Hope Village receives donation
The Hope Village volunteer center netted a sizable donation Wednesday from the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Lee Gale, disaster response coordinator of the church organization, presented Hope Village's board of directors with a $15,000 donation at the board's weekly meeting.
Bob Lower coordinates the relief operations in Minot for the church. The Dakotas Conference of the church operates out of Mitchell, S.D.
Oilfield service company Baker Hughes Inc. also announced plans to provide Hope Village with 50 cold-weather coveralls at estimated retail value of $22,000. These items will go a long way in helping Hope Village's volunteers to stay warm as they continue to rebuild Minot during the winter months.
Hope Village is a multi-denominational cooperative that gives out-of-town volunteer teams a place to stay as they work to rebuild homes that were devastated by Minot's floods in 2011. The village can house 160 volunteers on site and plans on moving forward with an expansion project in order to host 250 volunteers by spring 2013.
MSU?friend-raising tour in Kenmare
Minot State University is inviting alumni and friends in the Kenmare area to play golf at the Kenmare Country Club on Aug. 2. This event will be a four-person, nine-hole scramble. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m., with a shotgun start at 5 p.m. A social to recognize area students receiving 2012-2013 scholarships will immediately follow golf's completion. Non-golfers are welcome to play.
"Every year, we create some great relationships with alumni and friends of Minot State in the communities where we golf," said Janna McKechnie, director of alumni relations and annual giving. "Each community is so hospitable, and we look forward to another great golf tour!"
Kenmare is the final stop on MSU's seventh annual "Summer Friend-Raising Golf Tour," which has the motto of "Golf One or Golf Them All." Prizes and t-shirts will be awarded at each event.
Golfers are responsible for their own transportation, green fees and cart rentals. Meals and refreshments will be provided by the course, and purchase is optional.
The golf tour is sponsored by MSU Alumni Association, Advancement Office, Athletic Department and the Marketing Office. Call the MSU Advancement Office with questions or to register at 858-3234 or 800-777-0750, ext. 3234, or visit the website, (www.minotstateu.edu/alumni).
Cowboy Hall of Fame corporate office moves
MANDAN The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame has moved its corporate office to 105-3rd Ave. NW in Mandan. Previously the office was in Bismarck.
Ray Morrell, new executive director of the organization who is formerly of Minot, said the office now is located on the east side of the historic Lewis and Clark Hotel.
The organization also owns and maintains the Center of Western Heritage & Cultures: Native American, Ranching and Rodeo, an interpretive facility in Medora.
GED?assistance program offered
The College Planning Center at Bank of North Dakota (BND) is offering financial assistance to students who want to complete their GED (General Education Development) certification. BND will pay for the first and final test required for GED certification.
North Dakotans, 16 years of age and older, who have not completed a high school diploma may participate in the GED program to obtain an equivalency degree. The program requires five exams in order to achieve a diploma. Each test can cost up to $50. The federal College Access Challenge Grant, administered by BND, is the funding source for the two exams.
Wally Erhardt, BND College Planning Center Director states, "The Department of Public Instruction plays a key role in helping students achieve a high school diploma, regardless of the timing in a person's life. This partnership meets a significant need for our state's students and employers."
"The Department welcomes the opportunity to work with Bank of North Dakota to provide greater access to GED testing. The fiscal contribution to pay for student's first and last exams will encourage timely participation and completion, as well as a gentle reminder that acquiring the GED is an accomplishment greater than them because it benefits the economic development of our state," stated Department of Public Instruction Assistant Superintendent Robert Marthaller.
According to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, 1,700 students obtain their GED annually in North Dakota. The average age of a GED student is 23 years. Their income level is typically just above the state's poverty rate. Other services include college preparation, ESL (English as a Second Language), citizenship test preparation, computer literacy and basic academic achievement.
Students can visit the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction website at (www.dpi.state.nd.us) to find the nearest GED center. To learn more about the funding assistance program, students can call the College Planning Center at 800-554-2717.
Kozma named 'Salute to Freedom' winner
Glenburn High School student Alyssa Kozma is one of The National WWII Museum's "Salute to Freedom" award winners and will be one of 51 students nationwide to travel to New Orleans to participate in the grand opening of the museum's new U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, in January.
Kozma wrote an essay about the history of how Minot State Teachers College became one of the V-5 pilot training sites and graduated more than 479 cadets with more than 240 hours of instruction. She said she was inspired by the National History Day competition.
Before they go to New Orleans, winners will select and write captions for the five images that represent their state's contributions during World War II. These images, along with a short essay linking the images and emphasizing the state's role in the war effort, will become part of a special exhibition at the Grand Opening celebration.
The trip is free for Alyssa and her chaperones.
Samoan dancers to perform at powwow
BISMARCK - Dancers twirling sharp knives that are on fire will be part of the 2012 United Tribes International Powwow. A group of Samoan fire knife dancers are the featured cultural group of the annual event, set for the weekend following Labor Day, Sept. 6-9, on the campus of United Tribes Technical College.
The fire dance brings Polynesian culture into the mix of Native American tribal music and dance during the powwow, now celebrating its 43rd year. Providing the action are tribal dancers and drum groups gathered in Lone Star Arena, the college's dance arbor. Upwards of 1,000 participants compete for over $80,000 in prize money, according to powwow organizers.
Spectators from the community, around the country and abroad are welcomed to the circle to share the traditions of one of North Dakota's premier cultural events.
For more information, go to (www.uttc.edu).