Volume 126, Number 22           Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Long-lost niece finally joins her family
BY RICHARD PETERSON
This heart-warming story had its beginning a long time ago when Esmond native Axel Robertson married Fillmore native Ida Slotto in 1941.
The Robertsons farmed in the Isabel-Baker-Esmond area before moving to Minnewaukan in 1957.
They had three children, Marjorie, Bradley and Lana.
In November of 1973 Marjorie gave birth to a daughter. Lutheran Social Services arranged the adoption of the daughter while she was still an infant. The Robertson family knew of the birth but did not know the name of the infant nor the name of the family who adopted her. (Read More)

Minnewaukan resident Lana Johnson, left, is shown with her nieces, Katie of Minot (center) and Amy of Sierra Vista, Ariz. when they visited at Red Willow, where Lana has a cabin. The girls are the daughters of Lana's late sister, Marjorie. Katie was reunited with her family only last year.

Maddock native gets dispatcher award
The North Dakota Association for Public Safety Dispatchers has named Margaret Emanuel of the Grand Forks 911 Center as the Dispatch Supervisor of the Year. The award was announced at the association's annual meeting earlier this month in Jamestown. Emanuel has worked at the Grand Forks 911 center the past 21 years.
Emanuel was named the top supervisor because she exemplifies a positive role model for all employees and because of her work ethic., according to Grand Forks 911 Director Al Morken, who nominated Emanuel for the award. "She provides input on issues that affect not only her, but the entire department," Morken said. He added that Emanuel is always there to ensure a smooth and efficient operation, and always keeps in mind the safety of all emergency responders.
Public safety dispatchers are the first point of contact in emergencies where police, fire, or ambulance assistance is needed.

Margaret Emanuel, left, was named the Dispatch Supervisor of the Year by the ND Association of Public Safety Dispatchers. She is a native of Maddock and is a 1981 graduate of Maddock High School. She is pictured with her daughter, Hannah and her father, Art Duren of Maddock.

Take national honors
The Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference was held in Anaheim, Calif. June 20-24. Two students from Lake Region State College in Devils Lake (LRSC) made it through the preliminaries and then competed in the finals against other colleges and universities in the United States. In the business ethics event Pam Lafrenz of Langdon, left, and Lisa Howard of Sheyenne took seventh place honors. In the word processing event, Lisa Howard took 4th place honors. Diane Karlsbraaten of Sheyenne serves as the advisor to LRSC's Phi Beta Lamda chapter.

Yard looks great!
With all the moisture the area received in the past few months, the flowers at the Maddock Memorial Home are very luxuriant.

In contrast, this was the view less than six months ago.

Barkley, the Maddock Memorial Home's official dog, along with residents, enjoys the warm weather and the pleasing view.

Attend Norwegian camp
Seventeen members of Mollargutten Sons of Norway Lodge 478 of Maddock attended the three-day Sons of Norway Trollfjorden Language and Cultural Camp at Lake Metigoshe recently. Left to right, front row, are Jaydin Risovi, Ashley Risovi, Amber Jaeger, Arnikka Thompson, Annika Arnold, Megan Olson and Seth Jaeger. Middle row: Linda Summers, Carol Fossum, Elaine Wright, Emily Beierle and Marilyn Poulsen. Back row: Jolene Risovi, Darlene Erickson, Patty Hegland, Flo Kallenbach and Carol Thompson.

"Power Knitter" Carol Fossum creates a red headband for winter.

Those attending the camp had two Norwegian Language classes per day and many other activities such as: wood carving, Hardanger, knitting, Norwegian baking, Rosemaling, needle felting, wool felting, small crafts and chip carving. The finished product of Marilyn Poulsen in the chip carving class is in the lower right hand corner.

American Farmers
Kimberly Randle, daughter of Diane and Wayne Randle, and Jordan Backstrom, son of Carol and Philip Backstrom, were nominated for the American FFA degree. The American FFA degree is the highest degree bestowed on National FFA members. The award is presented to only two percent of the National FFA membership.
Kimberly and Jordan were both active members of the AS Gibbens FFA Chapter of Maddock. Kimberly was selected 2008 State Star in Agriscience, winner of the State Food Science Proficiency and selected the outstanding state FFA Agriscience Student for 2008.
Jordan was the 2007 State Swine Proficiency winner and was involved in state agricultural mechanics contests at the basic, intermediate and advanced levels.
They will receive their American FFA Degree at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. at the end of October.
During the past 80 years, 35 members of the AS Gibbens FFA Chapter have received the American FFA Degree.