Unheralded

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth, NCHC Frozen Faceoff, March 18, 2016

The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team, already a lock for a No. 1 seed in next weekend’s NCAA tournament, was handed a 4-2 setback by the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Frozen Faceoff semifinals Friday night in Minneapolis’ Target Center. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 16 nationally and seeded fourth in the tournament, fell behind …


Unheralded

JIM FUGLIE: View From The Prairie — A Couple Of Reasons Why I Like Politics

SPEAKING OF NEW DRESSES Wednesday, I wrote a long story about lieutenant governors, mostly, and in it, I poked some fun at my friend, Jim Poolman. If you missed it, click here. But here’s another addition to the story, and it demonstrates why I like Jim Poolman. He has a sense of humor and a thick skin. Last night, I was sitting in …


LA VALLEUR COMMUNICATES: Musings By Barbara La Valleur — Defining Moments

A note to Fish readers: On Jan. 2, I began a nutrition plan complete with a certified nutritionist coach. After learning that I’m a journalist and blogger, she invited me to blog about my experiences. The following, written Jan. 12, is the first of two month’s of weekly blogs that first appeared on the international Metabolic Balance® website.  Unheralded.fish will run …

TERRY DULLUM: The Dullum File — An Open Letter To UND From Ben Folds

Music doesn’t get much better than that created by Ben Folds. Below is his open letter to the University of North Dakota. AN OPEN LETTER TO ED SCHAFER PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA Dear President Schafer: We are writing to urge you to reconsider eliminating the entire music therapy program at the University of North Dakota. In our respective …

JEFF OLSON: Photo Gallery — Blooming Beauty

It may not quite be spring according to the calendar, but the magnolia blooms are bursting  ― and falling ―in Washington, D.C., as these images from Alexandria, Va., photographer Jeff Olson will attest. They were taken at Rawlins Park, the American Red Cross headquarters and the Enid A. Haupt Garden the Smithsonian Institution. While the magnolia blooms are going fast and the next rain storm will carry …

TERRY DULLUM: The Dullum File — Sheila

With her passing this week, lots of stories are being told and retold about the bigger-than-life “First Lady of Medora,” Sheila Schafer. I can’t resist relating my favorite. It was told to Ginny and me by a very close friend of hers. Almost too good to be true, I believe it is. Home alone in the Bismarck apartment she shared with her husband, Harold Schafer, …

NANCY EDMONDS HANSON: After Thought — Grandpa Gets A Smartphone

Apparently old dogs really can learn new tricks … at least, when their daughters take over the training. After years of vehement denial, Russ has acquired a smartphone. It’s a day I never saw coming. The man has not merely resisted change: He has railed against it since his first sight of the iPhone nearly a decade ago. He continued …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. University of California-Irvine, March 16, 2016

The University of North Dakota men’s basketball team’s season came to an abrupt end Wednesday night in Betty Engelstad Arena. The Fighting Hawks suffered a heartbreaking 89-86 defeat at the hands of the University of California-Irvine in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. UND freshman Geno Crandall scored a career-high 22 points in a game that featured 14 ties and …

TOM DAVIES: The Verdict — Let’s Toughen Liquor And Driving Violation Laws

Anyone who knows me has probably been wondering when I would get around to some legal topics. Their wait is over. Our communities have a Safe Community Coalition. Part of its function is to monitor licensed liquor establishments for sales to minors and other violations. They release the results to the media on a regular basis. Fines are supposedly imposed …

JIM FUGLIE: View From The Prairie — Of Lieutenant Governors And Knit Dresses

WAIT A MINUTE OK, the story below about state Sen. Nicole Poolman is funny, but according to her husband, it is not quite true. Almost, but not quite. The real story is even funnier. Way at the very end of this blog, I repeated a story that’s been making the rounds in political circles these days. A story about state …

LA VALLEUR COMMUNICATES: Musings By Barbara La Valleur — Spring Has Sprung — Until The Next Snowfall

We’re spending a few days at our family retreat, La Farm, between Ashby and Battle Lake, Minn., so I thought I’d share some spring photos taken in the area. Tomorrow’s forecast may bring snow, but as I glance over ― between playing our favorite card game Hand and Foot ― at the photo calendar I made for our family last …

TERRY DULLUM: The Dullum File — Don’t Silence The Music

I don’t know much, but I do know that music therapy is pretty close to being cutting edge. Cutting edge like the drone technology the University of North Dakota has so broadly embraced in the last few years. Too bad UND administrators can’t see the connection. Without going into detail, music therapy has helped countless people, from infants to the aged, in …

CHEF JEFF: One Byte At A Time — Cheesy Chicken And Broccoli Pasta

Pasta and broccoli is a winning combination. And no matter what you complement those two with, the outcome is sure to be a palate pleaser. I have several favorite recipes that feature broccoli and pasta. One is Broccoli with Rigatoni, which comes from a cookbook by the late Dom DeLuise, “Eat This … It’ll Make You Feel Better!” DeLuise describes broccoli and rigatoni …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. Colorado College, March 12, 2016

The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team said goodbye for another season to Ralph Engelstad Arena on Saturday night, easily handling Colorado College 5-1 to sweep its National Collegiate Hockey Conference playoff series with the Tigers, sending the Fighting Hawks to this weekend’s Frozen Faceoff in Minneapolis, where they will meet the University of Minnesota-Duluth at 7:38 p.m. Friday in Target Center. …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. Colorado College, March 11, 2016

The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team is one game away from next weekend’s National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Frozen Faceoff after a convincing 7-1 in the opening game win over Colorado College in their best-of-three series Friday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Nick Schmaltz scored a career-high two goals to lead the Fighting Hawks (29-5-3). Chipping in one goal each were Coltyn Sanderson, …

TOM DAVIES: The Verdict — Developing North Fargo For Family-Oriented Housing

On March 1, I spent an entire late afternoon and early evening at City Hall observing a group of north-side neighborhood citizens presenting the Fargo Planning Commission with the reasons why they oppose the proposed rezoning of the property commonly known as Ponyland — the trace northeast of 32nd Avenue North and University Drive. The presentations by both the developer and …

CHEF JEFF: One Byte At A Time — Mozzarella And Beef Layered Hotdish

What would you call a dish that’s a cross between a casserole and lasagna, two of the ultimate comfort foods? That’s a tough one, for which I haven’t come up with an answer. But there are three things that I do know: Some of these concoctions can be very nutritious, mighty tasty and pretty easy to make. The last quality is important for working parents who have …

ERIC BERGESON: Photo Gallery — Botanical Beauty

Eric Bergeson recently visited the Tucson (Ariz.) Botanical Gardens, named by Reader’s Digest as the “BEST Secret Garden in America.” According to the its website, “The Tucson Botanical Gardens promotes responsible and appropriate use of plants and water in a desert environment through education and demonstration and provides a place of beauty and tranquility for Tucson residents and visitors.” The 40-year-old facility offers year-round tours, community events, classes and art exhibits and includes specialty gardens including the Cactus & Succulent Garden, Barrio Garden and Herb Garden, which highlight the diversity of native plants while offering …

DAVE VORLAND: It Occurs To Me — A Tribute To Wayne Lubenow

A third and final passage from the late Arch Monroe’s book “The Lighter Side of the Law.” It’s his tribute to his friend, Wayne Lubenow. “Out of the ‘Roughrider Country,’ which brought our nation Maxwell Anderson, Louis L’Amour and Lawrence Welk, comes Lubenow. He’s the Will Rogers, Damon Runyon and Art Buchwald of the prairies. His column appears in a …

NANCY EDMONDS HANSON: After Thought — Punk Debaters Need An Old-Fashioned Schoolmarm Lesson

If there’s one big lesson we’ve learned from the latest Republican debates, it’s that this nation desperately needs more women in politics. And not just any women. What front-runners Trump, Cruz and Rubio badly require to upgrade their discourse are a few battle-hardened sixth-grade teachers. I’m talking about true Old School ninja schoolmarms — the female professionals who have earned …

DAVE VORLAND: It Occurs To Me — ‘A Man Of Letters’

I appreciate the responses,  on Facebook and privately, to my post Sunday about my old friend Arch Monroe’s book of letters, “The Lighter Side of the Law.” I can’t resist adding a bit more about him. University of North Dakota President Tom Clifford hired Arch in 1983 and assigned him to the public relations office to assist with UND’s Centennial …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. Western Michigan University, March 5, 2016

Five different players scored as the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team came from behind to beat Western Michigan University 5-4 on Saturday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. The win gave the Fighting Hawks, 28-5-3 overall and 19-4-1 in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, their 11th series sweep this season and moved them to No. 1 in the Pairwise Rankings, …

DAVE VORLAND: It Occurs To Me — A Case Of Jaw-Dropping Humor

Some of my friends may recall a slightly eccentric individual, the late Arch Monroe, who worked for me briefly at the University of North Dakota. A few years earlier, Arch had published a book with replies to his request for humorous stories from judges, lawyers and politicians. Many responded, among them Supreme Court Justice Tom Clark, Sen. Sam Ervin and Congressman …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. Western Michigan University, March 4, 2016

The University of North Dakota clinched its second straight National Collegiate Hockey Conference championship and Penrose Cup with an 8-1 win over Western Michigan University on Friday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks. The Fighting Sioux were paced by its top line of Brock Boeser, Nick Schmaltz and Drake Caggiula. Boeser had two goals and two assists, Schmaltz had his …

CHUCK SCHUMACHER: Coach Chuck — Martial Arts Philosophy: A Way of Mental Toughness

Many parents have told me that their child does well in the batting cage, but when playing in a game, it looks like they’ve never swung a bat. Pressure causes the mind to race, the muscles to tighten and the body to fall out of rhythm. Therefore, an understanding of how to keep emotions in check is crucial for the …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. Montana State University, March 4, 2016

The University of North Dakota women’s basketball team, behind junior Leah Szabla’s 20 points, four assists and three steals, defeated Big Sky Conference leader Montana State University 77-76 in a thrilling contest Friday afternoon in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The win denied the first-place Bobcats (21-8, 14-4) an outright conference championship. The Fighting Hawks, 17-12 overall and 13-5 in the BSC, won for the …

JIM FUGLIE: View From The Prairie — Return To The Scene Of The Crime

Every time I hear the phrase “return to the scene of the crime” I smile and chuckle a little inside. It goes back to an evening about 10 years ago when Lillian and I and her two teenage daughters were living on a small farmstead north of Dickinson, N.D. One early spring evening, just after dark, I was driving Chelsea to …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — East Region Basketball Tournament, March 1, 2016

Grand Forks Red River High School’s boys and girls basketball teams advanced in the North Dakota East Region Tournament with home victories Tuesday night. The boys (14-8), behind Braeden Hanson’s 23 points, defeated Fargo Shanley 79-62, while the girls (19-3) topped Devils Lake 76-63. Austin Slaughter chipped in 18 points and Paul Miller 14 for the boys, who meet West …

NANCY EDMONDS HANSON: After Thought — A Rose By Any Other Name … Would Be An Isabella

Fashions wildly wax and wane in clothing, cars and home furnishings … but, somehow, when it comes to your own name, it gets personal. “Nancy” was once among the leaders of the Mid-Century Modern pack, back when naming female infants entailed a snappy syllable or two usually ending in “y.” On a whim, I googled its rank among popular baby …

TOM DAVIES: The Verdict — Is This Country Becoming Morally Bankrupt?

Watching the Academy Awards Sunday, I wondered why Vice President Joe Biden would be making an appearance. He introduced Lady Gaga, and I thought that was odd, too — until he spoke and she sang, with a group of college-aged men and women in the background. Then Biden spoke of the sexual assaults taking place on college campuses. Lady Gaga …

CHEF JEFF: One Byte At A Time — Pork Medallion and Vegetable Skillet Dinner

Older cooks will remember when stainless steel and nonstick skillets became the rage the 1950s and ’60s, taking the drudgery out of preparing meals. In fact, many people tossed aside their beloved cast iron that had been around for ages. But these days, the former kitchen staple once again finds itself in vogue in kitchens around the country. And it’s for good reason. Cast iron is the perfect …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. University Of Montana, March 2, 2016

Senior Mia Lloyd continued her impressive play down the stretch, scoring 15 points adding 15 rebounds as the University of North Dakota women’s basketball team handed the University of Montana a 73-61 Big Sky Conference loss Wednesday night in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The double-double was Lloyd’s 35th of her UND career and her 10th of the season. The victory  gave …

JIM FUGLIE: View From The Prairie — Super Tuesday? Not In North Dakota

Super Tuesday. Republicans and Democrats all over America will  line up tomorrow to cast their votes for their favorite presidential candidates. By the end of the night, we might have a pretty clear picture of who the two national party candidates will be, although 34 states and a handful of territories won’t have completed their processes yet. Including North Dakota. …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — The Eagles Have Landed, February 28, 2016

The Lake Agassiz Eagle Scout Association held its 12th Annual Eagle Scout banquet on Sunday in the Ramada Inn in Grand Forks. The keynote speaker was Grand Forks Police Chief and Eagle Scout Mark Nelson. There were five Eagle Scouts in the district this past year. They are Jason Dombrowski and Jacob Mattson of Troop 130, Dalton Patterson of Troop 13 and Brett Peterson and Benjamin …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. Sacramento State University, February 27, 2016

Quinton Hooker picked up where he left off Thursday (he scored a record-setting 38 points in a victory over Portland State University) with a 34-point performance in the University of North Dakota men’s basketball team’s 97-71 rout of Sacramento State University on Saturday in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. Hooker was 11-for-12 from the field for the Fighting Hawks, who upped their Big Sky …

PAT SWEENEY: Scott Miller, You Will Be Missed!

It is never easy to lose a friend. It is even more difficult when that friend is Scott Miller. The radio voice of North Dakota State football and basketball — and Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks baseball — died Feb. 25 in Fargo after a four-year battle with cancer. Scott was not just an outstanding sportscaster; he was simply a quality individual, as genuine …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — North Dakota Boys High School Hockey Tournament Championship, February 27, 2016

Grand Forks Red River’s boys high school hockey team did something that no other North Dakota team has done in almost 50 years: The Roughriders finished the season undefeated — 27-0 — and along the way won their 17th state title by defeating Bismarck High 4-3 on Saturday night in the championship game of the North Dakota Boys High School Hockey …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. St. Cloud State University, February 27, 2016

Meghan Dufault, Becca Kohler and Amy Menke totaled eight points, including five goals, as the University of North Dakota women’s hockey shut out St. Cloud State University 6-0 Saturday afternoon in Ralph Engelstad Arena. By sweeping the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff series, the Fighting Hawks clinched their sixth-straight WCHA Final Face-Off appearance. UND won 6-1 Friday. With the sweep, the Fighting …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. St. Cloud State University, February 26, 2016

Forward Meghan Dufault scored two goals and added two assists as the University of North Dakota women’s hockey team defeated St. Cloud State University 6-1 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association postseason play Friday afternoon in Ralph Engelstad Arena. The line of Becca Kohler (one goal, two assists), Amy Menke (one goal and one assist) and Dufault totaled 10 points in the win …

RUSS HONS: Photo Gallery — University of North Dakota Vs. Portland State University, February 25, 2016

It was the Quenton Hooker show Thursday night in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The junior guard scored a career-high 38 point and surpassed the 1,000-point mark in his UND career as the Fighting Hawks defeated Portland State University 80-77 in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball contest. Hooker broke UND’s Division I single-game scoring record as the Fighting Hawks, 14-12 overall …

NANCY EDMONDS HANSON: After Thought — Times, How You Have Changed

Carl Griffin first stepped onto the Moorhead State College campus 49 years ago. He was one of just seven students who happened to be black. That was a very different time in Moorhead and Fargo, before Project E-Quality and other recruitment efforts introduced a substantial contingent of students of color into cities as predictably white and unruffled as homogenized milk. …