There have been many changes on Fessenden Main Street in recent years, mostly bad. The auditorium room collapsed and two restaurants burned down. Main Street didn't look good. But soon things should be looking better.

Jerry Klein led a town meeting Aug. 24 to lay out plans for a new Fessenden Community Cafe and Community Center. Approximately 80 area residents attended.

Fessenden has been without a cafe since the Main Street Cafe and T-Bones Steakhouse and Bar were destroyed by fire in April.

The Fessenden Area Community Betterment Association Inc., a community development organization, has taken the initiative to build a restaurant to be rented to a business operator. The association board is comprised of eight members.

"We believe that the community is big enough to support a cafe," said Jerry Klein, president of the board.

Plans have been drawn up for the facility.

The desire to have a cafe on Main Street minimizes the option to utilize existing buildings. According to Klein, The Checkboard Boutique, currently the only vacant storefront on Main Street, has recently been refurbished by the association and there are solid plans to utilize the building as a fitness center.

For the Fessenden Community Cafe, the association has secured proposals for the construction of a new building, 64 feet wide by 48 feet deep, with a high-end, finished and furnished estimate of $232,912. To date, $57,000 has been secured in grant money. An additional $100,000 is being sought through donations, grants and community fund raisers. Up to $75,412 will require financing.

Donations can be mailed to: FACBAI, P.O. Box 24, Fessenden, ND, 58438-0024.

-The Herald-Press, Harvey

Baptist Home

of Kenmare

gets new bus

After months of waiting and wondering, residents at the Baptist Home of Kenmare are excited about the new bus that was purchased recently.

The new 14-passenger Ford Starcraft bus is a 2007 carryover from Harlow's Bus Sales in Bismarck. It is equipped with a wheelchair lift that is very easy to use. Another feature is that no matter where you sit, you have a good view.

The fundraiser to purchase a bus was started in April, with a dream of a newer used bus to happen by the summer of 2010. Jodi Benge, activity director, couldn't believe the support from the community people and organizations and how quickly the funds began to steer their way to making the dream come true.

"It was really awesome," said Benge. "The Baptist Home supporters and friends came forward and realized the importance of this project."

It all began to happen fast. Checks started coming in the mail and people stopped in wanting to donate. The group who really gave the Baptist Home a boost in their project was the Veteran's Club Inc., which donated $20,000 to the cause.

"When the Veteran's Club Inc. called and said they wanted us to come to the news office for a picture with the check, I wasn't sure what kind of money we were looking at," Benge said. "I got really weak in my knees when they handed me the check for $20,000!"

The Baptist Home will be keeping the old GMC bus for the time being, but will be trying to sell the old Ford. It is hoped that more funding will become available to buy another newer used bus.

"Everyone who has contributed to this project has really made our residents feel special and important," said Benge. "We will be very happy using this bus and will think of you often, knowing without your generous support, it never would have happened."

-Burke County Tribune, Bowbells

Churchs Ferry farm to host farmers market

Regional residents will be able to add fresh, locally grown produce to their picnics this Labor Day.

On Saturday, Sept. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. there will be a one-day farmers market event to be held at gardendwellers Farm in Churchs Ferry.

The gardendwellers Farm Produce Party Farmers Market Association, a nonprofit group of regional producers, is pleased to announce they will again hold this event that is host to an array of vegetable growers as well as artists and craftspersons.

The Produce Party Association has worked all season to organize regional growers and provide a wide variety of vegetables and fruits for this event. Visitors will be able to purchase produce picked fresh from the gardens of the vendors.

The vegetables aren't the only attraction the association has planned. The day's schedule is filled with events, contests and demonstrations to help make this a family affair. The largest tomato, and ugliest vegetable contests will again be held with prizes supplied by gardendwellers Farm. Several demonstrations are planned throughout the day with Sue B. Balcom as the featured artist. Balcom will be doing a demonstration at 10 a.m. on beaded wool rugs and a workshop where participants can learn to tablet or card weave and will take home the product of their work.

The location is family friendly as well, with a public playground, picnic areas, and a labyrinth to enjoy. Free-will donation breakfast, lunch and snacks will be available and are being provided by the Churchs Ferry Alumni Association.

For further information call 351-2520 or check out the web site (www.gardendwellersfarm.com).

-Towner County Record Herald, Cando

New nursery manager selected

Jeff Smette was selected as the Towner State Nursery manager for the North Dakota Forest Service.

He began his duties on July 6 at the Towner State Nursery.

Smette will be responsible for administrating all programs at the nursery.

This includes the tree production program, tree sales and distribution, budgets and purchasing, planning, information and education, as well as grants and contracts.

"I'm looking forward to meeting the forestry team throughout the state, and to continue growing high-quality nursery stock for conservation needs," Smette said.

A native of Granville, Smette received his degree in urban forestry from MSU-Bottineau in 1985.

Smette formerly worked for Lowe's Floral and Garden Center in Minot as an assistant nursery manager and landscape designer for the past 23 years.

He has served on the North Dakota Nursery and Greenhouse Association's board, is active with the Granville Tree Committee, Egg Creek Township, MSU-Bottineau Curriculum Advisory Council, and the Granville American Legion.

-Courant, Bottineau

(The Regional Roundup is compiled by Minot Daily News staff writer Dan Feldner)