Volume 126, Number
48 Wednesday,
December 30th, 2009

Major snowstorm hits area
A major winter snowstorm paralyzed most of North Dakota from
Christmas Eve to mid-day December 26. This photo shows the aftermath of
the storm. A snowswath of six to seven feet high dominated the street
between the grocery store and the FSA-Bank Building in Minnewaukan. The
First Presbyterian Church is shown in the background on the left.

SCD supervisors honored
A recognition luncheon was held at the Maddock Community Center on
December 17 to honor Rolf Berg and John Rasmussen of Maddock for their
years of service as board supervisors with the North Central Soil
Conservation District. Both have retired from the board. Rolf
(left) was a supervisor for more than 41 years, having started in
June of 1968. John Rasmussen (right) also started in 1968 and held a
supervisor position for more than 39 years. John Beckstrand of Warwick
(center) is shown congratulating Rolf and John for their achievement.
Beckstrand was also a supervisor with the district for more than 34
years. Their combined service totals more than 110 years of promoting
conservation to the agricultural producers of Benson County.

Nissen visits Leeds
Leeds kindergarten students enjoyed a visit from a Scandinavian
nissen who brought "God Jul" wishes and treats to the students and
explained Christmas sayings in Norwegian. Pictured in photo were Leeds
kindergarten students and the Scandinavian nissen (Carol Thompson).

Students of quarter
Leeds Elementary School students of the second quarter and semester
music students include, left to right, front row: Jarrick McGarvey,
McKenna Tofsrud, Kearyn Nelsen, Taylee Cavanaugh, Jarrel McGarvey, Macy
Engstrom, Caitlyn Blazer and Kim Nelsen. Back row: Garrett Johnson, Dani
Schwanke, Erin Jorgenson, Adam Fischer and Katelyn Nelsen. Not pictured
is Josh Bowman.

Leeds Elementary band students of the second quarter and semester are,
left to right, front row: Joe Silliman and Kaylee Lybeck. Back
row: Taylor Bisbee and Zayda Bergh.

Take second place
Leeds sixth graders took second place at the Lakota tournament. Teams
that competed were Lakota, Midkota, Minnewaukan, Maddock, Park River,
Langdon and Dakota Prairie. Left to right, front row: Micheal Heck,
Devin Schwanke, Lane Ritterman and Joe Silliman. Back row: Garrett
Featherstone, Adam Fischer, Cameron O'Brien and Tyler Blegen with coach
April Anderson.
FFA Chapter to have 80th anniversary
To help celebrate the Maddock A. S. Gibbens FFA Chapter's 80th
anniversary in 2009-2010, Shelby Brandvold, an eighth grade member of
the Maddock FFA Chapter, drew and painted the National FFA logo on a new
wall that was constructed this past year between the ag classroom and
wood shop.
The Maddock Chapter will hold an 80th reunion during the annual
Maddock 4th of July celebration. Information on this reunion will be
forwarded as soon as arrangements are made. Former Maddock FFA members
including state offficers, state and national degree recipients, alumni,
former ag teachers, Maddock School staff and other Maddock FFA
supporters will be invited to the celebration.
Individuals who have a story from their days with J. Cliff Simek are
asked to send them to Gary Wald at the Maddock School. A collection of
stories is being put together and will be available at the reunion in
honor of Mr. Simek, who taught ag mechanics at Maddock from 1947 to
1983.:

Shelby Brandvold is shown beside the FFA logo she drew at the Maddock
School.

Meet in Tacoma
Former Minnewaukanites got together in Tacoma, Wash. recently. Left
to right are Elaine and Dick Rodning of Tacoma with Dorothy Jean
(Pederson) Terrill of Saratoga, Calif. The Rodnings attend the same
church Mrs. Terrill's son does in Tacoma and they became acquainted at
church. Dick graduated from Minnewaukan High school in 1941 and went to
Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. He is a retired Lutheran pastor.
Mrs. Terrill graduated from Minnewaukan High School in 1949.

Tour New York
The Delta Epsilon Chi student organization from Lake Region State
College in Devils Lake recently attended the Collegiate Leadership
Conference in New York City. Delta Epsilon Chi is the college division
of the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). The club focuses
on developing marketing and distribution skills. It is a national
organization for college students preparing for careers in marketing,
management and entrepreneurship. The conference included 450 students
from all over the world. Students completed marketing plans for
competition. Other activities included tours of Madison Square Garden,
Yankee Stadium and Macy's. Left to right are Casey Christofferson of
Warwick, Wade Longie of Devils Lake, Dallas Johnson of Leeds, Michael
Tufte of Leeds, Melanie Gehrtz of New Rockford, Taylor McAllister of
Devils Lake and advisor and Esmond native, Dr. Donna Gutschmidt.
:
Play cast members
Mrs. Dunlap's third grade class at Leeds presented the play "Pecos
Bill." Members of the cast are, left to right, front row: Camee Wangler
and Kim Nelsen. Second row: Evan Follman, Nathan Elverud, Callie
Lawrence, Declan Ritterman, Reganne Ritterman, Ashley Thayne and Hailey
Gunderson. Back row: Luke Pepple, Caitlyn Blazer and Keaton Nelsen.
