RED SOX
OPEN SEASON WITH PAIR OF GAMES
The official newspaper of Cavalier County Theborderlandpress.com
In this issue:
Friday, June 13, 2025
Volume 4, Number 23
Bettendorf joins forces with Parkes at The Little Frontier Clinic in Walhalla By Rebecca Davis
News: Cavalier County 4-H Achievement Day to be held June 17, Pg. A2
Health care in Walhalla just got a little stronger. Nicole Bettendorf, a family nurse practitioner with a passion for rural and pediatric care, has joined forces with fellow provider Karla Parkes at The Little Frontier Clinic, expanding local access to quality care through collaboration and shared commitment. Though Bettendorf and Parkes operate as independent providers, they work closely together consulting on cases, sharing patients, and supporting each other professionally.
“We definitely collaborate,” Bettendorf said. “We work together to take care of the community here in Walhalla.” Community: Summer story hours kick off with fun at Walhalla Public Library, Pg. A5
Parkes, who opened The Little Frontier Clinic in April 2024, expressed her
“I’m excited to be partnering with Nicole. I love having her here,” she said. Bettendorf recently launched her own clinic under the umbrella of Little Frontier Clinics (plural). While they remain separate business entities with individual credentials, sharing a location has allowed them to streamline services and foster a team-based approach to patient care. Being independently owned gives both providers the freedom to create their own policies and deliver care according to their values—not outside directives. “We make our own policies and decisions, but having someone to bounce ideas off of and consult on cases makes a big difference,” Bettendorf added. “Karla has been a great mentor.”
Patients will benefit from the seamless coordination between the two clinics. Both providers have access to shared medical records, allowing for smooth transitions in care. If one is unavailable, patients can easily see the other without disruption. Additionally, referrals are made based on patient preference with access to all the same specialists and hospitals previously available—including Altru, Langdon Prairie Health, and Pembina County Memorial Hospital. Currently, lab services are offered the first Tuesday of each month with plans to expand in partnership with local hospital labs. Services at the clinic include DOT physicals, medical marijuana certifications, MAT therapy for opiate addiction, and (soon) Nexplanon birth control implant placements. Both Bettendorf and Parkes also provide school and sports phys-
Nicole Bettendorf, FNP-C
icals and are exploring an in-school physical day to better serve local students and families.
Voters Reject bond referendum Voters in the Langdon Area School District rejected a bond referendum on Tuesday that would have invested $19.9 million to address the district’s most critical maintenance, safety, and learning space needs. Vote tallies as of Tuesday evening were 516 votes in favor and 704 votes against. The referendum required 60% of the vote to pass.
Region: Pembina County 4-H’ers participate in Communication Arts Event, Pg. A10
enthusiasm for the partnership.
The referendum was proposed to voters in response to mounting maintenance needs at both its elementary and middle/high school buildings
and a shortage of space for activities at Langdon Area Elementary School. The district spent several months assessing the integrity and educational adequacy of its buildings and sought feedback from staff and community members to develop the investment plan for residents to vote upon. Replacing roofing, electrical systems, secure entrances, and adding a dedicated space for physical education at the elementary school were all identified as top needs. Looking ahead, the district will face difficult financial decisions as it strug-
gles to balance upkeep of its buildings and educational operations. “We’re between a rock and a hard place,” said school board member Abby Borchardt. “Without a building fund increase or bond plan, the only other way we can pay for the maintenance the schools need is with funding that has historically been reserved for staff and curriculum.” Prior to Tuesday’s failed referendum, the district had asked to increase its building fund on three separate occasions in the last five years, all of which
were rejected by voters. The earliest the district could propose a new plan to voters would be in June 2026. “We’re disappointed in the result, but our number one goal remains the long-term success of our students,” said Superintendent Daren Christianson. “So we’re going to explore every possible option to minimize negative impacts on our students and staff.” Questions can be directed to Superintendent Daren Christianson at Daren. Christianson@k12.nd.us.
Quilts of Valor presented to nine area veterans By Hilary Nowatzki
From day to day, Gail Balsdon spends time in her store, Sports & Shirts, but in her free time, she dedicates her efforts to creating beautiful quilts. She’s part of the Friendship Star Quilting Guild, a group of women who work on a series of patriotic quilts which are presented to local veterans twice a year.
[quilts] that day. And other than that, the members just take on a quilt and make it, and we get them all done.”
Balsdon is the area’s coordinator for a program called Quilts of Valor, which strives to honor veterans by gifting them unique, handmade, patriotic quilts. Last Sunday, June 8, a ceremony was held at the American Legion Post 98 to honor nine local veterans: Emeric Boesl, Dennis Metzger, Francis Hoffarth, Terry Howatt, Rob Becker, Rick Crockett, David Chaput, Richard Rose, and Fred Domres.
“I think the words getting out there. When we first started, it was very, very new to this area, and nobody really knew what Quilts of Valor was,” explained Balsdon. “And now, as they see it progress and become more familiar, then we have a lot more interest.”
Balsdon said attendance and the number of veterans nominated for quilts has been growing.
Quilts of Valor recipients (L-R) Fred Domres, Emeric Boesl, David Chaput, Rick Crockett, Richard Rose, Francis Hoffarth, Dennis Metzger, Terry Howatt, and Robert Becker. Photo by Larry Stokke.
Anyone - friends, family, or loved ones - can nominate a veteran for a quilt by calling Sports & Shirts and speaking with Balsdon.
“We have a great group of ladies,” said Balsdon in reference to the ladies of the Friendship Star Quilting Guild. “We get together in Febru- “It’s quite an honor for us to do this for our veterans,” Balsdon emphasized. ary, and we have just one big sew day, and we make about five or six
This photo shows the beautiful detail that goes into the patchwork of the quilts. Photo by Larry Stokke.