MEDORA -- The Badlands take on an additional spot of color when Medora hosts the Badlands Appreciation Weekend and Hot Air Balloon Rally next weekend. Along with hot air balloons, this year's rally will feature cluster balloonist John Ninomiya from California, aloft. His cluster ballooning consists of anywhere from 50 to 150 helium-filled weather balloons that take up to two hours to fill. Launch times are Sept. 10 at 5:30 a.m. Mountain Time and 4:40 p.m. Mountain Time, and Sept. 11 at 5:30 a.m. Ninomiya will launch his cluster balloon during the Sept. 10 morning launch. For more information about Ninomiya, go to: (clusterballoon.org).
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Flight of Fancy fall bird count scheduled
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WILLISTON The Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center at Fort Buford State Historic Site and Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site invite those interested to join them Sept. 10 for the fall bird count and photography contest. The bird count will start at 8 a.m. Central Time at Fort Union Trading Post.
At 10 a.m. the activities will continue at the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center with snacks, bird talks and viewing of the bird photographs that have been entered in the contest. Special guest on the count will be President Theodore Roosevelt, as portrayed by Arch Ellwein of Sidney, Mont.
Photo contest
Categories for the photography contest are 1) Birds of the Sites 2) Birds of your yard and 3) Favorite bird photograph. It is asked that photographs have been shot within the past year. Contest rules and entry forms are available at the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center and Fort Union. Photographs are to be submitted to the Confluence Interpretive Center by Sept. 9.
For more information contact Fort Buford State Historic Site assistant site supervisor Kerry Finsaas at Fort Buford at 572-9034 or send e-mail to (kfinsaas@nd.gov) or call Fort Union Trading Post at 572-9083.
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Fundraising workshop planned
The Association of Fundraising Professionals-Northern Plains Chapter is sponsoring a workshop for individuals interested in supporting non-profit organizations. Volunteer board members, fundraising staff and volunteers will find the workshop topics helpful in their work to support charitable missions.
Workshop topics include, "Understanding oil and gas issues and how to help mineral owners achieve their charitable goals," "Fundraising in rural communities," "Realistic fundraising for small non-profits" and the humorous "Top Ten List: How to Make Sure Your Special Event is a Failure."
The workshop is Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. at the Best Western Doublewood Inn in Bismarck. Registration is $70 for first-time workshop participants. Advance registration is required. Call 238-7443 to register by phone or register online at (www.apfnorthdakota.apfnet.org).
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Manager to receive honorary degree
Renae Korslien, general manager of the North Dakota State Fair in Minot, was recently selected to receive the Honorary American Future Farmers of America DegreeOther. The award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment.
Korslien will travel to Indianapolis to receive the honor during an onstage presentation at the 84th National FFA Convention Oct.19-22. All recipients will receive certificates and medals.
The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Visit (www.ffa.org) for more information.