Fessenden, ND

         Here’s your chance to take the flame of your life out while supporting your local fire department.  Saturday, February 13 will be the __annual Valentine Suppper and Wine Tasting Fundraiser.  It will be at 7pm at the Festival Hall in Fessenden and the meal will be Prime Rib and Shrimp.  The tickets are $30 per person and only 140 tickets will be sold.  Tickets can be purchased from the firemen, Farmers Union Insurance, or First International Bank.

On February 19-20, the Dakota Grown Local Foods Conference will take place in Jamestown, ND.  This is a great opportunity for communities that have listed communty gardens and farmer’s markets as strategies in their community plans to help those in poverty.  The cost is only $25 and Horizons will pay for up to 8 people to attend as well as mileage for up to 2 vehicles from each current and alumni community.  This sounds really interesting and as we have listed these as possibilities in our community plan, if anyone thinks they could go, contact Laurel Wentz at 701-399-9741.

The final Horizons Gala will be held on Tuesday, May 4th at the Bismarck Ramkota Inn.  This is an opportunity for our 15 current Horizons towns to showcase what we have done and celebrate with each other and many partners.  It is always a great day and Governor Hoeven has been invited to attend and take pictures with all of us as special presentations are made to each town.

    A Basic Dog Obedience Class will be offered in Fessenden beginning February 11 and will continue weekly through March 25.  Classes will be on Thursdays starting at 6:30pm on February 11.  Classes will be held in the basement of the Computer Loft building on Railway Street in Fessenden.  You and your dog will learn basic commands such as: sit, sit/stay, down, come, heel.  Information on canine behavior and socialization will also be discussed. 

Jenny Iverson, owner of Ruff Cutz in Fessenden will be the instructor.  Jenny has many years of experience in working with dogs.  She is a Registered Veterinary Technician and has worked 12 years in that position.  Jenny has worked 3 years as a Humane Officer and has worked with City and County K-9 departments. She has taken personal retriever training for hunting tests and worked with professional trainers in many area.

Class size is limited to 12 owners with their dogs, so if interested in this class call soon.  The cost will be $40.  To register contact Jenny Iverson at 341-0624 before February 8th.

Classes to start soon - Thursdays at 6:30pm - February 11- March 25

More information to come soon.  Class size limited.  Call Jenny Iverson at 341-0624. 

Yes the blizzard on Monday, January 25, 2010 stopped most activities in the state.  Listening to the TV, it advised staying indoors for the blizzard in 32 counties in North Dakota, and many in Montana.  Then comes the decision of what to do with the unexpected “extra time.” 

Motorheads is a busy place these days.  The bar opened early in June after being closed for over a year.  Shawn Weltz bought and renovated the former Cabaret building, decorating it in a muscle car motif.  Early in December, Motorheads opened their newly remodeled dining room.  The dining room is open from 11:00am-7:00pm Tuesday- - Thursday, from 11:00am-9:00pm on Friday and from 5:00pm-9:00pm on Saturday.  On Sunday, Motorheads serves a noon buffet from 11:00am - 1:00pm.  All these new opportunities to eat out are being taken advantage of by the people of Fessenden and surrounding area who have had limited choices to “eat out” since the devastating fire that burned the “Main Street Cafe” and the “T-Bones Steak House & Lounge”, almost a year ago.  

First and Second Grade students in Fessenden-Bowdon School have been having some very exciting science lessons.  Adding to the “Oceans” unit was an unscheduled trip to Laguna Beach, California by the teacher.  Using a wide variety of pictures, seashells, and sounds of the ocean from video bought back from her trip, the students had fun looking, touching, hearing and smelling.  (We also tasted salt water taffy.)  What better way to learn, than hands on!!!

Horizon’s committee meetings are being scheduled in January to get moving on the projects that have been identified as priorities.  Watch for more information as soon as meetings are scheduled.  The Day Care Committee met yesterday and the Business Committee and Fair Grounds Utilization Committee will be scheduled soon. 

The Fessenden Cafe will soon be completed and open for business.  Watch for it!!

   The Horizon’s Day Care Committee is looking for input concerning the potential for a day care center in Fessenden.  Surveys will be sent out to parents with day care aged children as well as other persons with an interest in the idea.  What times would the service be needed? Would Saturday be needed?  What kind of payment plan would you like to see?   Where would be a good location?  Would grants be available for the center?  Any other comments?

The Fessenden-Bowdon School Music Department will present it’s Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 10.  The matinee will be at 1:30pm and the evening performance will be at 7:00pm.  Elementary students should report to their rooms by 6:45pm to line up for the concert.  Band students should come at 6:40pm to warm-up and tune-up.   Each family is asked to bring a plate of goodies to share after the concert.

      The First Lutheran Church of Fessenden had its annual “Cookie Walk” on Wednesday night.  The tables were loaded with goodies and sweets of all kinds.  Customers filled their “boxes” with the treats they selected.  Trays are filled for the shut-ins and elderly of the community, so this doubles as a action project as well.  This fund raiser for the women of the church is always a big boost to whichever project they choose to designate the funds to.  This year will be no exception I am sure judging by the looks of the sweets!! 

Kids at the Fessenden-Bowdon School Gym were excited to see Santa on Monday night.  The Civic & Commerce Assn treated the kids to free movies, popcorn and drink as they waited for Santa to arrive.  Pictures with Santa, candy bags, and toys to choose from were some of the treats for the night!!

What a great turnout!!  Monday night was the date and the Fessenden-Bowdon School Lunchroom was the place.  Over 226 people came to enjoy the Knephla Soup, Chili, “Special Bread”, Brownie Delight, and coffee.  We ran out of everything, but somehow most of the attendees got something to eat.  We also had a Bake Sale to provide more money for the cafe project and that raised about $600.  It was fun and the committee meetings that followed the meal were productive.  Chairmen for the committees were chosen and they are:  Business Committee-Jeff Davis, Day Care Committee-Marla Haugen, and Fair Grounds Utilization Committee-Pastor Shirley Teske.

The Wells County Free Stages have again been awarded grant money from the ND Council on the Arts for the Wells County Fair 2010.  In an email received on Monday, the Council has awarded $1600 to be used for the Free Stages during the Fair.  This money will be used to pay entertainers for their wonderful performances at the fair.  Any ideas for entertainment???

            On Thursday, November 19 Horizon’s Board Members from the Fessenden Community met to plan the Community Appreciation Supper.  See related article.  Pictures of us at our meeting were taken because we have seldom thought to take pictures until after everyone is gone.  In the 1st and 2nd pictures are:  Marla Haugen, Jeff Davis, Eric Bollingberg, Anita Schindler (guest), and Pastor Shirley Teske. Pictured in the 3rd picture are Marla Haugen, Nancy Bollingberg, Jeff Davis,Dee Hirsch, Eric Bollingberg, and Pastor Shirley Teske.  In the last picture are Eric Bollingberg, Pastor Shirley Teske, Laurel Wentz, Nancy Bollingberg, Marla Haugen, and Jeff Davis.

“Home for the Holidays” 2009 will be on Monday, December 7 at the Old Gym at the school.  The Fessenden Civic & Commerce will be hosting their 7th annual event with Cartoons starting at 3:15pm.  Popcorn and refreshments will be served and all kids are welcome to attend.  Santa will arrive between 4:30pm and 5:30pm. 

There will also be a FREE Community Appreciation Soup and Sandwich supper that will be held that evening to kick off the committees for the Horizon’s projects.  The Soup , Bread, and Dessert will be served on Monday, December 7th from 4:30pm-6:00pm at the Fessenden-Bowdon School Cafeteria.  Your attendance will support the Fessenden Community Cafe.  There will also be a Bake Sale in the hallway during the supper.  After the supper, at about 6:00pm committees will meet to select chairmen for each committee.  Those committees include: 

Business Committee would work on a Cafe, Community Newsletter, Business Sign, Farmers Market, & Welcome Wagon.  Remember this committee is not limited to these ideas and some ideas may not be ready to go right now and some will change.  Community members signed up for this committee include: Marla Haugen, Perry Anderson, Marge Anderson, Lowell Anderson, Jennifer Hagemeister, Verdean Hofer, Judy Martin, Anita Schindler, and Betty Hakanson.

Community Center Committee:  This would include work on a Fitness/Health Center, Senior Citizens Center, & an Activity Room.  Community members signed up for this committee include: Jennifer Hagemeister, Carrie Opdahl, Pam Copenhaver, Lauri Anderson, Jenny Iverson, Dee Hirsch, Mary Wrolstad, Darlene Dietz, Brandy Bartz, Verdean Hofer, Judy Martin, Laurel Wentz and Betty Hakanson.

Day Care Committee:  Community members signed up for this committee include: Marla Haugen, Carrie Opdahl, Brandy Bartz, Lauri Anderson and Jenny Iverson.

Fair Grounds Utilization Committee:  Community members already signed up for this committee include: Marge Anderson, Lowell Anderson, Dee Hirsch, Darlene Dietz, and Betty Hakanson.

Adult Education Committee: Pastor Shirley Teske, Laurel Wentz, & Nancy Bollingberg

Please plan to attend these committee meetings and any other you are interested in!

Does your dog always listen to your commands?  Basic dog obediance classes will be offered after the first of the year in Fessenden.  Participants will learn about dog behavior and teaching the basic commands - sit, stay, heel, down, come. 

A suitable building will be needed for class space.  Preferably insulated or heated with a concrete or dirt floor. 

Classes will be held two times a week for 3 weeks.  Please contact Jenny Iverson, owner of Ruff Cutz Grooming, for information or site ideas.  341-0624

            LYO students from 1st Lutheran Church, Fessenden are planning to again make Turkey Supper for their grandparents (and many others from the community that fall in that age group).  The Sunday before Thanksgiving has been the day for this celebration for about 10 years. 

 The supper will be held on Sunday, November 22 at 5:00pm in the church basement.  Students prepare the supper, peeling potatoes and carrots, carving the turkey, making dressing, gravy, and pumpkin dessert, setting the tables, making coffee and hot spiced cider, and delivering the “stay at home” meals.  After the meals are delivered to the people unable to attend the meal, the family style meal begins.  Each student is a “host” at his/her table; with the servers and the guests eating together.  The meal is a unique opportunity for high school and junior high students to visit with and serve a meal to some of the elders of our community.

Students are calling guests now, but if you do not get called, please call Laurel Wentz at 547-3416 or 399-9741.  Let us know if you are coming or if you would like a meal delivered to your home within the city of Fessenden.  

As always, there is no cost–it is simply our way of celebrating Thanksgiving.

We received news this week that The Fessenden Horizons Vision Statement, an 8 page document completed in August, has
been officially accepted by the Northwest Area Foundation! In fact, it was considered ‘exemplary’ by the Foundation. 

Thanks so much to all of you that have worked so hard to “get it done.”

Click here to read The Fessenden Horizons Vision Statement:  fessenden-vision-8-25-final.docfessenden-vision-8-25-final.doc