Band members push snow to earn money

On Jan. 18, members of the Bowbells High Eskimo Marching Band found a way to be helpful in the community and earn money toward their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., as they represent the state of North Dakota at the National Memorial Day Parade.

The Senior Citizen Center was in need of snow removal on its roof, so when Melvin and Shirley Hoheisel called on the music boosters to see if any of the band members would help shovel, the goal was set.

Band director Leif Halvorson, along with Terry Knutson, David Kraft, John Christiansen and Shane Christiansen enjoyed the mild temps of the day as they shoveled with Melvin Hoheisel.

Music boosters is still working on fundraising and sponsorships for this trip.

"The goal will be met through the hard work of our students and those of you who pitch in sponsorships to send our band members to D.C.," stated Sue Christiansen, music booster president.

"We have received over $24,000 to date from alumni, businesses, American Legion Posts and people who have read about our project. The response has been wonderful and we appreciate everyone who has donated," Christiansen stated.

In the months ahead the music boosters will be working towards raising the last $12,000.

The raffle winner of the handcrafted loghouse bird feeder, sponsored by music boosters, will be drawn at the last girls' home basketball game scheduled for Feb. 9 at the high school gymnasium. The Bowbells High Eskimo Marching Band will be performing between games that evening.

Donations can be mailed to Bowbells High School, PO Box 279, Bowbells, ND 58721.

-Burke County Tribune, Bowbells

Baby boom continues in Rugby area

It's not often that a small town in rural North Dakota can report a steady population increase, but Rugby seems to be bucking the trend with a recent baby boom.

As reported in early 2008, there seemed to be a baby boom with many local women expecting babies at the time, and it appears the boom hasn't lost any steam. While this is good news for the population, it can pose a dilemma for parents who continue to travel to surrounding communities to give birth, especially in the winter months with uncertain weather and road conditions.

The Heart of America Medical Center has not had a delivery at the facility since the summer of 2006. Many women are taking advantage of the fact that the Johnson Clinic offers prenatal care, but women are having to travel to Minot, Devils Lake or Harvey to have their babies.

"I chose Devils Lake because I was looking for that small town setting more like Rugby," explained Danielle Jacobson, who, along with her husband Steve, is expecting her second child in April.

Another serious issue facing parents is finding day care. According to many parents, there continues to be a shortage of day-care openings, especially for infants.

The Growing Place Daycare has a waiting list of parents seeking a spot for their infant.

"I think it's been as high as 15 on the waiting list at one time recently, but now it's more like eight," said day-care employee Darcy Shively. "We just had two more people call within the last few days to add their names to the list."

The seriousness might soon have an effect, not only on parents, but on the entire community.

The day care shortage could potentially have a significant effect on the local workforce. If more parents are unable to find day care for their children and decide to quit their jobs because of it, there could be a shortage in an already shallow employee pool.

Another issue to consider is whether a lack of obstetricians on staff at the local clinic and hospital, coupled with a shortage in day care, will have a negative impact on some people, especially young families, considering a move to Rugby.

-The Pierce County Tribune, Rugby

Sizable grant secures wellness program

A $500,000 grant through the Administration for Native Americans has made the Northern Lights Holistic Wellness program a reality. Funds have allowed a staff of four to be hired with the purpose of creating a healthier, more fit community.

The grant jump-started the program, but according to coordinator Darian Morsette, North Segment Representative Scott Eagle was instrumental also as he created some positive changes at Northern Lights that led to a better working atmosphere.

In addition, the 4 Bears Casino and Lodge donated funds to purchase new equipment and the Fort Berthold Diabetes program made what Morsette called "a huge donation."

North Dakota State University Extension is helping with nutrition education and Fort Berthold Community College is involved.

Deanna Parisian wrote the grant. She said there were gaps in the community's health and wellness and this grant should take care of those gaps and fulfill a wellness need.

She said the North Segment has had a wellness program with pools and saunas, but not staff. She thought about writing a grant to provide staff.

"Because we wrote it under the Boys and Girls Club, we have to service the kids, but the overlying goal was to staff the wellness center," Parisian said. "We've hired four people and the youth and elders are their main motivation."

Parisian said originally the grant was written for three years, but it was later negotiated to a two-year grant.

"It was highly competitive," she said. "I think what really got it for us, is we already have the facility."

-New Town News,

New Town

Coyote hunt raises $5,000

for fire hall

Although strong wind and blowing snow made hunting difficult, 34 teams tried their luck in the Third Annual Kenmare Fire Department Coyote Tournament Jan. 16 and 17.

Tournament co-coordinator Chuck Leet was pleased with the turnout, which provided more than $5,000 for the department's new fire hall fund. "We've got guys coming in from all over the state," he said.

Dave Gins and Bernie Knutson, both of Kenmare, won the event with three coyotes taken, as well as the "Little Dog" contest for the smallest coyote. Tim Mau and Gary Dorval, also of Kenmare, finished in second place and took honors in the "Big Dog" contest.

The hunt itself took place Saturday, but tournament events kicked off Friday night with the new deer sausage tasting contest. Eleven individuals entered their finest homemade deer sausage, with the competition judged blindly by 10 people selected from the audience that evening.

Lance Kalmbach, who also organized the contest, won first place and $75 for his sausage flavored with cheddar cheese. Mike Bartuska's entry, also enhanced with cheese, was chosen for second place and the $25 prize.

With two hot meals prepared by the Kenmare Fire Department Auxiliary, including chili made with elk meat donated by Ernie Mau of Tolley, and hunters going home with new gun cases and other door prizes, whether or not they actually saw any coyotes, the tournament was pronounced a success. The department plans to continue the event, especially given the favorable reviews that several of the contestants wrote on Internet hunting forums.

"There are probably easier ways to make money," said co-coordinator Ron Jensen, "but none as fun as this. This brings people into our fire hall, it shows people what Kenmare has to offer in the winter months, and it brings out awareness for the community support we get."

-The Kenmare News, Kenmare

(The Regional Roundup is compiled by Dan Feldner, who is a staff writer for The Minot Daily News, and can be reched at dfeldner@minot dailynews.com.)