Walhalla, ND

 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!

       The Gorge Art Gallery members decided during the Christmas season they would donate their time, talents and supplies for a free art class to all Walhalla Children. Nineteen students took part in creating their own ginger bread houses.  Lots of smiles, giggles, and laughter were heard all afternoon at the Gorge Art Gallery.  Thanks to all the members,of the gallery, the Walhalla Chamber, and the Degree of Honor for donating resources for the class.

Action Plan Committee “Welcome to Walhalla”  meet several times, each member meet with different area businesses and collected gifts, coupons, gift certificates etc…The group than ordered canvas totes that were imprinted by Ink Impressions a local business. The tote reads “Welcome to Walhalla “Heart” of the Rendezvous Region.  Totes are given to new members of the community.   The committee has done a wonderful job developing partnerships with local business and making every new family feel Welcome to Walhalla.  Shirely a member of the Welcome to Walhalla Action Committee is presenting Wally Moose with his welcome tote.

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.

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.

  In February 2007 we started study circles, 45 adults and 8 youth began the process of learning and understanding the needs the community.  We broke up into small groups, and meet every Tuesday for 5 weeks,  We began with introductions, sharing our talents and passion, we became a “family”.  We started by listing the our community assets and what can we do to enhance our assets to better our quality of life.  It was surprising, by just simply listing our assets it became apparent that we really have a unique and special community with many resources.  We discussed Walhalla’s poverty and what is the cause, and found out it was not just the lack of money, but quality jobs, education, lack of community responsibility and support and racism.  The big question “What Can We Do?”.