6/28/2006 – News

A committee that was formed during Minnewaukan’s Centennial in 1983 has dissolved after 23 years of service. The Minnewaukan Memorial Committee dissolved as of June 6 and its assets have been transferred to the Minnewaukan Community Club and the Minnewaukan Beautification Committee.

Centennial chairman and mayor Dave Cichos appointed the committee in1983 to oversee the sale of Minnewaukan history books and disburse the proceeds to Minnewaukan projects and organizations. Original committee members were Milson and Grace Ball, Walter Lien, Gwendolyn Christensen, Beverly and Harold "Bobby" Michels, Amy Foss and Blair "Corky" and Marlene Chapman. The only active members of the committee at the time of dissolution were the Balls and Gwen Christensen.

After all expenses were paid, profits from the sale of the $25 history books went to two projects and three organizations. The projects were the school bell memorial on the Minnewaukan School grounds and the flagpoles and monument at the site of the former swimming pool. Organizations which received funds were the Minnewaukan Library, the Minnewaukan Community Club and the Minnewaukan Endowment Fund.

The remaining 40 or so history books were given to the Minnewaukan Community Club. They are available for sale at the Minnewaukan Library and the Benson County Farmers Press. Funds remaining in the committee’s checking account was split between the Minnewaukan Community Club and the Minnewaukan Beautification Committee. Each received $585.

The Minnewaukan Memorial Committee recently disbanded and distributed its assets to Minnewaukan organizations. Grace and Milson Ball, center, distributed funds in the checking account. On the left is Sherri Thompson, president of the Minnewaukan Community Club who accepts a check for $585.24 and on the right is Ellen Huffman, a representative of the Minnewaukan Beautification Committee, who received a check for $585.23.

The Rice family and past and present Maddock FFA officers who served with J.T. Rice were present at a sendoff picnic for him. J.T. has been selected to attend the US Air Force Academy and will leave Wednesday, June 28. J.T. is a past president of the Maddock A.S.

Gibbens FFA Chapter. Left to right are Janna Rice, J.T. Rice, Anne Backstrom, Andy Backstrom, Levi Slater, Andrea Slater, Heidi Simon, Isaac Engels, Courtney Foss, Renae Slater, Elisa Buehler and Beau Buehler.

Bobbi Grann, a ninth grade student at Minnewaukan High School recently was awarded the Gist Silversmiths "Rookie of the Year" award at the North Dakota State High School Finals Rodeo held at Bowman June 16-18. Gist Silversmiths of Placerville, Calif. initiated the "NHSRA Rookie of the Year" awards program six years ago as a way to recognize outstanding first year high school rodeo athletes.

Andrea Slater recently received an associate degree in nursing from Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas. She is a registered nurse in the long term care unit at St. Aloisius Medical Center in Harvey. Her parents are Clark and Liz Slater of Esmond.

The kindergarten class at the Maddock School held an end-of-the-year program for parents and visitors. The class is a part of the American Legion Auxiliary’s Americanism Program under which they learn the Pledge of Allegiance and about the US Flag during the year.

Kindergarten students recited the Pledge of Allegiance and received a flag and a poppy for their efforts. Left to right are students Tate Benson, Nora Duren, Zachery Hill, Kevin Johnson, Keringten Lee, Justin Nystrom, Spencer Olson and Garrett Tandeski. Auxiliary members Bernice Aanderud, Lois Johnson and teacher Lori Maddock are in the back row.

Champs Camp 2006 was held at the Maddock High School gym June 19-21.

More than 50 students in grades K-6 attended the camp, which focused on ball handling, shooting form, defense, passing and pivoting.

Campers were able to showcase their skills during a variety of games and competitions each day. In the K-3 division, the Mavericks defeated the Knicks for third place, while the T-Wolves edged the Heat for the championship. In the 4-6 division, the Heat got past the Knicks for third place, and the T-Wolves overtook the Mavericks for the title. The 4-6 Shooting League Championship was won by UND, with Minot State coming in a point short. A variety of awards were presented on the last day of camp, and each participant received an official Champs Camp 2006 T-shirt. The camp was directed by Michael Sorlie and Jeff Jacobson. Student assistants were Mark Wack and Jillian Maddock.

K-3 campers were left to right, front row, Ethin Johnson, Rebecca Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Garret Tandeski and Keringten Lee. Second row: Jack Schwanke, Ethan Karlsbraaten, Allyson Lauinger, Brooks Duren, Emily Sears, Taylor Foss and Kyia Roberts. Third row: Ashley Risovi, Kenadi Lee, Alyssa Armentrout, Megan Olson, Alexis Gigstad, Maria Sears, Kyler Westad, Jaydin Risovi, Micki Brandvold and Noah Arnold. Back row: Hailey Kallenbach, Kayla Melaas, Jillian Maddock, Michael Sorlie, Jeff Jacobson, Mark Wack, Hunter Beuhler, Blake Buckmier and Jakob Schmid. Not pictured are Spencer Olson, Courtney Lauinger and Kaden Neppl.

Grades 4 through 6 campers were, left to right, front row, Mark Wack, Katelynn Engh, Sara Schwanke, Kristen Smith, Morgan Duren, Kayla Karlsbraaten, Breana Beuhler, Gabrielle Rehling and Jillian Maddock. Second row: Michael Sorlie, Zach Johnson, Karl Kenner, Renae Lauinger, Megan Lauinger, Kaylee Tollerud, Kelsey Smith and Kaleb Westad. Third row: Trevor Knutson, Dylan Gigstad, Jaden Kallenbach, Matthew Knudson, Megan Wald, Katie Rice, Shelby Brandvold, Dylan Lauinger and Jeff Jacobson. Not pictured is Katherine Sears.

The Rockin’ Minnewaukan Casters Relay for Life team participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Devils Lake. The team raised more than $2,500 by holding two dinners and a raffle and selling luminaries and "Calories for Cancer" sweets. Left to right, back row, are, Julie Zillmer, Mavis Halvorson, Lisa Wold, Mark Zillmer, Connie Thomas, Nikki Beecroft, Kelli Clifton and Beth Beecroft. Front row: Rachael Tollefson, Carrie Hillebrand, Audrey Wold, Dawn Teigen, Katie Clifton and Jordan Callahan. Not pictured are Wanda Teigen and Jo Dahlen.

The Theo. A. Togstad Unit 123 of the American Legion sponsors an Americanism essay contest each year as part of its Americanism Program. This year’s winners in grade five were Kathryn Sears, left, and Katelynn Engh, right. They are congratulated by Donna Rice of the Auxiliary.

Donna Rice, center, presented certificates to sophomore winner Kimberly Randle, left, and senior winner Elisa Buehler, right.

Lake Region State College’s center of excellence, the Dakota Center for Technology-Optimized Agriculture recently received a $45,000 award ($15,000 annually over three years) from the Lake Region Growth Fund with support from Forward Devils Lake.

The center — an initiative funded through a $450,000 state Centers of Excellence grant — is a partnership of Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, private sector partners Agri ImaGIS of Maddock, TotalCrop Farming Systems of Langdon and area answer farms.

The center’s program fuses three areas: engineering research, applied research and education, says Dr. Paul Gunderson, director of the Dakota Center for Technology-Optimized Agriculture.

The center will engage in product design, prototype development, testing, agronomic impact assessment, job creation, new knowledge, additional consulting and educational opportunities and entrepreneurial development.

Housed at Lake Region State College, the center is managed by Dr. Paul Gunderson and coordinator Joel Mathiason and guided by a steering committee composed of local, regional and national leaders.

Left to right are Dr. Paul Gunderson, director of the Dakota Center for Technology-Optimized Agriculture; Holly Mawby, Workforce Training coordinator; Dr. Sharon Etemad, Lake Region State College president; Denise Hendrickson, executive director of Forward Devils Lake; and Tom Wade, president of the Lake Region Growth Fund.