That’s what I told myself while doing my best not to crash my car following a recent snowstorm. I was driving about 15 miles an hour on the icy roads, trying to keep my momentum and also keep control. You know how that goes if you live on the prairie, where winter often begins around September and hangs around until August.

Never mind the fact that I was playing slalom with the snowdrifts on the road, there was something else at play that was making me nervous. Moving at that speed made me feel I was dragging, and it’s not like me to move at a slow pace. At that, quite frankly, stressed me out.

I’m naturally a speeder. And I know cops read this paper. I confess. Yes, I speed. Like, all the time. When I drive slow I get edgy and irate – to the point where I’ll yell at a busload full of nuns if they slow me down. During the storm I was riding that wave of discomfort, until a memory arose and instantly put me at ease. I thought back to when I was a young kid sitting in the backseat of our old family car, a 1984 Chevy Celebrity station wagon. Our entire family of six was in the car late at night, and our dad was driving us home from a long road trip.

I was watching my dad with awe as he navigated along the dark roads. He was a traveling salesman for Eckroth Music for nearly 30 years, so he’s a veteran – nay, a warrior – behind the wheel. I observed his hands on the wheel, the way he intricately moved it side to side, with a rhythm that made me think he was orchestrating a pitch-perfect synchronization between the car and the road that I couldn’t begin to understand. I watched this elaborate navigating, convinced I’d never be able to do that. To me it was like witnessing a work of art, the way he subtly controlled the wheel.

I knew I was always safe when my dad was behind the wheel. He drove with a calm poise and focus, and never rushed while on the road. This was what put me at ease while driving during the recent snowstorm, and I said to myself, “Be more like your dad,” and I was no longer irate.

In my young eyes, there was a subtle grace to my dad’s driving. I was in awe of the complex understanding he had behind the wheel. This admiration eventually grew to haunt me to the point where I wasn’t able to get my license until I was 19. I was convinced driving was such a complicated procedure that there was no way I’d ever learn. It took way too many hours of driving than normally necessary to finally convince myself I could actually do it.

A few years later I was driving with my dad for the first time. After a series of white-knuckle near-accidents and various mishaps immediately followed by words my dad never usually used and I only heard during late night cable movies, he finally spurted out to his nervous and unskilled pimply redheaded son behind the wheel, “Watch the road!”

That immediately put everything into perspective for me. I needed to watch the road, and not my hands. He was right. Only a fool focuses not on the destination, but the shoes used to get there. Years of misguided childhood theories were obliterated in an instant, and I was finally able to learn how to actually drive.

It’s truly amazing how much impact can come from three simple words.

And since then I’ve become the best driver on the road. Some days, in fact, I’m convinced I’m the only good driver on the road.

The road these days is not the only place I speed. My livelihood, my job, pits me in a position where I’m always in a race against the clock. I’m constantly in a rush. So much, in fact, that I don’t think I’ve had a complete thought in my head since 2008.

There’s also something about being in your thirties where you begin to feel like the time has come to accomplish those things you’ve let slide over the years, like some invisible deadline looms and you need to have those goals accomplished before you move into that next step in life, whatever it might be.

That’s where I’m at now, and I often feel that surge driving me, like I’m racing against some deadline that never really comes. It hasn’t been a perfect pursuit, as I’m still working on this whole “slow your life down” thing. But I’m getting better at it.

To help me out, I often go back to those childhood moments of watching my dad behind the wheel. It’s become my mental mantra of sorts to remind me to slow my life down. Not just while in the car but everywhere. I’m trying not to feel so pushed to move onto the next thing so quickly. Rather, I’m trying to better appreciate the now, to focus less on where I’m going but where I’m at.

He might have never meant to, but that’s something my dad taught me. I still feel comfort whenever I think of him behind the wheel. I knew I was always safe when he drove, and now I have full confidence that I’m safe whenever I’m behind the wheel, and so is anyone else who drives in my car.

I often think of that comfort he provided me when I was younger, and it leads me to think that one day I may have kids of my own sitting in the backseat who’ll be able to sleep calmly through the trip, knowing their dad is keeping them safe.

Because they’ll know I don’t go too fast. They’ll know I’m alert and cautious, and I think before I make a move. They’ll know they can rest comfortably because I’ll be holding them close from my driver’s seat, making sure they know that they are in safe and protective hands.

And maybe one of my kids will one day watch my hands a little too intently and become too afraid to ever get a license.

But they’ll learn. Because I did.

My brudder lives on Fishhook Lake so I was probably more engaged in this activity than either of my loyal readers. He informed that he would be one of the official 100 boats that would guide Governor Dayton and his entourage for the day. The Minnesota fishing opener is a big deal to Minnesotans; and both my loyal readers know that me, my brudder, friend Eug, and my two boys participated in this event until we realized that the weekend after opener was a better weekend to fish.

The weather usually sucks and the boat traffic on the opener takes on freeway proportions; it is not uncommon to worry more about other boats in your lane than the fishing line in your hand.  And God save you if you catch a walleye and mark the spot.

How can you tell if someone in a boat faraway catches a walleye? When someone uses a net to retrieve a fish and then puts the fish in their live well. Walleye fisherman don’t like to put a northern pike in the boat, they call them slimers, and toss them back with great disdain.

Once you snag a walleye it’s usually a good idea to toss a floating marker in where you think you caught it. However, our experience has taught us that a marker becomes a fishing boat magnet. Boats from the other side of the lake stealthily troll towards the marker… and if another walleye is bagged it doesn’t take long for every boat on the lake to circle the marker a few times.

We took good note of this Minnesota behavior one morning when we discovered another boat in our spot. We set our rigs up a couple hundred yards from the interloper, tossed a marker out, circled it once, and slowly trolled our way to our desired fishing hole.

The boat in our spot slowly headed towards our marker, we even said good morning to its occupants as they went by. It didn’t take long before there were a dozen boats circling our phony marker. Meanwhile, we hovered over our spot and quietly harvested our limit while enjoying the fruits of our ploy as well.

Alas, such thoughts only make the howl of the elusive walleye more prominent. But the lakes are still iced over and I’ve just been informed by Eug that we may have to wait until June to imbibe in the hunt.

About now those of you who’ve never experienced a fishing opener should be wondering what’s the big deal and the answer is that I enjoy the Minnesota opener because North Dakota’s fishing season never closes, so the only way I know that it’s time to go fishing is about now.

Thus here I am on the verge of retirement, waiting for Eug and my brudder to decide how much longer I have to wait before I can satiate the howl of the elusive walleye that’s rampaging my conscious…

Okay, maybe that’s a bit over the top. Let me just say that I hope the ice goes out and the fish come up and I get to expend some of my retirement chasing such things.

Here’s hoping that you get to enjoy chasing after your desires as well…

Almont’s school board has decided to close their high school this spring and send the students to New Salem. Seven students would have gone to Almont High School in the fall- two freshmen, four sophomores and one junior. According to Lawrence Lohmen, superintendent at Almont, “Part of the $60,000 in savings will be used for building improvements and towards hiring another teacher for the 32 students expected next fall in the elementary school.

Mandan High School took two firsts and a third at the State Science Olympiad held in Fargo. Three MHS seniors, John Bender, Jon Schirado and Mike Schaff, and junior Kevin Munns, teamed up to win the Science Bowl, a quiz competition much the like the old college bowl on television. Senior Jon Hagerott took first in bridge building; the third place came from Bender and Schirado in the Laser Shoot, where they had to calculate the firing of a laser through a prism and a lens to hit a specific target. Thirty-five class A and B schools participated in the Science Olympiad.

50 Years Ago – 1963

The Mandan Board of Education has announced the acceptance of the request by Dr. W.L. Neff for a release from his contract as superintendent of the Mandan Public Schools. He has accepted the position as director of secondary education at Dickinson State College. Dr. Neff has been in Mandan for 29 years, 19 of which he has served as superintendent and 10 as principal of Mandan High School.

Dr. W.L. Neff

Receiving the first annual John Philip Sousa award for outstanding participation in junior high school music activities is Frank Vogel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vogel, Mandan. The ninth grade clarinetist received the award from Band Director Ernest Borr and Junior High Principal L.H. Stock.

Henry “Buck” Eckroth, former Mandan High School athlete, has signed a contract as head football and track coach at St. Mary’s High School for the 1963-64 season. Eckroth, an 11-year coaching veteran, has been coach for the past four years at Greybull High School, Greybull, Wyo. He had previously coached at Fessenden and Mott.

The 82nd Homecoming and Past Masters Night of Mandan Masonic Lodge No. 8 will be honoring Earl Vredenburg, Master of the Lodge in 1952-53. Vredenburg is the current chief of the Mandan Police Department. Commending the honoree will be Past Master James R. Hanson; Ray N. Pengra will present the Past Master’s ring to Vredenburg.

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An estimated thousand people jammed into the New Salem auditorium for the Morton County 4-H Talent Night and Recreation Party, sponsored by the New Salem Lions Club. Twenty-two acts were introduced by Arnold Meyer, of Flasher, and Sally Friese, New Salem. Taking first prize was the New Salem Helpers 4-H Club for their story and dance number, “An Old Indian Tale,” directed by Mrs. Carl Matthiesen and Mrs. Joe Kautzman, club leader and assistant leader, respectively.

Delores Wilkens of the Jolly Mixers 4-H Club of New Salem won second prize for her song, “Going Home,” and the Heart River 4-H Club of Mandan won third prize for a spirited tumbling exhibition.

75 Years Ago – 1938

This week, glittering plate glass showcases, designed to display pastries and baked goods, and an electric sign, “Midwest Bakery Welcomes You,” greeted visitors to Mandan’s newest business establishment, the Midwest Bakery, located at 216 West Main Street. The entire building, formerly occupied by the Buttrey’s and J.C. Penney stores, has been remodeled with the front of the building decorated in white and green. Baking is done in a huge gas-heated Hubbard oven, which has a capacity for 200 loaves of bread at one time. Breads and pastries will be marketed under the trade name of Pioneer Bread and Pastries.

According to store manager P.L. Varduina, “All of the bakery’s employees must reside in Mandan, and everything used in the business must also be obtained here, and this, of course, includes the Russell Miller flour, manufactured in Mandan.”

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Frank Lockbeam has been unanimously elected to the position of chief of the Mandan Fire Department, and Frank Boehm was named as its new secretary. Lockbeam will succeed the late Mike Heidt, who had been fire chief for the past 20 years. Boehm will succeed John C. Fleck, the group’s secretary for the past four years. The 28-year-old Fleck died April 20 from a diabetic condition.

Mrs. Madge Runey, 53, Mandan school teacher for the past four school terms and former Burleigh County Superintendent of Schools, has died in a Bismarck hospital. Although having been in poor health for the past year, she remained at her position as English instructor at Mandan High School until April 29. She had been engaged in the teaching profession in the state since 1910.

Madge Runey

100 Years Ago – 1913

“Tuesday, the Central School received a handsome Victrola phonograph purchased from H. H. Williams with the money realized from the recent school program. It is valued at $150. The instrument was used for the first time on Tuesday afternoon when it furnished music for the pupils to march out of school at the close of the afternoon session.

“The city commission at their meeting last Thursday night took the first step toward the paving of Main and adjoining streets by passing an ordinance for the creation of a Paving Improvement District.”

125 Years Ago – 1888

The village of Mandan was organized in the spring of 1881; by 1888 its population was at 2,600.

May 17, 1888: “On Thursday at 3:30 p.m. the thermometer stood at 65 degrees above zero.

“The party of gypsies who are around town telling fortunes, appear to be doing a driving business. They are willing to tell the fortunes of anybody- married and singles ladies as well. Anything to turn a nimble dollar or two.

“It is an unsanitary, barbarous plan- that of banking up houses and offices with manure. It may be all right for the winter when everything is frozen up solid, but in the spring, when the thaw comes, it is unhealthful and productive of serious evils. The base of every building should be well built to start with, and the banking used should be earth- enough of it to keep out the cold.

“This morning the Pioneer received a new typewriter of the Remington make. It is the largest size and will write a line 14 inches long. It is a dandy, but then this office has to have all the labor-saving devices that are to be had. Time is money in Dakota.

“The local Democrats have not yet all left their party. There is one in town who wears a portrait of Grover Cleveland in his hat. A wicked Republican says that the picture is undoubtedly worn there to show that Cleveland is lacking in the upper story.”

(To contact Diane Boit, email mandan-news.com)

1. Why do we need educational standards?

We need standards to ensure that all students, no matter where they live are prepared for success in the workforce and postsecondary education. Common Standards will help ensure that students are receiving a high quality education consistently from school to school and from state to state.

Standards do not tell teachers how to teach, but they do help teachers understand what students need to know and be able to do at each grade level. With this information teachers can do a better job of designing lessons that will help students be successful.

2. Who developed the Common Core State Standards?

The Common Core State Standards were developed by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Teachers, school administrators and experts representing 48 states collaborated to develop the standards.

3. Was the federal government involved in the development of the Common Core State Standards?

The federal government was NOT involved in the development of the standards.  The CCSS initiative has been state-led from the start.

4. Are states required to adopt the Common Core State Standards?

While states are required to have standards in math and English-language arts, adopting the CCSS is not required nor is there any financial incentive for states to adopt the CCSS.

5. How do the Common Core State Standards compare to the current North Dakota State Standards?

The CCSS are more rigorous in both math and English-language arts at every grade level than the current North Dakota State Standards. The current North Dakota State Standards were developed by teachers. Teachers started with what students should learn in kindergarten and built upon that learning.

The CCSS began with College and Career Readiness Standards, what students need to be successful in college or work, and worked backwards to kindergarten. The purpose is to close the gap between high school and college and career readiness.

6. How will the Common Core State Standards change what my child is learning in school?

The CCSS will provide more clarity and consistency in what is expected of student learning across the country.  Until now every state has had its own set of academic standards, meaning public education students at the same grade level in different states have been expected to achieve at different levels.  The CCSS initiative will provide all students with an equal opportunity for an education that will prepare them to go to college or enter the workforce, regardless of where they live.

7. Will the Common Core State Standards keep local teachers from deciding what or how to teach?

The CCSS are a clear set of shared goals and expectations for what knowledge and skills to help our children succeed. It will be up to local teachers, principals, superintendents and others to decide how those standards are met.  Teachers will continue to develop lesson plans and tailor instruction to meet the individual needs of students in their classrooms. Local teachers, principals, superintendents and school board members will continue to make decisions about what curriculum is used and how their school systems are operated.

8. When will students first be assessed on the Common Core State Standards?

The 2014-15 is the first year students across the United States will be assessed on the CCSS. Until then students in North Dakota will continue to be assessed on the ND State Standards.

9. Why are the Common Core State Standards for just English-language arts and math?

English-language arts and math were the first subject chosen for the CCSS because these two subjects are skills upon which students build skill sets in other subjects. They are also the subjects most frequently assessed for accountability purposes.

Once the English-language arts and math standards are developed, the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association plan to develop a common core of standards in science and potentially in other areas.

10. Where can I find more information on the Common Core State Standards?

More information on the CCSS can be found on the CCSS initiative website at corestandards.org or on the North Dakota Department of Public Instructions website at dpi.state.nd.us/standard/common_core.shtm.

I remember sitting in Grandma Cora’s living room when man landed on the moon and Great Grandma Samuelson guffawed, “What a waste, we have so many needs here, UF DA!” I was in junior high then and tried to tell her about all the wonderful things the space race would discover for mankind. Velcro, Depends, on and on and she just guffawed at me again.

Imagine what George and Ingaborg would say about all the technology we have today… UF DA? There was something special about Great Grandma Samuelson. She was born on Norwegian Independence day, syttende mai (meaning May Seventeenth). For you German-Russians and such out there, that’s the day Norwegians celebrated their constitution and independence from the king of Sweden.

The day was usually celebrated at Grandma Cora’s house (Ingabord’s daughter) with lefsa, lutefisk and Swedish meatballs for the kids. As I recall, it wasn’t a good day to hang around Grandma’s house because the lutefisk smell was nauseating to us kids. I’ve always wondered how the adults could handle the smell and as I look back I’m left to wonder if the cocktail hour may have started at the same time they dumped the lutefisk into the boiling water… but then again memories fade, you know.

Grandma always made sure that there was plenty of lefsa (with butter and brown sugar) and meatballs for the kids, and we usually stuffed ourselves with that whilst the adults chowed down on the lutefisk. As I recall, I was 14 when I discovered that lutefisk tastes better than it smells, all you have to do is smother it in butter, close your eyes and it slips right down your throat.

However, given all that genetic background, lutefisk is not on my favorite food list. Maybe that’s because I’m only half Norwegian mixed with German-Russian, and a few other things that no one in my family can remember… so how come I’m bringing this up?

Well I’ve decided to retire from my full-time job on Syttende Mai, and it seemed an appropriate date to declare my independence and give Great Grandma Samuelson a salute on the way out.

May 17 also happens to be the day that Custer left Mandan and, as you know, he never came back. So I was thinking that would be a good day to tell my present employer that I ain’t coming back.

Of course as time passes, plans have a tendency to alter, so here’s mine. After a modicum of celebrating my retirement I’m going to take off my first summer off since grade school (my first job began in seventh grade and I’ve worked every summer since). Then towards the end of September I plan to review my financial standing to determine how much longer my creditors will allow me to pretend I’m retired.

Of course, since I will be more dependent than ever on the $10 a week I get for writing this stuff down, as I go along I plan to continue offering these words to both my loyal readers. In the meantime I hope that you’re able to express your independence without having to consume to much lutefisk…

George A. Leingang, of Mandan, has been named North Dakota’s 1988 Outstanding Handicapped Citizen during the annual awards banquet held in Dickinson. Severely injured as a teenager in a 1956 auto accident, Leingang rebuilt his life and is currently an engineer technician with the N.D. State Highway Department. Chosen as the Employer of the year was Housing, Industry & Training, Inc. of Mandan.

North Dakota Governor George Sinner was on hand to help Cloverdale President Don Russell cut the ribbon to officially open the Mandan firm’s new $6 million meat processing facility, located northwest of the Seven Seas Inn. The old plant on West Main Street closed its doors on March 11.

Dakota Four Seasons Department store is closing its doors after two years of operation. “We don’t have enough merchants in town to stop the traffic; there just wasn’t enough support to break even,” said owner Francis Monzelowsky. The clothing outlet’s closing comes on the heels of the going-out-of-business sale at Mushik’s Shoe Store.

Twenty-seven flyers participated in the fifth annual kite-flying festival, hosted by the Mandan Community Center and the Mandan Library. The event took place in chilly 45-degree weather at the Lions-Sunset Park, north of the Community Center. Receiving awards were: Oldest Flyer – Randy Gartner; Youngest Flyer – Brent Liebersbach; Best Charlie Brown Tangle – Jeff Moos; Quickest Ascent – Rick Becker; Largest Kite – Jerry Grimstad; Wimpy Kite – Heather Binstock; Highest Flyers – Kyle Reemts and Alman Wong; and Longest in the Air – Paul Zimmerman.

50 Years Ago – 1963

The Mandan Elks Lodge, decorated to the theme of “Beyond the Horizon,” provided a memorable evening for Mandan High School juniors and seniors at the annual prom. Upperclassmen climbed the staircase to the “Beyond” between balustrades wreathed in blue netting, festooned with tiny glowing starlights, to enter the ballroom, which had been transformed into a “blue heaven” with varied shades of blue streamers in the celling. After passing under a rose-covered archway, the couples were greeted by the sound of cascading blue water from a three-tier fountain, built by the juniors.

The Grand March was led by junior class president Larry Wurdeman and partner Rita Dailey, followed by the senior class president Rusty Kruger and his partner, Sandra Syvrud. Sixty-eight couples attended the prom and danced to the music of the “Chevrons.”

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Leading the Grand March at the 1963 Mandan High School prom were: (l-r) Senior class president Rusty Kruger and his partner Sandy Syvrud, and Junior class president Larry Wurdeman and his partner Rita Dailey.

Veteran newsman and former radio announcer Pat Phillips has joined the KBOM radio station, as news director and on-the-spot news reporter, according to Cal Culver, station manager. Phillips was formerly advertising manager for the Mandan Creamery and Produce, and did play-by-play sports announcing for KGCU Radio. He resigned his position at the creamery to become the full-time sports and city editor for the Daily Pioneer and was named managing editor following the death of Charles Pierce in 1957. After four years as editor, Phillips was selected president of the North Dakota Associated Press Editors.

Plans for a five-doctor clinic on the south side of the new Mandan Hospital have been approved by directors of the Mandan Development Corporation. Estimated cost of the project is $60,000. Following unanimous approval by the board, corporation president Robert Paris appointed a building committee, which includes William Hodny, Harry Kautzman, Art Lang, Joseph Leier and Leo Schwehr.

Mrs. Caroline Lutkat, owner of Parktown Trailer Court, Mandan, and her daughter, Linda, sold dozens of pots of African violets in a stand set up in front of the JC Penney Store, with the approval of store manager Kent Wood. The sale of the plants brought in $42.50 which Mrs. Lutkat donated to the Mandan Hospital building fund.

At the Punch Bowl were five freshmen girls, wearing blue satin dresses (l-r) Joyce Yetter, Jane Swenson, Charlotte Manolovitz, Linda Landgrebe and Sandi Gronowski.

75 Years Ago – 1938

Two St. Joseph parochial school students, fifth-grader Joseph Schmidt and first-grader Melvin Ereth, will represent Mandan at the second annual North Dakota State Marble Tournament to be held in Grand Forks. More than 100 spectators watched the final matches played on the plot of ground directly in front of the Mandan World War Memorial Building where the finalists from Central School, Wayne Adams and Lyle Reinan, and from Syndicate School, Fred Emil and Martin Fix, faced off against the St. Joseph duo in the Saturday afternoon game.

Last year’s State Champion, 12-year-old William Stroh, of Mandan, will accompany Schmidt and Ereth to Grand Forks, along with sponsors from the Chamber of Commerce and the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Mandan. The state marble tournament is sponsored by the Grand Forks Y.M.C.A.

100 Years Ago – 1913

“J. P. Nissen, rural mail carrier on the Mandan-St. Anthony route, Mrs. Patzack and two daughters of this city, and G. J. Jones of Bismarck all received injuries on Monday morning when the stage team of horses became frightened of the automobile driven by William Ordway, tipped the rig over, throwing all the passengers out, and then ran away. Jones was the least injured due to the fact that he fell on top of Nissen who was badly bruised in the spill.

“Ordway and his passenger, Clark, helped secure the team and brought them back to Mr. Nissen, but while they were holding the reins, the horses made another break, getting away from Clark and trampling over Nissen. A heavy fur coat worn by Mr. Nissen probably saved him from serious injury. He was brought into the city where his injuries were attended to by a local physician. He is somewhat stiff from the mishap, but is rapidly recovering.

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“Thursday afternoon, the residents of the east end of the city saw a phenomenon. A flock of 200 geese flew south and passed directly over a flock of several hundred cranes which were flying north. The geese say colder weather, the cranes’ northern flight indicates summer time, and the weather man says… well, who would believe him anyway!”

125 Years Ago – 1888

The village of Mandan was organized in the spring of 1881; by 1888 its population was at 2,600.

May 10, 1888: “On Thursday at 3:30 p.m. the thermometer stood at 60 degrees above zero.

“Dakota must be the banana belt after all, for all through the country, both east and west, the winter still hangs on. On the first day May, it was snowing hard in Ohio, and there have been lingering snowstorms in the west.

“Mr. Lang, the grocer, has just received some rather wonderful lamps with which to light his store. Each lamp has the capacity of 300 candles. They are the next thing to electric lights.

“As an illustration of the increase of freight business on the Northern Pacific, it may be stated that in 1884 at this time of year, there were four freight crews running west from Mandan, and they handled all the freight business. Today, there are 18 crews to do the same work.

“The Rev. R. W. Teichmann of the German Evangelical church will preach his farewell sermon on Sunday next in the M.E. church at 4 p.m. to which all those that understand the German language are cordially invited to attend.”

(To contact Diane Boit, email mandan-news.com)

Take the simple stuff like granting civil rights to folks who are gay. The debate was intense, but a few years back 80 percent of the voters of North Dakota decided to outlaw gay marriage. Then look at today where openly gay people were elected to the legislature. Life in America has changed; most polls now indicate that the majority of Americans have concluded that gay folks are people just like the rest of us.

This legislature spent a great deal of its allotted session creating laws that impose the sponsor’s family values on all of our families. The result of this debate is that we will get to vote on the abortion issue in the next general election. Hopefully that will end the debate for a while, as indeed these moralistic issues have consumed an inordinate amount of time for the past 20 legislative sessions (There has been an anti-abortion bill in every session as far back as I can remember, and my legislative memory began in the 1973 session).

Once they got past all the moralistic stuff (waiting periods for divorce, contraceptives and such) legislators had to wrestle with a problem that very few legislatures ever have to deal with… they somehow managed to have way too much money on their hands.

As a result, everyone who ever wanted something showed up with their tin cup, hoping to abscond with a project, program or an increase in something. Law enforcement did well, schools did better, higher education not so hot, human services moved forward, highways rode out happy, the parks did okay, and the oil patch got enough to keep the oil flowing for a while.

It was interesting to watch this process. One could sense that each member had their districts to worry about as well as the entire state. The alliances that formed seemed somewhat unholy at times… oft times these would leave their leadership out standing in their field.

Then it came time to fish or cut bait. The leaders finally took the session by the horns and the conference committees began to conclude their business… and the whirling dervish of 63rd legislative session came to a close.

So how’d they do? Despite all the bad press and moralistic stuff they had to deal with, I think they left North Dakota better off than they found it… and the nice part is that their tax cuts should leave a little something in our wallets…

However, given that engaging in the legislative process is like climbing into a blender set on emulsify, I reserve the right to get over my dizziness before affirming anything I said here. By the way, my thanks go out to all the folks who volunteered to serve us in the legislature… it’s not an easy job…

Mandan High School senior Mike Haney has been accepted at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. He received his appointment from Senator Quentin Burdick. During his years at MHS, Haney carried a straight A average, was captain of the tennis team, and a member of the Student Council and the National Honor Society. His parents are Dennis and Nancy Haney, Mandan.

The Mandan Eagles have turned over the first shovels of dirt at the site of its future club building on North Collins Avenue. On hand for the groundbreaking ceremony were national Grand Aerie President Vince Cherry, Chicago, Ill.; Mandan Aerie president and vice president, Linn Thomas and Gene Muth; and Jerry Auch, Dakota State Aerie president.

The Mandan News has changed its publication dates from Sunday to Wednesday. The newspaper will continue to be delivered by carrier, but on Wednesday evening, with mail subscribers receiving it on Thursdays.

The 44 members of the Mandan High School speech team did themselves proud this season, winning the WDA and finishing just six points behind titlist Fargo Shanley at the State Tournament. Pushing the points up for Mandan were five individual champions: Mike Kalvoda, Christi Maruska (a winner in two categories), Sarah Zittlow and Terri Hurdelbrink. According to their coach Pat Pins, this was the first time that Mandan brought home more than two champions.

Mike Haney, 1988

50 Years Ago – 1963

Gayle Neill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Neill, and Alan Inglis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Inglis, have been named co-valedictorians of the 1963 class of Mandan High School. Beverly Boyd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Berlin Boyd, is the Salutatorian.

Custer Drama officials have named Ernest Borr, of Mandan, general manager for the 1963 season, which opens June 26 at the Custer Amphitheater, south of Mandan. He is the show’s first full-time general manager in its five years of operation.

Mrs. Barry Davis has been elected president of the Mandan Welcome Wagon Club. She will succeed Mrs. Dean Fleming. Other officers are: Mrs. Logan Holm, first vice president; Mrs. Pete Kloster, second vice president; Mrs. Ray Stanley, secretary; Mrs. Ernie Borr, treasurer; and Mrs. Fred Doll, historian.

The Mandan Country Club was the scene for the “Revelers’ Wharf,” with Dr. and Mrs. D.L. Moum, chairmen of the committee in charge of the Revelers’ Club dinner-dance. A lighthouse, fishing boat and picture booth were on the porch of the country club, along with a fishing pond from which the men fished for the names of their dancing partners. The north wall in the dining hall was decorated with interwoven steamers, giving a sea-green effect through which fish were swimming. A lobster dinner was served to the 38 couple attending; dance music was provided by the Coast Guard Cutters.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. Eckroth, Mandan, have been named Outstanding Catholic Family in North Dakota for 1963. Eckroth, a retired railroad switchman, has been active in the Knight of Columbus since 1910. Four of the couple’s seven children have been called to religious life. Final selection in the statewide contest was made from entries of 10 district winners.

(l-r) Gayle Neill, Alan Inglis and Bev Boyd, 1963.

75 Years Ago – 1938

One of the largest crowds in recent years attended the 57th annual homecoming and Past Masters’ night celebration at the Masonic Temple, with 132 Mandan Masons and guests seated at the banquet table. Dinner was served by the ladies of the Eastern Star and White Shrine. The evening’s speaker was Charles M. Pollock, Fargo, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of North Dakota. At the conclusion of his address, J.L. Brenden, Master of the Mandan lodge, introduced the Past Masters, followed by the presentation of a Masonic play, “A Rose Upon the Altar,” directed by J.C. Gould with D.C. Mohr as the star and members of the Mandan lodge taking other roles of the play. After the close of the meeting, the “brothers” enjoyed a social evening with billiard and cards.

More than 1830 Mandan voters turned out for the city election and named Frank W. Haider and John I. Rovig as city commissioners to succeed H.L. Dahners and T.P. Heisler. The voters also returned Mrs. Anna Stark to the Park Board and elected J.K. Porter to the other regular vacancy. Mrs. Stark, who is 87, is believed to be the oldest woman in the state to hold public office.

100 Years Ago – 1913

“The pupils and their teachers at Central School are arranging an excellent program of vocal music, folk dances and skits to be held at the Opera House next week. A small charge of Fifty Cents will be made, with hopes that enough funds will be secured to purchase a Victrola phonograph and records in order to teach music appreciation in the school.

“The weather during this past week has broken all records for this time of year. Monday and Tuesday the thermometer crept up to the 86-degree mark in the shade, and it was hard to believe that summer was not here.

“The farmers who have been in the city this week all bring stories of seeding, and it is estimated that the past week has seen over half the seeding in this section done.

“Gabriel Baron, a resident of the Syndicate, was arrested the fore part of the week and charged with allowing some of his cattle to roam at large, with many gardens being destroyed. Baron was arraigned in justice court and fined $12 and costs. Authorities state that the ordinance against roaming animals will be enforced to the letter.

“Central Park, located at Collins Ave. and Second Street, was officially dedicated this morning with a committee of ladies of the Civic League, headed by their president, Mrs. G. A. Stark, set out the first tree, a box elder. The beautification of that property owned by the city, and commonly called the artesian well lots, is now certain to be carried out.”

125 Years Ago – 1888

The village of Mandan was organized in the spring of 1881; by 1888 its population was at 2,600.

May 3, 1888: “On Thursday at 3:30 p.m. the thermometer stood at 52 degrees above zero.

“It is an interesting fact that shortly after the first tramp for the season showed up in Mandan, the mosquito also made an appearance.

“Some of the Indians about Mandan are marksmen of the first order. This morning an Indian, 65-years old, was in town with his bow and arrows. Someone gave him a two-cent piece to shoot at across the street. The old man stuck the money up, and after one or two shots, brought it down.

“It seems that all the buffalo bones have not yet been gathered from the surrounding country. This morning three wagonloads were brought to town.

“Mr. W. E. Martin has the contract of supplying Fort Lincoln with 144 tons of hay at $5 a ton.

“A vacant building on Main Street, formerly occupied by a saloon, still wears the sign ‘Beer- Five Cents.’ When the passenger trains arrive from the east, it is not uncommon for a few men on board who like a drop of something cool in this warm weather. So when the train stops here, they fly across the park in hopes of getting their whistles wet at eastern prices. When they find nothing but an empty building, they fly back to the train again and wonder how long Morton County has had prohibition.”

(To contact Diane Boit, email mandan-news.com)

I’m not a gun nut because I find them quite dangerous. When I was a kid I was a rabid hunter – every day after school, weekends, and the whole gig that goes along with being raised out here on the prairie. There were times when I was a really good shot and times when I spent the day blowing holes in the air. I loved the hunt but never cared much for the kill.

It was hard to shoot a bird then walk up to it and ring its neck… but I got over that. I remember hunting ducks with Fats at Rice Lake. There was this calm narrow strip of water with tall reeds on each side. Thinking we could do some serious pass shooting, we laid out the decoys between us, he hunkered down in the cattails on one side of this slip of water and I hunkered in on the other. A teal came swooping in and I jumped up and, BOOM! I nailed it just as it flew between us. And then this God awful hollering, “FUDD, YOU !@#!er, you just shot me!”

Oh my God! I dropped my gun and waded through the decoys thinking Fats was lying in a pool of his own blood. Still swearing a blue streak; Fats pulled off his glove to show me that a BB had left a tiny red blister on his pinky finger. Let’s just say he was pissed and I was so relieved that my knees buckled.

I’ve shot most every gun I ever wanted to shoot and, for the record, I’ve never worried about having my background checked, nor have I ever enjoyed the notion of having anyone look at it without my permission.

So gun control has never really been a front burner issue for me, because if I want one I can get one anytime and way I want to, and that’s just the way things are. I get all the hoopla about outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns and the magazine issue and on and on. Like you, I’ve met a few folks who, in my opinion, should never be allowed to touch a weapon… but that’s just my opinion, yours may differ. So I understand how folks conclude that all gun owners need to have their backgrounds checked before they can possess a firearm.

But when I took the time to think about background checks I couldn’t help but ask what things are we looking for? The doc prescribed me anti-depressants; does that make me into someone who needs watching? How about all those folks who’ve ever said nasty things about our President or Congress or expressed their anger at a friend…?

Who amongst us doesn’t have something in their background that might be specious? Who gets to check? What will they look for, a bout with depression, a nasty argument with your spouse or friend, maybe a fight you had in high school, or how bout those who sign up to one of those undercover groups like the Masons or Knights of Columbus, an unsatisfactory grade in works and plays well with others? What are the background checkers gonna check? Will there be any limitations?

Seems to me that carte blanche background checks will affirm that there’s more than just “Big Brother’s” nose under the tent, and it won’t be long before he gets up and walks away with the tent.

Freedom is a messy thing, its tugs and pull create a lot of gray matter. Indeed, if we are going to pursue the right to life, liberty and happiness then we are going to have to figure out how to get along better with each other and become less interested in monitoring each other’s activities by respecting people’s privacy.

Like it or not, our desires for peaceful streets and secure homes have virtually eviscerated our privacy rights and encouraged those who believe in an armed citizenry. Guns are here to stay; let’s hope we can strike a peaceful balance between those who want to own and use them and those who think they should be outlawed. Maybe we need to remember that Jesus said that eye for an eye thing doesn’t work so replace it with “love one another”… just saying you know…

25 Years Ago – 1988

Bill’s Liquor Store has opened under new management at 105 Collins Ave. Tony Kautzman will manage the store. Owners of the store are Wally Joersz, Tony Engelhardt and Jerry Engel.

Many Mandan residents traveled to the Bismarck Civic Center this past week to see one of the hottest comics on television today, Jay Leno. He is rumored to be among the candidates considered as a future host of NBC’s Tonight Show, starring Johnny Carson, who will soon observe his 25th anniversary on the late night talk show.

The annual Junior Senior Banquet and Prom were held April 16, with the banquet served at Roosevelt Elementary School, followed by the dance at the high school auditorium. This year’s theme, “For Just A Moment,” was sung by juniors Karen Engelter and Dustin Hertz. The dance began with junior class president, Jason Arenz, and his date leading the Grand March, followed by senior class president, Mike Bennett, and his date.

Tony Kautzman

50 Years Ago – 1963

Mrs. Ray Rolshoven, mother of four and retiring president of the Mandan Mrs. Jaycees, has been named Mandan’s Outstanding Mrs. Jaycee for 1963. Mrs. Rolshoven has been a member of the Mandan chapter for the past five years, serving on various committees, including as board member and secretary- treasurer prior to being elected president. Her husband is an engineer with Toman Engineering.

The Mandan American Legion Gilbert S. Furness Post No. 40 has elected Henry Backsen as its new Commander. Other officers are: Ronald Harsh, first vice-commander; Thomas Geiger, second vice-commander; Al Lennick, adjutant; Raymond Parker, sergeant at arms; John Demianew, finance officer, Art Olson, historian; and H.B Uden, Chaplain.

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Funeral services were held at the First Presbyterian Church for 66-year-old Mrs. Gena Jensen, executive secretary of the North Dakota Teachers Insurance and Retirement Fund since 1950, with offices in Mandan. She was the wife of H.K. Jensen, retired educator and former Morton County Superintendent of Schools.

Born in Northwood, N.D., Mrs. Jensen came to Mandan in 1918 for a teaching position in the Mandan Public School System; she married Mr. Jensen in 1920. She assisted her husband, in the Morton County Superintendent’s office for several years before being also elected to that position after her husband resignation due to illness in 1934. Mrs. Jensen served as superintendent of schools for 16 years until being named executive secretary. She also organized the Young Citizens League in Morton County; was past president of the American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the Chapter H, PEO Sisterhood. Survivors include her husband, two sons and their families.

Mrs. Gena Jensen

75 Years Ago – 1938

Two city champions were crowned this past weekend at the Elks hall as a result of the first citywide table tennis tournament, resulting in Mrs. Harry A. Wheeler taking top honors in the women’s division, with Miss Jane Watson, runner-up; and Charles F. Ellis Jr., earning the cup in the men’s division with a win over Al Spielman, runner-up.

Twelve women and 16 men competed, the youngest player being 12-year-old Bobby Scothorn, who managed to defeat eight competitors before going down to L.C. Hulett. Ten tables were in use throughout the evening with special lights strung over each table. Play began at 7:15 p.m. and concluded at 11 o’clock with the final championship matches.

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Stanley Hoffmann won first prize in the whist division, and Joe Helbling placed first in the bridge play in the tournament held recently in the Hudson Hall by the St. Thomas More’s Council of the Knights of Columbus.

100 Years Ago – 1913

“The question of paving Main Street was very thoroughly discussed in all its phases at a meeting of the directors of the Commercial club with members of the City Commission. President Lanterman of the Commercial Club and former mayor Foran of the City Commission have been busy for some time in gathering information as to paving costs.

“According to figures obtained from Fargo officials, it is estimated that a bitulithic paving could be put down for about $2.20 a yard. It was generally conceded that it would be unwise to attempt to narrow up Main Street, but to pave it at a width of 55 feet. This would then make a total of 2322 yards to each block for a cost of $5,108.40 per block.

“As to the proper and legal methods for covering the payments of the work, Attorney Connelly stated that, according to law, an improvement district should be created and then it would be possible to assess each side of Main Street 40 percent, raising the remaining 20 percent by a general taxation of the city. If paving is done this year, it will likely extend six or seven blocks, beginning at the freight depot and extending east to the F. P. Roby corner. The project would also need to include the side streets to First Street, from the InterOcean Hotel to Collins Avenue.

“It is also suggested that while this is being done, the city should lay wires for street lights and install them at the same time. These two improvements would certainly put Mandan on the map and forever lift it out of the class of country towns into a real live city.”

125 Years Ago – 1888

The village of Mandan was organized in the spring of 1881; by 1888 its population was at 2,600.

April 26, 1888: “On Thursday at 3:30 p.m. the thermometer stood at 52 degrees above zero.

“Yesterday a hardware man sold three saws, which were to be used for dehorning cattle.

“The high sidewalks leading to the Syndicate has had its annual upheaval for this year and is now ready to be fixed again. The damage is slight this time, as only a few planks were displaced.

“In the Missouri River, there has not been a cake of ice seen for two weeks. The last snow drift disappeared this morning at 10 o’clock, except for a patch the size of a washtub in front of the courthouse.

“Mrs. Hunter will open her writing school at the school house on Friday night. Those who desire to develop a first class style of handwriting should be in attendance.

“If the businessmen on Main Street would each donate a small sum of money, a man could be had to make a couple of trips a day along the street with a sprinkler during the summer. The cost would be very slight, and the clouds of dust rolling down Main Street would be temporarily abated.

“The industry of making sugar out of beets is being discussed a good deal, and the farmers will do well to raise a few so that a practical test can be made this fall. It is claimed that one bushel will make a gallon of syrup or four pounds of sugar.”

(To contact Diane Boit, email mandan-news.com)

A Mandan News directory from 1988 for Drs. D.A. Carlsen, Dale Klein and Darwin Lange.