2/1/2006 – News
Volume 122, Number
Yri heads county FB
Dale Yri of Minnewaukan was elected president of the Benson County Farm Bureau. He assumed the office in January. Outgoing president is Loren Knutson of Harlow, who served as a board member for six years and as president for three years. Loren has also served previous terms on the county board and has held other offices.
Other board members are vice president, Irma Dulmage; Doug Dulmage, Paul Lybeck, Howard Schmid, Jim Engstrom, Dean Kenner, Dale Pfeifer and newly elected Lyndon Olson.
The Benson County Farm Bureau board invites the public to an open house on Friday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Nodak Mutual Insurance office in the Maddock Business & Technology Center. This is an opportunity to meet the new Benson County Nodak Mutual Insurance agent, Burton Kelly and to visit with board members about issues facing agriculture today. ND Farm Bureau leadership development assistant John Jacobson will also be present with information about the mission and services of Farm Bureau. Nodak Mutual will also be presenting a Federal Crop Insurance update at 2 p.m. in the meeting room at the Maddock Business & Technology Center for the public. Coffee and goodies will be served and door prizes will be awarded.
The grand prize will be a television set given by Nodak Mutual Insurance.
The mission of Benson County Farm Bureau follows the mission of the ND Farm Bureau, which is to be the advocate and catalyst for policies and programs that will improve the financial well-being and quality of life for its members.
Through policy action, education and information programs, Farm Bureau helps members improve the lives of their families, the quality of their communities and the health of their industry. Farm Bureau attempts to solve local problems like property tax issues, education finance and ground water protection.
Dale Yri
Benson County Thrivent elects officers
The 2006 leadership board for the Benson County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans was recently elected by local members. The chapter strives to support and encourage members and nonmembers in the county churches and communities. Through its chapter care programs, individuals and families are helped and nonprofit organizations and Lutheran congregations are assisted in fund-raising and hands-on service activities conducted by local service teams. Chapters administer the programs by supplementing local funds raised, distributing funds for service activity expenses, and providing resources for members to deliver an even greater impact in communities.
Incoming 2006 chapter leaders include: Louise Olson of Maddock, president; Virgil Anderson of Leeds, vice president; Beth Sayler of Minnewaukan, records director; Rene Anderson of Leeds, financial director; and Bernard Anderson of Warwick, congregational service team director.
In addition, the chapter elected a communications director, Kay Griffin of Oberon; an assistant financial director, Larry Thiele of Tokio; a community service team director, Rick Tofsrud of Minnewaukan; a youth director, Jef Fogelson of Leeds; and an events director, Sylvia Helgeseth of Churchs Ferry. Former officers Ralph Olson, Sheila Erickson and Carl Dyste Jr.
serve in an advisory capacity.
Anyone in Benson County who recognizes a financial need for an individual or family or nonprofit organization may contact any of the officers to request an application for supplemental funding of a fundraising activity or service project.
Officers of the Benson County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are pictured. Left to right, back row, are Sheila Erickson, Sylvia Helgeseth, Bernard Anderson and Louise and Ralph Olson. In the front row are Carl Dyste, Kay Griffin, Rene Anderson, Beth Sayler, Virgil Anderson and Rick Tofsrud. Not pictured are Larry Thiele and Jef Fogelson.
Hoop shoot winners
JayCee Johnson (left) and McKenzie Silliman of Leeds participated in the annual Elks Hoop Shoot contest January 8 in Devils Lake. Each of these girls won first place in their divisions. They went on to state competition in Jamestown on January 21.
County teams in JV boys tournament
The Four Winds team claimed the championship at the JV Boys Basketball Tournament, which was held in the Minnewaukan School gym Jan. 16 and 21.
The Indians earned the honor, handling Pingree-Buchanan-Kensal, Midkota and Lakota. Left to right, front row, are Donald Whiteman, Joquin de la Paz, Jeremy Dauphinais, Jay Lovejoy, Dallas Littlewind, William St. Pierre and Doug Yankton Jr. Back row: Coach Sean Gourd, Mike Adams, Ivan Lovejoy Jr., Reno Littleghost, Chanze Herman, Mike Meade, Zack Alberts, CJ Ironheart and Coach Doug Yankton. Herman won the free throw competition when he made all but two of his 20 free throws.
The Minnewaukan-Leeds team came away with a 2-1 record and third place in the two-day competition. The Lions gained wins over the Devils Lake 9th graders and Midkota (Binford, McHenry, Sutton, Glenfield, Grace City) and dropped a game to Lakota in overtime. Left to right, kneeling, are Daniel Harkness, Travis Myklebust, Chris Tofsrud and Brendan Tarang. Standing are Coach Charlie Bisbee, Shawn Swanson, Aaron Tollefson, Tyson Holybull, John Lunde, Michael Anderson and Ben Grann. Other schools that participated in the eight-team tournament were Carrington and Wells County (Fessenden, Bowdon).
Stroke screening held by Benson Co. Public Health
More than 100 residents of Benson County participated in stroke screening clinics held in Maddock, Esmond, Minnewaukan and Leeds in mid-January.
According to Benson County Public Health Nurse Shelley Aabrekke, RN, participants had their blood pressures checked, total cholesterol levels tested and a stroke risk assessment was conducted. "We were pleased with the turnout," she said. "It was encouraging to see residents of all ages taking preventative health measures."
Aabrekke noted that several factors can increase the risk of strokes. The more risk factors, the greater the chance of having a stroke. Some of these factors can’t be controlled, such as age, family health history and gender.
But most risk factors, like blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, cholesterol level and physical activity can be controlled.
A tobacco prevention display at the clinics reminded those attending that help to quit smoking or using spit tobacco is just a phone call away to the new North Dakota Tobacco Quitline, 1-866-388-7848. There is no charge for the professional counseling service.
For more information call Benson County Public Health at 473-5444.
Benson County Public Health nurse Shelley Aabrekke interviewed Dennis Haugen of Maddock at the stroke screening clinic held recently. More than 100 people participated in the clinic.
Students published
Four elementary students from the Maddock Public School were honored when their short stories were published in the book titled Anthology of Short Stories by Young Americans. Last year when the students were in the fifth grade, they were required to handwrite a short story about anything they chose. They were selected for publication based on their creativity and writing skills. The students were notified last fall that their stories had been selected and each student got the chance to purchase the book in which their stories were published. Students chosen were: Karl Kenner, son of David and Karen Kenner; Kristen Smith, daughter of Greg and Karen Smith; Kayla Karlsbraaten, daughter of Eric and Val Karlsbraaten; and Megan Lauinger, daughter of David and Shannon Lauinger. The students’ fifth grade teacher was JoLynn Jacobson.
Oberon readers
Oberon students who completed their reading requirements for January are pictured. Left to right, front row, are Tristian Whitetail, Thomas Brown, Mckenzie Scott, Larissa Dunn, Shawn Lewis and Louis Blacklance Jr. Second
row: Bryeann Robertson, Shawn Charboneau, Bryson Robertson, Raylene Scott, Darica Deckert and Cheyenne Whitetail. Third row: Emily Thumb, Jason Feather, Sierra Charboneau and Shaylee Scott. Back row: George Brown, Myron Wanna, Cyril Shaw, Sarah Hook, Brock Azure, Tanya Thomas, Dakotah Greywater and Lacey Brown.