News

The past weekend brought with it the spring Junk Shop Hop event in northeast North Dakota. A number of regional stores took part.

In response to the threat of H5N1 Avian Influenza, USDA is taking action to protect the U.S. livestock industry. A negative test is needed before the interstate movement of dairy cattle. If cattle test positive, animal movement will be traced. The Agriculture Department is also demanding mandatory reporting of any positive tests for the virus. Despite the more stringent protocols, USDA emphasized there have been no changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to people.

May 17, 4pm Arbor Day Celebration Planting Ceremony - Park River June 14, 5pm Annual Arbor Walk Park River Arboretum Bike Path June 27, 9am Annual Arbor Walk Grafton Leistikow Memorial Park July 18, 9am Annual Soil Health Tour Homme Dam TBD North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts Area 1 Meeting

For the week ending April 28, 2024, there were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 8% very short, 21% short, 66% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 9% very short, 29% short, 58% adequate, and 4% surplus.

Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and Chevrolet, along with Ford, Volkswagen, MoPar, and others, cruise season is here. The Valley Cruisers Car club began our annual cruising season on Saturday of last week with our 21st annual Spring Fling Cruise. Representing Americana at its finest the Spring Fling is the first event in our annual cruise season and it was another great event.

Last week, I provided some background information about Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. Construction is currently underway for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Near Medora in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

| “The petal sky and the rosy dawn, the world turning on the burning sun, sacred wet green one we live on Gaia...Turn away from your animal kind try to leave your body just to live in your mind, leave your cold cruel Mother Earth behind, Gaia...As if you were your own creation, as if you were the chosen nation and the world around you just a rude and dangerous invasion, Gaia...We reached the tree line and I dropped my pack, sat down on my haunches and I looked back down over the mountain, helpless, speechless, breathless, Gaia.” - James Taylor “Gaia” In the transitory essence of life’s saturating moments comes the benevolence of nature’s restoration. Walking along the pathways of history and the knowledge it accumulates we find in the heart of its wisdom, the direction and understanding of its lessons.

There are things in life that have a way of taking you back to another time full of memories. Sometimes it is a spell, a song, a photo, or a place. Recently a friend and I went to The Spaghetti Factory here in Arizona. This is a place that when we go takes me back to my high school days. It brings back memories of Mr. Quanrud and riding the school bus to Winnipeg to attend the theater. Each year Mr. Quanrud would take a group of students to the theater, but prior to attending the theater performance we would go out to eat at The Spaghetti Factory.

The first annual Pembina County Chess Tournament was held April 14 at the Pembina County Courthouse with five communities putting together teams; Cavalier, Crystal, Drayton, Pembina and Walhalla. The first rounds were played downstairs in the Farmers room with the final rounds being played in the atrium of the courthouse.

May 3 - May 9 Friday, May 3 Chicken Kiev/Roasted Potatoes/ Glazed Carrots/Cherries Monday, May 6 Cranberry Chicken/Rice Pilaf/ Broccoli/Fruit/Bread Tuesday, May 7 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce/ Carrots/Pears/Breadstick Wednesday, May 8 Lemon Pepper Fish/Roasted Potatoes/Peas/ Fresh Grapes Thursday, May 9 Chicken Wild Rice Casserole/ Romaine Salad with Dressing/ Mixed Vegetables/ Fresh Strawberries with Topping/Bread All meals served with whole wheat bread, margarine, and 1% milk. Suggested donation is $4.00.