Linton, ND

Lessons on stargazing was the topic of choice in Hazelton, Strasburg, Linton and Bakker during the month of January. Students learned about constellations and a website called Stellarium.org>This website downloads a great piece of software depicting a lifelike planetarium to learn about constellations. The main subject of the lesson was to use the software to find Polaris (fancy name for the north star) at any time of the year. We also learned the scientific names of big and little dipper. Do you know these? If you do, prizes await you. Please email your answer to Extension Agent Kristen Vetter kristen.e.vetter@ndsu.edu or stop by the NDSU Extension office at the courthouse in Linton. Other great things learned during the lesson plan are all the other constellations that you can find in the sky and furthermore the importance of space exploration.

Lessons about corn and its origins were given at every school in Emmons County during the month of November. Corn was essential to the native way of life. The Native Americans educated pilgrims when they arrived about how to cook with corn and all its other far reaching benefits such as heat during the winter and artwork for enjoyment. One other item of interest is that the word ‘maize’ is a universal word for corn meaning ‘primary national crop’. For example the maize of China is rice. The maize for North Dakota is wheat. (although quickly changing to corn:) Back in the era of the Native Americans the maize of their nation was corn therefore pinning the name of maize to the modern word corn. The School children ages 5-13 in Hazelton, Strasburg, Linton and Bakker enjoyed the education as well creating ‘corn bracelets’, giant pieces of popcorn to hang from the ceiling and to not forget the real popcorn that was popped in the microwave for a snack:.) yum?yum!

A small group of Linton Residents met to discuss the beautification process of the city of Linton and also the two parks within the community.  Many ideas have been tossed around in an effort to get the ball rolling on this project.  A future meeting will be held with collaborators to secure designs for the community and the hope is that a theme will evolve for the community to follow.  This is a high priority to the residents of Linton and its exciting to see new developments with this project.  Stay tuned for further progress on this exciting venture!

The Linton Senior Center Members have been on the move raising funds for their new building project.  In the short time they have been fund raising, they have managed to secure over $25,000.00 to put towards the project.  This does not take into consideration the time, effort, and supplies that have been donated to the project.  A meeting has been planned to include the youth of the community in the decision making to come up with new and innovative ideas for the center.  A tour has also been planned to a neighboring community for ideas and advice on how to run the center.  Other developments on the project are in the works, so stay posted for future updates!  If you would like to help out with this project, feel free to contact the Emmons County Extension Service for more information.

Linton Lion President Virgil Hulm presents Linton Park-board member Ken Schneider with a $2,000 check as part of the club’s pledge toward the swimming pool improvement fund. The Lions run a variety of projects raising money for many causes in the community. Last year the pool was redone, and the new water slide will be open this spring.

It’s Easter Time will be held at the Linton Community Center on Saturday, March 22 for ages 10 and under. Register for a chance to win an Easter Basket from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Have fun Face Painting and Body Stamping. Sponsored by Linton Chamber of Commerce and Linton Lions Club.

The Emmons County Ministerial Association is again hosting the Easter Cantatas on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

The Easter (March 23) presentation will be at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Strasburg and will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Offering will be for a mission work called, “Faith Comes by Hearing.”

The Rev. Lane Keister will be directing the Cantata this year.

Grandma’s Kuchen of Westfield, ND was featured on the 12/12/2007 airing of New Morning with Kimberly Whitfield (Hallmark Channel). This video is the segment of the show about Grandma’s Kuchen and Westfield.

Update on 03/08/2008: One of the men in the video, Jerry Van Beek, passed away just recently. His wife, Marilyn, has now moved away. With that, Westfield lost a big chunk of its population and has only two or three permanent residents left. I was going to describe Jerry as the one with the cowboy hat, dark glasses, and deep voice - but it’s easier to say he is the only man speaking throughout the video segment.

The 2008 Livestock Judging Season is underway!  Judgers have already competed in two contests, with one to go and then it’s on to State!  The youth have been doing well.  Highlights include a 1^st place individual finish in the junior division and a 4^th place individual finish in the senior division at the Little International held in Fargo.  Judging teaches youth life skills that they will use forever!  Communication, Memorization, Organization, and Visual Evaluation are all skills being sharpened by the judgers.  If you or your children have an interest for livestock agriculture, get them involved by contacting your local Extension Office or FFA advisor!  Judging kids typically go on to be leaders in the industry and take active roles in their communities because of the skills they have learned as youngsters.  Be a part of forming our future community leaders and enroll them in the judging program today!

Meidinger was nominated for the award by students, colleagues and administrators at LHS and Great Western ITV. She has built a wonderful Spanish program for the Linton School. She initiated and continues to handle a foreign language essay program. She’s taken Linton students and several from other schools on trips to Mexico and Spain.