Walhalla, ND

Every year there is an international Golf tournament the last weekend in July, that takes place over 3 days and this year I got to watch.  The cities that participate include Langdon and Walhalla in North Dakota and Winkler and Morden in Manitoba.This year there was over 750 golfers.  The American Legion Auxiliary from Walhalla had a money making project, I tried to play the game but just wasn’t quite tall enough.  I did get to meet a  team from Walhalla made up of Dave Heibert, Dale Andersen, Sheldon Romfo and Bill Zeller.

Saturday July 5th the Gorge Arts & Heritage Council held their Rendezvous Art & Heritage Festival in Riverside Park. There was a full day of events with visitors like Antoine Gingras and Pierre Bottineau who talked about the history in Walhalla.  There was a blacksmith, baton twirlers, fiddlers, a wood carver and good food.  This event was free and lasted until everyone set by the bonfire at dusk. 

Friday evening during the 4th of July Extravaganza weekend, Chamber Director Liann Zeller orchestrated a Musical entitled Tribute to Country music.  Minnie Pearl was the MC while the singers included Boxcar Willy, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline and Martina McBride. There were two comedians called 2×4 and Stick.  All of the performers were local people who love to sing and act.  This event was free and held in the park.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the show, maybe it will be done again in the future.

The third annual ribfest got going dispite the windy, cold weather on Saturday June 28th.  There were six rib cooking teams.  Young and Old, everyone had a great time sampling all the ribs and goodies made by the teams.  The Fighting Sioux Goodribs team won Rib King honors and the BS BBQ Rib Queens won the Peoples Choice Award. 

We had a wonderful time with the bike riders when they got to town.  Wally had a great time with all the bikers.  This bike tour is for all ages and families.  Some took a bus tour of the Gorge and the Gingras Trading Post.  Music and Food in the Park before retiring.  Then, up bright and early for breakfast and off they go again. 

Saturday June 14th ADM held their annual safety fair, which is a fair to promote safety in the community. There was free blood sugar testing, fingerprinting for your children, free food , bouncy house and train rides.  This event brings in everyone from the community.  

Monday night May 12th the Walhalla Chamber of Commerce sponsored a meet and Greet the candidates running for city council and park board.  The food was great and the evening was very informal but informative.  There are 11 candidates running for city council and 4 candidates running for park board.  5 candidates were there out of 11 for city council and 3 out of the 4  for park board.  Dorothy Robinson explained how to vote in Pembina County this year.  I guess we have to send our votes in by mail I wonder if I get to vote??  Mr. Harvey Hope and his family were there, Mr Hope  is running for State Senator in the 10th District.  Kathy Stremick was also on hand, she is running for State Representative in the 10th District.  Liann was the MC for the evening talking to all the candidates and Mayor Harvey Clark.

Arbor Day was held in Walhalla Thursday May 1st at noon with a history of Arbor day presented by Sharon Bartels and the 6th grade planting 3 new trees in Riverside park.  After the tree planting the 4th,5th, and 6th graders spent the afternoon learning to climb trees with Bob Underwood, learning about the animals in ND from Marty Egeland, how to read rings and key out trees from Helen Schill and forestry tools from Dave Nowatzki.  I even got to climb a tree with Morgan Mathisons help. Walhalla has been named a tree city for the past 13 years.

Wednesday morning came very early but off we went again, this time to Devils Lake to a grant writing class sponsored by North Dakota State University Center for Community Vitality.  Helen, Deirdre, Shirley and Liann all went to the class with hopes of helping to learn to write grants for various organizations.  Dr. Lynette Krenelka was a wonderful teacher with a great sense of humor. Lots of information was passed around among the people attending.  I got to see Alyce Heer from Anamoose who said that Joe was getting married in June, I just might have to go.  Do you think there might be shorter lady moose there for me?    It was fun seeing friends from the Horizons program and meeting newfriends. Here are some pictures from the class.    

North Dakota Tourism conference was held April 21 & 22 in Mandan and I got to go. I Went shopping for spring clothes don’t I look great.  I registered at the main desk so that I could attend the sessions.  The first day was the Governors Awards Banquet and the dinner was very good only I ate the Desert first.  Walhalla was really excited at the awards banquet because Kathy Stremick won the state award for 2008 Travel Industry Leader.  Congratulations Kathy!!  Kathy’s parents Kenny and Martina Stagl were on hand to see Kathy recieve her award.  I had my picture taken with Governor Hoeven and Kathy after everything was over WOW what an honor.  Congratulations to all the winners.  After all that excitement I was tired so I went to the room instead of singing Karaoke Monday night.  All in all it was a fun conference.  I can’t wait till next year in Grand Forks.