Here are a few weekend shots from the Itasca State Park area in Minnesota from Grand Forks photographer Russ Hons. While peak colors haven’t quite arrived in some of the forested parts of the state, they are just around the corner.
It’s a thrill for me to join friends like Charley Johnson and Bill and Marietta Ekberg and others like Pat Miles and Don Shelby in the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Association of Television Art and Science’s Silver Circle. The award is given for 25 years or more of service to the television industry. Congratulations to fellow inductees Tim …
It was only an exhibition game, but the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team showed it will be a force to be reckoned with in the 2015-16 season. UND easily handled the University of Manitoba 8-3 Saturday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Sophomore forward Johnny Simonson of Grand Forks led the way with a hat trick, but the highly …
The University of North Dakota men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams opened their 2015-16 season this weekend at the Hyslop pool, and it was a good one for both. The men defeated St. Cloud State, 218-159, while the women came out on top of both SCSU and Minnesota State Moorhead in a championship two-day meet format. North Dakota combined to …
The University of North Dakota women’s volleyball team defeated Montana State on Saturday afternoon in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, running its home winning streak to 11. UND lost the first game 25-27 before reeling off three straight wins (25-21, 25-22, 25-19). The home win streak is its longest since UND joined the Big Sky Conference. Freshman Courtney Place had 14 kills and added a career-best 15 …
The University of North Dakota women’s volleyball team ran its home winning streak to 10 games with a 3-0 victory over the University of Montana in a Big Sky matchup Thursday in Betty Engelstad Arena. UND won 25-23, 25-18 and 25-20 to up its record to 13-6 (2-1 in conference). Montana fell to 4-11 and 0-3 overall. UND’s middles, Faith Dooley and Chelsea …
“Then there’s the strange case of Drew Wrigley, the lieutenant governor and, many thought, heir apparent to the office. Wrigley has gotten himself tangled up in a messy personal situation that probably precludes his nomination …” That’s what I wrote a month ago today, on a quiet Tuesday morning, in an article ostensibly about Jack Dalrymple’s performance as governor (you …
Yes, I know: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. That’s just the problem. Twenty years ago, lightning split the pretty Russian olive tree that presided over our back yard. We missed it mightily, especially the next spring, when its tiny perfumed blossoms could no longer tease us through the open bedroom window. We knew just what that corner …
Bloomington, Minn., photographer Dave Vorland’s most recent travels in Greece took him to ancient Greek and Roman ruins on the island of Delos. He also visited the isles of Naxos and Mykonos, where he spotted a bar that seemed to pay tribute, sort of, to Jackie Kennedy, who was romanced there and eventually married by tycoon Aristotle Onassis several years after the assassination …
Last Friday night, my wife and I were treated to amazing music made even more special because the artists were friends. A year after he charmed America on “The Voice,” Luke Wade put on an electric performance before a huge outdoor crowd at Levitt Pavilion in Arlington, Texas. For his encore of “Stand By Me,” he did something so typically …
Our lawns have had a difficult year. We had a wet, cold spring followed by a hot and dry summer, and while we had scattered rain in late summer, it was not enough to offset the brutal year. But good lawn care can help alleviate the bad situation. Here are a few preventative steps you can take: While fall rains …
What happened in the sky Sunday night hadn’t occurred in 33 years. And it won’t be visible again for 18 years. What is it? It’s a total supermoon lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon, and Grand Forks photographer Russ Hons captured it in these amazing shots. The supermoon total lunar eclipse is a confluence of three things: The moon is full and …
The appetite for hot and spicy food is gaining in popularity across the country as is evidenced by the emergence of restaurant and fast-food establishment dishes such as Subway’s Buffalo Chicken, Red Lobster’s Extra Jumbo Spicy Sriracha-Grilled Shrimp and Wendy’s Ghost Pepper Fries. For me, if I had to choose between hot and spicy and bland and boring, there’s no question what …
Here are some Faces from Game Day before, during and after the University of North Dakota’s 31-24 Big Sky Conference win over UC Davis on Saturday in the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. UND was led by true freshman John Santiago, who ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns, and inside linebacker Will Ratelle, who had 15 tackles — 12 …
True freshman John Santiago ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns and inside linebacker Will Ratelle had 15 tackles — 12 of them solo — to lead the University of North Dakota to a 31-24 Big Sky Conference football win over UC Davis Saturday in the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. The victory gives UND a 1-0 conference record (3-1 overall). David …
Someone asked me this week if I ever covered a papal visit. Not one in the U.S., but on September 16, 1984, I covered Pope John Paul II’s visit to Winnipeg for WDAY and WDAZ. It was part of a very long Canadian visit for John Paul, and a fairly historic one, marking the first time a pope had ever …
Bloomington, Minn., photographer Dave Vorland’s recent travels took him to Santorini, one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. Santorini was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century B.C., which forever shaped its rugged landscape and villages. Santorini has two main towns, including Oia, where whitewashed, cubist houses cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater) and overlook the clear …
Nachos are a popular appetizer for today’s football tailgaters. And there is no limit to the number of ways that this party food can be customized. Recently, I came across a recipe on Facebook that takes nachos to another level. It’s from Marit Mikkelson of Grand Forks, a University of North Dakota fan who posted a photo of “Tater Totchos” a …
Crete is the largest and the most populous of the Greek islands and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is the harbor city of Heraklion, where the Historical Museum of Crete is located. Bloomington, Minn., photographer Dave Vorland visited the island recently, capturing photos of museum, where artifacts from 1600 B.C. are stored, as well as the …
The first decision of Wayne Stenehjem’s soon-to-be-officially announced campaign for North Dakota Governor comes today, when the three-person Industrial Commission, of which he is a member, decides to give the Oil Industry a big wet kiss on the lips or a tiny slap on the hands. At issue is whether the commission will stick to its guns and enforce its …
On a cloudless Colorado afternoon a few weeks ago, I stood about 30 yards from the summit of Mount Baldy and watched as my son scrambled the final distance to the top. It had been a grueling four-hour hike to get there, and Patrick raised his arms in celebration and relief. I huffed and puffed to join him a few minutes later. …
A subject frequently brought to my attention whenever I discuss issues of diversity and inclusion is that of responsibility. For what perceptions or actions am I personally responsible? Is it my job to make sure people don’t see me as an “angry black woman,” or is it the responsibility of another individual to recognize biases as they occur and do …
When “Monday Night Football” made its television network debut on September 21, 1970, the National Football League was hardly the ratings juggernaut it has become today. In fact, CBS and NBC wanted no part of then-Commissioner Pete Rozelle’s pie-in-the-sky plan to expand the professional game’s coverage. Only ABC, the network with the last-place ratings, reluctantly agreed to try this experiment. …
At first when they arrived at the North Dakota Highway Patrol office in Grand Fork, some of the bears seemed a little apprehensive. But then when they found out how nice everybody is, they relaxed a little bit. A few words of explanation. My mother used to collect Teddy Bears, especially white ones. When she died last month, we decided that …
We are ready to embark on the most colorful time of the year — fall colors. And there is more good news! Great fall color is dependent on just the right weather conditions, especially moisture, and a spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says current conditions put us on track for one of the most colorful autumns on record. With …
The noose around James Henrikson’s neck got a little tighter this week —figuratively speaking, since prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty for Henrikson for allegedly masterminding the murder-for-hire that included the killing of a young North Dakota oilfield worker. Henrikson sat in a Spokane, Wash., courtroom this past Wednesday and watched three men who carried out the …
Bloomington, Minn., photographer Dave Vorland captured these scenes on his recent trip to Greece. They include views of a sunset along the sea at the town of Chania on the Island of Crete, the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, the Olympic track at the archaeological site of Olympia, the theatre at Epidavrus in the Peloponnes west of Athens and the Acropolis.
People who love an assortment of outdoor activities face a dilemma this time of the year. There are just too many things to do in too short a time. To do one you, you have to give up the others. For me and a lot of my friends, pastimes such as hunting and sports clash with the end of the gardening season. …
Here are a couple of beautiful sunset pictures from Grand Forks photographer Russ Hons taken at Kings Walk Golf course earlier this week in Grand Forks.
Saddened to learn of the passing of long-time WDAY promotions director Roy “Pete” Peterson. I didn’t know Roy personally. I wish I had. I did know his work. He played a huge role in shaping WDAY’s identity as a station in its early days, as well as how we think of North Dakota State University and the city of Fargo …
Yesterday, a couple of very big, very strong guys (relatives, actually) helped us move my mother’s possessions out of the Hillsboro, N.D., home where she lived for almost 60 years. It reminded me of the time in Bismarck when we hired two movers to help us with some of the furniture in Ginny’s mother’s home after Hazel died. The movers …
For many, many years, some of our best customers have been Larry and Bridget Drummer, who live by Maple Lake near Mentor, Minn. Always quiet, kind and cheerful, Larry clearly loved plants and gardening and his wife Bridget. I finally put together that he owned the big diesel repair shop on the East Side. We never had a conversation, but you didn’t …
Labor Day has come and gone. Already, The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a very cold and very snowy winter — not the much milder El Niño scenario many weather predictors are indicating. In any case, gardeners will have to prepare for winter and readiness means cleanup. We can start with the vegetable garden. Green beans, peas, sweet corn, melons and squash …
Here are some Faces of the Game photos from Saturday’s 50th annual Potato Bowl game between UND and Drake by Grand Forks photographer Russ Hons. UND won the game 21-18 to go to 2-0 on the season. Next up for UND is North Dakota State next Saturday in Fargo.
The University of North Dakota football team had its way with Drake in the first half of Saturday’s 50th annual Potato Bowl game, running up a three-touchdown lead. But the Bulldogs held UND scoreless in the second half while scoring 18 unanswered points to take some of the sheen off the home team’s 21-18 victory. The disappointing three-point win comes on the …
I sat in the suburban Dallas living room of Earl Crumby as the old soldier quietly wept. His wife had died a few years before, but Crumby said his tears that day weren’t for her. “As dearly as I loved that woman, her death didn’t affect me near as much as it does to sit down here and talk to …
Versailles and the Palace de Versailles were on the agenda for Alexandria, Va., photographer Jeff Olson on his last full day in France.
Fireworks over Memorial Stadium on Thursday night — part of the 50th annual Potato Bowl celebration — lit up the sky on the University of North Dakota campus, as evidenced by these images seen through the discerning eye of Grand Forks photographer Russ Hons.
Chicago is a city full of scenic views. Bloomington, Minn., photographer Dave Vorland captured several on a recent trip to the Windy City. They included Trump International Hotel and Tower (also known as Trump Tower Chicago and Trump Tower) — on the site of the former Chicago Sun-Times — advertising the candidacy of Donald Trump; the German submarine U-505, captured by the U.S. in …
On this 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, Grand Forks photographer Russ Hons snapped these images of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) in memory of those who perished. Russ says he hopes those who died were able to “see these beautiful lights from where they are now!”
Grand Forks photographer Russ Hons captured these outdoor images on a recent road trip in northwestern Minnesota.
The Château de Chenonceau is one of the best-known chateaux of the Loire Valley in France, and that is where Alexandria, Va., photographer Jeff Olson’s travels took him Wednesday. Located near the small village of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire department, the chateau was first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the …
Alexandria, Va., photographer Jeff Olson’s most recent day touring the French countryside included visiting Font-de-Gaume, a cave near Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil in the Dordogne department of southwest France. The cave contains prehistoric polychrome paintings and engravings dating to the Magdalenian period. His day ended at Château de Beynac, a castle where Richard the Lionheart lived in the 12th century. The castle is one of the …
The Tuesday market in Le Bugue — that’s where Alexandria, Va., photographer Jeff Olson, his wife, Joanne Plager Burke Olson, and their other traveling companions spent their morning. Le Bugue, located on the banks of the Vézère River a few kilometers before the confluence of the Vézère with the Dordogne at Limeuil, is a commune in the Dordogne department in southwestern France. …