Walhalla, ND

Well,  Wally decided to learn to Blog with a few other new bloggers.  Had a good time and with the help of Mike finally got the hang of Blogging.  Fun and Food with all my friends. 

Walhalla held their 4th Annual Giant Pumpkin Festival, Saturday, September 29,2007 and what a day it was.  Five giant pumpkins were raised in the Walhalla area and for the second year in a row Walhalla had the heaviest giant pumpkin in North Dakota.  The grand prize winner weighed in at 792 lbs. this year. The day’s festivities included the farmers market, many contests including pie eating, seed spitting, egg tossing, pumpkin pie tasting, carved or painted pumpkins and for the first time a Pumpkin Princess contest.  A local baton group called Quiet Storm provided entertainment through out the morning.  Because this event is in conjunction with the farmers market there is also heaviest vegetable contests which prove to show that vegetables really do grow LARGE in North Dakota.  Walhalla’s Giant Pumpkin Festival has always been free to the public.The commitee has successfully orginazed this festival for the past four years.  Walhalla’s 5th Annual Giant Pumpkin Festival will be held this year on September 27, 2008 on Main Street in Walhalla. 

Wally spent “Winter Fun Day’ at Frost Fire Ski Lodge, he met Sara Otte-Coleman, ND Tourism Director, shook hands with Dick and Judith Johnson, owners of Frost Fire, met the Ski Patrol and learned all about skiing safe, went skiing with Molly and warmed up by the fire.  

Nothing better than spending “Winter Fun Day” at Frost Fire Ski Lodge.                                     

Gov. John Hoeven officially proclaimed January 19 as “Winter Fun Day’’, promoting tourism officials to shush down the slopes and rev up their snowmobiles and ski resorts and winter events across the state. The goal was to showcase the many winter activities, events and opportunities that can be found in every part of North Dakota.

  “In every region of North Dakota you can find a place that celebrates winter fun. We have family-friendly downhill skiing. We have snowboarding, tubing, ice fishing and snowmobile festivals. Miles of cross-country ski trails can be found at your local golf course or state park. winter fun is everywhere in this state,’’ said Sara Otte-Coleman, Tourism Director. Sara and her family celebrated Winter Fun Day at Frost Fire Ski Area west of Walhalla on Saturday.

Most of the state’s downhill ski areas have snow-making abilities and resort representatives emphasized their ability to ensure good runs and plenty of snow cover.

  “Often times when people look out the window and see very little snow, they forget that other area of the state either have snow or when it comes to ski runs can make snow,’’ Otte Coleman said.  

 Dick and Judith Johnson, owners of Frost Fire truly are leaders when it come to tourism and quality recreation.  Frost Fire Ski Lodge and Amphitheatre play a major role in Walhalla’s Tourism Action Plan.

Sara Otte-Coleman  meets Wally Moose and spent the day skiing with her family.

 CELEBRATION!  Horizons Study Circle and Leadership Plenty participates celebrated their success with a free Party in the Park before starting Community Visioning.  Action Plan Committees gave an update on what they had completed to date and shared their short and long term goals.  Everyone agreed that Study Circles and Leadership Plenty was a lot of hard work, very worth while and all would do it again.   A “community family” working and sharing together what a Great Accomplishment!

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.

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.