Walhalla, ND

The North Border at Walhalla 9th graders have been learning about the signs and intervention strategies for dealing with the threat of suicide.  The youth learned about how to recognize the signs, where to turn for intervention, as well as statistics of suicide for youth across the country.  In addition, the 9th graders had a writing assignment entitled, “Kindness Is…” where they had to define kindness and how being gentle/respectful could be a turning point for someone.  The 9th graders then took yellow ribbons and hung them around the city of Walhalla as a reminder to community members and others that we are working towards a community of kindness and genuine caring.  Great job 9th graders!!

Friday May 1st Pembina County sent three very nice ladies and one nice man to Walhalla so that anyone who didn’t have a passport or pass-card could apply for one.  First you got your picture taken by Deanna Newell then Kay Braget took your information and birth certificate–paper work done.  If there were any questions about crossing the border into Canada George Ross from Border Patrol was on hand to answer them.  There was over 125 passports or cards applied for that day.  Sharon Soeby was just one of the parents filling out papers for her children.

Wally had a great time at the United Communications Customer Appreciation Day April 21st.  Good food, games and prizes to win.  Everyone was having fun.  The United Communication employees were so courteous and friendly.
 

April 22 Mrs. Kirking’s 5th grade class from Crystal ND came to the Chamber in Walhalla to spend the day making fairy houses and taking an art class.  Helen Schill Pembina County Extension Agent helped with the construction of the houses.  Ben showed me his house and Charley even made fences and brought animals to put in the fences.  Laurel Brusseau was the art teacher (she has nice paintings in the Chamber) Elli and the rest of the class painted a butterfly.  It was a fun day for all.

Tuesday April 21st the Pembilier Nursing Center Auxiliary held their spring salad Luncheon and bake sale.  There were so many salads to choose from that we had a hard time deciding on what to pick.  The ladies in the kitchen were from the auxiliary and really did a good job keeping up with the dishes.  There were lots of baked goods to choose from.  I can’t wait for the next luncheon.

 Thursday April 16th I got to go to the Red Willow Bible Camp near Binford and attend the 3rd Annual Rural Tourism Conference.  Liann was looking for ideas for new events, there were HUGH Kites, dogsledding, biking and geocaching.  John Hoganson NS State Paleontologist gave a talk on Mosasaur and Dinosaur dig opportunities in the state and I discovered that Walhalla  has had that kind of dig.  It was fun to see all our Horizon friends especially ladies from Anamoose ”hi Alyce”.  The whole day was very interesting.

Once again this year the Walhalla Ambulance squad held their breakfast Sunday April 5th, this time the money made will buy equipment.  The turnout was unbelievable.  I got to take my picture with one of the newest members she is also the youngest member.  Molly is a Senior at North Border School.  Lynette Huffman has been very involved with the ambulance for many years here is a picture of her and the new ambulance.  Once again the baton group called quiet storm helped serve the breakfasts.  They didn’t have their batons so I still don’t know how to twirl.  A free will offering was given to eat.

One of the committees that came from Horizons is Beautification.  The group is very involved decorating pots on Main Street, hosting music in the park and decorating for the different seasons on Main Street.  The latest project is what the committee is most proud of.  There will soon be banners on all light poles.  69 banners in all arrived in Walhalla in November but the weather was not about to cooperate to get them up so the committee will wait till Spring. 

 When Walhalla realized the Horizons program was done it was like now what do we do.  Then we were notified that we could continue for a little longer.  Our core group gathered in the City office for a conference call with Lynette Flage.  We continue to work on action plans such as after school program, welcoming new people to Walhalla, our cell phone tower is up, Beautification Committee and tourism is booming in Walhalla.  I know anyone reading the blogging on this sight will agree that Horizons is definitely worth the work.  Wally was there for our call with Lynette. 

Sunday October 5th the Walhalla Public Library hosted a program concerning the orphan trains that ran from New York City to many of the Midwest states.  Dorothy A. Lund Nelson of Rochester, Minnesota gave the presentation.  During her program, participants learned about a part of American history that is not in the history books. The Children’s Aid Society began in 1858 by Rev. Charles loring Brace in New York City.  A total of 975 children were placed in north Dakota homes.   The library was full, this event was free to the public.