Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
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Many of us have had the experience of forgetting about a library book and subsequently dreading the resulting late fees. We tell ourselves things— that we might still read the book, or that we will drop it in the dropbox just as soon as the library is closed. For some patrons, the cycle continues. They pay their fines, then check out more books— which inevitably become overdue. For others, the cycle stops. A library late fee can add up quickly, and for families who struggle to make ends meet, the burden is enough to discontinue the use of the...
I may be speaking for many more than myself when I say, there was always a special feeling when Grandma was cooking in the kitchen. I wasn't often allowed in the kitchen, but still I found a way to cultivate a sense of wonder regarding my grandmother's abilities to turn common ingredients into delectable delights. On a rare occasion I can replicate one of the divine aromas from my childhood. However, with all of today's fancy kitchen devices, I can't help but feel further and further away from...
UPDATE Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. - Official mask mandate language posted at bottom of story. In an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus in Eddy County, the City of New Rockford has issued a mask mandate effective Wednesday, November 4 at 8 a.m. The mandate was adopted after the Lake Region Health Unit recommended such actions, citing the increasing COVID-19 numbers in the county. The decision was made at a regular city council meeting on Monday, November 2. Kim Jensrud, administrator of th...
I check my temperature at least three times a day. Maybe this is because I am a woman in my late 30s who runs a bit warm anyway. Far more times than not, the thermometer gives a normal reading. If anyone is nearby, I will proudly announce, “It says I’m normal!” Then I laugh wildly because I know what a joke that is. 227 days have passed since the novel coronavirus altered our sense of reality and put a proverbial collar on our lives. We have adjusted and readjusted our outlooks as well as our priorities and behaviors. Nothing is normal, but eve...
Hunting is a big deal around these parts, and it seems to have been that way for a long time. When it comes to related artifacts found in the museum, the sport of bird hunting dominates. There are many more photos like the one above dating around 1910. It was a time when there were few rules and regulations regarding wildlife. The sky really was the limit! Upon close inspection of the above photo, it is clear these gentlemen harvested a variety of birds ranging from Canada geese, several...
During this year's annual Main Street Summit, held virtually Oct. 6-7, Governor Doug Burgum announced New Rockford as a recipient of the Main Street Art, Culture and Vibrancy Award. This award recognizes communities or groups that have contributed to their vibrancy by activating shared public space, promoting and celebrating the arts and culture and/or hosting community events that engage residents and visitors. Local art and culture, events and our shared spaces make our communities unique and...
The New Rockford–Sheyenne Board of Education met on Monday, October 12 via Zoom to discuss the district’s responsibility to student education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current restart plan, which was adopted by the board at the beginning of the school year, has resulted in a vastly under-engaged student body. Secondary principal Avolt Baumbach explained that the plan’s goal was to reduce class size and accommodate the limited instructional capacities, but has produced some unintended consequences. Baumbach explained that as the first qu...
Humans and dogs have stood side by side for millenia. In fact, archaeological evidence suggests that dogs were domesticated as early as 20,000- 40,000 years ago. Humans worked to tame and breed wolves, and by 7,000 years ago, dogs occupied every continent inhabited by humans. The breeds we have today seem a far cry from the wolf, with their short snout and sweet disposition. At this point we would have struggled to recognize these animals as the dogs we know today. Eventually, through selective...
The novel coronavirus has swept through Eddy County this past month. The total number of county residents who have tested positive for the virus exceeded 100 as of Oct. 3. On Thursday, October 8, the North Dakota Department of Health reported two new positive cases in the county and a total of 22 active cases. The number of active cases at any one time last peaked at 31. Students in grades 7-12 at New Rockford-Sheyenne High School returned to in-person instruction Thursday after an outbreak of C...
Growing up, I always had October 12 off from school in honor of Columbus Day. I remember because it offered a school free day just in time to appreciate the feeling of autumn. It had no other real meaning to me than that. Still, I was taking part in an annual celebration of colonization— even in 1992, when my class held a party honoring the 500 years that had passed since “Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” The worst part was, I didn’t know any better. It’s not an excuse. It’s a confession. For a good portion of my childhood, I didn’t even...
A couple of weeks ago, Archival Anecdotes featured artifacts which were carried and transported by immigrants as they traveled from the old country. Several more features of the same accord could be prepared, however doing so would neglect the diversity of materials which are housed at the Eddy County Museum. Many of which provide insight to the lives of the indigenous peoples who lived nearby. The Spirit Lake Tribe was established by a treaty between the United States Government and the...
Why Co-op? Each October, cooperatives join together to celebrate National Co-op Month. National Co-op Month is an annual opportunity to raise awareness of a trusted, proven way to do business and build communities. The history of cooperatives extends back to the orgins of the United States, influencing the character, economics and the social and political life of our nation. In fact, the initial structured cooperative business in the United States was the Philadelphia Contrib...
The first Fire Prevention Week was named as a day to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and was expanded to become Fire Prevention Week in 1922. Long before there was such a thing as Fire Prevention Week, the City of New Rockford was assembled and prepared for if and when fire might strike the community. And strike it did- time and again. The wood constructed homes and businesses made it easy for fires to take entire city blocks. Both of the fires that occurred in 1910 and 1912...
Each month, the Chamber of Commerce reviews nominations submitted by the public and selects one lucky area worker to be selected as Employee of the Month. For the month of September, Leland Koenig of Miller's Fresh Food has the honor of wearing the title. He was recognized for both his tenure as well as his commitment to product quality. Leland's time in the local grocer's meat department spans more than 35 years. It was a career that began while he was still in high school. "I was placed...
There's a new face at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) located in downtown New Rockford. Evan Guler, a 2009 graduate from New Rockford-Sheyenne, is now serving as the County Executive Director for Eddy and Foster counties. The path which led Guler away from his hometown and then back again relied heavily upon respect and understanding for agriculture. He earned his degree in agricultural economics from NDSU and then went to work at Cargill in West Fargo. When an opportunity arose with the FSA,...
Comforts of Home The mid- to late-1800s was a booming time for North Dakota, as settlers arrived from nearby states such as Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. Toward the turn of the century, foreign immigrants made their way to the prairie from countries such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany and more. Often immigrants would have to travel via boat and train to make it to their destination. They had arrived with the intent to be Americans, but that didn't stop...
The New Rockford-Sheyenne School board approved the district's final 2020-21 budget at the Sept. 14 meeting. While the budget’s expenditures total $4,508,646.19, the projected revenue is estimated to be $4,621,807.95. The resulting $113,161.79 has been unallocated, as the board anticipates the need for budgetary accommodations for staffing in areas such as math, science and social-emotional wellness. Adjustments to this year’s budget include the acquisition of a yellow bus at $94,000, the cost of which will be partially covered by a Clean Die...
If there is anything the Eddy County Museum has an abundance of it would be agricultural artifacts. Of course! This area was founded and developed upon agriculture. The Homestead Act attracted settlers and immigrants alike. Part of the requirement to claim homestead lands was to work the land, making it suitable for crops. As a result, by the end of the 19th century, there were 27,611 farms in North Dakota, and on average they were 277 acres in size. Homesteaders found that wheat grew...
Two young folks from Eddy County made history this week, marking 70 years of marriage together. However, Bill and Joyce Starke have been part of history for much longer than that. Both Bill and Joyce can find pieces of their families' legacies in the Eddy County Museum. Bill's grandfather, William Starke, homesteaded in Eddy County in 1883. When the Eddy County Museum was founded, Bill's father, Horton Starke, served as an honorary member of the board. Horton prepared two displays, which are...
Do you ever feel like you're working all the time? Whether it's around the house, in the field, or at the office, it seems like we are all trying to "get stuff done." Have you ever asked yourself why? Aside from any due compensation, we all choose (or settle) the work we do. Often we chose something we're good at, or that we do well. Sometimes we choose work that is important or that we think might make the world a better place. I might be exaggerating when I say that we all want to make a...
Eddy County Community Cares invites you to join the 6th Annual Lights of Hope Event on Sunday, Sept. 13. The event will begin at 4 p.m., with opening remarks by Mindy Meier at the gazebo in Centennial Park, located in downtown New Rockford. This year, the folks who comprise ECCC are well aware of how difficult the recent months have been for everyone. As a result, the organization worked to create a family-friendly remembrance complete with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, rock painting, and more- all...
Here the community of Sheyenne in its early days. It seems there more horses than vehicles on the dirt roads. And look at the number of buildings! While the collections at the Eddy County Museum tend to be a little heavy on the New Rockford side, rest assured there is plenty of representation for Sheyenne. In fact, many of the artifacts housed at the museum could have been right at home in the era depicted in the photograph. From the butter marker that was used in the Sheyenne Hotel to the lace...
In searching through the New Rockford Transcript archives from 1914 and 1920, I encountered far more than I was expecting when it comes to women’s suffrage. Some of the stories we informative reports of meetings among the Votes for the Women’s League as well as the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. At first glance, it was hard to tell if the Transcript writers had any opinion on the movement. The stories were straight forward. In the report on the organization of the North Dakota Votes for Women League, the Transcript stated, “Much i...
Humans have been facing the drudgery of laundry for as long as we have been donning clothing. It's a miserable chore that seems to drag on, even with machines at hand. Many of us can say that we've washed clothes by hand for one reason or another. But few of us truly know the work that went into washing the tough and durable clothing of the 19th and early 20th century. During that time, the washboard was a go-to when it came to getting the laundry clean. The model featured here is a Hackett...
Pastor Amy Kippen has answered her first call as is now serving the congregation of the First Lutheran Church in New Rockford. This exciting milestone comes after her recent officiation and completion of training at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., but that is not to say that she's a newbie. "Church has been my gig for a long time," Kippen cheerfully declared during her interview. Most recently, she fulfilled a yearlong internship with Tri-County Ministry, which serves Binford and the...
