The facilitators of a Facebook page that helped to raise awareness of the Coca-Cola contest Minot's Oak Park won are now raising awareness for a new project.
A project, called "Magic City Snow Angels," is geared toward collecting winter gear for families affected by the Souris River flooding. Jessica Armstrong, a co-organizer of the project, said that coats, snowpants, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves are among the items that are being sought.
"My house is officially full," she said with a laugh. "There's bags and boxes, hundreds of items, I'm sure."
Article Photos
Terry J. Aman/MDN - Several boxes of winterwear have been collected already.
Donations can be taken to Kmart through Oct. 18. A box will be set up at the customer service desk. Armstrong said the items will be given away Oct. 21-23 from noon to 6 p.m. at I. F. LeFleur & Son, 3101 Burdick Expressway E.
Depending on the amount of items left over after the initial giveaway, Armstrong said that another giveaway might be held or that the items might be donated to Community Action.
Armstrong can be contacted at 858-8024.
------------------------
MSU to host public screening of Piehl documentary
Minot State University, in conjunction with Prairie Public Broadcasting and the North Dakota Council on the Arts is presenting the public documentary screening of "Walter Piehl: Sweetheart of the Rodeo."
The event is being held Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on the MSU campus. It is free and open to the public.
"Walter Piehl: Sweetheart of the Rodeo" documents how this North Dakota visual artist and MSU art professor combines an expressionistic painting style with visual investigations of many facets of Western Americana.
"When first filming Walter in 2008 for a seven-minute segment of "Prairie Profile," we realized we had only touched on the edge of his process and that we were only able to show a small glimpse of Walter," said Bob Dambach, director of Prairie Public Television. "We also had great material on him as a teacher, with all sorts of wonderful happenings in the classroom."
"There's no doubt that the example he offers as an artist and teacher is second to none," said David Fuller, MSU president. "Everyone at Minot State University is proud of Walter's accomplishments, his life-long devotion to his students, and his distinguished reputation as an artist, deserving of our high regard for him as a professional."
Piehl was raised near Marion.
"It wasn't until I was in the first-grade that we got electricity and indoor plumbing on the farm," Piehl said. "I liked to draw, so my parents gave me tablets, and I filled them up."
Piehl has exhibited his work regionally, nationally and internationally. True to the roots he tried to escape, Piehl describes his art as expressionistic Western Americana, but with a modern, contemporary influence.
"Walter Piehl: Sweetheart of the Rodeo" is scheduled to run on Prairie Public Television later this month. Check listings for dates and times.
-----------------------
VFW offers scholarship contests
The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary are sponsoring youth scholarship contests.
The Voice of Democracy Contest asks students in grades nine through 12 to record a three- to five-minute speech on an audio CD or standard cassette tape on the topic "Is there pride in serving in our military?"
Entries are judged by the local post and local winners will advance to district and state levels. The top national winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship; second place receives $16,000 and third place receives $10,000. Fourth through 31st place awards range from $7,000 to $1,500, with all remaining state winners receiving $1,000.
The Patriot's Pen youth essay contest serves as a primer for the Voice of Democracy contest. Students in grades six through eight submit a typed essay of 300 to 400 words on the topic "Are you proud of your country?" Entrants will be judged by the local post and winners will move on to state and district levels.
The first-place national winner will receive a $10,000 U.S. savings bond and an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. Second place receives an $8,000 U.S. savings bond and third place receives a $7,000 U.S. savings bond. Fourth through 15th place receive awards ranging from $5,500 to $1,500 and 12 other state winners receive $1,000 bonds.
The Young American Creative Patriotic Art contest is open to students in grades nine through 12. The top national prize is a $10,000 scholarship and other prizes range from $5,000 for second place down to $500 for fifth through eighth place. The first-place winner will also receive a plaque, airfare and two night's lodging to attend the Ladies Auxiliary National Convention. The National first-place winning entry will be featured on the cover of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW magazine. Second and third place will be featured in the magazine and all eight top prize winners will be featured on the Ladies Auxiliary Web site.
Contact Adeline at 839-3344 or Geri Bauer at 839-2927 or visit the VFW Web site at (www.vfw.org) or (ladiesauxvfw.org) for more information. The deadline for the Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen contests is Nov. 1 for the local post. The Patriotic Art contest deadline is March 1.
-------------------
Minot State to cut ribbon on learning center
Minot State University and its College of Business will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday for the newly renovated Slaaten Learning Center on the third floor of Old Main. The public is invited to the ceremony.
Doris Slaaten, a professor emeritus, has funded renovations for the third time at the center. The university has transformed two classrooms into a learning and study center. The area now features formal and informal learning spaces, including a trading lab with a stock ticker board, immediate access to financial data and reports, a board room with complete video conferencing, space for student organizations to meet and space for students to learn and meet in a casual environment.
Slaaten initiated the Innovative Slaaten Office Learning Center in 1979. As technology advanced into the 1990s and computers became the business tool of the future, the Slaaten Learning Center was transformed into a computer lab.
Slaaten taught for 27 years at Minot State and retired in 1984. After her retirement, she established two scholarships in her name. One is presented to an outstanding member of Phi Beta Lambda, a business organization that she advised for many years. The other is open to all College of Business majors.
In 2008, Slaaten was the founding supporter of APEX (Aspirations for Professional Excellence), a personal and professional development program for seniors in business disciplines. She serves on the MSU Board of Regents, the MSU Development Foundation and the College of Business Dean's Advisory Board. Slaaten also stays current through a retired faculty group.
Although Slaaten has served on numerous state and local boards and committees, her deepest commitment remains to MSU. She is the largest single donor to MSU in its 98-year history.
----------------------
Flood relief gets $10K boost from Jr. Golf
The Minot Junior Golf Association, in partnership with their gaming establishments, is donating $10,000 to flood relief efforts.
The Minot Red Cross and the Salvation Army will each receive a $5,000 donation. The efforts of both organizations have been widespread throughout the region providing food, clothing, temporary shelter and assistance to impacted residents.
Minot Junior Golf's gaming sites are located at Lucky Strike Lounge & Casino, Ranger Lounge, Capri Bar, Dakota Lounge, Bootlegrz and Hooterville Bar in Ruthville.
Minot Junior Golf Association operates the Jack Hoeven Wee Links 9-hole golf course and facilities. It also operates The First Tee, First Tee National School Program, area junior golf lessons and junior golf tournaments.
-------------------------
Cancer benefit supported by cast, crew of 'The Closer'
The Sunshine Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer. SSK provides positive group activities, programs and events and emotional support for young cancer patients free of charge across North America.
G.W. Bailey, who plays Lt. Provenza, is the executive director of SSK, and producer Andy Sacks is on the board of directors.
To show appreciation for Seven Years of Exceptional Entertainment, a check presentation is scheduled with the cast and crew of The Closer for next Thursday.
"We know how much SSK means to them," said organizer Dee Dee Roe. "What greater joy is there than knowing that by giving a donation to this special organization that it will provide wonderful opportunities for such deserving children."
Contributions made "In Honor of The Closer Cast/Crew" will be noted by name to cast and crew members. Donations can be made directly to the Web site at (www.sunshinekids.org/donate).