Walhalla, ND

High school sweethearts, and families stood in line and waited as the doors opened to the Walla Theatre in 1950, to enjoy cinema at it’s finest. If the walls of the Walla Theatre could talk, the secrets of first dates, kisses and proposals would make the headlines. The smell of popcorn filled the theater until 1982 when the Walla Theater closed. Since 1982 the community has had the vision and goal to revitalize the Theatre, in 2006 the owners have donated the building to the community. The communities’ plans are to renovate the theater into a performing arts’ theater and cinema. Providing the arts in a rural community contributes to a well round education, cultural experience and family entertainment we want to offer our residents, especially the youth. Plans are to host year round events encompassing visual, fine, and performing arts, and cinemas.

The Walhalla Public School does not have a stage, making it difficult for the school to host performing arts’ events and lyceums. The renovation of the Theatre will give the school and community this opportunity.

Renovations consist of repairing the roof, expanding the stage area to accommodate large productions, add dressing rooms, update the plumbing, electrical, sound, and cosmetic improvements. Dr. Tom Isern from the North Dakota State University has partnered with NDSU Extension Center for  Community Vitatity and will help with the project and prepare the application for the Walla Theatre to be placed on the National Register of Historical Places. This project will benefit all area residents.

 The Gorge Arts and Heritage Council have taken the leadership in this project, and will continue to update the community on the progress.  If anyone would like to make a donation to the Walla Theatre Renovation Fund contact the Walhalla Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Tourism Action Plan Committee have been busy working on a Master Tourism Plan.   The committee decided to apply for funding through ND Park & Rec to develop the Pembina River Trail, which consist of three (3) canoe access points with floating docks along the Pembina River, Vang Bridge, Brick Mine Bridge and Riverside Park.  ND Park & Rec approved a grant of $41,000.00 and the committee raised the local match of $10,250.00 be developing partnerships with the City of Walhalla, Pembina County JDA and Cavalier County JDA.  Project is underway, docks have been ordered and construction will began at the three sites in the spring.  The committee also developed a partnership with ND Forest Service and applied for funding through DOT TE Program to development the Tetrault Woods State Forest Scenic Overlook. Waiting for approval from DOT.   This spring construction will also began at the Masonic Scenic Overlook, which was funded by the ND Scenic Byway fund.  The committee is also  developing a plan to expand hiking, biking and cross county trails for 2008-2009.  Tourism has great impact on the business community, therefore creating jobs in the area benefiting the unemployed.

A blog is like an interactive website, where communities can share their community activities and events daily.    It’s an easy way to let the public know what is going on in the area and visitors to the blog have the opportunity to comment and make suggestions. 

Jenise and Molly have fun during the blog training.

I had to make a visit to the cell tower, and check it out for myself before I invest in a cell phone.  I told Kathy  she needs to join the 21st century and get a “cell”.  I better give Alltel a call, I need to be prepared in case of an emergency during my rendezvous.  Walhalla is fortune to have service, it is very important in today’s business world and for emergencies.  I plan to go site seeing  the rest of the day.  Wally

Walhalla never had cell service before December 5, 2007. Community motto ”Visit Walhalla and Take a Cell Phone Vacation”A Horizons Action Plan Committee “Cell Service” went on a mission.  The committee developed partnerships with members of the ambulance and  fire departments, the Pembina County Emergency Management, and decided it was time to take action and contacted Alltel and Verizon.  The City of Walhalla kept in contact with both companies and for several years both companies made verbal commitments that they would be coming to the area soon, but nothing concrete ever happened.  The Horizons Action Committee and partners starting calling the companies and Alltel made a commitment to have service in the area before in the end of 2007.  Walhalla residents were so excited it was like watching children in a “candy” store.  Leadership and Partnerships prove to be successful.

Walhalla was so lucky to have NDSU bring the Group Decision Center to Walhalla.  Thirty-six computers all networked together having the opportunity to share ideas for the betterment of our community.  Forty-eight (48) students in the afternoon and Twenty-three adults in the evening participated and it was learning experience for everyone.  To have the opportunity to have state-of-the-art technology in Walhalla was Awesome!  The survey reports were instrumental in developing  our community vision.

I met Liann Zeller, Director of the Walhalla Area Chamber of Commerce and Liann has tourist information on just about every place in North Dakota.  But when in comes to Walhalla and the Rendezvous Region Liann can tell you everything you need to know. The Walhalla Area Chamber of Commerce is also the home of the Gorge Art Gallery and Museum of Natural History.  Local artist display and sell their work from the Chamber/Gallery/Museum.    Any artist in community, region or state can display their work and the Gorge Art Gallery encourages all artist to take the opportunity to show and sell.  The Museum of Natural History consist of a small display of artifacts from the area.  Local residents bring their artifacts in to be put on display,  Liann would like more, and everyone is welcome to put there treasures on display.  It’s also a great opportunity for the community to be exposed to the arts and natural history.  Every Friday one of the artist is in the Gallery working on a project, and throughout the year the Gallery host different activities and classes from watercolor, to making gingerbread houses, to card making to photography etc.  Some of the classes are free and the cost of others are very inexpensive, just a few dollars to cover the cost of materials, this way everyone can take part.  The Walhalla Area Chamber of Commerce and Gorge Art Gallery provides the leadership needed to be a a well rounded successful rural community.  And I’m so glad I decided to explore to area.  See you around Wally!

Hi, I’m Wally Moose and I have been living at 412 Emmerling Circle in the basement storage room for the past 10 years, I felt it was time for me to get my own place and explore the “Wonders of Walhalla”.  I’m at City Hall getting all the information I need to start my rendezvous. 

After study circles we moved right into Leadership Plenty.  Twenty eight (28) adults and five (5) youth attended Leadership Plenty with enthusiasm.  The group became aware  that everyone had some sort of Leadership Role in the community, from local organizations to elected officials to  student council.  The Leadership Plenty modules “hit home” for many, from managing a meetings, to conflict, to developing partnerships.  Participants had a lot of fun with the different activities and felt that the program would be helpful at home, work and  in developing their action plans to completion with success.

The beautification committee was formed after members of the committee gained knowledge from attending study circles and leadership plenty programs. The beautification committee members wanted all children from Walhalla to be safe during Halloween and to experience a Halloween party.  The members raised the funds and donated their time to decorate, make and serve all the food and gave prizes to every child that attended.  There are 159 children in grades K-6 at Walhalla school, 129 children attended the free Halloween party.   A job well done!   Thanks Walhalla Beautification Committee.