a cold or coming down with the flu, certain approaches can make it easier to get through a bout with either illness. Flu vaccinations have been found to lessen the severity of infection with the influenza virus, while rest and plenty of fluids can help reduce the length of time a cold puts people out of commission.

Knowing what to eat when combatting a cold and the flu also can help people treat each virus. Chicken soup has long been a go-to when fighting a cold, and this recipe for ÒHomemade Chicken Noodle SoupÓ from Lines+Angles makes a worthy addition to anyoneÕs cold- and flu-flighting culinary repertoire.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Makes 8 servings 1 3 1/2-pound whole chicken 10 cups low-sodium chicken broth 8 carrots, peeled and sliced 6 stalks celery, trimmed and sliced 3 onions, peeled and sliced 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced 8 sprigs fresh parsley 2 sprigs fresh thyme 1 bay leaf 2 tablespoons butter Salt, to taste Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste 12 ounces wide egg noodles For the chicken stock: 1. Rinse the chicken inside and out

under cold running water. Place the chicken in a large pot, set over medium heat and add the chicken broth.

Add 1/4 of the carrots, 1/3 of the celery and 1/3 of the onions. Add the garlic, 2 sprigs parsley, thyme, bay leaf and enough water to just cover the chicken. Bring broth to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 1 1/4 hours, or until chicken is very tender, skimming any foam from the surface of the broth.

2. Remove chicken from broth and place in a colander to drain and cool.

Strain the broth through a very fine mesh strainer into a large, clean soup pot. Discard the vegetables used to flavor the stock.

For the soup: 1. Skim any fat off the top of the strained broth.

2. Remove and discard the skin and bones from the chicken and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces; set aside.

3. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven set over medium heat. Add the remaining carrots, celery and onions and cook for about 7 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Add the chicken pieces and chicken stock, season with salt and pepper. Bring soup to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

4. Chop the remaining parsley; add the parsley and egg noodles, stirring frequently. Cook for 8 to 10 additional minutes or until the noodles are tender.

5. Ladle into soup bowls and serve hot.

Olson named to UJ's Dean's List JAMESTOWN, ND (12/29/2025)-- Isabelle Olson, of Langdon, N.D., was named to the Fall 2025 Dean's List at the University of Jamestown in Jamestown, N.D. Olson was among 421 students on the Dean's List. Students are named to the list when they earn a 3.5 GPA while taking at least 12 credit hours for the semester.

The Borderland Press

Through this local church, he found an opportunity to excite others about Christian missions when the local pastor organized a school for young Danish men who needed something useful to occupy the winter months.

Holding classes first in the parsonage and later in the church, the pastor and two female instructors offered a variety of religious and secular subjects in both English and Danish. A separate boarding house offered accommodations. The school proved so successful that it continued the following winter and was officially named Brorson High School, in honor of the Danish hymn writer.

By 1905, at the prompting of Jens Dixen, a school building was erected next to the church. At a cost of $7,000, the three story building included classrooms and accommodations for up to

forty students as well as an apartment for the new principal, Jens Dixen. Enrollment quickly increased, ranging from thirty to forty students each winter, paying $55 for tuition, room and board. The school also increased operation from four months to six.

The private school continued to flourish; enrollment reached as high as 56 in 1913. But after the United States became involved in World War I, enrollment declined and the school closed its doors in 1920. The building fell out of use and Jens Dixen pursued other missions-minded endeavors.

Although short-lived, the Danish folk school left an indelible mark on the national and international religious landscape. Twenty-five former students became pastors, including Dixen's adopted son. Dixen inspired several students and teachers from Brorson to go into the foreign mission field, and today, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria still recognizes Dixen's influence as a crucial part of their early foundation.

Jens Dixen died on this date in 1931.

Twenty-one years later, residents of the Kenmare region honored his service by erecting a stone monument marking the former site of Brorson High School.

Dakota Datebook by Christina Sunwall “Dakota Datebook” is a radio series from Prairie Public in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota and with funding from the North Dakota Humanities Council. See all the Dakota Datebooks at prairiepublic.org, subscribe to the “Dakota Datebook” podcast, or buy the Dakota Datebook book at shopprairiepublic.org.

Walhalla Senior Meals Menu Monday, Jan. 5 Lemon Pepper Fish•Squash•Mixed Vegetables•Tropical Fruit Tuesday, Jan. 6 Chicken Wild Rice Casserole•Peas•Coleslaw •Fruit•WW Bread Wednesday, Jan. 7 BBQ Chicken•Baked Potato•Green Beans•Pears Thursday, Jan. 8 Pork Roast•Mashed Potatoes•Broccoli Normandy •Fruit Cocktail Friday, Jan. 9 Meatloaf•Baked Potato•Carrots•Mandarin Oranges This is a menu for the Walhalla Title III Older Americans Act Food Program. The full cost of the meal is $13.00. Suggested donation for those 60 and older is $4.00. EBT/SNAP accepted.

Under 60 are required to pay $13.00. Meal site is Waters Family Restaurant, 1108 Central Ave., Walhalla. Call 701-5492443 before 10:00 a.m. to place an order for congregate, pick up, or home delivered meals.

Lifestyle

The Borderland Press

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page A7

Prairie Fare: Food allergies and gluten safety — What every cook should know

By Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist

“Let’s move the flour to the basement pantry,” I said to my husband.

Since one of our family members has celiac disease, food storage and preparation are special safety considerations.

My husband has been a grain miller in the food industry, and I have a cereal chemistry doctorate. We are fans of grains. However, loose flour can easily spread through the kitchen and contaminate food surfaces.

Celiac disease is not an “allergy” to gluten, a complex group of proteins found in wheat, barley and rye. This autoimmune disorder can greatly harm the intestinal tract because the body mistakenly recognizes the protein as an invader, triggering inflammation and internal damage.

Technically, “gluten” is the elastic protein mixture formed when bread is kneaded. It includes several proteins – most notably glutenin and gliadin.

Managing celiac disease requires lifelong avoidance of any foods with these particular proteins.

Currently, nine food ingredients are recognized on food labels as being allergenic: eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat. They are listed right after the ingredients and noted by “Contains” (followed by the allergen).

Fortunately, when you see “gluten-free” on the label, you can trust it.

“Gluten-free” labeling is voluntary, but strict limits for using the claim exist.

When I prepare food for our family, I take special precautions to avoid cross-contact with gluten-containing ingredients, just as I avoid spreading chicken juice around the kitchen.

Utensils, bowls and equipment must be carefully cleaned.

Companies often produce more than one type of product using the same machinery or other equipment. You may note that some products also include “Processed in a facility that also processes …” Pay attention to that information if you are very sensitive to certain ingredients.

How common are food allergies and celiac disease? The information is courtesy of the Food Allergy Research and Education organization and the Celiac Disease Foundation.

•If 100 adults were gathered, about 10 would have a food allergy.

•If 100 children were gathered, about 13 would have a food allergy.

•If 100 people were gathered, one would have celiac disease.

Allergies to more than 170 foods have been reported. Allergic reactions were estimated to cost the U.S. $33 billion in 2024.

If you are planning a gathering, be sure to find out if any of your guests have food allergies so you can plan appropriately.

Allergies can be life-threatening if the symptoms progress to anaphylaxis.

For example, symptoms of a shellfish allergy may include tingling in the mouth; abdominal pain; nausea; diarrhea; vomiting; congestion; trouble breathing; wheezing; skin reactions; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, ears or hands; dizziness; or fainting.

could not be consumed by someone with an allergy to peanuts.

Honey-Peanut Cereal Bars (Wheat-free) ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ cup honey ½ cup peanut butter 3 cups wheat-free cereal (Cheerios, Rice Chex, etc.) ½ cup salted peanuts In a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, heat sugar and honey just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter until smooth. Stir in cereal and peanuts until evenly coated. Press evenly in a 9-by-9-inch buttered pan, using the buttered back of a spoon. Cool 1 hour.

Cut into 4 rows by 3 rows.

Makes 12 servings. Each serving has 180 calories, 9 grams (g) fat, 5 g protein, 25 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber and 130 milligrams sodium.

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences.

If you are preparing food for people with any type of allergy, avoid cross-contamination by using separate serving utensils. Be sure to label your menu items, or place the food package nearby.

See more allergen information from North Dakota State University Extension at www.ag.ndsu.edu/food (click on “Food Safety”).

Here’s a wheat-free recipe, but it

Take special precautions against cross-contamination when cooking for people with allergies and intolerances — just like how you would when handling raw meat. (Pixabay photo)

Prairie Doc® Perspective: Keeping us in balance - the work of the kidneys

By Andrew Ellsworth, MD

at maintaining the balance of our internal environment, known as homeostasis. The kidneys, those two beanshaped organs at our sides, are vital for maintaining that balance. Through filtration, reabsorption, and the secretion of hormones, the kidneys are one (or two) of our most important organs.

Picture a man crawling through the desert in tattered clothing, whispering “water” as he nears an oasis. He isn’t thinking about his kidneys, yet they may be the main organ still keeping him alive.

The human body does an amazing job

Each day, the kidneys filter roughly 50 gallons of blood, enough to fill a bathtub. In doing so, they remove waste products and toxins that would otherwise build up and cause harm. They also regulate electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate, which are essential for proper muscle, nerve, and heart function.

The kidneys regulate our fluid balance. If we are dehydrated, they will reabsorb more fluid back into the bloodstream. Meanwhile, if there is excess, they will increase urine production. On a normal day, a healthy

person usually only needs to drink when feeling thirsty. Anti-diuretic hormone is secreted by the brain when you start to get dehydrated, telling the kidneys to retain more fluid, and giving yourself the sensation of thirst.

The kidneys help regulate blood pressure through their control of salt and water retention or excretion. They maintain acid-base balance, keeping the body’s pH within a narrow, safe range. In addition, the kidneys secrete hormones involved in bone health and stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.

With all these responsibilities, preserving kidney health is essential. You can support your kidneys by preventing imbalance where possible. Eat a healthy diet low in salt and added sugar. See your healthcare provider regularly to screen for diabetes and monitor blood pressure, the two lead-

ing causes of chronic kidney disease.

Avoid taking excessive amounts of medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Other prescription and

over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and herbal preparations can strain the kidneys as well—so use them carefully and follow directions.

With the kidneys, balance is key. Avoid excess, protect your health, and your kidneys will likely manage the rest.

Whether you are sleeping soundly at

Dakota Gardener: The days are getting longer

By Joe Zeleznik, Forester - NDSU Extension

And the tree trees will go on.

see, there’s nothing active happening.

And it’s not just the evergreens that remind us of growth in mid-winter.

Some trees and shrubs still have fruit on them, sustaining birds and other wildlife through the lean times.

But inside the trees, in their smallest cells, they’re slowly active. Very, very slowly.

Last weekend, I watched a bunch of chickadees at my daughter’s house, working their way through the brush in her backyard. They were searching for food to sustain themselves, and they were successful.

It’s been a tough winter on my spruce trees, and we’re only in December!

The heavy snow and high winds have pulled a lot of needles and smaller twigs from the trees. It doesn’t help that, when I clear the driveway with the snowblower, the spruce trees are right where I aim the chute.

But these trees will endure, as they do every winter.

Evergreens are powerful symbols of renewal and rebirth. The tradition of bringing an evergreen tree or boughs into the home has been around for thousands of years. During the darkest — that is, shortest — days of winter, evergreens are a reminder that spring will eventually come and that nature will begin its cycle of growth once again.

The birds — and the trees — will not only endure winter, but they’ll also persevere. What’s the difference?

Endurance is more passive and involves outlasting the tough times. Perseverance involves growing through the tough times, changing and becoming stronger.

Endurance is easy to understand with the trees. They’re pretty passive in winter when they’re dormant. We don’t see any growth, nor will we see any until the buds begin to swell in spring.

It’s harder to observe perseverance in the trees right now. As far as we can

Dormancy in trees reminds me of hibernating bears. The bears are alive and breathing. They’re making energy

from their fat to stay warm, but everything is slowed down.

In the trees, those cells are slowly burning the sugar they made in their leaves last summer. They’re processing the hormones that keep them dormant, and ever so slowly, they create other ones that will signal the timing for budbreak in the spring.

The trees’ persistence and perseverance give me hope. The darkest days are here right now, but spring will come again. It does every year.

Rebecca Davis

So, I’m not too worried about those spruce trees. Most of those fallen needles were dead or dying anyway.

The wind and snow just hastened their fall. Unfortunately, a few healthy twigs were lost in the process.

It’s like brushing the dog’s coat — we pull out the extra hairs that have served their purpose and are not needed anymore. Mostly. A few of the newer and younger hairs can get pulled out in the process, but not enough to harm the dog.

Evergreen trees can be seen as symbols of renewal and rebirth. (NDSU photo)

home or desperately seeking water under a desert sun, your kidneys continue their quiet work—filtering, regulating, protecting, and keeping your body in balance.

Dr. Andrew Ellsworth is a Family Medicine Physician at Avera Medical Group Brookings in Brookings, SD. He serves as one of the Prairie Doc Volunteer Hosts during its 24th Season providing Health Education Based on Science, Built on Trust. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok. Prairie Doc Programming includes On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show (most Thursdays at 7pm on YouTube and streaming on Facebook), 2 podcasts, and a Radio program (on SDPB, Sundays at 6am and 1pm).

Church

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page A8

The Borderland Press

From the Pastor’s Desk: Three knots for a New Year

By Pastor Sue Mackey

a message on “Thou shall NOT steal,” or “Thou shall NOT kill.” I’m talking about knots: K-N-O-T-S.

Today, I want to talk with you about three knots for a New Year. This is not

I once read a story about a famous surgeon performing an operation. He tied three knots in the suture to close the incision instead of the usual one.

A young medical student watching him asked why he did that. One knot was the accepted surgical procedure.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” the surgeon said. “That 3rd knot is my ‘sleeping knot.’ I’m going to wake up in the middle of the night tonight and think about this operation, run through it quickly, come down to the end of it

and wonder if I tied the thread tight so the wound couldn’t possibly come open, and I’m going to remember - I didn’t tie just one knot, I tied three knots. It can’t come loose, so I’m going to turn over and go back to sleep.

That’s my ‘sleeping knot.’”

We all have times when endurance, courage, and patience are required.

When I say the phrase “hang in there,” what picture comes to mind?

Do you see a cat upside down, hanging by its claws from the ceiling? Do you imagine a person dangling from a cliff, saved only by a scrawny branch embedded in the rocks? Do you see

someone with a panicked look, holding onto a rope for dear life? Whatever your image, I know you understand the concept of “hanging on” during uncertain times.

As Christians, we do more than simply hang on. As Christians we are encouraged to hang on with HOPE - to believe that God’s power and strength are available to us. God wants more than survival for us. God wants endurance with a purpose and perseverance with a blessing. God wants us to hang on with HOPE, and as St. Paul said, hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

I’m reminded of a story about Admiral Richard E. Byrd who, in the early 1900s, decided to try and stay six months ALONE at the South Pole. He had a small hut and all the necessities of life, but one day he wandered away in a snowstorm. Suddenly he realized he could no longer see the smokestack of his little home. What was he to do?

First, he was determined not to panic. Second, he decided to mark the spot, so he didn’t wander off farther in the wrong direction. He hammered a stake into the ice, attached a long rope to it, and then in ever-widening

circles he moved out away from the peg until he got so far out he almost pulled the peg loose. He went back, re-fastened the peg to the ice, and added another section of rope. This time, as he circled around the peg, he walked directly into the door of his little hut. He had found his way.

This coming year, when the days are hard, tie three knots and hang on.

Each knot represents God. When you feel like panicking, hang on to the 1st knot, which is God. When you feel yourself wandering and lost, hang on to the 2nd knot, which is God. When you can’t find your way home, hang on to the 3rd knot, which is God. And that 3rd knot is your “sleeping knot,” a reminder that you can sleep in peace because God is awake, and He holds you in His protective and strong embrace.

Pastor Sue Mackey is a native North Dakotan and an ordained United Methodist minister. In her 46-year career, she has served United Methodist, UCC, and Lutheran congregations in the area, and now serves the Langdon Presbyterian Church (since 2012). She lives in rural Hampden, has two sons and seven grandchildren. An avid reader, she also enjoys playing baritone horn in the Devils Lake Elks Band as well as in the Langdon Community Band.

Region

The Borderland Press

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page A9

Rural Health Providers could be collateral damage from $100,000 Trump visa fee

By Arielle Zionts and Phillip Reese/KFF Health News worker. The visas are reserved for highly skilled foreign workers.

The new $100,000 fee — part of a September proclamation by President Donald Trump — applies to workers living outside the U.S. but not those who were already in the U.S. on a visa.

West River lab tech Kathrine Abelita is one of nine employees — six technicians and three nurses — at the hospital who are current or former H-1B visa holders. Abelita is from the Philippines and has worked at West River since 2018. She’s now a permanent U.S. resident.

Bekki Holzkamm, lab manager at West River Health Services in rural North Dakota, has been trying to hire a technician since late summer. But not one U.S. citizen has applied.

West River will have to pay a new $100,000 H-1B visa fee — or request an exemption — if it wants to hire one of its foreign applicants.

(Kathrine Abelita).

"It’s going to be a big problem for rural health care," she said of the new fee. She said most younger American workers want to live in urban areas.

Sixteen percent of registered nurs-

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in late September and early October. The AHA declined to say whether it had heard back.

Homeland Security officials directed KFF Health News’ inquiries to the White House, which did not answer questions about individual waiver timelines or the possibility of a categorical exemption for the health care industry.

Instead, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers sent a statement defending the new fee, saying it will “put American workers first.” Her comments echo Trump’s proclamation, which focuses on accusations that the tech industry is abusing the H-1B program by replacing American workers with lower-paid foreign ones. But the order applies to all trades.

Alam, the Harvard professor, said the U.S.’ reliance on international providers does raise legitimate concerns, such as about how it takes professionals away from lower-income countries facing even greater health concerns and staffing shortages than the U.S. This decades-long dependency, she said, stems from population booms, medical schools’ historical exclusion of nonwhite men, and the “much, much cheaper” cost of importing providers trained abroad than expanding health education in the U.S. Internationally trained doctors tend to work in rural and urban areas that are poor and underserved, according to a survey and research review.

Nearly 1,000 H-1B providers were employed in rural areas this year, the

Health Care Sector Has Long Relied on H-1B Visas

Federal officials approved about 19,000 H-1B applications in the health care and social assistance sector during the 2025 federal fiscal year, which ended in September.

two rural health organizations wrote in their letter to the Trump administration.

J-1 visas, the most common type held by foreign doctors during their residencies and other postgraduate training in the U.S., require them to return to their home country for two years before applying for an H-1B. But a government program called the Conrad 30 Waiver Program allows up to 1,500 J-1 holders a year to remain in the U.S. and apply for an H-1B in exchange for working for three years in a provider shortage area, which includes many rural communities.

Trump’s proclamation says employers that sponsor H-1B workers already inside the U.S., such as doctors with these waivers, won’t have to pay the six-figure fee, a nuance clarified in guidance released about a month later.

But employers will have to pay the new fee when hiring doctors and others who apply while living outside the U.S. Alyson Kornele, CEO of West River Health Services, said most of the foreign nurses and lab techs it hires are outside the U.S. when they apply.

Lab technician Kathrine Abelita is one of nine workers — six technicians and three nurses — at West River Health Services in rural North Dakota who are current or former H-1B visa holders. The visa is for highly skilled foreign workers employed in fields in which companies struggle to hire enough workers who already live in the U.S. (Bekki Holzkamm)

Bekki Holzkamm has been trying to hire a lab technician at a hospital in rural North Dakota since late summer.

Not one U.S. citizen has applied.

Ivan Mitchell, CEO of Great Plains Health in North Platte, Nebraska, said most of his hospital’s H-1B physicians were inside the U.S. on other visas when they applied. But he said physical therapists, nurses, and lab techs typically apply from abroad.

Note: "New" applications represent workers approved for an H-1B visa for the first time, including workers already here on a different visa, and workers taking on a new concurrent job with a different employer. "Renewal" applications represent workers who already had an H-1B visa but renewed or changed it, or changed employers. Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Credit: Phillip Reese for KFF Health News.

Doctors Drive H-1B Applications

Doctors and other health care practitioners accounted for most certified H-1B applications in the health care and social assistance sector during the 2024 federal fiscal year.

West River Health Services in Hettinger, a town of about 1,000 residents in the southwestern part of the state, has four options, and none of them are good.

The hospital could fork over $100,000 for the Trump administration’s new H-1B visa fee and hire one of the more than 30 applicants from the Philippines or Nigeria. The fee is the equivalent of what some rural hospitals would pay two lab techs in a year, said Holzkamm, who is West River’s lab manager.

West River could ask the Department of Homeland Security to waive the fee.

But it’s unclear how long the waiver process would take and if the government would grant one. The hospital could continue trying to recruit someone inside the U.S. for the job. Or, Holzkamm said, it could leave the position unfilled, adding to the workload of the current “skeleton crew.”

The U.S. health care system depends on foreign-born professionals to fill its ranks of doctors, nurses, technicians, and other health providers, particularly in chronically understaffed facilities in rural America.

But a new presidential proclamation aimed at the tech industry’s use of H-1B visas is making it harder for West River and other rural providers to hire those staffers.

“The health care industry wasn’t even considered. They’re going to be collateral damage, and to such an extreme degree that it was clearly not thought about at all,” said Eram Alam, a Harvard associate professor whose new book examines the history of foreign doctors in the U.S. Elissa Taub, a Memphis, Tennessee-based attorney who assists hospitals with the H-1B application process, has been hearing concerns from her clients.

“It’s not like there’s a surplus of American physicians or nurses waiting in the wings to fill in those positions,” she said.

Until recently, West River and other employers paid up to $5,000 each time they applied to sponsor an H-1B

Holzkamm said it took five to eight months to hire H-1B applicants at her lab before the new fee was introduced.

Bobby Mukkamala, a surgeon and the president of the American Medical Association, said Republican and Democratic lawmakers are concerned about the ramifications for rural health care.

They include Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who said he planned to reach out about possible exemptions.

“We want to make it easier, not harder, and less expensive, not more expensive, for people who need the workforce,” the Republican told KFF Health News in September.

Note: Excludes applications that were withdrawn or denied. After Department of Labor certification, applications must also be approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Source: U.S. Department of Labor. Credit: Phillip Reese for KFF Health News.

es, 14% of physician assistants, and 14% of nurse practitioners and midwives who work in U.S. hospitals are immigrants, according to a 2023 government survey. Nearly a quarter of physicians in the U.S. went to medical school outside the U.S. or Canada, according to 2024 licensing data.

The American Hospital Association, two national rural health organizations, and more than 50 medical societies have asked the administration to give the health care industry exemptions from the new fee. The new cost will disproportionally harm rural communities that already struggle to afford and recruit enough providers, the groups argue.

Northeast and Upper Midwest Lead Health Care H-1B Approvals

The District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New York, South Dakota, and North Dakota saw the highest per capita rates of annual H-1B approvals in the health care and social assistance sector from federal fiscal years 2009 through 2025.

Annual H-1B health care approvals per 100,000 residents

Taub called those standards “exceptionally high.”

Representatives of the NRHA and the American Medical Association, which organized a letter from the medical societies, said they’ve received no response after sending requests to

The Trump administration is facing at least two lawsuits attempting to block the new fee. One group of plaintiffs includes a company that recruits foreign nurses and a union that represents medical graduates. Another lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, mentions concerns about the physician shortage and health systems’ ability to afford the new fee.

Kornele said West River won’t be able to afford a $100,000 fee, so it’s doubling down on local recruiting and retention.

But Holzkamm said she hasn’t been successful in finding lab techs from North Dakota colleges, even those who intern at the hospital. She said West River can’t compete with the salaries offered in bigger cities.

“A blanket exception for healthcare providers is the simplest path forward,” the National Rural Health Association and National Association of Rural Health Clinics wrote in a joint letter.

The proclamation allows fee exemptions for individuals and workers at specific companies, and those in entire industries when “in the national interest.” New guidance says the fee will be waived only in an “extraordinarily rare circumstance.” That includes showing that there is “no American worker” available for the position and that requiring a company to spend $100,000 would “significantly undermine” U.S. interests.

Thune’s office did not respond to questions about whether the senator has heard from the administration regarding potential waivers for health workers.

“It’s a bad cycle right now. We’re in a lot of trouble,” she said.

Phillip Reese is a data reporting specialist and an associate professor of journalism at California State University-Sacramento.

Note: Comprises approved H-1B applications for new and continued employment.

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Credit: Phillip Reese for KFF Health News.

Region

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page A10

•AREA NEWS•

By Nick Vorlage

Former Governor Petition for free passes away meals in schools On Friday, former North Dakota governor and attorney general Allen Olson passed away. Olson was born in Rolla, with his family living outside of Sarles.

After serving in the US Army as a lawyer, Olson returned to the Peace Garden State in 1967. He was elected to the attorney general position in 1972 and would serve in the role for eight years. In 1980, he was elected to serve as Governor, beating the incumbent Art Link.

During his time as governor, Olson focused on a number of issues, including drunk driving, the Garrison Diversion program, as well as the formation of the state’s Human Services Department.

Olson would only serve one term before being beaten by Democratic candidate George Sinner.

Governor Kelly Armstrong released a statement following Olson’s passing, saying, in part, that Olson “served North Dakota with dignity and a steady hand as our state’s top law enforcement officer and chief executive.”

Olson was 87 years old at the time of his passing.

The petition to get free school breakfasts and lunches in North Dakota has moved one step closer. Last Tuesday, North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe approved the petition format. If approved by voters, the bill would update the state constitution, making it mandatory for all public school districts to provide one free breakfast and lunch per student per day.

College and universities would not fall under this amendment, and private and tribal schools could opt out. The state would reimburse the school for the cost.

However, before the petition is added to the ballot, it needs to collect enough valid signatures – at least 31,164 – or 4% of the state’s population.

Petition organizers have one year to collect the needed signatures.

If they’re collected and submitted before Feb. 9, the measure can be placed on the primary ballot.

If they’re collected and submitted before July 6, the measure could appear on the midterm general election ballot on Nov. 3.

The Borderland Press

Elks donate to North Dakota Freedom Fund Devils Lake, N.D. —The Devils Lake Elks Lodge #1216 supports its community with the donation to the ND Freedom Fund. The ND Freedom Fund is a project that aims to honor veterans during Military Appreciation Month in May 2026. In 2025, the ND Legislature passed HB 1148. In this bill, the month of May is proclaimed Military Appreciation Month in North Dakota.

The project, locally, will honor past and present military service members and all that they have given and continue to give to Ramsey County and the State of North Dakota. The goal of the project is to place photo banners of service men and women in the city of Devils Lake.

Elks officers presented Jason Pierce, Devils Lake city commissioner and ND Freedom Fund organizer, with a donation of $2,200.00. Pierce says he’s thankful to all the individuals and groups who have donated to this important project and for the support

From (L-R) Elks 1216 Inner Guard, Trudell Starr, Jason Pierce, ND Freedom Fund and Elks 1216 Secretary, Steve Moser.

the community has provided to veterans.

Photo Caption:

Elks 1216 Inner

Guard Trudell Starr, Jason Pierce for ND Freedom Fund, and Elks #1216 Secretary Steve Moser.

Grafton to host annual candlelight hike Jan. 3 Grafton residents and visitors are invited to bundle up and enjoy a magical winter evening during the annual Candlelight Hike on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, offering a family-friendly winter evening while raising funds for the Grafton gymnastics program.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. and feature a snowy walk or hike along the groomed Leistikow Park trails, which will be illuminated by candlelight. Participants will also have the opportunity to view the community’s new bridge along the trail route.

Additional activities planned for the evening include skating at the outdoor rink at Leistikow Park with music, sledding, and a large bonfire with fire trucks on display from the Grafton Volunteer Fire Department. Free hot cocoa and s’mores will be available for attendees, and bake sale items will be offered for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the gymnastics pro-

gram.

Admission is free for children ages 4 and under. Admission for those ages 5 and older is $5 per person, as the event serves as a fundraiser for the gymnastics program.

Participants may pay online through Grafton Parks and Recreation or pay cash in person at the Parks and Recreation office warming house located at 715 W. Fifth St. or at the corn maze admission hut.

WINTER SPORTS Jake’s Take on Sports and this is the end of this illness, not the middle. There is lots going on for the first week of the New Year, so let’s get to it.

Cardinals, Eagles, Lady Cardinals playing holiday basketball games; several home games on the way The week between Christmas and New Year’s saw the Langdon-Munich Cardinals girls and boys basketball teams and the North Border Eagles boys playing some holiday basketball jamborees.

By Jake Kulland, Sports Editor Spending the holidays at the Ponderosa with an ear infection We start this week by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. Here’s hoping 2026 will bring all of our fantastic readers all the best, as we all take another trip around the sun.

The Lady Cards lost to Minot Our Redeemer’s 52-46 at the Minot Auditorium and also played the #1 team in Class A girls hoops, South Prairie-Max, on Dec. 30. After a makeup road game at Larimore on Jan. 2, the Cardinals girls will be at home on Jan. 6 in Langdon versus Thompson.

North Border lost their first basketball game of the season in Bismarck, 5041, to Wilton-Wing, and played Washburn on Dec. 30. The Eagles will now get some home games, three in a row and all in Walhalla, They will play North Prairie on Jan. 6, Cavalier Jan. 8, and Langdon-Munich on Jan. 13.

Finally, for Langdon-Munich boys basketball, they had a makeup game at Central Cass on Dec. 30 then play at Larimore on Jan. 3. The Cards will also finally get their first home game of the season versus Grafton at the Langdon Area High School gym on Jan. 5. They will also play at home in Langdon against Hatton-Northwood on Jan. 9. The Langdon-Munich elementary boys and girls will play at the first two Cardinals girls and boys games, and the Pom Squad is set to perform at halftime of the Cards-Thunder game.

they are all off to great starts to their seasons and are fun to watch.

Dakota Spirit Arena has a busy weekend to start 2026 The month of January also begins two very busy months at Dakota Spirit Arena in Langdon. The first weekend has 19U girls hockey on Jan. 2-3 versus Richland and Crosby, and the Langdon Blades Pee Wee team has three home games - one on Jan. 2 and two Jan. 3. The Blades boys Junior Gold hockey team is off at a tournament

in Moorhead, Minn., which features some very good competition from North Dakota and Minnesota. The Junior Gold team will have their next home games Jan. 9-11 versus three teams from out west. Here’s another chance to get out to support our area athletes and get out of the house for some fine home-grown entertainment.

Once again, “Happy New Year!” and “See ya!” next week!

Hopefully, you can get out and see these teams live and in person, as

I have been spending the holidays at the Ponderosa out in Williston with Lovely Lisa and Bimbo. I’m trying to get my voice back into shape out here, as it’s been not up to par since I got sick with a cold over the State B Volleyball Tournament in Bismarck just before Thanksgiving. Was it pneumonia, Influenza A or one of the other letters? Who knows for sure.

Like any other man, I’ve just been “riding it out” and waiting for it to go away. Well, here we are over a month later, and while I feel like a million bucks, my voice feels like a buck fifty.

As it turns out, I have an ear infection, probably from wearing headphones too much.

Now I’m on medication to clear that up and, hopefully, my voice as well.

The month of January is here, which begins Nervous Breakdown season, so let’s hope this all comes together,

Deep-friend wings make the perfect big game offering recipe for ‘Deep-Fried Chicken Wings and Legs In Beer Batter’ can help fans indulge their love for wings this season.

Deep-Fried Chicken Wings and Legs In Beer Batter Makes 4 servings

People from all walks of life look forward to Super Bowl Sunday. Diehard football fans may love each Sunday of the National Football League season, but even casual fans or people who typically don’t watch a game all season enjoy getting together with friends and family to watch the big game on Super Bowl Sunday.

Much of the appeal around Super Bowl Sunday is the festive atmosphere, a feeling that’s amplified by an assortment of delicious foods that tend to be on the menu at game watch gatherings. Chicken wings are a familiar staple of Super Bowl Sunday spreads, and this Lines+Angles

For the batter: 1 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1 medium egg, beaten 10 ounces beer, IPA-style Pepper Salt For the chicken: 4 whole chicken wings 4 chicken drumsticks 3/4 cup cornstarch 8 cups vegetable oil, for deep-frying 1. For the batter: Sift the flour, garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper into a large mixing bowl.

2. Whisk in the egg and enough beer to make a thick batter, taking care not to over-mix.

3. For the chicken: Heat the oil in a deep, heavy-based saucepan to 320 F on a thermometer.

4. Pat the chicken pieces dry and

then dust in the cornstarch. Dip in the batter to coat.

5. Deep-fry the chicken, in batches,

for 14 to 18 minutes until golden, crisp, and cooked through (the wings will need less time than the drum-

sticks).

6. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page B2

The Borderland Press

Weston, Frelich, Henderson announce campaigns On December 29, State Senator Kent Weston and Representatives Kathy Frelich and Donna Henderson announced their 2026 campaigns for the North Dakota Legislature in District 15. They represent Cavalier, Towner and Ramsey counties in northeastern North Dakota, including the towns of Langdon, Cando and Devils Lake. In their announcement, Weston, Frelich and Henderson are jointly committed to continue their strong conservative leadership for North Dakotans. They hope to continue to serve District 15 as their trusted Republican team.

Senator Kent Weston was elected in 2022 and served in the 2023 and 2025 legislative sessions. In his second session he was appointed vice chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and is a member of the Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committees. He was appointed by leadership to be vice chairman of the Interim Energy and Transmission Committee. It has been Senator Weston’s honor to make our state government more accountable to the taxpayers of North Dakota. He has worked hard to bring forth transparency on how the taxpayer's dollars are being spent. Senator Weston looks forward to continuing serving alongside Representatives Frelich and Henderson to promote conservative values such

as individual liberties for parents and gun owners. Senator Weston is committed to continuing to work hard for the citizens of District 15.

Representative Kathy Frelich, first elected in 2022, has served in the North Dakota Legislature during the 2023 and 2025 sessions and continues to take on leadership roles on behalf of her constituents.

During her second session, Frelich was appointed vice chair of the House Human Services Committee. She was elected by her peers to serve on the Legislative Management team and also currently serves as vice chair to the Interim Human Services Committee. Her legislative priorities include protecting children and the elderly, while honoring veterans, questioning government spending, and promoting individual freedom.

During her first campaign, Frelich emphasized accessibility to constituents.

“I’m excited to hear from the people of District 15,” Frelich said. “Even if we don't always agree, I know they are engaged, and that’s the only way this system of government works.”

Representative Frelich says she has found the Legislature both challenging and rewarding and remains com-

mitted to continuing her work for the citizens in District 15.

Representative Donna Henderson was first elected in 2022 and served in the 2023 and 2025 legislative sessions. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Agriculture Committee and is also serving on the Administrative Rules Committee during the interim. She is excited to run for her 2nd term and is very pleased with the wide support she has received from her constituents. She is committed to preserving the rights of North Dakota citizens with more freedoms, less regulations and wants ND citizens to keep more of their own hard earned dollars.

“North Dakotans should be in charge of their lives, not the government.”

Henderson said. She also noted what a great working relationship their District 15 team has with each other.

“We work so well together supporting good legislation through both the ND House and Senate. We would like the opportunity to continue that great working relationship to be even more successful in the next session for our district and our state.”

Cont’d. From Page A1 Pembina County Historical Society, Community Orchard awarded grants for colonial-style cider press “He sat down with a cup of coffee and tionally avoiding locking in specifics came up with this incredible idea,” too early.

Stegman said. “When we realized the potential, we applied for the Strength- Construction is expected to begin in en ND Grant as well, which allowed late spring or early summer, with the the project to grow significantly.” cider press built on-site so visitors can watch the process unfold. The goal is The Strengthen ND funding expands to have the press completed by Septhe scope beyond a single cider press, tember 2026 in time for an inaugural supporting educational outreach, apple pressing during the fall harvest documentation, and the potential to season. Once finished, the press will share plans and programming with be used to process apples from the other community orchards and gar- community orchard as well as excess dens across North Dakota. apples donated by local residents.

Stegman noted that many homeownStammen, who holds a Ph.D. in ecolo- ers find themselves overwhelmed by gy and has spent his life studying tra- their apple harvests, and the press ditional woodworking, said the project provides a simple, communal way to immediately resonated with him. put that fruit to use.

“This isn’t a one-time celebration,” Stammen said. “It’s something the community can gather around every year for generations. That’s what made it meaningful.”

The cider press will be built using traditional methods and materials, drawing inspiration from colonial-era designs used in early America. Apples and cider played a vital role in sustaining early settlers, and presses were common gathering points where families would bring their harvest to be processed together.

Stammen plans to research historic cider presses from both Europe and early America before finalizing the design. His research will include studying historical texts, visiting libraries, consulting with other craftspeople, and examining surviving examples of antique presses. He hopes to use locally sourced wood—possibly including fallen oak trees from the museum grounds—to keep the project as authentic and regional as possible.

Because the design process is still underway, Stammen said he is inten-

“It invites people in,” she said. “You bring your apples, you learn something, you help, and you leave with cider. That’s community.”

The press will likely be stored indoors during the winter months, potentially displayed inside the Pembina County Historical Museum when not in use.

Beyond cider production, Stegman said the project represents the orchard’s larger mission: connecting people through education, food access, history, and shared experiences.

“A community orchard is for everyone,” she said. “This press becomes a touchpoint—a place where people who might never meet otherwise come together.”

Community members interested in following the project or getting involved are encouraged to follow the Pembina County Community Orchard on Facebook for updates, work days, and future events.

Thanks to a Strengthen ND grant, a cider press is being built at the Pembina County Orchard.

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page B3

The Borderland Press Cont’d. From Page A3 2026 NDSU Feedlot School set for Jan. 21-22 •Manure and nutrient management •Livestock market outlook •Price protection with hedging and LRP •Alternative market programs •Carcass quality and marketing on the grid The school will also include a commercial feedlot tour and a tour of the Carrington Research Extension Center’s livestock facilities.

Instructors include faculty from NDSU’s Department of Animal Sciences and Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics; the Carrington, North Central and Central Grasslands Research Extension Centers; and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, as well as others who have extensive experience working with Northern Plains feedlots.

The deadline to register is Jan. 5. Register at ndsu.ag/CRECfeedlot26.

The registration fee is $225 per person. All meals are included with the registration. The fee does not include lodging.

Participants are responsible for making their own lodging arrangements.

Lodging is available at the Chieftain Conference Center, Carrington Inn and Suites or Cobblestone Inn. For more information about the course topics or to be placed on a waiting list for next year’s feedlot school, contact Hoppe at 701-6522951 or karl.hoppe@ndsu.edu.

The Carrington Research Extension Center is 3.5 miles north of Carrington on U.S. Highway 281.

DAKOTA DATEBOOK: Devils Lake Central High School January 5, 2026 – Education has always played an important part throughout the history of North Dakota, and in Devils Lake, the first school opened in a temporary location in November of 1883. Four years later, the first framed school building was constructed. It was soon inadequate for the rapid growth in the Lake Region and in 1893, a new red brick school was built.

With the addition of buildings for grade schools, the “Little Red School House” was able to continue in operation for almost thirty years, but by the end of the 1920s an effort was mounted to build a new school. In 1930, when F. H. Gilliland was hired as Superintendent of the Devils Lake School District, he set his sights on a new building. Securing $160,000 from the Works Progress Administration, he managed to lead a matching $175,000 bond drive. With local architect John Marshall and St. Cloud architect Nairne Fisher providing the plans, the school became a reality.

Now known as the Central Middle School, the old Central High School was constructed in 1936 and dedicated in 1937, in the midst of the Great Depression. Situated at the end of 4th Avenue on a T-intersection, the imposing, Art Deco structure commands the attention of people looking north from the central business district. A few blocks south of the high school stands the World War Memorial Building in a complimentary Art Deco style.

Central High School is a two-story, symmetrical building with a partial

basement and a flat roof. The entire building is brick with highlights of limestone. There is little ornamentation, giving it a clean, modern look.

The main entrance is enhanced with pilasters or inset columns that project vertically from the base to the roof.

The front windows are also decorated with vertical pilasters carved into the limestone. The original building was U-shaped with a large, integrated auditorium projecting from the northwest corner on the rear of the building. Large rectangular windows line the exterior and provide natural lighting with sunken windows on the northeast corner providing natural light to the music room. The interior contains terrazzo floors in the halls with maple wood in the classrooms.

Ornamental plaster adorns the walls throughout the building.

On this date in 2003, Devils Lake Central High School was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

After almost ninety years, it remains a proud symbol of North Dakota’s commitment to quality education.

Dakota Datebook by Jim Davis “Dakota Datebook” is a radio series from Prairie Public in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota and with funding from the North Dakota Humanities Council. See all the Dakota Datebooks at prairiepublic.org, subscribe to the “Dakota Datebook” podcast, or buy the Dakota Datebook book at shopprairiepublic.org.

Puzzle on Pg. B4

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page B4

Classifieds

The Borderland Press

HELP WANTED The MCLEAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT seeks qualified applicants for one or more Deputy Sheriff positions. Protect and serve your community with integrity and professionalism. Open until filled. Apply today at www.mcleancountynd.gov/employment.EOE YOU CAN PLACE a 25-word classified ad—like this one—in every North Dakota newspaper for only $160. It’s easy.

Contact this newspaper for details.

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE ND FARM LAND Values surge upward.

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Solution on Pg. B3

Public Notices

The Borderland Press

Friday, January 2, 2026 - Page B5

Langdon City Commission | Regular Meeting December 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Commission members present Lawrence Henry, Darin Kaercher and Cody Schlittenhard. Department head present – Brent Benoit. Chalmer Dettler, Dawn Bunn, MMCC administration, and Sara Goodman, Jeff Mostad.

Also present – Quentin Wenzel, City Attorney and RoxAnne Hennager – City Auditor.

Pledge of Allegiance: L Henry led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE NOTES UNDER THE MUNICIPAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1955 (MAPLE MANOR CARE CENTER PROJECT) Quentin and Chelmer explained the purpose of the resolution is to get a better interest rate for the Maple Manor loan. D. Kaercher made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by C. Schlittenhard. Motion carried.

Public Comment: Approval of Minutes: C. Schlittenhard made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on November 24th, seconded by D. Kaercher. Motion carries.

Additions to Agenda: Ditch between 7th and 8th Street. Shed on proposed street and entrance to field.

Correspondence: Department Reports: Street: B. Benoit reported they have been preparing for tomorrow's storm.

Fire Department: L. Henry stated that the fire hydrants don’t all have working fittings. He would like them to be replaced and updated.

Water and Sewer: There was a water break at the library again. This has been an issue for years.

Sanitation: No Report.

Police: No report.

Activity Center: No Report.

Auditors: R. Hennager reported things went well while she was on vacation.

Now preparing for year end.

Unfinished Business: Insurance bid – We had insurance bids from TR Waind and Mostad’s.

C. Schlittenhard made the motion to switch over to Mostad Insurance for the next three years, seconded by D. Kaercher. Motion carried.

Ditch between 7th and 8th Street – D. Kaercher stated we need to get those trees removed in the spring and get that ditch cleaned out. A letter will be

sent to residents around the ditch to get easements.

New Business: Hanson Variance – D. Kaercher made the motion to approve the Hanson variance, seconded by C. Schlittenhard. Motion carried.

Lockhart Variance – D. Kaercher made the motion to approve the Lockhart variance, seconded by C. Schlittenhard. Motion carried.

Liquor Licenses – Cobblestone Inn, Cork & Barrel, Eagles, Schlittzen Liquor, Sip Happens, Sporty’s Tom’s and At the Hop. D. Kaercher made a motion to approve all the liquor licenses, seconded by L. Henry, with C. Schlittenhard abstaining from the vote. Motion carried.

Shed – C. Schlittenhard got a complaint about shed blocking the entrance to a field. Quentin will give the owner a call.

Building Permits: #5563 Abby Forest – C. Schlittenhard made a motion to approve the building permit, seconded by D. Kaercher. Motion carried.

•81474-81486/62395-62400 Payroll & Liab. | 50428.28 •62376 ADVANCED BUSINESS METHODS |

274.16 •62377 CAVALIER COUNTY JDA | 13742.43 •62378 CAVALIER RURAL ELECTRIC COOP. | 339.98 •62379 DAKOTA FIRE EXTINGUISHERS | 802.58 •62380 FARMER'S UNION OIL CO. | 2645.71 •62381 HIWAY LAUNDRY | 128.80 •62382 JASON BUSSE | 107.94 •62383 JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL | 9.38 •62384 KNDK | 695.00 •62385 LANGDON FIRE DEPARTMENT | 113.16 •62386 LANGDON HARDWARE & RENTAL | 862.09 •62387 MONTANA DAKOTA UTILITIES | 106.56 •62388 NORTHEAST REGIONAL WATER | 20214.77 •62389 OTTERTAIL POWER CO. | 6464.75 •62390 ROXANNE HENNAGER | 706.99 •62391 SAMSON ELECTRIC | 997.09 •62392 THE CAR CLINIC | 695.54 •62393 THOMAS BEAUCHAMP | 80.44 •62394 UP NORTH GARAGE DOORS & MORE | 1491.26 •62401 MAYO CONSTRUCTION CO.,INC. | 213264.33 •62402 BORDERLAND PRESS, INC. | 134.98 •62403 C & M MARKETING | 250.00 •62404 CAVALIER COUNTY TREASURER | 23551.42 •62405 DACOTAH PAPER CO. | 595.23 •62406 DAHL TRUCK & AUTO | 579.55 •62407 KIMBALL MIDWEST | 89.43

•62408 LANGDON FIRE EQUIPMENT | 987.00 •62409 MAR-KIT LANDFILL | 2499.50 •62410 MARCOTTE'S BUILDERS SUPPLY | 249.04 •62411 MIKKELSEN BROTHERS | 3097.50 •62412 MOORE ENGINEERING, INC | 125336.85 •62413 NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH | 54.00 •62414 ONE-CALL CONCEPTS, INC. | 12.90 •62415 OTTERTAIL POWER CO. | 6108.39 •62416 QUENTIN BRUCE WENZEL, PC | 1558.33 •62417 UNITED COMMUNICATIONS | 1272.81 •62418 VALLI INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. | 979.09 •62419 VERIZON WIRELESS | 348.35 •62420 WITZEL CONSTRUCTION LLC | 58917.50 •62421 LAWRENCE HENRY | 61.89

1898, just 19 months after his inauguration, Governor Briggs died of tuberculosis, becoming the first North Dakota governor to die while in office.

more than 125 years ago.

Bills of Approval – C. Schlittenhard made the motion to approve bills as presented, seconded by D. Kaercher.

Motion Carried.

Adjourn – C. Schlittenhard made a motion to adjourn at 6:35 p.m.

Lawrence Henry, Vice President RoxAnne Hennager, Auditor

DAKOTA DATEBOOK: Governor Frank Briggs January 6, 2026 – It was on this day, January 6, 1897 that Frank Briggs was sworn in as North Dakota's fifth governor. But his tenure would prove tragically brief.

Frank Arlington Briggs was born on September 15, 1858, to a successful carpenter in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Following school, Briggs' entered the newspaper industry where he prospered as both a printer and editor. Married to Nannie Meek in 1877, the couple moved to Dakota Territory in 1881. There, in the budding communities of the Northern Plains, Briggs worked as a bookkeeper, Mandan real estate agent and eventually in the public sector as one of Mandan's early postmasters. Following his stint with the postal service, Briggs began his relatively rapid rise to the top of North Dakota politics; first serving as Morton County's treasurer in 1886, then advancing

to statewide office as North Dakota State Auditor, eight years later.

In 1896, Briggs reached the summit of North Dakota politics, succeeding his fellow Republican, Governor Roger Allin, to the governor's mansion.

Briggs' responsibilities as governor were not limited only to state and local problems, but international as well.

On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor. The ship's demise only increased tensions between the United States and Spain, eventually resulting in war between the two countries. This was the first major national conflict since North Dakota had been admitted as a state, and many among the state's population were eager to prove their worth on the battlefield.

Numerous

community

leaders

pressed Governor Briggs for commissions or other favors allowing them to recruit their own men for the war.

Briggs, while not necessarily interested in the niceties of military protocol in selecting officers, was very interested in the political fallout should he not select the best candidates to lead the companies North Dakota would send to the Spanish-American War. Ultimately, Briggs avoided bruising the sensibilities of potential political foes by granting the National Guard preference in forming the state's wartime forces. Not only did this save Briggs any potential political embarrassment, he gave the National Guard veteran leaders command of its troops, instead of political hacks.

Although Briggs worked hard to establish himself as a competent governor, his term was cut short. On August 9,

Newspapers from around the state wrote of Briggs' virtues for days following his death, while the remaining portion of his term was completed by Lt. Governor Joseph Devine. Although Briggs was laid to rest in his family's plot in Howard Lake, Minnesota, some maintain that his spirit resides still in North Dakota; haunting the old governor's mansion where he died

Dakota Datebook by Lane Sunwall “Dakota Datebook” is a radio series from Prairie Public in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota and with funding from the North Dakota Humanities Council. See all the Dakota Datebooks at prairiepublic.org, subscribe to the “Dakota Datebook” podcast, or buy the Dakota Datebook book at shopprairiepublic.org.

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