Walhalla, ND

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.

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!

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.

What can we do to improve our assets and address poverty?  Ten (10) action plans were developed and community residents signed up to take a leadership role in the action plans. The ten (10) Action Plan Committees:  Downtown Revitalization/Beautification -Tourism - Parent Teacher Organization - Entrepreneur Program - Welcome Wagon - Customer Service Training Workshop - Technology/Cell Service - Before and After School Program- Economic Development Seminars for the Business Community - Better Community Relationships/Chamber of Commerce.   Action Committees were formed and committees meet to develop their plans.