Geno Crandall scored a career-high 24 points and Corey Baldwin chipped in 13, all in the second half, as the University of North Dakota men’s basketball team soundly defeated North Dakota State University 74-56 on Wednesday night at the Scheels Center in Fargo. The win was the Fighting Hawks (5-2) first in Fargo since 2003. Drick Berstine added 12 points for UND, while Connor Avants had …
Recently, I Googled “Why do we dream?” What I learned was that scientists don’t really know. There are a jillion theories. For example, one source argues it’s merely the brain responding to biochemical and electrical impulses that occur during sleep. Another believes dreaming “is a form of consciousness that somehow unites past, present and future in processing information from the first two …
Seventy-five years ago today, the United States was thrust into World War II with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Alexandria, Va., photographer Jeff Olson stopped by the he World War II Memorial to “touch the words” of the memorial that honors the 16 million who served in the Armed Forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who …
The combination of Macy Miller and Madison Guebert were too much for the University of North Dakota women’s basketball team Tuesday night as the Fighting Hawks dropped a 83-72 nonconference decision to visiting South Dakota State University before a small-than-usual crowd of 1,200 in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. Blizzard Alivia kept many would-be fans at home as the Hawks dropped …
For the first time in hundreds of years, the Native Americans have what seems to be an astounding victory. I’ve included the exact copy of the letter here from the Army Corps of Engineers, hereinafter referred to as the Corps. The president-elect has not weighed in but supports the pipeline. North Dakota’s governor, U.S. senators and U.S. representative support the …
I was all set to make the first pumpkin pie of the holiday season when I discovered an essential part of the family tradition had gone AWOL. Handed down by my grandmother and Mom herself, the heirloom recipe we’ve always prepared was missing! No, disaster hadn’t hit my 60-year-old recipe box; nor had Grandma’s old Our Savior’s Lutheran cookbook, with …
Dave Vorland recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean, which included stops in the island of Dominica and Puerto Rico, where he took these photographs.
So there they were, taking each step slowly and with great care. They usually put one hand on the iron chains that run along the steep path that goes up the mountain, while leaving the other hand on the carrying pole on their shoulder for balance. From a few steps behind, you could hear them breathe, heavily: One step they …
Tyler walked back to the dugout, dragging his bat, his head low and tears welling up in his eyes. He had just experienced what all hitters hate the most: A strikeout. My assistant coach, his dad, exclaimed, “There’s no crying in baseball! If you don’t cut it out, were going home!” Tyler was 8 years old. Instead of teaching his son …
Photographer Russ Hons recently was in New York City, where he had a chance to visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which commemorate the September 11, 2001 attacks that killed 2,977 victims, and the World Trade Center bombing of 1993 in which six were killed. One World Trade Center (also known as the Freedom Tower) is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in …
… but, our president lied to us on the very night of 9/11. On a sacred day in American history, George W. Bush decided that politics were more important than telling the truth, and this is where his re-election campaign started. Luckily, he wasn’t under oath. Here are his words, when the commander-in-chief uses his photographic imagination to recall the days …
The University of North Dakota, behind freshman Tyson Jost’s two goals, defeated Boston College 4-3 on Saturday night in New York City’s Madison Square Garden in the in the first-ever College Hockey Showdown before a crowd of 11,348. Trevor Olson and Joel Janatuinen scored the other goals for the Fighting Hawks, who upped their record to 8-5-3. Colin White, Chris Brown and Matthew …
UPDATE: On Sunday afternoon, not long after I had written this article, the Corps of Engineers announced it would not issue an easement for Energy Transfer Partners to drill on Corps land, effectively putting a stop to completion of the pipeline until a full Environmental Impact Statement is prepared, seeking the best route for the pipeline. The Tribe won this …
Setting aside protests for a while, let’s look at a planning effort that’s being done right. Here’s an article I wrote for this month’s Dakota Country magazine. Is it too much for North Dakota citizens to expect that they should be provided a reasonable forecast of the environmental effects of 20,000 to 50,000 oil wells on our western landscape? Hmm. …
Traditions are what make holidays special. And food is a big part of that for most families. When I was growing up, Grandma — and later Mom — would make baked oysters for our big Thanksgiving Day celebration, which was attended by all my aunts, uncles and cousins on the Menard side of the family. Since then, the dish has become synonymous …
The whole story started 10 years ago, at about this very time. I was at a meeting for Churches United for the Homeless, where I was serving my first year on the board. The executive director was bemoaning the fact that First Link, the organization in charge of distributing gifts to people at Christmas, had made some changes in their program. …
Lefse season is well under way. Lefse-making season and, for me, lefse-eating season. For those unaware of the potato-based Norwegian delicacy, I would just say I feel very badly for you. But if you are very, very good, when you die and go to heaven, I believe, waiting for you there just inside the Pearly Gates will be a nice warm, freshly made batch. But with lefse …
Forty-five falls ago, I played JV football for Minot High School. Played might be a strong word. Mostly I stood and watched. For history buffs, it was about this time that dark skinned Barack Hussein Obama started planning the formation of ISIS, the confiscation of guns in America and global warming, from his base camp in Kenya, and Donald Milhous …
The Army Corp of Engineers has told the Tribes that they must leave federal property on which they are encamped by early December. Then, to complicate matters, the Corps said it will not forcibly remove those individuals whom they claim unlawfully occupy the land. Further complicating the situation is this week’s emergency declaration by Gov. Jack Dalrymple to remove said individuals …
The most consistent argument made by North Dakota regulators and the owners of the Dakota Access Pipeline against the protest actions of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their allies is that the Tribe entered the pipeline approval process too late. They should have made their feelings known earlier in the process. In mid-November, just a couple of weeks ago, …
Even during the holidays, online scammers continue their “work.” The ones who use a Facebook friend’s identity to try to get at your personal information. I had the following Facebook message conversation right around Thanksgiving Day. Here’s how it went. Scammer: Hello … How are you doing? Me: Hi … How are you? How’s Bill? Scammer: We are doing great we cannot complain Me: …
I shot the above photo in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 19, 2016. On most devices, clicking the image will provide a larger view, It’s an example of “street” photography I’ve been drawn to since my dad bought me my first camera at age 17. Recently, I read a definition: “Street photography features unmediated chance encounters and random incidents …
I’m going to end the suspense right now. No one died from my Thanksgiving Day dinner. I did not realize that for the many years I have been making turkeys for the holidays, I have been putting people in mortal danger. I’m probably in denial about the very real possibility there has been significant loss of life due to my …
A good night of sleep. Now I feel equal to it. After class yesterday, I ventured into the heart of Rome. There, I found my way to the statue of Bruno in the Campo di Fiori. He, a Renaissance humanist, heretic and memorization master, was burned at the stake in 1600 for a range of unacceptable views, including that Jesus …
“Is it your contention, Orv, that the sock cartel is behind this taking off your shoes nonsense at the airport? I think you’re on to something.” “What?” screeches Orville. “No! I never said a word, about anything. I just want to sit here quietly and enjoy my drink.” “Good luck with that,” says Stanley. “So, that wasn’t you? Huh. I …
It’s a big planet. I flew from Bismarck to Minneapolis, from Minneapolis to Paris, from Paris to Rome. I started at noon Saturday and arrived in Rome at noon Sunday, though, of course, I had lost seven hours in time zone. It’s a big planet. By the time I arrived I wanted to burn my clothes. But I had done …
I was out of the country when I heard the news of Molli Bernstein’s death in Fargo on Nov. 19 at the age of 27. When I lived in North Dakota, I photographed Molli several times, including the above shot that appeared in an exhibit of my photography at the then-Dakota Harvest Gallery in Grand Forks. I received several offers to …
It’s hard to go wrong with mac ‘n’ cheese. That’s a saying that’s probably been said by many a mom when they’ve been contemplating what to make their kids for supper. One of the nicest things about this classic comfort food is that there are so many variations a cook will never run out options. Therese is generally the mac …
The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team skated to a 2-2 tie with Michigan State University on Saturday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. The tie came on the heels of a 4-3 defeat to the Spartans on Friday night. Zach Yon and Tucker Poolman scored goals for UND (7-5-3), while Thomas Ebbing and Patrick Khodorenko tallied for MSU (4-6-1). In the …
Hi folks, it’s me, your intrepid reporter. You know, a member of the lame stream drive-by media. One of the people complicating the system with facts and research. Fortunately, many voters were able to see through that mask of deception and elect Donald Trump as president. I just got word. The Enlightenment is upon us. Here, in the bunker, reception …
Journal of a journey to Rome. I’m teaching a capstone humanities course for a Catholic university. Twenty-five students. They have been there all semester, staying in a convent that has plenty of room for the campus. My job is to show them things about Rome that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. Long day of flying ahead. Bismarck, …
Michigan State University withstood a fierce third-period comeback effort by the University of North Dakota to claim a 4-3 men’s college hockey win over the Fighting Hawks on Friday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. After the two teams traded first-period goals, the Spartans (4-6) took a 4-1 lead early in the third period then withstood two goals by UND freshman Tyson Jost …
The Minnesota Wild defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-1 on Wednesday night in Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Scoring for the Wild were Mikko Koivu, Jonas Brodin and Zach Parise (empty net). Blake Wheeler scored the lone Winnipeg goal. Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk had 15 saves, while Connor Hellebuyck stopped 23 shots for the Jets. Photographer Russ Hons was on hand for …
“Hey Orville. Have you ever been to Minnesota?” “Oh, Stanley; you’ve finally lost it, haven’t you?” Orv asks in a soft sarcastic voice. “Should I call the rest home for you?” “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” responds Stan in a monotone voice. “I resent something. Besides, my delightful impishness has frayed some nerves over there. The split …
Thanksgiving is here, and we in this area have so much to be thankful for. “We the People” have so much to be thankful for in our area. Our communities have public employees who truly care about residents. We have parks and recreation facilities that are second to none. Our schools — public, parochial, private — are excellent. Our children …
The Electoral College is with us forever. Barbara Boxer can introduce bills to abolish it until the cows come home, but ending it requires a constitutional amendment, which would require 37 state legislatures to approve it. At least 12 of those state legislatures would have to volunteer to reduce their impact in the presidential election by more than 50 percent. …
To all my friends around the United States and beyond, I am writing to give thanks for your friendship, for your interest in my work, for your commitment to the principles of Enlightenment. In the wake of the raucous election and the American circus of failed political civility; in the wake of the appalling and unnecessary crisis on the Standing …
Today I’m giving thanks. I reached a major milestone this week and am celebrating losing more than 50 pounds. My Metabolic Balance journey began Jan. 2 of this year. It hasn’t been easy, and I’ve come to appreciate my resolve, determination, stick-to-it-ness. Being intentional helps. A great friend once told me, “You’re the most intentional person I know.” I’ve found that …
Note: I generally don’t re-post old articles because unlike things published in newspapers, blog posts don’t get used for fish cleaning, they just hang out in archives deep in the bowels of the Internet, accessible forever if you look hard enough. But it’s been 15 years and a day since the Thanksgiving I’m writing about below, so I though I’d …
The University of North Dakota women’s basketball team picked up its first victory of the season Tuesday night in Betty Engelstad University, a 70-43 win over Mayville State University. The Fighting Hawks (1-3) were led by Lexi Klabo, who scored a team-high 16 points. Fallen Freije chipped in 14. The Comets (3-3) were paced by Andi Gayner’s 12 points. UND returns to action Sunday when …
When it came to phone conversations with mom, I was always the one saying goodbye. This perhaps wasn’t the case as a child, but this is what I most remember. “Well, I’ll let you go,” and so on — so much so it just became a habit. After she became sick, it continued (despite the guilt) because I felt, I …
When I was in television, I used to make a list about this time of year. It was a list of things for which I am especially thankful. We would run it from the bottom to the top of the screen at a very high rate of speed. Too high to read. We all enjoyed a good laugh. Most of us, anyway. …
The University of North Dakota men’s basketball team, behind Drick Bernstine’s triple-double, propelled the Fighting Hawks to a 101-63 victory over Presentation College on Sunday in Betty Englestad Sioux Center. Bernstine, one of seven UND players in double figures, had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the 3-0 Hawks. Connor Avants had a season-high 15 points , while UND teammate Gene Crandall led all scorers …
Goaltender Cam Johnson recorded his second straight shutout as the University of North Dakota defeated St. Cloud State University 3-0 on Saturday night in Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. Johnson stopped 36 shots, while St. Cloud’s Zach Driscoll had 33 saves. The Fighting Hawks (7-4-2 overall, 2-3-1 in National Collegiate Hockey Conference) received all the scoring they …