Sheyenne News: Feb. 19, 2024

Back in October, Sheyenne GRIT supported the City of Sheyenne in applying for a U.S. Forest Service tree grant for the city-owned Hendrickson Park campground. Sheyenne GRIT is excited to announce that they were awarded $25,000 of federal money for tree and stump removal and new plantings. Many community members helped in assembling the grant application and have been waiting in anticipation to hear back on their application. Extension Agent Michelle Gilley and grant writer Patti Larson led the project efforts with a walking survey to identify ash trees and catalog variety diversity. Colter Soderholm used his drone to create images for the proposal. A walk-through assessment to develop improvement priorities was conducted by fireman Dave Rieger, park caretaker Kim Brown and park board members Dianne Hanson and Dave Chenze Jr.

Hendrickson Park is a community treasure and home of the Sheyenne Rodeo (tentatively June 30) and the Sheyenne Stampede (Aug. 17), a "can’t miss" event drawing in big name musicians. Rodeo club volunteers have been making many improvements to the rodeo grounds.

Hendrickson Park also provides firewood for the Sheyenne 4th of July Stone Pit BBQ. The tree clean-up work and plantings will enhance the campground and make it safer for all users.

Sheyenne Community Quilters finished three quilts and started a couple more on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Grace Lutheran Church parish hall. Eunice Throlson, Karen Birkeland, Marilynn Kruger, Bonnie Deegan and Patti Larson were joined by Jan Loe and Stan Kruger for coffee after quilting. The first Wednesday in March between 1-3:30 p.m. is the next time to quilt together, and all are welcome to join.

Thursday, Feb. 8, Jan Loe, Bonnie Deegan and Patti Clifton attended the Community Ambulance Service soup and breadstick lunch at noon in New Rockford. There's always a delicious variety of soups and desserts! We are fortunate to have the ambulance service in our county!

School board members representing Sheyenne, Kyle Alfstad and Patti Larson, took part in North Dakota “Be Legendary” School Board Leadership Training. Facilitator DeAndrea, from Dallas, Texas led the two-day training in New Rockford on Feb. 8 and 9. The training focused on how to center priorities on improving student outcomes and career readiness. Larson explained that student outcomes rarely make it on the board agenda and instead the focus is primarily on operations. The training aimed to empower individual board members to create a new mindset and put the focus back on student learning.

Larson summarized, “As adults, we have to change our behaviors before we can expect the student outcomes to improve. Board self-evaluation is a first step in the process.” The facilitator will continue to provide support to align vision and values on the true priority, the students. Larson is not seeking reelection, so get your name in by April 1 if you would like to be on the ballot for the former Sheyenne district.

Saturday, Feb. 10, Patti Larson volunteered with the music boosters in the kitchen at the girls’ basketball district tournament.

Monday, Feb. 12, Patti Clifton and Jan Loe were in Carrington. They enjoyed noon lunch before doing a little shopping.