Page 12 The Press June 1, 2010
What happens when an
ordinary person, you or me,
experiences the usual challenges
of life and relationships, only to
find the extraordinary? Once
Todd Michael Kjelland
discovered the extraordinary in
his life he kept it to himself for
five years.
A Park River, N.D. native and
once again current resident,
Kjelland's personal experience is
finally revealed. His personal
journal of questions and
reflections on challenges he faced
and God's response to them is
published under the title,
WORDS OF THE ANGELS: A
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
Kjelland had no intention or
aspirations of being a writer until
2001, two years into his personal
impending divorce and financial
difficulties associated with
moving his music business,
Kjelland had no idea who he was
or who he had become.
Pressures of divorce and an
unexpected new marriage
brought him back to Park River,
N.D. where his extraordinary
experience began in February
1999. Difficulties troubled the
new marriage from the
beginning.
With a new baby, Kjelland
thought moving his family to the
mid-west would be better for all
involved.
But the challenges remained.
Money was always an issue and
his wife had a miscarriage that
plunged her into depression.
Kjelland believed the mid-
i)rds of a)e e/s
At Left: Author Todd Kjelland; At Right: Cover of Kjelland's first
book Words of the Angels: a personal experience,
Kjelland shares with God.
Kjeiland reluctantly moved his
family back to Washington State
in April 1999. In July of that
year, a friend gave him a copy of
Neale Donald " Walsch's,
CONVERSATIONS WITH
GOD.
Kjelland saw parallels
between his joumaling and
Walsch's book. The books share
a question and answer format.
This confirmed the validity of
what Kjelland thought was
happening.
In his collaborative book,
Kjelland learned from God, you
must be "true to yourself" and
"the only true happiness is from
The most significant guidance
that Kjelland feels he received
through his writing led him to
pursue helping people using
E.F.T. or Emotional Freedom
Techniques.
Kjelland has started a
company called EmoEnergetics
to help remove negative energy
blocks that hinder the body's
natural healing ability and
enhance sports and musical
performance.
Kjelland admits his own
spiritual beliefs have been
challenged since the writing of
his book. Strong opposition in
last couple of years has caused
within". Kjelland to question his own
He came to realize he himself writings, but now strongly
believes that God has us all on a
could not make his wife happy, distinct path to further our
joumaling. Music, not writing west was more affordable and Late one evening, Kjelland sat different, different than who I that was hers to do and she would
was his passion, first as a offered better job and financial down at his computer and started am", he said, "someone or ......... spiritual growth.
.,. , . ,, OO It In ner own way ano time. In
what he called his "letter of someming eise was answering .............. Kjelland recently moved back
drummer and then as a business opportunities at the time. Feeling frustration". ..... mese t Joe-given ideas jeuana
tie reauzea ne was fi ""h m " - - to Park River to get back to his
owner of an entertainment isolated and again pregnant, his .... ouna t e ost peace ne nas ever
company, writing would come wife wanted to return to First he listed his goals and experiencing. . a two-way, fielt, roots. To where his extraordinary
then he vented his feelings. After commumcat on between himself--' ............ experience began 11 years ago.
later. • Washington where her family and writing a few pages, he re-read " "-' "9 ..... ltnougn me peace telt wamln
anu.., uou. Aria Ior a moment ne • ,. , .,, ,, ,._ ,.
Kjelland moved to friends resided. Kjelland wanted Copies of WORDS OF THE
.. ... ,. . .• was in connlct wire me reality oI
Washington State in 1985 with to remain in North Dakota. what he had written. Some thing mougm ne was ioslng it, or • -. • ,-,.- ANGELS: APERSONAL (ISBN
• ,, a trouolesome mamage, lne
his parents, Elroy and (the late) Kjelland admits he and his unusual was happening. He going crazy
...... ", ...... peace was disrupted with 1-4137-1889-2) can be purchased
realized he was answering his r jenana aeclaea not to teu ..... , ......
Mavis Kjelland to pursue his love wife did not talk about their ..... jeiiano s second divorce, oi from Publish America or special
of music. In 1989, Kjellandfeelings. Instead they put up own questions. And what he read anyone oi nls experience, not " ............. , ordered at most major book
: ,. ..... .. . wmcn me oetallS are m l~jellanu S
made him feel peaceful, even nis Wlle. tie Ielt line tameu ...........
started a Disc Jockey emotional barriers to each other Kjelland came back to his ........... "'" second book (yet to be published) retailers• To purchase a
aooutltWlmomers,, ,,lnewnung WORDS OF THE ANGEL"' personally autographed copy,
entertainment company a year while trying to provide for their computer journal a few days later, wouldnt be authentic . THE " contact Todd Michael Kjelland at
after marrying his first wife. child and keep their marriage in Again he started writing what he Kjelland did not write daily, ,, JOURN . .
• The journey has certainly 701-284-6243 or email -
Although they had two tact. was feeling; the good things and but when he wrote, it was usually been an eventfi]l one" K'elland
beautiful daughters, it was a. It was out of these challenges, the frustrations. He beganto ask late atnightto ensure his privacy. J EmoCoach@live.com.
difficult and unhappy primarily the frustrations of the God for help, particularly in his As t e journal proceeds over .... , ' ., ,,..... . ,
h • says Paperback copies are $19.95
relationship, for reasonsrelationship and the lack of relationship with his wife. me e s atura on,oIme , ..... .......
"' r i am ti "" Heaaus, lnlsexpenencenas Kjelland is also available for
unknown to him at the time.communication between them,
;.. .... a: tea me tome strongest ialtn special book signingsand
With the struggles of anthat drove Kjelland to journal. "The answers sounded staons, reflectlu a,,u : . ,,
have ever felt in God. speaking engagements.
i i .... ..... • :
By Patricla Stockdill
They! :Out: ere and they're inching
ever closer.
"They" are zebra mussels and they're
in Pelican Lake, a Minnesota lake 50 miles
east of Fargo.
The problem isn't that Minnesota anglers
fish North Dakota waters and vice-versa,
which alone can spread zebra mussels.
The problem is Pelican Lake's outflow
is the Pelican River, which flows into the
Ottertail River. The Ottertail River meets
the Bois de Sioux River at Breckenridge,
Minn., becoming the Red River.
The Red River flows north to Lake Win-
nipeg and the Hudson Bay drainage. All are
popular fishing destinations for in-state and
out-of-state anglers.
Zebra mussels could easily hitch a ride
west -Devils Lake, Lake Sakakawea or the
Missouri River
No one knows when.or if they will enter
North Dakota's waterways.
However, one thing is certain - if North
Dakota,s waters become infested with in-
vasive, non-native aquatic nuisance species
(ANS), it means lost dollars and lost natural
resources, potentially influencing North Da-
kota's electric power generation and water
supplies. ANS is more than a problem for
anglers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts.
It means large dollars and extensive
manpower trying to'prevent the spread of a
preventable problem.
And none would cure the problem or
make it go away.
Zebra mussels attach themselves to hard
surfaces, •such as rocks, boats or irrigation,
power plant, and municipal and rural water
intake systems.
They're one example of an aquatic nui'
sance species but ANS covers an array of
bad things. It could be zebra mussels.
It could be a plant - Eurasian water mil-
foil, which is in parts of the Sheyenne River
and Dead Colt Creek Reservoir, or curly-
leaf pondweed already in the Missouri Riv-
er System.
It could be a disease - VHS, viral hem-
orrhagic septicemia.
The news that zebra mussels are in Min-
nesota's Pelican Lake hit home for Jame-
stown angler Ken Cumber, who fishes the
lake.
An ardent recreational and tournament
angler, Cumber is a longstanding advocate
of taking necessary precautions to stop the
spread of ANS. He fishes tournaments that
require boat cleaning and inspections, in-
cluding the 2009 Master's Walleye Circuit
tournament in Devils Lake. :.,,
Cumber encourages other toumam ts
to offer cleaning sites for tournament an-
glers and the public, like sites in Devils
Lake.
The routine of inspect, clean, and dry
has been a regular part of Cumber's fishing
trips for many years. He adamantly encour-
ages other anglers to follow regulations and
to clean and inspect boats and equipment.
"I've had great fishing all of my life and I
want it to continue for future generations,"
he says.
North Dakota's 2010-2012 fishing regu-
lations tighten the noose around the neck of
ANS even more.
Beginning this year, anglers should
drain all livewells and baitwells of water
before leaving a lake or river.
In addition, no fish, other than live bait-
fish, can be transported from a lake or river
in water. Transport baitfish in a five-gallon
or smaller bucket.
The new regulations can proactively
help prevent ANS, explains N.D. Game and
Fish Department ANS coordinator Lynn
Remove vegetation: Boat motor props are a prime location for aquatic vegetation to
accumulate. Aquatic Nuisance Species, such as curly-leaf pondweed, is found in North
Dakota's Lake Sakakawea, Lake Audubon, the Missouri River and McDowell Dam.
Schlueter, rather than having to react by .............................................
initiating measures after a species is discov-
ered in the state,
North Dakota is ahead of many states in
taking an aggressive approach in ANS pre-
vention, Sehlueter says, It's easier to keep
something h ful out of the state's water-
ways than to tryto get rid of it once it's here,
he adds.
Other ANS-related regulations: Carefree days of boat launching without regard
*All aquatic vegetation needs to be re-
moved from all t)?es of boats, to aquatic nuisance species (ANS)are gone
watercraft, trailers; and equipment - thir
Additional aquatic nuisance species information, identificationl
and prevention tips are available from the N.D. Game and Fish
DepaRment Web site, (http://gf.nd.gov) and the 2010,2012 North
Dakota Fishing Guide available at vendors throughout the state.
or aquatic vegetation can be brought in.
*Don't dump bait or introduce any fish
into North Dakota waterways.
*Except for legal, live baitfish, nongame
fish such as carp can't be transported away
from the water body they were in.
Dispose aquatic weeds back into the
water as a courtesy to other boaters, not at
docks, ramps and parking lots.
"It maybe takes five minutes to check
your boat," Cumber said.
Dealing with ANS could be forever.
water-skis, ropes, oars, lifejackets, boating
tubes and boards, anchors and anchor ropes,
bumper, trailer hitch, wiring, sai ty chain,
rollers, bunks, axles, frame cross-members,
lower unit, propeller, bait buckets, clothing,
waders, diving equipment or anything else
coming in contact with water, including
commercial equipment.
*Remove visible vegetation, mud, and dirt.
Some hitchhikers, while inconspicuous
to the eye, lurk in mud, dirt, sand, and on
plants.
Other hitchhikers are invisible - micro-
scopic, in fact - so washing and disinfecting
all equipment is important.
*Use a pressure washer with water 104
degrees or hotter.
*Rinse livewells with a solution of 20-1
ratio of warm water, 110 degrees or hotter,
to bleach. Run the recirculation pumps and
use a brush to scrub under the lid and in cor-
ners. Drain the solution into an appropriate
location, not the lake. Toilet bowl brushes
work well.
*Allow everything to air dry.
*Dogs who were in a waterway" should
be bathed with warm water and brushed.
*Dip hard-to-wash equipment in vinegar
for 20 minutes or soak 24 hours in 1 percent
table salt, using two-thirds of a cup of salt
for five gallons of water.
*Talk to other anglers and boaters about
the need to be ANS-savvy and encourage
others to take preventative measures.
like fishing gear, lures, paddles, North Dakota, like many states, has
*Bait buckets must be designed to prevent ANS intro-
ic vegetation, duction:
*All water must be drained from water:' i The easiest way to comply with North
crafks, bilges, motors, and livewells, regulations is to ICDD - inspect,
it back into the water from which it clean, dry, and don't dump.
be[bre leaving the access site. Hitchhikers - aquatic nuisance species
*When coming into North Dakota, ai[!ii such as zebra mussels or Eurasian water rail-
• ~; ....
water must be drained from any watercr foil - potentially lurk m many places. Take a
before entering the state. No live aquatic bait few minutes to inspect and clean rods, reels,
