2020: It wasn't all that bad

We reconvene our review of 2020 at the beginning of summer. Despite the challenges posed by a global pandemic, dynamic events and dedicated people were the hallmarks of the second half.

Fair food in town

It was a highlight for many when Ron Lende offered his delicious fair food to locals. From brats to Philly cheese steaks, Lende served up summer meals right. His tent on the Cities Service Station lot at the corner of 7th Street and Central Avenue was a fixture throughout the summer. Outdoor events like DPRCA's Songs on Central, baseball games and the classic car show made summer life in New Rockford all the sweeter.

Hanson's Bar revamped

While the majority of folks hunkered down inside, New Rockford businesses saw the silence as an opportunity to make some changes for the better. The Transcript highlighted the renovations, expansions and relocations that local businesses underwent amid the pandemic. We began with a visit to Hanson's Bar where owner Dalton Weber first prioritized the exterior of the structure before deciding to renovate the interior as well. "I had no intention of re-doing the floor this year," Weber explained. However, the lack of customer traffic due to COVID-19 restrictions suggested there was no time like the present.

North American Bison announces expansion

Even some of the county's largest employers laid down plans for expansion. The Transcript reported in July that North American Bison, LLC had plans to double the square footage of its New Rockford manufacturing facility. Mike Jacobson, Vice President of Operations, said that warehouse and distribution of the packaged meat products, which are currently handled in Fargo, will move to New Rockford. When the construction is complete, the entire operation will be under one roof, a move Jacobson says will make the company more efficient. With this expansion, NAB will offer a variety of career opportunities.

8th Street Boutique opens its doors

Taylor Weber transformed a garage in the back of her salon into a quaint little boutique. Aptly named 8th Street Boutique, the new retail space in the back of The Hair Studio on 8th Street made its debut in September. Women and teen girls will find unique styles in the store, from maxi dresses and sweaters to denim and tees. 8th Street Boutique is open on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. Customers can access the boutique through the west door.

Bachmeier offers pedicures

Shear Delight now offers pedicures by New Rockford native Alissa Bachmeier. The 60-minute long pedicures Alissa offers at Shear Delight have all the bells and whistles. A 2007 graduate of New Rockford-Sheyenne High School, she received her cosmetology certificate from the Salon Professional Academy (SPA) of Fargo in 2010.

G&R Grain changes hands

Chet Pollert announced his retirement from G & R Grain and Feed in July, and a lifeline came just in the nick of time for the flagship New Rockford agribusiness. Local producers Lynn Homelvig, son Ryan and grandson Dylan Rossow purchased the feed mill operation effective Oct. 1. The purchase came with the Homelvig realization that without G & R Grain and Feed, there was a big gap in service in Eddy County.

Return of the Rockford

After six months without movies, the Rockford Theatre reopened its doors on Saturday, Sept. 19 and welcomed patrons into a newly renovated space. There's now ample leg room, and the rows were arranged so that the seats are offset, improving screen visibility throughout the theatre. The auditorium is also ADA accessible now, making it possible for people who use wheelchairs or walkers to enjoy a movie night as well. The theatre benefited from a few new release movies at year's end, as well as support from locals.

Wonder Lanes to close, NRABC to purchase

Wonder Lanes long-time owner and operator LeRoy Krueger told the Transcript Tuesday, Sept. 1 that due to health issues and the ongoing threat of COVID-19, he did not plan to reopenthe downtown business. All league bowling was suspended, meaning no bantam, junior, mens, womens or mixed leagues until further notice. However the outlook wasn't all grim. The New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation (NRABC) board unanimously passed a motion to purchase Wonder Lanes bowling alley weeks later. NRABC engaged Sarah Smith Warren of Soul Space Work to research the costs of updating the facility, evaluate operation strategies and raise funds to reopen the downtown bowling alley.

Lights of Hope remembers with butterflies

As hard as it is to talk about a loved one who has died by suicide, Lights of Hope is the place to do it.

This year, Eddy County Community Cares annual Lights of Hope was a family-friendly event, complete with a butterfly release to remember those we have lost due to suicide. In addition, this year, student organizations came together to offer a very special tribute in memory of NR-S math instructor Mark Johnson, who died by suicide this year.

NR-S experiences COVID-19 outbreak

On Tuesday, September 22, New Rockford-Sheyenne School identified multiple COVID-19 positive cases among students and staff, prompting an immediate move to the "red level" per the school's health and safety plan. On October 9, Superintendent Jill Louters reported that 21 NR-S staff members including Louters had been out due to infection or potential exposure to COVID-19 in the past month. Among students, 102 were quarantined as close contacts. All students in grades 7-12 were educated from home online for more than a month. Students returned to school full time on Oct. 27.

Midnight Munchies

A new eatery opened in October. Located within Buck-its Bar, the place offers up some truly unique late night fare.

Local food pantry benefits 

NR-S Sources of Strength students collected over 700 non-perishable items from New Rockford residents in just a couple of hours on Halloween night. High winds couldn't stop 17 kids in grades 7-12 from going door to door to collect those non-perishables.   

City imposes mask mandate as COVID-19 cases rise

In an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus in Eddy County, the City of New Rockford 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. In the weeks to follow, Eddy County's active case number rose to near 80 after 37 cases were reported in a single day. Six Eddy County residents died with COVID-19 last year.

New Rockford's little Heart Warrior undergoes surgery

Three-month-old Kipp Kouba, son of Levi and Justene Kouba, underwent open heart surgery on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the University of Minnesota. Justene was six months pregnant when they got the news about Kipp's condition. Doctors diagnosed him with Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare condition caused by a combination of four congenital heart defects. He also had a ventricular septal defect (VSD), or hole in the heart. Kipp is recovering at home with his family.

Bison Lodge back in local hands

The opportunity to purchase the Bison Lodge came this fall after the property had changed hands several times. Matt Schaefer and Kim Buhlman saw their chance to take charge of the local lodging establishment. The lodge offers RV parking, 13 hotel rooms and five rooms in the Hunter Lodge. In addition, guests are welcome to use the fish cleaning station. In November Matt became a licensed outfitter guide for fishing.

"I feel real good"

Lifelong resident Ervin Longnecker, age 102, traveled with Santa during the annual Santa day event on Dec. 5. He had recovered from a recent fight with COVID right before his 102nd birthday. He died on Dec. 18 while tending to his barnyard animals on his farm.