Unheralded

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University Of North Dakota Vs. Idaho State University

Cortes Seales scored 14 points to lead the University of North Dakota men’s basketball team to 81-58 win over Big Sky Conference foe Idaho State University on Thursday night in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Fighting Hawks (5-11, 1-3 BSC) also received 13 points from Conner Avants and Marlon Stewart and 11 points from Dale Jones. Geno Crandall and Billy …


Unheralded

TOM DAVIES: The Verdict — In My Day, Kids Were (Fill In The Blank)

Last week, I described some of my youthful contemporaries as “daring.” Now I’ll return to my youthful adventures … but this time, leave it to you, the reader, to fill in the blank. I’ve been describing youthful fun on the Grand Forks skating rink. Now let’s recall a much more dangerous pursuit — the American Flexible Flyer and the Champion …


NANCY EDMONDS HANSON: After Thought — Hello? Hello? Is Someone Listening?

Of all things, Russ and I were talking about bath mats. I’d just taken a shower downstairs, and I’d noticed that the mundane incumbent — already bearing the stains of years of feline hairball disposal — had begun shedding bits of fuzz and flakes of latex all over the tile floor. A trip to Target seemed to be in order …

LILLIAN CROOK: WildDakotaWoman — Red Oak House Winter Notes: Owls

Here at Red Oak House, in the wooded Highland Acres neighborhood of Bismarck, we like owls very much. We frequently have great horned owls and Eastern screech owls in our large blue spruce and green ash trees. Many years ago, my brother, Thomas, took me to Yorktown, Va., where I bought this wonderful wooden snowy owl at street arts and …

JEFF OLSON: Photo Gallery — Foggy Bottom

A foggy morning walk today took Arlington, Va., photographer Jeff Olson across the National Mall, past Arlington Memorial Bridge, the Lincoln Memorial, the Nurses Memorial and Constitution Gardens. The area technically borders the part of Washington, D.C., that is known as “Foggy Bottom” because of the fog that naturally lingers there.

DAVE VORLAND: It Occurs To Me — We’ll Always Have Paris

“We’ll always have Paris.” Humphrey Bogart said that to Ingrid Bergman in the 1942 movie “Casablanca.” He was right. I feel that way about my favorite place in the whole wide world, even if I never have the opportunity to return. I’ve been there several times over the years. But actually I do have an opportunity. In July, I’m splurging …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University Of North Dakota Vs. University of Nebraska-Omaha

Austin Poganski scored two goals and goalie Peter Thome recorded his first shutout Saturday night to lead the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team to a weekend split with the University of Nebraska-Omaha in National Collegiate Hockey Conference action in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Also scoring for the Fighting Hawks (6-4-2 NCHC, 11-6-5 overall) were Rhett Gardner, Joel Janatuinen, Christian Wolanin, …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University Of North Dakota Vs. University of Nebraska-Omaha

The University of Nebraska-Omaha spoiled the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team’s 2018 opener with a 4-1 win over the Fighting Hawks on Friday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. The Mavericks (3-6 National Collegiate Hockey Conference, 11-8-1 overall) received goals from Fredrik Olofsson, Luke Norgard, David Pope and Zach Jordan, while Shane Gersich scored the only goal for the …

TONY J BENDER: That’s Life — What The Heck Happened (And What Could)

The year 2017 was the newsiest year on record according to statistics I just made up. Strike that. These are not alternative facts. This is based on actual gut feelings. And anonymous sources. Seriously, the news lurched from one thing to another so quickly, reporters had to step up their cross-fit routines to keep up, although Rachel Maddow sounded like …

JIM FUGLIE: View From The Prairie — Let’s Hear It For John Hoeven, The Co-Op Guy! Huh?

An amendment co-authored by North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven to the huge tax cut bill passed by Congress late last year provides generous tax breaks to farmer-owned cooperatives and to farmers who sell grain to them. But it could create real problems for privately owned elevators. If it’s not fixed, somehow, there’s not a farmer anywhere who is going to …

LILLIAN CROOK: WildDakotaWoman — Father Sherman’s Magnum Opus: ‘Prairie Mosaic’

With every turn of a page in “Prairie Mosaic,” the reader will delve into the rich ethnic history of North Dakota. The Rev. William C. Sherman labored for many years to reveal an astonishing level of detail, down to the township level, and to tell the story of the state’s inhabitants. “Prairie Mosaic: An Ethnic Atlas of Rural North Dakota,” …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University Of North Dakota Vs. University of Montana

The University of Montana snapped the University of North Dakota women’s basketball team’s 11-game home winning streak with a 54-43 Big Sky Conference victory over the Fighting Hawks on Thursday night in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Grizzlies (7-7 overall, 3-0 BSC) were led by Caitlin Lonergan, scored a 12 points and McKenzie Johnston who added nine points and eight rebounds. …

LILLIAN CROOK: WildDakotaWoman — Jackie Morris And Robert Macfarlane

I have two new British friends, thanks to the magic of books (and Twitter). One is the writer, Robert Macfarlane, and the other is the artist Jackie Morris. My friend, Ken, and I have a mutual appreciation of all of Macfarlane’s books. Macfarlane’s Twitter account is a delight as is his Word of the Day, from which I learn something daily, …

CHEF JEFF: One Byte At A Time — Czechoslovakian Cabbage Soup

Cold weather and comfort food go together like bacon and eggs, peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti and meatballs. That’s why it wasn’t surprising to me to see a billboard ad this morning touting all the soup you can eat from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays at a local restaurant. After all, what’s more comforting when the temperatures are below …

JIM FUGLIE: View From The Prairie — We’ll See You In Court

At the end of the meeting between Meridian Energy Group executives and the North Dakota Public Service Commission a couple of weeks ago, Commission President Randy Christmann pretty much told William Prentice, Meridian CEO and the man who wants to build an oil refinery next to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, that the next time they meet will probably be in …

TOM DAVIES: The Verdict — In My Day, Kids Were Daring

We all have memories of the good old days. The older one gets, the more unusual they seem. When I was a young lad growing up in Grand Forks, N.D., the only inside rink in the city was the University of North Dakota arena. It was a glorified farm shed with no heating, and when it was cold outside, it …

LILLIAN CROOK: WildDakotaWoman — Prairie Storyteller Extraordinaire

Come away with me a few moments to the enchanting world of the late Paul Goble, artist and storyteller extraordinaire, my favorite children’s book author of all-time (admittedly there are many I love). Like most college students, I had courses that I preferred above all others. Mine, taught by some exceptional professors, included Myths & Legends, Shakespeare, and, the best, …

TOM COYNE: Back In Circulation — What’s In Your Wallet, Viking Fans?

It’s been nearly 41 years since the Minnesota Vikings last played in a Super Bowl. We’ve had seven presidents in that time. The price of gas has risen about two bucks a gallon since the Purple fell to John Madden’s Oakland Raiders back on Jan. 9, 1977. While the Vikings played in relative splendor that day in Pasadena, Calif., Twin …

LILLIAN CROOK: WildDakotaWoman — Owl Moon

Last night, I was still awake at midnight and upon hearing the noise of fireworks, put down my book and looked out the windows. The luminous full moon on the white, almost blue, landscape brought to mind one of my favorite children’s books “Owl Moon,” by Jane Yolen. It is a wondrous story of a father taking his little girl out in …

LILLIAN CROOK: WildDakotaWoman — Red Oak House Christmas Bird Count

Fifteen below at noon New Year’s Eve 2017 with record lows in the night convinced me that this was a year to participate in the area Christmas bird count by making observations at the Red Oak House feeders. These are my tools for the day. The hyperborean dawn revealed that the kitchen window suet feeder had fallen to the ground. Red …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University Of North Dakota Vs. U.S. Under-18

The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team received goals from Cole Smith, Austin Poganski, Matt Kiersted and Jordan Kawaguchi en route to a 5-2 exhibition win over the U.S. Under-18 team Saturday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Ryan Savage and Oliver Wahlstrom scored for the U-18 team. Cam Johnson, Peter Thome and Ryan Anderson shared the goaltending duties for …

DAVE BRUNER: Photo Gallery — ‘Sun Dogs Of North Dakota’

Photographer Dave Bruner ventured out in the extreme cold (minus 25 degrees with a wind chill of minus 40) Saturday morning to try and capture some images of the sun dogs, as extreme cold is needed plus ice crystals in the air. It all came together as he was fortunate to capture this phenomenon in full detail. They formed the …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — Minnesota Wild Vs. Nashville Predators

Mikael Granlund had a hat trick and goaltender Devan Dubnyk stopped 41 shots in his return to the lineup as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Friday night in the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Also scoring for the Wild (20-15-3) was Matt Dumba. P.K. Subban and Kyle Turris scored for the Predators (22-10-5). (Check out …

LILLIAN CROOK: WildDakotaWoman — Winter Interlude

We went away over Christmas for a winter interlude with my sisters and their families and my mother, gathering in a large house in the woods of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Driving west across the Memorial Bridge, we could see chunks of ice in the Missouri River. We traversed familiar west Dakota roads, in the midst of the …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — Minnesota Wild Vs. Dallas Stars

Jared Spurgeon, Eric Staal, Mikael Granlund and Jason Zucker scored goals as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Dallas Stars 4-2 on Wednesday night in the Xcel Center in St. Paul. Tyler Seguin and Mattias Janmark scored for the Stars. The Wild (19-15-3) were backstopped by goalie Alex Stalock, who finished with 24 saves for Minnesota. Ben Bishop made 27 saves for the …

TOM DAVIES: The Verdict — 2018 … Ready or Not, Here We Come

It’s odd how people will read this column or one of my posts on Facebook and conclude I don’t like folks at the local and state level. That couldn’t be further from the truth. On an individual basis, I like everyone on the Fargo City Commission. I have not met a state or county official I don’t personally like. At …

TERRY DULLUM: The Dullum File — Havana By (Classic) Car

I’ve never been much for bucket lists. But if I were, I’d have been able to check off a big one earlier this month. That is to see Havana, Cuba, from the backseat of one of the country’s classic American cars from the 1950s and ’60s, still operating on the streets every day. The importation of new cars — and lots of …

TERRY DULLUM: The Dullum File — The Tropicana

For me, a trip to Cuba earlier this month would not have been complete without experiencing the Tropicana nightclub in Havana. Its cabaret show is considered among the top three shows in the world (by people who decide these kinds of things, I guess). After seeing it, I believe it. For openers, Havana’s Tropicana nightclub shouldn’t be confused with the …

TERRY DULLUM: The Dullum File — Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town

As a kid, a lot of stuff confused me. Some of it centered on Santa Claus and Christmas. Part of it was the usual confusing kid stuff. How can Santa and the reindeer fly? How does Santa get down the chimney? How does he get UP the chimney? What if we don’t have a chimney? My confusion wasn’t helped at …

TONY J BENDER: That’s Life — A Christmas Story

The clatter was tremendous. Decorative brass fireplace implements clanged off the brick hearth and a fine black cloud of soot billowed, and when it had cleared, there stood a man who looked just like the one in the Christmas cards — right down to the red suit and black boots. The small boy at the table stared, a cookie poised …

JIM FUGLIE: View From The Prairie — Merry Christmas, And Billy Peeble, One More Time

It’s Saturday of Christmas weekend, and it feels like it’s Christmas Eve. If it seems like Christmas falling on a Monday (and Christmas Eve on a Sunday) seems unusual, it’s because it hasn’t happened for a while. Because of a quirk in the calendar (a few leap years), we’ve gone 11 years without a Monday Christmas, the last one happening in 2006. …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — East Grand Forks Senior High Vs. Warroad

East Grand Forks Senior High and Warroad skated to a 1-1 tie in Minnesota Section 8A high school hockey play Thursday night in the East Grand Forks Civic Center. Landon Parker scored for the Green Wave (6-4-1), while Kip Knutson scored for the Warriors (2-6-1). Goalie Carter Krier stopped 23 shots for No. 5-ranked East Grand Forks. Warroad goalie Max Gausen finished …

LA VALLEUR COMMUNICATES: Musings by Barbara La Valleur — A €62 Bowl Of Soup! 

One of the benefits I enjoy when traveling the world is trying new dishes in the country I’m exploring. My ever-increasing list of favorites include Germany’s humble spätzle, England’s simple Shepherd’s Pie, Scotland’s perfect Scotch Eggs, France’s yummy Brie and Bleu d’Auvergne cheeses, Cuba’s creamy flans and Spain’s authentic paella. Shortly after arriving on Menorca, one of Spain’s three Balearic …

CHEF JEFF: One Byte At A Time — Susie’s Jambalaya

There are a lot of jambalaya recipes floating around the internet. Just how many of them are authentic is anybody’s guess. The way I figure it, for a jambalaya recipe to be the real deal, it must be from someone with ties to Louisiana. The one I’m going to share with you today is just that. It comes from an old …

TOM DAVIES: The Verdict — Pull Your Head Out Of Your Grass!

North Dakota has some unusual situations involving marijuana. On the one hand, the people voted to legalize it for medicinal purposes. After more than a year, the Legislature (that didn’t support the legislation) is still studying the issue. What legislators and the Health Department tasked with implementing the law are using for brains is beyond me. Men, women and children …

LILLIAN CROOK: WildDakotaWoman — My Pal, Rick Watson

He arrived in Rhame, N.D., when I was a senior in high school, this new, young pastor at First Lutheran Church, fresh out of Wartburg Seminary. Rick Watson and I got acquainted pretty quickly because I was the church organist and pianist, and I sang in the choir. Little did I know that this talented and brilliant young man from …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University Of North Dakota Vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

The University of North Dakota women’s basketball team ran its home winning streak to 11 games with a 85-62 win over Southwest Minnesota State on Monday night in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Fighting Hawks (7-3) were led by Lexi Klabo, who had a game-high 26 points along with five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Fallyn …

JIM FUGLIE: View From The Prairie — Some Questions For The Refinery People

NDCC 49-22.1-02:  “Statement of policy. The legislative assembly finds the construction of energy conversion facilities … affects the environment and the welfare of the citizens of this state. It is necessary to ensure the location, construction and operation of energy conversion facilities … will produce minimal adverse effects on the environment and the welfare of the citizens of this state …

LILLIAN CROOK: WildDakotaWoman — Fort Keogh Trail

Another important historic trail in North Dakota that has been on my mind this past year is the Fort Keogh Trail. This trail passed nearby to where I grew up in Slope County. As shown on the map above, it ran from Fort Abraham Lincoln (near present-day Mandan, N.D.) to Fort Keogh, west of Miles City, Mont. Completed during the …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — Grand Forks Central Vs. Grand Forks Red River

Grand Forks Central and Grand Forks Red River skated to a 2-2 tie in North Dakota boys high school hockey play Friday night in Purpur Arena in Grand Forks. The Roughriders (4-0-1) took an extra point in the East Region standings after Tyler Savage’s shootout goal and goalie Nate Bradbury’s final save. The Knights (4-0-2) received goals from Cole Hanson and …

TOM DAVIES: The Verdict — Our Heroes Fight All Kinds Of Threats

With recent weather disasters, fires and other events of a historical nature ravaging this country, I hope all of us remember who the true heroes really are. The firefighters on the ground and in the air risk their lives every day, but particularly in the California fires, as well as those areas ravaged by the rash of hurricanes, floods and …

CHEF JEFF: One Byte At A Time — Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi isn’t an entree most people would consider deer hunting camp fare. But they probably don’t know the Menard boys from Crookston, Minn., either. This past month, I made my fifth trip to Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and to Tamarac Resort on Round Lake to join my cousins, Kim, Joe and Tom Menard — and Joe’s son, Matt — for …