Ten (OK, a bunch more) Things That I Find Totally Annoying in Airplane Travel 1: The flight is sitting on the tarmac in the departure city. Minutes pass, then tens of minutes. The pilot doesn’t bother to get on the intercom to explain what’s happening. We all have connections to make at the next hub. How hard is it to keep …
Eating well is a habit I learned later in life. As a sixth-grade kid back at Fram Township School No. 3 in Wellsburg, N.D., my favorite teacher, Margie Weisser, once advised me not to wolf down my lunch, if for no other reason than to better enjoy the taste of the food. And although it pains me to admit it, …
In America, where protest is in our DNA, suddenly it’s a limited option. Presumably, you can still dress up as a Native American, commandeer a British freighter and throw tea overboard, you just can’t be a real Native American in the process. Oh my, a whole bunch of Native Americans are camped at Cannonball, N.D., praying for God to smite …
I’ve tried to follow the events at Standing Rock pretty closely, and I’ve written about it a few times. Let me repeat what I said earlier: I think we need to build this pipeline because it is the safest way to move our oil, and it is the only pipeline project on the table right now. Do I wish we …
Hunting season has arrived in the Northland. For many cooks, that means it’s time to start digging through their recipe boxes for some tasty wild game dishes. Over the years, I’ve listened to some of my readers complain about wild game recipes because they can’t “bear” the thought of eating magnificent Canada geese, which mate for life, or a Bambi, with whom they …
The stuff on the log looked like something that belonged in an ocean. Like pure, white clumps of coral growing on a reef, it stood out in stark relief to the jungle green of early September’s foliage. How could we have missed it? That we had passed it by the first time on our short hike on the mountain bike …
Bloomington, Minn., photographer Dave Vorland and Dorette Kerian recently returned home after a trip to Chicago for the annual Chicago Jazz Fest. Dave was busy snapping photos while in the Windy City, and here are some of the images he’s sharing.
Here are some facts that you won’t hear from the pipeline shills and propagandists: • The tribe was not offered millions to allow the pipeline. That planted rumor was denied by Dakota Access Pipeline folks themselves. A stupid rumor considering the pipeline follows an established corridor. • The tribes were consulted by the U.S. Army Corps on the water. Nope. …
No one has ever heard me disagree with the decision or logic of a federal judge before. This time is the exception. I have not read the decision, but if I had, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s legal conclusions would not be in question. It is the factual basis upon which the conclusions are based that I take issue. A certain …
Unheralded.fish welcomes three contributors aboard our ship. We believe you’ll enjoy reading blogs from Clay Jenkinson, John Strand and Russell J. Myhre. Here’s some background on each, plus an excerpt from one of their recent blogs. All three men have joined other Fish bloggers who’ve provided exclusive, complete, accurate, relevant and thought-provoking stories about the ongoing saga connected to the …
About this time in 1965, I arrived at the huge depot pictured above on my way to Northwestern University to begin a master’s degree in journalism. I was burdened down with heavy luggage, so the subway to Evanston wasn’t an option. I needed to transfer to yet another rail line. According the diary I kept, I ran out of time …
Yes, journalists can be arrested for trespass. However, when you single out reporters as an intimidation tactic — a warning shot — to try to suppress media coverage, that’s not even America, anymore. Those cameras, following a huge evolving story in North Dakota near the Standing Rock Reservation, kept everyone on the scene safe with their presence. How would hired …
Grand Forks photographer Russ Hons made a stop recently in Fargo, where he visited the Red River Zoo. The zoo, which primarily focuses on species from around the world with climates similar to North Dakota’s — i.e. North America, Northern Asia and Northern Europe — also features a modern Children’s Zoo Farm that centers on heritage breeds and teaching children where their …
I needed to go to Cannon Ball, N.D., and see firsthand the Dakota Access pipeline protest site in the heart of Indian Country, a stone’s throw north of Standing Rock Reservation. When reports Saturday depicted a confrontation between the protestors, who are really protectors, and security personnel armed with dogs and Mace, it was clear I had to go. Seven …
When Dorette and I were in the midst of our three-month retirement “sabbatical” in southern France in 2010, we traveled by train from Marseilles to the town of Aix-en-Provence to visit a friend and former University of North Dakota colleague, Paul Schwartz. Paul was living and teaching there at the time; one of his students, I think, took the above …
Shortly after the election in November, a piece of presidential memorabila goes on the auction block. Well, sort of presidential. The skin-tight, highly sequined gown Marilyn Monroe wore on the occasion in 1962 when she breathily and memorably sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. The dress, which has been mostly out of the spotlight, so to speak, since that night is …
Many people have fond memories from their youth of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. For a lot of families, it was a matter of economics. Both peanut butter and jelly were relatively inexpensive compared to luncheon meat, making the sandwich combo a great alternative for snacks or school lunches. That’s the way it was at our house, although we were occasionally treated with …
I was in Chicago on Sept. 3, the date of my late father Kermit Vorland’s birthday and didn’t think of the anniversary until today (Tuesday). He died in 1991 at the age of 80, a few days before my mother, Minnie. This above picture of him with my maternal grandmother, Ellen Vogel, was taken in the early 1950s in Enderlin, …
The following is a report on the events that are unfolding south of Mandan, N.D., near the boundary of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The story is by Tony Bender and his son, Dylan, and appeared today in the Ashley (N.D.) Tribune and Wishek (N.D.) Star. The accompanying video was shot by Dylan, who is a student at Bismarck State College. An …
Take a stroll in Minnesota lake country, and you’ll soon discover there is a lot more out there than meets the eye. These images from photographer Michael Bogert are a case in point.
In the southern heart of North Dakota, we may be witnessing the beginning of a national and international pan-Indian renewal of First Peoples, Indigenous Peoples, Native Americans. Anything that helps rebuild Indian pride, cultural confidence and a firm and solid assertion of Native American rights is a good thing for all of us, for all Americans. It is past time …
It’s hard to articulate what has happened and is still happening to the Native American population. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple, his scout, Drew Wrigley, and his alter-ego, Kevin Cramer, are either disconnected from the reality of what is happening at Standing Rock or are simply too uninformed or too cowardly to act in a responsible leadership role. Philip Strobel …
Wild turkeys have to keep their eyes open for predators, including hawks. Grand Forks photographer Russ Hons encountered both species on a recent road trip in northwestern Minnesota. While encounters between the two are generally random, it’s likely this turkey was well aware any hawks in the area. Check out more photos from Russ Hons here.
Alexandria, Va., photographer Jeff Olson captured these images and the following videos while on a coffee walk Sunday morning.
Today (Monday) Dorette and I returned from Chicago to attend the annual jazz festival, an event we’ve seldom missed in recent years. I also marked the 50th anniversary of my graduation from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. How time flies. On Thursday, we took a subway train to Evanston and wandered about the NU campus, including a stop at …
Grand Forks photographer Michael keeps his eyes open for wildlife while in Minnesota lake country. Here are some of the images he’s seen the past couple of weeks.
Today I am 69. It is a meaningless birthday, in a world and time when numbers that don’t end in zero or five are of little consequence. But it is significant in that I am still here. Males in my family don’t generally live this long. I kind of wish I had planned a little better. But I am grateful to still …
Events of historic importance are slowly unfolding south of Mandan, N.D., near the boundary of another nation state, the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The Dakota Access Pipeline protest has grown into something much larger and more important for the future of white-Indian relations. It is no longer just about the pipeline. We may be witnessing the beginning of a continent-wide …
It’s in all of our interests to show respect for the protests now under way at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation (and nearby). I acknowledge that the pipeline company has a right to extend its oil pipeline across the Missouri River (willing buyer — willing seller, the very essence of American capitalism). I acknowledge that the state of North Dakota has …
Side note: My son, Dylan and I covered the protest yesterday. Dylan was videoing for a Bismarck State College news report and was in the thick of things. He didn’t get bitten or pepper sprayed, but many did. MSNBC asked for his footage. Dylan is my new hero. Amy Goodman, Democracy NOW!, was on site. I am working on a …
The University of North Dakota women’s soccer team outshot North Dakota State University 6-4 in the second half of its game Friday afternoon at Bronson Field in Grand Forks, but four-goal blitz in the first half was all the Bison needed in a 4-1 win over the Fighting Hawks. After falling behind 2-0 on two goals by Holly Enderle, UND’s Katie Moller answered right …
Sophomore Jordan Vail, a transfer from Baylor University, led the University of North Dakota women’s volleyball team to a three-set sweep of visiting University of Texas El-Paso on Friday night in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. Vail had 10 kills without an error as the Fighting Hawks took straight sets from the Miners, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21, as they evened their record at 3-3 …
Once upon a time, there was a legislator who had to report campaign donations by amount and by donor … one who had to disclose how his funds were spent … one who would explain why a donor was not creating a conflict of interest. Once upon a time, this same legislator was bound by a code of ethics. It …
One hears grumbling these days at the University of North Dakota about the decision to raze older, historically important buildings to save money because of the state’s budget crisis. As those opposed to doing so have pointed out, “old” isn’t always a negative. Still, I was surprised this summer to see apartment No. 212 on Northwestern Drive was still in …
Photographer Dave Vorland shares these images taken this past month from near his home in Bloomington, Minn., to Itasca State Park to Ketchum, Idaho, where author Ernest Hemingway is buried.
“Let’s take the kids to the fair this year.” That’s echoing across dinner tables from border to border this week as the Minnesota State Fair heads into its final weekend. It’s a pilgrimage that’s virtually required to maintain your Minnesota citizenship, much like knowing 10 ways to turn cream of mushroom soup into a tasty hotdish or mastering the stoic two-fingered …
After following news coverage of the developing story at Standing Rock, I am saddened by North Dakota’s official response to the legitimate issues raised by the Native protestors north of the reservation. What North Dakota’s governor, lieutenant governor and Public Service Commission don’t seem to understand is that the Native Americans who are protesting are, in fact, American patriots. Their …
I think it’s creepy how unavailable actual human help has become. For the average person, it’s a dig to find a way to get in contact with anyone inside the most famous internet companies. Imagine how powerful Twitter would be if an actual human answered a help desk phone? Or your direct emails? Or dms? I realize reply emails, even …
Grand Forks photographer Dave Bruner got up and close to Old Man Sun this past month.
My latest used book find is a volume by Chloe Rhodes discussing the origin of foreign words used in English. She provides a definition and humorous example. I’ll try not to overdo this, but I’ll occasionally share one with my Facebook friends. “Skol,” meaning “cheers” (Danish/Norwegian/Swedish). Like all groups of marauding invaders, the Vikings liked a little tipple at the …
You can count Grand Forks photographer Russ Hons among those who find it hard to resist watching a good old Plains lightning show, as evidenced by these images he took Sunday night near Grand Forks. Check out more photos from Russ Hons here.
Where are the best peaches grown? That’s a question that isn’t easily answered. People from Georgia will insist their state produces the best peaches. After all, that’s the home of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Ty Cobb, aka the Georgia Peach. Still others might say California, South Carolina, Washington or Texas. My money is on those raised in Colorado, on the western …
The University of North Dakota women’s volleyball team, after opening its 2016 season earlier Saturday with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-18) win over the University of Nebraska-Omaha, dropped a 3-2 contest to the University of Mississippi in Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. Ole Miss claimed a thrilling 25-23, 27-25, 23-25, 22-25, 17-15 win over the Fighting Hawks, who later fell 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-18) to the …
Happy Harry’s Blues on the Red wrapped up its 10th season Saturday night as Left Wing Bourbon Soul Band from Eau Claire, Wis., and Chicago’s Studebaker John & the Hawks put on a show before an overflowing crowd in Town Square in downtown Grand Forks. Photographer Michael Bogert took in the fourth and final concert of the summer and offers these …