Linton, ND

The University of North Dakota Clinical Education program held two human rights workshops in Linton on Wednesday, April 2. The first workshop was presented at Linton High School to the Senior Class. Thirty-five students and faculty attended. The second workshop was open to the public and was held at the KEM Building. Twenty-two community members attended. Both audiences were highly involved in the workshop discussions, which focused on the importance of international and local human rights issues.

Both workshops explained what Human Rights mean internationally, across the United States and here, in North Dakota. First, Human Rights are universal rights. This means that time, place and circumstances do not matter; the rights belong to every human as an individual. Some of these rights are benefits that the government has a duty to provide, such as the right to education. Other rights relate to circumstances that the government has a duty to prevent, such as freedom from discrimination. According to the United Nations, “human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.”

During the workshop, it was explained that the United Nations is the main international body associated with Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons in all countries of the world. This Declaration expresses 30 distinctive Human Rights, including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association and right to life, liberty and security of person.

While there are many Human Rights violations occurring throughout the world, many violations are happening around the United States, and even in North Dakota. If you believe you have faced discrimination or civil rights violations, you can contact the North Dakota Department of Labor Human Rights Division at 1-800-582-8032. The best way to protect the Human Rights of all is to understand what your rights are, stand up for yourself or others when those rights have been violated, and educate community members about Human Rights. For more information, you can contact the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition at (701)239-9323 or http://www.ndhrc.org/ (click on link). The NDHRC works to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights.

Presenting the information to us was Justin Keppinger, Sarah Schaar (formerly of Linton), Johnny Palsgraaf and Tali Best.

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.

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.

Nodak Homes provides low-income and elderly housing in 4 units in Linton. The grant will be used to update the shingles, siding and windows on the three 4-unit buildings.

The Emmons County Commissioners have approved the installation of an elevator and upgrade of the main floor restrooms. This will shape the courthouse to comply with American’s Disability Act (ADA) requirements for public buildings.

Construction will begin within the next one to two months.

The Coyote Country 4-H club is keeping busy. Projects recently completed are: made Christmas ornaments and delivered them to the assisted living apartments; helped the Lions Club buy and wrap Christmas gifts for the needy children in the community; collected pop tops for the Ronald McDonald House; made Easter baskets for the folks in the assisted living apartments; helped raise food donations for the Linton Food Pantry and collected recycled eye glasses for the Lions International Drive for countries that cannot afford glasses.

Linton Fitness is what the community has been waiting for a long time…Finally, everyone has a place to exercise!

A variety of equipment such as cardio and strength machines surrounded by an indoor track. In addition, a circuit of hydraulic machines provides a 30-minute work-out for members who want to take advantage of their break time from work.

Classes in YOGA, BALLROOM DANCE, JAZZERCISE and DANCE CLASSES for different ages are available.

A special room is available for exercising using a DVD/VCR.

For more specifics go to the lintonfitness website.